Despite extensive research on soil microbial carbon (C) use efficiency (CUE), its linkage to actual soil C storage remains ambiguous. A key uncertainty is that CUE estimates from short-term labeling incubations assume a linear negative relationship with respiration rates, overlooking nonlinear interactions and long-term microbial acclimation. Here, we use a stoichiometry-based approach to estimate CUE (CUEST), which links soil resource availability to microbial demand and captures microbial adaptability under resource constraints. We synthesized 1094 paired observations of CUEST and heterotrophic respiration rate (Rh) across natural ecosystems and found a nonlinear relationship between them governed by ecosystem productivity. In low-productivity arid and cold regions, CUEST declined with increasing Rh, whereas in productive tropical and temperate regions, CUEST stabilized at a low level (0.27 ± 0.11) as Rh exceeded 340 ± 10.8 grams of C per square meter per year. This shift reflects microbial trade-offs between C assimilation and stoichiometric homeostasis, revealing a decoupling of microbial growth from respiration that limits the capacity of productive ecosystems to store additional soil C.

Noisy intermediate-scale quantum computers hold the promise of tackling complex and otherwise intractable computational challenges through the massive parallelism offered by qubits. Central to realizing the potential of quantum computing are perfect entangling (PE) two-qubit gates, which serve as a critical building block for universal quantum computation. In the context of quantum optimal control, shaping electromagnetic pulses to drive quantum gates is crucial for pushing gate performance toward theoretical limits. In this work, we leverage reinforcement learning (RL) techniques to discover near-optimal pulse shapes that yield PE gates. A collection of RL agents is trained within robust simulation environments, enabling the identification of effective control strategies even under noisy conditions. Selected agents are then validated on higher-fidelity simulations, illustrating how RL-based methods can reduce calibration overhead when compared to quantum optimal control techniques. Furthermore, the RL approach is hardware agnostic with the potential for broad applicability across various quantum computing platforms.

Phytogenic feed additives in poultry demonstrate phenotypic improvements and potentially possess humoral significance for organ systems involved in egg production, digestion, and excretion, warranting further investigation into their mechanisms of action. These additives contain a wide array of active ingredients with antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties, positioning them as a promising alternative to in-feed antibiotics for enhancing poultry performance and welfare. This study investigates how a phytogenic feed supplement based mainly on essential oils of thyme and star anise with quillaja bark influences reproductive and nutrient-utilizing tissues and nutrient bioavailability in laying hens. A four-week trial with Lohmann Brown hens aged 68 weeks was conducted using diets with or without 150 mg/kg phytogenic supplement to assess performance (n = 96), egg quality (n = 96), nutrient digestibility (n = 24), and gene expression in pancreas, kidney, uterus, and follicles (n = 20 per tissue). Supplemented laying hens showed a significant increase of 3.84 % (p = 0.001) in the apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and trends for improved egg weights (p = 0.053) and feed-to-egg mass ratio (p = 0.079) compared to control-fed hens. Complementary RNA sequencing analyses revealed differentially expressed genes (adjusted p-value < 0.05) with antimicrobial properties (pancreas, follicles) and an influence on bio-mineralization processes (uterus). Results suggest improved cleavage of carbohydrates, peptides, and lipids in the follicle, indicating improved nutrient utilisation for the developing embryo. Consequently, the implementation of phytogenics improves nutrient digestibility of laying hens and promotes resource reallocation in the hen towards the immune system and nutrient availability in eggs, potentially benefiting both in-ovo development and egg quality. A targeted phytogenic feed supplement can enhance the expression of antibacterial proteins involved in innate immune responses.

OP 19: Mental Health 2, B302 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30

Aims

Although Ukrainian refugees currently represent the largest group of asylum seekers living in Germany, little is known about their mental health. This contribution aims to identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders among Ukrainian refugees as well as to examine the determinants of mental health outcomes.

Methods

The analyses are based on representative data from the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of refugees in Germany (07/2023-01/2024; n = 3,403) conducted among Ukrainians who moved to Germany between 24.2.-31.8.2022. Prevalence ratios were calculated using Poisson regressions to investigate associations between mental health and sociodemographic as well as post-migration factors. Results were weighted to account for survey design and non-response bias.

Results

Depressive symptoms (PHQ-2) were reported by 19% of Ukrainian refugees; the prevalence of anxiety disorders (GAD-2) was 14%. While social contacts (PHQ-2: PR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.40-0.71; GAD-2: PR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.28-0.52) and higher income satisfaction (PHQ-2: PR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.51-0.83; GAD-2: PR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.51-0.96) were associated with lower prevalence of mental health disorders, self-reported experiences of discrimination in everyday life were associated with higher prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety disorder (PHQ-2: PR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.25-1.90; GAD-2: PR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.54-2.46). In addition, the prevalence of anxiety disorders was higher for females, younger participants (18-29 years) and individuals living alone. Respondents without children are more likely to report depressive symptoms than those with children in the household.

Conclusions

The findings highlight mental health disorders faced by Ukrainian refugees as a result of social inequalities, with discrimination in particular contributing to health inequalities. Targeted interventions must address the mechanisms of social exclusion and offer diversity-sensitive psychotherapeutic care services in order to combat heath inequalities.

A major question in the field of femtosecond laser-induced demagnetization is whereto the angular momentum lost by the electrons is transferred. Recent ultrafast electron diffraction measurements [Tauchert et al., Nature (London) 602, 73 (2022)] suggest that this angular momentum is transferred to the rotational motion of atoms on a sub-picosecond timescale, but a theory confirmation of this proposition has yet to be given. Here, we investigate the coupled electron-nuclear dynamics during ultrafast demagnetization of L10 FePt, using Ehrenfest nuclear dynamics simulations combined with the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) framework. We demonstrate that atomic rotations appear, i.e., the generation of phonons carrying finite angular momentum following ultrafast demagnetization. We further show that both ultrafast demagnetization and the generation of phonons with angular momentum arise from symmetry constraints imposed by the spin-orbit coupling, thus providing insight in spin-phonon interaction at ultrafast timescales.

OP 16: Exclusion and Discrimmination 2, B207 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30

Aim

Discrimination, whether structural, institutional, or interpersonal, can have a negative impact on mental and physical health. Experiencing discrimination may lead to chronic stress, which may burden the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through inflammatory processes. This study examines the relationship between self-reported everyday discrimination (sED) and CVD.

Methods

Data from the multilingual and multimodal interview survey GEDA Fokus (11/2021-05/2022; n = 2,965; age 40-79) were analysed. Participants had an Italian, Croatian, Polish, Syrian, or Turkish citizenship. Poisson regressions were used to examine associations between sED and CVD, adjusting for gender, age, education, income, social support, sense of belonging to the society in Germany, self-reported German language proficiency, and obesity (BMI). CVD included self-reported diagnoses of heart attack, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and hypertension. Interaction effects with social support, sense of belonging, and German language proficiency were also analysed.

Results

Of participants, 35.3% reported at least one CVD diagnosis, and 34.9% reported experiencing everyday discrimination sometimes to very often. sED was associated with a higher prevalence of CVD (PR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.06-1.40). A lower sense of belonging (PR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.13-1.72) and obesity (PR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.29-1.80) was also correlated with CVD. Moderation analyses showed that individuals who experienced frequent discrimination, combined with lower sense of belonging or poorer German language proficiency, reported the highest prevalence of CVD.

Conclusion

Discrimination is an important determinant of CVD prevalence. A lower sense of belonging and poorer German language proficiency reinforce this statistical association. Strengthening psychosocial resources and promoting social inclusion, as well as raising awareness about the health consequences of discrimination, are crucial to reducing health inequalities and improving overall well-being.

Activity sensors provide an objective means to track movement and allow for automatic recognition of behavioural patterns. This study validates the use of sensor-based analysis for assessing daily patterns and behavioural differences related to housing system, age, and season at the onset of preparation for licensing of young warmblood stallions. Warmblood stallions (n = 29), aged 2 years (born between March and June), were categorised based on their housing system: indoor group housing (T1-group: n = 9) or individual stables (n = 20). The individually stabled horses were further divided by month at the onset of preparation for licensing (T1-Ind: June (n = 10) vs. T2-Ind: October (n = 10)), resulting in three cohorts of comparable size. Each stallion wore an activity sensor on a collar for 24 coherent hours per week during the first three months of the preparation period (T1: June-August; T2: October-December). Behavioural analysis was conducted using a deep neural network trained to classify distinct individual activities, including eating, resting and active behaviours. The time budgets of these activities per horse were compared between the cohorts. All the horses in the study displayed appropriate time budgets for each behavioural category, spending approximately 50 % of the day eating, followed by 30–38 % resting and 14–18 % being active, which is consistent with typical species patterns. Group-housed stallions presented more active behaviour within the indoor housing system (χ² (4) = 17.1, P < 0.01), likely due to greater space and social interactions. Stallions in group housing also displayed stronger correlations with synchronous eating (χ² (2) = 77.5, P < 0.001), resting (χ² (2) = 68.8, P < 0.001), and active (χ² (2) = 63.8, P < 0.001) behaviours, reflecting improved social cohesion. In contrast, individually stabled horses were more active in the paddock (χ² (4) = 44.6, P < 0.001), and covered greater distances, possibly compensating for reduced movement opportunities and limited social contact in the stable. Stallions trained in summer (T1) expressed more eating (χ² (4) = 25.6, P < 0.001) and less resting (χ² (4) = 28.7, P < 0.001) behaviours compared to winter (T2), likely due to seasonal factors such as daylight duration. In conclusion, housing systems had subtle effects on the expression of activity time budgets. Group housing was associated with greater behavioural synchrony and increased voluntary movement. A shorter daylight duration led to reduced eating and increased resting behaviour. Limitations of this study include the absence of recorded social behaviours, and a fourth cohort of group-housed stallions entering the preparation period in October. Sensor-based activity monitoring has proven to be an effective method for objectively quantifying behavioural time budgets, providing a valuable basis for future studies linking behaviour and welfare indicators.

In modern scholarship, Babylonian astral science (astronomy, astrology, celestial divination) is commonly perceived as being oriented towards the future. In this paper, we argue that Babylonian scholars also used astronomical prediction to study, interpret, order, and reconstruct the past. In particular, developments in astronomical and astrological prediction during the first millennium BCE engendered a new approach to historiography. This approach involved retro-calculating phenomena of the ancient sky in order to explain events that had happened in those distant times. By backwardly projecting predictive schemes on historical data found in received texts, these scholars developed a new historiographic method based on archival research and astral science.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) accelerates the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) via mobile genetic elements allowing pathogens to acquire resistance genes across species. This process drives the evolution of multidrug-resistant “superbugs” in clinical settings. Detection of HGT is critical to mitigating AMR, but traditional methods based on sequence assembly or comparative genomics lack resolution for complex transfer events. While machine learning (ML) promises improved detection, several studies in other domains have demonstrated that data representations will strongly influence its performance. There is, however, no clear recommendation on the best data representation for HGT detection. Here, we evaluated 44 genomic data representations using five ML models across four data sets. We demonstrate that ML performance is highly dependent on the genomic data representation. The RCKmer-based representation (k = 7) paired with a support vector machine is found to be optimal (F1: 0.959; MCC: 0.908), outperforming other approaches. Moreover, models trained on multi-species data sets are shown to generalize better. Our findings suggest that genomic surveillance benefits from task-specific genome data representations. This work provides state-of-the-art, fine-tuned models for identifying and annotating genomic islands that will enable proper detection of transfer of AMR-related genes between species.

Introducing new technologies is a challenge to organizations that strive for reliability. With the help of practice theory and a special focus on resourcing practices, we conducted a qualitative case study on the introduction of two technologies in two German hospitals: one introducing a digital anesthesia documentation software, the other one a robot-assisted knee arthroplasty. Our findings illustrate that, to introduce such technologies, the organizations involved enacted specific practices, among them resourcing practices, in order to increase reliability during all steps of the introduction process. Our study also reveals that, throughout all phases, it is important to collaborate with the technology provider in order to acquire knowledge not only about the new technology, but also about the introduction process and to maintain reliability.

OP 25: Exclusion and Discrimination 3, B207 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 14:45 - 15:45

Aim

Understanding the underlying mechanisms for differences in COVID-19 vaccine uptake between migrants and non-migrants is crucial in order to design targeted interventions encouraging vaccination. This study examined to what extent vaccine disparities were mediated by psychological factors using the established 5C model of vaccine behaviour (Confidence, Complacency, Constraints, Calculation, Collective Responsibility).

Methods

Data were obtained from the German study “Corona Monitoring Nationwide”(11/2021-02/2022). The association between COVID-19 vaccination and migration history considering the psychological factors was investigated using multivariable binary logistic regressions, while controlling for various sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. A decomposition (KHB method) was conducted to examine how much of the disparities in vaccine uptake could be explained by the 5C framework.

Results

People who immigrated themselves were less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19 compared to non-migrants, especially participants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The decomposition analysis showed that almost two thirds of the disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake between migrants and non-migrants were mediated by the psychological factors. Confidence in safety of the vaccine was the most relevant explanatory factor in the 5C framework. The results highlighted the importance of a differentiated consideration regarding the country of origin: While 19.4% of the effect for the MENA region is explained by the 5C model, the proportion for Eastern Europe is 73.5%, suggesting that the underlying mechanisms for the lower uptake in the MENA group still need to be identified.

Conclusion

Given our results showed the key explanatory factor of vaccine behaviour was confidence, there is a need for proactive health communication strategies to improve knowledge about and trust in vaccinations within the heterogeneous group of migrants. In addition, more in-depth research is needed with a health equity focus to explore the effect of structural inequities on the psychological factors of vaccine behaviour.

Tormentil rhizome ethanolic extract (TREE), rich in polyphenols, used in beverages and known for gastroprotective properties, represents a promising plant-based ingredient for functional food development. After ingestion, TREE undergoes metabolism by gut microbiota, generating bioactive postbiotic metabolites (TGMs). TREE/TGMs might be effective against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) - a major cause of diarrhea and intestinal barrier dysfunction. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antiadhesive properties of TREE and TGMs using in vitro, postbiotic, and ex vivo microbiota models. TREE showed dose-dependent ETEC inhibition, with complete suppression at 5 mg/mL. At lower concentrations, both TREE and TGMs delayed the lag phase, reduced growth rate, and impaired adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. Notably, TGMs retained activity in complex environments such as fecal water and microbiota cultures, though efficacy varied with microbiota composition. These findings support the potential of TREE in functional foods or dietary supplements targeting gut health and ETEC-related disorders.

To compare the severity of experimental procedures and behavioural tests from an animal’s perspective, novel methods are required. Theoretically, one feasible approach could be the use of a conditioned place preference test (CPP). This test employs the preference for a certain area in a test apparatus being associated with an experimental treatment. Traditionally, the CPP is used to investigate, for example, the effects of drugs. Instead, we aimed to develop a protocol that would enable us to compare the effects of different experimental procedures conducted with mice. Nine experiments with C57BL/6J mice were performed, varying the setup, the procedure duration, the stimuli as well as the presentation order. None of the tested protocols resulted in a distinct preference. Moreover, even simple protocols using food reward as a treatment failed to result in a conditioned place preference. In summary, none of the protocols was sufficient to form a reliable association between conditioned and unconditioned stimulus. We have scrutinized the experimental setup in detail, and we cannot present a solution yet. However, hopefully, our findings will help to create a working CPP to compare the severity of different experimental procedures for mice.

Electrochemical fluorination on a nickel anode (Simons process) is an important process for producing fluorinated compounds. Despite its success, the mechanism is still under debate. Here a first-principles study is presented of fluorination of ethene on a model fluorinated (001) NiFmathematical equation surface, which is chosen because it is stabilized under the external potential close to that at which the Simons cell operates and because it has a readily available mathematical equation unit providing fluorine source to aid fluorination reactions. The adsorption of the simplest double bond containing hydrocarbon on this surface is investigated. It is placed on the surface in different orientation, leading to six distinct structural outcomes upon relaxation. These include formation of 1,2-difluoroethane, fluoroethene, and 1,2-difluoroethene, alongside other fluorinated products as well as monocarbon fragments. This is one of the first computational studies of the catalytic Simons-type fluorination and can, despite its simplicity, offers some insight into reaction pathways and surface interactions.

This article explores a feminist chronopolitics of care through tracing the (missing) links between care, time and democracy. In democratic and care theories, temporalities have mostly been theorized regarding duration and speed. To extend this limited understanding of democratic and caring temporalities, the article draws on feminist theories of time to theorize the temporalities of care. Drawing on the concept of caring democracy, which centers dependencies and caring relationships, the article expands its limited temporal understanding. The emphasis on the temporalities of care challenges hegemonic temporal regimes based on linear clock-time in capitalist societies. Instead, it proposes reflecting on the multiple temporalities of care and integrating them into democratic processes. This might allow for a move toward a gender- and time-just caring democracy through what I propose to call feminist chronopolitics.

OP 1: Determinants of Health Disease and Interventions 1, B207 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 14:30 - 15:30

Aims

Health chances and risks of migrants vary according to a wide range of factors. This contribution aims to describe the health of people with selected citizenships on the basis of various indicators and to identify associated social and migration-related factors of the respective outcomes.

Methods

The analyses are based on data from the multilingual and multimodal interview survey GEDA Fokus (11/2021-05/2022), which was conducted among 18- to 79-year-old people with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian or Turkish citizenship living in Germany. In addition to self-rated health (average to very bad vs. good/very good) and the presence of chronic diseases in general, the prevalence of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) was selected as an indicator of mental health. Prevalence ratios were calculated using Poisson regressions to identify associations between health outcomes and various social as well as migration-related characteristics.

Results

A total of 6,038 people participated in GEDA Fokus, which corresponds to a response rate of 18.4%. Male gender, high education and income, social support and a shorter duration of stay are associated with lower prevalence of poor self-rated health, chronic diseases and symptoms of depression when adjusted for age and citizenship. In contrast, a low sense of belonging to the society in Germany and self-reported experiences of discrimination in everyday life are associated with poorer physical and mental health.

Conclusion

The results point to health inequalities among people of selected citizenships that are partly caused by mechanisms of social exclusion. Furthermore, the results highlight the diversity of factors affecting migrants’ health and the importance of differentiated analyses to identify specific needs and vulnerabilities for targeted interventions.

Point clouds and polygonal meshes are widely used when modeling real-world scenarios. Here, point clouds arise, for instance, from acquisition processes applied in various surroundings, such as reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, or cultural preservation. Based on these raw data, polygonal meshes are created to, for example, run various simulations. For such applications, the utilized meshes must be of high quality. This paper presents an algorithm to derive triangle meshes from unstructured point clouds. The occurring edges have a close to uniform length and their lengths are bounded from below. Theoretical results guarantee the output to be manifold, provided suitable input and parameter choices. Further, the paper presents several experiments establishing that the algorithms can compete with widely used competitors in terms of quality of the output and timing and the output is stable under moderate levels of noise. Additionally, we expand the algorithm to detect and respect features on point clouds as well as to remesh polyhedral surfaces, possibly with features. Supplementary material, an extended preprint, a link to a previously published version of the article, utilized models, and implementation details are made available online.

Plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) are one of the solutions proposed for diversifying protein production and changing consumption patterns. This study presents the first step towards creating an innovation radar for PBMA. Following an innovation radar method, the study reviews the extant literature on PBMA production, focusing on studies on pea and wheat proteins, to identify technologies and ingredients used in key stages of the PBMA value chain, namely in crop development, pre-treatment, protein extraction and fractionation, functionalization, product formulation, texturization, and final product modification. The social implications of the technologies and ingredients, especially potential impacts on inclusion in consumption and production are proposed, alongside environmental, economic and legal aspects. The study finds alternative production technologies/ingredient options at each stage of the value chain. Their implications for sensory characteristics of PBMA products and consequent consumer acceptance are widely considered in the literature, indicating a strong focus on imitation of meat products. The implications for production costs and health are also debated, and concerns about nutritional aspects are raised in the literature. The normative aspects of the technological and ingredient choices as well as implications for affordability, availability or accessibility of PBMA products are rarely discussed. The study makes a first step towards developing an innovation radar for PBMA and concludes with the reflection on the usefulness of the radar method.

Gerschenkron (1962) argued that public institutions such as the State Bank of the Russian Empire spurred the country’s industrialization. We test this assertion by exploiting plant-level variation in access to State Bank branches using a unique geocoded factory data set. Employing an identification strategy based on geographical distances between banks and factories, our results show improved access to public banking encouraged faster growth in factory-level revenue, mechanization, and labor productivity. In line with theories of late industrialization, we also find evidence that public credit mattered more in regions where commercial banks were fewer and markets were smaller.