Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) in infants and young children are less explored in Asian populations. The Growing in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort study examined associations between SSB intakes at ages 18 months and 5 years with adiposity measures at age 6 years. We studied Singaporean infants/children with SSB intake assessed by food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) at ages 18 months (n=555) and 5 years (n=767). The median (interquartile range) for SSB intakes is 28(5.5-98) ml at age 18 months and 111 (57-198) ml at age 5 years. Associations between SSB intakes (100 ml/day increments and tertile categories) and adiposity measures (BMI standard deviation scores (s.d. unit), sum of skinfolds (SSFs)) and overweight/obesity status were examined using multivariable linear and Poisson regression models, respectively. After adjusting for confounders and additionally for energy intake, SSB intakes at age 18 months were not significantly associated with later adiposity measures and overweight/obesity outcomes. In contrast, at age 5 years, SSB intakes when modelled as 100ml/day increments were associated with higher BMI by 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.16) s.d. unit, higher SSF thickness by 0.68 (0.06, 1.44) mm, and increased risk for overweight/obesity by 1.2 times (1.07, 1.23) at age 6 years. Trends were consistent with SSB intakes modelled as categorical tertiles. In summary, SSB intake in young childhood is associated with higher risks of adiposity and risk for overweight/obesity. Public health policies working to reduce SSB consumption need to focus on prevention programs targeted at young children.

At GE Research, we are combining “physics” with artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance manufacturing design, processing, and inspection, turning innovative technologies into real products and solutions across our industrial portfolio. This article provides a snapshot of how this physical plus digital transformation is evolving at GE.

Alloy design is critical to achieving the target performance of industrial components and products. In designing new alloys, there are multiple property requirements, including mechanical, environmental, and physical properties, as well as manufacturability and processability. Computational models and tools to predict properties from alloy compositions and to optimize compositions for multiple objectives are essential in enabling efficient, robust alloy design. Data-driven property models by machine learning (ML) are particularly useful in predicting physical properties with relatively simple dependence on composition, and in predicting complex properties that are too difficult for a physics-based model to achieve with desirable accuracy. In this article, we describe examples of ML applications to model coefficient of thermal expansion, creep and fatigue resistance in designing Ni-based superalloys, and optimization methodologies. We also discuss physics-based microstructure models that have been developed for optimizing heat-treatment conditions to achieve desired microstructures.

Little is known about the influence of meal timing and energy consumption patterns throughout the day on glucose regulation during pregnancy. We examined the association of maternal feeding patterns with glycaemic levels among lean and overweight pregnant women. In a prospective cohort study in Singapore, maternal 24-h dietary recalls, fasting glucose (FG) and 2-h postprandial glucose (2HPPG) concentrations were measured at 26–28 weeks of gestation. Women (n 985) were classified into lean (BMI<23 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI≥23 kg/m2) groups. They were further categorised as predominantly daytime (pDT) or predominantly night-time (pNT) feeders according to consumption of greater proportion of energy content from 07.00 to 18.59 hours or from 19.00 to 06.59 hours, respectively. On stratification by weight status, lean pNT feeders were found to have higher FG than lean pDT feeders (4·36 (sd 0·38) v. 4·22 (sd 0·35) mmol/l; P=0·002); however, such differences were not observed between overweight pDT and pNT feeders (4·49 (sd 0·60) v. 4·46 (sd 0·45) mmol/l; P=0·717). Using multiple linear regression with confounder adjustment, pNT feeding was associated with higher FG in the lean group (β=0·16 mmol/l; 95 % CI 0·05, 0·26; P=0·003) but not in the overweight group (β=0·02 mmol/l; 95 % CI −0·17, 0·20; P=0·879). No significant association was found between maternal feeding pattern and 2HPPG in both the lean and the overweight groups. In conclusion, pNT feeding was associated with higher FG concentration in lean but not in overweight pregnant women, suggesting that there may be an adiposity-dependent effect of maternal feeding patterns on glucose tolerance during pregnancy.

In order to fully understand galaxy formation we need to know when in the cosmic history are supermassive black holes (SMBHs) growing more intensively, in what type of galaxies this growth is happening and what fraction of these sources are invisible at most wavelengths due to obscuration. Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) population synthesis models that can explain the spectral shape and intensity of the cosmic X-ray background (CXRB) indicate that most of the SMBH growth occurs in moderate-luminosity (LX~ 1044 erg/s) sources (Seyfert-type AGN), at z~ 0.5−1 and in heavily obscured but Compton-thin, NH~ 1023cm−2, systems. However, this is not the complete history, as a large fraction of black hole growth does not emit significantly in X-rays either due to obscuration, intrinsic low luminosities or large distances. The integrated intensity at high energies indicates that a significant fraction of the total black hole growth, 22%, occurs in heavily-obscured systems that are not individually detected in even the deepest X-ray observations. We further investigate the AGN triggering mechanism as a function of bolometric luminosity, finding evidence for a strong connection between significant black hole growth events and major galaxy mergers from z~ 0 to z~ 3, while less spectacular but longer accretion episodes are most likely due to other (stochastic) processes. AGN activity triggered by major galaxies is responsible for ~60% of the total black hole growth. Finally, we constrain the total accreted mass density in supermassive black holes at z > 6, inferred via the upper limit derived from the integrated X-ray emission from a sample of photometrically selected galaxy candidates. We estimate an accreted mass density <1000 M⊙Mpc−3 at z~ 6, significantly lower than the previous predictions from some existing models of early black hole growth and earlier prior observations.

The effects of adding various chemical surfactants to the prepolymer syrup on the electro-optical switching properties of Bragg gratings recorded in polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC's) have been studied. The gratings were holographically recorded in prepolymer recipes substituting hexanoic, heptanoic, propylpentanoic and octanoic acids as surfactants in the recipe. A small percentage of monomer containing an attached long chain alkyl group (vinyl neononanoate) was also used instead of a surfactant. The addition of surfactants resulted in lowering the required switching field from 17 V/μm with no surfactant to 1.5 to 8 V/μm at a concentration of about 6.7% by weight, depending on the surfactant. Field on response times for electrical switching decreased with the addition of surfactant, and off times increased.

The photophysics and nonlinear absorption behaviour of a series of α, ω-dithienyl polyenes were studied in chloroform and n-octane solutions. Steady state fluorescence, fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield measurements were made. The fluorescence quantum yields were significantly lower than those of the corresponding ax,o-diphenyl polyenes. Among the dithienyl polyenes, 3,3′-substituted polyenes exhibited stronger fluorescence than those of the 2,2′-substituted. Nonlinear optical absorption experiments showed evidence of two photon absorption.

Polymer nanocomposites (PNC) are complex material systems in which the dominant length scales converge. Our approach to understanding nanocomposite tradespace uses Materials Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships (MQSPRs) to relate molecular structures to the polar and dispersive components of corresponding surface tensions. If the polar and dispersive components of surface tensions in the nanofiller and polymer could be determined a priori, then the propensity to aggregate and the change in polymer mobility near the particle could be predicted. Derived energetic parameters such as work of adhesion, work of spreading and the equilibrium wetting angle may then used as input to continuum mechanics approaches that have been shown able to predict the thermomechanical response of nanocomposites and that have been validated by experiment. The informatics approach developed in this work thus enables future in silico nanocomposite design by enabling virtual experiments to be performed on proposed nanocomposite compositions prior to fabrication and testing.

In the fabrication of mercuric iodide room temperature radiation detectors, as in any semiconductor process, the quality of the final device can be very sensitive to the details of the processing steps. Each processing step can either reduce the intrinsic defects and those extrinsic defects introduced by earlier steps, or it can introduce new defects. In mercuric iodide these defects can act as trapping and recombination centers, thereby degrading immediate device performance or leading to long-term reliability problems. With careful study and monitoring of each step, the process can be modified to improve the end product. In this work we used several techniques to study processing steps and their effects. Photoluminescence spectroscopy and photoionization revealed defects introduced during processing. One critical step is the formation of electrical contacts, as both the material choice and deposition method have an impact. Four point probe sheet resistance methods were used to characterize the loss of material from the contact as it reacted with or moved into the bulk semiconductor. Ellipsometry was used to characterize the intrinsic optical functions of the material, and to study the effects of surface aging on these functions. Results from this work provide suggestions for the modification and monitoring of the detector fabrication process.

Optical limiting in toluene solutions of substituted benzanthracene- 3,4 diones and three other quinones, namely, benzpyrene-7,8-dione, benzphenanthrene-3,4-dione and chrysene-5,6-dione was investigated at laser wavelengths 532 nm and 694 nm. Low limiting threshold values of the order of 0.01J/cm2 were obtained for some of the quinones at 532nm. Strong triplet-triplet absorption at the excitation laser wavelengths may explain the optical limiting behavior.

To develop optical power limiting thin films prepared from water-soluble materials, we have prepared chromophore-doped gelatin thin films. Thin films of gelatin were prepared by spin coating followed by annealing. We also prepared thin films doped with the water-soluble chromophore copper phthalocyanine sodium tetrasulfonate. The films were characterized by film profilometry and optical absorption spectroscopy. Optical power limiting measurements of these films, as well as comparisons with aqueous solution and gels were performed.

Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements have been employed to characterize the surface aging of HgI2 crystals. A surface model including top surface roughness and subsurface defects was established and studied by VASE analysis, as a function of real time, after the 10% KI chemical etching. In this model, the surface defects associated with the surface aging were modeled by the Bruggeman effective-medium approximation (EMA) as a HgI2/voids mixed layer. The relative 2-dimensional (2D) surface-defectdensities were monitored as the surface aging proceeds. The VASE measurements indicated that high surface aging rates were related to high initial effective 2D surface-defect densities. The AFM profile revealed increasing physical surface roughness as surface aging took place. The cleaved HgI2 crystal surface presented a smooth surface and the lowest surface aging rate, while the as-grown HgI2 surface also presented a very low surface aging. The HgI2 surfaces baked at elevated temperatures presented accelerated surface aging phenomena after a 30 min. baking.

Electrotextiles have attracted increasing attention in recent years. The combinations of textile structures that are lightweight, flexible, conformable, and strong, with electronics have aroused keen interest from many disciplines. With technological innovations appearing in both textile and electronics, integration of these has started giving benefits. Innovations like the sensate liner, soft switches and smart composites have found many applications in sports, healthcare, military, aerospace engineering, civil engineering and many other fields. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of various electrotextile products available and explain their functionality. Additionally, the paper provides a review of future electrotextile products, which are in the developmental phase, and the challenges that need to be addressed by researchers and industry.

To understand the properties of light-sensitive compounds used in optical limiters having photoinduced charge transfer mechanisms, we have investigated the photophysics of a series of di(2-thienyl-3,3'-butyl)polyenes. Spectroscopic measurements, including UV/Vis, fluorescence, fluorescence lifetimes, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet state lifetime, solvent effects and two-photon absorption coefficient were obtained as a function of the number of double bonds(n = 1-5). Trends in the data reflected the ordering, energy gap between and mixing of 1Bu* and 1Ag* excited state configurations.

Thin-films of YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) superconductor precursor were synthesized using an electrodeposition process. The YBCO precursor thin films were deposited on Ag foils using pulsed potential deposition conditions of 10 s at - 4 V and 10 s at -1 V (versus Ag reference electrode). The post-annealed films showed zero electrical resistance at 60 K. The procedures for the fabrication of a high precision micro-sensor using YBCO superconductor for measurement of weak magnetic fields are outlined. The micro-sensor templates were patterned using X-rays and precursor films were deposited into the features.

To understand the properties of light-sensitive compounds used in optical limiters having photoinduced charge transfer mechanisms, we have investigated the photophysics of a series of di(2-thienyl-3,4–butyl)polyenes. Spectroscopic measurements were obtained as a function of the number of double bonds(n = 1–8). From analysis of the bandshape of the emission spectra, we found evidence of vibronic coupling between the S1 and S2 excited states. The degree of coupling increased with solvents of high refractive index. The appearance of the cis band in absorption spectra of dithienyl polyenes having 6–8 double bonds suggested equilibria between scis and s-trans conformors. The cis band intensity increased in lower polarity solvents, implying solvent-induced conformation changes in these dyes. Trends in the data reflected the ordering, energy gap between and mixing of 1Bu * and 1Ag * excited state configurations.

Electrically switchable volume reflection holograms were written by inhomogeneous illumination of a prepolymer syrup containing a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional acrylate monomer. Switchable holograms are diffractive optics structures and the diffraction efficiency can be controlled by the application of an electric field. Reflection gratings with grating spacing varying between 0.16-0.27 µm were made during the phase separation of liquid crystals from the fast curing prepolymer syrup. The reflection efficiency of the holograms were electrically modulated with the applied field of ∼10-15V/µm. Real time study of the grating formation revealed that the maximum efficiency is reached in ∼15 seconds. The shrinkage of the host polymer during grating formation resulted in the blue shift of the reflection notch. The response time of the grating in an electric field is ∼50 µs. Low voltage scanning electron microscope studies showed the presence of discrete nematic droplet domains of sizes 30-60 nm in liquid crystal rich region.