Measuring limitations in activities of daily living: a population-based validation of a short questionnaire

Purpose. A newly developed questionnaire assessing limitations in activity of daily living (LADL–Q) that should improve assessment of LADL is tested in a large population-based validation study. Methods. This survey was paper-based. Overall, 16,634 individuals who were representative of the working population in the German-speaking part of Switzerland participated in the study. Item analysis was used the final version of the LADL–Q to four items per subscale that correspond to potential problems in three body regions (back and neck, upper extremities, lower extremities). Analysis included tests for reliability, internal consistency, dimensionality and convergent validity. Results. Test–retest reliability coefficients after 2 weeks ranged from 0.82 to 0.99 (Mdn?=?0.87), with no item having a coefficient below 0.60. The median item-total coefficients ranged between moderate and good. Correlation coefficients between LADL–Q subscales and three validated clinical instruments (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index, shoulder pain disability index, Oswestry) ranged from 0.63 to 0.81. In structural equation modeling the three subscales were significantly related with two important outcomes in occupational rehabilitation: self-reported general health and daily task performance. Conclusion. The new LADL–Q is a brief, reliable and valid tool for assessment of LADL in studies on musculoskeletal health.     

Environmental impact propagated by cross-system subsidy: chronic stream pollution controls riparian spider populations

Resource subsidies between habitats are common and create the potential for the propagation of environmental impacts across system boundaries. However, recent understanding of the potential for subsidy-mediated cross-system impact propagations is limited and primarily based on passive flows of nutrients and detritus or short-term effects. Here, we assess the effects of sustained alterations in aquatic insect emergence (active subsidy pathway), due to chronic stream pollution, for riparian spiders. The sustained reduction in aquatic insect densities at the polluted reaches resulted in a marked decline in web spider population density and a shift in spider community composition. Our results provide the first evidence that stream pollution can control populations and community structure of terrestrial predators via sustained alterations in aquatic subsidies, emphasizing the role of subtle trophic linkages in the transmission of environmental impacts across ecosystem boundaries.     

Agroecosystems,nitrogen-use efficiency,and nitrogen management

The global challenge of meeting increased food demand and protecting environmental quality will be won or lost in cropping systems that produce maize, rice, and wheat. Achieving synchrony between N supply and crop demand without excess or deficiency is the key to optimizing trade-offs amongst yield, profit, and environmental protection in both large-scale systems in developed countries and small-scale systems in developing countries. Setting the research agenda and developing effective policies to meet this challenge requires quantitative understanding of current levels of N-use efficiency and losses in these systems, the biophysical controls on these factors, and the economic returns from adoption of improved management practices. Although advances in basic biology, ecology, and biogeochemistry can provide answers, the magnitude of the scientific challenge should not be underestimated because it becomes increasingly difficult to control the fate of N in cropping systems that must sustain yield increases on the world's limited supply of productive farm land.     

Molecular composition of leaves and stems of genetically modified Bt and near-isogenic non-Bt maize--characterization of lignin patterns

Transformation of crops, including maize (Zea mays L.), with the cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis to combat lepidopteran pests results in pleiotropic effects regarding lignin biosynthesis. Lignin patterns in stems and leaves of two genetically modified Bt-maize varieties (Novelis T and Valmont T) were studied along with their non-Bt near-isolines (Nobilis and Prelude, respectively). Molecular-level based thermochemolysis using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to quantitate the total lignin contents and to identify monomeric lignin subunits including p-hydroxyphenyl (P), guaiacyl (G), and syringyl (S) moieties. The results were supplemented and confirmed by cupric oxide oxidation. The stems of the transgenic lines had higher concentrations of total lignin than the respective isogenic lines: Valmont T/Prelude by 18% and Novelis T/Nobilis by 28%. In contrast, differences in the total lignin concentration of leaves between the transgenic and the respective near-isogenic lines were marginal. There were significant modifications in the ratio of p-hydroxyphenyl/guaiacyl/syringyl molecular marker units of stem lignin between transgenic and isogenic lines. The guaiacyl units (in particular the G18 marker) accounted chiefly for the higher total lignin contents in the transgenic lines. The leaf lignin patterns did not show significant differences in molecular markers between isogenic and transgenic lines. TMAH-induced thermochemolysis--conducted in both the on-line and off-line modes--provided detailed information on the molecular composition of lignin, thus proving superior to the established "wet chemistry" methods of lignin determination.     

The Draft of the New German Guideline VDI 3782/8 to Model Automobile Exhaust Dispersion

The draft of the German guideline to calculate automobile exhaust dispersion is explained. It contains a two-stage-system: For first quick estimates the guideline contains the simple models MLuS and STREET. In case these models are not applicable or their results shows concentration levels close to the air quality standards, the more complex models PROKAS_V and MISKAM are recommended. PROKAS_V is a Gaussian plume model, MISKAM is a 3-dimensional microscale non hydrostatic flow model for built-up areas with an Eulerian dispersion model. The guideline comprises cases in rural areas without or with few adjacent buildings as well as urban areas with buildings near the roads. The contribution gives information about the models, typical results and some of the problems showing up presently.     

Comparison of Numerical Street Dispersion Models with Results from Wind Tunnel and Field Measurements

Numerical dispersion models developed and validated in different European countries were applied to data sets from wind tunnel and field measurements. The comparison includes the Danish Operational Street Pollution Model (OSPM) and the microscale flow and dispersion model MISKAM. The latter is recommended for application in built-up areas in the draft of the new German guideline VDI 3782/8. In a first step the models were applied to simplified street configurations. Different parameters as length and height of adjacent buildings and the angle of the incoming flow were varied. The results were compared to recent wind tunnel measurements. In a second step the models were applied to two extensively investigated field data sets from Jagtvej, Copenhagen and G ttinger Straße, Hannover. Intensified and more transparent and accessible validation procedures would be helpful for the thorough user.     

Bewertungsverfahren Verfahren zur Bewertung von immissionsbedingten Stoffanreicherungen in standardisierten Graskulturen

Standardized grass cultures are routinely used to evaluate the accumulation of air pollutants. For the assessment of air pollutant accumulation in grass cultures, it is particularly important to distinguish between “normal” concentrations and the significantly increased accumulation caused by air pollution. This article presents a method to determine “normal” element concentrations (background levels) and define threshold values for the significantly elevated accumulation of pollutants for individual series of grass cultures. By applying the same method for the data from six regional air quality measuring programs, it was possible to derive universally applicable “normal” concentrations and threshold values for grass cultures. The described method is not limited to the evaluation of data from grass cultures but is also suitable for other biological or ecological data. It allows to distinguish between “normal” element concentrations and unusually high or low concentrations.     

?kologische, ?konomische und rechtliche umweltbewertung

Zusammenfassung  Der Artikel gibt einen überblick über eine Beitragsserie zum Thema Integrative Umweltbewertung. Es wird über die Genese sowie die inhaltliche und organisatorische Struktur eines Graduiertenkollegs berichtet, das in den Jahren 1996–2002 in zwei Phasen an der Universit?t Kiel eingerichter war. Insbesondere wird auf die zentralen Begriffe Integration, Umwelt und Bewertung eingegangen. Ein besonderes Augenmerk liegt zudem auf dem genannten Thema als Forschungs- und Lehrgegenstand sowie auf den Chancen und Barrieren für interdisziplin?re Kooperation und Kommunikation zwischen den Fachgruppen ?kosystemforschung, Rechtswissenschaften und Wirtschafts-/Sozialwissenschaften. Am Schluss dieses übersichtsbeitrages werden die Beitr?ge der Serie kurz vorgestellt. Online First 17.06.2002