Travelling Distances,Modal Split and Transportation Energy in Thirty Residential Areas in Oslo

A study of the use of car and public transport among residents in 30 residential areas in Greater Oslo indicates that urban planning variables have a significant influence on the energy use per capita for local transport. Residents in local communities with a high density and a short distance to downtown Oslo travel considerably shorter distances and use considerably less energy per capita than those who live in low-density, outer areas. This is true also when the effects of other variables are neutralized. The influence of urban planning variables on the modal split is lower than on energy use. The distribution between public and private transport is influenced most of all by car ownership.     

瑞典四大湖中人类活动对鱼类多样性的影响

瑞典四大湖(维纳恩、韦特恩、梅拉伦和哈马伦湖)的鱼类资源极其丰富,分布有红点鲑、鲑、鳟、白鲑、河鲈、梭鲈,、白斑狗鱼和鳗鲡等经济物种.研究表明,筑坝、航运、富营养化和过度开发等所产生的物理、化学和生物因素会对湖中的经济物种产生影响,导致湖中原有物种资源的种类组成发生变化.由于近年来的人类活动的影响,上述湖泊中原有鱼类组成中的优势种群发生了变化,一些物种消失了,一些新的物种在湖中出现,其原因主要是富营养化、鳗鲡和龙虾丰度的改变以及过度捕捞.过度捕捞在某种情况下是大湖的渔业生产引起的--在一个捕食者和竞食者同时存在的环境中,如果食物资源非常充足,鲑科鱼类以及梭鲈等鱼类在生活史上会倾向于在性成熟状态下生长,但在常规可捕规格的选择性调控下,这些物种会因产卵群体太小而导致资源量急刷下降.     

Metal Interactions in carcinogenesis†

Mixed exposures to a number of metallic compounds may give rise to a carcinogenic response in humans.

An interaction between occupational exposure to arsenic and cigarette smoking has been documented epidemiologically. A multiplicative effect was indicated concerning the occurrence of lung cancer when both of the exposures were present. Several experimental studies have been reported in the literature concerning interactions between benzo(a)pyrene and Fe₂O₃ as well as some other metallic compounds like Ni₃S₂, PbO, MgO and TiO₂ in relation to respiratory carcinogenicity. There is also limited evidence of a positive interaction between arsenic trioxide and benzo(a)pyrene. Particles containing V and Ni were obtained from the flue gases of power plants burning heavy fuel oil. Such particles were not carcinogenic themselves but enhanced the carcinogenicity of benzo(a)pyrene even more efficiently than Fe₂O₃.

Increased dietary selenium intakes can decrease the carcinogenicity of several organic carcinogens in animals and dietary zinc can effectuate both enhancement and inhibition of carcinogenicity depending on dietary concentration.     

Photooxidation of diphenylmethane and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene as liquid film on water

The rate and product composition are analysed during photooxidation of diphenylmethane and tetralin (1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene) spread as liquid film on water. The data obtained from various reaction conditions (varying light, temperature, sensitizer and inhibitor) seem to conform the assumption that the photooxidation of these compounds is primarily initiated through a photoexcited hydrocarbon/oxygen collision complex.     

Atmospheric methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) at a rural mountain site in California

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) was measured in air samples collected at hourly intervals near Blodgett Forest Research Station on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, California, in July 1997, October 1998, and June through September 1999. Mixing ratios ranged from below the detection limit (< approximately 0.01 ppbv) to 0.5 ppbv, but were generally less than 0.3 ppbv. At these mixing ratios partitioning of MTBE into surface waters would lead to MTBE concentrations of less than 0.2 microg L(-1). As expected, MTBE mixing ratios were highly correlated with other anthropogenically emitted hydrocarbons. Based on the observed diurnal cycle of MTBE and its ratio to 2-methyl-butane (isopentane), we estimated the average regional daytime oxidant concentration to be (9 to 13) x 10(6) OH radicals per cubic centimeter, consistent with our earlier estimates for this region. Furthermore, MTBE ratios to toluene, another ubiquitous anthropogenic hydrocarbon, were generally consistent with regional transport and dilution, as well as atmospheric oxidation. Exceptions, pertaining to MTBE mixing ratios below or close to the detection limit, were associated with the influence of marine air masses that did not experience anthropogenic hydrocarbon input from California. With all these constraints in place, evidence for an additional atmospheric loss process, such as nonreversible deposition of MTBE, could not be established, and we conclude that any deposition is slow compared with removal from the atmosphere by the OH radical.     

The effect of an ergonomic intervention on musculoskeletal, psychosocial and visual strain of VDT entry work: organization and methodology of the international study.

This special issue of the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (JOSE) reports the results from an extensive multinational and multidisciplinary collaborative investigation of the impacts on visual display terminal (VDT) work of musculoskeletal, visual, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors. For brevity, this effort has been referred to as the MEPS project (musculoskeletal--eyestrain--psychosocial--stress). This paper lays out the basic methodological structure of the study. The study was conducted in 4 countries utilizing VDT data entry workers as the primary subject population. A battery of objective and subject assessment measures, including muscle load, visual function, physical and visual strain, postural, ergonomic and psychosocial factors, were assessed at 3 different points in time. A pre-test was given prior to an ergonomic intervention. Two post-tests were given 1 month and 1 year after the ergonomic intervention.     

The effect of an ergonomic intervention on musculoskeletal, psychosocial and visual strain of VDT data entry work: the Norwegian part of the international study.

The Norwegian MEPS (musculoskeletal--visual--psychosocial--stress) study included 3 groups: data entry, data dialogue (female) and data dialogue (male). Before intervention, the data entry group reported significantly more symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal illness and had longer periods in front of the video display terminal (VDT) without a break. The ergonomic intervention consisted mainly of ergonomic information and training. After intervention, the data dialogue female group reported a significant reduction in shoulder pain in parallel with a reduction in trapezius load. Increasing the understanding in how to adjust the work stand and chair may have been contributing factors to reducing the pain level. There was a significant reduction in eye problems in all groups; the greatest reduction in eye symptoms was seen in the groups who had new optometric corrections.     

Stress reactions in computerized administrative work

Ninety-five white-collar workers employed by an insurance company using visual display units (VDU) connected by telecommunication to a central computer filled in a questionnaire concerning psychosocial stressors in connection with work at the VDU. Eleven persons with extensive and ten with no work at VDUs were also studied during regular work, during breakdown of machinery, and in their leisure time. Self-reports on mood and alertness were recorded along with blood pressure, heart rate, and excretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Results indicate that (1) stress and mental strain occurred in association with delayed response times in the computer system and unpredicted interruptions of system operation, (2) such a temporary interruption caused an increase of blood pressure and adrenaline excretion, (3) complaints of stress and strain were repotted mainly by data-entry staff, (4) data-entry groups displayed a higher level of physiological arousal during post-work hours than a control group, and (5) that a majority of those who worked continuously at a VOU reported physical discomfort within 1.5 hours. It is concluded that stress and strain in computerized work may be counteracted at the technological and the organizational level: by reducing the duration and frequency of breakdowns, by reducing response times in the system, and by eliminating pure data-entry tasks.     

Electricity demand in a changing climate

Our interest is in electricity demand and the temperature aspects of climate change. Electricity consumption is of interest both from the perspectives of adaptation to climate change and emission reductions. We study the relationship between European electricity consumption and outdoor temperature and other variables, using a panel data set of 31 countries. Apart from providing a rare quantitative window into adaptation, the study contributes demand system parameters with respect to price and income. The results suggest that weather has a statistically significant effect on electricity demand, with effects that are of plausible magnitude. In a simulation of climate change for the next 100 years—other factors held constant—we find that the demand for heating will decrease in Northern Europe while the demand for cooling will increase in Southern Europe. In countries like Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain, and Turkey the net effect of increased cooling outweighs decreased heating consumption whereas in most of Europe the opposite holds. The largest estimated partial impact is 20%, which predicted increase in adaptive consumption for Turkey and decrease in adaptive consumption for Latvia. Estimated elasticities with respect to income and price are 0.8 and minus 0.2 respectively: plausible in the light of the literature. As a discussion item, we add that electricity consumption changes due to temperature change likely will be small compared to those due to other factors, such as changes in income, demography and technology. The study does not include effects of climate change other than through electricity consumption.