Serum Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 (FABP4) Predicts Pre-eclampsia in Women with Type 1 Diabetes

Objective: To examine the association between fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) and pre-eclampsia risk in women with type 1 diabetes.
Reesearch Design and Methods: Serum FABP4 was measured in 710 women from the Diabetes and Pre-eclampsia Intervention Trial (DAPIT) in early pregnancy and in the second trimester (median 14 and 26 weeks gestation, respectively).
Results: FABP4 was significantly elevated in early pregnancy (geometric mean 15.8 ng/mL [interquartile range 11.6–21.4] vs. 12.7 ng/mL [interquartile range 9.6–17]; P < 0.001) and the second trimester (18.8 ng/mL [interquartile range 13.6–25.8] vs. 14.6 ng/mL [interquartile range 10.8–19.7]; P < 0.001) in women in whom pre-eclampsia later developed. Elevated second-trimester FABP4 level was independently associated with pre-eclampsia (odds ratio 2.87 [95% CI 1.24, 6.68], P = 0.03). The addition of FABP4 to established risk factors significantly improved net reclassification improvement at both time points and integrated discrimination improvement in the second trimester.
Conclusions: Increased second-trimester FABP4 independently predicted pre-eclampsia and significantly improved reclassification and discrimination. FABP4 shows potential as a novel biomarker for pre-eclampsia prediction in women with type 1 diabetes.

New Method Based on the UNIFAC–VISCO Model for the Estimation of Ionic Liquids Viscosity Using the Experimental Data Recommended by Mathematical Gnostics

The viscosity of ionic liquids (ILs) has been modeled as a function of temperature and at atmospheric pressure using a new method based on the UNIFAC–VISCO method. This model extends the calculations previously reported by our group (see Zhao et al. J. Chem. Eng. Data 2016, 61, 2160–2169) which used 154 experimental viscosity data points of 25 ionic liquids for regression of a set of binary interaction parameters and ion Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) parameters. Discrepancies in the experimental data of the same IL affect the quality of the correlation and thus the development of the predictive method. In this work, mathematical gnostics was used to analyze the experimental data from different sources and recommend one set of reliable data for each IL. These recommended data (totally 819 data points) for 70 ILs were correlated using this model to obtain an extended set of binary interaction parameters and ion VFT parameters, with a regression accuracy of 1.4%. In addition, 966 experimental viscosity data points for 11 binary mixtures of ILs were collected from literature to establish this model. All the binary data consist of 128 training data points used for the optimization of binary interaction parameters and 838 test data points used for the comparison of the pure evaluated values. The relative average absolute deviation (RAAD) for training and test is 2.9% and 3.9%, respectively.

Characterisation of polyethylene powders for rotational moulding and effect of powder size and shape on densification behaviour

The particle size, shape and distribution of a range of rotational moulding polyethylenes (PEs) ground to powder was investigated using a novel visual data acquisition and analysis system (TP Picture®), developed by Total Petrochemicals. Differences in the individual particle shape factors of the powder samples were observed and correlations with the grinding conditions were determined. When heated, the bubble dissolution behaviour of the same powders was investigated and the shape factor correlated with densification rate, bubble size and bubble distribution.

Análise do Processo de Internacionalização de uma Empresa Brasileira de Insumos Químicos e Adesivos

Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar o processo de internacionalização de uma empresa brasileira do segmento de insumos químicos e adesivos sob o prisma das teorias de poder de mercado e do comportamento organizacional. É um estudo de caso instrumental, que teve como fontes de dados os documentos fornecidos pela empresa, entrevistas com seus executivos, informações disponíveis em seu website e anuários de comércio exterior. Adotou-se o procedimento de adequação à teoria, já que os dados obtidos empiricamente foram contrastados com elementos de teorias já consolidadas. Conclui-se que a estratégia adotada pela Artecola ajusta-se à Teoria do Poder de Mercado de Hymer, ou seja, a empresa buscou intensificar sua posição no exterior e expandir suas operações para outros mercados quando as possibilidades de concentração de mercado se exauriram nos países em que já operava. E, também, que é coerente com a Teoria Comportamental do Modelo de Uppsala, que identifica a distância psíquica como fator relevante na escolha de um país pela empresa que decide se internacionalizar.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Special Interest Group at OMERACT 11: outcomes of importance for patients with PMR

We worked toward developing a core outcome set for clinical research studies in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) by conducting (1) patient consultations using modified nominal group technique; (2) a systematic literature review of outcome measures in PMR; (3) a pilot observational study of patients presenting with untreated PMR, and further discussion with patient research partners; and (4) a qualitative focus group study of patients with PMR on the meaning of stiffness, using thematic analysis. (1) Consultations included 104 patients at 4 centers. Symptoms of PMR included pain, stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Function, anxiety, and depression were also often mentioned. Participants expressed concerns about diagnostic delay, adverse effects of glucocorticoids, and fear of relapse. (2) In the systematic review, outcome measures previously used for PMR include pain visual analog scores (VAS), morning stiffness, blood markers, function, and quality of life; standardized effect sizes posttreatment were large. (3) Findings from the observational study indicated that asking about symptom severity at 7 AM, or "on waking," appeared more relevant to disease activity than asking about symptom severity "now" (which depended on the time of assessment). (4) Preliminary results were presented from the focus group qualitative study, encompassing broad themes of stiffness, pain, and the effect of PMR on patients' lives. It was concluded that further validation work is required before a core outcome set in PMR can be recommended. Nevertheless, the large standardized effect sizes suggest that pain VAS is likely to be satisfactory as a primary outcome measure for assessing response to initial therapy of PMR. Dissection of between-patient heterogeneity in the subsequent treatment course may require attention to comorbidity as a potential confounding factor.

Barbara Stambolis (Hrsg.): Jugendbewegt geprägt, Essays zu autobiographischen Texten von Werner Heisenberg, Robert Jungk und vielen anderen. Göttingen: V&R unipress 2013 [Rezension]

Rezension von: Barbara Stambolis (Hrsg.): Jugendbewegt geprägt, Essays zu autobiographischen Texten von Werner Heisenberg, Robert Jungk und vielen anderen, Göttingen: V&R unipress 2013 (819 S.; ISBN 978-3-8471-0004-1; 74,99 EUR)

Conception d’un mécanisme déployable à grand ratio d’expansion et de son système d’actionnement par roues d’inertie pour applications spatiales

Cette thèse propose de développer des mécanismes déployables pour applications spatiales ainsi que des modes d’actionnement permettant leur déploiement et le contrôle de l’orientation en orbite de l’engin spatial les supportant. L’objectif étant de permettre le déploiement de surfaces larges pour des panneaux solaires, coupoles de télécommunication ou sections de station spatiale, une géométrie plane simple en triangle est retenue afin de pouvoir être assemblée en différents types de surfaces. Les configurations à membrures rigides proposées dans la littérature pour le déploiement de solides symétriques sont optimisées et adaptées à l’expansion d’une géométrie ouverte, telle une coupole. L’optimisation permet d’atteindre un ratio d’expansion plan pour une seule unité de plus de 5, mais présente des instabilités lors de l’actionnement d’un prototype. Le principe de transmission du mouvement d’un étage à l’autre du mécanisme est revu afin de diminuer la sensibilité des performances du mécanisme à la géométrie de ses membrures internes. Le nouveau modèle, basé sur des courroies crantées, permet d’atteindre des ratios d’expansion plans supérieurs à 20 dans certaines configurations. L’effet des principaux facteurs géométriques de conception est étudié afin d’obtenir une relation simple d’optimisation du mécanisme plan pour adapter ce dernier à différents contextes d’applications. La géométrie identique des faces triangulaires de chaque surface déployée permet aussi l’empilement de ces faces pour augmenter la compacité du mécanisme. Une articulation spécialisée est conçue afin de permettre le dépliage des faces puis leur déploiement successivement. Le déploiement de grandes surfaces ne se fait pas sans influencer lourdement l’orientation et potentiellement la trajectoire de l’engin spatial, aussi, différentes stratégies de contrôle de l’orientation novatrices sont proposées. Afin de tirer profit d’une grande surface, l’actionnement par masses ponctuelles en périphérie du mécanisme est présentée, ses équations dynamiques sont dérivées et simulées pour en observer les performances. Celles-ci démontrent le potentiel de cette stratégie de réorientation, sans obstruction de l’espace central du satellite de base, mais les performances restent en deçà de l’effet d’une roue d’inertie de masse équivalente. Une stratégie d’actionnement redondant par roue d’inertie est alors présentée pour différents niveaux de complexité de mécanismes dont toutes les articulations sont passives, c’est-à-dire non actionnées. Un mécanisme à quatre barres plan est simulé en boucle fermée avec un contrôleur simple pour valider le contrôle d’un mécanisme ciseau commun. Ces résultats sont étendus à la dérivation des équations dynamiques d’un mécanisme sphérique à quatre barres, qui démontre le potentiel de l’actionnement par roue d’inertie pour le contrôle de la configuration et de l’orientation spatiale d’un tel mécanisme. Un prototype à deux corps ayant chacun une roue d’inertie et une seule articulation passive les reliant est réalisé et contrôlé grâce à un suivi par caméra des modules. Le banc d’essai est détaillé, ainsi que les défis que l’élimination des forces externes ont représenté dans sa conception. Les résultats montrent que le système est contrôlable en orientation et en configuration. La thèse se termine par une étude de cas pour l’application des principaux systèmes développés dans cette recherche. La collecte de débris orbitaux de petite et moyenne taille est présentée comme un problème n’ayant pas encore eu de solution adéquate et posant un réel danger aux missions spatiales à venir. L’unité déployable triangulaire entraînée par courroies est dupliquée de manière à former une coupole de plusieurs centaines de mètres de diamètre et est proposée comme solution pour capturer et ralentir ces catégories de débris. Les paramètres d’une mission à cette fin sont détaillés, ainsi que le potentiel de réorientation que les roues d’inertie permettent en plus du contrôle de son déploiement. Près de 2000 débris pourraient être retirés en moins d’un an en orbite basse à 819 km d’altitude.

Tasmanian Pepper Leaf (Tasmannia lanceolata) Oils

Tasmannia lanceolata, commonly known as Tasmanian pepper leaf or mountain pepper, is an Australian native plant that produces an essential oil with a characteristic pungent flavor attributed to the sesquiterpene polygodial. The dried and fresh leaves are used in culinary applications. The essential oil is produced by a solvent extraction process, and the resultant concrete is a rich source of the principal pungent molecule polygodial and other volatiles. The Tasmanian pepper leaf extract has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and is very effective against fungi, especially yeasts. This demonstrates its potential to be used in the food industry as a natural preservative. Indigenous Australians have used Tasmanian pepper leaves for therapeutic purposes; in recent times, it is been used as a flavoring agent and enhancer of pungency in food products. This chapter covers the use of Tasmanian pepper leaf essential oil in food applications, its botanical aspects, and its chemical composition.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Special Interest Group at OMERACT 11: outcomes of importance for patients with PMR

We worked toward developing a core outcome set for clinical research studies in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) by conducting (1) patient consultations using modified nominal group technique; (2) a systematic literature review of outcome measures in PMR; (3) a pilot observational study of patients presenting with untreated PMR, and further discussion with patient research partners; and (4) a qualitative focus group study of patients with PMR on the meaning of stiffness, using thematic analysis. (1) Consultations included 104 patients at 4 centers. Symptoms of PMR included pain, stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Function, anxiety, and depression were also often mentioned. Participants expressed concerns about diagnostic delay, adverse effects of glucocorticoids, and fear of relapse. (2) In the systematic review, outcome measures previously used for PMR include pain visual analog scores (VAS), morning stiffness, blood markers, function, and quality of life; standardized effect sizes posttreatment were large. (3) Findings from the observational study indicated that asking about symptom severity at 7 AM, or "on waking," appeared more relevant to disease activity than asking about symptom severity "now" (which depended on the time of assessment). (4) Preliminary results were presented from the focus group qualitative study, encompassing broad themes of stiffness, pain, and the effect of PMR on patients' lives. It was concluded that further validation work is required before a core outcome set in PMR can be recommended. Nevertheless, the large standardized effect sizes suggest that pain VAS is likely to be satisfactory as a primary outcome measure for assessing response to initial therapy of PMR. Dissection of between-patient heterogeneity in the subsequent treatment course may require attention to comorbidity as a potential confounding factor.

A mitochondrial species identification assay for Australian blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus tilstoni, C. limbatus and C. amblyrhynchoides) using real-time PCR and high-resolution melt analysis

Tropical Australian shark fisheries target two morphologically indistinguishable blacktip sharks, the Australian blacktip (Carcharhinus tilstoni) and the common blacktip (C. limbatus). Their relative contributions to northern and eastern Australian coastal fisheries are unclear because of species identification difficulties. The two species differ in their number of precaudal vertebrae, which is difficult and time consuming to obtain in the field. But, the two species can be distinguished genetically with diagnostic mutations in their mitochondrial DNA ND4 gene. A third closely related sister species, the graceful shark C. amblyrhynchoides, can also be distinguished by species-specific mutations in this gene. DNA sequencing is an effective diagnostic tool, but is relatively expensive and time consuming. In contrast, real-time high-resolution melt (HRM) PCR assays are rapid and relatively inexpensive. These assays amplify regions of DNA with species-specific genetic mutations that result in PCR products with unique melt profiles. A real-time HRM PCR species-diagnostic assay (RT-HRM-PCR) has been developed based on the mtDNA ND4 gene for rapid typing of C. tilstoni, C. limbatus and C. amblyrhynchoides. The assay was developed using ND4 sequences from 66 C. tilstoni, 33. C. limbatus and five C. amblyrhynchoides collected from Indonesia and Australian states and territories; Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. The assay was shown to be 100% accurate on 160 unknown blacktip shark tissue samples by full mtDNA ND4 sequencing.

La revolución de la "fonofotografía" (Teléfonos con cámara y redes sociales)

Con el desarrollo y la penetración de los teléfonos “inteligentes” (dotados de cámara y acceso a internet), la fotografía ha entrado en una nueva era. La fotografía digital y, en particular, la que se toma con un teléfono móvil, forma parte ahora de la vida diaria de una enorme cantidad de personas. Con ello, la “fonofotografía” se ha popularizado enormemente y las fotografías constituyen ya un componente importante de las redes sociales. Hoy se toman cerca de 1.000 millones de fotografías al día y se hacen más fotos en dos minutos que las que se hicieron en todo el siglo XIX. La disponibilidad permanente de una cámara, en el bolsillo o la cartera, cambia muchas cosas en el mundo de la fotografía de aficionados, trastocando las funciones que había adquirido a través de los años. En esta obra, después de repasar rápidamente la evolución de la técnica fotográfica, abordamos las funciones -clásicas y nuevas- de la fotografía de aficionados y los nuevos problemas que trae consigo su asociación con las redes sociales.

Student, school, and country differences in sustained test-taking effort in the 2009 PISA reading assessment

In this article, the change in examinee effort during an assessment, which we will refer to as persistence, is modeled as an effect of item position. A multilevel extension is proposed to analyze hierarchically structured data and decompose the individual differences in persistence. Data from the 2009 Program of International Student Achievement (PISA) reading assessment from N = 467,819 students from 65 countries are analyzed with the proposed model, and the results are compared across countries. A decrease in examinee effort during the PISA reading assessment was found consistently across countries, with individual differences within and between schools. Both the decrease and the individual differences are more pronounced in lower performing countries. Within schools, persistence is slightly negatively correlated with reading ability; but at the school level, this correlation is positive in most countries. The results of our analyses indicate that it is important to model and control examinee effort in low-stakes assessments. (DIPF/Orig.)

El rayo, la abundancia y la realeza. Análisis de la naturaleza del dios K'awiil en la cultura y la religión mayas

El presente trabajo se centra en el análisis del dios K’awiil dentro de la sociedad y de la religión mayas. Para poder llevar a cabo dicho análisis se utilizó un enfoque interdisciplinario que empleó la Arqueología, la Iconografía, la Epigrafía, la Etnohistoria y la Etnología. Después de la realización del estudio se ha podido comprobar que K’awiil es la representación del fuego celeste, es decir el rayo, que como uno de los responsables de la llegada de las lluvias acaba siendo a su vez, la deidad responsable de la abundancia presente en la naturaleza a través de la cual la sociedad maya se proveía de alimentos. Está relacionado especialmente con el dios maya asociado al maíz y a la vegetación, pero también con las aquellos dedicados a la protección de los animales. Además de con el maíz, también se asocia a otra planta especialmente importante para la élite maya, el cacao. K’awiil está presente en varios mitos en los que estas capacidades de potenciación y protección de la naturaleza están presentes, como el mito del surgimiento de la semilla del maíz y el de la obtención de los alimentos de la Montaña del Sustento. Asimismo, está presente en múltiples rituales calendáricos, como son las ceremonias del Año Nuevo, el calendario de 819 días, donde aparece como una advocación en la que se mezcla con el Señor de los Animales, en celebraciones de conmemoración de Tuun y de K’atuun y en relación al planeta Venus, siempre empleando este aspecto de proveedor de alimentos y primando su relación con la planta del maíz. Uno de sus aspectos más interesantes es el de protector de la naturaleza, el cual comparte una deidad dedicada a la protección y cuidado de los animales denominada Sip. Este carácter de protector y de proveedor de los bienes naturales para beneficio del hombre fue quizás el motivo por el cual fue elegido como símbolo del poder real, ya que su imagen fue empleada por los gobernantes mayas, primero surgiendo de barras ceremoniales, y más tarde, en forma de cetro. Este símbolo perdurará hasta el periodo Posclásico y su último ejemplo aparece durante la colonia. Asimismo fue empleado por los gobernantes en múltiples ceremonias, entre las que se encuentra la toma de dicho cetro, la invocación de seres sobrenaturales y bailes en donde su forma de cetro era empleada...

Editorial

Los bibliotecarios que nos visitan están produciendo múltiples documentos, algunos de los cuales deseamos compartir con nuestros lectores. A través de ellos se notará el énfasis, que la Unidad de Bibliotecología está dando a las bibliotecas escolares del país y del resto de Centro América. Con los colegas del área estamos compartiendo las ricas experiencias obtenidas en la Red de bibliotecas escolares costarricenses.

Go or no-go? Developmental improvements in the efficiency of response inhibition in mid-childhood

This experiment used a modified go/no-go paradigm to investigate the processes by which response inhibition becomes more efficient during mid-childhood. The novel task, which measured trials on which a response was initiated but not completed, was sensitive to developmental changes in response inhibition. The effect of inducing time pressure by narrowing allowable response time was also examined. While increasing time pressure did not reduce the inhibitory demands of the task for either age group, older children (aged 9-to-11 years) were able to inhibit their responses at an earlier stage of movement than younger children (aged 5-to-7 years). This shows that as children get older they become more efficient at controlling their behaviour which drives developmental improvements in response inhibition.