Newest publications
Influence of low oxygen concentrations on color stability of modified atmosphere packaged beef
(2026) Krell, Johannes; Aeckerle, Luis; Poveda-Arteaga, Alejandro; Weiss, Jochen; Terjung, Nino; Gibis, Monika
The influence of low oxygen concentrations on the development of color and the myoglobin redox states over storage time was analyzed, to determine whether there are conditions that increase discoloration. Beef slices were packaged in atmospheres containing nitrogen gas and 0 %, 0.5 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, 3 %, and 5 % of oxygen. The samples were stored at 2 °C for 14 days. During storage, color, reflectance and oxygen concentration were measured optically through the packaging. The color difference ΔE2000 and the relative oxymyoglobin (OMb), deoxymyoglobin (DMb), and metmyoglobin (MMb) levels were calculated. After 14 days, the oxygen concentrations changed to 0.09 % (0 %), 0.36 % (0.5 %), 0.92 % (1 %), 1.28 % (1.5 %) 2.55 % (3 %), and 4.29 % (5 %). Regarding MMb formation, the 0 % samples (ΔMMb0–14d 11.1 %) were significantly (p < 0.05) more stable compared to the other samples, which showed an increase of MMb formation with rising oxygen concentration after 14 days. The other samples reached a ΔMMb0–14d increase of 21.1 % (0.5 %), 26.7 % (1 %), 30.0 % (1.5 %), 31.1 % (3 %), and 34.4 % (5 %). The color stability showed significantly (p < 0.05) increasing ΔE values of 2.49 (0 %), 3.39 (0.5 %), 4.66 (1 %), 5.14 (1.5 %), 6.03 (3 %), and 7.34 (5 %) with rising oxygen contents. These findings suggest that to ensure the color stability of beef with minimal MMb formation, it is important to completely exclude oxygen from the packages, since the destabilizing effect of oxygen already started at 0.5 %. The non-invasive measurement of the oxygen concentration and the reflectance data over 14 days gave new insights into the discoloration process of beef stored in low-oxygen atmospheres.
Improved method for temporally interpolating radiosonde profiles in the convective boundary layer
(2026) von Klitzing, Linus; Turner, David D.; Lange, Diego; Wulfmeyer, Volker; von Klitzing, Linus; Institute of Physics and Meteorology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Turner, David D.; NOAA Global Systems Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA; Lange, Diego; Institute of Physics and Meteorology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Wulfmeyer, Volker; Institute of Physics and Meteorology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
A significantly improved technique for temporally interpolating radiosonde (RS) profiles of potential temperature and water vapor mixing ratio in the planetary boundary layer during daytime is introduced. The key innovation of this technique is its operation on a height grid normalized with the planetary boundary layer height. This study utilized a three-month dataset of three-hourly soundings from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Facility's Southern Great Plains site. The technique was evaluated for convective boundary layer cases, with the necessary boundary layer height data obtained from a ground-based infrared spectrometer. A total of 79 comparisons were conducted between reference soundings and interpolated profiles that did and did not employ height normalization. The results demonstrated a substantial improvement in the representation of interpolated profiles using the new technique, characterized by enhanced correlation, improved amplitude representation, and reduced bias for potential temperature, as well as improved correlation and reduced bias for water vapor mixing ratio.
Does a smarter ChatGPT become more utilitarian?
(2026) Pfeffer, Jürgen; Krügel, Sebastian; Uhl, Matthias; Pfeffer, Jürgen; Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Munich, Germany; Krügel, Sebastian; Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Uhl, Matthias; Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
Hundreds of millions of users interact with large language models (LLMs) regularly to get advice on all aspects of life. The increase in LLMs’ logical capabilities might be accompanied by unintended side effects with ethical implications. Focusing on recent model developments of ChatGPT, we can show clear evidence for a systematic shift in ethical stances that accompanied a leap in the models’ logical capabilities. Specifically, as ChatGPT’s capacity grows, it tends to give decisively more utilitarian answers to the two most famous dilemmas in ethics. Given the documented impact that LLMs have on users, we call for a research focus on the prevalence and dominance of ethical theories in LLMs as well as their potential shift over time. Moreover, our findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and transparent public reporting of LLMs’ moral reasoning to ensure their informed and responsible use.
High abundance of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in bee pollen collected in July 2019 from Southern Germany
(2022) Friedle, Carolin; Kapp, Thomas; Wallner, Klaus; Alkattea, Raghdan; Vetter, Walter
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are secondary plant defense compounds and known pre-toxins when containing a 1,2-double bond. They are commonly produced by various plants and may thus be present in bee pollen which may be consumed by humans as food supplements. In this study, PA were determined in bee pollen samples from 57 locations in Southern Germany sampled by means of pollen traps in July 2019. Samples were analyzed by using palynological methodology and solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by LC–MS/MS. In total, 52 pollen samples featured total pyrrolizidine alkaloids (ΣPA) with concentrations up to 48,000 ng/g bee pollen, while the N-oxides (NO) echinatine-NO and rinderine-NO clearly dominated. In contrast, the palynological analysis only detected 33 samples with pollen from PA-producing plants. Accordingly, the results showed that palynological analysis is not sufficient to determine PA in pollen. In addition, a risk assessment was followed to estimate the risk of the detected PA concentrations to humans.
Phylogenetic analysis and public health implications of Salmonella Strains in southwestern states of Nigeria using InvA gene sequences
(2025) Fadipe, Emmanuel O.; Hölzle, Ludwig E.; Hölzle, Ludwig E.; Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; Da Silveira, Júlia Angélica Gonçalves; Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; Salvarani, Felipe M.; Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; Domingues, Sheyla Farhayldes Souza; Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; Da Silveira, Júlia Angélica Gonçalves; Salvarani, Felipe M.; Domingues, Sheyla Farhayldes Souza
Salmonella is a significant public health concern in Nigeria causing foodborne illnesses. Genetic diversity and prevalence of Salmonella is poorly understood in Nigeria. This study assessed the occurrence of Salmonella in various poultry houses in Nigeria and explored the evolutionary relationships among the isolates by analysis on invA gene. A total number of 314 samples (feces, feed, dust, waters, and palm swab) were collected from 49 farms in Abeokuta (18), Ibadan (20) and Oshogbo (11). Salmonella was detected with a prevalence of 2.75% in Ogun, 6.0% in Osun and 5.71%, in Oyo States, respectively. The overall prevalence of Salmonella in poultry farms sampled was 15/314 (4.78%). Sequence analysis revealed two sequences 01 and 02 to have 99.59% and 89.04 homologies with sequence of Paratyphi serovar (LC320032) and Enteritidis serovar (LC318423) in GenBank, respectively. Sequence 01 clustered with S. serovar Enteritidis from the USA, whereas Sequence 02 formed a distinct clade near S. serovar Typhimurium from Egypt. These findings underscore the public health significance of S. enterica in Nigeria, particularly in relation to food animals. The study highlights the need for improved farm management practices, stringent food safety regulations, and robust surveillance systems to mitigate the risk of Salmonella outbreaks.