Canton Of Lucerne Research Articles

Drone-based photogrammetry combined with deep learning to estimate hail size distributions and melting of hail on the ground

Abstract. Hail is a major threat associated with severe thunderstorms, and estimating the hail size is important for issuing warnings to the public. For the validation of existing operational, radar-derived hail estimates, ground-based observations are necessary. Automatic hail sensors, for example within the Swiss Hail Network, record the kinetic energy of hailstones to estimate the hail sizes. Due to the small size of the observational area of these sensors (0.2 m2), the full hail size distribution (HSD) cannot be retrieved. To address this issue, we apply a state-of-the-art custom trained deep learning object detection model to drone-based aerial photogrammetric data to identify hailstones and estimate the HSD. Photogrammetric data of hail on the ground were collected for one supercell thunderstorm crossing central Switzerland from southwest to northeast in the afternoon of 20 June 2021. The hail swath of this intense right-moving supercell was intercepted a few minutes after the passage at a soccer field near Entlebuch (canton of Lucerne, Switzerland) and aerial images were taken by a commercial DJI drone, equipped with a 45-megapixel full-frame camera system. The resulting images have a ground sampling distance (GSD) of 1.5 mm per pixel, defined by the focal length of 35 mm of the camera and a flight altitude of 12 m above the ground. A 2-dimensional orthomosaic model of the survey area (750.4 m2) is created based on 116 captured images during the first drone mapping flight. Hail is then detected using a region-based convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN). We first characterize the hail sizes based on the individual hail segmentation masks resulting from the model detections and investigate the performance using manual hail annotations by experts to generate validation and test data sets. The final HSD, composed of 18 207 hailstones, is compared with nearby automatic hail sensor observations, the operational weather-radar-based hail product MESHS (Maximum Expected Severe Hail Size) and crowdsourced hail reports. Based on the retrieved data set, a statistical assessment of sampling errors of hail sensors is carried out. Furthermore, five repetitions of the drone-based photogrammetry mission within 18.65 min facilitate investigations into the hail-melting process on the ground.

Psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: changes over time and the effect of socioeconomic status

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic strongly affected mental health, increasing the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress worldwide. Previous research has shown that low education and low income can negatively impact mental health. During the pandemic, the population of Switzerland had to change their daily lives, which might have influenced their mental health. AIMS OF THE STUDY: We used longitudinal data on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic to (a) assess psychological distress in the adult general population, (b) investigate changes in psychological distress during the pandemic, and (c) evaluate the association of income and education with psychological distress. METHODS: Participants were recruited between January and May 2021 using a random sampling method, provided by the Federal Office of Statistics, from the adult general population in the canton of Lucerne (age ≥20 years, n = 5092). Sociodemographic data were collected with a baseline questionnaire. Mental health data were collected via monthly digital follow-up surveys using the validated Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21, three subscales with five categories from “normal” to “extremely severe”) to assess psychological distress. We used descriptive statistics to measure psychological distress and a one-way repeated measures ANOVA to test for the differences between the mean depression, anxiety, and stress scores over time. We used multilevel ordered logistic regression models to assess the association of income and education with psychological distress, adjusting for sex, age, nationality, employment, and previous Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, as these factors are known to influence psychological distress and socioeconomic position within countries. RESULTS: In total, 953 (83%) individuals completed at least one digital follow-up survey (mean age = 57 years, range: 20–91). Most had achieved secondary education (95%) and had a monthly household income of 6001–12,000 Swiss Francs (41%). The majority (>80%) of the population reported “normal” depression, anxiety, and stress levels according to the DASS-21. We found no significant change in any of the subscales over time. Compared to those with middle household incomes, people with low household incomes reported higher anxiety levels (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.11, p = 0.041). People with a tertiary education reported lower anxiety levels than those with a secondary education (OR = 0.39, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Most participants reported normal levels of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic from February to November 2021. People with lower education levels and low incomes were more vulnerable to anxiety and should be considered in mental health campaigns.

Between desires and reality: Investigating the return intentions among the second generation members of migrants from Serbia in Switzerland

Return migration is an under-explored area of population mobility studies. Although the return intention does not represent a guarantee for its realization, migrants who express the intention to return have a better chance of achieving it compared to those who do not even think about it. Return migration can have great importance for the country of origin?s overall development, especially when it comes to return of young people. The paper presents the results of a survey carried out among the second generation members of migrants from Serbia in canton of Lucerne (Switzerland) with the aim of determining their return intentions. The research excludes the possibility of short-term (temporary) return, and the respondents answered about the intentions related exclusively to permanent return. For the purposes of the paper, an online questionnaire was conducted as well as interviews. The results indicated the complexity and indissolubility of migrants? ties with the Republic of Serbia on different levels. However, the return intention has been shown to be influenced by a number of factors that are primarily related to life satisfaction in the country of destination. In that context, it is not surprising that most of the respondents (48.4%) do not plan to return to Serbia, some of them (30.3%) might return, while the smallest number of respondents (21.2%) intend to return. In contrast to the intentions of the respondents themselves, it was found that the respondents? parents (the first generation of migrants) have a greater intention to return to Serbia (66.7%). By crossing the data, it was determined that the return intention is most express among employedmen who are married, who send remittances and visit Serbia two to five times a year. The intention to stay in the country of destination is most express among women aged 20-24 who are employed, unmarried and have no children. In addition, the results showed that respondents who plan to return are more likely to make contact with friends and relatives in Serbia than respondents who do not plan to return.

Ab dem Hooff vnnd gůt das Käller gůt: Namenglieder und Appellative in ihrem Kontext

The article focuses on place names in the canton of Lucerne in Central Switzerland. It deals with the place-name elements -guet and -hof, the Swiss German appellatives Guet (‚piece of land, farm‘) and Hof (‚court, farm‘), and the phrase Hof und Guet. Based on the corpus compiled by the research project Luzerner Namenbuch it presents an analysis of their distribution. It is shown that both the names, the appellatives and its phrase are rare in the sources from the eastern area (the Rigi mountain region) compared to the western region of Entlebuch. The last part of the article focuses on the example of Källerhof, where it is shown how the context interacts with the name and how there may be different names for the same object through time.

Reconstruction and actual trends of landslide activities in Bruust–Haltiwald, Horw, canton of Lucerne, Switzerland

Abstract. A spatiotemporal reconstruction of slope movements on the edge of Lake Lucerne near the municipality of Horw, canton of Lucerne, is presented. The reconstruction was realized by analyzing growth reactions of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir (Abies alba Mill.) trees growing on this slope. Before dendrochronological sampling, a detailed geomorphological mapping of the landslide was conducted with the aim to determine the spatial extent of the sliding area. For tree-ring analyses, 124 increment cores from 62 trees were analyzed following standard techniques of dendrogeomorphology. In addition, long micro-sections were prepared from the entire cores to extend the common eccentricity analyses by microscopic determination of the onset of reaction wood in fir and beech. Results clearly show that the area is moving at least since 1948. A significant concentration of events was observed between the years 1990 and 2000 as well as after 2006. The definition of a threshold to define events using an eccentricity index alone is problematic and needs to be adapted to specific site conditions. For this reason, we recommend always combining the application of an eccentricity index with a detailed visual (anatomical) inspection to check for the occurrence of reaction wood.

General practitioners' willingness to participate in research: A survey in central Switzerland.

It is difficult to enlist the participation of medical general practitioners (GPs) in research studies. We aimed to determine the willingness of GPs in central Switzerland to participate in research, and to identify factors that facilitate or hinder research participation by GPs. To that end, we conducted a postal questionnaire survey of all 268 active GPs in the canton of Lucerne. The survey explored their interest in participating in research projects (yes/no) and factors that potentially influence their participation (5-point Likert scale from “very important” to “not at all important”). We contacted all non-responders by phone. Background information of the GPs was retrieved from the database of the cantonal association of physicians. Associations between willingness to participate in research and GP’s age, gender, type and location of practice, and the perceived relevance of facilitators were investigated via multiple logistic regression. Out of 268 GPs, 115 (43%) agreed to be contacted for future research projects. Willingness was associated with age (willing: 55% ≤ 40 y vs. 33% > 60 y) and gender (44% male vs. 38% female), and to some degree with the type of practice (50% group vs. 31% single), and location (46% urban vs. 38% rural), independently from each other. Scientists should develop methods to motivate and support GPs in single and rural practices to participate so research is representative of primary care as a whole.

The cave bears (Ursidae, Mammalia) from Steigelfadbalm near Vitznau (Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland)

The cave bears (Ursidae, Mammalia) from Steigelfadbalm near Vitznau (Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland)

Calculation of therapeutic intensity for pigs treated using medicated feed

The correct oral treatment of pigs in groups is a demanding procedure. Prescriptions of medicated feed for groups larger than 20 pigs have to be made on official forms submitted to veterinary authorities. In this work, we evaluated 1'126 such forms for the years 2010-2011 to calculate the therapeutic intensity for piglets and fatteners at farm level in the canton of Lucerne. This analysis shows that essential data were often difficult to obtain and that the provided information did not always allow for plausible intensity calculations. In total, 654 and 424 kg of antimicrobials were prescribed during the 2 years under investigation. For the years 2010 and 2011, the calculated median intensities were 43.5 and 32.5 treated animals per 1'000 individuals per day (PIDvet) for piglets and 75.9 and 64.8 for fatteners. PIDvet for the whole populations of piglets and fatteners treated with medicated feed delivered from feed mills were 37.51 resp. 84.44 in the year 2011.

Die regionale Waldentwicklung mithilfe von Fotografien dokumentieren (Essay)

Documenting regional forest developments through photographs (essay) By lucky chance, there exists in Entlebuch, in the canton of Lucerne, a rich collection of photographs valuable for forest history. Modern photos are presented opposite the historical images to show the development of forests over the last 100 years. Intensive study of these photos has led the author to interesting discoveries. For this reason, he encourages today's practising foresters to document their own experiences in connection with the forest, for example through photographs.

Eligius, Schutzpatron der Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte

Saint Eligius became the saint patron of farriers and veterinarians in the 13th century. This was first mentioned by Jordanus Ruffus, emperor Frederic the 2nd's equerry, who refers to a gregorian hymnal dedicated to Eligius. The legend says that Eliguis amputated a horse's foot, shoed it and placed it back on the horse's leg. This legend might have replaced the Germanic cult described in the incantations of Merseburg. In Switzerland the veneration of Eligius is particularly spread in the canton of Lucerne.

Multiple osteosclerotic lesions in an Iron Age skull from Switzerland (320‒250 BC) – an unusual case

The single Hochdorf burial was found in 1887 during construction work in the Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland. It dates from between 320 and 250 BC. The calvarium, the left half of the pelvis and the left femur were preserved. The finding shows an unusual bony alteration of the skull. The aim of this study was to obtain a differential diagnosis and to examine the skull using various methods. Sex and age were determined anthropologically. Radiological examinations were performed with plain X-ray imaging and a multislice computed tomography (CT) scanner. For histological analysis, samples of the lesion were taken. The pathological processing included staining after fixation, decalcification, and paraffin embedding. Hard-cut sections were also prepared. The individual was female. The age at death was between 30 and 50 years. There is an intensely calcified bone proliferation at the right side of the os frontalis. Plain X-ray and CT imaging showed a large sclerotic lesion in the area of the right temple with a partly bulging appearance. The inner boundary of the lesion shows multi-edged irregularities. There is a diffuse thickening of the right side. In the left skull vault, there is a mix of sclerotic areas and areas which appear to be normal with a clear differentiation between tabula interna, diploë and tabula externa. Histology showed mature organised bone tissue. Radiological and histological findings favour a benign condition. Differential diagnoses comprise osteomas which may occur, for example, in the setting of hereditary adenomatous polyposis coli related to Gardner syndrome.

Increasing Water Stewardship Responsibility: Water Protection Obligations and the Watershed Management Policy Affecting Farmers in Lucerne, Switzerland

Water policy reform in Switzerland has sought to create a watershed management framework to increase personal responsibility for sustainable water management, while simultaneously incorporating all relevant interests and addressing conflicts between them. These watershed reforms are occurring in parallel with a legal regime that has grappled with implementing farmer liability for harm to water resources. A statutory duty of care is viewed as a fundamental element of defining the stewardship responsibilities of farmers. This draws on the role of a duty in increasing personal responsibility through liability. To this end, we have examined the duty of care for water in Swiss Federal law and the body of law and policy associated with its application agriculture in the Canton of Lucerne. This analysis should contribute to an evolving body of knowledge about liability for damage to natural resources and, in particular, developing knowledge about the conception of environmental harm, and effective alignment of farmers' resource stewardship responsibilities with social expectations of environmental protection.

Suicides in the Canton of Lucerne over 5 years: subjects with and without psychiatric history and diagnosis

The majority of suicides had never had contact with the mental health care system. The aim of this study is to investigate the specific characteristics of this particular group. Coroners' files were examined for all 256 suicide victims in the Canton of Lucerne between 2002 and 2006, together with the data from the files of the public psychiatric institutions for individuals who had been registered as patients. The sociodemographic, suicidological and clinical variables of suicides who had been psychiatric patients were compared with those of other suicides. Within the latter group, suicides with remarks on their mental state in the coroner's files ("police diagnosis") were compared with suicides without such remarks. Assisted suicides (24/256 [9.4%]) were excluded from the comparative analysis. 151 (65.1%) of the remaining 232 suicides had never been registered by a public psychiatric service; 40 (26.5%) of these had a "police diagnosis". In the regression analysis intoxication as a suicide method, announcement of suicide and impaired health characterised suicides with an established psychiatric diagnosis, whereas suicides without a psychiatric diagnosis were more likely to be retired. Among the latter, those without a "police diagnosis" were more likely to have left a suicide note. Unexpectedly, the only difference between suicide methods with and without former contact with the mental health system was poisoning. Within the latter group, the subgroup without "police diagnosis" left more suicide notes. Further qualitative analyses of suicide notes might be useful in improving understanding of the motives of suicides without a manifest psychiatric history.

Die Chestenenweid am Vierwaldstättersee (Kanton Luzern, Zentralschweiz) — ein Bedeutender Lebensraum für Flechten Trockenwarmer Standorte Auf Der Alpennordseite

Abstract: DIETRICH, M. & BURGI-MEYER, K. 2011. Chestenenweid at Lake Lucerne (Canton of Lucerne, Central Switzerland) — an important habitat for lichens of dry and warm sites on the northern side of the Alps. — Herzogia 24: 33–52. Due to its dry and warm climate, Chestenenweid, at the southern foot of Mount Rigi, represents an extraordinary habitat in Inner-Switzerland, a region generally characterised by high precipitation. The area, rich in boulders of Nagelfluh conglomerates, was investigated intensively as a contribution to lichen conservation in the canton of Lucerne. A total of 182 lichen species was recorded. The epiphytic Arthonia ligniaria, the terricolous Endocarpon pallidulum and the saxicolous Lemmopsis arnoldiana are reported for the first time from Switzerland. Fourteen additional species are new to the canton of Lucerne: Agonimia globulifera, A. opuntiella, Caloplaca conversa, C. polycarpa, Cladonia parasitica, C. rei, Endocarpon pusillum, Leptogium teretiusculum, Myriospora heppii, Peltige...

Regional forest organizations and their innovation impact on forestry and regional development in central Switzerland

The capacity for innovation spurred by regional organizations (ROs) and their impact on regional economic development are explored through forest expert interviews and a survey of small-scale forest owners in the Canton of Lucerne, in central Switzerland. The results show significant differences between the economic positions of forest owners who joined ROs and those who did not. Among RO members, the proportion of certified forests is higher, and in net financial return from their forest holdings and marketing effectiveness, they are significantly better off after only a short period of time compared with RO nonmembers. This process innovation, however, will not transform the forest sector substantially nor does it intend to do so. Its economic impact on regional development is modest at the present level of organization.

Interessante Gesteinsbewohnende Flechten am Tossen Bei Schimbrigbad in der UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch (Kanton Luzern, Zentralschweiz)

Dietrich, M. & Bürgi-Meyer, K. 2010. Interesting saxicolous lichens at Tossen near Schimbrigbad in the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch (Canton of Lucerne, Central Switzerland). — Herzogia 23: 75–84.The description of the interesting lichen flora of the rock habitat at Tossen complements the knowledge of saxicolous species in the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch. At an altitude of 1480 m 61 lichen species were observed inhabiting the rock. Caloplaca dichroa, C. pusilla and Fulgensia klementii are mentioned for the first time from Switzerland. Acrocordia conoidea, Diplotomma alboatrum, Fulgensia bracteata subsp. deformis, Lecanora agardhiana, Porina byssophila, Synalissa symphorea and Thelidium minimum are new to the canton of Lucerne. Further species, until now only rarely registered in Switzerland, are mentioned specially, among them Lecanora reuteri, Naetrocymbe saxicola and Squamarina lamarckii. The documented lichen flora is very similar to comparable places at Mount Pilatus, from where the occurrence of Dacampia hookeri, Lecanora admontensis and Leucocarpia biatorella is mentioned for the first time from the canton of Lucerne.

Der Krienser Hochwald (Kanton Luzern): Ein wertvoller Lebensraum für zahlreiche, in der Schweiz gefährdete Flechtenarten

Dietrich M., Bürgi-Meyer K., Bergamini A., Scheidegger C. and Stofer S. 2008. The Forest of Kriens (canton of Lucerne): A valuable habitat for many threatened lichens of Switzerland. Bot. Helv. 118: 149 – 164. In Switzerland almost half of the epiphytic lichen species are listed as threatened. Lichens, especially epiphytic species, contribute significantly to the biological diversity of forest ecosystems. Many of them are important indicator species and thus used for designing successful conservation strategies in woodlands. This study documents the importance of the Forest of Kriens near the city of Lucerne (Central Switzerland) as a habitat for epiphytic lichens. A rich flora comprising 182 species was recorded, thirty seven species being threatened in Switzerland and four being protected at the national level. Chaenotheca sphaerocephala, Micarea xanthonica and Psilolechia clavulifera are reported for the first time from Switzerland. More than sixty recorded lichen species are indicators of environmental continuity in woodlands. The sub-oceanic-montane climate at this north-facing slope at the border of the Northern Pre-Alps and the extensive, close to nature forest management, which guarantees environmental continuity, facilitate a high species diversity among epiphytic lichens. Thus, the Forest of Kriens is an important refuge for endangered species whence they might invade lichen-impoverished areas of the Central Plateau. For several epiphytic lichen species it represents the only known locality in the canton of Lucerne and one of few in Switzerland.

Die Unesco-Biosphäre Entlebuch und ihre Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie | The Unesco Biosphere Entlebuch and its strategy of sustainability

The Unesco Biosphere Entlebuch (UBE) is situated in the southern part of the canton of Lucerne and covers the valley of “Kleine Emme”, parts of the Napf region and of the first alpine mountain chains. Officially certified by the Unesco Committee in autumn 2001, it is the first Swiss Biosphere Reserve following the Unesco Sevilla Criteria, published in 1995. As the UBE was, in worldwide context, also the first Biosphere Reserve based on a public election, participatory work is still the main driving action in its development. Main targets in the protection of ecosystems are peat lands – especially raised bogs, fens, karst biotopes and forest communities. Following national obligations from 2007, the UBE is converted now into a regional park of national importance (Regionaler Naturpark). This might produce conflicts in some cases, especially in the development zone or in connection with activities enhancing the economic sustainability.

Measles outbreak in Switzerland - an update relevant for the European football championship (EURO 2008)

Since November 2006, Switzerland has been experiencing the largest measles outbreak registered in the country since the introduction of mandatory notification for this disease in 1999. The first eight months of this outbreak have already been described in this journal [1]. From November 2006 to 13 February 2008, 1,405 measles cases were reported by physicians or laboratories in Switzerland (1,106 of them in 2007). Of these, 976 cases (69%) occurred in the cantons of Lucerne (29% of the total), Basel-Land (16%), Zurich (11%) Bern (7%), and Aargau (7%). The incidence for the whole country and all ages, calculated for this 15-month period, was 19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (15 cases per 100,000 for the year 2007). For children under the age of 16 years living in the canton of Lucerne, it was 500 per 100,000.

Ongoing measles outbreak in Switzerland: results from November 2006 to July 2007

An outbreak of measles was detected in the canton of Lucerne in November 2006. From then until 17 July 2007, 483 cases were reported by physicians or laboratories for the whole country.