575 research outputs found
Remote Sensing of Vegetation Characteristics in Support of Ecological Modelling
No full textWitte, J.P.M. [Promotor]Bodegom, P.M. van [Copromotor]Kooistra, L. [Copromotor
Changing sand: Sandy beach ecosystem functioning after human activities
No full textRozema, J. [Promotor]Bodegom, P.M. van [Copromotor]Janssen, G.M. [Copromotor
Upscaling methane emissions from rice paddies: problems and possibilities.
No full textGlobal methane emission estimates depend highly on the models, techniques, and databases used. Since emissions cannot be measured directly at large scales, it is impossible to judge which estimate is more realistic. In this paper, different aspects of uncertainty in upscaling methane emissions from rice paddies are discussed. These aspects are visualized by a case study on the spatial upscaling of methane emissions from the island of Java, Indonesia. The first aspect concerns process information. An approach to incorporate this information in a simplified but process-based way in predictive models is discussed. Sources of uncertainty include the methane emissions measurements, processes quantification, process simplification, and the use of data transfer functions. Data availability of input parameters, the second aspect, is uncertain because of differences between different data sources, the use of data sources for purposes not originally planned for, and the scale at which data are available. Data interpolation in combination with nonlinear model responses introduces scaling errors, the third aspect. Data accuracy introduced the highest uncertainties in emission estimates but is rarely accounted for in the estimation of global emissions
Changes in the structure of the 1:2 complex of N-ethyl-N-methylmorpholinium and 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane, MEM(TCNQ)2, above room temperature: I. Determination of the structures at 294 and 323 K
No full textCrystals of MEM(TCNQ) 2 are triclinic, space group P1, with a = 7.773 (8), b = 15.292(15), c = 6.960 (7)A, a = 112.34 (6), fl = 74.59 (6), y = 111.85 (6) °, U = 702 A 3 at 294 K, and a = 7.775 (8), b= 15.290 (15), c = 6.979 (7)A, a = 112.01 (6),fl= 75.00 (6),)'= 111.77 (6) ° , U= 707 A 3 at 323 K, Z= 1. Intensities were collected with Zr-filtered Mo radiation on an automatic Nonius CAD-3 diffractometer. Anisotropic least-squares refinements decreased Rw(F) to 0.077 for 2471 reflections at 294 K, and to 0.089 for 1877 reflections at 323 K. The reported structures are compared with the structure at 113 K [Bosch & van Bodegom (1977). Acta Cryst. B33, 3013-3021]. The individual TCNQ group, as well as the types of overlap between successive TCNQ molecules in the dimerized TCNQ stack, hardly changes between l l3 and 323 K; both separationsbetween the TCNQ units increase by 0.07 A. The major change is the increasing disorder of the MEM group with increasing temperature. With the assumption of two preferred orientations the 100% occupancy of the orientation observed at 113 K decreases to 84% at 294 K and 63% at 323 K. This increase in disorder is used to explain the results of electrical-conductivity measurements
Mycorrhizal tree impacts on topsoil biogeochemical properties in tropical forests
No full textIn tropical regions, the patterns of carbon (C) and nutrient properties among ecosystems dominated by distinct mycorrhizal associations are unknown. We aim to reveal whether the dynamics differ and the ecological drivers and ecosystem functioning implications of such differences. Based on a dataset of 97 tropical forest sites, we related EcM trees abundance (as a proxy for the transition from AM to EcM trees dominance) to different topsoil properties, climatic conditions and microbial abundance proxies through Generalized Additive Models. Higher abundances of EcM trees were correlated with higher topsoil concentrations of total nitrogen and C, extractable phosphorus and potassium, delta C-13, mean annual temperature, precipitation, microbial (bacterial and fungal) biomass and the relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi. Synthesis. Our results reveal consistent differences in carbon and nutrient content between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM-) and EcM-dominated vegetation across the tropical biome, pointing to lower soil fertility and lower rates of C and nutrient transformation processes in EcM-dominated forests. These patterns associate with lower topsoil C accumulation when compared to AM vegetation, which contrasts with patterns reported for temperate forests. We suggest that different mechanisms of soil organic matter accumulation explain the contrasting impacts of EcM dominance on topsoil properties of temperate and tropical biomes. Global vegetation and C models should account for the contrasting impacts of distinct mycorrhizal vegetation in different climatic zones.Environmental Biolog
Genetic variation in pentraxin (PTX) 3 gene associates with PTX3 production and fertility in women
No full textPentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays an important role in innate immune responses and in female fertility, as discovered with studies in mice. However, the role of PTX3 in human fertility is unknown. Here, we report on a population-based study from a rural area of Upper East Ghana (n = 4346). We studied the association between the number of children given birth by women during their lifetime and ex vivo, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PTX3 production (n = 362). In addition, we studied the association of genetic variation in the PTX3 gene with PTX3 production (n = 617) and with female fertility (n = 1999). We found that ex vivo LPS-induced PTX3 production was associated with fertility (P = 0.040). Furthermore, we identified genetic variants in the PTX3 gene that influence PTX3 production, and also fertility. The strongest associations were observed for the rs6788044 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). We found that carriers of this SNP had higher PTX3 production capacity (P = 0.003) and higher fertility (P = 0.043). The results reported here provide the first evidence, based on protein production and analysis of polymorphisms, that the long pentraxin PTX3 plays a role in female fertility in humans
Hoe past het? Een kwalitatieve analyse van narratieven van jongeren met een ondersteuningsbehoefte op het gebied van passend onderwijs en passende arbeid
No full textHoe past het? Een kwalitatieve analyse van narratieven van jongeren met een ondersteuningsbehoefte op het gebied van passend onderwijs en passende arbeidIn zorg, welzijn en onderwijs hebben zich in de afgelopen jaren transities voorgedaan die van invloed zijn op jongeren die ondersteuning behoeven bij het succesvol doorlopen van hun schoolloopbaan en/of het vinden van passende arbeid. Waar deze jongeren eerst op speciale scholen en in beschermde werkomgevingen te vinden waren, worden zij nu geacht regulier onderwijs te volgen en de reguliere arbeidsmarkt te betreden. Hoe ervaren deze jongeren zelf de ondersteuning die ze ontvangen en wat verwachten zij van hun toekomst? In de onderzoekslijn Van passend onderwijs naar passende arbeid, onderdeel van de Werkplaats Sociaal Domein Nijmegen, hebben studenten van de Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen narratief onderzoek verricht (n=35). De transcripten van deze interviews zijn als onderzoeksobject gebruikt voor een exploratieve studie naar de ervaringen van deze groep jongeren met een ondersteuningsbehoefte. De jongeren geven aan zo veel mogelijk als “normaal” gezien te willen worden, maar beseffen tegelijkertijd niet zonder ondersteuning te kunnen. Zij waarderen ondersteuners die praktisch meedenken en zowel de mogelijkheden als beperkingen van de jongeren zien. Onzekerheid over hun (arbeids)perspectief, heeft invloed op verwachtingen die zij van zichzelf hebben. De overstap van school naar werk wordt als moeilijk ervaren. Verbeteringen ten aanzien van de hulpverlening liggen op het vlak van samenwerking met en tussen hulpverleners en de mogelijkheid om te ervaren welke vorm van werk daadwerkelijk past. What is appropriate? A qualitative analysis of the narratives of adolescents with special needs in education and in finding employment What is the impact of transitions in care and education in the Netherlands for adolescents who need professional support in order to succeed in education or work? What are their experiences of searching for adequate education or work? What do they need from the professional support system? And to what extent do the methods used by professionals meet the expectations and values of the adolescents? Transitions in care and education in the Netherlands, together with austerity measures, are leading to changes in professional support for adolescents who experience barriers to participating successfully in education or work. Policymakers plan to reform the social system in such a way that it will no longer be common for adolescents with special needs to attend special schools or work in sheltered work environments. They will be expected to participate in regular education or jobs, and they will only receive professional support when necessary and this will be kept as short as possible. Not long ago, lifelong dependency on social welfare was more or less the norm for this group of adolescents. Nowadays, the required support needs to be provided through their informal network, supplemented with support from teachers and professionals such as community workers in the local context (Movisie, 2015). Recent research shows that labour market participation among those who need support is significantly lower than among people with no such needs. For instance, 39 percent of adolescents with a physical challenge are working, while 65 to 72 percent of their peers with no physical challenge are in employment (Holwerda, 2013). For adolescents with an autistic disorder, percentages of between ten and fifty percent have been mentioned. Current research on transitions in care and education also shows that professionals encounter a range of problems in supporting adolescents who require support. Teachers cite inadequate skills and experience in working with parents and professionals from other institutions, and an inability to “speak the same language”. Teachers also mention the need to improve their knowledge and competences in special educational needs and the consequences of the psychological and mental challenges associated with successful participation in education and work. In the period 2016-2017, several student groups at HAN University of Applied Sciences conducted 35 narrative interviews during the final phase of their Bachelor’s programmes. Adolescents were recruited for the interviews by community service workers, through social media and informal contacts. They were asked about their experiences of receiving support while completing their education (mainly vocational education) and their experiences of finding suitable employment. The participants were all receiving support from some kind of professional support system at school or at work. For the purposes of this article, adolescents with special needs are defined as adolescents who cannot fulfil their educational goals or cannot find work without some kind of support. There are various reasons why they may need support, such as living with a physical or mental disability, a problematic family situation, debt problems or refugee status. The interview guidelines were based on the overall development of the adolescents and their need for support, both now and in the past. A qualitative explorative analysis was carried out in relation to the adolescents’ statements about their way of life, the challenges they face, the opportunities open to them and their experiences of professional support. Firstly, the transcripts were closely read and coded, and then organized thematically based on the patterns identified in the various narratives. This analysis showed that these vulnerable adolescents wish to live as normal a life as possible, and that they have an intrinsic need to progress in life. Their goals are based on a more or less traditional framework of values: paid work, independence and sharing their lives with the people they love. At the same time, they are also aware that they need support in order to make progress towards these goals. This makes the specific way in which professionals address the needs of these adolescents extremely important. They need support that reflects the reality of what they can achieve and their expectations of achieving those goals, rather than support that focuses solely on their ambitions and motivation. As regards finding professional support, the adolescents mentioned that finding the right support is hard, especially in higher vocational education and at university, and that lifelong dependency on professional care often comes with many uncertainties. As one of the adolescents said: “I don’t know where I’ll be living next year, who will be helping me and what I’ll be doing. Professionals are leaving, my need for support is changing and nobody stays with me for long. And this happens over and over again.” According to the adolescents interviewed, it is important that the professionals have skills such as: ensuring regular contact, providing practical support and acknowledging both what is and what is not possible in their specific situation. Transitions in care and education in the Netherlands mean that professional support for these adolescents is shorter and less intensive. They find it difficult to receive the right kind of support because often professionals from several organizations are involved and nobody is familiar with all the details of the adolescent’s situation. A further problem is that there is not enough joint action by teachers, social workers and the informal network of the adolescent in providing the best possible preparation for participation in society. Furthermore, these adolescents are often not given the opportunity to experience which kinds of work really suit their situation. This leads to further experiences of failure. Finally, regarding employment, the analysis leads to the conclusion that the shift from voluntary work to paid employment is hard to achieve. One of the factors mentioned is the lack of support for the employee in the workplace so that the work can be tailored to his/her needs, and the feeling of having to start all over again to find the right support to be able to achieve a sustainable situation
Spectral calibration of the fluorescence telescopes of the Pierre Auger Observatory
No full textAbstract not availableA. Aab … J.A. Bellido … S.G. Blaess … R.W. Clay … M.J. Cooper … B.R. Dawson … T.D. Grubb … T.A. Harrison … G.C. Hill … P.H. Nguyen … S.J. Saffi … T. Sudholz … P. van Bodegom … [et al.] (The Pierre Auger Collaboratio
Tools and Strategies to Integrate Multi-Domain Information for Personalized Decision-Making in Oncological Care Pathways: A Scoping Review
No full textThanee M Uittenhout,1 Jesse Jansen,1 Kon-Siong Jie,2 Lieke Welling,3 Barbara L van Leeuwen,4 Leti van Bodegom-Vos,5 Anne M Stiggelbout,5,6 Trudy van der Weijden,1 IPTO Consortium: the scientific members of the IPTO ConsortiumA. Koch, F.M. van Nuenen, H. van der Wal-Huisman, L.L. van Baalen, M.J. Nogarede, S. Festen, V.C. Hanewinkel On behalf of the IPTO Consortium1Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Zuyderland Medical Center, Sittard, the Netherlands; 3Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; 4Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; 5Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; 6Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: Thanee M Uittenhout, Email [email protected]: There is a growing interest in personalized decision-making in oncology. According to the Integrated Oncological Decision-Making Model (IODM), decisions should be based on information from three domains: (1) medical technical information, (2) patients’ general health status and (3) patients’ preferences and goals. Little is known about what kind of tool/strategy is used to collect the information, by whom this is collected (nurse, clinician) when this is collected (moment in the care pathway), and how this information should be collected and integrated within decision-making in oncological care pathways, and what its impact is.Methods: We searched PUBMED, Embase and Web of Science in October 2023 for studies looking at tools to collect and integrate information from the three domains of the IODM. We extracted data on the content and implementation of these tools, and on decision and patient outcomes.Results: The search yielded 2576 publications, of which only seven studies described collection of information from all three domains (inclusion criteria). In the seven included studies, information on the three domains was collected through dialogue, questionnaires, and assessments (what) by a nurse (2 out of 7 studies) or by other members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (by whom) (5 out of 7 studies). Members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team subsequently integrated the information (5 out 7 studies) during their meeting (when), with patients and family attending this meeting in 2 studies (how). In terms of decision outcomes, 5 out of 7 studies compared the treatment recommendations before and after implementation of the tools, showing a modification of the treatment plan in 3% to 53% of cases. The limited data on patient outcomes suggest positive effects on well-being and fewer complications (3 out of 7 studies).Conclusion: The seven studies identified that integrated information from the three IODM domains into treatment decision-making lacked comprehensive information regarding the strategies, process, timing and individuals involved in implementing the tools. Nevertheless, the few studies that looked at patient outcomes showed promising findings.Keywords: person centred care, patient centred care, patient preferences, treatment decision-making, multi-disciplinary team, oncolog
The Impact of Incidental Findings Detected During Brain Imaging on Research Participants of the Rotterdam Study: An Interview Study
No full textThis interview study investigates the short- and long-term implications of incidental findings detected through brain imaging on research participants’ lives and their
surroundings. For this study, nine participants of the Rotterdam Scan Study with an
incidental finding were approached and interviewed. When examining research participants’
narratives on the impact of the disclosure of incidental findings, the authors identified five
sets of tensions with regard to motivations for and expectations of research participation,
preferences regarding disclosure, short- and long-term impacts and impacts on self and
others. The paper shows: (1) that the impact of incidental findings may be greater than
participants at first let on; (2) incidental findings can have significant effects on participants’
social environment; and (3) participants may not feel prepared for disclosure even if
incidental findings have been discussed during the informed consent process. The authors
call for investigators to be aware of research participants’ experiences and these short- and
long-term impacts when designing suitable courses of action for the detection and management of incidental findings in research settings
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