Background: Malnutrition can affect the body composition changes that occur in healthy pregnancy, resulting in adverse effects to both the mother and infant. Supplementary foods with high quality protein may result in more favorable changes in lean mass and fat mass in pregnant malnourished women. Objective: To retrospectively assess changes in body composition in moderately malnourished pregnant Malawian women in response to one of three nutritional interventions. Methods: Height, weight, MUAC, and TSF were measured in pregnant women with MUAC >20.6 cm and19) were compared using ANOVA. If differences were detected, differences between groups were tested using the Tukey HSD test (continuous) or Chi-squared test (categorical). Longitudinal changes were also measured using mixed model analysis of variance. Results: At baseline, women had small MUACs and low fat stores, but high muscle mass. Overall, women had significantly larger MUACs at the end of follow up than at baseline, except in adolescents in CSB-IFA and CSB-UNIMMAP. Women overall had significantly larger AMA at the end of enrollment than at baseline, with mature women in the RUSF group experiencing the largest increase compared to adolescents in RUSF and all women in CSB-UNIMMAP and CSB-IFA. On average, AMA was between the 50th-75th percentiles compared to women in the western world, indicating maintenance of muscle mass despite moderate malnutrition. TSF and AFA were both low in all age groups, falling below the 5th percentile for mature women and below the 10th percentile in adolescents compared to women in the Western world. There was no difference in birth weight across intervention groups. Among births that occurred during the rainy season, every cm of MUAC at the end of enrollment resulted in a 0.29 cm greater birth length. Conclusions: Overall, women improved their nutritional status but did not recover from moderate malnutrition over the course of enrollment. MUAC and BMI were the strongest predictors of birth weight, highlighting the contribution of overall nutritional status to birth outcomes. Women had high muscle mass relative to fat stores, with women in the RUSF group experiencing the largest accrual in muscle. More accurate and objective methods to measure body composition could provide greater detail about changes in body composition over the course of pregnancy in response to supplementary foods.

Background: Multiple micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in pregnant women in developing countries and can result in adverse effects to both the mother and infant. Multiple micronutrient supplements or supplementary foods may be a way to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Objective: To assess change in micronutrient and protein levels in moderately malnourished pregnant Malawian women after receiving one of three nutritional interventions. Methods: Serum retinol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, zinc, albumin and C-reactive protein concentrations were measured in pregnant women with MUAC >20.6 cm and Results: Baseline micronutrient concentrations indicated high rates of deficiency in zinc (29-39%) and albumin (37-46%), and marginal status of retinol (26-37%) and vitamin D (31-32%). Adjusted mean changes in vitamin B12 concentrations from week 0 to week 10 were -17.1, -36.1, and -52.9 pg/mL for RUSF, CSB-UNIMMAP, and CSB-IFA, respectively (p=0.007). Adjusted mean changes in vitamin D concentrations from week 0 to week 10 were 6.1, 3.1, and 1.7 ng/mL for RUSF, CSB-UNIMMAP, and CSB-IFA, respectively (p=0.007). Adjusted mean changes in folate concentrations from week 0 to week 10 were 2.2, 1.7, and 4.0 ng/mL for RUSF, CSB-UNIMMAP, and CSB-IFA, respectively (p=0.37 for effect of treatment; p=0.06 for the interaction effect of time*treatment). Changes in ferritin, zinc, albumin, retinol, and CRP were not significantly different between treatment groups. Conclusions: Deficiencies in zinc and albumin, and marginal status of vitamin D and retinol, are common among this population of moderately malnourished pregnant Malawian women. Significant changes in vitamin D and vitamin B12were observed from week 0 to week 10, with the RUSF group having the greatest improvements compared to the CSB-UNIMMAP and CSB-IFA treatments.

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<p>Recent experiments have highlighted the efficacy of post-installed reinforcement in enhancing the capacity of groups of  bonded anchors undergoing concrete breakout failure mode. This technique is particularly useful to enhance the performance of anchorages installed in members of limited dimensions such as beams and columns. This thesis presents the results of corresponding numerical investigations on bonded anchor groups in concrete strengthened with post-installed supplementary reinforcement subjected to tension loads. The study is conducted using the 3D Finite Element (FE) approach. The constitutive law of concrete is the microplane model with relaxed kinematic constraint. The interface between anchor or reinforcement and concrete is modeled with two-node bar elements, which are assigned with corresponding bond-stress slip characteristics. The proposed FE approach is validated against experimental results available in the literature by comparing load-displacement behavior and failure mode. </p> <p>The validation incorporates anchor groups with different configurations of post-installed supplementary reinforcing steel bars. The numerical investigations provide a deeper insight into the detailed behavior of anchor groups with post-installed reinforcement through the visualization of crack patterns, stress flows, and strain development. The results show that the post-installed rebars can lead to a significant increase in the performance of post-installed anchorages, and the load increase depends on the number and arrangement of rebars and the failure mode of the system. </p> <p>Lastly, the thesis presents a parametric study on strengthened anchor groups with post-installed rebars in narrow reinforced concrete (RC) members under various configurations. These simulations mimic anchorages used for seismic retrofitting beam-column joints in RC structures using a fully fastened haunch retrofit solution. Due to the limited width and depth of beams and columns, the capacity of the anchorages is often the weakest link in such retrofitting methods. The results from the FE study indicate that the post-installed supplementary reinforcement can be an efficient solution for upgrading the performance of post-installed anchorages in such retrofitting techniques.</p>

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Yes / Over the past two decades, extensive research has been conducted to explore alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in order to address the environmental concerns associated with the cement industry. Bricks, which are frequently preferred in the construction sector, generate a lot of waste during the production and demolition of existing buildings, requiring environmentally sustainable recycling practices. Therefore, many studies have been carried out in recent years on the use of brick waste as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in cement mortar and concrete production. This critical review evaluates the impact of waste brick powder (WBP) on the mechanical and durability properties of mortar and concrete when used as a partial replacement for cement. It was observed that the properties of WBP-blended cement mortar or concrete depend on several factors, including WBP particle size, replacement ratio, pozzolanic activity, and mineralogical structure. The findings indicate that WBP with a particle size range of 100 µm to 25 µm, with a maximum cement replacement level of 10–20%, exhibits a positive impact on the compressive strength of both mortars and concretes. However, it is crucial to emphasize that a minimum curing duration of 28 days is imperative to facilitate the development of a pozzolanic reaction. This temporal requirement plays a vital role in realizing the optimal benefits of utilizing waste brick powder as a supplementary cementitious material in mortars and concretes.

PROPOSIÇÃO: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi apresentar a magnitude e a constância das forças liberadas por fios ortodônticos de níquel-titânio, usados para a correção dos apinhamentos dentários. Outro objetivo foi comparar os dois meios mais utilizados de avaliação da deflexão elástica destes fios: o teste de 3 pontos e o dispositivo de simulação clínica. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 11 grupos de fios de liga predominantemente de níquel-titânio, calibre 0,014, de 6 marcas diferentes (Abzil convencional e termoativado; GAC convencional e termoativado; Morelli convencional e termoativado; Ormco CuNiTi; Orthometric convencional e termoativado e Orthosource convencional e termoativado), em teste de deflexão elástica, nas deflexões de 0,5; 1; 2 e 3mm. Uma máquina de ensaio universal INSTRON 3342, com célula de carga de 10N foi utilizada e, como protocolo, foi seguida a norma ISO 15.841. Para a análise estatística dos resultados foram utilizados os testes: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, para conferir se havia normalidade; teste t independente, para comparação dos resultados do teste de 3 pontos e dos resultados do dispositivo; e o teste ANOVA seguido do teste de Tukey, para comparações entre grupos. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatística entre os resultados gerados pelo teste de 3 pontos e os gerados pelo dispositivo. Por ser o teste indicado pela norma ISO citada, somente os resultados do teste de 3 pontos foram considerados. Todos os fios estudados apresentaram pseudoelasticidade em uma faixa de variação de força de até 40cN. Os grupos Abzil convencional, GAC convencional, Morelli termoativado, Ormco CuNiTi e Orthometric convencional apresentaram força dentro de uma faixa considerada ótima para a indução da movimentação dentária (50cN-100cN). Os fios termoativados liberaram forças mais leves que seus pares convencionais. CONCLUSÕES: Dentre os grupos estudados, aqueles que apresentaram pseudoelasticidade, forças dentro de uma faixa considerada ótima e homogeneidade de amostra, foram os grupos Morelli termoativado e Ormco CuNiTi. / OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present the magnitude and the constancy of the forces released by nickel-titanium orthodontic wires, used to treat dental crowding. Another purpose was to compare the most usual types of bending tests used to evaluate these wires: 3-point test and clinical simulation device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven groups of orthodontic nickel-titanium wires, caliber 0.014, of 6 different brands (Abzil conventional and heat-activated; GAC conventional and heat-activated; Morelli conventional and heat-activated; Ormco CuNiTi; Orthometric conventional and heat-activated and Orthosource conventional and heat-activated) were tested by bending test, at deflections of 0.5; 1; 2 and 3mm. A universal testing machine INSTRON 3342 with a 10N load cell was used and, in order to standardize the tests, the ISO 15.841 regulation was followed. Statistical analysis was performed using the subsequent tests: Kolmogorov-Smirnov to verify normality; independent t test to compare the results of the 3-point test and the results derived from the device, and ANOVA followed by the Tukey test for intergroup comparisons. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the results of the 3-point test and the device. As indicated by the ISO regulation, only the results from the 3-point bending test were considered. All groups were classified as pseudoelastic, within a load range of 40cN, at maximum. The groups Abzil conventional, GAC conventional, Morelli heat-activated, Ormco CuNiTi and Orthometric conventional released load within optimum range (50cN-100cN). Heatactivated wires released lower load compared to conventional wire of the same brand. CONCLUSIONS: Among the groups evaluated those that presented pseudoelasticity, load within a range considered optimal, in a homogeneous manner, were Morelli heat-activated and Ormco CuNiTi.

PROPOSIÇÃO: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi apresentar a magnitude e a constância das forças liberadas por fios ortodônticos de níquel-titânio, usados para a correção dos apinhamentos dentários. Outro objetivo foi comparar os dois meios mais utilizados de avaliação da deflexão elástica destes fios: o teste de 3 pontos e o dispositivo de simulação clínica. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 11 grupos de fios de liga predominantemente de níquel-titânio, calibre 0,014, de 6 marcas diferentes (Abzil convencional e termoativado; GAC convencional e termoativado; Morelli convencional e termoativado; Ormco CuNiTi; Orthometric convencional e termoativado e Orthosource convencional e termoativado), em teste de deflexão elástica, nas deflexões de 0,5; 1; 2 e 3mm. Uma máquina de ensaio universal INSTRON 3342, com célula de carga de 10N foi utilizada e, como protocolo, foi seguida a norma ISO 15.841. Para a análise estatística dos resultados foram utilizados os testes: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, para conferir se havia normalidade; teste t independente, para comparação dos resultados do teste de 3 pontos e dos resultados do dispositivo; e o teste ANOVA seguido do teste de Tukey, para comparações entre grupos. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatística entre os resultados gerados pelo teste de 3 pontos e os gerados pelo dispositivo. Por ser o teste indicado pela norma ISO citada, somente os resultados do teste de 3 pontos foram considerados. Todos os fios estudados apresentaram pseudoelasticidade em uma faixa de variação de força de até 40cN. Os grupos Abzil convencional, GAC convencional, Morelli termoativado, Ormco CuNiTi e Orthometric convencional apresentaram força dentro de uma faixa considerada ótima para a indução da movimentação dentária (50cN-100cN). Os fios termoativados liberaram forças mais leves que seus pares convencionais. CONCLUSÕES: Dentre os grupos estudados, aqueles que apresentaram pseudoelasticidade, forças dentro de uma faixa considerada ótima e homogeneidade de amostra, foram os grupos Morelli termoativado e Ormco CuNiTi. / OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present the magnitude and the constancy of the forces released by nickel-titanium orthodontic wires, used to treat dental crowding. Another purpose was to compare the most usual types of bending tests used to evaluate these wires: 3-point test and clinical simulation device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven groups of orthodontic nickel-titanium wires, caliber 0.014, of 6 different brands (Abzil conventional and heat-activated; GAC conventional and heat-activated; Morelli conventional and heat-activated; Ormco CuNiTi; Orthometric conventional and heat-activated and Orthosource conventional and heat-activated) were tested by bending test, at deflections of 0.5; 1; 2 and 3mm. A universal testing machine INSTRON 3342 with a 10N load cell was used and, in order to standardize the tests, the ISO 15.841 regulation was followed. Statistical analysis was performed using the subsequent tests: Kolmogorov-Smirnov to verify normality; independent t test to compare the results of the 3-point test and the results derived from the device, and ANOVA followed by the Tukey test for intergroup comparisons. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the results of the 3-point test and the device. As indicated by the ISO regulation, only the results from the 3-point bending test were considered. All groups were classified as pseudoelastic, within a load range of 40cN, at maximum. The groups Abzil conventional, GAC conventional, Morelli heat-activated, Ormco CuNiTi and Orthometric conventional released load within optimum range (50cN-100cN). Heatactivated wires released lower load compared to conventional wire of the same brand. CONCLUSIONS: Among the groups evaluated those that presented pseudoelasticity, load within a range considered optimal, in a homogeneous manner, were Morelli heat-activated and Ormco CuNiTi.