Newest publications
Flooding the landscape of knowledge: perspectives on transitions to artificial intelligence in industry
(2024) Dahlke, Johannes; Ebersberger, Bernd
The progress in artificial intelligence (AI) technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace and its applications increasingly impact economic actors and society at large. As the world enters the fourth industrial revolution, the integration of AI technology into industries promises to become a crucial determinant of economic performance and qualitative change within the economy. It also requires to discuss the roles of humans and machines in the process of value creation. Against this backdrop, this doctoral dissertation investigates the current state and dynamics of AI transitions, with a pronounced focus on industrial regimes. It comprises three empirical studies, each depicting different levels of industrial transitions towards AI—moving from a consideration of micro-level technological niches, to meso-level industrial structures, to macro-level landscape trends. This dissertation contributes to our understanding of socio-technical transitions towards AI by showing that sustainable and just transitions towards AI-based industrial regimes require not only consideration of the technological characteristics, but also the sociomaterial context governing its integration, as well as reversely being altered by the diffusion of the technology itself. The work provides further insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers as it emphasizes the need for network-based analyses of complex diffusion dynamics within industries, and the need to integrate systemic socio-economic perspectives into extant concepts of responsible AI.
Inter-organ cross-talk in human cancer cachexia revealed by spatial metabolomics
(2024) Sun, Na; Krauss, Tanja; Seeliger, Claudine; Kunzke, Thomas; Stöckl, Barbara; Feuchtinger, Annette; Zhang, Chaoyang; Voss, Andreas; Heisz, Simone; Prokopchuk, Olga; Martignoni, Marc E.; Janssen, Klaus-Peter; Claussnitzer, Melina; Hauner, Hans; Walch, Axel
Background: Cancer cachexia (CCx) presents a multifaceted challenge characterized by negative protein and energy balance and systemic inflammatory response activation. While previous CCx studies predominantly focused on mouse models or human body fluids, there's an unmet need to elucidate the molecular inter-organ cross-talk underlying the pathophysiology of human CCx. Methods: Spatial metabolomics were conducted on liver, skeletal muscle, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, and serum from cachectic and control cancer patients. Organ-wise comparisons were performed using component, pathway enrichment and correlation network analyses. Inter-organ correlations in CCx altered pathways were assessed using Circos. Machine learning on tissues and serum established classifiers as potential diagnostic biomarkers for CCx. Results: Distinct metabolic pathway alteration was detected in CCx, with adipose tissues and liver displaying the most significant (P ≤ 0.05) metabolic disturbances. CCx patients exhibited increased metabolic activity in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues and liver, contrasting with decreased activity in muscle and serum compared to control patients. Carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, and vitamin metabolism emerged as highly interacting pathways across different organ systems in CCx. Muscle tissue showed decreased (P ≤ 0.001) energy charge in CCx patients, while liver and adipose tissues displayed increased energy charge (P ≤ 0.001). We stratified CCx patients by severity and metabolic changes, finding that visceral adipose tissue is most affected, especially in cases of severe cachexia. Morphometric analysis showed smaller (P ≤ 0.05) adipocyte size in visceral adipose tissue, indicating catabolic processes. We developed tissue-based classifiers for cancer cachexia specific to individual organs, facilitating the transfer of patient serum as minimally invasive diagnostic markers of CCx in the constitution of the organs. Conclusions: These findings support the concept of CCx as a multi-organ syndrome with diverse metabolic alterations, providing insights into the pathophysiology and organ cross-talk of human CCx. This study pioneers spatial metabolomics for CCx, demonstrating the feasibility of distinguishing cachexia status at the organ level using serum.
The road to integrate climate change projections with regional land‐use–biodiversity models
(2024) Cabral, Juliano Sarmento; Mendoza‐Ponce, Alma; da Silva, André Pinto; Oberpriller, Johannes; Mimet, Anne; Kieslinger, Julia; Berger, Thomas; Blechschmidt, Jana; Brönner, Maximilian; Classen, Alice; Fallert, Stefan; Hartig, Florian; Hof, Christian; Hoffmann, Markus; Knoke, Thomas; Krause, Andreas; Lewerentz, Anne; Pohle, Perdita; Raeder, Uta; Rammig, Anja; Redlich, Sarah; Rubanschi, Sven; Stetter, Christian; Weisser, Wolfgang; Vedder, Daniel; Verburg, Peter H.; Zurell, Damaris; Cabral, Juliano Sarmento; Ecosystem Modelling, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology (CCTB), University of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Mendoza‐Ponce, Alma; Research Program on Climate Change, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico; da Silva, André Pinto; Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Oberpriller, Johannes; Theoretical Ecology Lab, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Mimet, Anne; Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Kieslinger, Julia; Chair of Human Geography and Development Studies, Institute of Geography, Friedrich‐Alexander University Erlangen‐Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany; Berger, Thomas; Land‐Use Economics in the Tropics and Subtropics, Hans‐Ruthenberg Institute, Hohenheim University, Hohenheim, Germany; Blechschmidt, Jana; Ecosystem Modelling, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology (CCTB), University of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Brönner, Maximilian; Chair of Human Geography and Development Studies, Institute of Geography, Friedrich‐Alexander University Erlangen‐Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany; Classen, Alice; Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocentre, University of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Fallert, Stefan; Ecosystem Modelling, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology (CCTB), University of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Hartig, Florian; Theoretical Ecology Lab, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Hof, Christian; Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Hoffmann, Markus; Chair of Aquatic Systems Biology, Department of Life Science Systems, Limnologische Station Iffeldorf, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Iffeldorf, Germany; Knoke, Thomas; Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Forest Management, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Krause, Andreas; Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Land Surface‐Atmosphere Interactions, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Lewerentz, Anne; Ecosystem Modelling, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology (CCTB), University of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Pohle, Perdita; Chair of Human Geography and Development Studies, Institute of Geography, Friedrich‐Alexander University Erlangen‐Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany; Raeder, Uta; Chair of Aquatic Systems Biology, Department of Life Science Systems, Limnologische Station Iffeldorf, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Iffeldorf, Germany; Rammig, Anja; Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Land Surface‐Atmosphere Interactions, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Redlich, Sarah; Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocentre, University of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Rubanschi, Sven; Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Stetter, Christian; Agricultural Production and Resource Economics, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Weisser, Wolfgang; Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Vedder, Daniel; Ecosystem Modelling, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology (CCTB), University of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Verburg, Peter H.; Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Zurell, Damaris; Ecology & Macroecology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Current approaches to project spatial biodiversity responses to climate change mainly focus on the direct effects of climate on species while regarding land use and land cover as constant or prescribed by global land‐use scenarios. However, local land‐use decisions are often affected by climate change and biodiversity on top of socioeconomic and policy drivers. To realistically understand and predict climate impacts on biodiversity, it is, therefore, necessary to integrate both direct and indirect effects (via climate‐driven land‐use change) of climate change on biodiversity. In this perspective paper, we outline how biodiversity models could be better integrated with regional, climate‐driven land‐use models. We initially provide a short, non‐exhaustive review of empirical and modelling approaches to land‐use and land‐cover change (LU) and biodiversity (BD) change at regional scales, which forms the base for our perspective about improved integration of LU and BD models. We consider a diversity of approaches, with a special emphasis on mechanistic models. We also look at current levels of integration and at model properties, such as scales, inputs and outputs, to further identify integration challenges and opportunities. We find that LU integration in BD models is more frequent than the other way around and has been achieved at different levels: from overlapping predictions to simultaneously coupled simulations (i.e. bidirectional effects). Of the integrated LU‐BD socio‐ecological models, some studies included climate change effects on LU, but the relative contribution of direct vs. indirect effects of climate change on BD remains a key research challenge. Important research avenues include concerted efforts in harmonizing spatial and temporal resolution, disentangling direct and indirect effects of climate change on biodiversity, explicitly accounting for bidirectional feedbacks, and ultimately feeding socio‐ecological systems back into climate predictions. These avenues can be navigated by matching models, plugins for format and resolution conversion, and increasing the land‐use forecast horizon with adequate uncertainty. Recent developments of coupled models show that such integration is achievable and can lead to novel insights into climate–land use–biodiversity relations.
Significant links between photosynthetic capacity, atmospheric CO₂ and the diversification of C₃ plants during the last 80 million years
(2024) Schweiger, Andreas H.; Schweiger, Julienne M.‐I.; Schweiger, Andreas H.; Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, Department of Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Schweiger, Julienne M.‐I.; Centre for Organic Farming, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
Changing CO₂ concentrations will continue to affect plant growth with consequences for ecosystem functioning. The adaptive capacity of C₃ photosynthesis to changing CO₂ concentrations is, however, insufficiently investigated so far. Here, we focused on the phylogenetic dynamics of maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax) and maximum electron transport rate (Jmax)—two key determinants of photosynthetic capacity in C₃ plants—and their relation to deep-time dynamics in species diversification, speciation and atmospheric CO₂ concentrations during the last 80 million years. We observed positive relationships between photosynthetic capacity and species diversification as well as speciation rates. We furthermore observed a shift in the relationships between photosynthetic capacity, evolutionary dynamics and prehistoric CO₂ fluctuations about 30 million years ago. From this, we deduce strong links between photosynthetic capacity and evolutionary dynamics in C₃ plants. We furthermore conclude that low CO₂ environments in prehistory might have changed adaptive processes within the C₃ photosynthetic pathway.
Combination of silicate-based soil conditioners with plant growth-promoting microorganisms to improve drought stress resilience in potato
(2024) Mamun, Abdullah Al; Neumann, Günter; Moradtalab, Narges; Ahmed, Aneesh; Nawaz, Fahim; Tenbohlen, Timotheus; Feng, Jingyu; Zhang, Yongbin; Xie, Xiaochan; Zhifang, Li; Ludewig, Uwe; Bradáčová, Klára; Weinmann, Markus; Mamun, Abdullah Al; Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (A.A.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.); (U.L.); (M.W.); Neumann, Günter; Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (A.A.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.); (U.L.); (M.W.); Moradtalab, Narges; Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (A.A.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.); (U.L.); (M.W.); Ahmed, Aneesh; Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (A.A.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.); (U.L.); (M.W.); Nawaz, Fahim; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2901, Australia;; Tenbohlen, Timotheus; Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (A.A.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.); (U.L.); (M.W.); Feng, Jingyu; Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University (CAU), Haidian District, Yuanmingyuanxilu 2, Beijing 100193, China; (J.F.); (Y.Z.); (X.X.); (L.Z.); Zhang, Yongbin; Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University (CAU), Haidian District, Yuanmingyuanxilu 2, Beijing 100193, China; (J.F.); (Y.Z.); (X.X.); (L.Z.); Xie, Xiaochan; Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University (CAU), Haidian District, Yuanmingyuanxilu 2, Beijing 100193, China; (J.F.); (Y.Z.); (X.X.); (L.Z.); Zhifang, Li; Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University (CAU), Haidian District, Yuanmingyuanxilu 2, Beijing 100193, China; (J.F.); (Y.Z.); (X.X.); (L.Z.); Ludewig, Uwe; Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (A.A.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.); (U.L.); (M.W.); Bradáčová, Klára; Department of Fertilization and Soil Matter Dynamics, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany;; Weinmann, Markus; Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (A.A.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.); (U.L.); (M.W.); Li, Huixin
Due to shallow root systems, potato is a particularly drought-sensitive crop. To counteract these limitations, the application of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) is discussed as a strategy to improve nutrient acquisition and biotic and abiotic stress resilience. However, initial root colonization by PGPMs, in particular, can be affected by stress factors that negatively impact root growth and activity or the survival of PGPMs in the rhizosphere. In this study, perspectives for the use of commercial silicate-based soil conditioners (SCs) supposed to improve soil water retention were investigated. The SC products were based on combinations with lignocellulose polysaccharides (Sanoplant® = SP) or polyacrylate (Geohumus® = GH). It was hypothesized that SC applications would support beneficial plant–inoculant interactions (arbuscular mycorrhiza, AM: Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL41833, and Pseudomonas brassicacearum 3Re2-7) on a silty loam soil–sand mixture under water-deficit conditions (6–12 weeks at 15–20% substrate water-holding capacity, WHC). Although no significant SC effects on WHC and total plant biomass were detectable, the SC-inoculant combinations increased the proportion of leaf biomass not affected by drought stress symptoms (chlorosis, necrosis) by 66% (SP) and 91% (GH). Accordingly, osmotic adjustment (proline, glycine betaine accumulation) and ROS detoxification (ascorbate peroxidase, total antioxidants) were increased. This was associated with elevated levels of phytohormones involved in stress adaptations (abscisic, jasmonic, salicylic acids, IAA) and reduced ROS (H2O2) accumulation in the leaf tissue. In contrast to GH, the SP treatments additionally stimulated AM root colonization. Finally, the SP-inoculant combination significantly increased tuber biomass (82%) under well-watered conditions, and a similar trend was observed under drought stress, reaching 81% of the well-watered control. The P status was sufficient for all treatments, and no treatment differences were observed for stress-protective nutrients, such as Zn, Mn, or Si. By contrast, GH treatments had negative effects on tuber biomass, associated with excess accumulation of Mn and Fe in the leaf tissue close to toxicity levels. The findings suggest that inoculation with the PGPMs in combination with SC products (SP) can promote physiological stress adaptations and AM colonization to improve potato tuber yield, independent of effects on soil water retention. However, this does not apply to SC products in general.