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• 01GJ028HKC4J5HVVAEKERGCCDX abstract "Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising candidate for both human and veterinary regenerative medicine applications because of their abundance and ability to differentiate into several lineages. Mesenchymal stem cells are however a heterogeneous cell population and as such, it is imperative that they are unequivocally characterized to acquire reproducible results in clinical trials. Although the tri-lineage differentiation potential of MSCs is reported in most veterinary studies, a qualitative evaluation of representative histological images does not always unambiguously confirm tri-lineage differentiation. Moreover, potential differences in differentiation capacity are not identified. Therefore, quantification of tri-lineage differentiation would greatly enhance proper characterization of MSCs. In this study, a method to quantify the tri-lineage differentiation potential of MSCs is described using digital image analysis, based on the color deconvolution plug-in (ImageJ). Mesenchymal stem cells from three species, i.e., bovine, equine, and porcine, were differentiated toward adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes. Subsequently, differentiated MSCs were stained with Oil Red O, Alcian Blue, and Alizarin Red S, respectively. Next, a differentiation ratio (DR) was obtained by dividing the area % of the differentiation signal by the area % of the nuclear signal. Although MSCs isolated from all donors in all species were capable of tri-lineage differentiation, differences were demonstrated between donors using this quantitative DR. Our straightforward, simple but robust method represents an elegant approach to determine the degree of MSC tri-lineage differentiation across species. As such, differences in differentiation potential within the heterogeneous MSC population and between different MSC sources can easily be identified, which will support further optimization of regenerative therapies.".
• 01GJ02GCTK4VGBRHNRBJV95V26 abstract "Type I and III Interferons (IFNs) are the initial antiviral cytokines produced in response to virus infection. These IFNs in turn bind to their respective receptors, trigger JAK-STAT signaling and induce the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) to engage antiviral functions. Unlike the receptor for type I IFNs, which is broadly expressed, the expression of the type III IFN receptor is mainly confined to epithelial cells that line mucosal surfaces. Accumulating evidence has shown that type III IFNs may play a unique role in protecting mucosal surfaces against viral challenges. The porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV) causes huge economic losses to the pig industry worldwide. PRV first replicates in the respiratory tract, followed by spread via neurons and via lymph and blood vessels to the central nervous system and internal organs, e.g. the kidney, lungs and intestinal tract. In this study, we investigate whether PRV triggers the expression of type I and III IFNs and whether these IFNs exert antiviral activity against PRV in different porcine epithelial cells: porcine kidney epithelial cells (PK-15), primary respiratory epithelial cells (PoREC) and intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). We show that PRV triggers a multiplicity of infection-dependent type I IFN response and a prominent III IFN response in PK-15 cells, a multiplicity of infection-dependent expression of both types of IFN in IPEC-J2 cells and virtually no expression of either IFN in PoREC. Pretreatment of the different cell types with equal amounts of porcine IFN-lambda 3 (type III IFN) or porcine IFN-alpha (type I IFN) showed that IFN-alpha, but not IFN-lambda 3, suppressed PRV replication and spread in PK-15 cells, whereas the opposite was observed in IPEC-J2 cells and both types of IFN showed anti-PRV activity in PoREC cells, although the antiviral activity of IFN-alpha was more potent than that of IFN-lambda 3 in the latter cell type. In conclusion, the current data show that PRV-induced type I and III IFN responses and their antiviral activity depend to a large extent on the epithelial cell type used, and for the first time show that type III IFN displays antiviral activity against PRV in epithelial cells from the respiratory and particularly the intestinal tract.".
• 01GJ05DQ5W7C9E4J9S9CYBXPH5 abstract "Three hand augering campaigns were carried out between 2018 and 2020 in the hinterland of Ravenna, within the doctoral research of the executor, to gain new insights into the physical transformations that occurred in the last 3000 years. Based on known archaeological and geomorphological data, and historical sources available, six case studies were selected to carry out targeted geoarchaeological research. The research was successful in understanding landscape changes caused by alluvial phenomena, including rivers avulsions and flooding processes, which often led to the reclamation of pre-modern marshlands.".
• 01GJ06C5C2CGKPA5T6RFHBPT5G abstract "As smart technology develops at an ever-increasing pace, firms are investing heavily in boosting the smartness of their service systems. To support these endeavors, practitioners and researchers call for guidance on how to account for customers’ complex needs and wants when making smartness decisions. This research adopts the firm’s perspective on investigating how and why decisions on smartness are undertaken. It examines how firms configure the smartness of service systems and communicate the intended value to customers through value propositions. Critically, it further unravels why firms make these decisions on the basis of their reasoning about aligning resources to create value for customers—that is, the firm’s value creation logic. Our analysis of multiple case studies across several industry sectors reveals a number of pathways to service system smartness. These are labeled cautious, tailored, premium, and balanced pathways, and each entails specific combinations of smartness configurations and customer value propositions, underpinned by particular logics. A more nuanced analysis shows that firms may pursue multiple pathways simultaneously when targeting different customer segments and indicates how firms’ characteristics may shape their pathways to smartness. The resulting framework can operate as a guiding tool for managers and consultants when making important smartness decisions. ".
• 01GJ08JNXB2S3T4PAT1KHCBAQ6 abstract "Introduction Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) represent 70% of all skin cancers. These tumours do not metastasise but are locally invasive if left untreated. There is a high incidence of BCC in the elderly, and clinicians frequently face important treatment dilemmas. The approach to BCC in the elderly should be investigated thoroughly. Methods and analysis Data on health-related quality of life (HrQoL), survival and complication rate will be examined in a treatment and a non-treatment arm (1:1 allocation). In the non-treatment arm, in vivo biological behaviour of low-risk BCCs in elderly patients will be examined. The main objective is to combine tumour characteristics with demographic data, in order to determine whether treatment will positively affect the patients' HrQoL within a predetermined time frame. A monocentric randomised controlled trial (RCT) was designed at the Ghent University Hospital. The study population consists of patients with the minimum age of 75 years and a new diagnosis of (a) low-risk BCC(s). Patients in the treatment arm will receive standard care. Patients in the non-treatment arm will be closely monitored: the tumour will be intensively evaluated using multispectral dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy and high-definition optical coherence tomography. All patients will be asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning their HrQoL at consecutive time points. Patient-reported side effects will be evaluated via an additional questionnaire. Primary outcomes will include the difference in HrQoL and the difference in complication risks (treatment vs non-treatment) at different time points of the study. Secondary endpoints are the evolution of the BCCs in the non-treatment arm and the long-term survival in both study arms. Tertiary endpoint is the treatment effectiveness in the treatment arm. The sample size calculation was performed and resulted in a target sample size of 272 patients in this study with a 1:1 allocation. Ethics and dissemination Subjects can withdraw from participating in this study at any time for any reason without any consequences. Approval for this study was received from the Ethics Committee of the Ghent University Hospital on 26 August 2021.The results of this RCT will be submitted for publication in one or more international, peer-reviewed medical journals, regardless of the nature of the study results.".
• 01GJ09EMH8RFRQ3D4KMVJN7VRE abstract "Rationale: Tissue-resident natural killer (trNK) cells have been identified in numerous organs, but little is known about their functional contribution to respiratory immunity, in particular during chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objectives: To investigate the phenotype and antiviral responses of trNK cells in murine cigarette smoke-induced experimental COPD and in human lung parenchyma from COPD donors. Methods: Mice were exposed to cigarette smoke for 12 weeks to induce COPD-like lung disease. Lung trNK cell phenotypes and function were analyzed by flow cytometry in both murine and human disease with and without challenge with influenza A virus. Measurements and Main Results: In the mouse lung, CD49a(+)CD49b(+)EOMES(+) and CD49a(+)CD49b(-)EOMES(lo) NK cell populations had a distinct phenotype compared with CD49a(-) circulating NK cells. CD49a(+) NK cells were more extensively altered earlier in disease onset than circulating NK cells, and increased proportions of CD49a(+) NK cells correlated with worsening disease in both murine and human COPD. Furthermore, the presence of lung disease delayed both circulating and trNK cell functional responses to influenza infection. CD49a(+) NK cells markedly increased their NKG2D, CD103, and CD69 expression in experimental COPD after influenza infection, and human CD49a(+) NK cells were hyperactive to ex vivo influenza infection in COPD donors. Conclusions: Collectively, these results demonstrate that trNK cell function is altered in cigarette smoke-induced disease and suggests that smoke exposure may aberrantly prime trNK cell responsiveness to viral infection. This may contribute to excess inflammation during viral exacerbations of COPD.".
• 01GJ09EMHE31A7Z0RMY7TK6BKF abstract "Airway mucociliary regeneration and function are key players for airway defense and are impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using transcriptome analysis in COPD-derived bronchial biopsies, we observed a positive correlation between cilia-related genes and microRNA-449 (miR449). In vitro, miR449 was strongly increased during airway epithelial mucociliary differentiation. In vivo, miR449 was upregulated during recovery from chemical or infective insults. miR0449(-/-) mice (both alleles are deleted) showed impaired ciliated epithelial regeneration after naphthalene and Haemophilus influenzae exposure, accompanied by more intense inflammation and emphysematous manifestations of COPD. The latter occurred spontaneously in aged miR449(-/-) mice. We identified Aurora kinase A and its effector target HDAC6 as key mediators in miR449-regulated ciliary homeostasis and epithelial regeneration. Aurora kinase A is downregulated upon miR449 overexpression in vitro and upregulated in miR449(-/-) mouse lungs. Accordingly, imaging studies showed profoundly altered cilia length and morphology accompanied by reduced mucociliary clearance. Pharmacological inhibition of HDAC6 rescued cilia length and coverage in miR449(-/-) cells, consistent with its tubulin-deacetylating function. Altogether, our study establishes a link between miR449, ciliary dysfunction, and COPD pathogenesis.".
• 01GJ0EQG78GRY8BCHW2XZESQ1F abstract "Scholix-client is a OpenAIRE ScholeXplorer client to download Scholix research-data literature links. These Scholix links can be converted into Linked Data Notification messages following the Notifications in Value-Added Networks specification. The message production then be posted to a network of Linked Data Notifiction inboxes associated with institutional repositories.".
• 01GJ0JXHZ39P13A6PX1FBBRX25 abstract "Background Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) can complicate underlying pulmonary diseases, and clinical management of CPA is challenging. Guidelines support clinicians but due to the complexity of the disease they can be difficult to adhere to. Objectives To map current guideline recommendations for the clinical management of CPA into a scoring tool to facilitate and quantify guideline adherence in clinical practice. Methods Recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of CPA presented in the current ESCMID/ERS/ECMM and CPAnet guidance documents were assembled and weighed on the basis of their strength of recommendation and level of evidence. Results Twenty-seven recommendations were identified, resulting in a total maximum EQUAL CPA Score of 51. For diagnostics (Score(Max )= 27), a strong emphasis on expert consultation, culture, direct microscopy, histopathology, serology and imaging was reflected in respective points, whereas molecular techniques and susceptibility testing count into the diagnostics score to a lesser extent. Ten treatment recommendations (Score(Max )= 14), including antifungal therapy, therapeutic drug monitoring and treatment duration, were identified. Surgery, where indicated, adds three points. For refractory disease or intolerance of first-line antifungal treatment, optimal second-line treatment added another two points. During follow-up (Score(Max )= 10), response assessment via imaging gave three points, while culture and serology added two points each to the Score(Max). Conclusion The EQUAL CPA Score intents to be used as a comprehensive tool for measuring guideline adherence. If adherence to current guidelines is associated with clinical outcome, this will be assessed in future studies.".
• 01GJ0MN2F9V7PNAQT0A6W5N3R9 abstract "Debt imprisonment was one of the tools a creditor had to enforce a debt. When creditors believed that their debtors were defaulting, they could imprison debtors to ensure they would not disappear and debts would be settled. As a practice, debt imprisonment was never fundamentally challenged in the Middle Ages though the way it was executed did come under scrutiny. In the city of Bruges, the city magistrate regulated the practice. As debt imprisonment was an essential part of the commercial framework in Bruges, the city tried to avoid princely interference. However, merchants could also complain to princely courts about their imprisonment. If the city hesitated to address unjust practices in the existing framework, it risked losing these cases to princely courts. As princely institutions increased their control over debt imprisonment, the city government kept the mechanism of debt imprisonment while, for example, Antwerp sought alternative tools for creditors. The adaptations that did happen in Bruges were not the result of the requests of merchants, but a means of rather safeguarding its own jurisdictions from princely courts.".
• 01GJ0N45KG32HXEVK25214486F abstract "SIG - Primary Choice: M. Disease prevention and management Age Category: Older adults 65+ yrs Subject Category: Physical activity and sedentary behavior Purpose: A healthy lifestyle is associated with beneficial health effects in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Important lifestyle behaviors, i.e. sleep, sedentary behavior (SB), and physical activity (PA), impact T2DM disease-specific characteristics. These behaviors are often investigated separately. A recent shift in research emphasizes the importance of considering these behaviors as part of a 24-hour day. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore these 24-hour movement behaviors (24h-MBs) in T2DM adults. Methods: This study currently includes data of 10 T2DM adults (mean age: 66.9y, 60% men; mean years T2DM: 9.2y) and 23 adults with normal glucose levels(NGL) (mean age: 59.35y, 40% men). Participants’ 24h-MBs were measured by actigraphy (Actigraph wGT3X+). All 24h-MBs were analyzed between adults with T2DM and NGL on an average day and on weekdays and weekend days separately. Independent Sample Ttests, Mann-Whitney U Tests, and One Sample T-tests were conducted. Results: Means for 24h-MBs on an average day in T2DM adults were 635.26 (±76.61) min/SB; 275.7 (±63.05) minutes of light PA (min/LPA); 9.51 (±9.24) minutes of moderate to vigorous PA (min/MVPA); 6475.76 (±2366.39) step counts; 96.87% (±0.97) sleep efficiency; 478.29 (±26.21) minutes Total Sleep Time (min/TST); 12.55 (±4.29) minutes Wake After Sleep Onset (min/WASO). Means for the NGL adults were 586.55 (±68.54); 314.48 (±70.49); 18.41 (±13.70); 8048.16 (±2804.57); 95.70 (±2.11); 468.45 (±40.82); 18.24 (±9.04), respectively. On an average day, T2DM adults spent significantly less time in min/MVPA and min/WASO compared to NGL adults (p=0.042; p=0.023). On an average weekend day, T2DM adults spent significantly more time in min/SB and less time in min/LPA compared to NGL adults (p=0.004; p=0.009). Both groups did not meet the current 24h-MB guidelines of 150 min of MVPA/week (both p<0.001 ) and a maximum of 8 hours of SB/day (both p<0.001). Meeting the sleep guideline did not significant differ. Conclusion: These preliminary results showed high levels of min/SB and low levels of min/MVPA in both groups, which were more pronounced in the T2DM group. Recruitment is ongoing which will result in additional analyses in a larger sample. Personal, cardiometabolic and environmental correlates will be explored in the following months.".
• 01GJ0Y7X714GJD7RQB2J5YCVAZ abstract "The strain rate dependency of thermoplastics and thermosets in the range 10^-3 to 10^2 /s is still unclear due to experimental difficulties. This interval cannot be fully treated using a quasistatic-based electromechanical machine nor a high-speed test relying on the Kolsky bar method. This paper presents a uniaxial compression test set-up to cover the aforementioned range providing robust stress–strain measurements up to 100/s. This set-up is assessed at room temperature with a semi-crystalline polymer (SCP) polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) KT880-NT and a toughened thermoset epoxy PR520. High speed 3D stereo digital image correlation (DIC) and an infra-red camera are used for data acquisition. The macroscopical true stress–strain curves demonstrate the importance of the thermal softening effect taking place in this range, accompanied with a temperature rise. In terms of characterization, an advanced unified SCP (USCP) model is employed to quantify the rate- and temperature-dependency for both polymers. A straightforward FEM-based parameter identification procedure is proposed requiring only two compressive stress–strain curves. The USCP model is further applied to PEEK 450G from literature to highlight the features of SCPs. The comparison of PEEK and PR520 is discussed pointing out the characterization challenges due to the transitional quasistatic-to-dynamic testing regime.".
• 01GJ10498MS9E9KFTN6XTFK78H abstract "Some quantum critical states cannot be smoothly deformed into each other without either crossing some multicritical points or explicitly breaking certain symmetries even if they belong to the same universality class. This brings up the notion of “symmetry-enriched” quantum criticality. While recent works in the literature focused on critical states with robust degenerate edge modes, we propose that the conformal boundary condition (B.C.) is a more generic characteristic of such quantum critical states. We show that in two families of quantum spin chains, which generalize the Ising and the three-state Potts models, the quantum critical point between a symmetry-protected topological phase and a symmetry-breaking order realizes a conformal B.C. distinct from the simple Ising and Potts chains. Furthermore, we argue that the conformal B.C. can be derived from the bulk effective field theory, which realizes a novel bulk-boundary correspondence in symmetry-enriched quantum critical states.".
• 01GJ10N13BBRMJ9TKG1QM2MK06 abstract "Engineering critical assessment (ECA) guidelines contain rules to assess flaw interaction. Major flaw dimensions (depth or height and length) are typically characterized assuming the flaws to be contained entirely within a bounding rectangle through a procedure known as flaw idealization. In fracture mechanics based calculations, flaws are often assumed to be (semi-)elliptical when evaluating possible interaction. This paper investigates the implication of this simplification for the specific case of two identical coplanar .surface breaking flaws. Two flaw shapes are considered and compared: semi-elliptical and canoe-shaped (quarter-circular ends with constant depth elsewhere). Especially for long and shallow flaws, the canoe-shaped configuration best approximates the bounding rectangle, whereas the semi-elliptical shape only touches the bounding rectangle at three points (deepest point and two points at the surface). Several flaw dimensions and spacing distances are studied through an extensive parametric study comprising both linear elastic and elastic-plastic finite element simulations. The results, evaluated in terms of stress intensity factor (SIF) and J-integral, show that the flaw shape idealization, particularly for long and shallow flaws, can significantly affect the degree of interaction between identical coplanar flaws. The inconsistency between semi-elliptical and canoe-shaped flaw shapes is observed in a linear elastic analysis and becomes more pronounced at higher loading levels evaluated in elastic-plastic analyses.".
• 01GJ1338HX6QQBT438E4QW442N abstract "Glow-in-the-dark materials have been around for a long time. While formerly materials had to be mixed with radioactive elements to achieve a sufficiently long and bright afterglow, these have now been replaced by much safer alternatives. Notably strontium aluminate, SrAl2O4, doped with europium and dysprosium, has been discovered over two decades ago and since then the phosphor has transcended its popular use in watch dials, safety signage, or toys with more niche applications such as stress sensing, photocatalysis, medical imaging, or flicker-free light-emitting diodes. A lot of research efforts are focused on further improving the storage capacity of SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+, including in nanosized particles, and on finding the underlying physical mechanism to fully explain the afterglow in this material and related compounds. Here an overview of the most important results from the research on SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ is presented and different models and the underlying physics are discussed to explain the trapping mechanism at play in these materials.".
• 01GJ2BGERY6JBF3SH7JAAGXYDG abstract "Foodborne disease is a significant global health problem, with low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected. Given that most fresh animal and vegetable foods in LMICs are bought in informal food systems, much the burden of foodborne disease in LMIC is also linked to informal markets. Developing estimates of the national burden of foodborne disease and attribution to specific food products will inform decision-makers about the size of the problem and motivate action to mitigate risks and prevent illness. This study provides estimates for the burden of foodborne disease caused by selected hazards in two African countries (Burkina Faso and Ethiopia) and attribution to specific foods. Country-specific estimates of the burden of disease in 2010 for Campylobacter spp., enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Shiga-toxin producing E. coli and non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica were obtained from WHO and updated to 2017 using data from the Global Burden of Disease study. Attribution data obtained from WHO were complemented with a dedicated Structured Expert Judgement study to estimate the burden attributable to specific foods. Monte Carlo simulation methods were used to propagate uncertainty. The burden of foodborne disease in the two countries in 2010 was largely similar to the burden in the region except for higher mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to Salmonella in Burkina Faso. In both countries, Campylobacter caused the largest number of cases, while Salmonella caused the largest number of deaths and DALYs. In Burkina Faso, the burden of Campylobacter and ETEC increased from 2010 to 2017, while the burden of Salmonella decreased. In Ethiopia, the burden of all hazards decreased. Mortality decreased relative to incidence in both countries. In both countries, the burden of poultry meat (in DALYs) was larger than the burden of vegetables. In Ethiopia, the burdens of beef and dairy were similar, and somewhat lower than the burden of vegetables. The burden of foodborne disease by the selected pathogens and foods in both countries was substantial. Uncertainty distributions around the estimates spanned several orders of magnitude. This reflects data limitations, as well as variability in the transmission and burden of foodborne disease associated with the pathogens considered.".
• 01GJ2CPX8K607ZA489ZCYFGRSC abstract "The fitness of the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) may be strongly affected by its gut microbiome, as microbes play important roles in host nutrition and health. This study aimed at establishing environmental microbial baselines that can be used to assess turtle health under altered future conditions. We characterized the microbiome associated with the gastrointestinal tract of green turtles from Guinea Bissau in different life stages and associated with their food items, using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. We found that the most abundant (% relative abundance) bacterial phyla across the gastrointestinal sections were Proteobacteria (68.1 +/- 13.9% "amplicon sequence variants", ASVs), Bacteroidetes (15.1 +/- 10.1%) and Firmicutes (14.7 +/- 21.7%). Additionally, we found the presence of two red algae bacterial indicator ASVs (the Alphaproteobacteria Brucella pinnipedialis with 75 +/- 0% and a Gammaproteobacteria identified as methanotrophic endosymbiont of Bathymodiolus, with <1%) in cloacal compartments, along with six bacterial ASVs shared only between cloacal and local environmental red algae samples. We corroborate previous results demonstrating that green turtles fed on red algae (but, to a lower extent, also seagrass and brown algae), thus, acquiring microbial components that potentially aid them digest these food items. This study is a foundation for better understanding the microbial composition of sea turtle digestive tracts.".
• 01GJ2DYNYQ08X5REFC40VPWZDE abstract "Purpose: Post-operative complications following emergency abdominal surgery are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the knowledge of prognostic factors associated with poor surgical outcomes; few have described risks of poor outcomes based on admission information in acute surgical setting. We aimed to derive a simple, point-of-care risk scale that predicts adults with increased risk of poor outcomes.Methods: We used data from an international multi-centre prospective cohort study. The effect of characteristics; age, hypoalbuminaemia, anaemia, renal insufficiency and polypharmacy on 90-day mortality was examined using fully adjusted multivariable models. For our secondary outcome we aimed to test whether these characteristics could be combined to predict poor outcomes in adults undergoing emergency general surgery. Subsequently, the impact of incremental increase in derived SHARP score on outcomes was assessed.Results: The cohort consisted of 419 adult patients between the ages of 16-94 years (median 52; IQR(39) consecutively admitted to five emergency general surgical units across the United Kingdom and one in Ghent, Belgium. In fully adjusted models the aforementioned characteristics; were associated with 90 day mortality. SHARP score was associated with higher odds of mortality in adults who underwent emergency general surgery, with a SHARP score of five also being associated with an increased length of hospital stay.Conclusions: SHARP risk score is a simple prognostic tool, using point-of-care information to predict poor outcomes in patients undergoing emergency general surgery. This information may be used to improve management plans and aid clinicians in delivering more person-centred care. Further validation studies are required to prove its utility.& COPY; 2023 Asian Surgical Association and Taiwan Robotic Surgery Association. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).".
• 01GJ2FA97YW0AZ01CA23EVEKD1 abstract "From machine control applications to multimedia, and distributed real-time monitoring, all require a high level of determinism and low end-to-end latency. Time-Sensitive Networking, running on top of Ethernet, has been proposed as the solution over the past years. This paper analyses the crucial challenges that need to be overcome to go beyond Ethernet and seamlessly extend such time-sensitive operation into the wireless domain. A TSN-compatible design, based on our open-source WiFi implementation, is presented, with a specific focus on scheduling. Two experiments, in our IEEE802.11-based W-TSN testbed, comparing contention arising from a shared and dedicated time slot were performed. The results show a lower difference in the number of received packets between shared and dedicated time slots at smaller time slots.".
• 01GJ2FJHHNED4ZRQM5NRF613ZQ abstract "Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) is being utilized for industrial deterministic applications. Machine control is an example of such applications, which requires high reliability, low and deterministic latency. Currently, such requirements can only be met by wired networks that do not offer the wireless flexibility. For supporting TSN in end-to-end wired-wireless networks, TSN features need to be presented in the wireless network domain as well. In this demo we show the ability of wireless TSN (W-TSN) to support periodic machine control traffic with low latency under other background traffic in the network. We demonstrate time synchronization and scheduling mechanisms in a wireless setting by employing a control loop (a system to balance a ball in a canal) scenario where the time-critical traffic maintains the required latency under scheduled case. This will be demonstrated in a setup composed of imec's W-TSN evaluation kit built on top of the openwifi SDR platform.".
• 01GJ2GJT8B6AS50Z6220RYV477 abstract "Even though plenty of academic attention has been given to consumers and audiences of media, it is essential for students and scholars in social sciences and humanities to take the actual content of popular media culture seriously. Why can a film or pop song be considered sexist, racist and/or homophobic? What makes a popular television soap so relatable? How do sitcoms employ humour to tackle societal taboos? Such questions demand an understanding of how popular media content works and, more importantly, how audiences can make sense of them. Even though you can explore meaning-making practices by means of qualitative audience research, this chapter aims to highlight that an understanding of the actual texts is equally important. To understand how people make sense of popular media culture, you need to understand how a popular culture text or group of texts are constructed.".
• 01GJ2Q8NWA78ZHMSTZ87KA2DQ1 abstract "Background Two opposing B cell subsets have been defined based on their cytokine profile: IL-6 producing effector B cells (B-effs) versus IL-10 producing regulatory B cells (B-regs) that respectively positively or negatively regulate immune responses. B-regs are decreased and/or impaired in many autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. Since there is increasing evidence that links B cells and B cell-rich lymphoid follicles to the pathogenesis of COPD, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence and function of B-regs in COPD. Methods First, presence of IL-10 producing regulatory B cells in human lung tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Secondly, quantification of IL-10 + B-regs and IL-6 + B-effs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy controls, smokers without airflow limitation, and COPD patients (GOLD stage I-IV) was performed by flow cytometry. Thirdly, we exposed blood-derived B cells from COPD patients in vitro to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and quantified IL-10 + B-regs and IL-6 + B-effs. Furthermore, we aimed at restoring the perturbed IL10 production by blocking BAFF. Fourthly, we determined mRNA expression of transcription factors involved in IL-10 production in FACS sorted memory- and naive B cells upon exposure to medium or CSE. Results The presence of IL-10 producing regulatory B cells in parenchyma and lymphoid follicles in lungs was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The percentage of IL-10 + B-regs was significantly decreased in blood-derived memory B cell subsets from smokers without airflow limitation and patients with COPD, compared to never smokers. Furthermore, the capacity of B cells to produce IL-10 was reduced upon in vitro exposure to CSE and this could not be restored by BAFF-blockade. Finally, upon CSE exposure, mRNA levels of the transcription factors IRF4 and HIF-1 alpha, were decreased in memory B cells. Conclusion Decreased numbers and impaired function of B-regs in smokers and patients with COPD might contribute to the initiation and progression of the disease.".
• 01GJ2QRWEVZS5MW9BW2MH0CCT6 abstract "BACKGROUND: COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Cigarette smoke (CS)-induced chronic inflammation inducing airway remodelling, emphysema and impaired lung function is the primary cause. Effective therapies are urgently needed. Human chymase-1 (hCMA1) and it's ortholog mCMA1/mouse mast cell (MC) protease-5 (mMCP5) are exocytosed from activated MCs and have adverse roles in numerous disorders, but their role in COPD is unknown.; METHODS: We evaluated hCMA1 levels in lung tissues of COPD patients. We used mmcp5-deficient (-/-) mice to evaluate this proteases' role and potential for therapeutic targeting in CS-induced experimental COPD. We also used ex vivo/in vitro studies to define mechanisms.; RESULTS: The levels of hCMA1 mRNA and CMA1+ MCs were increased in lung tissues from severe compared to early/mild COPD patients, non-COPD smokers and healthy controls. Degranulated MC numbers and mMCP5 protein were increased in lung tissues of wild-type (WT) mice with experimental COPD. mmcp5 -/- mice were protected against CS-induced inflammation and macrophage accumulation, airway remodelling, emphysema and impaired lung function in experimental COPD. CS extract challenge of co-cultures of MCs from WT but not mmcp5 -/- mice with WT lung macrophages increased in TNF-alpha release. It also caused the release of CMA1 from human MCs, and recombinant hCMA-1 induced TNF-alpha release from human macrophages. Treatment with CMA1 inhibitor potently suppressed these hallmark features of experimental COPD.; CONCLUSION: CMA1/mMCP5 promotes the pathogenesis of COPD, in part, by inducing TNF-alpha expression and release from lung macrophages. Inhibiting hCMA1 may be a novel treatment for COPD. Copyright ©The authors 2022. For reproduction rights and permissions contact permissions@ersnet.org.".
• 01GJ2R1AEEEHATB635NYAC5R8V abstract "Extravasation of monocytes into tissue and to the site of injury is a fundamental immunological process, which requires rapid responses via post translational modifications (PTM) of proteins. Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is an epigenetic factor that has the capacity to mono-methylate histones on arginine residues. Here we show that in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, PRMT7 expression is elevated in the lung tissue and localized to the macrophages. In mouse models of COPD, lung fibrosis and skin injury, reduced expression of PRMT7 associates with decreased recruitment of monocytes to the site of injury and hence less severe symptoms. Mechanistically, activation of NF-kappa B/RelA in monocytes induces PRMT7 transcription and consequential mono-methylation of histones at the regulatory elements of RAP1A, which leads to increased transcription of this gene that is responsible for adhesion and migration of monocytes. Persistent monocyte-derived macrophage accumulation leads to ALOX5 over-expression and accumulation of its metabolite LTB4, which triggers expression of ACSL4 a ferroptosis promoting gene in lung epithelial cells. Conclusively, inhibition of arginine mono-methylation might offer targeted intervention in monocyte-driven inflammatory conditions that lead to extensive tissue damage if left untreated. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive and incurable chronic condition that involves accumulation of inflammatory macrophages in the lung tissue. Authors here show in mouse models of lung disease that PRMT7, a protein arginine methyltransferase, is an important regulator of recruitment and the pro-inflammatory phenotype of macrophages.".
• 01GJ2R23TYPM5VNAA17E349HTR abstract "Debate over performance management (PM) is at an all-time high. However, little is known about PM and feedback when employees work from home. In this qualitative study, we interview 45 HR managers to clarify how PM practices in organizations may have transformed during the Covid-19 pandemic and accompanying teleworking measures. Based on the interviews, organizations were categorized according to their pre-Covid-19 PM approach (i.e., formal, informal, both). HR managers of organizations that applied both formal and informal PM practices indicate that they felt they could adapt to the rapidly-changing environment most easily. Moreover, these organizations provided employees with digital tools and training. Since hybrid working will remain relevant post-Covid-19, we identify future research propositions and practical recommendations.".
• 01GJ2SZ1FMNYRTZ5WMXDF4GFT2 abstract "Purpose: High levels of physical activity (PA), low levels of sedentary behaviour and sufficient amounts of sleep are important for children’s health. This resulted in the launch of integrated 24-hour movement behaviour (24-hMB) guidelines for children. There is a current need to understand children’s adherence to these guidelines, and to investigate how these behaviours interact to influence health. Given that childhood obesity has become a serious public health problem worldwide, this study investigates how compliance with the newly developed 24-hMB guidelines is associated with adiposity in children over time. Methods: Analyses comprised 2,985 children (mean age: 6.20 ± 1.72 years; 49.7% boys) from eight European countries with valid ActiGraph GT3X data (i.e., sleep, light PA, moderate to vigorous PA and total PA) at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Screen time was obtained through a parental-reported questionnaire. Repeated Measures ANOVA were used to analyse if the evolution of BMI z-score (BMIz) and waist-to-hip ratio (WTHR) was associated with trajectories of compliance with the integrated 24-hMB guidelines. Trajectories of compliance were defined as children who: 1) remained compliers (RC), 2) became compliers (BC), 3) became non-compliers (BNC) and 4) remained non-compliers (RNC). Analyses were controlled for socio-economic status and age, and stratified by sex. Results: At baseline, 17.5% of the children complied with the integrated 24-hMB guidelines and 12.3% of the children complied at 2-year follow-up. No difference in evolution of BMIz and WTHR was found between trajectories of compliance in boys (BMIZ: F=1.26, p=0.29; WTHR: F=0.45, p=0.72) and girls (BMIz: F=2.27; p=0.08; WTHR: F=2.32, p=0.08). For trajectories of guideline compliance, a significant main effect for WTHR was observed in boys (F=4.09, p=0.007) with the RNC group having a significant higher WTHR than the RC group (p=0.046) and the BNC group (p=0.006). Conclusion: Low compliance rates with the integrated 24-hMB guidelines in children were observed but guideline compliance was not associated with adiposity indicators over time. However, results suggest that complying with the integrated 24-hMB guidelines over time is beneficial in boys.".
• 01GJ2VQNPPFB3J8AES3FWQNR93 abstract "Purpose Specific combinations of 24-hour movement behaviors (high physical activity (PA), low sedentary behavior (SB), and high sleep) are associated with favorable health indicators for children under five years of age, including adiposity indicators. Evidence is, however, limited due to the small number of studies among these children. Additionally, the World Health Organization acknowledges the importance of targeting these behaviors in an integrated approach to prevent adiposity. This is reflected in the release of 24-hour movement behavior guidelines for children under five years in 2019. The present study is one of the first investigating the proportion of preschoolers complying with these behavior guidelines (on a total week, weekdays and weekend days), and the associations with adiposity in a cross-national European sample. Methods This cross-sectional study included 2468 preschoolers (mean age: 4.75 years; 41.9% boys) from six European countries. PA was objectively assessed by pedometers. Parent-reported questionnaires provided screen time (ST) as a proxy for SB and sleep duration data. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the association between guideline compliance and adiposity, i.e., body mass index z-score (BMIz) and waist to height ratio (WHR). The associations were investigated in the total sample and in girls and boys separately. Results Only 10.1% of preschoolers complied with the 24-hour movement behavior guidelines, 69.2% with the sleep duration guideline, 39.8% with the ST guideline and 32.7% with the PA guideline. No association was found between guideline compliance with all three movement behaviors and adiposity. However, associations were found for isolated guideline compliance with weekday screen time (BMIz and WHR: p=0.04) and weekend day sleep duration (BMIz and WHR: p=0.03) with lower adiposity. The association for sleep duration was confirmed in girls (BMIz: p=0.02; WHR: p=0.03), but not in boys. Conclusions Overall, low compliance with the 24-hour movement behavior guidelines was found. No association was found between integrated guidelines and adiposity. Longitudinal studies, including intervention studies, are needed to increase preschoolers’ guideline compliance and to gain more insight into the association between 24-hour movement behaviors and adiposity from a young age onwards.".
• 01GJ2WB1G4QBHPYJ8DVBC1MG6Q abstract "To evaluate the feasibility of the safe use of existing gas grids for the transport and storage of hydrogen gas, the phenomenon of hydrogen assisted degradation of steel used in the pipeline grid has to be examined. A finite element based framework developed for describing this phenomenon at the continuum scale is used to assist in the design and analysis of experimental characterisation of the tearing resistance. The framework is based on the complete Gurson model for ductile damage and takes into account damage acceleration due to the local hydrogen concentration, and the diffusion of hydrogen. Simulations representing single edge notched tension (SENT) fracture toughness tests of an API 5L X70 grade steel are performed and results are discussed in terms of crack growth resistance curves. Side grooves are included in the geometry of the SENT model to promote uniform crack growth. Different boundary conditions are employed, simulating ex-situ and in-situ hydrogen charging of specimens. Moreover, the effect of the applied deformation rate on the dynamics of hydrogen diffusion and the resulting toughness values is investigated. Accordingly, guidance regarding experimental SENT testing for the hydrogen assisted tearing resistance degradation is provided, in terms of test conditions (in-situ/ex-situ) and deformation rate.".
• 01GJ2WJZVJPYKZ7HGFF8D2VYK7 abstract "Introduction: In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) published 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines for pre-schoolers (3-5 years) with recommendations for physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep. An optimal composition of these behaviours (i.e. a sufficient amount of PA and sleep, and minimal ST) is suggested to have favourable health outcomes. However, pre-schoolers’ overall compliance with these guidelines is low. In addition, pre-schoolers with overweight are less likely to comply with healthy lifestyle recommendations compared to pre-schoolers with a normal weight status. Therefore, special attention to optimize the time spend on these behaviours in pre-schoolers with overweight is important. In this study, an intervention to optimize 24-hour movement behaviours in pre-schoolers with overweight will be developed in close collaboration with the parents of these pre-schoolers. This way, the intervention will be tailored to the specific needs of the parents and their pre-schoolers. Methods: Interviews and participatory action research will be used to co-create an intervention with parents of pre-schoolers with overweight to optimize pre-schoolers’ 24-hour movement behaviours. First, the parents will be interviewed to investigate (1) their attitude towards PA, ST and sleep in general and in their pre-schoolers specifically, and (2) their motivation to co-create the intervention. Second, six co-creation sessions will be planned to develop the intervention. The co-creation will be guided by the Intervention Mapping Protocol (IMP), a standard protocol worldwide being used for intervention development, implementation and evaluation. Going through the six steps of the IMP the following will be addressed: the needs, barriers and facilitators of parents to optimize their pre-schoolers’ 24-hour movement behaviours will be assessed, intervention goals will be set, intervention materials will be designed and the practical organization of the implementation and evaluation will be discussed with the parents. The parents will be recruited through employees of health centres and care personnel of kindergartens in Flanders. All data will be audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo. Results: Participant recruitment started in January 2022 and is ongoing. Preliminary data are expected in early spring 2022. Conclusion: Pre-schoolers with overweight are less likely to comply with healthy lifestyle recommendations compared to their peers with normal weight. This study will provide valuable knowledge on (1) the specific needs of pre-schoolers with overweight and their parents and (2) the process of co-creating an intervention with parents with the aim to optimize 24-hour movement behaviours in pre-schoolers with overweight.".
• 01GJ2YEAM4ESAS9EY7DD8KGVZ0 abstract "Purpose: The promotion of physical activity (PA) in children has become increasingly important since PA levels decrease across childhood into adulthood. Until recently, limited attention has been paid to PA rates in younger age groups because they were considered as suffi ciently active. However, growing evidence suggests that PA levels of preschoolers are below recommendations. Methods: In Belgian preschool children (n= 139; age: 4.93 ± 0.94; 69 boys) PA was measured over 2 weekend and 2 weekdays, using the GT1M Actigraph. Main outcome measures were PA levels (counts.min-1 and minutes MVPA) and daily PA patterns, by gender, day and time of the day. Results: Children are more active during week (581 ± 172 CPM; 23.55 ± 13.12 min MVPA) than weekend days (530 ± 158 CPM; 20.28 ± 13.14 min MVPA) (t=3.316; p=0.001, t=2.540; p=0.012). On weekend days, boys are more active than girls (t=3.044; p=0.003). On preschool attending days, there is a trend that boys are more active than girls (t=1.951; p=0.053). Hour by-hour analyses revealed that the PA pattern during weekdays is characterised by more peaks than during weekend days, clearly representing a structured preschool day. Morning and lunch break are important sources of PA, both accounting for 10% of total PA during the day. During these breaks, no significant gender differences were found for time spent in MVPA. Conclusion: These data reveal gender and day specific PA patterns, contributing to the identification of periods susceptible to improvement of PA rates. Findings can be particularly important for designing further interventions.".
• 01GJ2YSF61BXY9S9FG52JWW3RJ abstract "The IDEFICS intervention is a community-based intervention program to prevent obesity in 2-8 year old children. A process evaluation investigated 1. parents’ awareness and involvement in intervention efforts after one year of implementation and 2. differences between the target behaviors (increasing fruit, vegetables and water consumption, reducing screen time, increasing physical activity and sleep duration), settings (schools vs. community), and socioeconomic groups. Methods: The sample consisted of 242 parents in the Belgian intervention region. Process evaluation data were collected by a parental questionnaire assessed after one year of implementation. Descriptive statistics were used to report cross-sectional study findings. Results: After one year of implementation, 66% of the sample had heard about the IDEFICS intervention. More parents heard about the intervention through schools (83%) than through the community (36%). Among all parents who were aware of the IDEFICS intervention, 92% were of high socio-economic status. For all target behaviors, more parents noticed efforts and more parents reported to be involved in efforts through schools than through the community. The promotional efforts that reached the most parents, through schools and community respectively, were those targeting fruit and vegetable consumption (93%, 34%), water (88%, 23%), and physical activity (88%, 41%). Conclusions: Intervention efforts reached more parents through the school setting and were most effective in reaching parents with high socio-economic background. Not all promotions of the target behaviors reached parents to the same extent, with intervention efforts related to dietary behaviors and physical activity being the most visible.".
• 01GJ2Z7KPA5WSTFKPR5MT5JH03 abstract "PURPOSE: Agreement between commonly used measures of childrens SB have to be understood to allow correct interpretations of research findings. This study examined the association between parental-reported screen time and accelerometer-derived SB in 2-9 year old children. METHOD: Cross-sectional data were analysed from 5988 2-9 year old children from 7 European countries who provided both accelerometer-derived and parental-reported SB measures. A cut-point of <25counts/15s was applied for accelerometer-derived sedentary time. Parents reported their children’s daily TV viewing time and computer use, which were combined to obtain daily minutes of screen-time. Agreement between accelerometer derived and parental-reported SB measures was calculated using spearman rank correlations. RESULT(S): Accelerometer-derived sedentary time was significantly lower in 2-5 year olds (340.61±90.16min/day) than in 6-9 year olds (386.58±88.67min/day; t=19.78; p<0.001). Parent-reported screentime was also lower in 2-5 year olds (84.38±54.11min/day) than 6-9 year olds (106.83±60.54min/day; t=14.92; p<0.001). A significant but weak association was found between accelerometer-derived sedentary time and parent-reported screen-time in 6-9 year olds (rho=0.09; p<0.001) while no association was found in 2-5 year olds (rho=0.01; p>0.05). When stratified by country, the magnitude of the associations varied in both age groups but none of the associations was found to be acceptable (0.01<=rho<=0.19). CONCLUSION(S): Parent-reported screen-time was not a good indicator of total sedentary time in 2-5 and 6-9 year old European children.".
• 01GJ2ZY0E1JM6RDFAQV9K0H44R abstract "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease with variable mortality risk. The aim of our investigation was to validate a simple clinical algorithm for long-term mortality previously proposed by Burgel et al. in 2017. Subjects with COPD from two cohorts, the Swedish PRAXIS study (n = 784, mean age (standard deviation (SD)) 64.0 years (7.5), 42% males) and the Rotterdam Study (n = 735, mean age (SD) 72 years (9.2), 57% males), were included. Five clinical clusters were derived from baseline data on age, body mass index, dyspnoea grade, pulmonary function and comorbidity (cardiovascular disease/diabetes). Cox models were used to study associations with 9-year mortality. The distribution of clinical clusters (1-5) was 29%/45%/8%/6%/12% in the PRAXIS study and 23%/26%/36%/0%/15% in the Rotterdam Study. The cumulative proportion of deaths at the 9-year follow-up was highest in clusters 1 (65%) and 4 (72%), and lowest in cluster 5 (10%) in the PRAXIS study. In the Rotterdam Study, cluster 1 (44%) had the highest cumulative mortality and cluster 5 (5%) the lowest. Compared with cluster 5, the meta-analysed age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for cluster 1 was 6.37 (3.94-10.32) and those for clusters 2 and 3 were 2.61 (1.58-4.32) and 3.06 (1.82-5.13), respectively. Burgel's clinical clusters can be used to predict long-term mortality risk. Clusters 1 and 4 are associated with the poorest prognosis, cluster 5 with the best prognosis and clusters 2 and 3 with intermediate prognosis in two independent cohorts from Sweden and the Netherlands.".
• 01GJ300E9M7AH2295MN3Q9RPJD abstract "PURPOSE: Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are nowadays seen as independent indicators of childhood overweight. This study investigated differences in BMI z-scores between four groups created by a combination of high and low levels of moderate-to vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) in 6-9 year old European children. Secondly, it was studied if weight status could be predicted by MVPA and ST at one point in time and over 2 years. METHOD: Data were used from the IDEFICS study (8 participating European countries): 3220 6-9 year olds were included in the cross-sectional study and 995 in the longitudinal study. Weight and height were measured at T0 (in 2007) and T1 (in 2009) and were used to calculate BMI z-scores. PA and ST were objectively assessed at T0 using accelerometry. The cut points of Evenson et al. were used to calculate minutes per day spent in MVPA and ST. RESULT(S): The group with MVPAlow and STlow, had higher BMI z-scores compared to children in the two groups with MVPAhigh in combination with STlow and SThigh. Furthermore, only time spent in MVPA could predict weight status in 6-9 year olds at one point in time and over 2 years. Sedentary time was no predictor of weight status. CONCLUSION(S): MVPA and not ST seems to play an important rolefin the development of childhood overweight. More research is needed in 6-9 year old children to investigate the influence of objectively measured PA combined with ST in the development of childhood overweight.".
• 01GJ306J3NAF5KTJZJRMA716ZN abstract "BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether patients with asthma benefit from stepping up to high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).; OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of stepping up to high-dose ICS.; METHODS: A historic cohort study of asthma patients (≥13 years old), identified from two large UK electronic medical record databases, was conducted. Patients who remained on medium-dose ICS were compared to those who stepped up from medium- to high-dose ICS, while patients who stepped up from low- to medium-dose were compared to those who stepped up from low- to high-dose ICS. Time to first severe exacerbation (primary outcome) between treatment groups was compared using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, and number of exacerbations and antibiotics courses were analyzed using negative binomial regression. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to handle confounding.; RESULTS: The mean follow-up time to first exacerbation was 2.7 (SD 2.7) years for those who remained on stable medium-dose ICS and 2.0 (SD 2.2) years for those who stepped up from medium-to high-dose ICS. A similar pattern was noted for those who stepped-up from low- to medium-ICS dose (2.6 (SD 2.5) years) and from low- to high-dose ICS (2.3 (SD 2.5) years). Patients who stepped up from medium- to high-dose ICS (n=6,879) had a higher risk of exacerbations during follow-up compared to those who remained on medium-dose ICS (n=51,737; hazard ratio [HR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.12-1.22). This was similar in patients stepping up from low- to high-dose (n=3,232) compared to low- to medium-dose (n=12,659) ICS (HR 1.10 [1.04-1.17]). A step-up to high-dose ICS was also associated with higher number of asthma exacerbations and antibiotics courses. No significant difference in associations was found across subgroups of patients with different blood eosinophil counts (BEC).; CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that a step-up to high-dose ICS is effective in preventing future asthma exacerbations. Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.".
• 01GJ30BWH3YY3WERBS9N8KD1DR abstract "BACKGROUND: Effectiveness studies with biological therapies for asthma lack standardised outcome measures. The COMSA (Core Outcome Measures sets for paediatric and adult Severe Asthma) working group sought to develop Core Outcome Measures (COM) sets to facilitate better synthesis of data and appraisal of biologics in paediatric and adult asthma clinical studies.; METHODS: COMSA utilised a multi-stakeholder consensus process among patients with severe asthma, adult, and paediatric clinicians, pharmaceutical representatives and health regulators from across Europe. Evidence included a systematic review of development, validity, and reliability of selected outcome measures plus a narrative review and a pan-European survey to better understand patients' and carers' views about outcome measures. It was discussed using a modified GRADE Evidence to Decision framework. Anonymous voting was conducted using predefined consensus criteria.; RESULTS: Both adult and paediatric COM sets include forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) as z scores, annual frequency of severe exacerbations and maintenance oral corticosteroid use. Additionally, the paediatric COM set includes the Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Asthma Control Test (ACT) or Childhood-ACT while the adult COM includes the Severe Asthma Questionnaire and the Asthma Control Questionnaire-6 (symptoms and rescue medication use reported separately).; CONCLUSIONS: This patient-centred collaboration has produced two COM sets for paediatric and adult severe asthma. It is expected that they will inform the methodology of future clinical trials, enhance comparability of efficacy and effectiveness of biological therapies, and help assess their socioeconomic value. COMSA will inform definitions of non-response and response to biological therapy for severe asthma. Copyright ©The authors 2022. For reproduction rights and permissions contact permissions@ersnet.org.".
• 01GJ30GT2E39AQK27B3KVJH70A abstract "Purpose: Emerging literature shows that screen time during early childhood may be detrimental to children’s health and devel opment. However, little is known about how screen time may be associated with children’s wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible dose-response associations of young children’s screen time with their later wellbeing. Methods: IDEFICS is a prospective cohort study with an intervention component. Data were collected in 2007/2008 and 2009/2010. Participants were 3604 children from eight EU countries aged between two and six years who participated in the longitudinal component of the IDEFICS study only and not in the intervention. In total, six indicators of wellbeing from two validated instruments were used as outcomes at follow-up: Peer problems and emotional problems from the SDQ; emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, family functioning and social networks from the KINDL. Each scale was dichoto mized to identify those children at risk of poorer outcomes. Indicators of screen time (week and weekend day TV and computer use) from baseline were used as predictors. Results: Associations varied between boys and girls; however were all in the expected direction. TV viewing, either week or weekend day, was more consistently associated with outcomes than computer use. Across associations, children were at between 1.2 and 2.0 times increased risk of adverse outcomes for emotional problems and family functioning for each additional hour of TV or computer use, depending on the outcome. Conclusions: Early childhood screen time is associated with some indicators of wellbeing. Further research is required to identify potential mechanisms".
• 01GJ30HERBN7NV1D65J9FCC7FP abstract "BACKGROUND: The ageing population and its burden on health-care systems warrant early detection of patients at risk of functional decline and mortality. We aimed to assess frailty transitions and its accuracy for mortality prediction in subjects with impaired spirometry (Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry [PRISm] or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]).; METHODS: In participants from the population-based Rotterdam Study (mean age 69.1±8.9 years), we examined whether PRISm (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second [FEV1]/Forced Vital Capacity [FVC]≥70% and FEV1<80%) or COPD (FEV1/FVC<70%) affected frailty transitions (progression/recovery between frailty states [robust, prefrailty and frailty], lost to follow-up or death) using age-, sex- and smoking state-adjusted multinomial regression models yielding odd's ratios (OR). Second, we assessed diagnostic accuracy of frailty score for predicting mortality in subjects with COPD using c-statistics.; RESULTS: Compared to subjects with normal spirometry, subjects with PRISm were more likely to transit from robust (OR 2.2[1.2-4.2], p<0.05) or prefrailty (OR 2.6[1.3-5.5], p<0.01) towards frailty. Subjects with PRISm (OR 0.4[0.2-0.8], p<0.05) and COPD (OR 0.6[0.4-1.0], NS) were less likely to recover from their frail state, and were more likely to progress from any frailty state towards death (OR between 1.1 and 2.8, p<0.01). Accuracy for predicting mortality in subjects with COPD significantly improved when adding frailty score to age, sex and smoking status (90.5[82.3-89.8] vs 77.9[67.2-88.6], p<0.05).; CONCLUSION: Participants with PRISm or COPD more often developed frailty with poor reversibility. Assessing physical frailty improved risk stratification for subjects with impaired spirometry for predicting increased life years. © The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America.".
• 01GJ30RY4F8K31Q6TS5Z978PET abstract "Purpose: To present part of the process evaluation data of the IDEFICS project. The first aim is to report on the perceptions of parents on the implementation of the IDEFICS intervention in the schools. The second aim is to illustrate the dose effect relationship between exposure to the intervention and BMI effects. Methods: The process evaluation steps of Linnan & Steckler (2002) including the components fidelity, dose delivered, dose re ceived, reach, recruitment and context, were used as a theory for building the measurements. Perceptions of parent on these components in the IDEFICS project were gathered through a questionnaire in the intervention communities filled in 1 year after the intervention. BMI was measured in all countries using standardised procedures. In total the sample consisted of 4180 parents. Results: The dose received by the parents was considerably higher through the schools than through the community. About 90% of the parents received a lower dose than was intended. Results showed that efforts by the schools or communities, and parental involvement related to fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity promotion and drinking water were higher than those related to TV viewing, sleep duration and spending time with the family. No clear dose-response relationship was found. No impact of exposure to parents at the school and the community level was related with more favourable effects on BMI z-scores. Conclusions: Reaching parents of young children to prevent overweight is difficult, but more easy through schools than through com munities, and more easy for some behaviors than for others.".
• 01GJ3107C2C23WJFRR9TNX4XJR abstract "Background: Asthma exacerbations are a serious public health concern due to high healthcare resource utilization, work/school productivity loss, impact on quality of life, and risk of mortality. The genetic basis of asthma exacerbations has been studied in several populations, but no prior study has performed a multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (meta-GWAS) for this trait. We aimed to identify common genetic loci associated with asthma exacerbations across diverse populations and to assess their functional role in regulating DNA methylation and gene expression. Methods: A meta-GWAS of asthma exacerbations in 4989 Europeans, 2181 Hispanics/Latinos, 1250 Singaporean Chinese, and 972 African Americans analyzed 9.6 million genetic variants. Suggestively associated variants (p <= 5 x 10(-5)) were assessed for replication in 36,477 European and 1078 non-European asthma patients. Functional effects on DNA methylation were assessed in 595 Hispanic/Latino and African American asthma patients and in publicly available databases. The effect on gene expression was evaluated in silico. Results: One hundred and twenty-six independent variants were suggestively associated with asthma exacerbations in the discovery phase. Two variants independently replicated: rs12091010 located at vascular cell adhesion molecule-1/exostosin like glycosyltransferase-2 (VCAM1/EXTL2) (discovery: odds ratio (ORT allele) = 0.82, p = 9.05 x 10(-6) and replication: ORT allele = 0.89, p = 5.35 x 10(-3)) and rs943126 from pantothenate kinase 1 (PANK1) (discovery: ORC allele = 0.85, p = 3.10 x 10(-5) and replication: ORC allele = 0.89, p = 1.30 x 10(-2)). Both variants regulate gene expression of genes where they locate and DNA methylation levels of nearby genes in whole blood. Conclusions: This multi-ancestry study revealed novel suggestive regulatory loci for asthma exacerbations located in genomic regions participating in inflammation and host defense.".
• 01GJ31585CP0C9H6G5E30BRQRM abstract "Introduction Older adults have the greatest burden of asthma and poorest outcomes. The pharmacogenetics of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment response is not well studied in older adults. Methods A genome-wide association study of ICS response was performed in asthmatics of European ancestry in Genetic Epidemiology Research on Adult Health and Aging (GERA) by fitting Cox proportional hazards regression models, followed by validation in the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Biobank and Rotterdam Study. ICS response was measured using two definitions in asthmatics on ICS treatment: (1) absence of oral corticosteroid (OCS) bursts using prescription records and (2) absence of asthma-related exacerbations using diagnosis codes. A fixed-effect meta-analysis was performed for each outcome. The validated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were functionally annotated to standard databases. Results In 5710 subjects in GERA, 676 subjects in MGB Biobank, and 465 subjects in the Rotterdam Study, four novel SNPs on chromosome six near PTCHD4 validated across all cohorts and met genome-wide significance on meta-analysis for the OCS burst outcome. In 4541 subjects in GERA and 505 subjects in MGB Biobank, 152 SNPs with pCPED1, CRADD and DST for the OCS burst outcome and GM2A, SNW1, CACNA1C, DPH1, and RPS10 for the asthma-related exacerbation outcome. Conclusions Multiple novel SNPs associated with ICS response were identified in older adult asthmatics. Several SNPs annotated to genes previously associated with asthma and other airway or allergic diseases, including PTCHD4.".
• 01GJ31P2MJGRKJWRP6SZQ4EG5E abstract "Background Chronic cough is a debilitating medical condition that is often complicated by psychomorbidities such as depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, little is known about the impact of chronic cough on the risk of developing depression. Therefore, we investigated the association between chronic cough and prevalent, incident and recurrent depression in a population-based sample of middle-aged and older persons. Methods Within the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort, we defined chronic cough as reporting daily coughing for >= 3 months. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, clinical interviews and medical records. Associations between chronic cough and depression were determined with linear, logistic and Cox regression analyses. Results The study included 5877 participants (mean +/- SD age 72 +/- 8 years, 59% female) who contributed 37 287 person-years of follow-up. At baseline, participants with chronic cough reported more depressive symptoms (adjusted standardised mean difference 0.15, 95% CI 0.07-0.22) compared to those without chronic cough. Over time, chronic cough was associated with an increased risk of depression in participants with a history of depression (hazard ratio (HR) 1.45, 95% CI 1.13-1.84), but not in those without a history of depression (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.68-1.22). Conclusions Adults with chronic cough have a disproportionate burden of depressive symptoms and an increased risk of recurrent depression. This highlights the importance of screening for depression in patients with chronic cough.".
• 01GJ31THX30314NY3T9PK13BZG abstract "BACKGROUND: Asthma can occur at any age but the differences in patient characteristics between childhood-, adult-, and late-onset asthma are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in patients' characteristics by age at asthma onset. METHODS: From 5 European electronic databases, we created a cohort encompassing adult patients with doctor-diagnosed asthma in 2008 to 2013. Patients were categorized based on their age at asthma onset: childhood-onset (age at onset < 18 y), adult-onset (age at onset 18-40 y), and late-onset asthma (age at onset >= 40 y). Comorbidities were assessed at study entry. For each characteristic and comorbidity, odds ratios and age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) comparing asthma-onset categories were estimated per database and combined in a meta-analysis using a random effect model. RESULTS: In total, 586,436 adult asthma patients were included, 81,691 had childhood-onset, 218,184 adult-onset, and 286,561 late-onset asthma. Overall, 7.3% had severe asthma. Subjects with adult-onset compared with childhood-asthma had higher risks for overweight/obesity (OR(adj )1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.8) and lower risks for atopic disorders (OR(adj )0.8; 95% CI 0.7-0.95). Patients with late-onset compared with adult-onset asthma had higher risks for nasal polyposis (OR(adj )1.8; 95% CI 1.2-2.6), overweight/obesity (OR(adj )1.3; 95% CI 1.2-1.4), gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR(adj )1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.7), and diabetes (OR(adj )2.3; 95% CI 1.8-2.9). A significant association between late-onset asthma and uncontrolled asthma was observed (OR(adj )2.8; 95% CI 1.7-4.5). CONCLUSIONS: This international study demonstrates clear differences in comorbidities between childhood-, adult-, and late-onset asthma phenotypes in adults. Furthermore, patients with late-onset asthma had more frequent uncontrolled asthma. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.".
• 01GJ3221333SGHBTPHN35RQCES abstract "Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is present in an important proportion of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), encompassing a large, heterogeneous group of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. Development of ILD-related PH is associated with reduced exercise capacity, increased need for supplemental oxygen, decreased quality of life and earlier death. Diagnosis of ILD-related PH is important and requires a high index of suspicion. Noninvasive diagnostic assessment can suggest the presence of PH, although right heart catheterisation remains the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis and to assess its severity. A comprehensive assessment is needed to make sure reversible causes of PH have been ruled out, including thromboembolic events, untreated hypoxaemia and sleep disordered breathing. The results of trials concerning pulmonary vasodilators in this particular patient group have been disappointing and, in some cases, were even associated with an increased risk of harm. Newer strategies such as medications administered through inhalation and combinations with antifibrotic drugs show encouraging results. Moreover, unravelling the role of the vasculature in the pathophysiology of pulmonary fibrosis and ILD-related PH may potentially unlock new therapeutic opportunities.".
• 01GJ3295QYEZ530XWZVECDV1Y1 abstract "Introduction In 2019, the World Health Organisation published integrated 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines for preschoolers (3-4 years), with recommendations for sleep, physical activity (PA), and screen time (ST). Although several studies already investigated compliance with these guidelines among preschoolers, only a few looked at differences in compliance between preschoolers of low and high socioeconomic status. Therefore, this study aimed to examine changes in adherence to the integrated 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines by socioeconomic status. Method This prospective study included 633 preschoolers (M age=4.77) from 5 different European countries. Physical activity (PA) was objectively assessed using pedometers at baseline and after one year. Parental questionnaires provided screen time (ST)/day, sleep duration/night and SES (low≤14 years of education, high>14 years of education). A multilevel repeated measures analysis was conducted. Results Sleep duration compliance significantly decreased from baseline to follow up on weekdays (β=-0.189, p<.001), weekend days (β=0.142, p=.003), and for a total week (β=0.18, p<.001,). A significant decrease in compliance was also found for the combination of sleep and ST guidelines (β=-0.095, p=.045) on weekdays, and for the 4th CIAPSE Congress 129 combination of sleep and PA guidelines on weekend days (β=-0.142, p<.001). No significant interaction effect of SES was found (p>.05). Discussion We can conclude that the evolution in compliance over time did not depend on preschoolers’ SES and that fewer preschoolers met the guidelines for sleep as they got older.".
• 01GJ338KBXQJ88ZX7CMXTGGA77 abstract "We aim to test the hypothesis that overconfidence arises as a strategy to influence others in social interactions. To address this question, we design an experiment in which participants are incentivized either to form accurate beliefs about their performance at a test, or to convince a group of other participants that they performed well. We also vary participants' ability to gather information about their performance. Our results show that participants are more likely to (1) overestimate their performance when they anticipate that they will try to persuade others and (2) bias their information search in a manner conducive to receiving more positive feedback, when given the chance to do so. In addition, we also find suggestive evidence that this increase in confidence has a positive effect on participants' persuasiveness.".
• 01GJ33BP8HK5W8A5WV2B99DHS2 abstract "Using a social dilemma game, we study the cooperative behavior of individuals who reintegrate their group after being excluded by their peers. We manipulate the length of exclusion and whether this length is imposed exogenously or results from a vote. We show that people are willing to exclude the least cooperators and they punish more, and more severely, chronic defections. In return, a longer exclusion has a higher disciplining effect on cooperation after reintegration, but only when the length of exclusion is not chosen by group members. Its relative disciplining effect on cooperation after reintegration is smaller when the length of exclusion results from a vote. In this environment, a quicker reintegration also limits retaliation. The difference in the impact of long versus short exclusion on retaliation is larger when the length of exclusion is chosen by group members than when it is exogenous. Post-reintegration cooperation and forgiveness depend not only on the length of exclusion but also on the perceived intentions of others when they punish. (JEL C92, H41, D23)".
• 01GJ33FCEGWY5QWMZQY5W3Y5YG abstract "Overconfidence is one of the most ubiquitous biases in the social sciences, but the evidence regarding its overall costs and benefits is mixed. To test the possibility that overconfidence might yield important relative benefits that offset its absolute costs, we conducted an experiment ( N = 298 university students) in which pairs of participants bargained over the unequal allocation of a prize that was earned through a joint effort. We manipulated confidence using a binary noisy signal to investigate the causal effect of negotiators’ beliefs about their relative contribution to the outcome of the negotiation. Our results provide evidence that high levels of confidence lead to relative benefits (how much one earns compared with one’s partner) but absolute costs (how much money one receives overall). These results suggest that overconfidence creates an inefficient equilibrium whereby overconfident negotiators benefit over their partners even as they bring about joint losses.".
• 01GJ3836AZ6W0182B18N4N5ETH abstract "Although bovine papillomavirus (BPV)-induced equine sarcoids are often identified solely by clinical examina-tion, confirmation of the clinical diagnosis is essential for correct treatment selection. Only few approaches are presently available for this purpose. PCR-based screening for BPV in superficial swabs is widely-used to support clinical suspicion. While this method effectively detects sarcoid involvement in ulcerated lesions, sensitivity is lower in tumors with intact epithelium. This cross-sectional study compared the diagnostic characteristics of superficial swabs and fine-needle aspirates (FNA) with the aim to validate FNA as an alternative sampling method to detect BPV in suspect lesions. Among 63 lesions confirmed as sarcoids from 58 horses, compared to swabs FNA detected a greater proportion of BPV positives in general (swab, 70 %,;95 % confidence intervals [CI], 58.5 %-81.2 %; FNA, 98 %, 95 % CI, 95.3 %-100 %; P = 0.0001) and among a non-ulcerated subgroup (swab, 63 %, 95 % CI, 50.4 %-76.6 %; FNA, 98 %, 95 % CI, 91.4 %-100 %; P = 0.0001). Furthermore, the sensitivity, as well as the negative predictive value and accuracy of FNA for matched samples from 58 horses were superior to surface swabbing for the group of all horses and the subgroup that included only lesions with an intact epidermis (n = 48), with differences ranging from 23 % (95 % CI, 11.4 %-34.6 %) to 52 % (95 % CI, 25.9 %-78.1 %). Other advantages of FNA identified were a higher chance of adequate sampling and a reduced risk of unwanted detection of superficial contamination or latent BPV in keratinocytes. The ability to consistently detect BPV in all clinical lesion types indicates that FNA shows promise as a valid diagnostic tool to improve the consistency and quality of the diagnostic workup of equine sarcoids.".
• 01GJ39X25CEQ2TXD3XH9RC5FDN abstract "Understandings of different policy learning types have matured over recent decades. However, relatively little is known about their nonlinear and interactive nature, particularly within crisis contexts. In this article, we explore how two of the most prominent learning types (instrumental and social) shifted and interacted during the COVID-19 crisis. To do so, we created a policy learning storyboard of the Belgian COVID-19 policy response over 2 years (from early 2020 to late 2021). Our analysis highlights the relationships between different epochs of instrumental and social learning throughout the crisis and their implications for policy change. Furthermore, while extant policy learning literature often posits that social learning unfolds over relatively long periods (spanning a decade or more), our empirical account shows that within certain conditions, creeping crises can lead to the creation of long-term crisis policy-making paradigms and goals. At this level, accelerated social learning can take place and lead to paradigmatic shifts within relatively shorter periods than in noncrisis conditions. Theoretically, our findings enhance our understanding of policy learning types and their relationships with policy change, particularly within crisis contexts.".
• 01GJ3DPBVFZE82526AJ4HFRRM6 abstract "Dans La Légitimité des Temps modernes, Hans Blumenberg distingue le XVIIe siècle comme une période clé dans la transformation de la curiosité : elle perd alors ses connotations négatives et devient à la fois la légitimation et la méthode de la recherche scientifique. Partant de ce constat, les critiques modernes ont négligé le développement de la curiosité au XVIIIIe et XIXe siècles, en supposant que les débats autour de la curiosité auraient cessé avec la systématisation et professionnalisation de la science. Cependant, les débats n’ont pas cessé : la curiosité reste au cœur des discussions au siècle des Lumières. Ces débats perdurent et prennent de nouvelles formes dans la France du XIXe siècle, où elle devient le vecteur de la société : au lieu de s'appuyer sur les valeurs établies (le cadre absolutiste de la monarchie, l'Église), l’homme devait repenser, redéfinir ses valeurs et représentations. La curiosité constitue la réponse à une crise institutionnelle – tant sur le plan métaphysique, politique que sociologique – mais en même temps, cette curiosité s'accompagne de nouveaux doutes et de nouvelles interrogations : Faust, Frankenstein et Balthazar Claës sont autant de figures emblématiques de cette période. Cette thèse de doctorat étend les recherches de Blumenberg au XIXe siècle à travers une étude de la curiosité dans les romans d'Alexandre Dumas. La curiosité est une facette essentielle de la poétique dumasienne : l'écrivain incarne l'élan de la curiosité moderne – dans ses Mémoires, il décrit son parcours en termes de curiosité –, la curiosité est un thème majeur dans ses romans (ses personnages, comme d'Artagnan, sont fondamentalement curieux), et l’écrivain compte sur la curiosité de ses lecteurs. Toute l'œuvre de Dumas est portée par l'idée de curiosité, elle est la pierre angulaire de sa démarche, et elle détermine sa vision sur la science, la politique et la société. En même temps, Dumas voit aussi les dangers et les limites de la curiosité. À travers l'analyse de trois types de curiosité - la curiosité intellectuelle, sociale et publique - cette thèse explore l'attitude de Dumas envers la curiosité et étudie sa vision sur la modernité. Étudier Dumas à la lumière de la curiosité permet de réhabiliter l’écrivain et son œuvre sur le plan intellectuel. Dumas est plus qu’un ‘amuseur’. Cette étude montre qu’il prend activement part au débat public et intellectuel : il repense le débat moral sur la bonne et la mauvaise curiosité, il questionne les limites et les envers de la quête de la connaissance et s'interroge sur les nouvelles pratiques scientifiques et culturelles. Cette attitude critique fait de Dumas un penseur "moderne". Cela dit, Dumas refuse le désenchantement qui découle de la quête de la vérité. Tous ses personnages sont à la recherche d'une forme de consolation : ils ont soif d'amour, de spiritualité et de sensualité. La curiosité permet de transcender le paradoxe : Dumas met à nu la vérité, cela lui semble nécessaire, et il console ses lecteurs de la perte des illusions.".
• 01GJ3MXQD7JXFD8K0BEDX3DAP8 abstract "Many Western parties have opened up the process of leadership selection in order to increase the party’s attractiveness, but negative reactions of losers in such contests might undermine these efforts. It has extensively been documented that losers of elections or referendums become less supportive for the political system, but the question is whether such a winner-loser gap also occurs in the context of intra-party elections. We examine unique panel data collected before and after the leadership elections of the Flemish Christian-Democratic Party and Liberal-Democratic Party and investigate the difference in change in attitudes and behavior of party members who voted for the losing candidates and those who voted for the winner. Contrary to earlier research on candidate selection, we find that only decision acceptance differs between winners and losers, while there is no gap in support for the electoral process, party membership satisfaction, and members’ activity within the party.".
• 01GJ3T83XGPG739PFRJMNW7J7G abstract "In high speed electrical machines, one of the main challenges that can be faced is the high frequency losses in the machine windings due to both skin and proximity effects. This paper studies the effect of using different types of magnet wires on the AC losses in the winding of high speed electric machines. Using finite element modelling (FEM), the conductors are subdivided into multiple strands to calculate the losses in each conductor and in each layer. Aiming at loss minimization, different arrangements are introduced and compared at a wide range of frequencies. Further, four coil designs are prototyped using different magnet wires or arrangements. Moreover, the design and performance are compared with highlighting the pros and cons of each case. Eventually, recommendations are provided based on the obtained results for a better selection of magnet wire.".
• 01GJ4SGFZ9F1AMZ0HAP89BMQMG abstract "Secondary effluent from wastewater treatment plants contains (bio)recalcitrant trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) that are discharged into the environment. Ozonation can offer a solution for TrOCs removal from effluent and has been extensively investigated with respect to reaction mechanisms, performance and control strategies in view of full-scale application. The ozone-activated peroxymonosulfate process (O3/PMS) is a relatively new and promising upgrade of ozonation for which research under real conditions is, however, still lacking. Therefore, this work focuses on the removal of 11 TrOCs with different ozone reactivity at environmentally relevant concentrations in effluent by using O3/PMS. At short reaction times, the hydroxyl radical exposure is approximately 2 times higher in O3/PMS than during ozonation at O3 concentrations exceeding the instantaneous ozone demand (IOD). The radical production during O3/PMS is even noticeable at ozone concentrations lower than the IOD, which indicates that radical reaction pathways are more important during the IOD phase in O3/PMS than during ozonation. At longer reaction times, also direct PMS oxidation enhances the removal of some TrOCs at low ozone concentrations (< IOD). However, the extra TrOCs removal during O3/PMS is overall limited compared to ozonation, i.e. up to 24 % extra removal at 0.5 min reaction time and the highest ozone concentration (12.3 mg/L). In a second part of this research, spectral surrogate models based on UV absorbance at 254 nm (UVA254) and fluorescence were developed for the prediction of TrOCs removal. The intensity of both surrogates decreased in a similar way as a function of the applied ozone concentration in both the ozonation and O3/PMS process. However, the regression parameters of the surrogate models and particularly the location of the inflection point show differences between both advanced oxidation processes.".
• 01GJ4ZPYQ0DZKJZKQKRY82ZTY9 abstract "De zeventiende-eeuwse pastorale traditie en de gelijktijdige opkomst van buitenplaatsen lijken een verlangen naar menselijke eenwording met de natuur te veronderstellen. In die context ontstaan hofdichten daarin de natuur wordt geprezen en het leven op het land wordt geïdealiseerd. Tegelijkertijd illustreren de contemporaine antropocentrische theorieën van rationalisten zoals Descartes en Spinoza een angst voor en afkeer van de onzekere positie van de mens in de natuur. In dit onderzoek wordt geanalyseerd hoe die spanning aanwezig is in het hofdicht Nimmer-dor berymt van Everard Meyster uit 1667 en blijkt hoe een liefde voor de natuur steeds samengaat met de menselijke zucht naar controle erover.".
• 01GJ500NJ4KVAGH16EMXCSVBMD abstract "Met modelleringstools kunnen ingenieurs voortdurend complexere systemen ontwerpen. De snelle evolutie van de modernste elektronische componenten zorgt echter voor veel nieuwe uitdagingen voor deze modelleertools. Om de prestaties van elektronische apparaten verder te verbeteren worden nieuwe soorten materialen onderzocht die tweedimensionaal kunnen. Naast de traditionele elektronische componenten worden apparaten onderzocht die gebruikmaken van kwantummechanische eigenschappen in hun ontwerp. Om dit soort apparaten te modelleren, en zo te helpen bij hun ontwerp, moeten de huidige modelleringstools significant verbeterd worden. In dit proefschrift worden verschillende nieuwe modellerings schema's voorgesteld gebaseerd op de eindigedifferentietechniek in de tijd. Om de toepasbaarheid van de modelleringstools te verbeteren, zijn de nieuwe schema's nauwkeuriger en efficiënter dan de stand van de techniek. Verder worden nieuwe technieken voorgesteld om elektromagnetische en kwantummechanische systemen te koppelen. Deze technieken zijn eenvoudig te integreren in bestaande elektromagnetische simulatietools. Verder worden de schema's geverifieerd door hun toepassing op relevante voorbeelden en door een grondige wiskundige analyse waardoor vele nieuwe inzichten verworven zijn. Deze methoden zullen leiden tot grootschalige berekeningen om de volgende generatie nano-elektronische apparaten te karakteriseren en te ontwerpen.".
• 01GJ51P3WKMDTEAPTZ27JQNRAB abstract "The sacrum and sacroiliac joints pose a long-standing challenge for adequate imaging because of their complex anatomical form, oblique orientation, and posterior location in the pelvis, making them subject to superimposition. The sacrum and sacroiliac joints are composed of multiple diverse tissues, further complicating their imaging. Varying imaging techniques are suited to evaluate the sacrum, each with its specific clinical indications, benefits, and drawbacks. New techniques continue to be developed and validated, such as dual-energy computed tomography (CT) and new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, for example susceptibility-weighted imaging. Ongoing development of artificial intelligence, such as algorithms allowing reconstruction of MRI-based synthetic CT images, promises even more clinical imaging options.".
• 01GJ51Z27PA4SNM4DHJJK8BJ2Z abstract "Purpose of review Imaging of the sacroiliac joints is one of the cornerstones in the diagnosis and monitoring of axial spondyloarthritis. We aim to present an overview of the emerging imaging techniques for sacroiliac joint assessment and provide an insight into their relevant benefits and pitfalls. Recent findings Evaluation of structural and active inflammatory lesions in sacroiliitis are both important for understanding the disease process. Dual-energy computed tomography (CT) can detect inflammatory bone marrow edema in the sacroiliac joints and provides an alternative for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three-dimensional gradient echo sequences improve the visualization of erosions on MRI. Susceptibility weighted MRI and deep learning-based synthetic CT are innovative MRI techniques that allow for generating 'CT-like' images and better depict osseous structural lesions than routine MRI sequences. New imaging innovations and developments result in significant improvements in the imaging of spondyloarthritis. Advanced MRI techniques enhance its potential for the accurate detection of structural and active inflammatory lesions of sacroiliitis in one single imaging session.".
• 01GJ55A9EBEFEW4M87PNHTX6MS abstract "requirements such as high bandwidth (i.e., several Gbps) and low latency (i.e., five milliseconds). Today, most video-streaming applications leverage the transmission control protocol (TCP) for reliable end-to-end transmission. However, the reliability of TCP comes at the cost of additional delay due to factors such as connection establishment, head-of-line (HOL) blocking, and retransmissions under sub-optimal network conditions. Such behavior can lead to stalling events or freezes, which are highly detrimental to the user's Quality of Experience (QoE). Recently, QUIC has gained traction in the research community, as it promises to overcome the shortcomings of TCP without compromising on reliability. However, while QUIC vastly reduces the connection establishment time and HOL blocking, thus increasing interactivity, it still underperforms while delivering multimedia due to retransmissions under lossy conditions. To cope with these, QUIC offers the possibility to support unreliable delivery, like that of the user datagram protocol (UDP). While live-video streaming applications usually opt for completely unreliable protocols, such an approach is not optimal for immersive media delivery since it is not affordable to lose certain data that might affect the end user's QoE. In this paper, we propose a partially reliable QUIC-based data delivery mechanism that supports both reliable (streams) and unreliable (datagrams) delivery. To evaluate its performance, we have considered two immersive-video delivery use cases, namely tiled 360-degree video and volumetric point clouds. Our approach outperforms state-of-the-art protocols, especially in the presence of network losses and delay. Even at a packet loss ratio as high as 5%, the number of freezing events for a 120-second video is almost zero as against 120 for TCP.".
• 01GJ55EHZVCN6ZEBXWMGZZVHF0 abstract "Millimeter wave (mmWave) communication technology is expected to enable ultra-high speed and ultra-low latency communications owing to the availability of high-capacity bands at a frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. Despite its abundant resources, it is prone to signal attenuation due to blockage and mobility. So far, evaluations of first generation mmWave hardware are limited to lower-layer metrics. In this demonstrator, we propose to evaluate the multimedia application performance while using commercial off-the-shelf routers, using an 8K video streaming scenario. To achieve this, this paper introduces a mmWave testbed which incorporates mobility and blockage while streaming the video. In addition, it provides a detailed description of the steps involved in the deployment of experiments and analysis of the results.".
• 01GJ55QK8ZXFQJ85WRXW3F40FQ abstract "Achieving extremely high-quality and truly immersive interactive Virtual Reality (VR) is expected to require a wireless link to the cloud, providing multi-gigabit throughput and extremely low latency. A prime candidate for fulfilling these requirements is millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications, operating in the 30 to 300 GHz bands, rather than the traditional sub-6 GHz. Evaluations with first-generation mmWave Wi-Fi hardware, based on the IEEE 802.11ad standard, have so far largely remained limited to lower-layer metrics. In this work, we present the first experimental analysis of the capabilities of mmWave for streaming VR content, using a novel testbed capable of repeatably creating blockage through mobility. Using this testbed, we show that (a) motion may briefly interrupt transmission, (b) a broken line of sight may degrade throughput unpredictably, and (c) TCP-based streaming frameworks need careful tuning to behave well over mmWave.".
• 01GJ58HJV67H2RKGDXZC8V7VYN abstract "Microbial spoilage in pork leads to the formation of metabolic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leading to offensive off-odors. Given that good sensory quality of meat is crucial for consumers, the aim of the study is to investigate the sensory decline of pork in relation to microbial growth and VOCs accumulation in the context of modified atmosphere packaging. In this study, fresh pork was packed under different atmospheres (%O2/CO2/N2: air, 70/0/30, 70/30/0, 5/30/65, 0/30/70, 0/0/100). Spoilage quality for each sample throughout the 4 °C chilled storage was assessed by microbiological, volatolomic and sensory analyses. The results were expressed as the total plate counts (log CFU·g-1), concentrations of VOCs (ppbv) and the rejection percentages according to odor (Rodor%) and appearance (Rapp%). Meat discoloration often occurs due to the myoglobin redox alteration in low-oxygen and/or long-term aerobic storage. However, it has been indicated from the sensory assessments that Rodor% was higher than Rapp% for pork under most atmospheres, suggesting that the off-odor generation can be more useful for spoilage indication. When Rodor% reached 50%, the total bacterial counts were approximately 7 log CFU·g-1 regardless of packaging conditions. In the late storage, the amount of 3-methylbutanal, 2,3-butanedione and sulfur-containing compounds have exceeded the odor thresholds, presumptively leading to panelists’ rejection. Due to high odor thresholds, the detection of most alcohols, ketones and acids should not only rely on sensory perceptions, but also require the implementation of high-sensitivity and -efficiency technologies to monitor their accumulation and thus to indicate spoilage in early or intermediate storage stages.".
• 01GJ59ACV4XBS7A3MACD9QS05M abstract "Aim: Modified atmospheres have been widely implemented in the domain of meat packaging to prolong shelf life. However, pork is still highly susceptible to microbial activity. Over storage time, specific spoilage organisms can use nutrients rapidly and generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) characterized by unpleasant odors. The aim of this study is to identify VOCs that contribute to pork spoilage in modified atmosphere packaging. Method: In this study, fresh pork was packaged under different gas mixtures (%O2/CO2/N2): air, 70/30/0, 0/30/70. Meat quality during the 4 °C storage was characterized by classic microbiological analysis, sensory evaluation and real-time mass spectrometry (selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS). The obtained datasets were subsequently analyzed by using multivariate statistics for the identification of potential spoilage indicators. Results: While air packaging favored the growth of Pseudomonas spp., the decreased level of oxygen (0/30/70) and/or the addition of CO2 (70/30/0) inhibited the growth of aerobic pseudomonads and supported the growth of lactic acid bacteria over other species. Statistical analysis results revealed a positive correlation between the spoilage volatilome, bacterial growth and the increased percentage of sensory rejection. Acetoin was one of the most significant spoilage markers under aerobic conditions, whereas ethanol, 3-methylbutanal and sulfur compounds can indicate the progress of anaerobic spoilage. Conclusion: This study has provided deep insights into the volatolomic profiles during meat spoilage under different packaging conditions. Monitoring the levels of these spoilage-related compounds can be promising for predicting quality deterioration in the early or intermediate storage stages. Thus, the results can be expected to be useful when aiming at developing novel methods for safeguarding food and reducing spoilage wastage in the supply chain.".
• 01GJ59MP4EJN9E3VB6YJQM2PVT abstract "Background: The linkage between teaching and research—also labelled the Teaching Research Nexus (TRN)—is the object of a recurrent debate in higher education. The debate centres on the nature of the interrelation, TRN benefits and challenges, concrete TRN strategies, and its impact on students and academics. Methods: Based on a systematic search of papers published between 2012 and 2022, a systematic review of review studies was conducted, building on articles from the Web of Science and Scopus. Results: From an initial 151 records, 14 fit the review inclusion/exclusion criteria. Goal and review questions: To provide researchers, teachers, and policy decision-makers with an overview of TRN in higher education based on available peer-reviewed review studies, this systematic review was driven by the following guiding questions: What are the conceptual developments in TRN definitions? What are the outcomes of experimental TRN interventions? What are the implementation challenges of TRN in higher education? What TRN implementation strategies have been adopted? Finally, what do the reviews stress as future directions for TRN? Brief conclusion: The review results helped identify patterns in TRN studies, practices, and directions for future TRN research in higher education.</jats:p>".
• 01GJ5BB9CZBTQD99CEZ825NAS0 abstract "Although originally developed for military purposes, Global Navigation Satellite Systems have become indispensable for an ever-growing range of civil and scientific applications such as cartography, cadastral and land information systems, transport systems, precision agriculture, self-driving vehicles, rescue missions, etc. The accuracy of positioning by means of GNSS, however, is affected by atmospheric distortions of the GNSS signals as well as by the characteristics of the receiver (e.g. number of channels, firmware, etc.), local external influences (e.g. reflective surfaces, obstructions, electromagnetic distortions, etc.), and the system used to correct these distortions (e.g. SBAS, RTK, RTK-network, post-processing, etc.). Hence, to predict the accuracy of the positioning, it is important to understand the degree of robustness of the system (receiver and method) in terms of the degree in which it is affected by ionospheric conditions and local external influences. For this research the system consisted of a Septentrio ALTUS NR3 GNSS receiver in combination with the Flemish RTK-network FLEPOS, Belgium. To assess the accuracy and its variations, measurements in varying external circumstances, were performed according to the of ISO 17123-8 standard during the period November 2021 - April 2022. The results show that the system is very robust for the influence of the I95 index and the location specific parameters: proximity of high voltage cables and windmills. However, the distance to the nearest reference station and the number of visible satellites can affect the precision. Further research is necessary to assess the influence of other parameters.".
• 01GJ5CCKRBMHK1GX3T9GSFTAAV abstract "This activity facilitates students to think through the moral and political consequences of the current call for deceleration or ‘slower fashion’ in the luxury fashion industry through an analysis of the discursive distinctions made in three texts published during the covid pandemic. Who benefits from these calls and how?".
• 01GJ5HTSJYBWAG656CTYKSG7A4 abstract "De vaardigheid om te leren uit spraak is cruciaal in onze dagelijkse communicatie als mens. Dit wil zeggen dat men gesproken informatie kan begrijpen en kan onthouden (in het korte termijn geheugen) ondanks de aanwezigheid van niet-gerelateerd omgevingsgeluid of achtergrondgeluid. Het doel van dit proefschrift is om de neurale markers te exploreren die gecontroleerd worden door het leren uit spraak in aanwezigheid van omgevingsgeluid, gebruik makend van een enkele elektro-encefalografie (EEG) opname. Het bestuderen van EEG aangebracht op de hoofdhuid in een dergelijke situatie maakt het mogelijk de onderliggende neurale mechanismen van deze vaardigheid te identificeren. Bovendien kan zo ook het effect van verschillende achtergrondgeluiden en het verschil tussen individuen geëvalueerd worden. Technologie gebaseerd op een dergelijke methode kan gebruikt worden om tijdens een les of verhaal het gevoel van de luisteraar te volgen of om de mate van afleiding te identificeren.".
• 01GJ5JXS79YQ8QX04P5KNABMXS abstract "Progress monitoring is an essential part of large construction projects. As manual progress monitoring is time-consuming, the need for automation emerges, especially as, nowadays, BIM for the design of buildings and laser scanning for capturing the as-built situation have become well adopted. However, to be able to compare the as-built model obtained by laser scanning to the BIM design, both models need to use the same reference system, which often is not the case. Transforming the coordinate system of the as-built model into the BIM model is a specialist process that is pre-requisite in automated construction progress monitoring. The research described in this paper is aimed at the automation of this so-called registration process and is based on the dominant planar geometry of most buildings with evident corner points in their structures. After extracting these corner points from both the as-built and the design model, a RANSAC-based pairwise assessment of the points is performed to identify potential matching points in both models using different discriminative geometric invariants. Next, the transformation for the potential matches is evaluated to find all the matching points. In the end, the most accurate transformation parameter is determined from the individual transformation parameters of all the matching corner points. The proposed method was tested and validated with a range of both simulated and real-life datasets. In all the case studies including the simulated and real-life datasets, the registration was successful and accurate. Furthermore, the method allows for the registration of the as-built models of incomplete buildings, which is essential for effective construction progress monitoring. As the method uses the standard IFC schema for data exchange with the BIM, there is no loss of geometrical information caused by data conversions and it supports the complete automation of the progress-monitoring process.".
• 01GJ5M9CZHCEZQRNMTJT5RFJR6 abstract "Despite the high prevalence of tendon pathology in athletes, the underlying pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Various aetiological theories have been presented and rejected in the past, but the tendon cell response model still holds true. This model describes how the tendon cell is the key regulator of the extracellular matrix and how pathology is induced by a failed adaptation to a disturbance of tissue homeostasis. Such failure has been attributed to various kinds of stressors (eg, mechanical, thermal and ischaemic), but crucial elements seem to be missing to fully understand the pathogenesis. Importantly, a disturbance of tissue pressure homeostasis has not yet been considered a possible factor, despite it being associated with numerous pathologies. Therefore, we conducted an extensive narrative literature review on the possible role of intratendinous pressure in the pathogenesis of tendon pathology. This review explores the current understanding of pressure dynamics and the role of tissue pressure in the pathogenesis of other disorders with structural similarities to tendons. By bridging these insights with known structural changes that occur in tendon pathology, a conceptual model was constituted. This model provides an overview of the possible mechanism of how an increase in intratendinous pressure might be involved in the development and progression of tendon pathology and contribute to tendon pain. In addition, some therapies that could reduce intratendinous pressure and accelerate tendon healing are proposed. Further experimental research is encouraged to investigate our hypotheses and to initiate debate on the relevance of intratendinous pressure in tendon pathology.".
• 01GJ5MVV7VJ0VW4ZC9VSSC40HS abstract "Background: Retrospective clinical trials reported a reduced local relapse rate, as well as improved overall survival after injection of local anesthetics during cancer surgery. Here, we investigated the anticancer effects of six local anesthetics used in clinical practice. Results: In vitro, local anesthetics induced signs of cancer cell stress including inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, and induction of autophagy as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress characterized by the splicing of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1s) mRNA, cleavage of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), phosphorylation of eIF2α and subsequent upregulation of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Both eIF2α phosphorylation and autophagy required the ER stress-relevant eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3 (EIF2AK3, best known as PERK). Local anesthetics also activated two hallmarks of immunogenic cell death, namely, the release of ATP and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), yet failed to cause the translocation of calreticulin (CALR) from the ER to the plasma membrane. In vivo, locally injected anesthetics decreased tumor growth and improved survival in several models of tumors established in immunocompetent mice. Systemic immunotherapy with PD-1 blockade or intratumoral injection of recombinant CALR protein, increased the antitumor effects of local anesthetics. Local anesthetics failed to induce antitumor effects in immunodeficient mice or against cancers unable to activate ER stress or autophagy due to the knockout of EIF2AK3/PERK or ATG5, respectively. Uncoupling agents that inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and induce autophagy and ER stress mimicked the immune-dependent antitumor effects of local anesthetics. Conclusion: Altogether, these results indicate that local anesthetics induce a therapeutically relevant pattern of immunogenic stress responses in cancer cells.".
• 01GJ5PP2X5Q3A7MZP9EH3GHBFZ abstract "This doctoral dissertation examines the politics of the European Union’s (EU) human rights promotion in the South Caucasus, as it is enacted, negotiated and contested on the ground. It gives impetus to the ‘decentring agenda’ in EU external relations, particularly regarding the EU’s normative engagement in the Eastern neighbourhood. By questioning these policies’ underlying assumptions and engaging with how they are envisioned by others, the dissertation aims at reconstructing them from the outside-in. Towards this end, it proposes a critical, micro-level and interpretive analysis of the EU's policies of human rights promotion, from the perspective of civil society in the South Caucasus. Literature emphasises the depoliticising nature of the EU’s normative engagement in the Eastern neighbourhood; however, over the past decade, the norms promoted by the EU have become heavily politicised in the domestic realms in the region, resulting in increased insecurities for human rights defenders and activists. To unpack this paradox, the dissertation engages with the agency of civil society actors in the South Caucasus, who negotiate the EU’s human rights promotion on the ground. The main question addressed in this dissertation is how civil society in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia navigates the tension between the EU’s human rights promotion and contestation thereof in a shifting geo-political context. This question is tackled through the four academic articles constituting this dissertation: Article 1 serves as a building-block for theory development and provides preliminary answers, whereas the case-studies in Articles 2, 3 and 4 offer country- and policy-specific findings. Empirically, the dissertation provides an original, detailed and complex account the EU’s human rights promotion in the South Caucasus. It investigates civil society’s role in these interventions (Article 1), as well as particular struggles around human rights in three countries and three policy fields, and how the EU intervenes therein: namely, these are LGBTQ visibility-raising in Georgia (Article 2), freedom of association and funding for civil society organisations in Azerbaijan (Article 3) and combating domestic violence in Armenia (Article 4). Theoretically, the dissertation proposes a tripartite framework combining poststructuralism, postsocialist/postcolonial and post-development thinking, to capture the logics underpinning the EU’s human rights promotion, how these are negotiated in particular locales, as well as the contestation and alternatives emerging from the ground. Methodologically, it adopts an interpretive approach based on in-depth interviews, multi-sited observations and document analysis, to uncover the processes of meaning-making, interpretation and articulation through which the social order the EU promotes in the South Caucasus is continuously formed and contested. The Introduction of the dissertation sets the stage by justifying the focus on the South Caucasus, situating the research within the field of critical European studies and presenting the conceptual framework. It also introduces the human rights struggles under empirical examination and elaborates on the methodology and analytical strategy. Article 1 proposes a discourse-theoretical examination of how a hegemonic identity of ‘civil society’ is constructed and subverted in the EU’s human rights promotion policies in the South Caucasus. Article 2 puts forward the concept of geopoliticisation to unpack how the framing of LGBT+ equality in geopolitical terms in the context of Europeanisation shapes Georgian queer activists’ visibility-raising strategies. In Article 3, the conceptualisation of visibility as a field illuminates human rights groups and the EU’s responses to the ‘shrinking space’ for civil society in Azerbaijan, and notably to restrictions on Western donors’ funding. Article 4 presents a contrapuntal reading of the EU’s agenda to combat violence against women in Armenia, whereby EU development discourse is juxtaposed to illustrations of agency and resistance by feminist groups. In the Conclusions, the dissertation argues that civil society in the South Caucasus retains critical agency in a contested geopolitical environment through hybridisation of the EU’s human rights promotion as well as through the articulation of pluriversal alternatives to human rights promotion. These strategies expose the logics of depoliticisation, homogenisation and geopoliticisation underpinning the EU’s human rights promotion, allowing for the (partial) unsettlement of the established order. By juxtaposing the EU logics to the contestation emerging from the ground, the dissertation’s conclusions propose pathways for imagining the EU’s human rights promotion otherwise.".
• 01GJ5Q6H4P868AQHJ1MMQMY1DE abstract "This study examines and critically compares various commonly used models for calculating complex wavenumbers in viscoelastic orthotropic multi-layer materials (e.g. fiber reinforced polymer laminates). Both exact 3D elasticity theory based methods and approximate methods are considered for wave propagation analysis: (i) global matrix method (GMM), (ii) stiffness matrix method (SMM), (iii) hybrid compliance-stiffness matrix method (HCSMM), (iv) semi analytical finite element (SAFE) method, (v) Legendre polynomial method (LPM), and (vi) fifth order shear deformation theory (5-SDT). A detailed mathematical formulation is provided for each of these techniques.The accuracy and the computational efficiency for calculating complex wavenumbers over a wide frequency range are analyzed for both homogenized and multi-layered viscoelastic orthotropic media. This information is helpful to select the proper method to be used in inversion schemes for material characterization. A comparative analysis is also performed on the computed through thickness displacement fields within the solid medium. The different implemented methods have been compiled in a toolbox with a graphical user interface, called "The Dispersion Box", and can be freely downloaded from Orta et al. (2022).".
• 01GJ5QB0DFH77CJPHZRJH3D3EN abstract "Scanning laser Doppler vibrometry is a widely adopted method to measure the full-field out-of-plane vibrational response of materials in view of detecting defects or estimating stiffness parameters. Recent technological developments have led to performant 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometers, which give access to both out-of-plane and in-plane vibrational velocity components. In the present study, the effect of using (i) the in-plane component; (ii) the out-of-plane component; and (iii) both the in-plane and out-of-plane components of the recorded vibration velocity on the inverse determination of the stiffness parameters is studied. Input data were gathered from a series of numerical simulations using a finite element model (COMSOL), as well as from broadband experimental measurements by means of a 3D infrared scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. Various materials were studied, including carbon epoxy composite and wood materials. The full-field vibrational velocity response is converted to the frequency-wavenumber domain by means of Fourier transform, from which complex wavenumbers are extracted using the matrix pencil decomposition method. To infer the orthotropic elastic stiffness tensor, an inversion procedure is developed by coupling the semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) as a forward method to the particle swarm optimizer. It is shown that accounting for the in-plane velocity component leads to a more accurate and robust determination of the orthotropic elastic stiffness parameters.".
• 01GJ5QP7KZ9B1TA0QBE0DAGEXK abstract "The function of a large number of distinctive signs, usually called masons’ marks, carved on cut-stone blocks found in Minoan or Bronze Age buildings on the island of Crete remains a debated topic. Interpretations have varied from a simple practical use, aiding the builders in positioning the blocks, to a magical or religious function. In view of the constantly expanding corpus, this article considers the use of the marks visible in the walls of the Neopalatial palace at Malia (ca. 1700–1450 B.C.E.). Topics explored include the characteristics of the marks and the blocks on which they are carved, the phases of the construction process during which the carving occurred, the proportion of marked blocks in the building, and the distribution of the marks in relation to the organization of the building project. A case is made for the largely secular function of the marks that reflects different tasks during the construction project. They are most likely identifiers for the masons involved in quarrying the blocks and the builders in charge of the construction and final trimming of some of the best executed walls of the palace.".
• 01GJ5RA4188S9E8HVWRG08QF0H abstract "Cet article analyse en détails les traces relatives à la présence d’une structure en bois insérée dans les murs principalement érigés en pierre de taille autour de la Cour Nord du palais de Malia au début de la période néopalatiale. Cette analyse reflète l’association étroite entre les jambages qui encadraient les portes d’accès vers les pièces autour de la cour, la structure en bois insérée dans les murs, et les éléments liés au couvrement du portique bordant la cour. L’unité structurelle de l’ensemble est encore renforcée par l’uniformité de son apparence architecturale, et par l’originalité de la maçonnerie au sein du palais de Malia. Les traits des murs bordant le portique de la Cour Nord reflètent ainsi le soin apporté par des constructeurs apparemment soucieux de l’efficacité structurelle et de l’harmonie de l’ensemble, des bâtisseurs dont il n’est pas exclu qu’ils aient également travaillé au palais de Cnossos.".
• 01GJ5RA4188S9E8HVWRG08QF0H abstract "In this paper, we investigate the features of a wooden structure inserted within the cut sandstone walls erected at the beginning of the Neopalatial period around the North Court of the Palace at Malia. This analysis reflects the close association between the wooden doorjambs that framed the accesses towards the rooms surrounding the court, the wooden structure integrated within the walls, and elements related to the roofing of the court’s portico. The structural unity of the North Court is further enhanced by the unity of its architectural style, and by the originality of its masonry in regard with those used in other areas of the Malia palace. The features of the walls that surround the portico of the North Court thus reflect the care taken by the masons in creating a harmonious and structurally efficient architectural unit. They also recall building practices not unsimilar to those that shaped some of the walls of the palace at Knossos and may suggest the same builders worked in the two palaces.".
• 01GJ6BHDT1M00PZ22G0WWT7DBR abstract "Objectives: To provide sex- and age-specific percentile values for levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time of European children aged 2.0-10.9 years from eight European countries (Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Cyprus, Spain, Belgium and Estonia). Methods: Free-living PA and sedentary time were objectively assessed using ActiGraph GT1M or ActiTrainer activity monitors in all children who had at least 3 days' worth of valid accelerometer data, with at least 8 h of valid recording time each day. The General Additive Model for Location Scale and Shape was used for calculating percentile curves. Results: Reference values for PA and sedentary time in the European children according to sex and age are displayed using smoothed percentile curves for 7684 children (3842 boys and 3842 girls). The figures show similar trends in boys and girls. The percentage of children complying with recommendations regarding moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is also presented and varied considerably between sexes and country. For example, the percentage of study participants who were physically active (as assessed by MVPA) for 60 or more minutes per day ranged from 2.0% (Cyprus) to 14.7% (Sweden) in girls and from 9.5% (Italy) to 34.1% (Belgium) in boys. Conclusion: This study provides the most up-to-date sex- and age-specific reference data on PA in young children in Europe. The percentage compliance to MVPA recommendations for these European children varied considerably between sexes and country and was generally low. These results may have important implications for public health policy and PA counselling.".
• 01GJ7FYMJCFV23RRDKTV80WF0G abstract "Recently, major trials have explored blood pressure targets that would provide greater benefit and fewer adverse events in older adult population on antihypertensive treatment. The last study was the STEP study conducted in China, which included 8511 older people aged 60-80 years. When systolic blood pressure below 130 mmHg was targeted in older individuals, there was a 26% risk reduction in cardiovascular outcomes compared with higher (< 150 mmHg) blood pressure values. At this point, it is necessary to evaluate how much the study group represents the older population because this population group is very heterogeneous, and it is not possible to apply a single treatment strategy to all older people. In this context, when we examined the baseline characteristics of the study group, we saw that the individuals included in the study consisted mostly of young-older people with less accompanying comorbidities. In addition, vulnerable groups, such as those with dementia and nursing home residents who are susceptible to treatment adverse effects, appeared to be excluded from the study. Therefore, this trial is very important as it concludes that the goal of strict blood pressure control is beneficial in fit older individuals, but does not guide treatment strategy for other groups. When planning treatments in older adults, it is essential to consider the biological age of individuals and to determine a strategy by evaluating frailty, functionality and cognitive status. As stated in the STEP study protocol, additional analyses considering frailty and cognitive performance will aid in a healthier interpretation of the study in the future.".
• 01GJ7VYYTW0JVWWBX24NBDWR68 abstract "In this study, the numerical modelling of the Thermo-Elasto-Hydrodynamic Lubrication (TEHL) contact is investigated. Flow model, structure, and lubricant rheology models have been developed in the OpenFOAM (extend version) package. Regarding complex and cavitating flow in TEHL contact, a Homogeneous Equilibrium Model (HEM) is used, including the thermal effect and variation in lubricant properties due to pressure, temperature, and shear rate. Besides the linear elastic equation, the heat conduction equation is solved to describe the solid deformation and temperature distribution in the solid domain. Furthermore, a partitioned Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) methodology is employed to make a two-coupling between fluid and solid regions. Also, along with FSI modelling, a Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) simulation is essential to precisely investigate the thermal behaviour of TEHL contacts. The developed TEHL model shows properly the involved physics in comparison with acceptable data for rolling-sliding 2D line contacts from the literature and provides trustworthy results in different operating conditions. Three different slide to roll ratios are considered. The variation in lubricant film, pressure, temperature, and viscosity are discussed in detail. Also, analysis of von Mises stress in solid materials shows that the TEHL model predicts the location of maximum stress like traditional Hertzian contact theory.".
• 01GJ82FG4J8G3FYZFC0X0F7A5Q abstract "Recent and ongoing developments in 3D non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques (such as full-matrix capture ultrasonics and X-ray CT) have created the possibility of capturing the actual shape of sharp defects in pipelines. Such advancements could theoretically enable engineering critical assessment (ECA) procedures to be performed based on accurate defect shape information, as compared with simplified, idealized shape assumptions. A recently concluded EPRG project has shown promising results in establishing the feasibility of integrating defect shape data from 3D NDE techniques into finite element analysis (FEA) models, highlighting further efforts required for in-field application. Additional to accounting for defect shape, the numerical modelling approach allows to directly assess (multiple) defects without requiring flaw interaction and recategorisation rules, which are known to be of potentially excessive conservatism. A follow-up project funded within PRCI (3D NDE-FEA) is ongoing, with the aim of further developing the approach of coupling 3D NDE data and FE modelling for ECA. Within the abovementioned context, this paper reports on an investigation of influences of FE modelling and NDE parameters on the numerical accuracy of the developed approach. Regarding FE analysis, influences of model parameters on the accuracy of crack driving force output were graded both qualitatively and quantitatively. These influences were compared to those resulting from material uncertainty as inherent to defect assessment, providing a reference to justify potential improvement needs in model accuracy. As regards NDE, specific attention was given to how and which scan variables influence the representation of the defect shape which is fed into the FEA model. Metrics were devised for quantitative influence grading across the different categories of variables. Finally, concrete opportunities are outlined for further improvement of the coupling algorithm, both in terms of accuracy and time.".
• 01GJ83P7W5HP8S4ERM2T79VQ4B abstract "The current study examines whether the predictive modelling of crime can be applied consistently across different urban settings. An ensemble network was applied to generate crime predictions regarding three specific urban settings, for which both crime and supporting data were employed spanning the period from 2012-2016. For each setting, prediction performance measures were calculated and compared per crime type. The results indicate that relatively better and consistent performance measures were achieved for a larger and denser urban setting (setting C), while for a smaller urban setting (setting B), performance measures suggested that the model was overpredicting. For the urban setting with a more intermediate size (setting A), prediction performance was average compared to the other settings, yet for aggressive theft, relatively poor performance measures were achieved. Future research should consider to predict crime across urban and rural settings. Limitations of this study are furthermore discussed.".
• 01GJ8PZ657JPH1QB6M0AVY29B2 abstract "Comprehensive knowledge of the effects of surface roughness on Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication (TEHL) in e.g. bearing and gear contacts allows us to predict the precise lubrication conditions, stress distributions and consequently the service life of these mechanical components more accurately. For typical TEHL conditions, where the film thickness is only a few times the surface roughness, it is expected that the surface roughness topology and changes therein - even of the order of a few tens of nanometers - may significantly alter the lubrication in the contact. In comparison with the classical Reynolds-Boussinesq approach, CFD-FSI modelling of TEHL contacts reduces the number of assumptions and hence offers increased accuracy in cases where inertial and thermal effects are important, e.g. at high slide-to-roll ratios, despite its higher computational cost. Indeed, CFD-FSI modelling better describes potential inertial effects at the inlet and outlet zones of TEHL contacts. Furthermore, the gradient of fluid variables across the film thickness is taken into account directly in CFD-FSI without requiring additional averaging over the film thickness as is the case for e.g. the modified Reynolds equation. This is not only important in the central core region but also in inlet and outlet zones where thermal convection can play a role. Moreover, based on our experience, variations across the film thickness are witnessed to be more pronounced when considering surface waviness or roughness. In this study, the influence of the amplitude of waviness of surfaces on the lubrication condition in TEHL line contacts is examined through Computational Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interaction (CFD-FSI) modelling. The effects of waviness amplitude on the pressure, temperature, friction, and solid stresses are investigated in detail. The results show that the sinusoidal profile of nominal surfaces causes considerable oscillations in film thickness, hydrodynamic pressure, wall shear stress, and temperature, which is consistent with previous studies in the literature. Furthermore, significant pressure peaks that can reach twice the maximum Hertzian contact pressure cause von Mises stresses in solid materials that can be up to 16% - 108% higher than in smooth surfaces. Even in the absence of direct contact, these maximum stresses were observed to be very close to the surface, exceeding the typical Hertzian maximum shear stresses in the sub-surface.".
• 01GJ8RNFFPRGH4RDRWYJ0RQQ46 abstract "This study focuses on thermal modelling in Thermo-Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) for bearing and gear contacts using a 2D CFD-FSI method in OpenFOAM. Two different approaches and thermal boundary conditions for the solid bodies are investigated and evaluated. First, the equivalent linear elastic half-space conjunction for TEHL is considered, imposing Carslaw-Jaeger boundary condition, as classically done in TEHL modelling using e.g. Reynolds-Boussinesq method. Second, two linear elastic bodies are considered, using a conjugate heat transfer model. Results show that Carslaw-Jaeger boundary condition using the equivalent geometry overestimates the temperature profile at the contact; hence, film thickness and shear stress are underestimated.".
• 01GJ9Q6CRJV8KJBS9Q8M68W0JR abstract "This research experimentally measured the solubility of 2-aminoterephthalic acid in eight pure alcoholic solvents - methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-propanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, and 3-methyl-1-butanol - from 303.15 to 338.15 K at normal pressure p = 0.1 MPa by the excess solid method. The measured solubility of 2-aminoterephthalic acid in these pure organic solvents was found to increase with the rise of temperature in the following order: 3-methyl-1-butanol (lowest solubility) < 1-butanol < 2-butanol < 1-propanol < 2-methyl-2-propanol approximate to 2-propanol < ethanol < methanol (highest solubility). The experimental solubility was correlated by the Van't Hoff equation and the lambda h (Buchowski) equation. The apparent thermo-dynamic properties (Delta 0Gsol, Delta 0Hsol and Delta 0Ssol) were calculated by the Van't Hoff equation, from which it was concluded that the dissolution process is entropy-motivated and endothermal. In addition, the solvent effects on 2-aminoterephthalic acid solubility were studied by the KAT-LSER model, where the results showed that the polarizability accounts for 47.9 +/- 4.2 % of the total solvent effect.A volcano-type relation between the dissolution entropy and enthalpy versus the solvent boiling point is re-ported, showing maximal values of 55.3 J mol-1 K-1 and 29.2 kJ mol-1, respectively, for intermediate molecular interactions of solute and solvent.".
• 01GJA47RZNCYJ96PEZTY09P09J abstract "Monopoly Market. Cashing in on the ease of selling drugs online The emergence of cryptomarkets has changed the way people buy and sell illicit drugs. Studying cryptomarkets provides us with unprecedented insights in both the demand and supply side, including what kind of illicit drugs people consume or how sellers respond to law enforcement activities. This article explains how Monopoly Market, a small drug cryptomarket, operates. To achieve this, a custom-built webscraper was developed to collect data on vendors, products and reviews. The results indicated that the majority of the transactions originated from the US and the UK and mainly involved domestic purchases. Cannabis-related products and synthetic drugs including (meth)amphetamine and MDMA were the most commonly sold products. Specific attention was also given to unraveling the role of COVID-19 on the functioning of Monopoly Market. The pandemic did not seem to have impacted the supply in a negative way as most packages have been delivered (on time). Yet, it created opportunities for vendors to strengthen their customer focus and marketing strategies. The results indicate that drug cryptomarkets, regardless of their size, are quite similar in their functioning although they might be less subject to fluctuations due to external conditions that disrupt their operation, such as a health pandemic. More detailed and multimethod research is however needed.".
• 01GJAK41VJ3SN9HRYYZ9DKGKJ5 abstract "This paper assesses the labour-time invested in the construction of a selection of Late Bronze Age Cretan buildings. By considering them through the lens of ‘architectural energetics’, a method that estimates the time (expressed in person-days) spent in building ancient edifices, it explores the impact of building projects on the Minoan communities. It also highlights specific choices and behaviours made by the builders, such as the diffusion of architectural know-how, the selection of building materials, the involvement of specialists, or the marked lack of interest in monumentality expressed through the sheer size of the individual building components. By exploring the building project, the idiosyncrasies of Minoan architecture in respect to architectures of other societies in the eastern Mediterranean are stressed, and a new way to study the impact of various technical and social parameters at play in the production of the ancient built environment is offered.".
• 01GJAKGHCHJ92M45YM94BJVTCR abstract "The evidence available for the reconstruction of the Western Magazines of the early palace at Malia is here re-evaluated. Despite the importance given to external social agents stationed in the Protopalatial town outside the palace, our knowledge of the main building during this key period in the history of the settlement remains limited. The shallow stratigraphy associated with its construction and heavy rebuilding during the succeeding Neopalatial period obstruct a clear vision of the architectural phasing of the early building, but a new analysis focusing on building materials and techniques suggests the presence of a series of Protopalatial storage rooms behind the main façade on the West Court, later integrated into the Neopalatial building. This architectural analysis allows a better assessment of the role of the central building of Middle Bronze Age Malia.".
• 01GJAM6F4CX0FSRR26XSVNGPZS abstract "Depuis le début du XXe s., le pourtour de la baie du Mirambello, région charnière entre la Crète centrale et la Crète orientale, a fait l’objet d’une exploration archéologique intense qui a permis de mettre au jour de très nombreux sites datés entre le Minoen Récent et l’époque archaïque. Il est ainsi aujourd’hui possible de se représenter plus clairement l’occupation de la région entre l’effondrement du système palatial et l’apparition de la cité grecque. Dans cette perspective régionale et historique, les nouvelles recherches entreprises dans l’habitat géométrique de l’Anavlochos et les résultats préliminaires auxquels elles sont parvenues apportent un éclairage nouveau sur cette phase de transition cruciale.".
• 01GJAM6F4CX0FSRR26XSVNGPZS abstract "New Investigations on the Anavlochos. Since the beginning of the 20th c., the area bordering the Mirabello Bay, a pivotal point between central and eastern Crete, has been intensively explored by archaeological investigations which have brought to light a great number of sites dating from the Late Minoan III to the Archaic period. It is thus now possible to propose a clearer picture of the occupation in this region between the collapse of the palatial system and the rise of the Greek city-state. Within this regional and historical perspective, the new investigations carried out in the Geometric settlement of the Anavlochos and the preliminary results achieved shed a new light on this crucial phase of transition.".
• 01GJAM6F4CX0FSRR26XSVNGPZS abstract "Νέες έρευνες στον Ανάβλοχο. Από τις αρχές του 20ου αι., διεξήχθησαν εντατικές αρχαιολογικές έρευνες στην περιφέρεια του κόλπου του Μιραμπέλλου, περιοχή που συνδέει την κεντρική και την ανατολική Κρήτη, οι οποίες οδήγησαν στην ανακάλυψη πολυάριθμων θέσεων, που χρονολογούνται μεταξύ της Υστερομινωϊκής και της αρχαϊκής εποχής. Έτσι, είναι σήμερα δυνατό να αναπαραστήσουμε πιο σωστά την κατοίκηση της πε-ριοχής από την κατάρρευση του ανακτορικού κόσμου έως την εμφάνιση της πόλης-κράτους. Υπό αυτό το πρίσμα, οι νέες έρευνες που διεξήχθησαν στο γεωμετρικό οικισμό του Αναβλόχου και τα προκαταρ-κτικά αποτελέσματά τους παρέχουν νέα δεδομένα για αυτήν την κρίσιμη μεταβατική περίοδο.".
• 01GJAMWZZN2GJBVK722136V2HH abstract "L’article présente les résultats des sondages menés dans les niveaux néopalatiaux sous le Quartier Nu à Malia (Crète) entre 1988 et 1993. La stratigraphie, les vestiges architecturaux et le matériel décrits permettent d’identifier plusieurs unités domestiques détruites par un incendie à un stade avancé du Minoen Récent IA, peut-être lié à l’éruption du volcan de Santorin. L’architecture et les fragments d’enduits peints témoignent de la qualité de l’habitat néopalatial, qui reprend en partie les murs de l’occupation antérieure, protopalatiale, et dicte ensuite l’orientation du Quartier Nu au Minoen Récent IIIA2-B.".
• 01GJAMWZZN2GJBVK722136V2HH abstract "Quartier Nu (Malia, Crete). The Neopalatial Occupation. We present here the results of soundings that were undertaken in the Neopalatial levels under Quartier Nu at Malia (Crete) in 1988-1993. The stratigraphy, architecture and material remains illustrate the existence of several domestic units. These houses were destroyed by fire at an advanced stage of the Late Minoan IA period, perhaps in relation to the Santorini eruption. The architecture and fragments of painted plaster testify to the elaboration of the Neopalatial habitat. The results of the soundings also point to the continuity of occupation in this part of the site, as the Neopalatial houses partly reused the walls of Protopalatial structures, while dictating the orientation of the Late Minoan IIIA2-B Quartier Nu.".
• 01GJAMWZZN2GJBVK722136V2HH abstract "Η συνοικία Ν (Μάλια, Κρήτη). Η νεοανακτορική κατοίκηση. Στο άρθρο αυτό παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα των δοκιμαστικών τομών που έγιναν στα νεοανακτορικά στρώματα κάτω από τη Συνοικία Ν στα Μάλια της Κρήτης από το 1988 έως το 1993. Η στρωματογραφία, τα αρχιτεκτονικά κατάλοιπα και το υλικό επιτρέπουν την ταύτιση πολλών οικιστικών μονάδων που καταστράφηκαν από φωτιά σε προχωρημένο στάδιο της Υστερομινωική ΙΑ περιόδου, που συνδέεται ίσως με την έκρηξη του ηφαιστείου της Σαντορίνης. Η αρχιτεκτονική και τα γραπτά κονιάματα μαρτυρούν την υψηλή ποιότητα των νεοανακτορικών οικιών, που χρησιμοποιούν εν μέρει τους παλαιότερους παλαιοανακτορικούς τοίχους, οι οποίοι επιβάλουν τον προσανατολισμό της Συνοικίας Ν κατά την Υστερομινωική ΙΙΙΑ2-Β περίοδο.".
• 01GJANS0W5FJ7HQ1KAQ82CASKH abstract "Est envisagée ici la pauvreté du corpus funéraire néopalatial (1650/ 1640 -1440/ 1430), en même temps que les différents facteurs, naturels et culturels, susceptibles d’en être la cause. On suggère l’exposition des corps ou leur dépôt sommaire dans des cavités naturelles, dans le prolongement de pratiques crétoises anciennes, à l’origine de leur rareté dans le paysage archéologique au Néopalatial. La sphère palatiale semble désormais offrir un cadre rituel plus adapté aux besoins de la population et participe au désintérêt pour des cadres funéraires monumentaux caractéristiques des époques pré-et protopalatiale. Parallèlement à la pauvreté du corpus, les pratiques funéraires néanmoins identifiées sont explorées. On met en exergue la diversité des cadres funéraires, leur contenu matériel et les pratiques rituelles dont ils faisaient l’objet.".
• 01GJANS0W5FJ7HQ1KAQ82CASKH abstract "Exploring the Cretan Neopalatial Funerary Record. The poverty of the Neopalatial funerary record (1650/ 1640-1440/ 1430 B. C.) is the subject of this paper, for which both natural and cultural factors are explored. The exposition of corpses to the elements or their crude deposition in natural cavities seems to be the reason for their rarity in the Neopalatial archaeological landscape. It can also be related to ancient Cretan practices. The palatial sphere now appears as the alternative ritual context, better suited to the needs of the population. It seems to take an active part in the marked lack of interest for former, monumental, funerary sites, which were key features of the Pre-and Protopalatial periods. Despite the poverty of the corpus, the relevant funerary information is explored. The diversity of the funerary sites is stressed, together with their material content and the ritual practices they were the focus of.".
• 01GJANS0W5FJ7HQ1KAQ82CASKH abstract "Εξερεύνηση των ταφικών εθίμων στη νεοανακτορική Κρήτη. Θέμα της παρούσας μελέτης είναι η ένδεια των πληροφοριών που σχετίζονται με τα ταφικά έθιμα της νεοανακτορικής περιόδου (1650/ 1640-1440/ 1430 π. Χ.). Εκτίθενται οι διάφοροι παράγοντες, φυσικοί και πολιτισμικοί, που θα μπορούσαν να ευθύνονται για αυτό. Ως κύρια αιτία θεωρούμε την, πρόχειρη μερικές φορές, έκθεση των σωμάτων των νεκρών σε φυσικές κοιλότητες, κάτι που αποτελούσε συνέχεια αρχαίων πρακτικών στην Κρήτη. Το ανακτορικό σύστημα μοιάζει να προσφέρει ένα τελετουργικό πλαίσιο πιο καλά προσαρμοσμένο στις ανάγκες του πληθυσμού και συμβάλλει στη μείωση του ενδιαφέροντος για τους μνημειώδεις τάφους, που χαρακτήριζαν την προανακτορική και την παλαιοανακτορική περίοδο. Παρά τις ελλιπείς πληροφορίες, ερευνούνται όσες ταφικές πρακτικές μπορούν να ταυτιστούν. Εκθέτουμε την ποικιλία των ταφικών μνημείων, το υλικό τους περιεχόμενο και τις τελετουργικές πρακτικές, που διεξάγονταν στους τάφους.".
• 01GJAP359V66CQYW24FA778Z5D abstract "The violent destruction by fire of Building 5 at Palaikastro, Crete, provided an interesting and varied collection of well-preserved fired-earth elements. Those include fragments of mudbricks, mud coatings, roofs/ceilings, doorjambs, and other samples which bear impressions of wooden elements, probably from installations made of a combination of earth and wood. The publication of a selection of the samples has two purposes. The first is to offer a typological description of the earthen features in order to elucidate their various functions and their importance in Minoan architecture. Thus considered, the fragments described illustrate particular construction techniques and help reconstructing the original appearance of the building. The second purpose of this study is to consider the knowledge Minoan builders had of materials and techniques involved in earthen architecture. This study may allow some insights into the status of the practitioners of architecture and the degree of involvement of inhabitants or of specialists in construction.".
• 01GJAPMADYEYEM8MZTREXGQ9SQ abstract "Cut-stone masonry is one of the most prominent features that characterizes monumental architecture, the appearance of which is imbued with symbolic meaning and is a corollary to wholesale changes in the societies of the Bronze Age Eastern Mediterranean. The workshop held in Louvain-la-Neuve on the 8th and 9th of March 2018 aimed at exploring the specificities of building practices incorporating cut-stone masonry or components in Egypt, Syria, the Aegean, Anatolia, Cyprus, and the Levant in the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. Specialists of the different regions of the Eastern Mediterranean discussed topics including the structural and formal features of standing architectural remains, extraction and shaping methods, tool kits, the visual effect of ashlar use and the symbolic impact of its abandonment. Before letting the reader enter the core of the volume and explore the range of approaches to ashlar offered by contributors specialized in different geographical areas and sites, it bears upon the editors to provide a terminological and contextual framework in this introductory chapter. Characterizing the forms, techniques and building processes associated with cut-stone masonry in the Eastern Mediterranean Bronze Age is a daunting task. Data are spread over an extensive geographical and chronological context – the latter often debated – and the description of ashlar components and masonries is often provided with varying degrees of details and a loose terminology. The purpose of this introductory chapter is to provide a reminder of the terminology of cut-stone building components and masonry, to describe the specific techniques related to its production, and to provide a synopsis of ashlar use in the different regions of the Eastern Mediterranean Bronze Age. This regional synopsis is followed by a presentation of the challenges addressed during the workshop, and which fashioned the research questions addressed in the different, focused, contributions to this volume. These and the present introductory chapter address the research questions through varying case studies, datasets and methodologies, thus providing an in-depth understanding of the use of ashlar in the different regions of the Eastern Mediterranean in the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC, and providing a sound basis for discussion and comparison pertaining to this elaborate building technique.".
• 01GJAPXMHGCPD9G2X30WR4MVH0 abstract "In dit proefschrift bestuderen we hoe beelden kunnen worden voorgesteld op een compactere manier die toch hun belangrijkste kenmerken vastlegt en de overeenkomsten en verschillen tussen de beelden behoudt. Deze compacte representaties van beelden, ook bekend als "beeldcoderingen", stellen ons in staat om gelijkaardige beelden en beeldpatronen te identificeren - een operatie die zeer belangrijk is voor beeldverwerking en computervisie. Door soortgelijke beeldpatronen te identificeren, kunnen we bewerkingen uitvoeren zoals beelddenoising, beeldinkleuring, objectopsporing tussen frames in een video en panorama-beeldverbinding. Door soortgelijke beelden te identificeren, kunnen we snel beelden terugvinden die lijken op een gezochte afbeelding, bijvoorbeeld zoals in de functie "zoeken op beeld" van Google. In dit proefschrift gebruiken we een op machinaal leren gebaseerde methode, de autoencoder, om deze compacte representaties van beelden te leren.".
• 01GJAPXMHGCPD9G2X30WR4MVH0 abstract "In this thesis, we study how images can be represented in a more compact way that still captures their most important features and preserves the similarities and dissimilarities between the images. These compact representations of images, also known as ‘image encodings’, allow us to identify similar images and image patches -- an operation very important for image processing and computer vision. By identifying similar image patches, we can perform operations such as image denoising, image inpainting, object tracking between frames in a video, and panorama image stitching. By identifying similar images, we can quickly retrieve images similar to a query image, for example, like in Google’s “search by image” feature. Throughout this thesis, we use a machine-learning--based method called autoencoder for learning these compact representations of images.".

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