The importance of early parenting for later child outcomes: A study with Spanish families with children with disabilities

Children with different disability conditions have varied developmental trajectories, which perhaps influences parent-child interaction. For these and all infants, an optimal home environment that includes good parenting and positive parent-child interactions predicts better developmental outcomes (Spiker et al., 2005). Interventions using a family-centered, parenting-focused approach result in better parenting behavior that contributes to improved early child development (Avellar & Suplee, 2013; Roggman & Cardia, 2016). Information on parent-child interaction patterns is needed to guide intervention in natural contexts of families (Fuligni & Brooks-Gunn, 2013). Parent-child interaction data were collected from 44 mothers and 35 fathers interacting with their children (23 to 47 months) who had a disability and were in one of eight Spanish Early Interventions Centers. Mothers and fathers, separately, auto-recorded 10-minute play sessions at home. Parental interactions were assessed using PICCOLO (Roggman et al., 2013), a standardized measure of parenting. Two independent observers coded the interactions; strong intra-class correlation coefficients were found (.82 to .97 for mothers, .77 to .89 for fathers). The BSID-III scales (Bayley, 2015) assessed children’s development. Mothers scored slightly higher than did fathers. Scores varied by PICCOLO domains but were consistent with other PICCOLO studies of typical developing children (Roggman et al., 2013). Mother and father’s scores correlated indicating that the higher the scores of mothers in any dimension correlated with those of the parents combined. Positive significant Pearson correlations were found between parenting and child’s development with different patterns of father and mother domains predicting better language and cognitive outcomes. Although barriers to optimal parenting need further investigation, PICCOLO can be a useful tool to support optimal parenting.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Quasi-switched inverter using space vector pulse width modulation with triangular comparison for photovoltaic applications

Este trabajo analiza un prototipo para un inversor elevador cuasi-conmutado (qSBI) alimentando una carga resistiva aislada desde una fuente de CC. Se propone el uso de una modulación de ancho de pulso de vectores espaciales (SPWM) con comparación triangular que genera un incremento en el factor de ganancia del qSBI, y se contrasta su desempeño con otro tipo de modulaciones de vectores espaciales, tales como las modulaciones discontinuas. Para verificar la validez de la extensión de rango de tensión en el convertidor qSBI, se desarrolló una plataforma de pruebas semi-personalizada. Esta plataforma utiliza una tarjeta DSP de punto flotante (Analog Devices ADSP-21369) para el procesamiento de las estrategias de control, y una tarjeta de interfaz que incluye un arreglo lógico programable (FPGA) de Xilinx (Spartan-3), que permite desarrollar la modulación sincronizada que el qSBI necesita. Los resultados experimentales demuestran mejoras en el desempeño del convertidor qSBI en cuanto al factor de ganancia, reducción del estrés de voltaje en el capacitor y los perfiles de corriente de entrada. Las estrategias discontinuas de modulación del vector espacial no presentan un buen desempeño cuando se compara con las modulaciones continuas SVPWM o SPWM, ya que los niveles de rizado en las corrientes tomadas del módulo PV son de aproximadamente el doble que en el caso de las técnicas de modulación continuas. Finalmente, el uso del convertidor qSBI como microinversor es puesto en evidencia por dos casos experimentales prácticos de un sistema fotovoltaico PV con un algoritmo de ajuste del máximo punto de potencia (MPPT).This work analyzes a prototype of a quasi-switched boost inverter (qSBI) feeding an isolated resistive load from a DC source. The use of spatial vector pulse width modulation (SPWM) with triangular comparison is proposed to increase the qSBI gain factor, and its performance is contrasted with other types of spatial vector modulations, such as discontinuous modulations. To verify the validity of the method for voltage range extension in the qSBI converter, a semi-customized test platform was developed. This platform uses a DSP floating point card (Analog Devices ADSP-21369) for processing and control strategies and an interface card that includes a programmable logic array (FPGA) from Xilinx (Spartan-3), which allows to develop the synchronized modulation qSBI needs. The experimental results show improvements in the performance of the qSBI converter in terms of gain factor, voltage reduction in the capacitor, and input current profiles. Discontinuous space vector modulation strategies do not perform well when compared to continuous SVPWM or SPWM modulations, because the ripple levels in the currents taken from the PV module are approximately twice as great as in continuous modulation techniques. Finally, the usefulness of a qSBI as PV microinverter is confirmed by two practical experimental cases of a PV photovoltaic system with a maximum power point adjustment algorithm (MPPT)

A Comparison of Tourism-Related Stressors Experienced by Residents of Three Island Destinations

Residents of island tourism destinations are subject to a variety of impacts their quality of life. One impact that has recently emerged as an issue is psychological stress. Psychological stress can often lead to negative physical and mental health outcomes. Island destinations develop along Butler’s (1980) Tourism Area Life Cycle in different ways based on geography, population, accessibility, and a variety of other variables. Oftentimes rapid development follows the creation of transportation links like a new airport or cruise port. The development of cruise ports in particular often bring rapid development with unforeseen consequences. In this study, we examine the tourism related stressors experienced by residents of three island destinations with varying levels of development and cruise tourism visitation. Thematic analysis of residents’ perceived stressors revealed that level of development and type of tourism play a role in the breadth, depth, and type of stressors perceived by residents

A disk of dust and molecular gas around a high-mass protostar

The processes leading to the birth of low-mass stars such as our Sun have been well studied, but the formation of high-mass (> 8 x Sun's mass) stars has heretofore remained poorly understood. Recent observational studies suggest that high-mass stars may form in essentially the same way as low-mass stars, namely via an accretion process, instead of via merging of several low-mass (< 8 Msun) stars. However, there is as yet no conclusive evidence. Here, we report the discovery of a flattened disk-like structure observed at submillimeter wavelengths, centered on a massive 15 Msun protostar in the Cepheus-A region. The disk, with a radius of about 330 astronomical units (AU) and a mass of 1 to 8 Msun, is detected in dust continuum as well as in molecular line emission. Its perpendicular orientation to, and spatial coincidence with the central embedded powerful bipolar radio jet, provides the best evidence yet that massive stars form via disk accretion in direct analogy to the formation of low-mass stars

Health-related quality of life in spanish women with eating disorders

People with eating disorders show impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to investigate the relative role of physical and mental factors and stage of change as possible predictors of HRQoL in a group of Spanish women (n = 124) with eating disorders. For this purpose, initial and follow-up data were obtained after 6 months from patients attending an outpatient treatment unit for eating disorders. The determinants of the physical and mental domains of the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire were investigated in the total sample and separately based on the eating disorder diagnosis by multiple linear regression. Lower scores in the physical component of the SF-36 questionnaire were associated with the presence of a higher body mass index (BMI) at follow-up as well as a higher score in the “action” component of the Attitudes towards Change in Eating Disorders Questionnaire (ACTA). Conversely, a higher index in the EuroQoL-5D overall quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the presence of obsessive compulsive disorder were associated with a higher score in the physical dimension. The instrument used demonstrated the ability to assess changes associated with the physical component of these patients over the period studied, and the analysis provided more information and specific data on different aspects of HRQoL, thus allowing a more detailed analysis of the information.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of ispaghula husk and guar gum on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations in healthy subjects

P. 235-243The aim of this study was to evaluate, under the same experimental conditions and in the same subjects, the effects of ispaghula husk and guar gum on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations in healthy female subjects(ten healthy female volunteers aged 30 ± 48 y with normal body mass indices).S

Therapeutic effects of psyllium in type 2 diabetic patients

P. 830-842The study included three phases: phase 1 (1 week), phase 2 (treatment, 14 g fibre=day, 6 weeks) and phase 3 (4 weeks). At the end of each phase a clinical evaluation was performed after the ingestion of a test breakfast of 1824.2 kJ (436 kcal). Measurements included concentrations of blood glucose, insulin, fructosamine, GHbA1c, C-peptide and 24 h urinary glucose excretion. In addition, uric acid, cholesterol and several mineral and vitamin concentrations were also evaluated. Twenty type 2 diabetic patients (12 men and 8 women) participated in the study with a mean age of 67.4 y for men and 66 y for women. The mean body mass index of men was 28.2 kg=m2 and that of women 25.9 kg=m2. Glucose absorption decreased significantly in the presence of psyllium (12.2%); this reduction is not associated with an important change in insulin levels (5%). GHbA1c, C-peptide and 24 h urinary glucose excretion decreased (3.8, 14.9 and 22.5%, respectively) during the treatment with fibre (no significant differences) as well as fructosamine (10.9%, significant differences). Psyllium also reduced total and LDL cholesterol (7.7 and 9.2%, respectively, significant differences), and uric acid (10%, significant difference). Minerals and vitamins did not show important changes, except sodium that increased significantly after psyllium administration.S

Dietary zinc intake and whole blood zinc concentration in subjects with type 2 diabetes versus healthy subjects: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

The aim of this systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression was to examine the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and concentration of zinc in whole blood, as well as dietary zinc intake. Searches were performed using Ovid MEDLINE, Embase (Ovid) and The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL). Observational studies conducted on diabetic and healthy adults, with data on dietary zinc intake and/or concentration of zinc in whole blood, were selected. The search strategy yielded 11,150 publications and the manual search 6, of which 11 were included in the meta-analyses. Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI), were calculated using the generic inverse-variance method with random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed by the Cochran Q-statistic and quantified by the I2 statistic. Meta-regressions and stratified analysis were used to examine whether any covariate had influence on the results. The pooled MD for the dietary zinc intake meta-analysis was −0.40 (95% CI: −1.59 to 0.79; I2 = 61.0%). Differences between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects became significant in the presence of complications associated with diabetes (MD = −2.26; 95% CI: −3.49 to −1.02; I2 = 11.9%). Meta-regression showed that for each year since the diagnosis of diabetes the concentration of zinc in whole blood decreased in diabetic patients regarding healthy controls [MD (concentration of zinc in blood) = 732.61 + (−77.88303) × (duration of diabetes in years)], which is not generally explained by a lower intake of zinc

Zinc Intake and Status and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Zinc could have a protective role against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between dietary, supplementary, and total zinc intake, as well as serum/plasma and whole blood zinc concentration, and risk of T2DM. Observational studies, conducted on cases of incident diabetes or T2DM patients and healthy subjects that reported a measure of association between zinc exposure and T2DM, were selected. Random effects meta-analyses were applied to obtain combined results. Stratified meta-analyses and meta-regressions were executed to assess sources of heterogeneity, as well as the impact of covariates on the findings. From 12,136 publications, 16 studies were selected. The odds ratio (OR) for T2DM comparing the highest versus lowest zinc intake from diet was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.78–0.98). Nevertheless, no association between supplementary or total zinc intake from both diet and supplementation, and T2DM was observed. A direct relationship was found between serum/plasma zinc levels and T2DM (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.25–2.14). A moderately high dietary zinc intake, in relation to the Dietary Reference Intake, could reduce by 13% the risk of T2DM, and up to 41% in rural areas. Conversely, elevated serum/plasma zinc concentration was associated with an increased risk of T2DM by 64%, suggesting disturbances in zinc homeostasis

Diabetes Is the Main Factor Accounting for Hypomagnesemia in Obese Subjects

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity are associated with magnesium deficiency. We aimed to determine whether the presence of type 2 diabetes and the degree of metabolic control are related to low serum magnesium levels in obese individuals. METHODS: A) Case-control study: 200 obese subjects [50 with T2DM (cases) and 150 without diabetes (controls)] prospectively recruited. B) Interventional study: the effect of bariatric surgery on serum magnesium levels was examined in a subset of 120 obese subjects (40 with type 2 diabetes and 80 without diabetes). RESULTS: Type 2 diabetic patients showed lower serum magnesium levels [0.75±0.07 vs. 0.81±0.06 mmol/L; mean difference -0.06 (95% CI -0.09 to -0.04); p<0.001] than non-diabetic patients. Forty-eight percent of diabetic subjects, but only 15% of non-diabetic subjects showed a serum magnesium concentration lower than 0.75 mmol/L. Significant negative correlations between magnesium and fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and BMI were detected. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c independently predicted serum magnesium. After bariatric surgery serum magnesium increased only in those patients in whom diabetes was resolved, but remain unchanged in those who not, without difference in loss weight between groups. Changes in serum magnesium negatively correlated with changes in fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c. Absolute changes in HbA1c independently predicted magnesium changes in the multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence that the presence of diabetes and the degree of metabolic control are essential in accounting for the lower levels of magnesium that exist in obese subjects