Sulzer (Switzerland)

Acoustic stimulation can influence microbial growth and metabolism, yet little is known about its impact on edible mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus. This study evaluated the effects of audible sound waves on yield and fructification in three commercially relevant Pleurotus strains. Substrate blocks of Pleurotus eryngii, P. ostreatus, and P. ostreatus x P. eryngii hybrid (a commercial hybrid strain known as 'Black Pearl') were cultivated under controlled production conditions. Blocks were exposed to sound frequencies of 50Hz, 100Hz, 225Hz, or 750Hz at 80dB for 300s during the primordia stage. Untreated blocks served as controls. Yields from two consecutive harvests were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA or nonparametric equivalents, with significance set at α=0.05. Growth responses varied among species. P. eryngii showed yield increases at 225Hz and 750Hz, but reductions at 50Hz and 100Hz. All tested frequencies enhanced yields in Black Pearl, with the strongest effect at 750Hz. In contrast, P. ostreatus exhibited reduced yields across all frequencies compared with controls. Homogeneity of fructification differed between species, with P. eryngii showing irregular patterns, while Black Pearl and P. ostreatus maintained consistent fruiting. The findings highlight the potential of sound-based interventions to optimize mushroom cultivation, particularly for P. eryngii and Black Pearl. Further controlled trials are warranted to validate reproducibility, to elucidate underlying mechanisms, and to explore additional frequencies, sound intensities, and exposure durations that may further enhance or refine the observed effects.

BackgroundAnnual fitness assessments are performed during group exercise therapy for people with axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) living in Switzerland. The core strength test (CST) is time-consuming, and interpretation limited. Thus, the objectives were to 1) compare the CST-performance of people with axSpA and healthy controls, and 2) evaluate if hand grip strength can be used as a proxy for core strength.MethodsRoutinely gathered data of people with axSpA was used and data from healthy controls collected. Differences in strength were investigated using Welch Two-sample t-tests or Fisher’s exact tests. The associations between grip and core strength were explored through pairwise Pearson correlations (r). Further, a linear regression model was fitted to data of people with axSpA with grip strength as the response variable, and ventral, dorsal and lateral core strength endurance, age and sex as predictors.ResultsData from 160 healthy controls (50% male, mean age 59.3 (SD 11.47) years) and 112 people with axSpA (58% male, mean age 57.7 (SD 12.1) years) was included. People with axSpA showed lower core strength endurance (sec) than the controls: ventral core strength mean difference −28, p < 0.001; lateral core strength mean difference −17, p < 0.001; dorsal core strength mean difference −39, p < 0.001, and lower grip strength −3.7, p = 0.012. The linear regression model with hand grip as response and core strength, age, and sex as predictors explained 44% of the variability.ConclusionPeople with axSpA showed substantially lower core muscle strength endurance than healthy controls. Core strength measures have only marginal effects on grip strength in people with axSpA. Therefore, grip strength is not appropriate to be used a s a proxy for core strength in people with axSpA and healthy people.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41927-025-00575-y.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effect of a 12-week multi-component intervention on neck pain among Swiss office workers.MethodsBetween January 2020 and April 2021, we conducted a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial involving 120 office workers (18−65 years) without severe neck problems from two Swiss companies. Participants started in the control condition and sequentially transitioned to the intervention condition by their cluster. The 12-week intervention included neck exercises, health-promotion workshops, and workplace ergonomics. Neck pain was assessed by intensity [numeric rating scale (NRS) 0=no pain, 10=maximum pain], frequency (days with neck pain in the past 28 days), and disability [Neck Disability Index (NDI) 0%=no disability, 100%=maximum disability). Mixed-effects models were used to assess the intervention’s effect on neck pain intensity, frequency, and disability.ResultsThis analysis includes 517 observations (295 control, 222 intervention). At baseline, the mean age was 43.7 years [standard deviation years (SD) 9.8], and 71.7% were female. The average neck pain intensity was NRS 2.4 (SD 2.0), frequency 6.8 days (SD 8.0), and disability 11.8% (SD 9.9). A statistically significant effect favoring the multi-component intervention was found for neck pain frequency, with a marginal predicted mean reduction of 1.55 days [95% confidence interval (CI) -2.84−-0.26], and neck disability, with a marginal predicted mean reduction of NDI 2.23% (95% CI -2.96−-1.68).ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of the effectiveness of a 12-week multi-component intervention in reducing neck pain among office workers. Specifically, office workers experienced neck pain less frequently and with a milder impact on daily activities. Further research is needed to investigate long-term effects.

Abstract Pension funds are expected to align their investment strategy with climate targets and ESG. To avoid criticism of greenwashing, there is a growing need for credible communication and transparency on ESG. Switzerland has a long tradition of self-regulation in the financial sector, so it is not surprising that the Swiss Pension Fund Association (ASIP) published an ESG reporting standard for its members in 2022, which is to be applied for the first time for the 2023 financial year. We analyze the first experiences and challenges of large pension funds with the implementation of the ASIP standard, where the opportunities and challenges lie and what best practice recommendations can be derived for the future. We regularly exchange experiences with stakeholders from various pension funds, in our role as responsible for the Swiss Association for Responsible Investments (SVVK-ASIR) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Basellandschaftliche Pensionskasse (blpk). In 2023, this exchange was formalized through interviews with representatives of Swiss pension funds and resulted in a bachelor’s thesis, which forms the original basis for this paper (Meier Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung durch Vorsorgeeinrichtungen in der Schweiz - Handlungsempfehlungen für ein glaubwürdiges Reporting. Bachelor Thesis. Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Hochschule für Wirtschaft., 2023). The main findings, the experience of pension funds since then and developments and changes in self-regulation are presented in this text. Key Findings: ESG reporting is complex and is aimed at a heterogeneous audience with different levels of knowledge and information needs. We find that the preparation is associated with considerable time and effort. Although there are improvements in the definition of relevant key figures, the reliable availability still appears to present some challenges. To maintain the credibility of the reporting and to prevent accusations of possible greenwashing, we propose that the best way forward is transparent and honest reporting, that also clearly identifies the problems and challenges where targets have not yet been met.

Herein, a multi‐scale simulation approach to quantify the impact of nonuniformities in cell‐level performance on the photovoltaic characteristics of monolithically interconnected large‐area all‐perovskite tandem modules under partial shading conditions is presented, addressing a crucial aspect of the up‐scaling challenge for this promising photovoltaic technology. To this end, current–voltage characteristics of small‐area all‐perovskite tandem solar cells are obtained for dark and illuminated cases from a calibrated optoelectronic device model using drift–diffusion simulation coupled to a quantum transport formalism for the band‐to‐band tunneling underlying the Zener breakdown. These current–voltage curves are computed for varying density of mobile ions and subsequently used as local 1D coupling laws connecting the 2D electrodes in a quasi‐3D large‐area finite‐element simulation approach that then provides the module characteristics under consideration of spatial variation in active area quality related to mobile ion density. The simulation reveals the appearance of localized current hot spots for the case where the shaded cell is strongly reverse biased.

IntroductionTransportation use affects participation in daily activities, health and well-being. Persons with disabilities rely on paratransit services if they are not able to use public transport. The per-trip costs of paratransit services in Switzerland are high, and the responsibility for financing these trips (e.g., social insurance, canton) varies depending on the purpose of travel. We hypothesized that cost and financing factors of paratransit services increase dissatisfaction with participation in daily activities of persons with disabilities in Switzerland. The study's objective is to investigate which cost and financing factors affect dissatisfaction with participation in daily activities. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design, we conducted a self-administered online questionnaire. We included paratransit service users or relatives of paratransit service users aged 18 years or older. We analyzed the data using the multiple correspondence-, lasso- and regression analysis. ResultsA statistically significant effect on lower levels of dissatisfaction with participation in daily activities had high costs of paratransit services (Odds ratio (OR) = 3.45, 95% Confidence interval (CI) [1.41, 8.36]), not using paratransit services to leisure activities (OR = 2.39, 95% CI [1.28, 4.58]) and work (OR = 4.11, 95% CI [1.22, 20.89]), and getting trips financed to leisure activities by social insurances and benefits (OR = 3.06, 95% CI [1.08, 8.42]). ConclusionConcerning the influence of transportation on health and wellbeing, policy-makers and transportation planners may reflect on the effect of cost and financing factors of paratransit services on dissatisfaction with participation in daily activities of persons with disabilities. This is particularly important when the dissatisfaction stems from reduced use of paratransit services for leisure activities, due to high costs.