REDUCING TRANSPORTATION DAMAGE TO GRAPES AND STRAWBERRIES

In-transit vibration damage to grapes and strawberries results in reduced quality for the consumer and reduced profits for the produce industry. To solve this problem, the first step is to determine which vibrational frequencies are causing the damage. In various tests, grapes and strawberries were subjected to different frequencies at constant force levels. The effects of the vibration treatments were evaluated on the basis of grading, color analysis, firmness, respiration rate and ethylene production rate. The critical frequency was found to lie between 7.5 and 10 Hertz for both commodities. Color change and respiration rate were shown to be good indicators of damage in grapes. Strawberries did not show a significant effect due to color. Firmness was not affected by vibration in either commodity.Agribusiness,

SIMULATED IN-TRANSIT VIBRATION DAMAGE TO FRESH MARKET RASPBERRIES

Agribusiness,

Experimental multi-level seismic performance assessment of 3D RC frame designed for damage avoidance

This paper experimentally investigates the application of damage avoidance design (DAD) philosophy to moment-resisting frames with particular emphasis on detailing of rocking interfaces. An 80% scale three-dimensional rocking beam-column joint sub-assembly designed and detailed based on damage avoidance principles is constructed and tested. Incremental dynamic analysis is used for selecting ground motion records to be applied to the sub-assembly for conducting a multi-level seismic performance assessment (MSPA). Analyses are conducted to obtain displacement demands due to the selected near- and medium-field ground motions that represent different levels of seismic hazard. Thus, predicted displacement time histories are applied to the sub-assembly for conducting quasi-earthquake displacement tests. The sub-assembly performed well reaching drifts up to 4.7% with only minor spalling occurring at rocking beam interfaces and minor flexural cracks in beams. Yielding of post-tensioning threaded bars occurred, but the sub-assembly did not collapse. The externally attached energy dissipators provided large hysteretic dissipation during large drift cycles. The sub-assembly satisfied all three seismic performance requirements, thereby verifying the superior performance of the DAD philosoph

Surfing in the streets: How problematic smartphone use, fear of missing out, and antisocial personality traits are linked to driving behavior

Smartphone use while driving (SUWD) is a major cause of accidents and fatal crashes. This serious problem is still too little understood to be solved. Therefore, the current research aimed to contribute to a better understanding of SUWD by examining factors that have received little or no attention in this context: problematic smartphone use (PSU), fear of missing out (FOMO), and Dark Triad. In the first step, we conducted a systematic literature review to map the current state of research on these factors. In the second step, we conducted a cross-sectional study and collected data from 989 German car drivers. A clear majority (61%) admitted to using the smartphone while driving at least occasionally. Further, the results showed that FOMO is positively linked to PSU and that both are positively associated with SUWD. Additionally, we found that Dark Triad traits are relevant predictors of SUWD and other problematic driving behaviors––in particular, psychopathy is associated with committed traffic offenses. Thus, results indicate that PSU, FOMO, and Dark Triad are relevant factors to explain SUWD. We hope to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of this dangerous phenomenon with these findings

Influence of alkaline modification on adsorption properties of aluminum oxide

In this work the adsorption capacity of samples A-2-9С, A-2-Na-9С, A-2-K-9С was studied. It was found that alkaline modification leads to an increase in the efficiency of aluminum oxide dehydrators

Monitoring of the operating parameters of the KATRIN Windowless Gaseous Tritium Source

The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment will measure the absolute mass scale of neutrinos with a sensitivity of \m_{\nu} = 200 meV/c$^2$ by high-precision spectroscopy close to the tritium beta-decay endpoint at 18.6 keV. Its Windowless Gaseous Tritium Source (WGTS) is a beta-decay source of high intensity ($10^{11}$/s) and stability, where high-purity molecular tritium at 30 K is circulated in a closed loop with a yearly throughput of 10 kg. To limit systematic effects the column density of the source has to be stabilised at the 0.1% level. This requires extensive sensor instrumentation and dedicated control and monitoring systems for parameters such as the beam tube temperature, injection pressure, gas composition and others. Here we give an overview of these systems including a dedicated Laser-Raman system as well as several beta-decay activity monitors. We also report on results of the WGTS demonstrator and other large-scale test experiments giving proof-of-principle that all parameters relevant to the systematics can be controlled and monitored on the 0.1% level or better. As a result of these works, the WGTS systematics can be controlled within stringent margins, enabling the KATRIN experiment to explore the neutrino mass scale with the design sensitivity.Comment: 32 pages, 13 figures. modification to title, typos correcte

Rationale, design and conduct of a randomised controlled trial evaluating a primary care-based complex intervention to improve the quality of life of heart failure patients: HICMan (Heidelberg Integrated Case Management) : study protocol

Background: Chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) is a complex disease with rising prevalence, compromised quality of life (QoL), unplanned hospital admissions, high mortality and therefore high burden of illness. The delivery of care for these patients has been criticized and new strategies addressing crucial domains of care have been shown to be effective on patients' health outcomes, although these trials were conducted in secondary care or in highly organised Health Maintenance Organisations. It remains unclear whether a comprehensive primary care-based case management for the treating general practitioner (GP) can improve patients' QoL. Methods/Design: HICMan is a randomised controlled trial with patients as the unit of randomisation. Aim is to evaluate a structured, standardized and comprehensive complex intervention for patients with CHF in a 12-months follow-up trial. Patients from intervention group receive specific patient leaflets and documentation booklets as well as regular monitoring and screening by a prior trained practice nurse, who gives feedback to the GP upon urgency. Monitoring and screening address aspects of disease-specific selfmanagement, (non)pharmacological adherence and psychosomatic and geriatric comorbidity. GPs are invited to provide a tailored structured counselling 4 times during the trial and receive an additional feedback on pharmacotherapy relevant to prognosis (data of baseline documentation). Patients from control group receive usual care by their GPs, who were introduced to guidelineoriented management and a tailored health counselling concept. Main outcome measurement for patients' QoL is the scale physical functioning of the SF-36 health questionnaire in a 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes are the disease specific QoL measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy questionnaire (KCCQ), depression and anxiety disorders (PHQ-9, GAD-7), adherence (EHFScBS and SANA), quality of care measured by an adapted version of the Patient Chronic Illness Assessment of Care questionnaire (PACIC) and NTproBNP. In addition, comprehensive clinical data are collected about health status, comorbidity, medication and health care utilisation. Discussion: As the targeted patient group is mostly cared for and treated by GPs, a comprehensive primary care-based guideline implementation including somatic, psychosomatic and organisational aspects of the delivery of care (HICMAn) is a promising intervention applying proven strategies for optimal care. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN30822978

Mapping Patent Classifications: Portfolio and Statistical Analysis, and the Comparison of Strengths and Weaknesses

The Cooperative Patent Classifications (CPC) jointly developed by the European and US Patent Offices provide a new basis for mapping and portfolio analysis. This update provides an occasion for rethinking the parameter choices. The new maps are significantly different from previous ones, although this may not always be obvious on visual inspection. Since these maps are statistical constructs based on index terms, their quality--as different from utility--can only be controlled discursively. We provide nested maps online and a routine for portfolio overlays and further statistical analysis. We add a new tool for "difference maps" which is illustrated by comparing the portfolios of patents granted to Novartis and MSD in 2016.Comment: Scientometrics 112(3) (2017) 1573-1591; http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11192-017-2449-

Sequential and Direct Two-Photon Double Ionization of D₂ at Flash

Sequential and direct two-photon double ionization (DI) of D2 molecule is studied experimentally and theoretically at a photon energy of 38.8 eV. Experimental and theoretical kinetic energy releases of D++D+fragments, consisting of the contributions of sequential DI via the D2+(1sσg) state and direct DI via a virtual state, agree well with each other

Clinical and morphological phenotype of the filamin myopathy: a study of 31 German patients

Mutations in the filamin C gene (FLNC) cause a myofibrillar myopathy (MFM), morphologically characterized by focal myofibrillar destruction and abnormal accumulation of several proteins within skeletal muscle fibres. We studied 31 patients from four German families to evaluate the phenotype of filaminopathy. All patients harboured the same p.W2710X mutation in FLNC. Haplotype analysis suggested a founder mutation in these German filaminopathy families. The mean age at onset of clinical symptoms was 44 +/− 6 years (range, 24-57 years). Slowly progressive muscle weakness was mostly pronounced proximally, initially affecting the lower extremities and involving the upper extremities in the course of disease progression, similar to the distribution of weakness seen in limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD). Patients frequently developed respiratory muscle weakness. About one-third of the patients showed cardiac abnormalities comprising conduction blocks, tachycardia, diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy indicating a cardiac involvement in filaminopathy. Serum creatine kinase levels varied from normal up to 10-fold of the upper limit. Magnetic resonance imaging studies showed a rather homogenous pattern of muscle involvement in the lower extremities differing from that in other types of MFM. Myopathological features included perturbation of myofibrillar alignment, accumulation of granulofilamentous material similar to that seen in primary desminopathies and abnormal intracellular protein deposits typical of MFM. Decreased activities of oxidative enzymes and fibre hypertrophy seem to be early features, whereas dystrophic changes were present in advanced stages of filaminopathy. Rimmed vacuoles were detected in only a few cases. The intracellular aggregates were composed of a variety of proteins including filamin C, desmin, myotilin, Xin, dystrophin and sarcoglycans. Therapy is so far limited to symptomatic treatment. The German filaminopathy cohort, the largest group of patients studied so far, shares phenotypic features with LGMD and presents with characteristic histopathological findings of MF