Universität Potsdam

Wind turbines used to combat climate change pose a green-green dilemma when endangered and protected wildlife species are killed by collisions with rotating blades. Here, we investigated the geographic origin of bats killed by wind turbines along an east-west transect in France to determine the spatial extent of this conflict in Western Europe. We analysed stable hydrogen isotopes in the fur keratin of 60 common noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula) killed by wind turbines during summer migration in four regions of France to predict their geographic origin using models based on precipitation isoscapes. We first separated migratory from regional individuals based on fur isotope ratios of local bats. Across all regions, 71.7% of common noctules killed by turbines were of regional and 28.3% of distant origin, the latter being predominantly females from northeastern Europe. We observed a higher proportion of migratory individuals from western sites compared to eastern sites. Our study suggests that wind-turbine-related losses of common noctule bats may impact distant breeding populations across whole Europe, confirming that migratory bats are highly vulnerable to wind turbines and that effective conservation measures, such as temporary curtailment of turbine operation, should be mandatory to protect them from colliding with the rotating blades of wind turbines.

A range of protic ionic liquids (PILs) based on tri‐n‐alkylammonium cations and mesylate/triflate anions were incorporated into a polymer matrix to form ionogels (IGs). These systems were investigated for their thermal and electrochemical behaviour, as well as under the aspect of ion motion via PFG‐NMR. The ionic conductivities of the ILs/IGs are in the range of 10⁻⁴–10⁻³ S/cm⁻¹ at elevated temperatures and the diffusion coefficients are around 10⁻¹¹ m² s⁻¹. Successful 3D printing of an IG with 70 wt % of IL is possible via stereolithography approaches, opening up applications in, e. g., structured ion‐conductive membranes.

The development of robust, efficient, and cost‐effective heterogeneous photocatalysts for visible light‐driven CO2 reduction continues to be a significant challenge in the quest for sustainable energy solutions. As a result, increasing attention is being directed towards the exploration of high‐performance photocatalysts capable of converting CO2 into valuable chemical feedstocks. In context to this, Imidazolate Frameworks Potsdam (IFPs), a class of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), can be a promising candidate for CO2 photoreduction due to their ease of synthesis, use of low‐cost, earth‐abundant metals, and high chemical and thermal stability. In this study, we report the solvothermal synthesis of Zn(II)‐ and Co(II)‐based IFPs, specifically IFP‐1(Zn) and IFP‐5(Co), for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Moreover, we demonstrate the enhanced photocatalytic activity of redox‐innocent Zn‐based IFP‐1 by partially substituting Zn(II) with redox‐active Co(II) in IFP‐1(Zn), resulting in the formation of a bimetallic photocatalyst, IFP‐1(Zn/Co). The metal‐exchanged IFP‐1(Zn/Co) exhibited significantly improved CO evolution (637 μmol g⁻¹ in 1 hour), compared to the pristine IFP‐1(Zn) (29 μmol g⁻¹). Notably, among all the prepared photocatalysts, IFP‐5(Co) outperformed both the systems, achieving a CO evolution of 1174 μmol g⁻¹ within 1 hour, due to the presence of catalytic cobalt sites. In addition, through the combination of photophysical and electrochemical studies, along with DFT calculations, we have proposed a plausible mechanism for the photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Background Dropout from healthcare interventions can negatively affect patients and healthcare providers through impaired trust in the healthcare system and ineffective use of resources. Research on this topic is still largely missing on refugees and asylum seekers. The current study aimed to characterize predictors for dropout in the Mental Health in Refugees and Asylum Seekers (MEHIRA) study, one of the largest multicentered controlled trials investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a nationwide stepped and collaborative care model. Methods Predictors were multiply imputed and selected for descriptive modelling using backward elimination. The final variable set was entered into logistic regression. Results The overall dropout rate was 41,7%. Dropout was higher in participants in group therapy ( p = 0.001; OR = 10.7), with larger satisfaction with social relationships ( p = 0.017; OR = 1.87), with difficulties in maintaining personal relationships ( p = 0.005; OR = 4.27), and with higher depressive symptoms ( p = 0.029; OR = 1.05). Participants living in refugee accommodation ( p = 0.040; OR = 0.45), with a change in social status ( p = 0.008; OR = 0.67) and with conduct ( p = 0.020; OR = 0.24) and emotional problems ( p = 0.013; OR = 0.31) were significantly less likely to drop out of treatment. Conclusion Overall, the outcomes of this study suggest that predictors assessing social relationships, social status, and living conditions should be considered as topics of psychological treatment to increase adherence and as predictors for future research studies (including treatment type).

Genomics is an invaluable tool for conservation, particularly for endangered species impacted by wildlife trafficking. This study uses genomic data to provide new insights to aid conservation and management of endangered species, using as a case study the Yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata), a bird endemic to southern South America severely affected by illegal trade and the transformation of its natural habitat. We explore population structure within the Yellow cardinal, delimiting management units and describing connectivity among them. Additionally, we develop and assess the accuracy of a panel of 189 informative SNPs, and demonstrate how these can reliably assign confiscated individuals to one of the management units established. Lastly, we assess hybridization between the Yellow cardinal and the Diuca finch (Diuca diuca), which is reported to occur in regions of sympatry. We confirm that hybridization occurs, although it is not as common as previously thought, and that hybrids might be fertile, as we found evidence of backcrossing with Yellow cardinals. We discuss the implications of this introgression for the evolution and conservation of Yellow cardinals. Our study provides new, valuable information that can guide conservation efforts, comprising a test case for the use of genomics in combating illegal trafficking, with potential application beyond the case of the Yellow cardinal.

The task of this paper is to offer an interpretation of Kant’s notion of proportionality between morality and happiness, which is fundamental to his conception of the highest good. Kant claims that the complete good of humans as both natural and rational beings is a proportionate relation between virtue and happiness. He takes this to mean that nature is purposively designed so it accords with morality, which is only possible in a divine world where God secures this responsiveness. The paper shows various difficulties with this claim and argues that they can be resolved by a nuanced interpretation of what Kant might mean by “happiness”. This finally leads to a conception of proportionality modeled on Kant’s aesthetics.

Blood vessel formation relies on biochemical and mechanical signals, particularly during sprouting angiogenesis when endothelial tip cells (TCs) guide sprouting through filopodia formation. The contribution of BMP receptors in defining tip-cell characteristics is poorly understood. Our study combines genetic, biochemical, and molecular methods together with 3D traction force microscopy, which reveals an essential role of BMPR2 for actin-driven filopodia formation and mechanical properties of endothelial cells (ECs). Targeting of Bmpr2 reduced sprouting angiogenesis in zebrafish and BMPR2-deficient human ECs formed fewer filopodia, affecting cell migration and actomyosin localization. Spheroid assays revealed a reduced sprouting of BMPR2-deficient ECs in fibrin gels. Even more strikingly, in mosaic spheroids, BMPR2-deficient ECs failed to acquire tip-cell positions. Yet, 3D traction force microscopy revealed that these distinct cell behaviors of BMPR2-deficient tip cells cannot be explained by differences in force-induced matrix deformations, even though these cells adopted distinct cone-shaped morphologies. Notably, BMPR2 positively regulates local CDC42 activity at the plasma membrane to promote filopodia formation. Our findings reveal that BMPR2 functions as a nexus integrating biochemical and biomechanical processes crucial for TCs during angiogenesis.

Intensifying extreme droughts are altering lentic ecosystems and disrupting services provisioning. Unfortunately, drought research often lacks a holistic and intersectoral consideration of drought impacts, which can limit relevance of the insights for adaptive management. This literature review evaluated the current state of lake and reservoir extreme drought research in relation to biodiversity and three ecosystem services. The study findings demonstrated that few articles linked or discussed drought implications with one or more ecosystem services, instead focusing primarily on biodiversity. Drought effects on biodiversity varied among species and taxonomic groups. In the limited literature that included ecosystem service provisioning, droughts had a general negative effect. Drinking water supply can decrease and become more costly. Decreasing water flow and volume can reduce hydropower generation. Degraded water quality can also impact recreation. Future intersectoral collaborations and research on intensifying droughts should support adaptive management efforts in mitigating drought impacts.

Investigations into quasiperiodic (QP) whistler mode emissions within Saturn's magnetosphere have uncovered distinctive characteristics of these emissions, which display a nearly periodic rising tone structure in the wave spectrogram, characterized by modulation periods of several minutes. These QP emissions are predominantly observed at low L‐shells around 5 and near the magnetic equator. Utilizing a quasi‐linear analysis framework, we evaluate the effects of these waves on the dynamics of energetic electrons. Our analysis suggests that these QP emissions can efficiently cause the loss of electrons within the energy range from 10 to 60 keV over a timescale of tens of minutes. By incorporating these findings into Fokker‐Planck simulations, we find minimal acceleration effects. This study is the first to examine QP emissions and their implications for energetic electron dynamics in Saturn's magnetosphere, highlighting their potentially significant contribution to the magnetospheric processes and dynamics.

The quantification of different structures, isoforms and types of damage in plasmid DNA is of importance for applications in radiation research, DNA based bio-dosimetry, and pharmaceutical applications such as vaccine development. The standard method for quantitative analysis of plasmid DNA damage such as single-strand breaks (SSB), double-strand breaks (DSB) or various types of base-damage is Agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE). Despite being well established, AGE has various drawbacks in terms of time consuming handling and analysis procedures. A more modern, faster, cheaper and more reliable method is capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE). However, to establish this method in biotechnology, radiation-research and related fields, certain criteria in terms of accuracy, repeatability and linearity have to be tested and protocols have to be established. This study performs the relevant tests with a common model plasmid (pUC19, double-stranded DNA with 2686 basepairs) to establish a CGE based methodology for quantitative analysis with readily available commercial CGE systems. The advantages and limitations of the methods are evaluated and discussed, and the range of applicability is presented. As a further example, the kinetics of enzyme digestion of plasmid DNA by capillary gel electrophoresis was studied. The results of the study show for a model system consisting out of pUC19, the suitability of CGE for the quantification of different types of DNA damage and the related isoforms, such as supercoiled, open-circular and linear plasmid DNA.

Tests of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCAs) are a group of scenario-based dispositional scales frequently used to measure individual differences in shame and guilt. The main aim of the present research was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Serbian version of TOSCA for adolescents (TOSCA-A) and to further explore the validity of guilt and shame measures. TOSCA-A was evaluated in three samples: 114 primary school students, 256 high-school students, and 365 college students. Several models were tested, but two-factor oblique solution had the best fit in all three groups. However, both shame and guilt demonstrated high internal consistency. Convergent validity of shame-proneness was also demonstrated by moderate correlations with self-esteem, perceived stress, and different affects. Results related to the measure of guilt were less consistent across age groups. Finally, we showed that guilt is a reliable measure of someone's motivation to make amends or apologize and someone’s feelings of remorse and regret - rather than feeling of guilt.

Coercion is still highly prevalent in contemporary psychiatry. Qualitative research indicates, however, that patients and psychiatric staff have different understandings of what they mean by ‘coercion’. Psychiatric staff primarily employ the concept as referring to instances of formal coercion regulated by law, such as involuntary hospital admission or treatment. Patients, on the other hand, use a broader concept, which also understands many instances of informal psychological pressure as coercive. We point out that the predominance of a narrow concept of coercion in psychiatry can have negative consequences for patients, and argue that this difference in how the concept ‘coercion’ is used is both grounded in epistemic oppression and reinforces such oppression. Epistemic oppression, as defined by Dotson, refers to the persistent epistemic exclusion of members of marginalized groups from participation in practices of knowledge production. We first demonstrate how patients may experience inferential inertia when communicating their experiences of coercion. We then show that the resulting predominance of a narrow concept of coercion in psychiatry can be described as a case of hermeneutical injustice in a context shaped by institutional hermeneutical ignorance. We argue for a change in institutional practices in psychiatry that allows for the adequate consideration of patients’ perspectives on coercion.

Vadose zone models, calibrated with state variables, may offer a robust approach for deriving groundwater recharge. Cosmic‐ray neutron sensing (CRNS) provides soil moisture over a large support volume (horizontal extent of hectares) and offers the opportunity to estimate water fluxes at this scale. However, the horizontal and vertical sensitivity of the method results in an inherently weighted water content, which poses a challenge for its application in soil hydrologic modeling. We systematically assess calibrating a soil hydraulic model in HYDRUS 1D at a cropped field site. Calibration was performed using different field‐scale soil moisture time series and the ability of the model to represent root zone soil moisture and derive groundwater recharge was assessed. As our benchmark, we used a distributed point sensor network from within the footprint of the CRNS. Models calibrated on CRNS data or combinations of CRNS with deeper point measurements resulted in cumulative groundwater recharge comparable to the benchmark. While models based exclusively on CRNS data do not represent the root zone soil moisture dynamics adequately, combining CRNS with profile soil moisture overcomes this limitation. Models calibrated on CRNS data also perform well in timing the downward flux compared to an independent estimate based on soil water tension measurements. However, the latter provides quantitative groundwater recharge estimates spanning a wide range of values, including unrealistic highs exceeding local annual precipitation. Conversely, modeled groundwater recharge based on the distributed sensor network or on CRNS resulted in estimates ranging between 30% and 40% of annual precipitation.

A variety of different evidence-accumulation models (EAMs) account for common response time and accuracy patterns in two-alternative forced choice tasks by assuming that subjects collect and sum information from their environment until a response threshold is reached. Estimates of model parameters mapped to components of this decision process can be used to explain the causes of observed behavior. However, such explanations are only meaningful when parameters can be identified, that is, when their values can be uniquely estimated from data generated by the model. Prior studies suggest that parameter identifiability is poor when error rates are low but have not systematically compared this issue across different EAMs. We conducted a simulation study investigating the identifiability and estimation properties of model parameters at low error rates in the two most popular EAMs: The diffusion decision model (DDM) and the linear ballistic accumulator (LBA). We found poor identifiability at low error rates for both models but less so for the DDM and for a larger number of trials. The DDM also showed better identifiability than the LBA at low trial numbers for a design with a manipulation of response caution. Based on our results, we recommend tasks with error rates between 15% and 35% for small, and between 5% and 35% for large trial numbers. We explain the identifiability problem in terms of trade-offs caused by correlations between decision-threshold and accumulation-rate parameters and discuss why the models differ in terms of their estimation properties.

Plain Language Summary Analyzing how earthquakes release the accumulated strain energy in space can help us understand the resulting shaking in particular locations. We studied 31 earthquakes with magnitudes ML≥ ${M}_{L}\mathit{\ge }$ 3.5 that occurred along the North Anatolian Fault in the Marmara region near Istanbul, northwestern Türkiye. We derived orientations of fault planes using focal‐mechanism inversion, as well as the direction in which the seismic energy release is focused (rupture directivity). We find that most of the analyzed earthquakes display strike‐slip movement, matching the orientation of the GPS‐derived deformation field in this area, which is different from previous studies proposing dominantly normal faulting kinematics, particularly on the western part of the Main Marmara Fault. We also find that earthquakes to the west of the Princes Islands south of Istanbul radiate seismic energy mostly toward the east. This also suggests that the ground shaking from the earthquakes could be stronger toward Istanbul and weaker in the opposite direction. Our findings show that it is important to consider how earthquake ruptures propagate when evaluating the earthquake risk, especially near urban areas.

Background Machine learning (ML) is increasingly used to predict clinical deterioration in intensive care unit (ICU) patients through scoring systems. Although promising, such algorithms often overfit their training cohort and perform worse at new hospitals. Thus, external validation is a critical – but frequently overlooked – step to establish the reliability of predicted risk scores to translate them into clinical practice. We systematically reviewed how regularly external validation of ML-based risk scores is performed and how their performance changed in external data. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, and arXiv for studies using ML to predict deterioration of ICU patients from routine data. We included primary research published in English before December 2023. We summarised how many studies were externally validated, assessing differences over time, by outcome, and by data source. For validated studies, we evaluated the change in area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) attributable to external validation using linear mixed-effects models. Results We included 572 studies, of which 84 (14.7%) were externally validated, increasing to 23.9% by 2023. Validated studies made disproportionate use of open-source data, with two well-known US datasets (MIMIC and eICU) accounting for 83.3% of studies. On average, AUROC was reduced by -0.037 (95% CI -0.052 to -0.027) in external data, with more than 0.05 reduction in 49.5% of studies. Discussion External validation, although increasing, remains uncommon. Performance was generally lower in external data, questioning the reliability of some recently proposed ML-based scores. Interpretation of the results was challenged by an overreliance on the same few datasets, implicit differences in case mix, and exclusive use of AUROC.