Limits on deviations from Onsager-Casimir symmetry in the resistance of YBaCuO

Wetensch. publicatieFaculteit der Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappe

Bodembiologie in het natuurbeheer : Nieuwe inzichten en perspectieven

Natuurbeheerders denken bij bodem al snel aan abiotische factoren zoals de concentratie stikstof en fosfaat, het organisch stofgehalte, de pH en de structuur. Dit leer je in de meeste groene opleidingen. Langzaam aan groeit echter het besef bij natuurbeheerders dat ook de bodembiologie een belangrijke rol speelt in de structurering van de vegetatie. Dit artikel geeft een inkijkje in belangrijke nieuwe kennis, hypotheses en mogelijke nieuwe perspectieven voor het natuurbeheer

Serum Peroxiredoxin 4:A Marker of Oxidative Stress Associated with Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes (ZODIAC-28)

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an underlying pathophysiologic role in the development of diabetes complications. The aim of this study was to investigate peroxiredoxin 4 (Prx4), a proposed novel biomarker of oxidative stress, and its association with and capability as a biomarker in predicting (cardiovascular) mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Prx4 was assessed in baseline serum samples of 1161 type 2 diabetes patients. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the relationship between Prx4 and (cardiovascular) mortality. Risk prediction capabilities of Prx4 for (cardiovascular) mortality were assessed with Harrell's C statistic, the integrated discrimination improvement and net reclassification improvement. RESULTS: Mean age was 67 and the median diabetes duration was 4.0 years. After a median follow-up period of 5.8 years, 327 patients died; 137 cardiovascular deaths. Prx4 was associated with (cardiovascular) mortality. The Cox proportional hazard models added the variables: Prx4 (model 1); age and gender (model 2), and BMI, creatinine, smoking, diabetes duration, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol-HDL ratio, history of macrovascular complications, and albuminuria (model 3). Hazard ratios (HR) (95% CI) for cardiovascular mortality were 1.93 (1.57 - 2.38), 1.75 (1.39 - 2.20), and 1.63 (1.28 - 2.09) for models 1, 2 and 3, respectively. HR for all-cause mortality were 1.73 (1.50 - 1.99), 1.50 (1.29 - 1.75), and 1.44 (1.23 - 1.67) for models 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Addition of Prx4 to the traditional risk factors slightly improved risk prediction of (cardiovascular) mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Prx4 is independently associated with (cardiovascular) mortality in type 2 diabetes patients. After addition of Prx4 to the traditional risk factors, there was a slightly improvement in risk prediction of (cardiovascular) mortality in this patient group

Life Expectancy in a Large Cohort of Type 2 Diabetes Patients Treated in Primary Care (ZODIAC-10)

Background: Most longitudinal studies showed increased relative mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus until now. As a result of major changes in treatment regimes over the past years, with more stringent goals for metabolic control and cardiovascular risk management, improvement of life expectancy should be expected. In our study, we aimed to assess present-day life expectancy of type 2 diabetes patients in an ongoing cohort study. Methodology and Principal Findings: We included 973 primary care type 2 diabetes patients in a prospective cohort study, who were all participating in a shared care project in The Netherlands. Vital status was assessed from May 2001 till May 2007. Main outcome measurement was life expectancy assessed by transforming actual survival time to standardised survival time allowing adjustment for the baseline mortality rate of the general population. At baseline, mean age was 66 years, mean HbA(1c) 7.0%. During a median follow-up of 5.4 years, 165 patients died (78 from cardiovascular causes), and 17 patients were lost to follow-up. There were no differences in life expectancy in subjects with type 2 diabetes compared to life expectancy in the general population. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, concentrating on the endpoints 'all-cause' and cardiovascular mortality, a history of cardiovascular disease: hazard ratio (HR) 1.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.37), and HR 2.59 (95% CI 1.56-4.28); and albuminuria: HR 1.72 (95% CI 1.26-2.35), and HR 1.83 (95% CI 1.17-2.89), respectively, were significant predictors, whereas smoking, HbA(1c), systolic blood pressure and diabetes duration were not. Conclusions: This study shows a normal life expectancy in a cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes patients in primary care when compared to the general population. A history of cardiovascular disease and albuminuria, however, increased the risk of a reduction of life expectancy. These results show that, in a shared care environment, a normal life expectancy is achievable in type 2 diabetes patients

Exercise therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy to improve fatigue, daily activity performance and quality of life in Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome: the protocol of the FACTS-2-PPS trial

Contains fulltext : 88661.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome (PPS) is a complex of late onset neuromuscular symptoms with new or increased muscle weakness and muscle fatigability as key symptoms. Main clinical complaints are severe fatigue, deterioration in functional abilities and health related quality of life. Rehabilitation management is the mainstay of treatment. Two different therapeutic interventions may be prescribed (1) exercise therapy or (2) cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, the evidence on the effectiveness of both interventions is limited. The primary aim of the FACTS-2-PPS trial is to study the efficacy of exercise therapy and CBT for reducing fatigue and improving activities and quality of life in patients with PPS. Additionally, the working mechanisms, patients' and therapists' expectations of and experiences with both interventions and cost-effectiveness will be evaluated. METHODS/DESIGN: A multi-centre, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. A sample of 81 severely fatigued patients with PPS will be recruited from 3 different university hospitals and their affiliate rehabilitation centres. Patients will be randomized to one of three groups i.e. (1) exercise therapy + usual care, (2) CBT + usual care, (3) usual care. At baseline, immediately post-intervention and at 3- and 6-months follow-up, fatigue, activities, quality of life and secondary outcomes will be assessed. Costs will be based on a cost questionnaire, and statistical analyses on GEE (generalized estimated equations). Analysis will also consider mechanisms of change during therapy. A responsive evaluation will be conducted to monitor the implementation process and to investigate the perspectives of patients and therapists on both interventions. DISCUSSION: A major strength of the FACTS-2-PPS study is the use of a mixed methods design in which a responsive and economic evaluation runs parallel to the trial. The results of this study will generate new evidence for the rehabilitation treatment of persons with PPS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NTR1371

Hinder för att implementera cirkularitet och Industry 4.0-relaterade lösningar : Ur perspektivet av en tillverkare av livsmedelsutrustning

As environmental and social challenges have increasingly become more pressing in recent years, the concept of Circular Economy (CE) has gained a lot of traction with scholars. However its adoption in the practical world is not far along and companies therefore struggle with understanding and implementing CE. There seem however to exist plenty of barriers for companies to implement circularity into their operations and/or products and services. Industry 4.0, the latest digital revolution, seems to have an inherent connection to CE in that the technologies connected to Industry 4.0 seem to have the potential of solving some of the mentioned barriers. The purpose of this thesis is therefore to analyse barriers and Industry 4.0 solutions for incumbent manufacturers of food processing machinery and food manufacturers, in the European food manufacturing industry, to implement circularity into their products and operations. An additional purpose is to illuminate the industry practitioners’ understanding of CE. This study is a case study conducted in collaboration with a manufacturer of food processing equipment and is of a qualitative nature. To enhance the reliability of the study, a customer company of the case study company and a sustainability consultant are interviewed as well. The study includes semi-structured interviews and a literature review. The study shows that there are numerous barriers to implement CE in the food manufacturing industry and Industry 4.0 technologies can be used to solve some of them, but not all. For example, IoT, AI and XR were shown to contribute to more circularity within the industry. In addition, knowledge and understanding of CE in the industry is identified as a major part of implementing CE which currently varies a lot between different practitioners in the industry. I takt med att miljömässiga och sociala utmaningar har blivit allt mer pressande de senaste åren har konceptet cirkulär ekonomi (CE) fått stor genomslag bland forskare. Dock, anpassningar till detta i den praktiska världen har inte kommit särskilt långt och företag kämpar därför med att förstå och implementera cirkulär ekonomi. Det verkar emellertid finnas många hinder för företag att implementera cirkularitet i sin verksamhet och/eller produkter och tjänster. Industri 4.0, den senaste digitala revolutionen, verkar ha en inneboende koppling till cirkulär ekonomi genom att de teknologier som är kopplade till Industri 4.0 verkar ha potential att lösa några av de nämnda barriärerna. Syftet med detta examensarbete är därför att analysera barriärer och Industry 4.0-lösningar för etablerade tillverkare av livsmedelsmaskiner och livsmedelstillverkare inom den europeiska tillverkningsindustrin för livsmedels för att implementera cirkularitet i sina produkter och verksamheter. Ett ytterligare syfte är att belysa branschutövarnas förståelse av CE. Denna studie är en fallstudie genomförd i samarbete med en tillverkare av livsmedelsutrustning och är av kvalitativ karaktär. För att öka tillförlitligheten i studien intervjuas även ett kundföretag till fallstudieföretaget och en hållbarhetskonsult. I studien ingår semistrukturerade intervjuer och en litteraturgenomgång. Studiens resultat visar att det finns många hinder för att implementera CE i tillverkningsindustrin för livsmedel och att Industry 4.0-teknologier kan användas för att lösa några av dem, men inte alla. Till exempel visade sig IoT, AI och XR bidra till mer cirkularitet inom den studerade industrin. Vidare visade resultaten att kunskap och förståelse för CE identifieras som en stor del av implementering av CE som idag varierar mycket mellan olika utövare i branschen

Hinder för att implementera cirkularitet och Industry 4.0-relaterade lösningar : Ur perspektivet av en tillverkare av livsmedelsutrustning

As environmental and social challenges have increasingly become more pressing in recent years, the concept of Circular Economy (CE) has gained a lot of traction with scholars. However its adoption in the practical world is not far along and companies therefore struggle with understanding and implementing CE. There seem however to exist plenty of barriers for companies to implement circularity into their operations and/or products and services. Industry 4.0, the latest digital revolution, seems to have an inherent connection to CE in that the technologies connected to Industry 4.0 seem to have the potential of solving some of the mentioned barriers. The purpose of this thesis is therefore to analyse barriers and Industry 4.0 solutions for incumbent manufacturers of food processing machinery and food manufacturers, in the European food manufacturing industry, to implement circularity into their products and operations. An additional purpose is to illuminate the industry practitioners’ understanding of CE. This study is a case study conducted in collaboration with a manufacturer of food processing equipment and is of a qualitative nature. To enhance the reliability of the study, a customer company of the case study company and a sustainability consultant are interviewed as well. The study includes semi-structured interviews and a literature review. The study shows that there are numerous barriers to implement CE in the food manufacturing industry and Industry 4.0 technologies can be used to solve some of them, but not all. For example, IoT, AI and XR were shown to contribute to more circularity within the industry. In addition, knowledge and understanding of CE in the industry is identified as a major part of implementing CE which currently varies a lot between different practitioners in the industry. I takt med att miljömässiga och sociala utmaningar har blivit allt mer pressande de senaste åren har konceptet cirkulär ekonomi (CE) fått stor genomslag bland forskare. Dock, anpassningar till detta i den praktiska världen har inte kommit särskilt långt och företag kämpar därför med att förstå och implementera cirkulär ekonomi. Det verkar emellertid finnas många hinder för företag att implementera cirkularitet i sin verksamhet och/eller produkter och tjänster. Industri 4.0, den senaste digitala revolutionen, verkar ha en inneboende koppling till cirkulär ekonomi genom att de teknologier som är kopplade till Industri 4.0 verkar ha potential att lösa några av de nämnda barriärerna. Syftet med detta examensarbete är därför att analysera barriärer och Industry 4.0-lösningar för etablerade tillverkare av livsmedelsmaskiner och livsmedelstillverkare inom den europeiska tillverkningsindustrin för livsmedels för att implementera cirkularitet i sina produkter och verksamheter. Ett ytterligare syfte är att belysa branschutövarnas förståelse av CE. Denna studie är en fallstudie genomförd i samarbete med en tillverkare av livsmedelsutrustning och är av kvalitativ karaktär. För att öka tillförlitligheten i studien intervjuas även ett kundföretag till fallstudieföretaget och en hållbarhetskonsult. I studien ingår semistrukturerade intervjuer och en litteraturgenomgång. Studiens resultat visar att det finns många hinder för att implementera CE i tillverkningsindustrin för livsmedel och att Industry 4.0-teknologier kan användas för att lösa några av dem, men inte alla. Till exempel visade sig IoT, AI och XR bidra till mer cirkularitet inom den studerade industrin. Vidare visade resultaten att kunskap och förståelse för CE identifieras som en stor del av implementering av CE som idag varierar mycket mellan olika utövare i branschen

Bodembiologie in het natuurbeheer : Nieuwe inzichten en perspectieven

Natuurbeheerders denken bij bodem al snel aan abiotische factoren zoals de concentratie stikstof en fosfaat, het organisch stofgehalte, de pH en de structuur. Dit leer je in de meeste groene opleidingen. Langzaam aan groeit echter het besef bij natuurbeheerders dat ook de bodembiologie een belangrijke rol speelt in de structurering van de vegetatie. Dit artikel geeft een inkijkje in belangrijke nieuwe kennis, hypotheses en mogelijke nieuwe perspectieven voor het natuurbeheer

Limited joint mobility syndrome in diabetes mellitus: A minireview

Limited joint mobility syndrome (LJMS) or diabetic cheiroarthropathy is a long term complication of diabetes mellitus. The diagnosis of LJMS is based on clinical features: progression of painless stiffness of hands and fingers, fixed flexion contractures of the small hand and foot joints, impairment of fine motion and impaired grip strength in the hands. As the syndrome progresses, it can also affect other joints. It is important to properly diagnose such a complication as LJMS. Moreover, it is important to diagnose LJMS because it is known that the presence of LJMS is associated with micro- and macrovascular complications of diabetes. Due to the lack of curative treatment options, the suggested method to prevent or decelerate the development of LJMS is improving or maintaining good glycemic control. Daily stretching excercises of joints aim to prevent or delay progression of joint stiffness, may reduce the risk of inadvertent falls and will add to maintain quality of life