Das Kompetenzteam Forschungsdaten an der JGU – Ein kooperatives Angebot

Um den Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern an der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU), vielfältige Services zum Forschungsdatenmanagement (FDM) anbieten zu können, wurde im Sommer 2018 das Kompetenzteam Forschungsdaten gegründet. Hierzu wurden die Services und Kompetenzen verschiedener Einrichtungen der JGU, der Stabsstelle Forschung und Technologietransfer (FT), der Universitätsbibliothek (UB), dem Zentrum für Datenverarbeitung (ZDV), sowie dem Zentrum für Digitalität in den Geistes- und Kulturwissenschaften (mainzed) zusammengeführt. Insgesamt fünf Mitarbeiter/-innen der genannten Einrichtungen sind derzeit mit verschiedenen Schwerpunkten und in unterschiedlichem Umfang im Kompetenzteam Forschungsdaten aktiv. Beratungsservice/-workflow: Als optimale Erstanlaufstelle für die Wissenschaftler/-innen in Bezug auf das FDM an der JGU wurde die Stabsstelle FT identifiziert, da diese dort Unterstützung zu ihren Drittmittelanträgen suchen und somit bereits vor Projektbeginn FDM beraten werden können. Die Stabsstelle bietet hierbei z.B. Beratung zu den Grundlagen des FDM, organisatorischen Fragen sowie zu den Anforderungen der Drittmittelgeber zum FDM und Open Data. Ausgehend von FT erfolgt dann, je nach Bedarf und Thema, eine spezialisierte Unterstützung durch die Partner im Kompetenzteam z.B. am ZDV, an der UB und dem mainzed. Durch die enge Kooperation im Team kann so eine umfassende Expertise zum FDM angeboten werden. Schulungsangebote: Grundlagenschulungen zum FDM werden sowohl über hochschulinterne Weiterbildungsprogramme (Personalfortbildung, Allgemeines Promotionskolleg, Fortbildungsprogramm des ZDV) als auch auf Anfrage, z.B. für Graduiertenkollegs oder Sonderforschungsbereiche angeboten. Spezialisierte Schulungen, wie zu digitalen Methoden in den Geisteswissenschaften oder zu Metadaten werden ausschließlich auf Anfrage durchgeführt, da so besser auf die spezifischen Bedürfnisse einzelner Gruppen eingegangen werden kann. Technische Infrastruktur zur Publikation und Archivierung von Forschungsdaten: An der JGU befindet sich die technische Infrastruktur zum FDM derzeit im Aufbau. Das bestehende Publikationsrepositorium der UB wird basierend auf D-Space zu einem Repositorium für Forschungsdaten erweitert. Ziel ist die Veröffentlichung und dauerhafte Bereitstellung von zitierfähigen, frei nachnutzbaren Forschungsdaten sowie deren Verlinkung mit Publikationen und die Distribution der Metadaten in übergreifende Nachweissysteme. Im ZDV wird ein auf iRODs basierendes Forschungsdatenarchiv für die Wissenschaftler/-innen der JGU entwickelt, das große Datenmengen dauerhaft speichern soll und direkt in die Arbeitsworkflows innerhalb der Projekte eingebunden werden kann. Daten können aus iRODS über eine API exportiert und über das Repositorium der UB veröffentlicht werden

Cytokinin response factors regulate PIN-FORMED auxin transporters

Auxin and cytokinin are key endogenous regulators of plant development. Although cytokinin-mediated modulation of auxin distribution is a developmentally crucial hormonal interaction, its molecular basis is largely unknown. Here we show a direct regulatory link between cytokinin signalling and the auxin transport machinery uncovering a mechanistic framework for cytokinin-auxin cross-talk. We show that the CYTOKININ RESPONSE FACTORS (CRFs), transcription factors downstream of cytokinin perception, transcriptionally control genes encoding PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin transporters at a specific PIN CYTOKININ RESPONSE ELEMENT (PCRE) domain. Removal of this cis-regulatory element effectively uncouples PIN transcription from the CRF-mediated cytokinin regulation and attenuates plant cytokinin sensitivity. We propose that CRFs represent a missing cross-talk component that fine-tunes auxin transport capacity downstream of cytokinin signalling to control plant development

Cytokinin response factors regulate PIN-FORMED auxin transporters

Auxin and cytokinin are key endogenous regulators of plant development. Although cytokinin-mediated modulation of auxin distribution is a developmentally crucial hormonal interaction, its molecular basis is largely unknown. Here we show a direct regulatory link between cytokinin signalling and the auxin transport machinery uncovering a mechanistic framework for cytokinin-auxin cross-talk. We show that the CYTOKININ RESPONSE FACTORS (CRFs), transcription factors downstream of cytokinin perception, transcriptionally control genes encoding PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin transporters at a specific PIN CYTOKININ RESPONSE ELEMENT (PCRE) domain. Removal of this cis-regulatory element effectively uncouples PIN transcription from the CRF-mediated cytokinin regulation and attenuates plant cytokinin sensitivity. We propose that CRFs represent a missing cross-talk component that fine-tunes auxin transport capacity downstream of cytokinin signalling to control plant development

Sulphur limitation and early sulphur deficiency responses in poplar: significance of gene expression, metabolites, and plant hormones

The influence of sulphur (S) depletion on the expression of genes related to S metabolism, and on metabolite and plant hormone contents was analysed in young and mature leaves, fine roots, xylem sap, and phloem exudates of poplar (Populus tremula×Populus alba) with special focus on early consequences. S depletion was applied by a gradual decrease of sulphate availability. The observed changes were correlated with sulphate contents. Based on the decrease in sulphate contents, two phases of S depletion could be distinguished that were denominated as ‘S limitation’ and ‘early S deficiency’. S limitation was characterized by improved sulphate uptake (enhanced root-specific sulphate transporter PtaSULTR1;2 expression) and reduction capacities (enhanced adenosine 5′-phosphosulphate (APS) reductase expression) and by enhanced remobilization of sulphate from the vacuole (enhanced putative vacuolar sulphate transporter PtaSULTR4;2 expression). During early S deficiency, whole plant distribution of S was impacted, as indicated by increasing expression of the phloem-localized sulphate transporter PtaSULTR1;1 and by decreasing glutathione contents in fine roots, young leaves, mature leaves, and phloem exudates. Furthermore, at ‘early S deficiency’, expression of microRNA395 (miR395), which targets transcripts of PtaATPS3/4 (ATP sulphurylase) for cleavage, increased. Changes in plant hormone contents were observed at ‘early S deficiency’ only. Thus, S depletion affects S and plant hormone metabolism of poplar during ‘S limitation’ and ‘early S deficiency’ in a time series of events. Despite these consequences, the impact of S depletion on growth of poplar plants appears to be less severe than in Brassicaceae such as Arabidopsis thaliana or Brassica sp

Boundaryless working hours and recovery in Germany

Objective: Due to recent trends such as globalization and digitalization, more and more employees tend to have flexible working time arrangements, including boundaryless working hours. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of various aspects of boundaryless working hours (overtime, Sunday work, and extended work availability) with employees' state of recovery. Besides, we examined the mediating and moderating role of recovery experiences (psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control) in these relationships. Methods: We used data from 8586 employees (48% women; average age of 48 years) who took part in the 2017 BAuA-Working Time Survey, a representative study of the German working population. Regression analyses were conducted to test main effects as well as mediation and moderation. Results: Overtime work, Sunday work, and extended work availability were negatively related to state of recovery. Psychological detachment mediated these relationships. Furthermore, we found that relaxation and control mediated the association between extended work availability and state of recovery. However, no relevant moderating effects were found. Conclusions: Altogether, our findings indicate that various aspects of boundaryless working hours pose a risk to employees' state of recovery and that especially psychological detachment is a potential mechanism in these relationships. In addition, the results suggest that a high level of recovery experiences cannot attenuate these negative relationships in leisure time. Therefore, employers and employees alike should try to avoid or minimize boundaryless working hours

Molecular and cellular aspects of auxin-transport-mediated development

The plant hormone auxin is frequently observed to be asymmetrically distributed across adjacent cells during crucial stages of growth and development. These auxin gradients depend on polar transport and regulate a wide variety of processes, including embryogenesis, organogenesis, vascular tissue differentiation, root meristem maintenance and tropic growth. Auxin can mediate such a perplexing array of developmental processes by acting as a general trigger for the change in developmental program in cells where it accumulates and by providing vectorial information to the tissues by its polar intercellular flow. In recent years, a wealth of molecular data on the mechanism of auxin transport and its regulation has been generated, providing significant insights into the action of this versatile coordinative signal. Article Outlin

Obesity and the associated mediators leptin, estrogen and IGF-I enhance the cell proliferation and early tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells

Breast cancer continues to be a major cause of cancer deaths in women. Estrogen, which is also produced by the adipose tissue, is held responsible for the elevated risk of breast cancer in obese women. However, the adipose tissue secrets hormones and adipokines such as leptin and IGF-I and these substances could also contribute to an increased breast cancer risk for obese women. In this study, the impact of obesity on cell proliferation was investigated. The carcinogen 7, 12, dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) was administered to normal weight and diet-induced obese female Sprague-Dawley rats. Cell proliferation was evaluated by immunohistological staining of BrdU-incorporation. In the mammary glands and inguinal lymphatic nodes of the obese rats, cell proliferation was significantly increased, indicating a significant influence of obesity on breast cancer. Effects of leptin, estrogen, and IGF-I on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in vitro were assessed using an MTT assay. Cell culture experiments demonstrated a mitogenic role of these three mediators on cell proliferation. Our data demonstrate a stimulative effect of substances produced by the adipose tissue on breast cancer. Body weight specific cell proliferation suggests that obesity-related adipokines and mediators enhance cell proliferation and increase the risk for breast cancer

Functional redundancy of PIN proteins is accompanied by auxindependent cross-regulation of PIN expression

Plant development displays an exceptional plasticity and adaptability that involves the dynamic, asymmetric distribution of the phytohormone auxin. Polar auxin flow, which requires polarly localized transport facilitators of the PIN family, largely contributes to the establishment and maintenance of the auxin gradients. Functionally overlapping action of PIN proteins mediates multiple developmental processes, including embryo formation, organ development and tropisms. Here we show that PIN proteins exhibit synergistic interactions, which involve cross-regulation of PIN gene expression in pin mutants or plants with inhibited auxin transport. Auxin itself positively feeds back on PIN gene expression in a tissue-specific manner through an AUX/IAA-dependent signalling pathway. This regulatory switch is indicative of a mechanism by which the loss of a specific PIN protein is compensated for by auxin-dependent ectopic expression of its homologues. The compensatory properties of the PIN-dependent transport network might enable the stabilization of auxin gradients and potentially contribute to the robustness of plant adaptive development

Measures of empathy and compassion: A scoping review.

Evidence to date indicates that compassion and empathy are health-enhancing qualities. Research points to interventions and practices involving compassion and empathy being beneficial, as well as being salient outcomes of contemplative practices such as mindfulness. Advancing the science of compassion and empathy requires that we select measures best suited to evaluating effectiveness of training and answering research questions. The objective of this scoping review was to 1) determine what instruments are currently available for measuring empathy and compassion, 2) assess how and to what extent they have been validated, and 3) provide an online tool to assist researchers and program evaluators in selecting appropriate measures for their settings and populations. A scoping review and broad evidence map were employed to systematically search and present an overview of the large and diverse body of literature pertaining to measuring compassion and empathy. A search string yielded 19,446 articles, and screening resulted in 559 measure development or validation articles reporting on 503 measures focusing on or containing subscales designed to measure empathy and/or compassion. For each measure, we identified the type of measure, construct being measured, in what context or population it was validated, response set, sample items, and how many different types of psychometrics had been assessed for that measure. We provide tables summarizing these data, as well as an open-source online interactive data visualization allowing viewers to search for measures of empathy and compassion, review their basic qualities, and access original citations containing more detail. Finally, we provide a rubric to help readers determine which measure(s) might best fit their context