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Understanding system interdependencies in sustainable paper production from residue grass biomass: Insights from fuzzy cognitive mapping
No full textThis research investigates the pulp and paper industry's transition to sustainability by valorizing unused roadside and natural grasses for paper production. Large-scale production from residual grass poses multifaceted challenges, requiring collaboration across stakeholders, from biomass collection to manufacturing. To understand key drivers and barriers within this complex system, experts from various fields, including local farmers, researchers, policymakers, and industry executives were interviewed, leading to the development of a Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM). The analysis explores various scenarios to assess how socio-economic, technological, and political factors influence the transition to low-carbon practices. These scenarios highlight the effects of varying levels of technology development, economic conditions, and policy support on the transition's progress and outcomes. Results show that the system is highly sensitive to shifts in socio-economic and political conditions. Political interventions play a crucial role, especially during energy crises and increased public demand for sustainable solutions. Grass-based paper production is seen as a viable pathway, but challenges such as the economic feasibility of emerging technologies remain. We recommend targeted policies to improve the economic viability of grass-based products and optimize biomass allocation between energy and bio-based products, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable transition.Peer Reviewe
Meaning-dependent auditory gating during sleep
No full textIn dieser Studie untersuchten wir den Mechanismus und die neuronalen Strukturen, die an der auditorischen Filterung bedeutungsvoller Reize während des Schlafs beteiligt sind. Zunächst entwickelten wir ein Verhaltensparadigma, bei dem Geräusche in einer bedeutungsabhängigen Weise Veränderungen in schlafassoziierten Oszillationen hervorrufen. Interessanterweise traten diese Störungen bereits bei niedrigen Schallintensitäten während des NREM- und REM-Schlafs auf, was die starke Einflussnahme bedeutungsvoller Reize auf die Schlafdynamik betont. Darüber hinaus unterstrich unsere Analyse von Verallgemeinerungsseffekten unter Verwendung verschiedener neutraler Klangreize die breite Wirkung bedeutungsvoller Klänge auf das EEG, unabhängig von der Unterscheidbarkeit der Geräusche. Wir erweiterten unserer Verhaltensparadigma auf kopffixierte Tiere und konnten NREM- und REM-Schlafphasen nach einer längeren Habituation nachweisen. Bemerkenswerterweise waren unsere Befunde für kopffixierte im Vergleich zu sich frei bewegenden Tieren sehr ähnlich, da das konditionierte Geräusch im Vergleich zu neutralen Reizen einen erhöhten Einfluss auf schlafassoziierte Oszillationen hatte. Schließlich untersuchten wir den neuronalen Zusammenhang der auditiven Verarbeitung während des Wachzustands und des Schlafs, wobei wir uns auf den Colliculus Inferior (CI) konzentrierten. Unsere Analysen enthüllten unterschiedliche neuronale Reaktionen auf bedeutungsvolle und neutrale Reize, wobei der bedeutungsvolle Reiz während des Wachzustands, aber nicht während des NREM-Schlafs, höhere Feuerraten auslöste, was auf eine zustandsabhängige neuronale Verarbeitung hinweist. Darüber hinaus zeigten unsere Untersuchungen eine verstärkte zeitliche Musterbildung als Reaktion auf den bedeutungsvollen Reiz während des NREM-Schlafs, was auf eine Rolle des CI bei der Kodierung bedeutungsvoller auditorischer Reize während des Schlafs hindeutet. Insgesamt liefert unsere Studie überzeugende Belege dafür, dass die Bedeutung eines Geräuschs signifikanten Einfluss auf schlafassoziierte Oszillationen sowie zeitliche Muster der neuronalen Aktivität im IC hat.In this study, we delved into the mechanism and neural structures involved in the auditory gating of meaningful stimuli during sleep. First, we developed a behavioural paradigm in which sounds elicit changes in sleep-associated oscillations in a meaning-dependent manner. Interestingly, these disruptions occurred even at relatively low sound intensities during NREM and REM sleep, highlighting the potent influence of meaningful stimuli on sleep dynamics. Additionally, our exploration of generalization effects using various neutral sound stimuli underlined the broad influence of meaningful sounds on NREM EEG patterns, independent of sound discriminability. We extended our investigation to head-fixed animals, confirming their ability to achieve NREM and REM sleep phases following a prolonged habituation period. Notably, our findings were very similar for head-fixed compared to freely moving animals since the conditioned sound had increased influence on sleep-associated oscillations, compared to neutral stimuli. Finally, we studied the neural correlates of auditory processing during wakefulness and sleep, focusing on the inferior colliculus (IC). Our analyses revealed differential neuronal responses to meaningful and neutral stimuli, with the conditioned sound eliciting higher firing rates during wakefulness but not during NREM sleep, indicating state-dependent neural processing. Furthermore, our investigations unveiled enhanced temporal patterning in response to the conditioned sound during NREM sleep, suggesting a role of the IC in encoding meaningful auditory stimuli during sleep. Overall, our study provides compelling evidence that the meaning of a sound significantly influences sleep-associated oscillations as well as temporal patterning of neural activity in the IC
Application of chemotactic behavior for life detection
No full textOne excellent biosignature for the present detection of microbial life on Earth is motility, leading to its growing interest within the astrobiological community as an observable attribute that, if detected during future in situ space missions, could point towards the existence of life on Mars or other celestial bodies. Microbial motility can be induced by various stimulants, including certain chemicals called chemoeffectors, leading to subsequent chemotaxis. Following this concept, this work examines the chemotactic affinities of the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis as well as the archaeon Haloferax volcanii for L-serine, which has been previously demonstrated to have a high chemoeffective potency across a wide range of species from all domains of life on Earth. Methodologically, we introduce here a novel approach for utilizing µ-slides that diverges from the more traditional long-term chemotactic assay in favor of a shorter time frame assay that only requires a simple blob detection algorithm for microbial detection. Given the technical, computational, and time constraints necessary for an in-situ life detection mission, this simplified approach could be a cost and resource-effective way to probe for potential chemotactic-responsive life. Overall, the results indicated that each of the three organisms showed chemotactic behavior toward L-serine, which, to our knowledge, is the first time that an L-serine-induced chemotactic response has been detected for H . volcanii.Peer Reviewe
Im Dienst der freiheitlichen demokratischen Grundordnung
No full textDas Bundesverfassungsgericht hat den hergebrachten Grundsatz der Verfassungstreue zuletzt im sogenannten Extremistenbeschluss aus dem Jahr 1975 ausgelegt. Die Entscheidung hat jedoch weder die damaligen innenpolitischen Unruhen befriedet noch die rechtswissenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzungen um die Grenzen für die politische Betätigung von Beamtinnen und Beamten in der freiheitlichen Demokratie, die aus dem hergebrachten Grundsatz der Verfassungstreue folgen. Bis heute haben Verwaltungsgerichte Schwierigkeiten, den Extremistenbeschluss bei der Auslegung der einfachgesetzlichen Pflicht zur Verfassungstreue überzeugend zu berücksichtigen. So stehen die Schlussfolgerungen aus der verfassungsgerichtlichen Entscheidung entweder einer effektiven Anwendung dieser Pflicht entgegen oder sie erlauben sogar die Sanktionierung lediglich unerwünschter politischer Aktivitäten von Beamtinnen und Beamten. Tatsächlich bietet die Auslegung der einfachgesetzlichen Verfassungstreuepflicht jedoch Differenzierungspotential, das es ermöglicht, die Frage nach Inhalt und Reichweite der Verfassungstreue kohärent und im Einklang mit dem Verfassungs- und Europarecht zu beantworten
Creating absurdity
No full textChristian Morgenstern’s lyrics is well known for being absurd and funny. In this paper, I examine the source of these interpretive effects from a linguistic perspective. I take two of his poems as examples and argue that local ambiguity and proposition level uninterpretability are pivotal points in the texts. From there, pragmatic reinterpretation is needed to create text level meaning. Linguistic analysis is shown to improve our understanding of how the effect of the poems on the reader arises. Conversely, the observed reinterpretation possibilities enrich our understanding of pragmatic resources that a reader or hearer has for the purpose of deriving text interpretation
Ecological drivers of garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) occupancy in a human modified landscape in Germany
No full textThe garden dormouse ( Eliomys quercinus ) is an understudied mammal species endemic to Europe. Once distributed widely across the continent, its eastern populations have significantly declined, with the species now found in only 50% of its former range. In Germany, it also occurs in spruce forests in low mountain ranges. However, this habitat has recently been lost due to bark beetle infestation following a prolonged period of drought. In some places, not only the dead trees are removed, but also all the branches and topsoil. We assessed habitat requirements of a garden dormouse population in such a changing habitat in the Harz Mountains, Germany. To assess garden dormouse occupancy, we conducted transect surveys using footprint tunnels during July and October 2022 for the presence of garden dormice. Additionally, we measured covariates such as coverage of tree, shrub and herb layers, as well as deadwood, soil characteristics and reforestation. Using single‐season occupancy modelling, we evaluated the effects of these habitat covariates on the occupancy of the garden dormouse. Our results indicated that garden dormouse occupancy was negatively affected by herb cover but positively associated with plant successional stages. Furthermore, occupancy of the garden dormouse was positively coupled with the occurrence of the hazel dormouse ( Muscardinus avellanarius ). Detection probability increased with higher weekly minimum temperatures. Practical implications: For the conservation of garden dormice in low mountain ranges like the Harz, practical measures should include establishing interconnected forest edges and strips. Moreover, we suggest adopting a dynamic, mosaic approach to felling, avoiding topsoil removal and promoting regeneration that fosters semi‐open successional habitats as essential strategies.German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer ProtectionGerman Federal Agency for Nature Conservation http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100010415Friends of the EarthPeer Reviewe
Solid-state fermentation of hemp waste: enhancing the performance of Hermetia illucens larvae and altering the composition of hemp secondary metabolites
No full textSolid-state fermentation (SSF) can increase the nutritional quality of low value substrates for insects. In this study, SSF using different fungal species was applied on a hemp waste substrate, and the fermentation was followed by a black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) feeding experiment during which 300 larvae were grown on 200 g (20.1% DM) substrate for 7–9 days depending on the treatment. Besides assessing the BSFL performance parameters, the presence of hemp cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes was assessed through the process and compared among the treatments. The results show that BSFL growth parameters varied depending on the fungal species used. Fermenting the substrate with Ganoderma lucidum can lead to an increase in the BSFL dry yield (4.54 g) compared to the untreated substrate (2.86 g), likely due to enhancing carbon accessibility in the substrate. SSF using Trichoderma reesei increased the cannabidiol and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol mass fractions in the substrate, and consequently in the produced BSFL biomass, while decreasing the amounts of acidic cannabinoids. Both Hypsizygus ulmarius and Pleurotus ostreatus effectively removed cannabinoids from the substrate. This study confirms that pre-treating hemp wastes via SSF can enhance their nutritional value and/or reduce bioactive secondary metabolites, with different fungal species offering different and complementary performances in achieving different biotechnological goals.Peer Reviewe
Hunting and Habitat Destruction Drive Widespread Functional Declines of Top Predators in a Global Deforestation Hotspot
No full textThe article processing charge was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – 491192747 and the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.Aim: We investigated the effects of habitat destruction and hunting on the functional decline of top predators, specifically jaguar and puma, in the Gran Chaco.
Location: The 1.1 million km 2 South American Gran Chaco. Methods: We used spatially explicit, individual‐based models for jaguars and pumas, incorporating detailed information on habitat suitability and hunting pressure. We parameterized our models with literature data and calibrated them through a Delphi expert‐elicitation process. We simulated population trajectories under a hypothetical, threat‐free, baseline versus different threat scenarios. Results: Under combined threats of hunting and habitat loss, jaguar and puma populations declined by 88% and 80%, respectively, compared to range contractions of 48% and 35%, respectively. Both species remained regionally viable, particularly due to large protected areas, which acted as population sources but were surrounded by strong sinks. We observed a widespread weakening of the top carnivore guild function, with at least one species extirpated across 67% of the Chaco and strong declines (> 80%; considered here as functional loss) for both species concurrently across 61% of their area of historical co‐occurrence. Hunting was a much stronger driver of population declines (88% and 77% for jaguars and pumas, respectively) compared to habitat destruction (26% and 22%). Main Conclusions: Large predators play key functional roles in ecosystems. Our findings reveal that these functions can be lost over vast areas due to the combined effects of habitat destruction and hunting, with functional loss extending far beyond the areas of species' extirpation. Very large protected areas, like Kaa‐Iya in Bolivia, are crucial for maintaining viable populations of top predators, highlighting the pressing need for increased protection and connectivity in the Chaco to prevent further trophic downgrading. More generally, our research underscores the value of spatially detailed, mechanistic models for disentangling the complex dynamics of multiple threats on ecological functioning at broad scales.H2020 European Research Council http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010663Peer Reviewe
Effectiveness Trade-Off Between Green Spaces and Built-Up Land: Evaluating Trade-Off Efficiency and Its Drivers in an Expanding City
No full textUrban expansion encroaches on green spaces and weakens ecosystem services, potentially leading to a trade-off between ecological conditions and socio-economic growth. Effectively coordinating the two elements is essential for achieving sustainable development goals at the urban scale. However, few studies have measured urban–ecological linkage in terms of trade-off. In this study, we propose a framework by linking the degraded ecological conditions and urban land use efficiency from a return on investment perspective. Taking a rapidly expanding city as a case study, we comprehensively quantified urban–ecological conditions in four aspects: urban heat island, flood regulating service, habitat quality, and carbon sequestration. These conditions were assessed on 1 km 2 grids, along with urban land use efficiency at the same spatial scale. We employed the slack-based measure model to evaluate trade-off efficiency and applied the geo-detector method to identify its driving factors. Our findings reveal that while urban–ecological conditions in Zhengzhou’s periphery degraded over the past two decades, the inner city showed improvement in urban heat island and carbon sequestration. Trade-off efficiency exhibited an overall upward trend during 2000–2020, despite initial declines in some inner city areas. Interaction detection demonstrates significant synergistic effects between pairs of drivers, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and building height, and the number of patches of green spaces and the patch cohesion index of built-up land, with q -values of 0.298 and 0.137, respectively. In light of the spatiotemporal trend of trade-off efficiency and its drivers, we propose adaptive management strategies. The framework could serve as guidance to assist decision-makers and urban planners in monitoring urban–ecological conditions in the context of urban expansion.Major Projects of the National Social Science Foundation of China (19ZDA088) and National Natural Science Foundation of China Projects (42071250).Major Projects of the National Social Science Foundation of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of China ProjectsPeer Reviewe