Beeinflussung der Grundwasserqualität durch Frischbeton und Zementinjektionen

Influence of fresh concrete and cement injections on the groundwater quality. This contribution presents the state‐of‐the‐art concerning the leaching behaviour of fresh concrete. The used test setups are shown and the measured release is specified for different applications. At the end two simulation examples for the transport of pollutants in the groundwater are shown.     

Thermischer Komfort – die extraphysikalischen Aspekte

Extraphysical parameters of thermal comfort. Standards define thermal comfort as a function of physical and thermophysiological parameters. From investigations of building related symptoms it is well known that satisfaction with the indoor environment also interacts with extraphysical parameters. Thus, data of 1,497 office workers investigated in phase II of the ProKlimA study have been analysed by multiple logistic regression to find associations between thermal sensation or comfort and potential non‐environmental variables. The results show diverse effects: While thermal sensation seems almost independent from non‐environmental impacts, thermal comfort and satisfaction with the indoor temperature are significantly associated with building characteristics, demographic and job related variables. From these significant and partly strong interactions we conclude, in case of analyses and assessment of complaints about thermal discomfort relevant non environmental impact factors should be considered.     

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Introduction

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Production of hollow spheres (HS) and hollow sphere structures (HSS)

In our paper we focus on component materials, production and prospective applications of metallic hollow spheres. We give an insight into technology, production, and the hollow spheres' diversity. It is our aim to provide an overview of the technology and enable the reader to evaluate whether the hollow spheres technology meets their specific needs.     

Modeling the Mechanical Behavior of Lung Tissue at the Microlevel

This paper is concerned with the development of a computational model of pulmonary alveoli against the background of ventilator-induced lung injuries. In order to quantify mechanical stimulation of alveolar tissue during artificial respiration, a detailed constitutive model of alveolar septa and an approach to consider interfacial phenomena is needed. For that purpose, a polyconvex hyperelastic material model formerly developed for arteries is adopted for pulmonary alveoli. Information about tissue morphology is inherently integrated into the constitutive model, therefore, establishing a connection between structure and function of the different septal constituents. Structural and interfacial dynamics are directly coupled at the alveolar surface. In order to take into account the complex behavior of surface active agents covering alveoli, a constitutive model considering dynamical changes of surface energy is employed.     

Standard care quality determines treatment outcomes in control groups of HAART-adherence intervention studies: Implications for the interpretation and comparison of intervention effects.

Objective: Clinical trials of behavioral interventions seek to enhance evidence-based health care. However, in case the quality of standard care provided to control conditions varies between studies and affects outcomes, intervention effects cannot be directly interpreted or compared. The objective of the present study was to examine whether standard care quality (SCQ) could be reliably assessed, varies between studies of highly active antiretroviral HIV-adherence interventions, and is related to the proportion of patients achieving an undetectable viral load (“success rate”). Design: Databases were searched for relevant articles. Authors of selected studies retrospectively completed a checklist with standard care activities, which were coded to compute SCQ scores. The relationship between SCQ and the success rates was examined using meta-regression. Main Outcome Measures: Cronbach’s alpha, variability in SCQ, and relation between SCQ and success rate. Results: Reliability of the SCQ instrument was high (Cronbach’s alpha = .91). SCQ scores ranged from 3.7 to 27.8 (total range = 0–30) and were highly predictive of success rate (p = .002). Conclusions: Variation in SCQ provided to control groups may substantially influence effect sizes of behavior change interventions. Future trials should therefore assess and report SCQ, and meta-analyses should control for variability in SCQ, thereby producing more accurate estimates of the effectiveness of behavior change interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization of ageing behaviour of environmentally acceptable lubricants based on trimethylolpropane esters

Large amounts of lubricants having strong environmental effects are released into the environment. This has led to the development of so‐called ‘environmentally acceptable’ lubricants based on synthetic and/or native esters. The aquatic toxicity of these lubricants is low and they are readily biodegradable. However, the biodegradation rate can be reduced after application. The aim of this study is to understand the lower biodegradation rate and the processes occurring during application. The changes are quantified using elemental analyses, high performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector and mass spectrometer, as well as a combined screening method consisting of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The results of chemical analyses indicate that the main components are cracked, and double bonds of the main components are eliminated by oxidation causing polymerization effects. The intensity of these effects is dependent on the kind of use and the presence of additives. These modifications are responsible for the changes in the ecological and technical characteristics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.