Generic properties of a quasi-one dimensional classical Wigner crystal

We studied the structural, dynamical properties and melting of a quasi-one-dimensional system of charged particles, interacting through a screened Coulomb potential. The ground state energy was calculated and, depending on the density and the screening length, the system crystallizes in a number of chains. As a function of the density (or the confining potential), the ground state configurations and the structural transitions between them were analyzed both by analytical and Monte Carlo calculations. The system exhibits a rich phase diagram at zero temperature with continuous and discontinuous structural transitions. We calculated the normal modes of the Wigner crystal and the magneto-phonons when an external constant magnetic field $B$ is applied. At finite temperature the melting of the system was studied via Monte Carlo simulations using the $modified$ $Lindemann$ $criterion$ (MLC). The melting temperature as a function of the density was obtained for different screening parameters. Reentrant melting as a function of the density was found as well as evidence of directional dependent melting. The single chain regime exhibits anomalous melting temperatures according to the MLC and as a check we study the pair correlation function at different densities and different temperatures, formulating a different criterion. Possible connection with recent theoretical and experimental results are discussed and experiments are proposed.Comment: 13 pages text, 21 picture

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Multiplicação in vitro e aclimatação de Vernonia condensata Baker In vitro multiplication and acclimation of Vernonia condensata Baker

A espécie medicinal Vernonia condensata, vulgarmente conhecida por alumã, pertencente à família Asteraceae, possui propriedades analgésicas e de proteção gástrica. A crescente utilização dessa planta no Nordeste, pelas propriedades terapêuticas, justifica a necessidade de medidas que minimizem o impacto de sua exploração nas reservas naturais. O objetivo desse trabalho foi multiplicar in vitro plantas de alumã sob diferentes concentrações de BAP e aclimatá-las. Gemas axilares foram desinfestadas em solução de álcool etílico 70%, durante 2 minutos e em solução de hipoclorito de sódio (2% de cloro ativo) na concentração de 3:1, durante 15 minutos, seguido de três lavagens em água destilada estéril. Os tratamentos para multiplicação consistiram em doses de BAP (0,0; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0; 4,0 e 5,0 mg L-1) em meio MS semi-sólido. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com 5 repetições, contendo 10 gemas por repetição. Após 30 dias de cultivo observou-se maior taxa de explantes responsivos, 84% na concentração de 1,0 mg L-1 de BAP, com produção de 4,0 brotos/explante. Nos tratamentos 3,0; 4,0 e 5,0 mg L-1 ocorreu hiperhidricidade nas folhas. As microplantas de alumã provenientes da metodologia utilizada neste trabalho alcançaram 100% de sobrevivência na aclimatação.<br>The medicinal species Vernonia condensata, commonly known as "alumã", belongs to the family Asteraceae and has analgesic and gastric protective properties. The increasing use of this plant in the Northeast of Brazil due to its therapeutic properties justifies the need of measures to minimize the impact of its exploitation in natural reserves. The aim of this study was to multiply, in vitro, "alumã" plants under different BAP levels, acclimating them. Axillary buds were sterilized in 70% (v/v) alcohol solution for 2 minutes and in 75% sodium hypochlorite solution (2% active chlorine) at 3:1 concentration for 15 minutes, followed by three washings in sterile distilled water. Multiplication treatments consisted of different BAP levels (0.0; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0; 4.0 and 5.0 mg L-1) in semi-solid MS medium. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 5 replicates and 10 buds per replicate. After 30 days of cultivation, the highest rate of responsive explants was obtained: 84% at 1.0 mg L-1 BAP, producing 4.0 sprouts/explant. In the treatments 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mg L-1, there were vitrified leaves. The "alumã" microplants used in this study had 100% survival in acclimation