Newest publications
Pattern labelling of business communication data
(2022) Kaya, Muhammed-Fatih
Systematic pattern recognition as well as the corresponding description of determined patterns entail numerous challenges in the application context of high-dimensional communication data. These can cause increased effort, especially with regard to machine-based processing concerning the determination of regularities in underlying datasets. Due to the increased expansion of dimensions in multidimensional data spaces, determined patterns are no longer interpretable by humans. Taking these challenges into account, this paper investigates to what extent pre-defined communication patterns can be interpreted for the application area of high-dimensional business communication data. An analytical perspective is considered by taking into account a holistic research approach and by subsequently applying selected Machine Learning methods from Association Rule Discovery, Topic Modelling and Decision Trees with regard to the overall goal of semi-automated pattern labelling. The results show that meaningful descriptions can be derived for the interpretation of pre-defined patterns.
Investigation of the effects of T-2 toxin in chicken-derived three-dimensional hepatic cell cultures
(2024) Vörösházi, Júlia; Mackei, Máté; Sebők, Csilla; Tráj, Patrik; Márton, Rege Anna; Horváth, Dávid Géza; Huber, Korinna; Neogrády, Zsuzsanna; Mátis, Gábor
Despite being one of the most common contaminants of poultry feed, the molecular effects of T-2 toxin on the liver of the exposed animals are still not fully elucidated. To gain more accurate understanding, the effects of T-2 toxin were investigated in the present study in chicken-derived three-dimensional (3D) primary hepatic cell cultures. 3D spheroids were treated with three concentrations (100, 500, 1000 nM) of T-2 toxin for 24 h. Cellular metabolic activity declined in all treated groups as reflected by the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, while extracellular lactate dehydrogenase activity was increased after 500 nM T-2 toxin exposure. The levels of oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl were reduced by the toxin, suggesting effective antioxidant compensatory mechanisms of the liver. Concerning the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 concentration was decreased, while IL-8 concentration was increased by 100 nM T-2 toxin exposure, indicating the multifaceted immunomodulatory action of the toxin. Further, the metabolic profile of hepatic spheroids was also modulated, confirming the altered lipid and amino acid metabolism of toxin-exposed liver cells. Based on these results, T-2 toxin affected cell viability, hepatocellular metabolism and inflammatory response, likely carried out its toxic effects by affecting the oxidative homeostasis of the cells.
Genome of the early spider-orchid Ophrys sphegodes provides insights into sexual deception and pollinator adaptation
(2024) Russo, Alessia; Alessandrini, Mattia; El Baidouri, Moaine; Frei, Daniel; Galise, Teresa Rosa; Gaidusch, Lara; Oertel, Hannah F.; Garcia Morales, Sara E.; Potente, Giacomo; Tian, Qin; Smetanin, Dmitry; Bertrand, Joris A. M.; Onstein, Renske E.; Panaud, Olivier; Frey, Jürg E.; Cozzolino, Salvatore; Wicker, Thomas; Xu, Shuqing; Grossniklaus, Ueli; Schlüter, Philipp M.
Pollinator-driven evolution of floral traits is thought to be a major driver of angiosperm speciation and diversification. Ophrys orchids mimic female insects to lure male pollinators into pseudocopulation. This strategy, called sexual deception, is species-specific, thereby providing strong premating reproductive isolation. Identifying the genomic architecture underlying pollinator adaptation and speciation may shed light on the mechanisms of angiosperm diversification. Here, we report the 5.2 Gb chromosome-scale genome sequence of Ophrys sphegodes . We find evidence for transposable element expansion that preceded the radiation of the O. sphegodes group, and for gene duplication having contributed to the evolution of chemical mimicry. We report a highly differentiated genomic candidate region for pollinator-mediated evolution on chromosome 2. The Ophrys genome will prove useful for investigations into the repeated evolution of sexual deception, pollinator adaptation and the genomic architectures that facilitate evolutionary radiations.
Survey on the health of potato seeds and potato crops in Northwest Syria reveals first findings of non-indigenous potato pathogens, Geotrichum candidum (causal organism of Rubbery Rot) and Macrophomina phaseolina (causal organism of Charcoal Rot)
(2025) Hajhamed, Abdulsalam A.; Yusufoğlu, Ibrahim I.; Al-achker, Nedal M.; Alhasan, Khalid I.; Alkhalef, Adel A.; Hajhamed, Abdulsalam A.; Phytomedicine Institute (360), Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Yusufoğlu, Ibrahim I.; Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kahrmanmaraş Sutçu Imam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey; Al-achker, Nedal M.; Department of Wood Technology, Faculty of Forestry, ALkhartom University, Khartom, Sudan; Alhasan, Khalid I.; Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Alkhalef, Adel A.; Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
Potato is an important food crop in Syria, particularly during the current crisis. Healthy seed stocks are vital in maintaining yields and quality, but the crop health risks associated with imported and home-multiplied seed are unknown. Between 2020–2022 pathogens in locally multiplied seed (LMS), and imported seed potatoes (ISP) and open fields grown from these sources were surveyed. Seed tubers from LMS and ISP were assessed using mass spectrometry (MOLDI-TOF MS). There was a greater prevalence of pathogens in LMS, although some important potato pathogens were also detected on ISP. On LMS seven fungal pathogens were detected, including Geotrichum candidum (causal organism of rubbery rot) on 35% of the samples and Macrophomina phaseolina (causal organism of charcoal rot disease) on 17% of the samples. These are first reports of these pathogens in Syria. On ISP four fungal pathogens were detected in 2022. The incidence of the detections was lower on IPS, although disease severity was similar to those found on LMS. Quarantine pathogens were not detected in either source. Field diseases assessments in northwest Syria showed a high prevalence of disease symptoms in crops grown from LMS. In crops grown from ISP disease levels were much lower, however results may be confounded by the fact that crops grown from ISP were surveyed in a spring growing season, and the crops raised from LMS were surveyed in autumn growing seasons. Nevertheless, the research highlights the lower health status of LMS.
Subsidy free-riding is positively correlated to the development of energy efficiency in the housing stock
(2026) Neef, Nicolas E.; Egner, Lars E.; Klöckner, Christian A.; Neef, Nicolas E.; Dept. of Sustainable Development and Change, Institute of Education, Work and Society, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Egner, Lars E.; Institute of Transport Economics, Oslo, Norway; Klöckner, Christian A.; Citizens, Environment and Safety, Institute of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Incentivizing energy-efficient retrofits in residential sectors often involves subsidies, which are aimed at lowering a building’s environmental impact. However, the effectiveness of these subsidies has been debated, particularly concerning an unintended consequence known as free-riding. Free-riders are investors who would have made energy-efficient retrofits even without the subsidy. Typically, a high prevalence of free-riding is perceived negatively from an economic perspective in terms of the impact and efficiency of a policy. However, apart from economic efficiency, it is unclear what the relation between free-riding and the progression of the buildings’ energy standards is. We employed an agent-based model to mimic a neighborhood and discovered an intriguing pattern: Areas with more free-riders actually showed advanced energy standards in their building infrastructure now and 7 years into the future. These insights enhance our comprehension of free-riding and can help policymakers take this relation into account when designing subsidy schemes.