Improved Methods and Metrics for Assessing Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation

Over the course of the MEDIATION project, Work Package 2 was tasked with "develop[ing] and apply[ing] a toolbox, defined as a set of models, methods, and metrics for the assessment of impacts and vulnerability and adaptation options." As highlighted in Deliverable 2.2, many frameworks and methods for assessing adaptation have been developed over the last 20 years, yet these often have not been adopted in the context of formal adaptation policies in Europe and elsewhere. Reasons and problems include: (i) a fragmentation of methods and tools, (ii) a lack of linkages to actual policy needs, (iii) a lack of understanding and communication of uncertainties, (iv) the often expert-based nature and complexity of methods used versus actual user demands, and (v) a lack of consistent data, definitions and metrics. Deliverable 2.2 put forward a rough prototype for a toolbox of methods for studying impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation. In this deliverable, we discuss subsequent work on the MEDIATION toolbox, and report on application and testing of the improved methods and metrics in selected key European sectors and regions. We present feedback and improvement to methods and metrics based on input from case studies, stakeholders, and focus groups, as well as an overview of case study work and contribution to an improved MEDIATION toolbox. This input resulted in a number of conclusions relating to the development and use of methods and metrics, reducing uncertainty in CCIAV, and led to a number of changes, including the creation of a novel typology for classifying methods and models relating to CCIAV analysis. We provide an overview of the new typology, as well as the final toolbox, and summarize case study contributions towards improved methods and metrics

Optical and transport properties of short period InAs/GaAs superlattices near quantum dot formation

We have investigated the optical and transport properties of MBE grown short-period superlattices of InAs/GaAs with different numbers of periods (3 <= N <= 24) and a total thickness 14 nm. Bandstructure calculations show that these superlattices represent a quantum well with average composition In_0.16Ga_0.84As. The electron wave functions are only slightly modulated by the superlattice potential as compared to a single quantum well with the same composition, which was grown as a reference sample. The photoluminescence, the resistance, the Shubnikov-de Haas effect and the Hall effect have been measured as a function of the InAs layer thickness Q in the range 0.33 <= Q <= 2.7 monolayers (ML). The electron densities range from 6.8 to 11.5x10^11 cm^-2 for Q <= 2.0 ML. The photoluminescence and magnetotransport data show that only one subband is occupied. When Q >= 2.7 ML quantum dots are formed and the metallic type of conductivity changes to variable range hopping conductivity.Comment: 15 pages (incl.7 figures); pdf file; submitted to Semicond. Sci. Techno

On the K^+D Interaction at Low Energies

The Kd reactions are considered in the impulse approximation with NN final-state interactions (NN FSI) taken into account. The realistic parameters for the KN phase shifts are used. The "quasi-elastic" energy region, in which the elementary KN interaction is predominantly elastic, is considered. The theoretical predictions are compared with the data on the K^+d->K^+pn, K^+d->K^0pp, K^+d->K^+d and K^+d total cross sections. The NN FSI effect in the reaction K^+d->K^+pn has been found to be large. The predictions for the Kd cross sections are also given for slow kaons, produced from phi(1020) decays, as the functions of the isoscalar KN scattering length a_0. These predictions can be used to extract the value of a_0 from the data.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figure

Triple GEM Tracking Detectors for the BM@N Experiment

BM@N (Baryonic Matter at the Nuclotron) is the fixed target experiment aimed to study nuclear matter in the relativistic heavy ion collisions at the Nuclotron accelerator in JINR. The BM@N tracking system is based on Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) detectors, mounted inside the BM@N analyzing magnet. The structure of the GEM detectors and the results of study of their characteristics are presented. The GEM detectors are integrated into the BM@N experimental setup and data acquisition system. The results of the first test of the GEM tracking system in the technical run with the deuteron beam are shortly reviewed

A regional nuclear conflict would compromise global food security

A limited nuclear war between India and Pakistan could ignite fires large enough to emit more than 5 Tg of soot into the stratosphere. Climate model simulations have shown severe resulting climate perturbations with declines in global mean temperature by 1.8 °C and precipitation by 8%, for at least 5 y. Here we evaluate impacts for the global food system. Six harmonized state-of-the-art crop models show that global caloric production from maize, wheat, rice, and soybean falls by 13 (±1)%, 11 (±8)%, 3 (±5)%, and 17 (±2)% over 5 y. Total single-year losses of 12 (±4)% quadruple the largest observed historical anomaly and exceed impacts caused by historic droughts and volcanic eruptions. Colder temperatures drive losses more than changes in precipitation and solar radiation, leading to strongest impacts in temperate regions poleward of 30°N, including the United States, Europe, and China for 10 to 15 y. Integrated food trade network analyses show that domestic reserves and global trade can largely buffer the production anomaly in the first year. Persistent multiyear losses, however, would constrain domestic food availability and propagate to the Global South, especially to food-insecure countries. By year 5, maize and wheat availability would decrease by 13% globally and by more than 20% in 71 countries with a cumulative population of 1.3 billion people. In view of increasing instability in South Asia, this study shows that a regional conflict using <1% of the worldwide nuclear arsenal could have adverse consequences for global food security unmatched in modern history

Brazil’s Cattle Sector Amidst Climate Transitions

Even in a world that limits global warming to below 2°C, government, consumer, and private sector responses to climate change, known as “climate transitions”, will materially change the financial future of the Brazilian cattle sector. Analysis of Brazil’s cattle sector shows that the risks posed by maintaining current production practices and business models are material for investors, producers and the sector’s entire value chain. Yet climate transitions also open significant new opportunities for producers and investors who stand to benefit from a projected 88 percent increase in agricultural investment by 2050

Brazil’s Soy Sector Amidst Climate Transitions

Even in a world that limits global warming to below 2° C, government, consumer, and private sector responses to climate change, known as “climate transitions”, will materially change the financial future of the Brazilian soy sector. Soy stakeholders that invest in improving the sustainability and efficiency of their operations, reducing the emission intensity of production, exploring emerging market segments and diversifying revenue streams could see significant opportunities emerge as climate transitions benefit this commodity’s outlook

Динамика маркеров стресс-реакции при эмболизации маточных артерий

Aim. To estimate immunobiochemical markers of the stress response during uterine artery embolization (UAE), and to assess the connection of the endocrine and immune response with pain severity Materials and мethods: 62 patients (ages 31 to 56) with a diagnosis of multiple symptomatic uterine body fibroids were made EMA, and analgesia was achieved by intravenous injection of narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics. Immunobiochemical profile of the stress reaction was investigated (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα, IL-4, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, blood glucose) at four (I ONLY SEE 3-SMT) time points (baseline at 2 hours after occlusion of the uterine arteries, and 24 and 48 hours after surgery). Pain syndrome was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) by means of hemodynamic profile.Results. The occlusion of the uterine arteries and ischemia myoma nodes lead to the development of the stress response, as anincrease in the serum concentration of pro-inflammatory (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines, CRP, stress hormones (ACTH, cortisol) levels of glucose was observed. Pain of various intensity was recorded in all cases, and 18% of patients experienced marked pain (7 to 10 points on the VAS).Conclusion. The maximum increase in immunobiochemical stress markers coincides with the highest manifestations of pain. The necessity of optimization methods of analgesia when performing EMA with the use of immunobiochemical stress markers as a control reaction taking into account hemodynamic profile and VAS data was observed.Цель исследования. Оценка иммунобиохимических маркеров стресс-реакции при эмболизации маточных артерий (ЭМА), оценка связи выраженности эндокринного и иммунного ответа с выраженностью болевого синдрома.Материал и методы. Пациенткам (n = 62) в возрасте 31–56 лет с диагнозом «симптомная множественная миома тела матки» выполнена ЭМА, анальгезия достигалась внутривенным введением наркотических и ненаркотических анальгетиков. Исследован иммунобиохимический профиль стресс-реакции (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα, IL-4, IL-10, С-реактивный протеин (CRP), адренокортикотропный гормон (АКТГ), кортизол, глюкоза крови) в динамике, на четырех точках контроля (исходный уровень, через 2 ч после окклюзии маточных артерий, через 24 и 48 ч после операции). Болевой синдром оценивался по визуально-аналоговой шкале (ВАШ), с помощью гемодинамического профиля.Результаты. Окклюзия маточных артерий и ишемия в миоматозных узлах ведет к развитию стресс-реакции: увеличение концентрации в сыворотке крови провоспалительных (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα) и противовоспалительных (IL-4, IL-10) цитокинов, CRP, гормонов стресса (АКТГ, кортизола), уровня гликемии. Болевой синдром разной степени интенсивности регистрируется в 100% случаев, 18% пациенток испытывали выраженные болевые ощущения (7–10 баллов по ВАШ).Заключение. Максимальный прирост иммунобиохимических маркеров стресса совпадает по времени с максимальными проявлениями болевого синдрома. Выявлена необходимость оптимизации методов анальгезии при выполнении ЭМА с использованием в качестве контроля иммунобиохимических маркеров стресс-реакции, учитывая гемодинамический профиль и данные ВАШ

Production of {\pi}+ and K+ mesons in argon-nucleus interactions at 3.2 AGeV

First physics results of the BM@N experiment at the Nuclotron/NICA complex are presented on {\pi}+ and K+ meson production in interactions of an argon beam with fixed targets of C, Al, Cu, Sn and Pb at 3.2 AGeV. Transverse momentum distributions, rapidity spectra and multiplicities of {\pi}+ and K+ mesons are measured. The results are compared with predictions of theoretical models and with other measurements at lower energies.Comment: 29 pages, 20 figure

CMS physics technical design report : Addendum on high density QCD with heavy ions

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