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Purpose: Learning across teams and organisational levels enables organisations to deal with challenges that arise from changing contexts. Project-oriented organisations increasingly use programme management to cope with such challenges and improve performance. This paper aims to find out how different programme configurations affect learning across project teams and between project teams and their parent organisation in project-oriented organisations. Design/methodology/approach: A case study of a project-oriented organisation involved in five infrastructure programmes was performed. Findings: The studied programmes linked learning processes at group and organisational levels by creating relationships across project teams and their parent organisation and acting as a knowledge centre. Team learning benefits from the learning culture and stable environment that programmes create for project teams. This study indicates that a programme's features and focus strongly determines whether a programme predominantly enhances learning across project teams or learning between project teams and their parent organisation. Originality/value: Although programme management is increasingly used by project-oriented organisations, there are few studies relating to learning in programmes. This study provides new insights into learning across teams through programmes.

Rubrics are often used as tools for criteria-based assessments. Although students indicate that they appreciate comments given as feedback which make reference to the rubric and provided in addition to it, there is little information on how this type of feedback actually differs from in-text comments with respect to focus, level, and function of the feedback. The focus refers to three major questions in evaluating students' understanding of information: Where am I going? How am I going? and Where to next? That is, feedup, feedback, feedforward. The level refers to the level at which feedback is directed. That is, the level of task performance, the level of the process of understanding how to do a task, the regulatory or metacognitive process level, and/or the self or personal level. Finally, the function refers to the type of content of the feedback. For example, feedback can be a question, suggestion, or correction. More information on this issue could better inform the decisions on how to provide written feedback to students on written coursework/assignments. The study described in this article gathered data from almost 1000 feedback instances. The results revealed that about two-thirds of the feedback instances were provided in-text and about one-third were comments which made reference to the rubric and were provided in addition to it. The results show that comments in both modalities are overrepresented by feedback at the task level, but that comments which made reference to the rubric and provided in addition to it contain somewhat more feedforward and process-related comments. The largest differences were found in the function of feedback. Whereas in-text comments ask for clarifications, provide corrections, and ask questions, written comments which made reference to the rubric and are provided in addition to it include mainly affirmations, argumentations, and suggestions. Implications for practitioners are discussed.

Feedback can be effective to student learning if the feedback practice meets several success criteria. It appears, however, that it is not easy to put insights from theory into practice. Using a cover sheet to provide structured feedback may provide a solution. Just how cover sheets influence feedback practice is, however, still largely unknown. The present study offers an in-depth evaluation of the effects of the implementation of cover sheets on feedback practice. The study described in this article gathered data from almost 1000 feedback instances, from tutor and student interviews and from a student questionnaire. The analysis shows that the use of the cover sheet led to an increased use of feed up, feed forward and feedback on process level. Tutors and students valued the use of the cover sheet as positive, and the cover sheet helped students resolve issues better than with annotations alone. The study described in this article adds to the field of research by providing empirical data for how a cover sheet influences educational practice. The study furthermore shows that a cover sheet can be used to enhance student feedback literacy and it offers background for an easy to introduce educational intervention.

As learning societies necessitate continuous education, a growing number of part-time programs are being offered. A key challenge for part-time programs is adequately supporting students in connecting their learning within the program to their work life, which in contrast to dual education is not part of the program. To better understand such boundary-crossing support in part-time higher professional education, this explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted. A large-scale study, consisting of quantitative data analysis of the Dutch National Student Survey, confirmed that part-time programs (n = 600) differ in perceived boundary crossing, with a medium effect size of [eta]2 = 0.13, and that factors postulated in the literature are related. An in-depth cross-case analysis of the boundary-crossing support provided in four purposefully selected part-time higher education programs (with high and low perceived support) indicated that brokers, boundary objects, hybrid practices, boundary interactions, degrees of freedom, degrees of clarity, and supervision are ways to support boundary crossing. These findings provide actionable strategies by which part-time higher professional education programs can support student learning across contexts.

In Higher Education, much of a lecturer's time is spent on supplying students with written comments as a form of feedback on assignments. Although it is clear that students use these comments to make adjustments to their assignments, it is doubtful that these comments create a learning effect. This may indicate that the way feedback is supplied and/or the quality of the feedback lacks information for improving future performance. In this case study, written feedback has been analysed and the perception of students on the quality of written feedback in relation to their learning behaviour has been taken into account.

Aim: General developmental outcome is known to be good in school-aged children who experienced febrile seizures. We examined cognitive and behavioural outcomes in preschool children with febrile seizures, including language and executive functioning outcomes. Method: This work was performed in the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort study in Rotterdam from early fetal life onwards. Information about the occurrence of febrile seizures was collected by questionnaires at the ages of 1, 2, and 3 years. At the age of 3 years, behaviour and emotion were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist. Information on expressive language development was obtained by the Language Development Survey at the age of 2 years 6 months. To assess executive functioning, parents completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function--Preschool Version when their children were 4 years old. Final analyses were based on 3157 children. Results: No associations were found between febrile seizures and the risk of behavioural problems or executive functioning. In contrast to single febrile seizures, recurrent febrile seizures were significantly associated with an increased risk of delayed vocabulary development (odds ratio 3.22, [95% confidence interval 1.30-7.94]). Interpretation: Febrile seizures are not associated with problem behaviour or executive functioning in preschool children, but the results suggest that children with recurrent febrile seizures might be at risk for delayed language development. (Contains 3 tables.)

Small-group training consisting of feedback and self-management was effective in improving question-asking skills during tutorial conversations in nine high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Training was implemented in a therapy room and lasted 6 weeks. Sessions were conducted once a week and lasted about an hour. Experimenters collected data during tutorial conversations in a natural setting. Training of question-asking skills consisted of verbal feedback and role-play during short simulated conversations and a table game. A self-management strategy and common stimuli (e.g., flowchart) were included to promote generalization. Mean percentage of correct questions during tutorial conversations improved significantly after training. Response efficiency also increased. Participants and personal coaches evaluated the training as effective and acceptable. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)

Examines the redesign of a problem-based learning (PBL) course and its effects on students' cognitive learning outcomes in a college business course in the Netherlands. Compares the regular PBL course with the new authentic learning environment that included greater authenticity of case studies, more learner control, and social collaboration that resembled teamwork in business practice. (Contains 54 references.) (Author/LRW)

There is only a finite amount of land, which is why the decision to allow a particular land use often results in a trade-off with other potential land uses. Traditionally, trade-offs have been assumed by planning professionals (i.e. ' experts by profession'), while citizens, who experience the landscape on a daily basis (i.e. ' experts by experience'), are only involved to a limited extent. Several researchers suggested that assessment and mapping of these trade-offs should be done at landscape level. The aim of this paper is to examine citizens' trade-offs between different valued landscapes when under pressure due to road infrastructure development. Using the 'Place Value Identifier' (PVI), an online Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) approach applied in the Netherlands (n = 1044), we analyse: (1) the general sustainability, infrastructure and land-use related values of citizens, (2) their valued landscapes, and (3) their trade-off choices between the different valued landscapes when these are under pressure of spatial developments. Our results show that respondents had difficulty making a distinct choice for a valuable place to be saved or sacrificed; only 23,8% had a strong preference for one place to save. However, the collective result of the individual choices seems to hold important information for planning. As a way forward, we developed information-rich maps (PVI-maps) visualising how landscapes are valued by the citizens around three Dutch road infrastructure projects. The PVI-maps include details on the degree of resistance to sacrificing different places, thus contribute to context-sensitive planning. • The Place Value Identifier exhibits trade-offs between valued landscapes by residents. • Spatial precision is essential to context-sensitive information for policy makers. • Residents find it difficult to make distinct choices between valued landscapes. • Valued landscapes can be visualized in PVI-maps for planners. • Complex choices in participatory planning still require 'experts by profession'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD; wall irregularities, stenosis <60%), and women with NOCAD in particular, remain underinvestigated. We examined sex and gender (S&G) differences in health status, psychological distress, and personality between patients with NOCAD and the general population, as well as S&G differences within the NOCAD population.Methods and Results: In total, 523 patients with NOCAD (61±9 years, 52% women) were included via coronary angiography and computed tomography as part of the TWIST (Tweesteden Mild Stenosis) study. Generic health status (12-item Short Form physical and mental scales and fatigue), psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety and depressive symptoms and Global Mood Scale negative and positive affect), and personality (Type D personality) were compared between patients with NOCAD and an age- and sex-matched group of 1347 people from the general population. Frequency matching was performed to obtain a similar sex distribution in each age-decile group. Both men and women with NOCAD reported impaired health status, more psychological distress, and Type D personality compared with men and women in the reference group. Women reported more psychosocial distress compared with men, but no significant sex-by-group interaction effects were observed. Women with NOCAD reported impaired health status, more anxiety, and less positive affect, but no differences in depressive symptoms, angina, or Type D personality when compared with men with NOCAD. Age, education, employment, partner, and alcohol use explained these S&G differences within the NOCAD group.Conclusions: In both men and women, NOCAD was associated with impaired health status, more psychological distress, and Type D personality when compared with a reference population. Factors reflecting S&G differences explained these S&G findings in patient-reported outcomes.Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01788241. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perception of highway nuisance i.e. noises, air pollution and barrier-effects, is associated with negative effects on health and quality of life. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the development of highway nuisance perception among residents. Interviews were conducted with residents in 32 households living along the Southern Ring Road, a highway which crosses various neighbourhoods in the city of Groningen, the Netherlands. Various themes emerged from the interviews which were important in the development of residents’ perceptions of highway nuisance. For example, our interviews showed that residents who had not explicitly chosen to live next to a highway were more acutely affected by the negative externalities of that highway later. Perceived environmental changes, often due to governmental actions such as new/extended noise barriers, removal of trees and newly constructed buildings causing noise reflection, also played a role in the interviewees’ development of nuisance perception. In addition, the interviewees indicated that expectations about future highway developments influenced their current perception of highway nuisance, which could be described as anticipation effects. Interviewees also indicated that recent information about the potentially harmful effects of air pollution increased their concerns about living near the highway. A final theme discussed were differences in the extent to which residents were able to develop coping strategies to reduce the amount of highway nuisance perception. The participants’ experiences indicate the importance of further integration between the planning of highway infrastructure and the broader environment in order to reduce nuisance perceptions and improve residential quality near highways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports issues related to human rights in the Netherlands, as of December 2015. Topics discussed include recommendations of the United Nation (UN) Committees on the rights of the child and on the elimination of racial discrimination in the country; arrival of large numbers of asylum seekers and other migrants to the country; and need of strategies to promote and protect human rights.

Institutional feasibility defined as the ability of institutions to support adaptive capacity, is an important aspect of climate adaptation, through its influence on the implementation of adaptation measures to climate change. The objective of this study is to create a framework for assessing institutional preconditions that enable or constrain climate change adaptation measures in agriculture and to apply the framework to a case study in agriculture. We adopted and modified the Procedure for Institutional Compatibility Assessment (PICA). Institutions in our framework are characterized by a set of crucial institutional preconditions (CIPs) and indicators linked to each CIP. CIPs refer to both institutional incentives and constraints for implementation of adaptation measures (here to climate change). We applied a combination of ranking and scoring techniques based on information from workshops, interviews and a literature review to assess institutional incentives and constraints for adaptation measures, together indicating the institutional feasibility of implementation of adaptation measures. We selected and assessed three adaptation measures relevant to agriculture in Flevoland, a province in the Netherlands: (1) improvement of water management and irrigation facilities; (2) relocation of farms; and (3) development of new crop varieties. The two main constraining CIPs for the implementation of the measures were found to be (1) heterogeneity of actors’ interests and (2) availability of resources. Based on the institutional feasibility analysis, the implementation of water management and improvement of irrigation facilities will potentially face fewer institutional constraints compared to the other two measures. We conclude that our approach proves applicable for institutional analyses of adaptation measures for current and future (climate) challenges at different levels of implementation, but that more applications are needed to test its validity and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Dutch nature policy has long been institutionalized in a stable “social contract”. [•] Institutionalization both engendered and restricted impact of critical discourses. [•] Recently, many institutions in Dutch nature policy were quickly broken down. [•] Authorative actors successfully used critical discourses to de-institutionalize mainstream policy. [•] Discursive-institutionalism is helpful in analysing radical policy change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Environmental assessment (EA) aims to enhance environmental awareness and to ensure that environmental values are fully considered in decision-making. In the EA arena, different discourses exist on what EA should aim for and how it functions. We hypothesise that these discourses influence its application in practice as well as its effectiveness in terms of achieving the above goals. For instance, actors who consider EA as a hindrance to fast implementation of their projects will probably apply it as a mandatory checklist, whereas actors who believe that EA can help to develop more environmentally sound decisions will use EIA as a tool to design their initiatives. In this paper we explore discourses on EA in The Netherlands and elaborate on their implications for EA effectiveness. Based on an innovative research design comprising an online survey with 443 respondents and 20 supplementary semi-structured interviews we conclude that the dominant discourse is that EA is mainly a legal requirement; EAs are conducted because they have to be conducted, not because actors choose to do so. EA effectiveness however seems reasonably high, as a majority of respondents perceive that it enhances environmental awareness and contributes to environmental protection. However, the ‘legal requirement’ discourse also results in decision-makers seldom going beyond what is prescribed by EA and environmental law. Despite its mandatory character, the predominant attitude towards EA is quite positive. For most respondents, EA is instrumental in providing transparency of decision-making and in minimising the legal risks of not complying with environmental laws. Differences in discourses seldom reflect extreme opposites. The ‘common ground’ regarding EA provides a good basis for working with EA in terms of meeting legal requirements but at the same time does not stimulate creativity in decision-making or optimisation of environmental values. In countries characterised by less consensual political cultures we may expect more extreme discourses on EA, the consequences of which are reflected upon in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Frame analysis has been widely employed to understand environmental conflicts. Such studies emphasize the internal dynamics of conflict and focus on how actors discursively struggle with each other in order to gain hegemony over the dominant discourse on the issue. In this paper, we argue that the explanatory power of framing theory could be enhanced by relating issue specific frames to the broader cultural context in which framing efforts are situated. In order to investigate the link between the success of framing strategies and the cultural background of such strategies, we suggest rethinking the concept of cultural resonance. We propose social representations theory as a novel way of understanding this cultural resonance of spatial and environmental frames. Based on a dispute over the management of a national park in the Netherlands, we empirically illustrate how contending stakeholders refer to different social representations of nature in the framing of local conflicts. A local protest group proves to be much more in touch with the views of the local community and is thus more successful in its framing of the dispute than the nature conservation agency involved. While the protest group uses a wide range of locally embedded representations of nature to enhance the currency of its framing efforts, the nature conservation agency responsible for the management of the forest refers to a much more limited range of representations. By making references only to the wilderness representation of nature, the cultural resonance of the agency’s framing efforts remains limited to those residents who adhere to this specific representation of nature. Consequently, this framing is not very successful among groups that adhere to other representations of nature, such as aesthetic or inclusive representations. Our analysis shows that combining framing theory with social representations theory enables one to disentangle the framing of environmental disputes from the more constant cultural values and opinions on which this framing is based. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current study explains why Dutch forest expansion policy is at risk of failure. To study the forest expansion implementation process we have chosen to further operationalize Matland''s policy type implementation model to an extended and comprehensive typology of relevant implementation characteristics. In addition, a case study methodology with mixed-method design was used to collect and analyze the data. The Dutch forest expansion policy is currently an example of symbolic implementation. The symbolic implementation is a consequence of the absence of central guidance, the legislative complexity, the low policy stability, the lack of supporting conditions for policy innovation, the lack of regulatory responsiveness and the latent policy at state level and in many provinces. Nevertheless, the transferable development rights method of the province of Limburg is a promising innovation and forest expansion still happens, which is mainly the result of a good internal and external communication, an effective actor network of forest expansion advocates and the willingness to realize negotiated project aims that lead to a win–win situation for all actors involved. Nonetheless, it is expected that the forest expansion targets will be not reached, unless most of the above shortcomings are solved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a report released in 2006, based on the social and cultural capital of the Netherlands, released by the Dutch Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP). The SCP in this report has focused on the socially underdeveloped and vulnerable classes among the Dutch population. According to Paul Schnabel, General Director of the SCP, the Dutch government is giving efforts in identifying and solving the problems of these underdeveloped classes. In the introducing chapter of the report, Schnabel has indicated that this is an era of economic metaphors which reflect a changing reality of the present time and open new perspectives on the future. Finally, the report has termed the social and cultural capital as capacity of the nation for development.

'Mens & Maatschappij' is not only the oldest social science journal in the Netherlands (birth date 1925), but also one of the oldest in the world. Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, Swanborn (1975) published the results of a content analysis of the volumes of M&M in the period 1925-1974. This article, on the occasion of its seventy-fifth anniversary, is a follow up of his research covering the next twenty-five years. The most important trends in the period 1975-1999 were: (1) a decline of the number of (very) long articles; (2) a strong shift from articles concerned with programmatic and methodological issues towards problem-oriented papers; (3) a transition from a theoretical-reflective towards an empirical-theoretical tradition; (3) a continuing increase of sociological articles at the expense of articles from the other social and behavioural sciences; (4) a shift in the problem oriented articles from social inequality as the dominant key problem towards social cohesion; (5) a strong development away from articles based on the study of literature towards articles based on survey research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discuuses the relevance of the periodical report released by the Netherland Social and Cultural Planning Office that focuses on social and cultural changes that have taken place in the Netherlands. The report is a systematic information on the social and cultural well-being of the Dutch population as well as social, cultural and economic developments during the perod. In the article, reports released in various years are discussed and it is concluded that the report is and remains fundamental for everyone who is researching the social and scientific perspective of changes taking place in the Dutch society.

This article investigates firstly how and why housework and child care are divided in a particular way between the adult partners within Dutch households, and secondly how and why these partners perceive this particular sexual division of household chores as either fair or unfair. An exchange theoretical perspective suggests that in general power, dependency and ideology influence both the division of housework and child care between the sexes, and the perceptions with respect to the fairness of the division of these tasks. It is empirically found that those theoretical suggestions make sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Netherlands during the sixties and seventies, a discussion in Dutch political circles touched upon matters of political philosophy and attempts were made to treat the ideas of social justice on a more abstract level. However, this never resulted in any comprehensive income redistribution policy supported by widespread consensus. The question now is whether this is all that regrettable. The proposition can be defended, and has been, that if the government takes it upon itself to make the majority of the allocative decisions, this can act as a threat to democracy. This does not mean the government should completely refrain from playing a steering role in the field of income distribution. The very fact that income distribution can be viewed as a collective good is in itself enough reason for it to do so. But in view of the apparently limited effectiveness of the post-war Dutch income redistribution policy, it does mean that the government should be sober in formulating the aims of the policy and cautious in utilizing the instruments it has at hand for the purpose.

• Institutional fragmentation hampers network-of-networks investment opportunities. • Desirable network-of-networks scenarios employ intersectoral infrastructure adaptations. • Finding network-of-networks investment opportunities calls for a common ground. • Participatory foresight enables scenario use in institutionally fragmented contexts. Contemporary infrastructure networks require large investments especially due to aging. Investment opportunities of network-of-networks are often obscured because current scenarios often concern single infrastructure networks. Major barriers to the construction and use of network-of-networks scenarios are institutional fragmentation and the disconnection of scenario-development phases. This paper aims to construct and enhance the use of network-of-networks scenarios through a participatory scenario process. We employed a hybrid-method approach comprising document analysis, Disaggregative Policy Delphi, and futures-oriented workshop for five large national infrastructure administrations in the Netherlands. This approach yielded twelve key infrastructure developments for which 28 infrastructure experts provided future estimates. We constructed seven scenarios through cluster analysis of experts' quantitative estimates, qualitative direct content analysis of the qualitative data, and a futures table. The scenarios are: Infraconomy; Techno-Pessimism; Safety; Technological; Missed Boat; Hyperloop; and Green. Our results stress the importance of collaboration: desired scenarios are improbable when infrastructure administrations maintain their current sectoral perspective, whereas an inter-sectoral perspective may generate more investment opportunities. However, these network-of-networks investment opportunities do not simply emerge from network-of-networks scenarios; reasons include administrators' prevailing conception that sufficient optimization capacity remains within their own networks, and that no common ground exists that helps to overcome institutional fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on various reports that discussed issues related to Dutch sociology published in the previous issues of the journal. The article "Veel kunnen verklaren of iets kunnen veranderen: Krachtige versus manipuleerbare variabelen," that focused on the significance of social policies, published in the 1976 issue is referred. Significance of social interaction in the study of sociology is discussed.

Background: The Internet is viewed as an important source for health information and a medium for patient empowerment. However, little is known about how seniors use the Internet in relation to other sources for health information. Objective: The aim was to determine which information resources seniors who use the Internet use and trust for health information, which sources are preferred, and which sources are used by seniors for different information needs. Methods: Questions from published surveys were selected based on their relevance to the study objectives. The Autonomy Preference Index was used to assess information needs and preferences for involvement in health decisions. Invitation to participate in this online survey was sent to the email list of a local senior organization (298 addresses) in the Netherlands. Results: There were 118 respondents with a median age of 72 years (IQR 67-78 years). Health professionals, pharmacists, and the Internet were the most commonly used and trusted sources of health information. Leaflets, television, newspapers, and health magazines were also important sources. Respondents who reported higher use of the Internet also reported higher use of other sources (P<.001). Use of health professionals, pharmacists, leaflets, telephone, television, and radio were not significantly different; use of all other resources was significantly higher in frequent Internet users. When in need of health information, preferred sources were the Internet (46/105, 43.8%), other sources (eg, magazines 38/105, 36.2%), health professionals (18/105, 17.1%), and no information seeking (3/105, 2.8%). Of the 51/107 respondents who indicated that they had sought health information in the last 12 months, 43 sought it after an appointment, 23 were preparing for an appointment, and 20 were deciding if an appointment was needed. The source used varied by the type of information sought. The Internet was used most often for symptoms (27/42, 64%), prognosis (21/31, 68%), and treatment options (23/41, 62%), whereas health professionals were asked for additional information on medications (20/36, 56%), side effects (17/36, 47%), coping (17/31, 55%), practical care (12/14, 86%), and nutrition/exercise (18/30, 60%). Conclusions: For these seniors who use the Internet, the Internet was a preferred source of health information. Seniors who report higher use of the Internet also report higher use of other information resources and were also the primary consumers of paper-based resources. Respondents most frequently searched for health information after an appointment rather than to prepare for an appointment. Resources used varied by health topic. Future research should seek to confirm these findings in a general elderly population, investigate how seniors seek and understand information on the Internet, and investigate how to reach seniors who prefer not to use the Internet for health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the views of the author regarding the approach of three young Dutch historians to the history of the Netherlands. The author appreciates the method of comparative historical research adopted by the historians. According to the author, with the help of comparative historical research, the historians can illustrate how the specific structure and culture of the Dutch society of the twentieth century coincides with some strange elements in the past.

Abstract: Near the coast of Rotterdam CO2 storage in the depleted P18-4 gas field is planned to start in 2015 as one of the six selected European demonstration projects under the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR). This project is referred to as the ROAD project. ROAD (a Dutch acronym for Rotterdam Capture and Storage Demonstration project) is a joint project by E.ON Benelux and Electrabel Nederland/GDF SUEZ Group and is financially supported by the European Commission and the Dutch state. A post-combustion carbon capture unit will be retrofitted to EONs’ Maasvlakte Power Plant 3 (MPP3), a new 1100MWe coal-fired power plant in the port of Rotterdam. The capture unit has a capacity of 250MWe equivalent and aims to capture 1.1million tonnes of CO2 per year. A 20km long insulated pipeline will be constructed to the existing offshore platform operated by TAQA and an existing well will be worked over and re-used for injection. Natural gas production in the P18-4 field is projected to end just before the start of the CO2 injection. In this first phase a total storage of around 5Mt CO2 is envisaged with an injection timeframe of 5 years. This paper gives a description of the field and of the studies carried out to investigate the suitability of the field for CO2 storage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To date, more than 300 distinct small deletions, insertions and point mutations, mostly leading to premature termination of translation, have been reported in the breast/ovarian-cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1. The elevated frequencies of some mutations in certain ethnic subpopulations are caused by founder effects, rather than by mutation hotspots. Here we report that the currently available mutation spectrum of BRCA1 has been biased by PCR-based mutation-screening methods, such as SSCP, the protein truncation test (PTT) and direct sequencing, using genomic DNA as template. Three large genomic deletions that are not detected by these approaches comprise 36% of all BRCA1 mutations found in Dutch breast-cancer families to date. A 510-bp Alu-mediated deletion comprising exon 22 was found in 8 of 170 breast-cancer families recruited for research purposes and in 6 of 49 probands referred to the Amsterdam Family Cancer Clinic for genetic counselling. In addition, a 3,835-bp Alu-mediated deletion encompassing exon 13 was detected in 4 of 170 research families, while an deletion of approximately 14 kb was detected in a single family [corrected]. Haplotype analyses indicated that each recurrent deletion had a single common ancestor.

We have identified 79 mutations in BRCA1 in a set of 643 Dutch and 23 Belgian hereditary breast and ovarian cancer families collected either for research or for clinical diagnostic purposes. Twenty-eight distinct mutations have been observed, 18 of them not previously reported and 12 of them occurring more than once. Most conspicuously, a 2804delAA mutation has been found 19 times and has never been reported outside the Netherlands. A common haplotype spanning > or = 375 kb could be identified for each of the nine examined recurrent mutations, indicating the presence of multiple BRCA1 founder mutations in the Dutch population. The 2804delAA mutation has been estimated to have originated approximately 32 generations ago. No specific breast or ovarian cancer phenotype could be assigned to any of the common mutations, and the ovarian cancer incidence among 18 families with the 2804delAA mutation was heterogeneous.