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While the treatment of inflammatory disorders is generally based on inhibiting factors that drive onset of inflammation, these therapies can compromise healing (NSAIDs) or dampen immunity against infections (biologics). In search of new antiinflammatories, efforts have focused on harnessing endogenous pathways that drive resolution of inflammation for therapeutic gain. Identification of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) (lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, maresins) as effector molecules of resolution has shown promise in this regard. However, their action on inflammatory resolution in humans is unknown. Here, we demonstrate using a model of UV-killed Escherichia coli-triggered skin inflammation that SPMs are biosynthesized at the local site at the start of resolution, coinciding with the expression of receptors that transduce their actions. These include receptors for lipoxin A4 (ALX/FPR2), resolvin E1 (ChemR23), resolvin D2 (GPR18), and resolvin D1 (GPR32) that were differentially expressed on the endothelium and infiltrating leukocytes. Administering SPMs into the inflamed site 4 hours after bacterial injection caused a reduction in PMN numbers over the ensuing 6 hours, the phase of active resolution in this model. These results indicate that in humans, the appearance of SPMs and their receptors is associated with the beginning of inflammatory resolution and that their therapeutic supplementation enhanced the resolution response.

Over the last couple of years, applications that support navigation and wayfinding in indoor environments have become one of the booming industries. However, the algorithmic support for indoor navigation has so far been left mostly untouched, as most applications mainly rely on adapting Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm to an indoor network. In outdoor space, several alternative algorithms have been proposed adding a more cognitive notion to the calculated paths and as such adhering to the natural wayfinding behavior (e.g. simplest paths, least risk paths). The need for indoor cognitive algorithms is highlighted by a more challenged navigation and orientation due to the specific indoor structure (e.g. fragmentation, less visibility, confined areas…). Therefore, the aim of this research is to extend those richer cognitive algorithms to three-dimensional indoor environments. More specifically for this paper, we will focus on the application of the least risk path algorithm of Grum (2005) to an indoor space. The algorithm as proposed by Grum (2005) is duplicated and tested in a complex multi-story building. Several analyses compare shortest and least risk paths in indoor and in outdoor space. The results of these analyses indicate that the current outdoor least risk path algorithm does not calculate less risky paths compared to its shortest paths. In some cases, worse routes have been suggested. Adjustments to the original algorithm are proposed to be more aligned to the specific structure of indoor environments. In a later stage, other cognitive algorithms will be implemented and tested in both an indoor and combined indoor-outdoor setting, in an effort to improve the overall user experience during navigation in indoor environments.

Whilst numerous studies investigating the aetiology of inflammatory diseases have been performed in rodents, the applicability of these data to human pathophysiology is frequently debated. Regardless of the strengths and weaknesses of rodent models in biomedical research, there is a need to develop models of experimental inflammation in humans. Here, we describe a self‐resolving acute inflammatory response triggered by the intradermal injection of UV‐killed Escherichia coli into the forearm of healthy volunteers. Cells and exudates were harvested from onset to resolution by applying negative pressure over the inflamed site. Onset was characterized by high blood flow, neutrophilia and peak levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, whilst resolution showed a decline in blood blow, reduction in neutrophils, increase in monocytes/macrophages and waning of classic pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels. An anti‐inflammatory effect, defined as suppression of onset phase events, was demonstrated by administering naproxen, a conventional non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug. In summary, this model of resolving acute inflammation is minimally invasive, highly tractable and allows simultaneous investigation of the vascular response, cellular trafficking and chemical mediator profile of onset and resolution phases of acute inflammation in humans. It can serve as a translational platform to provide mechanistic insights and to test the clinical efficacy of novel anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolving drugs, and also as a tool in patients to explore inherent defects in resolution pathways.

A selection of illuminations of the 12th century manuscript Liber Floridus was analysed with Raman spectroscopy (in situ and laboratory measurements), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-fluorescence photography and infrared reflectography (IRR). The aim of this study is to determine the pigments used, in order to search for anachronisms. Using a combination of Raman spectroscopy (molecular information) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (elemental information) following pigments could be identified: ultramarine (Na(8-10)Al(6)Si(6)O(24)S(2-4)), azurite (2CuCO(3)·Cu(OH)(2)), caput mortuum (Fe(2)O(3)), vermilion (HgS), orpiment (As(2)S(3)) and lead white (2PbCO(3)·Pb(OH)(2)). Moreover, two synthetic red pigments, PR4 and PR176, and a degradation product, gypsum (CaSO(4)·2H(2)O), were present in the manuscript. To establish the origin of the modern materials UV-fluorescence photography was used. Infrared reflectography (IRR) was applied to visualise the underdrawing of the investigated folios.

As positional error is a major issue in the assessment of spatial data quality, its propagation has been studied widely in map overlaying. However, few studies deal with a manifest consequence of positional error in map overlaying, namely sliver polygons. Sliver polygons are generally treated as awkward by-products that need to be removed quickly. Nevertheless, as they represent spurious areas, their nature and properties carry useful information, for example, for land use/cover assessment. Therefore, next to sliver removal, there is a need for intelligent detection and eventually further analysis of sliver polygons. This article proposes a general, semi-automated method for the assessment of slivers in vector polygon layers. A case study in Flanders (Belgium) illustrates a possible application in area estimation evaluation of land use allocation classes.

In recent years, the interest of many researchers in various domains is triggered to move beyond the traditional border of twodimensionality and explore the possibilities of the third and even the fourth, temporal, dimension. The emerging research interest concerning 3D and 4D and the handling of these additional dimensions can bring many benefits to archaeology as well. A 4D GIS tailored to archaeological data would facilitate better insights and more complex analyses. Its basis must be a conceptual 4D archaeological data model, which pays attention to existing data models and standards. Although in some cases more complex, archaeological data are closely related to geography and geo-information. Since the temporal dimension is a, and possibly the most, substantial element in archaeological research, this paper focusses mainly on this dimension. In this paper, the applicability of the ISO 19108 geo-information standard on temporal information for archaeological data is investigated. For a set of common temporal categories, e.g. the excavation time, the appropriate description according to this standard is determined. This will indicate in which cases the internationally recognized standard is suitable for use in an archaeological data model. Furthermore, three versions of the West European archaeological time scale as temporal ordinal reference system are constructed. For the first version, the ISO 19108 structure is used, whereas the second and third are based on geological variants. The results of the performed analysis are favourable to the usability of the ISO 19108 standard in archaeology; however, other temporal standards or data models may yield up better results.

In recent decades, the low-lying Flanders region (Belgium) has fallen victim to numerous flood events, causing substantial damage to buildings and infrastructure. In response to this, the Flemish government proposed a new approach that considers the level of risk as method of safety measurement. Using geographical information systems, this evolution has led to a comprehensive risk methodology, and more recently to the development of a flood risk assessment tool called LATIS. By estimating the potential damage and the number of casualties during a flood event, LATIS offers the possibility of performing risk analysis in a fast and effective way. This paper presents a brief overview of the currently used methodology for flood risk management in Flanders and its implementation in the LATIS tool. The usefulness of this new tool is demonstrated by a sequence of risk calculations, performed in the framework of climate change impacts on flood risk in Flanders.

The Geography Department, Ghent University, develops an ICT tool for an interactive Website based training on contemporary positioning. The project aims to stimulate an active learning attitude offering students means of self-study with integrated permanent evaluation. By choosing the subject as broad as "contemporary positioning", a wide range of users is aimed. The e-learning tool is adaptable for training at different levels of higher education. Different learning trajectories specified for different groups of students are outlined. The project offers three modules: geodetic coordinate systems, map elements and introduction to GIS. Other modules, such as GPS, geodesy, cartography and remote sensing are under development. The student starts with a multiple choice test to guide him through the different modules at his proper pace and knowledge. Besides theoretical concepts, the students are offered a series of practical examples and exercises. Each module ends with an evaluation, combining multiple choice tests, calculations with automated feed-back and open questions

This paper discusses the generation of a high precision DEM (Digital Elevation Model) based on high density airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data for an interdisciplinary landscape archaeological study concerning the settlement history and environment in Sandy Flanders, a region to the north of Ghent (Belgium). The objective was to create a detailed topographical surface free of artificial features and topographical artefacts, in the form of a DEM, visualizing the natural and current topography through the implementation of true ground points only. The semi-automatical removal of these features and artefacts was based on topographical vector data, visual interpretations and slope analysis. Ultimately two DEM's were constructed (1) a TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) model, whereby the inherent large file format restricts the usability to large scale and (2) a grid model which can be used for small-, medium- and large-scale applications. Both datasets were used as an image that is interpreted using ancillary data from historical sources. Its usefulness is illustrated in a case of field pattern and microfield topography. Starting from this DEM, the approach of this landscape historical study is mainly retrogressive, i.e. starting from the landscape structures and elements that are still present in the contemporary landscape and moving into the past.