bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keplerian disks and outflows in post-AGB stars: AC Herculis, 89 Herculis, IRAS 19125+0343, and R Scuti
Authors: Gallardo Cava I. , Gómez-Garrido M. , Bujarrabal V. , Castro-Carrizo A. , Alcolea J. , Van Winckel H.
Published: March 2021

Context. There is a class of binary post-AGB stars with a remarkable near-infrared excess that are surrounded by Keplerian or quasi-Keplerian disks and extended outflows composed of gas escaping from the disk. The Keplerian dynamics had been well identified in four cases, namely the Red Rectangle, AC Her, IW Car, and IRAS 08544−4431. In these objects, the mass of the outflow represents ~10% of the nebular mass, the disk being the dominant component of the nebula.

Aims. We aim to study the presence of rotating disks in sources of the same class in which the outflow seems to be the dominant component.

Methods. We present interferometric NOEMA maps of 12CO and 13CO J = 2–1 in 89 Her and 12CO J = 2–1 in AC Her, IRAS 19125+0343, and R Sct. Several properties of the nebula are obtained from the data and model fitting, including the structure, density, and temperature distributions, as well as the dynamics. We also discuss the uncertainties on the derived values.

Results. The presence of an expanding component in AC Her is doubtful, but thanks to new maps and models, we estimate an upper limit to the mass of this outflow of ≲3 × 10−5 M⊙, that is, the mass of the outflow is ≲5% of the total nebular mass. For 89 Her, we find a total nebular mass of 1.4 × 10−2 M⊙, of which ~50% comes from an hourglass-shaped extended outflow. In the case of IRAS 19125+0343, the nebular mass is 1.1 × 10−2 M⊙, where the outflow contributes ~70% of the total mass. The nebular mass of R Sct is 3.2 × 10−2 M⊙, of which ~75% corresponds to a very extended outflow that surrounds the disk.

Conclusions. Our results for IRAS 19125+0343 and R Sct lead us to introduce a new subclass of binary post-AGB stars, for which the outflow is the dominant component of the nebula. Moreover, the outflow mass fraction found in AC Her is smaller than those found in other disk-dominated binary post-AGB stars. 89 Her would represent an intermediate case between both subclasses.
The Alfvénic nature of chromospheric swirls
Authors: Battaglia Andrea Francesco , Canivete Cuissa José Roberto , Calvo Flavio , Bossart Aleksi Antoine , Steiner Oskar
Published: March 2021

Context.Observations show that small-scale vortical plasma motions are ubiquitous in the quiet solar atmosphere. They have received increasing attention in recent years because they are a viable candidate mechanism for the heating of the outer solar atmospheric layers. However, the true nature and the origin of these swirls, and their effective role in the energy transport, are still unclear.

Aims.We investigate the evolution and origin of chromospheric swirls by analyzing numerical simulations of the quiet solar atmosphere. In particular, we are interested in finding their relation with magnetic field perturbations and in the processes driving their evolution.

Methods.The radiative magnetohydrodynamic code CO5BOLD is used to perform realistic numerical simulations of a small portion of the solar atmosphere, ranging from the top layers of the convection zone to the middle chromosphere. For the analysis, the swirling strength criterion and its evolution equation are applied in order to identify vortical motions and to study their dynamics. As a new criterion, we introduce the magnetic swirling strength, which allows us to recognize torsional perturbations in the magnetic field.

Results.We find a strong correlation between swirling strength and magnetic swirling strength, in particular in intense magnetic flux concentrations, which suggests a tight relation between vortical motions and torsional magnetic field perturbations. Furthermore, we find that swirls propagate upward with the local Alfvén speed as unidirectional swirls driven by magnetic tension forces alone. In the photosphere and low chromosphere, the rotation of the plasma co-occurs with a twist in the upwardly directed magnetic field that is in the opposite direction of the plasma flow. All together, these are clear characteristics of torsional Alfvén waves. Yet, the Alfvén wave is not oscillatory but takes the form of a unidirectional pulse. The novelty of the present work is that these Alfvén pulses naturally emerge from realistic numerical simulations of the solar atmosphere. We also find indications of an imbalance between the hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic baroclinic effects being at the origin of the swirls. At the base of the chromosphere, we find a mean net upwardly directed Poynting flux of 12.8 ± 6.5 kW m−2, which is mainly due to swirling motions. This energy flux is mostly associated with large and complex swirling structures, which we interpret as the superposition of various small-scale vortices.

Conclusions.We conclude that the ubiquitous swirling events observed in numerical simulations are tightly correlated with perturbations of the magnetic field. At photospheric and chromospheric levels, they form Alfvén pulses that propagate upward and may contribute to chromospheric heating.
Stellar clustering and orbital architecture of planetary systems
Authors: Adibekyan V. , Santos N. C. , Demangeon O. D. S. , Faria J. P. , Barros S. C. C. , Oshagh M. , Figueira P. , Delgado Mena E. , Sousa S. G. , Israelian G. , Campante T. , Hakobyan A. A.
Published: March 2021

Context. Revealing the mechanisms shaping the architecture of planetary systems is crucial for our understanding of their formation and evolution. In this context, it has been recently proposed that stellar clustering might be the key in shaping the orbital architecture of exoplanets.

Aims. The main goal of this work is to explore the factors that shape the orbits of planets.

Methods. We performed different statistical tests to compare the properties of planets and their host stars associated with different stellar environments.

Results. We used a homogeneous sample of relatively young FGK dwarf stars with radial velocity detected planets and tested the hypothesis that their association to phase space (position-velocity) over-densities (“cluster” stars) and under-densities (“field” stars) impacts the orbital periods of planets. When controlling for the host star properties on a sample of 52 planets orbiting around cluster stars and 15 planets orbiting around field stars, we found no significant difference in the period distribution of planets orbiting these two populations of stars. By considering an extended sample of 73 planets orbiting around cluster stars and 25 planets orbiting field stars, a significant difference in the planetary period distributions emerged. However, the hosts associated with stellar under-densities appeared to be significantly older than their cluster counterparts. This does not allow us to conclude as to whether the planetary architecture is related to age, environment, or both. We further studied a sample of planets orbiting cluster stars to study the mechanism responsible for the shaping of orbits of planets in similar environments. We could not identify a parameter that can unambiguously be responsible for the orbital architecture of massive planets, perhaps, indicating the complexity of the issue.

Conclusions. An increased number of planets in clusters and in over-density environments will help to build large and unbiased samples which will then allow to better understand the dominant processes shaping the orbits of planets.
Relative field line helicity of a large eruptive solar active region
Authors: Moraitis K. , Patsourakos S. , Nindos A.
Published: March 2021

Context. Magnetic helicity is a physical quantity of great importance in the study of astrophysical and natural plasmas. Although a density for helicity cannot be defined, a good proxy for this quantity is field line helicity. The appropriate quantity for use in solar conditions is relative field line helicity (RFLH).

Aims. This work aims to study in detail the behaviour of RFLH, for the first time, in a solar active region (AR).

Methods. The target AR is the large, eruptive AR 11158. In order to compute RFLH and all other quantities of interest, we used a non-linear force-free reconstruction of the AR coronal magnetic field of excellent quality.

Results. We find that the photospheric morphology of RFLH is very different than that of the magnetic field or electrical current, and this morphology is not sensitive to the chosen gauge in the computation of RFLH. The value of helicity experiences a large decrease, that is ∼25% of its pre-flare value, during an X-class flare of the AR; this change is also depicted in the photospheric morphology of RFLH. Moreover, the area of this change coincides with the area that encompasses the flux rope, which is the magnetic structure that later erupted.

Conclusions. The use of RFLH can provide important information about the value and location of the magnetic helicity expelled from the solar atmosphere during eruptive events.
Quantum study of reaction O (3P) + H2 (v,j) → OH + H: OH formation in strongly UV-irradiated gas
Authors: Veselinova A. , Agúndez M. , Goicoechea J. R. , Menéndez M. , Zanchet A. , Verdasco E. , Jambrina P. G. , Aoiz F. J.
Published: March 2021

The reaction between atomic oxygen and molecular hydrogen is an important one in astrochemistry as it regulates the abundance of the hydroxyl radical and serves to open the chemistry of oxygen in diverse astronomical environments. However, the existence of a high activation barrier in the reaction with ground-state oxygen atoms limits its efficiency in cold gas. In this study we calculated the dependence of the reaction rate coefficient on the rotational and vibrational state of H2, and evaluated the impact on the abundance of OH in interstellar regions strongly irradiated by far-UV photons where H2 can be efficiently pumped to excited vibrational states. We used a recently calculated potential energy surface and carried out time-independent quantum mechanical scattering calculations to compute rate coefficients for the reaction O (3P) + H2 (v, j) → OH + H, with H2 in vibrational states v = 0–7 and rotational states j = 0–10. We find that the reaction becomes significantly faster with increasing vibrational quantum number of H2. However, even for high vibrational states of H2 (v = 4–5), for which the reaction is barrierless, the rate coefficient does not strictly attain the collision limit and still maintains a positive dependence with temperature. We implemented the calculated state-specific rate coefficients in the Meudon PDR code to model the Orion Bar PDR and to evaluate the impact on the abundance of the OH radical. We find the fractional abundance of OH is enhanced by up to one order of magnitude in regions of the cloud corresponding to AV = 1.3–2.3 mag, compared to the use of a thermal rate coefficient for O + H2, although the impact on the column density of OH is modest, about 60%. The calculated rate coefficients will be useful to model and interpret JWST observations of OH in strongly UV-illuminated environments.
Study of student’s self-isolation adaptation strategies during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Sivrikova Nadezhda , Chernikova Elena , Kharlanova Elena , Ptashko Tatyana , Perebejnos Artem , Ryabykh Irina
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 epidemic, which turned into a pandemic, has led to the introduction of lockdown in many countries as a measure to prevent the spread of the virus. Significant changes have occurred in the lives of Russian students. The research objective is to study students’ strategies of adaptation to the self-isolation caused by the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19. To achieve this purpose, an online survey of students was conducted, followed by a correlation analysis of the data. The survey involved 269 students aged 17-21. In self-isolating conditions, students prefer to use strategies aimed at self-change. Two groups of strategies are distinguished in the structure of students’ adaptive behavior, between which there are positive correlations of average strength. The first group includes students’ preferable behavior strategies (accommodating, self-change, and self-immersion). The second group consists of strategies that are not popular among students (environment changing, waiting, avoidance, and passive self-representation). Male students are more active in solving problems than female students. The research results expand the existing understanding of students’ reactions to changes related to self-isolation. They can be useful to teachers, psychologists involved in assessing the social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on students.
Judo through the prism of the Russian dissertations
Authors: Mikhaylova Darya
Published: March 2021

The research touches on an interesting and important, both theoretically and practically, scientific problem that lies in the contradiction between two circumstances. The first circumstance is the large number of the Russian dissertations on judo. And the second circumstance is the lack of that scientific information, the knowledge of which would determine a significant increase in the sports’ achievements of Russian judokas. In the whole the elimination of this contradiction is necessary for the integrated management of increasing the competitiveness of the sports’ achievements of Russian judokas. In addition, the solution to this contradiction is also relevant in the context of the fact that full knowledge about the judo’s phenomenon, about judo as a weapon and about the ways of judo’s mastering is available mainly to the Japanese as the judo’s founders. The purpose of this research is to clarify the promising directions of the Russian dissertations on judo as a theoretical and methodological basis for increasing the effectiveness of Russian judo on the world sports’ arena. The methods of this research: comparative method, case studies, content’s analysis, frequence’s analysis, conjugation’s tables’ analysis, genetic method, theoretical modeling. The results of a systematic analysis of all Russian dissertations on judo (for the entire period over forty years) are presented, the composition of these dissertations and significant relationships between their main characteristics are uncovered, gaps in scientific knowledge in judo are identified, and the necessary directions for further dissertational researches in this area are outlined.
The use of new pedagogical practices and modern technologies to increase the competence level of I and II stage students of the specialty “ Physical Training” of Polotsk State University
Authors: Barun Alena , Hryshanava Natallia , Vashchanka Sviatlana , Dauhiala Natallia , Andryewskaja Sviatlana
Published: March 2021

The changes taking place in the higher education system in the Republic of Belarus require the search for new pedagogical teaching technologies, the updating of tools, methods and methodological techniques. At Polotsk State University, innovative pedagogical practices and technologies, information and communication technologies and distance learning technologies are widely used in the training of specialists in physical education. When choosing and implementing new pedagogical practices, technologies, forms and methods of teaching, constant requests for the formation of future specialists ’ competencies are taken into account. The use of innovative teaching methods increases the quality of students ’ knowledge, interest in studying the course and future professional activity.
Development of the composition of cereal dishes of higher biological value
Authors: Chernova Elena , Bazhenova Irina , Bazhenova Tatiana
Published: March 2021

Main food products of Russians are cereals, various meat and fish. The phenomenon of Russian and another national cuisines are balance of main nutrients in their dishes. Traditional Russian dishes are different kinds of porridge and culinary products made of cereals. Grits themselves are the source of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, vitamins of B group, biologically active substances and minerals but unbalanced grain protein in amino acid content is considered to be a serious deficiency. There is the lack of lysine, threonine, tryptophan in the majority of grains, so vegetable protein is digested and processed harder than animal protein. That is why, while developing compositions of dishes, it is necessary to consider availability and digestibility of the protein. Level of digestion of protein can be estimated during the process of digestion of food products by the system of ferments in vitro. In this work you can see the results of the research of amino acid composition of protein and their hydrolyzates after enzymatic hydrolysis in boiled grains. It can be seen that hydrolyzates have bigger coefficient of utilized protein and lower percentage of unutilized protein comparing with untreated grits. According to these results they developed two-, three-, four-component compositions from buckwheat, barley, oats and millet grains and elaborated more than 100 optimal compositions of dishes from grains.
Pedagogic position of resident physicians as a factor contributing to forming a healthy-oriented lifestyle in patients
Authors: Vanchakova Nina Pavlovna , Bogatyrev Andrey Anatoljevich , Denishenko Veronica Aleksandrovna , Krasilnikova Natalia Valerjevna , Shaporov Anton Mikhailovitch , Vatskel Elizaveta Aleksandrovna
Published: March 2021

The paper describes the features and components of the academic course content and teaching techniques aimed at forming the pedagogic position (a set of pedagogical knowledges, skills, competences, values, and attitudes) of a doctor in young resident physicians. This position contributes to an effective health-oriented lifestyle dissemination and adoption, especially in patients with chronic diseases. It reflects a new perception of physician’s vocational duties, including care for patients’ life and their need for psychological support. Biopsychosocial approach to health and disease was chosen as a conceptual core of the academic course content and methodology design, specially elaborated to unite pedagogical aspects of the physician’s job with the clinical ones. The set of methods aimed at doctor’s pedagogical position formation and development of professional reflection, values and attitudes included lecturing, interviewing, case studies and clinical cases analysis, discussion, questionnaires, brainstorming, trainings and testing. Eighty-six resident physicians were observed within this study. Such components of the pedagogic position as knowledges, skills, attitudes and motivation showed more dynamics, whereas personal traits were seen as a more static and stable component of the pedagogic position in resident physicians. A remarkable divergence of progress was elicited between doctors of various specialties.
Stable approximations for axisymmetric Willmore flow for closed and open surfaces
Authors: Barrett John W. , Garcke Harald , Nürnberg Robert
Published: March 2021

For a hypersurface in ℝ3, Willmore flow is defined as the L2-gradient flow of the classical Willmore energy: the integral of the squared mean curvature. This geometric evolution law is of interest in differential geometry, image reconstruction and mathematical biology. In this paper, we propose novel numerical approximations for the Willmore flow of axisymmetric hypersurfaces. For the semidiscrete continuous-in-time variants we prove a stability result. We consider both closed surfaces, and surfaces with a boundary. In the latter case, we carefully derive weak formulations of suitable boundary conditions. Furthermore, we consider many generalizations of the classical Willmore energy, particularly those that play a role in the study of biomembranes. In the generalized models we include spontaneous curvature and area difference elasticity (ADE) effects, Gaussian curvature and line energy contributions. Several numerical experiments demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of our developed numerical methods.
A novel extraction method for useful component of vibration signal combining variational mode decomposition and relative entropy
Authors: Zhu Yong , Wang Quanlin , Wang Yangding , Yuan Shouqi , Tang Shengnan , Zheng Zhijian
Published: March 2021

In condition monitoring and prognostics health management, it is very important to extract the useful components of equipment state signals. In this paper, combining variational mode decomposition (VMD) and relative entropy (RE), a novel approach is proposed for extracting signal useful components. By using VMD, the original vibration signal can be adaptively decomposed, and its effective constituents can be acquired through the assessment of RE. The proposed method is further applied into some simulated and measured signals of a hydraulic axial piston pump. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are demonstrated through the numerical and tested vibration signals. The results show that the proposed method possesses laudable capability to extract the effective component of vibration signals for a hydraulic axial piston pump under normal state, slipper wear, and slipper luxation. The interference of background noise is effectively overcome. Furthermore, the expected useful signals are precisely reconstituted.
Pressure sensing of liquid metal-based fiber arrays
Authors: Wang Lei , Fu Junheng , Zhao Feng , Liu Jing
Published: March 2021

The GaIn based room temperature liquid metal (LM) is a potential material for sensing applications due to its good fluidity and excellent conductivity. The change in volume or shape substantially modifies the LM electrical properties, especially in the case of limited volume. In this study, we coated LM on fiber arrays to establish a relationship between external stress and the electrical signal. The external force applied to the flexible fibers induces their deformation, changing the electrical signal. We recorded this change experimentally and established the relationship between the stress and the electrical signal. The sensitivity can be adjusted by the elastic module and length of fibers. Fiber arrays of different lengths may cover a wide range of stress values. This novel design has potential applications in the fields of sensing and stretchable electronics.
Barley plants carrying the altered function
Authors: Gualano Leonardo , Moriconi Jorge I. , Oliferuk Sonia , Silva Martha , Tranquilli Gabriela E. , Santa-María Guillermo E.
Published: March 2021

The module GA-GID1-DELLA (Gibberellin-Gibberellin Receptor-DELLA proteins) provides a point for the integration of signals potentially relevant in determining nutrient utilisation and acquisition efficiencies. In this study, we explored the role of components of this module during the acclimation of barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L.) to different phosphorus (P) supplies by using two related genotypes, harbouring either the WT or the Sln1d alleles of the DELLA-coding gene Sln1. Dwarf Sln1d plants exhibited reduced shoot P utilisation efficiency (PUtE) and better performance at low levels of P supply. The superior PUtE displayed by WT plants disappeared when corrected by internal P concentration, indicating that multiple analyses are necessary to fully understand the meaning of PUtE estimates. Over a wide range of external supplies of P, Sln1d plants displayed enhanced P concentration, which was associated with low relative growth rate, high biomass partitioning to roots and high P-uptake-rate, thus suggesting that the effect of the Sln1d allele on P dynamics is not simply a consequence of slow growth habit. An enhanced P concentration was also found in a mutant with defective GAs-synthesis. Our results suggest that components of the GA-GID1-DELLAs module contribute to set the acclimation response of barley plants to low P supply through both P-dynamics dependent and P-dynamics independent mechanisms.
Nitrogen utilisation-efficient oilseed rape (
Authors: Guo Xiao , Ma Bao-Luo , McLaughlin Neil B. , Wu Xiaoming , Chen Biyun , Gao Yajun
Published: March 2021

Preliminary studies observed a lower growth activity during the vegetative stage with higher growth attributes at the pod-filling stage among the high nitrogen (N) utilisation efficiency (NUtE) oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) genotypes, compared with the low NUtE genotypes. Therefore, we hypothesised that there would exist a critical growth stage when distinctive phenotypic traits are exhibited to regulate yield formation and NUE. A field experiment and a hydroponic culture were conducted to characterise the differences in shoot and root physiological indicators of the high and low NUtE oilseed rape genotypes at seedling, bud, bolting, flowering and pod-filling stages. We found that flowering was the critical period when the reverse growth habit occurred between high and low NUtE genotypes. The high NUtE genotypes displayed larger values of root traits, stronger N uptake kinetics parameters, higher activity of leaf glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthetase (GOGAT), larger SPAD values and net photosynthetic rate, ultimately leading to higher seed yield and NUE. Our results indicate that flowering is the critical growth stage to distinguish the high from low NUtE oilseed rape genotypes, and plant breeders may focus on selecting root and shoot phenotypic traits from flowering stage onwards to achieve both high yields and NUE for oilseed rape genotypes.
Expression of key auxin biosynthesis genes correlates with auxin and starch content of developing wheat (
Authors: Kabir Muhammed Rezwan , Nonhebel Heather M. , Backhouse David , Winter Gal
Published: March 2021

The effect of auxin on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain size is contentious. Additionally, the contributions to the IAA pool from de novo synthesis versus hydrolysis of IAA-glucose are unclear. Here, we describe the first comprehensive study of tryptophan aminotransferase and indole-3-pyruvate mono-oxygenase expression from 5 to 20 days after anthesis. A comparison of expression data with measurements of endogenous IAA via combined liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using heavy isotope labelled internal standards indicates that TaTAR2-B3, TaYUC9-A1, TaYUC9-B, TaYUC9-D1, TaYUC10-A and TaYUC10-D are primarily responsible for IAA production in developing grains. Furthermore, these genes are expressed specifically in developing grains, like those found in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). Our results cast doubt on the proposed role of THOUSAND-GRAIN WEIGHT gene, TaTGW6, in promoting larger grain size via negative effects on grain IAA content. Work on this gene overlooked the contribution of IAA biosynthesis from tryptophan. Although IAA synthesis occurs primarily in the endosperm, we show the TaYUC9-1 group is also strongly expressed in the embryo. Within the endosperm, TaYUC9-1 expression is highest in aleurone and transfer cells, suggesting that IAA has a key role in differentiation of these tissues as has been proposed for other cereals.
Distribution of nitrogen-cycling genes in an oxygen-depleted cyclonic eddy in the Alfonso Basin, Gulf of California
Authors: Ramos-de la Cruz Ramiro , Pajares Silvia , Merino-Ibarra Martín , Monreal-Gómez María Adela , Coria-Monter Erik
Published: March 2021

The marine N cycle is driven mainly by microorganisms whose distribution can be shaped by mesoscale eddies. Recently, eddies containing oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) have been recognised as N-loss hotspots, complicating even more the calculations of the marine N budgets. As a contribution to this understanding, we investigated the effect of a cyclonic eddy confined in an oxygen-depleted basin on the distribution of the N-cycling communities. We measured hydrographic properties of the water column, nutrient concentrations, and the abundance of key genes involved in the processes of nitrification (archaeal and bacterial amoA), denitrification (nirS and nirK), dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia (DNRA; nrfA) and anammox (hzo) within the eddy. Our results indicated that the cyclonic circulation affected the distribution of nutrients and the abundance of amoA and nirS genes, whereas oxygen influenced the distribution of nirK, nrfA, and hzo genes. Additionally, the aerobic ammonium oxidation by archaea seems to be an important source of nitrite, which might fuel denitrifier, DNRA, and anammox communities in this basin. These findings along with the high N deficit in the OMZ suggest the existence of an active N cycling that might enhance the N-loss in this oxygen-depleted basin.
Incorporating a health team as part of a disadvantaged high school’s interconnected community learning model
Authors: Noon Ted , Zadkovich Gary
Published: March 2021

Child poverty rates in Australia remain consistently high, with one in six children living in poverty. High levels of disadvantage result in compounding effects over the life trajectory and include adverse adult health vocational outcomes, increased premature morbidity and mortality and an intergenerational effect. Access to and the availability of services, including health, are restricted due to a complex mix of reasons that include a disconnection between an enabling strategic intent and action. Many young people begin life (including prenatal) with undiagnosed or poorly managed health issues, which subsequently affect the full range of developmental milestones throughout their school years. To counter these gaps in young people’s educational outcomes, a disadvantaged public high school in south-west Sydney introduced, over 10 years, a seven-member school health team employed directly by the school as part of an interconnected model of learning. The focus of this study was to determine the view of staff about the effectiveness and impact of the team as it connects to this holistic model of learning. The comments by staff are very positive and the universal view is that the introduction of a comprehensive interconnected school health team to the high school setting is proving highly beneficial.
Improving access to refugee-focused health services for people from refugee-like backgrounds in south-eastern Melbourne through the education sector
Authors: Long Katrina M. , Vasi Shiva , Westbury Susannah , Shergill Sandy , Guilbert-Savary Chloé , Whitelaw Ashley , Cheng I-Hao , Russell Grant
Published: March 2021

People from refugee-like backgrounds living in Australia face substantial health challenges that benefit from access to health and social services. Many people from refugee-like backgrounds have frequent contact with education sector staff, who have the potential to act as conduits to health and social services. The aim of this project was to improve access to refugee-focused health services for people from refugee-like backgrounds in south-eastern Melbourne by codesigning and delivering a 1-day education forum to education sector staff. Evaluation of the forum used mixed-methods analysis of data from pre-post and follow-up surveys (n = 11; administered before, immediately after and 1 month after the forum respectively), post-forum interviews (n = 4) and one school’s referral records. The forum improved attendees’ refugee-focused health service referral knowledge, confidence and behaviour. This was supported by the qualitative findings of high staff motivation, high forum satisfaction and evidence of outcome sustainability. Education staff are an important complement to an integrated model of health care for recently resettled people from refugee-like backgrounds. These results show that a straightforward local intervention can improve the ability of education staff to act as conduits to health services, increasing access to health services for people from refugee-like backgrounds.
Serum sex hormone-binding globulin is associated with symptomatic late-onset hypogonadism in aging rural males: a community-based study
Authors: Liang Guoqing , Song Yuxuan , Wang Xiao , Li Jianhui , Shi Huijuan , Zhu Qianxi , Zheng Junbiao , Yu Xiaohua , Li Zheng , Zhang Shucheng , Wang Zengguang , Liu Xiaoqiang
Published: March 2021

Background To investigate whether serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and testosterone are associated with symptomatic late-onset hypogonadism (SLOH) in middle-aged and elderly rural Chinese males. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Zhejiang rural communities. A total of 965 men (aged 40–80 years) were admitted to the aging males’ symptoms (AMS) scale and related physical examinations including body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were conducted. Serum total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and serum lipid levels were measured separately. Serum level of bioavailable testosterone (Bio-T) was calculated. Results: A total of 965 participants were divided into two groups, symptomatic late-onset hypogonadism (SLOH) group (n = 202) (AMS score ≥27) and control group (n = 763), according to total AMS score. Men in the SLOH group were older (61.57±9.06 vs 54.95±8.27 years) and had a smaller waist circumference (81.06±6.89 vs 82.54±6.60 cm) than those in the control group. Moreover, a relatively higher level of SHBG and lower levels of FT, Bio-T, triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (T-CHOL) were found in the SLOH group compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) analysis showed that age (AUC = 0.702, P < 0.001) and SHBG (AUC = 0.617, P < 0.001) were potential predictive indicators for SLOH diagnosis, with the best cut-off values of 59 years for age and 44.40 nmol/L for SHBG. Conclusions: SHBG might be a potential predictor in men with hypogonadism, whereas BMI had no proportionality to the measurement of AMS. Age and SHBG should be used for SLOH diagnosis.
A hepatitis B virus causes chronic infections in equids worldwide
Authors: Rasche Andrea , Lehmann Felix , Goldmann Nora , Nagel Michael , Moreira-Soto Andres , Nobach Daniel , de Oliveira Carneiro Ianei , Osterrieder Nikolaus , Greenwood Alex D. , Steinmann Eike , Lukashev Alexander N. , Schuler Gerhard , Glebe Dieter , Drexler Jan Felix ,   the Equid HBV Consortium, Aguilar-Setien Alvaro , Azab Walid , Carluccio Augusto , Dietrich Dimo , Franke Carlos Roberto , García-Bocanegra Ignacio , García-Lacy Fernando , Jeworoski Lara M. , Jores Jörg , Kepper Ramona , Netto Eduardo Martins , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , Ribas Jorge R.L. , Roncoroni Christina , Roppert Pia L. , Rusenov Anton , Rusenova Nikolina , Sandev Nikolay , Seeber Peter A. , Shnaiderman-Torban Anat , Steinman Amir , Tegtmeyer Birthe , Veneziano Vincenzo , Veronesi Maria C. , Walter Stephanie , Zapryanova Dimitrinka
Published: March 2021

Significance

The development of urgently needed hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatments is challenged by the lack of suitable animal models. Here, we describe an HBV-related virus, which occurs globally in donkeys and zebras (Equid HBV, EqHBV). EqHBV presumably originated in Africa, approximately at the time when donkey domestication started. EqHBV causes a hepatotropic disease comparable to human HBV infection and prolonged infections, resembling chronic hepatitis B in humans. In vitro infection studies suggested that horses are also susceptible to EqHBV. Both donkeys and horses also host a hepatitis C virus (HCV)-like virus. EqHBV offers unique opportunities for in vivo studies of both chronic hepatitis B and HBV/HCV coinfections in terms of pathogenesis and therapy optimization.
Visualizing the double-gyroid twin
Authors: Feng Xueyan , Zhuo Mujin , Guo Hua , Thomas Edwin L.
Published: March 2021

Significance

The characterization of periodic morphologies in soft-matter supramolecular crystals has generally relied on X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy techniques. However, understanding the detailed nature of geometrical and topological defects in complex supramolecular assemblies requires high-resolution three-dimensional visualization over large sample volumes. Taking advantage of the recent development of slice-and-view scanning electron microscopy tomography for block copolymers, we clearly identify a sharp, coherent grain boundary in a double-gyroid structured polystyrene-
b
-polydimethylsiloxane diblock as a (422) twin boundary, likely formed during self-assembly. Knowledge of the geometric and topological nature of defects is important for further improving the performance of supramolecular soft crystals.
Yeast optimizes metal utilization based on metabolic network and enzyme kinetics
Authors: Chen Yu , Li Feiran , Mao Jiwei , Chen Yun , Nielsen Jens
Published: March 2021

Significance

Metal ions are essential to all living cells, as they can serve as cofactors of enzymes to drive catalysis of biochemical reactions. We present a constraint-based model of yeast that relates metabolism with metal ions via enzymes. The model is able to capture responses of metabolism and gene expression upon iron depletion, suggesting that yeast cells allocate iron resource in the way abiding to optimization principles. Interestingly, the model predicts up-regulation of several iron-containing enzymes that coincide with experiments, which raises the possibility that the decrease in activity due to limited iron could be compensated by elevated enzyme abundance. Moreover, the model paves the way for guiding biosynthesis of high-value compounds (e.g.,
p
-coumaric acid) that relies on iron-containing enzymes.
Community presence, motivation, and identity
Authors: Amorati Riccardo
Published: March 2021

This study examines the extent to which the motivation of university students of Italian in Melbourne (Australia) is influenced by the visibility of a local Italian community. The research relies on data collected by open-ended questions and two Likert items from a survey study (n = 74) as well as in-depth interviews (n = 5). The findings show that learners’ motivation is influenced by their exposure to the L2 language and culture in the local context and by their engagement with a community that forms part of Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse population. Students’ investment in the L2 can be interpreted in light of a new identity dimension, the community-engaged L2 self, which builds upon previous motivational variables (integrative orientation, ideal L2 self), as well as scholarly insights into the link between language, identity, and access to L2 resources. This self-characterizes both heritage and non-heritage learners’ positioning through the L2 in the local socio-context and is expected to hold considerable pedagogical significance.
Beyond base and collocate
Authors: Cantos Pascual , Almela-Sánchez Moisés
Published: March 2021

Support verb constructions figure among the most frequently investigated topics in the literature on collocation. So far, most studies of this kind have focused on bipartite structures, consisting of a verbal collocate and a nominal base. Accordingly, the analysis of how support verbs are distributed has concentrated almost exclusively on the lexical control exerted by the base. In this article, we draw attention towards the influence exerted by the participation of verb and noun in more complex patterns of lexical co-occurrence. We contend that the distribution of the support verb collocate is contingent not only on the base noun but also on other elements of the lexical context. This highlights the need to enrich the theoretical framework of collocation analysis with the additional descriptive category of ‘second-order collocate’. The proposal is illustrated with two case studies using a large-scale web corpus of English.
Retrieving the new from the legacy of history
Authors: Çakmak Alper , Özekmekçi M. İnanç
Published: March 2021

Contemporary Turkey has gone through many reforms that have been legitimized by country’s historical legacy. The constitutive elements of this legacy are images, historical figures, events, and symbolisms embedded in memory. It is through those elements that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party sets himself up as the appropriate narrator and appropriate doer, incrementally gaining an upper hand in the legitimacy struggles by telling stories from history, emerging as the new founding father of Turkey and introducing new policies rooted in the legacy of the past. How has he been able to occupy such a position of superiority through the struggles for legitimacy in Turkish politics? This paper critically argues that Erdoğan first set up his personality, imposing himself as the most appropriate narrator and finally showing himself to be the most appropriate doer, by crafting his political communication with symbols and figures from history.
English and multilingual repertoires in healthcare
Authors: Mlambo Nelson
Published: March 2021

This chapter investigates the role of English in
the communicative practices among multilingual participants in
healthcare in Windhoek, Namibia, from the perspective of expatriate
healthcare practitioners working in the private sector. It provides
insights into the use of English in Namibia and informs about the
multilingual communicative resources and needs from the perspective
of healthcare providers (HCPs). The chapter illustrates that
expatriate multilingual HCPs, working in a multilingual context,
find the linguistic diversity at their workplace both challenging
and enriching. They experience the use of English and many other
languages to be an engagement that broadens their professional,
social, and cultural views and this ultimately results in improved
work relations and improved HCP-patient relationships.
A variational pragmatic approach to responses to thanks in
Namibian English
Authors: Schröder Anne , Schneider Klaus P.
Published: March 2021

Variational pragmatics has only recently been
combined with non-native World Englishes research, by examining the
pragmatics of Namibian English (NamE). However, this research has
concentrated on the comparison of pragmatic phenomena in NamE to
those in some L1-varieties, exclusively based on the same mixed-task
questionnaire. Although this has led to the discovery of
specifically Namibian usages, limitations to the validity of this
type of data collection have been pointed out. This chapter
triangulates the results of a quantitative questionnaire study with
qualitative analysis of role-plays and meta-pragmatic focus group
discussions, reassessing earlier findings on responses to thanks in
NamE. This contributes to the understanding of sociolinguistic
complexity and the negotiation of pragmatic strategies in the
multilingual ecology of Namibia.
Namibian literature in English
Authors: Frank Kerstin
Published: March 2021

This essay provides a survey of Namibian
literature written in English both before and after independence in
1990, but with a focus on post-independence writing. The survey is
structured by genre categories, starting with autobiographies,
novels and short stories and continuing with drama and poetry. In
each section, important authors and anthologies are briefly named
and selected works are given more detailed attention. While aiming
at a general overview of Namibian literature, this essay puts
particular focus on the way the texts negotiate the topic of
personal and national identity, either with reference to the
country’s colonial past and the liberation struggle or regarding
contemporary society and its social inequalities, contrasts and
cultural diversity.
Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) Violence Risk Case Formulation and Psychopathic Personality Disorder
Authors: Gatner Dylan T. , Douglas Kevin S. , Hart Stephen D. , Kropp P. Randall
Published: March 2021

The bivariate, empirical association between psychopathic personality disorder (PPD) and violence has been well established. Yet, questions remain about how to explain why this association occurs. To address this conceptual gap, we presented a review of theories of violence related to PPD. Next a conceptual analysis of how psychopathic traits may influence violent decisions was conducted. Specifically, we systematically analyzed how Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP; Cooke et al., International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 11(4), 242–252, 2012) traits influence violence from a structured professional judgment (SPJ) theory of violence known as SPJ decision theory. This conceptual analysis clarifies how various CAPP traits may motivate, disinhibit, or destabilize violence. Implications include the role of causality and clinical applications of violence risk case formulations.
Bilateral comparison of 1 Ω and 10 kΩ standards (ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a and 13.b) between the EMI (United Arab Emirates) and the BIPM
Authors: Rolland B , Stock M , Gournay P , Bartholomew J , Kalbani W Al , Kayyoomi S Al
Published: March 2021

Main text

This report gives the result of a bilateral comparison of resistance between the EMI (United Arab Emirates) and the BIPM carried out in 2020. Two 1 Ω and two 10 kΩ travelling standards belonging to the BIPM were used. The comparison was carried out with an 'A-B-A' pattern of measurements; the standards were measured first at the BIPM for a period of about one month, then for a period of about one month at the EMI, and finally again at the BIPM. The measurand was the 4 terminal dc resistance at low power. The BIPM was the pilot laboratory, and the comparison forms part of the ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a (for 1 Ω) and BIPM.EM-K13b (for 10 kΩ).

The results from the EMI and the BIPM were found to be in good agreement, with a difference D smaller than the relative expanded uncertainty Uc (95% confidence, k = 2) giving D = -0.057 × 10-6, Uc = 0.400 × 10-6 for 1 Ω and D = 0.017 × 10-6, Uc = 0.194 × 10-6 for 10 kΩ.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Detecting the event of a single photon loss on quantum signals
Authors: Mandilara A , Balkybek Y , Akulin V M
Published: March 2021

We design a scheme for detecting a single photon loss from multi-modal quantum signals transmitted via a fiber or in free space. This consists of a special type of unitary coding transformation, the parity controlled-squeezing, applied prior to the transmission on the signal composed by information and ancilla modes. At the receiver, the inverse unitary transformation is applied—decoding, and the ancilla mode is measured via photon detection. The outcome reveals whether a photon loss has occurred. Distortion of the information part of the signal caused by an ancilla photon loss can be corrected via unitary transformation while loss of a photon from the information part of the signal can be detected with the probability exponentially close to unity but cannot be corrected. In contrast to the schemes of decoherence free subspaces and quantum error correction protocols, this method allows one to make use in principle of entire Hilbert space dimensionality. We discuss possible ways of synthesizing the required encoding–decoding transformation.