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2. The Next Steps for Apprenticeship. Cedefop Reference Series. No 118
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Cedefop - European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France), Cedefop - European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France)
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In a context of considerable interest in apprenticeship in recent years, Cedefop and the OECD decided to explore its future from the perspective of a number of megatrends, including sociodemographic changes, the accelerated adoption of emerging technologies and new forms of work organisation. They also considered how these trends have affected, and will continue to affect, the design and delivery of apprenticeship in European and OECD countries. The combination of the emerging economic crisis as an aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, together with long-term structural trends affecting global economies, will entail a profound transformation of the world of work and require effective policy responses in the years to come. This publication provides insights from 16 papers by researchers from Europe, Australia and the United States; nine were presented and discussed among policy-makers, practitioners and researchers during the joint Cedefop-OECD symposium on the future of apprenticeship held in October 2019 in Paris. Evidence and analysis in these papers will help inform political decisions shaping the future of apprenticeship.
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- 2021
3. Designing and Implementing Virtual Exchange -- A Collection of Case Studies
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Research-publishing.net (France), Helm, Francesca, Beaven, Ana, Helm, Francesca, Beaven, Ana, and Research-publishing.net (France)
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Virtual exchange is gaining popularity in formal and non-formal education, partly as a means to internationalise the curriculum, and also to offer more sustainable and inclusive international and intercultural experiences to young people around the world. This volume brings together 19 case studies (17 in higher education and two in youth work) of virtual exchange projects in Europe and the South Mediterranean region. They span across a range of disciplines, from STEM to business, tourism, and languages, and are presented as real-life pedagogical practices that can be of interest to educators looking for ideas and inspiration. [This content is provided in the format of an e-book. Individual papers are indexed in ERIC.]
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- 2020
4. Innovating Education for Sustainable Urban Development through Problem Based Learning in Latin America: Lessons from the Citylab Experience
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Coppens, Tom, Pineda, Andrés Felipe Valderrama, Henao, Kelly, Rybels, Stijn, Samoilovich, Daniel, De Jonghe, Nina, and Camacho, Heilyn
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This article discusses the challenges and opportunities identified in the implementation of the Citylab project in Latin America during the period of 2015-2018. The project was funded by the Erasmus+ Key action 2 programme of the European Union. The project aims to innovate teaching for sustainability in higher education institutions through Problem Based Learning (PBL). Opposed to traditional teaching methods, the pedagogical approach of PBL is a learner-centred approach that takes a complex problem as point of departure instead of existing established knowledge. Since application of such learning methods is limited in Latin America, the Citylab project attempts to introduce PBL in the existing curricula of 12 Latin American universities through the implementation and development of interdisciplinary Citylab modules focusing on sustainable urban development. Citylab project will be presented. Third, we highlight some critical issues and success factors experienced during the project. The findings of this paper are based on (1) self-reported questionnaires from the partners at the end of 2017; (2) onsite visits by the authors and expert visits; (3) focus groups, interviews and conversations with project leaders of the participating institutions during the project. Depending on the institution, the project results were varying in terms of innovation and upscaling potential. Critical factors were related to the role of the project leader in the organization, the flexibility of the implementation and cultural differences. Internal regulations created both incentives and disincentives for participation. Competitive elements in the project and available resources for equipment can act as stimulators in some cases. The challenge lies moreover in detecting windows of opportunities for change in order to accomplish curriculum reform and by doing so, pursue continuation of the PBL approach after the project's horizon.
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- 2020
5. Pandemic Acceleration: COVID-19 and the Emergency Digitalization of European Education
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Cone, Lucas, Brøgger, Katja, Berghmans, Mieke, Decuypere, Mathias, Förschler, Annina, Grimaldi, Emiliano, Hartong, Sigrid, Hillman, Thomas, Ideland, Malin, Landri, Paolo, van de Oudeweetering, Karmijn, Player-Koro, Catarina, Bergviken Rensfeldt, Annika, Rönnberg, Linda, Taglietti, Danilo, and Vanermen, Lanze
- Abstract
With schools and universities closing across Europe, the COVID-19 lockdown left actors in the field of education battling with the unprecedented challenge of finding a meaningful way to keep the wheels of education turning online. The sudden need for digital solutions across the field of education resulted in the emergence of a variety of digital networks and collaborative online platforms. In this joint article from scholars around Europe, we explore the COVID-19 lockdowns of physical education across the European region, and the different processes of emergency digitalization that followed in their wake. Spanning perspectives from Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Nordic countries, the article's five cases provide a glimpse of how these processes have at the same time accelerated and consolidated the involvement of various commercial and non-commercial actors in public education infrastructures. By gathering documentation, registering dynamics, and making intimations of the crisis as it unfolded, the aim of the joint paper is to provide an opportunity for considering the implications of these accelerations and consolidations for the heterogeneous futures of European education.
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- 2022
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6. Free Digital Learning for Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees in Europe: A Qualitative Analysis of Three Types of Learning Purposes
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Castaño Muñoz, Jonatan, Colucci, Elizabeth, and Smidt, Hanne
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The increasing number of migrants and refugees arriving in Europe places new demands on European education systems. In this context, the role that free digital learning (FDL) could play in fostering inclusion has attracted renewed interest. While the existing literature highlights some general design principles for developing FDL for migrants and refugees, there is little information on the use of FDL at specific education levels, or for specific learning purposes. This paper presents the results of a qualitative study that was carried out as part of the Moocs4Inclusion project of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) between July and December 2016. The study, which has a European focus, disaggregates the analysis of FDL initiatives by what were identified as its three most common purposes: (a) language learning, (b) civic integration and employment, and (c) higher education. For each of these topics, the study sheds light on the approaches used by a wide sample of initiatives, users' levels of awareness of what is available and take up, and migrants' and refugees' perceptions of the current offer. In order to collect the information needed to cover different approaches and perspectives, semi-structured interviews with 24 representatives of 10 FDL initiatives and four focus groups with 39 migrants and refugees were carried out. The results show that there are indeed overlaps between the purposes of FDL initiatives and their design principles. Specific recommendations on how to better design FDL initiatives for migrants and refugees, taking into account their specific purposes, have also been identified.
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- 2018
7. Refugees Welcome? Recognition of Qualifications Held by Refugees and Their Access to Higher Education in Europe--Country Analyses
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European Students' Union (ESU) (Belgium), Eckhardt, Lukas, Jungblut, Jens, Pietkiewicz, Karolina, Steinhardt, Isabel, Vukasovic, Martina, and Santa, Robert
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The European Students' Union with the support of the Open Society Foundation published a new study on recognition of qualifications held by refugees and their access to higher education in Europe. The paper analyses how a selected pool of countries use education as an instrument for inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers and persons in refugee-like situation. The report includes detailed country analyses of Romania, Belgium, Norway and Germany. The chosen countries represent different parts of Europe as well as countries that face specific challenges in coping with the inclusion of refugees into higher education and that have partially found solutions for these problems that might serve as good practice examples. According to the information provided by the European Higher Education Area's (EHEA) the main barriers refugees face when accessing higher education in Europe are lack of information; lack of advice and individual guidance; recognition of credits and qualifications, particularly without documents; inadequate language support provisions and lack of adequate financing. The report provides an argument that providing access to education for refugees contributes to the country economically and societally. However, in order to guarantee this inherent element of integration, national higher education systems need to fulfill their commitments to social dimension, i.e. the strategies and measures to mirror the diversity of society within higher education. One of the tools used to provide wider participation in higher education for refugees is recognition of their qualifications. National authorities and higher education institutions should ensure flexible procedures for the recognition of degrees, periods of study and prior learning of refugees, in line with the Lisbon Recognition Convention. However, despite the existing legal regulations ENIC-NARIC [European Network of Information Centres in the European Region and the National Academic Recognition Information Centres in the European Union] centres responsible for information and recognition still indicate a number of challenges, such as: lack of information about the education systems and qualifications from countries in conflict, questionable authenticity of the documents provided, lack of documentation, incomplete qualifications and the number of applicants. The report shows that despite various approaches to policy-making and implementation that the countries applied, they certainly have elements in common: bottom-up approaches and initiatives taken up by higher education institutions, staff, students and NGOs [non-governmental organisations], regardless of the scope of governmental support, are central to refugees' integration.
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- 2017
8. Position paper on screening for breast cancer by the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI) and 30 national breast radiology bodies from Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey
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Christiane K. Kuhl, Jana Slobodníková, Boris Brkljačić, Pietro Panizza, Tamar Sella, Federica Pediconi, Henk J. Baarslag, Catherine Colin, José Carlos Marques, Katalin Ormandi, Oswald Graf, Margarete Mortier, Gormlaith Hargaden, Gul Esen, Andrew Evans, Gérard de Geer, Laura Martincich, Ruud M. Pijnappel, Ilse Vejborg, Gianni Saguatti, Katja Pinker, Julia Camps Herrero, Hildegunn Siv Aase, Elzbieta Luczynska, T. Rissanen, Corinne Balleyguier, Ritse M. Mann, Michael H. Fuchsjaeger, Marina Álvarez, Ruta Briediene, Ulrich Bick, Maret Talk, Ásbjörn Jónsson, Jan Daneš, Gabor Forrai, Athina Vourtsis, Pascal A. T. Baltzer, Thomas H. Helbich, Eleanor Cornford, Patrice Taourel, Vanesa Beslagic, Rubina M. Trimboli, Edward Azavedo, Sylvia H. Heywang-Köbrunner, Markus Müller-Schimpfle, Eugenia C. Lisencu, Francesco Sardanelli, Fiona J. Gilbert, Valentin Ivanov, Natalia Rotaru, Dragana Bogdanovic-Stojanovic, University of Milan, Haukeland University Hospital, Hospital Reina Sofia, Cordoba, Karolinska University Hospital [Stockholm], Meander Medical Center, Département d'imagerie médicale [Gustave Roussy], Institut Gustave Roussy ( IGR ), Medical University of Vienna, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin [Berlin], Institutski put 4, Vilnius University [Vilnius], University Hospital Centre Zagreb and University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Hospital de la Ribera, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud [CHU - HCL] ( CHLS ), Hospices Civils de Lyon ( HCL ), Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Computer Science Institute of Charles University [Prague] ( IUUK ), Charles University [Prague], ImageRive, Acibadem University Maslak Hospital, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School [Dundee], Medical University Graz, University of Cambridge [UK] ( CAM ), Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Tokuda Hospital Sofia, Value Chain, Processing and Aquaculture, Matis Ohf Food Safety Environm & Genet, Landspitalinn University Hospital, Reykjavik, Department of Medicine III, University hospital (UKA), University of Aachen (RWTH), Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen ( RWTH ) -University hospital (UKA), The Oncology Institute 'Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta', Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, University of Coimbra [Portugal] ( UC ), Ghent University Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire [Montpellier] ( CHRU Montpellier ), University of Bergen (UiB), Institut Gustave Roussy (IGR), Medizinische Universität Wien = Medical University of Vienna, Charité - UniversitätsMedizin = Charité - University Hospital [Berlin], Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud [CHU - HCL] (CHLS), Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), Computer Science Institute of Charles University [Prague] (IUUK), Charles University [Prague] (CU), Acibadem University, University of Cambridge [UK] (CAM), Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH)-University hospital (UKA), Radboud University Medical Center [Nijmegen], University of Coimbra [Portugal] (UC), Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire [Montpellier] (CHRU Montpellier), Sardanelli, Francesco [0000-0001-6545-9427], Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository, and Acibadem University Dspace
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digital breast tomosynthesis ,cancer risk ,0302 clinical medicine ,Breast cancer ,Belgium ,Germany ,digital mammography ,middle aged ,vacuum assisted biopsy ,Medicine ,nuclear magnetic resonance imaging ,breast density ,skin and connective tissue diseases ,Finland ,Early Detection of Cancer ,Czech Republic ,education.field_of_study ,Greece ,adult ,General Medicine ,3. Good health ,aged ,Italy ,priority journal ,Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Switzerland ,early diagnosis ,Mammography ,Estonia ,Slovakia ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Digital mammography ,Croatia ,diagnostic imaging ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) ,radiation induced neoplasm ,Humans ,human ,procedures ,education ,Aged ,Bosnia and Herzegovina ,Sweden ,Hungary ,[ SDV ] Life Sciences [q-bio] ,medicine.disease ,radiology ,cancer screening ,Position paper ,Poland ,Denmark ,[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio] ,Iceland ,core biopsy ,Turkey (republic) ,030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging ,cancer mortality ,Population-based screening ,fine needle aspiration biopsy ,organization and management ,Breast MRI ,Mass Screening ,Breast ,Israel ,Overdiagnosis ,Bulgaria ,Netherlands ,early cancer diagnosis ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Norway ,breast tumor ,Middle Aged ,Women's cancers Radboud Institute for Health Sciences [Radboudumc 17] ,Europe ,female ,Austria ,population-based screening ,recall rate ,nuclear medicine and imaging ,Female ,France ,Radiology ,Serbia ,Adult ,Breast imaging ,Population ,Breast Neoplasms ,Middle East ,breast cancer ,Recall rate ,biopsy ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,ddc:610 ,Portugal ,Romania ,business.industry ,cost effectiveness analysis ,Lithuania ,Moldova ,Spain ,radiologist ,business ,Ireland - Abstract
Contains fulltext : 177890.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) EUSOBI and 30 national breast radiology bodies support mammography for population-based screening, demonstrated to reduce breast cancer (BC) mortality and treatment impact. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the reduction in mortality is 40 % for women aged 50-69 years taking up the invitation while the probability of false-positive needle biopsy is
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- 2017
9. School Improvement from a European Perspective.
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Vandenberghe, Roland
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Three research questions are addressed in this paper: (1) What does school improvement mean in relation to the context of a research project? (2) Given particular developments in European society and the nature of primary research data, what should schools be like in the year 2001? (3) What steps are being taken in research and development to answer these questions? Because such fundamental questions have no easy answers, this discussion is limited to reflections based on educational research and development experiences in various Western European countries. Section 2 of the report analyzes characteristics of large-scale innovation projects in education. The context of school improvement is discussed, and the meaning of school improvement is interpreted. To provide an illustration to the second research question, the report's third section explores specific tasks facing schools in 2001 by referring to Belgium's comprehensive Renewed Primary School project. The processes involved in study of the large-scale innovation project are deliberated. The final section focuses on research and development questions that should be considered in the next decade. Methodological approaches to emerging complex research issues include design of long-term follow-up studies and use of multiple data sources. Twenty references conclude the report. (CJH)
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- 1987
10. University of Ghent Reports Findings in Food Quality and Preference (Eating Out of Paper Versus Plastic: the Effect of Packaging Material On Consumption).
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FOOD preferences ,FOOD quality ,PLASTICS in packaging ,CONSUMER behavior ,PACKAGING materials ,FOOD consumption ,ELECTRONIC journals - Abstract
A study conducted by the University of Ghent in Belgium explores how packaging materials can influence perceived healthiness and consumption of food products. The research found that paper packaging, compared to plastic packaging, leads to decreased consumption of food products. This effect is attributed to the activation of health goals, as paper packaging is seen as a health-related cue. The findings have implications for food manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers in promoting healthy consumer behavior. The research has been peer-reviewed and can be accessed through the journal Food Quality and Preference. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2023
11. Studies from University Hospital Have Provided New Information about Ataxia (Consensus Paper: Ataxic Gait).
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ATAXIA ,GAIT in humans ,UNIVERSITY hospitals ,NEUROLOGICAL disorders ,CENTRAL nervous system ,CEREBELLUM degeneration - Abstract
A consensus paper from University Hospital in Charleroi, Belgium discusses the role of the cerebellum in human gait and its assessment and therapy. The cerebellum is critical for postural control and mapping sensory information into motor commands. Ataxia of stance/gait is a common symptom in cerebellar disorders and can lead to falls. The understanding of the cerebellar contribution to gait control can improve the management of cerebellar ataxias and potentially use gait parameters as biomarkers in future clinical trials. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2024
12. Annual Report of the Secretary of the Interior for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1895. In Five Volumes. Volume V -- In Two Parts. Part 1 [Report of the Commissioner of Education]
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Department of the Interior, United States Bureau of Education (ED)
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This is the Report of the Commissioner of Education, part of the Annual Report of the Secretary of the Interior for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1895. The Bureau of Education report is contained within volume five, which is in two parts. Part one contains: (1) The Commissioner of Education's Introduction; (2) Statistics of State Common-School Systems; (3) City School Systems; (4) Statistical Review of Secondary Schools; (5) Statistical Review of Normal Schools; (6) Statistical Review of Higher Education; (7) Statistical Review of Professional Schools; (8) The Educational Systems of England and Scotland, with Statistics for 1893-94; (9) Manitoba School Case; (10) Education in France; (11) Public Education in Belgium; (12) Education in Central Europe; (13) Education in the Netherlands; (14) Education in Italy; (15) Report of the Loyal Commission on Secondary Education; (16) Papers Accompanying the Report of the Loyal Commission on Secondary Education; (17) Higher Education in Russian, Austrian, and Prussian Poland; (18) Art education in the public schools; (19) Facilities for the University Education of Women in England; (20) Educational Status of Women in Different Countries; (21) Chautauqua: A Social and Educational Study; (22) Pensions for Teachers; (23) Coeducation--Compulsory Attendance--American Students in Foreign Universities--Continuation and Industrial Schools; and (24) Educational Directory. [For the first part of the Commissioner of Education's 1894-95 report, see "Report of the Commissioner of Education for the Year 1894-95. Volume 2. Containing Parts II and III" (ED622083).]
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- 1896
13. Report of the Commissioner of Education for the Year 1892-93. Volume 1. Containing Parts I and II
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Department of the Interior, United States Bureau of Education (ED)
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This is Volume 1 of the Report of the Commissioner of Education for the Year 1892-93, containing Parts I and II. This volume begins with the Commissioner of Education's Introduction. Part I covers the topics: (1) Statistical Summaries; (2) Illiteracy in the United States; (3) System of Public Education in Belgium; (4) Elementary Education in Great Britain; (5) Education in France; (6) Education in Ontario, New Zealand, and India; (7) Recent Developments in the Teaching of Geography in Central Europe; (8) The Common School System of Bavaria; (9) Education in Uruguay; (10) Child Study; (11) Bibliography of Herbartianism; and (12) Name Register. Part II, Education and the World's Columbian Exposition, covers the topics: (1) Programme of the International Congress of Education and Addresses of Welcome; (2) American Views and Comments on the Educational Exhibits; (3) German Criticism on American Education and the Educational Exhibits; (4) French Views upon American Education and the Educational Exhibits; (5) Medical Instruction in the United States as presented by French Specialists; (6) Notes and Observations on American Education and the Educational Exhibits, by Italian, Swedish, Danish, and Russian Delegates; (7) American Technological Schools; (8) Higher Education of Women in Russia; (9) Papers Prepared for the World's Library Congress; and (10) Notes on Education at the Columbian Exposition. [For "Report of the Commissioner of Education for the Year 1892-93. Volume 2. Containing Parts III and IV," see ED622070.]
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- 1895
14. Studies from University Hospital Center St. Pierre Yield New Data on Heart Attack (Clinical Paper Postresuscitation Oxygen Reserve Index-guided Oxygen Titration In Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors: a Randomised Controlled Trial).
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MYOCARDIAL infarction ,RANDOMIZED controlled trials ,CARDIAC arrest ,UNIVERSITY hospitals ,VOLUMETRIC analysis - Abstract
A recent study conducted at the University Hospital Center St. Pierre in Brussels, Belgium, compared the outcomes of oxygen reserve index-supported prehospital oxygen titration with standard oxygen titration in patients who experienced return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest. The study aimed to determine if oxygen reserve index-guided oxygen titration improved outcomes. The results showed no significant difference in the normoxia index, incidence of hypoxia or hyperoxia, mean PaO2 at hospital admission, or serum neuron-specific enolase levels between the two groups. Therefore, the study concluded that oxygen reserve index-guided oxygen titration did not significantly improve outcomes compared to standard oxygen titration. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2024
15. Work organization, labour contracts and employment
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Dhyne, Emmanuel, Mahy, Benoît, Citoni, Guido, Mahy, Benoît, and Rycx, François
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- 2012
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16. The effects of Belgian outward direct investment in European high‐wage and low‐wage countries on employment in Belgium
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Cuyvers, Ludo, Soeng, Reth, Cuyvers, Ludo, De Lombaerde, Philippe, and Rayp, Glenn
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- 2011
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17. Use of psychiatric hospitals and social integration of patients with psychiatric disorders: a prospective cohort study in five European countries
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Andrea Pfennig, Antonio Lasalvia, Pablo Nicaise, Victoria Bird, Stefan Priebe, Mirella Ruggeri, Domenico Giacco, Marta Welbel, Pierre Smith, Vincent Lorant, Michael Bauer, Jacek Moskalewicz, and UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société
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Employment ,Hospitals, Psychiatric ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Health (social science) ,Social Psychology ,Epidemiology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Affect (psychology) ,Social integration ,Health(social science) ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Belgium ,Germany ,medicine ,Humans ,Prospective Studies ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Prospective cohort study ,Psychiatry ,Hospital readmissions ,media_common ,Original Paper ,business.industry ,Length of hospital stay ,Mental illness ,Mental Disorders ,Length of Stay ,medicine.disease ,Mental Illness ,030227 psychiatry ,Test (assessment) ,Europe ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Friendship ,Italy ,MHSR ,Poland ,business ,Anxiety disorder - Abstract
Purpose Long lengths of stay (LoS) in psychiatric hospitals or repeated admission may affect the social integration of patients with psychiatric disorders. So far, however, studies have been inconclusive. This study aimed to analyse whether long LoS or repeated admissions in psychiatric wards were associated in different ways with changes in the social integration of patients. Methods Within a prospective cohort study, data were collected on 2181 patients with a main ICD-10 diagnosis of psychotic, affective, or anxiety disorder, hospitalised in the UK, Italy, Germany, Poland, and Belgium in 2015. Social integration was measured at baseline and 1 year after admission using the SIX index, which includes four dimensions: employment, housing, family situation, and friendship. Regression models were performed to test the association between LoS, the number of admissions, and the change in social integration over the study period, controlling for patients’ characteristics (trial registration ISRCTN40256812). Results A longer LoS was significantly associated with a decrease in social integration (β = − 0.23, 95%CI − 0.32 to − 0.14, p = 0.03), particularly regarding employment (OR = 2.21, 95%CI 1.18–3.24, p = 0.02), housing (OR = 3.45, 95%CI 1.74–5.16, p p = 0.04). In contrast, repeated admissions were only associated with a decrease in friendship contacts (OR = 1.15, 95CI% 1.08–1.22, p = 0.03). Conclusions Results suggest that a longer hospital LoS is more strongly associated with a decrease in patients’ social integration than repeated admissions. Special attention should be paid to helping patients to find and retain housing and employment while hospitalised for long periods.
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- 2020
18. Suggestions for shaping tinnitus service provision in Western Europe: Lessons from the COVID‐19 pandemic
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Lana Biot, Vinaya Manchaiah, Laure Jacquemin, Viktor Kaldo, Gerhard Andersson, Eldré W. Beukes, Matheus P. C. G. Lourenco, RS: FPN CPS I, and Section Experimental Health Psychology
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Adult ,Coping (psychology) ,Hearing loss ,ORIGINAL PAPERS ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Tinnitus ,03 medical and health sciences ,Social support ,0302 clinical medicine ,Belgium ,Nursing ,Multidisciplinary approach ,Pandemic ,otorhinolaryngologic diseases ,Humans ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Pandemics ,Netherlands ,Sweden ,Original Paper ,Self-management ,Descriptive statistics ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Pharmacology. Therapy ,HEARING-LOSS ,Ear/Nose/Throat ,COVID-19 ,ADULTS ,General Medicine ,COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY ,3. Good health ,Europe ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Human medicine ,medicine.symptom ,business - Abstract
Background Tinnitus severity has been exacerbated because of the COVID-19 pandemic and those with tinnitus require additional support. Such support should be informed by patient preferences and needs. The objective of this study was to gather information from individuals with tinnitus living in Europe to inform stakeholders of the (a) support they needed in relation to changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) suggestions regarding tinnitus care for the future. Methods A cross-sectional mixed method study design was used using closed and open-ended questions via an online survey. Data were gathered from 710 adults experiencing tinnitus in Western Europe, with the majority living in The Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results Those with tinnitus indicated the following support needs during the pandemic (a) support for tinnitus, (b) support for hearing-related difficulties, (c) social support and (d) pandemic-related support. Five directions for future tinnitus care were provided, namely, (a) need for understanding professional support and access to multidisciplinary experts, (b) greater range of therapies and resources, (c) access to more information about tinnitus, (d) prioritising tinnitus research and (e) more support for hearing protection and hearing loss prevention. Conclusions The findings point to the need for accessible (remote), patient-centred, suitable and evidence-based tinnitus care. Insights from the current study can be used by various stakeholders including clinical practitioners and tinnitus support services to ensure those with tinnitus have access to the help and support required in order to reduce service provision insufficiencies.
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- 2021
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19. LifeWatch observatory data: phytoplankton observations in the Belgian Part of the North Sea
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J. Mortelmans, E. Debusschere, Luz Amadei Martínez, Klaas Deneudt, and Nick Dillen
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0106 biological sciences ,Algae ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Traceability ,LONG-TERM ,IMPACT ,Biodiversity & Conservation ,Western Europe ,01 natural sciences ,Convolutional neural network ,COMMUNITY COMPOSITION ,Belgium ,Observatory ,Phytoplankton ,14. Life underwater ,Protozoa ,Plantae ,FlowCAM ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Bacillariophyceae ,Ecology ,Data curation ,Contextual image classification ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Biology and Life Sciences ,Sampling (statistics) ,marine ,LifeWatch Belgium ,Data Paper (Biosciences) ,Dinophyta ,Europe ,Metadata ,image recognition ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS ,phytoplankton ,PLANKTON ,Environmental science ,Cartography - Abstract
This paper describes a phytoplankton data series generated through systematic observations in the Belgian Part of the North Sea (BPNS). Phytoplankton samples were collected during multidisciplinary sampling campaigns, visiting nine nearshore stations with monthly frequency and an additional eight offshore stations on a seasonal basis. The data series contain taxon-specific phytoplankton densities determined by analysis with the Flow Cytometer And Microscope (FlowCAM®) and associated image-based classification. The classification is performed by two separate semi-automated classification systems, followed by manual validation by taxonomic experts. To date, 637,819 biological particles have been collected and identified, yielding a large dataset of validated phytoplankton images. The collection and processing of the 2017–2018 dataset are described, along with its data curation, quality control and data storage. In addition, the classification of images using image classification algorithms, based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) from 2019 onwards, is also described. Data are published in a standardised format together with environmental parameters, accompanied by extensive metadata descriptions and finally labelled with digital identifiers for traceability. The data are published under a CC‐BY 4.0 licence, allowing the use of the data under the condition of providing the reference to the source.
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- 2020
20. Surveillance of the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Europe: Longitudinal Trend Analyses
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Michael G. Ison, Danielle Resnick, Michael J Boctor, Lori A. Post, Kasen Culler, Sarah B Welch, Robert L. Murphy, Chad J. Achenbach, James F. Oehmke, Charles B. Moss, Janine White, and Lauren Nadya Singh
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020205 medical informatics ,Europe SARS-CoV-2 ,Luxembourg ,Denmark ,COVID transmission jerk ,Greenland ,Slovenia ,Iceland ,02 engineering and technology ,law.invention ,Europe surveillance metrics ,0302 clinical medicine ,Arellano-Bond estimator ,Public health surveillance ,Europe COVID ,Belgium ,law ,Germany ,Epidemiology ,Pandemic ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Public Health Surveillance ,030212 general & internal medicine ,GMM ,Longitudinal Studies ,Bulgaria ,Finland ,Czech Republic ,Netherlands ,Greece ,Norway ,San Marino ,Belarus ,COVID 7-day lag ,second wave ,Europe COVID surveillance system ,Montenegro ,Europe ,Trend analysis ,Transmission (mechanics) ,Italy ,Austria ,Albania ,Europe econometrics ,wave two ,dynamic panel data ,France ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 ,Europe Public Health Surveillance ,Ukraine ,Serbia ,Switzerland ,Estonia ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Slovakia ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,European COVID transmission acceleration ,global COVID surveillance ,Croatia ,Health Informatics ,SARS-CoV-2 surveillance ,Vatican City ,03 medical and health sciences ,Andorra ,medicine ,Humans ,generalized method of the moments ,COVID transmission deceleration ,Bosnia and Herzegovina ,Sweden ,Original Paper ,Hungary ,Portugal ,business.industry ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Romania ,Public health ,Monaco ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Outbreak ,COVID-19 ,Lithuania ,Moldova ,Latvia ,United Kingdom ,Spain ,Isle of Man ,Poland ,business ,European COVID transmission speed ,Ireland ,Liechtenstein ,Demography - Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Europe, resulting in a high caseload and deaths that varied by country. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has breached the borders of Europe. Public health surveillance is necessary to inform policy and guide leaders.ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide advanced surveillance metrics for COVID-19 transmission that account for weekly shifts in the pandemic, speed, acceleration, jerk, and persistence, to better understand countries at risk for explosive growth and those that are managing the pandemic effectively.MethodsWe performed a longitudinal trend analysis and extracted 62 days of COVID-19 data from public health registries. We used an empirical difference equation to measure the daily number of cases in Europe as a function of the prior number of cases, the level of testing, and weekly shift variables based on a dynamic panel model that was estimated using the generalized method of moments approach by implementing the Arellano-Bond estimator in R.ResultsNew COVID-19 cases slightly decreased from 158,741 (week 1, January 4-10, 2021) to 152,064 (week 2, January 11-17, 2021), and cumulative cases increased from 22,507,271 (week 1) to 23,890,761 (week 2), with a weekly increase of 1,383,490 between January 10 and January 17. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom had the largest 7-day moving averages for new cases during week 1. During week 2, the 7-day moving average for France and Spain increased. From week 1 to week 2, the speed decreased (37.72 to 33.02 per 100,000), acceleration decreased (0.39 to –0.16 per 100,000), and jerk increased (–1.30 to 1.37 per 100,000).ConclusionsThe United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal, in particular, are at risk for a rapid expansion in COVID-19 transmission. An examination of the European region suggests that there was a decrease in the COVID-19 caseload between January 4 and January 17, 2021. Unfortunately, the rates of jerk, which were negative for Europe at the beginning of the month, reversed course and became positive, despite decreases in speed and acceleration. Finally, the 7-day persistence rate was higher during week 2 than during week 1. These measures indicate that the second wave of the pandemic may be subsiding, but some countries remain at risk for new outbreaks and increased transmission in the absence of rapid policy responses.
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- 2021
21. The inland water macro-invertebrate occurrences in Flanders, Belgium
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Frank Lavens, Ward De Cooman, Dimitri Brosens, Joost Mertens, Wim Gabriels, Bart Vervaeke, and Rudy Vannevel
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0106 biological sciences ,Biotic indices ,Insecta ,Annelida ,Gastropoda ,Nematomorpha ,Biodiversity & Conservation ,macroinvertebrates ,010607 zoology ,Western Europe ,Environment ,01 natural sciences ,water quality ,Flanders Environment Agency (VMM) ,Belgium ,Crustacea ,lcsh:Zoology ,lcsh:QL1-991 ,License ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Invertebrate ,Biological data ,macro-invertebrates ,Cenozoic ,business.industry ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Environmental resource management ,sediments ,Sediment ,Turbellaria ,Species Inventories ,Bivalvia ,Europe ,management monitoring ,Open data ,Taxon ,Geography ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Water quality ,business ,Biological network ,Data Paper - Abstract
The Flanders Environment Agency (VMM) has been performing biological water quality assessments on inland waters in Flanders (Belgium) since 1989 and sediment quality assessments since 2000. The water quality monitoring network is a combined physico-chemical and biological network, the biological component focusing on macro-invertebrates. The sediment monitoring programme produces biological data to assess the sediment quality. Both monitoring programmes aim to provide index values, applying a similar conceptual methodology based on the presence of macro-invertebrates. The biological data obtained from both monitoring networks are consolidated in the VMM macro-invertebrates database and include identifications at family and genus level of the freshwater phyla Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, and Arthropoda. This paper discusses the content of this database, and the dataset published thereof: 282,309 records of 210 observed taxa from 4,140 monitoring sites located on 657 different water bodies, collected during 22,663 events. This paper provides some background information on the methodology, temporal and spatial coverage, and taxonomy, and describes the content of the dataset. The data are distributed as open data under the Creative Commons CC-BY license.
- Published
- 2018
22. Decline of depressive symptoms in Europe: differential trends across the lifespan
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Fabian Tetzlaff, Enrique Regidor, Alexander Miething, Stefanie Sperlich, Christoph Kröger, Lourdes Lostao, Siegfried Geyer, Batoul Safieddine, Johannes Beller, Universidad Pública de Navarra. Departamento de Sociología y Trabajo Social, and Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa. Soziologia eta Gizarte Lana Saila
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Male ,Health (social science) ,Epidemiology ,0302 clinical medicine ,Belgium ,Germany ,Trend ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Compression of morbidity ,Young adult ,Finland ,Depression (differential diagnoses) ,Netherlands ,Aged, 80 and over ,education.field_of_study ,Norway ,Depression ,Middle Aged ,European Social Survey ,Europe ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Austria ,Female ,Mental health ,France ,Switzerland ,Adult ,Estonia ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Social Psychology ,Longevity ,Population ,Young Adult ,03 medical and health sciences ,medicine ,Humans ,education ,Depressive symptoms ,Aged ,Sweden ,Hungary ,Original Paper ,Portugal ,business.industry ,United Kingdom ,Spain ,Poland ,business ,Ireland ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Demography - Abstract
Purpose We examined changes in the burden of depressive symptoms between 2006 and 2014 in 18 European countries across different age groups. Methods We used population-based data drawn from the European Social Survey (N = 64.683, 54% female, age 14–90 years) covering 18 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland) from 2006 to 2014. Depressive symptoms were measured via the CES-D 8. Generalized additive models, multilevel regression, and linear regression analyses were conducted. Results We found a general decline in CES-D 8 scale scores in 2014 as compared with 2006, with only few exceptions in some countries. This decline was most strongly pronounced in older adults, less strongly in middle-aged adults, and least in young adults. Including education, health and income partially explained the decline in older but not younger or middle-aged adults. Conclusions Burden of depressive symptoms decreased in most European countries between 2006 and 2014. However, the decline in depressive symptoms differed across age groups and was most strongly pronounced in older adults and least in younger adults. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms that contribute to these overall and differential changes over time in depressive symptoms.
- Published
- 2020
23. National Synopsis of the Situation of Environmental Training in Belgium
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Geers, Frederick
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- 1993
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24. Quality of primary palliative care for older people with mild and severe dementia: an international mortality follow-back study using quality indicators
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Rose Miranda, Yolanda W H Penders, Tinne Smets, Luc Deliens, Sarah Moreels, Guido Miccinesi, Lieve Van den Block, Tomás Vega Alonso, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, End-of-life Care Research Group, and Clinical sciences
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Male ,Pediatrics ,Aging ,Palliative care ,SYMPTOMS ,LIFE CARE ,BELGIUM ,PREFERENCES ,Severity of Illness Index ,older people ,0302 clinical medicine ,Cognition ,Cause of Death ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,030212 general & internal medicine ,POPULATION ,media_common ,Cause of death ,Aged, 80 and over ,general practice ,education.field_of_study ,palliative care ,primary palliative care ,Age Factors ,DEATH ,PAIN ,NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS ,General Medicine ,quality indicators ,Quality Improvement ,3. Good health ,Europe ,Severe dementia ,END ,Female ,0305 other medical science ,Research Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Population ,MEDLINE ,03 medical and health sciences ,030502 gerontology ,Severity of illness ,medicine ,Dementia ,Humans ,Quality (business) ,Healthcare Disparities ,education ,Aged ,Quality Indicators, Health Care ,Primary Health Care ,business.industry ,medicine.disease ,Ageing ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,business ,dementia - Abstract
Background: measuring the quality of primary palliative care for older people with dementia in different countries is important to identify areas where improvements can be made. Objective: using quality indicators (QIs), we systematically investigated the overall quality of primary palliative care for older people with dementia in three different countries. Design/setting: a mortality follow-back survey through nation-and region-wide representative Sentinel Networks of General Practitioners (GPs) in Belgium, Italy and Spain. GPs registered all patient deaths in their practice. We applied a set of nine QIs developed through literature review and expert consensus. Subjects: patients aged 65 or older, who died non-suddenly with mild or severe dementia as judged by GPs (n = 874). Results: findings showed significantly different QI scores between Belgium and Italy for regular pain measurement (mild dementia: BE = 44%, IT = 12%, SP = 50% | severe dementia: BE = 41%, IT = 9%, SP = 47%), acceptance of approaching death (mild: BE = 59%, IT = 48%, SP = 33% | severe: BE = 41%, IT = 21%, SP = 20%), patient-GP communication about illness (mild: BE = 42%, IT = 6%, SP = 20%) and involvement of specialised palliative services (mild: BE = 60%, IT = 20%, SP = 77%). The scores in Belgium differed from Italy and Spain for patient-GP communication about medical treatments (mild: BE = 34%, IT = 12%, SP = 4%) and repeated multidisciplinary consultations (mild: BE = 39%, IT = 5%, SP = 8% | severe: BE = 36%, IT = 10%, SP = 8%). The scores for relative-GP communication, patient death outside hospitals and bereavement counselling did not differ between countries. Conclusion: while the countries studied differed considerably in the overall quality of primary palliative care, they have similarities in room for improvement, in particular, pain measurement and prevention of avoidable hospitalisations.
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- 2018
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25. Biochar, compost and biochar-compost blend as options to recover nutrients and sequester carbon
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Thomas L. Oldfield, Nicholas M. Holden, Peter Kuikman, Guadalupe López, Natasa Sikirica, and Claudio Mondini
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Carbon sequestration ,Environmental Engineering ,010501 environmental sciences ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,engineering.material ,Raw material ,01 natural sciences ,Soil ,Life cycle assessment ,Nutrient ,Belgium ,Biochar ,Duurzaam Bodemgebruik ,Biochar-compost blend ,Waste Management and Disposal ,Life-cycle assessment ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Sustainable Soil Use ,WIMEK ,Compost ,business.industry ,Composting ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Medicine ,Pulp and paper industry ,Carbon ,Europe ,Nutrient recovery ,Italy ,Agriculture ,Spain ,Charcoal ,040103 agronomy & agriculture ,engineering ,0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ,Environmental science ,Eutrophication ,business - Abstract
This work assessed the potential environmental impact of recycling organic materials in agriculture via pyrolysis (biochar) and composting (compost), as well its combination (biochar-compost blend) versus business-as-usual represented by mineral fertiliser. Life cycle assessment methodology was applied using data sourced from experiments (FP7 project Fertiplus) in three countries (Spain, Italy and Belgium), and considering three environmental impact categories, (i) global warming; (ii) acidification and (iii) eutrophication. The novelty of this analysis is the inclusion of the biochar-compost blend with a focus on multiple European countries, and the inclusion of the acidification and eutrophication impact categories. Biochar, compost and biochar-compost blend all resulted in lower environmental impacts than mineral fertiliser from a systems perspective. Regional differences were found between biochar, compost and biochar-compost blend. The biochar-compost blend offered benefits related to available nutrients and sequestered C. It also produced yields of similar magnitude to mineral fertiliser, which makes its acceptance by farmers more likely whilst reducing environmental impacts. However, careful consideration of feedstock is required.
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- 2018
26. Reports on Insects as Food and Feed from University of Liege Provide New Insights (Reviewing Entomophagy In the Democratic Republic of Congo: Species and Host Plant Diversity, Seasonality, Patterns of Consumption and Challenges of the Edible . . .).
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PLANT species diversity ,INSECT food ,EDIBLE insects ,ENTOMOPHAGY ,CONSUMPTION (Economics) ,ENDANGERED plants ,EDIBLE plants - Abstract
Reports on Insects as Food and Feed from University of Liege Provide New Insights (Reviewing Entomophagy In the Democratic Republic of Congo: Species and Host Plant Diversity, Seasonality, Patterns of Consumption and Challenges of the Edible ...) Keywords: Gembloux; Belgium; Europe; Insects as Food and Feed; Food Research; Democratic; University of Liege EN Gembloux Belgium Europe Insects as Food and Feed Food Research Democratic University of Liege Current study results on Food Research - Insects as Food and Feed have been published. According to news reporting out of Gembloux, Belgium, by NewsRx editors, research stated, "This paper reviews edible insect species and the host plant diversity associated with them in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including their seasonal availability throughout the year. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2023
27. The effects of Belgian outward direct investment in European high-wage and low-wage countries on employment in Belgium.
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Cuyvers, Ludo and Soeng, Reth
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FOREIGN investments ,EMPLOYMENT ,LABOR economics ,ECONOMIC development - Abstract
Purpose – The paper aims at providing evidence on the impact on employment of outward foreign direct investment, particularly from developed countries into low-wage countries, which is a major concern in many developed countries. Design/methodology/approach – The effects of foreign production undertaken by Belgian foreign-oriented companies on employment in Belgium are investigated by performing econometric tests for complementarity or substitution between home and affiliate employment. The data are from the Amadeus database and consist of a sample of 254 Belgian parent companies with foreign affiliates in low-wage and other high-wage European countries during the 1999-2007 period. Findings – The results show that, given the size of parent production in the home country, Belgian multinational enterprises with foreign affiliates in higher-wage European countries tend to employ more labour at home the more they produce in the host country. This probably reflects the needs of foreign affiliates in higher-wage European countries for management and supervisory services from parent companies. Another explanation might be that Belgian outward FDI is largely vertical. In contrast, no evidence is found about employment reallocation between parents and affiliates operating in lower-wage European countries. Originality/value – The paper provides evidence on overall effects on employment in Belgium of its outward foreign direct investment for the period 1999-2007, i.e. using the most recent data available. In contrast to many other studies, statistical diagnostic tests were carried out to choose the appropriate model to best fit the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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28. Investigators at University of Ghent Describe Findings in Food Safety (Towards a Food Safety Culture Improvement Roadmap: Diagnosis and Gap Analysis Through a Conceptual Framework As the First Steps).
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FOOD poisoning ,FOODBORNE diseases - Abstract
According to the news reporters, the research concluded: "This profound diagnosis methodology can be applied for the development of tailored improvement strategies (interventions), which is the next step in the improvement roadmap, to enhance the level of food safety culture." This paper proposes a food safety culture diagnosis and gap analysis methodology, as the first two steps in the food safety culture improvement roadmap." Keywords: Ghent; Belgium; Europe; Diagnostics and Screening; Food Poisoning; Food Safety; Foodborne Diseases and Conditions; Gastroenterology; Health and Medicine EN Ghent Belgium Europe Diagnostics and Screening Food Poisoning Food Safety Foodborne Diseases and Conditions Gastroenterology Health and Medicine 2023 MAR 16 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Food Weekly News -- Investigators publish new report on Foodborne Diseases and Conditions - Food Safety. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2023
29. Mapping Europe into local climate zones.
- Author
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Demuzere, Matthias, Bechtel, Benjamin, Middel, Ariane, and Mills, Gerald
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ENVIRONMENTAL sciences ,CITIES & towns ,CLIMATOLOGY ,METROPOLIS ,MODELS & modelmaking - Abstract
Cities are major drivers of environmental change at all scales and are especially at risk from the ensuing effects, which include poor air quality, flooding and heat waves. Typically, these issues are studied on a city-by-city basis owing to the spatial complexity of built landscapes, local topography and emission patterns. However, to ensure knowledge sharing and to integrate local-scale processes with regional and global scale modelling initiatives, there is a pressing need for a world-wide database on cities that is suited for environmental studies. In this paper we present a European database that has a particular focus on characterising urbanised landscapes. It has been derived using tools and techniques developed as part of the World Urban Database and Access Portal Tools (WUDAPT) project, which has the goal of acquiring and disseminating climate-relevant information on cities worldwide. The European map is the first major step toward creating a global database on cities that can be integrated with existing topographic and natural land-cover databases to support modelling initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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30. Social isolation and multiple chronic diseases after age 50: A European macro-regional analysis.
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Cantarero-Prieto, David, Pascual-Sáez, Marta, and Blázquez-Fernández, Carla
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CHRONIC disease diagnosis ,AGE factors in disease ,SOCIAL isolation ,SOCIOECONOMICS ,LOGISTIC regression analysis - Abstract
Background: Different studies have found that socioeconomic determinants influence the prevalence of chronic diseases in older people. However, there has been relatively little research on the incidence of how social isolation may affect them. We suggest that social isolation is a serious concern for people living with chronic illnesses. Method: In this paper, we examine whether there is an increase in the propensity of being diagnosed with chronic illnesses because of a decrease in social relations for elderly Europeans. We have used a panel data for Waves 1–6 (2004–2015) of Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and logistic regressions. Besides, we have studied three geographic macro-areas (Nordic, Continental and Southern). Being diagnosed with three or more chronic diseases is considered as a dependent variable, and as social control variables we have used three isolation proxies (living alone, providing help to family, friends or neighbours and participation-club activities). Other socio-demographic variables are included (gender, age, educational level, job situation, area of location and quality of life). Results: Our results for the full sample indicate that people who participate in social activities have fewer probability of suffering from chronic diseases (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.54, 0.92). For people who live alone the reverse effect is observed (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.04, 1.39). Differences are shown by macro-areas, e.g. providing help (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.34, 0.97) isolation proxy is significant for the Nordic macro-area. Club-participation activities and living alone are significant for Continental and Southern macro-areas, respectively (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.55, 0.82; OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.21, 1.77). Conclusions: Social isolation increases the risk of being diagnosed with chronic illnesses. That is, people with greater social participation have lower risk of suffering from multiple chronic diseases. This risk linked to isolation, together with the traditional one associated with lifestyles, should be considered in the development of new public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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31. Relative age effect in elite soccer: More early-born players, but no better valued, and no paragon clubs or countries.
- Author
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Doyle, John R. and Bottomley, Paul A.
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META-analysis ,PSYCHOMETRICS ,SOCIAL statistics ,POISSON regression ,SOCCER players ,HEALTH - Abstract
The paper analyses two datasets of elite soccer players (top 1000 professionals and UEFA Under-19 Youth League). In both, we find a Relative Age Effect (RAE) for frequency, but not for value. That is, while there are more players born at the start of the competition year, their transfer values are no higher, nor are they given more game time. We use Poisson regression to derive a transparent index of the discrimination present in RAE. Also, because Poisson is valid for small frequency counts, it supports analysis at the disaggregated levels of country and club. From this, we conclude there are no paragon clubs or countries immune to RAE; that is clubs and countries do not differ systematically in the RAE they experience; also, that Poisson regression is a powerful and flexible method of analysing RAE data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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32. Labor force participation, unemployment and occupational attainment among immigrants in West European countries.
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Gorodzeisky, Anastasia and Semyonov, Moshe
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LABOR supply ,UNEMPLOYMENT ,IMMIGRANTS ,LABOR economics ,OCCUPATIONAL achievement - Abstract
The present paper examines modes of immigrants' labor market incorporation into European societies with specific emphasis on the role played by immigrant status (i.e. first-generation immigrants, immigrant descendants and native born without migrant background), region of origin, and gender. The data were obtained from the European Union Labour Forces Survey 2008 Ad-Hoc Module for France, Belgium, UK and Sweden. In order to supplement the results from the country-specific analysis, we replicated the analysis using pooled data from the five rounds of the European Social Survey conducted between 2002 and 2010, for nine 'old immigration' Western European countries together. The analysis centered on two aspects of incorporation: labor force status and occupation. Multinominal, binary logistic as well as linear probability regression models were estimated. The findings suggest that in all countries non-European origin is associated with greater disadvantage in finding employment not only among first-generation immigrants, but also among sons and daughters of immigrants (i.e. second-generation). Moreover, the relative employment disadvantage among immigrant men of non-European origin is especially pronounced in the second-generation. The likelihood of attaining a high-status job is influenced mostly by immigrant status, regardless of region of origin and gender. The results of the study reveal that patterns of labor force incorporation vary considerably across origin groups and across generations. The patterns do not vary as much across countries, despite cross-country differences in welfare state regimes, migration integration policy and composition of migration flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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33. Investigators from University of Antwerp Target Atrial Fibrillation [Baseline Demographics of a Contemporary Belgian Atrial Fibrillation Cohort Included In a Large Randomised Clinical Trial On Targeted Education and Integrated Care...].
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ATRIAL fibrillation ,CLINICAL trials ,HEART diseases ,MEDICAL research ,ARRHYTHMIA - Abstract
This paper reports the current AF management and baseline demographics of a Belgian AF population recruited for a large multicenter integrated AF study (AF-EduCare/AF-EduApp study)." In contrast to other AF trials about integrated care, the AFEduCare/AF-EduApp study managed to incorporate all types of AF patients, both out-patient and hospitalised, with very comparable patient demographics across all subgroups.". [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2023
34. Spirituality/Religiosity: A Cultural and Psychological Resource among Sub-Saharan African Migrant Women with HIV/AIDS in Belgium.
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Arrey, Agnes Ebotabe, Bilsen, Johan, Lacor, Patrick, and Deschepper, Reginald
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AIDS diagnosis ,DIAGNOSIS of HIV infections ,AFRICANS ,WELL-being ,MEDICAL consultation ,DISEASES - Abstract
Spirituality/religion serves important roles in coping, survival and maintaining overall wellbeing within African cultures and communities, especially when diagnosed with a chronic disease like HIV/AIDS that can have a profound effect on physical and mental health. However, spirituality/religion can be problematic to some patients and cause caregiving difficulties. The objective of this paper was to examine the role of spirituality/religion as a source of strength, resilience and wellbeing among sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrant women with HIV/AIDS. A qualitative study of SSA migrant women was conducted between April 2013 and December 2014. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling and snowball techniques from AIDS Reference Centres and AIDS workshops in Belgium, if they were 18 years and older, French or English speaking, and diagnosed HIV positive more than 3 months beforehand. We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients and did observations during consultations and support groups attendances. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. 44 women were interviewed, of whom 42 were Christians and 2 Muslims. None reported religious/spiritual alienation, though at some point in time many had felt the need to question their relationship with God by asking “why me?” A majority reported being more spiritual/religious since being diagnosed HIV positive. Participants believed that prayer, meditation, regular church services and religious activities were the main spiritual/religious resources for achieving connectedness with God. They strongly believed in the power of God in their HIV/AIDS treatment and wellbeing. Spiritual/religious resources including prayer, meditation, church services, religious activities and believing in the power of God helped them cope with HIV/AIDS. These findings highlight the importance of spirituality in physical and mental health and wellbeing among SSA women with HIV/AIDS that should be taken into consideration in providing a caring and healthy environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
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35. New Food Culture and Society Data Have Been Reported by Investigators at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) (Bread Alarm In Brussels, 1840. Understanding and Theorizing the Development of Food Scares).
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BREAD ,HEALTH boards ,RESEARCH personnel ,HISTORICAL source material ,ALARMS ,CULTURE - Abstract
A recent report from investigators at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) explores an incident in Brussels in 1840 where rumors about bread causing gastrointestinal problems sparked controversy. The report analyzes the episode, highlighting the perspectives and actions of various actors involved, such as journalists, city administrators, doctors, chemists, bakers, and health boards. By examining historical sources such as newspapers, magazines, and treatises, the researchers aim to understand the development of food scares and the reactions of individuals and institutions. The research has been peer-reviewed and is available for further reading in the journal Food Culture & Society. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2023
36. Investigators from University of Antwerp Report New Data on Food Culture and Society (The Magic Is In the Mix: a Uses and Gratifications Approach To the Cross-media Use of Food-related Media Content).
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RESEARCH personnel ,MAGIC ,CULTURE ,COMMUNICATION strategies - Abstract
A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Antwerp explores the uses and gratifications of food-related media content. The study examines the motives behind individuals' engagement with food media and the outcomes they perceive from using it. The research findings suggest that encounters with food media are often accidental, and seven gratifications for using food media were identified, including education, entertainment, social utility, identity-building, passing the time, motivations for healthier eating, and making grocery choices. The study provides valuable insights for both scholars and content creators to better understand how food media can meet recipients' needs and be utilized in communication strategies. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2023
37. Rats as potential reservoirs for neglected zoonotic Bartonella species in Flanders, Belgium
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Krügel, Maria, Pfeffer, Martin, Król, Nina, Imholt, Christian, Baert, Kristof, Ulrich, Rainer G., and Obiegala, Anna
- Published
- 2020
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38. Representing Regions, Challenging Bicameralism: An Introduction
- Author
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Gamper Anna
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Austria ,Belgium ,bicameralism ,Committee of Regions ,Europe ,federalism ,Germany ,Italy ,legislation ,parliamentarism ,regionalism ,second chambers ,shared rule ,Spain ,Switzerland ,United Kingdom ,Political institutions and public administration (General) ,JF20-2112 - Abstract
This special issue publishes a number of conference papers presented at the conference ‘Representing Regions, Challenging Bicameralism’ that took place on 22 and 23 March 2018 at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. In this issue, the developments of European bicameral parliaments in (quasi-)federal states are dealt with as well as the political impact of shared rule and alternative models to second chambers. Several papers compare the organizational and functional design of territorial second chambers. Finally, closer examination is given to the EU’s Committee of Regions and the second chambers in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.
- Published
- 2018
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39. Ghent University Reports Findings in Environmental Chemistry (Tracing the origin of VOCs in post-consumer plastic film bales).
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PLASTIC films ,ENVIRONMENTAL reporting ,FOOD packaging ,ENVIRONMENTAL chemistry ,READY meals ,FLEXIBLE packaging ,PLASTICS in packaging - Abstract
The total concentration of 21 selected VOCs was also higher on packaging used for food products (totally 9187 mg/kg plastic) compared to packaging used for non-food packaging (totally 3741 mg/kg plastic). Europe, Belgium, Food Products, Food Packaging, Environmental Chemistry, Kortrijk Keywords: Europe; Belgium; Kortrijk; Food Products; Food Packaging; Environmental Chemistry EN Europe Belgium Kortrijk Food Products Food Packaging Environmental Chemistry New research on Environment - Environmental Chemistry is the subject of a report. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2023
40. Updated checklist of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Belgium.
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Boukraa, Slimane, Dekoninck, Wouter, Versteirt, Veerle, Schafner, Francis, Coosemans, Marc, Haubruge, Eric, and Francis, Frederic
- Abstract
Most information about the systematics and bioecology of Belgian mosquitoes dates back from before 1950, and only scattered information was produced during the last decades. In this paper we review and update the list of mosquito species recorded in Belgium, from first report (1908) to 2015. Six genera and 31 species were recorded so far, including 28 autochthonous species and three invasive alien species recently recorded in Belgium: Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894), Ae. japonicus japonicus (Theobald 1901), and Ae. koreicus (Edwards 1917). The six genera are Anopheles (five species), Aedes (sixteen species), Coquillettidia (one species), Culex (four species), Culiseta (four species), and Orthopodomyia (one species). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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41. Findings from University libre of Bruxelles Provide New Insights into Anorexia (High-calorie Refeeding In Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa: a Narrative Review).
- Subjects
MENTAL illness ,ANOREXIA nervosa ,EATING disorders ,YOUNG adults ,REFEEDING syndrome - Abstract
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University libre of Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium, explored the initial refeeding management in hospitalized children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). The study found that starting with a high-calorie diet may be beneficial for initial weight restoration in these patients. However, more robust studies are needed to confirm the safety of high-calorie refeeding, especially in severely malnourished adolescents with AN. The findings suggest that high-calorie refeeding is possible under close medical monitoring and with prompt electrolyte correction for adolescents with AN and a low risk of refeeding syndrome. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
42. Representing Regions, Challenging Bicameralism: An Introduction
- Author
-
Anna Gamper
- Subjects
parliamentarism ,shared rule ,Sociology and Political Science ,Bicameralism ,Public administration ,legislation ,01 natural sciences ,010104 statistics & probability ,Public law ,Politics ,Belgium ,federalism ,Germany ,Political science ,050602 political science & public administration ,0101 mathematics ,Committee of Regions ,second chambers ,regionalism ,05 social sciences ,United Kingdom ,lcsh:Political institutions and public administration (General) ,0506 political science ,Europe ,bicameralism ,Italy ,Spain ,Austria ,Political Science and International Relations ,lcsh:JF20-2112 ,Law ,Switzerland - Abstract
This special issue publishes a number of conference papers presented at the conference ‘Representing Regions, Challenging Bicameralism’ that took place on 22 and 23 March 2018 at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. In this issue, the developments of European bicameral parliaments in (quasi-)federal states are dealt with as well as the political impact of shared rule and alternative models to second chambers. Several papers compare the organizational and functional design of territorial second chambers. Finally, closer examination is given to the EU’s Committee of Regions and the second chambers in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.
- Published
- 2018
43. Downcycling versus recycling of construction and demolition waste: Combining LCA and LCC to support sustainable policy making
- Author
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Karel Van Acker, Andrea Di Maria, and Johan Eyckmans
- Subjects
Waste policy support ,Landfill tax ,020209 energy ,02 engineering and technology ,010501 environmental sciences ,01 natural sciences ,Belgium ,Waste Management ,Construction and demolition waste ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Recycling ,Environmental impact assessment ,Policy Making ,Waste Management and Disposal ,Life-cycle assessment ,Downcycling ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Construction Materials ,LCA ,Construction Industry ,LCC ,Environmental economics ,Gate fee ,Europe ,Demolition waste ,Sustainability ,Demolition ,Business - Abstract
Urgent solutions are needed in Europe to deal with construction and demolition waste (CDW). EU policy has contributed to significantly reducing the amount of CDW going to landfill, but most of the effort has been put in downcycling practices. Therefore, further policies are needed to stimulate high-quality recycling of CDW. The present paper presents a combined life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies to analyse the environmental and the economic drivers in four alternative CDW end-of-life scenarios in the region of Flanders, in Belgium. The four analysed alternatives are (i) landfilling, (ii) downcycling, (iii) advanced recycling and (iv) recycling after selective demolition. LCA results show that landiflling is the scenario having the highest environmental impacts in terms of person equivalent (PE), followed by downcycling and recycling (-36%) and recycling after selective demolition (-59%). The decrease in environmental impacts is mostly due to the avoided landfilling of CDW and the recovery of materials from selective demolition. LCC results indicate that landfilling is the scenario bearing the highest total economic costs. This is due to the high landfill tax in Flanders. The recycling after selective demolition bears the second highest cost. The increase of high-quality CDW recycling can significantly reduce the overall environmental impact of the system. Implementing a high landfill tax, increasing the gate fee to the recycling plant, and boosting the sales price of recycled aggregates are the most effective drivers to facilitate a transition towards a more sustainable CDW management system. The paper demonstrates that the combined LCA and LCC results can highlight the environmental and economic drivers in CDW management. The results of the combined analysis can help policymakers to promote the aspects contributing to sustainability and to limit the ones creating a barrier. ispartof: Waste Management vol:75 pages:3-21 ispartof: location:United States status: published
- Published
- 2018
44. Public opinion about electronic voting in Europe as illustrated by YouTube.
- Author
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Fedorov, Vladislav
- Subjects
ELECTRONIC voting ,PUBLIC opinion ,SOCIAL media - Abstract
Copyright of Przegląd Europejski is the property of University of Warsaw and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Ghent University Reports Findings in Science (Towards tailored guidelines for microbial air quality in the food industry).
- Subjects
FOOD quality ,SCIENCE journalism ,FOOD industry ,SCIENTIFIC literature ,FOOD microbiology ,SESSION Initiation Protocol (Computer network protocol) ,AIR quality ,FOOD contamination - Abstract
A report from Ghent University in Belgium discusses the need for quantitative limits on airborne microorganisms in food processing facilities to prevent food contamination. The review examines the complexities of microbial air quality in the food industry, including sources of airborne microorganisms, air sampling methods, and preventive measures. The research finds a lack of substantial evidence linking airborne microorganisms to food contamination and a lack of standardized air sampling methodologies. The development of tailored guidelines for microbial air quality in the food industry is necessary, taking into account factors such as product characteristics and production context. Ongoing collaborative efforts are needed to develop evidence-based guidelines that effectively mitigate risks without incurring unnecessary costs. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
46. Discursive junctions in flood risk governance – A comparative understanding in six European countries
- Author
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Maria Kaufmann and Mark Wiering
- Subjects
Risk ,Environmental Engineering ,Hegemony ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Public Policy ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,01 natural sciences ,Belgium ,050602 political science & public administration ,Economics ,Humans ,Natural disaster ,Waste Management and Disposal ,Netherlands ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Sweden ,Flood myth ,Corporate governance ,05 social sciences ,Risk governance ,Perspective (graphical) ,General Medicine ,Social constructionism ,Floods ,United Kingdom ,0506 political science ,Management ,Europe ,England ,13. Climate action ,Political economy ,France ,Poland ,Institute for Management Research ,Meaning (linguistics) - Abstract
Contains fulltext : 175962pub.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Flood risks are managed differently across Europe. While a number of research studies aim to understand these differences, they tend to pay little attention to the social constructionist aspects of flood risk governance, i.e. the meaning that societies give to flood risk and governance. This paper aims to address this gap by understanding differences in flood risk management approaches (FRMA) from a discursive-institutional perspective. Based on this perspective, an analytical framework was developed to systematically analyse and compare discourses pertaining to flood risk and its governance in six European member states (England (the United Kingdom), Flanders (Belgium), France, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden). Correspondingly, this paper demonstrates how the hegemonic discursive-institutional patterns of flood risk governance differ between the six European countries. These differences may influence the capability of countries to learn from each other, adopt new FRMAs or cooperate with each other. Moreover, the paper argues that differences in discourses partially account for the differences in FRMAs between countries, combined with other factors. Additionally, broader implications are discussed. For example, the research findings imply that some discourses tend to favour or disfavour other discourses, and that they additionally also tend to favour particular FRMAs; e.g. the flood risk discourse pertaining to high manageability of risks seems to favour a governance discourse of collectivity and central governance. The different insights imply that further research is necessary to understand the complex interaction of discourses and institutional arrangements. 19 maart 2017
- Published
- 2017
47. Data on Genomics and Genetics Discussed by Researchers at University of Antwerp (Assessment and Treatment of Visuospatial Neglect Using Active Learning With Gaussian Processes Regression).
- Subjects
UNILATERAL neglect ,KRIGING ,ACTIVE learning ,GENETICS ,LEARNING ,TELEPSYCHIATRY - Abstract
Researchers at the University of Antwerp in Belgium have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) solution to assess and treat visuospatial neglect, a disorder often associated with stroke. The AI model uses active learning with Gaussian process regression to accurately assess a patient's visuospatial neglect in a three-dimensional setting, reducing the effort required for assessment. The researchers conducted clinical trials to validate the accuracy and reliability of the AI-based assessment, comparing it to conventional tests currently used in clinical practice. The results showed that the virtual reality application was more sensitive, while maintaining high reliability. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
48. Findings from University of Ghent Provide New Insights into Women's Health (Momfluencers Als Entertainmenteducators Ter Promotie Van Borstvoeding: Een Conceptueel Model).
- Subjects
WOMEN'S health ,INFLUENCER marketing ,BREASTFEEDING techniques - Abstract
A report from the University of Ghent in Belgium discusses the potential impact of "momfluencers" on promoting breastfeeding. Momfluencers are social media influencers who share content on motherhood. The report suggests that these influencers could operate as entertainment educators to destigmatize and encourage breastfeeding. By using the characteristics of momfluencers, such as their ability to affect opinions and behavior, resistance towards persuasive breastfeeding messages could be reduced. The research is based on the entertainment education theory and has been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
49. Energy Transition in Europe and the United States: Policy Entrepreneurs and Veto Players in Federalist Systems.
- Author
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Balthasar, Andreas, Schreurs, Miranda A., and Varone, Frédéric
- Subjects
VETO ,BUSINESSPEOPLE ,FEDERAL government ,VETO player theory ,RENEWABLE energy transition (Government policy) - Abstract
The focus of this special issue is on the energy transformations taking place in several European countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland) and at the federal and subnational (state) levels in the United States with special attention given to California. The cases examined all have federalist structures, and with the exception of the federal level of the United States, all have relatively ambitious climate and renewable energy targets. We compare these states out of an interest in better understanding how federalism interacts with energy transitions. The comparison is also intriguing as at the federal level the United States presents a stark contrast with the federalist European countries considered in this special issue but at the subnational level many similarities can be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Investigators at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Report Findings in Breast Cancer (Introduction of Ultra-hypofractionation In Breast Cancer: Implications for Costs and Resource Use).
- Subjects
BREAST cancer ,DISCRETE event simulation ,ACTIVITY-based costing - Abstract
A recent study conducted by investigators at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium explores the implications of introducing ultra-hypofractionation in breast cancer treatment. The study analyzes the impact of different fractionation schedules on resource use, costs, work times, throughput, and waiting times. The findings suggest that ultra-hypofractionation can lead to reduced resource use, cost savings, increased throughput, and reduced waiting times. However, the financial advantages may be limited in the short term and may depend on factors such as patient volume and operating hours. The study emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making in radiotherapy. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
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