Modeling human-water-systems: towards a comprehensive and spatially distributed assessment of co-evolutions for river basins in Central Europe

In the context of river basin and flood risk management there is a growing need to improve the understanding of and the feedbacks between the driving forces “climate and socio-economy” and water systems. We make use of a variety of data resources to illustrate interrelationships between different constituents of the human-water-systems. Taking water storage for energy production as an example we present a first analysis on the co-evolution of socio-economic and hydrological indicators. The findings will serve as for the development of conceptual, but fully coupled socio-hydrological models for selected sectors and regions. These models will be used to generate integrated scenarios of the climate and socio-economic change

Effect of air filtration on house dust mite, cat and dog allergens and particulate matter in homes.

Background: Indoor allergens (i.e. from mite, cat and dog) are carried by airborne particulate matter. Thus, removal of particles would reduce allergen exposure. This work aims to assess the performance of air filtration on particulate matter and thus allergen removal in 22 bedrooms. Methods: Indoor air was sampled (with and without air filtration) with a cascade impactor and allergens were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Particulate matter (including ultrafine particles) was also monitored. Results: The median of allergen reduction was 75.2% for Der f 1 (p < 0.001, n = 20), 65.5% for Der p 1 (p = 0.066, n = 4), 76.6% for Fel d 1 (p < 0.01, n = 21) and 89.3% for Can f 1 (p < 0.01, n = 10). For size fractions, reductions were statistically significant for Der f 1 (all p < 0.001), Can f 1 (PM>10 and PM2.5–10, p < 0.01) and Fel d 1 (PM2.5–10, p < 0.01), but not for Der p 1 (all p > 0.05). PM was reduced in all fractions (p < 0.001). The allergens were found in all particle size fractions, higher mite allergens in the PM>10 and for pet allergens in the PM2.5–10. Conclusions: Air filtration was effective in removing mites, cat and dog allergens and also particulate matter from ambient indoor air, offering a fast and simple solution to mitigate allergen exposome

Studies on patients with atopic diseases at the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS).

Mountain climate therapy takes advantage of specific climatic conditions to treat chronic allergic diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate effects of a 5-day observation period on atopic diseases at the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS; Umweltforschungsstation). 18 patients with grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic ezcema or asthma and 11 non-allergic controls were included in this study. Skin physiology parameters, changes of the respiratory and nasal functions, subjective symptoms and blood parameters were measured during a 5-day observation period in the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus at the moderate altitude mountain region (Zugspitze; 2650 m alt.) compared to a low altitude area (Munich; 519 m alt.). Histamine induced itch decreased significantly. Several of the skin physiology parameters changed significantly during the observation period (decrease of skin hydration, increase of skin smoothness, skin roughness, skin scaliness and pH-value). In patients with atopic eczema, the SCORAD (Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis) and the scores of the DIELH (Deutsches Instrument zur Erfassung der Lebensqualität bei Hauterkrankungen) did not change significantly. Parameters of nasal function (rhinomanometry, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in nasal secretions) did not change significantly. The vital capacity (VC) decreased significantly, several other parameters of lung function (FEV1/VC, PEF, MEF 50, MMFEF 25/75) showed a slight, but statistically significant improvement. ECP (eosinophil cationic protein) and IL-33 in the serum and parameters of blood count changed significantly. In dependence on the atopic disease the benefit of a moderate altitude mountain climate sojourn over a period of 5 days differed – especially itching of the skin and asthma parameters improved. Assessing the parameters during a longer observation periods in alpine climate would be useful. The methodology used can serve as a suitable template for qualified studies on the effect of climate therapy

Influence of alpine mountain climate of Bavaria on patients with atopic diseases: Studies at the environmental research station Schneefernerhaus (UFS - Zugspitze) - a pilot study.

Mountain and maritime climate therapy takes advantage of specific climatic conditions to treat chronic allergic diseases. It was the aim of the study to investigate effects of a 5 day sojourn on atopic diseases at the highest German mountain. In this pilot study 18 patients with grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic ezcema or asthma and 11 non-allergic controls were included. Skin physiology parameters, changes of the respiratory and nasal functions, subjective symptoms and blood parameters were measured during a 5-day observation period in the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS) at the moderate altitude mountain region (Zugspitze; 2650 m alt.) compared to a low altitude area (Munich; 519 m alt.). Several of the skin physiology parameters changed significantly during the observation period (decrease of skin hydration, increase of skin smoothness, skin roughness, skin scaliness and pH-value). In patients with atopic eczema, the SCORAD (Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis) and the scores of the DIELH (Deutsches Instrument zur Erfassung der Lebensqualität bei Hauterkrankungen) did not change significantly. Histamine induced itch decreased significantly. Parameters of nasal function did not change significantly. Several lung parameters showed a slight, but statistically significant improvement (forced expiratory volume in one second/volume capacity [FEV1/VC], peak expiratory flow [PEF], maximum expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity [MEF 50], maximal mid-expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity [MMFEF 25/75]), whereas the vital capacity (VC) decreased significantly. ECP (eosinophil cationic protein) in the serum and parameters of blood count changed significantly. These results show that the benefit of a moderate altitude mountain climate sojourn over a period of 5 days differs in depending on the atopic disease. Especially asthma parameters and itching of the skin improved. It would be interesting to assess the parameters during longer observation periods in alpine climate