Canton Of Aargau Research Articles

Productivity and cost analysis of cable yarding operations in flat terrain in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland

ABSTRACT Protecting soils during forest operations is important, especially soils with limited bearing capacity that are being harvested during the wet months. These soils can sustain damage to their structure, and therefore site productivity can be reduced. Climate change may change weather patterns, and less frozen soil conditions will occur more frequently, forcing planners to search for alternatives to overcome this challenge. In this context, cable-based systems for tree yarding are one option to reduce potential damage to soils and remaining stands. Time studies were performed on three cable yarding operations in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland, aiming to understand the performance of cable-based systems in flat terrain. A statistical analysis was performed, and costs were calculated. The yarding productivity was 13.92–21.86 cubic meters over bark (m3ob) per productive machine hour. The payload was identified as the main variable significantly influencing the productivity of a yarding cycle. Overall, installation procedures of the yarder were the most time-consuming and expensive work step. Production costs were 70–102 CHF m3ob−1 (corresponding to 73–107 € m3ob−1), including felling, yarding and roadside processing. This study confirms that the costs resulting from cable-based operations in flat terrain are high and the approach is not (yet) competitive with ground-based systems.

Soldiers on the Digs. Archaeological Excavations in Switzerland Involving the Deuxieme Division des Chasseurs

During the Second World War, Polish soldiers of the 2nd Rifle Division (Deuxieme Division des Chasseurs) were interned in Switzerland. Some of them were briefly employed on archaeological excavations in the cantons of Aargau, Lucerne, Solothurn, and Thurgau. In this last location, Karl Keller-Tarnuzzer organised the most productive cooperation with the Poles, investigating the pile-dwelling settlements of Pfyn-Breitenloo and Arbon-Bleiche 2 in 1944 and 1945, respectively. Earlier, Polish soldiers had been employed in the investigation of Roman villas at Aeschi (Solothurn) and Bellikon (Aargau), and the Neolithic pile-dwelling settlement of Burgäschisee-Ost (Solothurn), among other sites. The work involving the Poles was usually carried out efficiently, to the satisfaction of both sides. It has earned a worthy place in the history of Swiss archaeology, with the results often cited in various publications.

ЛАБІОДЕНТАЛЬНА ТА АЛЬВЕОЛЯРНА ДЗВІНКІ ЩІЛИННІ: ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ ВИМОВИ В НАЦІОНАЛЬНИХ ВАРІАНТАХ НІМЕЦЬКОЇ МОВИ

The present paper deals with the synchronic variation of the labiodental and alveolar fricative phonemes in the national varieties of German in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Our research task was to describe the full range of modifications of these fricatives in the national varieties under investigation and to determine two conditional factors: 1) which modifications are due to positional and combinatorial conditions of sound realization; 2) which modifications can be taken to be typical of these national varieties of German. The data collected are based on the acoustic analysis of reproductive speech (a reading of short stories by Leonhard Thoma) of 12 German teachers from Northern Germany, from the Vienna area and from the cantons of Aargau and Lucerne. Our results showed that the frequent loss of tone by the lax labiodental fricative [v̥] mostly depends on the positional and combinatorial conditions of its realization and can be observed mainly in the positions of the absolute beginning of the phonetic word and after voiceless consonants in all the national varieties under investigation. The realization of the lax alveolar fricative /z/ in the speech of the German is also dependent on its position and the sound context. Instead, in the speech of the Austrians and the German Swiss the voiceless allophone of the lax alveolar fricative [z̥] prevails regardless of its position in the phonetic word and sound context. Therefore, the occurrence of this allophone can be taken to be typical of these national varieties of German.

Historical significance and taxonomic status of Ischyrodon meriani (Pliosauridae) from the Middle Jurassic of Switzerland.

Ischyrodon meriani is an obscure pliosaurid taxon established upon an exceptionally large tooth crown of a probable Callovian (Middle Jurassic) age that originates from Wölflinswil, Canton of Aargau, Switzerland. Despite being known for almost two centuries, the specimen remains poorly researched. Historically, I. meriani has been associated, or even considered conspecific, with Pliosaurus macromerus and Liopleurodon ferox. However, neither of the two hypotheses have been tested through detailed comparisons or using modern quantitative methods. Here, we redescribe the type of Ischyrodon meriani, illustrate it, and compare to teeth of thalassophonean pliosaurids, with special focus on Jurassic representatives of the clade. Multivariate analyses show close similarities to L. ferox but comparable structures to those of I. meriani, including a distinctive pattern of the apicobasal ridges, are also observable in some mid-Cretaceous brachauchenines from the ‘Polyptychodon’ assemblage of East and South East England. While it is likely that I. meriani represents a Liopleurodon-like taxon, or is indeed conspecific with L. ferox, which would make I. meriani the proper name for the species, any such taxonomic considerations are hindered by the fragmentary nature of the type specimens of both these taxa as well as limited knowledge of the dental variability within and between individual jaws of L. ferox. Currently, I. meriani is best treated as a nomen dubium. Finally, we discuss the potential implications of I. meriani being conspecific with L. ferox, and additionally provide a commentary on the taxonomic status of Liopleurodon.

Age of the Most Extensive Glaciation in the Alps

Previous research suggested that the Alpine glaciers of the Northern Swiss Foreland reached their maximum extensive position during the Middle Pleistocene. Relict tills and glaciofluvial deposits, attributed to the Most Extensive Glaciation (MEG), have been found only beyond the extents of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Traditionally, these sediments have been correlated to the Riss glaciation sensu Penck and Brückner and have been morphostratigraphically classified as the Higher Terrace (HT) deposits. The age of the MEG glaciation was originally proposed to be intermediate to the Brunhes/Matuyama transition (780 ka) and the Marine Isotope Stage 6 (191 ka). In this study, we focused on the glacial deposits in Möhlin (Canton of Aargau, Switzerland), in order to constrain the age of the MEG. The sediments from these deposits were analyzed to determine the provenance and depositional environments. We applied isochron-burial dating, with cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al, to the till layer in the Bünten gravel pit near Möhlin. Our results indicate that a glacier of Alpine origin reached its most extensive position during the Middle Pleistocene (500 ± 100 ka). The age of the MEG thus appears to be synchronous with the most extensive glaciations in the northern hemisphere.

Parental attitudes towards measles vaccination in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland: a latent class analysis.

BackgroundDespite the successes of routine national childhood vaccination programmes, measles remains a public health concern. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how patterns of parental attitudes are linked to the decision-making process for or against MMR vaccination. This exploratory study was designed to identify distinct patterns of attitudes towards or against measles vaccination through Latent Class Analysis (LCA) in a sub-sample of mothers living in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.MethodsParents of young children below 36 months of age were randomly selected through parents’ counsellors’ registries. Among other questions, respondents were asked to state their agreement in response to 14 belief statements regarding measles vaccination on a 5-point Likert scale. To identify groups of parents showing distinct patterns of attitudes and beliefs regarding measles vaccination, we used Latent Class Analysis (LCA).ResultsThe LCA showed three classes of parents with different attitudes and believes towards measles vaccination: The biggest group (class 1) are those having positive attitudes towards immunisation, followed by the second biggest group (class 2) which is characterised by having fearful attitudes and by showing uncertainty about immunisation. The third group (class 3) shows distinct patterns of critical attitudes against immunisation. Within this group over 90 % agree or totally agree that immunisation is an artificial intrusion into the natural immune system and therefore want to vaccinate their children only if necessary.ConclusionWe find that parents in the Canton Aargau who hesitate to vaccinate their children against measles, mumps and rubella show distinct opinions and attitudes. Health professionals should be aware of these perceptions to tailor their messages accordingly and positively influence these parents to vaccinate their children. Special attention needs to be given to those parents who are planning to vaccinate their children but are not following the national guidelines.

Wohnmobilität im Alter – ein zukunftsfähiger Ansatz für die Siedlungsentwicklung nach innen?

AbstractWhen planners debate settlement density, residential mobility typically gets short shrift: conventional wisdom holds that people want to stay where they are. Unsurprisingly, therefore, demographic change is often framed as a burden: an ever larger cohort of ever older people live ever longer in family dwellings, exacerbating pressures on land use. Yet the residential preferences of ageing baby boomers suggest that change is often welcome, and that demography can be an opportunity for a more sustainable use of built-up areas.To empirically ground the often emotional debate about a more efficient use of the housing stock, the author conducted a representative survey of 1200 people, aged 50–87, in the Cantons of Aargau and Zurich in 2011. Contrary to widely held beliefs, 43% of respondents said they could envisage moving: to purchase real estate, to upgrade residential qualities or location, and to reduce space and housework. Add to this the desire to remain mobile, and to remain independent, and it ...

THE HISTORY OF A DORMANT INSTITUTION: LEGAL NORMS AND THE PRACTICE OF RECALL IN SWITZERLAND

This article mainly fills a gap in the English-speaking literature on the recall in Switzerland in order to allow for future comparative work. After a historical introduction, the reasons for the introduction, institutional rules as well as practice of the recall are assembled in an inductive but systematic way. Currently the recall in Switzerland only exists in a minority of 6 of 26 cantons but not on the national level. The procedure is usually directed at parliament, the government or both. So far there was only one successful recall vote in the Canton of Aargau in the year 1862. This particular case is therefore described in more detail. Furthermore, a comprehensive overview of all recall attempts and votes is drawn up. As a conclusion stemming from the Swiss case, we can come up with three main functions the recall fulfils in a political system: (a) catharsis in case of scandals or mismanagement, (b) political weapon to gain public attention or to maximise votes in the next election, (c) indirect measure to oppose a contested policy.

Ja zur Gewässerrevitalisierung – (k)eine Frage der Fruchtfolgeflächenverluste (Essay)

Yes to revitalisation of watercourses: (not) a question of loss of arable land (essay) Because of the reduced availability of soil resources, projects for flood control, renaturation or revitalisation of watercourses have been opposed on the grounds of their excessive consumption of land in general, and arable land in particular. By the way of the Water Protection Act, which has been revised and came into force in 2011, the Confederation obliges the cantons to prepare strategic plans for revitalisation of watercourses. In the Canton of Aargau, it is planned to revitalise 152 km of watercourses between 2015 and 2035, which will lead to the loss of 32 ha of arable land. This is about 1.5 ha per year, or 6% of the annual loss of arable land, which is about 24 ha per year. Three quarters of this total is lost to settlements. If one only considers losses outside built-up areas, in 2014, more than half was lost to buildings connected to agricultural activity. We can demonstrate, using the Siegfried maps of 1880, that more than 1,000 ha of former marsh and wetland are now arable land. The planned revitalisation of watercourses in Aargau over the next 20 years is equivalent to about 3% of the marsh and wetlands converted over the last 135 years. Revitalisation is compulsory, and the planned obligation to compensate the loss of arable land disregards the true situation: the major consumers of soil resources are settlements and, outside built-up areas, agriculture.

20 Jahre ökologische Aufwertung von Waldrändern im Kanton Aargau: erste Erfolgskontrolle

20 years of ecological forest edge enhancement in the Canton of Aargau: a first evaluation On the Swiss Plateau, 25 000 km of forest edges serve as transition zones between open grasslands and closed forests. They fulfil important functions with regard to ecological connectivity and constitute a habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Since only a fraction of these forest edges are in good ecological condition, most cantons implement programs to enhance their quality. With almost 200 km of upgraded forest edges, the Canton of Aargau takes on a pioneering role throughout Switzerland. To date, however, it was unknown what ecological value the upgraded forest edges have and which factors significantly contribute to the success of the implemented measures. We used a standardised evaluation key and interviews with the responsible forest services to assess the ecological quality of 20 selected forest edges in six forest districts in the Canton of Aargau as well as potential success factors. Our investigations show that enhanced forest edges in the Canton of Aargau are in a very good condition. The two most important structural elements of a forest edge in terms of biodiversity are two to eight times more marked than on average on a national scale, and they nearly conform to the objectives as defined by nature conservancy. With a registered total of 31 domestic deciduous tree species and 58 domestic lignified plant species, floristic diversity is remarkably high. Contrary to the estimation of the responsible forest services, neither the vigour of a location nor its aspect proved to be decisive factors of success. Rather, the frequency of intervention seems to be critical. Maintenance measures should be implemented at least every seven years. More comprehensive analyses are necessary to corroborate the present findings for other regions in Switzerland. Precondition for such analyses are systematic performance reviews that include an examination of the baseline conditions.

Neophytenbekämpfung an Gewässern im Spannungsfeld gesetzlicher Zielkonflikte (Essay)

Control of non-native plant species along streams: an area of conflict caused by legal trade-offs (essay) Driven by global trade and supported by climate change, we increasingly encounter new species in our ecosystems. Certain of these species, for example Asian Knotweeds (Reynoutria japonica, R. sachalinensis, R. × bohemica), exhibit immense growth rates and thereby suppress existing vegetation in revitalized reaches and biotopes deserving particular protection. The ecological damage accompanying the loss of biodiversity can only be contained by effective and efficient control measures. Contradictory legal guidelines at Federal level lead in practice to a conflict of aims, making goal-oriented control impossible. On the one hand the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance prohibits the use of pesticides in a 3-m strip along water stretches. On the other hand, numerous laws – such as the Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage, the Water Protection Law and the Ordinance on the Handling of Organisms in the Environment infer that it is a responsibility to protect riparian zones and river banks as ecologically valuable habitats, and to take measures against invasive neophytes. As long-term investigations in the Canton of Aargau have shown, chemical control sustainably weakens the Asian Knotweed. Further, a fluorescent tracer experiment demonstrated that with careful implementation, the use of pesticides along a 3-m strip along riverbanks poses no threat to the stretch of water. Therefore the Canton of Aargau hopes that these findings contribute to the fastest possible resolution of this conflict of aims, so that investments made over the past years towards restoring stretches of water may be protected promptly from the threat of Asian Knotweed.

Gouverner c’est prévoir: Foresight als ganzheitlicher Prozess zur strategischen Steuerung am Beispiel des Kantons Aargau

In 2012, the Canton of Aargau launched the process for the development of its new long-term strategy 2013–2022 («Entwicklungsleitbild»). The development of a long-term planning poses a challenge for the executive authority since it involves setting the necessary course for an unknown future in the present; without a comprehensive and reliable factual foundation. Commissioned by the State Chancellery of the Canton of Aargau, the Institute of Public Management of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences – together with internal and external experts – established a foresight study. Models and instruments from trend research and futurology were adapted and applied to the specific tasks and challenges facing a cantonal administration. The emphasis was placed on trend, scenario and consequences analysis. As a result, recommendations for the three core political fields of action (society, economy and state) were formulated for the attention of the government.

Outbreak of listerosis due to imported cooked ham, Switzerland 2011

From 24 April to 31 July 2011, nine cases of listeriosis were registered in the cantons of Aargau, Basel-Land and Zurich, Switzerland. In six of the cases, infection with Listeria monocytogenes was laboratory confirmed, while three remained suspected cases. The suspected cases were family members of confirmed cases with identical or similar symptoms. All confirmed cases were infected with a L. monocytogenes strain belonging to serovar 1/2a: all had an indistinguishable pulsotype by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The same strain was detected in samples of cooked ham that were on sale from a particular retailer. Two samples of ham tested contained 470 and 4,800 colony-forming units (CFU) L. monocytogenes per gram respectively. Data of shopper cards from two confirmed cases could be evaluated: both cases had purchased the contaminated ham. The outbreak initiated a product recall and alert actions at national and European level, through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). Following the RASFF alert, the company producing the contaminated ham was inspected by the responsible authorities. Their investigations showed that the ham was not contaminated in the production plant, but in the premises of a company to which slicing and packing was outsourced.

«Wir suchen Sie als …» – Anforderungen aus Sicht eines Arbeitgebers (Essay)

“As a member of our team, you will …” – an employer's requirements (essay) In this article, the head of the Forest Service of the canton of Aargau discusses the training pathways on offer in Switzerland for the forestry sector. After reviewing the forest professions for which training exists now in Switzerland, the requirements of the various functions of the Aargau Forest Service are presented. The key question is “Who is best for which job?”, and this is answered on the basis of specific cases. In general, candidates have the necessary basic knowledge for technical posts in the Forest Service; however, thorough on-the-job training over several years is unavoidable to get the tasks performed in a satisfactory way. Finally, staff are needed who work with pleasure and enthusiasm, not just doing the minimum to get the job done.

Das Schweizerische Landesforstinventar aus Sicht einiger Kantone (Essay)

The Swiss National Forest Inventory from the perspective of some cantons (essay) Politicians and the general public rightfully expect the forest services to be able to provide information about the state of the forest and to base their policies on sound data. Public interest in the forest and expectations that it will provide certain services are today focussing more on superordinate, regional spatial units. Information above the level of the forest enterprise is becoming increasingly more important and the duties of the forest services have expanded beyond those associated with single forest enterprises. The Swiss National Forest Inventory (NFI) was set up as a national instrument, but is also relevant for the cantons. So far, three inventories have been carried out and the fourth is underway. The cantonal NFI findings have become more relevant during the past 25 years. But what has the NFI really achieved for the cantons? What are its strengths and weaknesses? What risks does the fourth NFI entail with its new, continuous method of data collection and what opportunities does it offer? These questions are addressed here by the authors, who are responsible for forest planning and for contact with the NFI, in the cantons of Aargau, Bern, the Grisons, Ticino and Zurich. The authors work in cantons that have always made above average use of the NFI. All apart from Ticino have made the NFI sampling grid more dense by adding more sampling plots. For these cantons, the NFI has become an indispensable source of basic information. This article does not, therefore, provide a representative picture of how the cantons make use of the NFI, but rather reflects how the NFI could potentially serve the cantons.

Anforderungen an die Verwaltungsspitze: aus Sicht einer Kantonsregierung

Contemporary governments are faced with new challenges emanating from globalisation, economic competition, new forms of governance and an increasing interplay between the state, economy and civil society. To accomplish its primary task, the executive needs the support of highly trained public managers with management and leadership skills. With the introduction of new public management on 1st January 2006, the canton of Aargau has laid the ground for the delegation of management tasks from elected political leaders to public managers.

A Swiss agri-environment scheme effectively enhances species richness for some taxa over time

The effectiveness of agri-environment schemes (AESs) in promoting biodiversity was recently debated. One reason for limited effectiveness of AESs may be their application to small and scattered patches of land. This study presents the evaluation of a scheme adopted by the canton of Aargau, Switzerland, which seems to be unique in its consequent focus on entire farms, aiming at increasing quality and quantity of ecological compensated areas (ECAs). In vascular plants and snails, the species richness increased during a period of 5 years on plots with AES, but not on control plots without AES. In butterflies and birds, no significant differences were found between AES plots and control plots in the change of species richness over time. While butterfly species numbers generally decreased, bird species numbers increased on both AES plots and control plots. It appears that agri-environment schemes can be effective in protecting and promoting biodiversity, but the effect may depend on the group of organisms.

In Memoriam Dr. Robert Morger

Dr. Morger was born November 19, 1928 in Baden/Switzerland. He studied medicine at the University of Zurich, completed his state examinations in 1954 and subsequently worked as a resident under Professor Dr. Gian Töndury, M.D. at the District Hospital of Laufenburg (in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland), and at the University Clinic for Pediatric Surgery in Basel under Professor Dr. Robert Nicole, M.D. Several sojourns abroad working in Sweden and in Germany, in particular under Professor Schuchardt (Northwest German Dental Clinic, Hamburg), where he learnt the surgical repair of a cleft lip and palate, and under Professor Fritz Rehbein (Bremen), Professor Bischoff (Pediatric Urology Department, Hamburg) and Professor Werner von Ekesparre (Hamburg) rounded off his training. From 1965 to 1993 he was chief physician and head of the Pediatric Surgical Clinic of the Children's Hospital St. Gallen, in eastern Switzerland.

First record of Hyssopus pallidus (Askew, 1964) for Switzerland (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

The parasitoids emerged from apples that were collected in orchards in the cantons of Aargau and Zurich and were brought into the laboratory. They were found to have developed on both known hosts, i.e. Cydia pomonella (L., 1758) and Cydia molesta (Busck, 1916) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Kunststofftechnik im Kanton Aargau

In Canton Aargau there are two institutes which are both focussed on the field of plastics technology. The University of Applied Sciences Aargau offers a specialised program in plastics technology in the faculty of Engineering Science and Technology. The focus in research and development is less on academia than on technology support for small and medium-sized companies in the plastics sector.The KATZ (Plastics Training and Technology Center) is a specialist institute in the field of plastics processing and technology transfer. The center enjoys wide-based sponsorship from industry, professional associations, universities and the Canton of Aargau.