A palha de cana-de-açúcar está se tornando uma biomassa lignocelulósica disponível a partir da progressiva introdução da colheita mecanizada da cana-deaçúcar no Brasil, situação que possibilita a utilização de uma parte desta como matéria-prima em processos de conversão termoquímica ou bioquímica. Além de pesquisas de uso da palha de cana para produção de bioenergia, a conversão bioquímica dos açúcares constituintes de sua fração hemicelulósica, particularmente a xilose, é uma rota potencial para seu aproveitamento na obtenção de produtos de alto valor agregado, como o xilitol. A importância deste poliol se deve às suas peculiares propriedades que permitem sua aplicação nas indústrias alimentícia, odontológica e farmacêutica, aliado ao fato do continuo e rápido crescimento de seu mercado mundial. No presente trabalho foi estudado o aproveitamento da fração hemicelulósica da palha de cana como matéria-prima na produção biotecnológica de xilitol, visando a valorização e incorporação desta biomassa em uma biorrefinaria de cana-de-açúcar. O elevado conteúdo de hemicelulose da palha de cana (27%), similar ao encontrado em outras biomassas lignocelulósicas avaliadas para produção de xilitol, e a maior proporção de xilose no hidrolisado hemicelulósico (71%) em relação aos outros açúcares constituintes, tornam esta biomassa potencial matéria-prima para este bioprocesso. A utilização do hidrolisado hemicelulósico de palha de cana concentrado e destoxificado como meio de fermentação para a bioconversão de xilose em xilitol por Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 foi avaliada em diferentes fases da pesquisa. Na primeira, foi estudada a necessidade de suplementação nutricional do hidrolisado e a disponibilidade inicial de oxigênio, sendo realizadas fermentações em batelada em frascos Erlenmeyer de 125mL com 25mL ou 50mL de meio, 30oC, 200rpm e 48h. Foi demonstrado que a suplementação do hidrolisado com extrato de farelo de arroz, (NH4)2SO4 e CaCl2·2H2O resultou em aumento do valor da produtividade volumétrica de xilitol, enquanto que a menor disponibilidade inicial de oxigênio favoreceu a eficiência de bioconversão. A avaliação do efeito dos co-substratos maltose, sacarose, celobiose e glicerol sobre este bioprocesso revelou que o maior favorecimento foi obtido com sacarose (10gL-1), já que resultou nos máximos valores de concentração final de xilitol (41,36 ± 1,69 gL-1), eficiência de bioconversão (75,70 ± 0,73%) e produtividade volumétrica (0,61 ± 0,02 gL-1h-1), correspondentes a incrementos de 9,04%, 5,01% e 6,56%, respectivamente, em relação à condição ausente de cosubstratos. A adição ao hidrolisado hemicelulósico de palha de cana de Dimetilsulfóxido (DMSO), composto com capacidade de permeabilizante de membrana celular, não resultou no incremento da produção de xilitol, a qual, pelo contrário, foi reduzida em razão da diminuição no consumo de xilose e crescimento celular de C. guilliermondii FTI 20037. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo indicam que a produção biotecnológica de xilitol a partir de hidrolisado hemicelulósico de palha de cana suplementado com sacarose pode ser considerada uma rota de conversão bioquímica promissora para a valorização e integração desta biomassa em uma biorrefinaria de cana-de-açúcar. / Sugarcane straw is becoming an available lignocellulosic biomass from the progressive introduction of non-burning harvest in Brazil, situation that enables the utilization of a portion of this material as feedstock in thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes. Besides the use of sugarcane straw for bioenergy production, biochemical conversion of the constituent sugars of its hemicellulosic fraction, particularly xylose, is a potential route for the use of this biomass to obtain high added value products, such as xylitol. The importance of this product is due to its particular properties that enable its application in food, dental and pharmaceutical industries, coupled with the fact of the continuous and rapid growth of its market. In the present work it was studied the utilization of sugarcane straw hemicellulosic fraction as feedstock for biotechnological production of xylitol, aiming at the valorization and integration of this biomass in a sugarcane biorefinery. The high hemicellulosic content of sugarcane straw (27%), similar to that found in other lignocellulosic biomasses evaluated for xylitol production, and the higher proportion of xylose in the hemicellulosic hydrolysate (71%) in relation to the other constituent sugars, make this biomass potential feedstock for this bioprocess. The utilization of the concentrated and detoxified sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolysate as fermentation medium for xylose-toxylitol bioconversion by Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 was evaluated in different stages. In the first one, it was studied the necessity of nutritional supplementation of the hydrolysate and initial oxygen availability, being carried out batch fermentations in 125mL Erlenmeyer flasks with 25mL or 50mL of medium, 30oC, 200rpm and 48h. It was demonstrated that the supplementation of the hydrolysate with rice bran extract, (NH4)2SO4 and CaCl2·2H2O resulted on the increment of the value of xylitol volumetric productivity, whereas the higher initial oxygen availability favored the bioconversion efficiency. The evaluation of the effect of the co-substrates maltose, sucrose, cellobiose and glycerol on this bioprocess revealed that the higher improvement was obtained with sucrose (10gL-1), since it resulted in the maximum values of final concentration of xylitol (41.36 ± 1.69 gL-1), bioconversion efficiency (75.70 ± 0.73%) and volumetric productivity (0.61 ± 0.02 gL-1h-1), corresponding to increments of 9.04%, 5.01% and 6.56%, respectively, in relation to the condition absent of co-substrates. The addition to the sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolysate of Dimethyl-sulfoxide, a cell membrane permeabilizer, did not resulted on the increasing of the xylitol production, which, in fact, was reduced due to the diminution on xylose consumption and cell growth of C. guilliermondii FTI 20037. The results obtained in this study indicate that biotechnological production of xylitol from sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolysate supplemented with sucrose can be considered a promissory biochemical conversion route for valorization and integration of this biomass in a sugarcane biorefinery.

Dans un contexte de fluctuation des prix des intrants et d’une demande croissante en produits à base de lait de chèvre issus de pratiques respectueuses de l’environnement et des animaux, le pâturage peut retrouver une place plus importante dans l’alimentation des chèvres laitières. D’après la synthèse bibliographique, les facteurs de variation de l’ingestion et des performances au pâturage ont été très peu étudiés chez les chèvres laitières en conditions tempérées. L’objectif de la thèse a été de comprendre quelle est l’influence des pratiques de gestion du pâturage (disponibilité en herbe et en temps pour pâturer) sur la régulation de l’ingestion et les performances des chèvres laitières, dans le but d’affiner les recommandations aux éleveurs et d’élaborer les bases d’un modèle de prévision de l’ingestion. D’après les 6 essais réalisés : (1) les chèvres recevant entre 0,6 et 1,0 kg/j de compléments s’adaptent à des restrictions de temps d’accès de 11 à 6 h/j, en augmentant leur vitesse d’ingestion et surtout le pourcentage du temps passé à pâturer jusqu’à 95 % du temps d’accès, (2) les chèvres recevant 0,6 kg de concentrés et un temps d’accès d’au moins 11 h/j peuvent s’adapter à une restriction de quantité d’herbe offerte jusqu’à 2,3-2,6 kg MS/chèvre/j, (3), le poids vif et la production laitière sont des paramètres déterminant de la quantité d’herbe ingérée alors que la parité et le stade de lactation n’ont pas montré d’effet significatif. Ce travail a permis d’établir les premières lois de réponse d’ingestion, de production laitière et d’adaptation comportementale des chèvres laitières à des variations de temps d’accès et de quantité d’herbe offerte au pâturage. / In the context of prices volatility and growing demand for goat's milk products from respectful practices of the environment and animals, grazing can become more important in the diet of dairy goats. According to the literature review, the factors of variation of intake and performance of grazing dairy goats have been poorly studied under temperate conditions. The aim of this thesis was to understand the influence of grazing management practices (availability of pasture and access time to grazing) on the regulation of intake and performance of dairy goats, with the aim of refining recommendations for farmers and to elaborate a model of intake prediction. Based on the six trials conducted: (1) goats receiving between 0.6 and 1.0 kg/day of supplements adapt themselves to access time restrictions from 11 to 6 h/d, by increasing their intake rate and especially the percentage of time spent grazing up to 95% of access time, (2) goats receiving 0.6 kg of concentrates and an access time of at least 11 h/day can adapt to a restriction of pasture allowance up to 2.3-2.6 kg DM/goat/day, (3) live weight and milk production are the main variables affecting intake while parity and stage of lactation had no significant effect. This work provides the first response laws of intake, milk production and behavioural adaptation of grazing dairy goats to variations of access time to pasture and to pasture allowance.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T12:51:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 geraldogasparpaeslemecoutinho_tese.pdf: 842500 bytes, checksum: 91b1a44b745dc90de57400e7ead1e811 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-11-16 / To evaluate the efficacy of iron supplements given at intervals corresponding to the mean life of red blood cells compared to weekly supplementation, in reducing the prevalence of preschool anemia. Method: Ninety-nine children from public day care centers with ages from 24 to 59 months old were randomly divided into two groups. This is a randomized comparative study. All the children received 40 doses of 30 mg of ferrous sulfate during a 10-month intervention period. Group 1 received once weekly supplementation and Group 2 received supplementation in two 5-month cycles, each cycle consisting of one month of supplementation (20 workdays) and four months without supplementation. Results: The prevalence of anemia after the supplementation regimens reduced from 20.20% to 5.05% (p < 0.0005); the reduction was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.35). The mean hemoglobin concentration increased in both groups (Group 1: 0.27 g/dL; p < 0.016 and Group 2: 0.47 g/dL; p < 0.0005) without significant differences between the groups (p = 0.17). Conclusions: The two regimens reduced the prevalence of anemia, were low-cost, and with high rate of compliance. The regimen in cycles was evaluated easier to apply than the weekly one. / Avaliar a eficácia de suplementação com ferro em intervalos correspondentes à vida média das hemácias, comparativamente ao procedimento de suplementação semanal, para redução da prevalência de anemia em crianças pré-escolares. Método: Noventa e nove crianças de creches municipais, com idade variando de 24 a 59 meses, foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos. O estudo é comparativo randomizado. As crianças dos dois grupos receberam, nas próprias creches, 40 doses de 30 mg de sulfato ferroso durante o mesmo período de intervenção (10 meses). O Grupo 1 recebeu suplementação semanal. O Grupo 2 recebeu suplementação em dois ciclos de cinco meses, cada ciclo com um mês de suplementação diária (20 dias úteis) e quatro meses sem suplementação. Resultados: A prevalência da anemia após suplementação diminuiu significativamente de 20,20% para 5,05% (p<0,0005); a redução não foi significante entre grupos (p=0,35). A concentração média da hemoglobina aumentou nos dois grupos (Grupo 1: 0,27 g/dL (p<0,016) e Grupo 2: 0,47 g/dL (p<0,0005) e não diferiram significativamente entre si (p=0,17). Conclusões: As duas intervenções reduziram significativamente a prevalência de anemia, foram de baixo custo e alta adesão, mas os dados mostraram uma maior facilidade na administração e controle das doses com o procedimento em ciclos..

A palha de cana-de-açúcar está se tornando uma biomassa lignocelulósica disponível a partir da progressiva introdução da colheita mecanizada da cana-deaçúcar no Brasil, situação que possibilita a utilização de uma parte desta como matéria-prima em processos de conversão termoquímica ou bioquímica. Além de pesquisas de uso da palha de cana para produção de bioenergia, a conversão bioquímica dos açúcares constituintes de sua fração hemicelulósica, particularmente a xilose, é uma rota potencial para seu aproveitamento na obtenção de produtos de alto valor agregado, como o xilitol. A importância deste poliol se deve às suas peculiares propriedades que permitem sua aplicação nas indústrias alimentícia, odontológica e farmacêutica, aliado ao fato do continuo e rápido crescimento de seu mercado mundial. No presente trabalho foi estudado o aproveitamento da fração hemicelulósica da palha de cana como matéria-prima na produção biotecnológica de xilitol, visando a valorização e incorporação desta biomassa em uma biorrefinaria de cana-de-açúcar. O elevado conteúdo de hemicelulose da palha de cana (27%), similar ao encontrado em outras biomassas lignocelulósicas avaliadas para produção de xilitol, e a maior proporção de xilose no hidrolisado hemicelulósico (71%) em relação aos outros açúcares constituintes, tornam esta biomassa potencial matéria-prima para este bioprocesso. A utilização do hidrolisado hemicelulósico de palha de cana concentrado e destoxificado como meio de fermentação para a bioconversão de xilose em xilitol por Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 foi avaliada em diferentes fases da pesquisa. Na primeira, foi estudada a necessidade de suplementação nutricional do hidrolisado e a disponibilidade inicial de oxigênio, sendo realizadas fermentações em batelada em frascos Erlenmeyer de 125mL com 25mL ou 50mL de meio, 30oC, 200rpm e 48h. Foi demonstrado que a suplementação do hidrolisado com extrato de farelo de arroz, (NH4)2SO4 e CaCl2·2H2O resultou em aumento do valor da produtividade volumétrica de xilitol, enquanto que a menor disponibilidade inicial de oxigênio favoreceu a eficiência de bioconversão. A avaliação do efeito dos co-substratos maltose, sacarose, celobiose e glicerol sobre este bioprocesso revelou que o maior favorecimento foi obtido com sacarose (10gL-1), já que resultou nos máximos valores de concentração final de xilitol (41,36 ± 1,69 gL-1), eficiência de bioconversão (75,70 ± 0,73%) e produtividade volumétrica (0,61 ± 0,02 gL-1h-1), correspondentes a incrementos de 9,04%, 5,01% e 6,56%, respectivamente, em relação à condição ausente de cosubstratos. A adição ao hidrolisado hemicelulósico de palha de cana de Dimetilsulfóxido (DMSO), composto com capacidade de permeabilizante de membrana celular, não resultou no incremento da produção de xilitol, a qual, pelo contrário, foi reduzida em razão da diminuição no consumo de xilose e crescimento celular de C. guilliermondii FTI 20037. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo indicam que a produção biotecnológica de xilitol a partir de hidrolisado hemicelulósico de palha de cana suplementado com sacarose pode ser considerada uma rota de conversão bioquímica promissora para a valorização e integração desta biomassa em uma biorrefinaria de cana-de-açúcar. / Sugarcane straw is becoming an available lignocellulosic biomass from the progressive introduction of non-burning harvest in Brazil, situation that enables the utilization of a portion of this material as feedstock in thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes. Besides the use of sugarcane straw for bioenergy production, biochemical conversion of the constituent sugars of its hemicellulosic fraction, particularly xylose, is a potential route for the use of this biomass to obtain high added value products, such as xylitol. The importance of this product is due to its particular properties that enable its application in food, dental and pharmaceutical industries, coupled with the fact of the continuous and rapid growth of its market. In the present work it was studied the utilization of sugarcane straw hemicellulosic fraction as feedstock for biotechnological production of xylitol, aiming at the valorization and integration of this biomass in a sugarcane biorefinery. The high hemicellulosic content of sugarcane straw (27%), similar to that found in other lignocellulosic biomasses evaluated for xylitol production, and the higher proportion of xylose in the hemicellulosic hydrolysate (71%) in relation to the other constituent sugars, make this biomass potential feedstock for this bioprocess. The utilization of the concentrated and detoxified sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolysate as fermentation medium for xylose-toxylitol bioconversion by Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 was evaluated in different stages. In the first one, it was studied the necessity of nutritional supplementation of the hydrolysate and initial oxygen availability, being carried out batch fermentations in 125mL Erlenmeyer flasks with 25mL or 50mL of medium, 30oC, 200rpm and 48h. It was demonstrated that the supplementation of the hydrolysate with rice bran extract, (NH4)2SO4 and CaCl2·2H2O resulted on the increment of the value of xylitol volumetric productivity, whereas the higher initial oxygen availability favored the bioconversion efficiency. The evaluation of the effect of the co-substrates maltose, sucrose, cellobiose and glycerol on this bioprocess revealed that the higher improvement was obtained with sucrose (10gL-1), since it resulted in the maximum values of final concentration of xylitol (41.36 ± 1.69 gL-1), bioconversion efficiency (75.70 ± 0.73%) and volumetric productivity (0.61 ± 0.02 gL-1h-1), corresponding to increments of 9.04%, 5.01% and 6.56%, respectively, in relation to the condition absent of co-substrates. The addition to the sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolysate of Dimethyl-sulfoxide, a cell membrane permeabilizer, did not resulted on the increasing of the xylitol production, which, in fact, was reduced due to the diminution on xylose consumption and cell growth of C. guilliermondii FTI 20037. The results obtained in this study indicate that biotechnological production of xylitol from sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolysate supplemented with sucrose can be considered a promissory biochemical conversion route for valorization and integration of this biomass in a sugarcane biorefinery.

Cette thèse a été initiée dans un contexte d’amélioration de l'expérience utilisateur (UX) pour l'analyse des données de Business Intelligence en raison de l'augmentation du volume de données liées à cette activité. D'une part, les besoins psychologiques des utilisateurs portent sur la simplification de l’utilisation des applications analytiques, ils font l’objet de plus en plus d’attention ; d'autre part, les tâches qu'ils sont prêts à mener deviennent de plus en plus complexes ce qui peut entraîner une surcharge de mémoire qui influe sur les performances dans leur réalisation. Pour garantir la prise en compte de ces deux aspects, les designers doivent concevoir des interfaces et fournir des informations appropriées qui répondent à la fois aux besoins des utilisateurs et aux nécessités de leur activité. Dans cette recherche, nous nous sommes intéressés à l'amélioration de la reprise de la tâche suite à une suspension ou à une interruption de celle-ci dans le cadre de l’analyse visuelle de données. La nature multitâche des actions des utilisateurs et les capacités limitées de stockage de la mémoire de travail humaine entraînent des difficultés à s’engager de nouveau dans une tâche qui a été interrompue ou suspendue. Il devient donc avantageux de disposer d'un outil de suppléance de la mémoire qui aide les utilisateurs à se remettre à leur tâche dans des conditions optimales.Une revue de la littérature nous a conduit tout d'abord au positionnement de notre recherche vis à vis de l'approche énactive et de la perception sensorimotrice qui considèrent l'outil comme un artefact configurant l'interaction entre l'utilisateur et la tâche, selon deux états, saisi ou déposé. De ce point de vue, nous avons constaté que le modèle de mémoire cognitiviste utilisé couramment ne considère pas le rôle de l’interaction avec le monde extérieur dans la construction de la mémoire, et par conséquent ignore la dimension saisie des supports et outils dans la construction d’une mémoire. Par conséquent, nous proposons de compléter ce modèle avec un modèle de mémoire incarnée, qui ouvre une nouvelle perspective permettant de concevoir un outil de suppléance mémorielle approprié. Enfin, les principes de conception d’IHM et d’UX nous aident à construire une proposition d’outil et à mener un plan d'expérience mettant en avant le lien entre les modifications des conditions de perception et les modifications de la dynamique d’interaction. En conclusion de cette partie, la problématique générale est introduite avec l’exploration, la mise en œuvre et l’évaluation de la proposition. La première expérience, le test pilote, analyse la perception que peuvent avoir des concepteurs naviguant sur des applications interactives. Cette étude nous a aidé à construire un vocabulaire d'évaluation en conception d’un support de suppléance de la mémoire et nous a guidé pour concevoir un processus expérimental en tenant compte de ces critères. Dans une seconde expérience, nous développons un outil basé sur une fonction que nous appelons le "history path". Cet outil permet d’afficher à l’utilisateur, dans une fenêtre spécifique de l’interface, certaines étapes de résolution d’une tâche antérieure effectuée par ce même utilisateur (ou pour simuler une interruption de tâche). Nous avons mis en place une expérience simple (minimaliste) simulant une résolution de problème qui a été enregistrée pour évaluer dans quelle mesure le history path peut aider l'utilisateur à récupérer efficacement une tâche interrompue. La première partie de cette expérience nous permet de confirmer l’utilité potentielle de cette fonction et nous aide à explorer l’espace de conception. Dans la deuxième partie, nous expérimentons deux outils différents basés sur deux représentations de l’history path, une représentation statique et l’autre dynamique. Les résultats de l'évaluation nous amènent à comprendre les conditions techniques d'une expérience positive pour laquelle la reprise de tâche est facilitée. / This thesis was initiated in the context of enhancing the user experience for analyzing data due to the increase of the volume of data related to this activity. On the one hand, users’ psychological needs for the simple use of analytic applications are paid more attention than before; on the other hand, the task they are willing to conduct is getting more and more complicated, which may cause memory overload that influences the task performance. To ensure that both aspects are taken into account, the designers should provide a proper information and design a proper interface that meets both users’ needs and the requirements of their activity. In this research, we are interested in improving the task recommitment following a task suspension or interruption in the context of a visual data analysis task. The multitasking nature of user actions and limited storage capacity of human working memory cause difficulties in re-engaging an interrupted or suspended task. Therefore, it is beneficial to have a memory supplementation tool that supports users to recommit their task in optimal conditions. A literature review first leads to the positioning of our research on the enactive approach and sensorimotor perception that consider the tool as an artifact configuring the interaction between the user and the task, in two modes the “put down” mode and the “in hand” mode. From this point of view, we have found that the commonly used cognitive memory model ignores the role of interaction with the external world in the formation of the memory, and consequently ignores the “in hand” dimension of the artifacts in one memory construction. Therefore, we complete this model with the embodied memory, which gives us a new perspective to design an appropriate memory tool that serves as a supplementation of our perceptual system. Finally, the design principles in human-computer interaction and UX helped us build a tool and conduct an experimental plan highlighting the link between changes in perception conditions and changes in the dynamics of interaction. As a conclusion, the research problem is introduced in terms of how we can provide users with a relevant context to recommit to resolving a task after interruption. The design proposal needs to be explored, designed and evaluated. The first experiment, the exploratory study, analyzes the perception of interactive applications by experienced designers. This study helped us construct a vocabulary of evaluation of the design for a memory supplementation support and guided us for the design considering these criteria. In the second experiment, we develop a tool based on a function that we call the “history path”, which permits to show, in a specific window of the user interface, some of the steps of a previous task resolution that a user has performed during previous experience (or to simulate a resolution task interruption). We set up a simple (minimalist) experiment simulating a problem-solving task, which was recorded to evaluate the extent to which a history path support can help the user for efficient recovering of an interrupted task. The first part of this experiment allows us to confirm the potential use of this function and helps us explore the design space. In the second part, we experiment two different tools, based on two history path representations, a static one and a dynamic one. The evaluation results allow us to understand the technical conditions of a positive experience for which task recovery is facilitated. In this second experiment, several means for recording the user experience were mobilized: the evaluation of the durations and gaze frequencies on area of interest in the interface window by eye tracking, the recording of the verbalizations during the RTA (Retrospective Think Aloud) session, and the semantic evaluation.

Background Due to small iron stores and rapid growth during the first months of life, infants with low birth weight (LBW) are at risk of iron deficiency (ID). ID in infancy is associated with irreversible impaired neurodevelopment. Preventive iron supplementation may reduce the risk of ID and benefit neurodevelopment, but there is also a possible risk of adverse effects. More than 50% of all LBW infants are born with marginally LBW (MLBW, 2000-2500g), and it is not known if they benefit from iron supplementation. Methods We randomized 285 healthy, Swedish, MLBW infants to receive 3 different doses of oral iron supplements; 0 (Placebo), 1, and 2 mg/kg/day from six weeks to six months of age. Iron status, during and after the intervention was assessed and so was the prevalence of ID and ID anemia (IDA), growth, morbidity and the interplay with iron and the erythropoetic hormones hepcidin and erythropoietin (EPO). As a proxy for conduction speed in the developing brain, auditory brainstem response (ABR) was analyzed at six months. In a follow up at 3.5 years of age, the children were assessed with a cognitive test (WPPSI-III) and a validated parental checklist of behavioral problems (CBCL), and compared to a matched reference group of 95 children born with normal birth weight. Results At six months of age, the prevalence of ID and IDA was significantly higher in the placebo group compared to the iron supplemented infants. 36% had ID in the placebo group, compared to 8% and 4 % in the 1 and 2mg/kg/day-groups, respectively. The prevalence of IDA was 10%, 3% and 0%, respectively. ABR-latencies did not correlate with the iron intake and was not increased in infants with ID or IDA. ABR wave V latencies were similar in all three groups. Hepcidin correlated to ferritin and increased in supplemented infants while EPO, which was negatively correlated to iron status indicators, decreased. At follow up there were no differences in cognitive scores between the groups but the prevalence of behavioral problems was significantly higher in the placebo group compared to those supplemented and to controls. The relative risk increase of CBCL-scores above a validated cutoff was 4.5 (1.4 – 14.2) in the placebo-group compared to supplemented children. There was no detected difference in growth or morbidity at any age. Conclusion MLBW infants are at risk of ID in infancy and behavioral problems at 3 years of age. Iron supplementation at a dose of 1-2 mg/kg/day from six weeks to six months of age reduces the risks with no adverse effects, suggesting both short and long term benefit. MLBW infants should be included in general iron supplementation programs during their first six months of life.

Malgré le rôle important joué par les comportements alimentaires durant la grossesse, et de leurs implications pour la santé de la mère et de l’enfant à naître, plusieurs études soulignent que les besoins d’informations des femmes enceintes à faible revenu ou issues de minorités ethniques n’ont pas été comblés. Le comportement de recherche d’informations de femmes enceintes immigrantes maghrébines à faible revenu sera donc abordé via le modèle d’Engel, Kollat et Blackwell. L’objectif général est l’exploration de ce comportement de recherche d’informations en lien avec des thématiques associées à leur alimentation au cours de la grossesse. La thèse propose quatre questions spécifiques de recherche visant l’exploration des facteurs d’ordre individuel et d’environnement susceptibles d’influencer une recherche active d’informations, des sources auprès desquelles des informations sont recherchées, et de la nature de l’information recueillie. Un total de 28 femmes enceintes volontaires (14 primigestes et 14 secondigestes) ont été recrutées via le Dispensaire diététique de Montréal entre les mois d’août 2010 et 2011. Des entrevues semi-structurées de 60 à 90 minutes ont été réalisées par l’étudiante au doctorat. Les données ont été soumises à une analyse de contenu via le logiciel NVivo. Des facteurs d’ordre individuel susceptibles d’influencer le comportement de recherche active d’informations furent identifiés: perspective idéologique à l’égard de la grossesse, présence de malaises de grossesse, perception du caractère contradictoire des informations reçues, perceptions liées au caractère adéquat de l’information reçue, perceptions liées au caractère suffisant de l’information détenue, variation du poids corporel, valorisation du bien-être du bébé, attitudes à l’égard de la supplémentation prénatale, valorisation d’une saine alimentation et motivation à apprendre. Des facteurs d’environnement susceptibles d’influencer le comportement de recherche active d’informations ont été identifiés: culture (habitudes alimentaires, croyances alimentaires, croyances religieuses, perte de repères culturels traditionnels quant aux soins de santé et conseils offerts durant la grossesse) et interactions avec les membres de l’environnement social. Des sources d’informations significatives en lien avec la nutrition prénatale se sont avérées être pour les primigestes: diététiste, mère, amies, mari et Internet. Pour les secondigestes, ces sources d’informations étaient: diététiste, médecin, amies et mari. Une source d’informations professionnelle significative concernant la supplémentation prénatale et le gain de poids durant la grossesse, tant pour les primigestes que secondigestes, s’est révélée être la diététiste. Peu de femmes ont rapporté avoir reçu des professionnels de l’information à propos de la salubrité alimentaire et des risques de gagner trop de poids. Les résultats soulèvent une réflexion à l’égard de l’implication des professionnels en période prénatale et quant à la révision de leurs approches de counseling nutritionnel. Les résultats amènent également à réfléchir quant à l’amélioration des activités ayant pour objectif de répondre aux besoins d’informations des femmes enceintes immigrantes maghrébines à faible revenu en lien avec des thématiques liées à l’alimentation durant la grossesse. Pour terminer, il serait utile que de futures recherches s’attardent à mieux comprendre le comportement de recherche d’informations en lien avec des thématiques associées à l’alimentation de femmes enceintes de différents horizons culturels ou de celle de l’enfant à venir. / Despite the important role played by healthy behaviours during pregnancy, and their health implications for both mother and baby, several studies have highlighted that health information needs of low-income and ethnic minority pregnant women have not been met. Thus, the information-seeking behaviour of low-income pregnant Maghrebian women has been studied in this thesis by using the Engel, Kollat and Blackwell (EKB) model. The main objective of this thesis’s research is to explore information-seeking behaviours regarding nutrition-related topics during pregnancy in order to determine whether decisional processes regarding information-seeking behaviour differ among primigravid and secundigravid women. This thesis proposes four specific research questions aiming at the exploration of individual and environmental factors likely to influence the active information-seeking behaviour, the type of information and the sources from which such information is collected. Data has been collected among 28 low-income voluntary women (14 primigravid and 14 secundigravid) mainly referred by the Montreal Diet Dispensary between August 2010 and 2011. Semi-structured interviews lasting 60 to 90 minutes were conducted by the doctoral student. Data were analyzed using content analysis with NVivo software. On one hand, individual factors likely to influence the active information-seeking behaviour have been found to be: the ideological examination of pregnancy, presence of pregnancy discomforts, perception of conflicting information from providers, perceived adequacy of received nutrition information, perceived sufficiency of information, body weight changes, recognition of the baby’s well-being, attitudes toward prenatal supplementation, importance given to healthy eating, and motivation to learn. On the other hand, environmental factors likely to influence the active information-seeking behaviour have been identified to be: culture (eating habits, food beliefs, religious beliefs, loss of cultural markers regarding health care and counseling during pregnancy) and interactions with individuals from the social environment. Significant information sources consulted by primigravid women for topics regarding prenatal nutrition were as follows: the registered dietitian, mother, friends, husband, and Internet. For secundigravid women, significant information sources were as follows: the dietitian, doctor, friends and husband. A significant professional information source, both for primigravid and secundigravid women, about prenatal vitamin and mineral supplementation and pregnancy weight gain was the registered dietitian. Internet was a significant public information source from which primigravid women got information regarding prenatal nutrition-related topics. Few women reported having received, during their follow-up examinations, professional information related to food safety issues and risks of gaining too much weight during pregnancy. Overall, results presented in this thesis highlight the importance of improving communicating strategies in order to better address the information needs of low-income pregnant Maghrebian women. Results raise a number of questions with regards to improving the participation of professionals to prenatal education and their nutritional counseling. Moreover, results from this thesis suggest means to improve activity planning to better address the nutrition-related information needs of pregnant Maghrebian women during pregnancy. It would be useful for researchers to get involved in studies aimed at a better understanding of the information-seeking behaviour of expectant mothers from different cultural backgrounds regarding nutrition-related topics during pregnancy as well as the baby’s nutrition.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the world. In children, both inadequate iron and fatty acid (FA) status have been found to have an effect on cognitive and behavioural function, including physical activity behaviour and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)–related behaviour. Aim: To investigate the effects of supplementation with iron and omega–3 fatty acids (n–3 FAs), alone and in combination, on spontaneous motor activity and ADHD–related behaviour in iron deficient primary school children in KwaZulu–Natal. An additional aim was to evaluate the use of the Actical accelerometer as a tool to assess physical activity behaviour. Methods: The study design was a 2x2 factorial, randomized, double–blind and placebo–controlled trial. Iron deficient school children aged six to ten years with or without mild anaemia were included in the study (n = 321). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive one of the following supplement combinations: (1) 420mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/80 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + 50mg of iron as ferrous sulphate (Fe); (2) 420mg DHA/80mg EPA + placebo; (3) 50mg of Fe + placebo; (4) placebo + placebo. Supplements were provided four times a week for a duration of 8.5 months (excluding school holidays). Physical activity of a subgroup of subjects (n=98) was recorded on four random school days at baseline, midpoint and endpoint (12 days in total) during three different time periods namely class time 1 (08h00-10h30), break time (10h30–11h00) and class time 2 (11h00–12h00). Classroom behaviour of study subjects was assessed by teachers at baseline and endpoint using the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale–Revised: Short Forms (CTRS). Iron status indicators and red blood cell (RBC) FA composition were measured at baseline and endpoint. Treatment effects were assessed for activity and CTRS scores. Furthermore, the relationship between activity, CTRS scores and iron/FA status indicators was determined using bivariate correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Overall activity of all subjects varied over time from baseline and midpoint to endpoint. A significant cycle x age interaction (P = 0.005) as well as a significant cycle x time period x gender interaction (P = 0.036) was observed on overall activity. There were no significant interactions of cycle or time period with treatment. However, there was a significant main effect of DHA/EPA supplementation for lower class time 1 activity at endpoint (P = 0.014). Biological markers indicating better or poorer iron status were positively and negatively associated with activity at break time, respectively. Subjects in the group receiving both iron and DHA/EPA supplements showed a significant improvement from baseline to endpoint on the cognitive problems/inattention subscale (P = 0.005) of the CTRS. Hyperactivity scores increased iv significantly from baseline to endpoint in all groups (P = 0.006). DHA (r = –.203; P = 0.040) and EPA (r = –.199; P = 0.044) content of RBC were negatively associated with activity at class time 1. No significant associations were observed between activity and CTRS scores at baseline. At endpoint, class time 1 activity was positively associated with all CTRS subscale scores except for the cognitive problems subscale, which only bordered significance (correlation, P = 0.051; regression, P = 0.073). Conclusions: These findings suggest that n–3 FA supplementation may have an influence on ADHD–related behaviour during class time. During school break time when subjects were allowed to move around freely, iron status was positively associated with spontaneous motor activity. Furthermore, the accelerometer might be a useful complimentary tool for assessing both classroom and break time activity behaviour in school children. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the world. In children, both inadequate iron and fatty acid (FA) status have been found to have an effect on cognitive and behavioural function, including physical activity behaviour and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)–related behaviour. Aim: To investigate the effects of supplementation with iron and omega–3 fatty acids (n–3 FAs), alone and in combination, on spontaneous motor activity and ADHD–related behaviour in iron deficient primary school children in KwaZulu–Natal. An additional aim was to evaluate the use of the Actical accelerometer as a tool to assess physical activity behaviour. Methods: The study design was a 2x2 factorial, randomized, double–blind and placebo–controlled trial. Iron deficient school children aged six to ten years with or without mild anaemia were included in the study (n = 321). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive one of the following supplement combinations: (1) 420mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/80 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + 50mg of iron as ferrous sulphate (Fe); (2) 420mg DHA/80mg EPA + placebo; (3) 50mg of Fe + placebo; (4) placebo + placebo. Supplements were provided four times a week for a duration of 8.5 months (excluding school holidays). Physical activity of a subgroup of subjects (n=98) was recorded on four random school days at baseline, midpoint and endpoint (12 days in total) during three different time periods namely class time 1 (08h00-10h30), break time (10h30–11h00) and class time 2 (11h00–12h00). Classroom behaviour of study subjects was assessed by teachers at baseline and endpoint using the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale–Revised: Short Forms (CTRS). Iron status indicators and red blood cell (RBC) FA composition were measured at baseline and endpoint. Treatment effects were assessed for activity and CTRS scores. Furthermore, the relationship between activity, CTRS scores and iron/FA status indicators was determined using bivariate correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Overall activity of all subjects varied over time from baseline and midpoint to endpoint. A significant cycle x age interaction (P = 0.005) as well as a significant cycle x time period x gender interaction (P = 0.036) was observed on overall activity. There were no significant interactions of cycle or time period with treatment. However, there was a significant main effect of DHA/EPA supplementation for lower class time 1 activity at endpoint (P = 0.014). Biological markers indicating better or poorer iron status were positively and negatively associated with activity at break time, respectively. Subjects in the group receiving both iron and DHA/EPA supplements showed a significant improvement from baseline to endpoint on the cognitive problems/inattention subscale (P = 0.005) of the CTRS. Hyperactivity scores increased iv significantly from baseline to endpoint in all groups (P = 0.006). DHA (r = –.203; P = 0.040) and EPA (r = –.199; P = 0.044) content of RBC were negatively associated with activity at class time 1. No significant associations were observed between activity and CTRS scores at baseline. At endpoint, class time 1 activity was positively associated with all CTRS subscale scores except for the cognitive problems subscale, which only bordered significance (correlation, P = 0.051; regression, P = 0.073). Conclusions: These findings suggest that n–3 FA supplementation may have an influence on ADHD–related behaviour during class time. During school break time when subjects were allowed to move around freely, iron status was positively associated with spontaneous motor activity. Furthermore, the accelerometer might be a useful complimentary tool for assessing both classroom and break time activity behaviour in school children. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Many athletes incorporate high training volumes and limited recovery periods into their training regimes. This may disrupt the fragile balance and the accumulation of exercise stress may exceed an athlete's finite capacity of resistance. A state of elevated fatigue, increased mood disturbance and decreased exercise performance can result. This is commonly known as overreaching and if increased training and limited recovery is continued, it is believed that the more serious state of overtraining may develop. This is relatively commonly experienced in athletes, however little scientific investigation has been conducted to determine the characteristics and underlying mechanisms. The overall aim of this thesis was to gain a greater understanding of the state of overreaching and to specifically provide new information on potential markers of this state as well as possible mechanisms. To study the cumulative effects of exercise stress and subsequent recovery on performance changes, fatigue indicators and possible mechanisms, the training of endurance cyclists was systematically controlled and monitored in two separate investigations. A number of variables were assessed including performance, physiological, biochemical, psychological, immunological and hormonal variables. In addition heart rate variability and serotonergic responsiveness were also assessed. Some of the more pertinent effects of overreaching included an increase in heart rate variability, a reduction in carbohydrate oxidation, an increase in serotonergic responsiveness and a reduction in stress hormone concentrations. These results suggest that autonomic imbalance in combination with decreased hormonal release appears to be related to the decline in performance and elevated fatigue apparent in overreached athletes. Additionally it also appears that alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis may occur in overreached athletes.