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• 01GQFBBHW5K0WNRXSQJGH8S0FX abstract "Acoustic data storage tag (ADST) data and metadata of 109 Dicentrarchus labrax, 15 Gadus morhua and 30 Mustelus asterias, tagged in the southern North Sea. Data include archival temperature and depth histories, acoustic detections and reconstructed trajectories. Metadata regard the tagged animals, the tags and the acoustic receiver deployments.".
• 01GQFBBHW5K0WNRXSQJGH8S0FX abstract "Acoustic data storage tag (ADST) data, providing acoustic detections and archival depth and temperature series for Dicentrarchus labrax, Gadus morhua and Mustelus asterias.".
• 01GQFBDTXX1GKY34SQ5B7N33FW abstract "Most spiders are mobile and easily transported across the world via human activity, making them ideal candidates for biological invasions. Mermessus trilobatus (Emerton, 1882) is one of Europe's most invasive spider species and one of the few invasive spider species that successfully invade (semi-) natural ecosystems. Yet, its invasion success is not well understood. We investigated the Niche Breadth-Invasion Success Hypothesis in an old sand quarry with high habitat diversity in northern Belgium. We captured spiders using pitfall traps at 25 locations over 14 months. The activity-density of M. trilobatus could be linked to soil pH and temperature. Mermessus trilobatus showed the highest habitat diversity of all 150 species captured and was one of the few species found in each pitfall trap. The low habitat specificity of M. trilobatus could be key in population establishment, fast spread and invasion success.".
• 01GQFBJ1NVQGVWHFP3DPXEMW9A abstract "Data used for a detection range assessment of acoustic receivers, deployed in Belwind offshore wind farm in 2020. These data include transmission and detection data of VR2AR receiver built-in transmitters, deployment metadata and environmental data.".
• 01GQFBJ1NVQGVWHFP3DPXEMW9A abstract "The analysis of the data is detailed in the GitHub repository https://github.com/JolienGoossens/RangeTestingTime.".
• 01GQFBKX3WXV4HSWA01JEEG71S abstract "Although diversity and abundance of arthropods have been shown to decline globally, they are underrepresented in nature conservation efforts and policies. Belowground taxa are especially neglected, despite their key roles in ecosystem functioning. Terrestrial isopods are litter and soil dwelling and important contributors to litter decomposition and nutrient cycling among others. Yet their conservation status has hardly been assessed. We compared recent extensive citizen science data with historical records to assess a Red List status of the terrestrial isopods in Flanders (northern Belgium) according to the IUCN international standards. We calculated distribution trends (IUCN criterion A) and distribution ranges (IUCN criterion B) for all native species. In total, 34 species of terrestrial isopods occur in Flanders of which one is regionally extinct and ten are threatened. Threatened species are associated with old deciduous forests, coastal habitats, rivers and streams and ancient anthropogenic habitats. Implications for conservation Terrestrial isopods are important decomposers. Assessment of their regional Red List status can set conservation priorities for this rarely assessed trophic level, and facilitate developing local nature conservation and management policies that are complementary to other species groups. Additionally, they share their habitats with a number of threatened species characteristic of old farms and small-scale farming systems. Therefore, this list will be of importance for the assessment of the conservation value of cultural heritage and old farming practices and their associated biodiversity, which is rarely considered.".
• 01GQFBN978BTQKC65G94RCMYTJ abstract "Code is available on the Github repository Lifewatch/Tripod-frame_Performance-test.".
• 01GQFBN978BTQKC65G94RCMYTJ abstract "Data of test to compare the performance of two different deployment set-ups for acoustic receivers: a commonly used stone mooring and a tripod frame. The test was carried out in 2017 - 2018 in Belwind wind farm in the Belgian Part of the North Sea.".
• 01GQFBQ7AHV2WH3BAV1XXADBPA abstract "Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is more and more used as a reference method for the measurement of velocity fields. However, this technique requires optical access and the current distortion correction methods are efficient only for small optical distortions. The motivation of the present study is to properly determine the velocity field of the turbulent flow in a channel with optically complex-shaped obstacles, designed for heat transfer enhancement. A ray tracing-based image correction method is employed to eliminate high-level image distortions on PIV images induced by heart-shaped dimples. To reduce the uncertainties in the application of the method, an optimization algorithm is built for artificially recreating the PIV calibration image using rendering software. The positions, material properties and dimensions of the objects in the experimental setup, which construct the 3D model, are considered as the design parameters. The artificial image was obtained with a standard deviation of 0.13 pixels from the actual calibration image in 4-5 h. In the calibration process, the ray tracing-based correction with the optimized artificial image provided a standard deviation of 0.32 pixels from the reference grid while the third-order polynomials had provided 9.6 pixels. To illustrate the approach, measurements were acquired on the center plane of a circular channel with the heart-shaped dimples in the streamwise direction. The 2D velocity and turbulent kinetic energy field obtained at a Reynolds number of around 20,000 showed that the flow separates as it reached the leading edge of this dimple whereas the reattachment point was captured at the trailing edge. The highest amounts of turbulent kinetic energy were found just downstream of the dimple where the best heat transfer was expected.".
• 01GQFBRQ0PAHEB0SK15N3583HZ abstract "Purpose of review Nurses working in intensive care units have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This review summarizes the current state of the evidence regarding intensive care nurses experience of the pandemic. Recent findings The pandemic has had an impact on: nursing workload, the organization of nurse staffing, experiences of staff redeployed into ICU, nurses' perceptions of the safety and quality of patient care, and staff health. In the few comparative studies, mental health was worse for nurses than other healthcare workers in intensive care. Despite some of this evidence being published early in the pandemic, no studies were found to evaluate interventions to improve nurses' experiences. Summary implications for practice or research Many of the adverse impacts of the pandemic are interdependent; for example, reducing nurses' workload is likely to have benefits for mental health indicators. Adverse mental health outcomes are likely to have an impact on future recruitment and retention for intensive care nursing. More studies are needed to understand the longer term impact of the pandemic on intensive care nurses.".
• 01GQFBRQ0Y5ZYEGAHVH6HWW5SK abstract "Introduction: Mobile phones have become indispensable accessories of both our social and professional lives. They increase the quality of healthcare by providing fast communication, and easy access to laboratory results, imaging and patients' files. Simultaneously however, they may act as vectors for potentially pathogenic microorganisms and as such hold a potential risk for nosocomial infection.Objectives: To assess the risk of mobile phones as vectors for nosocomial infection and the impact of disinfecting mobile phones on infection risks.Methods: The MEDLINE and Embase database were searched from January 2000 - January 2019 for a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies of any design were critically appraised by two independent reviewers. Results: We identified 50 studies, of which 12 were interventional. Data for a total of 5425 microbiological samples resulted in a prevalence of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms from 0% to 100%. The 2 most commonly found micro-organisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (most commonly found in 30 studies) and Staphylococcus aureus (most commonly found in 10 studies). The frequency of microbial growth varied across studies.Conclusions: The use of mobile phones by healthcare workers without proper disinfection may imply a risk for nosocomial infection. A direct relationship however, remains unproven. Healthcare workers are recommended to include proper handling of mobile phones in their 'classic' hand hygiene routine as proposed by the World Health Organisation.".
• 01GQFBRQ11WNP96EA3QFZ16XYP abstract "Objective: To assess variation in ICU length of stay between countries with varying patient-to-nurse ratios; to compare ICU length of stay of individual countries against an international benchmark.Design: Secondary analysis of the DecubICUs trial (performed on 15 May 2018).Setting: The study cohort included 12,794 adult ICU patients (57 countries). Only countries with minimally twenty patients discharged (or deceased) within 30 days of ICU admission were included.Main outcome measure: Multivariate Cox regression was used to evaluate ICU length of stay, censored at 30 days, across countries and for patient-to-nurse ratio, adjusted for sex, age, admission type and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II. The resulting hazard ratios for countries, indicating longer or shorter length of stay than average, were plotted on a forest plot. Results by country were benchmarked against the overall length of stay using Kaplan-Meier curves.Results: Patients had a median ICU length of stay of 11 days (interquartile range, 4-27). Hazard ratio by country ranged from minimally 0.42 (95% confidence interval 0.35-0.51) for Greece, to maximaly1.94 (1.28-2.93) for Lithuania. The hazard ratio for patient-to-nurse was 0.96 (0.94-0.98), indicating that higher patient-to-nurse ratio results in longer length of stay.Conclusions: Despite adjustment for case-mix, we observed significant heterogeneity of ICU length of stay in-between countries, and a significantly longer length of stay when patient-to-nurse ratio increases. Future studies determining underlying characteristics of individual ICUs and broader organisation of healthcare infra-structure within countries may further explain the observed heterogeneity in ICU length of stay.".
• 01GQFBRQ18F0NYH2244ZMXSFWG abstract "Purpose To describe data on epidemiology, microbiology, clinical characteristics and outcome of adult patients admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) with secondary peritonitis, with special emphasis on antimicrobial therapy and source control. Methods Post hoc analysis of a multicenter observational study (Abdominal Sepsis Study, AbSeS) including 2621 adult ICU patients with intra-abdominal infection in 306 ICUs from 42 countries. Time-till-source control intervention was calculated as from time of diagnosis and classified into 'emergency' (< 2 h), 'urgent' (2-6 h), and 'delayed' (> 6 h). Relationships were assessed by logistic regression analysis and reported as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The cohort included 1077 cases of microbiologically confirmed secondary peritonitis. Mortality was 29.7%. The rate of appropriate empiric therapy showed no difference between survivors and non-survivors (66.4% vs. 61.3%, p = 0.1). A stepwise increase in mortality was observed with increasing Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (19.6% for a value <= 4-55.4% for a value > 12, p < 0.001). The highest odds of death were associated with septic shock (OR 3.08 [1.42-7.00]), late-onset hospital-acquired peritonitis (OR 1.71 [1.16-2.52]) and failed source control evidenced by persistent inflammation at day 7 (OR 5.71 [3.99-8.18]). Compared with 'emergency' source control intervention (< 2 h of diagnosis), 'urgent' source control was the only modifiable covariate associated with lower odds of mortality (OR 0.50 [0.34-0.73]). Conclusion 'Urgent' and successful source control was associated with improved odds of survival. Appropriateness of empirical antimicrobial treatment did not significantly affect survival suggesting that source control is more determinative for outcome.".
• 01GQFBRQ1GW6BDFZNWHCF7HWXS abstract "OBJECTIVES: Microaspiration of subglottic secretions is the main pathogenic mechanism for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Adequate inflation of the endotracheal cuff is pivotal to providing an optimal seal of the extraluminal airway. However, cuff pressure substantially fluctuates due to patient or tube movements, which can induce microaspiration. Therefore, devices for continuous cuff pressure control (CCPC) have been developed in recent years. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effectiveness of CCPC in VAP prevention. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform was conducted up to February 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing the impact of CCPC versus intermittent cuff pressure control on the occurrence of VAP. DATA EXTRACTION: Random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI for VAP incidence between groups. Secondary outcome measures included mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and ICU stay. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. DATA SYNTHESIS: Eleven RCTs with 2,092 adult intubated patients were included. The use of CCPC was associated with a reduced risk of VAP (OR, 0.51). Meta-analyses of secondary endpoints showed no significant difference in mortality but significant differences in durations of MV (mean difference, -1.07 d) and ICU stay (mean difference, -3.41 d) in favor of CCPC. However, the risk of both reporting and individual study bias was considered important. The main issues were the lack of blinding, potential commercial conflicts of interest of study authors and high heterogeneity due to methodological differences between studies, differences in devices used for CCPC and in applied baseline preventive measures. Certainty of the evidence was considered "very low." CONCLUSIONS: The use of CCPC was associated with a reduction in VAP incidence; however, this was based on very low certainty of evidence due to concerns related to risk of bias and inconsistency.".
• 01GQFBRQ1K5VAK6KN5746T5M2M abstract "Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify and define core competencies for advanced nursing roles in adult intensive care units across Europe. Methods: Three round electronic Delphi conducted between September 2018 and November 2019, with an expert panel of 184 nurses from 20 countries, supplemented by consensus meetings with 16 participants from 10 countries before each round. Results: In Round 1, participants generated 275 statements across 4 domains (knowledge skills and clinical performance; clinical leadership, teaching and supervision; personal effectiveness; safety and systems management). These were re-worded as competency statements and refined at a consensus meeting resulting in 230 statements in 30 sub-domains. The expert panel rated the 'importance' of each statement in Round 2; further refinement at the consensus meeting and the addition of descriptors for sub-domains resulted in 95 competency statements presented to the panel in Round 3. These were all retained in the final set of competency statements. Conclusion: We have used consensus techniques to generate competencies for advanced practice in intensive care nursing that are relevant across European countries and available in eight languages. These have provided the basis for an outline curriculum from which education programmes can be developed within countries.".
• 01GQFBRQ1QM7EKWG28DM7T4DWR abstract "A mucormycosis surge was reported during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. A literature search until 14 July 2022, with the aim of updating COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM), identified 663 studies and 88 met inclusion criteria (8727 patients). India reported 8388 patients, Egypt 208 and Europe 40. Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) was identified among 8082 (98.3%) patients, followed by 98 (1.2%) with pulmonary. In India, 82.6% of patients had diabetes mellitus, with 82% receiving corticosteroids. In Europe, 75% presented pulmonary CAM, 32.5% had diabetes and 40% were immunocompromised. CAM was identified at a median of 17.4 days (IQR 7.5 days) post COVID-19 diagnosis, and PCR was performed in five studies. Rhino-orbital invasion is clinically obvious, while cerebral involvement presents with cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis and cerebrovascular disease. Symptoms of pulmonary CAM usually overlap with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. High-dose liposomal Amphotericin B (and early surgical debridement in ROCM) are the mainstay of therapy. The median mortality rate was estimated to be 21.4% (IQR 31.9%), increased by the presence of pulmonary (80% (IQR 50%) or cerebral involvement (50% (IQR 63.9%). In summary, different CAM clinical phenotypes need to be distinguished, influenced by geographical presentation. Opportunities exist for diagnosis and therapy optimization, based on earlier high-dose antifungal therapy, early source control, strict glycemic control and restriction of steroids to COVID-19 patients with oxygen requirements.".
• 01GQFBRQ1XVPE9G69GMH9FVA9A abstract "Background The Fungal Infections Definitions in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients (FUNDICU) project aims to provide standard sets of definitions for invasive fungal diseases in critically ill, adult patients. Objectives To summarise the available evidence on the diagnostic performance of clinical scores and laboratory tests for invasive candidiasis (IC) in nonneutropenic, adult critically ill patients. Methods A systematic review was performed to evaluate studies assessing the diagnostic performance for IC of clinical scores and/or laboratory tests vs. a reference standard or a reference definition in critically ill, nonneutropenic, adult patients in ICU. Results Clinical scores, despite the heterogeneity of study populations and IC prevalences, constantly showed a high negative predictive value (NPV) and a low positive predictive value (PPV) for the diagnosis of IC in the target population. Fungal antigen-based biomarkers (with most studies assessing serum beta-D-glucan) retained a high NPV similar to that of clinical scores, with a higher PPV, although the latter showed important heterogeneity across studies, possibly reflecting the targeted or untargeted use of these tests in patients with a consistent clinical picture and risk factors for IC. Conclusions Both clinical scores and laboratory tests showed high NPV for the diagnosis of IC in nonneutropenic critically ill patients. The PPV of laboratory tests varies significantly according to the baseline patients' risk of IC. This qualitative synthesis will provide the FUNDICU panel with baseline evidence to be considered during the development of definitions of IC in critically ill, nonneutropenic adult patients in ICU.".
• 01GQFCBJE6XWF055GQ7PD3CSHX abstract "Background: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing on a nasopharyngeal swab is the current standard for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection. Since collection of this sample type is experienced uncomfortable by patients, saliva- and oropharyngeal swab collections should be considered as alternative specimens. Objectives: Evaluation of the relative performance of oropharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal swab and saliva for the RT-PCR based SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant detection. Study design: Nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab and saliva were collected from 246 adult patients who presented for SARS-CoV-2 testing at the screening centre in Ypres (Belgium). RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 detection was performed on all three sample types separately. Variant type was determined for each positive patient using whole genome sequencing or Allplex SARS-CoV-2 variants I and II Assay. Results and conclusions: Saliva is superior compared to nasopharyngeal swab for the detection of the Omicron variant. For the detection of the Delta variant, nasopharyngeal swab and saliva can be considered equivalent specimens. Oropharyngeal swab is the least sensitive sample type and shows little added value when collected in addition to a single nasopharyngeal swab.".
• 01GQFCBNBWQQYKEG6ZE32Q48EE abstract "This data paper describes a recent and spatially complete inventory of the terrestrial isopods of Belgium between 2011 and 2020. During these 10 years every 10 x 10 km(2) cell of the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid in Belgium (373 grid cells) was visited in search for terrestrial isopods. Inventories covered different habitat types in every grid cell such as forest, wetlands or stream sides, and urban areas. Most of the dataset records were obtained by hand-collection methods such as turning stones and dead wood, or by sieving litter and through casual observations. These inventories were carried out by specialists from Spinicornis, the Belgian Terrestrial Isopod Group. Their data is complemented with pitfall trap data from scientific projects and verified citizen science data collected via waarnemingen.be and observations.be from the same time period. This resulted in 19,406 dataset records of 35 terrestrial isopod species. All dataset records are georeferenced using the centroid of their respective 5 x 5 km(2) UTM grid cell. The dataset is published as open data and available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Direct link to the dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/mw9c66.".
• 01GQFCNDAAPJGZ5HXQCQ046GKH abstract "The harvestman Astrobunus laevipes (Canestrini, 1872) is reported for the first time in Belgium. The species was found under a wood log on an abandoned and relatively dry site north of the city of Bruges. The species has an East-Alpine distribution but is fast spreading towards the northwest during the last decades following large rivers such as the Rhine. Its presence in Belgium could be expected but the locality of this first record could suggest that the species was unintentionally introduced. However, it is expected that the species could establish across the country in the next decades.".
• 01GQFCXP32M8VWHR073XKRBPDV abstract "An overall entomological inventory of the Jean Massart botanical garden was performed in the period 2013-2021. In the frame of this project, supported by "Bruxelles Environnement / Leefmilieu Brussel", the arachnofauna diversity was also studied. This article presents the results of research on the spiders (Araneae), harvestmen (Opiliones), and pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones) found on this site. A total of 239 species were recorded: 222 spiders, 11 harvestmen and 6 pseudoscorpions. Species lists for all these groups are provided, and some "remarkable" species are briefly discussed. One species of Pseudoscorpiones, Lamprochernes chyzeri (Tömösváry, 1883), is new to the Belgian fauna.".
• 01GQFDFQH0DJE87TX3S9JTAH10 abstract "The COVID-19 pandemic has an unseen global impact on society and drastic policy measures have been taken to contain the virus’ transmission. However, these lockdown measures may impact one’s mental health, but the magnitude of the consequences on the overall nations’ well-being remains inadequately explored, especially over time. Therefore, this research aims to map the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and on a nation’s well-being over time by investigating its impact on the subjective well-being of Belgian citizens at four different time points: 1. before the first lockdown (February 2020), 2. during the first lockdown (March 2020), 3. during the second lockdown (November 2020), and 4. after the fourth wave (January 2022). The study used the cross-sectional data of the Belgian National NN-UGent happiness study. At each timepoint, a subsample of respectively N=1466, N=1455, N=1380 and N=1550, representative for age, gender, educational level, profession and region, was created. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed to evaluate whether there is a significant difference in the well-being outcomes over time. The results show that the pandemic and its associated measures negatively impacted life evaluation and positive affect. No differences in negative affect were found over time. Also, individuals’ peace of mind was negatively affected by the pandemic. With regard to the basic psychological needs, feelings of autonomy declined during the second lockdown, but eventually recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Feelings of relatedness increased over time, whereas no differences in feelings of competence were found across the different timepoints. These findings clearly show that supporting a nation’s mental health during and after these disturbing times is of paramount importance. We encourage policymakers to account for mental health when envisaging measures to manage epidemics and to invest in well-being promotion and mental health services so that individuals and nations can better cope with (future) stressors.".
• 01GQFDFT4NDWB6WV2XJ0SJD1MV abstract "We report two sightings of Trachyzelotes pedestris catching or attempting to catch a terrestrial isopod of the species Porcellio scaber. Observations of oniscophagy are rare in most spider species and to our knowledge these are the first sightings of a Gnaphosidae spider preying on terrestrial isopods. We propose a potential hunting strategy of this spider to catch terrestrial isopods.".
• 01GQFDMD22EJ1NWJJYPB5WFHD0 abstract "In March 2021, a terrestrial isopod unknown to Belgium was photographed in a city park in Ieper (West-Vlaanderen, Belgium). After close examination, it could be concluded that it was Porcellionides cingendus (Kinahan, 1857), an Atlantic species occurring from Ireland and the UK to Portugal. In autumn 2021, an extensive inventory was carried out to find more individuals, but without success. P. cingendus is mostly a coastal species, but has the ability to build up populations in more synanthropic habitats as well. However, the lack of evidence of a population in the park suggests that this is probably an accidental introduction, since established free-living populations are far away from this isolated record. Nevertheless, the species can be expected at the Belgian coast under future climate conditions.".
• 01GQFDSMNQ334HWYH9EPFBEJ83 abstract "Ongoing global warming causes increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as heat waves, which will only intensify over time. This will impact our future perceived thermal conditions, but to which extent? Our perceived thermal comfort is not only depending on air temperature but also on wind speed/ventilation, humidity, solar and thermal radiation. Next to these meteorological variables there are also personal factors that play a role, i.e. activity, clothing insulation, age, weight, adaptation to the prevailing climate and psychological factors. By keeping these personal factors constant over time, the change in outdoor thermal comfort under the 1.5 °C, 2 °C and 3 °C global warming scenarios has been studied to investigate how the changing climate will affect the outdoor living conditions in Asia. Hourly data of the regional climate model ALARO-0 was used to compute the current and future Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to express the outdoor thermal comfort conditions of 40 Asian locations. Currently, citizens of New Delhi, Abu Dhabi and Doha already experience warm conditions (UTCI > 23 °C) more than 50% of the time when outdoors and outdoor locations near Doha and Kuwait City undergo extreme heat stress (UTCI > 41 °C) 9% of the time. However, the largest future outdoor thermal comfort changes were found for the high latitude locations e.g. Novy Urengoy (Russia) with a remarkable reduction in cold stress. For all locations it was found that higher global warming leads towards larger changes in outdoor thermal comfort conditions. Due to the shift towards warmer conditions for all 40 locations, human health heat thresholds will be exceeded more frequently, leading to reduced wellbeing. To overcome the increase of deadly heat stress, the emission of greenhouse gasses should be reduced and adaptation strategies such as green infrastructure and warning systems should be developed and implemented.".
• 01GQFDYMHP8V83H9BS2BD3RY1Z abstract "This article scrutinizes the way the European Union's (EU) democracy aid corresponds to how "a just society" is negotiated among the Acholi - an ethnic group in Northern Uganda. Through document analysis of EU aid projects, qualitative interviews with project implementers and through secondary analysis of ethnographic literature, this article finds that EU democracy aid in Acholiland - through its emphasis on individual responsibility, entrepreneurship, and its exclusion of elders - selectively aligns with the life worlds of urban youths. Such approach, however, risks further antagonizing Acholi social cohesion. As such, this article points attention to the fact that democracy support will always intervene in a contentious debate on what is perceived as locally just and whom participates in such negotiation. When considering questions of how international democracy support could be improved, it is, therefore, necessary to first of all deconstruct the validity of one's underlying conceptions of what is a just political order, and secondly, to acknowledge that any reconstruction on the grounds of including a plurality of alternatives will always require a political intervention. Such considerations, it is argued, would open up the debate on improving EU democracy support to concerns of how such democracy support itself can become more democratic.".
• 01GQFE1DQECCYZ6YRN2P52TWY7 abstract "This article intervenes in the debates on reforming EU democracy support by offering a “radical reformist” approach. It departs from the observation that literature lacks a sustained theorization of reform which more effectively considers contestation as the very condition of democracy. As such, in contrast to withdrawing democracy from its contested nature, this article presents a theoretical argument, as informed by Chantal Mouffe’s take on radical democracy, through which the EU more democratically can engage with and support the plurality of different contestations of democracy. In particular, a closer engagement with the radical democratic embrace of the political will allow for better reflection on how EU democracy support already is or can become democratic, empowering and receptive to the way democracy is understood locally.".
• 01GQFEHS41B13B6WR2S7M76EYM abstract "Perseverative cognitions can provoke psychophysiological stress in the absence of an actual stressor and are considered important transdiagnostic vulnerability factors for several (mental) health issues. These stress-related cognitive processes are reflected by both cognitive (assessed by self-reports) and autonomic inflexibility (assessed by heart rate variability; HRV), with a key role attributed to the vagus nerve. Interestingly, modulation of the afferent branches of the vagus can be achieved with transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a non-invasive technique that employs a low-intensity electrical current applied to the ear. In a sample of healthy individuals, we investigated the effects of taVNS of the left concha, compared to sham (earlobe) stimulation, on the cognitive and autonomic correlates of perseverative cognition following a psychosocial stress task. Interestingly, taVNS significantly reduced cognitive rigidity, reflected by reduced subjective perseverative thinking after psychosocial stress. Although there were no direct effects on autonomic correlates of perseverative cognition, individual differences in perseverative thinking after the stressor significantly affected the effects of taVNS on HRV. Specifically, more autonomic inflexibility during the stress task (i.e., reduced HRV) was associated with increases in perseverative thinking afterward for the sham condition, but not the active taVNS condition. Additional exploratory analyses revealed no significant moderation of stimulation intensity. Overall, the study findings endorse the association between perseverative cognitions and vagus nerve functioning.".
• 01GQFF7RMY05CCA1DAXEP9BNV0 abstract "An interlaboratory comparison was done for the analysis of carotenoids in freeze-dried mango. The study was performed from July to September 2018. Mango fruit was freeze-dried, homogenized, and packaged under vacuum conditions in portions of 6 g (test sample). Two test samples were sent to the participating laboratories for analysis. Laboratory results were rated using Z-scores in accordance with ISO 13528 and ISO 17043. The standard deviation for proficiency assessment (also called target standard deviation) was determined using a modified Horwitz function and varied between 10% and 25%, depending on the analyte. Out of 14 laboratories from 10 different countries, 9 laboratories (64%) obtained a satisfactory performance (Z & LE; 2) for the analysis of 0-carotene. While for 7 laboratories that analyzed a-carotene, (9Z) -0-carotene, 0-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin, 4 laboratories (57%) obtained a satisfactory performance. However, only 2 laboratories out of 7 (29%) obtained a satisfactory performance for lutein. Based on the comparability of the analytical results, this study concludes that freeze-dried mango pulp can be used as a reference material for the analysis of a and 0-carotene, (9Z)-0-carotene, 0-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin by applying different analytical procedures for their extraction and quantification.".
• 01GQFHAKTM7YD0S8ECTK44Q3QH abstract "Aim Soil microorganisms are essential for the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Although soil microbial communities and functions are linked to tree species composition and diversity, there has been no comprehensive study of the generality or context dependence of these relationships. Here, we examine tree diversity-soil microbial biomass and respiration relationships across environmental gradients using a global network of tree diversity experiments. Location Boreal, temperate, subtropical and tropical forests. Time period 2013. Major taxa studied Soil microorganisms. Methods Soil samples collected from 11 tree diversity experiments were used to measure microbial respiration, biomass and respiratory quotient using the substrate-induced respiration method. All samples were measured using the same analytical device, method and procedure to reduce measurement bias. We used linear mixed-effects models and principal components analysis (PCA) to examine the effects of tree diversity (taxonomic and phylogenetic), environmental conditions and interactions on soil microbial properties. Results Abiotic drivers, mainly soil water content, but also soil carbon and soil pH, significantly increased soil microbial biomass and respiration. High soil water content reduced the importance of other abiotic drivers. Tree diversity had no effect on the soil microbial properties, but interactions with phylogenetic diversity indicated that the effects of diversity were context dependent and stronger in drier soils. Similar results were found for soil carbon and soil pH. Main conclusions Our results indicate the importance of abiotic variables, especially soil water content, for maintaining high levels of soil microbial functions and modulating the effects of other environmental drivers. Planting tree species with diverse water-use strategies and structurally complex canopies and high leaf area might be crucial for maintaining high soil microbial biomass and respiration. Given that greater phylogenetic distance alleviated unfavourable soil water conditions, reforestation efforts that account for traits improving soil water content or select more phylogenetically distant species might assist in increasing soil microbial functions.".
• 01GQFJR1TZP6PDA9KWJVB13W9Z abstract "Hedgehog diphtheric disease (HDD), an ulcerative skin disease with a high fatality rate, is an emerging threat to European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). We explored the potential role of a panel of zoonotic pathogens in the presumed multifactorial nature of HDD in 188 hedgehogs from 3 wildlife rescue centres in Belgium. As expected, and with a prevalence of 67% in 57 hedgehogs with skin lesions, characteristic of HDD, the occurrence of Corynebacterium ulcerans was strongly associated with the disease. Remarkably, with a prevalence of 42% in affected animals, infections with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were 3.92 times more likely to be detected in HDD (95% confidence interval: 1.650-9.880; p = .0024). Overall, 40 hedgehogs tested positive for the B. burgdorferi sensu lato complex, including Borrelia afzelii (n = 30), Borrelia bavariensis (n = 7) and Borrelia spielmanii (n = 7). Other widely occurring pathogens included Salmonella (prevalence of 19%, with three pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles) and Leptospira sp. (prevalence of 11%, including Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira borgpetersenii), but these were not associated with the occurrence of HDD. These findings show that hedgehogs in Belgium represent a significant reservoir of multiple zoonotic bacteria, of which toxigenic C. ulcerans and B. burgdorferi sensu lato are associated with widespread hedgehog skin pathology and mortality.".
• 01GQFJX1DKR0XBQCC8PKK8MCB6 abstract "The increasing disturbances in monocultures around the world are testimony to their instability under global change. Many studies have claimed that temporal stability of productivity increases with species richness, although the ecological fundamentals have mainly been investigated through diversity experiments. To adequately manage forest ecosystems, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of the effect of mixing species on the temporal stability of productivity and the way in which it is influenced by climate conditions across large geographical areas. Here, we used a unique dataset of 261 stands combining pure and two-species mixtures of four relevant tree species over a wide range of climate conditions in Europe to examine the effect of species mixing on the level and temporal stability of productivity. Structural equation modelling was employed to further explore the direct and indirect influence of climate, overyielding, species asynchrony and additive effect (i.e. temporal stability expected from the species growth in monospecific stands) on temporal stability in mixed forests. We showed that by adding only one tree species to monocultures, the level (overyielding: +6%) and stability (temporal stability: +12%) of stand growth increased significantly. We identified the key effect of temperature on destabilizing stand growth, which may be mitigated by mixing species. We further confirmed asynchrony as the main driver of temporal stability in mixed stands, through both the additive effect and species interactions, which modify between-species asynchrony in mixtures in comparison to monocultures. Synthesis and applications. This study highlights the emergent properties associated with mixing two species, which result in resource efficient and temporally stable production systems. We reveal the negative impact of mean temperature on temporal stability of forest productivity and how the stabilizing effect of mixing two species can counterbalance this impact. The overyielding and temporal stability of growth addressed in this paper are essential for ecosystem services closely linked with the level and rhythm of forest growth. Our results underline that mixing two species can be a realistic and effective nature-based climate solution, which could contribute towards meeting EU climate target policies.".
• 01GQFK22M5FQR5WVJW8TF8CJZ0 abstract "The lack of field-based data in the tropics limits our mechanistic understanding of the drivers of net primary productivity (NPP) and allocation. Specifically, the role of local edaphic factors - such as soil parent material and topography controlling soil fertility as well as water and nutrient fluxes - remains unclear and introduces substantial uncertainty in understanding net ecosystem productivity and carbon (C) stocks. Using a combination of vegetation growth monitoring and soil geochemical properties, we found that soil fertility parameters reflecting the local parent material are the main drivers of NPP and C allocation patterns in tropical montane forests, resulting in significant differences in below- to aboveground biomass components across geochemical (soil) regions. Topography did not constrain the variability in C allocation and NPP. Soil organic C stocks showed no relation to C input in tropical forests. Instead, plant C input seemingly exceeded the maximum potential of these soils to stabilize C. We conclude that, even after many millennia of weathering and the presence of deeply developed soils, above- and belowground C allocation in tropical forests, as well as soil C stocks, vary substantially due to the geochemical properties that soils inherit from parent material.".
• 01GQFK7Q1CWS3Z1YZZCQFE2NYJ abstract "With the potential of fixed wireless access (FWA) networks as an alternative to optical fiber, it is necessary to determine vegetation loss at millimeter wave frequencies. In this article, we present vegetation loss measurement results for different types of vegetation, including trees, hedges, and forests, at frequencies ranging from 110 to 170 GHz. An experimental method is proposed to determine the average loss per meter vegetation depth (VD) for different vegetation types. Average losses at 140 GHz range from 0.2 dB/m for an open forest, and up to 9.8 dB/m for dense hedges. As there is a large variance of vegetation loss for different vegetation types, we propose a novel vegetation-dependent exponential decay (VED) model, expressing vegetation loss as a function of VD, frequency, and vegetation density, which is expressed by the plant area index (PAI) parameter. The VED vegetation loss model can be used for network design, and to perform accurate link budget calculations.".
• 01GQFKAXDMGJMQCP931EB428AT abstract "Increasing species diversity is considered a promising strategy to mitigate the negative impacts of global change on forests. However, the interactions between regional climate conditions and species-mixing effects on climate-growth relationships and drought resistance remain poorly documented. In this study, we investigated the patterns of species-mixing effects over a large gradient of environmental conditions throughout Europe for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), two species with contrasted ecological traits. We hypothesized that across large geographical scales, the difference of climate-growth relationships and drought resistance between pure and mixed stands would be dependent on regional climate. We used tree ring chronologies derived from 1143 beech and 1164 pine trees sampled in 30 study sites, each composed of one mixed stand of beech and pine and of the two corresponding pure stands located in similar site conditions. For each site and stand, we used Bootstrapped Correlation Coefficients (BCCs) on standardized chronologies and growth reduction during drought years on raw chronologies to analyze the difference in climate-tree growth relationships and resistance to drought between pure and mixed stands. We found consistent large-scale spatial patterns of climate-growth relationships. Those patterns were similar for both species. With the exception of the driest climates where pure and mixed beech stands tended to display differences in growth correlation with the main climatic drivers, the mixing effects on the BCCs were highly variable, resulting in the lack of a coherent response to mixing. No consistent species-mixing effect on drought resistance was found within and across climate zones. On average, mixing had no significant effect on drought resistance for neither species, yet it increased pine resistance in sites with higher climatic water balance in autumn. Also, beech and pine most often differed in the timing of their drought response within similar sites, irrespective of the regional climate, which might increase the temporal stability of growth in mixed compared to pure stands. Our results showed that the impact of species mixing on tree response to climate did not strongly differ between groups of sites with distinct climate characteristics and climate-growth relationships, indicating the interacting influences of species identity, stand characteristics, drought events characteristics as well as local site conditions.".
• 01GQFKK7R5755970BR6FS5G6NC abstract "A shift in management to improve the ecological function of mature plantations of exotic species can have important effects on the ecosystem climate mitigation potential. This study investigated the effect of two common forest management strategies for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands on the C storage after 15 years of management. Two pairs of forest stands on poor sandy soil and under the maritime influence in Brasschaat, Belgium, were observed as case studies. The observed forest management strategies were (i) thinning and group planting of oak saplings (Quercus robur L.) and (ii) clear cut, followed by replanting of young oak. For each stand, all forest C pools (aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, litter, and mineral soil) were determined. Results showed, surprisingly, no significant difference in the whole ecosystem C stock for both forest management strategies after 15 years of management. However, after the clear cut and the new plantation, the C in the top 30 cm layer of the mineral soil increased, while it decreased on the forest floor. For thinning with group planting, the C stocks reduced within the 10-30 cm soil layer without impact on the total soil C. Therefore, the shift in management did result in a different allocation of the belowground C, particularly after a clear cut. The results are not only relevant for the study region but also for managed Scots pine forests in neighboring regions of the Atlantic zone of Western Europe.".
• 01GQFKQ79TXWZQE547N594XWVR abstract "Litter decomposition is a key ecosystem function in forests and varies in response to a range of climatic, edaphic, and local stand characteristics. Disentangling the relative contribution of these factors is challenging, especially along large environmental gradients. In particular, knowledge of the effect of management options, such as tree planting density and species composition, on litter decomposition would be highly valuable in forestry. In this study, we made use of 15 tree diversity experiments spread over eight countries and three continents within the global TreeDivNet network. We evaluated the effects of overstory composition (tree identity, species/mixture composition and species richness), plan-tation conditions (density and age), and climate (temperature and precipitation) on mass loss (after 3 months and 1 year) of two standardized litters: high-quality green tea and low-quality rooibos tea. Across continents, we found that early-stage decomposition of the low-quality rooibos tea was influenced locally by overstory tree identity. Mass loss of rooibos litter was higher under young gymnosperm overstories compared to angiosperm overstories, but this trend reversed with age of the experiment. Tree species richness did not influence decomposition and explained almost no variation in our multi-continent dataset. Hence, in the young plantations of our study, overstory composition effects on decomposition were mainly driven by tree species identity on decomposer communities and forest microclimates. After 12 months of incubation, mass loss of the high-quality green tea litter was mainly influenced by temperature whereas the low-quality rooibos tea litter decomposition showed stronger relationships with overstory composition and stand age. Our findings highlight that decomposition dynamics are not only affected by climate but also by man-agement options, via litter quality of the identity of planted trees but also by overstory composition and structure.".
• 01GQFKTVG28P781R1BR5VHSAMV abstract "Heterogeneity of structure can increase mechanical stability, stress resistance and resilience, biodiversity and many other functions and services of forest stands. That is why many silvicultural measures aim at enhancing structural diversity. However, the effectiveness and potential of structuring may depend on the site conditions. Here, we revealed how the stand structure is determined by site quality and results from site-dependent partitioning of growth and mortality among the trees. We based our study on 90 mature, even-aged, fully stocked monocultures of Scots pine (Pines sylvestris L.) sampled in 21 countries along a productivity gradient across Europe. A mini-simulation study further analyzed the site-dependency of the interplay between growth and mortality and the resulting stand structure. The overarching hypothesis was that the stand structure changes with site quality and results from the site-dependent asymmetry of competition and mortality. First, we show that Scots pine stands structure across Europe become more homogeneous with increasing site quality. The coefficient of variation and Gini coefficient of stem diameter and tree height continuously decreased, whereas Stand Density Index and stand basal area increased with site index. Second, we reveal a site-dependency of the growth distribution among the trees and the mortality. With increasing site index, the asymmetry of both competition and growth distribution increased and suggested, at first glance, an increase in stand heterogeneity. However, with increasing site index, mortality eliminates mainly small instead of all-sized trees, cancels the size variation and reduces the structural heterogeneity. Third, we modelled the site-dependent interplay between growth partitioning and mortality. By scenario runs for different site conditions, we can show how the site-dependent structure at the stand level emerges from the asymmetric competition and mortality at the tree level and how the interplay changes with increasing site quality across Europe. Our most interesting finding was that the growth partitioning became more asymmetric and structuring with increasing site quality, but that the mortality eliminated predominantly small trees, reduced their size variation and thus reversed the impact of site quality on the structure. Finally, the reverse effects of mode of growth partitioning and mortality on the stand structure resulted in the highest size variation on poor sites and decreased structural heterogeneity with increasing site quality. Since our results indicate where heterogeneous structures need silviculture interventions and where they emerge naturally, we conclude that these findings may improve system understanding and modelling and guide forest management aiming at structurally rich forests.".
• 01GQFKX185G68M3K7A9QSS1WAZ abstract "Questions Effective and successful restoration of species-rich semi-natural grasslands requires knowledge of the soil nutrient status, including soil phosphorus availability. Plants are solid indicators of soil nutrient status, because their growth reflects nutrient availability integrated over a certain period. The use of reflectance spectroscopy to estimate vegetation nutrient content has the potential to offer a fast and efficient approach to provide information about soil nutrient availability for plants. Here, we investigated the effect and relative importance of vegetation phosphorus content compared with vegetation nitrogen content and species identity in explaining variation in vegetation reflectance. Location Pot experiment mimicking Western European grassland communities on a restoration trajectory. Methods We combined a pot experiment with a broad range of mesotrophic grassland species growing along a soil phosphorus gradient with a multivariate modelling approach. We measured vegetation spectra and vegetation phosphorus and nitrogen content in monocultures and mixtures. Results Although vegetation biochemistry explained a considerable part of the variation in vegetation reflectance, we found no pronounced absorption features for vegetation nitrogen and phosphorus content across the reflectance spectrum. The relatively large effect of species and community identity suggest that other drivers, for example vegetation architecture, overruled the effect of vegetation biochemistry on the reflectance spectrum. Our findings indicate that species detection and indirect case-specific estimation of nutrients is possible, especially in structurally less-complex canopies such as monospecific grass swards. Conclusions Disentangling the specific drivers of variation in spectral reflectance is challenging. Many studies confound the effect of species identity on the vegetation reflectance spectrum with the effect of vegetation biochemistry. Here, we showed the importance of explicitly taking species identity into account. Gaining insight into light-vegetation interactions and the in-depth integration of ecological theory in remote sensing are the way forward.".
• 01GQFKZN0K190JQYN7849YD8P5 abstract "The distribution of ticks in the Ixodes ricinus species complex is partly driven by climate, with temperature and relative humidity affecting survival. These variables are driven by macroclimate, but vary locally due to microclimate buffering. This buffering has been suggested to be one of the driving forces behind variation in tick survival and density in time and space. In order to understand the role of the herb layer with respect to this variation, we deployed I. ricinus within an existing experimental setup studying the response of forest under -storey to micrometeorological changes. This allowed for the analysis of both direct effects of warming on tick survival in controlled field conditions, as well as indirect effects through changes in herb layer biomass. Herb layer biomass estimates were observed to be higher in plots that had been experimentally warmed, with a trend towards higher survival in these warmed plots. This marginal increase in survival rate may be due to increased microclimate buffering. Comparing our results to literature implies that canopy and shrub layer vegetation have a larger effect on climate buffering, and therefore also on tick survival. Since the herb layer biomass is expected to increase due to global warming and increased frequency of disturbance-induced canopy gaps, survival in forested habitats may increase in the future. This would increase the difference in survival compared to that in open habitats.".
• 01GQFM3B7Y8Q45MKMYZW9NR4E4 abstract "The net primary productivity (NPP) of tropical forests is an important component of the global terrestrial carbon (C) cycle. The lack of field-based data, however, limits our mechanistic understanding of the drivers of NPP and C allocation. In consequence, the role of local edaphic factors for forest growth and C dynamics is unclear and introduces substantial uncertainty in estimating ecosystem C stock accrual. Here, we present data from field measurements on standing biomass as well as leaf, wood, and root production collected along topographic and geochemical gradients in old-growth African tropical mountain forests in the East African Rift System. We show that forests converge towards nutrient uptake more strongly when soil properties and parent material geochemistry indicate fertility constraints due to low amounts of rock-derived nutrients. In contrast, topography did not constrain the variability in C allocation and NPP fluxes. In consequence, aboveground:belowground biomass ratios and total NPP can differ greatly between geochemical regions for similar old-growth tropical forest types. Furthermore, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks were not related to NPP C allocation and plant C input seemingly exceeding the maximum potential of these soils to stabilize C. We conclude that even after many millennia of weathering and the presence of deeply developed soils, tropical above and belowground C allocation, as well as soil C stocks, vary substantially due to the geochemical properties which soils inherit from parent material.".
• 01GQFM62KMC19J1V58GBWG2W8S abstract "European lowland beech stands are under pressure by current climate change and increased drought spells. Climate sensitivity of trees is most commonly studied by examining tree-ring width records and wood densitybased time series, yet the potential of the latter is underexplored for hardwoods and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in particular. Here, we investigate how variability in radial growth, Maximum Latewood Density (MXD) and intra-annual wood density records in lowland beech are related to monthly and daily temperature (T) and precipitation (P) records, as well as the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), during the past 50 years. 45 increment cores were collected from healthy (co-) dominant beech trees in Flanders (northern Belgium). We used X-ray micro-Computed Tomography (X mu CT) to obtain wood density and tree-ring width series. By dividing every tree-ring into 4 sectors of equal radial width, we also assessed climatic forcings on intraannual wood density variability (meanQi, i = 1:4). Water availability (SPEI) is the most important factor limiting radial growth, whereas MXD is correlated with summer temperature (period May-July, r = 0.334). Scanning resolution (110, 60, 20 mu m) proves to be an important parameter when interpreting MXD values. We found that to quantify climate signals at the end of the growing season, density values should be representative for a relatively large part of the latewood. Our results also suggest that a sector approach is useful by showing climatic influences during the entire growing season. Wood density at the beginning of the growing season is mainly influenced by water availability (meanQ(1) similar to SPEI, r = 0.416), whereas towards the end of the growing season only significant correlations with temperature were observed (meanQ(4 similar to)T, r = 0.347). We recommend to further explore MXD values for hardwood trees in lowland Europe.".
• 01GQFM8YSRX5BE2WE1SPKJ0AWB abstract "This chapter focuses on historical microclimates and how they can help us to predict the future. It summarizes the drivers and effects of past, present and future climate, land-use and forest management on temporal dynamics in understory microclimate, and methods to infer historical microclimates. The chapter outlines the implications for forest biodiversity. The focus is on temperatures near the forest floor (0–1 m), because these temperatures are of high biological importance for understory plants and animals. The focus on temperature also provides a direct link to climate warming, although we clearly acknowledge that other microclimatic parameters, such as soil moisture and light availability, are also important. The forest microclimate is not only affected by plot and stand characteristics, but also by the landscape in which it is embedded.".
• 01GQFMNS789SVEZ4XA9N3428BE abstract "Aims Historical land-use legacies and chemical soil characteristics both explain either directly or indirectly the habitat quality of Nardus grassland, which is protected under the European habitat directive. Yet the relative importance and complementarity of both sets of variables are generally unknown. This knowledge is also relevant for practical reasons, as historical land-use variables can be used in desktop spatial analyses, whereas soil characteristics require field surveys to collect samples for laboratory analyses. To this end, we aim to disentangle the relative importance of historical land-use legacies and soil chemistry for the Nardus grassland quality, and determine the potential of habitat suitability mapping for predicting potential restoration areas. Location Natura 2000 grasslands in Flanders (northern Belgium). Methods We compared the model performance of three generalized additive models (GAMs), using either land-use history metrics, soil chemistry, or both as explanatory variables, with the Nardus grassland indicator species count as response. Results All three models were able to predict areas suitable for at least three Nardus grassland indicator species with high sensitivity and specificity. However, a minimum of four indicator species are required for a favorable conservation status of Natura 2000 Nardus grasslands in Flanders. Using this threshold to detect high-priority zones, the model based on historical land-use variables resulted in a lower sensitivity than models which included soil chemistry. Conclusions We suggest a two-step approach, with an a priori desktop spatial analysis based on historical land-use variables subdivided in a high-priority zone and a lower-priority zone. If the targeted area for restoration or conservation can be found within the high-priority zone, additional soil analyses are only required to help guide conservation and restoration measures. If additional sites are considered within the lower-priority zone, a field survey to collect additional soil data is recommended.".
• 01GQFMSZ219DZ4E7RBMD8PQTN0 abstract "Biodiversity drives the maintenance and stability of ecosystem functioning as well as many of nature’s benefits to people, yet people cause substantial biodiversity change. Despite broad consensus about a positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF), the underlying mechanisms and their context-dependencies are not well understood. This proposal, submitted to the European Research Council (ERC), aims at filling this knowledge gap by providing a novel conceptual framework for integrating biotic interactions across guilds of organisms, i.e. plants and mycorrhizal fungi, to explain the ecosystem consequences of biodiversity change. The overarching hypothesis is that EF increases when more tree species associate with functionally dissimilar mycorrhizal fungi. Taking a whole-ecosystem perspective, we propose to explore the role of tree-mycorrhiza interactions in driving BEF across environmental contexts and how this relates to nutrient dynamics. Given the significant role that mycorrhizae play in soil nutrient and water uptake, BEF relationships will be investigated under normal and drought conditions. Resulting ecosystem consequences will be explored by studying main energy channels and ecosystem multifunctionality using food web energy fluxes and by assessing carbon storage. Synthesising drivers of biotic interactions will allow us to understand context-dependent BEF relationships. This interdisciplinary and integrative project spans the whole gradient from local-scale process assessments to global relationships by building on unique experimental infrastructures like the MyDiv Experiment, iDiv Ecotron and the global network TreeDivNet, to link ecological mechanisms to reforestation initiatives. This innovative combination of basic scientific research with real-world interventions links trait-based community ecology, global change research and ecosystem ecology, pioneering a new generation of BEF research and represents a significant step towards implementing BEF theory for human needs.".
• 01GQFMYBRPVA1C91QXNAR2KDYB abstract "This chapter critically illuminates the role, tasks and challenges of Mental Health Professionals in transgender care and cites relevant literature. Various models of professional-client relationships are presented. Realistic and unrealistic expectations of somatic oriented professionals about the diagnostic and preparatory process by MHP are discussed in detail and a critical appraisal of referral letters is included. Also meaning and necessity of cooperation between MHP and somatic oriented medical professionals are emphazised.".
• 01GQFN0TC9SV304H2A5A755BAY abstract "In this work, we analyze the interference patterns measured in lab-based dual-phase grating interferometry and for the first time explain the spatial dependencies of the measured interference patterns and the large visibility deviations between the theoretical prediction and the experimental results. To achieve this, a simulator based on wave propagation is developed. This work proves that the experimental results can be simulated with high accuracy by including the effective grating thickness profile induced by the cone-beam geometry, the measured detector response function and a non-ideal grating shape. With the comprehensive understanding of dual-phase grating interferometry, this provides the foundations for a more efficient and accurate algorithm to retrieve sample’s structure information, and the realistic simulator is a useful tool for optimizing the set-up.".
• 01GQFP9A4A09HF2FD1RCP8XJG2 abstract "Background: While much emphasis has been put on the evaluation of gender-affirming surgery (GAS) approaches and their effectiveness, little is known about the health care needs after completion of these interventions. Aim: To assess post-GAS aftercare needs using a mixed-method approach and relate these to participant characteristics. Methods: As part of the ENIGI follow-up study, data was collected 5 years after first contact for gender-affirming treatments in 3 large European clinics. For the current analyses, only participants that had received GAS were included. Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was collected. Standard aftercare protocols were followed. The study focused on participants' aftercare experiences. Participants rated whether they (had) experienced (predefined) aftercare needs and further elaborated in 2 open-ended questions. Frequencies of aftercare needs were analyzed and associated with participant characteristics via binary logistic regression. Answers to the open-ended questions were categorized through thematic analysis. Outcomes: Aftercare needs transgender individuals (had) experienced after receiving GAS and the relation to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Of the 543 individuals that were invited for the ENIGI follow-up study, a total of 260 individuals were included (122 (trans) masculine, 119 (trans) feminine, 16 other, 3 missing). The most frequently mentioned aftercare need was (additional) assistance in surgical recovery (47%), followed by consultations with a mental health professional (36%) and physiotherapy for the pelvic floor (20%). The need for assistance in surgical recovery was associated with more psychological symptoms (OR=1.65), having undergone genital surgery (OR=2.55) and lower surgical satisfaction (OR=0.61). The need for consultation with a mental health professional was associated with more psychological symptoms and lower surgical satisfaction. The need for pelvic floor therapy was associated with more psychological symptoms as well as with having undergone genital surgery. Thematic analysis revealed 4 domains regarding aftercare optimization: provision of care, additional mental health care, improvement of organization of care and surgical technical care. Clinical Implications: Deeper understanding of post-GAS aftercare needs and associated individual characteristics informs health care providers which gaps are experienced and therefore should be addressed in aftercare. Strengths & Limitations: We provided first evidence on aftercare needs of transgender individuals after receiving GAS and associated these with participant characteristics in a large multicenter clinical cohort. No standardized data on aftercare received was collected, therefore the expressed aftercare needs cannot be compared with received aftercare. Conclusion: These results underline a widely experienced desire for aftercare and specify the personalized needs it should entail. Copyright (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the International Society for Sexual Medicine.".
• 01GQFPRVXXC5775Z10FZFK8YS7 abstract "(1) Background: With new potential drug targets emerging, combination therapies appear attractive to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. Chemokine receptor CCR2/5 antagonists can improve fibrosis by reducing monocyte infiltration and altering hepatic macrophage subsets. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) may improve NASH by modulating lipid and glucose metabolism. We compared effects of single drug to combination treatment as therapeutic strategies against NASH. (2) Methods: We analyzed serum samples and liver biopsies from 85 nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. A CCR2/5 inhibitor (BMS-687681-02-020) and a pegylated FGF21 agonist (BMS-986171) were tested in male C57BL/6J mice subjected to dietary models of NASH and fibrosis (choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) up to 12 weeks; short- (2w) or long-term (6w) treatment). (3) Results: In NAFLD patients, chemokine CCL2 and FGF21 serum levels correlated with inflammatory serum markers, only CCL2 was significantly associated with advanced liver fibrosis. In rodent NASH, CCR2/5 inhibition significantly reduced circulating Ly6C+ monocytes and hepatic monocyte-derived macrophages, alongside reduced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. FGF21 agonism decreased body weight, liver triglycerides and histological NASH activity. Combination treatment reflected aspects of both compounds upon short- and long-term application, thereby amplifying beneficial effects on all aspects of steatohepatitis and fibrosis. (4) Conclusions: CCR2/5 inhibition blocks hepatic infiltration of inflammatory monocytes, FGF21 agonism improves obesity-related metabolic disorders. Combined therapy ameliorates steatohepatitis and fibrosis more potently than single drug treatment in rodent NASH, corroborating the therapeutic potential of combining these two approaches in NASH patients.".
• 01GQFQSK145J0MEJJQCRQKK6X9 abstract "BACKGROUND Darolutamide is a potent androgen-receptor inhibitor that has been associated with increased overall survival among patients with nonmetastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer. Whether a combination of darolutamide, androgen-deprivation therapy, and docetaxel would increase survival among patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer is unknown. METHODS In this international, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in a 1:1 ratio to receive darolutamide (at a dose of 600 mg [two 300-mg tablets] twice daily) or matching placebo, both in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy and docetaxel. The primary end point was overall survival. RESULTS The primary analysis involved 1306 patients (651 in the darolutamide group and 655 in the placebo group); 86.1% of the patients had disease that was metastatic at the time of the initial diagnosis. At the data cutoff date for the primary analysis (October 25, 2021), the risk of death was significantly lower, by 32.5%, in the darolutamide group than in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.80; P<0.001). Darolutamide was also associated with consistent benefits with respect to the secondary end points and prespecified subgroups. Adverse events were similar in the two groups, and the incidences of the most common adverse events (occurring in >= 10% of the patients) were highest during the overlapping docetaxel treatment period in both groups. The frequency of grade 3 or 4 adverse events was 66.1% in the darolutamide group and 63.5% in the placebo group; neutropenia was the most common grade 3 or 4 adverse event (in 33.7% and 34.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In this trial involving patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, overall survival was significantly longer with the combination of darolutamide, androgen-deprivation therapy, and docetaxel than with placebo plus androgen-deprivation therapy and docetaxel, and the addition of darolutamide led to improvement in key secondary end points. The frequency of adverse events was similar in the two groups. (Funded by Bayer and Orion Pharma; ARASENS ClinicalTrials.gov number, .) Darolutamide in Metastatic Prostate Cancer Standard therapy for metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer is androgen-deprivation therapy, usually with docetaxel. A large, multinational, phase 3 trial assessed the addition of the androgen-receptor blocker darolutamide to standard therapy. At 4 years, survival was higher with darolutamide than with placebo (62.7% vs. 50.4%), with no major differences in the frequency of adverse events.".
• 01GQFR27TK1YKMG9S4W0XH94TM abstract "Objective To examine the effects of autoregulated (AUTO) and non-autoregulated (NAUTO) blood flow restriction (BFR) application on adverse effects, performance, cardiovascular and perceptual responses during resistance exercise.Methods Fifty-six healthy participants underwent AUTO and NAUTO BFR resistance exercise in a randomised crossover design using a training session with fixed amount of repetitions and a training session until volitional failure. Cardiovascular parameters, rate of perceived effort (RPE), rate of perceived discomfort (RPD) and number of repetitions were investigated after training, while the presence of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was verified 24 hours post-session. Adverse events during or following training were also monitored.Results AUTO outperformed NAUTO in the failure protocol (p < 0.001), while AUTO scored significantly lower for DOMS 24 hours after exercise (p < 0.001). Perceptions of effort and discomfort were significantly higher in NAUTO compared with AUTO in both fixed (RPE: p=0.014, RPD: p < 0.001) and failure protocol (RPE: p=0.028, RPD: p < 0.001). Sixteen adverse events (7.14%) were recorded, with a sevenfold incidence in the fixed protocol for NAUTO compared with AUTO (NAUTO: n=7 vs AUTO: n=1) and five (NAUTO) vs three (AUTO) adverse events in the failure protocol. No significant differences in cardiovascular parameters were found comparing both pressure applications.Conclusion Autoregulation appears to enhance safety and performance in both fixed and failure BFR-training protocols. AUTO BFR training did not seem to affect cardiovascular stress differently, but was associated with lower DOMS, perceived effort and discomfort compared with NAUTO.".
• 01GQFR4QSYXBB0Q140BN2864XM abstract "Background: The optimal treatment for patients with pathological node-positive (pN1) prostate cancer (PCa) is unclear.Objective: To evaluate whether whole-pelvis radiotherapy (WPRT) improves clinical relapse-free survival (cRFS) in comparison to prostate-only radiotherapy (PORT) in pN1 PCa.Design, setting, and participants: PROPER was a phase 3 trial randomizing patients to WPRT or PORT. All patients had pN1cM0 PCa with fewer than five lymph nodes involved.Intervention: All patients underwent pelvic lymph node dissection followed by radical prostatectomy/primary radiotherapy + 2 yr of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients were randomized to PORT (arm A) or WPRT (arm B).Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The primary outcome was cRFS. The sec-ondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS), and toxicity. The study was stopped because of poor accrual in June 2021 after the inclu-sion of 69 patients. We report on OS, bRFS, cRFS, and acute and late toxicity.Results and limitations: The median follow-up was 30 mo in arm A (n = 33) and 36 mo in arm B (n = 31). The 3-yr OS rate was 92% +/- 5% in arm A and 93% +/- 5% in arm B (p = 0.61). None of the patients died of PCa. The 3-yr bRFS was 79% +/- 9% in arm A and 92% +/- 5% in arm B (p = 0.08). The 3-yr cRFS rate was 88% +/- 6% in arm A and 92% +/- 5% in arm B (p = 0.31). No pelvic recurrence was observed in arm B. Acute grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicity was higher with WPRT (15% in arm A vs 45% in arm B; p = 0.03). Limitations are the early closure because of poor accrual and the limited follow-up. Conclusions: The results of our trial are hypothesis-generating but add evidence sup-porting the recommendation to offer WPRT to patients with pN1 PCa. However, WPRT is associated with more acute gastrointestinal toxicity.Patient summary: We looked at the impact of radiotherapy to the whole pelvis (WPRT) for patients with prostate cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes. Although the trial was closed early because of poor enrolment, we found that WPRT improves survival free from relapse, and no recurrences were observed in the pelvis. WPRT is associated with more acute side effects on the gastrointestinal system in comparison to radiotherapy to just the prostate.".
• 01GQFR99PS3HEGSD52YMSX8476 abstract "Background: Fluorine-18 (18F)-labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) offers several advantages over gallium-68 (68Ga) in terms of costs, yield, transport/ distribution, and image resolution.Objective: This trial investigates the new radiotracer 18F-PSMA-11 via a prospective, intraindividual crossover design. The trial was powered for noninferiority of 18F-PSMA-11 over 68Ga-PSMA-11 positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in terms of the number of positive PET scans. Secondary endpoints were as follows: (1) superiority of 18F-PSMA-11 over 68Ga-PSMA-11 with respect to the number of positive PET scans, the total number of suspicious prostate cancer lesions, and the miPSMA expression score of corresponding lesions; (2) correlation of the PET/CT images with available follow-up data for 18F-PSMA-11 and 68Ga-PSMA-11; and (3) assessment of the interobserver variability.Design, setting, and participants: Prostate cancer patients (primary or biochemical recurrence) were randomised in a double-blind crossover design whereby each patient received both 18F-PSMA-11 and 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT.Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: All scans were reviewed and scored by three independent experienced nuclear physicians following the proposed guideline for the interpretation of PSMA-ligand PET/CT, as described by Eiber et al.".
• 01GQFRE4MWHM3H10CH3YD8YG8Y abstract "Purpose In this study, we evaluated the impact of F-18-PSMA-11 PET/CT on the patient management plan in patients with primary or recurrent disease. Furthermore, a correlation between PET findings and other modalities was performed. Procedures In this prospective observational study, 60 prostate cancer patients (9 primary staging, 51 biochemical recurrence) were imaged with F-18-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Pre- and post-scan questionnaires were completed by the treating physician to observe changes in therapy intent. Follow-up data (histological confirmation, MRI imaging, and PSA values after radiotherapy without implementation of systemic therapy) was correlated with the F-18-PSMA-11 findings. Results The patient-based detection rate was 82% and a management change was seen in 52% of the cases. The heterogeneous characteristics of the included patients resulted in a widely varying treatment change, mostly originating from an increase of disease extent on F-18-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Conclusion F-18-PSMA-11 PET/CT showed to be a highly promising method for the detection of prostate cancer lesions.".
• 01GQFRKJBJ7JGP6YB6PT4RVY6V abstract "Purpose This study directly compares peri-catheter retrograde urethrography (pcRUG) and voiding cysto-urethrography (VCUG) as early postoperative imaging after urethroplasty and aims to assess whether pcRUG is superior at avoiding catheter reinsertion. Methods This is a single-center, prospective, interventional study comparing pcRUG and VCUG after urethroplasty in a within-patient fashion. All participants were first evaluated with pcRUG and subsequently with VCUG, unless pcRUG revealed significant contrast extravasation warranting further catheter stay. The primary end-point was to assess whether pcRUG is superior at avoiding catheter reinsertion compared with VCUG. Secondary end-points included the amount of significant contrast extravasations missed on pcRUG and the differences in radiation exposure. Results 80 patients were included in this study. Median (IQR) interval between surgery and first postoperative imaging was 16 (9-16) days. In 14/80 (18%) patients, the pcRUG showed significant contrast extravasation and catheter reinsertion was avoided, while this percentage is 0 by default for VCUG (p < 0.001). In the other 66/80 (82%) patients, a VCUG was performed and 1/66 (1.5%) of these was considered as significant contrast extravasation. Notably, 9/66 (14%) of these patients could not void during the investigation. Median (IQR) dose of radiation exposure during pcRUG and VCUG was, respectively, 120 (84-161) mGy/cm(2) and 241 (169-334) mGy/cm(2) (p < 0.001). Conclusions After urethroplasty, pcRUG is a valuable alternative for VCUG as early postoperative imaging. It has a comparable diagnostic yield, averts the risk of having to reinsert the catheter, avoids the problem of patients being unable to void during the examination and requires significantly less radiation.".
• 01GQFRMY7ST3M2QVRG8YHZQA9Q abstract "Background: Several treatment options for urethral complications following metoidioplasty in transmen are described in the literature, yet little is known with regard to the surgical outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical outcomes after treatment of urethral strictures and urethral fistulas following metoidioplasty. Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted with transmen treated for strictures and fistulas after metoidioplasty in 3 tertiary referral centers. Outcomes: The primary outcome was the recurrence-free rate after surgical treatment of urethral strictures and urethral fistulas over a time period of 3 years postoperatively. Results: Of 96 transmen included in this study with a urethral complication, 44 (46%) experienced a urethral fistula, 31 (32%) a urethral stricture, and 21 (22%) both complications simultaneously. The recurrence-free rate for urethral strictures following endoscopic management (ie, urethral dilation or direct visual internal urethrotomy) was 61% after 1, 50% after 2, and 43% after 3 years, compared to 82% following open treatment options after 1, 2, and 3 years (P = .002). Open treatment options were Heineke-Mikulicz procedure (7/9, 78% success), excision and primary anastomosis (3/3, 100%), 2-stage without graft (9/9, 100%), pedicled flap urethroplasty (1/1, 100%), and buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty (2/4 [50%] single-stage, 1/1 [100%] 2-stage). The recurrence-free rate for small urethral fistulas located at the pendulous urethra was 79% after 1, and 72% after 2 and 3 years, compared to 45% after 1, and 41% after 2 and 3 years for large fistulas, generally located at the urethral anastomoses of the fixed urethra. Treatment options for urethral fistulas were fistulectomy (26/48, 54%), fistulec-tomy & (redo) colpectomy (7/11, 64%), buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty (1/1, 100%), and retubularization of the urethral plate (3/4, 75%). A colpectomy before or during reoperation of a urethral fistula at the proximal urethral anastomosis showed higher success rates compared to without a colpectomy (7/11 [64%] vs 2/13 [15%] respectively, P = .03). Clinical Implications: This study provides insight in the treatment possibilities and corresponding outcomes of urethral complications following metoidioplasty in transmen. Strengths & Limitations: Strengths were the relatively large sample size and the overview of multiple treatment options available. Limitations were the heterogeneity of the cohort, underexposure of some surgical modalities, and absence of patient-reported outcomes. Conclusion: Open surgical techniques show better long-term outcomes in the management of urethral strictures compared to endoscopic options, and a colpectomy is beneficial before or during urethral fistula repair at the proximal urethral anastomosis. Copyright (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the International Society for Sexual Medicine.".
• 01GQFRSSEEYQPX3G463442GWPA abstract "Bladder outlet obstruction following treatment of pelvic cancer, predominantly prostate cancer, occurs in 1-8% of patients. The high incidence of prostate cancer combined with the long-life expectancy after treatment has increased concerns with cancer survivorship care. However, despite increased oncological cure rates, these adverse events do occur, compromising patients' quality of life. Non-traumatic obstruction of the posterior urethra and bladder neck include membranous and prostatic urethral stenosis and bladder neck stenosis (also known as contracture). The devastated bladder outlet can result from benign conditions, such as neurogenic dysfunction, trauma, iatrogenic causes, or more frequently from complications of oncologic treatment, such as prostate, bladder and rectum. Most posterior urethral stenoses may respond to endoluminal treatments such as dilatation, direct vision internal urethrotomy, and occasionally urethral stents. Although surgical reconstruction offers the best chance of durable success, these reconstructive options are fraught with severe complications and, therefore, are far from being ideal. In patients with prior RT, failed reconstruction, densely fibrotic and/or necrotic and calcified posterior urethra, refractory incontinence or severe comorbidities, reconstruction may not be either feasible or recommended. In these cases, urinary diversion with or without cystectomy is usually required. This review aims to discuss the diagnostic evaluation and treatment options for patients with bladder outlet obstruction with a special emphasis on patients unsuitable for reconstruction of the posterior urethra and requiring urinary diversion.".
• 01GQFRXC0VR6AZ9ET9B0BZKDQN abstract "Purpose The benefits and harms of the available types of surgical management for lichen sclerosus-related (LS) strictures remain unclear and, thus, clear and robust clinical practice recommendations cannot be given. Materials and methods To assess the role of single-stage OMGU in the management of LS strictures and explore how its benefits and harms compare with the alternative management options. Medline, Embase and Cochrane controlled trial databases (CENTRAL, CDSR) were systematically searched. Randomized (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies (NRCSs) comparing single-stage OMGU with other surgical management options for LS strictures and single-arm studies on single-stage OMGU were included. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed. Results Of the 1912 abstracts identified, 15 studies (1 NRCS and 14 single-arm studies) were included, recruiting in total 649 patients. All studies were at high RoB. In the only NRCS available, stricture-free rate (SFR) for single-stage and staged OMGU was 88% vs 60%, respectively (p = 0.05), at a mean follow-up of 66.5 months. SFR range for single-stage OMGU in single-arm studies was 65-100% (mean/median follow-up, 12-59 months). Single-stage OMGU had low complication rates and beneficial impact on LUTS and QoL. Conclusions The present SR highlights the methodological limitations of the available literature. In the absence of adverse local tissue conditions, and taking into consideration benefit-harm balance and surgeon's skills and expertise, single-stage OMGU can be justified in patients with LS strictures.".
• 01GQFV5Y0AMKQ463GN6HX1KS1H abstract " Purpose: The increasing popularity of desktop 3D printers makes guided surgery more accessible. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of single-tooth guided implant surgery by means of a 3D-printed tooth-supported guide. Materials and methods: Fifteen implants were virtually planned to replace a missing first mandibular molar, using planning software for guided implant surgery (Exoplan, Exocad). A tooth-supported guide was designed and manufactured using a desktop 3D printer (Asiga MAX UV). The implants were placed fully guided in resin casts, and a digital impression was taken to register their position. This scan was compared with the virtual implant position in the planning software, and the internal fit of the guides was evaluated using metrology software. One planning was executed six times for measuring precision. Results: For trueness, the mean angular deviation was 2.63 degrees (SD: 1.69 degrees; range: 0.38 to 5.99 degrees), the mean coronal deviation was 0.52 mm (SD: 0.25; range: 0.09 mm to 1.07 mm), and the mean apical deviation was 0.90 mm (SD: 0.47; range: 0.14 to 1.74 mm). The absolute apical mean deviation in the buccolingual direction (x-axis) was 0.70 mm (SD: 0.42, 0.12 to 1.65 mm; P < .001); in the mesiodistal direction (y-axis), it was 0.34 mm (SD: 0.26; range: 0.01 to 0.80 mm; P = .650); and in the vertical direction (z-axis), it was 0.32 mm (SD: 0.27; range: 0.02 to 1.00 mm; P = .010). The mean internal fit of the guides was 79.5 μm (SD: 19.6 μm; range: 51 to 118 μm). Conclusion: Desktop 3D-printed tooth-supported guides demonstrate an acceptable fit and acceptable level of accuracy for single implant placement.".
• 01GQFV9S3M3EQD7HEN7A37YW6S abstract "Objective: Information about full-digital protocols for bite registration with intraoral scanners on multiple implants in the edentulous jaw is scarce. The purpose of this comparative in vivo study was to investigate the reliability and time efficiency of a novel full-digital bite registration technique for the manufacture of full-arch maxillary fixed implant prostheses. Material and methods: In ten patients, a full-arch maxillary fixed implant prosthesis was manufactured on multi-unit abutment level through an analog prosthetic workflow. The bite registration was performed with use of a screw-retained polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) verification jig with detachable wax rim. To articulate the definitive edentulous maxillary implant cast in centric relation at the appropriate occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) to the mandibular antagonist cast, a type II articulator (Artex, Amann Girrbach) was used. Three to six months later, a full-digital bite registration was performed with use of dual-function scan bodies and bilateral connected bite pillars. The bite pillars screwed into the scan bodies were used to adjust and articulate the edentulous maxillary implant arch to the mandibular antagonist arch at the defined OVD. Treatment time for analog and digital bite registration technique was measured in each patient. The reliability of the digital bite registration technique was evaluated by 3D comparison of two sets of stereo lithographic (STL) files obtained from each patient. The three-dimensional deviation was defined along the X-, Y- and Z-axes (Geomagic Control X, 3D Systems Inc., Rock Hill, SC, USA). Results: The treatment time for digital bite registration using dual-function scan bodies and bite pillars was significantly shorter than analog bite registration with verification jig and wax rim (60.30%, SD 5.72%). Minor differences between the two techniques were observed with a linear deviation range of 1115 mu m (SD 668 mu m) overall, 46.2 mu m (SD 731.3 mu m) along the X-axis, -200.3 mu m (SD 744.3 mu m) along the Y-axis and 67.1 mu m (SD 752.2 mu m) along the Z-axis. Bilateral balanced contacts were registered in all patients during full-digital bite registration. Conclusions: The novel digital bite registration technique with dual-function scan bodies and bite pillars allows for a full-digital workflow for full-arch implant supported restorations. The digital bite workflow was 60% faster, and the overall deviation was around 1 mm, which can be considered clinically acceptable.".
• 01GQFW2F62PZ9QWY4C289CW3CN abstract "The potential of supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) for the extraction of bioactive compounds from mango by-products was assessed. Carotenoid extraction was optimized using a design of experiments based on temperature (35, 55 and 70 degrees C), pressure (10 and 35 MPa) and co-solvent addition (0%, 10% and 20% of ethanol or acetone). Moreover, the co-extraction of phenolic acids, flavonoids and xanthonoids was evaluated in a subset of parameters. Finally, a comparison was made between SC-CO2 and a two-step organic solvent extraction of the bioactive compounds from the pulp and peel fractions of two Ecuadorian varieties. The optimal extraction temperature was found to be dependent on the bioactive type, with phenolics requiring higher temperature than carotenoids. The optimal overall conditions, focused on maximal carotenoids recovery, were found to be 55 degrees C, 35 MPa and 20% of ethanol. The main carotenoid was beta-carotene, while phenolics differed among the varieties. The bioactive content of the peel was up to 4.1-fold higher than in the pulp fraction. Higher antioxidant activity was found in the extracts obtained with organic solvents. SC-CO2 is a promising technology for the isolation of valuable compounds from mango by-products.".
• 01GQFW9G0K6QVKRBYV2P1CWZKN abstract "The global trade of tropical fruits is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. In 2018, the production was approximately 100 million tones, an increase of 3.3% compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization, every year one‐third of the food produced in the world for human consumption is lost or wasted. More specifically, around 45% of the fruits, constituted mainly by peels, seeds, and pulps after juice extraction, are discarded mainly in the agricultural and processing steps. Therefore, decreasing and/or using these byproducts, which are often rich in bioactive components, have become an important focus for both the scientific community and the fruit processing industry. In this line, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technology is expected to play a significant role in the valorization of these byproducts. This review presents the concepts of a tropical fruit biorefinery using supercritical CO2 extraction and the potential applications of the isolated fractions. There is a specific focus on the extraction of bioactive compounds, that is, carotenoids and phenolics, but also oils and other valuable molecules. Moreover, the techno‐economic and environmental performance is assessed. Overall, the biorefinery of tropical fruits via SFE provides new opportunities for development of food and pharmaceutical products with improved economic and environmental performance.".
• 01GQFWF73R5GFD9V8ZPYB9DP60 abstract "Tropical fruits represent one of the most important crops in the world. The continuously growing global market for the main tropical fruits is currently estimated at 84 million tons, of which approximately half is lost or wasted throughout the whole processing chain. Developing novel processes for the conversion of these byproducts into value-added products could provide a viable way to manage this waste problem, aiming at the same time to create a sustainable economic growth within a bio-economy perspective. Given the ever-increasing concern about sustainability, complete valorization through a bio-refinery approach, that is, zero waste concept, as well as the use of green techniques is therefore of utmost importance. This paper aims to report the status on the valorization of tropical fruit byproducts within a bio-refinery frame, via the application of traditional methodologies, and with specific attention to the extraction of phenolics and carotenoids as bioactive compounds. The different types of byproducts, and their content of bioactives is reviewed, with a special emphasis on the lesser-known tropical fruits. Moreover, the bioactivity of the different types of extracts and their possible application as a resource for different sectors (food, pharmaceutical, and environmental sciences) is discussed. Consequently, this review presents the concepts of tropical fruit biorefineries, and the potential applications of the isolated fractions.".
• 01GQG232N95FM8B1KNP93X3P18 abstract "Understanding the role of traits in dispersal is necessary to improve our knowledge of historical biogeography, community assembly processes and predictions of species' future movements. Here we aimed to determine the relationship between three traits (coastal distribution, body size, position on the fast/slow life history continuum) and past dispersal probability on an evolutionary timescale in chameleons (Chamaeleonidae). Using species' distribution data we identified the nine most important biogeographic regions for all included chameleons (181/217 species). We compiled life history trait data and used phylogenetic factor analysis to infer independent body size and fast/slow life history trait axes. Finally, we tested whether traits and trait combinations related to biogeographic dispersal success in the past, using trait-dependent biogeographic models. All three traits were associated with past biogeographical movements. Lineages having coastal distributions and those with large bodies had higher dispersal probabilities. Interestingly, chameleons with either a very fast or very slow life history were more successful dispersers than species with an intermediate strategy. Together, the three traits - coastal, large-bodied and extreme life history - form a dispersal syndrome. Traits have played an important role in the biogeographic history of chameleons. While only fast traits have been linked to present-day invasion success in reptiles, both extremes of the life history spectrum were likely advantageous for dispersal and establishment during past biogeographic movements. Fast-living species may be less susceptible to stochastic extinction in the first phases of a colonization (due to rapid population growth), and slow-living species may be less vulnerable to environmental stochasticity (due to low demographic variability). Our results call for broader analyses testing the general influence of life history strategy in biogeographic dispersal success, which would help explain species distribution patterns on Earth.".
• 01GQG243E2NNHTAYTA4827NF41 abstract "Aim The Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot is among the least-known biodiversity hotspots on earth. In this study, we aim to map the richness and genetic divergence of lizards in the biodiversity hotspot and its surrounding areas and identify the most important determinants of the richness and genetic divergence patterns. Location Iran and Turkey (Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot). Methods Here, we mapped the distribution of 211 lizard species in Iran and Turkey using existing occurrence data and generated the first genetic divergence pattern map of the lizard species in the two countries to identify areas of high species diversity and genetic divergence in the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot. We also identified determinants of lizard richness and genetic divergence patterns. Results Results showed that the Zagros Mountains, Central Iranian Plateau and the northern Persian Gulf have the highest lizard richness. The Zagros Mountains, Central Iranian Plateau, the northern Persian Gulf and the regions around the Lut Desert and Jazmourian Plain have the highest total genetic divergence in Iran. Alborz and Kopet Dag mountains and south western parts of Turkey have the highest average genetic divergence. The annual temperature was the most important predictor of lizard richness, and temperature change velocity was the most influential determinant of genetic divergence pattern. Much to our surprise, species diversity and most areas with high genetic divergence are located outside of Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot. Main conclusions This study showed that lizard richness and genetic divergence patterns are associated with current and past climate. In particular, this study highlights the legacy of past climate changes on lizard genetic divergence distribution patterns. We showed that most of the species-rich and genetically diverse regions are located outside of the biodiversity hotspot. So conservation efforts that are concentrated inside the biodiversity hotspot may not benefit lizard biodiversity conservation. Thus, future studies and conservation programs on the biodiversity hotspot should also consider its surrounding areas.".
• 01GQG2968MSN5QHFG4E50GPSXP abstract "Manus Island is part of the Admiralty Islands, a herpetologically rich but poorly studied area. Seven species of Cornufer (von Tschudi, 1838) are known to occur on the island, five of which have been described. Based on material collected from Manus Island in 2014, we here describe the first female of Cornufer manus and the first male of Cornufer vogti. Additionally, we provide new information on intraspecific variation from a further eight adult males of C. manus, two subadults of C. vogti, as well as the first photographs of both species in life.".
• 01GQG5DT9YHDR4YCEFKDMB5X6T abstract "Hyper-resistance is an increased resistance to passive muscle stretch, a common feature in neurological disorders. Stretch hyperreflexia, an exaggerated stretch reflex response, is the neural velocity-dependent component of hyper-resistance, and has been quantitatively measured using the stretch reflex threshold (i.e., joint angle at the stretch reflex electromyographic onset). In this study, we introduce a correction in how the stretch reflex threshold is calculated, by accounting for the stretch reflex latency (i.e., time between the stretch reflex onset at the muscle spindles and its appearance in the electromyographic signal). Furthermore, we evaluated how this correction affects the stretch reflex threshold in children and young adults with spastic cerebral palsy. A motor-driven ankle dynamometer induced passive ankle dorsiflexions at four incremental velocities in 13 children with cerebral palsy (mean age: 13.5 years, eight males). The stretch reflex threshold for soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscles was calculated as 1) the joint angle corresponding to the stretch reflex electromyographic onset (i.e., original method); and as 2) the joint angle corresponding to the electromyographic onset minus the individual Hoffmann-reflex latency (i.e., latency corrected method). The group linear regression slopes between stretch velocity and stretch reflex threshold differed in both muscles between methods (p < 0.05). While the original stretch reflex threshold was velocity dependent in both muscles (p < 0.05), the latency correction rendered it velocity independent. Thus, the effects of latency correction on the stretch reflex threshold are substantial, especially at higher stretch velocities, and should be considered in future studies.".
• 01GQG5N27BRVD3V58KA7W65SZE abstract "Neuromusculoskeletal models can be used to evaluate aberrant muscle function in cerebral palsy (CP), for example by estimating muscle and joint contact forces during gait. However, to be accurate, models should include representative musculotendon parameters. We aimed to estimate personalised parameters that capture the mechanical behaviour of the plantarflexors in children with CP and typically developing (TD) children. Ankle angle (using motion capture), torque (using a load-cell), and medial gastrocnemius fascicle lengths (using ultrasound) were measured during slow passive ankle dorsiflexion rotation for thirteen children with spastic CP and thirteen TD children. Per subject, the measured rotation was input to a scaled OpenSim model to simulate the torque and fascicle length output. Musculotendon model parameters were personalised by the best match between simulated and experimental torque-angle and fascicle length-angle curves according to a least-squares fit. Personalised tendon slack lengths were significantly longer and optimal fibre lengths significantly shorter in CP than model defaults and than in TD. Personalised tendon compliance was substantially higher in both groups compared to the model default. The presented method to personalise musculotendon parameters will likely yield more accurate simulations of subject-specific muscle mechanics, to help us understand the effects of altered musculotendon properties in CP.".
• 01GQG7QP8K6H5KSQGFC0B8QBQ6 abstract "The tropical forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo are threatened by deforestation and forest degradation, which affect tree structure and diversity. This study aims to quantify biomass and diversity losses resulting from deforestation and degradation, with a focus on the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve. Inventories were conducted in four 50 m x 50 m plots in each of the eight land-use types identified: mixed mature forest, mature forest with Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, subsistence crop fields, fallows (5 to 10 years), secondary forests (20 to 40 years), and cacao, coffee and oil palm plantations. Biomass stocks in mature forests amounted to similar to 400 and 380 Mg/ha for G. dewevrei and mixed forest respectively. Our results show that mature forests lose 50, 70 and 90%, respectively, of their above-ground biomass when converted to cocoa, coffee and palm plantations, and almost all (99%) when converted to food crops. However, when a crop field is abandoned, above-ground biomass gradually recovers to 7.5% after 5-10 years and to 38.8% after 20-40 years. Conversion also has an impact on diversity, and although species richness appears to recover faster than biomass, its composition is fundamentally altered. Although the approach needs to be scaled up, these results provide essential information for quantifying the impacts of "natural" solutions to climate change, i.e. protection of mature forests, improved forest management and reforestation.".
• 01GQG7ZQBGZPQFRK3SYR6307V7 abstract "The African collection of the Slovene Ethnographic Museum (SEM) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, holds objects of everyday life from the Bambuti people from the Ituri forest, in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The items were collected by the anthropologist Paul Joachim Schebesta, possibly during his expeditions around 1930. The objects containing wood were selected for wood identification by using microscopic wood identification, with the help of the InsideWood database and reference samples from the xylarium of the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium. The investigated musical instrument, a wooden zither, was made of wood of Musanga cecropioides, the handle of the shield of Alstonia sp., the dagger and sheath of Autranella congolensis or another high density species of Sapotaceae, and the crossbow of Nauclea diderichii (bow) and Xylopia sp. (stock). Wood identification helped us to gain additional information on the origin, knowledge of wood, and time of the collection of objects in the Congo.".
• 01GQH8TN4SBJ0B0RGQ3S1AYMWA abstract "Starting and stopping oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in a way that compromises its effectiveness should be avoided. Between September 2020 and June 2021, we assessed self-perceived and actual knowledge of effectively starting and stopping oral PrEP through an online survey among 206 PrEP users assigned male at birth in Belgium. We examined associations between incorrect start-and-stop knowledge and socio-demographics, sexual behaviour and PrEP use, using bi- and multi-variable logistic regression. The majority of men (84.9%) perceived their start-and-stop knowledge as 'very good', but only 62.1% of all men correctly indicated how to effectively start and stop with PrEP. Using PrEP daily [adjusted OR 2.12, 95% CI (1.06-4.28), p = 0.034] was significantly associated with incorrect start-and-stop knowledge. To enable PrEP users to effectively use PrEP, they need to be better informed about how to start and stop use, irrespective of the dosing regimen.".
• 01GQH8TN52MVZC5WTJKP6J3TDG abstract "ObjectiveThe available epidemiological and clinical evidence from the currently ongoing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak in non-endemic areas suggests an important factor of sexual transmission. However, limited information on the behaviour and experiences of individuals with an MPX infection has to date been provided. We aimed to describe the initial phase of the MPX outbreak in Belgium, and to provide a more in-depth description of sexual behaviour and transmission contexts. MethodsWe used routine national surveillance data of 139 confirmed MPX cases with date of symptom onset until 19 June 2022, complemented with 12 semistructured interviews conducted with a subsample of these cases. ResultsSexualised environments, including large festivals and cruising venues for gay men, were the suspected exposure setting for the majority of the cases in the early outbreak phase. In-depth narratives of sexual behaviour support the hypothesis of MPX transmission through close physical contact during sex. Despite awareness of the ongoing MPX outbreak, low self-perceived risk of MPX acquisition and confusing initial signs and symptoms for other STIs or skin conditions delayed early detection of an MPX infection. In addition, we describe relevant contextual factors beyond individual behaviour, related to sexual networks, interpersonal interactions and health systems. Some of these factors may complicate early MPX detection and control efforts. ConclusionOur results highlight the role of sexual contact and networks in the transmission of MPX during the early phase of the outbreak in Belgium. Risk communication messages should consistently and transparently state the predominant sexual transmission potential of MPX virus, and prevention and control measures must be adapted to reflect multilevel factors contributing to MPX transmission risk.".
• 01GQH8TN57CJ87FB4NX87YV2F5 abstract "Objectives Next to monitoring the clinical health of people living with HIV through the triple 90 targets, a 4th 90 target was proposed in 2016 to improve HIV health-related quality of life (HrQoL) by addressing comorbidities and other psychosocial challenges. This scoping review aimed at understanding related psychosocial determinants, including strategies to improve HrQoL for people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), as an initiative to ameliorate the continuum of care. Methods This scoping review followed PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed and Wiley databases from 01 January 2011 to 19 April 2021 for articles on HrQoL, including determinants and related interventions in SSA. We also conducted a manual search to retrieve grey literature on the '4th 90' target. The six domains of HrQoL defined in the most widely used instrument (i.e., WHOQOL-HIV-BREF tool) served as a guiding framework. Results Thirty-three articles were included for analysis. Seven articles illustrated the ongoing debate on the 4th 90 target, highlighting challenges with measuring indicators. Nine articles discussed HrQoL domains, reporting the highest scores in the spirituality and physical domains and lowest scores in the social and environmental domains. The presence of stigma and depressive symptoms was associated with low HrQoL. Seventeen articles discussed HrQoL interventions, highlighting that improved HrQoL enhanced health-seeking behaviour. Only two interventions addressed the environmental domain highlighting the fact that selection of intervention aims were not evidence led. Conclusion Introducing the 4th 90 target in SSA as a strategy to enhance HrQoL amongst people living with HIV could improve the HIV continuum of care; however, efforts are required to effectively address environmental and structural determinants.".
• 01GQH8TN5E7MKZAH3CGN2PH8JT abstract "Background In high income countries, racialized/ethnic minorities are disproportionally affected by COVID-19. Despite the established importance of community involvement in epidemic preparedness, we lack in-depth understanding of these communities' experiences with and responses to COVID-19. We explored information and prevention needs, coping mechanisms with COVID-19 control measures and their impact on lived experiences among selected racialized/ethnic minority communities. Methods This qualitative rapid assessment conducted in Antwerp/Belgium used an interpretative and participatory approach. We included migrant communities with geographic origins ranging from Sub-Saharan Africa, North-Africa to the Middle East, Orthodox Jewish communities and professional community workers. Data were collected between May 2020-May 2021 through key informant-, in-depth interviews and group discussions (N = 71). Transcripts were analyzed inductively, adopting a reflexive thematic approach. A community advisory board provided feedback throughout the research process. Results Participants indicated the need for tailored information in terms of language and timing. At the start of the epidemic, they perceived official public health messages as insufficient to reach all community members. Information sources included non-mainstream (social) media and media from home countries, hampering a nuanced understanding of virus transmission mechanisms and local and national protection measures. Participants felt the measures' most negative impact on their livelihoods (e.g. loss of income, disruption of social and immigration support). Economic insecurity triggered chronic stress and fears at individual and family level. High degrees of distrust in authorities and anticipated stigma were grounded in previously experienced racial and ethnic discrimination. Community-based initiatives mitigated this impact, ranging from disseminating translated and tailored information, providing individual support, and successfully reaching community members with complex needs (e.g. the elderly, digitally illiterate people, those with small social networks or irregular legal status). Conclusion Study participants' narratives showed how coping with and responding to COVID-19 was strongly intertwined with socio-economic and ethnic/racial characteristics. This justifies conceptualizing COVID-19 a social disease. At the same time, communities demonstrated resilience in responding to these structural vulnerabilities. From a health equity perspective, we provide concrete policy recommendations grounded in insights into communities' structural vulnerabilities and resilience.".
• 01GQHD2Y92F1F09PBAWKRD7XY8 abstract "The constant increase in the required user capacity and the evolution of wireless network technologies impact the exposure that users experience from wireless networks. This paper evaluates various 5G network topologies regarding human exposure, mobile communication quality, and sustainability. We assess human exposure, based on a novel Exposure Ratio (ER) metric, in 5G networks that include Massive Multiple-Input MultipleOutput (MaMIMO) and compare them with existing 4G deployments in three environments in Switzerland. The quality and sustainability of mobile communication are evaluated by extrapolating data rates from mobile operators to the year 2030. A multi-objective optimisation algorithm is implemented to design the 5G network topologies, maximising the user coverage while minimising the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) exposure. An extensive set of simulations investigated three municipalities, three operators plus one unified network, three use cases (UL/DL data rates), three scenarios (indoor and outdoor coverage), and two optimisation methods. The study results confirm that the human exposure in a 5G network is dominated by the UL being ten times larger than the DL exposure. Furthermore, comparing a 5G deployment with 10 times the traffic capacity of a real 4G network, DL exposure increases by 36% on average, and UL exposure decreases by up to 75% depending on the scenario. Regarding indoor coverage versus outdoor only, our results show that DL exposure can be reduced by a factor of 10 if only outdoor coverage is targeted. Finally, the study concludes that from the human exposure perspective, the ideal network should use 5G MaMIMO and be optimised for both UL and DL exposure.".
• 01GQHDKFF42PQ87YYGNDGR4JD5 abstract "Within the context of the Internet of Things (IoT), many applications require high-quality positioning services. As opposed to traditional technologies, the two most recent positioning solutions: 1) ultra-wideband (UWB) and 2) (unmodulated) visible light positioning [(u)VLP] are well suited to economically supply centimeter-to-decimeter level accuracy. This manuscript benchmarks the 2-D positioning performance of an 8-anchor asymmetric double-sided two-way ranging (aSDS-TWR) UWB system and a 15-LED frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) received signal strength (RSS) (u)VLP system in terms of feasibility and accuracy. With extensive experimental data, collected at two heights in a 8 m by 6 m open zone equipped with a precise ground-truth system, it is demonstrated that both visible light positioning (VLP) and UWB already attain median and 90th percentile positioning errors in the order of 5 and 10 cm in line-of-sight (LOS) conditions. An approximately 20-cm median accuracy can be obtained with uVLP, whose main benefit is it being infrastructureless and thus very inexpensive. The accuracy degradation effects of non-LOS (NLOS) on UWB/(u)VLP are highlighted with four scenarios, each consisting of a different configuration of metallic closets. For the considered setup, in 2-D and with minimal tilt of the object to be tracked, VLP outscores UWB in NLOS conditions, while for LOS scenarios similar results are obtained.".
• 01GQHDWE78Q9Q81WT3PT8WKEAW abstract "The aim of this study was twofold: first, to investigate whether perceived motor competence (PMC) mediates the relation between actual motor competence (AMC) and physical activity (PA) according to the conceptual model of motor development, and second to examine the role of different motivational regulations (i.e., intrinsic, identified, introjected, and external regulation) in the relationship between PMC and PA. A sample of 504 Spanish students (46.2% girls, 8-12 years old) voluntarily participated in this study. In relation to the first aim, structural equation modeling revealed that PMC indeed mediates the association between AMC and PA. In relation to the second aim, positive associations between AMC and PMC (13 = 0.32, p < .001), which in turn was positively related to intrinsic and identified regulations (13 = 0.46 and 13 = 0.43 respectively, p < .001), were found. The model showed direct paths from intrinsic and introjected regulation to PA (13 = 0.27 and 13 = 0.22, p < .05) and indirect paths from PMC through intrinsic motivation to PA (13 = 0.13, p < .05). This study confirms that intrinsic motivation mediates the association between PMC and PA. Strategies targeting to build and develop children's AMC and PMC, and fostering children's intrinsic motivation should be targeted to promote children's PA engagement and motor development.".
• 01GQHDZ7K7Z1BGYEJMNPYSAPJP abstract "Visible light communication (VLC) is considered an enabling technology for future 6G wireless systems. Among the many applications in which VLC systems are used, one of them is harsh environments such as Underground Mining (UM) tunnels. However, these environments are subject to degrading environmental and intrinsic challenges for optical links. Therefore, current research should focus on solutions to mitigate these problems and improve the performance of Underground Mining Visible Light Communication (UM-VLC) systems. In this context, this article presents a novel solution that involves an improvement to the Angle Diversity Receivers (ADRs) based on the adaptive orientation of the Photo-Diodes (PDs) in terms of the Received Signal Strength Ratio (RSSR) scheme. Specifically, this methodology is implemented in a hemidodecahedral ADR and evaluated in a simulated UM-VLC scenario. The performance of the proposed design is evaluated using metrics such as received power, user data rate, and bit error rate (BER). Furthermore, our approach is compared with state-of-the-art ADRs implemented with fixed PDs and with the Time of Arrival (ToA) reception method. An improvement of at least 60% in terms of the analyzed metrics compared to state-of-the-art solutions is obtained. Therefore, the numerical results demonstrate that the hemidodecahedral ADR, with adaptive orientation PDs, enhances the received optical signal. Furthermore, the proposed scheme improves the performance of the UM-VLC system due to its optimum adaptive angular positioning, which is completed according to the strongest optical received signal power. By improving the performance of the UM-VLC system, this novel method contributes to further consideration of VLC systems as potential and enabling technologies for future 6G deployments.".
• 01GQHE1069DKGTPJSKJ5YMDCNW abstract "Rationale: At the start of 2021, several SARS-CoV-2 cluster outbreaks in schools threatened in-person education and created a fairly chaotic and frightening environment for school personnel. To keep the schools open while preventing COVID-19 outbreaks, intensive diagnostic testing in teachers and school personnel was strongly recommended but missing at the time. Objectives: A project was launched in Belgian schools to weekly analyze the morning saliva of school personnel using PCR-testing to detect and prevent COVID-19 positive cases. In this quasi-experimental study, we aimed to examine whether the implementation of this saliva testing project impacted school personnel's pandemic-related health concerns, well-being, and adherence to the health-protective measures, contrasting experimental with control schools. Methods: The data were collected during the third wave (Alpha-wave, February-March 2021) of the pandemic. The sample consisted of 435 participants from 34 different schools across Flanders (Belgium) (78.8% female; M age = 43.87 years, range = 21-67) of which 82% participated in the weekly saliva tests (i.e., experimental group) and 18% took part in the control group. Results: Results from a series of linear mixed regression models showed that saliva testing buffered against an increase in health concerns among tested school personnel but did not affect participants' general well-being. Slight declines in adherence to the health-protective behaviors were observed, yet this was only the case for participants who felt less supported by their school principal. High degrees of principals' support also fostered the sharpest decreases in school staff's pandemic-related health concerns. Conclusions: When keeping the schools open in unstable pandemic times, weekly saliva testing is a promising strategy to prevent cluster outbreaks while simultaneously safeguarding health concerns among school personnel. School principals appear to play a critical role in the implementation of saliva testing to secure positive effects.".
• 01GQHEC5QMYV683Z0225CYYWVD abstract "Fixed wireless access networks at millimeter wave frequencies enable an alternative to fiber-optic installations for providing high-throughput Internet connectivity. In this letter, we present outdoor channel measurements at D-band frequencies ranging from 120 GHz to 165 GHz, contributing to the design of future fixed wireless access networks. We measure angular path loss (PL) for both Line-of-Sight (LOS) and non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) scenarios and calculate angular spread. We also measure building reflection loss for different angles and building facades. Directional LOS PL equals free-space PL, whereas omnidirectional PL is slightly lower. The angular spread of the LOS measurements is 19.7 degrees. The omnidirectional NLOS PL model has a higher PL and the angular spread increases to 54.4 degrees. Losses up to 11 dB should be taken into account for reflection on a fiber cement or building brick facade. and up to 15.6 dB and 18.5 dB for roughcast and stone bricks. Even though wireless communication via the direct path is preferred, reflected paths can enable high-throughput wireless communication if the direct path is obstructed.".
• 01GQHEHAMS01Y0HC7Q78RP8GTR abstract "This paper proposes a genetic algorithm (GA) combined with ray tracer to generate a cell-free topology of massive MIMO (mMIMO) for the optimal focusing performance serving multiple users. The realistic hardware impairment, for instance the non-ideal power amplifier, is taken into account of the system modeling and topology optimization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to apply GA in optimizing the hardware-impaired multi-user cell-free mMIMO. Although the demonstrated numerical analysis is for indoor scenario, the proposed approach is transferable for generic scenarios. In GA, the base station (BS) antennas' placement is encoded with an adjusted binary matrix representation, which is straightforward for the subsequent genetic operations. The explored candidates by GA can evolve beyond the parents, where the fitness of individuals is evaluated dynamically via a ray tracer radio channel simulator. Compared to the traditional GA, our proposed GA can find better solutions with a faster convergence speed. The algorithm provides near-optimal results in experiments, applicable to generic environment with multiple mobile users and different signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios.".
• 01GQHEPVX40BHX7Z4FRY1G373N abstract "This paper describes the exploration of the combined antenna-channel model for a horse hoof. An antenna of 25 mm x 40 mm is designed in the ISM 868 MHz band. During the characterization and design of the antenna, the dynamic and harsh environment of the horse hoof is taken into account throughout every step of the procedure because it is impossible to de-embed the antenna from its environment. The antenna and channel model are verified extensively by measurements in phantom and ex vivo. The antenna is verified to be robust against changes in the morphology of the horse's hoof up to 50%. The dynamic environment was captured by considering different soil types and air, and the design was verified to be resilient against changes herein. The antenna performs well within the targeted band, with a fractional bandwidth of 8% and a gain of -2 dBi. Furthermore, a path loss model was constructed for a typical barn environment, and the antenna reaches a range of 250 m in the studied environment based on the LoRa technology. This research is important for monitoring horse health.".
• 01GQHFE6JS8F6EM8WP9399T1RH abstract "A Visible Light Positioning (VLP) network planner holds tremendous economic potential in that it permits designing a roll-out within given cost, illuminance and accuracy bounds. In this manuscript, the Speed-constrained Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization (SMPSO) algorithm is applied to simultaneously optimise a roll-out's maintained illuminance and positioning error, by varying the placement of the VLP-enabled LED transmitters. With simulations that differ in positioning and/or environment parameters, the important illuminance-positioning trade-off is revealed. The corresponding Pareto fronts and LED arrangements are studied. Guidelines regarding where to place the LEDs and which LEDs to select for positioning are provided.".
• 01GQHGBF6HD5KACDG0XZ6EYSN7 abstract "Hypothesis: Recently, the anomalous shrinkage of surface-supported hyaluronate/poly-L-lysine (HA/PLL) microgels (mu-gels), which exceeds that reported for any other multilayer-based systems, has been reported [1]. The current study investigates the capability of these unique mu-gels for the encapsulation and retention of macromolecules, and proposes the shrinkage-driven assembly of biopolymer-based mu- gels as a novel tool for one-step surface biofunctionalization.Experiments: A set of dextrans (DEX) and their charged derivatives -carboxymethyl (CM)-DEX and diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-DEX -has been utilized to evaluate the effects of macromolecular mass and net charge on mu-gel shrinkage and macromolecule entrapment. mu-gels formation on the surface of silicone catheters exemplifies their potential to tailor biointerfaces.Findings: Shrinkage-driven mu-gel formation strongly depends on the net charge and mass content of encapsulated macromolecules. Inclusion of neutral DEX decreases the degree of shrinkage several times, whilst charged DEXs adopt to the backbone of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, resulting in shrinkage comparable to that of non-loaded mu-gels. Retention of CM-DEX in mu-gels is significantly higher compared to DEAE-DEX. These insights into the mechanisms of macromolecular entrapment into biopolymer-based mu-gels promotes fundamental understanding of molecular dynamics within the multilayer assemblies. Organization of biodegradable mu-gels at biomaterial surfaces opens avenues for their further exploitation in a diverse array of bioapplications.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).".
• 01GQHGE6RHM5846Z51R4490YRC abstract "Strains LMG 7974T and LMG 8286T represent single, novel Campylobacter lineages with Campylobacter pinnipediorum and Campylobacter mucosalis as nearest phylogenomic neighbours, respectively. The results of average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) analyses of LMG 7974T, LMG 8286T and type strains of species of the genus Campy-lobacter confirmed that these strains represent novel species of the genus Campylobacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of both strains showed highest identity towards C. mucosalis (97.84 and 98.74 %, respectively). Strains LMG 7974T and LMG 8286T shared 72.5 and 73.7% ANI, respectively, with their nearest phylogenomic neighbours and less than 21 % dDDH. The draft genome sizes of LMG 7974T and LMG 8286T are 1 945429 bp and 1 708214 bp in length with percentage DNA G+C contents of 33.8 and 37.2 %, respectively. Anomalous biochemical characteristics and low MALDI- TOF mass spectrometry log scores supported their designation as representing novel species of the genus Campylobacte. We therefore propose to classify strain LMG 7974T (=CCUG 20705T) as the type strain of the novel species Campylobacter majalis sp. nov. and strain LMG 8286T (=CCUG 24193T, NCTC 11879T) as the type strain of the novel species Campylobacter suis sp. nov.".
• 01GQHGPVTGS1077Y7H150H1DZK abstract "Being extra strong but super easy to break - entities with such properties would be desired for many applications, particularly in drug delivery, where polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules took a prominent place due to appli-cations in catalysis, intracellular delivery, and carriers of biomolecules and enzymes. Assembly of such capsules has been typically performed either by using polymers or a mixture of polymers and nanoparticles, which facilitated improvement of mechanical properties. In this work, we have assembled a new type of microcapsules, where multilayers are constructed solely by using nanoparticles in all layers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the dissolution of calcium carbonate, while mechanical properties of such capsules probed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveal an essential increase in the stiffness and density in the walls. Dual functionality of such new capsules has been achieved by actions of ultrasound and laser. Since ultrasound acts more effectively on denser objects, low intensity (below 1 W/cm2) of ultrasound has been used to enable release of encapsulated content. Laser has been used to illuminate microcapsules located in cells and effective killing of cancer cells was achieved. Further applications of the assembled microcapsules are expected in conducting catalytic reactions and biomedicine.".
• 01GQHH35YM2HZ1G4817WQM4H77 abstract "Nanoarchitectonics, like architectonics, allows the design and building of structures, but at the nanoscale. Unlike those in architectonics, and even macro-, micro-, and atomic-scale architectonics, the assembled structures at the nanoscale do not always follow the projected design. In fact, they do follow the projected design but only for self-assembly processes producing structures with perfect order. Here, we look at nanoarchitectonics allowing the building of nanostructures without a perfect arrangement of building blocks. Here, fabrication of structures from molecules, polymers, nanoparticles, and nanosheets to polymer brushes, layer-by-layer assembly structures, and hydrogels through self-assembly processes is discussed, where perfect order is not necessarily the aim to be achieved. Both planar substrate and spherical template-based assemblies are discussed, showing the challenging nature of research in this field and the usefulness of such structures for numerous applications, which are also discussed here.".
• 01GQHH38CGMG3RW3QEMW8Q2B41 abstract "At meiosis, programmed meiotic DNA double-strand breaks are repaired via homologous recombination, resulting in crossovers (COs). From a large excess of DNA double-strand breaks that are formed, only a small proportion gets converted into COs because of active mechanisms that restrict CO formation. The Fanconi anemia (FA) complex proteins AtFANCM, MHF1 and MHF2 were previously identified in a genetic screen as anti-CO factors that function during meiosis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, pursuing the same screen, we identify FANCC as a new anti-CO gene. FANCC was previously only identified in mammals because of low primary sequence conservation. We show that FANCC, and its physical interaction with FANCE-FANCF, is conserved from vertebrates to plants. Further, we show that FANCC, together with its subcomplex partners FANCE and FANCF, regulates meiotic recombination. Mutations of any of these three genes partially rescues CO-defective mutants, which is particularly marked in female meiosis. Functional loss of FANCC, FANCE, or FANCF results in synthetic meiotic catastrophe with the pro-CO factor MUS81. This work reveals that FANCC is conserved outside mammals and has an anti-CO role during meiosis together with FANCE and FANCF. Plain language summary The Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway is the subject of intense interest owing to the role of FA as a tumor suppressor. Three FA complex proteins, FANCM, MHF1 and MHF2, were identified as factors that suppress crossover during meiosis in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, the authors extended these findings and identified a novel anti-crossover factor and showed that it encodes the plant FANCC homolog, which was previously thought to be vertebrate-specific. They further showed that FANCC regulates meiotic crossover together with two other FA proteins, FANCE and FANCF. This suggests that the FANCC–E–F subcomplex was already regulating DNA repair in the common ancestor of all living eukaryotes.".
• 01GQHHBE2CG55T6SVVQSHV7JH2 abstract "The coating of particles or decomposable cores with polyelectrolytes via Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembly creates free-standing LbL-coated functional particles. Due to the numerous functions that their polymers can bestow, the particles are preferentially selected for a plethora of applications, including, but not limited to coatings, cargo-carriers, drug delivery vehicles and fabric enhancements. The number of publications discussing the fabrication and usage of LbL-assembled particles has consistently increased over the last vicennial. However, past literature fails to either mention or expand upon how these LbL-assembled particles immobilize on to a solid surface. This review evaluates examples of LbL-assembled particles that have been immobilized on to solid surfaces. To aid in the formulation of a mechanism for immobilization, this review examines which forces and factors influence immobilization, and how the latter can be confirmed. The predominant forces in the immobilization of the particles studied here are the Coulombic, capillary, and adhesive forces; hydrogen bonding as well as van der Waal’s and hydrophobic interactions are also considered. These are heavily dependent on the factors that influenced immobilization, such as the particle morphology and surface charge. The shape of the LbL particle is related to the particle core, whereas the charge was dependant on the outermost polyelectrolyte in the multilayer coating. The polyelectrolytes also determine the type of bonding that a particle can form with a solid surface. These can be via either physical (non-covalent) or chemical (covalent) bonds; the latter enforcing a stronger immobilization. This review proposes a fundamental theory for immobilization pathways and can be used to support future research in the field of surface patterning and for the general modification of solid surfaces with polymer-based nano- and micro-sized polymer structures.".
• 01GQHHH09TYQ7NG8EY9RSCV1GD abstract "Piezoelectric poly-L-lactide (PLLA) is a biodegradable polymer used in various biomedical applications. However, tailoring and controlling the structure of PLLA to enhance its piezoelectric response remains a challenge. In this work, extensive characterization was performed to reveal the effect of the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) content (0.2, 0.7, and 1.0 wt%) on the morphology, structure, thermal and piezoelectric behavior of PLLA scaffolds. Randomly oriented homogeneous fibers and a quasi-amorphous structure for pure PLLA and hybrid PLLA-rGO scaffolds were revealed. The addition of rGO affected the molecular structure of the PLLA scaffolds: for example, the number of polar C=O functional groups was increased. Increasing the content of rGO to 1 wt% resulted in decreased glass transition and melting temperatures and increased the degree of crystallinity of the scaffolds. The addition of 0.2 wt% rGO enhanced the effective local vertical and lateral piezoresponses by 2.3 and 15.4 times, respectively, in comparison with pure PLLA fibers. The presence of the shear piezoelectric alpha-phase (P2(1)2(1)2(1)) in uniaxially oriented PLLA fibers and C=O bond rotation in the polymer chains explained the observed piezoresponse. Thus, this study revealed routes to prepare hybrid biodegradable scaffolds with enhanced piezoresponse for tissue engineering applications.".
• 01GQHJ3HM09BD7C589JWPETSNB abstract "This article presents the results of an experimental study on the acquisition of the clitic se by Dutch-speaking students of Spanish as a foreign language in the third year of the Department of Translation, Interpretation and Communication at the University of Ghent. Based on a sequence taken from the anglophone film The Help (Taylor, 2011), one group of 35 Belgian participants carried out two tasks: an intersemiotic translation (they created an audio description script) and an interlingual translation (they translated the English dialogues into Spanish).".
• 01GQHK4CQQ9ZZX4CC0GC577NJB abstract "Biomass waste and waste-derived feedstocks are important resources for the development of sustainable value-added products. However, the provision and preparation of biomass as well as all possible downstream processing steps need to be thoroughly analyzed to gain environmentally sound and economically viable products. Additionally, its impacts are substantially determined by decisions made at early development stages. Therefore, sustainability assessment methods can support to improve the production process, reduce waste, and costs and help decision-making, at the industrial as well as policy levels. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an analysis technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all product's life cycle stages. It is a well-established tool to drive development towards a sustainable direction, however, its application in the earlier research phase is surrounded by practical challenges. The overall objective of this paper is to provide an understanding of the environmental issues involved in the early stages of product and process development and the opportunities for life cycle assessment techniques to address these issues. Thus, herein two LCA case studies are presented, dealing with novel approaches for food and feed supply through implementing the valorization and upcycling of waste and side-streams, respectively. In both case studies, LCA is used as a decision support tool for R&D activities to launch environmentally sound products to market, as well as to highlight the usefulness of LCA for identifying environmental issues at an earlier stage of development, regardless of product, process, or service.".
• 01GQHKKH9Q616M2SN3HQ4C4SH5 abstract "Purpose Preserving the environment is fundamental to the planet's long-term sustainability, but attempts to promote pro-environmental behaviours often do not take into account the motivational determinants of such behaviours. This study aims to present and critically evaluate the theoretical and empirical basis of goal-framing theory, which asserts that pro-environmental behaviours might stem from conflicting goals. This study compares the theory to other approaches used to explain pro-environmental behaviour, reviews the empirical evidence for it and comes up with suggestions for future research. Design/methodology/approach This study compares the theory with other popular theories to explain pro-environmental behaviour and behaviour change and systematically review 25 empirical research studies that adopt the goal-framing theory. Findings Most studies rely on survey data, focus on Europe and gather self-reported behaviours or hypothetical responses. Furthermore, many studies of goal frames neglect key situational factors. Thus, the directions for further research outlined herein emphasise the need for more experimental studies of real behaviours, with consideration of situational factors, using methods that can explicate unconscious processes too. Overall, goal-framing theory provides a promising approach for analysing pro-environmental behaviours, in that it explicitly deals with goal conflicts, takes situational factors into account and encompasses conscious and unconscious processes. The authors conclude that the theory can form a useful basis for the design of social marketing behavioural interventions to promote pro-environmental behaviours. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, as the first systematic review of empirical applications of goal-framing theory, this study provides refinement and validation. By also offering propositions and a research agenda, the authors hope to inspire researchers in social marketing to address the remaining gaps and refine the theory even further.".
• 01GQHMCM03JFFDPQD4C3QY4GNX abstract "Bifunctional catalysts are challenging to model becausethere are two active sites capable of unique intermediates and reactiontypes. Nevertheless, they are versatile catalysts because the relativenumber of both active sites can be tuned to alter rate and selectivity inresponse to variation in feed compositions. In this work, a microkineticmodel of ethene oligomerization on a Ni-H-beta zeolite catalyst wasdeveloped based on nickel and Bronsted acid reaction families, withkinetic parameters estimated using transition-state theory, Evans-Polanyi relationships, and thermodynamic data. Species lumpingallowed for the formation of products of high molecular weight athigh conversion to be captured in the model while avoiding networktruncation effects. The reaction mechanism culminated in a complexmodel describing the formation of C2-C12 products that accuratelypredicted three published experimental investigations using Ni-H-beta(10 unique experiments) up to about 30% conversion. Theagreement between the experiment and model predictions demonstrates the model's broad applicability and robustness. Ni sitesproduce linear alkenes of even carbon number, while Bronsted acid sites catalyze further oligomerization, cracking, and isomerizationto broaden the product distribution. The model was used to probe potential experimental conditions and catalyst properties, withoutextrapolation, allowing for a better understanding of the effect of common experimental parameters (space time, temperature,pressure, Ni wt %) on reactionflux and selectivity to desired products, demonstrating the model as a powerful tool in catalyst andprocess design.".
• 01GQHN4TBENGVNF2V3HX45WK1J abstract "Interest in using smartphone-based technologies for farm management is growing. However, existing research does not adequately address the effect of farmer knowledge and awareness in their intention to use such technologies. The aim of the present study is to identify the main factors that influence farmer intention to use a Farm Management Smartphone App (FMSA), with an emphasis on farmer knowledge. Ugandan dairy cattle farmers (n = 206) were interviewed before and after a training session that focused on the use of FMSA. The resulting data included farmer socio-demographics, data on their knowledge about the use of smartphones and related applications, and constructs of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) extended with selfefficacy. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the determinants of intention to use the FMSA. Farmer intention to use is mainly determined by self-efficacy, facilitating conditions and performance expectancy before exposure to the App. In contrast, the influence of effort expectancy and social influence only emerged after completing the training. FMSA and similar technologies should therefore be as user-friendly as possible to sustain the farmers' intention to use an App. Promotional strategies should be designed to target specific characteristics of intended users.".
• 01GQHNDWZKAT4Y4SB63CF2RASH abstract "Hydrogenation into light olefins is an attractive strategy for CO2 fixation into chemicals. In this article, high throughput experimentation and extended characterization were employed to identify the most efficient promoters and to elucidate structure-performance correlations and reaction paths in the CO2 hydrogenation to light olefins over zirconia-supported iron catalysts. K, Cs, Ba, Ce, Nb, Mo, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, In, Sn, Sb, Bi, and V were added in the same molar concentrations to zirconia-supported iron catalyst and evaluated as promoters. The CO2 hydrogenation proceeds via intermediate formation of CO followed by surface polymerization. Over the iron catalysts containing alkaline promoters, initially higher selectivity to light olefins shows a significant decrease with the CO2 conversion, because of further surface polymerization and the formation of longer chain hydrocarbons. A relatively low selectivity to light olefins over the promoted catalysts, without potassium, is not much affected by the CO2 conversion. Essential characteristics of iron catalysts to obtain a higher yield of light olefins seem to be a higher iron dispersion, a higher extent of carbidization, and optimized basicity. The strongest promoting effect is reported for the alkaline metals. A further increase in the light olefin selectivity is observed after simultaneous addition of potassium with copper, molybdenum, gallium, or cerium.".
• 01GQHNEHD7AEEH4RFX7H580XTM abstract "Adoption and usage of mobile phones enable information and knowledge flows among value chain players, including farmers, and therefore contribute to improved efficiency. To ensure the successful implementation of MPTs in agriculture, farmers should embrace them. We present a systematic review of determinants, constraints, methods, indicators, and measures of MPT adoption among farmers and a methodological quality assessment of the included studies. Findings from 53 studies showed significant heterogeneity in research. Most studies tar-geted developing regions in Africa and Asia and only a few in developed countries. Although studies mainly focused on MPT adoption, they varied significantly in the outcome indicators assessed and their measurement. This heterogeneity in the conceptualization and measurement of adoption indicators underscores the need for standardized approaches in future studies. There is also sub-optimal use of established psychological-behavioral theories to underpin MPT adoption.Cross-sectional designs and quantitative approaches dominate the research landscape. Concerning farmers' MPT adoption, key drivers were education, age, gender, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived cost, performance and effort expectancy, attitude, skills, and knowledge. Factors such as mobile phone cost, inadequate infrastructure, and language barrier constitute major hurdles constraining farmers' adoption of MPT in developing countries. The generally low quality of the reviewed studies suggests that future studies should invest in transparently providing their study objectives, methods, and interpretation of the findings. This sys-tematic review contributes to a better understanding of farmers' MPT adoption drivers and suggests areas for future research. It provides relevant information to policy-makers, public and private sector agencies, mobile phone companies and app developers, researchers, agricultural extension workers, academicians, and other stakeholders when designing and implementing policies for MPT adoption in agriculture.".
• 01GQHNSAC7Z83NCPZFJAYKPRQ8 abstract "This study is focused on unsustainable agri-food systems, especially intensive livestock farming and its resulting environmental harms. Specifically we focus on the development of technologies that seek to mitigate these environmental harms. These technologies are generally developed as incremental innovations in response to government regulation. Critics of these technological solutions allege that these developments legitimate unsustainable food production systems and are incapable of supporting agri-food systems transformation. At the same time, technology developers and other actors seek to present these technologies as the legitimate solution to agri-environmental harms. Our study seeks to explore the perceptions and constructions of legitimacy for technologies that are developed to reduce ammonia emissions in intensive livestock farming in Flanders (Belgium). We use a qualitative case study, employing semi-structured interviews and workshops, with technology developers of ammonia-emission reducing technologies and stakeholders in the intensive livestock farming industry in Flanders. What our study shows is that technologies developed to reduce emissions are dependent on regulative legitimacy. The normative and cognitive legitimacy of these technologies is lacking, both due to ties to the intensive livestock industry and due to uncertainty over the performance of these technologies. With the delegitimation of intensive livestock farming, the legitimacy of these technologies is also under threat. In response, technology developers are looking to (re-)construct this legitimacy through knowledge claims over the performance of their technologies. We show several ways for other actors to deal with this, centred on either re-legitimising technologies to maintain the status quo, or to contest these knowledge claims and use them to disrupt path dependencies.".
• 01GQHNVFBNBJHPQ62WMKKS4BW5 abstract "Fluidization, in the geotechnical engineering context, is a failure mechanism that can occur during piping, leakage in distribution pipes or leakage through the sheet pile walls and can lead to severe consequences. This phenomenon will occur when the sand bed is subjected to an upward-facing flow. In this case, with sufficient hydraulic gradient, the effective stresses and the contact forces between soil particles will be zero, resulting in mobilization and fluidization of the soil. This paper presents small-scale laboratory tests involving two sands and relative densities (RD). The hydraulic behavior of the sand before and during the fluidization process is presented and analyzed using measurements and analytical calculations. The dimensions of the cavity and the extent of the fluidized zone are presented and investigated by performing image analysis using digital image correlation (DIC). The analysis indicates that an increase in flow rate and porosity of the sand specimen characterized the onset of soil deformation. The findings also demonstrate considerably higher hydraulic pressures just before fluidization in tests with high RD which indicates larger resistance of dense specimens to the soil fluidization. At the time of fluidization, a significantly larger failure extent is measured in tests with high RD and finer sand specimens.".
• 01GQHP7NYT7KYKXBGB5GG1N2PX abstract "The paper investigates the benefits of certification of cooperatives in conflict-affected areas. We study whether and how certification may contribute to attenuate the impact of conflicts on the members of coffee cooperatives in the Eastern DRC. We use an inverse probability weighted difference-in-difference approach to study data collected between December 2017 and October 2019 from four NGO-supported cooperatives. Two of these cooperatives got organic certification in 2018, of which one got an additional Small Producers Symbol (SPP) certification in 2018. Certified cooperatives allow Arabica coffee producers to access markets and buffer against drops in market prices. Results indicate that certified cooperatives were better able to resist the international price drop than non-certified cooperatives and the alternative informal markets. The results also suggest that certified cooperative members increased their sales to the cooperative instead of turning to informal side-selling. We find a decrease in reported food deficits by the members of certified cooperatives and an increase in the importance of coffee in their household's income. We conclude that certification is an effective way forward for smallholder coffee producers and cooperatives in unstable regions.".

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