Agriculture’s contribution to rural viability: An approach to estimate regional economic impacts of agricultural policy in Swiss case study regions

This paper develops a thorough yet easily implementable approach to measuring agriculture’s contribution to rural viability. The approach is based on input-output modelling. It adopts a number of concepts from input-output modelling such as determining the explicit geographical origin of input requirements and the geographical destination of farm household expenditures without formerly developing an input-output table. The approach is applied to four case studies in the Swiss mountain regions and tested for three scenarios. Our results clarify the role that agriculture still plays in the context of rural viability. They demonstrate that agriculture’s contribution to rural viability differs considerably between the case study regions and that future developments lead to a marked decline in this contribution. Rural development strategies have to take these specific regional characteristics and development perspectives into account. Keywords: This paper develops a thorough yet easily implementable approach to measuring agriculture’s contribution to rural viability. The approach is based on input-output modelling. It adopts a number of concepts from input-output modelling such as determining the explicit geographical origin of input requirements and the geographical destination of farm household expenditures without formerly developing an input-output table. The approach is applied to four case studies in the Swiss mountain regions and tested for three scenarios. Our results clarify the role that agriculture still plays in the context of rural viability. They demonstrate that agriculture’s contribution to rural viability differs considerably between the case study regions and that future developments lead to a marked decline in this contribution. Rural development strategies have to take these specific regional characteristics and development perspectives into account.rural viability, employment, added value, agricultural production, input requirements, farm household expenditures, agricultural and rural policy, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

Relativistic geodesy

Quantum metrology enables new applications in geodesy, including relativistic geodesy. The recent progress in optical atomic clocks and in long-distance frequency transfer by optical fiber together pave the way for using measurements of the gravitational frequency redshift for geodesy. The remote comparison of frequencies generated by calibrated clocks will allow for a purely relativistic determination of differences in gravitational potential and height between stations on Earth surface (chronometric leveling). The long-term perspective is to tie potential and height differences to atomic standards in order to overcome the weaknesses and inhomogeneity of height systems determined by classical spirit leveling. Complementarily, gravity measurements with atom interferometric setups, and satellite gravimetry with space borne laser interferometers allow for new sensitivities in the measurement of the Earth's gravity field.DFG/SFB/112

Wie effizient sind Bio-Milchbetriebe im Schweizer Berggebiet?

In Swiss mountain regions, the number of organic farms has increased considerably during the past few years. In this context, we analyse the technical efficiency of dairy farming. The analysis shows that both organic and non-organic farms harbour considerable potential for improvement in this area. In comparison to the frontier production functions, this potential is greater in the case of organic farms than in non-organic farms. Dairy Farms, which use this potential, can improve their economic situation

Ausdauertraining bei Migräne : welche Effekte zeigt ein Ausdauertraining bezüglich Schmerz und Lebensqualität bei erwachsenen Migränebetroffenen?

Thema: Die Migräne ist eine weitverbreitete Volkskrankheit, welche sich vor allem in starken Kopfschmerzen äussert. Zudem verursacht sie jährlich Kosten von rund 500 Millionen Schweizer Franken. In der Literatur wird ein Ausdauertraining als Therapieform bei Migräne empfohlen, wobei die Wirkungsweise, die Dosierung und die Effekte des Trainings noch unklar sind. Ziel: Diese Arbeit geht der Frage nach, welchen Einfluss ein Ausdauertraining auf Schmerz und Lebensqualität von erwachsenen Migränebetroffenen hat. Zudem soll eine Empfehlung über Art und Dosierung des Trainings bei Migränebetroffenen abgegeben werden. Methode: Es erfolgte eine Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken PubMed, Medline, Cinahl und Pedro. Die Studien wurden anhand definierter Ein- und Ausschlusskriterien selektiert und mithilfe des AICAs kritisch beurteilt sowie ausführlich diskutiert. Ergebnisse: In allen Studien konnten in mindestens einem der folgenden Parameter signifikante Verbesserungen nach der Trainingsphase nachgewiesen werden: Attackenfrequenz, Schmerzintensität, Schmerzdauer und Lebensqualität. Es wurden keine negativen Effekte des Ausdauersports festgestellt. Schlussfolgerung: Das Ausdauertraining scheint einen positiven Effekt auf die Attackenfrequenz, die Schmerzdauer und -intensität sowie auf die Lebensqualität von Migränebetroffenen zu haben. Aufgrund der Studienergebnisse kann bei Migräne ein drei Mal wöchentlich durchgeführtes Ausdauertraining im aeroben Bereich empfohlen werden, wobei der Sportart eher wenig Bedeutung zukommt.Subject: Migraine is a widespread disease, which is associated with a characteristic headache. Furthermore, the yearly healthcare costs amount to 500 million swiss francs. Literature recommends aerobic exercise, even though the effectiveness and the intensity are not clarified. Aim: The aim was to identify the influence of aerobic exercise on pain and quality of life of adult migraine patients. Furthermore, a recommendation about the type and intensity of the aerobic training should be given. Methods: A literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, Medline, Cinahl and Pedro. The studies were selected by inclusion and exclusion criteria and evaluated with AICA. Results: All of the studies showed a significant reduction in at least one of the following parameters after the training phase: migraine frequency, intensity, duration and quality of life. No negative effects have been found related to aerobic exercise. Conclusion: It seems that aerobic exercise has a positive effect on migraine patients concerning the parameters migraine frequency, intensity, duration and quality of life. Because of the results of the studies, an aerobic training three times a week can be recommended. The type of aerobic exercise does not play a crucial role

Stretched Polymers in Random Environment

We survey recent results and open questions on the ballistic phase of stretched polymers in both annealed and quenched random environments.Comment: Dedicated to Erwin Bolthausen on the occasion of his 65th birthda

Warum steigen Bergbetriebe aus dem Biolandbau aus?

Since 2005, the number of Swiss organic farms has been declining steadily contrary to the positive trend in demand. Between 2005 and 2009, 13 % of organic mountain farms were lost. In this context, we analyse the factors influencing a decision to opt out of mountain organic farming by using a written survey and logistic regression. The analysis shows that economic reasons (price of organic products, low direct payments), the time and effort of record-keeping and checks («Guidelines change too often») and problems obtaining suitable concentrated feed were the most commonly cited reasons for opting out. There is a high disposition towards opting out of organic farming, especially in the case of dairy farms. The regression analysis confirms the results of the survey

Successful Treatment of Acute Prostatitis Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli With Tigecycline Monotherapy

We present a successful treatment, with tigecycline monotherapy, of acute prostatitis caused by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli harboring an NDM-1 carbapemenase along with a CMY-2 cephalosporinase and a TEM ESBL

Mechanical concept of the neurosurgical robot ‘Minerva'

We describe a robot capable of performing all procedures necessary to carry out a complete stereotactic neurosurgical operation under the control and supervision of a surgeon. The operation consists of the introduction of a small probe with diameter 2-3 mm through a hole without trepanation. The robot has been built and is now being tested and evaluated. The accompanying control software as well as various medical probes are either in development or partially tested. The installation will be able to carry out a complete intervention under the surveillance of a computed tomography scanner. In this article we emphasize the design choices required to eliminate gearing backlash in a crucial degree of freedo