Globalization and Promissory Representation Schneider, Christina J.; Thomson, Robert
American journal of political science,
January 2024, 2024-01-00, 20240101, Letnik:
68, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Despite the centrality of promise keeping to representation, we know little about how it is affected by economic globalization, which is one of the modern world's defining characteristics. We argue ...that globalization reduces governing parties' ability to keep their campaign promises. We test the empirical implications of our theory with a mixed‐methods approach that combines a large‐n quantitative comparative analysis of pledge fulfillment with a typical case study to trace the underlying causal mechanisms of the theory. The findings indicate that international economic integration exerts a large negative effect on the likelihood of pledge fulfillment in a broad range of contexts and that the hypothesized mechanisms are clearly observable in the detailed case study. These findings have important implications for democratic representation in a globalized world.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological intervention that involves development of coping strategies to reduce the experience of pain. Although CBT is a promising intervention to reduce ...headache days in patients with migraine, it may not be effective for all patients. Thus, there is a need to identify markers that could predict which patients will respond to CBT. We aimed to determine whether baseline brain function and amygdalar connectivity, assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging, or pain modulation capacities, assessed by the conditioned pain modulation (CPM) response, can predict a reduction in headache days after CBT in adolescents with migraine. Patients with migraine (n = 20; age range 10-17 years) completed 8 weekly CBT sessions. The CPM response was examined in the trapezius and the leg. Headache days significantly decreased after CBT (P < 0.001). Greater functional connectivity before CBT between the right amygdala and frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, and precentral gyrus was related to greater headache reduction after CBT. Greater reduction in headache days after CBT was related with less efficient CPM response before CBT at the trapezius (r = -0.492, P = 0.028) but not at the leg. This study found that headache reduction after CBT was related to right amygdala connectivity with frontal and sensorimotor regions at baseline as well as baseline pain modulation capacities. These findings suggest that individual differences in brain function and pain modulation can be associated with clinical improvements and help with determination of CBT responsiveness.
Abstract
MAX-phase Cr
2
AlC containing thin films were synthesized by magnetron sputtering in an industrial system. Nanometre-scale 3D defects are observed near the boundary between regions of Cr
2
...AlC and of the disordered solid solution (CrAl)
x
C
y
. Shrinkage of the Cr-Cr interplanar distance and elongation of the Cr-Al distance in the vicinity of the defects are detected using transmission electron microscopy. The here observed deformation surrounding the defects was described using density functional theory by comparing the DOS of bulk Cr
2
AlC with the DOS of a strained and unstrained Cr
2
AlC(0001) surface. From the partial density of states analysis, it can be learned that Cr-C bonds are stronger than Cr-Al bonds in bulk Cr
2
AlC. Upon Cr
2
AlC(0001) surface formation, both bonds are weakened. While the Cr-C bonds recover their bulk strength as Cr
2
AlC(0001) is strained, the Cr-Al bonds experience only a partial recovery, still being weaker than their bulk counterparts. Hence, the strain induced bond strengthening in Cr
2
AlC(0001) is larger for Cr d – C p bonds than for Cr d – Al p bonds. The here observed changes in bonding due to the formation of a strained surface are consistent with the experimentally observed elongation of the Cr-Al distance in the vicinity of nm-scale 3D defects in Cr
2
AlC thin films.
Ligand‐stabilized metal atoms provide a unique entry to the synthesis of magnetic nanosized metal/metal oxide particles. When this technique is used in connection with a mesoporous template, ...formation of superparamagnetic particles in the pores of the template via a “ship‐in‐the‐bottle” technique is possible. This chimie douce approach works also for pure metal oxides, such as TiO2. The Figure shows a sculpture found at the Trinity College campus, Dublin, Ireland representing a typical core/shell arrangement often found for composite nanoparticles.
Ligand‐stabilized metal atoms provide a unique entry to the synthesis of magnetic nanosized metal/metal oxide particles. When this technique is used in connection with a mesoporous template, formation of superparamagnetic particles in the pores of the template via a “ship‐in‐the‐bottle” technique is possible. The Figure shows a sculpture of a typical core/shell arrangement often found for composite nanoparticles.
We studied unentangled poly(ethylene-
alt
-propylene) (PEP) in a composite with hydrophobic silica particles as a function of the filler concentration. Our neutron spin echo (NSE) experiments cover ...both the internal dynamics as well as the center of mass diffusion beyond the Rouse time. The key experimental results are (i) all of the chains are equally mobile, (ii) the basic segmental (Rouse) relaxation rate is unaffected even at highest filler concentrations, and (iii) apparently the obstacles reduce significantly the translational center of mass motion. This happens, even in the case when the particles do not significantly confine the polymer. (iv) A transition from regular to anomalous diffusion in the Rouse regime at the highest particle fractions is clearly evidenced. In order to understand the microscopic mechanisms underlying the experimental observations, we performed coarse grained simulations. We demonstrate that the geometrical confinement only affects the dynamics at a long time scale outside the experimental window and therefore it is not able to explain the results found in the NSE experiments. The consideration of inter-chain interactions, however, results in a significant influence even at shorter times and a quantitative agreement between the experiments and simulations was found. The simulations clearly demonstrate that the interfaces cause a deceleration of the chains in their close vicinity. Then the inter-chain interactions carry this slowing down to the other chains at a time-scale of the Rouse relaxation time. Hence, in the experimental datasets an overall slowing down is observed.
Chain diffusion in nanocomposites with purely hard sphere interactions is significantly changed by chain-chain interactions long before geometrical constraints are effective.
In the present work, three different techniques to separate ice-nucleating particles (INPs) as well as ice particle residuals (IPRs) from non-ice-active particles are compared. The Ice Selective ...Inlet (ISI) and the Ice Counterflow Virtual Impactor (Ice-CVI) sample ice particles from mixed-phase clouds and allow after evaporation in the instrument for the analysis of the residuals. The Fast Ice Nucleus Chamber (FINCH) coupled with the Ice Nuclei Pumped Counterflow Virtual Impactor (IN-PCVI) provides ice-activating conditions to aerosol particles and extracts the activated particles for analysis. The instruments were run during a joint field campaign which took place in January and February 2013 at the High Alpine Research Station Jungfraujoch (Switzerland). INPs and IPRs were analyzed offline by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis to determine their size, chemical composition and mixing state. Online analysis of the size and chemical composition of INP activated in FINCH was performed by laser ablation mass spectrometry. With all three INP/IPR separation techniques high abundances (median 20–70%) of instrumental contamination artifacts were observed (ISI: Si-O spheres, probably calibration aerosol; Ice-CVI: Al-O particles; FINCH + IN-PCVI: steel particles). After removal of the instrumental contamination particles, silicates, Ca-rich particles, carbonaceous material and metal oxides were the major INP/IPR particle types obtained by all three techniques. In addition, considerable amounts (median abundance mostly a few percent) of soluble material (e.g., sea salt, sulfates) were observed. As these soluble particles are often not expected to act as INP/IPR, we consider them as potential measurement artifacts. Minor types of INP/IPR include soot and Pb-bearing particles. The Pb-bearing particles are mainly present as an internal mixture with other particle types. Most samples showed a maximum of the INP/IPR size distribution at 200–400 nm in geometric diameter. In a few cases, a second supermicron maximum was identified. Soot/carbonaceous material and metal oxides were present mainly in the sub-micrometer range. Silicates and Ca-rich particles were mainly found with diameters above 1 μm (using ISI and FINCH), in contrast to the Ice-CVI which also sampled many submicron particles of both groups. Due to changing meteorological conditions, the INP/IPR composition was highly variable if different samples were compared. Thus, the observed discrepancies between the different separation techniques may partly result from the non-parallel sampling. The differences of the particle group relative number abundance as well as the mixing state of INP/IPR clearly demonstrate the need of further studies to better understand the influence of the separation techniques on the INP/IPR chemical composition. Also, it must be concluded that the abundance of contamination artifacts in the separated INP and IPR is generally large and should be corrected for, emphasizing the need for the accompanying chemical measurements. Thus, further work is needed to allow for routine operation of the three separation techniques investigated.
► Sex and rearing environment modified effects of Pb on learning and memory. ► Pb counteracted some effects of enrichment primarily in females. ► Effects of Pb on learning/memory were often seen at ...lowest and highest exposures.
Developmental lead (Pb) exposure is associated with cognitive impairments in humans and rodents alike. In particular, impaired spatial learning and memory, as assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM), has been noted in developmentally Pb-exposed rats. Although sex and rearing environment can influence MWM performance in normal animals, the interactions of sex and rearing environment on the impact of developmental Pb exposure on hippocampal-dependent processes has not been well characterized. The present study examined the effects of perinatal exposure (i.e., gestation through weaning) to different levels of Pb (250, 750 and 1500ppm Pb acetate in food) in males and females raised in a non-enriched environment (standard cage with 3 animals and no toys) or an enriched environment (large cage containing a variety of toys that were changed twice weekly). Testing in the MWM began at postnatal day 55. Behavioral outcomes were influenced by sex and rearing environment, with complex interactions with Pb exposure. In non-Pb exposed control animals, beneficial effects of environmental enrichment on spatial learning and memory were observed in males and females, with greater effects in females. Pb exposure in females mitigated at least some of the benefits of enrichment on learning, particularly at the lowest and highest exposure levels. In males, enrichment conferred a modest learning advantage and for the most part, Pb exposure did not affect this. However, in males with the highest Pb exposure, enrichment did help to overcome detrimental effects of Pb on learning. In females, any potential benefit to reference memory contributed by enrichment was muted by exposure to Pb and for the most part, this was not reproduced in males. Thus, there are complex interactions between sex, environment, and Pb exposure on spatial learning and memory. Environmental manipulation is a potential risk modifier of developmental Pb exposure and interacts with other factors including sex and amount of Pb exposure to affect the functional influences of Pb on the brain.
Pain prevalence rates of up to 53% are found among older home-care recipients (aged ≥ 60 years). Of people affected by pain in Germany, care recipients comprise a relevant group with prevalence rates ...of around 70%. The available information on gender-specific pain experience shows a range of differing findings.
Our objective was to determine pain parameters of older care receivers in the big city environment who are capable of self-reporting, taking into account gender differences and relevant aspects of medical care and medication.
A cross-sectional study (structured interviews) was carried out among older (≥65 years) home-care recipients (German Social Security Code SGB XI) in Berlin, with chronic pain (n = 225), capable of self-reporting (MMST ≥ 18). Pain parameters were determined using the German version of the brief pain inventory (BPI-NHR). Multiple regression analysis was applied to test and explain how the severest pain was influenced by sociodemographic and medical parameters, mental and physical restrictions, and analgesic provision.
Analyses showed an average pain intensity of 5.3 (SD ± 2.0). The severest pain averaged 7.0 (SD ± 2.2). Few indications of significant gender-based differences were found (e.g. pain location, number of medications). The final model identified the number of pain locations (≥14), everyday abilities, and pain medication (as needed, none) as being associated with the severest pain. Treatment achieved pain relief of over 70% in only 24.6% of cases among pain-affected care receivers.
The findings indicate a significant level of pain experienced by older home-care recipients. Interdisciplinary care concepts are urgently needed.
A sturzstrom is a large-scale landslide that evolves during transport into a rapid granular flow (rock avalanche) by a dynamic disintegration process. Numerous theoretical hypotheses have been ...proposed to explain the excessive mobility of these catastrophic mass movements, but the role of disintegration processes remains poorly understood. Exceptional outcrop conditions at the giant (12 km
3) Flims sturzstrom (Swiss Alps) permit the analysis of disintegration processes that result from shearing during transport. In confined zones of the rock mass, shearing is concentrated along preferred surfaces (originating as bedding planes), which evolve into shear band layers. Differential velocities of slabs separated by these shear layers induce oblique fractures in the slabs by accommodation. Contacts between grains are maintained in the shear layers. In unconfined zones near the top and the lateral margins, shearing generates dilatancy. The rock mass is affected by anisotropic dispersion without mixing, and disintegrated material is preferentially produced to the top due to inflation. The rock slide then evolves to a granular flow. The consequence of these processes is the formation of two distinct depositional facies in the sturzstrom. The structured facies exhibits a stratified aspect close to the base, reflecting confined slab-on-slab shearing motion. Towards the top and distally, it evolves into a chaotic facies with some isolated pockets of the structured facies. Reduction of confining forces on the moving sturzstrom allows transformation of the structured facies into the chaotic facies. This characteristic transition, observable in many sturzstrom deposits, seems to be necessary for the rock avalanche process to occur, and offers insights into the long-runout characteristics of these catastrophic mass movements.
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