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We identify the causal effects of three types of internships (mandatory intra-curricular, voluntary intra-curricular, and voluntary extra-curricular) among university graduates on job interview and hiring chances, and explore the mechanisms underlying these effects. To this end, we perform a vignette experiment among HR professionals in Belgium. Our results indicate that internships improve one's job interview and hiring chances, with voluntary extra-curricular internships having the strongest effect. With respect to the mechanisms, we find that internships improve employers' perceptions about the job seekers' skills acquired during the educational career, their pre-existing abilities and motivations, and their knowledge of the job content and working conditions. The first two types of perceptions are also found to be strong predictors of the hiring outcomes. The effects of internships on hiring chances are not found to be reduced or reinforced by the presence of other work experiences (student work, volunteering). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to interpret graphs is highly important in modern society, but has proven to be a challenge for many people. In this paper, two teaching methods were used to remediate one specific misinterpretation: the area misinterpretation of box plots. First, we used refutational text to explicitly state and invalidate the area misinterpretation of box plots. Second, we used multiple external representations (MERs): Histograms were used as an overlay on box plots in order to give students a better insight in the way box plots represent data distributions. Third, we combined refutational text and MERs. We found that refutational text was successful in improving students' interpretation of box plots, but that the use of MERs did not improve students' interpretation of box plots. The addition of MERs also did not increase the effect of refutational text.

In the continuously changing society and knowledge-intensive economy, the demand for the recurrent updating of competencies is coming to the fore for all employees, including low-qualified employees. Employees are considered low qualified when they do not have a starter qualification for higher education. Although many educational studies have focused on fostering learning under favorable circumstances, learning under less favorable circumstances--such as fewer career prospects and restricted possibilities for professional and personal development associated with low qualifications--has received fairly little attention. Participants in this cross-sectional, survey-based study were 246 low-qualified employees from eight different organizations. Results of the multilevel analyses show gender differences and differences between employees with different types of employment contracts. In addition, the seniority of employees showed a negative relation with learning intentions. Finally, learning intentions were positively predicted by self-directedness, financial satisfaction, and perceived support for learning. (Contains 2 figures and 7 tables.)

Bats can be affected by fungal pathogens such as Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of the white-nose syndrome. Their body surface can also be colonized by fungal commensals or carry transient fungal species and participate in their dispersal. In this study, 114 bat specimens belonging to seven species were sampled from various locations in northern Belgium. Culture-based methods revealed an important mycological diversity, with a total of 209 different taxa out of the 418 isolates. Overall, a mean of 3.7 taxa per bat was recorded, but significant differences were observed between sampling sites and seasons. The mycobiomes were dominated by cosmopolitan and plant-associated species, in particular from the genera Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Other species known to be related to bats or their environment, such as Apiotrichum otae, were also retrieved. Sampling of hibernacula indicated that diverse fungal species can inhabit these sites, including a yet undescribed Pseudogymnoascus species, distinct from Ps. destructans, namely, Ps. cavicola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores satisfactory learning experiences of adult learners in Flemish formal adult education. Satisfaction is an important issue in motivational psychology. We used the Comprehensive Lifelong Learning Participation Model of Boeren, Nicaise and Baert and explored whether satisfactory experiences relate to characteristics of the individual and/or characteristics of the educational institution. Results revealed that satisfactory learning experiences relate strongly to perceptions of classroom environment.

Purpose: With the intention of detecting and describing a series of team learning patterns within a selection of organisations, an extensive exploratory and qualitative research project was conducted in seven phases. The study at hand aims to report on the most recent phase, namely eight case studies in the public employment service of Flanders (Belgium) and aims to expand the provisional typology of learning patterns and to explore the strategic relevance of these learning patterns in the light of a strategic human resource development (HRD) policy. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research approach with a multiple case study design served as the methodological base. A total of 22 interviews in eight cases were conducted in the competence centres of the Flemish employment service, what brings the total to 40 cases and 150 interviews. Findings: Hitherto, five basic learning patterns and 16 variations make up the provisional typology of learning patterns. The strategic relevance of the learning patterns varies with respect to the scope of the developed competences and the degree of orientation to future of the organisation and the career expectations of the employees. Originality/value: The provisional typology of learning patterns has proven to be useful as a tool for the identification of configurations of workplace learning in teams. The exploration of the strategic relevance provides clues for the alignment of the HRD with the organisational strategy. (Contains 2 tables.)

Past research has shown that, as workers age, their participation in education and training declines, which is a problem in our fast changing society and economy. This study focuses on the stimulating and prohibiting reasons for participation in formal learning activities. It investigates whether employees in the second half of their career differ from their younger colleagues in terms of the reasons for participation in formal learning activities. 628 employees from the public health sector completed the questionnaire and after performing factor analysis, several ANOVA analyses were undertaken. Employees older and younger than 45 years of age and groups with varying levels of experience within their organisation (employees with more or less than 20 years service) were compared. Results showed that younger employees were more stimulated by their organisation's steering than their older colleagues. However, younger employees were less keen than older employees to participate in formal learning due to the required investments of time, financial costs, distance and assignments. In comparing more and less experienced employees, it was found that employees with less experience were more stimulated by the organisational steering and wish to progress. More experienced employees were discouraged by dispositional barriers; for example, they felt that they had learned enough or could not learn any more and also dreaded the idea of "going back to school". The differences found in this study support the statement that age and educational participation are not (or less) directly related than has been suggested. Rather, the differences between different age groups seem to be more related to differences in the personal or private lives of employees, while any differences between experienced and less experienced employees appeared to depend on job-related issues. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)

We examine the impact of internship experience during secondary education on students' schooling and early labour market outcomes by analysing unique, longitudinal data from Belgium. To control for unobservable differences between students with and students without internship experience, we estimate a dynamic discrete choice model. In line with literature on vocational education, we find that internship experience has a positive effect on one's employment chances up to 5 years after graduation. This positive effect is mainly explained by a positive direct employment effect. Although we also find a positive indirect employment effect through a higher chance to obtain a secondary education qualification, this is largely compensated by negative indirect effects through lower tertiary education attainment. (JEL codes: I21, I26, J21, and J24) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors investigate the importance of employer preferences in explaining sticky floors, the pattern in which women are less likely, as compared to men, to start to climb the job ladder. The authors perform a randomized field experiment in the Belgian labor market and test whether hiring discrimination based on gender is heterogeneous by whether jobs imply a promotion (compared to the applicants’ current position). The findings show that women receive 33% fewer interview invitations when they apply for jobs that imply a first promotion at the functional level. By contrast, the results show that their hiring chances are not significantly affected by the authority level of the job. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact on first hiring outcomes of two main curriculum vitae (CV) characteristics by which graduates with a tertiary education degree distinguish themselves from their peers: degree class and extra‐curricular activities. These characteristics were randomly assigned to 2,800 fictitious job applications that were sent to real vacancies in Belgium. Academic performance and extra‐curricular engagement enhance job interview rates by 7.0% (CI 95% [0.3%, 13.7%]) and 6.5% (CI 95% [−0.5%, 13.4%]), respectively. We did not find evidence for these CV characteristics to reinforce or reduce their effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To limit the spread of COVID-19, many countries, including Belgium, have installed physical distancing measures. Yet, adherence to these newly installed behavioral measures has been described as challenging and effortful. Based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, this study performed an in-depth evaluation of when, why, and how people deviated from the physical distancing measures. An online mixed-method study was conducted among Belgian adults (N = 2055) in the beginning of May 2020. Participants were recruited via an open call through email and social media platforms, using snowball sampling. Conditions wherein people deviated from the physical distancing measures were assessed by means of an open-ended question. HAPA determinants were assessed in a quantitative way. Half of the sample reported to deviate from the measures. Further, deviation from the measures was associated with each determinant outlined by the HAPA. Findings highlight that many people deviated from the measures because of their need for social contact. The majority of the people who deviated from the measures stated that they carefully weighed the risks of their behavior. Need for social contact pushed people to deviate from physical distancing measures in a deliberate manner. Potential areas for future interventions aimed at promoting adherence to physical distancing measures and enhancing psychosocial wellbeing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual assault (SA) is highly prevalent in Belgium. In order to mitigate the negative consequences for victims of acute SA, Sexual Assault Care Centres (SACCs) were piloted from October 2017 to October 2018 in three Belgian hospitals. SACCs offer medical and psychological care, forensic examination and the possibility to report to the police at the SACC. Aiming to improve SACC services, we quantitatively assessed the number and characteristics of victims attending the SACC, the SA they experienced, and the care they received over 12 months upon admission. Data on victims presenting at the SACC were routinely collected in electronic patient files by the SACC personnel between 25 October 2017 and 31 October 2019. These data were analysed in IBM SPSS Statistics 25. Within the first year 931 victims attended the SACCs. Mean age was 24.5 years (SD = 12.8), and one-third were under 18. The majority were female (90.5%) and 63.1% presented for rape. About one-third of the victims were considered vulnerable due to previous SA (35.6%), prior psychiatric consultation (38.7%) or disability (8.5%). The assailant was known to the victim in 59.2% of the cases. Of all SACC presentations, 35.2% self-referred to the SACC while 40.9% were referred by the police. Two out of three victims attended the SACC within 72 h post-assault. Respectively 74.7% of victims received medical care, 60.6% a forensic examination, 50.2% psychological care, and 68.7% reported to the police. Despite the absence of promotion campaigns, the SACCs received a high number of victims during the pilot year. Use of acute and follow-up services was high, although new approaches to offer more accessible psychological support should be explored. The big proportion of vulnerable victims warrants careful monitoring and adaptation of care pathways. Belgian Sexual Assault Centres received 931 victims in the 1st year, mostly being young women raped by a known assailant. Uptake of medical care, forensic examination and police reporting was high. Easier accessible psychological follow-up support is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic requires massive and rapid behavior change. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) describes personal determinants that play a key role in behavior change. This study investigated whether these determinants are associated with adherence to physical distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID‐19 (i.e. keeping 1.5 m physical distance and staying at home). Decreased psychosocial well‐being and lack of social support were explored as barriers to adherence. Methods: Two cross‐sectional surveys were conducted among adults in Belgium. The first survey (N = 2,379; March 2020) focused on adherence to physical distancing measures. The second survey (N = 805; April 2020) focused on difficulty with, and perseverance in, adhering to these measures. Linear regression models were fitted to examine associations with HAPA determinants, psychosocial well‐being, and social support. Results: Self‐efficacy, outcome expectancies, intention, action planning, and coping planning were related to adhering to, difficulty with, and perseverance in, adhering to physical distancing measures. Decreased psychosocial well‐being and lack of social support were related to more difficulties with adhering to physical distancing and lower perseverance. Conclusions: Health action process approach determinants are associated with adherence to physical distancing measures. Future work could design HAPA‐based interventions to support people in adhering to these measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, hot-dip galvanised steel wires were exposed in Belgium and Indonesia for 4.5 years and correlation of corrosion products formed on the exposed wires with their corrosion properties was studied. Corrosion products were identified with local Raman analysis and correlated with corrosion activity based on odd random phase electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel behaviour. Raman spectroscopy results confirmed that corrosion products formed in both atmospheric conditions differed either in quantity and/or in chemical nature, which indicated that 'aged in Belgium' and 'aged in Indonesia' wires did not have similar surface compositions. The comparison of the instantaneous corrosion behaviour of pristine and aged wires based on corrosion currents (polarisation curve) and impedance values in 0.1 M NaCl and 0.1 M Na2SO4 declared that aged in Belgium (AIB) and aged in Indonesia (AII) wires exhibited different corrosion behaviour, which confirmed that corrosion products formed in the environments of the exposed wires were dominating their corrosion behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identify the causal effects of student characteristics on the likelihood of being hired for an apprenticeship and explore the mechanisms underlying the employer's decision. To this end, we perform a vignette experiment among human resources professionals in Belgium, focusing on less‐qualified youth. Our results indicate that students with favorable educational records and students revealing being motivated are more likely to obtain an apprenticeship. Furthermore, we find that these characteristics are used by human resources professionals as signals of trainability, employability, and quit intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bartonella spp. are vector-borne pathogens transmitted to humans via blood-sucking arthropods. Rodents such as the black rat (Rattus rattus) and Norway rat (R. norvegicus) are thought to be the main reservoirs. An infection with rodent-associated Bartonella spp. may cause severe symptoms in humans such as endocarditis and neuroretinitis. The current knowledge of Bartonella prevalence in rats from western Europe is scarce. Methods: Rats and a few other rodent by-catches were trapped in the context of a rodenticide resistance study at different sites in Flanders, Belgium. During dissection, biometric data were collected, and spleen tissues were taken. DNA was extracted from spleen samples and tested for Bartonella spp. by conventional generic polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To determine the Bartonella species, a selected number of amplicons were sequenced and compared with GenBank entries. Results: In total, 1123 rodents were trapped. The predominate species was R. norvegicus (99.64%). Other rodents trapped included: two water voles (Arvicola amphibius, 0.18%); one colour rat (R. norvegicus forma domestica, 0.09%); and one muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus, 0.09%). PCR analysis of 1097 rodents resulted in 410 (37.37%, 95% CI: 34.50–40.31%) Bartonella spp. DNA-positive samples. Bartonella tribocorum (94.68%, 95% CI: 88.02–98.25%) was the most frequently detected Bartonella species, followed by B. grahamii (3.19%, 95% CI: 0.66–9.04%) and B. doshiae (1.06%, 95% CI: 0.03–5.79%). An uncultured Bartonella species occurred in one water vole (1.06%, 95% CI: 0.03–5.79%). There was a significantly higher Bartonella prevalence in older rats compared to juveniles and a significant difference in Bartonella prevalence concerning the localisation of trapping sites. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in Bartonella prevalence regarding sex, degree of urbanisation and season. Conclusions: Based on the high prevalence found, we conclude that the Norway rat seems to be a key reservoir host for zoonotic B. tribocorum in Belgium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each year a substantial share of the European population suffers from major depression. This mental illness may affect individuals’ later life outcomes indirectly by the stigma it inflicts. The present study assesses hiring discrimination based on disclosed depression. To this end, between May 2015 and July 2015, we sent out 288 trios of job applications from fictitious candidates to real vacancies in Belgium. Within each trio, one candidate claimed to have become unemployed only recently, whereas the other two candidates revealed former depression or no reason at all for their unemployment during a full year. Disclosing a year of inactivity due to former depression decreases the probability of getting a job interview invitation by about 34% when compared with candidates who just became unemployed, but the stigma effect of a year of depression is not significantly higher than the stigma effect of a year of unexplained unemployment. In addition, we found that these stigmas of depression and unemployment were driven by our male trios of fictitious candidates. As a consequence, our results are in favour of further research on gender heterogeneity in the stigma of depression and other health impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belgian agriculture could decrease its heavy dependency on imported protein crops by a local production of soybean. Unfortunately, soybean production is hampered by Belgium's short and cold growing season. We evaluated 409 varieties, breeding lines and genebank accessions planted at two planting dates in a row-plot experiment to explore the genotypes that are suitable for growing in Belgium. The current MG000 varieties may require additional crossings with very early-maturing genotypes to guarantee an optimal and safe harvest. Within such crossings, care must be taken to maintain the indeterminate or semi-determinate growth habit. Vegetative development was negatively correlated with flowering date and maturity date, but positively correlated with cold tolerance. Seed quality was mainly affected by mould infection (associated with strong lodging and late maturity) and mottling caused by soybean mosaic virus. Planting 3 weeks earlier resulted in 8 d earlier flowering and 7 d earlier maturing, without significant losses in seed yield per plant. The results of this row-plot experiment hold promise to select for genotypes adapted to the Belgian conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The positive influence of physical activity (PA) on health is well documented. Even at old age, PA remains useful but participation in PA decreases with age. In long-term care facilities (LTCFs), PA appears to be reduced to a bare minimum. Because administrators have a key role in developing the care policy of LTCFs, it is important that they support the organization of PA in LTCFs. Objective The main objective of this mixed-method study was to identify motivators and barriers for organizing PA in LTCFs according to administrators. A secondary goal was to examine the knowledge of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines regarding PA and to reveal potential motivators and barriers for the implementation of the guidelines. Methods First, 24 administrators completed semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using the deductive approach of qualitative content analysis. The obtained motivators and barriers were categorized on 3 different levels (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community) according to the socioecological model by 2 independent reviewers; conflicts were resolved with a third researcher. Next, 127 administrators of Flemish (Belgium) LTCFs completed an online questionnaire survey containing open-ended, unique, and multiple choice questions regarding the LTCFs, PA, and the WHO guidelines, as well as statements (scored on a 5-point Likert scale) regarding perceived motivators and barriers for organizing PA sessions in the LTCF. Results In the qualitative component, the administrators reported 31 motivators and 24 barriers for organizing PA in the LTCF. In the survey, maintaining or enhancing general health of the residents (98%) and improving the psychological well-being of the residents were marked as key motivators at the intrapersonal level. The administrators (97%) were convinced that PA is a useful way to spend time for LTCF residents. Encouraging social contact (94%) and countering loneliness (86%) are the motivators cited at the interpersonal level. At the community level, the infrastructure of the facility (91%) and adequate and sufficient material (88%) are the main motivators. The barriers that were presented to the participants were scored as less important. The majority of the administrators (83%) are not familiar with the WHO guidelines for PA; 70% of the participants believe that the guidelines are useful, but only 40% is convinced that it is realistic to implement the guidelines in an LTCF. Conclusions This study described different motivators and barriers for administrators to organize PA in LTCFs. Contrary to other studies, lack of staff, lack of adequate equipment, and lack of financial resources were rejected as potential barriers for organizing PA. Despite the fact that administrators were not familiar with the WHO guidelines for PA, they believed that the guidelines are useful. The participants reported several barriers for implementation of the guidelines. Administrators of LTCFs are motivated to implement the guidelines if PA can be integrated in daily activities and education of LTCF staff regarding PA is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effectiveness of wage subsidies as a policy instrument to integrate disabled individuals into the labor market. To identify causal effects, a large-scale field experiment was conducted in Belgium. The results show that the likelihood of a disabled candidate receiving a positive response to a job application is not positively influenced by disclosing entitlement to the Flemish Supporting Subsidy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Persons with MS (pwMS) in the community show reduced physical activity while studies demonstrated beneficial effects of exercise therapy in supervised settings. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated, in pwMS living in the community, the effects of a 1-day education program about exercises and sports, on physical activity behavior and related outcome measures as self-efficacy, perceived walking ability, fatigue, perceived impact of MS and quality of life. METHODS: PwMS attended an education day with theoretical and practical sessions that was organized by the Flemish MS Society and professional exercise experts. Forty-two participants immediately completed questionnaires as well as after three and six months. Overall disability and physical activity level were measured using PDSS (patient determined disease steps) and PASIPD (Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities) respectively. Other outcomes were the ESES, MSWS-12, MFIS, MSIS-29 and SF-36. Analyses of variance were performed in groups distinguished by self-reported disability level (PDDS ≤1; n = 24 and PDSS >1; n = 18). RESULTS: Groups differed significantly for perceived walking ability (PDDS,MSWS-12) and physical related-domains of MSIS-29 and SF-36, but not PASIPD. A trend towards significant group*time interaction effect was found for the PASIPD indicating, at 3 and 6 months, increased physical activity in the subgroup PDDS ≤1. For the MSIS-29, a significant time effect was found with reduced impact being largest for the more disabled group at 6 months. No changes were found in other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: An one-day education program had, depending on perceived disability level, some long-standing effects on physical activity and perceived impact of MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The numerous studies conducted so far on the issue of patulin contamination have focused mainly on aspects like growth of Penicillium expansum, patulin production under different conditions and the influence of processing on the patulin concentration in apple juice. The purpose of the present study was to collect the necessary information and to develop a quantitative risk assessment model (QRAM) in order to evaluate different strategies to reduce patulin contamination. For apple juice (AJ) production 3 types of apples are considered, namely fresh apples, apples stored under cold air (short term storage) and apples stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) (long term storage). The QRAM described the complete chain from the picking of apples until storage of produced AJ. In comparison to a traditional chemical analysis, the QRAM was found accurate in predicting the concentration of patulin in cloudy and clear AJs commercialised in Belgium. Simulation of the model demonstrated that the use of apples stored under CA contributes to a large extent to the patulin contamination of AJ. Since apples stored in CA are used from more or less January onwards, AJ with high patulin concentration can be produced from January onwards. It would be useful in this respect to take this into account when sampling plans are made by apple juice producers in the framework of their HACCP-system and by governments and control agencies when monitoring programmes are elaborated. The duration of deck storage between the delivery at the apple juice producer (AJP) and the processing of the apples had a large influence on the patulin concentration, and this effect was more pronounced for apples stored under controlled atmosphere compared to apples stored under cold air. The duration of the deck storage should therefore be considered as a Critical Control Point (CCP) within HACCP-systems. Also the application of a sorting step was evaluated to be efficient to reduce the high patulin concentration in AJ. Therefore, a combination of the 2 most effective measures (namely sorting out apples with an infection lesion larger than 10cm2 and a reduction of the volume of CA apples) was tested and resulted in a reduction to levels below 25μg/kg in 99.7 to 99.9% of the clear and cloudy apple juices, respectively. It is therefore advisable to include a sorting step prior to processing, when apples stored in CA are used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Anticoagulant resistance is known as one of the major factors interfering with rodent control. Within this context we investigated the distribution of anticoagulant resistance in Flanders, northern Belgium. From 2003 to 2005, we tested 691 rats from different locations with blood clotting response tests for their susceptibility to the anticoagulant compounds warfarin, bromadiolone and difenacoum. Of these, 119 were also screened for a mutation in the VKORC1 gene that is suspected to be responsible for anticoagulant resistance. Warfarin resistant rats were found in the western and eastern parts of Flanders. The same distribution pattern was found for bromadiolone with the exception of the south-eastern area, where this form of resistance was largely absent. We detected difenacoum resistance in only six rats and did not observe any resistant rats in the central part of Flanders. Susceptible rats were found all over Flanders. Genetic analyses showed that anticoagulant resistance in Belgium was related to two different mutations in VKORC1, namely Y139F and L120Q. Our results indicate that rodent control should be regionally tailored to be most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Foodborne viruses, especially noroviruses (NoV), are increasingly reported as the cause of foodborne outbreaks. NoV outbreaks have been reported linked to fresh soft red fruits and leafy greens. Belgium, Canada and France were the first countries to provide data about the prevalence of NoV on fresh produce. In total, 867 samples of leafy greens, 180 samples of fresh soft red fruits and 57 samples of other types of fresh produce (tomatoes, cucumber and fruit salads) were analyzed. Firstly, the NoV detection methodology, including virus and RNA extraction, real-time RT-PCR and quality controls were compared among the three countries. In addition, confirmation and genotyping of the NoV strains was attempted for a subset of NoV positive samples using conventional RT-PCR targeting an alternative region followed by sequencing. Analysis of the process control showed that 653, 179 and 18 samples of the leafy greens, soft red fruits and other fresh produce types were valid for analysis based on the recovery of the process control. NoV was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 28.2% (N=641), 33.3% (N=6) and 50% (N=6) of leafy greens tested in Canada, Belgium and France, respectively. Soft red fruits were found positive by real-time RT-PCR in 34.5% (N=29) and 6.7% (N=150) of the samples tested in Belgium and France, respectively. 55.5% (N=18) of the other fresh produce types, analyzed in Belgium, were found NoV positive by real-time RT-PCR. Conventional RT-PCR resulted in an amplicon of the expected size in 19.5% (52/266) of the NoV positive samples where this assay was attempted. Subsequent sequencing was only successful in 34.6% (18/52) of the suspected amplicons obtained by conventional RT-PCR. From this study, using the described methodology, NoV genomes were frequently detected in fresh produce however sequence confirmation was not successful for the majority of the samples tested. Infection or outbreaks were rarely or not known to be related to the NoV positive samples. With the increase in sensitivity of the detection methodology, there is an increasing concern about the interpretation of positive NoV results by real-time amplification. Strategies to confirm the results by real-time RT-PCR should be developed in analogy with the detection of microbial pathogens in foods. Detection might indicate contact with NoV in the fresh produce chain. Consequently, a potential risk for infection cannot be excluded but the actual risk from RT-PCR NoV positive produce is still unknown. Studies should be designed determining the probability of infection related to the presence or levels of NoV genomic copies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the development of a concept to measure the safety of the food chain in Belgium based on the ‘Pressure–State–Response’ model. The actual measurement tool or barometer consists of a measurement of the ‘State’ based on a set of indicators. The present paper discusses the elaboration of a set of 30 food safety indicators (FSIs) as the basis of the food safety barometer. These indicators were weighted by expert opinion in order to determine their relative weight to be considered in the barometer. Food safety was reflected in a composite and agreed upon set of indicators related to i) the compliance to action limits/criteria for selected chemical and microbial hazards, ii) the implementation of preventive and control measures to mitigate food safety throughout the food chain from farm to fork and iii) the reported number of foodborne outbreaks and reported cases of some selected zoonotic agents (Salmonella sp. and Listeria monocytogenes). As food safety remains an abstract term and no quantitative value could be attributed (also due to lack of quantitative food safety objectives), the option was taken to document the status of food safety in a relative manner by comparing the results of the set of indicators of the current year with the previous year. By comparing the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 it was concluded that the status of the global food safety in Belgium was high and an upward trend could be observed. Statistical analysis on each of the individual indicators was performed, however since at present a restricted data set is available (2009 versus 2008 and 2008 versus 2007) no trend analysis could yet be performed. The barometer provides a helicopter view of the status of food safety in Belgium and is a tool to communicate in an intelligible, comprehensible manner on aspects of food safety to consumers and other stakeholders in the food chain. The methodology and results of the survey for the ‘Pressure’ and ‘Response’ collection from the Belgian stakeholders in the food chain will be discussed in another manuscript. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

At the urging of competent national authorities, a limited risk assessment on Salmonella in chicken meat preparations in Belgium was undertaken following a retail-to-table approach. The input distribution of Salmonella was based on surveillance data in Belgium. To analyze the relative impact of reducing the risk of salmonellosis associated with a decrease in the Salmonella contamination level, different distributions based on the actual situation but limiting the number of portions containing Salmonella at 1 CFU per 1, 10, and 25 g of meat were used in the quantitative microbial risk assessment model. The quantitative microbial risk assessment model also was run several times with a theoretical fixed input of Salmonella assuming all portions possessed the same fixed contamination level set at 1,000, 100, 10, and 1 CFU/g of meat and 1 CFU per 10, 25, 100, and 1,000 g of meat. With regard to the initial contamination level, the results indicate, both by the narrowing of the current distribution and by the fixed input, that especially the higher levels of contamination (>1 CFU/g) contribute to the increased risk for salmonellosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seoul hantavirus (SEOV), carried by Rattus rattus (black rat) and R. norvegicus (Norway, brown rat), was reported to circulate as well as cause HFRS cases in Asia. As Rattus sp. are present worldwide, SEOV has the potential to cause human disease worldwide. In Europe however, only SEOV prevalence in rats from France was reported and no confirmed cases of SEOV infection were published. We here report genetic and serological evidence for the presence of SEOV virus in brown rat populations in Belgium. We also serologically screened an at-risk group that was in contact with R. norvegicus on a daily basis and found no evidence for SEOV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of competence, as it is brought into play in current research, is a potentially powerful construct for entrepreneurship education and training research and practice. Although the concept has been the subject of strong debate in educational research in general, critical analysis of how it has been used, applied and experienced in entrepreneurship education practice is scarce. This article contributes specifically to the discussion of entrepreneurial competence by theoretically unfolding and discussing the concept. Subsequently, the implications of applying a competence-based approach in entrepreneurship education are illustrated and discussed based on analysis of two cases that were aimed at identifying, diagnosing and eventually developing entrepreneurial competence in small businesses in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium). The cases show that the added value of focussing on competence in entrepreneurship education and training lies in making the (potential) small business owner aware of the importance of certain entrepreneurial competencies and in providing direction for competence development. In this process it is fundamental that competence is treated as an item for discussion and interpretation, rather than as a fixed template of boxes to be ticked. Furthermore the cases highlight that a competence-based approach does not completely determine the type of educational and instructional strategies to be used. Its consequential power in that respect is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to do an exercise in risk assessment on Campylobacter spp. for poultry based meat preparations in Belgium. This risk assessment was undertaken on the demand of the competent national authorities as one of the supportive factors to define risk-based microbiological criteria. The quantitative risk assessment model follows a retail to table approach and is divided in different modules. The contamination of raw chicken meat products (CMPs) was represented by a normal distribution of the natural logarithm of the concentration of Campylobacter spp. (ln[Camp]) in raw CMPs based on data from surveillance programs in Belgium. To analyse the relative impact of reducing the risk of campylobacteriosis associated with a decrease in the Campylobacter contamination level in these types of food products, the model was run for different means and standard deviations of the normal distribution of the ln[Camp] in raw CMPs. The limitation in data for the local situation in Belgium and on this particular product and more precisely the semi-quantitative nature of concentration of Campylobacter spp. due to presence/absence testing, was identified as an important information gap. Also the knowledge on the dose–response relationship of Campylobacter spp. was limited, and therefore three different approaches of dose–response modelling were compared. Two approaches (1 and 2), derived from the same study, showed that the reduction of the mean of the distribution representing the ln[Camp] in raw CMPs is the best approach to reduce the risk of Campylobacter spp. in CMPs. However, for the simulated exposure and approach 3 it was observed that the reduction of the standard deviation is the most appropriate technique to lower the risk of campylobacteriosis. Since the dose–response models used in approach 1 and 2 are based on limited data and the reduction of the mean corresponds with a complete shift of the contamination level of raw CMPs, demanding high efforts from the poultry industry, it is proposed to lower the standard deviation of the concentration of Campylobacter spp. in raw CMPs. This proposal corresponds with the elimination of the products that are highly contaminated. Simulation showed that eating raw chicken meat products can give rise to exposures that are 1010 times higher than when the product is heated, indicating that campaigns are important to inform consumers about the necessity of an appropriate heat treatment of these type of food products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this research was to compare the occurrence of patulin in a large group of organic, conventional, and handcrafted apple juices marketed in Belgium. An analytical procedure based on high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was validated and used to analyze 177 apple juice samples: 65 organic, 90 conventional, and 22 handcrafted. Patulin was detected in 22 samples (12%), and quantification was possible in 10 (6%) of these samples. The patulin content was higher than the European legal limit of 50 µg/liter in two samples of organic apple juice. Although, the incidence of patulin in organic (12%), conventional (13%), and handcrafted (10%) apple juices was not significantly different (P 0.863), the mean concentration of patulin in contaminated samples was significantly higher in organic (43.1 µg/liter) than in conventional (10.2 µg/Iiter) (P = 0.02) and handcrafted (10.5 µg/liter) (P = 0.037) apple juice. The highest patulin concentrations were found in the most expensive apple juices because of the higher price of organic apple juice. This relation was not observed when only conventional apple juices were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In densely populated regions, such as, Belgium, value chains in the bio-economy can be organized on locally produced primary feedstock, allowing cutting down transport costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The energy use efficiency of three major cropping systems under two fertilizer regimes was compared side by side in a 4-year field trial, with the farm-gate as system border. The annual crops maize, sorghum, and Italian ryegrass were compared with the grassland species perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy and tall fescue, and the lignocellulosic crops miscanthus, switchgrass, common reed, reed canary grass, and willow. Maize yielded as average a dry matter of 19.6 t ha −1 y −1 at medium fertilization level. The average dry matter yield of the other crops varied between 3 t ha −1 y −1 for common reed and 21.1 t ha −1 y −1 for Miscanthus × giganteus . However, the highest energy use efficiency was obtained for switchgrass and willow. The factors with the most important impact on the total energy input (EI) were fertilizer application, up to 79% for perennial ryegrass, and the preparation of starting material (e.g., up to 81% of the total EI is attributed to the production of miscanthus rhizomes). Targets for further improvement of the sustainability of the primary feedstock production are the development of resource efficient varieties, e.g., fertilizer use efficient maize varieties or seed-based miscanthus varieties, or the inclusion of energy efficient crops into the rotation system, such as energy beet instead of Italian ryegrass. This study provides interesting insight in the energy balances at the farm level for both the farmer and the industrial actors in the locally organized bio-refinery chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A comparative study examining Bolton broth and Preston broth for enrichment and reliable detection of Campylobacter jejuni (both healthy and freeze stressed cells) was performed. Tested as pure cultures, Bolton broth enabled faster resuscitation and growth of C. jejuni compared to Preston broth. When C. jejuni was co-incubated with extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli isolated from Belgian poultry meat preparations, the latter dominated in the Bolton enrichment broth and crowded the mCCDA plates. This resulted in the inability to recover C. jejuni by ISO 10272-1:2006 standard method. Preston broth did not support the growth of the ESBL E. coli isolates, but showed longer detection time of C. jejuni compared to Bolton broth. The use of the same antibiotic (sodium cefoperazone) in Bolton broth and in mCCDA plates may explain the problems encountered for detection of C. jejuni, as high numbers of ESBL E. coli present after enrichment in Bolton broth, also caused overgrowth and masked the few C. jejuni colonies present on the mCCDA plates. The use of Campylobacter spp. specific real-time PCR circumvented these problems and enabled rapid detection of the pathogen after 24h enrichment in both Bolton and Preston broth, for both healthy and freeze stressed cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pathological stage is currently the most important determinant of colorectal cancer prognosis. Hence, identification of additional prognostic markers is warranted. This study aimed to analyse the prognostic relevance of microsatellite instability (MSI) in 241 colon and 90 rectal tumours, using a mononucleotide loci multiplex PCR assay and immunohistochemistry. Thirty (12.4%) colon tumours and one rectal tumour showed MSI. Although MSI was associated with proximal location and poor differentiation, no survival benefit was observed. The prognostic value of stage and differentiation was confirmed in this study. Analysis by stage revealed a longer overall (stage II/III) and disease free survival (stage II) for patients with well differentiated tumours. In addition, age and distal localisation were related to longer overall survival in stage II tumours. In conclusion, our findings show an association of MSI in sporadic colon tumours and certain clinical features; however, they do not suggest a survival benefit for MSI tumours. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Demodex mites are part of the normal fauna of hair follicles of many, if not all, healthy mammal species. Normally these parasites live in harmony with their host, however in states of putative immunosuppression the acarids undergo excessive proliferation and cause clinical disease, which may be localised or generalised. This paper describes four cases of demodicosis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) with localised to generalised alopecia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background : the main objective of this study was to investigate information needs concerning sexual activity and experienced sexual problems in heart failure (HF) patients and, in addition, to examine the association between these sexual problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); (2) Methods : in this cross-sectional study, three self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 77 stable ambulatory HF patients to acquire data on HRQoL, sexual problems, and need for counselling; (3) Results : More than half (56.7%) of HF patients experienced a marked decrease or total cessation of sexual activity due to their illness. Additionally, more than one-third perceived a marked decrease or total absence of sexual pleasure (42.5%), interest (32.9%), and constant problems or being unable to perform sexual activity (37.3%). Furthermore, 43.1% of patients experienced an important overall need for counselling concerning sexual activity, with information on relationships (69.2%), symptoms (58.5%), and relaxation (49.2%) being the most desired topics. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sexual problems were independently associated with HRQoL, with more sexual problems ( t = 3.19, p < 0.01) being related to poor HRQoL; (4) Conclusion : by investigating the experienced problems and counselling needs of HF patients, an alignment between current practice and HF patients' expectations and needs might be obtained.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a highly prevalent chronic disease, for which there is no cure available. Therefore, improving disease management is crucial, with mobile health (mHealth) being a promising technology. The aim of the HeartMan study is to evaluate the effect of a personal mHealth system on top of standard care on disease management and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in HF., Methods: HeartMan is a randomized controlled 1:2 (control:intervention) proof-of-concept trial, which will enrol 120 stable ambulatory HF patients with reduced ejection fraction across two European countries. Participants in the intervention group are equipped with a multi-monitoring health platform with the HeartMan wristband sensor as the main component. HeartMan provides guidance through a decision support system on four domains of disease management (exercise, nutrition, medication adherence and mental support), adapted to the patient's medical and psychological profile. The primary endpoint of the study is improvement in self-care and HRQoL after a six-months intervention. Secondary endpoints are the effects of HeartMan on: behavioural outcomes, illness perception, clinical outcomes and mental state., Discussion: HeartMan is technologically the most innovative HF self-management support system to date. This trial will provide evidence whether modern mHealth technology, when used to its full extent, can improve HRQoL in HF., Trial Registration: This trial has been registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03497871 , on April 13 2018 with registration number NCT03497871.