Magnetic-dipole induced appearance of vortices in a bilayered superconductor/soft-magnet heterostructure

The penetration of the magnetic field of an infinitesimal magnetic dipole into a bilayered type-II superconductor/soft-magnet heterostructure is studied on the basis of the classical London approach. The critical values of the dipole moment for the first appearance of a single magnetic vortex and, respectively, a magnetic vortex-antivortex pair in the superconductor constituent are obtained, when the magnetic dipole faces the superconductor or the soft-magnet constituent. This reveals that the soft-magnet constituent inhibits penetration of vortices into the superconductor constituent, when the dipole faces the soft-magnet constituent.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure; accepted in Physica C for the special issue of Preceedings of the 8th Int. Conference on Materials and Mechanisms of Superconductivity and High Temperature Superconductors (M2S-HTSC), Dresden, Germany, July 9-14, 200

Impact of modified atmosphere and humidity packaging on the quality, off-odour development and volatiles of ‘Elsanta’ strawberries

Development of off-odours, as well as visual quality of packaged fresh produce plays a crucial role in consumer’s choice. In this context, this work investigated the odour profile, condensation, gas composition, and postharvest quality attributes of strawberries stored under modified atmosphere and humidity packaging at 5 °C for 14 days. The packages were fitted with fixed area (69, 126.5, and 195.5 cm2) of different permeable membranes (NatureFlex, Xtend, and Propafilm). No significant changes were detected on the measured physicochemical quality attributes of strawberries and mass loss was below 1.5% across the different packaging systems. Package modification/design had an influence on in-package water vapour condensation, gas composition, and accumulation of secondary volatile organic compounds (acetaldehyde, acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate)

Transpiration and moisture evolution in packaged fresh horticultural produce and the role of integrated mathematical models: A review

Transpiration has various adverse effects on postharvest quality and the shelf-life of fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV). If not controlled, the water released through this process results in direct mass loss and moisture condensation inside packaged FFV. Condensation represents a threat to the product quality as water may accumulate on the product surface and/or packaging system, causing defects in external appearance and promoting growth of spoilage microorganisms. Thus, moisture regulation is extremely important for extending FFV shelf-life. This review focuses on transpiration phenomenon and moisture evolution in packaged fresh horticultural produce. It provides recent information on various moisture control strategies suitable for packaging of fresh horticultural produce. It also provides an evaluation on the role and application of integrative mathematical modelling in describing water relations of FFV for packaging design, as well as, an overview of models reported in literature

Moisture absorption kinetics of FruitPad for packaging of fresh strawberry

This study analysed the moisture absorption kinetics of FruitPad embedded with different concentrations of fructose with further application of such pads in packaging of fresh strawberries. The FruitPad was exposed to different storage conditions (temperature and RH) and moisture absorption kinetics was gravimetrically determined over 5 days of storage. FruitPad with 30% fructose showed highest amount of moisture absorption (0.94 g of water/g of pad) at 20 °C and 100% RH. The Weibull model combined with the Flory-Huggins model adequately described changes in moisture content of the FruitPad with respect to storage time and humidity (R2 = 93–96%). The FruitPad containing fructose minimized in-package condensation compared to the pad without fructose. Weight loss of packaged strawberry was less than 0.9% which was much below the acceptable limit of 6% for strawberry

Anti-phospholipid-antibodies in patients with relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is an extremly rare multisystemic disease thought to be of autoimmune origin. In order to assess if RP is associated with anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL), clinical data and sera of 21 patients with RP were collected in a multicentre study. Concentration of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) (IgG-, IgM-and IgA-isotypes), anti-phosphatidylserine-antibodies (aPS) (IgG-and IgM-isotypes) and anti-β-2-glycoprotein I-antibodies (aβ2 GPI) were measured by ELISA. In eight patients aCL were found to be elevated. One patient had elevated aPS. No patient had elevated aβ2 GPI. No patient had clinical signs and symptoms of a aPL syndrome. Interestingly, the two RP patients with the highest aPL had concomitant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore the presence of elevated aPL in RP is probably more closely related to an associated SLE than to RP itself. There is no convincing evidence that aPL are associated with RP

Total Pelvic Exenteration for Gynecologic Malignancies

Total pelvic exenteration (PE) is a radical operation, involving en bloc resection of pelvic organs, including reproductive structures, bladder, and rectosigmoid. In gynecologic oncology, it is most commonly indicated for the treatment of advanced primary or locally recurrent cancer. Careful patient selection and counseling are of paramount importance when considering someone for PE. Part of the evaluation process includes comprehensive assessment to exclude unresectable or metastatic disease. PE can be curative for carefully selected patients with gynecologic cancers. Major complications can be seen in as many as 50% of patients undergoing PE, underscoring the need to carefully discuss risks and benefits of this procedure with patients considering exenterative surgery

Condensation regulation of packaged strawberries under fluctuating storage temperature

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bovi, G. G., Caleb, O. J., Rauh, C., & Mahajan, P. V. (2019). Condensation regulation of packaged strawberries under fluctuating storage temperature. Packaging Technology and Science, 32(11), 545–554. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2470 which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2470. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Disruption in cold chain during distribution and retail could have a significant impact on in‐package condensation of optimally designed packaged fresh produce. The aim of this work was to regulate in‐package condensation and evaluate the performance of different packaging design systems for strawberries under fluctuating temperatures (between 10°C and 20°C) for 5 days. The design included the use of condensation control strategies, namely, enhanced permeable films (NatureFlex and Xtend) and FruitPad of different fructose content (0%, 20%, 30%, 35%, and 40%). Package performance was evaluated in terms of headspace gas composition, mass loss, condensation, physico‐chemical changes, and visual and ortho‐nasal quality evaluation. Percentage mass loss of packaged strawberries ranged from 0.6% to 4% and was 33% for unpackaged. Results also showed that compared with the control sample, both strategies (enhanced permeable films and FruitPads) were effective in reducing condensation. In addition, transpirational water loss, results of the water absorbed by the FruitPads and transferred through the films were used to understand the packaging design needs under fluctuating temperature

Phylogenetic analysis and molecular evolution of the dormancy associated MADS-box genes from peach

BACKGROUND: Dormancy associated MADS-box (DAM) genes are candidates for the regulation of growth cessation and terminal bud formation in peach. These genes are not expressed in the peach mutant evergrowing, which fails to cease growth and enter dormancy under dormancy-inducing conditions. We analyzed the phylogenetic relationships among and the rates and patterns of molecular evolution within DAM genes in the phylogenetic context of the MADS-box gene family. RESULTS: The peach DAM genes grouped with the SVP/StMADS11 lineage of type II MIKC(C )MADS-box genes. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the peach SVP/StMADS11-like gene family, which contains significantly more members than annual model plants, expanded through serial tandem gene duplication. We found evidence of strong purifying selection acting to constrain functional divergence among the peach DAM genes and only a single codon, located in the C-terminal region, under significant positive selection. CONCLUSION: Because all DAM genes are expressed in peach and are subjected to strong purifying selection we suggest that the duplicated genes have been maintained by subfunctionalization and/or neofunctionalization. In addition, this pattern of selection suggests that the DAM genes are important for peach growth and development

Integer quantum Hall effect and Hofstadter's butterfly spectra in three-dimensional metals in external periodic modulations

We propose that Hofstadter's butterfly accompanied by quantum Hall effect that is similar to those predicted to occur in 3D tight-binding systems by Koshino {\it et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 86}, 1062 (2001)] can be realized in an entirely different system -- 3D metals applied with weak external periodic modulations (e.g., acoustic waves). Namely, an effect of two periodic potentials interferes with Landau's quantization due to an applied magnetic field \Vec{B}, resulting generally in fractal energy gaps as a function of the tilting angle of \Vec{B}, for which the accompanying quantized Hall tensors are computed. The phenomenon arises from the fact that, while the present system has a different physical origin for the butterfly from the 3D tight-binding systems, the mathematical forms are remarkably equivalent.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Measurement and modelling of transpiration losses in packaged and unpackaged strawberries

Transpiration and respiration are physiological processes well-known as major sources of fresh produce mass loss. Besides causing impairment of external quality, it is associated with economic loss since it inevitably decreases saleable weight. To prevent postharvest mass losses, by improved modified atmosphere and humidity packaging, comprehensive knowledge on the mechanistic basis of both processes and their interactions is essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of these processes on mass loss of packaged and unpackaged strawberries. Experiments on a single strawberry were performed at 4, 12 and 20 °C; and 76, 86, 96 and 100% RH. Mass loss was also investigated as a function of number of strawberries and package volume at 12 °C. A combined model based on Arrhenius equation and Fick's first law of diffusion for an unpackaged single strawberry and a model based on degree of filling was developed and validated with packaged strawberries. These models have potential application towards the selection of optimal moisture control strategies for strawberries