205 research outputs found
Towards reflexive land and water management in Iran : linking technology, governance and culture
No full textKey words: Qanat, land and water, sustainability, Industrial and reflexive modernity This PhD thesis is concerned with the causes and consequences of the environmental crisis and explores possible trajectories towards sustainable land and water management in Iran and other countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The basic assumption underlying the conceptual framework of this thesis is that soil and water technologies, social institutions and environmental mentalities are strongly interconnected; they co-evolve, shaping and reshaping one another in the process. The main research question concerns the changes within this network of technologies, institutions and mentalities that are required for a successful transition from industrial modernity to what sociologists like Ulrich Beck, Anthony Giddens and Scott Lash have called ‘reflexive’ modernity. In order to examine the possibilities and problems of a reflexive turn in land and water management in Iran and other MENA-countries, large-scale empirical studies were conducted among farmers and village informants, soil and water experts, and policymakers. </p
Filosofie en kritiese theorie
No full textBespreking van: Max Horkheimer & Herbert Marcuse, Filosofie en kritische theorie. Inleiding en aantekeningen van Michiel Korthals, vertaling van Ilonka de Lange. Meppel/Amsterdam. Boom klassiek 34, 196 p.Bespreking van: Max Horkheimer & Herbert Marcuse, Filosofie en kritische theorie. Inleiding en aantekeningen van Michiel Korthals, vertaling van Ilonka de Lange. Meppel/Amsterdam. Boom klassiek 34, 196 p
Venetian cardinals at the Papal Court during the pontificates of Sixtus IV and Innocent VIII : 1471-1492
No full textThe histories of particular cities and states within that myriad-faceted
slice of civilisation, the Renaissance in Italy, have received
more scholarly attention than have the diplomatic, ecclesiastical and
cultural connections between them. This study is part of a balance-redressing
process. Senior clerics traversed frontiers, owing
allegiance to their native state, their benefices and, above all, to
the Papacy. The purpose of this exploration of the curial careers of
four later quattrocento Venetian cardinals is essentially twofold : to
account for relations between Venice and the Papacy with reference to
individuals who were at once Venetian patricians and princes of the
Church; and to examine the cardinals' responses to this situation in
terms of political, ecclesiastical and cultural patronage. Where did
their loyalty lie? To Venice, with its perennial suspicion of the
Church and peculiar notion of the characteristics of a Venetian
cardinal? Or to the Pope, expressing overt hostility towards the
Republic in the War of Ferrara and placing it under an interdict?
Chapter one sets Merco Barbo, Pietro Foscari, Giovanni Michiel and
Giovanni Battista Zeno in a Venetian context. Chapters two and three
chart relations between the two powers, from the exposure of Cardinal
Zeno's involvement in a scheme to transmit Venetian state secrets to
Rome in exchange for ecclesiastical preferment, through to Ermolao
Barbaro's controversial appointment to the patriarchate of Aquileia,
via the short-lived Papal-Venetian league negotiated by Cardinal
Foscari in 1480. The fourth chapter considers their proximity to the
Supreme Pontiff and how their material fortunes varied under popes
Sixtus and Innocent, after which an assessment of the nature, extent
and effectiveness of their patronage is divided between chapters five
and six, focussing pa.rticularly on Venetian connections. Despite
diverging careers, it is concluded that all were bound by variations
of the Venetian inheritance
Sebastian Castellio, Annotationes in Pauli Epistulam ad Romanos ex Cap. IX. Critical edition and English translation by Michiel Op de Coul and Mirjam van Veen, 2020
No full textIn this little book, Mirjam van Veen (Church Historian) and Michiel Op de Coul (Classical Scholar) publish the Latin text (together with an English translation) of a lengthy annotation on Romans 9, addressing the biblical foundation of the doctrine of predestination, clearly criticising the vision promoted by Jean Calvin. The author of the text, Sebastian Castellio (1515-1563), added this annotation to the second edition (1554) of his Latin Bible (first edition 1551), published by the Basel p..
Data from: Making better use of tracking data can reveal the spatiotemporal and intraspecific variability of species distributions
No full text<p>Understanding geographic ranges and species distributions is crucial for effective conservation, especially in the light of climate and land use change. However, the spatial, temporal and intraspecific resolution of digital accessible information on species distributions is often limited. Here, we suggest to make better use of high-resolution tracking data to address existing limitations of occurrence records such as spatial biases (e.g. lack of observations in parts of the geographic range), temporal biases (e.g. lack of observations during a certain period of the year), and insufficient information on intraspecific variability (e.g. lack of population- or individual-level variation). Addressing these gaps can improve our knowledge on geographic ranges, intra-annual changes in species distributions, and population-level differences in habitat and space use. We demonstrate this with tracking data and species distribution models (SDMs) of the Barnacle Goose, a migratory bird species wintering in western Europe and breeding in the Arctic. Our analyses show that tracking data can (1) supplement occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) in remote areas such as the European and Russian Arctic, (2) improve information on the temporal use of wintering, staging and breeding areas of migratory species, and (3) provide insights into the differences of population-level responses to environmental variables. We recommend a broader use of tracking data to address the Wallacean shortfall (i.e. the incomplete knowledge on the geographic distribution of species) and to improve forecasts of biodiversity responses to climate and land use change (e.g. species vulnerability assessments). To avoid common pitfalls, we provide six recommendations for consideration during the research cycle when using tracking data in species distribution modelling, including steps to assess biases and integrate information on intraspecific variability in modelling approaches.</p><p>Funding provided by: Dutch Research Council<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/04jsz6e67<br>Award Number: ALWPP.2019.002</p><p>Tracking data was obtained from the Movebank Data Repository using the following studies: </p>
<ul>
<li>van der Jeugd, H. P., Oosterbeek, K., Ens, B. J., Shamoun-Baranes, J., & Exo, K. (2014). Data from: Forecasting spring from afar? Timing of migration and predictability of phenology along different migration routes of an avian herbivore [Barents Sea data]. [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.5441/001/1.ps244r11 </li>
<li>Heim, W., Piironen, A., Heim, R. J., Piha, M., Seimola, T., Forsman, J. T., & Laaksonen, T. (2022). Data from: Effects of multiple targeted repelling measures on the behaviour of individually tracked birds in an area of increasing human-wildlife conflict [Csv]. Movebank Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.5441/001/1.VD7JB526 </li>
<li>Griffin, L. (2014). Data from: Forecasting spring from afar? Timing of migration and predictability of phenology along different migration routes of an avian herbivore [Svalbard data]. Movebank Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.5441/001/1.5K6B1364 </li>
<li>Garthe, S. (2023). FTZ Geese Wadden Sea [dataset]. Movebank Data Repository. (Downloaded 18-08-2023, contains barnacle goose data up to 02-2020).</li>
</ul>
<p>Movebank data is subsequently converted to Darwin Core standards, using the package 'Movepub' (Desmet. 2023), after which redundant columns were removed.</p>
Data from: Making better use of tracking data can reveal the spatiotemporal and intraspecific variability of species distributions
No full text<p>Understanding geographic ranges and species distributions is crucial for effective conservation, especially in the light of climate and land use change. However, the spatial, temporal and intraspecific resolution of digital accessible information on species distributions is often limited. Here, we suggest to make better use of high-resolution tracking data to address existing limitations of occurrence records such as spatial biases (e.g. lack of observations in parts of the geographic range), temporal biases (e.g. lack of observations during a certain period of the year), and insufficient information on intraspecific variability (e.g. lack of population- or individual-level variation). Addressing these gaps can improve our knowledge on geographic ranges, intra-annual changes in species distributions, and population-level differences in habitat and space use. We demonstrate this with tracking data and species distribution models (SDMs) of the Barnacle Goose, a migratory bird species wintering in western Europe and breeding in the Arctic. Our analyses show that tracking data can (1) supplement occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) in remote areas such as the European and Russian Arctic, (2) improve information on the temporal use of wintering, staging and breeding areas of migratory species, and (3) provide insights into the differences of population-level responses to environmental variables. We recommend a broader use of tracking data to address the Wallacean shortfall (i.e. the incomplete knowledge on the geographic distribution of species) and to improve forecasts of biodiversity responses to climate and land use change (e.g. species vulnerability assessments). To avoid common pitfalls, we provide six recommendations for consideration during the research cycle when using tracking data in species distribution modelling, including steps to assess biases and integrate information on intraspecific variability in modelling approaches.</p><p>Funding provided by: Dutch Research Council<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/04jsz6e67<br>Award Number: ALWPP.2019.002</p><p>Tracking data was obtained from the Movebank Data Repository using the following studies: </p>
<ul>
<li>van der Jeugd, H. P., Oosterbeek, K., Ens, B. J., Shamoun-Baranes, J., & Exo, K. (2014). Data from: Forecasting spring from afar? Timing of migration and predictability of phenology along different migration routes of an avian herbivore [Barents Sea data]. [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.5441/001/1.ps244r11 </li>
<li>Heim, W., Piironen, A., Heim, R. J., Piha, M., Seimola, T., Forsman, J. T., & Laaksonen, T. (2022). Data from: Effects of multiple targeted repelling measures on the behaviour of individually tracked birds in an area of increasing human-wildlife conflict [Csv]. Movebank Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.5441/001/1.VD7JB526 </li>
<li>Griffin, L. (2014). Data from: Forecasting spring from afar? Timing of migration and predictability of phenology along different migration routes of an avian herbivore [Svalbard data]. Movebank Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.5441/001/1.5K6B1364 </li>
<li>Garthe, S. (2023). FTZ Geese Wadden Sea [dataset]. Movebank Data Repository. (Downloaded 18-08-2023, contains barnacle goose data up to 02-2020).</li>
</ul>
<p>Movebank data is subsequently converted to Darwin Core standards, using the package 'Movepub' (Desmet. 2023), after which redundant columns were removed.</p>
Doing business with animals : moral entrepreneurship and ethical room for manoeuvre in livestock related sector
No full textThe overall objective of this dissertation is to study moral entrepreneurship within animal and business ethics in relation to moral change. In particular the current capability in bringing about moral change and its potential to do so
Design of a reversible growth-from-the-tip device following a complex trajectory: An innovative everting chains principle
No full textBackground: Accessing targets through complex trajectories with multiple curves in series, remains challenging today in many application fields, like surgery, the Fukushima disaster, maintenance of complex tube networks, mining and space operations. Current steerable devices require control of an extensive amount of segments, while moving as a whole through the environment. In contrast, growth-from-the-tip devices move only at the tip by creating a solidified support structure, allowing for active curvature creation at any point of the trajectory with limited effect on the environment. However, reversible and accurate growth remain challenging for these type of devices.Method: Competitive design requirements are setup and quantified. Subsequently, a broad concept generation is performed, based on the ACRREX (i.e. Abstracting, Categorizing, Reflecting, Reformulating and Extending ) method. After selection of one working principle, a proof-of-principle is designed, prototyped and evaluated. Based on the outcome, a second prototype is created and evaluated again. Evaluation of both prototypes comprise accuracy measurements, based on the ratio of path deviation from a kinematic model and insertion length. Moreover, load bearing capacity of the support structure, forces acting on the environment and overall performance are assessed.Results: The selected concept is based on everting chains, driven by torque at the tip and consisting of two chains with lockable sliding hinged joints. Both prototypes successfully show reversible and steerable growth-from-the-tip, by the fact that counter rotation of the tip gears resulted in a translation of the tip, while differential rotation of the gears resulted in curvature creation. Prototype I (PI) had an accuracy of 4.5% for pure translations and 6.2% to 8.1% for the formation of two sequential (90 degrees) curvatures. Prototype II (PII), which was not fully operational, had a deviation per insertion length of 2.9% for a single curvature and to 10.7% to 19.1% for a combination of translations and curvatures in series. Even though the shape-locks of Prototype I had 3 degrees play per joint and a limiting amount of locking positions, the average orthogonal load bearing capacity was high (49N) with an accompanied deformation of maximally 8 degrees. In contrast, the friction-locked drum brakes of Prototype II rotated up to 70 degrees, by both deformation (22%) and slippage (78%) at a load of 20N. A rotation of 25 degrees was reached at an average load of 7.3N. Normal forces acting on the environment during movement were only measured for Prototype I, resulting in direct distortions (78%) of <4N and indirect distortions (22%) of <0.36N. Moreover, both prototypes had comparable elongation rates (PI: 92.9mm/min, PII: 156mm/min), extension rates (PI: 2.6mm/mm, PII: 0.9mm/mm) and widths (PI: 268mm, PII: 270mm). Lastly, a minimal inner curvature of zero and a minimal outer curvature equal to the device’s width were realized, due to the presence of sliding hinged joints.Conclusion and discussion: Both prototypes performed reversible growth-from-the-tip based on the everting chains principle. Accordingly, the generated kinematic model that links gear rotations to tip rotations and translations seems to be an accurate simplification of the experimental data.In addition, the normal forces acting on the environment were much lower than the load bearing capacity of Prototype I, confirming sufficient support and limited deflection and deformation by the built structure. The everting chain principle has many advantages. First, multiple curves in series can be formed in a reversible manner. Moreover, high load bearing capacity of locked chains results in high accuracy of the system’s movement. Furthermore, the system has limited interaction with the environment and no additional system is required to create curvature. Lastly, sliding hinged joints allow for movement along sharp edges. The next generation of everting chain robots should incorporate improved power and load tuning, size reduction and chains that allow for fully selfsupporting movements in 3D space.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GstrTG8yVGs Visualization of prototype IIBITE GroupMechanical Engineering | BioMechanical Desig
Modernism Today, or The Author Becomes a Character
No full textThe final chapter examines the recent appearance of biographical fiction about the recuperative modernists from four continents—Cynthia Ozick’s Dictation, Michiel Heyns’s The Typewriter’s Tale, Colm Tóibín’s The Master, and Juan Gabriel Vásquez’s Secret History of Costaguana. These works go beyond influence or allusion: they simultaneously trade on the continuing appeal of their subject writers (and on the style of their subjects), and examine them from the perspective of a future to which they are already a little bit out of date. It is this dichotomy—between a persisting readership and a specific, time-bound context—that animates modern fiction, its political significance, and the persisting critical debates about it today.</p
Author Correction: Ex vivo validation of magnetically actuated intravascular untethered robots in a clinical setting:Ex vivo validation of magnetically actuated intravascular untethered robots in a clinical setting (Communications Engineering, (2024), 3, 1, (68), 10.1038/s44172-024-00215-2)
No full textCorrection to: Communications Engineeringhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00215-2, published online 16 May 2024 In the version of the article initially published, Michiel Warlé was incorrectly associated with the Department of Physics, German University in Cairo, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt. The correct affiliation is: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Transplant Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the article.</p
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