Multiple Scales in Pati-Salam Unification Models

We investigate models where gauge unification (GUT) proceeds in steps that include Pati-Salam symmetry. Beyond the Standard Model, we allow for a well-defined set of small representations of the GUT gauge group. We show that all possible chains of Pati-Salam symmetry breaking can be realized in accordance with gauge-coupling unification. We identify, in particular, models with unification near the Planck scale, with intermediate left-right or SU(4) quark-lepton symmetries that are relevant for flavor physics, with new colored particles at accessible energies, and with an enlarged electroweak Higgs sector. We look both at supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric scenarios.Comment: 48 pages, 11 figures, version accepted for publication in JHE

Non-native populations of an invasive tree outperform their native conspecifics

Introduced plants often face new environmental conditions in their non-native ranges. To become invasive, they need to overcome several biotic and abiotic filters that may trigger adaptive changes in life-history traits, like postgermination processes. Such early life cycle traits may play a crucial role in the colonization and establishment success of invasive plants. As a previous study revealed that seeds of non-native populations of the woody Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila, germinated faster than those of native populations, we expected growth performance of seedlings to mirror this finding. Here, we conducted a common garden greenhouse experiment using different temperature and watering treatments to compare the biomass production of U. pumila seedlings derived from 7 native and 13 populations from two non-native ranges. Our results showed that under all treatments, non-native populations were characterized by higher biomass production and enhanced resource allocation to aboveground biomass compared to the native populations. The observed enhanced growth performance of non-native populations might be one of the contributing factors for the invasion success of U. pumila due to competitive advantages during the colonization of new sites.Fil: Hirsch, Heidi. Stellenbosch University, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology; Sudáfrica. Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden ; AlemaniaFil: Hensen, Isabell. Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden ; Alemania. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; AlemaniaFil: Wesche, Karsten. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Alemania. Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Goerlitz; AlemaniaFil: Renison, Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Wypior, Catherina. Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden ; AlemaniaFil: Hartmann, Matthias. Charles University in Prague, Herbarium PRC & Department of Botany; República ChecaFil: von Wehrden, Henrik. Leuphana University, Institute of Ecology/Faculty of Sustainability, Centre of Methods; Alemania. Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology; Austri

Neue Chromogene mit verdrillten π-Elektronensystemen – Über Indigo und 'Überindigo'

No abstract

SafeSalad - Qualität und Sicherheit in der Produktionskette biologisch produzierter Fertigsalate

Zur Analyse unterschiedlicher Wege einer mikrobiologischen Kontamination mit potenziellem Gesundheitsrisiko wurde die Primärproduktion von verschiedenen Blattsalatarten (Eissalat, Eichblattsalat, Rucola, Mangold) in einem kommerziellen, biologisch produzierenden Betrieb in Norddeutschland in den Jahren 2012, 2013 und 2014 untersucht. Pro Jahr erfolgten jeweils zwei Pflanzungen zu verschiedenen Terminen. Die Pflanzen wurden mit verschiedenen Anbautechniken kultiviert, welche unterschiedliche Gefährdungspotenziale für mögliche Kontaminationen abbilden sollten. Variiert wurden Dünger (Haarmehlpellets, Hühnertrockenkot), Bewässerungssystem (Über-Kopfbewässerung, Tropfbewässerung), Bodenbedeckung (unbedeckter Boden, Mulcheinsatz) sowie genutzte Wasserqualität (Leitungswasser, Brunnenwasser, Teichwasser). Zusätzlich zu den mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen wurden die Auswirkungen der verschiedenen Anbautechniken in Bezug auf das Pflanzenwachstum ana-lysiert. In den Feldversuchen wurden die Wasserqualität als Großteilstück und Düngung, Bewässerung und Bodenbedeckung als Kleinteilstücke in einem Spalt-Spalt-Spaltanlage mit drei Wiederholungen als Blöcke angeordnet. Stichproben von zwei Pflanzen pro Wiederholung und Auswertungstermin wurden zur Charakterisierung der mikrobiologischen Kontamination und des Pflanzenwachstums in einem zweiwöchigen Intervall geerntet und im Anschluss im Labor untersucht. Außerdem wurden Probenahmen und Analysen von Saatgut, Jungpflanzen, Substrat, Düngemittel, Bewässerungswasser, Boden und Blättern durchgeführt. Pflanzenwachstum Die Daten des Pflanzenwachstums zeigten eine signifikante Wirkung der Düngung auf die Frisch- und Trockenmasse. Parzellen die mit Hühnertrockenkot gedüngt wurden zeigten besseres Wachstum und eine höhere Biomasse, während gleichzeitig der Anteil der Trockenmasse bei den Kulturen Eis- und Eichblattsalat reduziert wurde. Für Rucola und Mangold wurden nur wenige signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Varianten gefunden. Zu Beginn des Wachstums zeigten die Auswertungen einen negativen Mulcheffekt auf die gebildete Frisch- und Trockenmasse. Während der späteren Auswertungen wurden diese Effekte nicht nachgewiesen. Eine Analyse der Qualitätsparameter Nitratgehalt und Strukturkomponenten der Zellwand, die ein Indikator für die Knackigkeit des Produkts sind, zeigte einen Einfluss des Düngers und der Bodenabdeckung. Eissalat, der auf Mulchabdeckung wuchs, zeigte höhere Nitratgehalte und weniger strukturelle Zellwandkohlenhydraten in 2013, wobei der Effekt auf die strukturgebenden Kohlenhydrate 2012 umgekehrt war. Der Einsatz von Hühnertrockenkot zeigte höhere Nitrat-N-Gehalte im Produkt. Insgesamt waren die Unterschiede klein und die Auswirkungen auf die Produktqualität zu vernachlässigen. Mikrobiologie/Modellierung Die risikofreudigeren Anbaumethoden im Freilandversuch (Hühnertrockenkot, Überkopfbewässerung mit Teichwasser, keine Mulchabdeckung) resultierten in keiner messbaren Änderung der mikrobiellen Besiedelung. Dies sollte jedoch nicht die Gefahr, welche von Input mit schlechter mikrobiologischer Qualität ausgeht, verharmlosen. Manche Krankheitserreger wie z.B. humanpathogene E. coli haben eine niedrige Infektionsdosis von unter 100 Bakterien (Rheinbaben, 2011). Folglich können auch schon geringe Mengen an Bakterien, welche unter dem Detektionslimit der hier angewandten Analysemethoden liegen und somit nicht er-fasst würden, zu schweren Krankheitsausbrüchen führen. In Gewächshausversuchen konnte gezeigt werden, dass E. coli O157:H7 gut auf Blättern überlebt, und dass die Kolonisierung unabhängig von der N-Quelle vorkommt, wenn E. coli O157:H7 auf anderem Wege als durch Dünger eingebracht wird. Von Bedeutung ist weiterhin die Möglichkeit einer Internalisierung von E. coli O157:H7. Dabei ist die Unversehrtheit der Salatblätter entscheidend, da festgestellt werden konnte, dass eine Schädigung die Invasion von E. coli O157:H7 begünstigen und somit zu einem erhöhten Risiko beitragen kann. Zur Verminderung des Kontaminationsrisikos müssen schon während der Produktion im Freiland oder Gewächshaus Maßnahmen (z.B. durch Anwendung des HACCP-Konzeptes) ergriffen werden. In keinem der angebauten Freilandsätze traten allerdings zum Erntetermin Kontaminationen oberhalb der Warnwerte der Dt. Gesellschaft für Hygiene (DGHM, 2011) auf. Eine Modellierung der Zusammenhänge zwischen Kontaminationsquelle, -zeitpunkt, Befallsdynamik und Umweltdaten war leider nicht möglich, da es im Versuchszeitraum nur zu geringer bzw. in einigen Sätzen zu keiner Kontamination kam. Dessen ungeachtet wurde zumindest die Grundstruktur eines Modells entwickelt

Ecophysiological, morphological, and biochemical traits of free-living Diplosphaera chodatii (Trebouxiophyceae) reveal adaptation to harsh environmental conditions

Single-celled green algae within the Trebouxiophyceae (Chlorophyta) are typical components of terrestrial habitats, which often exhibit harsh environmental conditions for these microorganisms. This study provides a detailed overview of the ecophysiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural traits of an alga living on tree bark. The alga was isolated from a cypress tree in the Botanical Garden of Innsbruck (Austria) and identified by morphology and molecular phylogeny as Diplosphaera chodatii. Transmission electron microscopy after high-pressure freezing (HPF) showed an excellent preservation of the ultrastructure. The cell wall was bilayered with a smooth inner layer and an outer layer of polysaccharides with a fuzzy hair-like appearance that could possibly act as cell-cell adhesion mechanism and hence as a structural precursor supporting biofilm formation together with the mucilage observed occasionally. The photosynthetic-irradiance curves of D. chodatii indicated low light requirements without photoinhibition at high photon flux densities (1580 μmol photons m−2 s−1) supported by growth rate measurements. D. chodatii showed a high desiccation tolerance, as 85% of its initial value was recovered after controlled desiccation at a relative humidity of ~10%. The alga contained the low molecular weight carbohydrates sucrose and sorbitol, which probably act as protective compounds against desiccation. In addition, a new but chemically not elucidated mycosporine-like amino acid was detected with a molecular mass of 332 g mol−1 and an absorption maximum of 324 nm. The presented data provide various traits which contribute to a better understanding of the adaptive mechanisms of D. chodatii to terrestrial habitats

Beyond genetics. Influence of dietary factors and gut microbiota on type 1 diabetes

AbstractType 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease ultimately leading to destruction of insulin secreting β-cells in the pancreas. Genetic susceptibility plays an important role in T1D etiology, but even mono-zygotic twins only have a concordance rate of around 50%, underlining that other factors than purely genetic are involved in disease development. Here we review the influence of dietary and environmental factors on T1D development in humans as well as animal models. Even though data are still inconclusive, there are strong indications that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays an important role in T1D development and evidence from animal models suggests that gut microbiota manipulation might prove valuable in future prevention of T1D in genetically susceptible individuals

Correlation of passivity symptoms and dysfunctional visuomotor action monitoring in psychosis

Passivity experiences are hallmark symptoms of schizophrenia that can be characterized by the belief that one's thoughts or actions are controlled by an external agent. It has recently been suggested that these psychotic experiences result from defective monitoring of one's own actions, i.e. disturbed comparison of actions and perceived outcomes. In this study, we examined the function of the previously characterized action monitoring network of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), medial (mPFC) and lateral prefrontal cortices in patients with different levels of passivity symptoms with an fMRI task. The visuomotor fMRI task demanded control of visually perceived object movements by alternating button presses with the left and the right index finger. In the monitoring condition of this task subjects stopped their actions whenever they detected visuomotor incongruence. fMRI and behavioural data from 15 patients were tested for correlation with passivity symptoms using standardized Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS)- and AMDP- passivity symptom ratings. Both types of data were tested for differences between the patients group and 15 healthy controls. In the patient group we found the expected correlation of passivity symptoms and visuomotor monitoring performance. There was a significant positive correlation of passivity symptoms with increased latency of incongruence detection and a negative correlation of SAPS-passivity with the number of detected events. fMRI data revealed correlations of passivity symptoms with activation in bilateral IPL, primary motor and sensory cortices in the action monitoring condition. A correlation of passivity symptoms with the main experimental effect (actions with - actions without monitoring) was found in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and in the left IPL. No group differences or group by task interactions were found within the visuomotor-action-monitoring network. Our results demonstrate the association between passivity symptoms and the dysfunction of visuomotor action monitoring and support the idea that psychotic passivity experiences result from dysfunctions of central action monitoring mechanisms: According to pre-existing concepts of parietal cortex function, IPL-hyperactivation may represent an increase in false detections of visuomotor incongruence while the correlation between passivity and the differential effect of monitoring on PCC-activation assumedly represents greater self-monitoring effort in passivity experience

Correlation of passivity symptoms and dysfunctional visuomotor action monitoring in psychosis

Passivity experiences are hallmark symptoms of schizophrenia that can be characterized by the belief that one's thoughts or actions are controlled by an external agent. It has recently been suggested that these psychotic experiences result from defective monitoring of one's own actions, i.e. disturbed comparison of actions and perceived outcomes. In this study, we examined the function of the previously characterized action monitoring network of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), medial (mPFC) and lateral prefrontal cortices in patients with different levels of passivity symptoms with an fMRI task. The visuomotor fMRI task demanded control of visually perceived object movements by alternating button presses with the left and the right index finger. In the monitoring condition of this task subjects stopped their actions whenever they detected visuomotor incongruence. fMRI and behavioural data from 15 patients were tested for correlation with passivity symptoms using standardized Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS)- and AMDP- passivity symptom ratings. Both types of data were tested for differences between the patients group and 15 healthy controls. In the patient group we found the expected correlation of passivity symptoms and visuomotor monitoring performance. There was a significant positive correlation of passivity symptoms with increased latency of incongruence detection and a negative correlation of SAPS-passivity with the number of detected events. fMRI data revealed correlations of passivity symptoms with activation in bilateral IPL, primary motor and sensory cortices in the action monitoring condition. A correlation of passivity symptoms with the main experimental effect (actions with – actions without monitoring) was found in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and in the left IPL. No group differences or group by task interactions were found within the visuomotor-action-monitoring network. Our results demonstrate the association between passivity symptoms and the dysfunction of visuomotor action monitoring and support the idea that psychotic passivity experiences result from dysfunctions of central action monitoring mechanisms: According to pre-existing concepts of parietal cortex function, IPL-hyperactivation may represent an increase in false detections of visuomotor incongruence while the correlation between passivity and the differential effect of monitoring on PCC-activation assumedly represents greater self-monitoring effort in passivity experiences