A comparison of neonatal outcomes between adolescent and adult mothers in developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence suggests that adolescent pregnancies are at increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes compared to adult pregnancies; however, there are significant inconsistencies in the literature, particularly in studies conducted in developed countries. The objective of this study therefore is to systematically review the current literature with regard to the relationship between adolescent pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. A literature search was conducted in eight electronic databases (AMED, ASSIA, Child Development and Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Health Source: Nursing, Maternity and Infant Care, MEDLINE and Scopus. The reference lists of included studies were also hand searched. Studies were included if: they were conducted in countries with very high human development according to the United Nations Human Development Index; reported at least one comparison between adolescents (19 years or under) and adult mothers (20–34 years); and were published between January 1998 and March 2018. Studies were screened for inclusion and data extracted by one reviewer. A second reviewer independently reviewed a sub-set of studies. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 using crude counts reported in the included studies. Sub-group analyses of adolescents aged 17 and under and 18–19 were conducted. Pooled analysis of adjusted odds ratios was also undertaken in order to consider the effect of confounding factors. Meta-analysis effect estimates are reported as risk ratios (RR) and pooled association as adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Point estimates and 95% confidence intervals are presented. After removal of duplicates a total of 1791 articles were identified, of which 20 met the inclusion criteria. The results of the meta-analysis showed adolescents to have increased risk of all primary adverse outcomes investigated. Sub-group analysis suggests an increased risk of perinatal death and low birthweight for children born to adolescent mothers; 17 and under (perinatal death: RR 1.50, CI 1.32–1.71: low birthweight RR 1.43, CI 1.20–1.70); 18–19 (perinatal death RR 1.21, CI 1.06–1.37: low birthweight RR 1.10, CI 1.08–1.57). Mothers aged 17 and under were also at increased risk of preterm delivery (RR 1.64, CI 1.54–1.75). Analysis adjusted for confounders showed increased risk of preterm delivery (aOR 1.23, CI 1.09–1.38), very preterm delivery (aOR 1.22, CI 1.03–1.44) and neonatal death (aOR 1.31, CI 1.14–1.52). Findings show that young maternal age is a significant risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes in developed countries. Adolescent maternal age therefore should be considered as a potential cause for concern in relation to neonatal health and it is recommended that health care professionals respond accordingly with increased support and monitoring

Bose Einstein condensation on inhomogeneous amenable graphs

We investigate the Bose-Einstein Condensation on nonhomogeneous amenable networks for the model describing arrays of Josephson junctions. The resulting topological model, whose Hamiltonian is the pure hopping one given by the opposite of the adjacency operator, has also a mathematical interest in itself. We show that for the nonhomogeneous networks like the comb graphs, particles condensate in momentum and configuration space as well. In this case different properties of the network, of geometric and probabilistic nature, such as the volume growth, the shape of the ground state, and the transience, all play a role in the condensation phenomena. The situation is quite different for homogeneous networks where just one of these parameters, e.g. the volume growth, is enough to determine the appearance of the condensation.Comment: 43 pages, 12 figures, final versio

Infrared Observations of the Helix Planetary Nebula

We have mapped the Helix (NGC 7293) planetary nebula (PN) with the IRAC instrument on the Spitzer Space Telescope. The Helix is one of the closest bright PNs and therefore provides an opportunity to resolve the small-scale structure in the nebula. The emission from this PN in the 5.8 and 8 μm IRAC bands is dominated by the pure rotational lines of molecular hydrogen, with a smaller contribution from forbidden line emission such as [Ar III] in the ionized region. The IRAC images resolve the "cometary knots," which have been previously studied in this PN. The "tails" of the knots and the radial rays extending into the outer regions of the PN are seen in emission in the IRAC bands. IRS spectra on the main ring and the emission in the IRAC bands are consistent with shock-excited H_2 models, with a small (~10%) component from photodissociation regions. In the northeast arc, the H_2 emission is located in a shell outside the Hα emission

Spatial Distributions of Multiple Dust Components in the PPN/PN Dust Shells

We investigate spatial distributions of specific dust components in the circumstellar shells of a proto-planetary nebula candidate, HD 179821, and a planetary nebula, BD$+30^{\circ}$3639, by means of spectral imaging. With high-resolution ground-based images and ISO spectra in the mid-infrared, we can derive ``dust feature only'' maps by subtracting synthesized continuum maps from the observed images at the feature wavelength. Such spatially detailed information will help to develop models for the evolution of dust grains around evolved stars.Comment: 4 pages + 7 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the conference, "Post-AGB Objects (proto-planetary nebulae) as a Phase of Stellar Evolution", Torun, Poland, July 5-7, 2000, eds. R. Szczerba, R. Tylenda, and S.K. Gorny. Figures have been degraded to minimize the total file siz

AN APPROACH TO CREATING A SIMPLE DIGITAL TWIN FOR OPTIMIZING A SMALL ELECTRIC CONCEPT VEHICLE DRIVETRAIN

Since modeling and simulation are integral tools in engineering, the question is not if they should be used in a design process, but rather how they should be used to deliver the best solutions. The objective of this pa-per is to outline an approach to creating a simple Digi-tal Twin for a small electric vehicle drivetrain utilizing only parametric 3D CAD models, widely used simu-lation tools and some programming libraries. First, the concept of the Digital Twin, its benefits, then the possibilities of using Generative Design are briefly in-troduced, afterwards electric vehicles’ advantages are reviewed. In an example project the properties and opportunities of the 3D CAD- and simulation models are demonstrated. Finally, future improvements and automated optimization opportunities are discussed.Da Modellierung und Simulation integrale Werkzeuge im Ingenieurwesen sind, stellt sich nicht die Frage, ob sie in einem Entwurfsprozess eingesetzt werden sollten, sondern vielmehr, wie sie verwendet werden sollten, um die besten Lösungen zu liefern. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, einen Ansatz zur Erstellung eines einfachen Digi-tal Twin für den Antriebsstrang eines kleinen Elektrofahrzeugs zu skizzieren, bei dem nur parametrische 3D-CAD-Modelle, weit verbreitete Simulationswerkzeuge und einige Programmierbibliotheken verwendet werden. Zuerst wird das Konzept des Digitalen Zwillings, seine benefits, dann die Möglichkeiten der Nutzung des Generativen Designs briefly vorgestellt, danach werden die Vorteile von Elektrofahrzeugen überprüft. In einem Beispielprojekt werden die Eigenschaften und Möglichkeiten der 3D-CAD- und Simulationsmodelle demonstriert. Abschließend werden zukünftige Verbesserungen und automatisierte Optimierungsmöglichkeiten diskutiert

The Discovery of Infrared Rings in the Planetary Nebula NGC 1514 During the WISE All-Sky Survey

We report the discovery of a pair of infrared, axisymmetric rings in the planetary nebula NGC 1514 during the course of the WISE all-sky mid-infrared survey. Similar structures are seen at visible wavelengths in objects such as the "Engraved Hourglass Nebula" (MyCn 18) and the "Southern Crab Nebula" (Hen 2-104). However, in NGC 1514 we see only a single pair of rings and they are easily observed only in the mid-infrared. These rings are roughly 0.2 pc in diameter, are separated by 0.05 pc, and are dominated by dust emission with a characteristic temperature of 160 K. We compare the morphology and color of the rings to the other nebular structures seen at visible, far-infrared, and radio wavelengths, and close with a discussion of a physical model and formation scenario for NGC 1514.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, final version published in 2010 December Astronomical Journa