It is now widely recognized that climate change affects multiple sectors in virtually every part of the world. Impacts on one sector may influence other sectors, including seemingly remote ones, ...which we call “interconnections of climate risks.” While a substantial number of climate risks are identified in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report, there have been few attempts to explore the interconnections between them in a comprehensive way. To fill this gap, we developed a methodology for visualizing climate risks and their interconnections based on a literature survey. Our visualizations highlight the need to address climate risk interconnections in impact and vulnerability studies. Our risk maps and flowcharts show how changes in climate impact natural and socioeconomic systems, ultimately affecting human security, health, and well‐being. We tested our visualization approach with potential users and identified likely benefits and issues. Our methodology can be used as a communication tool to inform decision makers, stakeholders, and the general public of the cascading risks that can be triggered by climate change.
Plain Language Summary
The paper demonstrates in a most holistic manner how climate change can generate various risks and how they are actually interconnected. Based on a literature survey using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report, we identified 91 climate risks and 253 causal relationships among them and graphically drew such interconnected risks. We found that changes in the climate system impact the natural and socioeconomic system, influencing ultimately human security, health, and well‐being. This indicates that climate change can trigger a cascade of impacts across sectors. Our findings point to the need to address the climate risk interconnections in impact and vulnerability studies. We tested our visualization approach with potential users and identified likely benefits and issues. The implications of our study go beyond science. Our study is useful to inform stakeholders of a broad yet fresh perspective of climate risks that have not been presented before.
Key Points
The paper developed a methodology for visualizing how climate change can generate various risks and how they can be interconnected
We identified 91 climate risks and 253 causal relationships among them based on a literature survey and graphically presented the interconnected risks
We found that changes in the climate system impact natural and socioeconomic systems, ultimately influencing human security, health, and well‐being
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Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful tool to study a small number of molecules adsorbed on metal surface. Recently, SERS is utilized to investigate the atomic ...structure of the molecule junction, which is a key component of molecular electronic devices. It is because the molecule is trapped between nano gap electrodes, and strong enhanced field is formed in the gap. The Raman signal from the molecule in the molecular junction is selectively observed. The SERS was first studied for the molecule junction, where small number of molecules bridge metal electrodes. Currently, the SERS of the single molecule junction is also reported. In this review, we discuss the history of the SERS of the molecule junction, and application of SERS to the molecule junction. Structural change induced by the application of the voltage across the junction and the chemical reaction on the single molecule junction have been reported with SERS.
We have investigated the current-voltage (I-V) curves of the benzenedithiol (BDT) single molecular junction as a function of stretch length of the junction. The BDT single molecular junction was ...prepared with the nano fabricated Au electrodes using the mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ). The conductance of the BDT single molecular junction gradually decreased with the stretching length of the junction. We analyzed the obtained I-V curves based on the two different models; the single channel model and the field emission model. Based on the single channel model, it was revealed that the decrease in conductance was mainly caused by the decreases in the metal-molecule coupling and that the HOMO approached to the Fermi level with the decrease in the electrode separation. The energy shift of the HOMO was supported by the analysis based on the field emission model. DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2018.145
To compare the radiation dose, diagnostic accuracy, and the resultant ablation procedures using 80 and 120-kVp cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) protocols with the same contrast-to-noise ...ratio in patients scheduled for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.
This retrospective study was performed following institutional review board approval. We divided 140 consecutive patients who had undergone CCTA using a 64-MDCT scanner into two equal groups. Standard deviation (SD) of the CT number was set at 25 Hounsfield units (HU) for the 120-kVp protocol. To facilitate a reduction in radiation dose it was set at 40 HU for the 80 kVp protocol. We compared the two protocols with respect to the radiation dose, the diagnostic accuracy for detecting left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi, matching for surface registration, and the resultant ablation procedures.
At 120 kVp, the dose length product (DLP) was 2.2 times that at 80 kVp (1269.0 vs 559.0 mGy cm, p < 0.01). The diagnostic accuracy for thrombus detection was 100% using both protocols. There was no difference between the two protocols with respect to matching for surface registration. The protocols did not differ with respect to the subsequent time required for the ablation procedures and the ablation fluoroscopy time, and the radiation dose (p = 0.54, 0.33, and 0.32, respectively).
For the same CNR, the DLP at 80 kVp (559.0 mGy cm) was 56% of that delivered at 120 kVp (1269.0 mGy cm). There was no reduction in diagnostic accuracy.
Maintaining CNR allows for a reduction in the radiation dose without reducing the image quality.
Photo-induced chemical reaction of p-aminobenzenthiol (ABT) was investigated using the lithographically fabricated mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ). The ABT single-molecule junction ...was formed at the nanogap of the MCBJ and the formation was confirmed by the electronic transport measurement including current versus bias voltage characteristics. Light irradiation at the nanogap revealed that ABT molecules were subject to photo-induced dimerization, which was confirmed by measuring SERS spectrum. In addition, we tuned the gap size using MCBJ technique and demonstrated that the photo-induced dimerization was absent for the molecules at the wide gap. DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2018.137
A wearable optical topography system was developed that is based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for observing brain activity noninvasively including in regions covered by hair. An avalanche ...photo diode, high voltage dc-dc converter, and preamplifier were placed in an electrically shielded case to be safely mounted on the head. Rubber teeth and a glass rod were prepared to clear away hair and reach the scalp. These devices realized for the first time a wearable NIRS imager for any region of the cortex. The activity in the motor cortex during finger tapping was successfully observed.
The standard surgical approach to Stanford type A aortic dissection is open repair. However, up to one in four patients will be declined surgery because of prohibitive risk. Patients who are treated ...nonoperatively have an unacceptably high mortality. Endovascular repair of the ascending aorta is emerging as an alternative treatment for a select group of patients. The reported rates of technical success, mortality, stroke, and reintervention have varied. The objective of the study was to systematically report outcomes for acute type A dissections repaired using an endovascular approach.
The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. We performed online literature database searches through April 2020. The demographic and procedural characteristics of the individual studies were tabulated. Data on technical success, short-term mortality, stroke, and reintervention were extracted and underwent meta-analysis using a random effects model.
Fourteen studies with 80 cases of aortic dissection (55 acute and 25 subacute) were included in the final analysis. A wide variation was found in technique and device design across the studies. The outcomes rates were estimated at 17% (95% confidence interval CI, 10%-26%) for mortality, 15% (95% CI, 8%-23%) for technical failure, 11% (95% CI, 6%-19%) for stroke and 18% (95% CI, 9%-31%) for reintervention. The mean Downs and Black quality assessment score was 13.9 ± 3.2.
The technique for endovascular repair of type A aortic dissection is feasible and reproducible. The results of our meta-analysis demonstrate an acceptable safety profile for inoperable patients who otherwise would have an extremely poor prognosis. Data from clinical trials are required before the technique can be introduced into routine clinical practice.
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