Ökologischer Ausgleich auf dem Dach : Vegetation und bodenbrütende Vögel

Schlussbericht 2009The research project «Ground nesting birds on greened roofs» aims to develop new techniques for roof greening systems and installation concepts for extensive greened roof areas. The results will help to provide alternative habitats offering areas of ecological compensation in line with Article 18 of the Nature and Homeland Protection Regulations, specially devised to benefit ground nesting birds. The project will develop guidelines for communities and cantons to enable them to plan the efficient use of flat roof surfaces through appropriate greening measures

I tetti verdi di tipo estensivo : biodiversità ad alta quota

Le città sono state paragonate da Odum a degli organismi eterotrofi che basano la loro crescita ed espansione sull’uso indiscriminato di risorse e sono causa di perdita irreversibile e frammentazione degli habitat naturali. I tetti verdi rappresentano uno strumento essenziale di mitigazione e compensazione ambientale all’interno del tessuto urbano dove, l’alta densità edilizia e l’elevato disturbo antropico concedono poco spazio alle dinamiche naturali. In particolare, i tetti verdi per la biodiversità caratterizzati da mosaici di micro-habitat diversi e contigui tra loro, possano ospitare specie con caratteristiche morfo-funzionali diverse. L’approccio noto come habitat template, consiste nel selezionare le specie vegetali adatte alle condizioni sui tetti estensivi tra quelle che in natura crescono in condizioni simili e.g. spessore di substrato ridotto e povero di sostanze nutritive, lunghi periodi di aridità. L’approccio fitosociologico prevede l’individuazione di habitat analoghi non solo come riferimento da cui estrapolare le specie vegetali, ma come modello per aggregare le piante in consorzi specifici, così come suggerisce l’interpretazione fitosociologica della natura.Cities are defined as heterotrophic organisms (Odum, 1983) as they consumes a huge amount of resources and causes habitat loss and fragmentation. Green roofs represents a fundamental mean of ecological compensation within the built environment, i.e. in highly altered and disturbed places by humans. In particular, green roofs for biodiversity (or biodiversity green roofs), being characterised by different but contiguous microhabitat (habitat mosaics or patches), can host several species with different functional traits. The methods known as habitat template consists of choosing suitable plant species for green roofs among the one that live in nature under similar conditions e.g. shallow and nutrient poor substrate, high drought. The phytosociological approach considers habitat analogue not only as species pools, but also as a model to group plants in specific associations as suggested in the phytosociological interpretation of nature

Improving extensive green roofs for endangered ground-nesting birds

Cities are considered hotspots of biodiversity due to their high number of habitats such as ruderal areas, wastelands and masonry works hosting peculiar bio- coenoses. Urban biodiversity represents a challenging and paradigmatic case for contemporary ecology and nature conservation because a clear distinction between nature reserves and anthropogenic lands is becoming obsolete. In this context, extensive green roofs may represent suitable habitat for ground-nesting birds and wild plants, providing suitable conditions occur. In this paper, case studies are used to show how existing extensive green roofs can be improved in order to make them function as replacement habitat for endangered ground-nesting birds. The setup of an uneven topography, combined with hay spreading and seed sowing, significantly enhanced the reproductive performance of the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanel- lus), one of the most endangered ground-nesting birds in Switzerland

Life Satisfaction and longitudinal changes in physical activity, diabetes and obesity among patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Patients with cardiovascular disease who underwent coronary angiography at the National Institute of Cardiac Surgery and Cardiological Intervention (INCCI) in Luxembourg were surveyed for cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco consumption). In 2013/14, their life satisfaction (LS) was also assessed. Our aim was to analyse the relationships between LS on one hand and longitudinal changes in CVRF between 2008/09 and 2013/14 and socioeconomic factors on the other. Methods: 1289 patients completed a self-administered questionnaire. Life Satisfaction, originally recorded on a 1 to 10 scale of complete satisfaction was dichotomized into two groups: ≤ 7 and. >7. We then performed logistic multiple regressions. The event on which the probability was modelled, was LS > 7. Data were adjusted on age, sex and income. Longitudinal changes in CVRF were assessed by their presence or absence in 2008/09 and 2013/ 14 (categories: ‘no-no’; ‘no-yes’; ‘yes-no’; ‘yes-yes’). Results: Physical activity in 2008/09 and 2013/14 was associated with a lower LS (OR = 0.469). The same pattern was observed for obesity and physical inactivity: lower LS was related to the presence of these risks (yes-yes; no-yes) in 2013/14 (mean OR for obesity and physical inactivity in 2013/14: 0.587 and 0.485 respectively), whereas their presence or absence in 2008/09 was not related to LS. Finally, patients who suffered from diabetes in 2008 were more likely to experience a decline in LS, particularly if their diabetes was less severe in 2013/14 (OR = 0.462). Conclusions: The lowest LS was observed when obesity or physical inactivity was present in 2013/14, newly or otherwise. The same trend was seen in diabetes among patients who had it in 2008/9, but were less severely affected in 2013/14. In secondary prevention, CVD-related upheavals could be minimised if professionals and patients ecame ‘Partners in Healthcare’ to better adhere to healthy lifestyles, as well as to reduce CVRF, and thereby enhance LS

Impact of Patients’ Communication with the Medical Practitioners, on Their Adherence Declared to Preventive Behaviours, Five Years after a Coronary Angiography, in Luxembourg

Patients of the National Institute of Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology in Luxembourg who underwent coronary angiography were surveyed for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and overweight/obesity between 2008/9 and 2013/4. For each cardiovascular risk factor (CVRFs), we analysed the associations between the quality of the patients' communication with the medical practitioner and their adherence declared to preventive behaviours. Methods 1,289 completed a self-administered questionnaire on communication with the medical practitioner (P’Com-5 items scale; Cronbach 0.87). 61.8%stopped smoking, 57.9% reduced or stopped their consumption of salt, 71.9% of fat, and 62.8%of sugar, and whereas 65% increased their consumption of fruit and vegetables and 19.8% increased their physical activity. Around 37% reported having made changes following their doctor's advice. 90% were followed by a cardiologist and 95.9% by an attending physician. Results No link was observed between declaration of physical activity, smoking, fats, and quality of communication. Significant associations: for increased consumption of fruit and vegetables was linked with the quality of doctor-patient communication when patients were overweight (OR = 1.081), obese (OR = 1.130), hypercholesterolemic (OR = 1.102), hypertensive (OR = 1.084) or diabetic (OR = 1.103). Reduction in salt intake was linked only to patients with hypertension (OR = 1.102), whereas reduction or cessation of sugar consumption was linked to overweight (OR = 1.093), and more so obese, (OR = 1.106), hypercholesterolemics (OR = 1.103) and diabetics (OR = 1.173). Conclusions Good doctor-patient communication was related to nutrition, particularly increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Accurate perception of CVRFs by both patients and medical practitioners is essential for CV protection. The aim of instructing patients is to encourage them to make informed decisions about how to change their lifestyle. In routinely, P’Com-5 scale can collect data to assess the improvement of the professional skills. It can be used in medical training to enhance the quality of the therapeutic communication, especially for nutritional coaching, and to evaluate its efficacy in reducing CVRFs

Erarbeitung von Massnahmen und Kennzahlen zum Ziel 8 des Green Impact Book : die ZHAW steigert die ökologisch bewirtschafteten Grün- und Dachflächen

Diese Forschung wurde von einem Forschungsteam im Auftrag von ZHAW sustainable, dem strategischen Programm für nachhaltige Entwicklung der Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW), unabhängig durchgeführt und im Rahmen der Umsetzung der ZHAW-Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie finanziert. www.zhaw.ch/sustainableDie ZHAW hat im Ziel 8 des Green Impact Books das Ziel definiert, die Grün- und Dachflächen an ihren Standorten ökologisch zu bewirtschaften, um Mitarbeitern und Studierenden ein ökologisch wertvolles Umfeld zu bieten und die Biodiversität insgesamt zu verbessern. Die meisten Mietobjekte weisen erhebliche Mängel in Bezug auf die ökologische Qualität auf, da sie oft keine Grünflächen haben und somit kaum Lebensräume für Flora und Fauna bieten. Es besteht ein grosses Potenzial zur Aufwertung dieser Objekte durch Entsiegelung und klimaangepasste Vegetationssysteme. Die Liegenschaften im kantonalen Eigentum haben zwar einen hohen Grünflächenanteil, aber ihr ökologisches Potenzial ist noch nicht vollständig ausgeschöpft. Es sollten Strukturelemente wie Wildhecken und standortgerechte Pflanzen hinzugefügt und Asphaltflächen entsiegelt werden. Die Aufwertung trägt zur Biodiversitätsförderung und Hitzeminderung bei und hat positive Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit und Arbeitszufriedenheit der Mitarbeiter und Studierenden. Der Schutz bestehender Grünflächen und Bäume ist von höchster Priorität, da Bäume eine der wirkungsvollsten Massnahmen zur Förderung von Biodiversität und Hitzeminderung sind

Studienauftrag «Potenzial von Gebäuden für Biodiversität und Landschaftsqualität in Agglomerationen» : Projekt A2.2 Aktionsplan Strategie Biodiversität Schweiz

Die zunehmende bauliche Verdichtung setzt das Grün und damit die Lebensbedingungen für Flora, Fauna und Menschen unter Druck. Es braucht neue Wege für qualitativ hochwertige Frei- und Grünräume innerhalb einer nachhaltigen Stadt- und Siedlungsentwicklung. Hierbei kommt der Begrünung von Gebäuden (Fassade und Dächer) und Massnahmen, welche die Ansiedlung von Tieren ermöglichen (Animal-Aided Design), eine bedeutende Rolle zu. Im Auftrag des BAFU wurden Handlungsanleitungen erarbeitet, die es sowohl Kantons- und Gemeindeverwaltungen als auch den Akteuren des privaten Planungs- und Bausektors erleichtern, das Potenzial von Gebäuden zur Förderung von Biodiversität und Landschaftsqualität besser auszuschöpfen

Drug monographs on drugs which are frequently analysed in the context of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

In addition to the monographs which were published last year by the working group "Drug Monitoring” of the Swiss Society of Clinical Chemistry (SSCC) [1], new monographs have been written. The aim of these monographs is to give an overview of the most important information necessary for ordering a drug analysis or interpreting the results. Therefore, the targeted readers comprise laboratory health professionals and all receivers of laboratory reports. There is information provided on the indication for therapeutic drug monitoring, protein binding, metabolic pathways and enzymes involved, elimination half-life and elimination routes, and on therapeutic or toxic concentrations. Preanalytical considerations are of particular importance for therapeutic drug monitoring. Therefore, information is provided regarding a reasonable timing for the determination of drug concentrations as well as steady-state concentrations after changing the dose. Furthermore, the stability of the drug and its metabolite(s) after blood sampling is described. For readers with a specific interest in drug analysis, references to important publications are given. The number of monographs will be continuously enlarged. The updated files are presented on the homepage of the SSCC (www.sscc.ch). We hope that these monographs are helpful and look forward to receiving comments from the audienc

Increase of TREM2 during Aging of an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model Is Paralleled by Microglial Activation and Amyloidosis

Heterozygous missense mutations in the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) have been reported to significantly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since TREM2 is specifically expressed by microglia in the brain, we hypothesized that soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) levels may increase together with in vivo biomarkers of microglial activity and amyloidosis in an AD mouse model as assessed by small animal positron-emission-tomography (it PET). In this cross-sectional study, we examined a strong amyloid mouse model (PS2APP) of four age groups by mu PET with H-18-GE180 (glial activation) and F-18]-florbetaben (amyloidosis), followed by measurement of sTREM2 levels and amyloid levels in the brain. Pathology affected brain regions were compared between tracers (dice similarity coefficients) and pseudo-longitudinally. (PET results of both tracers were correlated with terminal TREM2 levels. The brain sTREM2 levels strongly increased with age of PS2APP mice (5 vs. 16 months: +211%, p 0.001), and correlated highly with mu PET signals of microglial activity (R = 0.89, p < 0.001) and amyloidosis (R = 0.92, p < 0.001). Dual p,,PET enabled regional mapping of glial activation and amyloidosis in the mouse brain, which progressed concertedly leading to a high overlap in aged PS2APP mice (dice similarity 67%). Together, these results substantiate the use of in vivo mu PET measurements in conjunction with post mortem sTREM2 in future anti-inflammatory treatment trials. Taking human data into account sTREM2 may increase during active amyloid deposition

‘It Takes Two Hands to Clap’: How Gaddi Shepherds in the Indian Himalayas Negotiate Access to Grazing

This article examines the effects of state intervention on the workings of informal institutions that coordinate the communal use and management of natural resources. Specifically it focuses on the case of the nomadic Gaddi shepherds and official attempts to regulate their access to grazing pastures in the Indian Himalayas. It is often predicted that the increased presence of the modern state critically undermines locally appropriate and community-based resource management arrangements. Drawing on the work of Pauline Peters and Francis Cleaver, I identify key instances of socially embedded ‘common’ management institutions and explain the evolution of these arrangements through dynamic interactions between individuals, communities and the agents of the state. Through describing the ‘living space’ of Gaddi shepherds across the annual cycle of nomadic migration with their flocks I explore the ways in which they have been able to creatively reinterpret external interventions, and suggest how contemporary arrangements for accessing pasture at different moments of the annual cycle involve complex combinations of the formal and the informal, the ‘traditional’ and the ‘modern’