276557 research outputs found
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Treating Bladder Pain Syndrome/ Interstitial Cystitis. Exploring Glycosaminoglycan Therapy and Quality of Life
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764480.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)Bladder pain syndrome (BPS/IC) is a complex condition in which the protective layer of the bladder, consisting of substances such as chondroitin sulfate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA), is damaged. Research shows that models using harmful substances can temporarily mimic this condition. CS and HA are already used as treatments, but their exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood. CS strengthens the protective layer, while HA is located deeper in the bladder wall and plays an indirect role in healing. With repeated damage, the bladder wall recovers better, especially with CS therapy. A study is investigating whether HA/CS bladder instillations are effective. Preliminary results indicate that the research method is reliable, allowing the study to continue. A survey reveals that BPS/IC significantly impacts quality of life, mainly due to pain and anxiety. Diagnosis often takes years, partly due to confusion with bladder infections, which cause additional symptoms and healthcare costs. This dissertation highlights the importance of early recognition and a patient-centered approach.Radboud University, 10 april 2025Promotores : Mulders, P.F.A., Heesakkers, J.P.F.A. Co-promotores : Janssen, D.A.W., Martens, F.M.J.202 p
Neoclassical Realism
No full textItem does not contain fulltext31 januari 2025The American College of GreeceInvited lectur
Finding space in politics: Perceptions of representation among Dutch citizens with an immigration background
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317660.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)Representative democracy functions optimally when all citizens can participate, are heard, and feel represented. We know, however, that those interested and satisfied in politics rarely reflect a cross-section of the population. What’s more, the influence exercised by certain groups in a democracy is unevenly distributed, and citizens with an immigration background feel on average less represented politically than citizens without one. This article explores how processes of perceived inclusion and exclusion influence the sense of political representation experienced by Dutch citizens with an immigration background. Our study aims to offer greater insight into perceptions of political representation and gain an understanding of what leads to these experiences. We draw on data from six focus group discussions with people who share the categorical trait of being deemed "different" by the majority society along various dimensions, such as ethnic and religious background, race, postcolonial background, and migration motive (e.g., asylum-seeking). Prior to our analysis, we expected these potential grounds for exclusion to have differing influences on perceived representation and how members of the groups relate to the political institutions. Our results show that descriptive representation is a critical start though not enough for adequate substantive political representation of people with an immigration background. Our respondents felt substantive representation fails in the Netherlands due to a lack of perceived representation in the form of politicians with shared experiences who know what it feels like to be excluded, opposed, and dismissed as problematic.19 p
Enhancing Half-Integer Quadrupolar Solid-State NMR Signals via Steady States: A Double Frequency Sweep-Based Approach
No full textItem does not contain fulltextThis collection contains the raw SSNMR experimental data that were used in the article "Enhancing Half-Integer Quadrupolar Solid-State NMR Signals via Steady States: A Double Frequency Sweep-Based Approach". This includes data for the echo and/or onepulse, QCPMG, classical DFS-echo and/or onepulse, classical DFS-QCPMG, rDFS echo and/or onepulse, steadyDFS, steadyDFS-QCPMG, SSFP, DFS-SSFP, DFS-interrupted SSFP, and T1 saturation recovery experiments. Simulation data for steadyDFS and steadyDFS-QCPMG are also included, together with Matlab processing scripts that were employed for data analysis. Descriptions of the datasets are provided in the readme and/or info files
The Noncommutative Geometry of the Standard Model
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314394.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access
More than meets the eye: phenomenological insights into the functioning of people with lipoedema.
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316997.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the functioning of people with lipoedema from their perspective. METHODS: This was a qualitative study following a phenomenological perspective using individual in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of 13 Dutch people with lipoedema. The data were analysed by using an interpretative phenomenological approach. RESULTS: Two overarching group experiential themes (GETs) were identified: (1) "physical complaints are only a part of their problems", and (2) "longing for improved appearance and functioning". The GETs were composed of the following subordinate GETs: "disproportionate functioning of the lower body", "navigating daily life with lipoedema", "coping with uncertainty", "the toll of shame and stigmatization", "consequences of a very negative self-image", "desire for change and improved appearance and functioning", and "an ongoing journey of acceptance". CONCLUSIONS: Participants experience that physical complaints affect daily activities, but with adequate adaptability, participation issues are relatively limited. Instead, shame about their appearance and (fear of) stigmatization mainly leads to social avoidance. Additionally, participants long for freedom to do what they want, wear what they want, and desire a different appearance. Therefore, the experienced level of acceptance of the condition is context- and situation-dependent and not straightforward, which is complicated by the burden of knowing that the condition is chronic.01 december 202
Automated Cone Photoreceptor Detection in Adaptive Optics Flood Illumination Ophthalmoscopy.
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317758.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: To develop and validate a deep learning-based model for detecting cone photoreceptor cells in adaptive optics flood illumination ophthalmoscopy (AO-FIO). DESIGN: Healthy volunteer study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 36 healthy participants were included. METHODS: The imaging protocol consisted of 21 AO-FIO images per eye acquired with the rtx1 adaptive optics retinal camera (Imagine Eyes), 4° × 4° each with 2° overlap, imaging a retinal patch 4° nasal (N) to 12° temporal (T) and -5° inferior to 5° superior relative to the fovea. Each image was divided into patches of 128 × 128 pixels, with a 20-pixel overlap. A training set (625 patches) from 18 subjects (32 ± 12 years, 6 males and 12 females) was annotated by a single center, whereas the test set (54 patches) from 18 subjects (40 ± 16 years, 11 males and 7 females) was annotated by graders from 3 different institutions. The deep learning model, based on the U-Net architecture, underwent a parameter search using the tree-structured Parzen estimator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The F1 score was used to determine both intragrader and intergrader agreements and to evaluate the model's performance compared with the automated detection by the manufacturer's software (AOdetect Mosaic). RESULTS: The average intragrader agreement was 0.85 ± 0.06 between 2°N and 2°T, followed by 0.83 ± 0.09 between 3 and 6°T, and 0.80 ± 0.10 between 7 and 10°T. The average intergrader agreement for the 3 centers was 0.84 ± 0.05, 0.79 ± 0.05, and 0.76 ± 0.06 at 2°N-2°T, 3-6°T, and 7-10°T, respectively. The best combination of hyperparameters based on the tree-structured Parzen estimator algorithm achieved an F1 score of 0.89 ± 0.04. The average agreement between the model and the graders was 0.87 ± 0.04, 0.85 ± 0.03, and 0.81 ± 0.03 at 2°N-2°T, 3°-6°T, and 7°-10°T, respectively. These values were higher than those between AOdetect's auto detection without manual correction and the graders (0.84 ± 0.05, 0.79 ± 0.03, and 0.68 ± 0.04, respectively). A reduction in cone density was noted at greater eccentricities, in line with previous research findings, and the model indicated variations in estimating cell density for individuals aged 18 to 30 compared with those aged ≥50 years. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the developed deep learning-based model, AO-FIO ConeDetect, was comparable to that of graders from 3 medical centers. It outperformed the manufacturers' software auto-detection, particularly at higher eccentricities (7°-10°T). Hence, the model could reduce the need for manual correction and enable faster cone mosaic analyses. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article
On two open problems on the normality of bent functions
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310102.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access
Standardizing the large-volume "tap test" for evaluating idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a systematic review.
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317514.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is characterized by the clinical triad of gait, cognitive, and urinary dysfunction associated with ventriculomegaly on neuroimaging. Clinical evaluation before and after CSF removal via large volume lumbar puncture (the "tap test") is used to determine a patient's potential to benefit from shunt placement. Although clinical guidelines for iNPH exist, a standardized protocol detailing the procedural methodology of the tap test is lacking. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Using PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of PubMed and Embase identifying studies of the tap test in iNPH was performed, centered on four clinical questions (volume of CSF to remove, type of needle for lumbar puncture, which clinical assessments to utilize, and timing of assessments). A modified Delphi approach was then applied to develop a consensus standardized tap test protocol for the evaluation of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Two hundred twenty-two full-text articles encompassing a total of 80,322 participants with iNPH met eligibility and were reviewed. Variations in the tap test protocol resulted in minimal concordance among studies. A standardized protocol of the tap test was iteratively developed over a two-year period by members of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Study Group until expert consensus was reached. CONCLUSIONS: The literature shows significant variability in the procedural methodology of the tap test. The proposed protocol was subsequently developed to standardize clinical management, improve patient outcomes, and better align future research in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.01 februari 202
Deep Time and Settler Literary Regionalism in Olive Schreiner's The Story of an African Farm and Willa Cather's O Pioneers!
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317107.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)13 p