Eastern Switzerland Research Articles

Automatic Monitoring of Rock‐Slope Failures Using Distributed Acoustic Sensing and Semi‐Supervised Learning

AbstractEffective use of the wealth of information provided by Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for mass movement monitoring remains a challenge. We propose a semi‐supervised neural network tailored to screen DAS data related to a series of rock collapses leading to a major failure of approximately 1.2 million on 15 June 2023 in Brienz, Eastern Switzerland. Besides DAS, the dataset from 16 May to 30 June 2023 includes Doppler radar data for partially ground‐truth labeling. The proposed algorithm is capable of distinguishing between rock‐slope failures and background noise, including road and train traffic, with a detection precision of over . It identifies hundreds of precursory failures and shows sustained detection hours before and during the major collapse. Event size and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) are the key performance dependencies. As a critical part of our algorithm operates unsupervised, we suggest that it is suitable for general monitoring of natural hazards.

Determination of a normal orogenic palaeo-geothermal gradient with clay mineral and organic matter indices: a review

A collection of large data sets from different orogenic belts was compiled for a correlation between organic matter (OM) versus clay mineral (CM) indices calibrated with the vitrinite reflectance, (VR) vs Kübler-Indices (KI) method. Data selection was based on a normal geothermal gradient (25 to 35 °C/km) as determined in previous studies, e.g. by maturity modelling and clay mineral reaction progress calculations. In the Lower Austroalpine (Eastern Switzerland, European Alps) a 20 myr lasting metamorphic overprint caused an OM–CM thermal equilibrium among the indices used. The observed correlation enables to determine gradual changes in metamorphic factors such as pressure, temperature and time causing sensitive shifts of the gradient slope in the range of normal gradients. For New Caledonia, an identical correlation has been determined. Prior to re-equilibration of the VR/KI indices, sediments in New Caledonia of diagenetic to incipient metamorphic grade underwent a high-pressure subduction event. VR/KI indices are in or close to equilibrium, while slight differences in OM vs CM indices allow for a better understanding of polyphase conditions, especially with respect to pressure. Temperature estimations are identical despite of their poly-phase metamorphic history, which was mainly controlled by the last orogenic thermal event lasting > 5 to < 10 myr. In the eastern Helvetic Alps and Northern Calcareous Alps similar correlations were found with slightly different slopes. Comparison between different regions is possible when using KI standardization and same data discrimination. In both parts of the Alps a complex thermal history of short durations (< 5.0 myr for the Northern Calcareous Alps to 10 myr for the Helvetic Alps) caused similar VR/KI trends, but disequilibrium is suggested by weaker regression parameters. The following correlation is calculated for a moderate geotherm (55 to 74 mWm2, mean = 61 mWm2) and normal temperature gradient conditions (25 to 35 °Ckm−1): KI = 1.134e−0.305VR, (R2 = 0.880, n = 462) with VR given as %Rmax, KI as Δ°2θ (limited to values between 0.2 to 1.0 Δ°2θ). With increasing depth (z) a VR gradient of 1.4 ± 0.2%Rmaxkm−1 is determined and a KI gradient of 0.09 ± 0.002 Δ°2θ km−1 is observed. The study illustrates that a normal geotherm can be described by VR/KI correlation, even if different heating episodes may occur. For the detection of a poly-phase or plurifacial thermal history, several indices of clay minerals and organic matter with very different kinetics should be used, as e.g. demonstrated by strong differences in smectite content at equal VR/KI values versus structural depth. A specific interest is given to the correlation of vitrinite like solid bitumen reflectance as an alternative method to VR, the persistent preservation of liptinite macerals and the stability range of clay minerals and sub-greenschist facies critical minerals compared with VR/KI data. Until now, despite the Alps in this study, systematic liptinite maceral studies have not been published in other orogenic settings.

Advanced practice nursing in the field of pelvic floor disorder – Lessons learned 5 years after role implementation

AbstractIntroductionPelvic floor disorder is a widespread chronic disease that confronts patients with a variety of physical and psychosocial challenges. An interprofessional team from a hospital region of eastern Switzerland created a specialized health service for this patient population and expressed the need for support by an APN to further develop interprofessional care. A retrospective look, 5 years after the role was implemented, reveals success factors, challenges and insights that can be utilized for similar and future projects.Method and AnalysisIn 2018 and 2019, a stakeholder‐oriented, participatory evaluation research was conducted to shape the role of the APN in the field of pelvic floor disorders. Ten interviews with internal and external experts in the field of pelvic floor disorder were analysed by thematic qualitative text analysis according to Kuckartz. A comparison between the original and the current profile illustrates its further development. Internal controlling shows the workload and number of patient contacts over the years 2018 to 2023. From a management perspective, the organizational and professional policy challenges are highlighted.ResultsIn 2018, the APN's scope of practice was described in eight areas, which were assigned to four APN competencies: direct clinical practice, collaboration, counselling, and evidence‐based practice. In 2022, 1211 different patient cases were treated in 1956 APN consultations. 64% of patients were women with interstitial cystitis. The focus was on direct clinical practice along the entire treatment pathway. The APN is predominantly the first and ongoing point of contact and coordinator of interprofessional treatment. The APN focuses on counselling and educating patients and their relatives, in particular on self‐management, for example, on the use of aids and the importance of self‐care. The number and complexity of the diagnostic and treatment interventions carried out by the APN have increased and are supported by expanding and extending competencies. The difficulty of recruiting nurses with a Master's degree, the legally unclear competence profile of APNs and the lack of cost coverage for APN services posed challenges in the development of this patient‐centred care model and required innovative solutions.DiscussionThe initially assumed scope of practice of the APN is still evident 5 years after implementation but is constantly evolving. Although delegated medical activities are carried out by the APN, the focus remains on the original nursing competences. The increase in the number of patients indicates the need for and successful establishment of the care model presented. Professional policy changes are urgently needed to enable the development of patient‐centred, innovative APN roles, both financially and legally.

SARS-CoV-2 immunity and reasons for non-vaccination among healthcare workers from eastern and northern Switzerland: results from a nested multicentre cross-sectional study.

We aimed to assess the extent of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity elicited by previous infections and/or vaccination among healthcare workers, and to identify reasons why healthcare workers decided against vaccination. This nested cross-sectional study included volunteer healthcare workers from 14 healthcare institutions in German-speaking Switzerland. In January 2021, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were available for healthcare workers. In May and June 2022, participants answered electronic questionnaires regarding baseline characteristics including SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (with one or more vaccine doses defined as vaccinated) and previous SARS-CoV-2 infections. Unvaccinated participants indicated their reasons for non-vaccination. Participants underwent testing for SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike (anti-S) and anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) antibodies. Antibody prevalence was described across age groups. In addition, we performed multivariable logistic regression to identify baseline characteristics independently associated with non-vaccination and described reasons for non-vaccination. Among 22,438 eligible employees, 3,436 (15%) participated; the median age was 43.7 years (range 16-73), 2,794 (81.3%) were female, and 1,407 (47.7%) identified as nurses; 3,414 (99.4%) underwent serology testing, among whom 3,383 (99.0%) had detectable anti-S (3,357, 98.3%) antibodies, anti-N (2,396, 70.1%) antibodies, or both (2,370, 69.4%). A total of 296 (8.6%) healthcare workers were unvaccinated, whereas 3,140 (91.4%) were vaccinated. In multivariable analysis, age (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.02 per year, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), being a physician (aOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.75-5.92) or administrator (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.27-2.80), and having higher education (aOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.09-4.57) were positively associated with vaccine uptake, whereas working in non-acute care (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-0.97), active smoking (aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51-0.91), and taking prophylactic home remedies against SARS-CoV-2 (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.31-0.56) were negatively associated. Important reasons for non-vaccination were a belief that the vaccine might not have long-lasting immunity (267/291, 92.1%) and a preference for gaining naturally acquired instead of vaccine-induced immunity (241/289, 83.4%). Almost all healthcare workers in our cohort had specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from natural infection and/or from vaccination. Young healthcare workers and those working in non-acute settings were less likely to be vaccinated, whereas physicians and administrative staff showed higher vaccination uptake. Presumed ineffectiveness of the vaccine is an important reason for non-vaccination.

Best performances of visible–near-infrared models in soils with little carbonate – a field study in Switzerland

Abstract. Conventional laboratory analysis of soil properties is often expensive and requires much time if various soil properties are to be measured. Visual and near-infrared (vis–NIR) spectroscopy offers a complementary and cost-efficient way to gain a wide variety of soil information at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Yet, applying vis–NIR spectroscopy requires confidence in the prediction accuracy of the infrared models. In this study, we used soil data from six agricultural fields in eastern Switzerland and calibrated (i) field-specific (local) models and (ii) general models (combining all fields) for soil organic carbon (SOC), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), total nitrogen (N), total carbon (C) and pH using partial least-squares regression. The 30 local models showed a ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) between 1.14 and 5.27, and the root mean square errors (RMSE) were between 1.07 and 2.43 g kg−1 for SOC, between 0.03 and 0.07 g kg−1 for POXC, between 0.09 and 0.14 g kg−1 for total N, between 1.29 and 2.63 g kg−1 for total C, and between 0.04 and 0.19 for pH. Two fields with high carbonate content and poor correlation between the target properties were responsible for six local models with a low performance (RPD &lt; 2). Analysis of variable importance in projection, as well as of correlations between spectral variables and target soil properties, confirmed that high carbonate content masked absorption features for SOC. Field sites with low carbonate content can be combined with general models with only a limited loss in prediction accuracy compared to the field-specific models. On the other hand, for fields with high carbonate contents, the prediction accuracy substantially decreased in general models. Whether the combination of soils with high carbonate contents in one prediction model leads to satisfying prediction accuracies needs further investigation.

Cover cropping in organic reduced tillage systems: Maximizing soil cover or plant above ground biomass input?

AbstractCover crops are grown between two main crops to reduce periods of bare fallow. In highly diverse crop rotations, the lengths of break periods between two main crops vary highly over time and consequently the cover cropping management differs from year to year. Long‐term field trials are thus of limited use because the same cover cropping approach only appears once in several years. This increases the need to better determine the immediate effects of different cover cropping strategies on soil properties. This study evaluated two cover cropping strategies and monitored the temporal development of several soil properties on six fields in Eastern Switzerland in the 9 months period between harvest of winter wheat and sowing of spring crops. The two tested strategies were (a) double cover cropping (DCC) where two cover crops mixtures were grown subsequently and shallowly (3 cm) incorporated into the topsoil and (b) permanent soil cover (PSC) with one grass‐clover mixture, which was harvested and thus not incorporated into the soil. Soil samples at three different soil depths (0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm) were sampled four times in high spatial resolution and analysed using a combined approach of visible near infrared spectroscopy and conventional lab methods. Differences between the sampling times and field sites were stronger than effects of different treatments. For soil organic carbon (SOC), no significant difference was measured between treatments in 0–20 cm soil depth. Only when analysed per depth segment, the PSC treatment showed significantly higher SOC increase in 5–10 cm soil depth than the DCC treatment. This could be due to the longer soil cover and thereby associated longer root growth period in the PSC treatment, leading to higher below ground C inputs than in the DCC treatment. On the other hand, the DCC treatment showed generally higher increases in permanganate oxidizable carbon stocks (0–5 cm), microbial C (0–10 cm), microbial N (0–10 cm) and mineral N (0–10 cm) than the PSC treatment. We conclude that maximizing cover crop above ground biomass input by planting two cover crops (DCC) benefitted soil microorganisms on most fields but was less beneficial on SOC than permanent soil cover (PSC) in 5–10 cm soil depth.

A ground-breaking Distributed fiber-optic Pressure Sensor for geohydraulic applications

Distributed fiber optic (DFO) technology has provided significant insight into various engineering problems by enabling high spatial resolution and accurate temperature and strain measurements. Recently, a novel distributed fiber-optic pressure sensor (DPS) has been developed at the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland (OST), which may change the paradigm of monitoring geohydraulic structure monitoring. The key innovation of the sensor is its ability to measure hydrostatic pressure with high spatial resolution and over long distances.This study provides a comprehensive characterization of this novel sensor for two different applications. In the first application the DPS was tested in a water column to measure the vertical hydraulic pressure. In the second application the sensor is tested in a laboratory-scale dike (1:4). The DPS was embedded directly into the earth structures, providing real-time monitoring of pore pressure variations during saturation. For both applications, the DPS measurements were compared with conventional pressure and piezometer sensors, demonstrating good agreement.The results of these two applications illustrate the potential of the DPS to revolutionize geohydraulic monitoring and improve our understanding of dynamic processes in water-related structures. The implementation of this technology promises to improve the safety, predictability, and performance of critical infrastructure.

A MULTI-PERSPECTIVE VIEW ON THE CONCEPT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION AND THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORK IN (NOT ONLY) WARTIME CONDITIONS

The purpose of this article is to explore the multifaceted dimensions of the concept of social protection and the role of social work in (not only) wartime conditions. This is necessary, because social workers are often acting “helpless” confronted with massive global crises or even wars or war-like conditions. This article tries to sharpen the possible role and position of social work and with this the expectations on the discipline and profession of social work. To reach this, this article wants to shed light on the subject and the understanding of “crisis” and the different perspectives surrounding the interdisciplinary and multi perspective concepts of social protection, social support, and resilience. This perspective allows to a better understanding of the underlying principles, challenges and potential solutions related to social protection in times of crisis. In times of crisis, ensuring social protection and social support becomes an urgent priority for affected populations and even individuals. Social protection encompasses a wide range of measures designed to protect individuals and communities from the adverse effects of crises and to provide them with the necessary resources and assistance to cope with the challenges they face. This article is on the one side a s theoretical examination of the key terms. On the other hand directly affected people have their say: The co-author as a Ukrainian narrates her migration experiences and the results of a student - peer project with affected refugees from Ukraine in Eastern Switzerland are presented. The results are concrete and surprise at some points and sharpen the task and role of social work: First, feeling safe and getting (social) support and psychological assistance in the trauma and war situation is much important even to feel welcome and resurrected. But then mobility, networks, and the change to support their families, relatives and friends at home have a great importance. It is also very important to be able to travel to Ukraine (home) from time to time and to be able to return to the host country. The task of social work is a very special one: It is not primarily the role of the benefactor and care giver, but of the professional who makes things possible and supports and empowers the people who feel it. The article also makes clear, that a one-dimensional and static understanding of crisis, flight, migration and needs no longer works in today's world global situations and crisis. Keywords: Social work, social protection, social support, crises, war in Ukraine, Ukrainian refugees, needs

Palaeoecological multiproxy reconstruction captures long-term climatic and anthropogenic impacts on vegetation dynamics in the Rhaetian Alps

Alpine ecosystems are particularly affected by climate change due to their high sensitivity to temperature variations. Understanding the response of vegetation to rapid temperature increase and human impact is necessary to produce accurate and reliable predictions of future mountain vegetation and mitigate climate change impacts. Our multiproxy study reconstructs climate, fire, and vegetation dynamics over the last 14,200 cal. BP at Lai da Vons (1991 m a.s.l.), a subalpine lake situated in the treeline ecotone in Eastern Switzerland. Our results based on geochemical analysis (XRF), pollen and charcoal analysis, and high-resolution macrofossil analysis reveal that early afforestation started already at the onset of the Holocene, dominated by Pinus cembra and Larix decidua. Larch and stone pine formed closed forests at the site at 10,300 cal. BP. From 9500 cal. BP onwards, when summer temperatures were warmer than today, Picea abies expanded simultaneously with Abies alba. In the past 6500 years, increasing human impact, culminating during two main phases of landscape opening and intensification of fire regime, led to a progressive increase of species richness. Considering future climate change, an upward shift of treeline and timberline is expected in the absence of domesticated herbivores. We advocate that low-intensity pastoralism in such a cultural landscape is essential to preserve the plant diversity of species-rich mountain meadows.

The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on health and working conditions of Swiss bus drivers

IntroductionFor decades, bus drivers (BDs) have been recognized as one of the most exposed occupational groups worldwide. Yet, BDs’ health issues have not attracted sufficient attention. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, BDs were part of essential workers and experienced additional occupational exposures related to the pandemic crisis. MethodWe conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study among Swiss BDs to assess the impact of these exposures on their working and health conditions. The latter were treated as dichotomous variables, assessed using a self-administered online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed via all three unions active in the public transport sector in Switzerland since 40% of BDs are unionized. Data were analyzed using linear and logistic regression models adjusted for socio-professional and demographic characteristics of BDs. ResultsThe study sample included 916 participants. The overall response rate was 21%. The average age was 48.2 years (SD = 9.7) and the driving seniority was 11.5 years (SD = 9.7). Most BDs felt sufficiently protected. However, 58% and 42% of BDs, respectively, had to replace their colleagues on short notice and worked extra hours. For 41% of BDs, these constraints negatively impacted their physical or mental health. BDs graded their companies' management of SARS-CoV-2 crisis at 4.1 (SD = 1.2) on a 6-point scale. This grade was associated with shortening of rest phase and impact on health. Exposure and its impact on health varied across geographic regions and unions. In Eastern Switzerland, BDs' satisfaction rates were lower than in Espace Mitteland and with a stronger pandemic impact on working conditions and health. Part-time work was associated with lower pandemic impact and higher BD's satisfaction rate regarding working conditions. ConclusionAssessment of BDs’ work conditions and their changes associated with the pandemic is necessary to insure a better crisis management in the future, especially in regions and unions with low satisfaction rates.

N2O emission factors for cattle urine: effect of patch characteristics and environmental drivers

Urine patches from grazing cattle are hotspots of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. The default IPCC emission factor for urine patches (EFurine) is 0.77% for wet climates and 0.32% for dry climates. However, literature reports a considerable range of cattle urine EF values and urine characteristics used in experimental studies, revealing contrary results on the effects of urine patch characteristics and seasonal pattern. Therefore, we examined N2O emissions and corresponding EFurine values in relation to urine patch characteristics (urine N concentration, urine volume, patch area, urine composition) and environmental drivers (precipitation, water filled pore space, soil temperature). Ten artificial urine application experiments were performed from July 2020 to June 2022 on a pasture located in Eastern Switzerland. Urine N concentration, patch area, volume and urine N composition showed no significant effects on the EFurine value (p > 0.05). EFurine varied, however, strongly over time (0.17–2.05%). A large part of the variation could be predicted either by cumulative precipitation 20 days after urine application using a second order polynomial model (Adj. R2 = 0.60) or average WFPS 30 days after urine application using a linear model (Adj. R2 = 0.45). The derived precipitation model was used to simulate EFurine weekly over the last 20 years showing no significant differences between the seasons of a year. The resulting overall average EFurine was 0.67%. More field studies are needed across sites/regions differing in climate and soil properties to implement a country-specific EF3 for Switzerland and to improve the quantification of N2O emissions at the national scales.

Can meteorological data improve the short-term prediction of individual milk yield in dairy cows?

Many farms document daily milk yields of individual cows because these are a good indicator of cow well-being. It is established that extreme meteorological conditions influence the milk yields by causing heat and cold stress, whereas less is known about the effects of moderate changes in meteorological conditions. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether individual daily milk yield predictions can be improved by considering such changes. We evaluated 8 years of milking and meteorological data from Eastern Switzerland with a total of 33,938 daily milkings from 145 Brown Swiss and 64 Swiss Fleckvieh cows. The cows were aged between 1.9 and 13.5 years at parturition. The data set was split into 7 periods according to the days in milk (DIM) and subsequently filtered into subsets by breed and parity. We applied Gaussian process regression to predict individual daily milk yield. We compared different models including DIM, lagged milk yield, and meteorological variables as features and found that models including the lagged milk yield performed best. Within the period of 5 to 90 DIM, we were able to predict individual next-day milk yield from the cow's last milkings with a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 2.1 kg. In contrast, without information on the previous milk yield, accuracy of milk yield prediction was lower, with an RMSE close to 8 kg. The models holding information about previous milk yields showed a substantial increase in performance. Within a more homogeneous data subset filtered by breed or parity or both, predictions were even better, with a relative RMSE of 4.3% for first-parity Fleckvieh cows. However, we found that including meteorological features, such as temperature, rainfall, wind speed, temperature humidity index, cooling degree, and barometric pressure, did not improve the predictions in any of the evaluated periods. This finding indicates that considering meteorological features in daily milk yield prediction models is not useful in moderate climates; considering lagged milk yield is sufficient. We hypothesize that this meteorological information, among other influences, is indirectly contained in the lagged milk yield.

Preface

Euro Asia Civil Engineering Forum (EACEF) was founded in 2006 in Stuttgart – Germany. The founders of EACEF are Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harianto Hardjasaputra, Professor of Pembangunan Jaya University – Indonesia, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Reineck, Senior Lecturer of the University of Stuttgart-Germany. Both would like to further their many years of cooperation with their international colleagues (especially those from Europe and Asia) through EACEF. EACEF is a forum to promote cooperation and understanding between European and Asian countries, focusing on Civil Engineering expertise. EACEF will play an essential role as the bridge between these two continents in linking European and Asian Civil Engineers, especially those committed to sustainable development and environmentally friendly buildings. The conference has been conducted biannually since 2007 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and has been conducted in several countries as well. The details of previous conferences can be found at https://eacef.com/. As the biannual conference, the 8th EACEF conference should be conducted in September 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EACEF committee decided to postpone the 8th EACEF conference to October 2022.This Proceeding contains papers based on invited keynote speeches and oral presentations at the 8th EACEF conference 2022 “Advanced and Innovative Technology for Sustainable Infrastructure”. The event was held on October 4th-5th 2022 at OST Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland and on October 12th-13th at University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The event covered several topics: “Structural Engineering”, “Construction Material”, “Construction Management”, “Infrastructure Engineering”, and “Geotechnical Engineering”.The conference started with plenary sessions of keynote speakers on October 4th-5th 2022 (online presentation) and followed by technical sessions on October 12th-13th 2022 (hybrid presentation) which were divided into three parallel sessions. Each keynote speech took 30 minutes for presentation and discussion while speakers in technical sessions were given 10 minutes and 5 minutes for presentation and discussion, respectively. There was a total of 13 keynote speakers and 64 presenters which consist of both academicians and professionals from Indonesia as well as other countries such as China, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Morocco, United States of America, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, United Kingdom, and Australia. Zoom video conferencing application was used in the event which served the event very well.Finally, please allow us to thank all participants in the 8th EACEF conference 2022. We hope that the conference is beneficial in sharing advanced knowledge in the field of Civil Engineering. We would also like to thank our colleagues who have organized the conference. Indeed, it was a successful conference. Last but not least, we also would like to express our gratitude for the sponsors that have supported the conference.List of Editor of EACEF 2022, Keynote Speakers, Steering Committee, International Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee are available in this pdf.

Postoperative Results in the Treatment of Retinal Detachment with Scleral Buckling Surgery

The course after scleral buckling surgery is investigated in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The Ethics Committee of Eastern Switzerland approved the retrospective single-center study (EKOS19/152, Project ID: 2019-02034). The primary endpoint is the anatomical reattachment of the retina 3 months after surgery. Secondary endpoints are visual acuity and the occurrence of intra- and postoperative complications. The patient files of all patients treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with scleral buckling surgery between January 2005 and December 2014 at the Cantonal Hospital of St.Gallen were included. In 165 of 184 patients (89.7%), reattachment of the retina 3 months postoperatively was achieved by single scleral buckling surgery. Treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment improved patients' visual acuity by an average of 4.8 ETDRS letters. Intraoperatively, subretinal hemorrhage occurred in one patient. Postoperatively, interfering buckling material was removed in 24 patients (13.1%). A pars plana vitrectomy was performed in six patients (3.2%) due to epiretinal membrane, in two patients (1.1%) due to a macular hole, and in three patients (1.6%) due to disturbing vitreous opacities. Scleral buckling surgery is an effective and relatively low complication method for the treatment of selected patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

COVID-19 burden and influencing factors in Swiss long-term-care facilities: a cross-sectional analysis of a multicentre observational cohort

To describe the burden of COVID-19 in Swiss long-term care facilities in 2020, to identify its influencing factors, and to assess vaccination rates among residents and healthcare workers at the end of the vaccine campaign in Switzerland in May 2021. Cross-sectional survey. Long-term care facilities from two Swiss cantons (St. Gallen / Eastern Switzerland and Vaud / Western Switzerland). We collected numbers of COVID-19 cases and related deaths and all-cause mortality for 2020, potential risk factors at the institutional level (e.g. size, infection prevention and control measures, and resident characteristics), and vaccination rates among residents and healthcare workers. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors associated with resident mortality in 2020. We enrolled 59 long-term care facilities with a median of 46 (interquartile range [IQR]: 33-69) occupied beds. In 2020, the median COVID-19 incidence was 40.2 (IQR: 0-108.6) per 100 occupied beds, with higher rates in VD (49.9%) than in SG (32.5%; p = 0.037). Overall, 22.7% of COVID-19 cases died, of which 24.8% were COVID-19-related deaths. In the univariate analysis, higher resident mortality was associated with COVID-19 rates among residents (p < 0.001) and healthcare workers (p = 0.002) and age (p = 0.013). Lower resident mortality was associated with the proportion of single rooms (p = 0.012), isolation of residents with COVID-19 in single rooms (p = 0.003), symptom screening of healthcare workers (p = 0.031), limiting the number of visits per day (p = 0.004), and pre-scheduling visits (p = 0.037). In the multivariate analysis, higher resident mortality was only associated with age (p = 0.03) and the COVID-19 rate among residents (p = 0.013). Among 2936 residents, 2042 (69.9%) received ≥1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before 31 May 2021. Vaccine uptake among healthcare workers was 33.8%. COVID-19 burden was high but also highly variable in Swiss long-term care facilities. severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among healthcare workers was a modifiable factor associated with increased resident mortality. Symptom screening of healthcare workers appeared to be an effective preventive strategy and should be included in routine infection prevention and control measures. Promoting COVID-19 vaccine uptake among healthcare workers should be a priority in Swiss long-term care facilities.

ოჯახში და ქალთა მიმართ ძალადობის წინააღმდეგ ბრძოლის არსებული მექანიზმის გამოწვევები კოვიდ -19 პანდემიის პირობებში საქართველოსა და შვეიცარიაში

Majority of the countries around the world declared a state of emergency to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, including Georgia and Switzerland. Although each nation adopted an individual method of fighting the pandemic, resulting in full or partial as well as short-term and long-term states of emergency, the pandemic has certainly become the main factor hindering social, economic and political activities around the globe. A great number of citizens are finding themselves to have gone either into self-isolation or quarantine in order to prevent themselves from contracting the virus. These processes, on the one hand, are related to the prevention of the spread of the virus, but on the other, to confining many people in common space with potential abusers. Correspondingly, the authors of the present study found it interesting to observe the patterns of reaction adopted by Georgia and Switzerland to face the actual challenges, whether or not the methods of fighting against women and domestic violence have changed, and what specific problems have been identified. The study serves to outline the problems, to assess the increased risks of violence and to ultimately evaluate the measures implemented to prevent the increase of violence in the two countries mentioned above. Finally, the article will evaluate and summarize the required measures and develop the recommendations that could possibly be applied in times of crisis. The study given in the article was conducted under the Swiss international mobility project MOVETIA as well as with the support of Georgian National University SEU and Eastern Switzerland University through the involvement of their professors, experts and students. In addition to the authors of the article, professor: Ina Shanava and students: Mariam Esaiashvili, Anna Tsirekidze, Nina Malan, David Zanitti, Nikolai Laib and Kristina Paskov were involved in the research as well. The made experience showed perfectly the importance of international cooperation.

The Tamins rock avalanche (eastern Switzerland): timing and emplacement processes

The Tamins rock avalanche lies adjacent to the Flims rock avalanche, the largest in the Alps. Its deposit forms a ridge across the Rhine Valley just downstream of the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein rivers. The deposit is dominated by a 1.6-km-long longitudinal ridge, Ils Aults, and two roughly 600-m-long transverse ridges. Several extensional scarps bear witness to spreading of the deposit. A breach through the deposit, where the Rhine River presently flows, reveals a carapace and intense fragmentation. Exposure dating using cosmogenic 36Cl yields an age of 9420 ± 880 years. This suggests that the Tamins event occurred in a time frame similar to the Flims event but was slightly earlier than the Flims rock avalanche, as also required by stratigraphic relationships. 3D volume modeling reveals bulking of only 14%. The motion of the rock avalanche seems to have occurred first as a flexible block, which underwent fragmentation and simple shearing where the top moved faster than the bottom. The ensuing spreading led to the formation of extensional scarps. There is no identified weak layer along the sliding surface; nevertheless, modeling suggests a friction angle of 10°.

Outbreak investigation including molecular characterization of community associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a primary and secondary school in Eastern Switzerland

At our tertiary children’s hospital, infections with newly detected methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among children attending primary (age 6–12 years) and secondary school (age 13–16 years) nearly doubled in 2018 compared to previous years. This observation initiated an epidemiological outbreak investigation including phenotypic (susceptibility testing) and genotypic (whole genome sequencing) characterization of the isolates. In addition, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine source of the outbreak, colonization frequency and to identify risk factors for transmission using a questionnaire. As a result, 49 individuals were detected with 57 corresponding isolates. Based on the case definition combined with whole genome sequencing, a core cluster was identified that shared common genetic features and a similar antimicrobial susceptibility pattern (efflux-mediated macrolide resistance, tetracycline susceptibility along with presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin). Epidemiologic evaluation identified a distinct school as a common risk factor. However, the source of the clustered infections within that school could not be further specified. No further cases could be detected after decolonization of infected and colonized children.

A new pachypleurosaur from the Early Ladinian Prosanto Formation in the Eastern Alps of Switzerland

The Alpine Prosanto Formation (Middle Triassic) cropping out in the Ducan region in eastern Switzerland has yielded a rich fish and reptile fauna. Here, we present new pachypleurosaur remains from the upper part of the formation (Early Ladinian), similar to the previously known pachypleurosaurs from the Middle Triassic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte San Giorgio in southern Switzerland/northern Italy. From these remains, a new pachypleurosaur species, Prosantosaurus scheffoldi nov. gen. et spec., is described on the basis of six fairly complete skeletons, one disarticulated specimen and an isolated skull. As is typical for pachypleurosaurs and most other Triassic marine reptiles, the new taxon is based to a large degree on a combination of characters (e.g., nasals articulating broadly with the anterior margins of the prefrontals and lacking posterior processes; postorbitals with rounded anterior processes that articulate with the postfrontals anterolaterally) rather than on many unambiguous autapomorphies, although a few of the latter were found including (1) a premaxilla which is excluded from entering both the external and internal nares and (2) a parietal, which is distinctly longer than wide and carrying distinct anterolaterally angled processes. Phylogenetic relationships of the new taxon are tested within European Pachypleurosauria, revealing that the new species is the sister taxon to a clade including Serpianosaurus, Proneusticosaurus, and the monophyletic Neusticosaurus spp. Mapping of palaeogeographic and stratigraphical distribution of valid European pachypleurosaurs shows that a formerly proposed scenario of migration of pachypleurosaurs from the eastern Palaeotethys during the Olenekian into the Germanic Basin and a subsequent diversification and invasion during the Anisian into the intraplatform basins of the South Alpine realm must be re-assessed. The exceptional preservation and preparation of the Ducan fossils further allow the description of tooth replacement patterns for the first time in a European pachypleurosaur species. The “alveolarization” of replacement teeth, the horizontal replacement pattern, and the subsequent remodelling of the functional alveoli during tooth replacement supports the monophyly of Sauropterygia as discussed before.

Innovation and Intensification: The Use of Cattle in the Roman Rhine Region

ABSTRACT This paper examines the role of cattle in the Roman economy acrossthe region of the river Rhine (the Netherlands, western and south-western Germany, eastern France, and northern and eastern Switzerland). This large region marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Taxonomic data (over 606,000 animal remains – cattle, sheep/goat and pig) are considered, and biometrical data (nearly 15,000 cattle bone measurements) are analysed through the log-ratio – or LSI-technique, in order to look at broad changes in cattle husbandry over time (from the Late Iron Age to the Late Roman period) and across different regions. The results show the central role of cattle in the Roman economy in this frontier region, in the context of increased agricultural production and urban demand for meat and raw products, as well as the efforts put on improving and intensifying cattle husbandry.