Region Of Basel Research Articles

Invasion of a Horticultural Plant into Forests: Lamium galeobdolon argentatum Affects Native Above-Ground Vegetation and Soil Properties

Horticultural trade is considered the most important pathway for the introduction of non-native plant species. Numerous horticultural plants are spreading from private gardens and public green space into natural habitats and have the potential to alter native biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We assessed the invasiveness of the horticultural plant Lamium galeobdolon subsp. argentatum. We documented its spread in semi-natural habitats in the surroundings of Basel, Switzerland, over the past decades. We compared the performance of L. g. argentatum with that of the native subspecies Lamium galeobdolon galeobdolon based on surveys in forests and a pot experiment under standardized conditions. We also assessed whether the two subspecies differentially affect native forest vegetation and various physical, chemical and biological soil properties. The horticultural L. g. argentatum has tripled its occurrence in forests in the region of Basel in the last four decades. Lamium g. argentatum had both a higher growth rate and regeneration capacity than the native subspecies. Furthermore, L. g. argentatum reduced native plant species richness and changed the species composition of the ground vegetation, in addition to altering several soil properties in deciduous forests. Lamium g. argentatum should therefore be considered an invasive taxon.

First report of acute oak decline disease of native and non‐native oaks in Switzerland

In spring 2017, stem bleeds accompanied by necrosis of the inner bark and sapwood were reported on three trees of Quercus petraea in the region of Basel, Switzerland. In 2018 and 2019 the same symptoms were observed at seven other sites…

Safer, but Not Safe Enough

The great divide between official analyses and economists’ views of optimal bank equity capital is not as wide as appears at first sight if the economics of risk is properly addressed. Adapting the BoE’s analysis to take account of abnormal risk conditions, a less benign view of the effectiveness of resolution regimes in systemic crisis, an international rather than domestic perspective, and a consistent approach to risk, takes one a good distance towards the economists’ view. The economic rationale for capital levels in the region of Basel III is left looking thin. It looks thinner still when, as now, price-to-book ratios are calling regulatory capital measures into question for some important banks

Experimental seismic performance of a half-scale stone masonry building aggregate

This paper focuses on the unidirectional dynamic shake-table test performed on a prototype of a natural stone masonry building aggregate. The half-scale prototype was designed to reproduce the features of existing unreinforced stone masonry building aggregates, typical of the historical centres in many European cities, including the city of Basel, Switzerland. The three-storey-high aggregate prototype consisted of two weakly connected structural units, with double-leaf undressed stone masonry walls incorporating a limited percentage of river pebbles. The specimen included flexible timber floor diaphragms and side-gabled timber roofs with different heights above the two units. Scaling the material mechanical properties of the specimen was necessary to satisfy similitude relationships without altering accelerations and material densities. An incremental, unidirectional dynamic test was performed up to near-collapse conditions of the prototype, using input ground motions selected to be compatible with realistic seismic scenarios for the region of Basel. This paper summarizes the main characteristics of the specimen and illustrates the evolution of its dynamic response and damage mechanisms.

Cross-Border Policy Networks in the Trinational Region of Basel

This paper provides evidence of how national and linguistic borders affect the structure of policy networks. Our analysis of the Basel metropolitan region located across Switzerland, France and Germany considers the case of cross-border public transportation. Using a social network approach based on 44 actors, we show that national borders play a diminishing role in the formation of policy networks for both information exchange and decision making but still limit interactions between German and French-speaking actors. Local actors develop different brokerage roles according to their country of origin, with Swiss actors acting as coordinator and representative brokers vis-a-vis players located in France and Germany.

Invasion of the alien shrub Prunus laurocerasus in suburban deciduous forests: Effects on native vegetation and soil properties

Most invading alien plants affect native biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In a field survey, we assessed the impact of the invasive shrub Prunus laurocerasus on the native vegetation and soil properties in suburban deciduous forests in the region of Basel, Switzerland. We installed four pairs of plots in patches of P. laurocerasus and in adjacent not invaded areas in each of twelve forest areas. Native species richness, Shannon-diversity and species composition of the ground vegetation and shrub layer were assessed in each plot. Furthermore, in each plot we measured physical and soil chemical characteristics, enzyme activities and the carbon source utilization pattern of the soil microbial community using Ecoplates™. The maximum age of P. laurocerasus in each plot was determined using tree ring analysis, indicating the time elapsed since the invasive plant has established. A lower native plant species richness in both the ground vegetation and shrub layer was observed in plots with presence of P. laurocerasus. A different species composition of the ground vegetation was also found among plots with and without the invasive shrub. Plots invaded by P. laurocerasus had a lower soil moisture content than control plots. The intensity, diversity and substrate richness of the carbon sources were increased in soil from invaded plots compared to soil in control plots. However, the chemical soil characteristics examined and the activities of enzymes were not influenced by the invasive plant. The effects of P. laurocerasus became more pronounced with the time elapsed since the invasive plant has established. Thus, the removal of young P. laurocerasus individuals would be an appropriate management practice for this invasive shrub species.

Diverse effects of degree of urbanisation and forest size on species richness and functional diversity of plants, and ground surface-active ants and spiders.

Urbanisation is increasing worldwide and is regarded a major driver of environmental change altering local species assemblages in urban green areas. Forests are one of the most frequent habitat types in urban landscapes harbouring many native species and providing important ecosystem services. By using a multi-taxa approach covering a range of trophic ranks, we examined the influence of degree of urbanisation and forest size on the species richness and functional diversity of plants, and ground surface-active ants and spiders. We conducted field surveys in twenty-six forests in the urban region of Basel, Switzerland. We found that a species’ response to urbanisation varied depending on trophic rank, habitat specificity and the diversity indices used. In plants, species richness decreased with degree of urbanisation, whereas that of both arthropod groups was not affected. However, ants and spiders at higher trophic rank showed greater shifts in species composition with increasing degree of urbanisation, and the percentage of forest specialists in both arthropod groups increased with forest size. Local abiotic site characteristics were also crucial for plant species diversity and species composition, while the structural diversity of both leaf litter and vegetation was important for the diversity of ants and spiders. Our results highlight that even small urban forests can harbour a considerable biodiversity including habitat specialists. Nonetheless, urbanisation directly and indirectly caused major shifts in species composition. Therefore, special consideration needs to be given to vulnerable species, including those with special habitat requirements. Locally adapted management practices could be a step forward to enhance habitat quality in a way to maximize diversity of forest species and thus ensure forest ecosystem functioning; albeit large-scale factors also remain important.

Ecosystem functioning in cities: Combined effects of urbanisation and forest size on early-stage leaf litter decomposition of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

Environmental changes associated with urbanisation can affect the functioning of ecosystem processes. In cities, forests are among the most frequent types of green areas and provide a wide range of ecosystem services including air cleaning, decomposition of leaf litter and recreation. The European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a frequent and widespread deciduous tree in temperate forests in Central Europe. In this study, we examined the effects of urbanisation on decomposition processes of F. sylvatica leaves in different-sized forests in the urban region of Basel, Switzerland. We used standardised litterbags (mesh size: 2mm) with F. sylvatica leaves to assess the impact of degree of urbanisation (indicated by the percentage cover of sealed area in the surroundings) and forest size on the early stage of leaf litter decomposition and seasonal microbial activity. We found combined effects of degree of urbanisation and forest size on the decomposition rate of leaf litter (klitter). Large forests showed the highest klitter in areas with sparse settlements and the lowest klitter in densely settled areas, whereas the opposite pattern was recorded for small and medium-sized forests. This indicates that abiotic and biotic forest characteristics of forests of similar size differently influenced klitter depending on the degree of urbanisation. Moisture content of litter was the best predictor of microbial activity, followed by forest size. We assume that factors acting at the landscape scale such as the degree of urbanisation might be too coarse to detect any differences in microbial activity. Our results revealed that even small urban forests contribute to this important ecosystem function. As decomposers are at the bottom of the food chain, management actions that support the biological activity in soil might be also beneficial for species at higher trophic ranks.

Habitat- and matrix-related differences in species diversity and trait richness of vascular plants, Orthoptera and Lepidoptera in an urban landscape

Urban growth is considered to be a major driver of environmental change. Urbanisation can affect urban biodiversity in different ways. So far, most studies focused on the impact of urbanisation on single taxa in one habitat type. In this study, we used data of species inventories and GIS-based landscape elements to examine the effects of habitat size and landscape composition on the species diversity of three taxonomic groups (vascular plants, Orthoptera and Lepidoptera) in meadows and ruderal sites in the urban region of Basel, Switzerland. We also related the responses of three species traits (body size, dispersal ability and food specialisation) to habitat size in Orthoptera and Lepidoptera. We found that species of the different taxonomic groups differed in their response to habitat size and landscape composition both in meadows and ruderal sites depending on the traits examined. The species richness of Orthoptera and Lepidoptera was positively related to meadow size but not to the size of ruderal sites, while the opposite was true for plants. For Lepidoptera in ruderal sites, the percentage cover of ruderal area in the closer surroundings was a better predictor of species richness than habitat size per se. To sustain high levels of urban biodiversity, we recommend that urban planners develop adequate management strategies to satisfy the different requirements of various taxonomic groups and to increase the quality of green sites surrounding the target habitat.

Luc Hoffmann (1923–2016)

Luc Hoffmann (1923–2016)

Blood donor to inactive donor transition in the Basel region between 1996 and 2011: a retrospective cohort study.

For the prevention of blood shortages, it is essential for blood banks to design and implement donor recruitment and donor retention strategies that take into account the determinants of donor return. We studied the behaviour of first-time blood donors in the region of Basel, Switzerland, between 1996 and 2011 and described factors associated with transition from active to inactive donor in two successive first-time donor cohorts (1996-2002, 2003-2008). The risk of becoming an inactive donor was associated with being younger and female, not being a 0-negative donor and living in an urban area. Over time, hazards of becoming an inactive donor were converging for individuals living in non-urban and urban areas as were those of younger and older donors. After their first donation, 73.6% and 67.5% of males in the 1996-2002 and 2003-2008 cohorts, respectively, donated at least once in the following 24 months. The proportion of returning female donors was 71.8% and 65.4%, respectively. The increased volatility of first-time blood donors suggests that marketing actions and strategies aimed at increasing return rates should be reinforced, especially for younger and female blood donors.

Adherence counseling during patient contacts in swiss community pharmacies.

PurposeNumerous studies showed the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care in improving medication adherence in primary care patients. However, in daily pharmacy practice, the provision of pharmaceutical care appears to be limited. We aimed at quantifying the content of counseling by community pharmacy staff during patient contacts, especially adherence counseling, and at investigating pharmacist views about their practice of adherence counseling.Patients and methodsA Master’s student in Pharmacy observed patient contacts at selected community pharmacies in the region of Basel, Switzerland. Content of counseling was manually ticked on a checklist with predefined themes (administration, dose, effect, and adherence). Pharmacists working in the pharmacy were interviewed on triggers, topics, and barriers in adherence counseling.ResultsIn 20 community pharmacies and during a total of 148.1 hours, 1,866 patient contacts were observed. During the 1,476 patient contacts including the dispensing of one or more medications, counseling was provided to 799 (54.1%) patients; with 735 (49.8%) patients counseled about administration, 362 (24.5%) about dose, 267 (18.1%) about effect, and 99 (6.7%) about adherence. Significantly more patients received counseling when they obtained prescribed versus over-the-counter medication (P=0.002), a new prescription versus a repeat prescription (P<0.001), or when they were served by a pharmacist versus by another staff member (P<0.001). Of the 33 interviewed pharmacists, all except one reported actively approaching patients for adherence counseling. Triggers included medication-related and patient-related factors. The pharmacists named predominantly product-centered topics of adherence counseling. The most cited barriers were rejection of counseling by the patient and lack of time.ConclusionHalf of the patients receiving one or more medications were counseled, and only 6.7% of all contacts included adherence counseling. Future studies should clarify how barriers to adherence counseling at the community pharmacy can be overcome.

The association between road traffic noise exposure, annoyance and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between road traffic noise exposure, annoyance caused by different noise sources and validated health indicators in a cohort of 1375 adults from the region of Basel, Switzerland. Road traffic noise exposure for each study participant was determined using modelling, and annoyance from various noise sources was inquired by means of a four-point Likert scale. Regression parameters from multivariable regression models for the von Zerssen score of somatic symptoms (point symptom score increase per annoyance category) showed strongest associations with annoyance from industry noise (2.36, 95% CI: 1.54, 3.17), neighbour noise (1.62, 95% CI: 1.17, 2.06) and road traffic noise (1.53, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.96). Increase in modelled noise exposure by 10 dB(A) resulted in a von Zerssen symptom score increase of 0.47 (95% CI: −0.01, 0.95) units. Subsequent structural equation modelling revealed that the association between physical noise exposure and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is strongly mediated by annoyance and sleep disturbance. This study elucidates the complex interplay of different factors for the association between physical noise exposure and HRQOL.

Detection of feral GT73 transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus) along railway lines on entry routes to oilseed factories in Switzerland

To obtain a reference status prior to cultivation of genetically modified oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L.) in Switzerland, the occurrence of feral OSR was monitored along transportation routes and at processing sites. The focus was set on the detection of (transgenic) OSR along railway lines from the Swiss borders with Italy and France to the respective oilseed processing factories in Southern and Northern Switzerland (Ticino and region of Basel). A monitoring concept was developed to identify sites of largest risk of escape of genetically modified plants into the environment in Switzerland. Transport spillage of OSR seeds from railway goods cars particularly at risk hot spots such as switch yards and (un)loading points but also incidental and continuous spillage were considered. All OSR plants, including their hybridization partners which were collected at the respective monitoring sites were analyzed for the presence of transgenes by real-time PCR. On sampling lengths each of 4.2 and 5.7km, respectively, 461 and 1,574 plants were sampled in Ticino and the region of Basel. OSR plants were found most frequently along the routes to the oilseed facilities, and in larger amounts on risk hot spots compared to sites of random sampling. At three locations in both monitored regions, transgenic B. napus line GT73 carrying the glyphosate resistance transgenes gox and CP4 epsps were detected (Ticino, 22 plants; in the region of Basel, 159).

Combining near‐ and far‐field exposure for an organ‐specific and whole‐body RF‐EMF proxy for epidemiological research: A reference case

A framework for the combination of near-field (NF) and far-field (FF) radio frequency electromagnetic exposure sources to the average organ and whole-body specific absorption rates (SARs) is presented. As a reference case, values based on numerically derived SARs for whole-body and individual organs and tissues are combined with realistic exposure data, which have been collected using personal exposure meters during the Swiss Qualifex study. The framework presented can be applied to any study region where exposure data is collected by appropriate measurement equipment. Based on results derived from the data for the region of Basel, Switzerland, the relative importance of NF and FF sources to the personal exposure is examined for three different study groups. The results show that a 24-h whole-body averaged exposure of a typical mobile phone user is dominated by the use of his or her own mobile phone when a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) 900 or GSM 1800 phone is used. If only Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) phones are used, the user would experience a lower exposure level on average caused by the lower average output power of UMTS phones. Data presented clearly indicate the necessity of collecting band-selective exposure data in epidemiological studies related to electromagnetic fields.

COMMUTE BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT, SIMULATION OF COMMUTE PATTERNS AND EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION IN THE REGION OF BASEL, SWITZERLAND

Background and Aims: Our aim is to develop a multi-modal commute model which is able to simulate both travel patterns and commute exposure to traffic-related air pollution in the region of Basel. This study is part of the project “Transportation, Air Pollution, and Physical Activities (TAPAS)”; a 6-city integrated health risk assessment program of active travel policies. Methods: Firstly, travel patterns are simulated by means of a Geographic Information System (GIS) model using extensive information from the Swiss 2005 Microcensus database, which provides temporally and spatially resolved data on travel behavior. Secondly, environmental parameters of the built environment and personal factors that may influence adults’ choice of active and passive transportation modes are investigated on a route scale. Finally, exposure to air pollution is estimated by combining the commute patterns with predictions from air pollution models. Exposure in different commute modes and microenvironments are validated with personal measurements of PM2.5 and ultrafine particles (UFP) (10-300nm) in three different seasons for typical commute routes. Simulating variations of commute patterns will allow us to test scenarios of change in commute behavior on exposure distribution. Results: The proportion of active transport on the total distance of trips to work within the study area is 29.2%. Our first results of 24-hours personal PM2.5 measurements reveal significantly higher exposures during commuting than outdoor urban background exposure levels. Average commute exposure to PM2.5 (59.7±35.0 µg/m3) was about three-fold higher than average daily PM2.5 exposure (21.3±18.6 µg/m3). UFP measurements similarly show higher exposures during commuting as well as indoor cooking events. Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate significantly higher air pollution exposures during commuting in Basel. Results will be further examined and commuter exposure will be quantified. Thus, the study will contribute to a better understanding of population’s commute behavior and exposure to harmful air pollutants during daily commuting.

Human metapneumovirus infections—biannual epidemics and clinical findings in children in the region of Basel, Switzerland

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) epidemics vary in time and severity. We report findings for PCR for hMPV and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) performed on nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) of hospitalized and outpatient children with respiratory tract infections between October 2004 and April 2008. A total of 3,934 NPAs were tested for hMPV and 3,859 for RSV. Of these, 198 (5%) were hMPV positive and 869 (23%) were RSV-positive. Median age was 17 months and 9 months for hMPV and RSV, respectively. Fifty-nine percent of hMPV and 58% of RSV patients were hospitalized. Proportions of hMPV positive samples for the four winter seasons were 0.4%, 11%, 0.2%, and 14%. For RSV, they were 28%, 15%, 28%, and 28%. HMPV epidemics follow a biannual variation in our area. Major epidemics were observed in winter seasons starting in odd years (2005/06 and 2007/08), minor epidemics in those starting in even years (2004/05 and 2006/07). RSV epidemics usually follow a reciprocal biannual pattern, leading to annually alternating major RSV and hMPV epidemics.

Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, low physical activity and an urban environment are independently associated with increased cardiovascular risk in children

To assist in the development of preventive strategies, we studied whether the neighbourhood environment or modifiable behavioural parameters, including cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA), are independently associated with obesity and metabolic risk markers in children. We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of 502 randomly selected first and fifth grade urban and rural Swiss schoolchildren with regard to CRF, PA and the neighbourhood (rural vs urban) environment. Outcome measures included BMI, sum of four skinfold thicknesses, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and a standardised clustered metabolic risk score. CRF and PA (especially total PA, but also the time spent engaged in light and in moderate and vigorous intensity PA) were inversely associated with measures of obesity, HOMA-IR and the metabolic risk score, independently of each other, and of sociodemographic and nutritional parameters, media use, sleep duration, BMI and the neighbourhood environment (all p < 0.05). Children living in a rural environment were more physically active and had higher CRF values and reduced HOMA-IR and metabolic risk scores compared with children living in an urban environment (all p < 0.05). These differences in cardiovascular risk factors persisted after adjustment for CRF, total PA and BMI. Reduced CRF, low PA and an urban environment are independently associated with an increase in metabolic risk markers in children.

Die Rolle des Energieholzes in der Waldpolitik beider Basel (essay) | The role of firewood in the forest policy of both Basel (essay)

In the region of Basel, the intensive firewood production of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries led to a threatening situation for the forest. Therefore, the anticipated increase of forestry operations for the wood cogeneration plant Basel is controversial. In addition to concerns about the impact on natural scenery, there is also concern about the amount of sustainable wood available. An analysis of the current situation revealed that the use of wood for energy production plays a key role in the forestry policy of both Basel. This is because the existing public interests in the forest, which should lead to an increase of the firewood production, are only financially tolerable if the firewood production allows a marginal return. Such a marginal return is only realistic if there is also a market for less valuable wood products. Due to the wood cogeneration plant which will start operations in 2008, it can be expected that the previously side product firewood will become a main product. Overall, there are many reasons which support the idea that in both Basel the «Renaissance» of firewood as a source of energy will contribute significantly to a sustainable forest development.

Prevalence and patient awareness of selected potential drug interactions with self-medication

In community pharmacies potential drug interactions between prescription only medicines (POM) and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs purchased for self-medication arise mainly in two situations: (i) if an OTC drug is purchased by a passer-by customer whose prescribed drug therapy is not known; or (ii) if a POM or an OTC drug is requested by a regular customer whose prescribed drug therapy is usually recorded. With this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of potential drug interactions with selected POM and OTC drugs in passer-by and regular customers as well as their awareness of these potential drug interactions. Data were collected in 14 community pharmacies in the region of Basel, Switzerland by observation of customer contacts and interviews with passer-by customers purchasing selected OTC drugs, and telephone-interviews with regular customers treated with selected POMs identified in community pharmacies' databases. The selected POMs and OTC drugs are drugs which could lead to clinically relevant drug interactions of varying severity but manageable through different interventions such as adjustment of dose and its timing and/or monitoring of the therapy, and avoidance of the combination by choosing an alternative treatment. Of 1183 passer-by customers observed, 164 (14 x 4%) purchased at least one of the selected OTC drugs. One hundred and two (62 x 2%) of those subjects were interviewed. Forty-three (42 x 2%) mentioned taking prescribed drugs, and three of them were exposed to potential drug interactions of moderate severity. Out of 592 regular customers selected from the community pharmacy database, 434 (73 x 3%) could be interviewed. Sixty-nine (15 x 9%) of them were exposed to a potential drug interaction between purchased OTC drug for self-medication and their POM. Furthermore, 116 (26 x 7%) regular customers were exposed to potential drug interactions within their prescribed drugs and in 28 (6 x 5%) multiple (>or=2) potential drug interactions were found. Two hundred and three (46 x 8%) regular customers were aware of potential drug interactions between their POM and OTC drugs. Ninety-six (47 x 3%) of them were informed by their prescribing physician and 52 (25 x 6%) by their community pharmacist. Awareness of potential drug interaction was higher in younger customers [odds ratio (OR) 0 x 95; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0 x 93, 0 x 97, P<0 x 0001] and higher for drug interactions classified as 'severe' [OR 1 x 79; 95% CI 1 x 16, 2 x 77, P=0 x 009]. Efforts to increase awareness of potential drug interactions is needed. Although community pharmacies are adequately equipped with computerized drug interaction surveillance systems this is often not applied to self-medication. Vigilance for potential interactions of all drugs, including those sold over the counter, should be increased.