A blessing in disguise:Characterisations of ProtoDUNE photon showers for neutrino measurements in DUNE

This thesis presents three studies performed on ProtoDUNE, a prototype liquid argon time projection chamber for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The first study concerns the readout of detector data by the FELIX data acquisition system, as well as compression studies performed on the same data. The second study concerns the identification of photons created in neutral pion decay, which form a major background to neutrino-produced electrons. The distinction between electrons and photons is based on the differing energy deposition in the initial part of the particle showers they produce. The third study concerns the energy reconstruction of these particle showers in the detector. They have a known energy profile and can thus be used to calibrate the energy reconstruction of particle showers in general, a vital requirement for DUNE’s physics goals

The language of extraversion: Extraverted people talk more abstractly, introverts are more concrete

To understand the impact of personality, one needs to know how personality differences manifest themselves in language use. The present study investigates the link between extraversion and language abstraction. Participants’ spontaneous verbal utterances in face-to-face interactions were analyzed for language abstraction by applying the linguistic category model, which distinguishes predicate types that convey information in concrete or interpretative manner. We also applied the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) program to relate several word categories to extraversion and language abstraction. Results show significant positive correlations between extraversion and both language abstraction and self-reported level of interpretation. Language abstraction was also linked to LIWC variables (e.g., articles, numbers) previously shown to be related to extraversion. The findings suggest that the verbal style of extraverts is characterized by a higher level of abstract interpretation, whereas introverts tend to stick to concrete facts

It is all about being popular: The effects of need for popularity on social network site use

Prior research on predictors of social network site (SNS) use has mainly focused on the Big Five, narcissism, and self-esteem. Results have been inconsistent, and variance explained was rather low. Need for popularity (NfP) might be a better predictor of SNS use, because SNSs are ideal venues for people with a high NfP. Study 1 tested NfP, self-esteem, need to belong, entitlement, and vanity as predictors for a range of SNS behaviors; Study 2 replaced entitlement and vanity with narcissism and added the Big Five as predictors. SNS behaviors assessed were grooming, strategic self-presentation, profile enhancement, disclosure of feelings, routine use of SNS, and number of friends. Results showed that NfP was the strongest and most consistent predictor of SNS behaviors. This pattern indicates that NfP plays an important role in SNSs. © 2012 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc

Effectieve gewasbescherming in substraatbedden: Systeemontsmetting en weerbaarheid

New cultivation systems should be easy to disinfect and not susceptible to pests and diseases. There are, therefore, three system disinfection methods tested. Of these, soil steaming was the quickest, cheapest and most effective in the shallow substraatbed. Soil resetting follows in second place owing to the higher cost and relatively longer treatment time. In the deep soilbeds, soil resetting is most effective. The cost is higher and the treatment time is longer than for soil steaming or culture cooking. Cultural Cooking is difficult to implement in the deep soilbed, but results in a good control of Verticillium in the shallow and the deep beds. An improvement of the level of suppressiveness against trips may be achieved with aid of mulch layer or breeding tanks for predatory mites. Applying the mulch layer improved the establishment of predatory mites. The breeding tanks caused a sharp increase. However, both methods do not lead to fewer trips. For resistance to Pythium is a large pore volume, the capacity of the substrate to carry bacteria and a high acidity (pH> 7) important. The sand that is now used in the shallow substrate bed is conducive for Pythium. The economic analysis shows that for chrysanthemum, freesia and lisianthus, the sand and soil beds may have an acceptable cost up to three percent

Ontwerp en werkwijze om emissie uit “Teelt-de- grond-Uit”- systemen te voorkomen: Wat te doen met het jaarlijks neerslagoverschot?

In buitenteelten, die uit de grond in substraat of een recirculerende waterlaag worden geteeld, valt meer regenwater dan de gewassen op jaarbasis nodig hebben. Het neerslagoverschot komt afhankelijk van het gewas in het teeltsysteem terecht en wordt dan vervuild met nutriënten en mogelijk gewasbeschermingsmiddelen geloosd. De grootte van de mogelijk te lozen stroom is onbekend en teeltsysteemafhankelijk. In deze studie is een overzicht gemaakt voor de verschillende teeltsystemen die bij “Teelt de Grond Uit” worden toegepast en wat daar de gevolgen van zijn als het neerslagoverschot moet worden geloosd en hoe groot die stroom is op jaarbasis

Health economic evaluation of a nurse-assisted online eye screening in home healthcare to reduce avoidable vision impairment (iScreen):study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

Background: Among older people undiagnosed and untreated vision impairment and blindness are common. The leading causes are uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts. Vision problems are associated with a lower quality of life, several health problems, and a higher chance of falling accidents and fractures. To eliminate avoidable vision impairment and blindness, targeted eye screening programs are recommended. Older patients, receiving home healthcare, have not yet been considered as a population at risk who could benefit from eye screening. Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial will be conducted to investigate the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of online nurse-assisted eye screening in home healthcare, compared to care as usual, in reducing avoidable vision impairment. A healthcare and societal perspective will be used. The study will be performed in collaboration with several home healthcare organizations in the Netherlands. The online eye screening consists of near and distance visual acuity, followed by an Amsler grading test. Measurements in both groups will take place at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of follow-up. A total of 240 participants will be recruited. Older men and women (65 +), who receive home-based nursing and are cognitively able to participate, will be included. The primary outcome will be the change of two lines or more on the Colenbrander-1 M visual acuity chart between baseline and 12-month follow-up. Discussion: An eye screening for populations at risk contributes to the detection of undiagnosed and untreated vision impairment. This may reduce the health-related consequences of vision loss and the high economic burden associated with vision impairment. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06058637. Registered on 27 September 2023.</p

Somatic insulin signaling regulates a germline starvation response in Drosophila egg chambers

AbstractEgg chambers from starved Drosophila females contain large aggregates of processing (P) bodies and cortically enriched microtubules. As this response to starvation is rapidly reversed upon re-feeding females or culturing egg chambers with exogenous bovine insulin, we examined the role of endogenous insulin signaling in mediating the starvation response. We found that systemic Drosophila insulin-like peptides (dILPs) activate the insulin pathway in follicle cells, which then regulate both microtubule and P body organization in the underlying germline cells. This organization is modulated by the motor proteins Dynein and Kinesin. Dynein activity is required for microtubule and P body organization during starvation, while Kinesin activity is required during nutrient-rich conditions. Blocking the ability of egg chambers to form P body aggregates in response to starvation correlated with reduced progeny survival. These data suggest a potential mechanism to maximize fecundity even during periods of poor nutrient availability, by mounting a protective response in immature egg chambers