Does Supervision in Multiday Travel Surveys Lead to Higher Quality? A Comparison of Two Independent Surveys

The aim of this paper is to analyze whether the level of supervision influences quality of response and results of multi-day surveys. For that reason, we compare a multi-day survey (seven consecutive days) with children and high level of supervision in Austria (UTS) with data of the same age group out of the Mobility Survey in the Greater Stuttgart Region (MOSt). The results show that supervision during the survey process has nearly no influence on fatigue effects. Nevertheless, the quality of answers in supervised surveys is be better in terms of reporting intermodality or trip stages

Does supervision in multi-day travel surveys lead to higher quality? A comparison of two independent surveys

The aim of this paper is to analyze whether the level of supervision influences quality of response and results of multi-day surveys. For that reason, we compare a multi-day survey (seven consecutive days) with children and high level of supervision in Austria (UTS) with data of the same age group out of the Mobility Survey in the Greater Stuttgart Region (MOSt). The results show that supervision during the survey process has nearly no influence on fatigue effects. Nevertheless, the quality of answers in supervised surveys is be better in terms of reporting intermodality or trip stages

Charakterisierung des Lebergewebes von Patienten mit zystischer Fibrose mithilfe von Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI)

In der vorliegenden Studie wurden 76 Patienten vom Neugeborenenalter bis zu Erwach-senen von 35 Jahren mit gesicherter Diagnose Mukoviszidose untersucht. Dabei stellen die Leberveränderungen neben den schwerwiegenden kardiorespiratorischen Komplika-tionen ein großes Problem dar. Trotz zahlreicher Bemühungen einer nicht-invasiven Beurteilung von Leberelastizität und Leberparenchymveränderungen mit Hilfe sonogra-phischer Methoden ist es bislang noch nicht gelungen, die Leberbiopsie und die an-schließende histologische Untersuchung als bisherigen Goldstandard abzulösen. Die Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI)-Elastographie ist eine neue, in ein herkömm-liches Ultraschallgerät integrierte Methode, die eine nicht-invasive Parenchymevaluie-rung ermöglichen soll. Im Rahmen dieser Studie sollte untersucht werden, ob mittels der ARFI-Technologie das Fibrosestadium der Patienten mit Mukoviszidose ermittelt werden kann und somit eine Verlaufsbeobachtung der Leberpathologie mithilfe eines quantitativen Zahlenwer-tes über Jahre möglich ist. Die Patienten wurden mithilfe des B-Bildsonographischen Punktesystems von Williams et al. in drei Gruppen eingeteilt - leicht-, mittel- und schwergradig betroffene Patienten. Der Median der an jedem Patienten durchgeführten Elastographie-Messungen wurde in die jeweilige Gruppe mitaufgenommen und daraus wiederum der Median jeder Gruppe 1-3 berechnet. Als Normwert für gesunde Patienten wurde ein Median von v=1,16 m/s benutzt. Der Median der Messungen in Gruppe 3 (v3=1,48 m/s) war signifikant größer als der Median der Gruppe 1 (v1=1,18 m/s). Der Median der Gruppe 2 (v2=1,3 m/s) war ebenfalls signifikant größer als der Median der Gruppe 1 (v1=1,18 m/s). Zwischen Gruppe 3 (v3=1,48 m/s) und Gruppe 2 (v2=1,3 m/s) fand sich ein veränderter Median, der allerdings nicht signifikant größer war. Als Schlussfolgerung können wir festhalten, dass die Elastographie vor allem im sehr frühen Stadium einer Leberfibrose beginnende Umbauprozesse erkennt, während für den Untersucher in der B-Bildsonographie noch keine Leberveränderungen zu sehen sind. Jedoch wurden in dieser Studie keine histologischen Korrelate entnommen, die jedoch notwendig sind, um ein genaues Staging der Fibrose durchführen zu können und somit korrelierende Werte zu bestimmen.In this clinical trial, 76 patients with cystic fibrosis were examined. Their age ranged between newborns and adults up to 35 years of age. Transformation of the liver and serious cardiorespiratory complications pose the main problems. Despite numerous ef-forts of a non-invasive assessment of liver elasticity and liver parenchyma transfor-mation by means of sonographic methods, liver biopsy followed by histological exami-nation still remains the gold standard to date. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography is a new method integrated into a conventional ultrasound (US) system that should enable a non-invasive assessment of the parenchyma. Aim of this study was to show the ability of ARFI technology to identify the fibrosis stage of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis and based on this to observe progress of liver pathology by quantitative evaluation. Based on a B-mode US system by Williams et al. patients were divided into 3 groups: slightly, moderately, and seriously affected patients. The median of elasticity measure-ments that were performed on each individual patient was determined and within each group 1–3 the median was evaluated. For healthy individuals, a median of v=1.16 m/s is the standard value. The median of measurements of group 1 was v1=1.18 m/s, of group 2 v2=1.3 m/s and group 3 v3=1.48 m/s. The difference of velocities of each group was mostly statistically significant, except the difference between group 3 and group 2. As a conclusion, ARFI elastography can identify modification processes in the early stages of cystic fibrosis which are not seen on B-mode sonography. Nevertheless, no histological correlates were taken in this study which are necessary in order to undertake staging of fibrosis and furthermore correlate velocities to histological stages

Time Use during Activities and Trips – Potentials for Analyzing Future Travel and Activity Behavior

We carried out a survey with students on time use during activities and trips with upcoming fully automated vehicles (AV). Compared to current time used in public transit, in AV more attention-demanding activities will be undertaken. Shorter trips lead to use the time with less attention-demanding activities. Time use differences originate in the current mode. Using time in the vehicle for activities, people save time outside it. This is mostly done to extend previously existing activities or to spend more time at home. However, around 15% of the students will perform new activities, which leads to an increase of travel demand

Progress towards continuous aqueous two-phase extraction via TAPPIR

At ICB II, we presented Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction (ATPE) as a non-chromatographic alternative for protein purification. We had developed an aqueous two-phase system with inexpensive and biocompatible PEG 1500 or 4000 and ammonium citrate. We purified several enzymes, more specifically a series of dehydrogenases [1], to near homogeneity after forward extraction into a PEG-heavy top phase at pH \u3e 9 and back extraction into a bottom phase at pH 4-6; in selected cases, we were able to obtain pure protein in the bottom phase without forward extraction into the top phase. Scale-up of the PEG 1500/4000-ammonium citrate to 5-10 L scale still often gave phase separation times of less than five minutes.[2] However, ATPE technology is characterized by complex phase separation and very limited number of separation stages not offering enough separation efficiency. Furthermore, conventional ATPE does not lend itself to continuous operation. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Herbivore-Induced Effects on Arctic Soil Carbon Storage

Permafrost degradation and organic matter decomposition in the terrestrial Arctic are strongly depending on soil temperature throughout the year. These temperatures are affected in numerous ways by activity of large herbivorous animals. We identified snow compaction and animal-induced vegetation changes as key elements. Therefore, we analysed soil parameters along transects following grazing intensity in both a permafrost environment (northeastern Siberia) and seasonally frozen ground (norther Finland). Parameters included TOC, C/N ratio, d13C, bulk density and radiocarbon age. While we observed a strong increase in soil carbon storage with high grazing intensity under permafrost conditions, this effect does not show in seasonally frozen ground. However, an obvious animal-induced change in both areas was a shift in vegetation composition and structure, following the grazing gradient. We conclude that material and water fluxes in seasonally frozen ground outweigh the animals’ effects, contrary to permafrost environments, but state that on permafrost, animals could help maintaining low soil temperatures and hence reduce organic material decomposition

Aktueller Ausbruch der Ebolavirus- Spezies „Sudan“ in Uganda

Im September 2022 wurde aus Uganda ein neuer Ausbruch, verursacht durch die „Sudan“-Spezies des Ebolavirus (SUDV) gemeldet. Wie das Epidemiologische Bulletin 43/2022 berichtet, wurden mit Stand vom 19.10.2022 bislang 64 bestätigte Fälle, darunter 25 Todesfälle, verzeichnet. Weitere 20 frühere Todesfälle gehören möglicherweise ebenfalls zu dem Ausbruch. Es wurden bereits weitreichende Maßnahmen ergriffen, um den Ausbruch unter Kontrolle zu bringen. Für SUDV gibt es bislang keine zugelassenen Impfstoffe oder Therapeutika. Experimentelle Impfstoffe sollen aber in Kürze zur Eindämmung des aktuellen Ausbruchs eingesetzt werden können. Das Risiko, dass sich Reisende aus Europa in Uganda infizieren, wird derzeit als sehr gering eingeschätzt. Ugandareisende werden jedoch gebeten, sich über entsprechende Reisehinweise zu informieren.Peer Reviewe

Aktueller Ebolafieber-Ausbruch in Uganda, hervorgerufen durch Ebolavirus-Spezies „Sudan“

Im September 2022 wurde aus Uganda ein neuer Ausbruch, verursacht durch die „Sudan“-Spezies des Ebolavirus (SUDV) gemeldet. Wie das Epidemiologische Bulletin 43/2022 berichtet, wurden mit Stand vom 19.10.2022 bislang 64 bestätigte Fälle, darunter 25 Todesfälle, verzeichnet. Weitere 20 frühere Todesfälle gehören möglicherweise ebenfalls zu dem Ausbruch. Es wurden bereits weitreichende Maßnahmen ergriffen, um den Ausbruch unter Kontrolle zu bringen. Für SUDV gibt es bislang keine zugelassenen Impfstoffe oder Therapeutika. Experimentelle Impfstoffe sollen aber in Kürze zur Eindämmung des aktuellen Ausbruchs eingesetzt werden können. Das Risiko, dass sich Reisende aus Europa in Uganda infizieren, wird derzeit als sehr gering eingeschätzt. Ugandareisende werden jedoch gebeten, sich über entsprechende Reisehinweise zu informieren.Peer Reviewe

Electric Vehicles with Range Extenders : Evaluating the Contribution to the Sustainable Development of Metropolitan Regions

Electric vehicles play a key role in strategic development plans of urban regions in Europe because they are seen as a promising technology to promote environmental quality, livability, and sustainability. Studies on electric mobility mostly concentrate on battery electric cars and disregard hybrid technologies which could address the weakness of range limitations. Therefore, this paper studies the impact of extended range electric vehicle (EREV) solutions on travel behavior, energy demand, environment, and overall sustainable development in the greater Stuttgart region in Germany. An integrated large-scale simulation approach merging different models is applied for future scenarios in 2025. The results show that with EREVs (1) most travel patterns can be fulfilled, (2) the impact on electricity generation is marginal, and (3) there is a high potential to reduce local emissions in areas with high traffic density. Overall, electric mobility is evaluated as one component toward sustainable development in the study area. This study demonstrates the complexity of the topic and highlights the importance of addressing this issue with a multidisciplinary approac

Commuting and Car Use: Car Park Regimentations as a Potential Lever

The Institute for Transport Studies, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria was commissioned by the provinces of Vienna, Lower Austria and the Burgenland to carry out an analysis, how the introduction of parking regimentations at work place is effecting the mobility behaviour of those concerned. Based on the results derived from telephone interviews in stated preference technique it can be verified, both the restriction of the number of places and the invention of obligatory parking pricing at company owned car parks is a powerful tool to support the policy goals of the city. In both cases, long term on street parking need to be restricted in parallel in order not to weaken the measure and to avoid an increase of car traffic caused by the search for vacant parking slots (more than 50% of the respondents could evade the measure in that way in the current situation)