Fullerene-based Biocomponents : New Concepts For Functionalising Membranes

Lipophilic hexakisadducts of fullerene C60 form unprecedented rod-like nanoaggregates in phospholipid-membrane bilayers, resulting in modification of the micromechanic properties and stabilisation of the membrane. Lipofullerenes with amphiphilic side chains enable additionally derivatisation and molecular recognition at the membrane surface. The amphiphilic spacer acts as a transmembrane anchor and provides the terminal functionality outside of the membrane. New systems derived from parent compound 3 carry two functional groups each and can be easily modified due to the modular synthesis. Terminal functionalities to be investigated include D(+)-biotin and IDA (iminodiacetic acid) ligands, as used in nickel-histidine tags. Modification of the lipophilic region, for instance with unsaturated addends is also possible. These addends should allow polymerisation inside the membrane and potentially lead to a tremendous increase of the membrane rigidity. Furthermore, mono- and bilayer-forming fullerene derivatives without the membrane-forming support of lecithins are investigated and exhibit interesting features

Participatory development of breeding goals in Austrian dairy cattle

Due to the possibilities of genomic selection and changing circumstances of production an evaluation of all steps in the breeding process is important. Optimisation involves the aspects of breeding goals, performance recording, genetic evaluation and breeding programmes. To achieve desired genetic gains whilst taking genomic selection into account, the inclusion of all relevant traits and their appropriate weighing within the total merit index is essential. To enquire the needs of the farmers a survey is carried out. The survey is designed as a pure online survey. From about 8.000 farmers across breeds, of whom the email address was available, 16% participated in the survey so far. Two peaks were observed close to the dates, when the internet link for the survey was distributed per email. Preliminary results show that the individual breeding goals of Fleckvieh and Brown Swiss breeders have shifted from dairy towards fitness and conformation traits during the last decade. High interest in novel traits like claw health, metabolism or inter- and crosssucking is observed as well. Selection response and monetary aspects from selection based on economic approaches will be compared with “desired gain” models based on the results of this survey. The survey is part of the Austrian project “OptiGene” with the main aim to optimise the different steps in the breeding process in order to achieve the long-term genetic gain desired by the farmers

We are all pattern makers! : how a flat ontology connects organizational routines and grand challenges

Adopting a flat ontology, we discuss how phenomena of societal concern are connected to organizational routines. We conceptualize grand challenges as large patterns of actions to overcome the micro-macro divide prevalent in existing research. We introduce spatial, temporal, and agentic relations as three interrelated aspects of scale that are of particular interest and demonstrate how social phenomena may be approached through these relations. Focusing on the situated enactment of routines allows us to identify weakening and strengthening between actors and their actions as important processes that reflect the continuous patterning of grand challenges. We contribute to the literature by highlighting the consequentiality of mundane actions and by questioning the dominant approach to change in research on grand challenges. Our insights offer several practical implications for intervening on grand challenges.Academy of Finland Research Fellow Gran

Exchange of data to improve dairy cattle health: farmers’ and veterinarians’ needs

Within the Comet K-Project ADDA - Advancement of Dairying in Austria - the basis for an integrated data management tool shall be established. A first step is the assessment of stakeholder needs. For this purpose, internet surveys were developed to gather feedback from farmers and veterinarians about the use of currently available herd management tools as well as the present status of documentation and recording of relevant data. Two questionnaires, pure online surveys for farmers and veterinarians, were designed end of 2014. The questionnaires, comprising of 23 (farmers) and 22 (veterinarians) questions were distributed end of February 2015 and could be completed until April 10, 2015. In total, 9,961 dairy farmers with performance recording and 1,022 contracted veterinarians of Austrian Animal Health Service member farms were contacted. The response rate was 19.1 % in farmers and 20.8 % in veterinarians. Currently, a large proportion of external information to be used for herd management is received on paper or in pdf-format and is thus not further processible. Hence, both farmers and veterinarians desire the integration of different data in platforms for data exchange or internet platforms. The highest interest of both groups is shown in bacteriological milk analyses and other lab data. When asked for necessary developments, more than 66 % of veterinarians request developments enabling them to download raw data. Farmers have the highest interest (78.1 %) in better integration of data of already existing systems (e.g. milking, feeding, performance recording) in order to avoid multiple recording. The combination of data from different data sources could support both, veterinarians and farmers, in their day-to-day work. However, data security aspects need be payed particular attention