Spatio-temporal variation of surface suspended particulate matter concentration in the Belgian-Dutch coastal zone

sensing (MODIS-Aqua) data, were evaluated for their use in the assessment of coastal turbidity maximum (CTM) dynamics in Belgian coastal waters. The CTM is a dynamic coastal feature of which the geographic position and extent varies under different meteorological, astronomical and climatological conditions. Analyses were based on grouping-averaging of SPM concentration maps, using different classification schemes. To better spatially depict the CTM, entropy grouping was introduced. This technique analyses, per pixel, the total information contained within the probability distribution of SPM concentration. Results revealed wind-induced variations in position and extent of the CTM, with southwesterly winds inducing a largest CTM extent, in contrast to a strong reduction under northeasterly winds. Climate-induced variations were assessed contrasting 2 winters with opposing indices of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). In a winter with a positive NAO index, hence stronger-than-average southwesterly winds, the CTM was extended to the Dutch waters, whereas the opposite occurred in winters with a negative NAO index, hence less-than-average southwesterly winds. To evaluate astronomical forcing (tides) grouping-averaging was performed of SPM concentration maps over a tidal cycle, and spring-neap conditions. Although, only part of the tidal cycle can be analysed, due to the sun-synchronicity of the MODIS-Aqua satellite, comparison of the results with in-situ data from a single observatory station showed good resemblance. It is concluded that MODIS-Aqua satellite data can be used to assess SPM concentration variability related to tides, neap-spring cycles, meteorological and climatological events

Monitoring the effects of disposal of fine sediments from maintenance dredging on suspended particulate matter concentration in the Belgian nearshore area

The impact of continuous disposal of fine-grained sediments from maintenance dredging works on the suspended particulate matter concentration in a shallow nearshore turbidity maximum was investigated during dredging experiment (port of Zeebrugge, southern North Sea). Before, during and after the experiment monitoring of SPM concentration using OBS and ADV altimetry was carried out at a location 5 km west of the disposal site. A statistical analysis, based on the concept of populations and sub-sampling, was applied to evaluate the effect. The data revealed that the SPM concentration near the bed was on average more than 2 times higher during the dredging experiment. The disposed material was mainly transported in the benthic layer and resulted in a long-term increase of SPM concentration and formation of fluid mud layers. The study shows that SPM concentration can be used as an indicator of environmental changes if representative time-series are available

Inflatable structures and digital fabrication

The construction industry has changed drastically over the past several decades. In today’s age, engineers and architects aim to build bigger and lighter whilst remaining sustainable. Inflatable structures can be utilized to achieve these aims. This study investigates how to digitally manufacture inflatable structures to be more efficient. For this reason, digital manufacturing as well as casting and moulding are studied and compared. Firstly, software modelling was explored to evaluate the behaviour of elastomeric materials. 3D printing in Tango Plus FLX930 and silicone casting was compared. It was found that Tango Plus FLX930 was inadequate due to its low elasticity compared to the considered silicones. Under pneumatic loading, indeed, Tango Plus FLX930 would delaminate. Whereas, with casting and moulding silicone, the prototype could resist the required amount of internal pressures. This shows the feasibility of moulding and casting and the limitation of 3D printing fabrication techniques

The Glasgow Voice Memory Test: Assessing the ability to memorize and recognize unfamiliar voices

One thousand one hundred and twenty subjects as well as a developmental phonagnosic subject (KH) along with age-matched controls performed the Glasgow Voice Memory Test, which assesses the ability to encode and immediately recognize, through an old/new judgment, both unfamiliar voices (delivered as vowels, making language requirements minimal) and bell sounds. The inclusion of non-vocal stimuli allows the detection of significant dissociations between the two categories (vocal vs. non-vocal stimuli). The distributions of accuracy and sensitivity scores (d’) reflected a wide range of individual differences in voice recognition performance in the population. As expected, KH showed a dissociation between the recognition of voices and bell sounds, her performance being significantly poorer than matched controls for voices but not for bells. By providing normative data of a large sample and by testing a developmental phonagnosic subject, we demonstrated that the Glasgow Voice Memory Test, available online and accessible fromall over the world, can be a valid screening tool (~5 min) for a preliminary detection of potential cases of phonagnosia and of “super recognizers” for voices

Dual-Earner Family Policies at Work for Single-Parent Families

Family dynamics are changing and single-parent families are becoming more common across countries. In their flagship report “Progress of the World’s Women, 2019–2020,” UN Women (2019) demonstrated that, contrary to popular belief, couples with children do not constitute a majority of all families, but rather there are many different types of families. Single parenthood is considered a “new social risk” in poverty and inequality (Bonoli, 2013). Therefore, policy makers and legislators have designed targeted policy specifically for single parents, such as targeted child benefits to single parents. In addition, legislation and social policy have been designed and implemented specifically for single parents, such as child support and family law such as child custody and shared residence. This study takes a different approach, based on the universalist argument that without adequate social protection that benefits all families, those families that are more vulnerable are often hit the hardest. We focus on family policies, and specifically we examine whether and to what extent single parents benefit from the same family policies that are available to all families with children

Study of ageing and gain limits of microstrip gas chambers at high rates

The CMS experiment comprises MSGCs as one of the key detection elements for high luminosity tracking at LHC. In addition to the high dose rate of 10 mC/year per cm of strip, these detectors have to survive the hostile presence of highly ionizing particles, neutrons low energy gammas and hadrons. In this report we present the results of systematic tests on maximum safe operational gain limits in MSGCs before the discharge. Long term ageing tests performed on prototype open Ibanana¹ modules envisaged to be arranged around the interaction region in the forward part of the CMS tracker show no evidence of gain drop up to equivalent ~ 10 years of LHC operation. A comparison is made between argon and neon gas mixtures with DME in equal proportions by investigating long term irradiation effects on chamber operation by introducing controlled and reproducible pollution in the gas lines