Bottlenecks – a severe reduction in population size—are ubiquitous for bacteria in natural systems. For example, during the complete metamorphosis of insects, the gut microbiota is bottlenecked due to a massive secretion of immune effectors such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) into the gut. However, the effect of natural bottlenecks on the resistance evolution of bacteria to AMPs is currently unknown. Here, we measured the bottlenecking of the gut microbiota of G. mellonella, the greater wax moth. Based on the bottleneck size in gut microbiota, we then tested in vitro the influence of bottleneck size on the adaptation of E. coli against an AMP. We used wild-type E. coli and mutator strains with a 100-fold increase in mutation rates to partly disentangle population size from mutant supply. We found that large E. coli mutator strain populations evolved higher resistance than small populations. Population size, however, did not affect adaptation in wild-type strains. They could not evolve resistance under our experimental conditions. This shows that natural bottlenecks can benefit insect hosts by combating the evolution of AMP resistance to their resident gut microbiota. This should also be applicable to infections in other organisms that use AMPs as an immune defense.

The mosaic comprises four HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, McEwen et al., 2007) images: ESP_035141_1990_RED, ESP_037330_1990_RED, ESP_037607_1990_RED and PSP_002743_1985_RED. Individual images were co-registered to a single CTX (Context Camera) ortho-image scene G12_022957_1985_XN_18N282W (5 m/pixel) (Malin et al., 2007), which was itself co-registered to the HRSC Mars Chart (HMC_13E10) ortho-rectified image mosaic (12.5 m/pixel) (Gwinner et al., 2016). Co-registration was performed using the “Georeferencing” tool in ArcGIS software with manually selected control points and spline transformations. Following co-registration, brightness normalization was applied to harmonize the individual HiRISE images with the reference CTX image, thereby eliminating albedo discontinuities at image boundaries and achieving a visually homogeneous mosaic. Each HiRISE scene was subdivided into a grid of 12 × 36 patches (x-direction × y-direction), and the average brightness was calculated for each patch along with the corresponding patch from the reference CTX image. A normalization ratio for each patch was computed by dividing the reference brightness value by the original image brightness value. Transitions between patches were interpolated to eliminate visible boundary effects. Finally, the normalized images were mosaicked using standard GDAL command-line tools. The brightness adjustment algorithm was implemented in Python.

The dataset contains the morphological map of the northern delta in Jezero crater on Mars in ArcGIS mapfile (.mapx) format, or (in case ArcGIS is not available) as separate shapefiles (then without layer styling). The mapping was done in ArcGIS Pro 3.5.1 using HiRISE Jezero Northern Delta mosaic (DOI: 10.17169/refubium-51196), created from HiRISE data (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, McEwen et al., 2007, DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115795). The mapping was done at the digitalization scale 1:10000.

t has become commonplace for non-democratic regimes to integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into their governance system. However, how citizens make use of these new digital opportunities in an authoritarian setting remains understudied. Based on an online survey in China in 2021, we find that a surprisingly large share of Chinese citizens engages with the new ICT-based participatory venues. But ICTs seem to unfold their potential only for certain groups such as tech-savvy younger citizens with a higher income. Moreover, while citizens seem to be quite aware of the risks of using ICTs, such as data security breaches or digital surveillance, these do not seem to hamper participation. Rather, citizens trade off perceived risks for perceived benefits, such as higher levels of convenience, efficiency, or expected government responsiveness. Our study contributes to the literature on digital governance in authoritarian regimes, and the digital divide and technology acceptance literatures. Moreover, amid the tightening of political control in China, it offers insights into participatory developments under Xi Jinping.

In the design of nanoscale materials, hybrid van der Waals heterostructures that integrate the excitonic landscape of atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) semiconductors with molecular electric dipoles offer enhanced control over light–matter interactions and charge carrier dynamics. Even minor deviations in homogeneity can profoundly affect their optoelectronic properties and, consequently, device performance, necessitating stringent quality control capable of probing structural and compositional divergences down to the nanoscale. However, the reliable characterization of such complex, multilayered systems remains challenging due to the interplay of chemical, structural, and optical inhomogeneities across different length scales. In this study, we examine a trilayer heterostructure consisting of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene (G), a self-assembled layer of Rhodamine 6G (R6G), and a transferred monolayer MoS₂ (G/R6G/MoS₂), incorporating regions of a tri- and multilayer MoS₂ as well. Comprehensive structural and optical characterization was performed to identify possible inhomogeneities, employing photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), and scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM). Analytical methods indicate that the TMDC layer has almost uniform molecular coverage and preserved crystallinity. Importantly, near-field optical imaging demonstrates the propagation of exciton-polaritons in MoS₂, with a clear redshift of the polariton wavelength upon R6G integration, signifying substantial modulation of the local dielectric environment and excitonic response. These findings underscore the tunability of hybrid 2D molecular–inorganic interfaces and their promise for advanced applications in nanophotonic devices, excitonic circuitry, and quantum optoelectronics.

This data set is the result of the route reconstruction of the German expedition to East Africa in 1861/1862. The expedition was led by Werner Munzinger, and the section covered here led from Mai Scheka in present-day Eritrea through Tigray in Ethiopia to Kassala in Sudan. The reconstruction was based on the maps and reports published by the expedition team:

Heuglin, T. v., Kinzelbach, T., Munzinger, W., and Steudner, H.: Die Deutsche Expedition in Ost-Afrika 1861 und 1862: Zusammenstellung der astronomischen, hypsometrischen und meteorologischen Beobachtungen, und der trigonometrischen und itinerarischen Aufnahmen, Mittheilungen aus Justus Perthes' Geographischer Anstalt über wichtige neue Erforschungen auf dem Gesammtgebiete der Geographie; 13 = Ergänzungsband III, Perthes, Gotha, 46 pp., 1864.

We gathered all geospatial information from these sources to reconstruct the route on a modern map basis. All methodological details can be found in the accompanying research paper.

Here we publish three files in the shapefile format:

1. munzinger_pois_reconstructed.shp (point shapefile) These are the places of interest that we extracted from Munzinger's maps and travel reports and located on a modern basis. These are differentiated in -stop: locations where the group stayed over night -poi: places of interest the group used for orientation or provided information about -wp: waypoints that the group passed by -torrent: streams/valleys that the group hat to cross

2. munzinger_stations_reconstructed.shp (point shapefile) These are all of the geodetic measurement stations that the group set up. The attribute table contains: -station: the name of the station as on the maps -dir_text: the direction as given in the text, including cardinal direction -location: the place on which the measurement was focused -deviation: the magnetic deviation of the angular measurements as stated in the text -dir_dev360: The angular measurement converted to 360 degree space including the magnetic deviation --> these are the final values we used for the reconstruction

3. munzinger_route_reconstructed.shp (line shapefile) This is the final reconstructed route.

All files are in EPSG:32637 - WGS 84 / UTM zone 37N

This dataset contains two sets of Mars atmospheric dust scenarios based on the daily maps of the column dust optical depth (CDOD) from Montabone et al. (2015, 2020). The first set contains 7 artificial dust scenarios with shifted timings of the Mars Year 25 global dust event (Ls=150° to Ls=330°, in steps of 30° of Ls). The second set contains dust scenarios for Mars Years 29 to 33, with additional storms shapes from the Mars Dust Storm Sequence Database (Saidel et al., 2022). For the MDSSD storms, a homogeneous storm CDOD of 0.6 (at 9.3 µm) was assumed. All these scenarios can be used to model the dust cycle in the LMD Mars Planetary Climate Model.

We report on the first push-pull quino [3]radialene fluorescent dye. Here, the novel bis(dicyanomethylene)-[3]radialene electron acceptor was connected to a benzimidazole donor. With protonation a substantial red-shift of fluorescence wavelength is observed, while the absorption maximum remains stable. This process is accompanied with an increased fluorescence quantum yield to about 70%. Further, we explain the findings by a combined experimental and theoretical approach and find that vibronic coupling plays a crucial role. This study highlights the yet unexplored potential of [3]radialene-based motifs for the design of environment-responsive fluorophores.

Bay functionalization of perylene bisimides (PBIs) is a widely used strategy to tailor their electronic structure. However, most bay-functionalized PBIs are symmetric, bearing identical substituents. Here, we present an asymmetrically functionalized PBI with distinct groups at the bay positions. The introduction of an aldehyde intermediate at the bay positions enables stepwise formation of benzimidazole (Imi) and dicyanoethylene (DCE) moieties. In the resulting asymmetric mono-Imi-mono-DCE-PBI, Imi and DCE act as electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups, respectively. Comparing its spectral features with symmetric di-Imi-PBI and di-DCE-PBI reveals that its absorption spectrum is dominated by the DCE group, while emission is governed by the Imi group. The photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of this asymmetric PBI lies between di-Imi-PBI and di-DCE-PBI. Furthermore, acid titration of di-Imi-PBI yielded another asymmetric PBI through one-sided protonation. Unlike mono-Imi-mono-DCE-PBI, this partially protonated derivative shows the lowest PLQY value compared with its symmetric counterparts. Theoretical calculations provided molecular orbital energy levels of the PBI core and bay substituents. Applying a discrete component model, we rationalized the photo-induced charge transfer (PICT) behavior. This analysis shows that additional electron transfer from the PBI core to the benzimidazolium (Imi+) moiety in the protonated derivative accounts for the pronounced fluorescence quenching observed.

The DEPRISK Deportation Database provides annual indicators related to immigration enforcement and deportation practices, including: "Orders to leave the territory"; "Total reported returns"; "Enforced returns"; "Other reported returns"; and "Refusals of entry at the border". The database currently includes bilateral data from over 40 deporting countries, including most OECD countries. Data is obtained from administrative sources in deporting countries, either through published government statistics or data requests. For many of the European countries, we rely on data provided by Eurostat.

Ziel der vorliegenden Bibliographie ist es, die Produktion des Verlags von Christian Friedrich Voß d. Ä. und Christian Friedrich Voß d. J. aus den Jahren 1746 bis 1795 möglichst vollständig zu verzeichnen und damit das Profil ihres Unternehmens in seiner gesamten Breite sichtbar zu machen. Die Bibliographie umfasst insgesamt rund 800 Titelaufnahmen. Die gewählte Zeitspanne reicht von der Verlagsgründung durch den älteren Voß in Potsdam bis zum Todesjahr der beiden Voß, die wenige Tage nacheinander im April 1795 sterben.

Der Datensatz umfasst 54 transkribierte Reden und Statements autoritärer Populisten im Zuge des Wahlmoments: GOP, PiS, AfD und RN. Die überwiegende Mehrzahl der analysierten Dokumente sind Reden oder Interviews, die ursprünglich auf Plattformen wie YouTube von den Parteien selbst oder von TV-Sendern veröffentlicht wurden. Nach einer Sichtung nach Passagen, in denen FIE-relevante Äußerungen getroffen wurden, erfolgte die wortgetreue Transkription dieser Passagen automatisiert mithilfe des Open Source-Programms „Whisper“, das auf automatische Spracherkennung spezialisiert ist. Insgesamt wurden über 50 Dokumente transkribiert und analysiert, wobei mehr als 500 thematisch relevante Passagen codiert wurden. Die Codierung erfolgte in „MAXQDA“, einer Software für computergestützte qualitative oder Mixed-Methods-Textanalyse. Die vorliegende FIE-Analyse folgt einem überwiegend qualitativ-interpretativen Ansatz. Ziel ist es zunächst, für jeden Akteur ein eigenständiges Profil zu rekonstruieren, das die jeweiligen Strategien im Umgang mit demokratischen Normen herausarbeitet. Auf dieser Basis erfolgt anschließend ein systematischer Vergleich zwischen den Fällen entlang der eingeführten FIE-Kategorien. Ebenfalls hochgeladen wird eine Liste aller codierten Segmente.

Interlayer excitons (IXs) in van der Waals heterostructures exhibit unique optical properties due to their spatially separated charge carriers. However, the weak oscillator strength and radiative broadening of IXs make them difficult to detect with conventional absorption spectroscopy. Here, we use scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) to directly probe the dielectric response at the nanoscale. We first validate this approach by measuring the B-exciton in a four-layer MoS2 sample, where ion irradiation introduced defect-induced broadening. Extending this method to a MoSe2/WSe2 heterostructure, we observe a Lorentzian resonance at 1.35 eV, characteristic of interlayer excitons, with broadening dominated by nonradiative decay. These results demonstrate the capability of s-SNOM to image and characterize weak excitonic resonances at the nanoscale, overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques and providing new insights into localized exciton dynamics in 2D heterostructures.

This paper presents ‘Practice Profiles’ as a scalable method for understanding journalists as relational actors in public discourses who negotiate roles with other groups of actors. Informed by a framework of performative publics and practice theory, our innovative research design combines social network analyses (SNA) with standardised analyses of actors and practices (SAPA) and applies them to two contrastive case studies – #systemrelevant and #coronaeltern – during the Corona pandemic in Germany. Social network analyses of discourses on Twitter (now: X) between 2020-2021 show the emergence of different issue networks through personal and professional practices of engagement among six actor groups (journalism, civil society, science/education, politics, non-institutionalised media, and private individuals). We find marked similarities in modes of engagement among rather professional uses of Twitter in distinction from private individuals. The study puts forward a relational understanding of journalism through a scalable method, implementing a medium-data approach. The method is positioned as a contribution to digital journalism studies to reveal discourse-specific absence or presence of journalistic actors in the formation of public discourses through a focus on practices of journalists and their audiences alike.

We investigated the properties of the [Fe{H2B(pz)(pypz)}2] spin-crossover complex deposited on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the temperature range from 10 to 350 K for sample thicknesses from 0.9(1) to 1.3(2) ML. The highest temperature at which light can excite the system to a long-lived metastable high-spin state (TLIESST) and the temperature at which a thermal spin transition occurs (T_1/2) for the thin film samples are found as about 45 and 325 K, respectively, in agreement with the bulk values. The bulk phase has previously been studied by magnetic susceptibility measurements where it was found that two different polymorphic modifications exist. These findings suggest a potential correlation between TLIESST and the high T_1/2 from the different film thicknesses of the tridentate [Fe{H2B(pz)(pypz)}2] spin-crossover molecule, with thinner samples exhibiting lower T_1/2 values. Finally, the highest high-spin fraction achieved for [Fe{H2B(pz)(pypz)}2] is 0.77 for samples of 0.9(1) and 1.1(1) ML on HOPG at 10 K and constant light irradiation.