Knowledge-based Design:

The assumptions underlying this book are that urban & regional design can be developed into a societally relevant science, that this depends on the view held regarding the significance of urban & regional design to society, and what is considered to be the object of the discipline derived from this view. The author bases these assumptions on the knowledge and insights she has acquired during the last fifteen years; the first ten years within the Chair of Urban & Regional Design, and after that within the Chair of Spatial Planning, both of the Faculty of Architecture of the Delft University of Technology

Exploring 24/7 environments

24/7 environments – those areas where one can shop, eat out, find entertainment, etc., 24 hours a day and seven days a week – can be seen as underpinning urban vitality. But the question arises why they exist in some cities and seemingly not in comparable others. Finding that directly relevant publications in this area proved scarce, an explorative study was undertaken to generate a theoretical framework and a definition of this type of environment. The ways in which socio-cultural, economic and spatial conditions influence the existence (or non-existence) of these environments and their potential benefits and detriments for society were explored. Based on the theoretical framework, twelve cities in different parts of the world that could be expected to have 24/7 environments were scanned. In combination, these approaches suggest that there are different types of 24/7 environment, in terms of both types of users and spatial structure. A more in-depth exploration of London and Copenhagen enabled preliminary conclusions about the spatial conditions necessary for the existence and development of 24/7 areas

The development and validation of a high-capacity serological assay for celiac disease

Background The aim of the present study was to develop and clinically validate a high-throughput assay for serum IgA and IgG antibodies against transglutaminase-2 (TG2) and to determine appropriate assay cut-offs for large-scale population screening for celiac disease. Method An automated method was developed using dual label time-resolved fluorometry on the AutoDELFIA platform. Individuals (n = 1920) from the general population were screened. Subjects with serum anti-TG2 concentrations above a preliminary cut-off (>0.3 mg*/L anti-TG2 IgA or >0.5 mg*/L anti-TG2 IgG) were offered endoscopic examination and biopsy. A diagnosis of celiac disease was given if villous atrophy (Marsh grade 3) was found. Results The assay had a limit of quantification of 0.25 mg*/L (anti-TG2 IgA) and 0.60 mg*/L (anti-TG2 IgG) with imprecision (CV) 2.0 mg*/L had celiac disease, and this cut-off identified 88% of newly diagnosed celiac patients. Eight percent (2/26) of the newly diagnosed patients had primarily anti-TG2 IgG. Conclusions In this study we developed and clinically validated a robust and automated assay suitable for celiac disease screening in the general population

The development and validation of a high-capacity serological assay for celiac disease

Background The aim of the present study was to develop and clinically validate a high-throughput assay for serum IgA and IgG antibodies against transglutaminase-2 (TG2) and to determine appropriate assay cut-offs for large-scale population screening for celiac disease. Method An automated method was developed using dual label time-resolved fluorometry on the AutoDELFIA platform. Individuals (n = 1920) from the general population were screened. Subjects with serum anti-TG2 concentrations above a preliminary cut-off (>0.3 mg*/L anti-TG2 IgA or >0.5 mg*/L anti-TG2 IgG) were offered endoscopic examination and biopsy. A diagnosis of celiac disease was given if villous atrophy (Marsh grade 3) was found. Results The assay had a limit of quantification of 0.25 mg*/L (anti-TG2 IgA) and 0.60 mg*/L (anti-TG2 IgG) with imprecision (CV) 2.0 mg*/L had celiac disease, and this cut-off identified 88% of newly diagnosed celiac patients. Eight percent (2/26) of the newly diagnosed patients had primarily anti-TG2 IgG. Conclusions In this study we developed and clinically validated a robust and automated assay suitable for celiac disease screening in the general population