Linking formal child care characteristics to children's socioemotional well-being: A comparative perspective

Most research on formal child care and children’s outcomes has focused on single countries. We, however, contend that policy context may moderate the association between formal child care characteristics and children’s socioemotional well-being. We examined this by comparing the Netherlands, Finland and the UK; three countries that differ regarding family policies. Of these three countries, Finland was recently ranked highest (ranked 1st) with regards to quality of child care in a recent analysis by the Economist ,followed by the UK (ranked 3rd) and then the Netherlands (ranked 7th) .We hypothesized that children who attend child - care settings in countries with higher- uality formal child- are provision would generally show better socioemotional outcomes. Data from the comparative ‘F amilies 24/7’ survey were used, including 990 parents with children aged 0–12. We distinguished between two age groups in our analysis. Results indicated that, compared to the UK, longer hours in formal care were less beneficial in the Netherlands. Furthermore, spen ding time in formal care during nonstandard hours was more harmful for children in Finland compared to the UK. Lastly, receiving care from multiple caregivers was more disruptive for British children than for Dutch children. No differences were found between Finland and the Netherlands

Cosmological particle production and causal thermodynamics

The full linear causal Israel-Stewart-Hiscock theory of bulk viscous processes in relativistic cosmological fluids is reformulated as an effective phenomenological theory for describing particle production processes in the early universe. Explicit expressions for the particle balance law and particle production rates are obtained that relate the particle creation rate to the bulk viscous (creation) pressure. The general formalism is applied to the case of a full causal cosmological fluid with bulk viscosity coefficient proportional to the Hubble function. In this case the general solution of the gravitational field equations can be expressed in an exact parametric form. For an appropriate choice of the physical parameters, the dynamics of the universe can be modelled as starting from a vacuum quasi-Minkowskian geometry, followed by an inflationary period but ending in a non-inflationary phase. The influence of the matter creation processes on the evolution of the universe and the behaviour of the energy density, temperature and entropy are investigated. © CSIRO 1999.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Age-related hyperkyphosis: update of its potential causes and clinical impacts—narrative review

The present study aims to qualitatively review the contributing factors and health implications of age-related hyperkyphosis. We conducted a narrative review of observational and cohort studies describing the risk factors and epidemiology of hyperkyphosis from 1955 to 2016 using the following key words: kyphosis, hyperkyphosis, posture, age-related hyperkyphosis, kyphotic posture, aetiology and causes. This review included 77 studies. Approximately 60–70 % of the most severe hyperkyphosis cases have no evidence of underlying vertebral compression fractures. Other proposed factors contributing to hyperkyphosis are degenerative disc disease, weakness of back extensor muscles and genetic predisposition. Strength and endurance of back extensor muscles are very important for maintaining normal postural alignment. Recent evidence suggests that age-related hyperkyphosis is not equivalent to spinal osteoporosis. Due to the negative impact of hyperkyphosis on physical function, quality of life and mortality rates, physicians should focus not only on osteoporosis, but also on age-related postural changes. More research about the relationship between spinal morphology and modifiable factors, especially the structural and functional parameters of trunk muscles, could further illuminate our understanding and treatment options for hyperkyphosis