Lowest threshold values for the 75g oral glucose tolerance test in pregnancy

Introduction: A previous study has suggested that with increasing oGTT thresholds there was a statistically increasing risk of maternal and foetal morbidity in the form of hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy and macrosomia. The present study aims to identify whether this gradient risk is extant with lower blood glucose levels. Methodology: A total of 1289 75-gm oGTTs were performed during pregnancy. These were divided according to their fasting and 2-hour values into categories: A. Fasting values =5.6 mmol/l (n=292); and 2-hour values =9.6 mmol/l (n=208). The incidence of hypertensive disease during pregnancy, the macrosomia rate, and the mean birth weight were assessed in each group. Results: The data confirm that a significant rise in the incidence of hypertensive disease occurs at a fasting vlood glucose value of >=5.6 mmol/l, while the macrosomia rate rises after >=4.6 mmol/l. The mean birth weight increased progressively with increasing fasting blood glucose thresholds. There is furthermore a progressive rise in the incidence of hypertension noted with significance being reached at a 2-hour blood glucose value greater than 9.6 mmol/l. However no such relationship appears to be present for the incidence of macrosomia; and there was no significant differences in mean birth weights with increasing 2-hour post-load glucose values. Conclusions: The study suggests that fasting blood glucose values may be a better indicator of maternal and foetal adverse risk outcomes with increased adverse foetal outcomes being indicated at levels >=4.6 mmol/l. The 2-hour post-75g oGTT values appear to be useful as adverse risk indicators only at levels >-9.6 mmol/l.peer-reviewe

Design and market position - mapping the market with the MADRID market map

This paper reports on some of the significant findings of the MADRID project - "Market Demands that Reward Investment in Design". The origin of the project wasas a follow up, and development of, the earlier CID - "Commercial Impacts of Design" study (Roy & Potter, 1993). CID was undertaken by the Design Innovation Group, from 1987-90, as a study of over 220 design and product development projects in small and medium sized UK manufacturers. It provided, for the first time,quantified information on the commercial returns upon investing in professional design expertise at the product level. The MADRID project builds upon this work andsought to identify: (a) Which types of market(s) are most likely to produce the best commercial returns from investments in design and product development? (b) The most effective contribution of design in different market types. (c) The longterm commercial benefits of investment in design and product development. This paper presents the results of a re-analysis of data from the earlier CID study in order to address the first of the above aims. The results for the second aim were reported in Roy & Riedel (1997) and the third aim in Roy et. al. (1998). Different approaches for market mapping were reviewed in order to develop a suitable technique for analysing the relationship between the market position of a company's product and its commercial performance. This led to the development of a new type of "market map" for classifying product markets according to dimensions of quality and price sensitivity versus volume of production. This MADRID market map enabled products involving different inputs of design (product, graphics, engineering, industrial design) and with different degrees of financial performance to be compared according to the type of market at which they were aimed. Some 64 products were successfully plotted on the MADRID market map. The analysis of commercial performance showed that there are successful products aimed at all types of market. Nevertheless, there were two noticeable clusters of commercially successful products - aimed at mid-quality, niche markets (QN) and at mid-quality, volume markets (QV). Some products in the price-sensitive volume (PV) market were also successful, where companies attempted to gain a competitive edge through adding value/ quality, whilst reducing the price-sensitivity of their products. However, the price-sensitive, niche (PN) market can be a problematic one in which to position a product. It appears difficult to perform well in it. In conclusion design was used by companies either to move products into more profitable quality-sensitive markets or, in the case of some high-quality niche market products, to reduce costs and thereby increase sales volume. None of the companies attempted to move their product down-market (bar the exceptions of high product quality companies trying to capture larger sales volumes). Likewise, none crossed from quality-sensitive to price-sensitive markets

Firms and markets that profit from investment in design and product development

This paper concerns a study which aimed to identify: (a) how returns from investments in design and product development vary with the types of market in which a firm operates; (b) the long-term benefits of investment in product design and innovation. The study built upon an earlier research project, which involved a survey of design and product development projects in 221 SMEs which had received some government support for design. This paper focuses on the results of a longitudinal, follow-up survey of a sample of 42 firms and projects, 8–9 years after the original study. • The firms which had grown in turnover operated in growing markets and had typically developed innovative or niche products, while the declining firms generally operated in static or declining markets in which they had many competitors. • The fast growing firms employed a statistically significantly higher proportion of RD&D staff; used external expertise for product development more often; and introduced new products more frequently, than the slow-growing or declining firms. • All the growing firms had managers with a positive attitude towards design and innovation and increased their investment in RD&D during the recession, while most managers in the declining firms had a narrow and limited understanding of the contribution of design and reduced their investment. • Since the earlier survey, performance, quality and price remain the key factors in product competition, although there is evidence of price and delivery becoming relatively more important – consistent with trends since the late 1980s in which firms increasingly have to compete on price and service as well as on product quality and design. • SME managers and designers are now aware that multiple factors should be considered when designing a product but, given the differences in the commercial performance of the products, probably not all firms were equally effective in ensuring that these factors were actually taken into account. These findings support previous research that business success and investment in design and product development are likely to be mutually reinforcing, while poor financial performance and a failure to invest can lead to a cycle of decline

Moving well-being well: evidence and background to the development of the MWBW physical literacy intervention for children

Operationalising physical literacy and generating meaningful, measurable empirical research will determine what physical literacy is and how it works. Recent research suggests that Irish adolescents are not displaying the attributes of physical literacy that would see them adopt and understand to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life (Belton et al, 2014). The purpose of this study was to develop from previous work by assessing the current level of physical literacy in Irish primary school children (5-13 years), with an intervention established following data collection and analysis. Cross-sectional data on Whiteheadian physical literacy constructs (Whitehead, 2010), physical activity levels (using self and proxy reports, and accelerometers), anthropometric characteristics, perception of body figure, well-being, and fundamental movement skill proficiency of 2098 children (53% male, 9.17 ± 2.04 years) were collected. Findings indicate that the majority of children (77.5%) did not achieve the fundamental movement skill proficiency expected for their age. Children above population average on self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation scales scored significantly higher on (p < 0.01) the gross motor quotient (GMQ; Ulrich, 2000) than those who fell below the population average. Regardless of their GMQ, children had a poor knowledge and understanding of why it is important to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. In contrast to previous studies the intervention will not predominantly target low levels of physical activity as a primary outcome but will focus on affecting the constructs of physical literacy. Empirical research is one method of gaining a greater understanding of the concept of physical literacy and examining it helps to identify how a concept can be operationalised. Thus, when this intervention created the research team wanted an empirically supported intervention, yet a subtlety in maintaining the philosophical assumptions of physical literacy. Therefore, the majority of the intervention will follow a structure related with Epstein’s (1989) and Ames’ (1992) TARGET structures, with particular focus on the teachers’ efficacy

Moving well, being well: an intervention aimed at increasing fundamental movement skills in Irish primary school children, while also increasing teacher confidence in delivering physical activity based lessons.

Physical Activity (PA) has long been positively linked with health benefits. Recent research shows that 67% of adolescents are not getting the recommended one hour of moderate to vigorous activity (MVPA) per day. In addition, 99.5% of the same sample did not achieve the level of Fundamental Movement Skill (FMS) proficiency expected of their age. In young children FMS proficiency is hypothesised to correlate with increased PA in later life, and these skills are best developed throughout the early school going years. To address these alarming statistics, phase one of the Moving Well-Being Well project has assessed a nationwide sample (n=2148) of primary school children (5-13 years) in Ireland. The range of assessments covered all aspects of the currently accepted physical literacy model: competence, motivation, confidence, and knowledge and understanding. The results show that 77.5% of primary school children were classed as ‘very poor’ or ‘below average’ in FMS proficiency (n=2098, Male 53%). The findings also show significantly higher (p<0.001) FMS proficiency for children who achieve high levels of MVPA, over those who are less active. Confidence and motivation both saw significant increases (p<0.05) for those categorised as highly active, compared to those in the low activity group. There was significant difference between these groups for knowledge and understanding, and 54.8% did not know the minimum recommended MVPA guidelines. These findings have been used to develop the intervention aiming at addressing these deficiencies. The intervention targets increasing teacher confidence in delivering FMS programmes through an innovative school’s in-service training program

Getting Ireland’s Children Moving: Examining fundamental movement skills in Irish school children as a key component for physical literacy.

Recent reports from the World Health Organisation predict Ireland to be ‘the most obese nation in Europe by 2030”. In addition to this stark warning, recent research findings suggest that the country’s adolescents are falling short of physical literacy. With physical literacy being recognised as a key driver in lifelong physical activity participation, phase one of the Moving Well-Being Well study has assessed primary school children (5-13 years) in all aspects of the currently accepted physical literacy model. Areas of assessment included; fundamental movement skills (FMS) proficiency, perceived motor skill competence, motivation and confidence measures, health related fitness measures, body image, wellbeing and physical activity participation. FMS proficiency has been associated with beneficial health outcomes, and is most successfully developed during early school years, and as such is a central component of this study. Data was collected nationwide (n=2098, male 53%), and findings show that 77.5% of children scored between ‘very poor’ and ‘below average’ in FMS proficiency. There was no difference between children attending urban and rural schools, but notably, when socioeconomic status is taken into account, the schools in middle and upper-class neighbourhoods scored significantly higher (p<0.001) than those in the so called disadvantaged areas. The results also show significantly higher (p<0.001) FMS proficiency for children who achieve high levels of moderate to vigorous activity (MVPA), over those who are less active. Findings suggest that Irish primary school children fail to exhibit age-appropriate FMS proficiency. This low level of motor skills proficiency can have direct negative implications for future participation in physical activity. These findings are being used to create the structure of the Moving Well-Being Well intervention aiming at addressing these deficiencies

Exploring components of physical literacy in Irish children

Aim: To investigate the relationship between Self-Determination Theory’s motivational regulations and fundament movement skills (FMS) in primary school children. Quality of physical activity (PA) motivation has been found to be an important correlate and a potential determinant of PA. However, there are few that have investigated the quality of PA motivation’s relationship with determinants and correlates of PA, such as fundamental movement skills (FMS). There is an increasing recognition of the relationship between FMS and PA in childhood, with studies beginning to show a causal relationship. Thus, this study investigates the relationship between children’s quality of PA motivation and their FMS proficiency. The motivation and FMS of 865 children (47.7% female, 10.9 ± 1.16 years) was collected. The TGMD-3 (Ulrich, 2017) was implemented to evaluate FMS. Meanwhile, quality of motivation was measured using the BREQ which was adapted for children (Sebire et al., 2013). A hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to assess the capacity of four measures (intrinsic motivation, identified, introjected and external regulations) on FMS proficiency, with separate male and female analysis. The four measures explained 8.9% of the variance in FMS for males (R2 = .089, p < .001) and 5.5% for females (R2 = .055, p < .001). For males, three measures were statistically significant (p < .05): identified (β = .21), external (β = -.14), and introjected (β = .13) regulation. Meanwhile, for females only external regulation (β = -.21) made a significant contribution to FMS. The results of the current research are congruent with previous SDT research, demonstrating how motivation quality influences FMS proficiency. It is no surprise that FMS proficiency and intrinsic motivation do not have a significant relationship; perhaps developing FMS proficiency requires individuals to place value on the skills and to recognise the importance of FMS in terms of facilitating their participation and success in PA. This study provides evidence for the need to promote autonomous motivation and prevent controlling motivation when designing, testing and implementing FMS interventions

Dealing with Uncertainties in Asteroid Deflection Demonstration Missions: NEOTwIST

Deflection missions to near-Earth asteroids will encounter non-negligible uncertainties in the physical and orbital parameters of the target object. In order to reliably assess future impact threat mitigation operations such uncertainties have to be quantified and incorporated into the mission design. The implementation of deflection demonstration missions offers the great opportunity to test our current understanding of deflection relevant uncertainties and their consequences, e.g., regarding kinetic impacts on asteroid surfaces. In this contribution, we discuss the role of uncertainties in the NEOTwIST asteroid deflection demonstration concept, a low-cost kinetic impactor design elaborated in the framework of the NEOShield project. The aim of NEOTwIST is to change the spin state of a known and well characterized near-Earth object, in this case the asteroid (25143) Itokawa. Fast events such as the production of the impact crater and ejecta are studied via cube-sat chasers and a flyby vehicle. Long term changes, for instance, in the asteroid's spin and orbit, can be assessed using ground based observations. We find that such a mission can indeed provide valuable constraints on mitigation relevant parameters. Furthermore, the here proposed kinetic impact scenarios can be implemented within the next two decades without threatening Earth's safety.Comment: Accepted for publication in the proceedings of the IAUS 318 - Asteroids: New Observations, New Models, held at the IAU General Assembly in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 201

Development of Advanced Verification and Validation Procedures and Tools for the Certification of Learning Systems in Aerospace Applications

Adaptive control technologies that incorporate learning algorithms have been proposed to enable automatic flight control and vehicle recovery, autonomous flight, and to maintain vehicle performance in the face of unknown, changing, or poorly defined operating environments. In order for adaptive control systems to be used in safety-critical aerospace applications, they must be proven to be highly safe and reliable. Rigorous methods for adaptive software verification and validation must be developed to ensure that control system software failures will not occur. Of central importance in this regard is the need to establish reliable methods that guarantee convergent learning, rapid convergence (learning) rate, and algorithm stability. This paper presents the major problems of adaptive control systems that use learning to improve performance. The paper then presents the major procedures and tools presently developed or currently being developed to enable the verification, validation, and ultimate certification of these adaptive control systems. These technologies include the application of automated program analysis methods, techniques to improve the learning process, analytical methods to verify stability, methods to automatically synthesize code, simulation and test methods, and tools to provide on-line software assurance

Animal health and welfare planning in organic dairy cattle farms

Continuous development is needed within the farm to reach the goal of good animal health and welfare in organic livestock farming. The very different conditions between countries call for models that are relevant for different farming types and can be integrated into local practice and be relevant for each type of farming context. This article reviews frameworks, principles and practices for animal health and welfare planning which are relevant for organic livestock farming. This review is based on preliminary analyses carried out within a European project (acronym ANIPLAN) with participants from seven countries. The process begins with gathering knowledge about the current status within a given herd as background for making decisions and planning future improvements as well as evaluating already implemented improvements. Respectful communication between the owner of the herd and other farmers as well as animal health and welfare professionals (veterinarians and advisors) is paramount. This paper provides an overview of some current animal health and welfare planning initiatives and explains the principles of animal health and welfare planning which are being implemented in ANIPLAN partner countries, in collaboration with groups of organic farmers and organisations