263134 research outputs found
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Pharmacological management of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in pregnancy, lactation and among prospective fathers: a multidisciplinary guideline-based review
No full textstatus: Accepte
The role of social workers in Housing First for Youth (HF4Y): insights into their involvement and collaboration across Europe
No full textsponsorship: The authors are employed in the Applying Sustainability Transition Research in Social Work Tackling Major Societal Challenge of Social Inclusion (ASTRA) project, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Slodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 955518. This article reflects the authors' views, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. (European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Slodowska-Curie Grant Agreement|955518)status: Published onlin
Rapid Nanocellulose Wet Nanoimprint Lithography for Tunable Structural Color
No full textWe report a nanopatterning approach for nanocellulose films capable of generating structural color, within time scales of a few minutes, 3-4 orders of magnitude faster than typical cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) self-assembly into chiral nematic structures. We employ a wet-nanoimprint lithography (wet-NIL) approach, in which a prescribed mold is imprinted onto nanocellulose suspensions, supported by a semipermeable membrane that enables water removal during pattern transfer, and thus film formation. We examine the roles of nanocellulose type, concentration, rheology, imprint pressure, and temperature, as well as pattern geometry, seeking to reduce wet-NIL time scales while ensuring replication fidelity. The dynamic response and durability of the patterned CNC films are examined by light scattering and microscopy over multiple humidity cycles, direct contact with water droplets, and long-term storage (up to 12 months). We then model and optimize the diffractive color selection and vibrancy of the patterned CNC films, yielding the largest angular range of single colors and providing a sustainable approach for CNC structure color, which is benchmarked against chiral self-assembly and hybrid patterning methods.sponsorship: We gratefully acknowledge funding from the European Union (HORIZON-CL4-2021-RESILIENCE-01-20) underwritten by UKRI (InnovateUK 10042469) for the Triple-A-COAT consortium. JTC thanks EPSRC (EP/V056891/1) and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RCSRF1920/10/60) for funding a Research chair. We thank Yuval Nevo (Melodea) for the TEM image shown in Figure b, Ben Green (Bath) for the PET mold, and Charlie Brown (Imperial) for help with the CD measurements. (Innovate UK|10042469, Royal Academy of Engineering|RCSRF1920/10/60, Horizon 2020|HORIZON-CL4-2021-RESILIENCE-01-20, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council|EP/V056891/1)status: Publishe
Softwaregedefinieerde radio's als sensoren voor elektromagnetische storingen: ontwerp, evaluatie en toepassing
No full textThis position will build sensors that can continuously monitor the real EMI disturbances that a medical device encounters during its operational life. First, the bit error rate (BER) of one or multiple communication channels will be tracked as a means to estimate the EMI. Second, the amplitude of harmonics will be monitored in the frequency domain. Initially, these options will be assessed on the basis of simulations, after which they will be validated in practice. The sensors will be fabricated and validated as stand-alone sensors. After that they will be integrated into a system to validate their final effectiveness.status: Accepte
Alomvattend wettelijk kader voor termijnen en sancties bij afhandeling van schadegevallen door verzekeraars: tussen vernieuwing en behoud
No full textstatus: Published onlin
Navigating the dual-purpose paradox in scaling-up: The interface between goal and entrepreneurial orientation in social enterprises
No full textTo effectively tackle today’s pressing societal challenges, social enterprises need toscale up their impact beyond their initial community or region, especially indeveloping economies where societal challenges are most pronounced. However,the scaling-up process tends to be hampered by the tensions inherent in combiningsocial and financial goals. Drawing on insights from the (social) entrepreneurshipand purpose literature, the present paper posits that entrepreneurial orientation isa mechanism that is critical to bridging the gap between social goal orientationand scaling-up. Based on data from 162 social enterprises operating in India’sBase of the Pyramid (BoP) segment, we show that a strong goal orientationtoward a particular social purpose is not sufficient to achieve scaling-up. Ourresults show rather that by translating social aspirations into entrepreneurialactions in order to expand their social impact, entrepreneurial orientation medi-ates the relationship between social goal orientation and scaling-up particularlywithin the BoP market. Our study findings contribute to the growing discourse onpurpose-driven strategies aimed at maximizing value creation beyond profit andthe tensions inherent in dual-purpose organizations.status: Published onlin
Comparison of enzymatic and acid hydrolysis treatments on the structure of RG-I segments in the diluted alkali-soluble pectin (DASP) fraction from apple and carrot pomace
No full textsponsorship: This work was supported by the National Science Centre, Poland [grant number 2019/35/O/NZ9/01387] and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange-NAWA Preludium BIS 1 Foreign Doctoral Fellowship program (PPN/STA/2021/1/00072/U/00001) . (National Science Centre, Poland|2019/35/O/NZ9/01387, Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange-NAWA Preludium BIS 1 Foreign Doctoral Fellowship program|PPN/STA/2021/1/00072/U/00001)status: Accepte
Analyse en delen van klinisch genomische gegevens
No full textNeurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of conditions. Traditional short-read sequencing (SRS) methods leave a significant proportion of cases unresolved. This thesis explores how long-read sequencing (LRS), integrated methylation profiling, and federated data-sharing infrastructures can transform NDD discovery by bridging critical technological and systemic gaps in variant detection, interpretation, and cross-institutional collaboration.
We demonstrate that long-read whole-genome sequencing (lrWGS), in combination with optimized bioinformatic pipelines such as Sniffles2 and trio/population-based filtering, improve the resolution and recall of structural variants (SV). The analysis of 26 families' LRS enabled the discovery of novel SVs, which went undetectable with conventional short-read whole-genome sequencing (srWGS). By incorporating the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome, we uncovered variants missed by GRCh38, providing evidence that a transition toward more complete reference genomes will improve genetic diagnosis.
LRS enables the direct detection of native DNA methylation. We first demonstrate that ONT based methylome calling is concordant with other methylation mapping methods. Subsequently, we explored haplotype-aware methylation mapping, facilitating the study of X-chromosome inactivation and imprinting status. In female patients, we observed skewed X-inactivation patterns that had direct clinical implications. By combining variant and epigenetic analysis within a single assay, this approach consolidates what traditionally required multiple separate tests, thereby reducing the diagnostic timeline and increasing sensitivity for complex molecular diagnoses. Subsequently, we wondered whether the chromatinopathy specific episignatures can be mapped. Using a support vector machine (SVM), we classified 17 out of 19 patients with known NDD based on their methylome profiles, confirming the presence of disease-specific episignatures. This approach not only enables molecular classification of syndromic NDDs but also supports the reclassification of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and will offer insights into complex regulatory mechanisms. Our findings reinforce the diagnostic value of LRS not just as a research tool, but as a viable first-line method for clinical use in NDDs.
Genomic and epigenomic profiling enhances the genomic analysis of individual genomes. However, to uncover novel causes of NDD, large datasets are required, which requires collaboration across institutions. Thus far, most sites work in isolation. To enable large-scale collaboration without compromising patient privacy or violating data protection frameworks like GDPR, we developed two federated platforms: MINDDS-Connect and WiNGS.
MINDDS-Connect is a federated metadata-sharing platform designed for virtual meta-cohort building. It enables researchers to query sample availability across multiple centers using standardized Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) terms, without requiring physical data transfer. MINDDS-Connect allows institutions to retain data control locally while sharing high-level, de-identified metadata, facilitating cohort matching for rare disorders. A pilot deployment across five centers provided access to 900 samples, validating the platform's utility for collaborative cohort construction and hypothesis generation. With 22q11.2DSas a use case, we illustrate the potential of the system for condition-specific sample identification and deep phenotyping studies.
Building on this model, WiNGS introduces federated variant-level data sharing and annotation across multiple institutions. Unlike traditional centralized repositories, WiNGS retains raw genomic and phenotypic data on-premise. Analysis and filtering are executed locally through Docker-based deployments, and querying is enabled via a RESTful API. WiNGS currently manages over 6,400 SNV samples, 1,500 CNV samples, and 500 SV samples. By supporting trio-based filtering and annotation, WiNGS can enhance diagnostic sensitivity and reduce false positives in real time. WiNGS serves as a scalable framework for federated genomic analysis and variant reclassification.
Collectively, this thesis underscores the transformative potential of integrating LRS, methylation profiling, and federated informatics into a unified ecosystem. Our data support the use of T2T references and lrWGS based methylation calling for routine diagnostics and present two deployable tools for cross-center genomic collaboration. By bridging diagnostic, epigenetic, and systemic challenges, the tools and methods developed in this thesis lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, precise, and efficient mapping of the genetic causes of rare diseases.status: Accepte
Cardiovascular adaptation to training load in endurance athletes: a longitudinal study
No full textBACKGROUND AND AIMS: Prior studies on cardiac remodelling associated with exercise have relied on self-reported data of uncertain accuracy. In the present study, exercise duration and intensity were objectively quantified using heart rate (HR) monitors in athletes, and these metrics were correlated with cardiac magnetic resonance findings. METHODS: Young (16-23 years, n = 69) and middle-aged (45-70 years, n = 82) male endurance athletes with ≥80% of training sessions recorded via chest-worn HR monitors over 3 months were included. Training duration, session count, and intensity (classified into five HR zones and expressed as Edwards training impulse in arbitrary units) were analysed. Cardiac magnetic resonance measured indexed left/right ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and left ventricular mass. RESULTS: Younger athletes trained more than older athletes [169 (127-209) vs 78 (49-114) hours; 23 129 (17 880-28 305) vs 12 620 (7168-17 607) arbitrary units; both P 6 or >9 metabolic equivalent of tasks to describe intense activity. Training duration (r > .33, P .29, P < .05 for all) correlated with cardiac dimensions, but the duration always outperformed intensity. Time spent in lower HR zones (1 and 2) correlated more with cardiac dimensions than higher-intensity training. Partial least squares analysis identified training duration in Zones 1&2 and 3 and age as key determinants of cardiac remodelling, whereas intensity was not a significant determinant of cardiac dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Objective exercise quantification reveals new insights into cardiac remodelling, highlighting total exercise duration as a primary determinant of left/right ventricular volumes, independent of intensity. Traditional questionnaire-based methods may overlook these relationships.sponsorship: The Master@Heart trial is supported by the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO-TBM, T003717N). The Pro@Heart study is supported by unrestricted grants from Boston Scientific Belgium and Abbott Belgium. R.W. is a clinical research fellow funded by Fonds Wetenschappelijk onderzoek Vlaanderen. A.L.G. received an investigator grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council-Australian Government. (FWO Vlaanderen, Abbott Belgium, Boston Scientific Belgium, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government, Fund for Scientific Research Flanders|FWO-TBM, T003717N)status: Published onlin
Deep reinforcement learning for the real-time inventory rack storage assignment and replenishment problem
No full textsponsorship: The Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) funded this research, granting the corresponding author a strategic basic research mandate (1S97322) . (Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)|1S97322)status: Publishe