Unlocking New Frontiers: Photo-Isomerism and Magnetic Properties in Multifunctional Hetero-Tetra-Metallic Complexes

Hetero-tetra-metallic complexes, FeNOCuLnCo (Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy), combining magnetic properties and photo-isomerism, were obtained through the rational assembly of the photo-switching nitroprusside anion FeNO with new magnetic Schiff base CuLnCo precursors. Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterisation of these compounds followed by a demonstration of their multifunctional character. Particularly noteworthy is the FeNOCuTbCo complex which is one of the few examples of a photo-isomerisable SMM

Feeling the Conspiracy—Theorising the Transformation and Collectivisation of Emotions Through Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories have become a prominent topic for sociological research. But although emotions such as paranoia and panic are—sometimes dismissively—referred to in classical accounts of conspiracy theories and different emotions have been empirically linked to conspiracy beliefs, a comprehensive theoretical account of the emotional underpinnings of conspiracy theories is still lacking. In this contribution, I aim to fill this gap by proposing a theoretical model that focuses on the transformation and collectivisation of emotions, facilitated by conspiracy theories. Drawing on existing research, I first identify three groups of emotions relevant to conspiracy theories: (1) anxiety and fear, (2) excitement, fascination and awe and (3) anger, ressentiment and hate. Many of these emotions are both considered to drive individuals towards conspiratorial beliefs and are found to be evoked by conspiracy theories, which raises questions regarding their causal relationship to conspiracy theories. To clarify this conceptual ambiguity, I propose a processual account, according to which conspiracy theories enable the transformation of individual emotions which are marked by powerlessness and thus are frequently suppressed into emotions that are less harmful to the self and can be expressed and acted upon. Crucially, the resulting emotions are experienced collectively and consequently can drive the formation of emotional collectives. Thus, the emotional mechanism does not only motivate individuals to subscribe to conspiracy beliefs but also allows them to reassert their collective political agency and sense of control. In this process, however, the original emotional concern may be lost, resulting in potentially misdirected political actions

Demographic consequences of damage dynamics in single-cell aging

Aging is driven by damage accumulation leading to a decline in function over time. In single-cell systems, in addition to this damage accumulation within individuals, asymmetric damage partitioning at cell division can play a crucial role in shaping demographic aging patterns. Despite experimental single-cell studies that provide quantitative data at the molecular and demographic levels, the integration of a complementary theory explaining how cellular damage production and asymmetric partitioning propagate and influence demographic patterns is still lacking. Here, we present a generic and flexible damage model using a stochastic differential equation approach that incorporates stochastic damage accumulation and asymmetric damage partitioning during cell divisions. We formulate an analytical approximation linking cellular and damage parameters to demographic aging patterns along mother cell lineages. Interestingly, the lifespan of cells follows an inverse Gaussian distribution, whose underlying properties derive from cellular and damage parameters. We demonstrate how stochasticity (noise) in damage production, asymmetry in damage partitioning, and division frequency shape lifespan distribution. Confronting the model with various empirical E. coli mother machine data reveals nonexponential scaling in mortality rates, a scaling that cannot be captured by classical Gompertz-Makeham models. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of how fundamental processes contribute to cellular damage dynamics and generate demographic patterns. Our damage model's generic nature offers a valuable framework for investigating aging in diverse biological systems

Beyond ‘economic nationalism’? The (limited) influence of populist parties on public procurement in France and Germany

This paper explores the populist stance on public procurement policies and how populist parties exert influence on public procurement. The assessment of this influence is grounded in an original analysis of media reporting, and parliamentary questions posed by right- and left-wing populists in France and Germany. Despite the financial significance of procurement and its potential to bolster and protect national economies, the study reveals a relatively low level of salience. There is limited evidence supporting the assumption that populists actively push for more ‘economic nationalism’. Rather they mainly criticise perceived corrupt elites, reflecting a consistent trend of anti-establishment contestation across both semi-presidential and parliamentary systems. Where such advocacy occurs, ‘cultural’ and ‘economic nationalist’ positions prevail across both right- and left-wing populists. Theoretically, these findings contribute novel insights into the link between thin-populist and thick-host ideologies

Entwicklung von Zoonoseerregern entlang der Prozesskette in der Hähnchenfleischproduktion und der Einfluss von Dekontaminations- und Nachweisverfahren

Zoonoses are infectious diseases caused e.g. by bacteria and can be transmitted from animals to humans through direct contact, vectors such as mosquitoes or contaminated food. Poultry meat is an important source of transmission for zoonotic bacteria, with Campylobacter and Salmonella being the most common. This poses considerable challenges for food safety, also in view of the fact that poultry consumption will increase worldwide in the future, with Germany being one of the leading producers in the EU. Microbial contamination of poultry meat with Campylobacter or Salmonella can come from various sources, including the environment, live birds and processing plants. Effective risk minimization strategies, monitoring and intervention methods are crucial to ensure the safety of poultry meat. Given the high economic and health burden of campylobacteriosis in the EU, strategies have already been introduced to control Campylobacter along the poultry value chain, e.g. in the form of contamination limits or HACCP concepts. Nevertheless, contaminated meat still finds its way onto the market. Current control strategies need to be reviewed and adapted based on new data. Implementing additional measures at different stages of production can help to minimize the risks associated with bacterial pathogens. Measures may include hygiene practices during slaughtering, logistical slaughter planning and decontamination treatments. Faster, new detection methods can improve the assessment of contamination levels compared to conventional standards as well. The aim of this work was to assess the current state of bacterial contamination in broiler slaughtering and meat storage and to investigate physical decontamination procedures during processing and different detection methods for Campylobacter and Salmonella. In this study, the quantitative contamination of Campylobacter, E. coli and mesophilic bacteria during the broiler slaughter process was analyzed in three large German slaughterhouses. Campylobacter counts on the chicken carcasses decreased from after killing until after chilling, but increased briefly after evisceration before decreasing again until the final processing step. Scalding, plucking, evisceration and chilling were identified as the key processing steps. This trend is consistent with international studies, although the contamination rate for Campylobacter at the end of processing was lower at around 1.6 log10 CFU/ml compared to 2.2 log10 CFU/ml of international studies. Furthermore, the effects of different physical treatments on Campylobacter and Salmonella along the primary broiler processing were analyzed. Recontamination after evisceration and hygiene after the chilling process were identified as intervention points based on the quantitative data analysis of the three German abattoirs. Hot water treatment (20, 70, 75, 80 °C/ 20, 30, 40 s) and cold air treatment with the SafeChill(TM) process (-80 °C, -90 °C/ 20 s, 30 s, 40 s) were carried out in a pilot plant or under industrial conditions, respectively. Hot water treatments resulted in a significant reduction in Campylobacter and Salmonella concentrations of around 1 log10 CFU/ml, with longer and hotter treatments leading to a slightly greater effect. With regard to the sensory appearance, the optimum temperature and exposure time was identified at 70 °C and 30 s treatment. Immersion in room-temperature water alone did not lead to a reduction in pathogens, but did have an effect on the native bacteria (E. coli and TCC). Exposure to -90 °C cold air led to a reduction in Campylobacter concentration of approximately 0.35 to 0.5 log10 CFU/ml, with the duration of exposure having no significant effect on the result. These measures provide a fundament for further investigation in larger trials and may help to reduce the final contamination rate of carcasses after initial processing and thus improve food safety. Finally, we investigated how different packaging methods affect the number of Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli on chicken breast meat. The meat was inoculated with these pathogens, then packaged under modified atmosphere (MAP) or vacuum and stored at different temperatures. 4 °C was selected as the maximum permitted storage temperature and 10 °C as the temperature at which the cold chain was not adequately maintained. The results showed that MAP led to a reduction in the number of Campylobacter compared to vacuum packaging. No significant changes in bacterial counts were observed for Salmonella and E. coli. Native bacteria multiplied faster when stored at 10 °C than at 4 °C, which emphasizes the importance of a continuous cold chain in order to keep poultry meat safe for as long as possible. Detection limits, sample size, detection methods and sample types can affect the comparability of studies and data. The standardized detection method for Campylobacter is the microbial method according to the ISO standard. However, microbiological analyses are associated with uncertainties, especially under stress conditions such as oxygen or heat, which can affect the detection of e.g. Campylobacter. The PMA v-qPCR method can distinguish between live and dead cells and includes an internal sample process control (ISPC) to monitor dead cells and DNA loss. When using this v-qPCR method in the heat treatment and storage experiments, we found inconsistencies between the cultural enumeration and the v-qPCR method for Campylobacter. These results suggest that the processing and storage conditions may induce stress and viable but not culturable (VBNC) states in pathogens, which may affect detection results. To compare the quantitative results of different sample types, whole carcass rinse samples (WCR) were compared with neck skin samples. Higher bacterial counts were found on the neck skin after chilling, whereas the WCRs had better recovery rates for mesophilic bacteria and E. coli before chilling. It can be surmised that the neck skin samples are better suited for detecting bacteria in deeper skin layers, while the WCR can represent the entire surface contamination and fresh recontamination. Both methods provided valuable information on surface contamination and can be used to evaluate measures. Despite the introduction of strict control measures, bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella are still widespread and pose a significant risk to human health. In order to improve hygiene standards in the context of microbiological contamination, it is necessary to establish continuous microbiological testing along the process chain alongside the process hygiene criterium (PHC) and thus improve the monitoring of zoonotic pathogens. The most important processing steps can be further improved through effective decontamination methods such as heat or cold treatments. Current storage conditions primarily extend shelf life but offer only limited decontamination. It is also crucial for food safety that the consumer is made aware of the correct handling of the product. In addition, innovative detection methods, such as v-qPCR, can improve risk assessment to ensure the safety of poultry meat under the One Health umbrella.Zoonosen sind Infektionskrankheiten, die u.a. durch Bakterien verursacht werden können und durch direkten Kontakt, Vektoren wie Moskitos oder kontaminierte Lebensmittel vom Tier auf den Menschen übertragen werden können. Geflügelfleisch stellt dabei eine wichtige Übertragungsquelle dar, hier sind Campylobacter und Salmonella die am häufigsten auftretenden Erreger. Dies stellt erhebliche Herausforderungen an die Lebensmittelsicherheit, auch vor dem Hintergrund, dass der Verbrauch von Geflügelfleisch in Zukunft weltweit zunehmen wird und Deutschland einer der führenden Produzenten in der EU ist. Mikrobielle Kontaminationen von Geflügelfleisch mit Campylobacter oder Salmonella können aus verschiedenen Quellen stammen, darunter die Umwelt, lebende Vögel und Verarbeitungsbetriebe. Um die Sicherheit von Geflügelfleisch zu gewährleisten, sind wirksame Strategien zur Risikominderung, Überwachung und Interventionsmethoden erforderlich. Angesichts der hohen wirtschaftlichen und gesundheitlichen Belastung durch die Campylobacteriose in der EU wurden bereits Strategien für die Bekämpfung von Campylobacter entlang der Geflügelwertschöpfungskette, z.B. in Form von Kontaminationsgrenzwerten oder HACCP-Konzepten eingeführt. Dennoch gelangt kontaminiertes Fleisch in den Handel. Die derzeitigen Bekämpfungsstrategien müssen auf der Grundlage neuer Daten überprüft und angepasst werden. Zusätzliche Maßnahmen auf verschiedenen Stufen der Produktion können dazu beitragen, die mit bakteriellen Krankheitserregern verbundenen Risiken zu verringern. Dazu zählen Hygienemaßnahmen während der Schlachtung, logistische Schlachtplanung und Dekontaminationsmethoden umfassen. Neue, schnellere Nachweismethoden können die Bewertung des Kontaminationsgrades im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Standards verbessern. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den aktuellen Stand der bakteriellen Belastung von Hühnerfleisch bei der Schlachtung von Masthähnchen und der Lagerung von Hähnchenfleisch zu bewerten sowie physikalische Dekontaminationsverfahren während der Verarbeitung von Broilern und verschiedene Nachweismethoden für Campylobacter jejuni und Salmonella enteritidis zu untersuchen. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde das Vorkommen von Campylobacter, E. coli und mesophilen Bakterien während des Schlachtprozesses von Masthähnchen in drei großen deutschen Schlachthöfen analysiert. Die Campylobacter-Keimzahlen nahmen von der Tötung bis zur Kühlung der Schlachtkörper ab. Nach dem Ausweiden stiegen sie kurzzeitig an, um dann bis zum letzten Verarbeitungsschritt wieder abzufallen. Als entscheidende Verarbeitungsschritte wurden Brühen, Rupfen, Ausnehmen und Kühlen identifiziert. Dieser Trend stimmt mit internationalen Studien überein, auch wenn die Kontaminationsrate mit Campylobacter am Ende der Verarbeitung mit ca. 1,6 log10 KBE/ml im Vergleich zu 2,2 log10 KBE/ml in den Zusammenfassungen internationaler Studien niedriger war. Zusätzlich wurden die Auswirkungen verschiedener physikalischer Behandlungen auf Campylobacter und Salmonellen entlang der primären Broilerverarbeitung analysiert. Die Rekontamination nach dem Ausweiden und der Kühlprozess wurden auf Grundlage der quantitativen Datenanalyse der drei deutschen Schlachthöfe als Interventionspunkte identifiziert. Die Heißwasserbehandlung (20 °C, 70 °C, 75 °C, 80 °C/20 s, 30 s, 40 s) wurde in einer Pilotanlage und die Kaltluftbehandlung mit dem SafeChill(TM)-Verfahren (-80 °C, -90 °C/20 s, 30 s, 40 s) unter industriellen Bedingungen durchgeführt. Heißwasserbehandlungen bewirkten eine signifikante Verringerung der Campylobacter- und Salmonellen-Konzentrationen um etwa 1 log10 KBE/ml, wobei längere und heißere Behandlungen einen leicht stärkeren Effekt hatten. Mit Blick auf das sensorische Erscheinungsbild wurde die optimale Temperatur und Behandlungszeit mit 70 °C und 30 s identifiziert. Des Weiteren führte das Eintauchen in raumtemperiertes Wasser allein nicht zu einer Reduzierung der Krankheitserreger, hatte aber einen Einfluss auf die nativen Bakterien (E. coli und TCC). Eine Kaltluftexposition bei -90 °C reduzierte die Campylobacter Konzentration um etwa 0,35 bis 0,5 log10 KBE/ml, wobei die Dauer der Behandlung keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf das Ergebnis hatte. Die getesteten Maßnahmen bilden eine solide Grundlage für weitere Untersuchungen in größeren Versuchen und können dazu beitragen, die endgültige Kontaminationsrate von Schlachtkörpern nach der Verarbeitung zu senken und damit die Lebensmittelsicherheit zu verbessern. Außerdem wurde der Einfluss verschiedener Verpackungsmethoden auf die Anzahl von Campylobacter, Salmonellen und E. coli auf Hühnerbrustfleisch untersucht. Das Fleisch wurde mit Bakterien beimpft, dann unter modifizierter Atmosphäre (MAP) oder Vakuum verpackt und bei verschiedenen Temperaturen gelagert. 4 °C wurde als maximal erlaubte Lagertemperatur gewählt und 10 °C als Temperatur, in der die Kühlkette nicht adäquat eingehalten wurde. Dabei zeigte sich, dass die MAP-Verpackung im Vergleich zum Vakuum zu einer Verringerung der Campylobacter-Zahlen führte. Bei Salmonellen und E. coli wurden keine signifikanten Veränderungen der Keimzahlen festgestellt. Native Bakterien vermehrten sich bei 10 °C schneller als bei 4 °C. Diese Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Bedeutung einer ununterbrochenen Kühlkette, um die Sicherheit von Geflügelfleisch so lange wie möglich zu gewährleisten. Nachweisgrenzen und -methoden, Probengrößen und -arten, können sich auf die Vergleichbarkeit von Studien und Daten auswirken. Die mikrobielle Analyse nach ISO-Norm ist die standardisierte Nachweismethode für Campylobacter. Dabei sind mikrobiologische Analysen mit Unsicherheiten in der Quantifizierung von Bakterienbelastungen behaftet, insbesondere unter Stressbedingungen wie Sauerstoff oder Hitze kann der Nachweis von u.a. Campylobacter beeinträchtigt werden. Die PMA v-qPCR-Methode kann zwischen lebenden und toten Zellen unterscheiden und beinhaltet eine interne Probenprozesskontrolle (ISPC) zur Identifizierung von toten Zellen und DNA-Verlusten. Bei der Anwendung dieser v qPCR-Methode in Hitzebehandlungs- und Lagerungsstudien wurde festgestellt, dass es Diskrepanzen zwischen der kulturellen Auszählung und der v-qPCR-Methode für Campylobacter gibt, wobei die kulturellen Verfahren hier wahrscheinlich zu einer Überschätzung der Dekontaminationskraft oder Effizienz der Lagerung beitragen. Diese Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Verarbeitungs- und Lagerungsbedingungen Stress und VBNC-Zustände (lebensfähig, aber nicht kultivierbare Zellen) bei Krankheitserregern wie Campylobacter hervorrufen können, was sich auf die Untersuchungsergebnisse auswirken kann. Zum Vergleich der quantitativen Ergebnisse verschiedener Probennahemarten wurden ganze Schlachtkörperspülproben (WCR) den Nackenhautproben gegenübergestellt. Auf der Nackenhaut wurden nach dem Kühlen höhere Keimzahlen festgestellt, die WCR hingegen wiesen vor dem Kühlen bessere Wiederfindungsraten für mesophile Bakterien und E. coli auf. Es kann vermutet werden, dass während Nackenhautproben potenziell besser geeignet sind, um Bakterien in tieferen Hautschichten zu erfassen, die WCR vermutlich die Gesamtkontamination der Oberfläche und die frische Rekontamination darstellen können. Beide Methoden lieferten wertvolle Erkenntnisse über die Oberflächenkontamination und können für die Bewertung von Maßnahmen herangezogen werden. Trotz der Einführung strenger Kontrollmaßnahmen sind Bakterien wie Campylobacter und Salmonella weiterhin weit verbreitet und stellen ein erhebliches Risiko für die menschliche Gesundheit dar. Um die Hygienestandards im Rahmen der mikrobiologischen Belastung zu verbessern, ist es notwendig, kontinuierliche mikrobiologische Untersuchungen entlang der Prozesskette neben dem Prozesshygienekriterium (PHC) zu etablieren und damit die Überwachung von Zoonoseerregern zu verbessern. Die wichtigsten Verarbeitungsschritte können durch wirksame Dekontaminationsmethoden wie Hitze- oder Kältebehandlungen 8 Zusammenfassung 92 weiter verbessert werden. Die derzeitigen Lagerungsbedingungen von Hähnchenfleisch verlängern in erster Linie die Haltbarkeit. Außerdem ist es für die Lebensmittelsicherheit von entscheidender Bedeutung, dass Verbraucher für die spezifischen Gefahren sensibilisiert werden und den richtigen Umgang mit dem Produkt nahgebracht bekommen. Zudem können innovative Nachweismethoden, wie die v-qPCR, die Risikobewertung verbessern, um die Sicherheit von Geflügelfleisch unter dem Dach von One Health zu gewährleisten

Voltage detected single spin dynamics in diamond at ambient conditions

Defect centres in crystals like diamond or silicon find a wide application in quantum technology, where the detection and control of their quantum states is crucial for their implementation as quantum sensors and qubits. The quantum information is usually encoded in the spin state of these defect centres, but they also often possess a charge which is typically not utilized. We report here the detection of elementary charges bound to single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres several nanometres below the diamond surface using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) under laser illumination. Moreover, the measured signal depends on the NV’s electron spin state, thus allowing to perform a non-optical single spin readout, a technique we refer to as “Surface Voltage Detected Magnetic Resonance” (SVDMR). Our method opens a way of coherent spin dynamics detection for quantum sensing applications and could be potentially applied to other solid state systems. We believe that this voltage-based readout would help to simplify the design of devices for quantum technology

Care, and the less of it: Haunted gestures and the affective economy of pharmaceutical HIV prevention

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an antiretroviral drug that effectively prevents an HIV infection, which German statutory health insurance has covered since 2019. The drug's use in Germany has (re)surfaced ambivalent emotions: hopes for an HIV/AIDS-free future and sexual liberation rub against enduring worries and moralizations of promiscuity. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Berlin's sexual cultures and prevention landscape, this article engages the affective economy that has emerged concerning PrEP and the hopes, worries, and accusations the drug has incited. To illustrate how the conflicting affects surrounding PrEP use haunt this economy, the article builds from the German notion of Sorglosigkeit/carelessness—a term intentionally straddling the ambivalence between being careless and carefree. Sustained by healthcare infrastructures and PrEP users’ practices of self-care, carelessness is not taken to be antithetical to, but operating on the affective terrain of, Sorge (worry, anxiety, concern, care). Ethnographically grounding carelessness in intergenerational hauntings of HIV/AIDS, the article examines gestures as they situate embodied emotions and personal experiences in the course of collective history. Three specific gestures—a sigh, finger-pointing, and palpation—mediate between biographies, bodies, and publics, and trace how carelessness circulates around PrEP

Love yourself as a therapist, doubt yourself as an institution? Therapist and institution effects on outcome, treatment length, and dropout

Objective: Research suggests that some therapists achieve better outcomes than others. However, an overlooked area of study is how institution differences impact patient outcomes independent of therapist variance. This study aimed to examine the role of institution and therapist differences in adult outpatient psychotherapy. Method: The study included 1428 patients who were treated by 196 therapists at 10 clinics. Two- and three-level hierarchical linear regression models were employed to investigate the effects of therapists and institutions on three dependent patient variables: (1) symptom change, (2) treatment duration, and (3) dropout. Level three explanatory variables were tested. Results: The results showed that therapist effects (TE) were significant for all three types of treatment outcome (7.8%–18.2%). When a third level (institution) was added to the model, the differences between therapists decreased, and significant institution effects (IE) were found: 6.3% for symptom change, 10.6% for treatment duration, and 6.5% for dropout. The exploratory analyses found no predictors able to explain the systematic variation at the institution level. Discussion: TE on psychotherapy outcomes remain a relevant factor but may have been overestimated in previous studies due to not properly distinguishing them from differences at the institution level