Management of childhood functional constipation in primary care

Functional constipation (FC) is a common condition in children. Physiotherapy added to standard care for childhood FC shows positive results in the hospital. Evidence for the (cost)effectiveness of physiotherapy in primary care is lacking. This dissertation describes the (cost)effectiveness of physiotherapy for childhood FC in primary care, the impact of FC on the quality of life (QoL) of the child, and the prevalence of bladder problems in children with FC.The majority of children in primary care are still having functional constipation related symptoms 8 months after they consulted the general practitioner, or they are using laxatives. Physiotherapy added to standard care by the general practitioner is not significantly better than standard care alone. In children with chronic FC physiotherapy may be (cost)effective compared to standard care alone, but this needs further investigation. Therefore, we recommend GPs to pay more attention to the possible chronicity of FC in children. Active monitoring of FC-related symptoms is necessary to ensure persistent or relapsing symptoms are identified and treated on time.Furthermore, this dissertation shows that the assessment of the QoL of a child with FC can differ significantly between the child-itself and the parents. Moreover, children with FC have more often bladder problems compared to children without FC. Therefore, we recommend clinicians to ask both the child and the parent(s) to get an impression of the impact of the FC on the child’s QoL, and to be alert for bladder problems in children with FC

Defining community-based Virtual Power Plant

In the Interreg NWE funded cVPP project (no. 588) three communities from Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands are developing and implementing their own community-based Virtual Power Plant (cVPP). But what is a cVPP? This report represents the views of the consortium on what is considered to be a community-based Virtual Power Plant (cVPP). These views and the definition is based on many discussions, literature reviews, and interviews carried as part of the Interreg cVPP project. The report first discusses what is meant by (1) VPP and (2) community followed by the identification of the possible (3) roles communities could play in the energy system. Finally, it proposes a definition of the (4) cVPP

Глобалізаційні процеси і криза національних культур

У статті розглядається вплив процесів глобалізації на культурну сферу суспільства, аналізується нова система цінностей на етапі переходу від модерного до постмодерного суспільства.In the article influence of processes of globalization is examined on the cultural sphere of society, the new system of values is analyzed on the stage of transition from modern to postmodern society

Modeling particle transport and discoloration risk in drinking water distribution networks

Discoloration of drinking water is a worldwide phenomenon caused by accumulation and subsequent remobilization of particulate matter in distribution systems (DWDSs). It contributes to a substantial fraction of customer complaints to water utilities. Accurate discoloration risk predictions could improve system operation by allowing for more effective programs on cleaning and prevention actions and field measurements, but are challenged by incomplete understanding on the origins and properties of particles and a complex and not fully understood interplay of processes in distribution networks. In this paper, we assess and describe relevant hydraulic processes that govern particle transport in turbulent pipe flow, including gravitational settling, bed-load transport, and particle entrainment into suspension. We assess which transport mechanisms are dominant for a range of bulk flow velocities, particle diameters, and particle mass densities, which includes common conditions for DWDS in The Netherlands, U.K., and Australia. Our analysis shows that the theoretically predicted particle settling velocity and threshold shear stresses for incipient particle motion are in the same range, but more variable than, previous estimates from lab experiments, field measurements, and modeling. The presented material will be used in the future development of a numerical modeling tool to determine and predict the spatial distribution of particulate material and discoloration risk in DWDSs. Our approach is aimed at understanding specific causalities and processes, which can complement data-driven approaches