11 research outputs found
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
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
Polymer Cushions in Supported Phospholipid Bilayers Reduce Significantly the Frictional Drag between Bilayer and Solid Surface
Molecular Order Parameter Profiles and Diffusion Coefficients of Cationic Lipid Bilayers on a Solid Support â€
Our Common Future: eKidZ – teach your parents well Grundlagen und Konzept einer Forschungs-Bildungs-Kooperation zur transdisziplinären Erforschung von Multiplikationseffekten im Bereich Klimawandel. GW-Unterricht|GW-Unterricht 155|
Das Projekt Our Common Future: eKidZ – teach your parents well knüpft an das Klimabildungsprojekt k.i.d.Z.21 an und erforscht intergenerationelle Lernprozesse und Multiplikationseff ekte von der jüngeren zur älteren Generation. In einem moderat konstruktivistischen Forschungs- und Lernsetting entwickeln Schüler/innen eigene Fragestellungen, wobei Wissenschaftler/ innen einen Dialog fördern und als Lernbegleiter/innen im Forschungsprozess zur Seite stehen. Die Forschungs– Bildungs–Kooperation ermöglicht es durch die transdisziplinäre Herangehensweise, Schüler/innen an der Wissensproduktion zu beteiligen und als Multiplikatorinnen und Multiplikatoren von Wissen, Einstellungen und Verhaltensweisen, einen Transformationsprozess der Gesellschaft Richtung Nachhaltigkeit zu beschleunigen
Spectroscopic, Kinetic, and Electrochemical Characterization of Heterologously Expressed Wild-Type and Mutant Forms of Copper-Containing Nitrite Reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Analysis of lactating cows in commercial Austrian dairy farms: diet composition, and influence of genotype, parity and stage of lactation on nutrient intake, body weight and body condition score
This study characterises diets used on-farm and examines nutrient and feed intake (DMI) together with other animal specific traits (body weight, milk yield, body condition score). Data came from the project ‘Efficient Cow’ to develop efficiency traits for Austrian cattle breeding (161 farms, 6105 cows, one-year data collection). Most diets were grass silage- or maize silage-based. Nearly half (42.8%) of the records were diets with separately fed concentrate or were partial mixed rations (PMR, 42.9%), and 12.0% were total mixed rations (TMR). Feedstuffs from permanent grassland ranged between 62% (TMR) and 84% (pure forage diets) of forage. Partial mixed rations and TMR showed the highest average proportion of maize silage (30%). The little importance of pure forage diets and pasture reflected the above-average production level of the farms. Most production traits increased from Fleckvieh (FV) over FV groups with increasing Red Holstein (RH) genes to Holstein Friesian (HF). The FV group with highest RH proportion and HF had the highest energy corrected milk yield (ECM) and DMI (29.3 vs. 29.2 kg ECM/d; 20.8 vs. 20.9 kg DMI/d). Brown Swiss (BS) and FV had lower levels (26.5 vs. 26.7 kg ECM/d; 19.8 vs. 19.7 kg DMI/d). Body condition declined in relation to proportion of RH genes from FV to HF (FV 3.42 Pt., BS 2.88 Pt., HF 2.61 Pt.). The study allowed a broad view on the continuous spectrum between dual-purpose and dairy breeds due to the different characteristics of metabolism and on the common diets on Austrian dairy farms
Analysis of lactating cows in commercial Austrian dairy farms: interrelationships between different efficiency and production traits, body condition score and energy balance
This study examines the relationship between efficiency, energy balance and related traits like milk yield, feed intake (DMI), body weight and body condition score (BCS). Data was derived in the project ‘Efficient Cow’ to develop efficiency traits for Austrian cattle breeding (6105 cows, 161 farms, one-year data collection). The following efficiency traits were considered: body weight efficiency as ratio between energy corrected milk (ECM) to metabolic body weight, feed efficiency (kg ECM per kg DMI) and energy efficiency expressed as ratio between energy in milk to energy intake. The higher the proportion of Red Holstein (RH) in Fleckvieh (FV), the more (efficiently) milk was produced, but also at the expenses of body fat reserves. The negative energy state of Holstein Friesian (HF) and the FV groups with highest RH proportion lasted approximately twice as long as of the least efficient Brown Swiss. All genotypes regained lost body tissue during whole lactation. The high yielding groups required a higher concentrate proportion in late lactation to regain body condition. In early lactation, high efficiency was accompanied by the loss of body weight and BCS. Body condition stagnated longer on the lowest level and was more conform to energy balance than body weight. In conclusion, high efficiency required an increasing partitioning of nutrients to milk yield inclusive mobilisation. Breeding for higher efficiency would exacerbate catabolic state including problems with health and fertility. This highlights the necessity of a broader definition of efficiency in cattle breeding involving parameters like BCS, health and fertility traits. HIGHLIGHTS In early lactation, high efficiency co-occurs with loss of body weight and body condition score Breeding for higher efficiency exacerbates body tissue mobilisation and negative energy balance A broader definition of efficiency involving parameters like body condition score, health and fertility traits is necessary in cattle breedin
The Combined Use of Automated Milking System and Sensor Data to Improve Detection of Mild Lameness in Dairy Cattle
This study aimed to develop a tool to detect mildly lame cows by combining already existing data from sensors, AMSs, and routinely recorded animal and farm data. For this purpose, ten dairy farms were visited every 30–42 days from January 2020 to May 2021. Locomotion scores (LCS, from one for nonlame to five for severely lame) and body condition scores (BCS) were assessed at each visit, resulting in a total of 594 recorded animals. A questionnaire about farm management and husbandry was completed for the inclusion of potential risk factors. A lameness incidence risk (LCS ≥ 2) was calculated and varied widely between farms with a range from 27.07 to 65.52%. Moreover, the impact of lameness on the derived sensor parameters was inspected and showed no significant impact of lameness on total rumination time. Behavioral patterns for eating, low activity, and medium activity differed significantly in lame cows compared to nonlame cows. Finally, random forest models for lameness detection were fit by including different combinations of influencing variables. The results of these models were compared according to accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The best performing model achieved an accuracy of 0.75 with a sensitivity of 0.72 and specificity of 0.78. These approaches with routinely available data and sensor data can deliver promising results for early lameness detection in dairy cattle. While experimental automated lameness detection systems have achieved improved predictive results, the benefit of this presented approach is that it uses results from existing, routinely recorded, and therefore widely available data