263134 research outputs found
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Vision-based robotic grasping with constraints for robotic demanufacturing
No full textsponsorship: This study is part of the research work being conducted under the C2 AUDRI project, funded by KU Leuven. (KU Leuven)status: Publishe
Wetsvoorstel over AI-gezichtsherkenning: graag een grondig parlementair debat
No full textstatus: Publishe
‘An Agreement to Limit a Basic Human Right’: How the Orderly Departure Programme Reduced Freedom of Movement for Refugees from Vietnam (1979)
No full textThe Orderly Departure Programme (ODP) is regarded as a Cold War success story of refugee management, aiding the resettlement of 638,900 Vietnamese. Western sympathy for anti-communist refugees initially sparked solidarity, but led eventually to compassion fatigue, disenfranchising the practice of resettlement. However, current scholarship overlooks the fact that the ODP installed a moratorium on departures from Vietnam. I use newly discovered archival material and methods to show how the international refugee organization UNHCR undermined refugee protection, by limiting the basic human right to freedom of movement, to accommodate host states – particularly the UK and Hong Kong – in reducing responsibility for resettling refugees.sponsorship: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek|1130318N, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek|1291524N, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek|V410119Nstatus: Published onlin
Creativiteit als proces voor duurzame toerismeontwikkeling: de creatieve steden van de Centro regio in Portugal
No full textThis dissertation challenges the product-oriented definition of creativity, reframing it as an experimental, iterative process as advocated by Charles Landry. It explores how creativity drives sustainable tourism through destination design, fostering connections between people and creative experiences. Focusing on small Creative Cities in Portugal's Centro Region, Lefebvre's spatial theory is used to analyze how spaces are planned, experienced, and interacted with by diverse stakeholders. Combining policy analysis with creative-qualitative methods—such as autoethnography, ethnography, and arts-based tools—the research bridges macro-level insights with lived experiences. A novel methodology, 'User Experience in Real Life' (UX IRL), emphasizes practical, user-centered design to enhance tourism. The findings highlight challenges in aligning policy with practice, particularly in multi-stakeholder collaboration, user experience, and disparities in cultural rankings between large and small cities. Critiquing the dominance of economic metrics and limited awareness of creative tourism, the study calls for redefining creativity's meaning in tourism policy, advocating adaptive, context-sensitive approaches for sustainability.status: Publishe
Inzichten uit nieuwe diermodellen voor neurogene detrusor onderactiviteit
No full textDetrusor underactivity (DU) is a bladder emptying disorder where a detrusor contraction of reduced strength and/or duration results in reduced urine flow, prolonged and/or incomplete bladder emptying. It is a poorly understood disease and its pathophysiology remains largely elusive. Limited therapeutic options exist for DU, focusing mainly on minimizing complications from post-void residual by bladder catheterization. The International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society requested novel preclinical and clinical research initiatives to assess the pathogenesis of the disease. In this thesis, we aimed to identify a subgroup of DU patients of interest, define an animal model for this patient group and investigate the bladder wall in the animal model.
First, we identified a subgroup of DU patients of special interest (chapter 3). We performed a retrospective chart review to identify etiological risk factors in patients with DU and acontractile detrusor performing clean intermittent catheterization. Neurological conditions were the most frequently identified underlying pathology in 68% with peripheral neural injury present in 47% of patients. Seventy-five percent of patients continue to require catheterization at a follow-up of > 3 years, indicating the need for research. Based on these results, we chose an animal model of peripheral neuropathy, to study the pathophysiology of DU.
Second, we hypothesized that a crush injury of the pelvic nerve in rats, containing the preganglionic parasympathetic and afferent fibers, induces an animal model for neurogenic DU. The autonomic pelvic plexus of the rat is organized around a single pelvic ganglion, the major pelvic ganglion, making it of special interest for research. We characterized the bilateral pelvic nerve crush injury (BPNI) model in chapter 4. Indeed, BPNI induces overflow incontinence shortly after injury. Subsequently, partial recovery occurs and rats exhibit decreased maximum pressures and reduced voided percentage, hallmarks of DU. We also defined a second animal model for neurogenic bladder dysfunction: the experimental autoimmune encephalitis model, a rat model for bladder dysfunction observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) (chapter 6). Bladder dysfunction was more frequent with increasing neurological severity score. Both detrusor overactivity as detrusor underactivity were observed, equally to the lower urinary tract dysfunction observed in patients with MS.
Then we performed a functional and morphological exploration of the bladder wall (chapter 4 and 6). We found that the contractility of the bladder wall was maintained. Correspondingly, the contractile response to parasympathetic stimulation remained intact in both the BPNI as the EAE model. However, a functional and morphological denervation was observed in the BPNI model. These results imply that the bladder wall maintains its capability to contract in response to neural stimuli. Future research focusing on neuroprotection or neuroregeneration is therefore of special interest to improve iatrogenic neurogenic DU.
Lastly, a cholinergic hypersensitivity was observed after BPNI. In chapter 5, we investigated the role of the M2 muscarinic receptor for this hypersensitivity. Although agonist experiments were suggestive of a role of M2, antagonist and molecular experiments could not confirm this and the M3 muscarinic receptor remained the most important receptor for smooth muscle activation after BPNI.
Taken together, in this doctoral thesis we defined animal models for the clinical relevant group of patients with neurogenic DU. The bladder wall preserved its contractile potential. The BPNI rat model is an excellent animal model to study the pathophysiology of neurogenic DU and to test potential therapeutic strategies.status: Publishe
Modellering en preklinische metingen van beengeleidingshoren: inzichten in de conductie van geluid en de efficiëntie van implantaten.
No full textBone conduction devices (BCDs) are innovative hearing aids that deliver sound vibrations via bone conduction through the skull, bypassing the outer and middle ear to directly stimulate the cochlea. This technology is particularly suited for patients with conductive hearing loss, who have a dysfunctional outer and/or middle ear. Beyond clinical applications, bone conduction technology has also guided the development of consumer products, notably bone conduction headphones. These headphones allow the user to maintain environmental awareness, to listen underwater, and to combine them with hearing protection.
While BCDs enable many individuals with hearing loss to hear more effectively, they still have notable limitations. The primary constraint is their maximum output force level, which directly impacts the sound intensity delivered to the inner ear. This limitation restricts the degree of hearing loss that BCDs can effectively address and influences critical aspects of auditory perception, including speech recognition, spatial awareness, and overall sound quality. To improve patients' hearing outcomes with BCDs, two main strategies are possible: increasing the maximum output force level or enhancing the efficiency of sound transfer from the device to the inner ear.
This thesis focuses on the latter approach. However, to improve the sound transfer from the device, a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying sound transmission through bone and the subsequent interaction with the cochlea, is required. To address this knowledge gap, this research employs two methods: preclinical measures in human cadaveric specimens and lumped element modelling.
Preclinical measures are used to directly observe sound propagation from the BCD to the cochlea in human cadaveric specimens. The key measures are ear canal pressure, promontory velocity, and intracochlear pressures, providing a detailed look at how sound energy travels from the BCD to the cochlea. Since it is hypothesised that the stimulation position has an effect on the sound transfer, experiments are conducted with bone conduction stimulation at multiple anatomical sites. The first study examines sound propagation when the device is placed at more distal points on the skull surface, using a Cochlear Baha hearing aid, while the second study investigates stimulation closer to the cochlea within the surgical opening of the mastoidectomy and tympanotomy. By systematically evaluating the amplitude of the objective measures, the research identifies the most effective stimulation points.
In addition to these experimental studies, lumped element modelling is utilized to develop a simplified but effective representation of the mechanical system involved in sound transfer. A lumped element model identifies the key masses and interconnections within the system, offering a comprehensive framework for analysing sound propagation from the BCD to the cochlea. First, a systematic review of existing lumped element models evaluates their accuracy in predicting sound transfer and identifies limitations that may be addressed in future models. Thereafter, the findings from the preclinical experiments are integrated into a revised LEM, refining the model based on empirical data. This updated model offers a more accurate and robust representation of the sound transfer process, including the function of the temporal bone and cochlear fluid, as well as the osseous and non-osseous pathways.
By combining experimental data with theoretical modelling, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the transfer of sound energy in bone conduction. The results provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of sound propagation through bone conduction and identify potential optimal stimulation positions that enhance the effectiveness of bone conduction technologies. The fin[1]dings have the potential to improve the performance of both medical devices for individuals with hearing loss and consumer products like bone conduction headphones, ultimately advancing sound quality, energy efficiency, and user comfort in a range of applications.status: Publishe
Het ophelderen van de biologische rol van AKH in postembryonale ontwikkeling en voortplanting bij sprinkhanen
No full textThe desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, is a well-known swarming pest species that can be found in dense groups of millions of adult locusts/km², causing extreme damage to food production and related economic burden in large parts of Africa, the Near East and southwest Asia. Unfortunately, the preferred method to combat this pest insect is still the atomization of neurotoxic insecticides with limited selectivity, which can cause environmental side effects. Therefore, I will aim to identify new targets for the development of more locust specific insecticides. In order to so, I would like to thoroughly investigate the role(s) of the adipokinetic hormone (AKH) in postembryonic development and reproduction of locusts. Preliminary research has shown that silencing of this neurohormone has a noticeable and promising impact on these processes (unpublished data). However, the exact mechanism of action is still poorly understood. During my doctoral program, I will first aim the affected pathways and their crucial regulators, which will be, together with AKH, further investigated for their potential use as new targets for insect pest control.status: Publishe
Damascius' Commentary on Parm. 160B6–C2. Some Additions and Corrections to the Budé Edition
No full textIn this article, I analyse Damascius’ commentary on Plato, Parmenides 160B6–C2. Overall, the reference edition of Damascius’ In Parmenidem (Westerink-Combès 1997–2003) is very accurate; I argue, however, that the pages containing Damascius’ commentary on this passage (IV 87.1–90.8) are vitiated by an unusually high number of errors and deficiencies. In particular, I defend the transmitted text against some (arguably) inappropriate emendations, I propose a few corrections of my own, and I put forward some corrections and additions to the apparatus fontium. In total, I suggest ten changes to Westerink-Combès’s edition; while some of these concern points of detail, others involve a radically different interpretation of the text. In doing so, I also clarify, more generally, the content and structure of this intricate passage.status: Accepte