363 research outputs found
Longevity and clinical effectiveness of the humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in hemodialysis patients
No full textsponsorship: The authors are indebted to Tessa Acke, Manuela Caster, Evelyne Deglorie, Mirjam Demesmaecker, Suzanne Dries-sens, Inne Hoebrekx, Annelien Leunen, Carine Lowis, Isa-bel Moyaert, Danny Pauwels, Joris Penders, Melissa Renders, Carmen Reynders, Sofie Tombeur, Katrien Uyt-tersprot, Femke Van Den Berg, Kristel Van Varenbergh, Tine Verheyen, Manon Verhulst, and Sophie Vlee-schouwers for their invaluable help in the collection of the patient data and analysis of the samples. This research was supported by a grant of Amgen (DONATION-331036) . The funding source had no role in the design, conduct, or analysis of the study or the decision to submit the manu-script for publication. (Amgen|DONATION-331036)status: Publishe
Strategy of introducing a new product into a new market category
No full textA new legislation has been introduced by the Dutch government, requiring the outdoor units of ACs and heat pumps to produce no more than 40 dB at your parcel border. In many cases, sound reduction is needed to meet this new requirement.To reduce this noise, a sound reducing enclosure can be placed over the unit. Van Cappellen Sound Solutions has developed such a product called the Brockx. This company offers products for noise and vibration control. At the core of their business however, the company provides services in the maritime sector. They measure, model and predict noise and vibrations for luxury yachts. Their expertise in the acoustic area, combined with their innovativeness and the new development of the sound legislation has led to the development of the Brockx.The problem that this project tries to solve, is how to continue with this product. No strategy has been developed yet, and not much is known about the market or how to conduct marketing. Van Cappellen can be classified as a small-medium company (SME), which also needs to be taken into account. To solve these problems, a structure has been created which is shaped by three chapters: SME marketing, 4C-analysis & marketing mix.The chapter SME Marketing is intended to find out whether the situation of Van Cappellen is unique, what characterises small companies such as Van Cappellen, and how marketing is conducted. Through literature research and primary research it was found that similar situations are recognised among other SMEs. Three themes were also found which characterises SME marketing: networking, customer engagement & digital marketing.The 4C-analysis consists of competition, company, context and consumers. The main conclusions are that the Brockx can differentiate from its competitors by being the enclosure that is of high quality while offering the perfect balance between sound reduction and size and weight. Next, the company should use its reputation in creating a brand image, to differentiate among other acoustic companies. Context factors such as the growing market of ACs and heat pumps and the sound legislation indicate that the market for sound reducing enclosures will increase. Finally qualitative and quantitative research has been conducted to find out what consumers find important. Selling the Brockx in cooperation with a wholesaler is considered the most viable option, as they have all the required logistical resources. Consumers' attitudes towards the Brockx are positive, as it provides the most sought after benefits. With this information a market positioning has been determined.Continuing with these findings, the marketing mix is determined by filling in the 4P’s: product, price, place & promotion. The ‘product’ chapter describes the Brockx in more detail. Manufacturing the Brockx can be done in the Netherlands first, and later in Central Europe as this will be cheaper. The price of the Brockx is determined through a competition-oriented method. The place of the Brockx is in the Netherlands, and made available through channels of a wholesaler. For the promotion, offline and online marketing methods have been proposed, together with an implementation plan.Strategic Product Desig
The Zero Emission Hangar: Reducing the Energy Consumption of the Aircraft Hangar through Local Heating
No full textThe aviation industry is responsible for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, emitting over one billion tonnes of CO2 in 2018 (Ritchie, 2020). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) committed to net-zero aviation by 2050 (International Air Transport Association, 2022). The first steps toward net-zero aviation can be taken in the ground operations. Air France KLM set the goal for net-zero ground operations by 2030 (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, n.d. -b). The aircraft hangars are responsible for 67% of all ground operations emissions at KLM (Veldhuizen, van, 2022) and a large portion of those emissions can be regarded to the heating of the hangars. The process of heating the hangar is neither efficient, nor effective, despite the large amount of energy it consumes. The opening of the hangar doors to pull aircraft in and out of the hangar cause the temperature inside the hangar to approach the outside temperature. It takes 4 to 6 hours for the hangar to be up to the desired temperature again, but oftentimes the hangar doors will have been opened before the desired temperature is reached. It was found that heat in the hangar is firstly needed for the mechanics working there and secondly for the aircraft when specific repairs with a curing element have to be performed. The fluctuations in temperature lead to thermal discomfort for the mechanics (Lampret et al., 2018) and negatively affect the drying times of sealants. This study discovered potential energy savings of 69% when the base temperature would be lowered to 10°C and heat would be provided locally where it is needed. The 69% in energy savings can be translated to money savings of €60.000,- per winter month (December 2021 taken as reference), or close to €400.000,- per year and 436 tons of CO2. Alongside the research into potential energy savings in the hangar, ideas were collected within the company. The ideas were visualized and feedback was gathered at different divisions within KLM. The ideas were divided into two main categories, namely Heat Conservation and Local Heating. In the course of the project it was chosen to focus on local heating. The heating analysis showed that conserving the heat in the hangar was not a feasible solution since the hangar doors are opened for too long for heat conservation to be effective. Furthermore, when the base temperature is lowered, and additional heating is done locally where needed, there is not a lot of heat to be preserved in the first place. The study proposes to lower the base temperature in the hangar to 10°C and provide local heating for the mechanics through heated apparel. The aircraft is heated locally during the curing phase of composite repairs but is often not heated with other curing processes such as after paintjobs. It should be considered to heat the aircraft locally more often to ensure optimal fleet availability.Integrated Product Desig
Nailfold capillaroscopy for day-to-day clinical use: construction of a simple scoring modality as a clinical prognostic index for digital trophic lesions
No full textObjective Construction of a simple nailfold videocapillaroscopic (NVC) scoring modality as a prognostic index for digital trophic lesions for day-to-day clinical use.
Methods An association with a single simple (semi)quantitatively scored NVC parameter, mean score of capillary loss, was explored in 71 consecutive patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and reliable reduction in the number of investigated fields (F32-F16-F8-F4). The cut-off value of the prognostic index (mean score of capillary loss calculated over a reduced number of fields) for present/future digital trophic lesions was selected by receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis.
Results Reduction in the number of fields for mean score of capillary loss was reliable from F32 to F8 (intraclass correlation coefficient of F16/F32: 0.97; F8/F32: 0.90). Based on ROC analysis, a prognostic index (mean score of capillary loss as calculated over F8) with a cut-off value of 1.67 is proposed. This value has a sensitivity of 72.22/70.00, specificity of 70.59/69.77, positive likelihood ratio of 2.46/2.32 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.39/0.43 for present/future digital trophic lesions.
Conclusions A simple prognostic index for digital trophic lesions for daily use in SSc clinics is proposed, limited to the mean score of capillary loss as calculated over eight fields (8 fingers, 1 field per finger)
Data and analysis scripts for Thermal soaring over the North Sea and implications for wind farm interactions
No full textData and analysis scripts used for manuscript: Thermal soaring over the North Sea and implications for wind farm interactions by Jens A. van Erp, Elspeth Sage, Willem Bouten, E. Emiel van Loon, Kees (C.) J. Camphuysen, Judy Shamoun-Baranes. “File description.docx” describes each individual data file. The scripts require RStudio and listed libraries to run.van Erp* J, Sage* E, Bouten W, van Loon E, Camphuysen KCJ, Shamoun-Baranes J, 2023. Thermal soaring over the North Sea and implications for wind farm interactions. Marine Ecology Progress Series 723:185-200. doi: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14315.*joint first author
The Shade Curtain Barrier: A conceptual design for a storm surge barrier at the San Luis Pass in Galveston Bay, Texas, United States of America
No full textLow-lying, densely-populated coastal areas across the world are under threat of hurricane-induced floods. This is the case in, among others, the Galveston Bay Area. In response to this threat the USACE (United States Corps of Engineers) recommended a plan to reduce the risk of flooding, through a range of measures to form a resilient coast of Texas. This plan includes a storm surge barrier at Bolivar Roads in Galveston Bay, whilst the other inlet at San Luis Pass remains open for environmental reasons. Leaving the San Luis Pass open still results in a significant rise in the water level of Galveston Bay, so finding a way to close the San Luis Pass is preferred. Therefore, this thesis researches a barrier for the San Luis Pass to contribute to a resilient Texan coast whilst also taking the local natural habitat into account. The methodology combines the concept of 'Building with Nature' and the civil engineering design method. The methodology incorporates the flood safety, ecological values, and socio-economic aspect into the design process. A conventional storm surge barrier does not fulfill all the requirements and criteria for the San Luis Pass. This research thus proposes a new, innovative type of storm surge barrier: The Shade Curtain Barrier. The shade curtain barrier functions by being rolled down in extreme conditions and stored under the bridge under normal conditions. The two main advantages are that no bottom protection is required and the view is hardly disrupted. Concluding, the shade curtain barrier is a promising solution for a storm surge barrier at the San Luis Pass to contribute to a resilient Texas coast.Civil Engineering | Hydraulic Engineerin
Dynamics of weight change after initiation of contemporaneous antiretroviral therapy in treatment-naive HIV-1 patients : results from the Belgian HIV Cohort 2015-2021
No full textTo the Editors: INTRODUCTION Weight gain has emerged as a novel side effect of contemporaneous antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people living with HIV (PLWH). Although it can be considered as a return to normal weight effect among ART-naive patients with low CD4 count, the extent of weight change is influenced by the composition of the initiated ART regimen. […
Longevity and correlation with disease severity of the humoral and cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in haemodialysis patients
No full textsponsorship: This research was supported by a grant of Amgen (DONAT ION-331036). The funding source had no role in the design, conduct, or analysis of the study or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. (Amgen|DONAT ION-331036)status: Publishe
Reliability of the qualitative and semiquantitative nailfold videocapillaroscopy assessment in a systemic sclerosis cohort : a two-centre study
No full textObjective Investigation of the reliability of the qualitative and semiquantitative scoring of nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) assessment between two raters in a systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort.
Methods Two raters from different centres blindly assessed the NVC images of 71 consecutive patients with SSc qualitatively as belonging to the scleroderma spectrum (SDS) category ('early', 'active', 'late' scleroderma pattern or 'scleroderma-like' pattern) or to the 'normal' category and semiquantitatively by calculating the mean score for capillary loss, giant capillaries, microhaemorrhages and capillary ramifications. Inter-rater/intrarater agreement was assessed by calculation of the proportion of agreement and by. coefficients. Rater agreement of mean score values of hallmark parameters was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients.
Results The inter-rater/intrarater proportion of agreement to qualitatively assess an image as belonging to the SDS category or not was 90% and 96%, whereas the agreement to distinguish between only 'early', 'active' and 'late' scleroderma NVC patterns was 62% and 81%. The agreement of the semiquantitative scoring, as assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.96 and 0.95 for capillary loss, 0.84 and 0.95 for giant capillaries, 0.90 and 0.95 for microhaemorrhages and 0.64 and 0.95 for capillary ramifications.
Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate reliability of the qualitative and semiquantitative NVC assessment in an SSc cohort between raters at different centres. Reliability of NVC assessment is essential for use of this tool in multicentre SSc trials
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