Search

Background: Small bowel neuroendocrine tumours often present with locally advanced or metastatic disease. The aim of this paper is to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding (controversial) topics in the surgical management of advanced small bowel neuroendocrine tumours. Methods: A working group of experts was formed by the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons. The group addressed 11 clinically relevant questions regarding surgery for advanced disease, including the benefit of primary tumour resection, the role of cytoreduction, the extent of lymph node clearance, and the management of an unknown primary tumour. A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE to identify papers addressing the research questions. Final recommendations were presented and voted upon by European Society of Endocrine Surgeons members at the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons Conference in Mainz in 2023. Results: The literature review yielded 1223 papers, of which 84 were included. There were no randomized controlled trials to address any of the research questions and therefore conclusions were based on the available case series, cohort studies, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses of the available non-randomized studies. The proposed recommendations were scored by 38–51 members and rated 'strongly agree' or 'agree' by 64–96% of participants. Conclusion: This paper provides recommendations based on the best available evidence and expert opinion on the surgical management of locally advanced and metastatic small bowel neuroendocrine tumours. This paper provides evidence-based recommendations on the surgical management of locally advanced and metastatic small bowel neuroendocrine tumours, primary tumour resections in the setting of metastatic disease, and surgical indications for grade 3 small bowel neuroendocrine tumours and small bowel neuroendocrine carcinomas. The recommendations are the result of a working group of experts, created by the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons. The group addressed 11 relevant clinical questions regarding surgery for advanced disease, emphasizing and confirming the key role of the surgeon for advanced small bowel neuroendocrine tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise knowledge of such fundamental quantity as the proton charge radius rp is extremely important both for the quantum chromodynamics (for quark-gluon structure) and for atomic physics (for atomic hydrogen spectroscopy). Yet the ambiguity in measuring rp persists for over a dozen of years by now—from the time when in 2010 the muonic hydrogen spectroscopy experiment yielded rp ≈ 0.84 fm in contrast to the form factor experiment by the Mainz group that produced rp ≈ 0.88 fm. Important was that this difference corresponded to about seven standard deviations and therefore was inexplicable. In the intervening dozen of years, more experiments of various kinds were performed in this regard. Nevertheless, the controversy remains, which is why several different types of new experiments are being prepared for measuring rp. In one of our previous papers, we pointed out the factor that was never taken into account by the corresponding research community: the flavor symmetry of electronic hydrogen atoms, whose existence was confirmed by four kinds of atomic or molecular experiments and also evidenced by two kinds of astrophysical observations. Specifically, in that paper there was discussed the possible presence of the second flavor of muonic hydrogen atoms (in the corresponding experimental gas) and its effect on the shift of the ground state of muonic hydrogen atoms due to the proton finite size. In the present paper we analyze the effect of the flavor symmetry of electronic hydrogen atoms on the corresponding elastic scattering cross-section and on the proton charge radius rp deduced from the cross-section. As an example, we use our analytical results for reconciling two distinct values of rp obtained in different elastic scattering experiments: 0.88 fm and 0.84 fm (which is by about 4.5% smaller than 0.88 fm). We show that if the ratio of the second flavor of hydrogen atoms to the usual hydrogen atoms in the experimental gas would be about 0.3, then the extraction of rp from the corresponding cross-section would yield by about 4.5% smaller value of rp compared to its true value. We also derive the corresponding general formulas that can be used for interpreting the future electronic and muonic experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the preliminary results of an investigation on the unexplored topic of polychromy on provincial stone sculptures from the Roman provinces in Germania through the innovative application of heritage materials science techniques. A group of three life-sized statues dating to the 1st Century CE recovered from Ingelheim, near Mainz, retains remarkably well-preserved traces of pigments. These are ripe for emerging non-invasive technologies supplemented by micro-sampling to validate results and provide information relating to mixing and layering not available to the naked eye. The most strikingly visible areas of extant polychromy were retained on the sculpture of a young woman, reported on here as the first phase of this programme of research. The results suggest that the statue was originally covered in a gypsum layer before the application of complex and diverse recipes of pigment applied as mixtures and in layers to create required hues and shadowing on sculpted features. The palette includes ochres and green earth mixed with small amounts of minium (red lead), realgar and lapis lazuli (ultramarine blue) added to create skin tones, and a vibrant blue-green tunic created from Egyptian blue, bone black, ochres, cinnabar and green earth; the palla and peplos contained ochres, bone black, and orpiment, and mixes of these created the detail of coloured jewellery. Of great interest was the detection of bone black on many features, particularly as a shading agent to enhance sculpted features, such as folds in cloth, providing a more realistic and flowing articulation. This is a revolutionary observation that provides previously unexplored insights into artistic polychromic practice in Antiquity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to study the path oscillations of single, spherical water droplets levitated in a wind tunnel to better comprehend the mechanical motion of small raindrops. The observations were carried out in the Mainz vertical wind tunnel. The discrete, fast Fourier transform was used to determine the oscillatory frequencies of the droplet paths, and the Hilbert transform was applied to analyze their instantaneous frequency stability. Both transversal and streamwise components of the path oscillations are described with typical frequencies of several tens of Hertz. The studied oscillations elongate the paths, reduce the terminal velocity of the smallest droplets, and make the rain droplet fall in a non-uniform motion even after reaching terminal velocity. The terminal velocity can be considered as physically having been reached if our proposed practical criterion is satisfied. From a fluid mechanics perspective, the paper fills an experimental gap in the studies of the paths oscillations of single, liquid spheres of microscopic sizes at low Bond numbers <1 and relatively low Reynolds numbers ~102. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was first published as Chapter III of the third part of a three-part final report under Contract AF 61(052)-567 at the University of Hamburg, which was funded by the US Air Force and entitled Contributions to Actual Problems of General Relativity. The work can be considered an addition to the 'Hamburg Bible' series published between 1960–1962 in the Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz (Germany), and included earlier in this Golden Oldies series. It has been cited in later papers as a preprint or 'unpublished'. It presents for the first time the form of the Bianchi identities in terms of the electric and magnetic parts of the Weyl tensor in a 3+1 formalism. Their close analogy with Maxwell's equations of electromagnetism, including a division into constraint and propagation equations, has been influential, as has the wider focus on the electric/magnetic split. In the present paper the Bianchi identities are used in analyses of the purely electric and purely magnetic cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the MAMI-C microtron at an accelerator facility in Mainz, Germany, fixed target experiments carry on to study the excitation spectrum of the nucleon via the photoproduction of mesons. In this paper, the photon-induced production of the π0π+/- -pairs with a liquid deuterium target has been investigated in view of the helicity dependence of the two isospin channels. While unpolarized cross-sections for protons and neutrons have been extracted, this data alone is not sufficient to separate the resonances, therefore polarization observables are vital factors essential in disentangling the contributing resonant and non-resonant amplitudes. The double-polarization observable E was extracted with the help of a longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target and a circularly polarized photon beam. The antiparallel and parallel spin configurations between the beam photon and the target nucleon imply the spin-dependent cross-sections σ1/2 and σ3/2, respectively, which have been derived from E. Reaction products were detected with an almost 4π solid-angle covering calorimeter composed of the Crystal Ball, TAPS detectors, and particle identification detectors. The results are sensitive to sequential decays of nucleon resonances that include intermediate states and also involve the emission of charged ρ mesons. Furthermore, comparative studies of the results of the most recent available model calculations were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction of weather is a main goal of atmospheric science. Its importance to society is growing continuously due to factors such as vulnerability to natural disasters, the move to renewable energy sources, and the risks of climate change. But prediction is also a major scientific challenge due to the inherently limited predictability of a chaotic atmosphere, and has led to a revolution in forecasting methods as we have moved to probabilistic prediction. These changes provide the motivation for Waves to Weather (W2W), a major national research program in Germany with three main university partners in Munich, Mainz, and Karlsruhe. We are currently in the second 4-yr phase of our planned duration of 12 years and employ 36 doctoral and postdoctoral scientists. In the context of this large program, we address what we have identified to be the most important and challenging scientific questions in predictability of weather, namely, upscale error growth, errors associated with cloud processes, and probabilistic prediction of high-impact weather. This paper presents some key results of the first phase of W2W and discusses how they have influenced our understanding of predictability. The key role of interdisciplinary research linking atmospheric scientists with experts in visualization, statistics, numerical analysis, and inverse methods will be highlighted. To ensure a lasting impact on research in our field in Germany and internationally, we have instituted innovative programs for training and support of early-career scientists, and to support education, equal opportunities, and outreach, which are also described here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In my paper, I would like to explain that there is an interesting connection between spreading oriental cults and curse tablets. I will show the spreading of these cults through Europe, especially cults of Isis, Seth, Magna Mater or Attis. Concretely I will focus on one of the most important sites dedicated to oriental gods, concerning the defixiones, which is the dual shrine of Magna Mater and Isis in Mainz, ancient Mogontiacum. This site is extraordinary in several ways. However, I would like to primarily focus on the deposition of the thirty-four tablets which were found there. They are interesting according to the fact that their location differs from the tablets found in the other temples and sites, as I will present. Other sites connected with oriental cults mentioned above will be examined in the similar way (tablets from Rome or Athens). The comparison between Greek and Latin tablets will be part of the presentation as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In my paper, I would like to explain that there is an interesting connection between spreading oriental cults and curse tablets. I will show the spreading of these cults through Europe, especially cults of Isis, Seth, Magna Mater or Attis. Concretely I will focus on one of the most important sites dedicated to oriental gods, concerning the defixiones, which is the dual shrine of Magna Mater and Isis in Mainz, ancient Mogontiacum. This site is extraordinary in several ways. However, I would like to primarily focus on the deposition of the thirty-four tablets which were found there. They are interesting according to the fact that their location differs from the tablets found in the other temples and sites, as I will present. Other sites connected with oriental cults mentioned above will be examined in the similar way (tablets from Rome or Athens). The comparison between Greek and Latin tablets will be part of the presentation as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mainz profile algorithm (MAPA) derives vertical profiles of aerosol extinction and trace gas concentrations from MAX-DOAS measurements of slant column densities under multiple elevation angles. This paper presents (a) a detailed description of the MAPA (v0.98), (b) results for the CINDI-2 campaign, and (c) sensitivity studies on the impact of a priori assumptions such as flag thresholds. Like previous profile retrieval schemes developed at MPIC, MAPA is based on a profile parameterization combining box profiles, which also might be lifted, and exponential profiles. But in contrast to previous inversion schemes based on least-square fits, MAPA follows a Monte Carlo approach for deriving those profile parameters yielding best match to the MAX-DOAS observations. This is much faster and directly provides physically meaningful distributions of profile parameters. In addition, MAPA includes an elaborated flagging scheme for the identification of questionable or dubious results. The AODs derived with MAPA for the CINDI-2 campaign show good agreement with AERONET if a scaling factor of 0.8 is applied for O4 , and the respective NO2 and HCHO surface mixing ratios match those derived from coincident long-path DOAS measurements. MAPA results are robust with respect to modifications of the a priori MAPA settings within plausible limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What, however, is missing from scholarship and publications is a collective study of the harbours and the anchorages used in the Byzantine Empire. Harbours and Anchorages of a Mediterranean Empire: edited by Johannes Preiser-Kapeller, Taxiarchis G. Kolias and Falko Daim, Mainz, Germany, Romisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, 2021, 264pp., illustrations, some colour, bilingual edition, £57.32 (hbk), ISBN 978-3795436773, Propylaeum, 2022 (ebk), ISBN 978-3969290859 New archaeological data on the operation of harbours are included in the following two papers: K. Manoussou-Ntella presents new evidence of the form of the Byzantine harbour of Rhodes, especially of its fortifications, and M. Papadimitriou gives a brief account of Late Antique finds from the harbour of Piraeus. [Extracted from the article]

First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Christian Renz is first author on 'Ubc13-Mms2 cooperates with a family of RING E3 proteins in membrane protein sorting', published in JCS. Christian is a postdoc in the lab of Helle Ulrich at IMB, Mainz, Germany investigating the biochemistry and cell biology of ubiquitin signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This second of two Best Practise Guidelines will continue to explore facets pertaining to factors that influence the sex ratio at birth (M/F). The papers include a quantitative study in the United States, investigating the effects of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Valentine's Day on M/F (which rises). A second paper is devoted to the factor that most influences M/F worldwide: male offspring preference. The third paper focusses on radiation which appears to be the only toxin/stressor that increases M/F by culling female in excess of male foetuses. The paper investigates the effects of the Mainz research nuclear reactor in Germany. Yet another paper reviews seasonality of M/F. Two more theoretical papers discuss the significance of low M/F of offspring and of siblings of probands with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, implicating a common role for testosterone. In yet another paper, high levels of maternal first-trimester intrauterine testosterone are also implicated in male sex, autism, gender dysphoria and non-right-handedness. Finally, a paper reviews the effects of toxoplasmosis on M/F since may be one of the most important environmental factors on this ratio. It is hoped that this second set of papers will further provide stimulation and provocation for research on this intriguing topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the 22nd Annual Congress of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology and the European College of Veterinary Dermatology (ESVD-ECVD) in Mainz, Germany on September 13-15, 2007 is presented. Veterinary dermatologist presented several studies concerning the treatments for animal skin diseases. Among the topics discussed include IgE autoantibodies in dogs with atopic dermatitis and the efficacy of famciclovir for forfeline herpersvirus-1 infection treatment.

Information about several papers discussed at the 22nd Annual Congress of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology and the European College of Veterinary Dermatology (ESVD-ECVD) in Mainz, Germany on September 13-15, 2007 is presented. Among the topics discussed include the concentration time course of pradofloxacin in the skin of dogs, the efficacy of low-dose antifolate therapy with aminopterin for canine atopic dermatitis treatment.

Information about several papers discussed at the 38th German Topical Meeting on Liquid Crystals that was held at the Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany from March 10-12, 2010 is presented. Topics include the physics of lyotropic films in hygroscopic method, the electric properties of liquid crystals, and the mechanical deformation of smectic polymer networks. The conference featured several notable people including Doris Vollmer, Pawel Piranski, and Heino Finkelmann.

Highlights the topics discussed at the Fourth International Rhetoric Culture Conference held at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany from July 16 to 20, 2005. Presentation of papers on power, rhetoric, political culture and persuasion in economic life; Results of Francesca Merlan's study on rhetorics of indigeneity; Kwesi Yankah's representation of chiefly protocol as an eternal feature of Ghanaian culture.

Reports on the plans of the International Social Security Association to sponsor a symposium during June 30 to July 2, 1999, in Mainz, Germany. Call by this group for papers to be presented at the symposium on topics on the training of safety experts; Deadline for the submission of proposals; Contact point for more information.