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Crime script woninginbraak door en voor de lokale politie Gent
No full textIn deze studie werd crime scripting toegepast op het fenomeen woninginbraak, met als doel een diepgaander inzicht te verwerven in de verschillende modi operandi die inbrekers hanteren. Het achterliggende doel was om na te gaan in hoeverre er verschillende verschijningsvormen bestaan van woninginbraak en in welke mate deze gebruikt kunnen worden in onderzoek en politiepraktijken met betrekking tot de tijdruimtelijke spreiding van criminaliteit. Op basis van drie focussessies met rechercheurs en forensisch deskundigen van de Politiezone Gent (België), met expertise in woninginbraken, werd een crime script opgesteld. Dit script is geïnformeerd door het bestaande crime script van Cornish en Clarke (2006) en identificeert tien scènes: (1) Voorbereiding, (2) Initiële selectie target, (3) Ter plaatse gaan, (4) Targetselectie, (5) Initiatie, (6) Binnendringen, (7) Diefstal, (8) Verlaten plaats, (9) Vlucht en (10) Nasleep. Deze scènes bevatten verschillende gelijkwaardige acties of modi operandi. Binnen dit script werden twee specifieke tracks onderscheiden, waarbij per track de bijbehorende rollen, activiteiten en attributen werden geïdentificeerd. De bevindingen bieden een waardevolle basis voor zowel tactische als strategische toepassingen binnen het politiewerk, gericht op het uitbreiden en versterken van proactieve en preventieve praktijken in de aanpak van woninginbraak. Het onderzoek maakt deel uit van het Big Data Policing (BIGDATPOL) onderzoeksprogramma (ERC, BIGDATPOL, 101088156), waarin innovatieve, datagedreven benaderingen worden ontwikkeld om criminaliteitsfenomenen beter te begrijpen en te voorspellen.In deze studie werd crime scripting toegepast op het fenomeen woninginbraak, met als doel een diepgaander inzicht te verwerven in de verschillende modi operandi die inbrekers hanteren. Het achterliggende doel was om na te gaan in hoeverre er verschillende verschijningsvormen bestaan van woninginbraak en in welke mate deze gebruikt kunnen worden in onderzoek en politiepraktijken met betrekking tot de tijdruimtelijke spreiding van criminaliteit. Op basis van drie focussessies met rechercheurs en forensisch deskundigen van de Politiezone Gent (België), met expertise in woninginbraken, werd een crime script opgesteld. Dit script is geïnformeerd door het bestaande crime script van Cornish en Clarke (2006) en identificeert tien scènes: (1) Voorbereiding, (2) Initiële selectie target, (3) Ter plaatse gaan, (4) Targetselectie, (5) Initiatie, (6) Binnendringen, (7) Diefstal, (8) Verlaten plaats, (9) Vlucht en (10) Nasleep. Deze scènes bevatten verschillende gelijkwaardige acties of modi operandi. Binnen dit script werden twee specifieke tracks onderscheiden, waarbij per track de bijbehorende rollen, activiteiten en attributen werden geïdentificeerd. De bevindingen bieden een waardevolle basis voor zowel tactische als strategische toepassingen binnen het politiewerk, gericht op het uitbreiden en versterken van proactieve en preventieve praktijken in de aanpak van woninginbraak. Het onderzoek maakt deel uit van het Big Data Policing (BIGDATPOL) onderzoeksprogramma (ERC, BIGDATPOL, 101088156), waarin innovatieve, datagedreven benaderingen worden ontwikkeld om criminaliteitsfenomenen beter te begrijpen en te voorspellen.C
Designing social robots with LLMs for engaging human interaction
No full textLarge Language Models (LLMs), particularly those enhanced through Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback, such as ChatGPT, have opened up new possibilities for natural and open-ended spoken interaction in social robotics. However, these models are not inherently designed for embodied, multimodal contexts. This paper presents a user-centred approach to integrating an LLM into a humanoid robot, designed to engage in fluid, context-aware conversation with socially isolated older adults. We describe our system architecture, which combines real-time speech processing, layered memory summarisation, persona conditioning, and multilingual voice adaptation to support personalised, socially appropriate interactions. Through iterative development and evaluation, including in-home exploratory trials with older adults (n = 7) and a preliminary study with young adults (n = 43), we investigated the technical and experiential challenges of deploying LLMs in real-world human-robot dialogue. Our findings show that memory continuity, adaptive turn-taking, and culturally attuned voice design enhance user perceptions of trust, naturalness, and social presence. We also identify persistent limitations related to response latency, hallucinations, and expectation management. This work contributes design insights and architectural strategies for future LLM-integrated robots that aim to support meaningful, emotionally resonant companionship in socially assistive settings.Large Language Models (LLMs), particularly those enhanced through Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback, such as ChatGPT, have opened up new possibilities for natural and open-ended spoken interaction in social robotics. However, these models are not inherently designed for embodied, multimodal contexts. This paper presents a user-centred approach to integrating an LLM into a humanoid robot, designed to engage in fluid, context-aware conversation with socially isolated older adults. We describe our system architecture, which combines real-time speech processing, layered memory summarisation, persona conditioning, and multilingual voice adaptation to support personalised, socially appropriate interactions. Through iterative development and evaluation, including in-home exploratory trials with older adults (n = 7) and a preliminary study with young adults (n = 43), we investigated the technical and experiential challenges of deploying LLMs in real-world human-robot dialogue. Our findings show that memory continuity, adaptive turn-taking, and culturally attuned voice design enhance user perceptions of trust, naturalness, and social presence. We also identify persistent limitations related to response latency, hallucinations, and expectation management. This work contributes design insights and architectural strategies for future LLM-integrated robots that aim to support meaningful, emotionally resonant companionship in socially assistive settings.A
Conspicuous charity and agrarian capitalism : rural poor relief in Western Flanders c. 1700
No full textThis article looks at the impact of economic and demographic structures on variations in rural poor relief in early modern Flanders by analysing empirical data at parish level. By combining data on poor relief income and expenses as well as on relief recipients from a survey from 1700 with data on population and land taxes, we demonstrate a close connection between agrarian relations of production and poor relief practices. Together they show how local poor relief practices translated spatially into regional patterns, which in turn were tied into both different agricultural modes of production and distinct social and cultural repertoires of elite representation and distribution.This article looks at the impact of economic and demographic structures on variations in rural poor relief in early modern Flanders by analysing empirical data at parish level. By combining data on poor relief income and expenses as well as on relief recipients from a survey from 1700 with data on population and land taxes, we demonstrate a close connection between agrarian relations of production and poor relief practices. Together they show how local poor relief practices translated spatially into regional patterns, which in turn were tied into both different agricultural modes of production and distinct social and cultural repertoires of elite representation and distribution.A
LeTTuce PoS-Tagger : a sprout of innovation in multilingual NLP
No full textThis paper introduces LeTTuce, a novel multilingual PoS tagging tool, and evaluates its performance across mutiple languages and data genres and domains (social media, industry reviews, historical texts, technical texts, ...). Furthermore, this research benchmarks traditional and state-of-the-art part-of-speech (PoS) tagging tools for English, French, German, and Dutch across diverse text genres and domains.This paper introduces LeTTuce, a novel multilingual PoS tagging tool, and evaluates its performance across mutiple languages and data genres and domains (social media, industry reviews, historical texts, technical texts, ...). Furthermore, this research benchmarks traditional and state-of-the-art part-of-speech (PoS) tagging tools for English, French, German, and Dutch across diverse text genres and domains.C
The re-distribution of pristine and aged microplastics (<50 μm) in soil aggregate fractions
No full textSoil aggregates play a pivotal role in soil organic carbon dynamics and microbial activity. However, their influence on the pressing issue of microplastic (MP) contamination in soils remains poorly understood. This lack of attention may be attributed to the inherent complexity and heterogeneity of soil, which renders plastic isolation and identification in soil is particularly challenging. This study aims to investigate MPs redistribution among soil aggregate fractions during the process of soil aggregation. Two soil textures (silt loam and sandy loam) were amended with organic matter (OM) to promote aggregation during a two-month incubation period, with 0.1 % microplastics powder added to the soils. A self-made pristine and aged LDPE and PET microplastics (<50 µm) were used in this experiment. Subsequently, physical fractionation were implemented to separate the soils into aggregate fraction (macro-aggregate, micro-aggregates and within associated fractions and silt+clay fractions). Organic matter was removed via oxidation to prevent interference with MP analysis. MPs were subsequently extracted through density separation, filtration, and examined using a Keyence VH-Z500 digital microscope. Unexpectedly, even small amounts of MPs significantly influenced soil aggregation, with effects varying by polymer type, weathering state, and soil texture. LDPE was predominantly retained in the micro-aggregate fractions in both soil textures, except for aged LDPE in loam soil, where over 60% accumulated in the silt+clay fraction. Conversely, PET was primarily retained in the macro-aggregates of silt loam soils and the micro-aggregates of sandy loam soils. Furthermore, the redistribution of MPs during soil aggregation exhibited notable differences, with silt loam soils demonstrating the highest degree of MP redistribution. These findings are relevant as soil aggregates provide different levels of physical protection against degradation and mobility, influencing the bioavailability of microplastics and their potential transfer to other environmental compartments.Soil aggregates play a pivotal role in soil organic carbon dynamics and microbial activity. However, their influence on the pressing issue of microplastic (MP) contamination in soils remains poorly understood. This lack of attention may be attributed to the inherent complexity and heterogeneity of soil, which renders plastic isolation and identification in soil is particularly challenging. This study aims to investigate MPs redistribution among soil aggregate fractions during the process of soil aggregation. Two soil textures (silt loam and sandy loam) were amended with organic matter (OM) to promote aggregation during a two-month incubation period, with 0.1 % microplastics powder added to the soils. A self-made pristine and aged LDPE and PET microplastics (<50 µm) were used in this experiment. Subsequently, physical fractionation were implemented to separate the soils into aggregate fraction (macro-aggregate, micro-aggregates and within associated fractions and silt+clay fractions). Organic matter was removed via oxidation to prevent interference with MP analysis. MPs were subsequently extracted through density separation, filtration, and examined using a Keyence VH-Z500 digital microscope. Unexpectedly, even small amounts of MPs significantly influenced soil aggregation, with effects varying by polymer type, weathering state, and soil texture. LDPE was predominantly retained in the micro-aggregate fractions in both soil textures, except for aged LDPE in loam soil, where over 60% accumulated in the silt+clay fraction. Conversely, PET was primarily retained in the macro-aggregates of silt loam soils and the micro-aggregates of sandy loam soils. Furthermore, the redistribution of MPs during soil aggregation exhibited notable differences, with silt loam soils demonstrating the highest degree of MP redistribution. These findings are relevant as soil aggregates provide different levels of physical protection against degradation and mobility, influencing the bioavailability of microplastics and their potential transfer to other environmental compartments.C
The power of Facebook friends : an investigation of young adolescents’ processing of social advertising on social networking sites
No full textThis study investigates the underlying mechanisms of how young adolescents process social advertising (i. e., advertising on social networking sites which shows how many and which of the user's friends have 'liked' the brand's page). Particularly, two experiments examined the role of brand trust in adolescents' attitude formation and how brand trust is predicted by theories of social proof and persuasion knowledge. In addition, the moderating role of brand familiarity and brand value is investigated. The first experiment (N = 142) showed that higher brand trust was induced for social advertising for unfamiliar but not for familiar brands through the principle of social proof. This means that friends' likes may reduce uncertainty and increase trust in unfamiliar brands through social advertising, something which enhances brand attitudes. Persuasion knowledge could not explain the effects of social advertising. The second experiment (N = 72) showed that social advertisements are more effective for brands that are symbolic (versus non-symbolic). Managerial and policy implications regarding social advertising targeting adolescents are discussed.This study investigates the underlying mechanisms of how young adolescents process social advertising (i. e., advertising on social networking sites which shows how many and which of the user's friends have 'liked' the brand's page). Particularly, two experiments examined the role of brand trust in adolescents' attitude formation and how brand trust is predicted by theories of social proof and persuasion knowledge. In addition, the moderating role of brand familiarity and brand value is investigated. The first experiment (N = 142) showed that higher brand trust was induced for social advertising for unfamiliar but not for familiar brands through the principle of social proof. This means that friends' likes may reduce uncertainty and increase trust in unfamiliar brands through social advertising, something which enhances brand attitudes. Persuasion knowledge could not explain the effects of social advertising. The second experiment (N = 72) showed that social advertisements are more effective for brands that are symbolic (versus non-symbolic). Managerial and policy implications regarding social advertising targeting adolescents are discussed.A
Value sensitive design and the artificial placenta
No full textArtificial placenta technologies (also termed 'artificial wombs') for use in place of conventional neonatal intensive care are increasingly closer to first-in-human use. There is growing ethical interest in partial ectogestation (the use of an artificial placenta to continue gestation of an underdeveloped human entity extra uterum), however, there has been little reflection on the ethical issues in the design of the technology. While some have noted the importance of such reflection, and others have noted that a 'value sensitive design' approach should be preferred, they have not elaborated on what this means. In this article, we consider what a value sensitive design approach to artificial placenta design might encompass. We believe that applying this framework to the topic at hand raises theoretical and substantive ethical questions that merit further elucidation. Highlighting that there is a careful need to separate preferences from values and that our intervention should be considered only a starting point, we explore some of the values that could be used to make ethical design choices about the artificial placenta: efficacy, compassion and accessibility.Artificial placenta technologies (also termed 'artificial wombs') for use in place of conventional neonatal intensive care are increasingly closer to first-in-human use. There is growing ethical interest in partial ectogestation (the use of an artificial placenta to continue gestation of an underdeveloped human entity extra uterum), however, there has been little reflection on the ethical issues in the design of the technology. While some have noted the importance of such reflection, and others have noted that a 'value sensitive design' approach should be preferred, they have not elaborated on what this means. In this article, we consider what a value sensitive design approach to artificial placenta design might encompass. We believe that applying this framework to the topic at hand raises theoretical and substantive ethical questions that merit further elucidation. Highlighting that there is a careful need to separate preferences from values and that our intervention should be considered only a starting point, we explore some of the values that could be used to make ethical design choices about the artificial placenta: efficacy, compassion and accessibility.A
Pectin-chitosan hydrogels with modified properties for the encapsulation of strawberry phenolic compounds
No full textPectin-chitosan hydrogels with blends of low (50-190 kDa) and medium (310-395 KDa) molecular weight (MW) chitosan (LC and MC, respectively) were developed, and their characteristics were investigated before and after the encapsulation of an aqueous strawberry extract. The pectin to total chitosan mass ratio, the composition of the strawberry extract and the MW of chitosan greatly affected the interactions between pectin and chitosan at different pH values. More specifically, blends of low and medium MW chitosan improved the stability of the strawberry-gels in acidic conditions compared to their corresponding MC-gels, showed better flow and texture profiles, as well as slower release of phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion compared to the only stable LC-gel. Therefore, by manipulating the length range of chitosan chains would allow the formation of pectin-chitosan hydrogels with improved properties for the development of functional food products.Pectin-chitosan hydrogels with blends of low (50-190 kDa) and medium (310-395 KDa) molecular weight (MW) chitosan (LC and MC, respectively) were developed, and their characteristics were investigated before and after the encapsulation of an aqueous strawberry extract. The pectin to total chitosan mass ratio, the composition of the strawberry extract and the MW of chitosan greatly affected the interactions between pectin and chitosan at different pH values. More specifically, blends of low and medium MW chitosan improved the stability of the strawberry-gels in acidic conditions compared to their corresponding MC-gels, showed better flow and texture profiles, as well as slower release of phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion compared to the only stable LC-gel. Therefore, by manipulating the length range of chitosan chains would allow the formation of pectin-chitosan hydrogels with improved properties for the development of functional food products.A
Doxycycline pharmacokinetics and tissue depletion in striped catfish (Pagasianodon hypophthalmus) after oral administration
No full textThe pharmacokinetics and residue depletion of doxycycline (DOX) in striped catfish (Pagasianodon hypophthalmus) after oral dosage were investigated. The pharmacokinetic experiment was conducted in an aquarium, while the experiment of residue depletion was performed in both an aquarium and earth ponds. Medicated feed was administered orally using the gavage method at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight. Blood, liver, and kidney from medicated fish samples were collected. In the depletion experiments, fish were fed medicated feed for five consecutive days at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight, with samples collected during and after medication. The concentrations of DOX were quantified using an LC-MS/MS system. The pharmacokinetics parameters of DOX in striped catfish included the absorption rate constant (k(a)), absorption half-life (T-1/2abs), maximal plasma concentration (C-max), time to maximal plasma concentration (T-max), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to 96 h (AUC(0-96 h)) which were 0.12 h(-1), 5.68 h, 1123.45 ng/mL, 8.19 h, and 25,018 ng/mL/h, respectively. Residue depletion results indicated that the withdrawal times of DOX in muscle (with skin) from fish kept in the aquarium were slightly longer than that in fish raised in earth ponds, corresponding to 194 degree-days compared with 150 degree-days. In conclusion, administration of DOX at the dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight can be used for treatment of bacterial infections in striped catfish, and a withdrawal time of 5 days at 29.4 degrees C will ensure consumer food safety due to the rapid depletion of DOX from muscle and skin.The pharmacokinetics and residue depletion of doxycycline (DOX) in striped catfish (Pagasianodon hypophthalmus) after oral dosage were investigated. The pharmacokinetic experiment was conducted in an aquarium, while the experiment of residue depletion was performed in both an aquarium and earth ponds. Medicated feed was administered orally using the gavage method at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight. Blood, liver, and kidney from medicated fish samples were collected. In the depletion experiments, fish were fed medicated feed for five consecutive days at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight, with samples collected during and after medication. The concentrations of DOX were quantified using an LC-MS/MS system. The pharmacokinetics parameters of DOX in striped catfish included the absorption rate constant (k(a)), absorption half-life (T-1/2abs), maximal plasma concentration (C-max), time to maximal plasma concentration (T-max), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to 96 h (AUC(0-96 h)) which were 0.12 h(-1), 5.68 h, 1123.45 ng/mL, 8.19 h, and 25,018 ng/mL/h, respectively. Residue depletion results indicated that the withdrawal times of DOX in muscle (with skin) from fish kept in the aquarium were slightly longer than that in fish raised in earth ponds, corresponding to 194 degree-days compared with 150 degree-days. In conclusion, administration of DOX at the dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight can be used for treatment of bacterial infections in striped catfish, and a withdrawal time of 5 days at 29.4 degrees C will ensure consumer food safety due to the rapid depletion of DOX from muscle and skin.A