Monitoring Traffic and Emissions by Floating Car Data

Intelligent traffic management is widely acknowledged as a means to optimise the utilisation of existing infrastructure capacities. A major requirement for intelligent traffic management is the collection of high quality data on traffic conditions in order to generate accurate real-time traffic information. The approach to be described here generates this information by a fleet of taxis equipped with GPS which act as Floating-Car-Data (FCD) provider for a number of metropolitan areas. The first part of this paper describes the methodology of setting up this data base. The information collected enables various applications such as real-time traffic monitoring, time-dynamic routing and fleet management. The second part of the paper proposes a framework for using these data additionally to include environmental effects into intelligent traffic management systems. To this end, a mapping between travel times and traffic flows is proposed. Some challenges related to the computation of emissions from velocity profiles are discussed. Equipped with these ingredients, an environmentally friendly intelligent traffic management might be in reach

Towards area-wide traffic monitoring-applications derived from probe vehicle data

Comprehensive, up-to-date traffic monitoring is the basis for mobility information and traffic management systems. However, conventional stationary traffic data measurements are hardly able to provide the necessary data for an area-wide monitoring and cannot deliver enough information for many traffic related services. Therefore an al-ternative approach using positioning data of commercial vehicle fleets for traffic monitoring issues has been established. This paper surveys differnt prototype applications based on this probe vehicle data. Continuous monitoring and information of traffic situation via the World Wide Web accomplished by jam detection and highlighting is the basic service. Further on, vehicle route guidance systems using current and historic data achieve superior performance. Such guidance systems have been tested as modules for dynamic navigation and fleet disposition system. Finally a method to derive digital road maps and street characteristics from positioning data is presented

Kulturtourismus im ländlichen Raum: Ergebnisse einer Besucher- und Einwohnerbefragung im Amtsbereich Lieberose / Oberspreewald (Brandenburg) im Corona-Jahr 2020

Dieser Bericht stellt die Ergebnisse einer Besucher- und Einwohnerbefragung vor, die im Zeitraum von August bis Oktober 2020 in der Lausitz / Brandenburg durchgeführt wurde. Das Ziel der Befragung bestand einerseits darin, ein besseres Verständnis zum Kulturtourismus in ländlichen Räumen zu entwickeln. Während Besucher in den Städten eher Formen der Hochkultur (Theater, Museen, Galerien) wahrnehmen, liegt das Augenmerk in ländlichen Räumen stärker auf der Populär- und Alltagskultur (Traditionen, Volksfeste, Kulturlandschaft, landwirtschaftliche und handwerkliche Produkte). Das südlich von Berlin in Brandenburg gelegene Untersuchungsgebiet erlebte im Corona-Jahr 2020 einen Besucheransturm. Trotz des zeitweiligen Lockdowns kam es insbesondere auf den Campingplätzen zu Rekordbesucherzahlen. Dabei reisten sowohl Besucher aus klassischen Quellgebieten wie Sachsen, Brandenburg und Berlin an, darüber hinaus aber auch Gäste aus den alten Bundesländern wie Bayern und Baden-Württemberg. Viele Touristen entdeckten 2020 dieses Gebiet zum ersten Mal. Typisch für die Besucher sind ein hoher bis sehr hoher Bildungsstand, qualifizierte Berufsabschlüsse sowie eine solide Einkommenssituation. Paare und Familien dominieren unter den Befragten. Die kulturellen Interessen der Besucher konzentrieren sich stark auf Restaurants/ Gastronomie, Stadt- und Dorfensemble, historische Stätten und Gebäude, Kulturerbestätten/-gebäude sowie Kulturrouten. Dieser Fokus der Besucher harmoniert recht gut mit den kulturellen Angeboten in der ländlichen Region. Die Mehrheit der Einwohner begrüßt den Tourismus im Gebiet. Die Anzahl der Besucher wird von den Einheimischen - selbst unter den Bedingungen einer hohen Auslastung 2020 - eher gelassen gesehen. Belästigungen durch Touristen empfinden nur 12%, eine Zunahme der Besucherzahl sehen nur 9% der Bewohner problematisch. Die meisten erwarten von einem ggf. verstärkten Tourismus in ihrer Gegend eher positive Effekte. Viele hoffen, dass sich dadurch kulturelle Angebote verbessern, alte Gebäude renoviert, Geh- und Radwege gebaut, Restaurants eröffnet werden sowie kleine Geschäfte überleben. Auch wird dem Tourismus tendenziell ein positiver Einfluss auf die Erhaltung lokaler Traditionen zugesprochen. Die Untersuchungen belegen auch, dass es im ländlichen Raum noch große ungenutzte kulturtouristische Potenziale gibt, die auf ihre Entfaltung warten. Dafür ist es notwendig, die Erfolgsfaktoren zu bestimmen und Strategien zu entwickeln. Auch nach dem Ende der Pandemie kann mit einer hohen Nachfrage im Binnentourismus zumindest in abgeschwächter Form gerechnet werden. Außerdem gibt es ein zunehmendes Bewusstsein für den Klimaschutz und die sich verstärkende individuelle Auseinandersetzung mit dem Phänomen "Massentourismus". Auch dadurch lässt sich die Abenteuerlust auf das "Exotische" in der Nähe erklären

Adult Osteosclerotic Metaphyseal Dysplasia With Progressive Osteonecrosis of the Jaws and Abnormal Bone Resorption Pattern Due to a LRRK1 Splice Site Mutation

Osteosclerotic metaphyseal dysplasia (OSMD) is a rare autosomal recessive sclerosing skeletal dysplasia. We report on a 34-year-old patient with sandwich vertebrae, platyspondyly, osteosclerosis of the tubular bones, pathologic fractures, and anemia. In the third decade, he developed osteonecrosis of the jaws, which was progressive in spite of repeated surgical treatment over a period of 11 years. An iliac crest bone biopsy revealed the presence of hypermineralized cartilage remnants, large multinucleated osteoclasts with abnormal morphology, and inadequate bone resorption typical for osteoclast-rich osteopetrosis. After exclusion of mutations in TCIRG1 and CLCN7 we performed trio-based exome sequencing. The novel homozygous splice-site mutation c.261G>A in the gene LRRK1 was found and co-segregated with the phenotype in the family. cDNA sequencing showed nearly complete skipping of exon 3 leading to a frameshift (p.Ala34Profs*33). Osteoclasts differentiated from the patient's peripheral blood monocytes were extremely large. Instead of resorption pits these cells were only capable of superficial erosion. Phosphorylation of L-plastin at position Ser5 was strongly reduced in patient-derived osteoclasts showing a loss of function of the mutated LRRK1 kinase protein. Our analysis indicates a strong overlap of LRRK1-related OSMD with other forms of intermediate osteopetrosis, but an exceptional abnormality of osteoclast resorption. Like in other osteoclast pathologies an increased risk for progressive osteonecrosis of the jaws should be considered in OSMD, an intermediate form of osteopetrosis

The price of tumor control

Ipilimumab, a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) blocking antibody, has been approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and induces adverse events (AE) in up to 64% of patients. Treatment algorithms for the management of common ipilimumab-induced AEs have lead to a reduction of morbidity, e.g. due to bowel perforations. However, the spectrum of less common AEs is expanding as ipilimumab is increasingly applied. Stringent recognition and management of AEs will reduce drug-induced morbidity and costs, and thus, positively impact the cost-benefit ratio of the drug. To facilitate timely identification and adequate management data on rare AEs were analyzed at 19 skin cancer centers. Patient files (n = 752) were screened for rare ipilimumab-associated AEs. A total of 120 AEs, some of which were life-threatening or even fatal, were reported and summarized by organ system describing the most instructive cases in detail. Previously unreported AEs like drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), granulomatous inflammation of the central nervous system, and aseptic meningitis, were documented. Obstacles included patientś delay in reporting symptoms and the differentiation of steroid-induced from ipilimumab-induced AEs under steroid treatment. Importantly, response rate was high in this patient population with tumor regression in 30.9% and a tumor control rate of 61.8% in stage IV melanoma patients despite the fact that some patients received only two of four recommended ipilimumab infusions. This suggests that ipilimumab-induced antitumor responses can have an early onset and that severe autoimmune reactions may reflect overtreatment. The wide spectrum of ipilimumab-induced AEs demands doctor and patient awareness to reduce morbidity and treatment costs and true ipilimumab success is dictated by both objective tumor responses and controlling severe side effects

The spinal cord injury-induced immune deficiency syndrome: results of the SCIentinel study

Infections are prevalent after spinal cord injury (SCI), constitute the main cause of death and are a rehabilitation confounder associated with impaired recovery. We hypothesize that SCI causes an acquired lesion-dependent (neurogenic) immune suppression as an underlying mechanism to facilitate infections. The international prospective multicentre cohort study (SCIentinel; protocol registration DRKS00000122; n = 111 patients) was designed to distinguish neurogenic from general trauma-related effects on the immune system. Therefore, SCI patient groups differing by neurological level, i.e. high SCI [thoracic (Th)4 or higher]; low SCI (Th5 or lower) and severity (complete SCI; incomplete SCI), were compared with a reference group of vertebral fracture (VF) patients without SCI. The primary outcome was quantitative monocytic Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR expression (mHLA-DR, synonym MHC II), a validated marker for immune suppression in critically ill patients associated with infection susceptibility. mHLA-DR was assessed from Day 1 to 10 weeks after injury by applying standardized flow cytometry procedures. Secondary outcomes were leucocyte subpopulation counts, serum immunoglobulin levels and clinically defined infections. Linear mixed models with multiple imputation were applied to evaluate group differences of logarithmic-transformed parameters. Mean quantitative mHLA-DR [ln (antibodies/cell)] levels at the primary end point 84 h after injury indicated an immune suppressive state below the normative values of 9.62 in all groups, which further differed in its dimension by neurological level: high SCI [8.95 (98.3% confidence interval, CI: 8.63; 9.26), n = 41], low SCI [9.05 (98.3% CI: 8.73; 9.36), n = 29], and VF without SCI [9.25 (98.3% CI: 8.97; 9.53), n = 41, P = 0.003]. Post hoc analysis accounting for SCI severity revealed the strongest mHLA-DR decrease [8.79 (95% CI: 8.50; 9.08)] in the complete, high SCI group, further demonstrating delayed mHLA-DR recovery [9.08 (95% CI: 8.82; 9.38)] and showing a difference from the VF controls of -0.43 (95% CI: -0.66; -0.20) at 14 days. Complete, high SCI patients also revealed constantly lower serum immunoglobulin G [-0.27 (95% CI: -0.45; -0.10)] and immunoglobulin A [-0.25 (95% CI: -0.49; -0.01)] levels [ln (g/l × 1000)] up to 10 weeks after injury. Low mHLA-DR levels in the range of borderline immunoparalysis (below 9.21) were positively associated with the occurrence and earlier onset of infections, which is consistent with results from studies on stroke or major surgery. Spinal cord injured patients can acquire a secondary, neurogenic immune deficiency syndrome characterized by reduced mHLA-DR expression and relative hypogammaglobulinaemia (combined cellular and humoral immune deficiency). mHLA-DR expression provides a basis to stratify infection-risk in patients with SCI

The price of tumor control: an analysis of rare side effects of anti-CTLA-4 therapy in metastatic melanoma from the ipilimumab network

Background: Ipilimumab, a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) blocking antibody, has been approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and induces adverse events (AE) in up to 64% of patients. Treatment algorithms for the management of common ipilimumab-induced AEs have lead to a reduction of morbidity, e.g. due to bowel perforations. However, the spectrum of less common AEs is expanding as ipilimumab is increasingly applied. Stringent recognition and management of AEs will reduce drug-induced morbidity and costs, and thus, positively impact the cost-benefit ratio of the drug. To facilitate timely identification and adequate management data on rare AEs were analyzed at 19 skin cancer centers. Methods and Findings: Patient files (n = 752) were screened for rare ipilimumab-associated AEs. A total of 120 AEs, some of which were life-threatening or even fatal, were reported and summarized by organ system describing the most instructive cases in detail. Previously unreported AEs like drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), granulomatous inflammation of the central nervous system, and aseptic meningitis, were documented. Obstacles included patientś delay in reporting symptoms and the differentiation of steroid-induced from ipilimumab-induced AEs under steroid treatment. Importantly, response rate was high in this patient population with tumor regression in 30.9% and a tumor control rate of 61.8% in stage IV melanoma patients despite the fact that some patients received only two of four recommended ipilimumab infusions. This suggests that ipilimumab-induced antitumor responses can have an early onset and that severe autoimmune reactions may reflect overtreatment. Conclusion: The wide spectrum of ipilimumab-induced AEs demands doctor and patient awareness to reduce morbidity and treatment costs and true ipilimumab success is dictated by both objective tumor responses and controlling severe side effects

Reconciliation of essential process parameters for an enhanced predictability of Arctic stratospheric ozone loss and its climate interactions

Significant reductions in stratospheric ozone occur inside the polar vortices each spring when chlorine radicals produced by heterogeneous reactions on cold particle surfaces in winter destroy ozone mainly in two catalytic cycles, the ClO dimer cycle and the ClO/BrO cycle. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are responsible for most of the chlorine currently present in the stratosphere, have been banned by the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, and the ozone layer is predicted to recover to 1980 levels within the next few decades. During the same period, however, climate change is expected to alter the temperature, circulation patterns and chemical composition in the stratosphere, and possible geo-engineering ventures to mitigate climate change may lead to additional changes. To realistically predict the response of the ozone layer to such influences requires the correct representation of all relevant processes. The European project RECONCILE has comprehensively addressed remaining questions in the context of polar ozone depletion, with the objective to quantify the rates of some of the most relevant, yet still uncertain physical and chemical processes. To this end RECONCILE used a broad approach of laboratory experiments, two field missions in the Arctic winter 2009/10 employing the high altitude research aircraft M55-Geophysica and an extensive match ozone sonde campaign, as well as microphysical and chemical transport modelling and data assimilation. Some of the main outcomes of RECONCILE are as follows: (1) vortex meteorology: the 2009/10 Arctic winter was unusually cold at stratospheric levels during the six-week period from mid-December 2009 until the end of January 2010, with reduced transport and mixing across the polar vortex edge; polar vortex stability and how it is influenced by dynamic processes in the troposphere has led to unprecedented, synoptic-scale stratospheric regions with temperatures below the frost point; in these regions stratospheric ice clouds have been observed, extending over >106km2 during more than 3 weeks. (2) Particle microphysics: heterogeneous nucleation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles in the absence of ice has been unambiguously demonstrated; conversely, the synoptic scale ice clouds also appear to nucleate heterogeneously; a variety of possible heterogeneous nuclei has been characterised by chemical analysis of the non-volatile fraction of the background aerosol; substantial formation of solid particles and denitrification via their sedimentation has been observed and model parameterizations have been improved. (3) Chemistry: strong evidence has been found for significant chlorine activation not only on polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) but also on cold binary aerosol; laboratory experiments and field data on the ClOOCl photolysis rate and other kinetic parameters have been shown to be consistent with an adequate degree of certainty; no evidence has been found that would support the existence of yet unknown chemical mechanisms making a significant contribution to polar ozone loss. (4) Global modelling: results from process studies have been implemented in a prognostic chemistry climate model (CCM); simulations with improved parameterisations of processes relevant for polar ozone depletion are evaluated against satellite data and other long term records using data assimilation and detrended fluctuation analysis. Finally, measurements and process studies within RECONCILE were also applied to the winter 2010/11, when special meteorological conditions led to the highest chemical ozone loss ever observed in the Arctic. In addition to quantifying the 2010/11 ozone loss and to understand its causes including possible connections to climate change, its impacts were addressed, such as changes in surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the densely populated northern mid-latitudes

Remote sensing of geomorphodiversity linked to biodiversity — part III: traits, processes and remote sensing characteristics

Remote sensing (RS) enables a cost-effective, extensive, continuous and standardized monitoring of traits and trait variations of geomorphology and its processes, from the local to the continental scale. To implement and better understand RS techniques and the spectral indicators derived from them in the monitoring of geomorphology, this paper presents a new perspective for the definition and recording of five characteristics of geomorphodiversity with RS, namely: geomorphic genesis diversity, geomorphic trait diversity, geomorphic structural diversity, geomorphic taxonomic diversity, and geomorphic functional diversity. In this respect, geomorphic trait diversity is the cornerstone and is essential for recording the other four characteristics using RS technologies. All five characteristics are discussed in detail in this paper and reinforced with numerous examples from various RS technologies. Methods for classifying the five characteristics of geomorphodiversity using RS, as well as the constraints of monitoring the diversity of geomorphology using RS, are discussed. RS-aided techniques that can be used for monitoring geomorphodiversity in regimes with changing land-use intensity are presented. Further, new approaches of geomorphic traits that enable the monitoring of geomorphodiversity through the valorisation of RS data from multiple missions are discussed as well as the ecosystem integrity approach. Likewise, the approach of monitoring the five characteristics of geomorphodiversity recording with RS is discussed, as are existing approaches for recording spectral geomorhic traits/ trait variation approach and indicators, along with approaches for assessing geomorphodiversity. It is shown that there is no comparable approach with which to define and record the five characteristics of geomorphodiversity using only RS data in the literature. Finally, the importance of the digitization process and the use of data science for research in the field of geomorphology in the 21st century is elucidated and discussed