Usage of complementary medicine across Switzerland. Results of the Swiss Health Survey 2007

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: This study investigated the use among the Swiss adult population and regional dissemination of various methods of complementary medicine (CM) provided by physicians or therapists in Switzerland. METHODS: Data of the Swiss Health Survey 2007 were used, which comprised a telephone interview followed by a written questionnaire (18,760 and 14,432 respondents, respectively) and included questions about people's state of health, health insurance and usage of health services. Users and non-users of CM were compared using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The most popular CM methods were homeopathy, osteopathy, acupuncture and shiatsu/foot reflexology. 30.5% of women and 15.2% of men used at least one CM method in the 12 months preceding the survey. Lake Geneva region and central Switzerland had more CM users than the other regions. Women, people between 25 and 64 years of age and people with higher levels of education were more likely to use CM. 53.5% of the adult population had a supplemental health insurance for CM treatments. 32.9% of people with such an insurance used CM during the 12 months preceding the survey, and so did 12.0% of people without additional insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one fourth of the Swiss adult population had used CM within the past 12 months. User profiles were comparable to those in other countries. Despite a generally lower self-perceived health status, elderly people were less likely to use CM

Puerperal symphysis fundus distance: normal values

Aim: To measure puerperal symphysis fundus distance (SFD) by two manual methods and to calculate individual normal values. Study design: Prospective cohort study including women after single pregnancy without special problems in uterine involution. Methods: SFD was daily measured on the 1st-5th postpartum days by counting the number of midwife's fingers put horizontally on the mother's abdomen and by a paper tape, respectively. Linear mixed model analysis was performed to determine SFD normal values. Results: Independent variables determining the SFD on different days after delivery were the gestational age and the delivery mode (finger method) and the maternal age, body mass index (BMI), delivery mode and birth weight (tape method). Individual normal values were calculated by regression equation including the coefficients for the independent variables. Conclusion: Puerperal SFD values measured by tape have more independent variables than those measured by fingers and reflect better the actual situation of the patient. It should be verified whether values deviating from normal values of tape measurements may prevent postpartum complication

Puerperal symphysis fundus distance: normal values

Aim: To measure puerperal symphysis fundus distance (SFD) by two manual methods and to calculate individual normal values. Study design: Prospective cohort study including women after single pregnancy without special problems in uterine involution. Methods: SFD was daily measured on the 1st-5th postpartum days by counting the number of midwife's fingers put horizontally on the mother's abdomen and by a paper tape, respectively. Linear mixed model analysis was performed to determine SFD normal values. Results: Independent variables determining the SFD on different days after delivery were the gestational age and the delivery mode (finger method) and the maternal age, body mass index (BMI), delivery mode and birth weight (tape method). Individual normal values were calculated by regression equation including the coefficients for the independent variables. Conclusion: Puerperal SFD values measured by tape have more independent variables than those measured by fingers and reflect better the actual situation of the patient. It should be verified whether values deviating from normal values of tape measurements may prevent postpartum complication

Klimaduell – das Klima gewinnt

Teil des Sustainable Campus Living Lab - CAMPUS@LSFM: https://www.zhaw.ch/de/lsfm/forschung/interdisziplinaere-zusammenarbeit/sustainable-campus/Hochschulen tragen nicht nur durch Forschung, Wissensvermittlung, Dialog und Transfer zur Erreichung der Nachhaltigkeitsziele von Gesellschaften bei, sondern bereiten Studierende auf die Herausforderungen der Zukunft vor. Um die hochschuleigenen Nachhaltigkeitsziele zu erreichen und die Hochschulangehörigen auf diese gemeinsame Reise mitzunehmen, wurde das Projekt „Klimaduell“ mit dem gleichnamigen Wettbewerb am Department Life Sciences and Facility Management (LSFM) der Züricher Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) zusammen mit der Partnerhochschule Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) umgesetzt. Ziel des Projektes war es, eine Massnahme zu entwicklen, die auf eine spielerische und motivierende Art möglichst viele Hochschulangehörige erreicht und einen Beitrag zur Bekämpfung des Klimawandels leistet. Es sollte ebenfalls Erkenntnisse für die Verhaltensforschung als auch für die praktische Umsetzung liefern, die genutzt werden können, um das Klimaduell als eine mögliche verbesserte und wiederholbare Massnahme im Hochschulkontext zu etablieren. Grundlage für die Gestaltung des „Klimaduell“-Wettbewerbs war u.a. eine Hotspot-Analyse, mit der die Bereiche der Hochschulen ermittelt wurden, die besonders viele Treibhausgasemissionen erzeugen. Anhand der Ergebnisse, Erkenntnissen aus der Literatur und Auflagen in der Machbarkeit wurden 14 Challenges entwickelt, die zur Umsetzung verschiedener klimarelevanter Verhaltensweisen auf dem Campus und/oder im Home-Office-Alltag motivieren sollten und über einen Zeitraum von 6 Wochen sequenziell stattfanden. Ein interaktives online-Start- und Schluss-Event bildeten den Rahmen. Herzstück bildete eine mobile, Drupal-basierte Webseite, über die die Anmeldung und Kommunikation mit den Teilnehmenden bewerkstelligt wurde. Zur Berechnung der Treibhausgasemmissionen, der in den Challenges propagierten Verhaltensänderungen und zur Evaluation des Projektes, wurden die Teilnehmenden anhand von Online-Umfragen befragt. Mit Durchführung des Klimaduells als challenge-basierte, gamifizierte Massnahme, wurden mit insgesamt 375 Teilnehmenden 2.3 t CO2-eq eingespart. Die meisten Einsparungen wurden mit der Challenge «Reparieren» und «Vegan essen» erreicht. Die Challenge «Hahnenwasser trinken» hatte die höchste Teilnehmerquote (N = 156). Insbesondere Verhaltensweisen, deren Integration in den Alltag wenig Aufwand bedeuten und kaum einschränken, haben das Potenzial auch über den Challengezeitraum hinaus beibehalten zu werden. Rund 30 % der Teilnehmenden würde mit äussester Wahrscheinlichkeit an einer nächsten Durchführung teilnehmen. Die gewonnen Erkenntnisse und wertvollen Feedbacks zu Kommunikation, Challenge-Design und Webseite, können gezielt zur Verbessung einer erneuten Durchführung und Skalierung genutzt werde

Remembering the ‘unwanted’ victims: initiatives to memorialize the National Socialist euthanasia program in Germany

Between 1939 and 1945, approximately 200,000 patients were murdered under the National Socialist euthanasia program in Germany and Austria. For many years, these victims were largely excluded from post-war commemorative culture and they are yet to attain legal equality with the victims of political or racial persecution. This article considers recent initiatives to commemorate the victims of euthanasia, focusing on three examples: 1) the national memorial and information point for the victims of National Socialist “euthanasia” killings in Berlin; 2) the web portal http://www.gedenkort-t4.eu” www.gedenkort-t4.eu; and 3) the national competition “Andersartig Gedenken”, which invited young Germans to design their own memorial

Effectiveness of a Long-term Home-Based Exercise Training Program in Patients With COPD After Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Most patients with COPD do not maintain exercise training after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Research question: Does a 12-month home-based, minimal-equipment strength training program after PR have an effect on dyspnea, exercise capacity, and patient-reported outcomes in patients with COPD? Study design and methods: In a parallel-arm multicenter study across four Swiss PR clinics, patients with COPD were allocated randomly (1:1 ratio) into an intervention group (IG; home-based strength training program) or control group (CG; usual care). The primary outcome was change in Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) dyspnea scale score from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes were change in exercise capacity (1-min sit-to-stand-test [1MSTST], 6-min walk test [6MWT]), health-related quality of life, exacerbations, and symptoms. We assessed the IG's experience by interviews at study end. Main analyses were based on the intention-to-treat approach, and adjusted linear regression models were used. Results: One hundred twenty-three patients with COPD (IG, n = 61; CG, n = 62) were randomized, 61 of whom were women and whose mean ± SD age was 66.8 ± 8.1 years and mean ± SD FEV1 was 39.3 ± 15.3% predicted. One hundred four participants completed 12 months of follow-up (IG, n= 53; CG, n= 51). Of the 53 IG participants, 37 participants (70%) conducted the training until study end. We found no difference in change in CRQ dyspnea scale score over 12 months (adjusted mean difference, 0.28; 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.80; P = .27). We found moderate evidence for a difference in 1MSTST repetitions favoring the IG (adjusted mean difference, 2.6; 95% CI, 0.22-5.03; P = .033), but no evidence for an effect in other outcomes. Seventy-nine percent of the IG reported positive effects that they attributed to the training. Interpretation: The home exercise program had no effect on dyspnea, but improved 1MSTST performance and patient-perceived fitness. The supported program was well accepted by patients with COPD and may facilitate continued exercise training at home. Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03461887; URL: www. Clinicaltrials: gov. Keywords: COPD; dyspnea; effectiveness; functional exercise capacity; home-based exercise training; long-term maintenance; minimal equipment; pulmonary rehabilitation; quality of life; randomized controlled tria

Nanocatalysts Unravel the Selective State of Ag

In the present work, we report on a comparative study of model catalysts during ethylene epoxidation reaction under industrially relevant conditions. The catalysts consist of Ag nanoparticles <6 nm and a reference sample ∼100 nm. Combining catalytic data with transmission electron microscopy, thermal desorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory allows us to show that catalytic performance is linked to the oxygen concentration in/on the Ag particles. Isotope experiments using 18O2 and C18O2 are conducted to gain insight into the nature and location of oxygen in/on the Ag nanoparticles. The oxygen species responsible for the CO2 formation and inhibition of the overall catalytic activity are identified, and the abundance of those species is shown to depend strongly on the pre‐treatment and reaction conditions, showing both are critical for effective oxygen management. By comparison with a conventional Ag/α‐Al2O3 catalyst, we demonstrate a low concentration of oxygen in/on Ag leads to the highest selectivity regardless of particle size. However, particle size dependent oxophilicity leads to significantly lower TOFs for the Ag nanoparticles. This study provides fundamental understanding of the performance of supported Ag particles in ethylene epoxidation and offers new strategies to improve performance under industrially relevant conditions

Conduct of a personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field measurement study: proposed study protocol

Background: The development of new wireless communication technologies that emit radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is ongoing, but little is known about the RF-EMF exposure distribution in the general population. Previous attempts to measure personal exposure to RF-EMF have used different measurement protocols and analysis methods making comparisons between exposure situations across different study populations very difficult. As a result, observed differences in exposure levels between study populations may not reflect real exposure differences but may be in part, or wholly due to methodological differences. Methods: The aim of this paper is to develop a study protocol for future personal RF-EMF exposure studies based on experience drawn from previous research. Using the current knowledge base, we propose procedures for the measurement of personal exposure to RF-EMF, data collection, data management and analysis, and methods for the selection and instruction of study participants. Results: We have identified two basic types of personal RF-EMF measurement studies: population surveys and microenvironmental measurements. In the case of a population survey, the unit of observation is the individual and a randomly selected representative sample of the population is needed to obtain reliable results. For microenvironmental measurements, study participants are selected in order to represent typical behaviours in different microenvironments. These two study types require different methods and procedures. Conclusion: Applying our proposed common core procedures in future personal measurement studies will allow direct comparisons of personal RF-EMF exposures in different populations and study areas