德国志愿协议的作用

志愿协议(VAs)正在作为环境政策的一种新手段出现,因为它们有超过传统政策措施的优势.具体地说,它们是经济上效率更高的.德国工业界涉及众多工业协会、大概是世界上最昂贵的1996年志愿气候保护协议,是以到2005年显著削减CO2为目标的.这项志愿协议的实施是由一个独立机构按年度监测的.从全球来说,志愿协议应当与联合实施和排放交易相互联系,从而使国际气候保护政策更加灵活和成本有效.     

In vitro Screening von Pflanzenschutzmittel-Wirkstoffen auf östrogene Aktivität

Over the last years, the obviously increasing, hormone-dependent impairments observed in humans and animals, as well as the increased occurrence of hormone-dependent types of cancer, are sometimes associated with environmental chemicals which are suspected to imitate or block the effects of natural hormones. For a variety of environmental chemicals an endocrine efficacy could already be demonstrated. Little is known, however, about a possible hormonal activity of plant protection agents which are at present certificated in the Federal Republic of Germany. The aim of the present study was the in vitro testing of at least 57 active ingredients of pesticides and growth regulators certificated in the Federal Republic of Germany, for their possible estrogenic activity. The E-Screen-Assay based on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was used as the suitable test system. For at least 8 of the tested substances, an receptor-mediated estrogenic activity could be shown in vitro. With the exception of one substance, 7 active ingredients displayed a very weak affinity for the human estrogen receptor. Their ability to displace 17β-estradiol from the receptor was low. Only the herbicide Pendimethalin is to be classified as a full estrogen receptor agonist; it is able to displace 17β-estradiol almost completely from the receptor. Howeverm the estrogenic potency of Pendimethalin, in comparison to 17β-estradiol, was seen to be as small as the estrogenic potency of the other 7 substances tested positively in the E-Screen-Assay. Among this 7 substances, two could not be classified as estrogenically active anymore, because their affinity to the human estrogen receptor was too weak. The relevance of the available results for livng organisms should be clarified in further in vivo investigations.     

Leader‐signaled knowledge hiding: Effects on employees' job attitudes and empowerment

The authors introduce the concept of leader‐signaled knowledge hiding (LSKH) and conduct two studies observing what happens when leaders signal employees that knowledge hiding (KH) is practiced, tolerated, and expected. Social learning theory provides the basis for predicting that LSKH encourages subordinates to hide knowledge, even though they suffer from negative job attitudes in reaction. In Study 1, data measured at two time points (N = 1,162) shows that LSKH positively predicts KH among subordinates. The KH dimensions of evasive hiding and playing dumb (but not rationalized hiding) negatively relate to job satisfaction and positively affect turnover intentions. Study 2 (N = 1,169) replicates these results with cross‐sectional data. Moreover, Study 2 demonstrates that evasive hiding and playing dumb negatively affect empowerment, whereas rationalized hiding has a positive effect. Both studies reveal that subordinates will show less KH when they work under leaders who avoid LSKH and in turn have more job satisfaction, feel more empowered, and harbor fewer turnover intentions. The results in this study provide important practical implications for knowledge management activities.     

Measurement method for objective cyclist behavior parameters

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research is to study the feasibility of measuring behavioral indicators that reflect effects of infrastructure and interaction with other road users.

Methods: An observation study was performed using 6 cameras above a separated cycle path next to a road which included a crossing with both cyclists and cars. A learning method based on Single Shot MultiBox Detector was applied to automatically detect the cyclists, and cyclist tracks were determined. Next, kinematic parameters were calculated from the cyclists’ tracks. Amongst others, the cyclists’ intensity, speed, position on the cycle path, and the distance to each other were analyzed for a busy period as well as for a quiet period of the day.

Results: With the measurement method developed in this study it is possible to analyze the cyclists’ intensity, the space they use at the cycle path, their average velocity, waiting times, the space and velocity amongst each other, and red light negation. However, collisions were not seen in the dataset analyzed, and the data is not sufficiently accurate to analyze sudden braking actions.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the developed measurement method provides insight of the cyclists’ behavior in such a way that it can already be used for obtaining information to make changes to the infrastructure that will improve the comfort and safety of cyclists. The method could be further developed for doing qualitative comfort and safety analyses, and for doing analyses of the interaction between various types of road participants.     

Adaptation to climate change in the transport sector: a review of actions and actors

This paper identifies the literature that deals with adaptation to climate change in the transport sector. It presents a systematic review of the adaptations suggested in the literature. Although it is frequently claimed that this socially and economically important sector is particularly vulnerable to climate change, there is comparatively little research into its adaptation. The 63 sources we found are analysed following an action framework of adaptation. This distinguishes different adaptational functions and means of adaptation. By an open coding procedure, a total of 245 adaptations are found and classified. The paper shows a broad diversity of interdependent actors to be relevant—ranging from transportation providers to public and private actors and households. Crucial actors are hybrid in terms of being public or private. A substantial share of the identified adaptations follows a top-down adaptation policy pattern where a public or hybrid operator initiates action that affects private actors. Most of the exceptions from this pattern are technical or engineering measures. Identified adaptations mostly require institutional means, followed by technical means, and knowledge. Generally, knowledge on adapting transport to climate change is still in a stage of infancy. The existing literature either focuses on overly general adaptations, or on detailed technical measures. Further research is needed on the actual implementation of adaptation, and on more precise institutional instruments that fill the gap between too vague and too site-specific adaptations.     

Congruence of epicuticular hydrocarbons and tarsal secretions as a principle in beetles

Within beetles, those species that are adapted to life on plants have developed widened tarsi with specialised hairy attachment structures. The capability to adhere to smooth surfaces is based on a liquid film on the surface of these structures, the composition of which is similar to the cuticular lipids. By means of a cluster analysis based on chemical similarities between samples obtained from tarsi or elytra of 35 species using solid phase microextraction, the present study strongly suggests that this chemical congruence is a principle in beetles. This supports the idea of tarsal liquids being part of the cuticular lipid layer and contributes to the understanding of liquid-mediated attachment systems.     

Atmospheric Aerosols: Size Distribution Interpretation

The body of information presented in this paper is directed towards the scientist or engineer who measures and interprets the physical characteristics of ambient air. This paper interprets measurements made with the Minnesota Aerosol Analyzing System (MAAS) in Denver, near Denver, and near Ft. Collins, Colo., and examines the measurements in the light of what has been learned from several thousand size distributions measured in the other parts of the United States. The origin and physical change of atmospheric particulates is examined through interpretation of modes occurring in the size distributions. The mode coined “AHken Nuclei Range” mode is a measure of aerosol generation, while aged aerosols show up in the “Accumulation Range” mode. Windblown dusts, sea sprays, and mechanically produced particles such as fly ash generate a “Coarse Particle Range” mode. The air environment is categorized into several types of background and urban aerosols whose physical characteristics are described by a limited number of parameters. These categories are exemplified and discussed.