Ereignis-Datenbank für meteorologische Extremereignisse – MEDEA (Event Database for Meteorological Extreme Events – MEDEA). Report StartClim.3c, pp. 36

The main task of the Meteorological extreme Event Data information system for the Eastern Alpine region (MEDEA) is the long range storing for the various range of meteorological extreme event data in Austria. Perspectively the possibility for specific analysis shall be given. The state-of-the-art concerning MEDEA can be summarized as follows: - The MORIS data information system developed at the Umweltbundesamt was tested successfully due to its potential for the requirements of MEDEA. The following needs were in the focus: 1. Integration of a wide-range data spectrum (e.g. georeferenced – not georeferenced, “hard“ natural science data – “soft” socio-economic data) 2. flexibility towards new research projects/programmes of the Austrian climate research community (e.g. ClimRisk, possible StartClim-successor, ProVision) 3. integration of uncertainty specifications belonging to the various data - A preliminary object classification has been carried out. - A first evaluation of the anticipated data and their uncertainty has been carried out. - The first StartClim data sets were imported successfully into MEDE

Modelling learning for a better safety culture within an organization using a virtual safety coach:Reducing the risk of postpartum depression via improved communication with parents

This paper describes an extension of a safety culture within hospital organizations providing more transparency and acknowledgement of all actors, and in particular the parents. It contributes a model architecture to support a hospital to develop such an extended safety culture. It is illustrated for prevention of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a commonly known consequence of childbirth for both mothers and fathers. In this research, we computationally analyze the risk factors and lack of support received by fathers. Therefore, we use shared mental models to model the effects of poor and additional communication by healthcare practitioners to mitigate the development of postpartum depression in both the mother and the father. Both individual mental models and shared mental models are considered in the design of the computational model. The paper illustrates the benefits of simple support in terms of communication during childbirth, which has lasting effects, even outside the hospital. For the impact of additional communication, a Virtual Safety Coach is designed that intervenes when necessary to provide support, i.e., when a health care practitioner doesn't. Moreover, organizational learning is also modelled to improve the mental models of both the Safety Coach and the Health Care Practitioner.Safety and Security Scienc

Phase diagram for morphological transitions of wetting films on chemically structured substrates

Using an interface displacement model we calculate the shapes of thin liquidlike films adsorbed on flat substrates containing a chemical stripe. We determine the entire phase diagram of morphological phase transitions in these films as function of temperature, undersaturation, and stripe widthComment: 15 pages, RevTeX, 7 Figure

Meteorological extreme event data information system for Austria: MEDEA (Meteorologicalextreme Event Data information system for the Eastern Alpine region)

MEDEA is primarily designed to compile data (and secure them over the mid- and long-term) on extreme meteorological events from various scientific disciplines. An overall picture of extreme events can only be gained if the full range of data – meteorological to socioeconomic data – is simultaneously available, and if the causal chains specified in StartClim.6 are supported by data throughout. At the next level, the explicit incorporation of data uncertainty would be a necessary step toward improved uncertainty and risk assessments in the analysis of extreme events. This will be an important and often demanded contribution to incorporating these issues in climate and climate impact research

Universality for 2D Wedge Wetting

We study 2D wedge wetting using a continuum interfacial Hamiltonian model which is solved by transfer-matrix methods. For arbitrary binding potentials, we are able to exactly calculate the wedge free-energy and interface height distribution function and, thus, can completely classify all types of critical behaviour. We show that critical filling is characterized by strongly universal fluctuation dominated critical exponents, whilst complete filling is determined by the geometry rather than fluctuation effects. Related phenomena for interface depinning from defect lines in the bulk are also considered.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Geometry dominated fluid adsorption on sculptured substrates

Experimental methods allow the shape and chemical composition of solid surfaces to be controlled at a mesoscopic level. Exposing such structured substrates to a gas close to coexistence with its liquid can produce quite distinct adsorption characteristics compared to that occuring for planar systems, which may well play an important role in developing technologies such as super-repellent surfaces or micro-fluidics. Recent studies have concentrated on adsorption of liquids at rough and heterogeneous substrates and the characterisation of nanoscopic liquid films. However, the fundamental effect of geometry has hardly been addressed. Here we show that varying the shape of the substrate can exert a profound influence on the adsorption isotherms allowing us to smoothly connect wetting and capillary condensation through a number of novel and distinct examples of fluid interfacial phenomena. This opens the possibility of tailoring the adsorption properties of solid substrates by sculpturing their surface shape.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Comprehensive Mapping of Regional Expression of the Clock Protein PERIOD2 in Rat Forebrain across the 24-h Day

In mammals, a light-entrainable clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) regulates circadian rhythms by synchronizing oscillators throughout the brain and body. Notably, the nature of the relation between the SCN clock and subordinate oscillators in the rest of the brain is not well defined. We performed a high temporal resolution analysis of the expression of the circadian clock protein PERIOD2 (PER2) in the rat forebrain to characterize the distribution, amplitude and phase of PER2 rhythms across different regions. Eighty-four LEW/Crl male rats were entrained to a 12-h: 12-h light/dark cycle, and subsequently perfused every 30 min across the 24-h day for a total of 48 time-points. PER2 expression was assessed with immunohistochemistry and analyzed using automated cell counts. We report the presence of PER2 expression in 20 forebrain areas important for a wide range of motivated and appetitive behaviors including the SCN, bed nucleus, and several regions of the amygdala, hippocampus, striatum, and cortex. Eighteen areas displayed significant PER2 rhythms, which peaked at different times of day. Our data demonstrate a previously uncharacterized regional distribution of rhythms of a clock protein expression in the brain that provides a sound basis for future studies of circadian clock function in animal models of disease