1,140 research outputs found
In de etalage: Sekseverschillen in de ervaren zorgbelasting van partner-mantelzorgers
No full textOorspronkelijk artikel: Swinkels, J., Tilburg, T. V., Verbakel, E., & Broese van Groenou, M. (2017). Explaining the Gender Gap in the Caregiving Burden of Partner Caregivers. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Science, online first. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbx03
Towards a design for an improved drinking water supply system on Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba
No full textIn 2008, the author has conducted a research study on behalf of the Caribbean Water Association on the consequences of the constitutional change of the Netherlands Antilles for the drinking water supply on Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (BES). This research study formed the basis for further research in the form of this MSc. thesis. Being the responsible Ministry for the supply of drinking water on the future BES islands, VROM positively embraced the idea to study solution alternatives to improve the current situation on the BES islands. The Ministry of VROM granted the author with the financial means and support to conduct this thesis research study. In chapter 7 of this report a set of guidelines and instruments is presented that can support the Ministry of VROM in defining and preparing an improved drinking water supply on the BES islands.Sanitary EngineeringWatermanagementCivil Engineering and Geoscience
Presence of connecting channels in the Western Scheldt Estuary
No full textTo predict the effects of dredging operations in the Western Scheldt estuary, insight into the morphological behaviour of its channels is needed. The estuary features two large main channels that meander alongside each other and that are linked by smaller connecting channels. These connecting channels originate from water level differences between the two main channels. Three hydrodynamic mechanisms are investigated that are responsible for generating such water level differences: (1) differences in tidal wave propagation along two neighbouring main channels, (2) centrifugal forces, and (3) Coriolis forces.The magnitude of the three mechanisms is analytically assessed based on channel geometry, which is derived from historical depth charts. The analysis demonstrates a large temporal variability of the water level differences due to tidal wave propagation, mainly as a function of changes in the depth ratio between the two main channels. Conversely, both the centrifugal effect and the Coriolis effect are relatively constant over time. The temporal evolution of the connecting channels can therefore primarily be attributed to the wave propagation mechanism. A correlation analysis reveals a linear relationship between connecting channel dimensions and the net water level differences produced by the three processes.The relationship suggests that dredging operations may significantly influence the evolution of connecting channels by changing the depth ratio between the two main channels. The proposed future deepening of the navigation channel is therefore expected to induce a decline in the size, or even a total disappearance, of connecting channels in some parts of the estuary
Ontogeny and organ‐specific steroidal glycoside diversity is associated with differential expression of steroidal glycoside pathway genes in two Solanum dulcamara leaf chemotypes
No full textSolanaceous plants, such as Solanum dulcamara, produce steroidal glycosides (SGs). Leaf SG profiles vary among S. dulcamara individuals, leading to distinct phytochemical phenotypes ('chemotypes') and intraspecific phytochemical diversity ('chemodiversity'). However, if and how SG chemodiversity varies among organs and across ontogeny, and how this relates to SG metabolism gene expression is unknown. Among organs and across ontogeny, S. dulcamara plants with saturated (S) and unsaturated (U) SG leaf chemotypes were selected and clonally propagated. Roots, stems and leaves were harvested from vegetative and flowering plants. Extracts were analysed using untargeted LC-MS. Expression of candidate genes in SG metabolism (SdGAME9, SdGAME4, SdGAME25, SdS5αR2 and SdDPS) was analysed using RT-qPCRs. Our analyses showed that SG chemodiversity varies among organs and across ontogeny in S. dulcamara; SG richness (Dmg) was higher in flowering than vegetative plants. In vegetative plants, Dmg was higher for leaves than for roots. Lack of SdGAME25 expression in U-chemotype leaves, while readily expressed in roots and stems, suggests a pivotal role for SdGAME25 in differentiation of leaf chemotypes in vegetative and flowering plants. By acting as an ontogeny-dependent chemotypic switch, differential regulation of SdGAME25 enables adaptive allocation of SGs, thereby increasing SG chemodiversity in leaves. This indicates that differential expression and/or regulation of glycoalkaloid metabolism genes, rather than their presence or absence, explains observed chemotypic variation in SG chemodiversity among organs and across ontogeny
Non-monotoniticies and the all-pay auction tie-breaking rule
No full textDiscontinuous games, such as auctions, may require special tie-breaking rules to guarantee equilibrium existence. The best results available ensure equilibrium existence only in mixed strategy with endogenously defined tie-breaking rules and communication of private information. We show that an all-pay auction tie-breaking rule is sufficient for the existence of pure strategy equilibrium in a class of auctions. The rule is explicitly defined and does not require communication of private information. We also characterize when special tie-breaking rules are really needed
Real-time SVM-based emotion recognition algorithm
No full textThe rise in ageing population is a global trend and this increasing number of elderly requires the development of new techniques, especially in the healthcare. Nowadays, already a lot of research is conducted with respect to the development of healthcare robots. However, these robots often focus on practical tasks and lack on a social interaction level. To enhance these social skills it is necessary to analyze both verbal and non-verbal communication. This paper focuses on the latter form of communication, more specific on emotion detection. To accomplish this the developed algorithm extracts specific facial cues, in the form of displacement ratios, and interprets these cues with a cascade of SVMs. In total there are 4 different steps to achieve the emotion detection. First, the countenance is detected with an adapted Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HoG) algorithm. Subsequently, 19 feature points are derived from the facial region. The next step comprises the calculation of 12 displacement ratios based on the distance between those feature points in successive frames. Finally, the displacement
ratios are used as feature vectors for a multi-class SVM in cascade
with a binary SVM. The developed algorithm is evaluated on the Extended Cohn-Kanade (CK+) dataset and has an overall accuracy of 89.78% with a detection speed of less than 30ms, which makes it suitable for real-time applications.FW
Reframing Brussels' Canal zone: From path dependence to path renewal
No full textMany western European countries have undergone the process of deindustrialisation. The has resulted in a changed economy focused on knowledge. This went hand in hand with urbanisation, resulting in explosive population growth in many cities. In combination with the rise of neoliberal planning made cities an attractive investment object. All three of these trends have caused many industrial areas to be transformed in often glamorous projectsto revamp cities images. While aesthetically improving cities, it has also often started or intensified processes of gentrification. The canal zone of Brussels however seems to be very stable in this regard, and has not undergoneany big transformation. My hypothesis is that this could be attributed to strong path dependencies within the area, which expresses itself in three ways: the segregated social profile, the industrial land use and its governance fragmentation. Often neoliberal planning treats these types of path dependent location as a sort of ‘tabula rasa’ that can be used to maximise profits and thus deals with these path dependencies by path breaking: demolishing urban fabric and displacing people and/or economic functions. Due to the fact that these path dependencies seem quite strong in Brussels and have not yet undergone such a transformation, makes it a unique opportunity to look at a different approach of urban development. Approaching these path dependencies from the perspective of path renewal, these could be starting points for a just, productive and place-based development. How can a just, productive and place-based development be achieved in the Canal zone of Brussels, utilizing the area’s path dependenciesthrough path renewal? First the past, present and future for the canal zone will be analysed to see how these dependencies have and possibly will develop. After that a synthesis will be made from which values are derived. Based on these values a vision and strategic framework will be constructed, which will be tested on case study sites. This strategy is underpinned by a pattern language which is used to explore pathways to path renewal. Ultimately this strategy aims to intensify the local economy, empower local communities and preserve spatial identity.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Complex Citie
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