Materials science at Swiss universities of applied sciences

Copyright ©Swiss Chemical Society: CHIMIA, Volume 73, Numbers 7-8, August 2019, pp. 645-655(11)In the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences, several research institutes are involved in Materials Science, with different approaches and applications fields. A few examples of recent projects from different groups of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) are given

Controls on the Geometry and Evolution of Deep-water Fold Thrust Belt of the NW Borneo.

The key driving mechanisms for establishing deep-water fold-thrust belt are either lithospheric stress or gravity-driven associated with margin instability or a combination of both. Despite long academic interest, we still lack of detailed understanding of the interaction between the deformation mechanisms (gravity- and tectonic-driven). The results of an evaluation of the interaction between the deformation mechanisms, with focused attention upon the NW Borneo deep-water fold-thrust belt, are reported. A methodology integrating a detailed structural analysis of the deep-water fold-thrust belt from the available subsurface data and equivalent onshore outcrop is utilized in this study. Detailed structural analysis of 2D seismic profiles is used to present a basin-scale seismic-stratigraphic framework and detailed description of the general appearance of the deformational style along the deltaic system. Sub-seismic scale investigation of well-exposed outcrops onshore NW Sabah is used to extract information on onshore tectonic deformation, making it possible to evaluate the differences of structural architecture related to different deformation mechanisms. The result has led to an improved understanding of the regional-scale structural geometry along the NW Borneo margin. Regional scale cross-sections are used to demonstrate a regional-scale analysis of the NW Borneo margin that includes structural restoration. The results allow an assessment of the relative timing of deformation, the domain interaction and the possible processes and parameters that control deformation. This has led to an improved insight relating to the kinematic nature of the allochthon and the interaction between the deformation mechanisms. Structural restorations are also used to evaluate of areas of compressionally and extensionally dominated systems, in order to verify the main proses responsible for the margin evolution. This study illustrates outcrop-scale to seismic-scale analysis and quantitative measurements combined with seismic interpretations, with the aim to identify the interaction between gravity-and tectonic-driven deformation, and their controls on the geometry and evolution of deep-water fold-thrust systems. Additionally, the margin evolution and the implications on NW Borneo are evaluated

People of TM: Video of Franziska Saxer

The video will be used for an external social media engagement campaign on platforms like linked-in, facebook, etc. featuring stories of people in TM. No IP related content

Routine patient surveys: Patients' preferences and information gained by healthcare providers.

BackgroundPatient feedback after contact with a hospital is regarded as an important source of information for the improvement of local healthcare services. Routine patient surveys are in widespread use to obtain such feedback. While general principles for the composition of this kind of surveys have been described in the literature, it is unknown which method of contact and topics of feedback are important to patients in postcontact healthcare surveys.Material and methodsWe invited 2931 consecutive patients who had in- or outpatient contact with the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the University Hospital Basel to an anonymous survey. They were asked whether they were generally in favor of feedback surveys. They also had the opportunity to state their preferred form of contact (text message, app, email, online or letter) and provide up to three topics that they regarded as specifically important in patient surveys.ResultsA total of 745 patients participated in the survey (25.4%), of these 61.9% expressed the preference to be surveyed, and 69.1% selected `letter' as one of the preferred forms of contact. Favoring only `letter' contact increased substantially with age. Overall 54.6% of patients stated at least one topic that they wished to give feedback on. The most frequent topics were related to treatment and rather general aspects regarding staff and overall impression. The wish to include suggestions for improvements was rarely mentioned as specific topic.ConclusionsThe majority of patients seem to be rather indifferent to the existence and content of patient surveys. They mention a wide range of topics from general to specific ones, but do not express interest in the opportunity to suggest changes. There is a need to effectively engage patients in healthcare planning using new approaches to obtain valuable feedback on patients' hospital stay and contact experiences. These new approaches should ideally be more informative and cost-effective than the current practice

Eating disorder risks and awareness among female elite cyclists : an anonymous survey

BackgroundEating disorders (EDs) are an increasingly recognized concern in professional sports. Previous studies suggests that both female gender and endurance sports put athletes at risk. Female elite cyclists are hence of specific interest. The present study aimed at evaluating the distribution of the individual risk of ED in this group. Further the association between individual risk and both the awareness for the topic ED and the deviation from “normal” weight was depicted.MethodsFemale cyclists registered with the Union Cycliste Internationale were contacted via email or facebook and asked to complete a survey comprising age, weight, the Eating-Attitude-Test (EAT-26), and questions regarding ED awareness. The observed distribution of the EAT-26 score was compared to results from previous studies in normal subjects and athletes. The distribution of the ED awareness was described and ED awareness was correlated with the EAT-26 score. Both the deviation from ideal weight and the body mass index (BMI) were correlated with the EAT-26 score.ResultsOf the 409 registered athletes 386 could be contacted, 122 completed the questionnaire. Age ranged from 20-44yrs, BMI from 17.0 to 24.6 kg/m2. In the EAT-26, 39 cyclists (32.0%) scored above 20 points indicating a potential benefit from clinical evaluation, 34 cyclists (27.9%) scored 10–19 points suggesting disordered eating. Sixteen athletes (13.2%) had been treated for an ED. About 70% of athletes had been pressured to lose weight. The mean EAT-26 score was above the average observed in normal female populations. It was also above the average observed in many female athlete populations, but lower than in other leanness focussed sports. More than 80%of athletes perceived elite cyclists at risk for developing ED. Increased ED awareness and deviation from the ideal weight were associated with higher EAT-26 scores, but not the body mass index.ConclusionFemale cyclists are at risk of developing ED and they are aware of this risk. To improve their health and well-being, increased efforts to support elite cyclists and their teams in preventive activities and early detection are crucial.publishe

Favorable Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Well-Controlled Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Introduction: Since pregnancy in women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality, it is recommended that pregnancy should be avoided in PAH. However, some women with mild PAH may consider this recommendation as unsuitable. Unfortunately knowledge on pregnancy outcomes and best management of PAH during pregnancy is limited.Methods: Data from all women with PAH who were followed during pregnancy by a multidisciplinary team at a tertiary referral center for PAH and who delivered between 2004 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed in a case series. PAH risk factor profiles including WHO functional class (WHO-FC), NT-pro-BNP, echocardiographic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and right heart function were analyzed prior to, during and following pregnancy.Results: In seven pregnancies of five women with PAH (median age 29 (27; 31) years), there were no abortions or terminations. Five pregnancies were planned (all in WHO-FC I-II), two incidental (WHO-FC II, III). During pregnancy none of the women had complications or clinical worsening of PAH. After a median pregnancy duration of 37 1/7 weeks all gave birth to healthy babies by cesarean section in spinal anesthesia. During pregnancy, PAP tended to increase, whilst the course of WHO-FC and NT-pro-BNP were variable and no trend could be detected.Conclusion: Women with PAH with a low risk profile closely followed by a multidisciplinary team had a favorable course during and after pregnancy, resulting in successful deliveries of healthy newborns

Praxis und Forschung - wie tief ist der Graben? : erste Erfahrungen in der Schweiz, beurteilt nach Prinzipien des Participatory Research

Einleitung: Das Anheben der Ergotherapie-Ausbildung auf Fachhochschul-Niveau in der Schweiz erfordert neben der Aus- und Weiterbildung neu auch die Forschung. Diese soll stark auf die Bedürfnisse der Praxis ausgerichtet sein und zu praxisrelevanten Ergebnissen führen. Eine enge Zusammenarbeit mit der Praxis ist deshalb unumgänglich. Ziel: Um Erfahrungen mit angewandte Forschung fest zu halten, wurde die Zusammenarbeit einer Projektgruppe zwischen einem Universitätsspital und der Fachhochschule evaluiert. Methode: Im Hinblick auf die Forschungsfrage "Wie beurteilen Beteiligte der Forschungs-Kooperation zwischen der Ergotherapie, PUK Zürich, und dem Institut für Ergotherapie, ZHAW, ihre Zusammenarbeit in Bezug auf die Merkmale eines Participatory Research-Projektes"? hatten alle Projektmitglieder der Forschungsgruppe einen Fragebogen mit überwiegend offenen Fragen ausgefüllt. Die Antworten wurden anonymisiert und mittels meaning condensation analysiert. Die Ergebnisse werden – an den Kriterien von Participatory Research orientiert – dargestellt. Zusammenfassend wurden durch die Analyse der Antworten verschiedene förderliche und hinderliche Faktoren in Bezug auf Merkmale eines Participatory-Research-Projekts offensichtlich. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Die Anwendung von Participatory Research stellt sehr hohe Anforderungen an alle Beteiligten. Ungeachtet des grossen Aufwands an Zeit und Geld versucht diese Form von mitwirkender Forschung, den Graben zwischen Forschung und Praxis zu verkleinern. Ergotherapeutische Forschung in der Schweiz ist derzeit Pionierarbeit, in deren Rahmen noch viele Hindernisse überwunden werden müssen. Notwendig ist der direkte Diskurs zwischen praktisch tätigen Ergotherapeuten, Vertretern des Berufsverbands, Ausbildungsinstitutionen und Forschenden, welche Form der Zusammenarbeit und Forschungstätigkeit gewünscht und realisierbar ist. Introduction: Due to the raising of the occupational therapy education onto the level of universities of applied sciences in Switzerland research is now also required besides education and further training. Research should strongly be connected to the needs of practice and one expects research to generate practice-relevant results. A close co-operation with practice is therefore inevitable. Purpose: In order to explore experiences with applied research, the co-operation of a project group between a university hospital and a university of applied sciences was evaluated. Method: To answer the research question ”How do persons involved in a research co-operation between the department of Occupational Therapy, PUK Zurich, and the Institute of Occupational Therapy, ZHAW, evaluate their collaboration with regard to the principles of Participatory Research?” a questionnaire was constructed. The questionnaire mainly contained open questions. The members of the project group filled it in. The answers were made anonymous and analyzed by means of meaning condensation. Results: Results are presented in accordance to the principles of Participatory Research. Analysis revealed different promoting and preventing factors regarding the principles of a Participatory Research project. Discussion and conclusion: The use of Participatory Research makes very high demands on all persons involved. Despite large expenditure (time and money) this form of research tries to make the gap smaller between research and practice. During this phase of pioneer work of occupational therapy research in Switzerland still many obstacles must be overcome. The direct discourse is needed between practically active occupational therapists, representatives of the professional association, as well as institutions for education and research. One has to discuss, which kind of co-operation and research work is desired and realizable

Pain-Phenotyping in Osteoarthritis: Current Concepts, Evidence, and Considerations towards a Comprehensive Framework for Assessment and Treatment

Objectives Pain as central symptom of osteoarthritis (OA) needs to be addressed as part of successful treatment. The assessment of pain as feature of disease or outcome in clinical practice and drug development remains a challenge due to its multidimensionality and the plethora of confounders. This article aims at providing insights into our understanding of OA pain-phenotypes and suggests a framework for systematic and comprehensive assessments. Methods This narrative review is based on a search of current literature for various combinations of the search terms “pain-phenotype” and “knee OA” and summarizes current knowledge on OA pain-phenotypes, putting OA pain and its assessment into perspective of current research efforts. Results Pain is a complex phenomenon, not necessarily associated with tissue damage. Various pain-phenotypes have been described in knee OA. Among those, a phenotype with high pain levels not necessarily matching structural changes and a phenotype with low pain levels and impact are relatively consistent. Further subgroups can be differentiated based on patient reported outcome measures, assessments of comorbidities, anxiety and depression, sleep, activity and objective measures such as quantitative sensory testing. Conclusions The complexity of both OA as disease and pain in OA prompt the definition of a set of variables that facilitate assessments comparable across studies to maximize our understanding of pain, as central concern for the patient

Amino acid composition of nanofibrillar self-assembling peptide hydrogels affects responses of periodontal tissue cells in vitro

Background: The regeneration of tissue defects at the interface between soft and hard tissue, eg, in the periodontium, poses a challenge due to the divergent tissue requirements. A class of biomaterials that may support the regeneration at the soft-to-hard tissue interface are self-assembling peptides (SAPs), as their physicochemical and mechanical properties can be rationally designed to meet tissue requirements. Materials and methods: In this work, we investigated the effect of two single-component and two complementary β-sheet forming SAP systems on their hydrogel properties such as nanofibrillar architecture, surface charge, and protein adsorption as well as their influence on cell adhesion, morphology, growth, and differentiation. Results: We showed that these four 11-amino acid SAP (P11-SAP) hydrogels possessed physicochemical characteristics dependent on their amino acid composition that allowed variabilities in nanofibrillar network architecture, surface charge, and protein adsorption (eg, the single-component systems demonstrated an ~30% higher porosity and an almost 2-fold higher protein adsorption compared with the complementary systems). Cytocompatibility studies revealed similar results for cells cultured on the four P11-SAP hydrogels compared with cells on standard cell culture surfaces. The single-component P11-SAP systems showed a 1.7-fold increase in cell adhesion and cellular growth compared with the complementary P11-SAP systems. Moreover, significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation of human calvarial osteoblasts was detected for the single-component P11-SAP system hydrogels compared with standard cell cultures. Conclusion: Thus, single-component system P11-SAP hydrogels can be assessed as suitable scaffolds for periodontal regeneration therapy, as they provide adjustable, extracellular matrix-mimetic nanofibrillar architecture and favorable cellular interaction with periodontal cells