173 Jahre nach Kölliker: Zeit für eine neue Flora des Kantons Zürich

Die alteingesessene Zürcherische Botanische Gesellschaft mit Gründungsjahr 1890 wendet sich ihrem zentralen Anliegen zu und wagt sich an eine Neuauflage (Überarbeitung) der Flora des Kantons Zürich. Über 170 Jahre ist es her, seit Albert Kölliker 1839 die bisher einzige Flora des Kantons publizierte. Seither hat sich die Landschaft stark verändert, so dass sich eine Bestandesaufnahme der Flora aufdrängt. Die Vorarbeiten für das ehrgeizige Projekt sind bereits weit vorangeschritten. In systematischer Weise soll die Flora stichprobenartig auf einem Neuntel der Kantonsfläche, genauer auf 208 Kartierquadraten von je 1 km2 Grösse, vollständig erfasst werden. Ergänzt wird das Inventar durch eine Wiederkartierung der Welten/Sutter-Kartierflächen, wodurch ein Vergleich der Flora mit dem Zustand vor rund 40 Jahren möglich ist. Recherchen in den vereinigten Herbarien der Universität und ETH Zürich sowie im Herbarium Georg Kummer im Museum zu Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen sollen die Kartierungen ergänzen. Während einer Pilotkartierung im Juni 2011 wurden erste praktische Erfahrungen gesammelt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass idealerweise mehr als ein Kartierteam pro Kilometerquadrat im Einsatz stehen sollte und dass die Anzahl der kartierten Arten in einem Quadrat wesentlich von der Aufenthaltsdauer und von der zurückgelegten Wegstrecke abhängt. Die Flora soll in erster Linie im Internet publiziert werden und neue Resultate regelmässig verfügbar machen. Die vorgeschlagene Flora-Kartierung ist ein realistisches Projekt, weil viele Leute im Kanton Zürich bereit sind, während mehrerer Jahre einen Teil ihrer Freizeit in den Dienst dieser Kartierung zu stellen

Standards of care for CFTR variant-specific therapy (including modulators) for people with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has entered the era of variant-specific therapy, tailored to the genetic variants in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR modulators, the first variant-specific therapy available, have transformed the management of CF.The latest standards of care from the European CF Society (2018) did not include guidance on variant-specific therapy, as CFTR modulators were becoming established as a novel therapy. We have produced interim standards to guide healthcare professionals in the provision of variant-specific therapy for people with CF.Here we provide evidence-based guidance covering the spectrum of care, established using evidence from systematic reviews and expert opinion. Statements were reviewed by key stakeholders using Delphi methodology, with agreement (≥80%) achieved for all statements after one round of consultation. Issues around accessibility are discussed and there is clear consensus that all eligible people with CF should have access to variant-specific therapy

Organic field beans

Field beans provide high-protein fodder and, as a legume, provide the soil with nitrogen. In the organic rotation, they are a welcome change from cereals. This leaflet provides a summary on what to consider in order to cultivate organic field beans successfully from seed to delivery. It contains information on the plants, their needs and on how they should be cultivated and harvested. It also shows how to protect the field beans from weed, diseases and pests. In addition, some information about profitability and possible uses is provided. This leaflet was made for farmers that want to begin cultivating organic field beans, but it might also be of use to conventional farmers. The information about economic aspects is specific to Switzerland

Organic field peas

Field peas are an invaluable preceding crop because they bring a good amount nitrogen into the soil. Unfortunately, they need a lot of water and are susceptible to weeds and aphids. This leaflet provides a summary on what to consider in order to cultivate organic field peas successfully from seed to delivery. It contains information on the plants, their needs and on how they should be cultivated. It also shows how to protect the field peas from weed, diseases and pests. In addition, some information about profitability and possible uses are provided. This leaflet was made for farmers that want to begin cultivating organic field peas, but it might also be of use to conventional farmers. The information about economic aspects is specific to Switzerland

Organic grain legumes at a glance

Currently a large amount of the protein requirement is met by imports. By increasing the cultivation of grain legumes, a bigger part of this requirement could be met by local production. This leaflet provides a tabular overview on the following grain legumes: field beans, field peas, soya beans and sweet lupines. The table contains information about the plants and their needs. It is shown how they should be cultivated, protected and harvested. In addition, some information about profitability and possible uses is provided. This leaflet was made for farmers that want to begin cultivating organic grain legumes, but it might also be of use to conventional grain legume farmers. The information about economic aspects are specific to Switzerland

Quantitative vectorial spin analysis in angle-resolved photoemission: Bi/Ag(111) and Pb/Ag(111)

The concept of vectorial spin analysis in spin and angle-resolved photoemission is illustrated in this paper. Two prototypical systems, Bi/Ag(111)(sqrt(3)×sqrt(3))R30° and Pb/Ag(111)(sqrt(3)×sqrt(3))R30°, which show a large Rashba-type spin-orbit splitting, were investigated by means of spin and angle-resolved photoemission. The spin polarization vectors of individual bands were determined by a two-step fitting routine. First, the measured intensities are fitted with an appropriate number of suitable peaks to quantify the contributions of the individual bands; then, the measured spin polarization curves are fitted by varying the polarization direction and its magnitude for each band. We confirm that the surface states experience a large spin splitting. Moreover, we find that all surface state bands are 100% spin polarized, and that for some states, spin polarization vectors rotate out of the surface plane