Diffusion scrubber technique used for measurements of atmospheric ammonia

A diffusion scrubber (DS) was developed to measure trace levels of gaseous ammonia in ambient air. The sampling resolution time for this method is 10 min and the detection limit is estimated to be 0.01 ppbv. The response to the NI-I₃ concentrations is found to be dependent on the relative humidity in the ambient air and the temperature. The method is calibrated by using a diluted NH₃ cylinder gas, and the concentrations of the calibration gas were in the range 0.02–2 ppbv during the test. Sampling performed with the DS-method is compared to sampling performed by a filter pack and a continuous flow denuder (AMANDA). The DS-method shows good agreement with the continuous flow denuder and the filter pack.     

Risk factors for long‐term post‐traumatic stress disorder among medical rescue workers appointed to the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake response in China

This study aims to determine the risk factors for clinically‐significant post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Chinese medical rescue workers one year after the response to the Wenchuan earthquake on 12 May 2008. A sample of 337 medical workers who performed response work within the first three months of the event completed an online questionnaire, which included information on demographics, social support, the management and organisation of the disaster response, and an assessment of PTSD. Symptoms consistent with PTSD were prevalent in 17 per cent of the rescue workers. Those who developed PTSD symptoms were more likely to have been injured, experienced a water shortage, been disconnected from family and friends during the response, and have passive coping styles and neurotic personalities. Factors that cannot be changed easily, such as personality traits, should be evaluated prior to deployment to ensure that rescue workers at higher risk of PTSD are provided with adequate support before and during deployment.     

Fetal fibrochondrogenesis at 26 weeks' gestation

An Erratum has been published for this article in Prenatal Diagnosis 22(13) 2002, 1241. Fibrochondrogenesis is a rare and lethal osteochondrodysplasia with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We report a male fetus in which the diagnosis of lethal osteochondrodysplasia was suspected on prenatal ultrasound and radiological examinations during the second trimester of pregnancy. After termination of pregnancy, fibrochondrogenesis was diagnosed by radiological examination and histological study of fetal bones. Interwoven fibrous septa and fibroblastic degeneration of chondrocytes are pathognomonic. The recurrence rate is 25% and accurate diagnosis is necessary to enable genetic counselling. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interactive environmental planning: creating utopias and storylines within a mobilities planning project

This article presents a research project on mobility management in Danish municipalities aimed at creating more sustainable mobilities. The project, called Formula M (2011–2014), worked within sciences, public and private sectors, and civil society. Often contemporary projects in both planning and designing sustainable mobilities fall short when it comes to changing praxis to limit CO₂ emissions, where they just concentrate on technocratic elements. They often neglect the ‘why’ and ‘for what’ which is needed in order to drive such change. In the Formula M project, focus has been on supporting the planners involved in the project on their ‘why’ and ‘for what’. Based on a theoretical understanding of relational and collaborative planning the article contributes to an understanding of which approaches and methods can be used to facilitate the relationships and dialogues between many actors. Methodologically, this has been sought through a specific focus on the role of utopias as a tool for storytelling.     

Estimating residential air pollution exposure among citizens in Oslo 1974-1998 using a geographical information system

Annual concentration fields of SO2 and NOx for the period 1974-1998 are calculated for a 22 x 18 km2-grid in Oslo. In a study of lung cancer and air pollution in Oslo, 16209 men living in Oslo have been followed from 1972/73 to 1998. This paper presents a method for estimating their annual residential air pollution exposure for SO2 and NOx. In the exposure assessment the National Population Register provided information on home addresses. Each participant was given an annual average air pollutant concentration outdoors of the address he lived the largest part of that year. Persons living close to streets with high traffic were given an additional concentration, and persons who moved outside Oslo were given a region value for each year. Due to regulations of the sulfur content in fuel oil and a general change of local heating systems to electricity or distant heating, the SO2-concentrations in Central Oslo were reduced during the period from about 60 microg m(-3) in 1974-75 to about 4 microg m(-3) in 1997-98. Due to the increasing traffic the NOx-concentrations have increased slowly, from about 40 microg m(-3) in 1974-84 to about 60 microg m(-3) in 1989. After the introduction of catalyst cars the concentrations were reduced to about 45 microg m(-3) in 1997-98.     

Einige Erinnerungen an das Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut für Chemie in Berlin-Dahlem

The Science of Nature -     

Catchment–coastal zone interaction based upon scenario and model analysis: Elbe and the German Bight case study

This paper presents a holistic strategy on the interaction of activities in the Elbe river basin and their effects on eutrophication in the coastal waters of the German Bight. This catchment–coastal zone interaction is the main target of the EUROCAT (EUROpean CATchments, catchment changes and their impact on the coast) research project, with the Elbe being one of eight case studies. The definition of socio-economic scenarios is linked with the application of models to evaluate measures in the catchment by estimation of nutrient emissions with MONERIS (MOdelling Nutrient Emissions in RIver Systems), and their effects on coastal waters with the ecosystem model ERSEM (European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model). The cost effectiveness of reduction measures will then be evaluated by application of the CENER model (Cost-Effective Nutrient Emission Reduction) and a multi-criteria analysis. Finally, the interpretation of ecological integrity is used as a measure to describe ecological impacts in an aggregated form.