scholarly journals Gestation-Based Viability–Difficult Decisions with Far-Reaching Consequences

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Sumesh Thomas ◽  
Elizabeth Asztalos
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Fetal Maturity

Most clinicians rely on outcome data based on completed weeks of gestational of fetal maturity for antenatal and postnatal counseling, especially for preterm infants born at the margins of viability. Contemporary estimation of gestational maturity, based on ultrasounds, relies on the use of first-trimester scans, which offer an accuracy of ±3–7 days, and depend on the timing of the scans and the measurements used in the calculations. Most published literature on the outcomes of babies born prematurely have reported on short- and long-term outcomes based on completed gestational weeks of fetal maturity at birth. These outcome data change significantly from one week to the next, especially around the margin of gestational viability. With a change in approach solely from decisions based on survival, to disability-free survival and long-term functional outcomes, the complexity of the parental and care provider’s decision-making in the perinatal and postnatal period for babies born at less than 25 weeks gestation remains challenging. While sustaining life following birth at the margins of viability remains our priority—identifying and mitigating risks associated with extremely preterm birth begins in the perinatal period. The challenge of supporting the normal maturation of these babies postnatally has far-reaching consequences and depends on our ability to sustain life while optimizing growth, nutrition, and the repair of organs compromised by the consequences of preterm birth. This article aims to explore the ethical and medical complexities of contemporary decision-making in the perinatal and postnatal periods. We identify gaps in our current knowledge of this topic and suggest areas for future research, while offering a perspective for future collaborative decision-making and care for babies born at the margins of viability.

scholarly journals Missing links in the study of solute and particle exchange between the sea floor and water column

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 1602-1616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia Rühl ◽  
Charlie Thompson ◽  
Ana M Queirós ◽  
Stephen Widdicombe
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Exchange Processes ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
Particle Exchange

Abstract Exchanges of solutes and solids between the sea floor and water column are a vital component of ecosystem functioning in marine habitats around the globe. This review explores particle and solute exchange processes, the different mechanisms through which they interact at the ecosystem level, as well as their interdependencies. Solute and particle exchange processes are highly dependent on the characteristics of the environment within which they takes place. Exchange is driven directly by a number of factors, such as currents, granulometry, nutrient, and matter inputs, as well as living organisms. In turn, the occurrence of exchanges can influence adjacent environments and organisms. Major gaps in the present knowledge include the temporal and spatial variation in many of the processes driving benthic/pelagic exchange processes and the variability in the relative importance of individual processes caused by this variation. Furthermore, the accurate assessment of some anthropogenic impacts is deemed questionable due to a lack of baseline data and long-term effects of anthropogenic actions are often unknown. It is suggested that future research should be transdisciplinary and at ecosystem level wherever possible and that baseline surveys should be implemented and long-term observatories established to fill the current knowledge gaps.

scholarly journals Discriminated by an algorithm: a systematic review of discrimination and fairness by algorithmic decision-making in the context of HR recruitment and HR development

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 795-848
Author(s):  
Alina Köchling ◽  
Marius Claus Wehner
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Current State ◽  
Management Context ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
State Of Research

AbstractAlgorithmic decision-making is becoming increasingly common as a new source of advice in HR recruitment and HR development. While firms implement algorithmic decision-making to save costs as well as increase efficiency and objectivity, algorithmic decision-making might also lead to the unfair treatment of certain groups of people, implicit discrimination, and perceived unfairness. Current knowledge about the threats of unfairness and (implicit) discrimination by algorithmic decision-making is mostly unexplored in the human resource management context. Our goal is to clarify the current state of research related to HR recruitment and HR development, identify research gaps, and provide crucial future research directions. Based on a systematic review of 36 journal articles from 2014 to 2020, we present some applications of algorithmic decision-making and evaluate the possible pitfalls in these two essential HR functions. In doing this, we inform researchers and practitioners, offer important theoretical and practical implications, and suggest fruitful avenues for future research.

scholarly journals New frontiers in biologging science

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rutz ◽  
Graeme C. Hays
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Third ◽  
Ecological Scales ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Dynamics Of Populations

The term ‘biologging’ refers to the use of miniaturized animal-attached tags for logging and/or relaying of data about an animal's movements, behaviour, physiology and/or environment. Biologging technology substantially extends our abilities to observe, and take measurements from, free-ranging, undisturbed subjects, providing much scope for advancing both basic and applied biological research. Here, we review highlights from the third international conference on biologging science, which was held in California, USA, from 1 to 5 September 2008. Over the last few years, considerable progress has been made with a range of recording technologies as well as with the management, visualization, integration and analysis of increasingly large and complex biologging datasets. Researchers use these techniques to study animal biology with an unprecedented level of detail and across the full range of ecological scales—from the split-second decision making of individuals to the long-term dynamics of populations, and even entire communities. We conclude our report by suggesting some directions for future research.

scholarly journals Insights into the evolution of social systems and species from baboon studies

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Fischer ◽  
James P Higham ◽  
Susan C Alberts ◽  
Louise Barrett ◽  
Jacinta C Beehner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Ecological Flexibility ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sub Saharan

Baboons, members of the genus Papio, comprise six closely related species distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa and southwest Arabia. The species exhibit more ecological flexibility and a wider range of social systems than many other primates. This article summarizes our current knowledge of the natural history of baboons and highlights directions for future research. We suggest that baboons can serve as a valuable model for complex evolutionary processes, such as speciation and hybridization. The evolution of baboons has been heavily shaped by climatic changes and population expansion and fragmentation in the African savanna environment, similar to the processes that acted during human evolution. With accumulating long-term data, and new data from previously understudied species, baboons are ideally suited for investigating the links between sociality, health, longevity and reproductive success. To achieve these aims, we propose a closer integration of studies at the proximate level, including functional genomics, with behavioral and ecological studies.

Application of fuzzy DEMATEL–ANP methods for siting refugee camps

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Abikova
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Fuzzy Dematel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Humanitarian Organizations

PurposeThe aim of this paper was to investigate the criteria and sub-criteria with the most impact on determining a suitable location for refugee camps. This paper also analysed the relationships between the main criteria used in the selection process.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied a combination of fuzzy methods and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Analytical Network Process (ANP) methods as tools for multiple-criteria decision analysis. A questionnaire was distributed to field workers in an international humanitarian organization team.FindingsFive main criteria and twenty sub-criteria were defined. Between them, the highest ranked sub-criteria were long-term planning, optimal distribution and opportunity for growth. These findings were specific to the interviewed respondents of presented research at the time the data were collected and offer a potential research design for future research examining different organizations and teams.Research limitations/implicationsThe methods and evaluation were based on human opinions that were potentially biased.Practical implicationsThe results of this study could be useful to government organizations, UN agencies, humanitarian organizations and other decision-making parties in selecting camp locations for refugees or internally displaced people according to how the importance of particular sub-criteria is understood.Originality/valueNew sub-criteria were included in this research. To date, the combination of fuzzy, DEMATEL and ANP methods has not been previously used in relation to these issues. Scientific knowledge concerning refugee camp siting problems is limited. This research extends this knowledge with the involvement of humanitarian workers as respondents. This paper also offers organizations a process for solving complex decision-making problems with long-term results or effect.

scholarly journals Digital Discretion: Unpacking Human and Technological Agency in Automated Decision Making in Sweden’s Social Services

2020 ◽  
pp. 089443932098043
Author(s):  
Agneta Ranerup ◽  
Helle Zinner Henriksen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Civil Servants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
The Public ◽  
Automated Decision Making ◽  
New Situation

The introduction of robotic process automation (RPA) into the public sector has changed civil servants’ daily life and practices. One of these central practices in the public sector is discretion. The shift to a digital mode of discretion calls for an understanding of the new situation. This article presents an empirical case where automated decision making driven by RPA has been implemented in social services in Sweden. It focuses on the aspirational values and effects of the RPA in social services. Context, task, and activities are captured by a detailed analysis of humans and technology. This research finds that digitalization in social services has a positive effect on civil servants’ discretionary practices mainly in terms of their ethical, democratic, and professional values. The long-term effects and the influence on fair and uniform decision making also merit future research. In addition, the article finds that a human–technology hybrid actor redefines social assistance practices. Simplifications are needed to unpack the automated decision-making process because of the technological and theoretical complexities.

Abstract P138: Alterations in Cardiac Structure and Function in Young Adults Born Extremely Preterm: Impact of Neonatal Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Hypertension ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Oneeb Rehman Mian ◽  
Jean-Luc Bigras ◽  
Rafael Fernandes ◽  
Mariane Bertagnolli ◽  
Li Feng Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Cardiac Remodeling ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Cardiac Structure ◽  
Lv Mass ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Cardiac Structure And Function ◽  
And Function

Objective: Studies support a causal association between preterm birth and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Increased left and right ventricular mass and impaired systolic and diastolic function has been reported in young adults born preterm. However, the impact of extreme preterm birth and prematurity-specific complications on adult cardiac structure and function has not been evaluated. We assessed cardiac structure and function in young adults born extremely preterm (EPT) versus term, and correlated long term cardiac remodeling with neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods: Eighty five EPT (gest. age = 27.1±1.4 weeks) were recruited along with term-born controls matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status. Birth and neonatal data (gestational age, birth weight, BPD indicated by O 2 requirements at 36 weeks postmenstrual age) was collected. Ambulatory blood pressure (Spacelabs) and echocardiographic measurements (Phillips) were taken. Comparisons were performed using ANOVA or T-test. Results: EPT presented with increased systolic (119±9 vs 116±8 mmHg, P<0.05) and diastolic (68±5 vs 66±6 mmHg, P<0.05) blood pressures. EPT exhibited reduced septal thickness (IVS, 6.8±0.8 vs 7.1±1.1 mm, P<0.05), left ventricular internal dimension (LVID, 46±4 vs 48±5 mm, P<0.05), LV end-diastolic (98±20 vs 106±24 ml, P<0.05) and end-systolic (36±9 vs 40±11 ml, P<0.01) volumes, right ventricular internal dimension (RVID, 22±3 vs 24±4 mm, P<0.05), and LV mass (104±27 vs 115±30 g, P<0.05), but similar LV mass and volume indexes. EPT exhibited increased LV myocardial performance index (0.41±0.04 vs 0.39±0.04, P<0.01), reduced mitral lateral e’ (17.6±2.8 vs 19.1±2.6 cm/s, P<0.01), mitral s’ (10.7±2.3 vs 11.6±2.3 cm/s, P<0.01), tricuspid E’ (15.8±2.7 vs 16.8±2.1 cm/s, P<0.05), and tricuspid S’ (13.1±2.0 vs 14.0±2.0 cm/s, P<0.01) waves, and a trend in reduced mitral E wave (81±14 vs 85±15 cm/s, P=0.09). EPT with neonatal BPD exhibited greater reduction in IVS (6.5±0.8 mm, P<0.05 vs terms), LVID (45±4 mm, P<0.05), LV Mass (98±22 g, P<0.05), and RVID (20±3 mm, P<0.01). Conclusions: EPT exhibit cardiac structural and functional alterations compared to term-born individuals. Neonatal BPD in EPT is a key contributor to long term cardiac remodeling.

scholarly journals Air pollution and COVID-19 mortality in the United States: Strengths and limitations of an ecological regression analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (45) ◽  
pp. eabd4049 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Wu ◽  
R. C. Nethery ◽  
M. B. Sabath ◽  
D. Braun ◽  
F. Dominici
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Ecological Regression

Assessing whether long-term exposure to air pollution increases the severity of COVID-19 health outcomes, including death, is an important public health objective. Limitations in COVID-19 data availability and quality remain obstacles to conducting conclusive studies on this topic. At present, publicly available COVID-19 outcome data for representative populations are available only as area-level counts. Therefore, studies of long-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 outcomes using these data must use an ecological regression analysis, which precludes controlling for individual-level COVID-19 risk factors. We describe these challenges in the context of one of the first preliminary investigations of this question in the United States, where we found that higher historical PM2.5 exposures are positively associated with higher county-level COVID-19 mortality rates after accounting for many area-level confounders. Motivated by this study, we lay the groundwork for future research on this important topic, describe the challenges, and outline promising directions and opportunities.

scholarly journals EXPLORING SHARED DECISION MAKING DURING ANTENATAL COUNSELLING FOR ANTICIPATED EXTREMELY PRETERM BIRTH

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e20-e20
Author(s):  
C Barker ◽  
S Dunn ◽  
G Moore ◽  
J Reszel ◽  
B Lemyre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Birth
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