bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic attribute and petrophysics-assisted interpretation of the Nanushuk and Torok Formations on the North Slope, Alaska
Authors: Bhattacharya Shuvajit , Verma Sumit
Published: February 2020

Exploration of the Brookian sandstone reservoirs in the Nanushuk and Torok Formations on the North Slope of Alaska is a hot topic and presents opportunities to the oil and gas community because of their shallow depth, vast extent, and scope of development. The consecutive hydrocarbon discoveries announced by Repsol-Armstrong, Caelus Energy, and ConocoPhillips in 2015, 2016, and 2017 have indicated the presence of the vast recoverable resources on the North Slope in the Nanushuk and Torok reservoirs. We have investigated the detailed geophysical and petrophysical characteristics of these reservoirs. Our goal is to detect dominant geologic features in these formations using a combination of seismic attributes at the regional scale and analyze critical petrophysical and rock physics properties to evaluate formation heterogeneities and identify the reservoir targets by integrating well log and core data at the well scale. The Nanushuk Formation is expressed as topset reflections, whereas the Torok and gamma-ray zone formations are expressed as foresets and bottomsets on the seismic reflection data. Using seismic attributes, we mapped the extent of different geomorphological features, including shelf edges, channels, slides, and basin-floor fans, all with significant amplitude anomalies. The shelf edges continue for tens to hundreds of miles along the north/northwest and east–west directions, depending on the areas. The internal characters of these formations delineated by conventional well logs and advanced petrophysical analysis reveal their vertical heterogeneities and complexities, in terms of reservoir properties. We conclude that the reservoirs are vertically and laterally heterogeneous. These are thin-bedded low-resistivity reservoirs. Only a few zones in the parasequences are oil-saturated. We find that a combination of low [Formula: see text] ratio and acoustic impedance can be a useful proxy to detect the hydrocarbon-bearing sand intervals in these formations.
Permeability inversion using induced microseismicity: A case study for the Longmaxi shale gas reservoir
Authors: Zhang Yadong , Rezaee Reza , Müller Tobias M. , Zheng Guangjie , Li Jimmy X. , Fan Yu , Zeng Bo , Zhou Xiaojin
Published: February 2020

We have predicted the flow permeability and its spatial distribution for the Longmaxi shale gas reservoir using microseismicity induced during hydraulic-fracturing stimulation. In the time-of-occurrence versus distance-from-injector plot, we find that microseismic points exhibit a parabolic envelope, which we interpret as a triggering front. This reveals that fluid pressure diffusion is at least one of the underlying mechanisms of microseismicity generation. We derive the large-scale equivalent diffusivity from the triggering front plot and thereafter obtain a 3D diffusivity map of the heterogeneous reservoir by solving an eikonal-like equation suggested previously. During this process, we apply kriging interpolation to increase the density of sparsely distributed microseismic points. The resulting diffusivity ranges between 1.0 and [Formula: see text] with the peak probability attained at [Formula: see text], which is consistent with the estimate we obtain from the triggering front analysis. We transform the diffusivity map into a permeability map using three different theories of fluid pressure diffusion in porous media: the seismicity-based reservoir characterization method (SBRC) based on Biot’s theory of poroelasticity, the quasirigid medium approximation (QRMA), and the deformable medium approximation (DMA) based on the de la Cruz-Spanos theory. The permeability according to QRMA is slightly higher than that from SBRC, yet we observe no significant difference. However, these estimates are by one order of magnitude higher compared with the permeability estimate from DMA. Furthermore, the permeability from all three theories is much higher than that from previously reported core sample measurements. We interpret this as the difference between large-scale equivalent and matrix permeability and therefore lend weight to the hypothesis that there exist highly conducting fluid pathways, such as natural fractures.
Effectiveness of Trastuzumab for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Breast Cancer in a Real-Life Setting: One Decade of Experience Under National Treatment Coverage Regulations
Authors: Camejo Natalia , Castillo Cecilia , Alonso Rafael , Correa Fernando , Rivero Emiliano , Mezquita Camila , Rosich Agustin , Dellacasa Fiamma , Silveira Luciana , Delgado Lucía
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

Trastuzumab has shown an overall survival (OS) benefit in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer (BC), in both the adjuvant and the metastatic setting. We assessed the effectiveness of trastuzumab in patients treated in daily practice according to national treatment coverage protocols and compared our results with those reported by randomized clinical trials. These coverage protocols included patient selection criteria similar to those of those clinical trials and were developed by the Uruguayan National Resource Fund (FNR), the agency that has funded these prescriptions for more than a decade.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included all patients with HER2-positive BC treated with trastuzumab under FNR coverage approved between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2016. The source of data was the FNR database, and primary outcome was OS, analyzed through Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1,944 women were included: 1,085 women (55.8%) were postmenopausal and 1,240 (63.7%) had HER2 and hormone receptor–positive BC. Trastuzumab was administered as adjuvant therapy to 1,233 patients (63.5%), of whom 154 also received it as a neoadjuvant treatment. Three hundred nineteen patients (16.4%) received trastuzumab for advanced disease. Five-year OS in the adjuvant setting was 86.4% (95% CI, 84.0% to 88.7%). The median survival of patients with advanced BC was 25.1 months (95% CI, 10.1 to 42.5 months).

CONCLUSION

Our survival results are not inferior to those reported in clinical trials, in both adjuvant and advanced settings. Importantly, these results support the relevance and the feasibility of treating patients in routine practice, following coverage protocols based on patient selection criteria and methods supported by positive clinical trials. In addition, these results favor quality and appropriate access to BC treatment in our country.
Management of Immune-Related Dermatitis and Mucositis Associated With Pembrolizumab in Metastatic Human Papillomavirus–Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx
Authors: Fazer Casey , Price Katharine A.
Published: February 2020

On June 10, 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab for first-line treatment of metastatic or unresectable human papillomavirus (HPV)–positive and HPV-negative recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) based on the KEYNOTE-048 phase III study. Pembrolizumab is now the first anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy approved in the first-line HNSCC setting. Pembrolizumab is approved as first-line monotherapy for tumors that express programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) or in combination with chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 expression. As the indications for immunotherapy for HNSCC broaden, practitioners will need to know how to recognize and manage more immunotherapy-related toxicities. The following case study provides insight into the assessment and management of the specific immune-related toxicities of dermatitis and mucositis associated with pembrolizumab-chemotherapy combination therapy using Immuno-Oncology Essentials guidance. Assessment and early management of immunotherapy toxicity is critical, as is a multidisciplinary approach.
Relationship between CNR and visibility of anatomical structures of cone-beam computed tomography images under different exposure parameters
Authors: Wang Miss Fei , Xie Xiaoyan , Li Gang , Zhang Zuyan
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the image quality of cone beam CT (CBCT) under different exposure parameters and the relationship between contrast-to-noise and visibility of eight anatomical structures.

Methods:

CBCT images for the evaluation of subjective image quality were acquired on an anthropopathic phantom containing a human skeleton embedded in soft tissue equivalent materials using 25 exposure protocols. Visibility of eight anatomical structures was evaluated by five independent observers. Using the SEDENTEXCT IQ Image Quality phantom, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated by ImageJ software.

Results:

A reduction on the visibility of anatomical structures was seen under lower exposure parameters. However, for 84% of the protocols, visibility of anatomical structures remained acceptable even under some lower parameter settings. As CNR increased, the visibility of anatomical structures also increased correspondingly. A change point could be found in the CNR interval 29.42–36.51 after which the visibility of anatomical structures no longer increases with the increase of CNR.

Conclusions:

Although CNR decrease under a lower exposure parameter, the image quality often remained acceptable at exposure levels below the manufacture’s recommended settings. It is possible to standardize subjective image quality by physical factors. Currently, it is not possible to predetermine a change point CNR value due to different CBCT machine and variation of diagnostic tasks.
Radiological Modelling of Thermaikos Gulf
Authors: Eleftheriou G. , Tsabaris C. , Monte L. , Brittain J. E.
Published: February 2020

The radiological model of Thermaikos Gulf ecosystem has been designed based on the MOIRA-PLUS Decision Support System properly modified for the marine environment. Radioactive fallout contamination exercises have been performed for 90Sr and 137Cs radioisotopes, within the frame of environmental sensitivity analysis. The model’s performance has been calibrated, taking into account the available 137Cs deposition estimations and published experimental concentrations to the sediment, the water and the fish at the Gulf, from the time of the Chernobyl accident up to now. The radiation doses to adults – assuming that their entire food intake from the marine pathway comes from the local environment – after the first year of one instantaneous deposition of 1000 Bq/m2, were found 0.72 μSv for 137Cs and 8.8 μSv for 90Sr, respectively. The results are consistent with other models estimations in Northern Seas and NE Aegean Sea.
Nuclear equation of state effects on the r-mode instability of neutron stars
Authors: Moustakidis Ch. C.
Published: February 2020

We study the effect of nuclear equation of state on the r-mode instability of a rotating neutron star. We consider the case where the crust of the neutron star is perfectly rigid and we employ the related theory. The effects of the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy on r-mode instability properties are presented and analyzed. A comparison of theoretical predictions with observed neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries is also performed and analyzed.
Radiation damage studies of Fe-Cr alloys for Fusion applications using ion beams
Authors: Kotsina Z. , Apostolopoulos G. , Mergia K. , Messoloras S. , Lagoyannis A. , Harissopulos S.
Published: February 2020

Ferritic-martensitic steels are considered as prime candidates for the first wall and blanket structural materials in future Fusion Power Plants. They are based on Fe-Cr alloys with Cr concentration up to 15%. Therefore, as a first step towards understanding the irradiation behaviour of these steels, the study of pure Fe-Cr alloys as a model system plays an important role. The flexibility offered by ion beams in accurately defining irradiation conditions, allows us to perform controlled experiments that will aid in the validation of recent theories of radiation damage.Radiation damage studies of Fe-Cr alloys were performed at the TANDEM accelerator of NCSR "Demokritos" by using a 5MeV proton beam directly on the sample and reaching fluences of ~1016 protons/cm2. A specialized irradiation facility has been developed at the TANDEM accelerator with good control of irradiation temperature and with the additional capability of measuring the electrical resistivity of the sample in-situ during irradiation, to directly asses the radiation damage evolution. Proton irradiations were carried out from cryogenic temperatures of 40K up to 400K. In alloys under irradiation, apart from the lattice damage created by the irradiating particles, the large amount of energy imparted locally to atomic sites may lead to a redistribution of solutes. It is expected that at cryogenic temperature solute redistribution will be greatly suppressed, since atomic movement is completely "frozen". Comparing the results of low and high temperature irradiations enables us to distinguish between the two sources of radiation induced changes to the alloy.
Applications of a Novel Whole Body Counter in Radiation Protection and Human Body Composition Studies
Authors: Kalef-Ezra J. , Valakis S. , Pallada S.
Published: February 2020

A prototype shadow-shield whole body counter was designed, constructed and tested as a radiation protection, medical and research tool, such as in in vivo human body composition and in occupational exposure studies. In the present study potential fields of application of a prototype whole body counter were investigated carrying out measurements in groups of adult volunteers. Among others, the naturally occurring 40K and 214Bi whole body radioactivity was assessed. The activity of the former was correlated with the amount of the total body potassium, a quantity related to both cell mass and lean mass in the human body. Increased 214Bi levels found in two subjects was attributed to radium intake by ingestion. Patients were found contaminated with long lived radionuclides after administration of radiopharmaceutical of short half-life, administered for either diagnosis or treatment. Among the radiation workers monitored for internal occupational exposure, two were found contaminated with small amounts of 99mTc.
Techniques Used for Clearance of Radioactive Waste
Authors: Savidou A.
Published: February 2020

N/A
Monte Carlo MCNP modeling of a HPGe detector and its efficiency for extended sample geometry
Authors: Kalamara A. , Diakaki M. , Vlastou R. , Kokkoris M. , Androulakaki F. , Eleftheriou G. , Paneta V.
Published: February 2020

The activity of an extended 241Am sample with complex shielding and geometry has been measured by an 80% HPGe detector, after its irradiation by a neutron beam at 10.4 MeV, in order to determine the cross section of the reaction 241Am(n,2n)240Am. Due to the complexity of sample’s geometry, the estimation of the detector’s efficiency has been achieved by MCNP5 Monte Carlo simulations. The simulations have been gradually evolved in order to define the detector model, the experimental setup geometry (geometry definition), the sample’s density and finally the detector’s efficiency for the irradiated 241Am sample.
Effect of Radon Concentration in Air on the Quality of Radioactivity Measurements in the Human Body
Authors: Valakis S. , Pallada S. , Potiriadis C. , Kolovou M. , Stamatelatos I. E. , Kalef-Ezra J.
Published: February 2020

A prototype shadow-shield whole body counter is used at the University of Ioannina Medical Physics Laboratory as a tool in radiation protection and in biomedical research. In this study the effect of natural airborne radioactivity on the measurement quality features was investigated and performance improvements were developed. Radon air concentration in the counting room was assessed using electret and track detectors over short and long time periods, respectively under various ventilation conditions. A method based on the assessment of the 214Bi 1.76 MeV spectral region was developed to correct for the interference of the radon products to the lower energies of the spectrum. Moreover airborne radioactivity in the counting room was controlled by forced ventilation. Double measurements were carried out in anthropomorphic phantoms and in adult volunteers to assess the impact of the room ventilation module in the measurement precision. Radon control coupled with corrections for the interference of its decay products improved substantially the counter performance characteristics.
Tomographic Image Reconstruction based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Techniques
Authors: Argyrou M. , Paschalis P. , Maintas D. , Stiliaris E.
Published: February 2020

A new approach for tomographic image reconstruction from projections using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) techniques is presented in this work. The design of the proposed reconstruction system is based on a simple but efficient network architecture, which best utilizes all available input information. Due to the computational complexity, which grows quadratically with the image size, the training phase of the system is characterized by relatively large CPU times. The trained network, on the contrary, is able to provide all necessary information in a quick and efficient way giving results comparable to other time consuming iterative reconstruction algorithms. The performance of the network studied with a large number of software phantoms is directly compared to the well known Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (ART). For a given image and projections size, the role of the hidden layers in the network architecture is examined and the quality dependence of the reconstructed image on the size of the geometrical patterns used in the training phase is also investigated.
Attempted study of the 237Np(n,2n)236Np reaction cross section at 9.5 MeV
Authors: Diakaki M. , Vlastou R. , Kokkoris M. , Papadopoulos C. T. , Tsinganis A. , Kalfas C. A. , Lagoyannis A. , Provatas G.
Published: February 2020

The cross section measurement of the 237Np(n,2n)236Np reaction has been attempted at an incident neutron energy of 9.5 MeV by means of the activation technique. The neutron beam was produced via the 2H(d,n)3Ηe reaction at the VdG Tandem accelerator of NCSR “Demokritos”. It is the second time that this measurement has been tried with a gamma spectroscopy method and the difficulties faced due to the high gamma ray background produced by the sample itself and the fission fragments produced by the irradiation, in combination with the very low intensity of the gamma ray of interest are being reported.
Detailed calculations for muon capture rates within the quasi-particle RPA
Authors: Kardaras I. S. , Stavrou V. N. , Tsoulos I. G. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

Detailed calculations for bound muon capture in complex nuclei are performed by employing the quasi particle random phase approximation (QRPA). The required bound muon wavefunctions for the large and the small components of the Dirac muon wavefunctions are obtained by using the genetic algorithm approach. We ob- tained contributions for 2p muon orbit; that is to say wavefunctions for atomic ex- cited state of the muonic atoms in nucleus 28Si. As a byproduct the above method give the corresponding energies to these wavefunctions which are compared with those of other methods. Our goal is to use the method developed recently by Laganke, Zinner and Vogel and our advantageous numerical approach to obtain state by state calculations of the muon capture rates within the QRPA.
Nuclear response to supernova neutrino spectra
Authors: Tsakstara V. , Kosmas T. S. , Sinatkas J.
Published: February 2020

In current probes searching for rare event processes, appropriate nuclear targets are employed (in the COBRA double-beta decay detector the CdZnTe semiconductor is used). In this work the response of such detectors to various low-energy neutrino spectra is explored starting from state-by-state calculations of the neutrino-nucleus reactions cross sections obtained by using the quasi particle random phase approximation (QRPA) based on realistic two-body residual interactions. As a concrete example, we examine the response of 64Zn isotope to low energy supernova neutrinos.
Studying supernova neutrinos through nuclear structure calculations
Authors: Tsakstara V. , Kosmas T. S. , Sinatkas J.
Published: February 2020

Differential and integrated cross section calculations are performed in the context of the quasi particle random phase approximation (QRPA) by utilizing realistic two- nucleon forces, for the 64,66 Zn isotopes, contents of the COBRA double beta decay detector. For these isotopes the response to supernova neutrinos is of current inter- est. The response of the 66 Zn isotope to the energy-spectra of supernova neutrinos is also explored by convoluting the original results for the differential cross sections by employing: (i) a two-parameter Fermi-Dirac (FD) and (ii) a Power-Law (PL) neutrino energy distribution. Such folded cross sections are useful in low-energy astrophysical-neutrino detection in underground terrestrial experiments.
Electron fluence determination per Monitor Unit of a linear accelerator used for radiation therapy
Authors: Makridou A. , Tziaka C. , Fragopoulou M. , Stoulos S. , Zamani M.
Published: February 2020

About 20% of patients in Greece undergoing radiotherapy were irradiated by electron beams with energies ranged between 4 to 20 MeV. The correct determination of electron beam, leads to the proper treatment planning. In this study electron fluence at the isocenter was determined for a linear accelerator ELECTA SL 20 for nominal electron energy of 20 MeV. Two methods have been applied using (a) an ionization chamber in the frame of monthly quality assurance and activation detector (238U). The experimental estimated electron flux, which was in good agreement with the applied calculations using the data of irradiation procedure, ranged between 3.5 up to 4.3 x 108 electrons per cm 2 per sec or 6.1 ±0.7 x 10^7 e.cm-2 per MU.
Theoretically and under very special applied conditions a nuclear fission reactor may explode as nuclear bomb
Authors: Kondylakis J. S.
Published: February 2020

This article/presentation describes a theoretical and applied research in nuclear fission reactor systems. It concerns with theoretical approaches and in very special applied cases consideration where a common nuclear fission reactor system may be considered to explode as nuclear bomb. This research gives critical impacts to the design, operation, management and philosophy of nuclear fission reactors systems. It also includes a sensitivity analysis of a particular applied problem concerning the core melting of a nuclear reactor and its deposit to the bottom of reactor vessel. Specifically, in a typical nuclear fission power reactor system of about 1000 MWe, the nuclear core material (corium) in certain cases can be melted and it may deposited in the bottom of nuclear reactor vessel. So, the nuclear criticality conditions are evaluated for a particular example case(s). Assuming an example composition of melted corium of 98 tones of U238 , 1 tone of U235 , 1 tone Pu239 and 25 tones Fe56 (supporting material) in a 5 m diameter of a finite cylindrical nuclear reactor vessel it is found that it may result in nuclear criticality above the unit. This condition corresponds to Supercritical Fast Nuclear Fission Reactor case, which may under certain very special applied conditions to nuclear explode as nuclear bomb.
Isoscaling of mass A ≃ 40 reconstructed quasiprojectiles from collisions in the Fermi energy regime
Authors: Galanopoulos S. , Al. Et
Published: February 2020

Isoscaling studies of fragments with Z=1-8 from reconstructed quasiprojectiles of mass A ≃40 from the 40Ca + 112,124Sn and 40Ar + 112,124Sn reactions at beam energy of 45 MeV/nucleon were performed. After initial efforts to obtain isoscaling using pairs of systems differing in their neutron-to-proton ratio N/Z, “intra-system” isoscaling for each of these four systems was obtained using fragment sources restricted in two narrow N/Z zones, one neutron rich and one neutron poor. The observed isoscaling behaviour was excellent and the isoscaling parameter α was found to decrease as the excitation energy increases. Corrections due to undetected neutrons were also taken into account in the source N/Z determination by using the theoretical models DIT (Deep Inelastic Transfer) and SMM (Statistical Multifragmentation Model) along with a software replica of the experimental setup. The reduced isoscaling parameter α/∆ was found to decrease as the excitation energy of the quasiprojectile source increases, in good agreement with recent work on reconstructed mass A ≃ 80 quasiprojectiles. This decrease of α/∆ may point to a decrease of the symmetry energy coefficient with increasing excitation energy.
High sensitive depleted MOSFET-based neutron dosimetry
Authors: Fragopoulou M. , Konstantakos V. , Zamani M. , Siskos S. , Laopoulos T. , Sarrabayrouse G.
Published: February 2020

A new dosemeter based on a depleted Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor field effect transistor, sensitive to both neutrons and gamma radiation was manufactured at LAAS-CNRS Laboratory, Toulouse France. In order to be used for neutron dosimetry a thin film of lithium fluoride was deposited on the surface of the gate of the device. The characteristics of the dosemeter such as its response to neutron dose were investigated. The response in thermal neutrons was found to be high. In fast neutrons the response was lower than that of thermal neutrons but higher than the one presented in literature.
Dose Measurements around Spallation Neutron Sources
Authors: Fragopoulou M. , Stoulos S. , Manolopoulou M. , Krivopustov M. , Zamani M.
Published: February 2020

Neutron dose measurements and calculations around spallation sources are of importance for an appropriate shielding study. Two spallation sources, consisted of Pb target, have been irradiated by high-energy proton beams, delivered by the Nuclotron accelerator (JINR), Dubna. Dose measurements of the neutrons produced by the two spallation sources were performed using Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs). In addition, the neutron dose after polyethylene and concrete was calculated using phenomenological model based on empirical relations applied in high energy Physics. Analytical and experimental neutron benchmark analysis has been performed using the transmission factor. A comparison of experimental results with calculations is given.
A study of the N=28 neutron shell via g-factor measurements in neutron-rich Cl isotopes
Authors: De Rydt M. , Neyens G. , Mertzimekis T. J. , E513 Collaboration at GANIL For the
Published: February 2020

A series of g-factor measurements in the Cl isotopes created as secondary radioactive beams at intermediate energies and employing the β-NMR technique have been recently carried out at GANIL. The results attempt to shed light on several open questions for the ground state properties of Cl isotopes, located just off the very interesting region of the island of inversion. Preliminary experimental results are presented and compared to shell-model calculations around N=28.
Optical Properties of Continuous and Pixelated Scintillation Crystals
Authors: Mikeli M. , Et al. ...
Published: February 2020

The optical photon distribution produced inside continuous and pixelated scintillation crystals by the absorption of a γ-ray have been studied with the photon transport program DETECT 2000. With this program the charge signals recorded by a multi-wired anode system, like the Position Sensitive PhotoMultiplier Tube (PSPMT) of a γ-Camera, are simulated. Based on the analytical parametrization which is fitted to experimental data, a new position reconstruction method for PSPMTs is proposed in this work. Planar images have been reconstructed with the new method and compared to the traditional charge center of gravity technique. Data are obtained from a small field, high resolution γ-Camera system with a multi- wired crossed anode using the R2486 (HAMAMATSU) PSPMT. Systematic studies for continuous and pixelated inorganic scintillation crystals of CsI(Tl) have been performed for different phantom geometries using small capillaries of 99mTc. The developed method seems to drastically improve the resolution of the reconstructed planar information, even when homogeneous crystals are used.
Proton drip line evaluation by complementing the Finite Range Droplet Model with neural networks
Authors: Athanasopoulos S. , Mavrommatis E. , Gernoth K. A. , Clark J. W.
Published: February 2020

We evaluate the location of the proton drip line in the regions 31≤Z≤49 and 73≤Z≤91 based on the one- and two-proton separation energies predicted by our latest Hybrid Mass Model. The latter is constructed by complementing the mass-excess values ΔM predicted by the Finite Range Droplet Model (FRDM) of Moeller et al. with a neural network model trained to predict the differences ΔMexp − ΔMFRDM between these values and the experimental mass-excess values published in the 2003 Atomic Mass Evaluation AME03.
Nuclear energy density functionals constrained by low-energy QCD
Authors: Vretenar D.
Published: February 2020

Relativistic nuclear energy density functionals are formulated and developed, guided by two important features that establish connections with chiral dynamics and the sym- metry breaking pattern of low-energy QCD: a) strong scalar and vector fields related to in-medium changes of QCD vacuum condensates; b) the long- and intermediate-range interactions generated by one-and two-pion exchange, derived from in-medium chiral per- turbation theory.
Statistical model calculations of 72,73Ge(n,p) and 72,74Ge(n,α) reactions on natural Ge
Authors: Galanopoulos S. , Vlastou R. , Demetriou P. , Kokkoris M. , Papadopoulos C. T. , Perdikakis G. , Serris M.
Published: February 2020

Systematic experimental and theoretical investigations of the 72,73Ge(n,p)72,73 Ga and 72,74Ge(n,α)69,71Znm reaction cross sections are presented in the energy range from thresh- old to about 17 MeV neutron energy. The above reaction cross sections were measured from 8.8 to 11.4 MeV by using the activation method, relative to the 27Al(n,α)24Na refer- ence reaction. The quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams were produced via the 2H(d,n)3He reaction at the 5 MV VdG Tandem T11/25 accelerator of NCSR “Demokritos”. Statisti- cal model calculations using the code EMPIRE-II (version 2.19) taking into consideration pre-equilibrium emission were performed on the data measured in this work as well as on data reported in literature.
Nuclear symmetry energy effects on neutron stars properties
Authors: Moustakidis Ch. C. , Psonis V. P. , Massen S. E.
Published: February 2020

We construct a class of nuclear equations of state based on a schematic potential model, that originates from the work of Prakash et. al. [1], which reproduce the results of most microscopic calculations. The equations of state are used as input for solving the Tolman- Oppenheimer-Volkov equations for corresponding neutron stars. The potential part contribution of the symmetry energy to the total energy is parameterized in a generalized form both for low and high values of the baryon density. The obtained nuclear equations of state are applied for the systematic study of the global properties of a neutron star (masses, radii and composition). We also address on the problem of the existence of correlation between the pressure near the saturation density and the radius.
Nuclear phase transitions near the critical points: a study with the Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model, the Interacting Boson Model and the Boson Coherent-State Framework
Authors: Fossion R.
Published: February 2020

We present an analysis of the intensity of 2-particle transfer reactions in the Interacting Boson Model (IBM), and in the Boson Coherent-State framework, as a tool to study nuclear phase transitions. We study transfer reactions between two ground states, and between the ground state and the band head of the beta-vibrational band. We suggest characteristic fingerprints that should allow experimentalists to identify the critical points of the nuclear phase transition. Two analytical solutions, X(5) and E(5), have been proposed recently for two of the critical points. We present a study within the Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model (RHB), using Potential-Energy Surfaces (PES), to test whether the initial approximations made in deriving the analytical solutions are valid.
Study of the (n,2n) reaction cross section on 174,176Hf isotopes
Authors: Serris M. , Al. Et
Published: February 2020

Cross section measurements of the 174Hf(n,2n)173Hf and 176Hf(n,2n)175Hf reactions have been performed at the VdG Tandem accelerator of NCSR “Demokritos” in Athens, in the neutron energy region from 8.8 to 11.5 MeV, using the activation technique. Statistical model calculations based on the Hauser - Feshbach theory have also been implemented by using the code EMPIRE-II with different sets of input parameters. The predictions were compared to the data of the present work as well as data from literature.
Constraints on EOS from finite nuclei, heavy ion collisions and neutron stars
Authors: Gaitanos T. , Ferini G. , Colonna M. , Di Toro M. , Lalazissis G. A. , Wolter H. H.
Published: February 2020

We present several possibilities offered by nuclear structure, the dynamics of intermediate energy heavy ion collisions and neutron stars to investigate the nuclear matter equation of state (EoS) beyond the ground state. In particular the high density nuclear EoS of asymmetric matter, i.e. the symmetry energy, is discussed.
Particle Production in Heavy Ion Collisions at Intermediate Energies
Authors: Prassa V. , Gaitanos T. , Wolter H. H. , Lalazissis G. A. , Di Toro M.
Published: February 2020

We investigate the influence of the in-medium modifications of nucleon-nucleon cross sections on the particle production in heavy ion collisions at intermediate energies. In particular, it is shown that the pion and kaon yields and their rapidity distributions are strongly affected by the density dependence of the inelastic cross sections. On the other hand, the particle ratios depend less on the in-medium behavior of the inelastic cross sections.
Inequality, Recognition, Irrationalism and Populism. From liberal Democracy and the democratic Rule of Law to post-Democracy. Two crucial historical moments and their consequences: 1945 and 1989/91
Authors: Charalambis Dimitris
Published: February 2020

After the inequality turn of the late 1970s and mainly after the collapse of the Soviet Union deregulation, globalization, hyperconcentration of wealth and private power, oligopolies, monopolies and the dominant position of the financial capital are the consequences of paradigm change from the post 1945 Keynesian consensus to the neoliberal dismantling of the social contract. The end of the heavy industry era, the relocation of production to China and the digital revolution and industrialization 4.0 undermine the classical negotiation between capital and labor leading again to marginalization of social recognition and to oligarchy and transforms the classes dangereuses of the industrial era to classes irrelevantes. The erosion of Democracy and the rise of irrationalism as the systemic rationalization of inequality are the consequences in the declining Western world parallel to the aggressive authoritarian capitalism in China. It seems that the era of the social state between 1945 and the end of the 1970s and mainly after 1989/91 was only a historical intermezzo and that exorbitant inequality reappears as the constituent element of capitalism.
Movement, party and electoral dynamics. Syriza’s electoral success as a movement effect (2010-2015)
Authors: Papanikolopoulos Dimitris , Rongas Vassilis
Published: February 2020

In this article we approach SYRIZA's electoral success between 2012 and 2015 as a movement effect. We focus on SYRIZA's features, strategy and message that have been developed on the grounds of its movement activity, as well as on the external political conditions which SYRIZA seems to take advantage of. We argue that the anti-austerity campaign created the necessary preconditions for the electoral and political rise of SYRIZA, namely the emergence of a new political boundary between pro- and anti-Memorandum forces and a subsequent majoritarian socio-political category that could be transformed into a privileged electoral pool for SYRIZA.
Dynamic Pricing for Heterogeneous Time-Sensitive Customers
Authors: Golrezaei Negin , Nazerzadeh Hamid , Randhawa Ramandeep
Published: February 2020

Problem definition: A core problem in the area of revenue management is pricing goods in the presence of strategic customers. We study this problem when customers are heterogeneous with respect to their initial valuations for the good and their time sensitivities—that is, the customers differ in both their initial valuations and the rates at which their initial valuation decreases with a delay in the purchase. Academic/practical relevance: In many settings, especially in fashion and electronic retail, a customer’s valuation for the product is time-sensitive and decreases over time. In these situations, customers are not only different in terms of their initial willingness to pay for these products when they are first introduced to the market, but they are also different in terms of how rapidly they lose interest in these products. We show that when a firm sells products in such settings, it can realize significant benefits by incorporating dynamic pricing, even in the absence of demand uncertainty. Methodology: Dynamic mechanism design. Results: We characterize the optimal mechanism for selling durable goods when the customers differ in both their initial valuations and the rates at which their initial valuation decreases. We show that delayed allocation and dynamic pricing can be effective screening tools for maximizing firm profit and can also increase social welfare. We also investigate the impact of production and holding costs on the optimal mechanism. Managerial implications: Our work shows how firms can exploit scenarios in which their customers have time-sensitive valuations and are forward-looking to achieve a win–win, by both generating additional revenue and improving social welfare.
DESENVOLVIMENTO, AVALIAÇÃO SENSORIAL E DA COMPOSIÇÃO NUTRICIONAL DE PREPARAÇÕES DESTINADAS A ESPORTISTAS
Authors: Ramos Sabrina Alves , Dos Santos Bárbara Ferreira , Da Silva Francine Rafaela Fernandes , De Carvalho Lívia Muniz Cirino , Goston Janaína Lavalli
Published: February 2020

Introdução: A associação entre dietas balanceadas e exercícios físicos é crescente devido à preocupação atual da população com o bem-estar físico e um estilo de vida mais saudável. No entanto, preparações que ofereçam bom valor nutricional com características sensoriais atrativas não são frequentemente encontradas por este público. Objetivo: Desenvolver quatro preparações (barra proteica, docinho de tâmara, torta de batata-doce e patê caprese) destinadas a esportistas e verificar o perfil nutricional, a aceitabilidade e a atitude de consumo de cada receita. Métodos: A avaliação sensorial e a atitude de consumo foram realizadas com 224 julgadores utilizando escala hedônica de nove pontos. No desenvolvimento das preparações, foram priorizados ingredientes com teores reduzidos de açúcares, sódio e gorduras saturadas. Resultados: As preparações barra proteica, docinho de tâmara, torta de batata-doce e patê caprese apresentaram, no teste de intenção de consumo e na avaliação sensorial, para todos os atributos avaliados, notas médias superiores a 6, e índice de aceitabilidade superior a 75%. Quanto ao valor nutricional, a barra proteica e a torta de batata-doce apresentaram bom conteúdo proteico, de energia e de carboidratos; e o docinho de tâmara e o patê caprese se destacaram pela baixa quantidade de calorias, gorduras totais e saturadas. Conclusão: Conclui-se que os resultados encontrados são satisfatórios, dada a realidade de grande parte dos consumidores que, em meio à atribulada rotina diária, estão em busca de produtos que possam aliar sabor, praticidade e melhor custo-benefício, e que resultarão em saúde e bem-estar físico geral.DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2020.40996
ECG of the month
Authors: Reagon Martin
Published: February 2020

In this issue's ECG of the month, Martin Reagon presents the case of a 68-year-old man, following GP referral to cardiology
Reflections of research: The Forming Heart
Authors: Tyser Richard
Published: February 2020

The annual image competition, Reflections of Research, provides a glimpse into the cutting-edge heart and circulatory research funded by the British Heart Foundation
Why don’t citizens give governments credit when they deliver on electoral pledges?
Authors: König Pascal D. , Siewert Markus B.
Published: February 2020

Why don’t citizens give governments credit when they deliver on electoral pledges? This article develops an original analytical framework that addresses this important but under-researched question. It focuses on the concept of ‘credit claiming’, which is the opposite of ‘blame shifting’, and draws together existing research to identify a number of significant hurdles that governments must overcome in order to gain recognition for achievements. It highlights the challenges which policymakers face in communicating with citizens in an increasingly mediatised public sphere, and the extent to which their credit claiming efforts rely on the media as a ‘transmission belt’. It concludes that in liberal democracies governments are fighting an uphill battle to gain citizens’ support and secure trust in broader democratic institutions and the political system as a whole.
Life-course social class is associated with later-life diabetes prevalence in women: evidence from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing
Authors: Leahy Siobhan , Canney Mark , Scarlett Siobhan , Kenny Rose Anne , McCrory Cathal
Published: February 2020

This study aimed to investigate the independent and synergistic effects of childhood and adult social class, as well as the effect of social mobility, on type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk in later life. Cross-sectional data from The Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TILDA) (n = 4,998), a nationally representative probability sample of adults aged 50 and older, were analysed. Prevalent diabetes was defined using subjective (self-reported doctor’s diagnosis) and objective data (medications usage and glycated haemoglobin testing). Social class was classified as a three-level variable based on fathers’ occupation in childhood and respondents’ primary occupation in adulthood. A five-level social mobility variable was created from cross-classification of childhood and adulthood social class. Logistic regression was employed to assess the relationship between social class variables and T2D. Mean (SD) age of the sample was 63.8y (9.9) and 46.4% were male. Incidence of T2D was 11.6% of men and 7.7% of women. Some 57.4% of the sample were classified as Manual social class in childhood. Compared to those in Professional/Managerial occupations, belonging to the Manual social class in childhood was associated with an increased risk of T2D in men (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.36, 95% CI: 0.88, 2.10) and women (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.85). This association was attenuated in women when controlled for adulthood social class (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.00–3.37), suggesting that the effect of childhood social class may be modified by improving social circumstance over the life course.
Visites d’orientació i d’avaluació realitzades per l’Agència de Qualitat de l’Educació a Xile: significats atorgats per directius d’escoles públiques.
Authors: Bravo Cuevas Sergio
Published: February 2020

Through its quality assurance laws, Chile’s National Agency for Quality of Education (Agencia de Calidad de la Educación) is responsible for guiding and evaluating the country’s state schools and promoting a process of continuous improvement in public education. To this end, the Agency visits schools and analyses the work they do using various quality assurance instruments. This article uses qualitative methodology and a comprehensive-interpretative approach to examine how school directors have responded to the Agency. The results indicate that school directors do not consider the Agency to have recognised those aspects of school management that are conditioned by the social vulnerability of the communities schools serve, and that its evaluation criteria remain excessively standardised. The article concludes that, in order to substantially improve the Chilean education system, the government needs to show a greater level of commitment and the Agency needs to work more closely with the schools that make up the public education system.
Mimesi, aprenentatge i relacionalitat del que es dona. Sobre el tenor ètic-polític de la proposta de Gunter Gebauer i Christoph Wulf.
Authors: Valentini Antonio
Published: February 2020

This paper uses a trans-disciplinary approach to achieve a fresh perspective on the relationship between the notions of “reality”, “mimesis” and “learning” as these arise in the theoretical proposal made by Gunter Gebauer and Christoph Wulf. More specifically, the paper highlights the properly “ethical” and “political” tenor that is ascribable to a such an interpretation of mimesis and that can take charge of its irreducible ambivalence: of the power of mimesis to express a practical-performative knowledge that, precisely by virtue of its always sensitively-embodied character, qualifies itself for its constitutive suspension between “repetition” and “innovation”, and between “identity” and “difference”.
Scintillation index and BER performance for optical wave propagation in anisotropic underwater turbulence under the effect of eddy diffusivity ratio
Authors: Xu Guanjun , Lai Jiahui
Published: February 2020

Underwater optical communication has been a promising technology but is severely affected by underwater turbulence due to the resulting fluctuations in the index of refraction. In this paper, a revised spatial power spectrum model is obtained that considers the refraction index to be a function of the eddy diffusivity ratio, assuming the underwater turbulence is anisotropic. The scintillation indices for both plane and spherical waves that propagate in underwater turbulence are derived based on this model. Thereafter, the performance of an optical communication system, i.e., the outage probability and bit error rate, with the associated aperture averaging effect is considered. The simulation results demonstrate that temperature-induced and salinity-induced turbulence have distinct influences on the scintillation index and consequently result in different system performances. In addition, the variation in the eddy diffusivity ratio in some intervals induces more complicated results for underwater optical communication. Moreover, the effect of the receiver aperture diameter on the aperture averaging factor is presented in anisotropic underwater turbulence. Such an effect is more obvious in the plane wave case than in the spherical wave case. These results can find potential application in the engineering design of optical communication systems in an underwater environment.