105,918 research outputs found
Can Item Effects Explain Away the Evidence for Unconscious Sound Symbolism? An Adversarial Commentary on Heyman, Maerten, Vankrunkelsven, Voorspoels, and Moors (2019)
No full textsponsorship: P. Moors was funded through a postdoctoral fellowship awarded by the Research Foundation - Flanders (Grant No. 12X8218N). (Research Foundation - Flanders|12X8218N)status: Published onlin
Is the FAMACHA (c) chart suitable for every breed? Correlations between FAMACHA (c) scores and different traits of mucosa colour in naturally parasite infected sheep breeds
No full textInfections with gastrointestinal nematodes, in particular Haemonchus contortus, are worldwide one of the most important factors causing high economic losses in sheep production. Different methods for detecting infections with H. contortus have been described, such as, e.g. the FAMACHA(C) system, which categorises the colour of the conjunctivae from red to pale. When H. contortus is not the predominant parasite, the FAMACHA(C) chart might not be suitable to detect nematode infections, because of the lack of a blood feeding parasite. Otherwise breed-specific differences in the colour of the mucosa could be responsible for the limitations of the FAMACHA(C) system. The aim of the study was to compare different methods of measuring mucosa colour in the German sheep breeds Black Head Mutton (BH) and Leine sheep (LE). In a total of 232 6-months-old lambs, the colour of mucosa was measured using the FAMACHA(C) chart (conjunctivae) as well as the colour analyser Minolta Chroma Meter CR-200b (gingivae). Faeces and blood samples were taken at the same time to determine faecal egg counts per gram faeces (FEC) and the packed cell volume (PCV), respectively. Lambs grazed on contaminated pastures and no anthelmintic treatment was used. Lambs were moderately infected with gastrointestinal nematodes with no significant difference between the two breeds (P > 0.05). The prevalence of H. contortus was 23%, based on larvae differentiation of coproculture. There was no significant correlation between FEC and PCV, nor FEC and FAMACHA(C) (P > 0.05). Significant differences (P = 0.27 1/1), as shown by significant correlation coefficients between PCV and Chroma and HA, respectively. It can be concluded, that the measurement of mucosa colour with a colour analyser is more sensitive in detecting anaemic states in sheep, compared to the FAMACHA(C) chart. However, because the colour analyser is not suited for measurements in the field, an adaptation of the FAMACHA(C) colour scales for different sheep breeds might be required. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Reviving Modernist Housing: Arena District of Renaat Braem
No full textThe modernist housing project ‘Arenawijk’, in Deurne, Antwerp (BE), is currently threatened with (partial) demolition in order to make place for a new, more contemporary housing development. The initial plans were designed by Renaat Braem (1910–2001), one of the most prominent Belgian modernist architects and urban planners. The Arena district can be considered as an interesting cohesion between the internationally acknowledged CIAM principles and the, sometimes contradictorily, personal theories formulated by Braem himself. Hence, the site is a very significant part of Belgian modernist heritage. Nevertheless, the project is not protected. The demolition plans were initiated due to various reasons. This contribution addresses the historical richness and uniqueness of the Arena district as starting point for research-by-design. It is assumed that precise architectural interventions, based on a process of research-by-design, may herald new possibilities for reuse. The first part of the paper is based on the emergence of the site and illustrates Braem, as polemic figure, in a broader context. A second part will point out the value assessment of the unique characteristics of the site, based on the first historical situation and the new layers added by Braem. In conclusion, some further research suggestions will be made.Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - 1116421
The role of preparation technique, culture media and incubation time for embryonation of Heterakis gallinarum eggs
No full textThe importance of preparation technique, culture media and incubation time in the embryonation of the infective egg stages of the intestinal nematode parasite Heterakis gallinarum was studied. Mature H. gallinarum worms were isolated from the caeca of infected chickens and separated by sex. In a first experiment intact female worms were kept for the development of their eggs in four different media (0.5 % formalin, 2 % formalin, 0.1.N sulphuric acid, 0.1 % potassium dichromate) and incubated under constant temperature (20-22 C) for 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks. Afterwards the body of the worms were ruptured and the numbers of unembryonated and embryonated eggs were determined using a McMaster egg counting chamber, and the percentage of embryonated eggs was calculated. After 8 weeks of incubation in 0.5 % formalin, 0.1 N sulphuric acid or 0.1 % potassium dichromate 27.6 %, 26.7 % and 29.4 % of the eggs, respectively, embryonated into third stage larvae (p > 0.05). In contrast, incubation in 2 % formalin resulted in an embryonation of 18.6 % only (p < 0.05). In a second experiment H. gallinarum eggs were directly harvested from worm uteri and cultivated afterwards in different media (2 % formalin, 0.1 N sulphuric acid, 0.1 % potassium dichromate) at 20 to 22 C for 6 weeks. An incubation of isolated eggs in 2.0 % formalin or 0.1 % potassium dichromate during 6 weeks resulted in a significantly higher percentage of embryonation in comparison to the incubation of intact worms (first experiment). The results suggest that preparation technique, media and time of incubation has an essential influence on the development rate of H. gallinarum eggs
Disappearance of Modern Heritage in Kuwait, Adaptive Reuse of ‘Al Sawaber’ Housing Complex
No full textAfter the discovery of oil in Kuwait in 1940, a tabula rasa of the historic city centre made place for modernist buildings and structures. However, the replacement of the original built fabric inhabited by fishermen and functioning as trade route from the Persian Gulf to Aleppo, was seen as an historical and socio-cultural loss; the same is happening today. In this light, the paper addresses the current modernization process of the city of Kuwait, which is resulting in the disappearance of modernist housing all over the city, in particular the 'Al Sawaber' housing complex. The first part of the paper presents a brief history of the various planning processes Kuwait went through. The emerging modern state embraced the 1960s utopian movement. And therefore, renowned members of TEAM X were invited to rethink the city of Kuwait. The second part zooms in on the extraordinary case of the 'Al Sawaber' housing complex; constructed in a period of modernist experimentation. Nowadays 'Al Sawaber' is being demolished, like many other modernist constructions in the city, 'to make the Kuwait's future regeneration possible'. Questions are raised about the arguments pro-demolition. In conclusion, we explore alternative strategies for urban renewal and adaptive reuse of the 'Al Sawaber' project. The analysis of the modernist approach of housing in the 1970s provides significant material on how to reuse this mass housing typology. Our personal project investigates the importance of the public spaces and the necessary economic development of the city without losing sight on the social aspects connected to a dynamic process of modernization. Therefore, it is important to enhance the potential of the existing built fabric, but at the same time invest in new functions that adapt this heritage to current needs.Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (1116421N
Genetic resistance to Heterakis gallinarum in two chicken layer lines following a single dose infection
No full textGroups of White Leghorn and New Hampshire male and female chicks were reared under helminth-free conditions and divided into two groups at an age of 8 weeks. One group was artificially infected with 100 embryonated Heterakis gallinarum eggs, while the other group was kept as uninfected control. After 8 weeks all animals were harvested and worm burden was established. Maximum of 60 worms per bird randomly selected were measured for length. Body weights were recorded at 8 and 16 weeks of age. Total worm burden was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in infected males than in infected females. Furthermore, White Leghorns showed a significantly (P = 0.011) higher number of worms when compared with New Hampshire animals. Average worm lengths were not significantly different between the breeds (P = 0.155) and sexes (P = 0.062). Correlations between worm burden and worm length was 0.08 (P = 0.140). The daily weight gains between 8 and 16 weeks of age of the infected animals were significantly (P = 0.038) lower when compared with the control group. There was no significant correlation between daily weight gain and worm burden. The estimated heritabilities for logarithm (In) worm burden were 0.41 (S.E. +/- 0.086) in White Leghorn and 0.31 (S.E. +/- 0.126) in New Hampshire, respectively. Based on the estimated heritabilities it is possible to select for H. gallinarum resistance in both genetically distinct chicken breeds. This approach may be of importance for chickens kept in floor husbandry systems. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
The use of multispectral remote sensing in the management of the North York moors
No full textThis thesis examines the use of multi-spectral remotely sensed data in the management of the North York Moors, an upland area of heather moorland in northern England. A series of ground radiometer surveys and airborne simulations are analysed to determine the relative importance of spatial, spectral and temporal resolution as characteristics of earth resources satellites in this environment. Particular reference is made to the potential for selecting and combining data from the Landsat MSS, TM and the SPOT HRV sensors. The results show that spectral resolution can be critical in isolating and recognising elements of the moorland community by their spectral response, especially at the most detailed levels of vegetational description. Temporal resolution has little effect on the discrimination of targets within the heather dominated areas but affects the separability of the major communities of heather, bracken and sedges. Change in spatial resolution has no clear effect on the spectral uniformity and spectral separation of the elements of the heather dominated areas. The interaction between spectral and spatial resolution is more important in isolating the major communities, where the requirement for spatial precision is balanced against the need to suppress spectral variation within the moorland. The hypothesis that multi-spectral remotely sensed data can provide critical information on the distribution and status of moorland vegetation is not refuted in this thesis. Remotely sensed data would make the greatest contribution to management if linked to other spatial data as part of a Geographical Information System. In the absence of such a formal structure satellite imagery can still provide a regular and unique inventory of the moorland habitat which will increase the efficiency of management
Emerging Technologies for Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. Innovating with Care
No full textPublic announcements of breakthroughs in diagnosing alzheimer’s disease regularly appear in newspapers, radio and television programmes, and on the web. The types of diagnostic tests recommended range from mri and pet scans of the brain, to spinal taps, blood tests, simple eye cell tests, and even smelling peanut butter. Most of these tests measure so-called ‘biomarkers’: certain molecules in the body that are linked with the pathology thought to underlie alzheimer’s disease. The usual claim is that these tests are more reliable, less burdensome, faster and/or cheaper than existing diagnostic procedures. But most importantly, the novel tests are thought to reveal alzheimer’s at an early stage, possibly even years before the onset of symptoms.keywordsinnovation processhealth technology assessmentdiagnostic technologybiomedical domainresponsible researchthese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
No full textThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Sustaining ecosystems – English grouse moors
No full textOur English uplands (including grouse moors) are subject to an increasing number of societal demands and needs. This audit assesses grouse moor management’s contribution to Defra’s 25 Year Environment Plan goals – an expression of social needs – and makes recommendations for public policymakers and land managers in relation to upland land use.We find society would lose proven goods and services if grouse moor management were so constrained that it significantly compromised the shooting incentive. When evidenced, criticisms of grouse moor management should be addressed and stakeholders should recognise the net gain delivered
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