Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten in der Bodenwasserdynamik unterschiedlicher Wald- und Ackerstandorte

Die standörtliche Bodenwasserdynamik wird wesentlich durch die Landnutzung, Vegetation, Bodeneigenschaften und Witterung bestimmt. Um in einer Region ein hydrologisches Modell erfolgreich anwenden zu können, ist es notwendig, den Bodenwasserhaushalt in seiner zeitlichen und räumlichen Ausprägung richtig abzubilden. Im Rahmen des vom BMBF geförderten Verbundprojektes „Nachhaltiges Landma-nagement im Norddeutschen Tiefland“ (NaLaMa-nT) wurden im Fläming boden-hydrologische Monitoringstandorte aufgebaut, die kleinräumige Heterogenitäten in der Bodenwasserdynamik kontinuierlich und zeitlich hoch aufgelöst erfassen. Ergebnisse der Saugspannungsmessungen mit Watermark-Sensoren auf sechs Acker- und Waldstandorten werden präsentiert. Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede im Bodenwasserhaushalt der Monitoringstandorte werden aufgezeigt und analysiert

Sufficient Conditions for Intractability over Black-Box Groups: Generic Lower Bounds for Generalized DL and DH Problems

The generic (aka. black-box) group model is a valuable methodology for analyzing the computational hardness of number-theoretic problems used in cryptography. Since the properties ensuring generic hardness have not been well-studied and formalized yet, for each newly proposed problem an entire hardness proof has to be done from scratch. In this work we identify criteria that guarantee the hardness of generalized DL and DH problems in an extended generic group model where algorithms are allowed to perform any operation representable by a polynomial function. Assuming our conditions are satisfied, we are able to provide negligible upper bounds on the success probability of such algorithms. As useful means for the formalization of definitions and conditions we explicitly relate the concepts of generic algorithms and straight-line programs that have only been used independently in cryptography so far

NDUFS7 variant in dogs with Leigh syndrome and its functional validation in a Drosophila melanogaster model

Two Jack-Russell Terrier × Chihuahua mixed-breed littermates with Leigh syndrome were investigated. The dogs presented with progressive ataxia, dystonia, and increased lactate levels. Brain MRI showed characteristic bilateral symmetrical T2 hyperintense lesions, histologically representing encephalomalacia. Muscle histopathology revealed accumulation of mitochondria. Whole genome sequencing identified a missense variant in a gene associated with human Leigh syndrome, NDUFS7:c.535G > A or p.(Val179Met). The genotypes at the variant co-segregated with the phenotype in the investigated litter as expected for a monogenic autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We investigated the functional consequences of the missense variant in a Drosophila melanogaster model by expressing recombinant wildtype or mutant canine NDUFS7 in a ubiquitous knockdown model of the fly ortholog ND-20. Neither of the investigated overexpression lines completely rescued the lethality upon knockdown of the endogenous ND-20. However, a partial rescue was found upon overexpression of wildtype NDUFS7, where pupal lethality was moved to later developmental stages, which was not seen upon canine mutant overexpression, thus providing additional evidence for the pathogenicity of the identified variant. Our results show the potential of the fruit fly as a model for canine disease allele validation and establish NDUFS7:p.(Val179Met) as causative variant for the investigated canine Leigh syndrome

A gut bacterial signature in blood and liver tissue characterizes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundHCC is the leading cause of cancer in chronic liver disease. A growing body of experimental mouse models supports the notion that gut-resident and liver-resident microbes control hepatic immune responses and, thereby, crucially contribute to liver tumorigenesis. However, a comprehensive characterization of the intestinal microbiome in fueling the transition from chronic liver disease to HCC in humans is currently missing.MethodsHere, we profiled the fecal, blood, and liver tissue microbiome of patients with HCC by 16S rRNA sequencing and compared profiles to nonmalignant cirrhotic and noncirrhotic NAFLD patients.ResultsWe report a distinct bacterial profile, defined from 16S rRNA gene sequences, with reduced α-and β-diversity in the feces of patients with HCC and cirrhosis compared to NAFLD. Patients with HCC and cirrhosis exhibited an increased proportion of fecal bacterial gene signatures in the blood and liver compared to NAFLD. Differential analysis of the relative abundance of bacterial genera identified an increased abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Bacteroidaceae in blood and liver tissue from both HCC and cirrhosis patients compared to NAFLD. Fecal samples from cirrhosis and HCC patients both showed a reduced abundance for several taxa, including short-chain fatty acid-producing genera, such as Blautia and Agathobacter. Using paired 16S rRNA and transcriptome sequencing, we identified a direct association between gut bacterial genus abundance and host transcriptome response within the liver tissue.ConclusionsOur study indicates perturbations of the intestinal and liver-resident microbiome as a critical determinant of patients with cirrhosis and HCC

Experimental validation of a railway bridge made of a reinforced UHPFRC-T-beam

The material UHPFRC is not yet used in the field of bridge construction regularly. The reasons are missing codes and allurements for innovation in the structural engineering. Nevertheless, UHPFRC has many advantages, which are significant compared to the use of concrete in this case: the replacement of a railway bridge. This paper documents two tests of reinforced UHPFRC beams. This tests has been done in the context of the validation of the dimensioning: one bending test and one shear forcer test. Furthermore, the reasons for the choice, the specimen geometry as well as the test results are presented. Finally, the investigated load bearing capacities will be compared with analytical models

Gender distribution in emergency medicine journals

Objective: Despite an established gender gap in academic medicine, evidence on gender diversity in emergency medicine is scarce. In the present study, gender distribution of editorial boards and among editors-in-chief of 31 emergency medicine journals was investigated in 2020/2021 and compared to 2015 and 2010. Additionally, gender distribution in editorial boards of emergency medicine journals was compared to editorial boards in five different medical specialties. Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, gender of editorial board members and editors-in-chief of journals ranked in the Clarivate Analytics 'Journal Citation Report' (JCR) of 2019 in the sections 'Emergency Medicine', 'Medicine General and Internal', 'Surgery', 'Obstetrics and Gynecology', 'Pediatrics' and 'Orthopedics' were analyzed. Results: In the investigated 31 emergency medicine journals, three out of 35 editors-in-chief (9%) and 299 out of 1810 editorial board members (17%) were women in 2020/2021. In 2015 and 2010, two editors-in-chief were women (13% vs. 15%). In 2015, 19% of editorial board members were women and in 2010 it was 18%, respectively. There was no significant difference in gender distribution among editors-in-chief and editorial board members comparing 2020/2021 with 2015 and 2010 (P = 0.76 vs. P = 0.40, respectively). There was a lower percentage of women in editorial boards of emergency medicine journals compared to the top five JCR-ranked journals in the categories 'Medicine General and Internal', 'Surgery', 'Gynecology and Obstetrics' and 'Pediatrics'. Conclusion: The gender gap in editorial boards and among editors-in-chief of emergency medicine journals seems to be consistent for the last 10 years. Gender disparity appears to be substantial in academic emergency medicine: The percentage of women in emergency medicine editorial boards was lower compared to editorial boards of four other medical specialties

Gender distribution in emergency medicine journals: editorial board memberships in top-ranked academic journals

Objective: Despite an established gender gap in academic medicine, evidence on gender diversity in emergency medicine is scarce. In the present study, gender distribution of editorial boards and among editors-in-chief of 31 emergency medicine journals was investigated in 2020/2021 and compared to 2015 and 2010. Additionally, gender distribution in editorial boards of emergency medicine journals was compared to editorial boards in five different medical specialties. Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, gender of editorial board members and editors-in-chief of journals ranked in the Clarivate Analytics 'Journal Citation Report' (JCR) of 2019 in the sections 'Emergency Medicine', 'Medicine General and Internal', 'Surgery', 'Obstetrics and Gynecology', 'Pediatrics' and 'Orthopedics' were analyzed. Results: In the investigated 31 emergency medicine journals, three out of 35 editors-in-chief (9%) and 299 out of 1810 editorial board members (17%) were women in 2020/2021. In 2015 and 2010, two editors-in-chief were women (13% vs. 15%). In 2015, 19% of editorial board members were women and in 2010 it was 18%, respectively. There was no significant difference in gender distribution among editors-in-chief and editorial board members comparing 2020/2021 with 2015 and 2010 (P = 0.76 vs. P = 0.40, respectively). There was a lower percentage of women in editorial boards of emergency medicine journals compared to the top five JCR-ranked journals in the categories 'Medicine General and Internal', 'Surgery', 'Gynecology and Obstetrics' and 'Pediatrics'. Conclusion: The gender gap in editorial boards and among editors-in-chief of emergency medicine journals seems to be consistent for the last 10 years. Gender disparity appears to be substantial in academic emergency medicine: The percentage of women in emergency medicine editorial boards was lower compared to editorial boards of four other medical specialties

Sufficient Conditions for Intractability over Black-Box Groups: Generic Lower Bounds for Generalized DL and DH Problems

Abstract. The generic (aka. black-box) group model is a valuable methodology for analyzing the computational hardness of number-theoretic problems used in cryptography. Since the properties ensuring generic hardness have not been well-studied and formalized yet, for each newly proposed problem an entire hardness proof has to be done from scratch. In this work we identify criteria that guarantee the hardness of generalized DL and DH problems in an extended generic group model where algorithms are allowed to perform any operation representable by a polynomial function. Assuming our conditions are satisfied, we are able to provide negligible upper bounds on the success probability of such algorithms. As useful means for the formalization of definitions and conditions we explicitly relate the concepts of generic algorithms and straight-line programs that have only been used independently in cryptography so far

Establishment and interpretation of the genome sequence of the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB isolate 7/3/14

Wibberg D, Jelonek L, Rupp O, et al. Establishment and interpretation of the genome sequence of the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB isolate 7/3/14. Journal of Biotechnology. 2013;167(2):142-155.Anastomosis group AG1-IB isolates of the anamorphic basidiomycetous fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kühn affect various agricultural and horticultural important crops including bean, rice, soybean, figs, hortensia, cabbage and lettuce. To gain insights into the genome structure and content, the first draft genome sequence of R. solani AG1-IB isolate 7/3/14 was established. Four complete runs on the Genome Sequencer (GS) FLX platform (Roche Applied Science) yielding approx. a 25-fold coverage of the R. solani genome were accomplished. Assembly of the sequence reads by means of the gsAssembler software version 2.6 applying the heterozygotic mode resulted in numerous contigs and scaffolds and a predicted size of 87.1Mb for the diploid status of the genome. 'Contig-length vs. read-count' analysis revealed that the assembled contigs can be classified into five different groups. Detailed BLAST-analysis revealed that most contigs of group II feature high-scoring matches to other contigs of the same group suggesting that distinguishable allelic variants exist for many genes. Due to the supposed diploid and heterokaryotic nature of R. solani AG1-IB 7/3/14, this result has been anticipated. However, the heterokaryotic character of the isolate is not really supported by sequencing data obtained for the isolate R. solani AG1-IB 7/3/14. Coverage of group III contigs is twice as high as for group II contigs which can also be explained by the diploid status of the genome and indistinguishable alleles on homologous chromosomes. Assembly of sequence data led to the identification of the rRNA unit (group V contigs) and the mitochondrial (mt) genome (group IV contigs) which is a circular molecule of 162,751bp in size featuring a GC-content of 36.4%. The R. solani 7/3/14 mt-genome is one of the largest fungal mitochondrial genomes known to date. Its large size essentially is due to the presence of numerous non-conserved hypothetical ORFs and introns. Gene prediction for the R. solani AG1-IB 7/3/14 genome was conducted by the Augustus Gene Prediction Software for Eukaryotes (version 2.6.) applying the parameter set for the fungus Coprinopsis cinerea okayama 7#130. Gene prediction and annotation provided first insights into the R. solani AG1-IB 7/3/14 gene structure and content. In total, 12,422 genes were predicted. The average number of exons per gene is five. Exons have a mean length of 214bp, whereas introns on average are 66bp in length. Annotation of the genome revealed that 4169 of 12,422 genes could be assigned to KOG functional categories