bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shape and electromagnetic properties of the229mTh isomer
Authors: Minkov Nikolay , Pálffy Adriana
Published: September 2021

We examine the physical conditions, and specifically the role of the quadrupole-octupole deformation, for the emergence of the 8 eV “clock” isomer229mTh. Our nuclear structure model suggests that such an extremely low-energy state can be the result of a very fine interplay between the shape and single-particle (s.p.) dynamics in the nucleus. We find that the isomer can only appear in a rather limited region of quadrupoleoctupole deformation space close to a line along which the ground-state and isomer s.p. orbitals 5/2[633] and 3/2[631], respectively, cross each other providing the isomer-formation quasi-degeneracy condition. The crucial role of the octupole deformation in the formation mechanism is pointed out. Our calculations within the outlined deformation region show a smooth behaviour of the229Th electromagnetic properties, including the isomer decay rate, allowing for their more precise theoretical determination
A mechanism for shape coexistence
Authors: Martinou Andriana
Published: September 2021

The phenomenon of shape coexistence in a nucleus is about the occurence of two different nuclear states with drastically different shapes, lying close in energy. It is commonly seen in the data, that such coexisting states manifest in specific nuclei, which lie within certain islands on the nuclear chart, the islands of shape coexistence. A recently introduced mechanism predicts that these islands derive from the coexistence of two different types of magic numbers: the harmonic oscillator and the spin-orbit like. The algebraic realization of the nuclear Shell Model, the Elliott SU(3) symmetry, along with its extension, the proxy-SU(3) symmetry , are used for the parameter-free theoretical predictions of the islands of shape coexistence
Highest weight irreducible representations favored by nuclear forces within SU(3)-symmetric fermionic systems
Authors: Martinou Andriana , Sarantopoulou S. , Karakatsanis K.E. , Bonatsos Dennis
Published: September 2021

The consequences of the attractive, short-range nucleon-nucleon (NN) interaction on the wave functions of nuclear models bearing the SU(3) symmetry are reviewed. The NN interaction favors the most symmetric spatial SU(3) irreducible representation (irrep), which corresponds to the maximal spatial overlap among the fermions. The consideration of the highest weight (hw) irreps in nuclei and in alkali metal clusters, leads to the prediction of a prolate to oblate shape transition beyond the mid–shell region. Subsequently, the consequences of the use of the hw irreps on the binding energies and two-neutron separation energies in the rare earth region are discussed within the proxy-SU(3) scheme, by considering a very simple Hamiltonian, containing only thethree dimensional (3D) isotropic harmonic oscillator (HO) term and the quadrupole-quadrupole interaction. This Hamiltonian conserves the SU(3) symmetry and treats the nucleus as a rigid rotator.
Structure of 190-200Hg within the covariant density functional theory
Authors: Prassa Vaia , Karakatsanis Konstantinos E. , Lalazissis George A.
Published: September 2021

We study in detail the chain of even - even mercury isotopes 190-200Hg using the relativistic point coupling model. A five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian (5DCH) model, with parameters determined by constrained self-consistent mean-field (SCMF) calculations based on the relativistic density-dependent pointcoupling (DD-PC1) energy density functional, and a finite-range pairing interaction is used to calculate the low-energy excitation spectrum and the B(E2) transitions rates of even-even nuclei. The calculations suggest coexisting configurations in 190Hg, increased collectivity in the isotopes 192-198Hg and a more spherical structure in 200Hg.
Weak Interaction Physics at TwinSol
Authors: Kolata’ J. J. , Brodeur Maxime , Ahn Tan , Bardayan Dan , O’Malley Patrick , Randhawa J. S.
Published: September 2021

A program to investigate the unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) quark-mixing matrix by studying super-allowed mixed mirror β decays has been initiated at the TwinSol facility at Notre Dame. These mixed Fermi/Gamow-Teller (F-GT) decays, occurring between T=1/2 isospin doublets in mirror nuclei, provide a complimentary check on the data from super-allowed pure Fermi decays from 0+to 0+ states. The first part of the program, involving the measurement of the lifetimes of the relevant nuclei to the required accuracy of one part in 103 or better, has nearly been completed. However, the additional complication introduced by F-GT mixing requires the use of an ion trap to measure the mixing ratio ρ with similar accuracy. The lifetime measurements, as well as progress in installing an ion trap at TwinSol, will be discussed. In addition, since the ion trap will require a dedicated beam line for its operation, an opportunity presented itself to greatly improve the performance of TwinSol for reaction studies with exotic nuclei. This took the form of an added dipole switching magnet coupled to a third solenoid to form the new TriSol facility currently under construction. The expected properties of TriSol, and its application to reaction studies of interest for nuclear astrophysics, will also be discussed.
Recent experimental activity on heavy-ion induced reactions within the NUMEN project
Authors: Cappuzzello Francesco , Acosta Luis , Agodi Clementina , Altana Carmen , Amador-Valenzuela Paulina , Boztosun Ismail , Giuseppe A. Brischetto , Calabrese Salvatore , Calvo Daniela , Capirossi Vittoria , Carbone Diana , Cavallaro Manuela , Efrain R. Chávez Lomeli , Ciraldo Irene , Cutuli Mauro , Delaunay Franck , Djapo Haris , Eke Canel , Finocchiaro Paolo , Firat Suna , Fisichella Maria , Marcilei A. Guazzelli da Silveira , Hacisalihoglu Aylin , Iazzi Felice , Lanzalone Gaetano , La Fauci Laura , Linares Roberto , Nilberto H. Medina , Moralles Mauricio , José R. B. Oliveira , Pakou Athena , Pandola Luciano , Petrascu Horia , Pinna Federico , Russo Giuseppe , Roberto B. B. Santos , Sgouros Onoufrios , Selçuk O. Solakci , Souliotis George , Soukeras Vasileios , Spatafora Alessandro , Torresi Domenico , Tudisco Salvatore , Yildirin Aydin , Vinicius A. B. Zagatto
Published: September 2021

The possibility to use a special class of heavy-ion induced direct reactions, such as double charge exchange reactions, is discussed in view of their application to extract information that may be helpful to determinate the nuclear matrix elements entering in the expression of neutrinoless double beta decay half-life. The strategies adopted in the experimental campaigns performed at INFN - Laboratori Nazionali del Sud are briefly described, emphasizing the advantages of the multi-channel approach to nuclear reaction data analysis.
Recent results for the one-proton transfer reaction in the 18O+48Ti collision at 275 MeV
Authors: Sgouros O. , Cavallaro M. , Cappuzzello F. , Carbone D. , Agodi C. , Altana C. , Brischetto G. A. , Burrello S. , Calabrese S. , Calvo D. , Capirossi V. , Chávez Lomelí E. R. , Ciraldo I. , Cutuli M. , De Gregorio G. , Delaunay F. , Djapo H. , Eke C. , Finocchiaro P. , Fisichella M. , Foti A. , Gargano A. , Hacisalihoglu A. , Iazzi F. , La Fauci L. , Linares R. , Lubian J. , Medina N. H. , Moralles M. , Oliveira J. R. B. , Pakou A. , Pandola L. , Pinna F. , Russo G. , Guazzelli M. A. , Soukeras V. , Souliotis G. , Spatafora A. , Torresi D. , Yildirim A. , Zagatto V.A. B.
Published: September 2021

The 18O+48Ti reaction was studied at the energy of 275 MeV for the ﬁrst time under the NUMEN and NURE experimental campaigns with the aim to investigate the complete net of reaction channels potentially involved in the 48Ca→48Ti double charge exchange transition. Such a transition is of great interest because of its relevance to the extraction of 48Ca→48Ti double beta decay nuclear matrix element. The relevant experiment was carried out at the MAGNEX facility of INFN-LNS in Catania. Angular distribution measurements for the various reaction products were performed by using the MAGNEX large acceptance magnetic spectrometer. The present contribution is focused on the analysis of the one-proton transfer channel with emphasis on the particle identiﬁcation technique and the estimation of background contaminations.
Linking structure and dynamics with two-neutron halos
Authors: Casal Jesús , Gómez-Ramos Mario , Moro Antonio M.
Published: September 2021

We present a theoretical description of (p, pn) reactions induced by two-neutron halo nuclei at intermediate energies. For this purpose, we use a reaction framework that incorporates a full three-body model for the projectile, and we focus on the cases of 11Li and 14Be. Our results provide a direct link between the structure properties of these nuclei and different reaction observables, such as relative-energy spectra or momentum distributions. We discuss also on the link between dineutron correlations and opening-angle distributions.
Searching for treasures at sub-barrier energies: the case of 8B and 7Be
Authors: Pakou A. , O’Malley P. D. , Acosta L. , Sánchez-Benítez A. M. , Kolata J. J. , Palli K. , Sgouros O. , Soukeras V. , Souliotis G
Published: September 2021

Unexpected and challenging experimental results, at below barrier energies for weakly bound nuclei, are briefly reviewed in this article. The emphasis will be on our recent breakup results for 8B+208Pb at deep sub-barrier energies, indicating a dominance of direct mechanisms at this low energy regime. We will also present, a preliminary analysis of the 4He and 3He - particle production events for the 7Be + 208Pb reaction. These data were collected at the same experiment and at similar deep sub-barrier energies, exhibiting large yields compatible with cluster transfer processes. To confirm these results a new experiment to be performed at TriSol is planned, as soon as the upgrading of this facility will be completed.
The AMS technique as an important tool for the measurement of astrophysical cross sections
Authors: Acosta Luis , Amador-Valenzuela Paulina , Andrade Eduardo , Barrón-Palos Libertad , Belmont David , Charón Luis E. , Chávez Efraín , Cruz-Galindo Hilarion S. , García-Ramírez Jorge , Godos-Valencia David , Huerta Arcadio , Marín-Lámbarri Daniel J. , Martínez Josselin N. , Mas-Ruiz Javier , Méndez Carmen G. , Moreno Eliud , Murillo Ghiraldo , Padilla Santiago , Policroniades Rafael , Raya-Arredondo Roberto , Reza Guadalupe , RodríguezCeja María , Sánchez-Zúñiga Ebanibaldo , Sandoval-Hipólito Sinuhé , Vijay R. Sharma , Solís Corina , Varela Armando , Villaseñor Pedro , Zunun-Torres Amacalli B.
Published: September 2021

Accelerator Mass Spectrometry is a technique commonly used to approach low concentrations of certain long half-life radioisotopes. The most important contribution of the technique is the accurate measure of organic sample ages, by separating masses 12,13 and 14 in the case of carbon allocated in such samples. However, the reach of AMS could cover many other scientiﬁc scopes, since it can give us a precise measure of a very small concentration of a radioisotope. On this direction, AMS can be used to approach reactions of interest for astrophysics, if we spot an specific radioisotope which concentration can be measure with AMS. Starting with this, we have selected specific reactions involving 14C, 10Be and 26Al, produced with slow neutrons from a reactor and positive ions at an accelerator. The main idea is to produce a particular reaction and later to measure the radioisotopic concentration using AMS. In this study our first results for 14C and 10Be nuclei produced with neutrons, and the preliminary results for 26Al nuclei produced with deuterium are shown.
Low energy proton induced reactions for CANS applications
Authors: Soukeras V. , Sgouros O. , Pakou A.
Published: September 2021

The significance of comprehensive studies in the field of low energy proton induced reactions for applications related to Compact Accelerator – driven Neutron Sources was underlined in our recent work (O. Sgouros et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 57, 125 (2021)). In the present short article, the scientific concept together with the relevant simulations are discussed.
Two-stage description of charge distributions in 56Fe+p spallation reactions at 0.3-1.5 GeV/A
Authors: Nicolis N.G. , Souliotis G.A. , Bonasera A.
Published: September 2021

Spallation reactions are studied in the framework of a two-stage model. The intra-nuclear cascade (INC) stage of the reaction is simulated with the code ISABEL and a Constrained Molecular Dynamics (CoMD) code. The de-excitation of the highly excited pre-fragments is described with the multi-sequential binary decay code MECO, based on a generalized Weisskopf-Ewing formalism. Emission of nucleons, gamma rays and IMFs in their ground, excited bound and unbound states is considered. Calculated cross sections are compared with the experimental charge distributions of 56Fe + p spallation reaction products studied at GSI with the fragment separator FRS in the energy-range 0.3 − 1.5 GeV/A. At all bombarding energies, a good description of the experimental data is obtained with ISABEL-MECO using a global set of parameters. A preliminary calculation with CoMD-MECO at 1GeV/A is discussed.
Réfléchir l’interdisciplinarité à INRAE
Authors: Garin Patrice , Arpin Isabelle , Barreteau Olivier , Caranta Carole , Ducrot Christian , Hannachi Mourad , Maillet Isabelle
Published: September 2021

Quels sont les pratiques de recherche, les savoir-être et savoir-faire, les environnements de travail et les cadres institutionnels propices à l’interdisciplinarité ? Tel était le fil conducteur d’un séminaire tenu en janvier 2020, mettant en débat les expériences de scientifiques d’INRAE. Les dispositifs conçus pour la recherche disciplinaire ont été questionnés sur leur capacité à favoriser sur la durée la prise de risque de l’interdisciplinarité, à accompagner les scientifiques qui s’y engagent, et à reconnaître cet engagement dans leur carrière. Il en ressort un besoin de souplesse dans la mobilisation d’arènes, de temps et de moyens permettant les échanges.
Comment mobiliser des approches de fouille de textes et d’extraction de la terminologie dans un contexte pluridisciplinaire ?
Authors: Roche Mathieu
Published: September 2021

L’analyse des masses de données nécessite l’utilisation de méthodes mêlant harmonieusement différentes disciplines comme l’informatique, les mathématiques, les statistiques. L’ensemble de ces méthodes utiles pour traiter de telles données forme le socle de la « science des données ». Dans ce cadre, les approches de fouille de textes permettent de découvrir des connaissances utiles et nouvelles pour des experts issus généralement de différents domaines d’application (par exemple, veille épidémiologique, sécurité alimentaire, etc.). Cet article dresse un panorama de l’utilisation de méthodes de fouille de textes dans différents projets liés à l’agriculture et à la santé. Une démarche méthodologique générique est ensuite proposée et discutée.
Interventioneller Vorhofohrverschluss
Authors: Schmidt Boris , Rogacev Kyrill
Published: September 2021

Bedauerlicherweise existieren bisher keine randomisierten Studiendaten hinsichtlich des Stellenwerts eines Vorhofohrverschlusssystems (LAAC: „left atrial appendage closure“) im Vergleich zu oralen Antikoagulanzien (OAK) bei CKD-Patienten (CKD: „chronic kidney disease“). Eine derartige Studie (WATCH AFIB in CKD) wurde wegen geringer Rekrutierungszahlen eingestellt. Aus den im Beitrag angesprochenen Beobachtungsstudien kann allerdings eine gute Sicherheit und Effektivität der Therapie abgeleitet werden. In Anbetracht der unzureichenden Evidenz sollte bei VHF Patienten (VHF: Vorhofflimmern) mit CKD bis zu einer glomerulären Filtrationsrate (GFR) von 30 ml/min/1,73 m2 primär eine NOAK-Therapie (NOAK: neue OAK) verordnet werden. Im Falle von Blutungen kann dann gemäß Leitlinienempfehlung eine LAAC alternativ angeboten werden. Im Falle von Patienten mit dialysepflichtiger CKD muss eine individuelle Entscheidung getroffen werden, ob und wie eine Thromboembolieprophylaxe durchgeführt werden soll.
Therapie der renalen Anämie
Authors: Emrich Insa E. , Böhm Michael , Heine Gunnar H.
Published: September 2021

Die Einführung von Präparaten mit Erythropoietin (EPO)/Erythropoese stimulierenden Agenzien (ESA) zur Behandlung der renalen Anämie Ende der 1980er-Jahre ermöglichte eine Einsparung von Blutkonserven und eine Verbesserung der Lebensqualität von chronisch nierenkranken und v. a. dialysepflichtigen Patienten. Nach den negativen Ergebnissen der großen EPO/ESA-Endpunktstudien Mitte der 1990er-Jahre, erschien mit PIVOTAL 2019 eine randomisierte Studie zur intravenösen Eisentherapie, die eine prognostische Überlegenheit einer Hochdosiseisentherapie gegenüber einer restriktiveren Eisenapplikation zeigte. Mit den HIF-Stabilisatoren (HIF: Hypoxie induzierbarer Faktor) wird jetzt eine weitere – orale – Behandlungsoption der renalen Anämie verfügbar. Phase-II- und Phase-III-Studien zeigten eine Nichtunterlegenheit im Hinblick auf den Hämoglobinanstieg gegenüber einer Behandlung mit EPO/ESA-Präparaten. Da HIF-Stabilisatoren in die Transkription von unterschiedlichsten Genen eingreifen, müssen Sicherheitsstudien weitere wichtige Erkenntnisse liefern.
Prävention gastrointestinaler Tumore
Authors: Teufel Andreas , Quante Michael , Kandulski Arne , Hirth Michael , Zhan Tianzuo , Eckardt Maximilian , Thieme René , Kusnik Alexander , Yesmembetov Kakharman , Wiest Isabella , Riemann Jürgen Ferdinand , Schlitt Hans Jürgen , Gockel Ines , Malfertheiner Peter , Ebert Matthias Philip
Published: September 2021

In den letzten Dekaden wurden erhebliche Fortschritte bei der (frühzeitigen) Diagnostik und Therapie gastrointestinaler onkologischer Erkrankungen erzielt. Allerdings bleibt die Prognose für fortgeschrittene Stadien von gastrointestinalen Tumoren für viele Patienten limitiert, und ungefähr ein Drittel aller Tumorpatienten verstirbt an den Folgen eines gastrointestinalen Tumors. Der Prävention und Früherkennung gastrointestinaler Tumoren kommt somit eine große Bedeutung zu.

Aus diesem Grund fassen wir im Folgenden den Wissensstand und Empfehlungen zur primären, sekundären und tertiären Prävention von Ösophagus-, Magen-, Pankreas-, Leberzell- und kolorektalem Karzinom zusammen.
Sexualität und Behinderung: Kein „blinder“ Fleck
Authors: Sonntag Jennifer
Published: September 2021

Menschen, die mit Behinderungen leben, werden allzu oft als „asexuell“ wahrgenommen. Der vorliegende Kommentar widerspricht diesem Klischee und zeigt auf, dass und wie blinde Menschen Sexualität erleben, beschreiben und in Wort und Bild auch künstlerisch darstellen. Die Autorin behandelt das Thema mit doppelter Expertise: Sie war als diplomierte Sozialpädagogin an einer berufsbildenden Einrichtung für blinde und sehbehinderte Menschen tätig und tritt als blinde Frau mit erotischen Kunstprojekten an die Öffentlichkeit.
“Man wird bei diesem Thema gerne mal übersehen“ – eine Exploration sexueller Themen in Weblogs von Menschen mit Körperbehinderungen
Authors: Ortland Barbara , Scholten Ann-Kathrin
Published: September 2021

Einleitung Blogs sind eine niedrigschwellige Möglichkeit, private und autobiografische Beiträge einer weitestgehend anonymen Leser:innenschaft im Internet zur Verfügung zu stellen. Menschen mit Körperbehinderungen nutzen diese Plattform, um aus ihrem Leben und von ihren Erfahrungen zu berichten. Auch sexuelle Themen finden dabei Berücksichtigung.

Forschungsziele Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Ermittlung von sexuellen Themen, die Menschen mit sichtbaren Körperbehinderungen in Blog-Posts veröffentlichen. Durch die Analyse von autobiografischen Posts sollen die wesentlichen Anliegen der Blogger:innen im Sinne der Selbstermächtigung hervorgehoben und darüber hinaus in den wissenschaftlichen Diskurs eingebracht werden.

Methoden Es wurde eine explorativ qualitative Analyse nicht kommerzieller Blog-Posts durchgeführt. Die Auswertung der Blogbeiträge erfolgte anhand der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring (2015). Das Kategoriensystem wurde in Anlehnung an die „Internationale Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit, Behinderung und Gesundheit“ (ICF) der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) entwickelt.

Ergebnisse Es dominieren Themen, die aus der Auseinandersetzung mit behindernden Umweltfaktoren resultieren. Ungewollte Fremdbewertungen wirken selbstwertschädigend. Die Blogger:innen nehmen als Expert:innen in eigener Sache klar Stellung.

Schlussfolgerung Menschen mit Körperbehinderungen sollten für ihre Belange und Themen sowohl in wissenschaftliche als auch politische Diskurse deutlicher einbezogen werden. Eine behinderungsspezifische Sexualpädagogik kann die sexuelle Entwicklung positiv unterstützen.
Auswirkungen elterlicher Zwangserkrankungen auf die Entwicklung von Kindern – Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Interviewstudie
Authors: Belthle Anna , Rath Luisa , Jungbauer Johannes
Published: September 2021

Ziel Auswirkungen elterlicher Zwangserkrankungen auf die Entwicklung von Kindern sowie der daraus resultierende Hilfebedarf wurden in einer qualitativen Studie untersucht.

Methodik Durch leitfadengestützte Interviews wurden n = 15 erwachsene Kinder von Eltern mit Zwangsstörungen retrospektiv zu ihren Kindheitserfahrungen und zu ihrem weiteren Lebensweg befragt. Die Aufnahmen wurden transkribiert und inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet.

Ergebnis Die Befragten beschrieben zahlreiche Einschränkungen und Belastungen aufgrund der elterlichen Zwangsstörung (Tabuisierung, Einbeziehung in die Zwangssymptomatik, Beeinträchtigungen der Eltern-Kind-Beziehung etc.). Die Mehrzahl entwickelte im Erwachsenenalter eigene behandlungsbedürftige Probleme, die sie als Folge ihrer Kindheitserfahrungen deutete.

Diskussion Verheimlichungs- und Leugnungstendenzen zwangserkrankter Eltern führen bei vielen Kindern zum Erleben eines enorm belastenden Anpassungs- und Loyalitätsdrucks. Weiterführende Studien hierzu sind dringend geboten.
Kurse der Nephrologischen WBS-Ulm
Authors: Bundschu Marion
Published: September 2021

Der Schulungsort ist das Hotel Seligweiler (Seligweiler 1, 89081 Ulm-Seligweiler). Informationen zu den Veranstaltungen finden Sie auf
www.wbs-ulm.de

.
Peripheral Nerve Healing: So Near and Yet So Far
Authors: Baradaran Aslan , El-Hawary Hassan , Efanov Johnny Ionut , Xu Liqin
Published: September 2021

Peripheral nerve injuries represent a considerable portion of chronic disability that especially affects the younger population. Prerequisites of proper peripheral nerve injury treatment include in-depth knowledge of the anatomy, pathophysiology, and options in surgical reconstruction. Our greater appreciation of nerve healing mechanisms and the development of different microsurgical techniques have significantly refined the outcomes in treatment for the past four decades. This work reviews the peripheral nerve regeneration process after an injury, provides an overview of various coaptation methods, and compares other available treatments such as autologous nerve graft, acellular nerve allograft, and synthetic nerve conduits. Furthermore, the formation of neuromas as well as their latest treatment options are discussed.
Distal Femoral Pin Tracker Placement Prevents Pin Tract-induced Fracture in Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Baek Ji-Hoon , Lee Su Chan , Kim Jin-Hong , Ahn Hye Sun , Nam Chang Hyun
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the placement of pin trackers in the medial sagittal plane of the distal femur in robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over a minimum follow-up period of 3 months. From August 2020 to October 2020, a consecutive series of 81 TKAs were performed in 59 patients using the Triathlon posterior-stabilized total knee prosthesis with a robotic-assisted system (Mako) at our hospital. Patient charts were reviewed for complications associated with the pin sites, including fracture, infection, thigh pain, and the need for reoperation. No patients had any minor or major complications associated with distal femoral pins. This technique, which used pin trackers in the medial sagittal plane of the distal femur, could be a useful option for surgeons performing robotic-assisted TKA. This is a Level IV study.
Arab-German Trade and Institutions: The Effect of Good Governance on Arab Exports to Germany
Authors: Sabry Mohamed Ismail
Published: September 2021

Does good governance matter for exporting to the highly competitive markets of developed countries, especially those committed to a developmental mission centered on promoting good governance? This paper is investigating this research question. The focus of the analysis is the case study of Arab exports to the German economy, where a comparatively poor performance in comparison to that of other regions of the world is witnessed, despite geographical proximity and preferential trade agreements. Using statistical data and the literature on the subject, the paper engages in a discussion on German trade flows from Arab countries and whether governance indicators provide a good explanatory framework. The research question is then investigated empirically by running several regressions using the two-stage least-squares and Poisson pseudo maximum likelihood models. Different indicators of German exports are used as dependent variables while the independent variables are various governance indicators together with the control variables suggested by the gravity model. The obtained empirical results suggest that good governance generally boosts Arab exports to Germany and relatively more than it does for non-Arab exporters to Germany. This is especially true for governance indicators that directly affect exporting activities, such as regulatory quality and government effectiveness. For some indicators that indirectly affect exporting, however, the results are mixed for both Arab and non-Arab countries, especially for the textile industry. This sheds doubts on Germany’s developmental commitment to fostering good governance principles.
Impacts of political and social contexts on refugees’ experiences: A comparison between Southeast Asian refugees arriving in France in the 70s and recent refugee migration
Authors: Wilhelm Isabelle , Bartel Anja
Published: September 2021

The influx of refugees into France since 2015 has been framed as a crisis and marked by a restrictive turn in arrival and asylum policies. By comparison, in the 1970s Southeast Asian refugees fleeing from communist regimes were welcomed warmly in the country. This article compares two in-depth case studies of refugees, analysed using the biographical policy evaluation method, to retrace how the policies and collective representations of these two different historical moments affect the experiences of refugees over time. It shows that policies play a significant role in shaping refugees’ experiences in respect of their access to papers, housing, language courses and work, thus impacting, but not determining, their possibilities of reconstructing life in exile. The comparison also raises the question of how personal experiences of arrival, viewed as a rejection or a welcome, influence refugees’ life courses.
Critical metrics and massive gravity solutions on three-dimensional Brinkmann waves*
Authors: Brozos-Vázquez M , Caeiro-Oliveira S , García-Río E
Published: September 2021

Three-dimensional Brinkmann waves which are critical for quadratic curvature functionals are determined. Generically, if the metric is critical for some functional then it is critical for all of them. In contrast, there are four special functionals that do not share critical metrics with any other quadratic functional. It is also shown that these metrics provide explicit solutions for different massive gravity models.
Cold plasma treatment of seeds: deciphering the role of contact surfaces through multiple exposures, randomizing and stirring
Authors: Dufour T , Gutierrez Q
Published: September 2021

Cold plasma technologies are an efficient approach to improve the germination properties of seeds, especially in a stacking configuration within a dielectric barrier device (DBD). In such dry atmospheric plasma priming process, we show that a helium-nitrogen plasma treatment of 20 min can reduce the median germination time of lentil seeds from 1420 min to 1145 min, i.e. a gain in vigor of 275 min (or +19.4%). Considering that this result depends on the plasma-seed interaction and therefore on the contact surfaces between the seeds and the plasma, a topographic modeling of a 100 seeds-stack is performed in the DBD. This model drives to the distinction between the seed–seed contact surfaces (276 contacts standing for a total area of 230.6 mm2) and the seed-wall contact surfaces (134 contacts standing for a total area of 105.9 mm2). It turns out that after a single plasma treatment, the outer envelope of each seed is 92% exposed to plasma: a value high enough to support the relevance of the plasma process but which also opens the way to process optimizations. In this outlook, we propose to replace the single 20 min plasma treatment by a ‘plasma sequence’, i.e. a succession of shorter plasma treatments whose total duration remains 20 min. Between two successive plasma treatments, the seeds can follow either a trapping procedure (seeds in same positions and orientations) or a randomizing procedure (seeds in same positions but reoriented) or a stirring procedure (seeds vigorously shaken). As an example, a sequence of ten plasma treatments (upon 2 min) separated by short stirring procedures leads to a gain in vigor as high as 405 min (+28.5%) vs 275 min (+19.4%) for a single plasma treatment of 20 min. We propose to understand these results by correlating the gain in vigor with the water uptake of the seeds (increase from 29% to 55%) and the wettability state of their coating (decrease of contact angle from 113.5° to about 38°).
A review of global gridded cropping system data products
Authors: Kim Kwang-Hyung , Doi Yasuhiro , Ramankutty Navin , Iizumi Toshichika
Published: September 2021

Agricultural monitoring, seasonal crop forecasting and climate change adaptation planning all require identifying where, when, how and which crops are grown. Global gridded cropping system data products offer useful information for these applications. However, not only the main sources of information (satellites, censuses, surveys and models) but also the spatial and temporal resolutions of these data products are quite distant from each other because of different user requirements. This is a barrier to strengthening collaborations among the research communities working to increase the capacity of societies to manage climate risks for global food systems, from extreme weather disasters to climate change. A first step is to improve cropping system data products so they can be used more seamlessly across various applications than they are currently. Toward this goal, this article reviews global gridded data products of crop variables (area, yield, cropping intensity, etc) using systematic literature survey, identifies their current limitations, and suggests directions for future research. We found that cropland or crop type mapping and yield or production estimation/prediction together accounted for half of the research objectives of the reviewed studies. Satellite-based data products are dominant at the finer resolution in space and time (<10 km and daily to annual), while model-based data products are found at the coarser resolutions (>55 km and ⩾decadal). Census-based data products are seen at intermediate resolutions (10–55 km and annual to decadal). The suggested directions for future research include the hybridization of multiple sources of information, improvements to temporal coverage and resolution, the enrichment of management variables, the exploration of new sources of information, and comprehensiveness within a single data product.
Association of plasma FGF21 levels with muscle mass and muscle strength in a national multicentre cohort study: Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study
Authors: Roh Eun , Hwang Soon Young , Yoo Hye Jin , Baik Sei Hyun , Cho Belong , Park Yong Soon , Kim Hyeon Ju , Lee Sam-Gyu , Kim Bong Jo , Jang Hak Chul , Kim Miji , Won Chang Won , Choi Kyung Mook
Published: September 2021

Background

despite of the beneficial effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 in several metabolic diseases, the association of plasma FGF21 with muscle mass and muscle strength is still unclear.

Methods

a total of 386 community-dwelling older adults aged 70–84 years were analysed. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and normalised to the square of height (ASM/ht2). Muscle strength was assessed using the hand grip strength (HGS) test. The definitions of low muscle mass (LMM) and low muscle strength (LMS) were based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia.

Results

plasma FGF21 was significantly lower in participants with LMM than in those with normal muscle mass (289.7 [192.4–448.3] vs. 345.6 [238.6–503.2] pg/ml, P = 0.008). In contrast, the LMS group had a significantly higher plasma FGF21 level than the normal muscle strength group (369.7 [244.4–591.1] vs. 309.7 [205.3–444.8] pg/ml, P = 0.006). In the partial correlation analysis, following adjustment for age, sex and body mass index, FGF21 levels had no significant association with ASM/ht2, but were negatively associated with HGS (r = −0.112, P = 0.029). Furthermore, after multivariate adjustment for confounding variables, the odds ratio for the risk of LMS was 2.32 (95% confidence interval 1.20–4.46) when comparing the highest with the lowest FGF21 quartile.

Conclusions

circulating FGF21 levels are negatively associated with muscle strength but are not independently correlated with muscle mass.
To the East Turn: The Russian Revolution and the Black Radical Imagination in the United States, 1917–1924
Authors: James Winston
Published: September 2021

The last three decades have witnessed a burgeoning scholarship on Black radicalism in the United States and abroad. Much of it concerns Black radicalism’s relationship to international and transnational currents linked to the Soviet Union. The vast bulk of this literature is concerned with the years 1928–1935—dubbed the Third Period by the Communist International (Comintern). This essay registers and analyzes the responses of US-based Black radicals to the Russian Revolution, Comintern policies, and developments in early Soviet Russia and its successor, the Soviet Union (1922–91). It focuses on a moment truncated in the literature: the outbreak of both the February and October Revolutions of 1917 up to Vladimir Lenin’s death in January 1924. Important in its own right, that moment also laid the foundations for the later and more substantial involvement of African Americans in leftist politics in the United States. The essay examines the policies of the Bolsheviks—especially as articulated through the Comintern—that proved particularly compelling to Black radicals. What was Bolshevism’s attraction for Black radicals, both leftists and Black nationalists? The answer is less self-evident than it may at first appear. The profound impact of the “heroic period” of Bolshevism (1917–24) set in place Black radical loyalties to the Soviet Union that became entrenched and difficult to disavow.
A Method for the Elution of Anti-CD20 With an EDTA/Glycine Acid Solution for Accurate Immunophenotyping of B Lymphocytes Sensitized With Rituximab
Authors: Fuentes-Chávez Eli , Méndez-Ramírez Nereida , Maltez Marvin M , Salazar-Riojas Rosario , Gómez-Almaguer David , Jaime-Pérez José C
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of a method to circumvent CD20-positive antigen masking by rituximab for flow cytometry analysis of B-cell malignancies in hematology patients.

Methods

Mononuclear cells (MNCs) from 10 healthy individuals and 5 untreated patients with B-cell malignancies were sensitized with rituximab. Patients’ diagnoses included chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, and follicular lymphoma. MNCs were isolated by gradient density centrifugation. An EDTA/glycine acid (EGA) elution method was used to dissociate CD20-rituximab complexes; afterwards, CD20-positive immunoreactivity was assessed by flow cytometry. A saturation curve was built based on serial dilutions of rituximab. Median fluorescent intensities of CD20-positive signals were obtained before sensitization with rituximab and after its elution with EGA.

Results

CD20-positive signals were not detectable by flow cytometry after rituximab sensitization of B cells. CD20-sensitized vs CD20-unsensitized, CD20-sensitized vs CD20-eluted, and CD20-eluted vs CD20-negative control (NC) MNC populations exhibited statistical differences (P = .001), while CD20-sensitized vs CD20-NC populations did not (P = .499), confirming CD20 antigen masking by rituximab.

Conclusions

Rituximab interfered with the flow cytometry protocol for CD20 determination on normal and neoplastic B cells. The EGA method efficiently eluted rituximab, allowing for accurate identification of CD20-positive B cells.
Not that young: combining plastid phylogenomic, plate tectonic and fossil evidence indicates a Palaeogene diversification of Cycadaceae
Authors: Liu Jian , Lindstrom Anders J , Marler Thomas E , Gong Xun
Published: September 2021

Background and Aims

Previous molecular dating studies revealed historical mass extinctions and recent radiations of extant cycads, but debates still exist between palaeobotanists and evolutionary biologists regarding the origin and evolution of Cycadaceae.

Methods

Using whole plastomic data, we revisited the phylogeny of this family and found the Palawan endemic Cycas clade was strongly related to all lineages from Southeast Eurasia, coinciding with a plate drift event occurring in the Early Oligocene. By integrating fossil and biogeographical calibrations as well as molecular data from protein-coding genes, we established different calibration schemes and tested competing evolutionary timelines of Cycadaceae.

Key Results

We found recent dispersal cannot explain the distribution of Palawan Cycas, yet the scenario including the tectonic calibration yielded a mean crown age of extant Cycadaceae of ~69–43 million years ago by different tree priors, consistent with multiple Palaeogene fossils assigned to this family. Biogeographical analyses incorporating fossil distributions revealed East Asia as the ancestral area of Cycadaceae.

Conclusions

Our findings challenge the previously proposed Middle–Late Miocene diversification of cycads and an Indochina origin for Cycadaceae and highlight the importance of combining phylogenetic clades, tectonic events and fossils for rebuilding the evolutionary history of lineages that have undergone massive extinctions.
Variation of bitter components of the asparagus juices during lactic acid bacteria fermentation
Authors: Guan Chengran , Yuan Yuan , Zhang Wenjuan , Ding Xiangli , Zhang Chenchen , Chen Dawei , Lu Maolin , Gu Ruixia , Chen Xia
Published: September 2021

To investigate the bitterness status of asparagus juices during lactic acid fermentation, Limosilactobacillus fermentum Xd, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Yd, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 5-7-3, and their various combinations were used for single and mixed fermentation of asparagus juices. The fermentation characteristics and variation of the main bitter substances were studied. For the single and cofermented samples, the viable counts, pH value, and acidity were ranged from 8.33-8.65 lg CFU/mL, 3.58-3.86, and 6.29-6.52 g/kg, respectively. By sensory evaluation, the bitterness of every fermented sample was continuously reduced by at least 77% during fermentation, and the corresponding content of total saponins, flavonoids, and 9 bitter amino acids showed varying degrees of declination. These results suggested that it was feasible to develop novel low-bitter asparagus juices fermented by the lactic acid bacteria used in this study.
Bioinformatics mentorship in a resource limited setting
Authors: Jjingo Daudi , Mboowa Gerald , Sserwadda Ivan , Kakaire Robert , Kiberu Davis , Amujal Marion , Galiwango Ronald , Kateete David , Joloba Moses , Whalen Christopher C
Published: September 2021

Background

The two recent simultaneous developments of high-throughput sequencing and increased computational power have brought bioinformatics to the forefront as an important tool for effective and efficient biomedical research. Consequently, there have been multiple approaches to developing bioinformatics skills. In resource rich environments, it has been possible to develop and implement formal fully accredited graduate degree training programs in bioinformatics. In resource limited settings with a paucity of expert bioinformaticians, infrastructure and financial resources, the task has been approached by delivering short courses on bioinformatics—lasting only a few days to a couple of weeks. Alternatively, courses are offered online, usually over a period of a few months. These approaches are limited by both the lack of sustained in-person trainer–trainee interactions, which is a key part of quality mentorships and short durations which constrain the amount of learning that can be achieved.

Methods

Here, we pioneered and tested a bioinformatics training/mentorship model that effectively uses the available expertise and computational infrastructure to deliver an in-person hands-on skills training experience. This is done through a few physical lecture hours each week, guided personal coursework over the rest of the week, group discussions and continuous close mentorship and assessment of trainees over a period of 1 year.

Results

This model has now completed its third iteration at Makerere University and has successfully mentored trainees, who have progressed to a variety of viable career paths.

Conclusions

One-year (intermediate) skills based in-person bioinformatics training and mentorships are viable, effective and particularly appropriate for resource limited settings.
Social Work Senior Managers as Street-Level Policymakers
Authors: Sery Anat , Weiss-Gal Idit
Published: September 2021

This study enhances the knowledge regarding the role of senior managers of street-level organisations in reshaping social policy on the ground, a subject that has been side-lined in research. The study focused on the ways senior managers of local government social services in Israel, all of whom are social workers by law, implemented emergency material assistance (EMA). This form of assistance is formulated by the central government but administered by local government. A qualitative research design based on semi-structured interviews with sixteen senior managers from diverse localities was employed. Findings showed that senior managers played a major role in the reconstruction of EMA on the ground. They reshaped policy in some or all of its major aspects. Both contextual factors and ideological factors impacted their policy decisions. The contextual factors were budgetary constraints, accessibility of resources from localities or charities, and socio-economic status of the locality. The ideological factors were managers’ attitudes towards the policy, the place of material assistance in the social service, risk, and perceptions of poverty and people living in poverty. These factors led to divergences in material assistance across localities, while conservative and poverty-aware attitudes guided managers as they navigated between state–agent and citizen–agent roles.
‘Marriage is Going to Fix It’: Indigenous Women’s Experiences with Early Childbearing, Early Marriage and Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: McKinley Catherine E , Lilly Jennifer
Published: September 2021

Intimate partner violence (IPV), early childbearing (ECB) and early marriage (EM) are interconnected to the historical oppression of patriarchal colonialism imposed upon Indigenous peoples throughout the world by colonising nations, such as the UK. The artefacts of colonial oppression persist in both colonising nations and those that have been colonised through social norms of patriarchal oppression perpetuated upon women with far-reaching consequences. Indigenous women of the US experience higher rates of IPV, ECB and EM than any other ethnic group—which pose risks to women’s physical, psychological, socioeconomic and educational status. The purpose of this study is to explore Indigenous women’s experiences with ECB and EM through a critical ethnography with two US tribes. Through reconstructive analysis the following themes emerged: (i) ECB as a Precursor to Marriage; (ii) Unequal and Overburdened Marriages; (iii) ECB, EM and IPV; and (iv) Continued Harmful Effects of Multiple Abusive Relationships. Indigenous women’s experiences of ECB and EM are connected to patriarchal historical oppression that systematically dehumanises and oppresses Indigenous women, who were once treated with respect and esteem. Decolonisation and re-visualisation to promote the status of women and girls are needed to offset women’s constrained wellness, socio-political status and safety.
An MRI radiomics approach to predict survival and tumour-infiltrating macrophages in gliomas
Authors: Li Guanzhang , Li Lin , Li Yiming , Qian Zenghui , Wu Fan , He Yufei , Jiang Haoyu , Li Renpeng , Wang Di , Zhai You , Wang Zhiliang , Jiang Tao , Zhang Jing , Zhang Wei
Published: September 2021

Preoperative MRI is one of the most important clinical results for the diagnosis and treatment of glioma patients. The objective of this study was to construct a stable and validatable preoperative T2-weighted MRI-based radiomics model for predicting the survival of gliomas.

A total of 652 glioma patients across three independent cohorts were covered in this study including their preoperative T2-weighted MRI images, RNA-seq and clinical data. Radiomic features (1731) were extracted from preoperative T2-weighted MRI images of 167 gliomas (discovery cohort) collected from Beijing Tiantan Hospital and then used to develop a radiomics prediction model through a machine learning-based method. The performance of the radiomics prediction model was validated in two independent cohorts including 261 gliomas from the The Cancer Genomae Atlas database (external validation cohort) and 224 gliomas collected in the prospective study from Beijing Tiantan Hospital (prospective validation cohort). RNA-seq data of gliomas from discovery and external validation cohorts were applied to establish the relationship between biological function and the key radiomics features, which were further validated by single-cell sequencing and immunohistochemical staining.

The 14 radiomic features-based prediction model was constructed from preoperative T2-weighted MRI images in the discovery cohort, and showed highly robust predictive power for overall survival of gliomas in external and prospective validation cohorts. The radiomic features in the prediction model were associated with immune response, especially tumour macrophage infiltration.

The preoperative T2-weighted MRI radiomics prediction model can stably predict the survival of glioma patients and assist in preoperatively assessing the extent of macrophage infiltration in glioma tumours.
Mentoring at the Boundary: Interdisciplinarity and the International Student of Color in Communication
Authors: Murty Madhavi
Published: September 2021

In this paper, I will discuss mentoring within the discipline of Communication by centering international scholars, who are translated as people of color in the U.S. and are engaged with questions drawn from the context of their nations of origin. How do you enable such a scholar to traverse boundaries national and disciplinary with the selfassurance that ostensibly comes from feeling at home? Briefly discussing the history of the institutionalization of Communication as an academic discipline, I ask what it means to mentor scholars of color engaged with transnational work within a space that centers the nation-state as a bounded territory, in general and the U.S. in particular. Drawing on transnational and women of color feminist theorization and praxis, I also draw out the productive collaborations and relationships forged when mentoring reveals the processes through which the discipline reiterates its boundaries.