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Part III: Intersections
No full textIn this study, the detailed symmetry breaking pathways established in Furey et al. (2024) are bypassed. Instead, a direct route from the Spin(10) model to the Standard Model is enabled via a single algebraic constraint. This single constraint, however, may be reconfigured as a requirement that three so(10)actions coincide on a fixed space of multi‐vector fermions. This so(10)↦su(3)C⊕su(2)L⊕u(1)Ybreaking (from a three‐way intersection) mirrors, in certain ways, the so(8)↦g2breaking (from a three‐way intersection) in the context of octonionic triality. By extending this result to include quaternions and complex numbers, we find that a five‐way intersection breaks so(10)↦su(3)C⊕u(1)Q. These are the Standard Model's unbroken gauge symmetries, post‐Higgs‐mechanism.Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100006211VW Stiftung Freigeist FellowshipPeer Reviewe
Charakterisierung der Terminase-Untereinheiten des Humanen Cytomegalievirus (HCMV)
No full textEin essenzieller Schritt in der Replikation des Humanen Cytomegalievirus ist die Verpackung der concatemeren dsDNA in vorgeformte Prokapside. Der Transport und das Schneiden des Concatemers werden durch die virale Terminase gesteuert. Diese besteht aus der ATPase-Untereinheit pUL56, der Nuklease-Untereinheit pUL89 und weiteren Proteinen, die einen ringförmigen Komplex bilden. Aus wie vielen Untereinheiten dieser besteht ist ungeklärt. Das Protein pUL51 gilt, aufgrund seiner Rolle bei der Stabilisierung des Komplexes und Lokalisation in den Zellkern, als dritte Untereinheit. Um den Einfluss von pUL51 zu untersuchen, wurden die Proteine pUL56, pUL89 und pUL51 simultan über rekombinante Baculoviren in Insektenzellen synthetisiert. Analysen zur Komplexbildung wurden mittels Cross-Linking, SDS-PAGE und Western-Blot durchgeführt. Das führte zur Detektion homologer Komplexe aus pUL51, und 180 kDa großer Komplexe aus pUL51/pUL56/pUL89, die eine Untereinheit des Komplexes darstellen könnten. Die Lokalisation der Proteine nach (Ko-)Infektion wurde mittels Fluoreszenzmikroskopie analysiert. Dabei zeigte sich keine typische nukleäre Lokalisation in diesem Modell-System. Eine wichtige Funktion der Terminase stellt die ATP-Hydrolyse von pUL56 dar. Das Vorkommen typischer ATP-Bindungsmotive in dem Nuklease-Protein pUL89 deutet auf seine Involvierung bei der ATP-Hydrolyse hin. Bindungsvorhersagen bestärkten eine mögliche ATPase-Funktion des Proteins über die konservierten Aminosäuren GKT der Walker A Box. Im ATPase-Assay zeigten Substitutionen dieser Aminosäuren erstmals eine Auswirkung auf die ATP-Hydrolyse von pUL89. Zur Kontrolle wurden pUL56 und dessen essenzielle Substitutionen mitgeführt, die zum Verlust der Aktivität führten. Obwohl pUL89 eine niedrigere Hydrolyse als pUL56 aufwies, führte die Substitution pUL89 G217A zu einer erhöhten Aktivität. Zuletzt konnte die Reduktion der ATPase-Aktivität von pUL56 durch den HCMV-spezifischen Inhibitor Letermovir aufgewiesen werden.A crucial step in the replication cycle of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the packaging of the concatemeric dsDNA in pre-formed pro-capsids. The transportation and cutting of the Concatemer is mediated by the viral terminase. This consists of the ATPase-subunit pUL56, the nuclease-subunit pUL89 and other proteins, which form a ring-shaped complex. It remains unknown how many subunits the complex consists of. The pUL51 protein is said to be the third subunit, because it plays an important role in complex formation and subcellular localization of the terminase-proteins within the nucleus compartment. To examine the effects of pUL51, recombinant Baculoviruses were used to co-synthesize pUL56, pUL89 and pUL51 in insect cells. SDS-PAGE, Western-Blot analysis and cross-linking techniques were used to investigate the structure. The cross-linking led to a detection of homologous multimers of pUL51, as well as 180 kDa complexes consisting of pUL51/pUL56/pUL89, which could resemble a subunit of the complex. The localization of the proteins after (co-)infection was studied by fluorescence microscopy. But the typical intranuclear localization was not seen in insect cells. A critical function of the terminase is the ATP-hydrolysis by pUL56. The presence of typical ATP-binding motifs in the nuclease-protein pUL89 suggests its involvement in ATP-hydrolysis. Binding-predictions support a possible ATPase-activity of the protein via conserved amino acids GKT of the Walker A box. An ATPase-assay estimates for the first time the effect of substitutions of these amino acids on the ATP-hydrolysis of pUL89. As a control pUL56 and its essential substitutions, which led to a loss of activity, were included. Although pUL89 showed lower activity than pUL56, the substitution pUL89 G217A led to an increased activity. Finally, the specific reduction of pUL56`s ATPase-activity by the HCMV-specific inhibitor letermovir was shown, which gives insight into its up-to-now unknown mode of action
Postural control of sway dynamics on an unstable surface reduces similarity in activation patterns of synergistic lower leg muscles
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.Introduction: Diversity of activation patterns within synergistic muscles can be important for stability control in challenging conditions. This study investigates the similarity of activation patterns within the triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscles and the effects of unstable surface during a visually guided postural task. Methods: Eighteen healthy adults performed a visually guided anteroposterior tracking task on both stable and unstable surfaces. Electromyographic activity of triceps surae (gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, soleus) and quadriceps femoris (vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris) was recorded at 1,000 Hz. Cosine similarity (CS) between muscle pairs within each muscle group was calculated to assess the similarity of activation patterns of synergistic muscles for stable and unstable conditions. To compare the CS of the muscle pairs, a linear mixed model was used. For all tests the level of significance was set to α = 0.05. Results: Across all surface conditions, CS values within the triceps surae muscles were lower than those of the quadriceps (p < 0.001), indicating a greater diversity in activation patterns of the distal muscles. The unstable surface reduced CS values for both muscle groups (p = 0.021). No significant interaction was observed between muscle pair and surface condition (p = 0.833). Discussion: The reduced similarity of activation patterns within the synergistic triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscles on the soft surface indicates an increased flexibility of neuromotor control for the unstable condition. The lower similarity within the synergistic triceps surae muscles suggests a higher diversity of activation patterns compared to the quadriceps femoris muscles, which may increase the flexibility of neuromotor control to meet specific joint stabilization challenges during the studied tracking task.Peer Reviewe
Breeding in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can be further progressed by targeting previously neglected competitive traits
No full textBreeders work to adapt winter wheat genotypes for high planting densities to pursue sustainable intensification and maximize canopy productivity. Although the effects of plant-plant competition at high planting density have been extensively reported, the quantitative relationship between competitiveness and plant performance remains unclear. In this study, we introduced a shoot competitiveness index (SCI) to quantify the competitiveness of genotypes and examined the dynamics of nine competitiveness-related traits in 200 winter wheat genotypes grown in heterogeneous canopies at two planting densities. Higher planting densities increased shoot length but reduced biomass, tiller numbers, and leaf mass per area (LMA), with trait plasticity showing at least 41% variation between genotypes. Surprisingly, genotypes with higher LMA at low density exhibited greater decreases under high density, challenging expectations from game theory. Regression analysis identified tiller number, LMA, and shoot length as key traits influencing performance under high density. Contrary to our hypothesis, early competitiveness did not guarantee sustained performance, revealing the dynamic nature of plant-plant competition. Our evaluation of breeding progress across the panel revealed a declining trend in SCI (R² = 0.61), aligning with the breeding objective of reducing plant height to reduce individual competitiveness and increase the plant-plant cooperation. The absence of historical trends in functional traits and their plasticities, such as tiller number and LMA, suggests their potential for designing ideal trait-plasticity for plant-plant cooperation and further crop improvement.Peer Reviewe
Wie hoch stieg das Wasser der Sintflut? Neue Überlegungen zu Gen 7,20
No full textIn diesem Artikel wird argumentiert, dass der hebräische Text von Genesis 7,20 anders zu verstehen ist als bisher angenommen wurde. Der adverbiale Ausdruck mil e maˁlā h bedeutet nicht »nach oben hin« bzw. »höher als«, sondern »von oben her (gemessen)«. Und der Bezugspunkt sind nicht die Spitzen der hohen Berge, sondern vielmehr die Unterseite des Himmels: »Das Wasser war auf (eine Höhe von) 15 Ellen von oben her angeschwollen«. Auf dem Höhepunkt der Flut fand die Arche, die 30 Ellen hoch war (Gen 6,15), also gerade noch Platz zwischen Wasseroberfläche und Himmel.This article argues that the Hebrew text of Genesis 7:20 is to be understood in a different way from that previously assumed. The adverbial expression mil e maˁlā h does not mean »upwards« or »higher than«, but »from above«. And the point of reference is not the tops of the high(est) mountains, but the base of the sky: »the water had swollen to (a height of) 15 cubits from above«. At the peak of the flood, the ark, which was 30 cubits high (Gen 6:15), just fitted in between the surface of the water and the sky.Dans cet article, nous soutenons que le texte hébreu de Genèse 7,20 doit être compris différemment de ce que l’on pensait jusqu’à présent. L’expression adverbiale mil e maˁlā h ne signifierait pas « vers le haut » ou « plus haut que », mais « (mesuré) à partir du haut ». Le point de référence ne serait donc pas le sommet des hautes montagnes, mais plutôt la base du ciel : « l’eau était montée jusqu’à une hauteur de 15 coudées à partir du haut ». Au plus fort du déluge, l’arche, qui avait 30 coudées de haut (Gn 6,15), trouvait donc tout juste la place entre la surface de l’eau et le ciel.Peer Reviewe
An Ethnographic Perspective on the Relationship between Science and Democracy
No full textDie vorliegende Studie beleuchtet die Beziehung zwischen Wissenschaft und Demokratie. Sie tut dies über eine praxiografische Perspektive auf partizipative Modellierung, eine Wissensproduktionpraxis in der Nachhaltigkeitsforschung. Forschende in den Science and Technology Studies (STS) sowie in der Mensch-Umwelt-Forschung setzen sich zunehmend für partizipative Forschung ein. Jedoch wird häufig eine implizite Trennung zwischen Beteiligungsmethoden und den eher technischen Aspekten partizipativer Forschungsprojekte aufrechterhalten. Andererseits argumentieren Forschende innerhalb der STS, dass Wissenschaft und Demokratie aufgrund der 'Ko-Produktion' von Wissenschaft und sozialer Ordnung in Beziehung zueinander stehen. Bislang ermöglicht diese Perspektive jedoch keine aktive Gestaltung wissenschaftlicher Praxis. Die vorliegende Arbeit erschließt eine im wissenschaftlichen Alltag verortete Perspektive, indem sie ethnografische Forschung ins Gespräch mit politischer Theorie, Ethik, Wissenschaftsphilosophie, Anthropologie und Nachhaltigkeitsforschung bringt. Diese legt nahe, dass konkrete Forschungspraktiken spezifische Versionen der 'multiplen Objekte' Welt, Wissen, Wissenschaft, Mensch und Ethik inkraftsetzen. Die Studie verfolgt solche Inkraftsetzungen durch Praktiken wie die Auswahl Zuinterviewender, die Erstellung konzeptioneller Modelle, die Generalisierung und die Simulationsmodellierung. Die resultierende Perspektive legt nahe, dass verschiedene, auch scheinbar ‘technische’ Forschungspraktiken unterschiedliche Versionen dieser Objekte hervorbringen können. Gleichzeitig scheinen diese Inkraftsetzungen jedoch intra- und inter-Objekt zusammenzuhängen, was auf die weltbildende Dimension von Forschung verweist. Um die ethnografischen Überlegungen für praktische Forschung und die partizipative Modellierung im Besonderen produktiv zu machen, endet jedes empirische Kapitel mit praktischen Überlegungen.This study inquires into the relationship between science and democracy. It does so by developing a praxiographic perspective on participatory modelling, a knowledge production practice in sustainability research. Researchers in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and human-environment research increasingly advocate for participation. Yet, both often maintain a separation between knowledge, reality, and values. STS scholars, on the other hand, argue that science and social order are 'co-produced'. Co-productionist literature, however, provides no conceptual ground that allows practitioners to actively reconstruct their work. Therefore, this thesis brings ethnographic and sustainability research into conversation with political theory, ethics, philosophy of science, and anthropology. Ultimately, it contributes to a more empirically grounded approach for reflecting on the relationship between science and democracy. The resulting account suggests that science relates to democracy because research practices such as selecting interviewees, building conceptual models, generalising from data, and simulation modelling enact the ‘multiple objects' world, knowledge, science, people, and ethics. To identify 'difference' in enactments, I link the ethnographic descriptions to versions of the key 'multiple objects' enacted through academic writing in, for example, democratic theory, social theory, philosophy of science, and ethical theory. Ultimately, I argue that both the ‘technical’ and the ‘participatory’ parts of the process continuously enact different versions of objects that are relevant to social order. These enactments seem to hang together intra-object across and inter-object within practices, pointing to the world-making dimension of research. To turn my reflection productive for practical research and participatory modellers in particular, I end each empirical chapter with tentative proposals for alternative practices
Mood and modal anchoring in Spanish: de que clauses and relative clauses
No full textOn a classical analysis (Hintikka, 1969), attitude verbs denote modal operators that take propositions as arguments. Starting with Kratzer 2006, a new decompositional analysis has emerged on which (i) attitude verbs express properties of individuals/events, (ii) modality is introduced at the level of the embedded clause, and (iii) the modal domain is projected from one of the arguments of the embedding predicate (its ‘modal anchor’). Work on mood developed within this new analysis (Kratzer, 2016; Portner and Rubinstein, 2020) assumes that mood morphology is one of the possible sources of modality in the embedded clause. This paper provides novel evidence for the decompositional analysis. The evidence comes from the interpretation of mood morphology within DPs. We show that adnominal clauses and relative clauses in Spanish exhibit systematic interpretational differences. We argue that those differences trace back to the availability of modal anchors in each configuration
Nitrogen‐based proximal sensing and data fusion for management zone delineation
No full textDelineation of management zones (MZ) based on soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) dynamics can enhance site‐specific management, reduce nitrate leaching, and improve nutrient efficiency. We tested proximal sensing as an alternative to standard laboratory methods to capture the spatial variability of SMN, nitrate (NO3−), and soil moisture (SM) and combined these data with topographic and remote sensing inputs to delineate MZ using data fusion and k‐means clustering. Two conventionally managed fields with winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were chosen for Field‐A and Field‐B. Fresh soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory using KCl extraction, while global positioning system‐labeled data from a proximal soil sensor (FarmLab) were accessed via cloud storage. FarmLab estimated NO3− and SMN were higher than laboratory results (p < 0.05), whereas SM showed no significant difference between the two methods. Bland–Altman analysis, which assesses the limit of agreement between methods to ensure consistency, revealed significant discrepancies in NO₃⁻ estimated by both methods, particularly in Field‐B, with limits of agreement ranging from −17.40 to 29.66 mg kg−1. Results of k‐means clustering, a method for grouping data into similar categories, were evaluated using 11 feature sets, which combine data from multiple sources (laboratory and FarmLab data, satellites, and topographic data) to create a comprehensive dataset for analysis at different time points in autumn and spring. The results showed that the optimal clustering result varied depending on the field and date. Feature sets with topographic variables performed well in Field‐A, while feature sets with remote sensing, topography, and FarmLab data improved MZ in Field‐B. This study demonstrates how the FarmLab device can capture within‐field SMN variability and examines the similarities and differences between both methods (laboratory and FarmLab). Despite discrepancies between methods, FarmLab showed the potential of integrating in‐season NO3− and SMN data with topographic and remote sensing data to delineate MZ. This approach can be scaled up to farm and landscape scale, allowing farmers to leverage proximal and remote sensing data for in‐season SMN monitoring, which enables efficient nutrient management and promotes sustainable farming practices with economic and environmental benefits.Peer Reviewe
A Study of the Cosmere Universe
No full textDiese Veröfentlichung geht zurück auf eine Bachelorarbeit im Studiengang Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft (Library and Information Science), B. A. an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin aus dem Jahr 2024.This thesis explores the use of computational methods to partition literary book universes into groups that share the same characteristics. The purpose of this task is to simplify access and personalise the experience of new readers entering the book universe The Cosmere. This is a task which has already been addressed by the fandom through the creation of reading guides. The thesis investigates means to automate this process through computational methods. Employing topic modeling and named entity recognition, the study analyses the textual data – that is, the full-length books - to identify themes and character involvement. A qualitative comparison with a fan-made reading guide is employed to evaluate the results derived from the computational procedures. The findings suggest that named entity recognition has potential in reducing the complexity of entry into complex book universes, while topic modeling failed to deliver satisfactory results. The thesis illustrates how computational methods can be utilised to analyse and provide quantitative insights into literary data. The automation of the reading guides would offer immediate beneftis to readers of the Cosmere, while also demonstrating the possibility of extending this approach to various datasets