Forensic Analysis Reveals Acute Decompensation of Chronic Heart Failure in a 3500‐Year‐Old Egyptian Dignitary

Naturally preserved and embalmed bodies from archeological contexts represent a powerful source of information for forensic investigators. They allow one to ascertain pathology, cause of death, to enhance diagnostic methodology, and to improve the analysis of altered remains. We investigated the complete head and lung remnants of a 3,500‐year‐old Egyptian dignitary by radiological, microscopic, and genetic approaches. The individual, a middle‐aged male, suffered from severe periodontitis, mild atherosclerosis, and experienced cardiogenic pulmonary insufficiency with recurrent mini‐bleeds and pulmonary edema. Histology and ancient DNA analyses excluded the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis or of any other pathogenic species. Based on our collection of evidence, we propose that acute decompensation complicating chronic cardiac insufficiency was the likely cause of death. The underlying causes for this failure remain unknown although chronic hypertension appears to be the most likely candidate. Our finding represents the earliest reported case of chronic heart failure in ancient mummies.     

Die Metamorphosen der AfD-Wählerschaft: Von einer euroskeptischen Protestpartei zu einer (r)echten Alternative?

Within a very short time the German party “Alternative für Deutschland” (AfD) was able to position itself as a representative of neglected groups and taboo issues. At the occasion of the federal election 2017, the party received more than ten percent of the votes and is now represented in the German Bundestag. However, it still remains unclear if the AfD will establish itself in the German party landscape in the long-run. Until today, the development of the AfD is marked by continuous quarrels about political positions and leaders. These conflicts and the associated changes may have an important impact on the party’s prospect of establishment. Of particular interest is whether the AfD already has a loyal electorate or the party is primarily elected by volatile voter segments motivated by protest and anti-party-sentiments. Applying a longitudinal perspective the article outlines that the party’s success depends heavily on volatile voter segments. However, a certain increase of loyal voters has also been observed – albeit on a low level.     

Experimente in der Politikwissenschaft: Vom Mauerblümchen zum Mainstream

The use of experimental research designs is on the rise. Internationally, experiments are becoming ever more established in the field, as shown by the increasing number of journal articles, books, and conferences. In German political science, however, using experimental methods is still rather uncommon. After a (brief) discussion of the relevance of experiments for political science, we will—in general terms—introduce the logic of experimental research as well as different types of experiments. Then we shall provide a (selective) overview of experimental research in political science that has been conducted: First, we cursorily review the state of (experimental) research done in the fields of elections and public opinion, public goods and collective action, social trust and finally legislative bargaining and decision-making. Following that, we discuss in greater detail the field experimental strand of research studying voter mobilization.     

Alles eine Frage des Managements?

NPM-driven agencification thoroughly changed the face of public administrations in many modern democracies. Despite high expectations and more than a decade of experience the effects of these reforms are still widely disputed. This contribution presents a neo-institutionalist model to evaluate empirically the explanatory power of those factors commonly considered as the most relevant for executives’ discretion in decision-making. Perception-data taken from the German federal administration confirm the hypothesized correlation between the distance from government and perceived discretion of agency executives. However, in-depth analysis reveals that some of the most common instruments to achieve autonomization fail to deliver.     

Orthodontic Treatment: Real Risk for Dental Age Estimation in Adults?

Dental age estimation becomes a challenge once the root formation is concluded. In living adults, one dental age indicator is the formation of secondary dentine, also associated with orthodontic treatment as well as root shortening. The aim of this study was to establish whether these secondary effects of orthodontic treatment could generate a statistically significant difference in dental age estimations when using Kvaal's method. The study sample included 34 pairs of pre‐ and postorthodontic panoramic radiographs, from different individuals with exactly the same age and sex distribution. Females 65%, median age 17.5 years, and males 35%, median age 22.5 years, were included. After data collection, dental age was estimated per tooth using formulae previously published. The risk of obtaining over‐estimation of age was calculated. (RR = 1.007). The changes caused by orthodontic treatment do not have any significant effect on age estimation when Kvaal et al.'s method is applied on panoramic radiographs.