Modelling interception and transpiration at monthly time steps : introducing daily variability through Markov chains; Proefschrift Technische Universiteit Delft.

This dissertation presents improved equations for monthly water resources models, in particular for interception and transpiration. Most ofthe existing monthly models do not make a distinction between interception and transpiration, while this distinction is very important for management purposes. Interception is direct feedback to the atmosphere, important to sustain rainfall. Transpiration is a good indicator for plant growth and biomass production. The distinction also contributes to the estimation of recharge and therewith of runoff. The derivations are based on the Markov theory for the occurrence of raindays. The methodology can be used on the basis of an analysis of a few time series of daily data, at a spatial scale of 300 km and not necessarily of the same period as the monthly data. Zimbabwe served as the case study for this dissertation, but the derived equations can be used worldwide as long as the relationship between the monthly rainfall and the mean number of rain-days can be established. The analytical equations obtained are simple and can be easily introduced into GIS or spreadsheet applications. The method offers a valuable tool for water managers and hydrologists, who need to make water resources planning decisions based on limited data and with limited available time

Adaptive testing for making unidimensional and multidimensional classification decisions

Computerized adaptive tests (CATs) were originally developed to obtain an efficient estimate of the examinee’s ability, but they can also be used to classify the examinee into one of two or more levels (e.g. master/non-master). These computerized classification tests have the advantage that they can also be tailored to the individual student’s ability.\ud \ud Computerized classification tests require a method that decides whether testing can stop and which decision with the desired confidence can be made. Furthermore, a method to select the items is required.\ud \ud In classification testing for unidimensional constructs, items are often selected that attempt to measure optimal at either the cutoff point(s) or the student’s current ability estimate. Four methods were developed that combined the efficiency of the first approach with the adaptive item selection of the second approach. Their efficiency and accuracy was investigated using simulations.\ud \ud Several methods are available to make the classification decisions for constructs modeled with an unidimensional item response theory model. But if the construct is multidimensional, few classification methods are available. A classification method based on Wald’s Sequential Probability Ratio Test was developed for application to CAT with a multidimensional item response theory model in which each item measures multiple abilities. Seitz and Frey’s (2013) method to make classifications per dimension, when each item measures one dimension, was adapted to make classifications on the entire test and on parts of the test. Kingsbury and Weiss’s (1979) popular unidimensional classification method, which uses the confidence interval surrounding the ability estimate, was also adapted for multidimensional decisions. Simulation studies were used to investigate the efficiency and accuracy of the classification methods. Comparisons were made between different item selection methods, between different classification methods and between different settings for the classification methods. \ud \ud Tests can be used for formative assessment, formative evaluation, summative assessment, and summative evaluation. For seven types of tests, including computerized classification tests and educational games; the design, the possibility to adapt the test, and the possible use for each of the test goals was explored

From intricate to integrated: Biofabrication of articulating joints

Articulating joints owe their function to the specialized architecture and the complex interplay between multiple tissues including cartilage, bone and synovium. Especially the cartilage component has limited self-healing capacity and damage often leads to the onset of osteoarthritis, eventually resulting in failure of the joint as an organ. Although in its infancy, biofabrication has emerged as a promising technology to reproduce the intricate organization of the joint, thus enabling the introduction of novel surgical treatments, regenerative therapies, and new sets of tools to enhance our understanding of joint physiology and pathology. Herein, we address the current challenges to recapitulate the complexity of articulating joints and how biofabrication could overcome them. The combination of multiple materials, biological cues and cells in a layer-by-layer fashion, can assist in reproducing both the zonal organization of cartilage and the gradual transition from resilient cartilage toward the subchondral bone in biofabricated osteochondral grafts. In this way, optimal integration of engineered constructs with the natural surrounding tissues can be obtained. Mechanical characteristics, including the smoothness and low friction that are hallmarks of the articular surface, can be tuned with multi-head or hybrid printers by controlling the spatial patterning of printed structures. Moreover, biofabrication can use digital medical images as blueprints for printing patient-specific implants. Finally, the current rapid advances in biofabrication hold significant potential for developing joint-on-a-chip models for personalized medicine and drug testing or even for the creation of implants that may be used to treat larger parts of the articulating joint. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res

From intricate to integrated: Biofabrication of articulating joints

Articulating joints owe their function to the specialized architecture and the complex interplay between multiple tissues including cartilage, bone and synovium. Especially the cartilage component has limited self-healing capacity and damage often leads to the onset of osteoarthritis, eventually resulting in failure of the joint as an organ. Although in its infancy, biofabrication has emerged as a promising technology to reproduce the intricate organization of the joint, thus enabling the introduction of novel surgical treatments, regenerative therapies, and new sets of tools to enhance our understanding of joint physiology and pathology. Herein, we address the current challenges to recapitulate the complexity of articulating joints and how biofabrication could overcome them. The combination of multiple materials, biological cues and cells in a layer-by-layer fashion, can assist in reproducing both the zonal organization of cartilage and the gradual transition from resilient cartilage toward the subchondral bone in biofabricated osteochondral grafts. In this way, optimal integration of engineered constructs with the natural surrounding tissues can be obtained. Mechanical characteristics, including the smoothness and low friction that are hallmarks of the articular surface, can be tuned with multi-head or hybrid printers by controlling the spatial patterning of printed structures. Moreover, biofabrication can use digital medical images as blueprints for printing patient-specific implants. Finally, the current rapid advances in biofabrication hold significant potential for developing joint-on-a-chip models for personalized medicine and drug testing or even for the creation of implants that may be used to treat larger parts of the articulating joint. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res

Antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus and uses thereof

The invention relates to the field of immunology and vaccine development. In particular, it relates to antibodies and fragments thereof against Staphylococcus aureus and to therapeutic and diagnostic uses thereof. Provided is an isolated antibody or a functional fragment thereof, which binds to an epitope of the Immunodominant Staphylococcal antigen A (IsaA), wherein said antibody comprises at least four Isa A epitope-binding CDR sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1; SEQ ID NO: 2; SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 6, and functional equivalents thereof having an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-6

Antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus and uses thereof

The invention relates to the field of immunology and vaccine development. In particular, it relates to antibodies and fragments thereof against Staphylococcus aureus and to therapeutic and diagnostic uses thereof. Provided is an isolated antibody or a functional fragment thereof, which binds to an epitope of the Immunodominant Staphylococcal antigen A (IsaA), wherein said antibody comprises at least four Isa A epitope-binding CDR sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1; SEQ ID NO: 2; SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 6, and functional equivalents thereof having an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-6