Integration of an On-Axis General Sun-Tracking Formula in the Algorithm of an Open-Loop Sun-Tracking System

A novel on-axis general sun-tracking formula has been integrated in the algorithm of an open-loop sun-tracking system in order to track the sun accurately and cost effectively. Sun-tracking errors due to installation defects of the 25 m2 prototype solar concentrator have been analyzed from recorded solar images with the use of a CCD camera. With the recorded data, misaligned angles from ideal azimuth-elevation axes have been determined and corrected by a straightforward changing of the parameters' values in the general formula of the tracking algorithm to improve the tracking accuracy to 2.99 mrad, which falls below the encoder resolution limit of 4.13 mrad

Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the scalp mimicking a keratoacanthoma

Cutaneous angiosarcoma (CA) has a wide range of clinical presentations. In this case report, we discuss a 78-year-old gentleman, who presented with a keratoacanthoma-like scalp lesion that turned out histologically to be a cutaneous angiosarcoma. A brief overview of CA, including its etiology, prognostic factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment options will also be discussed

Quantity Surveying Undergraduates’ Awareness on Cost Significant of High-Rise Condominium Projects in Malaysia: The Case of a Private University in Malaysia

Recent developments in quantity surveying (QS) emphasised the importance of identifying cost significant elements (CSE). The knowledge on CSE of high-rise condominium projects (HRCP) is essential as high-rise residential multi-unit projects are the next option in building construction due to limited land areas in urban areas. This study aims to determine the levels of awareness among QS undergraduates of a private university in Malaysia on CSE of HRCP in Malaysia. The respondents’ knowledge on CSE has not achieved a satisfactory level. Both male and female respondents have the same levels of awareness on CSE. Remedial strategies to improve this situation are recommended

Quantity Surveying Undergraduates’ Awareness on Cost Significant of High-Rise Condominium Projects in Malaysia: The Case of a Private University in Malaysia

Recent developments in quantity surveying (QS) emphasised the importance of identifying cost significant elements (CSE). The knowledge on CSE of high-rise condominium projects (HRCP) is essential as high-rise residential multi-unit projects are the next option in building construction due to limited land areas in urban areas. This study aims to determine the levels of awareness among QS undergraduates of a private university in Malaysia on CSE of HRCP in Malaysia. The respondents’ knowledge on CSE has not achieved a satisfactory level. Both male and female respondents have the same levels of awareness on CSE. Remedial strategies to improve this situation are recommended

Increasing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is associated with sex-dependent differences in early childhood growth: the GUSTO Mother-Offspring Cohort Study

Background: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is common and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Longer-term offspring outcomes are also not well documented. This study aimed to determine if NVP, even in milder forms, is associated with adverse pregnancy and childhood growth outcomes. Methods: In the GUSTO prospective mother-offspring cohort, women with singleton pregnancies (n = 1172) recruited in first trimester responded to interviewer-administered questions at 26–28 weeks’ gestation about earlier episodes of NVP since becoming pregnant. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained from medical records. Offspring height and weight measured at 15 time-points between birth to 72 months (m) were standardised for age and sex. Results: 58.5% (n = 686) reported mild-moderate vomiting (mNVP), 10.5% (n = 123) severe vomiting (sNVP) and 5.7% (n = 67) severe vomiting with hospitalisation (shNVP). There was no difference in odds of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, labour induction or caesarean section after adjustment for covariates. sNVP was associated with late preterm delivery [34 + 0–36 + 6 weeks’, adjusted OR = 3.04 (95% CI 1.39,6.68)], without increased odds of neonatal unit admission. Compared with no NVP, boys born to mothers with sNVP were longer at birth [adjusted β = 0.38 standard deviations (SDs) (95% CI 0.02,0.73)], remained taller [0.64 SDs (0.23,1.04) at 72 m] and heavier [0.57 SDs (0.05,1.08) at 60 m] without differences in BMI. Conversely, girls born to mothers with shNVP were lighter from 48 m [− 0.52 SDs (− 1.00, − 0.03)] onwards with lower BMI [− 0.61 SDs (− 1.12,-0.09)]. Conditional growth modelling revealed significant sex-divergence in weight-gain at birth-3 m, 6-9 m and 4–5 years. Conclusions: Severe NVP was associated with late preterm delivery, and both mild-moderate and severe NVP associated with sex-dependent differences in early childhood growth. Boys whose mothers had NVP were taller and heavier from birth with faster growth in the first year, whereas, girls had poorer weight gain and were lighter by 48 m. As even milder severities of NVP could have long-term impact on offspring growth, further research is needed to determine mechanisms involved and implications on future health. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01174875. </p

Anthropometric measures and HbA1c to detect dysglycemia in young Asian women planning conception: The S-PRESTO cohort

International audienceWe investigated whether adding anthropometric measures to HbA1c would have stronger discriminative ability over HbA1c alone in detecting dysglycemia (diabetes and prediabetes) among Asian women trying to conceive. Among 971 Singaporean women, multiple regression models and area under receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were used to analyze associations of anthropometric (weight, height, waist/hip circumferences, 4-site skinfold thicknesses) and HbA1c z-scores with dysglycemia (fasting glucose ≥6.1 mmol/L with 2-hour glucose ≥7.8 mmol/l). The prevalence of dysglycemia was 10.9%. After adjusting for sociodemographic/medical history, BMI (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.62 [95%CI 1.32-1.99]), waist-to-height ratio (OR = 1.74 [1.39-2.17]) and total skinfolds (OR = 2.02 [1.60-2.55]) showed the strongest associations with dysglycemia but none outperformed HbA1c (OR = 4.09 [2.81-5.94]). After adjustment for history, adding BMI, waist-to-height ratio and total skinfolds (anthropometry trio) as continuous variables to HbA1c (AUROC = 0.80 [95%CI 0.75-0.85]) performed similarly to HbA1c alone (AUROC = 0.79 [0.74-0.84]). However, using clinically-defined thresholds without considering history, as in common clinical practice, BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 + HbA1c ≥ 5.7% (AUROC = 0.70 [0.64-0.75]) and anthropometry trio + HbA1c ≥ 5.7% (AUROC = 0.71 [0.65-0.76]) both outperformed HbA1c ≥ 5.7% alone (AUROC = 0.61 [0.57-0.65]). In a two-stage strategy, incorporating BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 alongside HbA1c ≥ 5.7% into first-stage screening to identify high risk women for subsequent oral glucose tolerance testing improves dysglycemia detection in Asian women preconception

Associations of physical activity levels and screen time with oral glucose tolerance test profiles in Singaporean women of reproductive age actively trying to conceive: the S‐PRESTO study

International audienceAim: To examine the associations of physical activity and screen time, a proxy for sedentary behaviour, with fasting and post‐load glucose levels in Singaporean women enrolled in a multi‐ethnic Asian preconception study.Methods: Moderate and vigorous physical activity and screen time (television and other electronic devices) were self‐reported by women enrolled in the S‐PRESTO cohort. Fasting, 30‐min and 120‐min glucose levels before and during a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test were measured. Associations of physical activity and screen time with glucose levels were analysed using multivariable linear marginal regression.Results: A total of 946 women aged 31.4±3.7 years were examined, of whom 72% were of Chinese, 15.5% were of Malay, 9.3% were of Indian and 3.2% were of mixed ethnicity. A total of 32% of women reported being active, 36% watched television ≥2 h/day and 26% used electronic devices ≥3 h/day. In adjusted models, vigorous, but not moderate, physical activity was associated with lower overall glucose levels, and was associated more strongly with post‐challenge than fasting glucose levels. Compared to women not engaging in vigorous physical activity, those engaging in physical activity ≥75 min/week had lower mean fasting [–0.14 (95% CI –0.28, –0.01) mmol/l], 30‐min [0.35 (95% CI –0.68, –0.02) mmol/l] and 120‐min [–0.53 (95% CI –0.16, –0.90) mmol/l] glucose levels (overall P value=0.05). We found no associations of screen time with glucose levels.Conclusions: Independently of the time spent in non‐vigorous physical activity and using screens, engaging in vigorous physical activity may be a modifiable factor to improve glucose regulation in women of Asian ethnicity who are attempting to conceive