No matter the scale, stirred tank bioreactors are the most commonly used systems in biotechnological production processes. Single-use and reusable systems are supplied by several manufacturers. The type, size, and number of impellers used in these systems have a significant influence on the characteristics and designs of bioreactors. Depending on the desired application, classic shaft-driven systems, bearing-mounted drives, or stirring elements that levitate freely in the vessel may be employed. In systems with drive shafts, process hygiene requirements also affect the type of seal used. For sensitive processes with high hygienic requirements, magnetic-driven stirring systems, which have been the focus of much research in recent years, are recommended. This review provides the reader with an overview of the most common agitation and seal types implemented in stirred bioreactor systems, highlights their advantages and disadvantages, and explains their possible fields of application. ...

The aim of this research project is to demonstrate the many dimensions of importing feedstuff, to clarify the significance of imported feedstuff for animal production in Switzerland, as well as to assess the negative environmental impacts of such importation both within Switzerland and in the countries of origin. In particular, the importance of soy as an element in feedstuff is examined in depth. The analysis is centred around the misleading statement that 84% of the feedstuff in Switzerland comes from ‘native meadows and fields’. This percentage is based on the combination of roughage and concentrated feed, two categories of feedstuff that must not be added because they have limited substitutability and are therefore not directly comparable. Roughage is eaten mainly by ruminants. Meat, however, comes primarily from pigs and poultry which are both dependent on concentrated feed. Roughage is almost 100% domestically sourced, while more than 50% of concentrated feed comes from abroa...

We present evidence that sustainability is inextricably linked with market-implied uncertainty and sentiment. We derive an econometric decomposition of sustainability ratings yielding three orthogonal components capturing uncertainty, investor sentiment, and an idiosyncratic sustainability factor. Examining the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic to the US stock market in light of these explanatory factors, we show that the perceived immunity of sustainable stocks during the crash is essentially driven through the uncertainty channel. Once controlling for uncertainty, sentiment and firm fundamentals, the positive relationship between idiosyncratic sustainability and resilience persists, albeit weakly.

Mit dem Gesuch des Vereinigten Königreichs, dem CPTPP beizutreten, könnte die von Japan angeführte transpazifische Handelsinitiative zu einem weltumspannenden Regelwerk werden. Die Schweiz könnte von der Vorarbeit der Briten profitieren, doch der Bundesrat muss jetzt agieren, noch bevor die USA das Thema wieder auf ihre Agenda setzen.

Background: Digital proximity tracing apps have been released to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus known to cause COVID-19. However, it remains unclear how the acceptance and uptake of these apps can be improved. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the coverage of the Swiss Covid app and the reasons for its nonuse in Switzerland during a period of increasing incidence of COVID-19 cases. Methods: We collected data between September 28 and October 8, 2020, via a nationwide online panel survey (COVID-19Social Monitor, N=1511). We examined sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with app use by using multivariable logistic regression, whereas reasons for app nonuse were analyzed descriptively. Results: Overall, 46.5% (703/1511) of the survey participants reported they used the Swiss Covid app, which was an increase from 43.9% (662/1508) reported in the previous study wave conducted in July 2020. A higher monthly household income (ie, income >CHF 10,...