University of Hohenheim

About: University of Hohenheim is a education organization based out in Stuttgart, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Soil water. The organization has 8585 authors who have published 16406 publications receiving 567377 citations.

Microbial community composition and functional diversity in the rhizosphere of maize

Abstract: This study investigates the small-scale stratification of bacterial community composition and functional diversity in the rhizosphere of maize Maize seedlings were grown in a microcosm with a horizontal mesh (53 μM) creating a planar root mat and rhizosphere soil An unplanted microcosm served as control Thin slices of soil were cut at different distances from the mesh surface (02–50 mm) and analysed for bacterial community composition by PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) of 16S rDNA and tested for activities of different enzymes involved in C, N, P and S cycling Bacterial community composition and microbial functional diversity were affected by the presence of the maize roots The bacterial composition showed a clear gradient up to 22 mm from the root surface, while no such gradient was observed in the unplanted pot Invertase and phosphatase activities were higher in the close vicinity of maize roots (02–08 mm), whereas xylanase activity was unaffected This study shows that the changes in bacterial community composition and functional diversity induced by roots may extend several millimetres into the soil

Employer branding: Sustainable HRM as a competitive advantage in the market for high-quality employees

Abstract: This conceptual article examines how Sustainable Human Resource Management (Sustainable HRM) can help establishing an attractive employer brand that can address the different needs and expectations of potential and existing employees, without compromising a consistent employer image, which can result in a sustained competitive advantage. Sustainable HRM should help firms attract and retain high-quality employees, because by integrating Sustainable HRM practices into the employee value proposition, they establish a unique, attractive employer brand. An extended employee life cycle concept depicts how the employer brand promise can be delivered to address the different needs and expectations of potential and existing employees.

The challenge of implementing the European network of protected areas Natura 2000.

Abstract: Established under the European Union (EU) Birds and Habitats Directives, Natura 2000 is one of the largest international networks of protected areas. With the spatial designation of sites by the EU member states almost finalized, the biggest challenge still lying ahead is the appropriate management of the sites. To evaluate the cross-scale functioning of Natura 2000 implementation, we analyzed 242 questionnaires completed by conservation scientists involved in the implementation of Natura 2000 in 24 EU member states. Respondents identified 7 key drivers of the quality of Natura 2000 implementation. Ordered in decreasing evaluation score, these drivers included: network design, use of external resources, legal frame, scientific input, procedural frame, social input, and national or local policy. Overall, conservation scientists were moderately satisfied with the implementation of Natura 2000. Tree modeling revealed that poor application of results of environmental impact assessments (EIA) was considered a major constraint. The main strengths of the network included the substantial increase of scientific knowledge of the sites, the contribution of nongovernmental organizations, the adequate network design in terms of area and representativeness, and the adequacy of the EU legal frame. The main weaknesses of Natura 2000 were the lack of political will from local and national governments toward effective implementation; the negative attitude of local stakeholders; the lack of background knowledge of local stakeholders, which prevented well-informed policy decisions; and the understaffing of Natura 2000 management authorities. Top suggestions to improve Natura 2000 implementation were increase public awareness, provide environmental education to local communities, involve high-quality conservation experts, strengthen quality control of EIA studies, and establish a specific Natura 2000 fund.

Analysis of the role of interfacial tryptophan residues in controlling the topology of membrane proteins.

Abstract: Tryptophans have a high affinity for the membrane-water interface and have been suggested to play a role in determining the topology of membrane proteins. We investigated this potential role experimentally, using mutants of the single-spanning Pf3 coat protein, whose transmembrane topologies are sensitive to small changes in amino acid sequence. Mutants were constructed with varying numbers of tryptophans flanking the transmembrane region and translocation was assessed by an in vitro translation/translocation system. Translocation into Escherichia coli inner membrane vesicles could take place under a variety of experimental conditions, with co- or posttranslational assays and proton motive force-dependent or -independent mutants. It was found that translocation can even occur in pure lipid vesicles, under which conditions the tryptophans must directly interact with the lipids. However, under all these conditions tryptophans neither inhibited nor stimulated translocation, demonstrating that they do not affect topology and suggesting that this may be universal for tryptophans in membrane proteins. In contrast, we could demonstrate that lysines clearly prefer to stay on the cis-side of the membrane, in agreement with the positive-inside rule. A statistical analysis focusing on interfacially localized residues showed that in single-spanning membrane proteins lysines are indeed located on the inside, while tryptophans are preferentially localized at the outer interface. Since our experimental results show that the latter is not due to a topology-determining role, we propose instead that tryptophans fulfill a functional role as interfacially anchoring residues on the trans-side of the membrane.