Landscape architecture between politics and science : an integrative perspective on landscape planning and design in the network society

This thesis examines the typical nature of design thinking, which is compared and contrasted with scientific and political thinking. A theretical framework is formulated and applied to landscape planning and design. During the 20th century the established operational orientation in landscape architecture was accompanied by an emerging strategic design approach, referred to as 'research by design'. Two cases of large scale landscape planning and design in the netherlands are given in this publication: the restructuring of sandy soil areas programme and the Stork Plan for Rhine-Meuse floodplain in the central belt of the Netherland

Landscape Design Dialogue. Bridging the gap between knowledge and action

Spatial planners and landscape architects do not excel in theory development. The authors, being a practicing landscape architect-planner and a planning scholar, explore new roads to a middle range theory of landscape design and planning. Building on theories-in-use in regional planning practice they develop an empirically grounded methodology for planning and design. The process of theory building is part of a process of methodical reflection on best and worst practices. It focuses on an analysis of planning and design efforts in the period 1970 – 2005 which have gradually transformed the landscape of the Rhine-Meuse Flood Plain in the Netherland

Paradoxical down-regulation of p16INK4a mRNA with advancing age in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Aging is generally considered to be the consequence of stem cell attrition caused by the activity of tumor suppressor pathways that censor potentially malignant clones by eliciting apoptosis or senescence. An important effector of aging is the cyclindependent kinase inhibitor p16INK4a, which is also a known suppressor of cancer. The expression of p16INK4a is very low or absent in young organisms but increases with advancing age. We recently showed that, unlike healthy cells, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) derived blasts show a down-regulation of p16INK4a mRNA with increasing age. Based on this observation we hypothesize that suppression of defense mechanisms which protect older cells against cellular and DNA damage might facilitate oncogenesis in older individuals

Structural and magnetic properties of Fe/ZnSe(001) interfaces

We have performed first principles electronic structure calculations to investigate the structural and magnetic properties of Fe/ZnSe(001) interfaces. Calculations involving full geometry optimizations have been carried out for a broad range of thickness of Fe layers(0.5 monolayer to 10 monolayers) on top of a ZnSe(001) substrate. Both Zn and Se terminated interfaces have been explored. Total energy calculations show that Se segregates at the surface which is in agreement with recent experiments. For both Zn and Se terminations, the interface Fe magnetic moments are higher than the bulk bcc Fe moment. We have also investigated the effect of adding Fe atoms on top of a reconstructed ZnSe surface to explore the role of reconstruction of semiconductor surfaces in determining properties of metal-semiconductor interfaces. Fe breaks the Se dimer bond formed for a Se-rich (2x1) reconstructed surface. Finally, we looked at the reverse growth i.e. growth of Zn and Se atoms on a bcc Fe(001) substrate to investigate the properties of the second interface of a magnetotunnel junction. The results are in good agreement with the theoretical and experimental results, wherever available.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in PR

Antenatal cardiotocography in dutch primary midwife-led care:Maternal and perinatal outcomes and serious adverse events. A prospective observational cohort study

Problem: It is yet unknown whether shifting antenatal cardiotocography (aCTG) from obstetrician-led to midwife-led care leads to a safe reduction in referrals.Background: ACTG is used to assess fetal well-being. In the Netherlands, the procedure has until now been performed as part of obstetrician-led care. Developments in E-health facilitates the performance of aCTG outside the hospital in midwife-led care, hereby increasing continuity of care.Aim: To evaluate 1) process outcomes of implementing aCTG for specific indications in primary midwife-led care; 2) maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women receiving aCTG in midwife-led care; 3) serious adverse events (with outcomes, causes, avoidability, and potential prevention strategies) that have occurred during the innovation project ‘aCTG in midwife-led care’.Methods: Prospective observational cohort study and a case series study of serious adverse events.Findings: A total of 1584 pregnant women with a specific aCTG indication were included in this cohort study for whom 1795 aCTGs were performed in midwife-led care. 1591 aCTGs(89.7%) were classified as reassuring. Referral to obstetrician-led care occurred for 234 women(13.0%) after an aCTG in midwife-led care of whom 202(86%) were referred back. Severe neonatal morbidity occurred in 27 neonates (1.7%). In the 5736 aCTGs included in the case series study, one case with a serious neonatal outcome was assessed as a serious adverse event attributable to human factors.Discussion: ACTGs performed in midwife-led care increased continuity of care. In this innovation project, maternal and perinatal outcomes were in the expected range for women in midwife-led care.</p