Determinants of Terrestrial and Limnic Species Richness in Germany

Aim: Biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human impacts. While abiotic conditions are well known to shape species richness, the role of human activities remains less clear. We examined how abiotic and human factors influence terrestrial and limnic species richness in a densely populated region with a long land‐use history. Location: Germany. Time Period: 1900–2023 (varies by taxonomic group). Major Taxa Studied: Mammals, breeding birds, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, dragonflies, fungi, vascular plants. Methods: Species richness data were aggregated in 11 × 11 km grid cells and related to abiotic (climate, soil) and human drivers (land use, protection status). We applied a two‐step approach: (1) Boosted Regression Trees (BRTs) to select relevant predictor variables and (2) Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) to test their effects, accounting for spatial autocorrelation. Results: Land‐use and climate were similarly important for species richness (26% vs. 21% in BRTs), while protection status and soil contributed less (8% and 9%). GAMs showed positive effects of temperature across many groups. Among land‐use factors, human footprint, urban open spaces and water bodies consistently enhanced richness. Protected areas were positively related to richness, whereas soil variables had mixed effects. Main Conclusions: In Germany, species richness peaks not only in semi‐natural, protected areas but also along water bodies and within settlement open spaces. These results suggest that conservation strategies should integrate both traditional protected areas and human‐modified habitats that sustain high biodiversity.the German Research Foundation 10.13039/501100001659project “Faktencheck Artenvielfalt”, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)Peer Reviewe

A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) Model of Dapagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Effect of Dosing, Hepatorenal Impairment, and Food

Background/Objectives: Dapagliflozin is an SGLT2 inhibitor prescribed for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drug lowers blood glucose levels by increasing urinary glucose excretion (UGE). Despite established efficacy, dapagliflozin demonstrates significant inter-individual variability in pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), with potential impact on treatment outcomes. Methods: To evaluate the sources of variability and to support patient stratification and model-informed individualized therapy, we developed a physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) model of dapagliflozin using curated data from 28 clinical studies. This framework integrates absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and pharmacodynamics, and accounts for key determinants of variability including renal and hepatic function, and food effects. Results: The simulations reproduced dose-dependent pharmacokinetics with predicted Cmax and AUC values typically within 10–15% of observed data. Renal impairment reduced UGE by 40–60% despite modest changes in plasma exposure, while hepatic impairment produced only small shifts in PK and PD. The model also reproduced the fed-state reduction of peak concentrations, consistent with the 30–50% decrease reported clinically. Conclusions: All model files, code, and curated datasets are openly available in line with FAIR standards and Open Science practices, enabling transparent and reproducible analyses and providing a mechanistic basis for individualized therapy in type 2 diabetes.Matthias König (MK) was supported by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR, Germany) within ATLAS by grant number 031L0304B and by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the Research Unit Program FOR 5151 “QuaLiPerF (Quantifying Liver Perfusion-Function Relationship in Complex Resection—A Systems Medicine Approach)” by grant number 436883643 and by grant number 465194077 (Priority Programme SPP 2311, Subproject SimLivA). This work was supported by the BMBF-funded de.NBI Cloud within the German Network for Bioinformatics Infrastructure (de.NBI) (031A537B, 031A533A, 031A538A, 031A533B, 031A535A, 031A537C, 031A534A, 031A532B).Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR, Germany)German Research Foundation (DFG)MBF-funded de.NBI CloudPeer Reviewe

A spatial perspective on the impact of official development assistance on sustainable development goals

The United Nations (UN)’s 2030 Agenda for 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a critical framework for advancing environmental sustainability and human development. Official Development Assistance (ODA) serves as a key source of financing for the SDGs, particularly in developing countries. This study investigates the impact of ODA on various aspects of SDG performance, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that accounts for the diverse needs, uneven progress, and spatial interdependencies among UN member states between 2000 and 2021. Our findings show that ODA statistically significantly supports basic goals such as SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (zero hunger), but has limited, or in some cases negative, effects on other goals, including SDG 8 (decent work), SDG 9 (industry and innovation), SDG 15 (life on land), and SDG 16 (peace and institutions). The results also reveal substantial heterogeneity across country groups, underscoring the need for ODA to broaden its focus to underfunded areas and adopt more context-specific strategies that recognize spatial dynamics, manage trade-offs, and prioritize SDG pathways aligned with country-specific capacities and priorities.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (1034)Peer Reviewe

Reactive Extrusion as a Sustainable Synthetic Approach: Upscaling, In Situ Monitoring, and Application

Die chemische Industrie steht unter zunehmendem Druck, nachhaltige Verfahren zu implementieren, da traditionelle, lösungsmittelbasierte Prozesse ökologische und wirtschaftliche Herausforderungen mit sich bringen. Die Mechanochemie bietet eine lösungsmittelreduzierte Alternative, deren Anwendung jedoch durch begrenzte Skalierbarkeit und eingeschränkte Prozesskontrolle limitiert ist. Diese Arbeit adressiert diese Herausforderungen durch die Weiterentwicklung der Extrusion – eines kontinuierlichen mechanochemischen Verfahrens – mittels Upscaling, in situ Monitoring und Anwendung zur Herstellung funktionaler Materialien. Das Upscaling wird am industriell relevanten porösen Material Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8) untersucht, um Laborerkenntnisse auf die großtechnische Produktion zu übertragen. Kritische Parameter werden zunächst in Batch-Mischreaktionen identifiziert und anschließend für die kontinuierliche Synthese mittels Doppelschneckenextrusion (TSE) optimiert. Dabei werden Hilfslösungsmittel, Zuführrate, Temperatur und Reagenzienstöchiometrie systematisch angepasst. Zur Prozesskontrolle und mechanistischen Einsicht werden in situ Monitoring-Techniken wie Raman-Spektroskopie und synchrotronbasierte energie-dispersive Röntgenbeugung am TSE-Setup eingesetzt. Diese ermöglichen die Echtzeitverfolgung molekularer und kristalliner Veränderungen mit hoher zeitlicher und räumlicher Auflösung und unterstützen so die Prozessoptimierung. Die Anwendung der reaktiven Extrusion wird durch die Synthese funktionaler, auf ZIF-8 basierender Biokomposite erweitert. Die Methode wurde zur Einschließung von Biomolekülen wie Proteinen, Enzymen und Kohlenhydraten weiterentwickelt, wobei deren strukturelle Integrität erhalten bleibt. Dies zeigt das Potenzial der Extrusion zur Herstellung skalierbarer Biokomposite für therapeutische und biokatalytische Anwendungen. Insgesamt unterstützt diese Arbeit die Doppelschneckenextrusion als nachhaltige und kontinuierliche Syntheseplattform.The chemical industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, as traditional solvent-based processes pose environmental and economic challenges. Mechanochemistry is a solvent-minimized alternative, but its adoption is limited by issues of scalability and process control. This work addresses these challenges by advancing extrusion − a continuous mechanochemical approach − through upscaling, in situ monitoring, and production of functional materials. Upscaling was explored using the industrially relevant porous material Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8). Initial batch-scale mixing reactions were used to identify critical parameters, which were then translated to continuous synthesis via twin-screw extrusion (TSE), demonstrating how laboratory-scale insights could be effectively applied to larger-scale production. Key variables, such as auxiliary liquid type, feed rate, temperature, and reagent stoichiometry, were systematically optimized. To support the transition to continuous operation, in situ monitoring techniques were implemented to gain mechanistic insights and ensure process control. Laboratory-based Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron-based energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD) were adapted to the TSE setup, enabling real-time tracking of molecular and crystalline transformations. The application of TSE was further demonstrated through the synthesis of ZIF-8-based biocomposites. The method enabled the encapsulation of biomolecules such as proteins, enzymes, and carbohydrates into ZIF-8 under mild conditions. Shaped extrudates encapsulating the clinical drug hyaluronic acid (HA) were accessible via a one-step process. Upon release from ZIF-8, HA retained its structural integrity, highlighting the potential of extrusion for the scalable production of biocomposites for therapeutic applications. Together, these findings support TSE as a sustainable and continuous synthesis platform

Biochar application enhances ant (Formica japonica) ecological functions as indicated by their social behaviors

Soil fauna activity is crucial for soil ecosystem functioning and health, but soil remediation techniques, such as biochar application, are seldom examined for their influence on soil fauna activity. This study systematically evaluated the effects of rice straw biochar application on the social behaviors of ants, Formica japonica , and elucidated how these behavioral changes enhance ant ecological functional traits. At moderate concentrations (2.5–5%), biochar significantly enhanced several ant colony functions: nest site selection specificity increased by 73.4%, nest architecture complexity improved by 2.8-fold, foraging efficiency accelerated by 2 fold, and social recognition accuracy enhanced by 3.5-fold. The improved colony performance was manifested through sophisticated behavioral responses, including strengthened territorial defense (3.5-fold increase in aggressive behavior duration) and enhanced intraspecific cooperation (4 fold increase in peaceful touch frequency). These behavioral enhancements coincided with specific soil physicochemical conditions at the application rate of 5% biochar. However, higher biochar doses (10%) reduced colony-level survival to 60 ± 5.44% and diminished functional enhancement of behavioral performance, in part due to the presence of persistent free radicals and high pH. Our results indicate that ant social behavior may be altered during soil remediation, which should be carefully considered prior to engineering practices.Highlights: Biochar application altered social behaviors of the ant Formica japonica. Moderate doses (2.5–5%) enhanced foraging and species recognition of ants. High biochar dose (10%) reduced survival and behavioral efficiency.National Natural Science Foundation of Chinahttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001809Peer Reviewe

A Pilot Study

The article processing charge was funded by the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.To improve understanding of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, this study investigated the effect of menstrual cycle (MC) phase on ACL injury risk factors in elite female team sport athletes with and without urinary incontinence (UI). Additionally, associations between endogenous sex hormones, MC-related symptoms, and these risk factors were investigated. Ten elite female athletes (24.2 ± 3.6 years, BMI 23.2 ± 1.3 kg/m2, 10.9 ± 1.8 training hours/week) completed three testing sessions across three MC phases, determined using the three-step method. Assessments included static and dynamic postural control and hip strength. Mixed-model ANOVA and canonical correlation analyses evaluated the effects of MC phase, UI, hormones, and performance. A significant interaction between MC phase and UI was observed for single-leg sway area with eyes closed (p = 0.036), and UI was associated with a higher hip adduction:abduction ratio (p = 0.037). No further significant interaction between UI and MC phase was observed. Moreover, hormones explained 16.5% of the variance in risk factors, while subjective symptoms explained 24.5%. Lower progesterone was associated with higher symptoms, lower estradiol and progesterone with reduced strength and poorer postural control, and higher testosterone with greater strength. Although limited by its pilot design, menstrual symptoms, more than MC phases, may influence performance and injury risk, supporting the potential value of systematic symptoms monitoring.Peer Reviewe

Uniruledness of some moduli spaces of pointed spin curves

The moduli space Sg,2nparametrizes pointed curves with spin structure. We prove that S2,4, S2,6, S3,2, S3,4, S3,6, S4,2, S4,4, S5,2and S5,4are uniruled.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (1034)Peer Reviewe

Synergies in psychedelic-assisted therapy: a qualitative interview study of psychotherapeutic processes

Research on the therapeutic effects of psychedelics in psychiatry, commonly referred to as Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT), has expanded substantially in recent years. The context-dependent nature of psychedelics has sparked discussion about the importance of the psychotherapeutic environment in achieving beneficial outcomes. This study explores the contribution of psychotherapeutic factors on PAT in Switzerland, where psychedelic treatments can be implemented within long-term clinical frameworks. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with Swiss therapists to explore how they frame psychedelic treatments and the role of the psychotherapeutic setting in facilitating therapeutic outcomes. Thereby, individual experiences of the patients as reported by the therapists, were particularly considered. Thematic analysis identified two main themes, each with several sub-themes. The first theme revealed that while psychotherapeutic techniques are adapted to PAT, they retain similarities to non-psychedelic psychotherapy practices, supporting patients in having meaningful therapeutic experiences. The second theme describes a synergistic relationship between psychedelics and psychotherapy, amplifying underlying general psychotherapeutic factors such as trust, a sense of profundity, and the emergence of therapeutic experiences. The interviewed therapists agreed that psychedelics work as unspecific catalysts for psychotherapeutic processes, while still acknowledging the potential for psychopharmacological effects or the interaction between psychedelics and psychotherapy to create unique psychotherapeutic processes. Findings from our sample suggest that, for specific indications, incorporating psychedelics into long-term psychotherapeutic treatment may strengthen therapeutic processes. Future research could investigate the efficacy of PAT within the framework of specific psychotherapeutic modalities or in different settings, including prospective quantitative assessments of outcomes. Ultimately, clarifying mechanisms of action of PAT may help to enhance its efficacy and potentially to integrate psychedelic treatments into mainstream mental health care.The author(s) declared financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. Support for the publication fee was provided by University of Greifswald’s publication fund.Peer Reviewe