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The concrete block pavement (CBP) system has a surface layer consisting of concrete block pavers and joint sand over a bedding sand layer. The non-homogeneous nature of the surface course of CBP, along with different laying patterns and shapes of block pavers, makes the analysis of CBP cumbersome. In this study, the surface course of CBP was modeled based on the slab action of the block pavers and joint sand, which are connected together in full contact. Four different laying patterns, including herringbone, stretcher, parquet, and square, were modeled using a finite element model. The elastic moduli of the block pavers varied from 2500 MPa to 45,000 MPa, with thicknesses ranging from 60 mm to 120 mm. As a result, modeling of CBP based on slab action can be considered a realistic strategy. In addition, a dataset was created based on quantitative inputs, e.g., elastic modulus and thickness of the block pavers, and qualitative input, i.e., block laying patterns. The approaches of machine learning adopted were support vector regression, Gaussian process regression, single-layer and deep artificial neural networks, and least squares boosting to implement prediction approach based on input and output. The analyses of statistical accuracy of all five machine learning methods showed high accuracy; however, the Gaussian process and deep artificial neural network methods resulted in the most accurate outputs and are recommended for further studies. Based on the machine learning models, digitalization is achieved through the development of simple, user-friendly software for electronic devices in order to perform a preliminary analysis of different laying patterns of CBP. Such a platform may result in less laboratory work and boosts the level of sustainability in concrete block pavement technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen storage in solid‐state materials represents a promising avenue for advancing hydrogen storage technologies, driven by their potential for high efficiency, reduced risk, and cost‐effectiveness. Among the employed materials, magnesium borohydride (Mg(BH4)2) stands out for its exceptional characteristics, with a gravimetric capacity of 14.9 wt% and a volumetric hydrogen density capacity of 146 kg/m3. However, the practical application of Mg(BH4)2 is impeded by challenges such as high desorption temperatures (≥ 270 °C), sluggish kinetics, poor reversibility, and the formation of unexpected byproducts like diborane. To address these limitations, extensive research efforts have been directed towards enhancing the hydrogen storage properties of Mg(BH4)2. Various strategies have been explored, including incorporating catalysts or additives, nanoconfinement of Mg(BH4)2 within porous supports, and modifications involving metal alloys and compositional adjustments. These approaches are actively under investigation for improving the performance of Mg(BH4)2‐based hydrogen storage systems. This review provides a comprehensive survey of recent advancements in Mg(BH4)2 research, focusing on experimental findings related to nanoconfined Mg(BH4)2 and modified thermodynamic processes aimed at enabling hydrogen release at lower temperatures by mitigating sluggish kinetics. Precisely, nanostructuring techniques, catalyst‐mediated nanoconfinement methodologies, and alloy/compositional modifications will be elucidated, highlighting their potential to enhance hydrogen storage properties and overcome existing limitations. Furthermore, this review also discusses the challenges encountered in utilizing Mg(BH4)2 for hydrogen storage applications and offers insights into the prospects of this material. By synthesizing the latest research findings and identifying areas for further exploration, this review aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts toward realizing the full potential of Mg(BH4)2 as a viable solution for hydrogen storage in diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on laboratory objectives in engineering education research is scattered and inconsistent. Systematic literature reviews identified the need for better understanding. This paper ranks the laboratory learning objectives across the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains to improve scaffolding. It provides an opportunity for reflection, a pathway to confirm assessment alignment, and opens future research areas. To accomplish this, the Laboratory Learning Objectives Measurement (LLOM) instrument is used to survey 160 academics from around the world representing 18 engineering disciplines. The results suggest that the collective ranking order does represent a framework that can be used broadly. However, for greater alignment with consensus thinking, discipline rankings should be used. The cognitive domain was deemed the most important. These results provide the community's opinion and may not necessarily be best practice, providing an opportunity for reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends balanced energy and protein (BEP) supplementation be provided to all pregnant women living in undernourished populations, usually defined as having a prevalence > 20% of underweight women, to reduce the risk of stillbirths and small-for-gestational-age neonates. Few geographies meet this threshold, however, and a large proportion of undernourished women and those with inadequate gestational weight gain could miss benefiting from BEP. This study compares the effectiveness of individual targeting approaches for supplementation with micronutrient-fortified BEP vs. multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) alone as control in pregnancy in improving birth outcomes. Methods: The TARGET-BEP study is a four-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in rural northwestern Bangladesh. Eligible participants are married women aged 15–35 years old identified early in pregnancy using a community-wide, monthly, urine-test-based pregnancy detection system. Beginning at 12–14 weeks of gestation, women in the study area comprising 240 predefined sectors are randomly assigned to one of four intervention arms, with sector serving as the unit of randomization. The interventions involving daily supplementation through end of pregnancy are as follows: (1) MMS (control); (2) BEP; (3) targeted BEP for those with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2 and MMS for others; (4) targeted BEP for those with pre-pregnancy BMI < 18.5 kg/m2, MMS for others, and women with inadequate gestational weight gain switched from MMS to BEP until the end of pregnancy. Primary outcomes include birth weight, low birth weight (< 2500 g), and small for gestational age, defined using the 10th percentile of the INTERGROWTH-21st reference, for live-born infants measured within 72 h of birth. Project-hired local female staff visit pregnant women monthly to deliver the assigned supplements, monitor adherence biweekly, and assess weight regularly during pregnancy. Trained data collectors conduct pregnancy outcome assessment and measure newborn anthropometry in the facility or home depending on the place of birth. Discussion: This study will assess the effectiveness of targeted balanced energy and protein supplementation to improve birth outcomes among pregnant women in rural Bangladesh and similar settings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05576207. Registered on October 5th, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balanced energy protein supplementation (BEP) is recommended for contexts of high maternal undernutrition by the World Health Organization. Despite recent improvements in undernutrition, Bangladesh remains a context where BEP could help accelerate progress towards nutrition goals. In preparation for an effective trial testing a fortified BEP, a qualitative study was undertaken to better understand sociocultural factors influencing dietary behaviours in pregnancy. Married women of reproductive age (n = 23), their husbands (n = 6) and mothers‐in‐law (n = 6) were interviewed, and focus group discussions were conducted with women (n = 4). Women had a clear understanding of which nutritious foods are important to consume during pregnancy, including green leafy vegetables, dairy and other animal‐source foods. Many explained affordability as a barrier to consuming those foods with the desired frequency. Women acquired information about diet and nutrition in pregnancy from community health workers as well as other women in the community. Most preferred to seek information from their own networks before formal health care providers. Women and husbands generally had positive views about micronutrient supplements, although some mothers‐in‐law were more hesitant. Some food taboos relating to the consumption of certain foods like duck and pigeon meat persist, mainly stemming from concerns for the unborn child. Opportunities exist to build on existing perceptions of healthy diets, potentially framing food or nutrient supplements as a beneficial ‘add‐on’ to promote a healthy pregnancy. There is a scope to strengthen nutrition counselling, especially for the family members, to dispel myths and misconceptions and promote dietary and other support for pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balanced energy protein (BEP) supplementation in pregnancy is recommended in the context of undernutrition for the reduction of small-for-gestational age neonates and stillbirths. To inform an effectiveness trial, we evaluated the acceptability of a packaged, ready-to-eat fortified BEP product among women of reproductive age and their health care providers (HCPs) in rural Bangladesh and explored the feasibility of adhering to daily supplementation. We implemented a formative study using focus groups discussions with women (n = 29) and HCPs (n = 17) to introduce the product and investigate components of acceptability. A "trials of improved practice" activity was conducted in subset of women (n = 16) to evaluate adherence to BEP over a 2-week period, followed by focus group discussions to identify challenges with adherence and strategies employed. Contributors to BEP acceptability included the product's sensory attributes, such as taste, smell and texture; the attractive packaging and informative labelling; and the perceived benefits of use. Participants also identified household and community level factors influencing the adoption of BEP, such as trust in the provider, cultural beliefs on supplement use in pregnancy, and family member tasting and approval. Over the 2-week period, women consumed over 80% of the supplements provided to them and identified strategies for adherence, including visual aids and reminders from family members or providers. HCPs recommended targeted communication messages for mothers-in-law to foster a supportive home environment. Findings informed changes to the BEP product to improve acceptability and shaped the content of communication messages to optimise adherence in a forthcoming effectiveness trial., (© 2023 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Balanced energy protein (BEP) supplementation is an efficacious intervention in pregnancy for improving birthweight and is recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) in countries with high maternal undernutrition. Few countries have implemented BEP programmes due in part to high cost, lack of data on acceptability and feasibility, and complexity of delivery. We sought to address implementation gaps in BEP interventions through a formative study designed to understand implementation outcomes. We conducted 52 in-depth interviews and 8 focus-group discussions with married women of reproductive age, family members, health care providers and pharmacists in three unions of the Gaibandha district in rural Bangladesh. Interviews were translated and transcribed in English and analysed using an analytic framework for implementation science in nutrition. BEP was viewed as an acceptable and appropriate intervention to combat undernutrition in this setting. There was a lack of clarity on who should or could be responsible for providing/distributing BEP in a way convenient to mothers. Many participants preferred door-to-door delivery and thought this approach could address social and gender inequities, but providers mentioned already being overworked and worried about adding new tasks. Participants were concerned about the affordability of BEP and opportunity costs associated with travel to proposed distribution sites such as ANC or pharmacies. Women in these communities do not always have the agency to travel without supervision or make purchasing decisions. BEP supplementation is a complex intervention; future trials seek to assess ways to overcome these implementation challenges and inform a long-term systems-owned BEP intervention., (© 2023 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Hydrogen storage in solid-state materials represents a promising avenue for advancing hydrogen storage technologies, driven by their potential for high efficiency, reduced risk, and cost-effectiveness. Among the employed materials, magnesium borohydride (Mg(BH 4 ) 2 ) stands out for its exceptional characteristics, with a gravimetric capacity of 14.9 wt% and a volumetric hydrogen density capacity of 146 kg/m 3 . However, the practical application of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 is impeded by challenges such as high desorption temperatures (≥ 270 °C), sluggish kinetics, poor reversibility, and the formation of unexpected byproducts like diborane. To address these limitations, extensive research efforts have been directed towards enhancing the hydrogen storage properties of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 . Various strategies have been explored, including incorporating catalysts or additives, nanoconfinement of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 within porous supports, and modifications involving metal alloys and compositional adjustments. These approaches are actively under investigation for improving the performance of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 -based hydrogen storage systems. This review provides a comprehensive survey of recent advancements in Mg(BH 4 ) 2 research, focusing on experimental findings related to nanoconfined Mg(BH 4 ) 2 and modified thermodynamic processes aimed at enabling hydrogen release at lower temperatures by mitigating sluggish kinetics. Precisely, nanostructuring techniques, catalyst-mediated nanoconfinement methodologies, and alloy/compositional modifications will be elucidated, highlighting their potential to enhance hydrogen storage properties and overcome existing limitations. Furthermore, this review also discusses the challenges encountered in utilizing Mg(BH 4 ) 2 for hydrogen storage applications and offers insights into the prospects of this material. By synthesizing the latest research findings and identifying areas for further exploration, this review aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts toward realizing the full potential of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 as a viable solution for hydrogen storage in diverse applications., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry - An Asian Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)