bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurocognition after prenatal levetiracetam, lamotrigine, carbamazepine or valproate exposure
Authors: Huber-Mollema Yfke , van Iterson Loretta , Oort Frans J. , Lindhout Dick , Rodenburg Roos
Published: February 2020

Objective

To examine neurocognitive functioning of children exposed prenatally to carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam or valproate monotherapy.

Methods

In a prospective observational study, children aged 6 or 7 years, identified from the European Registry of Antiepileptic Drugs and Pregnancy database in The Netherlands, were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and the developmental neuropsychological assessment. Maternal IQ was measured using Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Assessors were blinded to drug exposures.

Results

One hundred and sixty-one children (one set of twins and 21 sibling pairs) of 139 mothers were included. As a group, children achieved average scores on neurocognitive outcomes. Children exposed to valproate (n = 22) performed lower on all six neurocognitive domains, especially language, than those exposed to carbamazepine (n = 32), lamotrigine (n = 82) or levetiracetam (n = 25). After controlling for maternal IQ and drug dose, the verbal IQ of valproate-exposed children was on average 9.1 points lower than those exposed to carbamazepine (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–17.0;p = 0.023), 10.3 lower than lamotrigine-exposed children (CI 3.4–17.3;p = 0.004) and 13.4 lower than levetiracetam-exposed children (CI 5.2–21.6;p = 0.002). No significant dose–effect was found. Virtually no significant differences were found between lamotrigine and levetiracetam or lamotrigine and carbamazepine exposed children.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous research, valproate-exposed children experienced more problems compared to three other common antiepileptic drugs, while children exposed to lamotrigine, carbamazepine or levetiracetam revealed little to no problems. This illustrates the need for systematic follow-up of prenatally exposed children, to support pre-pregnancy counseling and treatment decisions in women of reproductive age.
The use of endoluminal techniques in the revision of primary bariatric surgery procedures: a systematic review
Authors: Goh Yan Mei , James Nicole Ellen , Goh En Lin , Khanna Achal
Published: February 2020

Background

Weight regain following primary bariatric surgery is attributed to anatomical, behavioural and hormonal factors. Dilation of the gastrojejunal anastomosis is a possible cause of weight regain after roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). However, surgical revision has significant risks with limited benefits. Endoluminal procedures have been suggested to manage weight regain post-surgery. This systematic review aims to assess efficacy of endoluminal procedures.

Methods

Studies where endoluminal procedures were performed following primary bariatric surgery were identified. Main outcome measures were mean weight loss pre- and post-procedure, excess weight loss, recurrence rates, success rates and post-procedure complications.

Results

Twenty-six studies were included in this review. Procedures identified were (i) endoluminal plication devices (ii) other techniques e.g. sclerotherapy, mucosal ablation, and Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) and (iii) combination therapy involving sclerotherapy/mucosal ablation/APC and endoscopic OverStitch device. Endoluminal plication devices show greatest initial weight loss within 12 months post-procedure, but not sustained at 18 months. Only one study utilising sclerotherapy showed greater sustained weight loss with peak EWL (19.9%) at 18 months follow-up. Combination therapy showed the greatest sustained EWL (36.4%) at 18 months. Endoluminal plication devices were more successfully performed in 91.8% of patients and had lower recurrence rates (5.02%) compared to sclerotherapy and APC, with 46.8% success and 21.5% recurrence rates. Both procedures demonstrate no major complications and low rates of moderate complications. Only mild complications were noted for combination therapy.

Conclusions

The paucity of good quality data limits our ability to demonstrate and support the long-term efficacy of endoluminal techniques in the management of weight regain following primary bariatric surgery. Future work is necessary to not only clarify the role of endoluminal plication devices, but also combination therapy in the management of weight regain following primary bariatric surgery.
Endoscopic versus surgical treatment for infected necrotizing pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Haney C. M. , Kowalewski K. F. , Schmidt M. W. , Koschny R. , Felinska E. A. , Kalkum E. , Probst P. , Diener M. K. , Müller-Stich B. P. , Hackert T. , Nickel F.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To compare outcomes of endoscopic and surgical treatment for infected necrotizing pancreatitis (INP) based on results of randomized controlled trials (RCT).

Background

Treatment of INP has changed in the last two decades with adoption of interventional, endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures for drainage and necrosectomy. However, this relies mostly on observational studies.

Methods

We performed a systematic review following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines and AMSTAR-2 criteria and searched CENTRAL, Medline and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trails that compared an endoscopic treatment to a surgical treatment for patients with infected walled-off necrosis and included one of the main outcomes were eligible for inclusion. The main outcomes were mortality and new onset multiple organ failure. Prospero registration ID: CRD42019126033

Results

Three RCTs with 190 patients were included. Intention to treat analysis showed no difference in mortality. However, patients in the endoscopic group had statistically significant lower odds of experiencing new onset multiple organ failure (odds ratio (OR) confidence interval [CI] 0.31 [0.10, 0.98]) and were statistically less likely to suffer from perforations of visceral organs or enterocutaneous fistulae (OR [CI] 0.31 [0.10, 0.93]), and pancreatic fistulae (OR [CI] 0.09 [0.03, 0.28]). Patients with endoscopic treatment had a statistically significant lower mean hospital stay (Mean difference [CI] − 7.86 days [− 14.49, − 1.22]). No differences in bleeding requiring intervention, incisional hernia, exocrine or endocrine insufficiency or ICU stay were apparent. Overall certainty of evidence was moderate.

Conclusion

There seem to be possible benefits of endoscopic treatment procedure. Given the heterogenous procedures in the surgical group as well as the low amount of randomized evidence, further studies are needed to evaluate the combination of different approaches and appropriate timepoints for interventions.
Guidance for the Integrated Use of Hydrological, Geochemical, and Isotopic Tools in Mining Operations
Authors: Wolkersdorfer Christian , Nordstrom Darrell Kirk , Beckie Roger Daniel , Cicerone Daniel S. , Elliot Trevor , Edraki Mansour , Valente Teresa , França Silvia Cristina Alves , Kumar Pramod , Lucero Ricardo Andrés Oyarzún , Soler i Gil Albert
Published: February 2020

This paper summarizes international state-of-the-art applications and opportunities for employing and deploying hydrological, geochemical, and isotopic tools in an integrated manner for investigations of mining operations. It is intended to aid formulation of more integrated approaches for evaluating the overall sustainability of mining projects. The focus is particularly on mine waters, including: environmental water sources, mine water dynamics, and as a source and vector for pollution in the wider environment. The guidance is generic to mining projects and not just reflective of a particular extraction (e.g. coal, metalliferous, uranium) industry. A mine life cycle perspective has been adopted to highlight the potential for more integrated investigations at each stage of a mining operation. Three types of mines have been considered: new (i.e. those in the planning stage), active (i.e. working mines), and historical mines (i.e. inactive and abandoned mines). The practical usage of geochemical analyses and isotopic studies described here emphasise characterisation, dynamics, and process understanding for water quality considerations in tandem with water resource and environmental impact implications. Both environmental (i.e. ambient) and applied (i.e. injected) tracers are considered. This guide is written for scientists (including isotope specialists) who have limited or no mine water experience, environmental managers, planners, consultants, and regulators with key interests in planned, active, and legacy mining projects.
Ethische Entscheidungen in zunehmend ökonomisierten Krankenhäusern
Authors: Alkatout Ibrahim , Strack Micha , Maass Nicolai , Boos Margarete , Hopf Norbert
Published: February 2020

Werden durch die Ökonomisierung des deutschen Gesundheitssystems medizinische Werte in den Hintergrund gedrängt? Im Rahmen einer Vignettenstudie wurde der Fall einer Verlängerung der Verweildauer einer älteren, noch nicht gänzlich genesenen Patientin vorgestellt. Zunächst sollte über die Verweildauer entschieden werden. Ergänzend hierzu wurde die Relevanz der medizinischen Richtigkeit, Einfühlvermögen für die Patientin und Identifikation mit dem Klinikum erhoben. Die Teilnehmenden (N = 1239) schreiben den Entscheidern die medizinische Korrektheit als wichtigstes Kriterium zu, gefolgt vom Einfühlungsvermögen. Je universalistischer die Werte der befragten Person, umso eher befürwortet sie ein verlängertes Verweilen der Patientin im Krankenhaus. Je sicherheitsorientierter, je weniger tolerant und weniger prosozial, umso eher würde vorzeitig entlassen. Insbesondere fürchten Studierende eine verfrühte Entlassung durch die Entscheidungen des Chefarztes. Dies ist jedoch als unbegründet zu werten. Aus den Zuschreibungen lässt sich interpretieren, dass sich ÄrztInnen im Laufe ihrer Ausbildung eine medizinethisch basierte, deontologisch fundierte Entscheidungsautonomie aneignen, die sich im Einzelfall auch aktuellen Regeln widersetzen kann.
Comparison of a Spectral Microphysics and a Two-Moment Cloud Scheme: Numerical Simulations of the Cloud-Topped Marine Boundary Layer
Authors: Bott Andreas
Published: February 2020

A comparison between the spectral microphysics cloud scheme (MiStra) and the parametrized cloud scheme (PaStra) is presented. The main feature of MiStra consists of the treatment of aerosol particles, cloud droplets, and drizzle particles in a joint two-dimensional particle size distribution, whereas PaStra consists of a two-moment scheme for cloud droplets combined with a one-moment scheme for drizzle. Both cloud schemes have been implemented in a single-column model of the cloud-topped marine boundary layer. Numerical sensitivity studies are presented demonstrating that MiStra is capable of simulating in great detail the major cloud microphysical processes occurring in low-level stratiform clouds. While in MiStra no empirical parameter is available to tune the model, the empirical model parameters of PaStra have been tuned by means of the MiStra model results. By comparing the numerical results of PaStra with those of MiStra it is found that PaStra simulates the overall characteristics of the cloud-topped marine boundary layer quite well. At the same time, however, the effects of single cloud microphysical processes differ substantially from those of MiStra. Finally, it is shown that even in PaStra the inclusion of all major cloud microphysical processes is mandatory in order to obtain appropriate results.
Design and evaluation of a biologically-inspired cloud elasticity framework
Authors: Ullah Amjad , Li Jingpeng , Hussain Amir
Published: February 2020

The elasticity in cloud is essential to the effective management of computational resources as it enables readjustment at runtime to meet application demands. Over the years, researchers and practitioners have proposed many auto-scaling solutions using versatile techniques ranging from simple if-then-else based rules to sophisticated optimisation, control theory and machine learning based methods. However, despite an extensive range of existing elasticity research, the aim of implementing an efficient scaling technique that satisfies the actual demands is still a challenge to achieve. The existing methods suffer from issues like: (1) the lack of adaptability and static scaling behaviour whilst considering completely fixed approaches; (2) the burden of additional computational overhead, the inability to cope with the sudden changes in the workload behaviour and the preference of adaptability over reliability at runtime whilst considering the fully dynamic approaches; and (3) the lack of considering uncertainty aspects while designing auto-scaling solutions. In this paper, we aim to address these issues using a holistic biologically-inspired feedback switch controller. This method utilises multiple controllers and a switching mechanism, implemented using fuzzy system, that realises the selection of suitable controller at runtime. The fuzzy system also facilitates the design of qualitative elasticity rules. Furthermore, to improve the possibility of avoiding the oscillatory behaviour (a problem commonly associated with switch methodologies), this paper integrates a biologically-inspired computational model of action selection. Lastly, we identify seven different kinds of real workload patterns and utilise them to evaluate the performance of the proposed method against the state-of-the-art approaches. The obtained computational results demonstrate that the proposed method results in achieving better performance without incurring any additional cost in comparison to the state-of-the-art approaches.
Using system dynamics to support a participatory assessment of resilience
Authors: Herrera Hugo , Kopainsky Birgit
Published: February 2020

Resilience has emerged as a buzzword among researchers and practitioners. However, despite its popularity, there has been little progress in moving it from a metaphor to applied projects. While case study research is rich with examples of systems that have proven to be resilient or are striving to develop resilience, the approaches for operationalising concepts described in the literature are still under development. This paper contributes to this development by incorporating system dynamics (SD) modelling within participatory approaches to resilience assessment. With this aim, we combined concepts and practices from the resilience literature with experiences, those documented in the literature and our own, applying system dynamics to resilience assessment. The proposed approach builds and complement other the literature by outlining a modelling process that is consistent with both the resilience literature and the SD modelling practices and providing a generic structure for designing interventions.
Enhancing reaction-based de novo design using a multi-label reaction class recommender
Authors: Ghiandoni Gian Marco , Bodkin Michael J. , Chen Beining , Hristozov Dimitar , Wallace James E. A. , Webster James , Gillet Valerie J.
Published: February 2020

Reaction-based de novo design refers to the in-silico generation of novel chemical structures by combining reagents using structural transformations derived from known reactions. The driver for using reaction-based transformations is to increase the likelihood of the designed molecules being synthetically accessible. We have previously described a reaction-based de novo design method based on reaction vectors which are transformation rules that are encoded automatically from reaction databases. A limitation of reaction vectors is that they account for structural changes that occur at the core of a reaction only, and they do not consider the presence of competing functionalities that can compromise the reaction outcome. Here, we present the development of a Reaction Class Recommender to enhance the reaction vector framework. The recommender is intended to be used as a filter on the reaction vectors that are applied during de novo design to reduce the combinatorial explosion of in-silico molecules produced while limiting the generated structures to those which are most likely to be synthesisable. The recommender has been validated using an external data set extracted from the recent medicinal chemistry literature and in two simulated de novo design experiments. Results suggest that the use of the recommender drastically reduces the number of solutions explored by the algorithm while preserving the chance of finding relevant solutions and increasing the global synthetic accessibility of the designed molecules.
The Unreliable Intuitions Objection Against Reflective Equilibrium
Authors: Paulo Norbert
Published: February 2020

Reflective equilibrium (RE) has been criticized for various reasons ever since the publication of Rawls’A Theory of Justice. Recent empirical research into moral decision-making poses new challenges to RE because it questions the reliability of moral intuitions. This research might discredit moral intuitionism in general and RE in particular insofar as it ascribes epistemic value to moral intuitions. These findings suggest, for instance, that moral intuitions vary with cultural background, gender or framing. If it could be shown that all or certain kinds of moral intuitions are unreliable, this would diminish the plausibility of the claim that they provide good reasons to believe in the truth of their content, especially given the growing evidence that professional philosophers are just as biased and susceptible to distorting factors as lay people. In this paper I critically discuss three recent defenses of RE against this unreliable intuitions objection (UIO). Two of these defenses argue that the UIO misses its target, because RE does not depend on intuitions, or because the relevant considered judgments in RE are not intuitions. The third defense grants that RE depends on intuitions and that some Rawlsian considered judgments are intuitions. But it argues that the notion of considered judgments can be revised, and that wide reflective equilibrium (WRE) has the means to adopt the criticism because it can use information about unreliable intuitions and exclude those from further consideration. I argue that the first two defenses do not succeed. The third defense is the most promising one. However, I argue that this defense also fails. In this defense, RE is not a distinctive moral epistemic theory: different versions of RE would be conceivable, all of which are deeply problematic. I conclude with a discussion of the broader philosophical implications of the UIO, specifically whether or not accepting the UIO would warrant skepticism regarding moral knowledge.
Extending Working Lives: A Systematic Review of Healthy Working Life Expectancy at Age 50
Authors: Parker Marty , Bucknall Milica , Jagger Carol , Wilkie Ross
Published: February 2020

Retirement ages for receipt of state/social pensions are rising in many countries in response to population ageing and increasing life expectancy. However, sickness absence and early retirement for health reasons (especially among adults aged ≥ 50) present challenges to this. Estimates of the average number of years people are both healthy and in work from age 50 are needed to inform policy making and assess the feasibility of policy changes. A systematic review was carried out to identify existing population indicators, and estimates, of life expectancy in health and work. Nine databases were systematically searched on the 30th January 2019. Eligible papers were identified using inclusion/exclusion criteria. Evidence synthesis was undertaken to explore indicators and estimates. Four studies were included for review from 1485 identified by the search. A narrative review was carried out; quantitative pooling of the results was not feasible due to high heterogeneity between studies. All estimates of the average number of years spent in both health and work from age 50 were below 10 years with the exception of a population subgroup of Finnish male executives (11.91 years). The review indicated that population indicators of health and work that could estimate the average number of years people are healthy and in work are rarely used, and that there are no current and reliable estimates. One indicator, Healthy Working Life Expectancy (measuring life expectancy in health and work from age 50), offers the potential to be a suitable measure for monitoring life expectancy in health and work.
Synthetic fictions: turning imagined biological systems into concrete ones
Authors: Knuuttila Tarja , Koskinen Rami
Published: February 2020

The recent discussion of fictional models has focused on imagination, implicitly considering fictions as something nonconcrete. We present two cases from synthetic biology that can be viewed as concrete fictions. Both minimal cells and alternative genetic systems are modal in nature: they, as well as their abstract cousins, can be used to study unactualized possibilia. We approach these synthetic constructs through Vaihinger’s notion of a semi-fiction and Goodman’s notion of semifactuality. Our study highlights the relative existence of such concrete fictions. Before their realizations neither minimal cells nor alternative genetic systems were any well-defined objects, and the subsequent experimental work has given more content to these originally schematic imaginings. But it is as yet unclear whether individual members of these heterogeneous groups of somewhat functional synthetic constructs will eventually turn out to be fully realizable, remain only partially realizable, or prove outright impossible.
The Role of Recreational Online Activities in School-Based Screen Time Sedentary Behaviour Interventions for Adolescents: A Systematic and Critical Literature Review
Authors: Throuvala Melina A. , Griffiths Mark D. , Rennoldson Mike , Kuss Daria J.
Published: February 2020

Sedentary behaviours are highly associated with obesity and other important health outcomes in adolescence. This paper reviews screen time and its role within school-based behavioural interventions targeting adolescents between the years 2007 and 2019. A systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted across five major databases to identify interventions targeting screen time—in addition to TV/DVD viewing. The review identified a total of 30 papers analysing 15 studies across 16 countries aiming at addressing reduction of recreational screen time (internet use and gaming) in addition to television/DVD viewing. All of the interventions focused exclusively on behaviour change, targeting in the majority both reduction of sedentary behaviours along with strategies to increase physical activity levels. A mix of intervention effects were found in the reviewed studies. Findings suggest aiming only for reduction in time spent on screen-based behaviour within interventions could be a limited strategy in ameliorating excessive screen use, if not targeted, in parallel, with strategies to address other developmental, contextual and motivational factors that are key components in driving the occurrence and maintenance of adolescent online behaviours. Additionally, it raises the need for a differential treatment and assessment of each online activity within the interventions due to the heterogeneity of the construct of screen time. Recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of school-based sedentary behaviour interventions and implications for public policy are discussed.
Veteranen- und Kriegsopferversorgung und Sozialstaatsentwicklung in Australien, Deutschland, Österreich und den USA
Authors: Obinger Herbert , Grawe Lukas , Dörr Nikolas
Published: February 2020

Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet aus vergleichender Perspektive die Auswirkungen der Kriegsopferversorgung auf die Struktur und Entwicklungsdynamik der Wohlfahrtsstaaten in den USA, Australien, Österreich und Deutschland. Militärangehörige und Veteranen zählen zu jenen Gruppen, die vergleichsweise früh von staatlicher Sozialpolitik erfasst wurden. Die Totalisierung der Kriegsführung führte insbesondere nach den beiden Weltkriegen zu einem gewaltigen sozialpolitischen Kompensationsbedarf. Fast überall waren jedoch die alten Sicherungssysteme angesichts horrender Opferzahlen mit der Bewältigung der sozialen Kriegsfolgen überlastet und mussten durch neue Systeme ersetzt werden. Die Auswirkungen der im Zuge der beiden Weltkriege geschaffenen Kriegsopferversorgungsprogramme auf die Entwicklung der zivilen Sozialpolitik stehen im Mittelpunkt des Beitrags. Der Vergleich zeigt, dass die Kriegsopferversorgung den zivilen Wohlfahrtsstaat vielfältig geprägt hat. Neben innovativen Aspekten lassen sich auch Brems- und Struktureffekte nachweisen. Maßgeblich dafür sind unterschiedliche Kriegserfahrungen und der Entwicklungsstand des zivilen Sozialstaats ante bellum.
Thermal waters of central Poland: a case study from Mogilno–Łódź Trough, Poland
Authors: Sowiżdżał Anna , Hajto Marek , Hałaj Elżbieta
Published: February 2020

Thermal waters in Poland occur in several different geothermal regions, but the best parameters for their effective utilisation are connected i.a. with the area of Polish Lowlands. One of the most prospective areas in the central part of Polish Lowlands for managing geothermal waters for various purposes is the area of Mogilno–Łódź Trough. There are currently 2 operating geothermal heating plants and several others in various stages of development. In this area, water with a temperature of 97.5 °C has been documented. The aim of this article is to determine and visualise the potential of geothermal waters of the central Poland (Mogilno–Łódź Trough) by providing the most important, potential geothermal water parameters. It is done by providing maps of potential temperature, mineralization, water outflow capacity, thermal power and physicochemical analysis (mineralization, waters type). The two most prospective geothermal reservoirs—Lower Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous—were analysed. The results of the studies indicate that this area is characterised by very favourable hydrogeological conditions. Geothermal energy utilisation should be connected with Lower Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous reservoirs, but it should be emphasised that a larger energy potential relates to waters from Lower Jurassic reservoir; however, they are characterised by high water mineralisation (up to 170 g/L). Waters of Lower Cretaceous reservoir are characterised by not only lower mineralisation (up to 100 g/L), but also lower temperature (max. 75 °C). The highest temperatures in the Lower Jurassic are recorded in the axial part of the Trough, where, locally, they exceed in the top of formation 100 °C. On the other hand, in edge Trough zones, water temperatures are 30–40 °C. The actual geothermal potential of the area is much higher than currently used. For example, potential discharge of wells is to over 400 m3/h in the Lower Cretaceous and up to over 500 m3/h in the Lower Jurassic.
Vulnerability assessment of flash floods in Wadi Dahab Basin, Egypt
Authors: Prama Maria , Omran Adel , Schröder Dietrich , Abouelmagd Abdou
Published: February 2020

Floods are considered one of the most severe natural disasters worldwide. They impact vast areas, particularly in arid/semi-arid regions, causing serious damages with thousands of human casualties and billions of Euros in economic losses. This study contributes to a comprehensive evaluation of flash flooding occurrences, impacts, and possible mitigation. In this study, The Dahab region in southern Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula was selected for flash flooding vulnerability assessment. Although located in an arid region, it suffers from frequent and severe flash floods. Here, a straightforward workflow was applied to simulate the impact of flash flooding and assess the vulnerability of the Dahab area via consideration of a maximum storm event as a worst- case scenario. Originally, morphometric analysis was performed to determine the most hazardous sub-basins susceptible to flash flooding. The highest recorded storm event in the region was selected to calculate the maximum volume of surface runoff for the model simulation. Then, the hydrologic model and River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) software were used to calculate the inundation level across the entire city of Dahab. Despite some data limitations, this study shows clearly that the Dahab area would have problems incurring from flash flooding if no mitigation measures were to be considered. Results indicate that the area of Dahab is greatly vulnerable to flash flooding with approximately 72% of the total infrastructure being negatively impacted in the worst-case scenario. The adopted approach used in this study can be applied efficiently in similar regions in the Sinai Peninsula or elsewhere.
Family labor participation and child care decisions: the role of grannies
Authors: Zamarro Gema
Published: February 2020

Grandparents, and in particular grandmothers, are an important source of informal child care for their grandchildren in most developed countries. The literature shows how these informal transfers of care can help promote female labor participation. However, less is known about how working-age grandmothers are combining care with their own labor participation. In this paper, I use data from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe and analyze to what extent child care is provided by grandmothers in ten European countries and how grandmothers are combining this task with paid work. I also revisit the question of whether the child care provided by grandmothers is encouraging the labor participation of their offspring. The empirical approach takes into account the simultaneity of labor market decisions and caregiving activities while controlling for grandmother’s unobserved heterogeneity on their willingness to provide care to their grandchildren. I find a negative and significant effect of participating in the labor market on the probability of taking care of the grandchildren on a regular basis. I also find evidence that, for some countries, the child care provided by working-age grandmothers has a positive effect on the labor participation of their daughters.
Opportunities for Reasoning: Digital Task Design to Promote Students’ Conceptions of Graphs as Representing Relationships between Quantities
Authors: Johnson Heather Lynn , McClintock Evan D. , Gardner Amber
Published: February 2020

We posit a dual approach to digital task design: to engineer opportunities for students to conceive of graphs as representing relationships between quantities and to foreground students’ reasoning and exploration, rather than their answer-finding. Locally integrating Ference Marton’s variation theory and Patrick Thompson’s theory of quantitative reasoning, we designed digital task sequences, in which students were to create different graphs linked to the same video animations. We report results of a qualitative study of thirteen secondary students (aged 15–17), who participated in digital, task-based, individual interviews. We investigated two questions: (1) How do students conceive of what graphs represent when engaging with digital task sequences? (2) How do student conceptions of graphs shift when working within and across digital task sequences? Two conceptions were particularly stable – relationships between quantities and literal motion of an object. When students demonstrated conceptions of graphs as representing change in a single quantity, they shifted to conceptions of relationships between quantities. We explain how a critical aspect: What graphs should represent, intertwined with students’ graph-sketching. Finally, we discuss implications for digital task design to promote students’ conceptions of mathematical representations, such as graphs.
SEBM processing of 42CrMo4
Authors: Jurisch Marie , Klöden Burghardt , Kirchner Alexander , Walther Gunnar , Weißgärber Thomas
Published: February 2020

Powder bed fusion of difficult-to-weld-steels such as the 42CrMo4 applied in this study is a challenging task. These materials are often susceptible to crack formation. To minimize thermal gradients and residual stresses, laser beam technologies generally require preheating of the substrates. Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM), on the other hand, is based on preheating the powder bed and, thus, enables crack-free printing even at greater heights. The present study demonstrates the processing of 42CrMo4 by SEBM. Besides parameter optimization, powder analysis, microstructural characterization as well as mechanical testing were carried out both for the as built and heat-treated conditions. The results indicate that the mechanical properties are comparable to those of conventional manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, a generic demonstrator with complex structures shows the high potential of SEBM for these particularly challenging steels.
Evaluating the impact of point-of-care ultrasonography on patients with suspected acute heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation in the emergency department: A prospective observational study
Authors: Nakao Shunichiro , Vaillancourt Christian , Taljaard Monica , Nemnom Marie-Joe , Woo Michael Y. , Stiell Ian G.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Acute heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are sometimes difficult to differentiate in the emergency department (ED). We sought to determine the clinical impact of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in ED patients with suspected acute heart failure or COPD.

Methods

We conducted a prospectively collected cohort study with health records review with frequency matching at The Ottawa Hospital between March and September 2017. We included patients aged 50 and older with shortness of breath or cough from suspected acute heart failure or COPD. Our primary outcome was ED length of stay. Secondary outcomes were time to disposition decision, time to appropriate treatment, and the incidence of adverse events. We analyzed time-to-event outcomes using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis with POCUS analyzed as a time-dependent variable, and the incidence of adverse events using logistic regression analyses.

Results

There were 81 patients evaluated with lung POCUS and 243 matched patients who were not. Lung POCUS was not significantly associated with ED length of stay and time to disposition decision; however, patients evaluated with lung POCUS received disease-specific treatment faster compared with the non-POCUS group (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.50 [95% confidence interval, 1.05–2.15], a median time difference of 31 minutes). We found no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events.

Conclusions

In this study, use of lung POCUS resulted in no difference in ED length of stay and time to disposition decision, but was associated with faster administration of disease-specific treatments for elderly patients with suspected acute heart failure or COPD.
Wartime Violence and Post-War Women's Representation
Authors: Hadzic Dino , Tavits Margit
Published: February 2020

How does wartime violence shape post-war women's representation? Does past violence make women more or less likely to run for office? And if they do run, are they getting elected? This article argues that violence influences women's representation in contrasting ways at these two stages. In wartime, women have more opportunities to gain leadership skills, which likely increases the number of women running for office after the war. However, past violence also increases threat perceptions among voters. This, combined with gender stereotypes about male and female politicians, likely reduces voter support for female candidates. Using pre- and post-war electoral and wartime violence data at the municipal level from Bosnia, the authors present evidence that is consistent with their argument. The results hold across a number of robustness tests, including accounting for post-war demographic gender balance and women's party list placement.
Silencing Their Critics: How Government Restrictions Against Civil Society Affect International ‘Naming and Shaming’
Authors: Smidt Hannah , Perera Dominic , Mitchell Neil J. , Bakke Kristin M.
Published: February 2020

International ‘naming and shaming’ campaigns rely on domestic civil society organizations (CSOs) for information on local human rights conditions. To stop this flow of information, some governments restrict CSOs, for example by limiting their access to funding. Do such restrictions reduce international naming and shaming campaigns that rely on information from domestic CSOs? This article argues that on the one hand, restrictions may reduce CSOs’ ability and motives to monitor local abuses. On the other hand, these organizations may mobilize against restrictions and find new ways of delivering information on human rights violations to international publics. Using a cross-national dataset and in-depth evidence from Egypt, the study finds that low numbers of restrictions trigger shaming by international non-governmental organizations. Yet once governments impose multiple types of restrictions, it becomes harder for CSOs to adapt, resulting in fewer international shaming campaigns.
ISTHMIAN2: COMMODITY OR GIFT?
Authors: Stergiou Gianna
Published: February 2020

Isthmian2 was composed for Xenokrates of Akragas’ chariot victory, probably in 471–470bc. The winner was dead by the time that the ode was performed, and as a result the recipient of the ode was his son, Thrasyboulos. The victor's family, the Emmenidai, was politically prominent and one of the founding families of Akragas: Theron, son of Ainesidamos and tyrant of Akragas (488–487bc), was Xenokrates’ brother, and Xenokrates is also commemorated by Pindar inPythian6 for his victory at a chariot race (490bc).
General
Authors: Petrovic Ivana , Petrovic Andrej
Published: February 2020

When I set out to read the new complete English translation of Cassiodorus’ letters (the quotation is from the preface to Book 1, paragraphs 4–5), I certainly did not expect to be transported to the picket lines of the currently ongoing industrial action of the British University and College Union, and yet the overwhelming administrative workload and the avalanche of tasks that Cassiodorus describes have much in common with the academic pressures many are facing today. Nevertheless, Cassiodorus persevered and published many works, including a collection of no fewer than twelve books of letters, the latter in the middle of the eighteen-year Gothic War (536–54). He did not have to worry about his pension, though, as he was a scion of long line of wealthy and prominent property owners and aristocrats from Calabria and was himself a highly placed magistrate at the court of the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy. Cassiodorus was responsible for official state correspondence, and his letters are either written in the name of the Amal kings Theoderic, Amalasuntha, and Athalaric, or are appointments to public office, honorary titles, and legal and administrative decisions. They span thirty years of his career in administration and are a prime source for the political and social history of Italy in the sixth century ad.
Selecting candidates to the bench of the World Court: (Inevitable) politicization and its consequences
Authors: Polonskaya Ksenia
Published: February 2020

Judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are prominent jurists of high merit. However, little is known about certain extra-legal factors of the candidates that guide states in their selection and appointment process. This article focuses on examining extra-legal factors that matter for states in the selection process. Such extra-legal factors demonstrate that elections of candidates to the Court constitute another aspect of a broader political struggle to define the meaning of international law. The article situates the discussion on the selection process in the broader context of the discussion on biases in international law to suggest that the election of candidates to the Court becomes both an instrument and a procedure for controlling the discourse. The characteristics of the judges thus matter as a proxy to control the production and direction of such discourse. This article then explores the ways in which some states have greater strategic advantage in the selection and election processes that enables them to control the discourse to define the meaning of international law effectively.
Tree nut snack consumption is associated with better diet quality and CVD risk in the UK adult population: National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2008–2014
Authors: Dikariyanto Vita , Berry Sarah E , Pot Gerda K , Francis Lucy , Smith Leanne , Hall Wendy L
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

To examine associations of tree nut snack (TNS) consumption with diet quality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in UK adults from National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2008–2014.

Design:

Cross-sectional analysis using data from 4-d food diaries, blood samples and physical measurements for CVD risk markers. To estimate diet quality, modified Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and modified Healthy Diet Score (HDS) were applied. Associations of TNS consumption with diet quality and markers of CVD risk were investigated using survey-adjusted multivariable linear regression adjusted for sex, age, ethnicity, socio-economic and smoking status, region of residency and total energy and alcohol intake.

Setting:

UK free-living population.

Subjects:

4738 adults (≥19 years).

Results:

TNS consumers had higher modified MDS and HDS relative to non-consumers. TNS consumers also had lower BMI, WC, SBP and DBP and higher HDL compared to non-consumers, although a dose-related fully adjusted significant association between increasing nut intake (g per 4184 kJ/1000 kcal energy intake) and lower marker of CVD risk was only observed for SBP. TNS consumption was also associated with higher intake of total fat, mono-, n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibre, vitamin A, thiamin, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and iron; and lower intake of saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, total carbohydrate, starch, free sugar, sodium and chloride.

Conclusions:

TNS consumers report better dietary quality and consumption was associated with lower CVD risk factors. Encouraging replacement of less healthy snacks with TNS should be encouraged as part of general dietary guidelines.
Structural Foundations of Social Resilience
Authors: Dagdeviren Hulya , Capucha Luis , Calado Alexandre , Donoghue Matthew , Estêvão Pedro
Published: February 2020

This article aims to contribute to the theoretical development of the social resilience approach. Recognising the interface between resilience and poverty studies, it proposes a distinct role for resilience research from a critical perspective to understand the dynamics of hardship in exceptional times, such as times of socio-economic crises, rather than explaining the long-term trajectories of poverty. It then provides a conceptual framework on the structural foundations of social resilience, highlighting three components: rules, resources and power relations. The article uses the 2008 crisis and the ensuing period of austerity as a microcosm to place the discussion within a contemporary context.
Ultramafic Carbonated Melt‐ and Auto‐Metasomatism in Mantle Eclogites: Compositional Effects and Geophysical Consequences
Authors: Aulbach Sonja , Massuyeau Malcolm , Garber Joshua M. , Gerdes Axel , Heaman Larry M. , Viljoen K.S.
Published: February 2020

The mineralogy, chemical composition, and physical properties of cratonic mantle eclogites with oceanic crustal protoliths can be modified by secondary processes involving interaction with fluids and melts, generated in various slab lithologies upon subduction (auto‐metasomatism) or mantle metasomatism after emplacement into the cratonic lithosphere. Here we combine new and published data to isolate these signatures and evaluate their effects on the chemical and physical properties of eclogite. Mantle metasomatism involving kimberlite‐like, ultramafic carbonated melts (UM carbonated melts) is ubiquitous though not pervasive, and affected between ~20% and 40% of the eclogite population at the various localities investigated here, predominantly at ~60–150 km depth, overlapping cratonic midlithospheric seismic discontinuities. Its hallmarks include lower jadeite component in clinopyroxene and grossular component in garnet, an increase in bulk‐rock MgO ± SiO2, and decrease in FeO and Al2O3 contents, and LREE‐enrichment accompanied by higher Sr, Pb, Th, U, and in part Zr and Nb, as well as lower Li, Cu ± Zn. This is mediated by addition of a high‐temperature pyroxene from a UM carbonated melt, followed by redistribution of this component into garnet and clinopyroxene. As clinopyroxene‐garnet trace‐element distribution coefficients increase with decreasing garnet grossular component, clinopyroxene is the main carrier of the metasomatic signatures. UM carbonated melt‐metasomatism at >130–150 km has destroyed the diamond inventory at some localities. These mineralogical and chemical changes contribute to low densities, with implications for eclogite gravitational stability, but negligible changes in shear‐wave velocities, and, if accompanied by H2O‐enrichment, will enhance electrical conductivities compared to unenriched eclogites.
Small‐Scale Scattering Heterogeneities in the Lowermost Mantle From a Global Analysis of PKP Precursors
Authors: Ma Xiaolong , Thomas Christine
Published: February 2020

Small‐scale heterogeneities contain important information on the composition of the Earth's interior and are vital in understanding the dynamics and evolution of the Earth. Here we explore a global data set of PKP waves in both array and network data and search for scattered waves arriving as precursors to PKPdf. We classify the observed precursors into incoherent and coherent types and find that scattering regions for these two types overlap at the base of the mantle. In addition, a global map of scattering strength displays strong regional variations with strong scattering mixed with weak scattering. The complex distribution of scattering strength indicates lateral variations of heterogeneities on short length scales in the lowermost mantle. A mixture model of localized strong scatterers embedded in a random medium could explain the observed precursors in this study.
Toward the Reconstruction of Substorm‐Related Dynamical Pattern of the Radiowave Auroral Absorption
Authors: Sergeev V. A. , Shukhtina M. A. , Stepanov N. A. , Rogov D. D. , Nikolaev A. V. , Spanswick E. , Donovan E. , Raita T. , Kero A.
Published: February 2020

In addition to existing empirical models describing the average distributions of energetic electron precipitation into the auroral ionosphere at different activity levels, we develop and test a semiempirical approach to construct dynamical models describing the recurrent features of spatiotemporal development of auroral absorption in the ionosphere during individual substorms. Its key ingredients are (a) usage of linear prediction filter technique to extract from riometer data the response function to the injection of unit magnitude and (b) characterization of injection parameters by midlatitude magnetic variations caused by the substorm current wedge. Using global riometer network we test the method performance for stations in the middle of auroral zone (at corrected geomagnetic latitudes of 65–67°) where generally the absorption amplitude is largest. In this paper we use the midlatitude positive bay index, recently developed by X. Chu and R. McPherron, to drive the model. We evaluate the model performance, discuss the dynamical properties of energetic electron precipitation as revealed by the linear prediction filter response function analyses, and finally, we discuss possible future improvements of this method intended for both science and applications.