Odour nuisance in Scheldt branch Gentbrugge-Melle [POSTER]

The tidal branch of the Sea Scheldt between the lock of Gentbrugge and Melle - part of the complex Ringvaart system around Ghent - has not received any upstream discharge since 1981. Consequently, ebb velocities were reduced, while flood velocities were left unaffected, causing sedimentation in the branch. At some locations along the branch, odour nuisance was regularly reported. In order to address the problem, Division Sea Scheldt of the Flemish Government proposed to dredge the associated muddy material. Flanders Hydraulics Research (FHR) was asked to conduct a study about the necessary upstream discharge at the lock of Gentbrugge needed to ensure the river branch’s self-erosiveness. To answer this question, monitored data were combined with modelling know-how. A 2D numerical morphological model was constructed, for which hydrological and sedimentological parameters, such as discharge, gauge height and sediment concentration, were used as input and for validation. All of these data were provided by FHR. After numerous numerical scenarios, it was concluded that the discharge required, lies between 20 and 25 m3/s. However, as a mean discharge of about 70 m3/s is discharged into the entire water system around Ghent, and as other waterways within this system require sufficient discharges (of which the Canal Ghent-Terneuzen has been determined in a Belgian-Dutch treaty) this discharge is not available in normal circumstances in the tidal branch. Currently, Flanders Hydraulics Research is investigating the possibilities of a lower discharge at the weir of Gentbrugge, that would allow to maintain the branch with a limited dredging

Archeologisch onderzoek op een urnenveld uit de late bronstijd en vroege ijzertijd te Kontich - Duffelsesteenweg 21 - 35

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The wave climate in the Belgian coastal zone

The characteristics of the physical coastal system determine the sustainable development of the coastal zone. One important characteristic is the wave climate. The sediment transport of both sandy and muddy particles is very much influenced by the wave climate. Therefore a sustainable coastal morphology has to be in equilibrium with the wave climate. The coastal morphology and the sedimentology are a basis for the ecosystem in the nearshore zone. Thus, indirectly the wave climate has important consequences for the biology in the coastal zone.Several human activities in the coastal zone depend on the wave climate as well. Evidently, to produce “green” electricity from the hydraulic energy in the sea waves can only be a success if the wave climate is known (to estimate possible profits). Likewise for sporters that want to surf the waves. Waves can also be a nuisance for human activities such as shipping and handling goods in coastal harbours, for contractors carrying out coastal engineering works or workability off-shore.To determine the wave climate in a coastal zone it is recommended to combine in situ measurements and wave modelling. Indeed, on the one hand to cover an area is only possible with a wave model, and on the other hand in situ measurements are needed to validate and drive a wave model. This paper presents a way to determine a wave climate, for the case of the Belgian coastal zone. The in situ measurements consist of long time series (more than 10 years) of waves and wind at different locations distributed along the Belgian coastline and in the Belgian coastal waters. The wave modelling is carried out with the state of the art, free software SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore)

Practical implementation, characterization and applications of a multi-colour time-gated luminescence microscope

Time-gated luminescence microscopy using long-lifetime molecular probes can effectively eliminate autofluorescence to enable high contrast imaging. Here we investigate a new strategy of time-gated imaging for simultaneous visualisation of multiple species of microorganisms stained with long-lived complexes under low-background conditions. This is realized by imaging two pathogenic organisms (Giardia lamblia stained with a red europium probe and Cryptosporidium parvum with a green terbium probe) at UV wavelengths (320-400 nm) through synchronization of a flash lamp with high repetition rate (1 kHz) to a robust time-gating detection unit. This approach provides four times enhancement in signal-to-background ratio over non-time-gated imaging, while the average signal intensity also increases six-fold compared with that under UV LED excitation. The high sensitivity is further confirmed by imaging the single europium-doped Y2O2S nanocrystals (150 nm). We report technical details regarding the time-gating detection unit and demonstrate its compatibility with commercial epi-fluorescence microscopes, providing a valuable and convenient addition to standard laboratory equipment

Modality, Potentiality and Contradiction in Quantum Mechanics

In [11], Newton da Costa together with the author of this paper argued in favor of the possibility to consider quantum superpositions in terms of a paraconsistent approach. We claimed that, even though most interpretations of quantum mechanics (QM) attempt to escape contradictions, there are many hints that indicate it could be worth while to engage in a research of this kind. Recently, Arenhart and Krause [1, 2, 3] have raised several arguments against this approach and claimed that, taking into account the square of opposition, quantum superpositions are better understood in terms of contrariety propositions rather than contradictory propositions. In [17] we defended the Paraconsistent Approach to Quantum Superpositions (PAQS) and provided arguments in favor of its development. In the present paper we attempt to analyze the meanings of modality, potentiality and contradiction in QM, and provide further arguments of why the PAQS is better suited, than the Contrariety Approach to Quantum Superpositions (CAQS) proposed by Arenhart and Krause, to face the interpretational questions that quantum technology is forcing us to consider.Comment: Published in: New Directions in Paraconsistent Logic, J-Y B\'eziau M. Chakraborty & S. Dutta (Eds.), Springer, in press. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1404.518

Heat Treated NiP–SiC Composite Coatings: Elaboration and Tribocorrosion Behaviour in NaCl Solution

Tribocorrosion behaviour of heat-treated NiP and NiP–SiC composite coatings was investigated in a 0.6 M NaCl solution. The tribocorrosion tests were performed in a linear sliding tribometer with an electrochemical cell interface. It was analyzed the influence of SiC particles dispersion in the NiP matrix on current density developed, on coefficient of friction and on wear volume loss. The results showed that NiP–SiC composite coatings had a lower wear volume loss compared to NiP coatings. However, the incorporation of SiC particles into the metallic matrix affects the current density developed by the system during the tribocorrosion test. It was verified that not only the volume of co-deposited particles (SiC vol.%) but also the number of SiC particles per coating area unit (and consequently the SiC particles size) have made influence on the tribocorrosion behaviour of NiP–SiC composite coatings