This contribution departs from an existing model, the Design Framework for Systems-of-Systems Resilience, to explore systems resilience issues across the health, environmental, and economic domains. The reported research activities include 1) a rapid review to collect a set of systems indicators and 2) a design workshop employing causal loop diagramming to map expected causal influences between indicators. Through this exercise, we examine key themes in this research domain and outline directions for further enquiry, while involving members of the design research community in an open dialogue.

We report on the generation and delivery of 10.2 PW peak power laser pulses, using the High Power Laser System at the Extreme Laser Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics facility. In this work we demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the compression and propagation of full energy, full aperture, laser pulses that reach a power level of more than 10 PW.

We report on a two-arm hybrid high-power laser system (HPLS) able to deliver 2 × 10 PW femtosecond pulses, developed at the Bucharest-Magurele Extreme Light Infrastructure Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) Facility. A hybrid front-end (FE) based on a Ti:sapphire chirped pulse amplifier and a picosecond optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier based on beta barium borate (BBO) crystals, with a cross-polarized wave (XPW) filter in between, has been developed. It delivers 10 mJ laser pulses, at 10 Hz repetition rate, with more than 70 nm spectral bandwidth and high-intensity contrast, in the range of 1013:1. The high-energy Ti:sapphire amplifier stages of both arms were seeded from this common FE. The final high-energy amplifier, equipped with a 200 mm diameter Ti:sapphire crystal, has been pumped by six 100 J nanosecond frequency doubled Nd:glass lasers, at 1 pulse/min repetition rate. More than 300 J output pulse energy has been obtained by pumping with only 80% of the whole 600 J available pump energy. The compressor has a transmission efficiency of 74% and an output pulse duration of 22.7 fs was measured, thus demonstrating that the dual-arm HPLS has the capacity to generate 10 PW peak power femtosecond pulses. The reported results represent the cornerstone of the ELI-NP 2 × 10 PW femtosecond laser facility, devoted to fundamental and applied nuclear physics research.

Understanding biofilm interactions with surrounding substratum and pollutants/particles can benefit from the application of existing microscopy tools. Using the example of biofilm interactions with zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI), this study aims to apply various approaches in biofilm preparation and labeling for fluorescent or electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) microanalysis for accurate observations. According to the targeted microscopy method, biofilms were sampled as flocs or attached biofilm, submitted to labeling using 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindol, lectins PNA and ConA coupled to fluorescent dye or gold nanoparticles, and prepared for observation (fixation, cross-section, freezing, ultramicrotomy). Fluorescent microscopy revealed that nZVI were embedded in the biofilm structure as aggregates but the resolution was insufficient to observe individual nZVI. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showed nZVI aggregates close to bacteria, but it was not possible to confirm direct interactions between nZVI and cell membranes. Scanning transmission electron microscopy in the SEM (STEM-in-SEM) showed that nZVI aggregates could enter the biofilm to a depth of 7–11 µm. Bacteria were surrounded by a ring of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) preventing direct nZVI/membrane interactions. STEM/EDS mapping revealed a co-localization of nZVI aggregates with lectins suggesting a potential role of EPS in nZVI embedding. Thus, the combination of divergent microscopy approaches is a good approach to better understand and characterize biofilm/metal interactions.

Predictions of marine ice-sheet behaviour require models able to simulate grounding-line migration. We present results of an intercomparison experiment for plan-view marine ice-sheet models. Verification is effected by comparison with approximate analytical solutions for flux across the grounding line using simplified geometrical configurations (no lateral variations, no buttressing effects from lateral drag). Perturbation experiments specifying spatial variation in basal sliding parameters permitted the evolution of curved grounding lines, generating buttressing effects. The experiments showed regions of compression and extensional flow across the grounding line, thereby invalidating the boundary layer theory. Steady-state grounding-line positions were found to be dependent on the level of physical model approximation. Resolving grounding lines requires inclusion of membrane stresses, a sufficiently small grid size (<500 m), or subgrid interpolation of the grounding line. The latter still requires nominal grid sizes of <5 km. For larger grid spacings, appropriate parameterizations for ice flux may be imposed at the grounding line, but the short-time transient behaviour is then incorrect and different from models that do not incorporate grounding-line parameterizations. The numerical error associated with predicting grounding-line motion can be reduced significantly below the errors associated with parameter ignorance and uncertainties in future scenarios.

The Protoplanetary Discussions conference—held in Edinburgh, UK, from 2016 March 7th–11th—included several open sessions led by participants. This paper reports on the discussions collectively concerned with the multi-physics modelling of protoplanetary discs, including the self-consistent calculation of gas and dust dynamics, radiative transfer, and chemistry. After a short introduction to each of these disciplines in isolation, we identify a series of burning questions and grand challenges associated with their continuing development and integration. We then discuss potential pathways towards solving these challenges, grouped by strategical, technical, and collaborative developments. This paper is not intended to be a review, but rather to motivate and direct future research and collaboration across typically distinct fields based on community-driven input, to encourage further progress in our understanding of circumstellar and protoplanetary discs.

Probing the central mass distribution of massive galaxy clusters is an important step towards mapping the overall distribution of their dark matter content. Thanks to gravitational lensing and the appearance of multiple images, we can constrain the inner region of galaxy clusters with a high precision. The Frontier Fields (FF) provide us with the deepest HST data ever in such clusters. Currently, most multiple-image systems are found by eye, yet in the FF, we expect hundreds to exist. Thus, in order to deal with such huge amounts of data, we need to develop an automated detection method. I present a new tool to perform this task, MISE (Multiple Image SEarcher), a program which identifies multiple images by combining their specific properties. MISE allows us to confirm or reject multiple images identified visually, but also detect new multiple-image candidates in MACS0416 and A2744, giving us additional constraints on the mass distribution in these clusters. A spectroscopic follow-up of these candidates is currently underway with MUSE.

We have combined the performances of the VLT/MUSE spectrograph together with the power of gravitational lensing by Frontier Fields galaxy clusters to offer a unique magnified view of the distant universe. The large field of view over a wide optical wavelength domain enables redshift measurements of numerous lensed galaxies in the cluster core. Spectroscopically-confirmed multiple-imaged systems are further used as strong constraints to improve the cluster mass model. Here, we focus on the galaxy cluster MACSJ0416.1-2403 and compare the revised magnification map with results from previous analysis.

Strong gravitational magnification in the core of lensing clusters allows to probe the faint-end of the galaxy luminosity function up to very high redshift. In particular, the Frontier Fields have allowed us to identify a large number of faint dropouts and constrain the Lyman-break luminosity function at z~5-7. I present here the results of an ongoing program with MUSE, a new integral field spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope having a large field of view (1 arcmin2), to confirm these candidate high redshift dropouts through Lyman-α emission and identify additional emitters with high equivalent width, fainter than the depth of the Frontier Fields Hubble images. Combined with similar deep exposures taken with MUSE in blank fields, this gives us the best opportunity to probe the Lyman-α luminosity function over a wide range in luminosity.

A scanning force microscope for in situ nanofocused X-ray studies (SFINX) has been developed which can be installed on diffractometers at synchrotron beamlines allowing for the combination with various techniques such as coherent X-ray diffraction and fluorescence. The capabilities of this device are demonstrated on Cu nanowires and on Au islands grown on sapphire (0001). The sample topography, crystallinity, and elemental distribution of the same area are investigated by recording simultaneously an AFM image, a scanning X-ray diffraction map, and a fluorescence map. Additionally, the mechanical response of Au islands is studied by in situ indentation tests employing the AFM-tip and recording 2D X-ray diffraction patterns during mechanical loading.

Background: Panic disorder (PD) is a common, often unrecognized condition among patients presenting with chest pain to the emergency departments (ED). Nevertheless, psychological treatment is rarely initiated. We are unaware of studies that evaluated the efficacy of brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for this population. Aim: Evaluate the efficacy of two brief CBT interventions in PD patients presenting to the ED with chest pain. Method: Fifty-eight PD patients were assigned to either a 1-session CBT-based panic management intervention (PMI) (n = 24), a 7-session CBT intervention (n = 19), or a usual-care control condition (n = 15). A structured diagnostic interview and self-reported questionnaires were administered at pre-test, post-test, 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant reduction in PD severity following both interventions compared to usual care control condition, but with neither showing superiority compared to the other. Conclusions: CBT-based interventions as brief as a single session initiated within 2 weeks after an ED visit for chest pain appear to be effective for PD. Given the high prevalence of PD in emergency care settings, greater efforts should be made to implement these interventions in the ED and/or primary care setting.