Electrical conductivity as a driver of biological and geological spatial heterogeneity in the Puquios, Salar de Llamara, Atacama Desert, Chile.

Reputed to be the driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert in the Central Andes of Northern Chile is an extreme environment with high UV radiation, wide temperature variation, and minimum precipitation. Scarce lagoons associated with salt flats (salars) in this desert are the surface expression of shallow groundwater; these ponds serve as refugia for life and often host microbial communities associated with evaporitic mineral deposition. Results based on multidisciplinary field campaigns and associated laboratory examination of samples collected from the Puquios of the Salar de Llamara in the Atacama Desert during austral summer provide unprecedented detail regarding the spatial heterogeneity of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of these salar environments. Four main lagoons ('Puquios') and more than 400 smaller ponds occur within an area less than 5 km2, and are characterized by high variability in electrical conductivity, benthic and planktonic biota, microbiota, lagoon bottom type, and style of mineral deposition. Results suggest that electrical conductivity is a driving force of system heterogeneity. Such spatial heterogeneity within the Puquios is likely to be expanded with temporal observations incorporating expected seasonal changes in electrical conductivity. The complexity of these Andean ecosystems may be key to their ability to persist in extreme environments at the edge of habitability.

[Research and practice requirements in gerontology--results of a pilot study]. / Forschungs- und Praxisbedürfnisse in der Gerontologie--Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie.

This report includes empirical findings of a questionnaire-based pilot study. A group of physicians in geriatric practice has been asked with respect to research requirements in social gerontology. The findings presents evidence for need for increase in scientific founded knowledge in specific spheres of perception. According to the recommendations of the explored subjects such themes as housing/relocation to old-age institutions, family, preparation for old age, activating/rehabilitation and so on should be taken up in research work. Our purpose is to stimulate both the discussion between different branches of knowledge on further development of gerontological investigation and the adequate realization of proportion of research to practice in GDR.

[Patients of advanced age from the viewpoint of dental and medical students]. / Patienten im höheren Lebensalter aus der Sicht von Stomatologie- und Medizinstudenten.

Medical students and students of dentistry was interviewed with regard to their opinions about old people and the value of the studies under the aspect of preparation for the medical care of old patients. From 1.006 students, 238 was random selected. The investigation was carried out with help of a questionnaire, contained 53 parameters. In the majority of students positive opinions about old peoples found. On the other hand defects in the education was demonstrated. Concluding proposals are given for the improvement of studies.

[The sociology of coping with disease--questions, prerequisites, research approach and general practice significance]. / Soziologie der Krankheitsbewältigung--Fragestellungen, Voraussetzungen, Forschungsansatz, Praxisbedeutung.

Coping is reflected on a social scientific view. Starting points: 1. the knowledge, that alone the kind and grade of disease not predistine the reactions, loads and quality of life of the patient and 2. the unknowledge about the fact, why patients "better" than other cope this critical living situation. Our position is, that social conditions and individual competences are important facts which determine the experience of chronic disease. The attention of sociological research is directed to a classical problem: What does social competences and social support mean for coping of disease? The article discuss theoretical foundations and it's empirical and practical transformation. It is a contribution of interdisciplinary cooperation between sociologists, psychologists and physicians to the problem of coping of chronical disease.

[8 years of the "University of the Veterans of Work" at the Humboldt University in Berlin--experience in offering education for the elderly]. / 8 Jahre "Universität der Veteranen der Arbeit" an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin--Erfahrungen mit einem Bildungsangebot für ältere Bürger.

The authors analyze the present situation and prospective demands for the learning process in old age, demonstrated by interviews of old age students of "Universität der Veteranen der Arbeit". It is given an answer to the question: is the conception and it's presentation in accordance with meaning of old age students. By 80% of probationers are the lectures one form of continued professional training. The students anticipate to develop their general education and also informations about problems of old age people. 90 probationers mean, that there is a positive effect on their private life, result from visit the lectures of the "Universtät der Veteranen der Arbeit". These results confirm the present form of this educational offer for old age people.

[The critical life event "admission to a retirement and nursing home" and the problem of self help]. / Das kritische Lebensereignis "Aufnahme in ein Feierabend- und Pflegeheim" und das Problem der Selbsthilfe.

By showing us the admission of seniors to a home for aged people the authors have given a topical example for the explanation that social self-help plays an important role for mastering this problematic situation. The for-life capability of the individual to manage the appearance of living-problems very consciously, the authors remark, represents the new quality of aged peoples self-help in socialism. They refer to the comprehensive possibilities for aged people to develop their personal active potencies and self confidence in a home for aged people. Individual unfolding that depends on the sociable conditions is mainly discussed in two parts of interrogation: What form and idea of aged people does the society have? How do the seniors think about the specific sociable function of homes for aged people? The direct importance of the individual conditions of self-help is emphasized by giving notes which refers to the age, sex, social status and state of health of the aged people in the homes for aged people of today.