@article{KalinkatJechowSchroeretal.2025, author = {Kalinkat, Gregor and Jechow, Andreas and Schroer, Sibylle and H{\"o}lker, Franz}, title = {Nocturnal pandas: conservation umbrellas protecting nocturnal biodiversity}, series = {Trends in Ecology \& Evolution}, volume = {40}, journal = {Trends in Ecology \& Evolution}, number = {8}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2025.05.006}, pages = {736 -- 739}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Light pollution is an emerging ecological threat. To mitigate its negative consequences, creative inter- and transdisciplinary solutions and societal interactions are needed. To this end, we introduce nocturnal umbrella species representative of light-sensitive biodiversity whose protection will safeguard vital ecosystem services and a wide range of co-occurring species.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KerstenBuzinHirsch2024, author = {Kersten, Philipp and Buzin, Johannes and Hirsch, S{\"o}ren}, title = {Wireless Sensor Nodes for Condition Based Maintenance in Railway Systems}, series = {IEEE Sensors Conference, Kobe, Japan, 2024}, booktitle = {IEEE Sensors Conference, Kobe, Japan, 2024}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/SENSORS60989.2024.10784508}, pages = {1 -- 4}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of railway systems is increasingly critical in global transportation networks. This paper addresses the necessity for advanced monitoring systems by introducing a multivariate energy-efficient wireless sensor node designed for proactive maintenance in rail applications.}, language = {en} } @article{VollmerEberhardt2024, author = {Vollmer, Michael and Eberhardt, Wolfgang}, title = {Ein einfaches Modell f{\"u}r die Vorhersage von CO2 Konzentrationen in der Atmosph{\"a}re in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von globalen CO2 Emissionen}, series = {PhyDid B, Didaktik der Physik, Beitr{\"a}ge zur DPG-Fr{\"u}hjahrstagung}, volume = {1}, journal = {PhyDid B, Didaktik der Physik, Beitr{\"a}ge zur DPG-Fr{\"u}hjahrstagung}, number = {1}, publisher = {FU Berlin}, organization = {Fachverband Didaktik der Physik}, issn = {2191-379X}, pages = {379 -- 388}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Es wird das vielleicht einfachst m{\"o}gliche Modell vorgestellt, mit dem zeitabh{\"a}ngige CO2 Konzent-rationen c(t) in der Atmosph{\"a}re ausgehend von verschiedenen globalen Emissionsszenarien f{\"u}r CO2berechnet werden. Dazu wird eine einzelne inhomogene lineare Differenzialgleichung 1. Ordnung hergeleitet, deren Parameter sich aus den quantitativen Daten des global carbon project sowie Mauna Loa Daten f{\"u}r CO2 Konzentrationen errechnen. Das Modell wird erstens getestet am Zeitraum 1960 bis 2020 mit vergleichsweise guter quantitativer {\"U}bereinstimmung zu Messdaten. Zweitens wird f{\"u}r zwei typische IPCC Emissions-Szenarien ein Vergleich der Modellvorhersagen mit denen der kom-plexen IPCC Earth-System-Klimamodelle diskutiert mit qualitativer {\"U}bereinstimmung des zeitli-chen Verlaufs. Drittens werden Ergebnisse einiger ausgew{\"a}hlter neuer Emissionsszenarien pr{\"a}sen-tiert. Ungeachtet einiger Abweichungen zu komplexeren Klimamodellen zeichnet sich unser Mo-dell durch zwei wichtige Vorteile f{\"u}r die Lehre aus. Zum einen ist es sehr einfach f{\"u}r Studierende und begabte Sch{\"u}ler nutzbar, da die erforderliche L{\"o}sung der Differentialgleichung bereits mit han-dels{\"u}blicher Tabellenkalkulationssoftware wie z.B. Excel programmiert werden kann. Dadurch ge-stattet es zum anderen auch sehr einfach, den zeitlichen Verlauf von Emissionsszenarien zu ver{\"a}n-dern und innerhalb weniger Sekunden Ver{\"a}nderungen aufgrund ge{\"a}nderter Eingaben zu berechnen. Insofern eignet sich das Modell sehr gut als Einstieg in das Thema Klimamodellierung in einf{\"u}hren-den Hochschulvorlesungen zum Themenbereich Kohlenstoffkreislauf und Klimawandel. In der Schule kann es gegen Ende der Sekundarstufe 2 beispielsweise im Projektunterricht zum Themen-komplex Nachhaltigkeit in Physik und/oder Mathematik eingesetzt werden}, language = {de} } @article{VollmerEberhardt2024, author = {Vollmer, Michael and Eberhardt, Wolfgang}, title = {A simple model for the prediction of CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, depending on global CO2 emissions}, series = {European Journal of Physics}, volume = {45}, journal = {European Journal of Physics}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1088/1361-6404/ad230d}, year = {2024}, abstract = {We present a very simple model for estimating time dependent atmospheric CO2 concentrations c(t) from global carbon emission scenarios, serving as single input data. We derive a single linear differential equation of 1st order, based on parameters which are estimated from quantitative data of the global carbon project and Mauna Loa data for CO2 concentrations. The model is tested first by comparing it to the 1960-2021 period with reasonably good quantitative agreement and, second to two of the typical current IPCC scenarios with good qualitative agreement. Finally, some new emission scenarios are modelled. Despite several drawbacks concerning absolute quantitative predictions, there are two important advantages of the model. First, it can be easily executed by students already with simple programmable spreadsheet programs such as Excel. Second input emission scenarios can be changed easily and expected changes are immediately seen for discussion during undergraduate and graduate courses on the carbon cycle and climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{KloppTrittelStannarius2024, author = {Klopp, Christoph and Trittel, Torsten and Stannarius, Ralf}, title = {Coarsening of quasi two-dimensional emulsions formed by islands in free-standing smectic films}, series = {ChemPhysChem}, volume = {25}, journal = {ChemPhysChem}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley}, doi = {10.1002/cphc.202400166}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2024}, abstract = {We study the coarsening behavior of assemblies of islands on smectic A freely suspended films in ISS microgravity experiments. The islands can be regarded as liquid inclusions in a two-dimensional fluid in analogy to liquid droplets of the discontinuous phase of an emulsion. The coarsening is effectuated by two processes, predominantly by island coalescence, but to some extend also by Ostwald ripening, whereby large islands grow at the expense of surrounding smaller ones. A peculiarity of this system is that the continuous and the discontinuous phases consist of the same material. We determine the dynamics, analyze the self-similar aging of the island size distribution and discuss characteristic exponents of the mean island growth.}, language = {en} } @article{Vollmer2024, author = {Vollmer, Michael}, title = {Limitations of the eye and how to overcome them}, series = {Journal of Physics: Conference Series}, volume = {2750}, journal = {Journal of Physics: Conference Series}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1088/1742-6596/2750/1/012001}, pages = {1 -- 10}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Human eyes have spatial, temporal, and spectral limitations which impose constraints on our perception. With appropriate optical devices and cameras, the limitations can be easily overcome. As a consequence, a huge variety of physical phenomena can be made accessible for teaching.}, language = {en} } @article{ArslanBruecherDemiretal.2024, author = {Arslan, Eda and Br{\"u}cher, Viktoria and Demir, Gokce and Liekfeld, Anja}, title = {Gender distribution of scientific contributions at German ophthalmological conferences - a baseline study}, series = {Die Ophthalmologie}, volume = {122}, journal = {Die Ophthalmologie}, publisher = {Springer}, issn = {2731-7218}, doi = {10.1007/s00347-024-02154-x}, pages = {100 -- 106}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The proportion of female ophthalmologists in Germany has risen to approximately 50\% in recent years, and approximately 66\% of medical students are women. This represents a reversal of the past situation with a male predominance. Despite this change, many international studies show that women are still underrepresented at scientific conferences, particularly among invited speakers, chairpersons, and program committees. This study aims to investigate whether these differences in gender representation are also reflected at German ophthalmological congresses and whether the situation has changed in recent years. MethodsData collection covered the years 2013, 2022, and 2023 and included the congresses of the five large German ophthalmological associations: the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG), German Ophthalmic Surgical Society (DOC), German Ophthalmological Academy (AAD), German Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (DGII) and the German Retinological Society (RG). Data were collected based on online programs and information provided by the offices and the managing committees. The numbers of female and male speakers and chairpersons were identified, as were the gender distributions of the specific program committees. Overall, the percentage of female speakers across all years and conferences surveyed averaged 25\%, while female chairs averaged 17\%. The percentage of females in the program committees ranged from 0\% to 17\%. There was an increase in the percentage of female speakers over 10 years (2013-2023). For the DOG (ptrend < 0.01) and the DOC (ptrend = 0.01) there was a significant rise, while it was highest at the DOG (37\%) and lowest at the DGII (11\%). The percentage of female chairs was in general lower than the percentage of female speakers for all conferences (between 11\% and 26\% in 2023). Only for the DOG was there a statistically significant increase over the 10 years (ptrend < 0.01). The representation of women as speakers and chairpersons at German ophthalmology conferences is low; these continue to be predominantly male dominated. Although there has been an increase in female representation over time, it remains lower than the overall proportion of women in the profession in 2023. Significant differences are observed between the various ophthalmological conferences. Further investigation into the underrepresentation of women at these conferences is necessary, and measures to encourage greater female participation at congresses should be implemented.}, language = {en} } @article{DegenStormsLeeetal.2024, author = {Degen, Jacqueline and Storms, Mona and Lee, Benjamin and Jechow, Andreas and Stoeckl, Anna and Hoelker, Franz and Jakhar, Aryan and Walter, Thomas and Walter, Stefan and Mitesser, Oliver and Hovestadt, Thomas and Degen, Tobias}, title = {Shedding light with harmonic radar: Unveiling the hidden impacts of streetlights on moth flight behavior}, series = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {121}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, number = {42}, publisher = {National Academy of Sciences}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.2401215121}, year = {2024}, abstract = {One of the most dramatic changes occurring on our planet is the ever- increasing extensive use of artificial light at night, which drastically altered the environment to which nocturnal animals are adapted. Such light pollution has been identified as a driver in the dramatic insect decline of the past years. One nocturnal species group experiencing marked declines are moths, which play a key role in food webs and ecosystem services such as plant pollination. Moths can be easily monitored within the illuminated area of a streetlight, where they typically exhibit disoriented behavior. Yet, little is known about their behavior beyond the illuminated area. Harmonic radar tracking enabled us to close this knowledge gap. We found a significant change in flight behavior beyond the illuminated area of a streetlight. A detailed analysis of the recorded trajectories revealed a barrier effect of streetlights on lappet moths whenever the moon was not available as a natural celestial cue. Furthermore, streetlights increased the tortuosity of flights for both hawk moths and lappet moths. Surprisingly, we had to reject our fundamental hypothesis that most individuals would fly toward a streetlight. Instead, this was true for only 4\% of the tested individuals, indicating that the impact of light pollution might be more severe than assumed to date. Our results provide experimental evidence for the fragmentation of landscapes by streetlights and demonstrate that light pollution affects movement patterns of moths beyond what was previously assumed, potentially affecting their reproductive success and hampering a vital ecosystem service.}, language = {en} } @article{StrachanWinkel2024, author = {Strachan, Laura M. and Winkel, Carmen}, title = {Oral Histories of Social, Cultural, and Environmental Changes in Saudi Arabia Before and After Saudi Aramco}, series = {Social Change}, volume = {54}, journal = {Social Change}, number = {4}, publisher = {Sage}, doi = {10.1177/00490857241278782}, pages = {561 -- 576}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Saudi Aramco's influence upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia cannot be overstated. After the discovery of oil in 1938, a nationwide metamorphosis began to infiltrate desert communities, sleepy fishing villages, and traditional urban centres ultimately influencing the people and their environments in unimaginable ways. Becoming one of the world's largest oil producers has meant the loss and/or transformation of traditional ways of life. Shepherds, pearl divers, fishermen, and farmers are today's business owners, executives, and international leaders. How could the development of a single company influence a country and its populace so dramatically? Besides the financial gains, how were individuals, families, and ecosystems affected? What were some of the personal challenges experienced by Saudi citizens? In this paper, the authors address these questions and others using local Saudi knowledge. In total, 20 female university students who participated in an oral history project interviewed their family members to learn how Saudi Aramco affected them personally, their traditions, landscapes, and society more generally. Excerpts from the interviews are highlighted to expose the nuances experienced by the various research participants.}, language = {en} } @article{PuzyrevTorstenHarthetal.2024, author = {Puzyrev, Dmitry and Torsten, Torsten and Harth, Kirsten and Stannarius, Ralf}, title = {Cooling of a granular gas mixture in microgravity}, series = {npj microgravity}, volume = {10}, journal = {npj microgravity}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Brandenburg an der Havel}, doi = {10.1038/s41526-024-00369-5}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Granular gases are fascinating non-equilibrium systems with interesting features such as spontaneous clustering and non-Gaussian velocity distributions. Mixtures of different components represent a much more natural composition than monodisperse ensembles but attracted comparably little attention so far. We present the observation and characterization of a mixture of rod-like particles with different sizes and masses in a drop tower experiment. Kinetic energy decay rates during granular cooling and collision rates were determined and Haff's law for homogeneous granular cooling was confirmed. Thereby, energy equipartition between the mixture components and between individual degrees of freedom is violated. Heavier particles keep a slightly higher average kinetic energy than lighter ones. Experimental results are supported by numerical simulations.}, language = {de} }