Therapeutic drug use during pregnancy:A comparison in four European countries

A drug utilization study was performed using data of the OECM study on Occupational Exposures and Congenital Malformations, which was conducted in six European Registries of Congenital Anomalies (two in France, two in Italy, one in Great Britain, and one in The Netherlands): the mothers were interviewed after delivery for exposures during pregnancy, including use of therapeutic drugs. The analysis of drug use considered only the 1134 control mothers of healthy newborns, and focused on the first trimester of pregnancy: 36.2% of the interviewed mothers used at least one drug (excluding vitamins and minerals) during the first trimester. This rate varied from 22.5% in Glasgow to 50.3% and 44.2% in the French centers. Anti-infectives were the most frequent drugs (12.3% of mothers), then antinauseants (10.6%), and treatments for threatened abortion (5.5%). Important variations between countries were observed, reflecting different medical attitudes towards drug use during pregnancy.</p

3D morphometry of De Geer Moraines and Crevasse-Squeeze Ridges: Differentiating between pushing and squeezing mechanisms from remotely sensed data

De Geer Moraines (DGM) and Crevasse-Squeeze Ridges (CSR) are important landforms that can provide useful insights regarding palaeo-glacial processes. Specifically, these landforms can provide information concerning ice-marginal dynamics, and/or subglacial processes, depending on the context in which they are formed. The extraction of 3D morphometric data from these ridges can help to elucidate their formational processes, and potentially enable landform differentiation. We develop a new Python-based ArcGIS toolbox that can automatically extract 3D morphometric data from large sample sets of linear features. The morphometry toolbox may be applied to a wide range of research disciplines that are concerned with quantifying the morphometry of any elongated landforms. This is particularly useful for DGM and CSR studies, where visual similarities can result in confusion over landform type and/or formation. Here we present a case study from southwest Finland and the Northwest Territories, Canada, whereby high-resolution 3D morphometric data is used to analyse and classify DGMs and CSRs. The results reveal key differences in morphometric properties between the landforms which enables a quantified foundation by which to differentiate them. The studied CSRs are found to be higher, wider, steeper, more symmetrical, less sinuous and more voluminous than the studied prominent DGM. In contrast, a tendency for cross-sectional asymmetry in DGM supports an origin by ice-marginal pushing, rather than basal squeeze-up into crevasses. This is further supported by CSRs being less sinuous than DGM due to them being constrained to the dimensions and planform of the (relatively straight) host crevasses, whereas DGM follow a more sinuous path related to the ice margin shape. Future work should include sedimentological and geophysical studies to constrain DGM internal architecture and formation processes. The results may then be used to validate the application of DGM for detailed ice marginal reconstructions

Baxterization, dynamical systems, and the symmetries of integrability

We resolve the `baxterization' problem with the help of the automorphism group of the Yang-Baxter (resp. star-triangle, tetrahedron, \dots) equations. This infinite group of symmetries is realized as a non-linear (birational) Coxeter group acting on matrices, and exists as such, {\em beyond the narrow context of strict integrability}. It yields among other things an unexpected elliptic parametrization of the non-integrable sixteen-vertex model. It provides us with a class of discrete dynamical systems, and we address some related problems, such as characterizing the complexity of iterations.Comment: 25 pages, Latex file (epsf style). WARNING: Postscript figures are BIG (600kB compressed, 4.3MB uncompressed). If necessary request hardcopy to [email protected] and give your postal mail addres

Effects of a nanoscopic filler on the structure and dynamics of a simulated polymer melt and the relationship to ultra-thin films

We perform molecular dynamics simulations of an idealized polymer melt surrounding a nanoscopic filler particle to probe the effects of a filler on the local melt structure and dynamics. We show that the glass transition temperature $T_g$ of the melt can be shifted to either higher or lower temperatures by appropriately tuning the interactions between polymer and filler. A gradual change of the polymer dynamics approaching the filler surface causes the change in the glass transition. We also find that while the bulk structure of the polymers changes little, the polymers close to the surface tend to be elongated and flattened, independent of the type of interaction we study. Consequently, the dynamics appear strongly influenced by the interactions, while the melt structure is only altered by the geometric constraints imposed by the presence of the filler. Our findings show a strong similarity to those obtained for ultra-thin polymer films (thickness $\lesssim 100$ nm) suggesting that both ultra-thin films and filled-polymer systems might be understood in the same context

Meniscus treatment and age associated with narrower radiographic joint space width 2–3 years after ACL reconstruction: data from the MOON onsite cohort

SummaryObjectiveTo identify risk factors for radiographic signs of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) 2–3 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction through multivariable analysis of minimum joint space width (mJSW) differences in a specially designed nested cohort.MethodsA nested cohort within the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) cohort included 262 patients (148 females, average age 20) injured in sport who underwent ACL reconstruction in a previously uninjured knee, were 35 or younger, and did not have ACL revision or contralateral knee surgery. mJSW on semi-flexed radiographs was measured in the medial compartment using a validated computerized method. A multivariable generalized linear model was constructed to assess mJSW difference between the ACL reconstructed and contralateral control knees while adjusting for potential confounding factors.ResultsUnexpectedly, we found the mean mJSW was 0.35 mm wider in ACL reconstructed than in control knees (5.06 mm (95% CI 4.96–5.15 mm) vs 4.71 mm (95% CI 4.62–4.80 mm), P < 0.001). However, ACL reconstructed knees with meniscectomy had narrower mJSW compared to contralateral normal knees by 0.64 mm (95% C.I. 0.38–0.90 mm) (P < 0.001). Age (P < 0.001) and meniscus repair (P = 0.001) were also significantly associated with mJSW difference.ConclusionSemi-flexed radiographs can detect differences in mJSW between ACL reconstructed and contralateral normal knees 2–3 years following ACL reconstruction, and the unexpected wider mJSW in ACL reconstructed knees may represent the earliest manifestation of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and warrants further study

Antecedents and outcomes of consumer environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviour

With the intensification of problems relating to the environment, a growing number of consumers are becoming more ecologically conscious in their preferences and purchases of goods. This paper presents the results of a study conducted among 500 Cypriot consumers, focusing on the factors that shape consumer environmental attitudes and behaviour, as well as on the resulting outcomes. The findings confirmed that both the inward and outward environmental attitudes of a consumer are positively influenced by his/her degree of collectivism, long-term orientation, political involvement, deontology, and law obedience, but have no connection with liberalism. The adoption of an inward environmental attitude was also found to be conducive to green purchasing behaviour that ultimately leads to high product satisfaction. On the other hand, an outward environmental attitude facilitates the adoption of a general environmental behaviour, which is responsible for greater satisfaction with life. The findings of the study have important implications for shaping effective company offerings to consumers in target markets, as well as formulating appropriate policies at the governmental level to enhance environmental sensitivity among citizens

Enhancing SMM properties via axial distortion of Mn-3(III) clusters

Replacement of carboxylate and solvent with facially capping tripodal ligands enhances the single-molecule magnet (SMM) properties of [Mn-3(III)] triangles

FARMERS' ACCESSIBILITY AND USE OF HYBRID COCOA SEEDLINGS FOR COCOA REHABILITATION: EMPIRICAL RESULTS FROM AMENFI CENTRAL DISTRICT, GHANA

The introduction of hybrid seedlings of cocoa by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) was intended to replace old and diseased trees which were less productive. We conducted a study to investigate the accessibility and use of hybrid cocoa seedlings (Series II, the Modified Series II, Inter Amazon, Trinitario, Clones, Criollo and Nacional) for the cocoa rehabilitation exercise. Working with 385 cocoa farmers selected from the Amenfi Central District using the multi-stage sampling technique, we analyzed the data with statistical tools such as the mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, multiple linear regression and chi-square test of independence. Based on the general perception of the cocoa farmers (PI=3.71), we found that they had positive perceptions of the improved hybrid cocoa seedlings. Cocoa farmers’ access to all the hybrid cocoa seedlings is significantly associated with their use (P<0.05). We also found that cocoa farmers who were highly experienced and had small farm sizes had more access to and used hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05). While, access to labour and ownership of lands had influence on access to hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05), high yields and membership of cooperatives had influence on the use of hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05). The lack of access to credit is indicated by farmers as their most severe challenge in accessing and using hybrid seedlings. The outcome of the study suggests that the cost of the hybrid seedlings must be subsidized and the distribution of the seedlings must be done through the farmer cooperatives to enhance accessibility and use