Hochschulbibliothekszentrum des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (hbz)
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Environmental impact of an acid-forming alum shale waste rock legacy site in Norway
No full text<jats:p>Weathering of acid-forming alum shale might lead to the mobilization of potentially harmful contaminants, including U, while precipitation of secondary phases in the surrounding environment can act as a temporary storage for leachable contaminants.</jats:p>
Gesundheitsdatenräume: Große Chance für eine bessere Medizin
No full textDie Verordnung zum Europäischen Gesundheitsdatenraum (EHDS) soll helfen, digitale Gesundheitsdaten für eine bessere Medizin zu erschließen. Daten nicht nur schützen, sondern sie vor allem auch nutzen, das ist die neue Devise – eine überfällige Zeitenwende. Doch Gesetze sind nicht alles: Deutschland muss jetzt zügig strukturelle Hausaufgaben machen, um nicht im Zuge des EHDS zurückzufallen. Die TMF unterstützt mit Beratung und viel Expertise – und bietet sich als Serviceprovider an
Pressurised water flow in fractured permafrost rocks revealed by borehole temperature, electrical resistivity tomography, and piezometric pressure
No full text<jats:p>Abstract. Rock slope instabilities and failures from permafrost rocks are among the most significant alpine hazards in a changing climate and represent considerable threats to high-alpine infrastructure. While permafrost degradation is commonly attributed to rising air temperature and slow thermal heat propagation in rocks, the profound impact of water flow in bedrock permafrost on warming processes is increasingly recognised. However, quantifying the role of water flow remains challenging, primarily due to the complexities associated with direct observation and the transient nature of water dynamics in rock slope systems. To overcome the lack of a quantitative assessment, we combine datasets of rock temperature measured in two deep boreholes (2016–2023), with electrical resistivity tomography measurements repeated monthly in 2013 and 2023; the site-specific temperature–resistivity relation determined in the laboratory with samples from the study area; and borehole piezometer data. Field measurements were carried out at the permafrost-affected north flank of the Kitzsteinhorn (Hohe Tauern range, Austria), which is characterised by significant water outflow from open fractures during the melt season. Borehole temperature data demonstrate a seasonal maximum of the permafrost active layer of 4–5 m. They further show abrupt temperature changes (∼ 0.2–0.7 °C) at 2, 3, and 5 m depth during periods with enhanced water flow and temperature regime changes between 2016–2019 and 2020–2022 at 10 and 15 m depth, which cannot be explained solely by conductive heat transfer. Electrical resistivity measurements repeated monthly reveal a massive decrease in resistivity from June to July and the initiation of a low-resistivity (&lt; 4 kΩ m) zone in the lower part of the rock slope in June, gradually expanding to higher rock slope sections until September. We hypothesise that the reduction in electrical resistivity of more than an order of magnitude, which coincides with abrupt changes in borehole temperature and periods of high water heads up to 11.8 m, provides certain evidence of snowmelt water infiltration into the rockwall becoming pressurised within a widespread fracture network during the thawing season. This study shows that, in addition to slow thermal heat conduction, permafrost rocks are subjected to sudden push-like warming events and long-lasting rock temperature regime changes, favouring accelerated bottom-up permafrost degradation and contributing to the build-up of hydrostatic pressure, potentially leading to slope instability.
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Using a virtual reality oddball paradigm to study attention control in complex motor movements
No full textVirtual reality (VR) technologies are increasingly used in neuropsychological assessment of various cognitive functions. Compared to traditional laboratory studies, VR allows for a more natural environment and more complex task-related movements with a high degree of control over the environment. However, there are still few studies that transfer well-established paradigms for measuring attentional distraction by novel sounds in laboratory settings to virtual environments and sports activities. In this study, the oddball paradigm, which is well established in laboratory settings for studying attention, is transferred to table tennis in a virtual environment. While 33 subjects played virtual table tennis, they were presented with a task-irrelevant sequence of frequent standard sounds and infrequent novel sounds. Trials in which an unexpected novel sound preceded the ball’s appearance resulted in a delayed racket movement compared to trials in which a standard sound was presented. This distraction effect was observed in the first part of the experiment but disappeared with increasing exposure. The results suggest that unexpected and task-irrelevant novel sounds can initially distract attention and impair performance on a complex movement task in a rich environment. The results demonstrate that versions of the well-established oddball distraction paradigm can be used to study attentional distraction, its dynamics, and its effects on complex movements in naturalistic environments
Leveraging a phased pangenome for haplotype design of hybrid potato
No full textThe tetraploid genome and clonal propagation of the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)(1,2) dictate a slow, non-accumulative breeding mode of the most important tuber crop. Transitioning potato breeding to a seed-propagated hybrid system based on diploid inbred lines has the potential to greatly accelerate its improvement(3). Crucially, the development of inbred lines is impeded by manifold deleterious variants; explaining their nature and finding ways to eliminate them is the current focus of hybrid potato research(4-10). However, most published diploid potato genomes are unphased, concealing crucial information on haplotype diversity and heterozygosity(11-13). Here we develop a phased potato pangenome graph of 60 haplotypes from cultivated diploids and the ancestral wild species, and find evidence for the prevalence of transposable elements in generating structural variants. Compared with the linear reference, the graph pangenome represents a broader diversity (3,076 Mb versus 742 Mb). Notably, we observe enhanced heterozygosity in cultivated diploids compared with wild ones (14.0% versus 9.5%), indicating extensive hybridization during potato domestication. Using conservative criteria, we identify 19,625 putatively deleterious structural variants (dSVs) and reveal a biased accumulation of deleterious single nucleotide polymorphisms (dSNPs) around dSVs in coupling phase. Based on the graph pangenome, we computationally design ideal potato haplotypes with minimal dSNPs and dSVs. These advances provide critical insights into the genomic basis of clonal propagation and will guide breeders to develop a suite of promising inbred lines
Deep phenotyping platform for microscopic plant-pathogen interactions
No full textThe increasing availability of genetic and genomic resources has underscored the need for automated microscopic phenotyping in plant-pathogen interactions to identify genes involved in disease resistance. Building on accumulated experience and leveraging automated microscopy and software, we developed BluVision Micro, a modular, machine learning-aided system designed for high-throughput microscopic phenotyping. This system is adaptable to various image data types and extendable with modules for additional phenotypes and pathogens. BluVision Micro was applied to screen 196 genetically diverse barley genotypes for interactions with powdery mildew fungi, delivering accurate, sensitive, and reproducible results. This enabled the identification of novel genetic loci and marker-trait associations in the barley genome. The system also facilitated high-throughput studies of labor-intensive phenotypes, such as precise colony area measurement. Additionally, BluVision’s open-source software supports the development of specific modules for various microscopic phenotypes, including high-throughput transfection assays for disease resistance-related genes
Variation of N cycle guilds of the rye rhizosphere microbiome is driven by crop productivity along a tillage erosion catena
No full textTillage erosion poses threats to crop yields. A transition towards more sustainable agricultural practices may be advanced by harnessing ecosystem services provided by plant microbiomes. However, targeting microbiomes at the agroecosystem scale necessitates bridging the gap to microscale structures of microbiomes. We hypothesized that differences of microbial nitrogen (N) cycle guilds in the rhizosphere of rye align with a soil catena that has been formed by tillage erosion. The rhizosphere was sampled at four sites, which captured a complete tillage erosion gradient from extremely eroded to depositional soils. The gene abundances characteristic of microbial N cycle guilds were assessed via metagenomics. The eroded sites showed the lowest plant productivity and soil mineral N availability, which was associated with an enrichment of glnA in the rhizosphere. Genes associated with dissimilatory nitrate-to-ammonium reducers and diazotrophy prevailed in the eroded soil profiles. The strongest correlations of the biomasses of rye plants along the catena with N cycle functions were observed for norBC. Thus, tillage erosion as a legacy of agricultural management aligns with substantial differences in rhizosphere microbiome functionality in N cycling. These microbiome differences were linked to plant shoot properties. Thus, the dynamics of the microbiome can be indirectly assessed by remote sensing
Circadian rhythm genes and immune cell infiltration in myasthenia gravis: A comprehensive analysis
No full textThe fluctuating weakness in myasthenia gravis (MG) is clinically described as the “morning improvement and evening worsening” pattern; MG is commonly associated with sleep disorders. However, there remains a paucity of research investigating the relationship between MG and circadian rhythms. This study seeks to identify pivotal circadian rhythm genes (CRGs) and characterize immune cell infiltration in MG, while exploring their potential roles in MG pathogenesis. MG data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Initially, differentially expressed circadian rhythm genes between MG and control samples were identified through differential expression analysis. Subsequently, to elucidate the functional roles of differentially expressed CRGs, we conducted Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Finally, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were applied to identify the hub CRGs. The diagnostic utility of hub genes was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and their protein expression levels in the serum of patients with MG were assessed utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, we examined the extent of immune cell infiltration in MG and explored its relationship with the identified hub genes. We analyzed the immune infiltration profile in MG and their correlation with the identified hub genes. The GO enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in circadian rhythm-related biological processes. Our investigation identified two hub CRGs that exhibit high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity and are significantly upregulated in serum samples from MG patients. Furthermore, Immune cells were correlated with hub genes. Our findings suggest a potential circadian rhythm disorder in MG, which may offer novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for future research
Clinical management of female patients with Fabry disease based on expert consensus
No full text<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
<jats:p>Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder that causes accumulation of glycosphingolipids in body tissues and fluids, leading to progressive organ damage and life-threatening complications. It can affect both males and females and can be classified into classic or later-onset phenotypes. The disease severity in females ranges from asymptomatic to the more severe, classic phenotype. Most females are hemizygous and the X-linked inheritance is associated with variable X-activation pattern and residual enzymatic activity. The heterogeneity of clinical presentation in females requires different approaches to diagnosis and management than males. A European group of 7 physicians, experienced in the management of Fabry disease, convened to discuss patient perspectives and published guidelines. The experts discussed the need to focus on psychological treatment in relation to individual coping styles when monitoring targets, and the lack of data supporting the use of plasma globotriaosylsphingosine over enzyme activity in the diagnosis of these patients. It was suggested that the high phenotypic variability in female patients may be related to the dynamic nature of the X-chromosome inactivation process and further understanding of this process could help predict the progression of Fabry disease in females and facilitate timely intervention. Due to the range of disease severity they exhibit, female patients with Fabry disease may require a more individualized treatment approach than males. Despite current recommendations, the experts agreed that early disease-specific treatment initiation in high-risk females could improve clinical outcome.</jats:p>
Field heterogeneity of soil texture controls leaf water potential spatial distribution predicted from UAS-based vegetation indices in non-irrigated vineyards
No full text<jats:p>Abstract. Grapevine water status exhibits substantial variability even within a single vineyard. Understanding how edaphic, topographic, and climatic conditions impact grapevine water status heterogeneity at the field scale, in non-irrigated vineyards, is essential for winemakers as it significantly influences wine quality. This study aimed to quantify the spatial distribution of grapevine leaf water potential (Ψleaf) within vineyards and to assess the influence of soil property heterogeneity, topography, and climatic conditions on intra-field variability in two non-irrigated vineyards during two viticultural seasons. By combining multilinear vegetation indices from very-high-spatial-resolution multispectral, thermal, and lidar imageries collected with uncrewed aerial systems (UASs), we efficiently and robustly captured the spatial distribution of Ψleaf across both vineyards on different dates. Our results demonstrated that in non-irrigated vineyards, the spatial distribution of Ψleaf was mainly governed by the within-vineyard soil hydraulic conductivity heterogeneity (R2 up to 0.81) and was particularly marked when the evaporative demand and the soil water deficit increased, since the range of Ψleaf was greater, up to 0.73 MPa, in these conditions. However, topographic attributes (elevation and slope) were less related to grapevine Ψleaf variability. These findings show that the soil property within-field spatial distribution and climatic conditions are the primary factors governing Ψleaf heterogeneity observed in non-irrigated vineyards, and their effects are concomitant.
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