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2. Studies from University Hospital Center St. Pierre Yield New Data on Heart Attack (Clinical Paper Postresuscitation Oxygen Reserve Index-guided Oxygen Titration In Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors: a Randomised Controlled Trial).
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MYOCARDIAL infarction ,RANDOMIZED controlled trials ,CARDIAC arrest ,UNIVERSITY hospitals ,VOLUMETRIC analysis - Abstract
A recent study conducted at the University Hospital Center St. Pierre in Brussels, Belgium, compared the outcomes of oxygen reserve index-supported prehospital oxygen titration with standard oxygen titration in patients who experienced return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest. The study aimed to determine if oxygen reserve index-guided oxygen titration improved outcomes. The results showed no significant difference in the normoxia index, incidence of hypoxia or hyperoxia, mean PaO2 at hospital admission, or serum neuron-specific enolase levels between the two groups. Therefore, the study concluded that oxygen reserve index-guided oxygen titration did not significantly improve outcomes compared to standard oxygen titration. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2024
3. The co-production process of an assessment programme: Between clarifying identity and developing the quality of French-speaking Belgian community health centres.
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Capiau, Madeleine, Macq, Jean, and Thunus, Sophie
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COMMUNITY centers ,MEDICAL centers ,PUBLIC health ,COMMUNITY-based participatory research ,SEMI-structured interviews - Abstract
Background: The assessment of primary care organizations is considered to be essential for improving care. However, the assessments' acceptability to professionals poses a challenge. Developing assessment programmes in collaboration with the end-users is a strategy that is widely encouraged to make interventions better targeted. By doing so, it can help to prevent resistance and encourage adherence to the assessment. This process, however, is rarely reported. This paper aims to fill this gap by describing the process of the co-production of an assessment programme for community health centres (CHCs) affiliated to the Federation of Community Health Centres (FCHC) in French-speaking Belgium. Methods: We conducted a documentary study on the co-production of the assessment programme before carrying out semi-structured interviews with the stakeholders involved in its development. Results: CHCs in French-speaking Belgium are increasing in number and are becoming more diverse. For the FCHC, this growth and diversification pose challenges for the meaning of CHC (an identity challenge) and what beneficiaries can expect in terms of the quality of organizations declaring themselves CHC (a quality challenge). Faced with this double challenge, the FCHC decided to develop an assessment programme, initially called Label, using participatory action research. During the co-production process, this initial programme version was abandoned in favour of a new name "DEQuaP". This new name embodies new objectives and new design regarding the assessment programme. When studying the co-production process, we attributed these changes to two controversies. The first concerns how much and which type of variety is desired among CHCs part of the FCHC. The second concerns the organization of the FCHC in its capacity as a federation. It shed light on tensions between two professional segments that, in this paper, we called "political professionalism" and "pragmatic professionalism". Conclusions: These controversies show the importance of underlying challenges behind the development of an assessment programme for CHCs. This provided information about the evolution of the identity of multidisciplinary organizations in primary care. Issues raised in the development of this assessment programme also show the importance of considering assessment methods that reflect and embody the current realities of these organizations and the way of developing these assessment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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4. Validation and Application of the Accu-Waves Operational Platform for Wave Forecasts at Ports.
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Makris, Christos, Papadimitriou, Andreas, Baltikas, Vasilis, Spiliopoulos, Giannis, Kontos, Yiannis, Metallinos, Anastasios, Androulidakis, Yannis, Chondros, Michalis, Klonaris, Georgios, Malliouri, Dimitra, Nagkoulis, Nikolaos, Zissis, Dimitris, Tsoukala, Vasiliki, Karambas, Theophanis, and Memos, Constantine
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BUOYS ,OCEAN circulation ,FORECASTING ,CONTINENTAL shelf ,OCEAN waves ,SEVERE storms - Abstract
This paper presents a recently developed Operational Forecast Platform (OFP) for prevailing sea conditions at very important ports worldwide (Accu-Waves). The OFP produces reliable high-resolution predictions of wave characteristics in and around ocean ports. Its goal is to support safer navigation, predict possible port downtime, assist vessel approaching, enhance management of towing services, and bolster secure ship maneuvering in busy ports around the globe. Accu-Waves OFP is based on integrated, high-resolution wave modelling over the continental shelf and in coastal areas that incorporates data from global- and regional-scale, open-sea wave and ocean circulation forecasts as boundary conditions. The coupling, nesting, calibration, and implementation of the models are reported and discussed in this paper, concerning 50 selected areas near and inside significant port basins. The detailed setup of the Accu-Waves OFP and its sub-system services is also provided regarding three-day forecasts at three-hourly intervals. The validation of the wave forecast system against in situ observations from wave buoys in coastal areas of the USA, Belgium, and Spain, as well as other model predictions by established OFPs, seems very promising, with performance skill scores ranging from adequate to very good. An exceptional case of stormy seas under severe marine weather conditions with very high wave maxima (>10 m) in the port of Algeciras is further discussed, confirming the good performance of the Accu-Waves OFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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5. Angry men and angry women: gender, system-directed anger and populist radical right voting in Belgium.
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Erzeel, Silvia, Fieremans, Merel, Van Bavel, Anne, Blanckaert, Benjamin, and Caluwaerts, Didier
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RIGHT-wing populism ,VOTING ,RIGHT-wing extremism ,ANGER ,POLITICAL systems ,GENDER inequality - Abstract
Why do men and women vote for the populist radical right? This question, which speaks to the phenomenon of the "radical right gender gap", has been the topic of much scholarly interest. While previous studies refer to the role played by differences in political resources, attitudes, and socialization, this paper examines whether negative emotions towards the political system, and system-directed anger in particular, drive support for populist radical right parties differently for men and women. Drawing on the premise that populist radical right parties tend to appeal to angry voters, and given that acting upon anger is seen as an "agentic" trait, we expect that system-directed anger is more strongly associated with support for populist radical right parties among men compared to women. We test the hypothesis using original data from the RepResent voter survey organized in Belgium during the 2019 federal elections. In line with previous studies, we find that voters of the populist radical right party Vlaams Belang report high levels of system-directed anger. Men and women voters are similar in their display of this emotion, and contrary to our expectations, they are similar in how system-directed anger relates to vote choice as well. More than explaining gender differences in populist radical right voting, our findings confirm the idea that system-directed anger can incite women as well as men to cast a populist radical right vote. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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6. Mapping the ripple effects of a compassionate university for serious illness, death, and bereavement.
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Bakelants, Hanne, Dury, Sarah, Chambaere, Kenneth, De Donder, Liesbeth, Deliens, Luc, Vanderstichelen, Steven, Marynissen, Silke, Cohen, Joachim, and Van Droogenbroeck, Filip
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SCHOOL environment ,CORPORATE culture ,DEATH ,PALLIATIVE treatment ,QUALITATIVE research ,FOCUS groups ,RESEARCH funding ,INTERPROFESSIONAL relations ,COMPASSION ,UNIVERSITIES & colleges ,EVALUATION of human services programs ,INTERVIEWING ,DRAWING ,CATASTROPHIC illness ,COLLEGE teachers ,BEREAVEMENT ,THEMATIC analysis ,COLLEGE teacher attitudes ,PUBLIC health ,DATA analysis software ,PSYCHOLOGY of college students ,COMMUNITY-based social services ,WELL-being ,CONCEPT mapping - Abstract
Background: Compassionate communities have been put forward as a promising model for community-based support for people facing serious illness, caregiving, dying, and loss. In particular, educational institutions are increasingly acknowledged as potential settings to function as compassionate schools and compassionate workplaces, cultivating acceptance and validation of these experiences beyond the university setting. Objectives: This paper investigates the activities and outcomes of a compassionate community initiative—the Compassionate University program at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. Design: Ripple Effects Mapping was used to guide the focus group and individual interviews conducted with core team members responsible for the development and implementation of the Compassionate University program. Methods: During the focus group and individual interviews, the core team members reflected on the program contributions, with their narratives visually depicted via a hand-drawn mind map. Qualitative data derived from this mind map were entered into XMIND mapping software and fine-tuned based on the focus group and individual interview transcripts and additional project records. Results: Thematic analysis identified four outcome areas that encapsulate the key contributions of the Compassionate University program: (i) increased acceptance and integration of topics such as serious illness, death, and bereavement into existing practices; (ii) broader support for and formalization of compassionate procedures and policies; (iii) emergence of informal networks and internal collaboration on the topics; and (iv) diffusion of compassionate ideas beyond the university. Conclusion: The Compassionate University program facilitates a cultural shift within the university environment, fostering greater acceptance of integrating topics such as serious illness, death, and bereavement into existing practices. Additionally, compassionate procedures and policies for students and staff have been formalized, and core team members are increasingly called upon to provide support on these matters. Notably, Compassionate University stands out as one of the pioneering initiatives in Europe, attracting different educational institutions seeking guidance on cultivating a more compassionate environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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7. Reliability Optimization Method for Gas–Electric Integrated Energy Systems Considering Cyber–Physical Interactions.
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Zhou, Buxiang, Cai, Yating, Zang, Tianlei, Wu, Jiale, Li, Xuan, and Dong, Shen
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PARTICLE swarm optimization ,CYBER physical systems ,RELIABILITY in engineering ,INFORMATION technology ,ELECTRIC fault location ,ENERGY development ,POWER resources - Abstract
With the development in the field of energy and the growing demand for sustainable energy, gas–electric integrated energy systems are attracting attention as an emerging energy supply method. At the same time, with the deep application of information technology, the cyber–physical interactions of gas–electric integrated energy systems are increasingly enhanced. To this end, first, the reliability assessment indices of a gas–electric integrated energy system, which comprehensively considers the interactions between cyber–physical and different energy sources, are established in this paper to quantitatively assess the reliability level of the system under different fault and failure conditions. Second, to solve the reliability optimization problem, a comprehensive reliability enhancement optimization model is constructed in this paper, which targets the sum of the total penalties of the failure rate and average repair time modification. The impact of the cyber systems on the gas–electric integrated energy systems is transformed into a modification of the failure rate and the average repair time, and the model is solved by an adaptive Gaussian particle swarm optimization algorithm. Finally, the applicability and superiority of the adaptive Gaussian particle swarm optimization algorithm to the reliability optimization of the gas–electricity integrated energy system are verified by conducting simulation tests on the gas–electricity integrated energy system coupled with an 8-node distribution system and the 11-node natural gas system in Belgium. Furthermore, the effects of cyber systems and cyber-attacks on system reliability optimization are also analyzed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method and the rationality of the newly defined reliability indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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8. Youth, Communication & Climate: A Pluridisciplinary Analysis of Distancing Strategies in Response to Climate Change among Belgian Youth.
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Anciaux, Amélie, Cougnon, Louise-Amélie, Ducol, Loup, and Catellani, Andrea
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CLIMATE change ,YOUTH ,SELF-efficacy ,COMMUNICATION - Abstract
Our paper investigates Belgian young peoples' discussions about climate change, specifically how they distance themselves from various dimensions related to climate issues. The study includes a pluridisciplinary analysis combining sociological, linguistic and semiotic approaches to process textual data collected in 2022 from six focus groups organised within local youth associations. This study focuses on 33 socially and economically diverse young people who joined a youth club. The paper explores the strategies employed by the respondents to distance themselves from climate change issues. It sheds light on various aspects related to climate distancing: How young people embody their vision of climate change through voice-switching, how societal norms and beliefs influence them, how they perceive the global impact of the changes, and how education plays a role in the issue of climate change. The study highlights the barriers, paradoxes and conflicts that hinder young people's active involvement in addressing climate change. It goes on to propose a set of recommendations aimed at transforming these barriers into actionable steps that can drive positive change. By identifying and addressing the contributing factors to climate distancing, this research offers potential pathways for empowering young people to become more engaged in the fight against climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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9. Evolution content in school textbooks: data from eight European countries.
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Panayides, Andreas, Sá-Pinto, Xana, Mavrikaki, Evangelia, Aanen, Duur K., Aboim, Sara, Cavadas, Bento, Dvorakova, Radka Marta, Eens, Marcel, Filova, Eliska, Gregorčič, Tanja, Kapsala, Nausica, Nieuwenhuis, Mathijs, Ometto, Lino, Papadopoulou, Penelope, Pinxten, Rianne, Realdon, Giulia, Ribeiro, Nuno, Coelho da Silva, José Luis, Sousa, Bruno, and Torkar, Gregor
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TEXTBOOKS ,SCIENTIFIC literacy ,SCHOOL year ,EDUCATIONAL resources ,CURRICULUM ,DELPHI method - Abstract
Background: Evolution is a unifying theme in biology and its understanding is essential to address sustainability problems. However, many people across the world do not understand evolution. Textbooks are among the most widely used educational resources and the way they depict evolution may greatly impact students' scientific literacy in evolution. In this paper we investigate which evolution concepts are addressed in European science textbooks, from the 1st to the 9th grade. A content analysis using the 'Framework for the Assessment of school Curricula on the presence of Evolutionary concepts", was performed on textbooks from eight European countries: Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia. At least two experienced coders per country independently analysed the texts, images and activities, discussed the results and reached a final consensus. Results: Our results show that textbooks lack or rarely address concepts considered important for evolution understanding, notably the processes driving evolution and their daily life implications, limiting opportunities for education for sustainability. Conclusions: We recommend that science textbooks emphasize evolution and its processes since the first school years. This recommendation is particularly relevant for the analysed textbooks from Cyprus and Belgium, that cover less than 45% of the concepts important to evolution literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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10. Detecting coordinated and bot-like behavior in Twitter: the Jürgen Conings case.
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De Clerck, Bart, Fernandez Toledano, Juan Carlos, Van Utterbeeck, Filip, and Rocha, Luis E. C.
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SOCIAL media ,NEWS websites ,PUBLIC opinion ,SEMANTIC network analysis ,IMAGE analysis ,VIRTUAL communities - Abstract
Social media platforms can play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion during times of crisis and controversy. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a large amount of dubious information being shared online. In Belgium, a crisis emerged during the pandemic when a soldier (Jürgen Conings) went missing with stolen weaponry after threatening politicians and virologists. This case created further division and polarization in online discussions. In this paper, we develop a methodology to study the potential of coordinated spread of incorrect information online. We combine network science and content analysis to infer and study the social network of users discussing the case, the news websites shared by those users, and their narratives. Additionally, we examined indications of bots or coordinated behavior among the users. Our findings reveal the presence of distinct communities within the discourse. Major news outlets, conspiracy theory websites, and anti-vax platforms were identified as the primary sources of (dis)information sharing. We also detected potential coordinated behavior and bot activity, indicating possible attempts to manipulate the discourse. We used the rapid semantic similarity network for the analysis of text, but our approach can be extended to the analysis of images, videos, and other types of content. These results provide insights into the role of social media in shaping public opinion during times of crisis and underscore the need for improved strategies to detect and mitigate disinformation campaigns and online discourse manipulation. Our research can aid intelligence community members in identifying and disrupting networks that spread extremist ideologies and false information, thereby promoting a more informed and resilient society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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11. The Impact of Partners' Relative Wages on Couples' Gender Division of Paid Work after Parenthood across Origin Groups.
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Maes, Julie and Marynissen, Leen
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COUPLES ,WOMEN'S wages ,PARENTHOOD ,GENDER inequality ,WAGES ,GENDER - Abstract
The transition to parenthood exacerbates gender inequality in couples' division of paid work. While this is widely documented for general populations, in particular, potential underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon remain un(der)explored for couples with different migration backgrounds. Hence, this paper examines how women's pre-birth relative wage potential affects the gender division of paid work after the transition to parenthood in Belgium among native, Southern-European and non-European origin couples. Our results show that, among all couples, the division of paid work is more gender-equal after childbirth when women's wage potential is higher than or similar to that of their male partner. However, there is substantial variation by couples' migration background and relative wage potential in partners' gender division of paid work and the extent to which it changes after parenthood. These findings suggest that both normative and institutional factors moderate the impact of partners' relative resources on couples' division of paid work after parenthood, particularly among non-European origin couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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12. From Mining to Tourism: Assessing the Destination's Image, as Revealed by Travel-Oriented Social Networks.
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Nicola, Sanda and Schmitz, Serge
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DESTINATION image (Tourism) ,TOURIST attractions ,SOCIAL networks ,USER-generated content ,TOURISM - Abstract
Mining communities often rely on tourism as a vehicle for post-mining territorial development. Sometimes, these expectations of the locals are justified by the natural setting and/or the well-preserved industrial heritage; however, these potential tourist destinations are disadvantaged primarily by their image, often associated with decay in the perception of travellers. In this paper, we treat travellers as stakeholders, able to decisively influence the image of a destination by uploading content (photos, reviews and ratings) on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, and we emphasise that user-generated content should be considered when shaping the tourism development strategies. Taking as case studies three former mining regions trying to capitalise on their tourist potential—Jiu Valley and Ștei, in Romania and La Louvière, in Belgium—this article proposes a method for assessing the image of the destination, also aiming to identify those aspects that require improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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13. The BELSAR dataset: Mono- and bistatic full-pol L-band SAR for agriculture and hydrology.
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Bouchat, Jean, Tronquo, Emma, Orban, Anne, de Macedo, Karlus A. C., Davidson, Malcolm, Verhoest, Niko E. C., and Defourny, Pierre
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SYNTHETIC aperture radar ,HYDROLOGY ,REMOTE sensing ,AGRICULTURE ,WINTER wheat - Abstract
The BELSAR dataset consists of high-resolution multitemporal airborne mono- and bistatic fully-polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data in L-band, alongside concurrent measurements of vegetation and soil biogeophysical variables measured in maize and winter wheat fields during the summer of 2018 in Belgium. Its collection was funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) to address the lack of publicly-accessible experimental datasets combining multistatic SAR and in situ measurements. As such, it offers an opportunity to advance the development of SAR remote sensing science and applications for agricultural monitoring and hydrology. This paper aims to facilitate its adoption and exploration by offering comprehensive documentation and integrating its multiple data sources into a unified, analysis-ready dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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14. Ethical perspectives regarding Euthanasia, including in the context of adult psychiatry: a qualitative interview study among healthcare workers in Belgium.
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Verhofstadt, Monica, Moureau, Loïc, Pardon, Koen, and Liégeois, Axel
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EUTHANASIA laws ,MEDICAL personnel ,EUTHANASIA ,VALUES (Ethics) ,ADULTS ,JUSTICE - Abstract
Introduction: Previous research has explored euthanasia's ethical dimensions, primarily focusing on general practice and, to a lesser extent, psychiatry, mainly from the viewpoints of physicians and nurses. However, a gap exists in understanding the comprehensive value-based perspectives of other professionals involved in both somatic and psychiatric euthanasia. This paper aims to analyze the interplay among legal, medical, and ethical factors to clarify how foundational values shape the ethical discourse surrounding euthanasia in both somatic and psychiatric contexts. It seeks to explore these dynamics among all healthcare professionals and volunteers in Belgium. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 Dutch-speaking healthcare workers who had encountered patients requesting euthanasia for psychiatric conditions, in Belgium, from August 2019 to August 2020. Qualitative thematic analysis was applied to the interview transcripts. Findings: Participants identified three pivotal values and virtues: religious values, professional values, and fundamental medical values encompassing autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence, linked to compassion, quality care, and justice. These values interwove across four tiers: the patient, the patient's inner circle, the medical realm, and society at large. Irrespective of their euthanasia stance, participants generally displayed a blend of ethical values across these tiers. Their euthanasia perspective was primarily shaped by value interpretation, significance allocation to key components, and tier weighting. Explicit mention of varying ethical values, potentially indicating distinct stances in favor of or against euthanasia, was infrequent. Conclusion: The study underscores ethical discourse's central role in navigating euthanasia's intricate landscape. Fostering inclusive dialogue, bridging diverse values, supports informed decision-making, nurturing justice, and empathy. Tailored end-of-life healthcare in psychiatry is essential, acknowledging all involved actors' needs. The study calls for interdisciplinary research to comprehensively grasp euthanasia's multifaceted dimensions, and guiding policy evolution. While contextualized in Belgium, the implications extend to the broader euthanasia discourse, suggesting avenues for further inquiry and cross-cultural exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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15. Ethnic Variation in the Link between Women's Relative Employment Positions and Entry into Parenthood in Belgium.
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Van den Berg, Layla and Neels, Karel
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WOMEN'S employment ,COUPLES therapy ,PARENTHOOD ,PARENTHOOD in literature - Abstract
This study investigates the association between women's relative employment positions and the transition to parenthood, focusing on women of Maghrebi, Turkish, and Southern European origin in Belgium. Whereas gender specialization is associated with higher chances of entering parenthood in the older literature, the economic preconditions to parenthood have shifted and more recent studies indicate that couples where both partners work are more likely to start a family. However, whereas this shift has been extensively studied among majority populations, we lack insight into whether similar patterns can also be found among population subgroups with a migration background. This paper uses Belgian census data from 2011–2015 to explore how women's relative employment positions are linked to the likelihood of entering parenthood and whether this association varies by women's age, generation, and origin of the male partner. The results indicate that couples in which both partners are employed are more likely to enter parenthood regardless of migration background. However, the results for women of Maghrebi or Turkish background suggest that single-earner couples and couples where both partners are unemployed delay entry into parenthood to a similar extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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16. Computer Vision Algorithms of DigitSeis for Building a Vectorised Dataset of Historical Seismograms from the Archive of Royal Observatory of Belgium.
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Lemenkova, Polina, De Plaen, Raphaël, Lecocq, Thomas, and Debeir, Olivier
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COMPUTER vision ,COMPUTER algorithms ,GROUND motion ,SEISMOGRAMS ,ELECTRONIC data processing ,OBSERVATORIES ,SEISMIC waves - Abstract
Archived seismograms recorded in the 20th century present a valuable source of information for monitoring earthquake activity. However, old data, which are only available as scanned paper-based images should be digitised and converted from raster to vector format prior to reuse for geophysical modelling. Seismograms have special characteristics and specific featuresrecorded by a seismometer and encrypted in the images: signal trace lines, minute time gaps, timing and wave amplitudes. This information should be recognised and interpreted automatically when processing archives of seismograms containing large collections of data. The objective was to automatically digitise historical seismograms obtained from the archives of the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB). The images were originallyrecorded by the Galitzine seismometer in 1954 in Uccle seismic station, Belgium. A dataset included 145 TIFF images which required automatic approach of data processing. Software for digitising seismograms are limited and many have disadvantages. We applied the DigitSeis for machine-based vectorisation and reported here a full workflowof data processing. This included pattern recognition, classification, digitising, corrections and converting TIFFs to the digital vector format. The generated contours of signals were presented as time series and converted into digital format (mat files) which indicated information on ground motion signals contained in analog seismograms. We performed the quality control of the digitised traces in Python to evaluate the discriminating functionality of seismic signals by DigitSeis. We shown a robust approach of DigitSeis as a powerful toolset for processing analog seismic signals. The graphical visualisation of signal traces and analysis of the performed vectorisation results shown that the algorithms of data processing performed accurately and can be recommended in similar applications of seismic signal processing in future related works in geophysical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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17. Experiences and challenges in the inspection from horticultural and ornamental sprayers (Flanders-Belgium).
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Declercq, Johan and Nuyttens, David
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FIELD crops ,TESTING equipment ,DECORATION & ornament ,PRICES ,NEW business enterprises - Abstract
In Belgium, the mandatory inspection of field crop, orchard and vineyard sprayers was already started up in 1995. Furthermore the inspection of horticultural/ornamental sprayers, soil-disinfection machines and fogging equipment was implemented respectively in 2011, 2014 and 2023 (Figure 1). So Belgium can look back on more than 28 years of experience with the inspection of sprayers (Declercq et al., 2009 and Declercq et al., 2018). At the end of the eighties, the execution of voluntary inspections was started up to gain the necessary experience. It soon became clear that a number of thoughtful choices had to be made at the start of the mandatory inspections. In order to guarantee the impartiality, professionalism and efficiency of the inspections, a centralized organization and implementation by region was chosen. Furthermore, the analytical inspection method (mainly based on pressure and nozzle flowrate measurements) was chosen because of the mobility of the test equipment that could be used. The benefits of the Belgian system are obvious. There are only ten experienced inspectors and two regional contact points for the inspection of all Belgian sprayers, and the inspections are carried out efficiently and at a fair price. The two regional Belgian inspection services are also accredited according to ISO17020, guaranteeing the highest quality standard of the inspections that are carried out. Until now, all horticultural and ornamental sprayers (ISO 16122-4) have been inspected four times (three year cycle). The inspections were started up with a “light” inspection protocol, and the protocol was adapted throughout the different cycles based on the experiences from the inspection services. The “light” start-up protocol allowed owners to gradually adapt their sprayers to the inspection requirements or -if necessary- replace their existing sprayer. This paper presents the actual inspection results from the horticultural and ornamental pesticide application equipment and the evolution of the defects throughout the different inspection cycles. Furthermore some obstacles that were encountered and solved will be discussed. Finally, there is still some PAE that is hard to inspect completely due to its specific usage or construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
18. Quality of care in Belgian general practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of the cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study.
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Van Poel, Esther, Vanden Bussche, Pierre, Pétré, Benoît, Ponsar, Cécile, Collins, Claire, De Jonghe, Michel, Donneau, Anne-Françoise, Gillain, Nicolas, Guillaume, Michèle, and Willems, Sara
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INFECTION prevention ,CROSS-sectional method ,PUBLIC health infrastructure ,MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems ,PEARSON correlation (Statistics) ,MEDICAL quality control ,FAMILY medicine ,PATIENT safety ,RESEARCH funding ,LOGISTIC regression analysis ,AT-risk people ,EQUALITY ,EVALUATION of organizational effectiveness ,INDEPENDENT variables ,POPULATION geography ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,CHI-squared test ,PATIENT-centered care ,ODDS ratio ,MULTILINGUALISM ,COMMUNICATION ,TREATMENT delay (Medicine) ,DATA analysis software ,COMPARATIVE studies ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,COVID-19 pandemic ,TIME - Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic immensely impacted care provision, including quality of care in general practice. This paper aimed: (1) to assess how Belgian general practices acted upon the six dimensions of quality of care during COVID-19; (2) to study differences between the three Belgian regions; and (3) to benchmark the performance of the Belgian practices against the performance in other European countries. Methods: The data collected from 479 Belgian practices during 2020–2021 using an online survey as part of the international cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study were analyzed. Hereby, descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Thirty-four survey questions related to the six dimensions of quality of care were selected as outcome variables. The adjusted regression models included four practice characteristics as covariates: practice type, being a teaching practice for GP trainees, multidisciplinarity of the team, and payment system. Results: Belgian practices made important organizational changes to deliver high-quality care during COVID-19. Most practices (n = 259; 56.1%) actively reached out to vulnerable patients. Limitations to the practice building or infrastructure threatened high-quality care in 266 practices (55.5%). Infection prevention measures could not always be implemented during COVID-19, such as using a cleaning protocol (n = 265; 57.2%) and providing a separate doctor bag for infection-related home visits (n = 130; 27.9%). Three hundred and sixty practices (82.0%) reported at least one safety incident related to a delayed care process in patients with an urgent condition. The adjusted regression analysis showed limited significant differences between the Belgian regions regarding the quality of care delivered. Belgian practices demonstrated varied performance compared to other European countries. For example, they excelled in always checking the feasibility of isolation at home but reported more patient safety incidents related to timely care than at least three-quarters of the other European countries. Conclusions: Future studies using different design methods are crucial to investigate which country and practice characteristics are associated with delivering high-quality care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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19. D. G. Rossetti’s Trip to Paris and Belgium: A Journey Between Past and Present.
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Rigal, Raphaël
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INTERNATIONAL travel ,ART museums - Abstract
Copyright of Cahiers Victoriens & Edouardiens is the property of Presses Universitaires de la Mediterranee and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2024
20. Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions on the Use of Heritage in Secondary Education and Their Reception of Educational Materials from the Heritage and Museum Sector: A Case Study in Flanders (Belgium).
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Van Doorsselaere, Joris
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STUDENT teachers ,SECONDARY education ,LITERATURE reviews ,PROTOCOL analysis (Cognition) ,TEACHER training ,EDUCATIONAL evaluation - Abstract
There has been a growing policy interest in establishing connections between heritage and education. Nevertheless, there seems to be very little evaluation or critical reflection on what actually happens in practice, and it remains unclear how heritage education is employed in countries throughout Europe. The aim of this paper is to assess the current status of heritage education in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium) via a literature review and an exploratory case study. The perceptions and opinions of pre-service teachers (n = 17) were investigated using three instruments: a questionnaire, document analysis, and the think aloud method. The results show that the pre-service teachers had a traditional interpretation of heritage, mainly relying on well-known and monumental examples and following a rather historical–artistic conception. However, it was found that their opinions were positive towards the use of heritage as an educational resource, and their evaluations of educational materials from the heritage and museum sector provided detailed information concerning teachers' desires and needs in this regard. The implications of this study should encourage initial teacher training in Flanders to further consider the epistemological and methodological challenges in the emerging field of heritage education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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21. Including the Most Excluded? A Qualitative Study on the Address Registration for People Experiencing Homelessness in Belgium.
- Author
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Robben, Laure-lise, Roets, Griet, Wagener, Martin, Van Lancker, Wim, and Hermans, Koen
- Subjects
HOMELESS persons ,SOCIAL & economic rights ,QUALITATIVE research ,SOCIAL marginality ,HOMELESSNESS ,RECORDING & registration - Abstract
In many European countries, one needs a permanent address to be entitled to social rights. To address this minimum prerequisite, mechanisms for administrative inclusion are in place for persons experiencing homelessness, such as the reference address in Belgium. This paper disentangles the non-take-up mechanisms behind this reference address by drawing on interviews with professionals. Our evidence suggests this is a minimum minimorum of social protection, albeit it can reflect and reinforce exclusion of the beneficiaries. This article contributes to the debate on the entitlement and non-take-up of rights, and the possibility of an administrative address that includes the most excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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- View/download PDF
22. On the horns of a dilemma: Experts as communicators for property‐level flood risk adaptation measures.
- Author
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Davids, Peter R., Priest, Sally, and Hartmann, Thomas
- Subjects
FLOOD risk ,DILEMMA ,RISK communication ,COMMUNICATIVE competence - Abstract
This paper investigates the role of flood risk experts in supporting homeowners to implement property‐level flood risk adaption (PLFRA). Homeowners can reduce their flood risks by implementing PLFRA. However, oftentimes they need advice on what sort of and how to implement PLFRA. This means that tailored experts advice is necessary to inform homeowners on such measures. But experience shows that mere information is often insufficient to motivate homeowners to realise measures. This contribution explores the reasons for the ineffectiveness of expert advice by investigating how expert advice responds to homeowners' rationalities. Based on a case study from Flanders, Belgium, this paper reveals how the relation between experts and homeowners differs related to different rationalities of homeowners. The paper uses Cultural Theory to discuss strategies on how experts, providing advice on property‐level risk adaption, could move beyond engineering skills by also using risk communication skills in order to involve homeowners in flood risk governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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- View/download PDF
23. The productivity impact of R&D and FDI spillovers: characterising regional path development.
- Author
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Spithoven, André and Merlevede, Bruno
- Subjects
REGIONAL development ,KNOWLEDGE acquisition (Expert systems) ,INDUSTRIAL productivity ,TECHNOLOGICAL innovations - Abstract
R&D activities by indigenous firms create new knowledge and technology in a region, while foreign-owned firms bring advanced knowledge and technologies from their home countries. This paper analyses the spillover effects of R&D-active or foreign-owned firms on total factor productivity of domestic non-R&D active firms. It combines two sets of literature: the one on spillover effects of intra-industry and inter-industry linkages and the other on the regional context in which these linkages occur. As measured through input-output tables, industry linkages reveal that R&D or FDI spillovers take on diverse roles in regions. Focusing on productivity spillover effects on domestic non-R&D active firms in three regions in Belgium between 2000 and 2017, we conclude that R&D spillovers generally occur more frequently than FDI spillovers. By focussing on two sources of spillovers, the paper offers a more nuanced picture of industrial transformation and regional path development. Region-specific analyses show that the effects on the productivity of domestic non-R&D active firms originate from different spillover sources. The impact of spillovers and their contribution to industrial transformation differs according to the regional development path characterised by the varying degrees of organisational thickness and specialisation of the regional innovation system. Linkages of R&D active or foreign-owned firms with domestic non-R&D active firms exert a heterogeneous impact on their productivity. Therefore, an adapted regional innovation policy, such as smart specialisation, should consider these region-specific spillover effects on productivity when establishing future regional development paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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24. Using Virtual Reality and Peer Feedback to Reduce L2 Speaking Anxiety: An Exploratory Study
- Author
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Godefridi, Isabelle, Suñer, Ferran, Leblanc, Cécile, and Meunier, Fanny
- Abstract
The present study explored whether the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology can help lower public speaking anxiety in the L2. To this end, we conducted an exploratory effect-of-instruction study using a one-group pre-test/post-test design with nine learners of English as an L2. The results from the post-test show that using VR in combination with peer feedback offers an interesting gateway to reducing public speaking anxiety. [For the complete volume, "CALL and Professionalisation: Short Papers from EUROCALL 2021 (29th, Online, August 26-27, 2021)," see ED616972.]
- Published
- 2021
25. Assessing the Flexibility Potential of Industrial Heat–Electricity Sector Coupling through High-Temperature Heat Pumps: The Case Study of Belgium.
- Author
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Magni, Chiara, Peeters, Robbe, Quoilin, Sylvain, and Arteconi, Alessia
- Subjects
HEAT pumps ,HEAT storage devices ,INDUSTRIAL capacity ,INDUSTRIAL energy consumption ,RENEWABLE energy sources ,ENERGY demand management - Abstract
Thermal processes represent a significant fraction of industrial energy consumptions, and they rely mainly on fossil fuels. Thanks to technological innovation, highly efficient devices such as high-temperature heat pumps are becoming a promising solution for the electrification of industrial heat. These technologies allow for recovering waste heat sources and upgrading them at temperatures up to 200 °C. Moreover, the coupling of these devices with thermal storage units can unlock the flexibility potential deriving from the industrial sector electrification by means of Demand-Side Management strategies. The aim of this paper is to quantify the impact on the energy system due to the integration of industrial high-temperature heat pumps and thermal storage units by means of a detailed demand–supply model. To do that, the industrial heat demand is investigated through a set of thermal process archetypes. High-temperature heat pumps and thermal storage units for industrial use are included in the open-source unit commitment and optimal dispatch model Dispa-SET used for the representation of the energy system. The case study analyzed is Belgium, and the analysis is performed for different renewable penetration scenarios in 2040 and 2050. The results demonstrate the importance of a proper sizing of the heat pump and thermal storage capacity. Furthermore, it is obtained that the electrification of the thermal demand of industrial processes improves the environmental impact (84% reduction in CO
2 emissions), but the positive effect of the energy flexibility provided by the heat pumps is appreciated only in the presence of a very high penetration of renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. The role of City Climate Networks in Promoting Citizen Participation in Municipalities: A Critical Multi-Case Analysis.
- Author
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Zapata Arango, Mateo, Hoppe, Thomas, Itten, Anatol, and Blok, Kornelis
- Subjects
POLITICAL participation ,CITIES & towns ,CRITICAL analysis ,GOVERNMENT policy on climate change ,GOAL (Psychology) - Abstract
Background: At the COP21, cities were recognised as key actors in combatting climate change. In supporting cities, climate city networks such as transnational climate networks (TCNs) and national climate networks (NCNs) have emerged to enable cities in building capacities and formulating climate policy whilst also encouraging citizen engagement and participation in public decision-making. This paper addresses the question whether and how TCN or NCN membership enables municipalities to implement citizen participation in public decision-making. Six propositions are presented addressing: presumed influence of TCN membership on citizen participation, organization of citizen participation, initiator capacity, goal setting, involvement of stakeholders, participatory methods used, and planning processes. A multi-case study research design is used to verify these propositions, comprising of four medium-sized cities in the Netherlands and three in Belgium. Results: Results of the analysis of four cities in The Netherlands show that municipalities having membership to climate city networks only to a low extent empower citizen participation via local climate agendas. Citizen participation emerges rather bottom-up via local initiatives or capacity building via EU framework programs—outside TCNs or NCNs—that better suit financial needs and provide more immediate benefits to municipalities. None of the six propositions were confirmed. A more positive image resulted from the Belgian cases that moderately confirmed four out of six propositions (i.e., organizing citizen participation, goal setting, selection of methods, and planning), and featured indirect empowerment via externally funded implementation projects following firm integration of participation in local climate policy through TCN influence. Conclusions: In terms of citizen participation selected municipalities in the Netherlands having TCN and/or NCN membership only to a small extent differ from those not having membership. This is partly due to poor implementation of TCNs and NCNs—with Covenant of Mayors and 'Klimaatverbond' lacking support structure and capacity—having lost importance during the past years. However, there is reason to believe that context makes a difference as revealed by the cases from Belgium, which revealed more positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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27. Development of a Qualitative Data Analysis Codebook for Arterial Hypertension and Type-2-Diabetes Integrated Care Evaluation.
- Author
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ZAVRNIK, ČRT, STOJNIĆ, NATAŠA, LUKANČIČ, MAJDA MORI, MARTENS, MONIKA, DANHIEUX, KATRIEN, CHHAM, SAVINA, MIHEVC, MATIC, POTOČNIK, TINA VIRTIČ, KETIŠ, ZALIKA KLEMENC, VAN OLMEN, JOSEFIEN, and SUSIČ, ANTONIJA POPLAS
- Subjects
DOCUMENTATION ,QUALITATIVE research ,HYPERTENSION ,EVALUATION of medical care ,THEMATIC analysis ,TYPE 2 diabetes ,MEDICAL coding ,RESEARCH methodology ,INTEGRATED health care delivery - Abstract
Introduction: Non-communicable diseases, such as arterial hypertension (HTN) and type-2 diabetes (T2D), pose a global public health problem. Integrated care with focus on person-centred principles aims to enhance healthcare quality and access. Previous qualitative research has identified facilitators and barriers for scaling-up integrated care, however the lack of standardized terms and measures hinder cross-country comparisons. This paper addresses these gaps by presenting a generic codebook for qualitative research on integrated care implementation for HTN and T2D. Description: The codebook serves as a tool for deductive or deductive-inductive qualitative analysis, organizing concepts and themes from qualitative data. It consists of nine first level and 39 second level themes. First level codes cover core issues; and second level codes provide detailed insights into facilitators and barriers. Discussion: This codebook is more widely applicable than previously developed tools because it includes a broader scope of stakeholders across micro, meso, and macro levels, and the themes being derived from highly diverse health systems across highand low-income countries. Conclusion: The codebook is a useful tool for implementation research on integrated care for HTN and T2D at global scale. It facilitates cross-country learning, contributing to improved implementation, scale-up and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Examination of the Effect of Task Complexity and Coping Capacity on Driving Risk: A Cross-Country and Transportation Mode Comparative Study.
- Author
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Roussou, Stella, Garefalakis, Thodoris, Michelaraki, Eva, Katrakazas, Christos, Adnan, Muhammad, Khattak, Muhammad Wisal, Brijs, Tom, and Yannis, George
- Subjects
MOTOR vehicle driving ,STRUCTURAL equation modeling ,LATENT variables ,ROAD users ,CHOICE of transportation ,POPULATION policy - Abstract
The i-DREAMS project established a 'Safety Tolerance Zone (STZ)' to maintain operators within safe boundaries through real-time and post-trip interventions, based on the crucial role of the human element in driving behavior. This paper aims to model the inter-relationship among driving task complexity, operator and vehicle coping capacity, and crash risk. Towards that aim, data from 80 drivers, who participated in a naturalistic driving experiment carried out in three countries (i.e., Belgium, Germany, and Portugal), resulting in a dataset of approximately 19,000 trips were collected and analyzed. The exploratory analysis included the development of Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and the choice of the most appropriate variables associated with the latent variables "task complexity" and "coping capacity" that are to be estimated from the various indicators. In addition, Structural Equation Models (SEMs) were used to explore how the model variables were interrelated, allowing for both direct and indirect relationships to be modeled. Comparisons on the performance of such models, as well as a discussion on behaviors and driving patterns across different countries and transport modes, were also provided. The findings revealed a positive relationship between task complexity and coping capacity, indicating that as the difficulty of the driving task increased, the driver's coping capacity increased accordingly, (i.e., higher ability to manage and adapt to the challenges posed by more complex tasks). The integrated treatment of task complexity, coping capacity, and risk can improve the behavior and safety of all travelers, through the unobtrusive and seamless monitoring of behavior. Thus, authorities should utilize a data system oriented towards collecting key driving insights on population level to plan mobility and safety interventions, develop incentives for road users, optimize enforcement, and enhance community building for safe traveling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Incremental Profitability Evaluation of Vehicle-to-Grid-Enabled Automated Frequency Restoration Reserve Services for Semi-Public Charging Infrastructure: A Case Study in Belgium.
- Author
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Goncearuc, Andrei, Sapountzoglou, Nikolaos, De Cauwer, Cedric, Coosemans, Thierry, Messagie, Maarten, and Crispeels, Thomas
- Subjects
INFRASTRUCTURE (Economics) ,ELECTRIC vehicle charging stations ,PROFITABILITY ,ELECTRIC networks ,PLUG-in hybrid electric vehicles - Abstract
The current paper defines a framework for the introduction of automated frequency restoration reserve services, enabled by vehicle-to-grid technology, into the business model of an entity owning and operating a network of semi-public Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. It assesses the profitability of this introduction by performing a case study based on the real-life electric vehicle charging data from the EVSE network located in a hospital parking lot. From the results of the study, it is clearly visible that the introduction of vehicle-to-grid-enabled automated frequency restoration reserve services has a significant positive incremental profitability; however, this is heavily dependent on the plug-in ratio of the charging network, determined by electric vehicle users' behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Are there historical continuities in the geographical spread of radical voting? A comparison of the 1936 and 2019 election results in the Flemish region of Belgium.
- Author
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Hooghe, Marc and Stiers, Dieter
- Subjects
RIGHT-wing extremism ,VOTING ,POPULIST parties (Politics) ,ELECTIONS - Abstract
Most studies on the spatial determinants of radical voting adopt a purely contemporary approach, suggesting that the current characteristics of one's geographical environment (most notably diversity and economic deprivation) largely determine the propensity to vote for a radical party. While this approach has led to new insights, in the current paper we also investigate whether there is a historical pattern with regard the spatial determinants of radical voting. Theoretically, this would suggest there is at least some form of continuity between the 'tribalist' voting of the 1930s (Popper, The open society and its enemies, Routledge, London, 1945), and the current wave of populist voting. In this results in the region. Our analysis, however, does not show any significant correlation between both results at the level of the small electoral districts. We do find more support for some level of historical continuity between communist electoral scores and left populist voting, than for the same relation on the radical right side of the electoral spectrum, and we close by offering some speculation on causes for this lack of continuity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Family congruence in sustainability attitudes and behaviour; an analysis of a household survey in Belgium.
- Author
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Verachtert, Sari
- Subjects
BEHAVIORAL assessment ,CHILDHOOD attitudes ,YOUTHS' attitudes ,SOCIALIZATION agents ,HOUSEHOLD surveys ,SUSTAINABILITY ,SCHOOL children - Abstract
In this paper, I investigated whether the sustainability attitudes and behaviour of young people are similar to those of the older generation. Furthermore, I examined to which extent today's parents play a role as socialization agents in shaping the broader sustainability attitudes and behaviour of their children by investigating whether specific family characteristics are important to explain this association. The research questions were analysed by using data from a Belgian study conducted among Flemish pupils from 47 primary and secondary schools and one of their parents (n = 880). I found that children's attitudes towards sustainability are higher compared to those of the older generation (e.g. their parents) but that the older generation, on the contrary, act more sustainably. Furthermore, there were small but positive correlations within the family for sustainability attitudes and behaviour. Finally, the results showed that increased intrafamily discussions are associated with more sustainable attitudinal parent–child congruence. However, the results did not provide evidence in support of behavioural congruence. It was concluded that the transmission of sustainability attitudes and behaviour is not limited to the classic top-down approach where parents influence children's attitudes and behaviour and children are considered as passive recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. A Cross-Sectional Study on the Acceptability of Implementing a Lung Cancer Screening Program in Belgium.
- Author
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Diab Garcia, Paloma, Snoeckx, Annemiek, Van Meerbeeck, Jan P., and Van Hal, Guido
- Subjects
PATIENT participation ,SMOKING cessation ,CROSS-sectional method ,MULTIVARIATE analysis ,MULTIPLE regression analysis ,LUNG tumors ,EARLY detection of cancer ,HUMAN services programs ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,ODDS ratio ,HEALTH promotion - Abstract
Simple Summary: Lung cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer worldwide, and the number of new cases per year is expected to grow. Belgium is among the top 10 countries with most new cases of lung cancer in the world, with lung cancer incidence accounting for 11.8% of all cancers diagnosed and 23.8% of all cancer-related deaths. This study aimed to determine the overall acceptability of a lung cancer screening program in the Flemish population and the main factors that would influence the overall acceptability of such a program. Modeling of the results of a questionnaire distributed to the Flemish population showed 92% acceptability. Furthermore, policymakers should aim for it to be reimbursed, and campaigns should be gender-specific, focused on those with lower educational and socioeconomic status, along with investment in increasing total knowledge about lung cancer and about protective factors. Lung cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer in the world, and its incidence is expected to grow. Nonetheless, this growth can be contained through smoking cessation programs and effective lung cancer screening programs. In 2018, Belgium had the seventh highest incidence of lung cancer in the world, with lung cancer incidence accounting for 11.8% of all cancers diagnosed and 23.8% of all cancer-related deaths that same year. The aims of this study were to determine the overall acceptability of a lung cancer screening program in the Flemish population and to determine the main factors that would influence the overall acceptability of such a program. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed in the Flemish population and distributed online and on paper. The results are presented with the variables of interest and the main outcome, i.e., the acceptability of participating in such a program if implemented. Odds ratios were used to compare acceptability between subgroups. A multivariate regression model was used to determine the key factors that would have the largest impact on the level of acceptability and, thus, on the possible efficiency of such a program. This study estimated that acceptability of participating in a lung cancer screening program was 92%. Irrespective of the smoking status, levels of acceptability were higher than 89%. The key factors which could significantly influence the acceptability of a lung cancer screening program were individuals with low education, low protective factor knowledge and total knowledge, and lung cancer screening reimbursement, which were significantly associated with acceptability (0.01, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.05 respectively). Low protective factor knowledge decreased the log odds of acceptability 3.08-fold. In conclusion, the acceptability of implementing a lung cancer screening program in Flanders seems to be extremely high and would be well received by all. When implementing such a program, policymakers should aim for it to be reimbursed, campaigns should be gender-specific, focused on those with lower educational and socioeconomic status, and there should be investment in increasing total knowledge about lung cancer and knowledge about protective factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Cost-utility of 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine compared to no vaccination and recommended alternative vaccines among Belgian adults.
- Author
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Marbaix, Sophie, Mignon, Annick, Taelman, Audrey, Averin, Ahuva, Atwood, Mark, and Vietri, Jeffrey
- Subjects
PNEUMOCOCCAL vaccines ,VACCINATION ,STREPTOCOCCAL diseases ,MEDICAL care costs ,ADULTS ,MENINGOCOCCAL infections ,PNEUMOCOCCAL meningitis - Abstract
The Belgian Superior Health Council (SHC) preferentially recommended the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) for adults aged ≥65 years, immunocompromised patients, and patients aged ≥50 years suffering from conditions that increase their risk for pneumococcal infections. The objective of this paper is to present the cost-utility of PCV20 compared to no vaccination and the alternative sequence of PCV15 followed by the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) in this population. The analysis employed a static Markov model capturing lifetime risk of pneumococcal infections, associated disutility, mortality, and costs from different healthcare payer perspectives. Results indicated use of PCV20 among Belgian older and at-risk adults is highly cost-effective compared to no vaccination, with an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) of €4,164. Compared to the sequential regimen (PCV15+PPV23), PCV20 vaccination is a cost-saving strategy. Subgroup analysis indicated PCV20 vaccination of at-risk adults aged 65–84 years would also be cost-saving from the national healthcare perspective. Based on current knowledge, this analysis suggests that access to PCV20 should be proposed in all adults recommended for vaccination by the SHC as PCV20 prevents additional hospitalizations and deaths caused by pneumococcal infection at an affordable cost. Pneumococcal infections cause a high burden on infected patients and society. Vaccination of patients at risk of severe infection has been recommended for decades, but uptake of pneumococcal vaccines in adults has historically been low in Belgium, where patients have borne the vaccine costs and the recommended vaccination schedule required the sequential administration of two vaccines. A single PCV20 dose is recommended as the preferred vaccine for adults at risk due to age or other factors in Belgium as it is expected to provide lasting protection against more types of disease-causing pneumococcal bacteria as well as being simpler to administer than alternatives requiring multiple injections. Uptake is expected to improve with the recent reimbursement of the new PCV20 vaccine, though reimbursement covers only a portion of the recommended population. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the PCV20 cost-effectiveness in all adults at increased risk of severe pneumococcal disease, including immunocompromised adults younger than 65 years. Our analysis captures and compares the lifetime risk of pneumococcal disease and associated healthcare costs in an unvaccinated cohort, a cohort vaccinated with the alternative recommendation of PCV15 and PPV23 vaccines and a cohort vaccinated with PCV20. This cost-effectiveness analysis indicates that use of PCV20 will help decrease the number of pneumococcal disease cases, hospitalizations, and premature deaths at an affordable healthcare cost: PCV20 is a cost-effective option compared to no vaccination and a cost-saving option compared to the sequential regimen PCV15 followed by PPV23 in the Belgian adult population recommended for pneumococcal vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. A note on the relative productivity drivers of economists: a probit/logit approach for six European countries.
- Author
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Katranidis, Stelios, Panagiotidis, Theodore, and Zontanos, Kostas
- Subjects
DEPENDENT variables ,INBREEDING ,AUTOMOBILE driver education ,EUROZONE - Abstract
We examine the drivers of research performance of 1431 economists from six European countries. Data from the Scopus database are collected. We compare the relative performance of economists from three northern European countries: Belgium, Denmark and Germany with three from the south: Greece, Italy and Portugal. Relative performance is measured as the deviation from the country average in both citations and papers. The dependent variables take the value of 1 if the productivity of the researcher is above the country average and 0 if it is below. Probit/logit analysis is employed and marginal effects are estimated to examine the significance of factors like the country of their PhD studies, gender and inbreeding at the national level. A US PhD or a German PhD affects negatively the relative productivity of German economists. Inbreeding at the national level (locally trained economists) reduces productivity among Greek, Italian and Portuguese economists. Gender is significant in the case of Denmark, Germany and Italy, but it does not affect productivity in Belgium, Greece and Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Does a tax deduction scheme matter for jobs and investment by multinational and domestic enterprises?
- Author
-
Konings, Jozef, Lecocq, Catherine, and Merlevede, Bruno
- Subjects
TAX deductions ,BUSINESS enterprises ,CORPORATE taxes ,INCOME tax ,FOREIGN investments ,INTERNATIONAL business enterprises - Abstract
Copyright of Canadian Journal of Economics is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Egg freezing, genetic relatedness, and motherhood: A binational empirical bioethical investigation of women's views.
- Author
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Pérez‐Hernández, Yolinliztli and De Proost, Michiel
- Subjects
- *
FAMILIES & psychology , *ADOPTION & psychology , *OVUM , *ATTITUDES toward pregnancy , *FAMILY planning , *PREGNANCY , *ATTITUDES toward adoption , *CRYOPRESERVATION of organs, tissues, etc. , *QUALITATIVE research , *INTERVIEWING , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *EMPIRICAL research , *BIOETHICS , *BIRTHPARENTS , *ETHICS , *MARITAL status , *MOTHERHOOD , *GENETICS , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors - Abstract
Genetic relatedness figures heavily in contemporary ethical debates on egg freezing, although the arguments lack empirical‐based evidence. Rather than adding another theoretical view on the moral relevance of genetic connections, this paper instead proposes an empirically grounded perspective based on two independent qualitative interview‐based studies conducted in Belgium and France. Three themes emerge from our empirical data: (1) prioritizing family building; (2) centering the gestational experience of motherhood; and (3) identifying the complexities and limitations of adoption. These themes suggest that the relationship between egg freezing, genetics, biological motherhood, and adoption is highly complex and less straightforward than what is often assumed in the egg freezing debate. Our study provides more detailed insights into women's ambivalent experiences regarding those reproductive options. We discuss the ethical implications of our empirical findings and hold that pursuing genetic desire is not necessarily the main moral reason why women freeze their eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Global research trends on the links between the gut microbiota and diabetes between 2001 and 2021: A bibliometrics and visualized study.
- Author
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Boxun Zhang, Zishan Jin, Tiangang Zhai, Qiyou Ding, Haoyu Yang, Jia Wang, Lili Zhang, and Linhua Zhao
- Subjects
GUT microbiome ,FARNESOID X receptor ,BIBLIOMETRICS ,ARYL hydrocarbon receptors ,PROTEIN receptors ,DIABETES ,PROTEIN kinases - Abstract
Background: Over the past 20 years, evidence has suggested that gut microbiota plays an important role in metabolic homeostasis. The relationship between gut microbiota and diabetes has become the focus of considerable scientific interest. With the sharp increase in publications in this area, it is imperative to analyze the relevant articles using bibliometrics methods. Methods: Publications on "the gut microbiota and diabetes" were retrieved and downloaded from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Microsoft Excel 2020, VOSviewer, CiteSpace 5.8.R3 and Co-Occurrence 9.94 software were used for data analysis and visualization. Country/academic institution, journal, author, subject category, keyword and reference were analyzed thoroughly. The cutting-edge directions in this field were also determined by analyzing keywords and key articles. Results: A total of 2,342 documents were included in the analysis; the number of articles in this field has increased yearly, particularly after 2010. China and the University of Copenhagen are the country and research institution associated with the largest number of publications. Nutrients have published 191 articles in this field, ranking first among highly productive journals in the number of publications. The researcher Cani PD affiliated with the University of Leuven, Belgium, published the greatest number of articles in this field between 2001 and 2021 and was also ranked as the first co-cited author and the largest contributor of highly cited papers in this field. Endocrinology & Metabolism was the most common subject category. Three of the most frequently found keywords, besides terms related to "microbiota" and "diabetes," were "obesity," "probiotics," and "inflammation." Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, trimethylamine n-oxide and branched-chain amino acids are intestinal bacteria or metabolites that have attracted more attention in recent years. Natural products represented by Chinese herbal medicine and some protein receptors or signaling pathways such as aryl hydrocarbon receptor, farnesoid X receptor and AMP-activated protein kinase were frontiers in this field. Conclusion: Over the past two decades, the rapid development of research on the gut microbiota has deepened the understanding of the physiology and pathology of diabetes, providing new insights into different approaches to treatment. In the future, further interdisciplinary innovation, clinical transformation, and application may receive more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Evaluating the health and health economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delayed cancer care in Belgium: A Markov model study protocol.
- Author
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Khan, Yasmine, Verhaeghe, Nick, De Pauw, Robby, Devleesschauwer, Brecht, Gadeyne, Sylvie, Gorasso, Vanessa, Lievens, Yolande, Speybroek, Niko, Vandamme, Nancy, Vandemaele, Miet, Van den Borre, Laura, Vandepitte, Sophie, Vanthomme, Katrien, Verdoodt, Freija, and De Smedt, Delphine
- Subjects
MARKOV processes ,ECONOMIC impact of disease ,BREAST ,MEDICAL economics ,CANCER treatment ,RESEARCH protocols - Abstract
Introduction: Cancer causes a substantial burden to our society, both from a health and an economic perspective. To improve cancer patient outcomes and lower society expenses, early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential. The recent COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the care trajectory of cancer patients, which may affect their prognosis in a potentially negative way. The purpose of this paper is to present a flexible decision-analytic Markov model methodology allowing the evaluation of the impact of delayed cancer care caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium which can be used by researchers to respond to diverse research questions in a variety of disruptive events, contexts and settings. Methods: A decision-analytic Markov model was developed for 4 selected cancer types (i.e. breast, colorectal, lung, and head and neck), comparing the estimated costs and quality-adjusted life year losses between the pre-COVID-19 situation and the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium. Input parameters were derived from published studies (transition probabilities, utilities and indirect costs) and administrative databases (epidemiological data and direct medical costs). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses are proposed to consider uncertainty in the input parameters and to assess the robustness of the model's results. Scenario analyses are suggested to evaluate methodological and structural assumptions. Discussion: The results that such decision-analytic Markov model can provide are of interest to decision makers because they help them to effectively allocate resources to improve the health outcomes of cancer patients and to reduce the costs of care for both patients and healthcare systems. Our study provides insights into methodological aspects of conducting a health economic evaluation of cancer care and COVID-19 including insights on cancer type selection, the elaboration of a Markov model, data inputs and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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39. Managing uncertainty in forecasting health workforce demand using the Robust Workforce Planning Framework: the example of midwives in Belgium.
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Benahmed, Nadia, Lefèvre, Mélanie, and Stordeur, Sabine
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WORKFORCE planning ,MIDWIVES ,MEDICAL personnel ,GENERAL practitioners ,MATERNAL health services - Abstract
Background: In Belgium, the Planning Commission for Medical Supply is responsible for monitoring human resources for health (HRH) and ultimately proposing workforce quotas. It is supported by the Planning Unit for the Supply of the Health Professions. This Unit quantifies and forecasts the workforce in the healthcare professions on the basis of a stock and flow model, based on trends observed in the past. In 2019, the Planning Unit asked the KCE (Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre) to develop additional forecasting scenarios for the midwifery workforce, to complement the standard historical trend approach. The aim of this paper is to present the development of such forecasting scenarios. Methods: The Robust Workforce Planning Framework, developed by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence in the UK was used to develop alternative midwifery workforce scenarios. The framework consists of four steps (Horizon scanning, Scenario generation, Workforce modelling, and Policy analysis), the first two of which were undertaken by KCE, using two online surveys and five workshops with stakeholders. Results: Three alternative scenarios are proposed. The first scenario (close to the current situation) envisages pregnancy and maternity care centred on gynaecologists working either in a hospital or in private practice. The second scenario describes an organisation of midwife-led care in hospitals. In the third scenario, care is primarily organised by primary care practitioners (midwives and general practitioners) in outpatient settings. Conclusions: The Robust Workforce Planning Framework provides an opportunity to adjust the modelling of the health workforce and inform decision-makers about the impact of their future decisions on the health workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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40. Transformative practice and its interactional challenges in COVID-19 telephone contact tracing in Flanders.
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Slembrouck, Stef, Vandenbroucke, Mieke, De Timmerman, Romeo, Bafort, Anne-Sophie, and Van de Geuchte, Sofie
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CONTACT tracing ,TELEPHONES ,TELEPHONE calls ,HYGIENE ,COVID-19 ,SOCIAL isolation - Abstract
This article focuses on transformative interactional practice in COVID-19 contact tracing telephone calls in Flanders (Belgium). It is based on a large corpus of recorded telephone conversations conducted by COVID-19 contact tracers with index patients in the period mid-2020 to mid-2022. The calls were conducted through government-contracted commercial call centers. For nearly 2 years and applied country-wide, this was the most prominent strategy in Belgium for breaking transmission chains. COVID-19 telephone contact tracing with infected patients counts as transformative professional work in two ways. First, in addition to the registration of recent contacts in a relevant time window, the work is oriented to awareness-raising about how patients and their co-dwellers can and should adjust their behavior by attending actively to critical aspects of the pandemic during an individual period of (potential) infection. This is the terrain of advice, interdictions and recommendations about quarantine, isolation, personal hygiene, etc. In addition, the focus on interactional attention indexes patients' affect and emotions (e.g., anxiety, worry, or anger) in a period of health uncertainty and social isolation. The transformative work thus depends on successfully established rapport and empathetic, responsive behavior. Our analysis of the recorded conversational sequences focuses on the complexities of clientsensitive and responsive transformative sequences and highlights the constraints and affordances which surround the interactional task of 'instructional awareness raising' which is central to telephone contact tracing. Specifically, we detail the following dimensions of transformative sequences: (i) how do contact tracers deal with the knowledge status of clients, (ii) their use of upgrading/downgrading formulations, (iii) the use of humor and other mitigating strategies, and (iv) how contact tracers attend to interactional displays of affect and emotion. In a final section, we tie together our observations about the communication of particularized advice in a context of general measures through the twin notions of categorization/particularization-work. The findings in this paper are limited to the first step in the chain of contact tracing, i.e., telephone calls with tested and infected citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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41. Prevalence of Loneliness in Older Adults: A Scoping Review.
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Schroyen, S., Janssen, N., Duffner, L. A., Veenstra, M., Pyrovolaki, E., Salmon, E., and Adam, S.
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PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,LONELINESS ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,LITERATURE reviews ,MEDLINE ,COVID-19 pandemic ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,OLD age - Abstract
Objectives. To review the prevalence of loneliness (during/after COVID-19) in older people. Design. Scoping review using Medline and PsycInfo for worldwide prevalence estimates (white published literature search) and Google for prevalence data inside the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (grey literature). Setting. Worldwide prevalence estimates and a focus on the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. Participants. Papers published between 2016 and 2022 and a mean age of minimum of 65 years. Measurements. Prevalence estimates for older people. Results. The white literature search yielded 37 articles. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness estimates were the highest in Nigeria (46%) and the lowest in Australia (5%) (mean prevalence was 25.6%). Loneliness was reported to be higher in specific populations, for example, people living in specific communities such as senior housing communities or with impairments, than in the general population, with a mean prevalence estimate of 47.8%. During COVID-19, the prevalence of loneliness was higher than that before the pandemic: we observed a mean prevalence of 39.4%, in comparison to 25.6 before COVID-19. The grey literature search showed that, compared to Belgium and the Netherlands (13.5% and 36.5%, respectively), loneliness estimates were the lowest in Germany, with a mean prevalence of 7.7%. Conclusion. Large international differences in the prevalence of loneliness were observed between countries and populations studied. Several hypotheses could explain such differences, including sociocultural or historical-political characteristics. Without surprise, the pandemic and associated measures were linked to a higher level of loneliness. Furthermore, recommendations for addressing loneliness, including interventions, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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42. Curvilinear relationships in person‐environment fit research: Is there evidence for a too‐much‐of‐a‐good‐thing effect?
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Vleugels, Wouter and Flatau‐Harrison, Huw
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EMPLOYEE attitudes ,MULTIPLE regression analysis ,INDUSTRIAL psychology ,JOB satisfaction ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,COMMITMENT (Psychology) ,STATISTICAL sampling ,DATA analysis software ,PATH analysis (Statistics) - Abstract
In this paper, we revisit this well‐established linear relationship of person‐organisation, demands‐abilities, and needs‐supply fit with job satisfaction, commitment, and OCBs, and propose that this relationship may be linear for affective work outcomes but curvilinear for behavioural ones. We test this idea in a two‐wave sample of 212 employees, with measures taken 4 weeks apart. The results support the idea that the relationship between fit and behavioural outcomes can, indeed, be curvilinear. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the nature of the relationship between fit and work outcomes by challenging the long‐held 'more fit is better' logic that pervades much of the PE fit research to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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43. Non-invasive analysis of heritage textiles with MA-XRF mapping—exploring the possibilities. The study of Bishop Jacques de Vitry's mitres and fragile medieval reliquary purses from Namur (Belgium).
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Vanden Berghe, Ina, Van Bos, Marina, Vandorpe, Maaike, and Coudray, Alexia
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TEXTILE chemistry ,HANDBAGS ,CULTURAL property ,ELEMENTAL analysis ,EMBROIDERY ,DATA modeling - Abstract
This manuscript explores the potential of macro-X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) for the non-invasive analysis of heritage textiles. XRF, especially with the portable instruments, is a well-known technique for the non-destructive examination of various cultural heritage objects. It allows analysis of elemental composition based on single-point measurements. However, large, or complex textiles require numerous analysis points to identify the materials used and correctly interpret the spectra. MA-XRF takes this type of research to the next level, as it is possible to visualise the element distribution over an entire mapped area. In this paper, we discuss the application of this technique to the study of complex and multi-layered textile objects from exceptional Belgian heritage collections, including two mitres attributed to Bishop Jacques de Vitry, dating between twelfth and thirteenth century, and two of the seven extremely fine medieval reliquary purses from Namur. These are very fragile, richly decorated textile objects whose current state of preservation is a major impediment to sampling. MA-XRF mapping was applied for the identification of the elements of different materials in a non-invasive manner, including metal threads, ink, dyes, and various materials used in illuminations. In addition to material identification, stratigraphic information was obtained from the visualisation of element distributions, and hidden structural details were discovered. MA-XRF was also tested on some areas with more relief, such as the embroidery and braid made with metal threads, and the undulated multi-layered structure of the parchment mitre. Even though the analyses here could not be carried out in optimal conditions, these locations could also be analysed, albeit at a lower resolution. Finally, the technique proved very effective as a tool for screening, allowing samples to be taken at a more informative and representative location and minimising sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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44. Comparison of Soft Indicator and Poisson Kriging for the Noise-Filtering and Downscaling of Areal Data: Application to Daily COVID-19 Incidence Rates.
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Goovaerts, Pierre, Hermans, Thomas, Goossens, Peter F., and Van De Vijver, Ellen
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KRIGING ,COVID-19 ,DISEASE incidence - Abstract
This paper addresses two common challenges in analyzing spatial epidemiological data, specifically disease incidence rates recorded over small areas: filtering noise caused by small local population sizes and deriving estimates at different spatial scales. Geostatistical techniques, including Poisson kriging (PK), have been used to address these issues by accounting for spatial correlation patterns and neighboring observations in smoothing and changing spatial support. However, PK has a limitation in that it can generate unrealistic rates that are either negative or greater than 100%. To overcome this limitation, an alternative method that relies on soft indicator kriging (IK) is presented. The performance of this method is compared to PK using daily COVID-19 incidence rates recorded in 2020–2021 for each of the 581 municipalities in Belgium. Both approaches are used to derive noise-filtered incidence rates for four different dates of the pandemic at the municipality level and at the nodes of a 1 km spacing grid covering the country. The IK approach has several attractive features: (1) the lack of negative kriging estimates, (2) the smaller smoothing effect, and (3) the better agreement with observed municipality-level rates after aggregation, in particular when the original rate was zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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45. Multiple (il)legal pathways: The diversity of immigrants' legal trajectories in Belgium.
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Schoumaker, Bruno, Le Guen, Mireille, Caron, Louise, and Nie, Wanli
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POLITICAL refugees ,DEVELOPING countries ,COUNTRY of origin (Immigrants) ,WESTERN countries ,IMMIGRANTS ,MIDDLE-income countries ,PANEL analysis ,STATUS (Law) - Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing number of primarily qualitative studies have shown that the legal trajectories of immigrants in Western countries are often complex. However, immigrants' long-term legal trajectories remain a blind spot in quantitative migration research. OBJECTIVES This paper aims to provide new empirical insights into the variety of legal pathways among non-European immigrants who arrived in Belgium between 1999 and 2008. We build a typology of legal trajectories, and we investigate how these trajectories are related to immigrants' country of origin, asylum status, and social ties in Belgium. METHODS The micro longitudinal data is from the Belgian National Register. We use sequence analysis to identify clusters of legal trajectories, and multinomial logistic regressions to explore how they are related to immigrants' characteristics. RESULTS We identify seven types of legal trajectory. While some are simple and smooth, others are characterized by moves back and forth between legal statuses and frequent periods of irregularity. Immigrants from the least developed countries and rejected asylum seekers are more likely to experience slow and chaotic trajectories. By contrast, simple and short trajectories are more common among immigrants from higher- or middle-income countries. We also find that social and family ties are a key factor in long-term immigrants experiencing smooth legal trajectories. CONCLUSIONS Legal statuses vary substantially over time, and trajectories differ widely among immigrants. Some categories of immigrants are more at risk of highly precarious longterm trajectories that may lead to situations of 'permanent temporariness'. CONTRIBUTION The paper highlights the relevance of a quantitative longitudinal perspective on immigrants' legal status and underlines the need to take into account not only the legal status upon arrival but also the complexity of legal trajectories during the stay in the destination country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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46. Multiform Transmission and Belonging: Buddhist Social Spaces of Thai Migrant Women in Belgium.
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Fresnoza-Flot, Asuncion
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SOCIAL space ,WOMEN migrant labor - Abstract
The Thai migration to Belgium is numerically a woman-led phenomenon, which has captured social attention for the last decades. This attention entails stereotypes about Thai migrant women as 'workers' in the intimate industry and/or 'exotic wives' of Belgian men. To challenge these stereotypes, the present paper explores the often-ignored dimension of Thai women's sociality. Specifically, it examines the transmission dynamics occurring in their Buddhist social spaces, which shape and reinforce their sense of belonging. To do so, it draws from ethnographic fieldwork with Thai migrant women and key social actors within the Thai population in the country. Data analysis unveils that these women engage in multiform modes of transmission in their Buddhist social spaces. First, they transmit good deeds from the material world to the spiritual realm through merit-making practices and by seeking spiritual guidance in the temple. Second, they pass their socio-cultural ways of belonging to their children by engaging in different socializing activities. And third, they involve themselves in sharing religious faith, material symbols, and tastes described as part of Thai culture. Through this multiform transmission, Thai migrant women confront in subtle ways the common-held views about them at the intersection of their various identities as spouses, mothers, citizens, and Buddhist devotees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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47. Development and Pilot Testing of a Dispensing Protocol on Emergency Contraceptive Pills for Community Pharmacists in Belgium.
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Ceulemans, Michael, Brughmans, Marieke, Poortmans, Laura-Lien, Spreuwers, Ellen, Willekens, Julie, Roose, Nele, De Wulf, Isabelle, and Foulon, Veerle
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EMERGENCY contraceptives ,PHARMACISTS ,WOMEN'S health services - Abstract
Community pharmacists in Belgium frequently dispense emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). However, variable and insufficient counseling practices exist across pharmacies, highlighting the need for standardization and quality improvement strategies. The aim of this project was to develop and test an ECP dispensing protocol for pharmacists. An 'experience-based' co-design approach involving academic and practicing pharmacists was applied, followed by a 4-month test period and interviews to assess users' experiences. In total, eight geographically dispersed pharmacies participated. Pharmacists (n = 15) reached a consensus on most items to be included in the protocol, which was subsequently tested in seven pharmacies, with overall 97 registered ECP conversations. Pharmacists considered the protocol complete but felt that not all items should be mentioned/questioned during all conversations. They suggested only subtle modifications to be made prior to delivering a final protocol ready for nationwide distribution. Despite attributing positive effects to having a protocol, no single pharmacist 'actively' used it at-the-counter but used it instead as a 'checklist' after the encounter. Pharmacists found that the paper-based format of the protocol hindered protocol-based dispensing. Future research is needed to provide evidence on the actual benefits of protocol application, as well as to identify factors influencing the implementation of ECP dispensing using a software-integrated protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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48. Inventory of the terrestrial isopods in Belgium (2011-2020).
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Boeraeve, Pepijn, Arijs, Gert, Segers, Stijn, Brosens, Dimitri, Desmet, Peter, Swinnen, Kristijn, Lambrechts, Jorg, and De Smedt, Pallieter
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ISOPODA ,GRID cells ,PITFALL traps ,HABITATS ,INVENTORIES ,CITIZEN science - Abstract
This data paper describes a recent and spatially complete inventory of the terrestrial isopods of Belgium between 2011 and 2020. During these 10 years every 10 × 10 km² cell of the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid in Belgium (373 grid cells) was visited in search for terrestrial isopods. Inventories covered different habitat types in every grid cell such as forest, wetlands or stream sides, and urban areas. Most of the dataset records were obtained by hand-collection methods such as turning stones and dead wood, or by sieving litter and through casual observations. These inventories were carried out by specialists from Spinicornis, the Belgian Terrestrial Isopod Group. Their data is complemented with pitfall trap data from scientific projects and verified citizen science data collected via waarnemingen.be and observations.be from the same time period. This resulted in 19,406 dataset records of 35 terrestrial isopod species. All dataset records are georeferenced using the centroid of their respective 5 × 5 km² UTM grid cell. The dataset is published as open data and available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Direct link to the dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/mw9c66. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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49. Corrigendum to: Mislabelling may explain why some prohibited invasive aquatic plants are still being sold in Belgium.
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Van den Neucker, Tom and Scheers, Kevin
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INVASIVE plants ,AQUATIC plants ,WATER gardens - Abstract
Six taxonomic errors and one relevant taxonomic change were discovered after publication of "Mislabelling may explain why some prohibited invasive aquatic plants are still being sold in Belgium" Van den Neucker T, Scheers K. 2022. Knowl Manag Aquat Ecosyst 423: 8. This corrigendum lists the changes that need to be made in the paper and in Appendices A and B. The authors state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the paper in any way. Corrected versions of Appendices A and B are made available as supplementary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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50. Digital Competence Frameworks in Teacher Education
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Aigul Rakisheva and Allison Witt
- Abstract
For the quality training of future teachers, it is necessary to have a clear action plan, benchmarks, metrics, and progress indications for using technologies in education. Pre-service teachers' digital competence frameworks can guide their preparation and develop sufficient digital competence before actual practice. This paper analyzes the relevant literature that presents the available ICT competence frameworks for educators. The literature review findings indicate a need for an empirically validated pre-service teachers' digital competence framework that can be adjustable to the context and guide initial teacher preparation in developing modern pre-service teachers' digital competence. The paper also provides information and recommendations to those involved in initial teacher training development, research, and the integration of technologies into pre-service teacher education.
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- 2023
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