Plant density of year-round chrysanthemums.

Spider-type chrysanthemums on 2 commercial holdings were grown at densities of 40, 54, 60, 64, 70 or 80 plants/m of bed and at 27, 32, 40, 48, 54 or 60 plants/m of bed. In both cases the beds were 1.25 m wide. As density increased the average number of flowers/stem and the percentage of first quality grade stems decreased. During the winter months the quality of flowers from closely planted beds was noticeably poor and cropping was delayed and not uniform. A spacing of 40-50 plants/m would seem suitable for commercial use. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission

How to measure camouflaging? A conceptual replication of the validation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire in Dutch adults

Background: Camouflaging behavior is often defined as using strategies to hide autistic characteristics. In this study, we investigated how to measure camouflaging behavior by performing a conceptual replication of the original study of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) and testing whether the self-reported camouflaging behavior is measuring the same construct as the second most used manner to measure camouflaging behavior, the discrepancy method.  Method: In total, 674 individuals (356 autistic) aged 30–92 years, filled out the Dutch translation of the CAT-Q (CAT-Q-NL) and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). In 90 autistic adults the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) was administered. We executed preregistered analyses (AsPredicted #37800) to investigate the factor structure, measurement invariance, internal consistency, convergent validity and group differences.  Results: Our analyses showed that the original three-factor structure had an acceptable fit and internal consistency ranged from sufficient to good. However, there was no measurement invariance between autistic and non-autistic individuals and correlations between CAT-Q-NL-scores and the discrepancy between AQ and ADOS-2 varied between low to mediocre (r = 0.04 to.28).  Conclusions: The CAT-Q-NL can be used to measure camouflaging between and within autistic adults, but not between autistic and non-autistic adults and its convergent validity is limited. Despite these caveats, the CAT-Q-NL can serve as a useful addition to the clinical assessment toolbox because gaining insight in the level of camouflaging of autistic adults may help provide better mental health care. However, more research is needed into how to optimally measure the camouflaging construct

Cowel-model geeft bedrijven een welzijnsscore

ASG ontwerpt baanbrekende houderijsystemen voor de melkveehouderij – het betreft stallen inclusief de belangrijke schakels in de keten, zoals de aanvoer van krachtvoer en kunstmest. Dit in opdracht van LNV. Het project kreeg de naam Kracht van Koeien. De onderzoekers bouwden onlangs een rekenmodel (Cowel) om de risico- of welzijnsscore van stalsystemen te bepale

Liever inleiden dan afwachten bij aterme zwangerschapshypertensie en milde preeclampsie: HYPITAT-studie

OBJECTIVE: To investigate what would benefit women with mild full-term pregnancy-related hypertension most: induction of labour or expectant monitoring, from the perspective of clinical effectiveness, maternal quality of life, and costs. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial. Trial registration number ISRCTN08132825. METHODS: We undertook a multicentre randomised controlled trial in 38 hospitals in the Netherlands between October 2005 and March 2008. We enrolled patients with a singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation at 36-41 weeks' gestation, who had gestational hypertension or mild preeclampsia. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either induction of labour or expectant monitoring. The primary outcome was a composite measure of poor maternal outcome, defined as maternal mortality, maternal morbidity (eclampsia, 'haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets' (HELLP) syndrome, pulmonary oedema, thrombo-embolic disease and abruptio placentae), progression to severe hypertension or proteinuria, and major postpartum haemorrhage. Secondary outcomes were mode of delivery, neonatal outcome, maternal quality of life and costs. Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: A total of 756 patients were allocated to receive induction of labour (n = 377 patients) or expectant monitoring (n = 379). No cases of maternal or neonatal death or eclampsia were recorded. Development of poor maternal outcome was significantly lower in the induction of labour group (117 women) than the expectant monitoring group (166 women) (31% versus 44%; relative risk 0.71 (95% CI: 0.59-0.86); p < 0.001). The caesarean section rate was lower among women in the induction of labour group (n = 54) compared to women in the expectant monitoring group (n = 72) (14% versus 19%; relative risk 0.75 (95% CI: 0.55-1.04)< p = 0.085). Neonatal outcomes and quality of life were comparable between both groups. Induction of labour is a cost saving strategy (difference euro 831). CONCLUSION: For women with full-term gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, induction of labour is associated with improved maternal outcome and lower costs, without the additional risk of a caesarean section being necessary

Future Scenarios and Environmental Education

This article explores a number of questions about visions of the future and their implications for environmental education (EE). If the future were known, what kind of actions would be needed to maintain the positive aspects and reverse the negative ones? How could these actions be translated into the aims of EE? Three future scenarios are discussed: the limits to growth (the great tragedy and demise); sustainable development and ecological modernization (hope and innovation); and the Anthropocene park. These scenarios are linked to corresponding EE/ESD approaches and instrumentalism in education is argued as a morally justifiable goal. Finally, education for deep ecology is advocated in order to address the ethical implications of the last scenario.FSW – Publicaties zonder aanstelling Universiteit Leide

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

Endometrial scratching in women with one failed IVF/ICSI cycle-outcomes of a randomised controlled trial (SCRaTCH)

STUDY QUESTION: Does endometrial scratching in women with one failed IVF/ICSI treatment affect the chance of a live birth of the subsequent fresh IVF/ICSI cycle? SUMMARY ANSWER: In this study, 4.6% more live births were observed in the scratch group, with a likely certainty range between -0.7% and +9.9%. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Since the first suggestion that endometrial scratching might improve embryo implantation during IVF/ICSI, many clinical trials have been conducted. However, due to limitations in sample size and study quality, it remains unclear whether endometrial scratching improves IVF/ICSI outcomes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The SCRaTCH trial was a non-blinded randomised controlled trial in women with one unsuccessful IVF/ICSI cycle and assessed whether a single endometrial scratch using an endometrial biopsy catheter would lead to a higher live birth rate after the subsequent IVF/ICSI treatment compared to no scratch. The study took place in 8 academic and 24 general hospitals. Participants were randomised between January 2016 and July 2018 by a web-based randomisation programme. Secondary outcomes included cumulative 12-month ongoing pregnancy leading to live birth rate. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Women with one previous failed IVF/ICSI treatment and planning a second fresh IVF/ICSI treatment were eligible. In total, 933 participants out of 1065 eligibles were included (participation rate 88%). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: After the fresh transfer, 4.6% more live births were observed in the scratch compared to control group (110/465 versus 88/461, respectively, risk ratio (RR) 1.24 [95% CI 0.96-1.59]). These data are consistent with a true difference of between -0.7% and +9.9% (95% CI), indicating that while the largest proportion of the 95% CI is positive, scratchin

Verificatie van een model voor deformaties van de prostaat voor radiotherapie

Een promovendus bij DIAM is bezig om de deformaties van de prostaat preciezer te modelleren, en alleen de echt voorkomende deformaties mee te nemen in de optimalisering van het bestralingsplan. Het is de verwachting dat kwetsbare organen in de buurt van de prostaat meer ontzien kunnen worden dan met uniforme marges. Bij het bestralen wordt er een gebied bestraald dat groter is dan het orgaan, alsof er een laagje over het orgaan heen ligt dat overal even dik is.Dit is wat bedoeld wordt met uniforme marges. Hier ligt dan ook het probleem bij het bestralen. Als deze marge (het laagje) te groot is wordt er teveel bestraald, ook de omliggende organen als de blaas en de dikke darm, en kunnen deze organen schade oplopen. Als deze marge te klein is wordt er te weinig bestraald, en blijft er dus kanker in het orgaan zitten. Het doel van het model voor de deformaties van de prostaat voor radiotherapie is om de marge nauwkeuriger te maken. Zodat er genoeg wordt bestraald om de kanker te bestrijden, maar niet teveel wordt bestraald zodat omliggende organen geen beschadigingen oplopen. Het doel van dit BSc-project is om statistisch verantwoorde conclusies te trekken. Met het model kunnen we de grootte en richting van de deformaties van de prostaat schatten, het doel van dit BSc-project is om betrouwbaarheidsintervallen voor de grootte van de deformaties te construeren, ofwel bepalen hoe goed de marges van het model zijn.StatistiekModellerenElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc