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Abstract Background Lipids are crucial for fetal growth and development. Maternal lipid concentrations are associated with fetal growth in the second and third trimester of pregnancy and with birth outcomes. However, it is unknown if this association starts early in pregnancy or arises later during fetal development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the maternal lipid profile in early pregnancy and embryonic size. Methods We included 1474 women from the Generation R Study, a population based prospective birth cohort. Both embryonic size and the maternal lipid profile were measured between 10 weeks + 1 day and 13 weeks + 6 days gestational age. The maternal lipid profile was defined as total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), remnant cholesterol, non-high-density (non-HDL-c) lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and the triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL-c) ratio. Additionally, maternal glucose concentrations were assessed. Embryonic size was assessed using crown-rump length (CRL) measurements. Associations were studied with linear regression models, adjusted for confounding factors: maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, educational level, ethnicity, smoking and folic acid supplement use. Results Triglycerides and remnant cholesterol concentrations are positively associated with embryonic size (fully adjusted models, 0.17 SDS CRL: 95% CI 0.03; 0.30, and 0.17 SDS: 95% CI 0.04; 0.31 per 1 MoM increase, respectively). These associations were not present in women with normal weight (triglycerides and remnant cholesterol: fully adjusted model, 0.44 SDS: 95% CI 0.15; 0.72). Associations between maternal lipid concentrations and embryonic size were not attenuated after adjustment for glucose concentrations. Total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, non-HDL-c concentrations and the TG/HDL-c ratio were not associated with embryonic size. Conclusions Higher triglycerides and remnant cholesterol concentrations in early pregnancy are associated with increased embryonic size, most notably in overweight women. Trial registration The study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus University Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Rotterdam (MEC-2007-413). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Objective To study the associations between neighbourhood deprivation and fetal growth, including growth in the first trimester, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Design Prospective cohort study.Setting The Netherlands, Rotterdam.Participants 8617 live singleton births from the Generation R cohort study.Exposition Living in a deprived neighbourhood.Main outcome measures Fetal growth trajectories of head circumference, weight and length.Secondary outcomes measures Small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth (PTB).Results Neighbourhood deprivation was not associated with first trimester growth. However, a higher neighbourhood status score (less deprivation) was associated with increased fetal growth in the second and third trimesters (eg, estimated fetal weight; adjusted regression coefficient 0.04, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.06). Less deprivation was also associated with decreased odds of SGA (adjusted OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.97, p=0.01) and PTB (adjusted OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.96, p=0.01).Conclusions We found an association between neighbourhood deprivation and fetal growth in the second and third trimester pregnancy, but not with first trimester growth. Less neighbourhood deprivation is associated with lower odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The associations remained after adjustment for individual-level risk factors. This supports the hypothesis that living in a deprived neighbourhood acts as an independent risk factor for fetal growth and adverse pregnancy outcomes, above and beyond individual risk factors.

The objective of this study was to determine the associations between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and early childhood cardiometabolic risk factors in the offspring. Therefore, 7794 women from the Generation Rotterdam Study were included, an ongoing population-based prospective birth cohort. Women with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy were classified as such when they were affected by pregnancy induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia or the haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome during pregnancy. Early childhood cardiometabolic risk factors were defined as the body mass index at the age of 2, 6, 12, 36 months and 6 years. Additionally, it included systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total fat mass, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors at 6 years of age. Sex-specific differences in the associations between hypertensive disorders and early childhood cardiometabolic risk factors were investigated. Maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were inversely associated with childhood body mass index at 12 months (confounder model: -0.15 SD, 95% CI -0.27; -0.03) and childhood triglyceride at 6 years of age (confounder model: -0.28 SD, 95% CI -0.45; -0.10). For the association with triglycerides, this was only present in girls. Maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were not associated with childhood body mass index at 2, 6 and 36 months. No associations were observed between maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, fat mass index and cholesterol levels at 6 years of age. Our findings do not support an independent and consistent association between maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and early childhood cardiometabolic risk factors in their offspring. However, this does not rule out possible longer term effects of maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy on offspring cardiometabolic health.

Background: Lipids are crucial for fetal growth and development. Maternal lipid concentrations are associated with fetal growth in the second and third trimester of pregnancy and with birth outcomes. However, it is unknown if this association starts early in pregnancy or arises later during fetal development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the maternal lipid profile in early pregnancy and embryonic size.Methods: We included 1474 women from the Generation R Study, a population based prospective birth cohort. Both embryonic size and the maternal lipid profile were measured between 10 weeks + 1 day and 13 weeks + 6 days gestational age. The maternal lipid profile was defined as total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), remnant cholesterol, non-high-density (non-HDL-c) lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and the triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL-c) ratio. Additionally, maternal glucose concentrations were assessed. Embryonic size was assessed using crown-rump length (CRL) measurements. Associations were studied with linear regression models, adjusted for confounding factors: maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, educational level, ethnicity, smoking and folic acid supplement use.Results: Triglycerides and remnant cholesterol concentrations are positively associated with embryonic size (fully adjusted models, 0.17 SDS CRL: 95% CI 0.03; 0.30, and 0.17 SDS: 95% CI 0.04; 0.31 per 1 MoM increase, respectively). These associations were not present in women with normal weight (triglycerides and remnant cholesterol: fully adjusted model, 0.44 SDS: 95% CI 0.15; 0.72). Associations between maternal lipid concentrations and embryonic size were not attenuated after adjustment for glucose concentrations. Total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, non-HDL-c concentrations and the TG/HDL-c ratio were not associated with embryonic size.Conclusions: Higher triglycerides and remnant cholesterol concentrations in early pregnancy are associated with increased embryonic size, most notably in overweight women.Trial Registration: The study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus University Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Rotterdam (MEC-2007-413). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the associations between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and early childhood cardiometabolic risk factors in the offspring. Therefore, 7794 women from the Generation Rotterdam Study were included, an ongoing population-based prospective birth cohort. Women with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy were classified as such when they were affected by pregnancy induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia or the haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome during pregnancy. Early childhood cardiometabolic risk factors were defined as the body mass index at the age of 2, 6, 12, 36 months and 6 years. Additionally, it included systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total fat mass, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors at 6 years of age. Sex-specific differences in the associations between hypertensive disorders and early childhood cardiometabolic risk factors were investigated. Maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were inversely associated with childhood body mass index at 12 months (confounder model: -0.15 SD, 95% CI -0.27; -0.03) and childhood triglyceride at 6 years of age (confounder model: -0.28 SD, 95% CI -0.45; -0.10). For the association with triglycerides, this was only present in girls. Maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were not associated with childhood body mass index at 2, 6 and 36 months. No associations were observed between maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, fat mass index and cholesterol levels at 6 years of age. Our findings do not support an independent and consistent association between maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and early childhood cardiometabolic risk factors in their offspring. However, this does not rule out possible longer term effects of maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy on offspring cardiometabolic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recently it has become possible to de novo design high affinity protein binding proteins from target structural information alone. There is, however, considerable room for improvement as the overall design success rate is low. Here, we explore the augmentation of energy-based protein binder design using deep learning. We find that using AlphaFold2 or RoseTTAFold to assess the probability that a designed sequence adopts the designed monomer structure, and the probability that this structure binds the target as designed, increases design success rates nearly 10-fold. We find further that sequence design using ProteinMPNN rather than Rosetta considerably increases computational efficiency.

The discrepancy in the aerodynamic property and flowfield of a symmetric airfoil produced by the stationary and moving ground effect was quantified through surface pressure and particle-image-velocimetry measurements. The results show that the stationary ground effect produced a higher lift than the moving ground due to the flow passage restriction caused by the longitudinal boundary layer developed on its ground surface. In close ground proximity, the formation of a ground vortex beneath the airfoil's leading-edge region speeded up the flow, leading to a lower lift than its moving-ground counterpart. For the moving ground, the ground vortex was absent. In close ground proximity, the moving ground effect generated a larger wake and drag than the stationary ground effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of ground proximity on the aerodynamics and trailing vortices of an inverted delta wing was investigated experimentally. The ground proximity always led to a lift and drag increase compared to their outside ground-effect counterpart. The largest lift increment occurred in the low-incidence regime but decreased nonlinearly with increasing incidence. A 145% lift increment for a ground distance of 0.5% chord at 3° incidence was obtained. The ground effect also led to an enlarged trailing vortex with increased rotational speed and vortex strength but a lowered peak vorticity. The trailing vortices moved further outboard with reducing ground distance. The results suggest that winged ground-effect vehicles with an inverted delta-wing planform can benefit from the ground effect for a ground distance up to 40% chord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground effect on the aerodynamics and tip vortex flow of a rectangular wing is investigated experimentally at Re = 2.71 × 105. The results show that there is a large lift increase with reducing ground distance. By contrast, only a small drag increase is observed in ground effect except in close ground proximity for which a great drag increase appears. The tip vortex also moves further outboard and upward with reducing ground distance. Near the ground, there is the presence of a corotating ground vortex (produced by the rolling up of the boundary layer developed on the ground surface), leading to an increased vortex strength. In extreme ground proximity, a counterrotating secondary vortex (SV) (induced by the crossflow of the tip vortex), relative to the tip vortex, appears which causes a reduced vortex strength and a lowered lift-induced drag, as well as a vortex rebound. The impact of ground effect on the vortex flow properties is also discussed. The lift-induced drag, computed based on the crossflow measurements via the Maskell wake integral method, in ground effect is also compared against the inviscid-flow predictions and wind tunnel total drag force measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Thromboelastometry conducted by the ROtational ThromboElastograM ROTEM® has proven to an effective aid in the management of severe bleedings in multiple clinical settings. Topics include pregnancy has associated with extensive alterations in hemostasis in order to ensure effective control of peri and postpartum bleeding; and the effect of nationality on ROTEM reference ranges, performed a prospective, single‐centre study in the Haaglanden Medical Centre.

The effect of trailing-edge flap (TEF) deflection on the aerodynamic properties and flowfield of a symmetric airfoil over a wavy ground was investigated experimentally. This Technical Brief is a continuation of Lee and Tremblay-Dionne (2018, "Experimental Investigation of the Aerodynamics and Flowfield of a NACA 0015 Airfoil Over a Wavy Ground," ASME J. Fluids Eng., 140(7), p. 071202) in which an unflapped airfoil was employed. Regardless of the flap deflection, the cyclic variation in the sectional lift Cl and pitching moment Cm coefficients over the wavy ground always persists. The Cm also has an opposite trend to Cl. The flap deflection, however, produces an increased maximum and minimum Cl and Cm with a reduced fluctuation compared to their unflapped counterparts. The Cd increase outperforms the Cl increase, leading to a lowered Cl/Cd of the flapped airfoil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground effect on the lift and drag forces and vortices generated by a slender reverse delta wing with different anhedrals was investigated experimentally. The study was inspired by the Lippisch-type RFB X-114 WIG (wing-in-ground effect) craft for which a reverse delta wing planform with anhedral was employed. The results show that, by positioning the trailing edges of the anhedraled reverse delta wing parallel to the ground, the lift and drag coefficients were found to increase persistently with increasing anhedral as the ground was approached (for ground distances within 40% chord). The observed lift augmentation was also accompanied by an ever-increasing rotational speed and total circulation of the vortices generated by the anhedraled wing. The vortices were also found to be displaced more outboard as the ground was approached, which further suggests their little relevance to the lift generation of the anhedraled reverse delta wing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of anhedral on the vorticity flowfield and aerodynamic loadings of a slender reverse delta wing was studied experimentally. The addition of anhedral always led to a reduced lift and lift-to-drag ratio in comparison with their clean-wing counterparts. The drag was increased with increasing anhedral compared to the clean wing at the same lift condition. The reverse delta wing vortex retained its regularity to a higher angle of attack as the anhedral was increased. The persistent outboard location of the reverse delta wing vortex suggests that the lift force was mainly produced by the pressure exerted on the bottom surface of the wing. The anhedral also led to an increased vorticity level and tangential velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerodynamic properties of a NACA 0012 airfoil, both stationary and unsteady, in ground effect (for nondimensional ground clearance h/c≤60%) were investigated experimentally at Re = 98,000. For the stationary airfoil, the ground proximity led to a reduced (or enhanced) lift and an increased nose-up (or nose-down) pitching moment for a<6° (or α>6°). The drag was, however, always increased in ground effect. For the oscillating airfoil, a substantial change in the aerodynamic loadings, especially during downstroke, was observed for h/c≤0%, leading to a greatly reduced Cl-hysteresis compared to the baseline airfoil. As the case of the stationary airfoil, the lift increase was mainly caused by the RAM pressure effect, but to a greater extent. The dynamic-stall vortex was also weakened and broke down earlier with reducing h/c, rendering an enlarged separated flow compared to the baseline airfoil. The results are of importance in understanding the ground effect on an unsteady airfoil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerodynamic properties and flowfield of a NACA 0015 airfoil over a wavy ground were investigated experimentally via surface pressure and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Flat-surface results were also obtained to be served as a comparison. For the wavy ground, there exhibited a cyclic variation in the sectional lift coefficient Cl over an entire wavelength. The maximum Cl observed at the wave peak (produced by the wavy ground-induced RAM pressure) and minimum Cl occurred at the wave valley (resulting from the unusual suction pressure developed on the airfoil's lower surface due to the converging-diverging flow passage developed underneath it) reduced with increasing ground distance. By contrast, the pitching-moment coefficient showed an opposite trend to the variation in Cl and had an almost all-negative value. Meanwhile, two peak values in the drag coefficient over each wavelength were observed. The wavy ground effect-produced gains in the mean Cl and lift-to-drag ratio were at the expense of longitudinal stability. Additional measurements considering different wavelengths and amplitudes are needed to further quantify the impact of wavy ground on wing-in-ground effect (WIG) airfoils and wings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South African public higher education has been dogged by student protests since 2015. Many of these disruptions raise pertinent issues for the sector, as well as bring about valued awareness and change. Critical scholars have remarked that in every social or political movement, something of pronounced importance is being said – usually emerging from representatives of groups that have been marginalised, subordinated or even muted. In this article, a “logosemantic” theoretical perspective (Visagie, 2006)1 is utilised to determine some driving conceptualisations emerging in the “languaging strategies” (Stewart, Smith Denton, 2012) of contemporary student movement culture in South Africa. Not discounting significant research that investigates the impact of the digital age on the communication, mobilisation and sustaining of social movements, this article takes a critical look at grounding concepts that may be identified in the discursive formations of the movements. These are taken to be neither new nor unique, either in essence or manifestation. However, the divisions and polarisations they expose, signal an urgent need for some communicative reform in the “imagined community” (Anderson, 2016) of the academy.

Background: Neighbourhood deprivation is a risk factor for impaired health and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We investigated whether living in a deprived neighbourhood is associated with embryonic growth. Methods: From the Predict cohort, we studied 566 women who underwent repeated first trimester ultrasound examinations. Crown rump length (CRL; n = 1707) and embryonic volume (EV; n = 1462) were measured using three-dimensional techniques. Neighbourhood deprivation was assessed using the neighbourhood status scores (NSS) of the Dutch Social Cultural Planning office. A high NSS represents a non-deprived neighbourhood. Associations between the NSS and embryonic growth were investigated using linear mixed models. Adjustment was performed for individual-level factors: maternal age, geographic origin, educational level, BMI, folic acid supplement use, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol use and smoking habits. Results: The NSS was negatively associated with embryonic growth: a higher score (a less deprived neighbourhood) was associated with a smaller CRL and EV; adjusted β: −0.025 (95% CI −0.046, −0.003) and adjusted β: −0.015 (95% CI −0.026, −0.003). At 11 weeks of pregnancy, we observed a 0.55 cm3 smaller EV (7.65 cm3 vs. 7.10 cm3) and 1.08 mm smaller CRL (43.14 mm vs. 42.06 mm) in the highest compared to the lowest category. Conclusion: In deprived neighbourhoods, embryos are larger than in non-deprived neighbourhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIn 2011, we launched the Smarter Pregnancy mobile health (mHealth) coaching program, which has shown to effectively improve inadequate nutrition and lifestyle behaviors in women before and during pregnancy. It is known that in deprived neighborhoods, risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes like inadequate nutrition and lifestyle behaviors accumulate. However, it has not yet been investigated whether the Smarter Pregnancy program is equally effective in women living in deprived neighborhoods. ObjectiveThis paper aimed to study the associations between neighborhood deprivation and improvement of inadequate nutrition and lifestyle behaviors of women who were either contemplating pregnancy or already pregnant and subscribed to the Smarter Pregnancy program. MethodsWe performed an additional analysis on data from women who used the Smarter Pregnancy program from 2011 to 2016. The program comprised 24 weeks of coaching on 5 nutrition and lifestyle behaviors, of which adequate intakes or lifestyle behaviors were defined as an intake of 200 grams or above of vegetables, 2 pieces of fruit, daily folic acid supplement use of 400 µg per day, and no smoking or alcohol consumption. Neighborhood deprivation was determined according to the status scores of the Netherlands Institute for Social Research. Logistic regression analyses and generalized estimating equation models were used to assess the associations between the neighborhood status score (NSS) and the improvement of inadequate nutrition and lifestyle behaviors, taking into account the behaviors at baseline. We adjusted the analyses for maternal age, body mass index, geographic origin, pregnancy status, and participation as a couple. ResultsOf the 2554 women included, 521 participated with their male partner. Overall, daily vegetable intake was most frequently inadequate at the start of the program (77.72, 1985/2554). Women with a higher NSS (ie, nondeprived neighborhood) smoked less often (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.85; 95% CI 0.77-0.93), consumed alcohol more often (adjusted OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.24), and were less likely to complete the 24 weeks of coaching (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.88-0.95) compared with women who lived in a neighborhood with a low NSS (ie, deprived). In the total group, the relative improvement of inadequate nutrition and lifestyle behaviors after 24 weeks of coaching was between 26% and 64%. NSS was negatively associated with this improvement, indicating that women with a higher NSS were less likely to improve inadequate nutrition and lifestyle behaviors, especially vegetable intake (adjusted OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.97). ConclusionsThe Smarter Pregnancy mHealth coaching program empowers women to improve inadequate nutrition and lifestyle behaviors. Unexpectedly, the program seemed more effective in women living in deprived neighborhoods. It is important to unravel differences in needs and behaviors of specific target groups to further tailor the mHealth program on the basis of demographic characteristics like neighborhood deprivation.