72 results on '"Descheemaeker P"'
Search Results
2. Modeling biological networks: from single gene systems to large microbial communities
- Author
-
Descheemaeker, Lana
- Subjects
Quantitative Biology - Populations and Evolution ,Nonlinear Sciences - Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems - Abstract
In this research, we study biological networks at different scales: a gene autoregulatory network at the single-cell level and the gut microbiota at the population level. Proteins are the main actors in cells, they are the building blocks, act as enzymes and antibodies. The production of proteins is mediated by transcription factors. In some cases, a protein acts as its own transcription factor, this is called autoregulation. It is known that autorepression speeds up the response and that autoactivation can lead to multiple stable equilibria. In this thesis, we study the effects of the combination of activation and repression in autoregulation, as a case study we investigate the possible dynamics of the leucine responsive protein B of the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus (Ss-LrpB), a protein that regulates itself in a unique and non-monotonic way via three binding boxes. We examine for which conditions this type of network leads to oscillations or bistability. In the second part, much larger biological systems are considered. Ecological systems, among which the human gut microbiome, are characterized by heavy-tailed abundance profiles. We study how these distributions can arise from population-based models by adding saturation effects and linear noise. Moreover, we examine different characteristics of experimental time series of microbial communities, such as the noise color and neutrality of the biodiversity, and look at the influence of the parameters on these characteristics. With the first research topic we want to lay a foundation for the understanding of non-monotonic gene regulation and take the first steps toward synthetic biology in archaea. In the second part of the thesis, we investigate experimental time series from complex ecosystems and seek theoretical models reproducing all observed characteristics in view of building predictive models., Comment: Doctor of Sciences thesis
- Published
- 2021
3. Balancing co-benefits and trade-offs between climate change mitigation and adaptation innovations under mixed crop-livestock systems in semi-arid Zimbabwe
- Author
-
Sabine Homann-Kee Tui, Roberto O. Valdivia, Katrien Descheemaeker, Gevious Sisito, Elisha N. Moyo, and Farai Mapanda
- Subjects
Climate change adaptation ,Mitigation ,Sustainable intensification ,Food security ,Social equity ,Simulation modelling ,Agriculture (General) ,S1-972 - Abstract
Abstract Achieving Zimbabwe’s national and international commitments to food systems transformation and climate resilience building is of high priority. Integrated simulation-based research approaches developed under the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) are important sources of evidence to guide policy decisions towards sustainable intensification. Through the identification of economically viable, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable development pathways, the analysis in this study evaluates co-benefits and trade-offs between climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions for vulnerable smallholder crop-livestock holdings in the semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe. We explore how climate effects disrupt the livelihoods and food security for diverse farm types, the extremely vulnerable and those better resource endowed but facing high risks. In an iterative process with experts and stakeholders, we co-developed context specific development pathways. They include market-oriented adaptation and mitigation interventions and social protection mechanisms that would support the transition towards more sustainable intensified, diversified and better integrated crop-livestock systems. We assess the trade-offs associated with adoption of climate-smart interventions aimed at improving incomes and food security but that may have consequences on GHG emissions for the different pathways and farm types. The approach and results inform the discussion on drivers that can bring about sustainable intensification, and the extent to which socio-economic benefits could enhance the uptake of emission reducing technologies thereof. Through this strategy we evaluate interventions that can result in win–win outcomes, that is, adaptation-mitigation co-benefits, and what this would imply for policies that aim at transforming agri-food systems.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Navigating seasonality in cotton-based farming systems in southern Mali
- Author
-
Arouna Dissa, Maja Slingerland, Ken E. Giller, and Katrien Descheemaeker
- Subjects
Smallholder farmers ,Unexpected weather events ,Farming decisions ,Synergies ,Trade-offs ,Meteorology. Climatology ,QC851-999 - Abstract
Smallholder farmers’ livelihoods follow predictable and cyclical patterns related to annual cycles of weather, crop and animal production and market fluctuations. Understanding seasonality forms an essential part of unravelling farming systems behaviour and performance, especially in contexts with strong seasonality, such as southern Mali. Farmers make strategic, tactical and operational decisions related to different time horizons to support their agricultural activities. The diverse resource endowments of farming households influence their decisions, and adaptive capacity. This study aimed to understand farmers’ management decisions to cope with weather variability and related consequences. We used a case study approach to analyse temporal interactions between farming system components using data collected over three consecutive years (2017–2019). We focused on three research questions. First, how do farmers navigate the regular patterns of seasonal variations in rainfall, prices, food and fodder availability, and income? Second, how does seasonality influence complementarity between farm components, and trade-offs and synergies among farming objectives that result from the allocation of scarce resources? Finally, how do farming households of different resource endowments respond to unexpected changes and how does this affect the above-mentioned synergies and trade-offs? The data collection methods included (1) focus group discussions, (2) household surveys, and (3) detailed farm monitoring. Farmers undertook diverse production activities, which helped to mitigate negative consequences of crop failure. While providing opportunities for increased adaptive capacity, this diversity also creates interdependencies among farming system components, leading to reinforced positive outcomes in good years and negative outcomes in bad years. This double-edged sword challenges the simple assumption that diversification increases the stability of a farming system. All farm types faced seasonal resource constraints to adapt to unexpected changes. However, the magnitudes of changes in synergies and trade-offs among objectives were less pronounced for medium resource endowed farmers because of their more balanced people- and herd-to-land ratio compared to high resource endowed farmers. Our findings suggest that a better understanding of farm management decisions and the influence of seasonality is key to support farm productivity and to expand the adaptive capacity of smallholders. We suggest that policies aiming to support farm productivity should pay attention to the specific impediments faced by farms with different resource endowments to adapt to changes. Especially, access to credit helps poorer farmers not only to navigate the seasonal food and cash constraints but also to escape poverty traps.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Effects of the COVID-19 induced cotton crisis on agricultural production and livelihoods of smallholders in southern Mali
- Author
-
Arouna Dissa, Maja Slingerland, Ken E. Giller, and Katrien Descheemaeker
- Subjects
food self-sufficiency ,income ,farm diversity ,institutional shock ,fertilizer ,cereals ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 ,Food processing and manufacture ,TP368-456 - Abstract
Smallholder farming systems are vulnerable to disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic weakened the financial ability of the Malian government in the 2020–21 growing season to subsidize cotton farmers’ access to mineral fertilizers and the cotton company (CMDT) could not offer a good cotton price. Consequently, farmers refused to grow cotton, leading to a cotton crisis with implications on crop production and farmers’ livelihoods. We used data collected over three consecutive growing seasons in the old cotton basin of Koutiala and analysed them using two-way mixed ANOVA over selected indicators related to farm and household components. The analysis was done for farms of different resource endowment, through comparing the cotton crisis season to the two previous normal seasons. Besides the abandonment of cotton, the total cropped area and area devoted to maize reduced in 2020–21, while the area allocated to millet, sorghum and cowpea increased, especially for cotton farmers with medium and high resource endowments. In addition, the nitrogen use intensity dropped at the farm level and particularly for the cereal crops, but without negative effect on yields of maize, millet and sorghum. Food self-sufficiency and income per capita significantly increased for the medium resource farms, while income dropped for the high resource farms with large herds. The farming system was able to absorb the shock of limited access to fertilizer for one season, due to the elimination of otherwise strong labour competition between cotton and cereal crops, favourable weather conditions and farmers’ responsive coping with the cotton crisis. This study revealed the importance of disaggregated livelihood evaluations, because resource endowments have implications not only for the actual effect on livelihoods, but also for farmers’ adaptive capacity.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Manure matters: prospects for regional banana-livestock integration for sustainable intensification in South-West Uganda
- Author
-
Harmen den Braber, Gerrie van de Ven, Esther Ronner, Wytze Marinus, Antoine Languillaume, Dennis Ochola, Godfrey Taulya, Ken E. Giller, and Katrien Descheemaeker
- Subjects
east african highland banana ,crop-livestock integration ,potassium ,spatial analysis ,nutrient requirements ,cattle ,Agriculture - Abstract
In South-West Uganda, manure is highly valued for sustaining yields of East African Highland Banana, but it is in short supply. As a result, banana growers import manure from rangelands up to 50 km away. We aimed to explore the potential of this regional banana-livestock integration to meet crop nutrient requirements for sustainable intensification of banana cropping systems. We used a mixed-methods approach supported by detailed data collection. Multiple spatial levels were integrated: field-level modelling to determine long-term nutrient requirements, a household-level survey to characterize farmer practices, and a regional-level spatial analysis to map banana production and manure source areas. For median to 90th percentile banana yields (37-52 t FW/ha/year), minimum K requirements were 118–228 kg/ha/year. To supply this with manure, 10.5–20.5 t DM manure/ha/year would be needed, requiring 47–91 tropical livestock units and 27–52 ha of rangeland, far more than what is potentially available currently. However, using only manure to satisfy potassium requirements increases the risk of N losses due to nutrient imbalances likely to result from large manure applications. For sustainable intensification, manure supplemented with K-based fertilizers is a better option than manure alone, as it is more cost-effective and reduces potential N losses.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Farmer research networks in principle and practice
- Author
-
Mary Richardson, Richard Coe, Katrien Descheemaeker, Bettina Haussmann, Kate Wellard, Marah Moore, Jane Maland Cady, Peter Gubbels, Frank Tchuwa, Rodrigo Paz Y., and Rebecca Nelson
- Subjects
agroecology ,principles ,farmer research networks ,learning ,participatory ,agency ,engagement ,systems ,Agriculture - Abstract
In 2013, the Collaborative Crop Research Program (McKnight Foundation), initiated support for farmer research networks (FRNs). FRNs were envisaged as a general approach to networked participatory research aimed at supporting the agroecological intensification (AEI) of smallholder farming in ten countries in Africa and the Andes region in South America. The 30 FRNs ranged in size from 15 to more than 2,000 farmers. Rather than imposing a rigid FRN model, the programme used principles to guide action and reflection. The principles concerned ways of working with farmers, conducting research, and networking. This approach made it possible to reflect on how principles were interpreted, implemented, and used to guide learning in different contexts. This paper reports on insights gained from facilitated learning from 2013–2019 and focuses on subsets of diverse FRNs. Of the 30 FRNs supported, four were analyzed at some depth, reports and interviews were analyzed for 16, and a survey was conducted for 21. Relying on principles rather than an operational model has allowed for their progressive application, as participatory processes, farmer engagement, organizational capital, trust, and networks are built. Any reduced clarity and coherence seem outweighed by greater adaptability to context and resulting creativity.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Production variability and adaptation strategies of Ugandan smallholders in the face of climate variability and market shocks
- Author
-
Jannike Wichern, James Hammond, Mark T. van Wijk, Ken E. Giller, and Katrien Descheemaeker
- Subjects
Food price ,Vulnerability ,Sensitivity ,Adaptive capacity ,Climate variability ,Price variability ,Meteorology. Climatology ,QC851-999 - Abstract
Climate-related variability in crop production and market price variability affect food and income security of Uganda’s rural households. We used household surveys from two contrasting sites in Uganda to quantify the relationships between crop production variability, adaptation strategies and household resource characteristics. Variability of production was large for all crops with almost doubling of yields under good conditions and halving of yields in bad years. Ex-post adaptation strategies were common, and the most frequent were relying on off-farm income, selling livestock, and reducing food consumption. Using off-farm income or selling livestock to compensate for crop damage were not feasible for 25–50% of the population. Few households applied ex-ante adaptation strategies, and those who did used strategies that required little financial investment, such as switching crops. The restricted application of ex-ante adaptation strategies and the fact that major ex-post adaptation strategies were inaccessible for large parts of the population is alarming considering that climate change studies show that weather variability and extreme weather events are expected to worsen and to jeopardize crop production. Interventions must aim to reduce households’ sensitivity to variability in crop production and prices by increased preparedness to shocks, strengthening the asset base, and diversifying the livelihood portfolio. Social protection programmes are important for the poor who have no means to cushion effects from climate or price variability.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Narrowing yield gaps does not guarantee a living income from smallholder farming-an empirical study from western Kenya.
- Author
-
Wytze Marinus, Katrien Descheemaeker, Gerrie W J van de Ven, Bernard Vanlauwe, and Ken E Giller
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa need to increase to keep pace with food demands from the burgeoning population. Smallholder farmers play an important role in national food self-sufficiency, yet many live in poverty. Investing in inputs to increase yields is therefore often not viable for them. To investigate how to unlock this paradox, whole-farm experiments can reveal which incentives could increase farm production while also increasing household income. In this study we investigated the impact of providing farmers with a US$ 100 input voucher each season, for five seasons in a row, on maize yields and overall farm-level production in two contrasting locations in terms of population density, Vihiga and Busia, in western Kenya. We compared the value of farmers' produce with the poverty line and the living income threshold. Crop yields were mainly limited by cash constraints and not by technological constraints as maize yield immediately increased from 16% to 40-50% of the water-limited yield with the provision of the voucher. In Vihiga, at best, one-third of the participating households reached the poverty line. In Busia half of the households reached the poverty line and one-third obtained a living income. This difference between locations was caused by larger farm areas in Busia. Although one third of the households increased the area farmed, mostly by renting land, this was not enough for them to obtain a living income. Our results provide empirical evidence of how a current smallholder farming system could improve its productivity and value of produce upon the introduction of an input voucher. We conclude that increasing yields of the currently most common crops cannot provide a living income for all households and additional institutional changes, such as alternative employment, are required to provide smallholder farmers a way out of poverty.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. What Farm Size Sustains a Living? Exploring Future Options to Attain a Living Income From Smallholder Farming in the East African Highlands
- Author
-
Wytze Marinus, Eva S. Thuijsman, Mark T. van Wijk, Katrien Descheemaeker, Gerrie W. J. van de Ven, Bernard Vanlauwe, and Ken E. Giller
- Subjects
household income ,income distribution ,livelihood strategies ,scenario exploration ,future farming systems ,intensification ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 ,Food processing and manufacture ,TP368-456 - Abstract
Smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa keeps many rural households trapped in a cycle of poor productivity and low incomes. Two options to reach a decent income include intensification of production and expansion of farm areas per household. In this study, we explore what is a “viable farm size,” i.e., the farm area that is required to attain a “living income,” which sustains a nutritious diet, housing, education and health care. We used survey data from three contrasting sites in the East African highlands—Nyando (Kenya), Rakai (Uganda), and Lushoto (Tanzania) to explore viable farm sizes in six scenarios. Starting from the baseline cropping system, we built scenarios by incrementally including intensified and re-configured cropping systems, income from livestock and off-farm sources. In the most conservative scenario (baseline cropping patterns and yields, minus basic input costs), viable farm areas were 3.6, 2.4, and 2.1 ha, for Nyando, Rakai, and Lushoto, respectively—whereas current median farm areas were just 0.8, 1.8, and 0.8 ha. Given the skewed distribution of current farm areas, only few of the households in the study sites (0, 27, and 4% for Nyando, Rakai, and Lushoto, respectively) were able to attain a living income. Raising baseline yields to 50% of the water-limited yields strongly reduced the land area needed to achieve a viable farm size, and thereby enabled 92% of the households in Rakai and 70% of the households in Lushoto to attain a living income on their existing farm areas. By contrast, intensification of crop production alone was insufficient in Nyando, although including income from livestock enabled the majority of households (73%) to attain a living income with current farm areas. These scenarios show that increasing farm area and/or intensifying production is required for smallholder farmers to attain a living income from farming. Obviously such changes would require considerable capital and labor investment, as well as land reform and alternative off-farm employment options for those who exit farming.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. De Invloed van bedrijfsstrategieën op de prestaties van kleine, familiale ondernemingen
- Author
-
Kim Descheemaeker
- Subjects
bedrijfsgeschiedenis ,ondernemingsgeschiedenis ,Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform ,HN1-995 ,Economic history and conditions ,HC10-1085 - Abstract
The impact of compagny stragegies on the performance of small family compagnies. Dumoulin brick and pipe factory in Langemark and Wijtschate (Belgium), c. 1922-1981. The case of the Dumoulin brick and pipe factory (c. 1922-1981) in Langemark and Wijtschate in the southern Westhoek (Belgium) can be regarded as a typical example of a small, family-owned, West Flemish company that tried to survive in a turbulent business environment. In the twentieth century, the ceramic sector was characterized by large-scale technological changes and a rearrangement of the industrial landscape. This article reconstructs and analyzes the life cycle of the Dumoulin brick and pipe factory. The use of an explicit theoretical framework and the regional focus contribute to the international historiography of small and medium-sized enterprises and family businesses, as well as to the socio-economic history of West Flanders.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Urogenital pathogens, associated with Trichomonas vaginalis, among pregnant women in Kilifi, Kenya: a nested case-control study
- Author
-
Simon C. Masha, Piet Cools, Patrick Descheemaeker, Marijke Reynders, Eduard J. Sanders, and Mario Vaneechoutte
- Subjects
Trichomonas ,Mycoplasma hominis ,M. Genitalium ,M. Girerdii ,Kenya ,Pregnant ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background Screening of curable sexually transmitted infections is frequently oriented towards the diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis, whereas other pathogens, sometimes associated with similar urogenital syndromes, remain undiagnosed and/or untreated. Some of these pathogens are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods In a nested case-control study, vaginal swabs from 79 pregnant women, i.e., 28 T. vaginalis-positive (cases) and 51 T. vaginalis-negative (controls), were screened by quantitative PCR for Adenovirus 1 and 2, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2, Chlamydia trachomatis, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus ducreyi, Mycoplasma genitalium, M. hominis, candidatus M. girerdii, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Treponema pallidum, Ureaplasma parvum, U. urealyticum, and Candida albicans. Additionally, we determined whether women with pathogens highly associated with T. vaginalis had distinct clinical signs and symptoms compared to women with T. vaginalis mono-infection. Results M. hominis was independently associated with T. vaginalis (adjusted odds ratio = 6.8, 95% CI: 2.3–19.8). Moreover, M. genitalium and Ca M. girerdii were exclusively detected in women with T. vaginalis (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001), respectively. Four of the six women co-infected with T. vaginalis and Ca M. girerdii complained of vaginal itching, compared to only 4 out of the 22 women infected with T. vaginalis without Ca M. girerdii (P = 0.020). Conclusion We confirm M. hominis as a correlate of T. vaginalis in our population, and the exclusive association of both M. genitalium and Ca. M. girerdii with T. vaginalis. Screening and treatment of these pathogens should be considered.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Stochastic logistic models reproduce experimental time series of microbial communities
- Author
-
Lana Descheemaeker and Sophie de Buyl
- Subjects
stochastic generalized lotka-volterra equations ,logistic model ,microbial communities dynamics ,noise analysis ,Medicine ,Science ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
We analyze properties of experimental microbial time series, from plankton and the human microbiome, and investigate whether stochastic generalized Lotka-Volterra models could reproduce those properties. We show that this is the case when the noise term is large and a linear function of the species abundance, while the strength of the self-interactions varies over multiple orders of magnitude. We stress the fact that all the observed stochastic properties can be obtained from a logistic model, that is, without interactions, even the niche character of the experimental time series. Linear noise is associated with growth rate stochasticity, which is related to changes in the environment. This suggests that fluctuations in the sparsely sampled experimental time series may be caused by extrinsic sources.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Promotion de l’élevage de petits ruminants par les groupements des femmes de Nampossela et Nitabougoro dans le cercle de Koutiala au Sud du Mali
- Author
-
Ousmane M. Sanogo, Salif Doumbia, and Katrien Descheemaeker
- Subjects
sheep fattening ,income ,agricultural productivity ,food security ,southern mali ,Agriculture - Abstract
Promotion of small ruminant farming by the women's groups of Nampossela and Nitabougoro in the Koutiala district of southern Mali. The rearing of domestic animals, especially cattle and sheep, plays an important role in achieving food security and contributes significantly to the incomes of rural populations. In rural areas, for example, there are agricultural producers who practice beef and sheep fattening to increase and secure income. It is in this context that the present study was initiated. The objective of this study was to determine the zoo-economic performance of feeding fattening sheep. A questionnaire was used to collect information on sheep ages, purchase price, weighing, feed, manure production, sale price, etc. the study sample included 52 sheep in 2016 and 91 sheep in 2017. These sheep were divided into three treatments: T0 (control, sheep fed with fodder tree leaves, fresh grass and bran), T1 (sheep fed with fodder tree leaves, fresh grass and cotton seed cake) and T2 (sheep fed with fodder tree leaves, fresh grass, bran and cotton seed cake). The sheep breeds used consisted of Djallonke and Bali-Bali. The data analysis shows that in 2016, Average Daily Weight Gain (ADG) was 42±25, 55±18 and 67±33 g /day respectively for T0, T1 and T2 treatments. While in 2017, the ADG was of 28±22 g/day (T0), 46±28 g/day (T1) and 42±27 g/day (T2). Through these results, it was found that the sheep belonging to the treatments (T1 and T2) had the highest ADG in comparison with the control sheep (T0). In addition, the cumulative production of dried manure throughout the fattening period fluctuated between 33 (T0) and 43 kg per sheep (T1 and T2) in 2016 against 37 (T0) and 44 kg per sheep (T1) in 2017. On sale, the T1 and T2 processing sheep achieved on average the highest profit margin. In view of these results it is recommended for sheep fattening to supplement the sheep with cotton cake for a better production of meat and manure.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Assessment of lifetime performance of small ruminants under different feeding systems
- Author
-
T.A. Amole, M. Zijlstra, K. Descheemaeker, A.A. Ayantunde, and A.J. Duncan
- Subjects
lifetime productivity ,feeding systems ,simulation model ,West African Dwarf goats ,Animal culture ,SF1-1100 - Abstract
Evaluation of lifetime productivity of individual animals in response to various interventions allows assessment of long-term investment opportunities for farmers. In order to gain a better understanding of promising feed interventions for improvement of small ruminant production in Southwestern Nigeria, a dynamic modelling approach was used to explore the effect of different feeding strategies on the lifetime productivity of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Modifications were made to the current version of Livestock Simulator developed for cattle production to simulate goat production systems particularly for WAD goats. Effects of changes in input parameters (quality of feed and potential adult weight) confirmed the sensitivity of the modelled weight development and reproductive performance. The values of simulated model outputs corresponded well with observed values for most of the variables, except for the pre-weaning mortality rate in the cut-and-carry system where a wide discrepancy between simulated (2.1%) and observed (23%) data was found. The scenario analysis showed that simulated goats in the free grazing system attained sexual maturity and kidded much later than those in the grazing with supplementation and the cut-and-carry systems. The simulated results suggested that goats require supplementation with protein and energy sources, in order to promote lifetime productivity, early sexual maturity and higher birth weight. In terms of economic returns based on feed cost alone, the moderately intense system produced the most profit. We therefore conclude that grazing with adequate supplementation using farm-generated feed resources offers an opportunity for improving smallholder goat production systems in West Africa.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Non-monotonic auto-regulation in single gene circuits.
- Author
-
Lana Descheemaeker, Eveline Peeters, and Sophie de Buyl
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
We theoretically study the effects of non-monotonic response curves in genetic auto-regulation by exploring the possible dynamical behaviors for such systems. Our motivation is twofold: we aim at conceiving the simplest genetic circuits for synthetic biology and at understanding the natural auto-regulation of the LrpB protein of the Sulfolobus solfataricus archaeon which exhibits non-monotonicity. We analyzed three toy models, based on mass-action kinetics, with increasing complexity and sought for oscillations and (fast) bistable switching. We performed large parameter scans and sensitivity analyses, and quantified the quality of the oscillators and switches by computing relative volumes in parameter space reproducing the sought dynamical behavior. All single gene systems need finely tuned parameters in order to oscillate, but bistable switches are more robust against parameter changes. We expected non-monotonic switches to be faster than monotonic ones, however solutions combining both auto-activation and repression in the physiological range to obtain fast switches are scarce. Our analysis shows that the Ss-LrpB system can not provide a bistable switch and that robust oscillations are unlikely. Gillespie simulations suggest that the function of the natural Ss-LrpB system is sensing via a spiking behavior, which is in line with the fact that this protein has a metabolic regulatory function and binds to a ligand.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Understanding spatial patterns of soils for sustainable agriculture in northern Ethiopia's tropical mountains.
- Author
-
Jan Nyssen, Sander Tielens, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Tigist Araya, Kassa Teka, Johan Van de Wauw, Karen Degeyndt, Katrien Descheemaeker, Kassa Amare, Mitiku Haile, Amanuel Zenebe, Neil Munro, Kristine Walraevens, Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Jean Poesen, Amaury Frankl, Alemtsehay Tsegay, and Jozef Deckers
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Knowledge of the geographical distribution of soils is indispensable for policy and decision makers to achieve the goal of increasing agricultural production and reduce poverty, particularly in the Global South. A study was conducted to better understand the soilscapes of the Giba catchment (900-3300 m a.s.l.; 5133 km2) in northern Ethiopia, so as to sustain soil use and management. To characterise the chemical and physical properties of the different benchmark soils and to classify them in line with the World Reference Base of Soil Resources, 141 soil profile pits and 1381 soil augerings at representative sites were analysed. The dominant soil units identified are Leptosol and bare rock (19% coverage), Vertic Cambisol (14%), Regosol and Cambisol (10%), Skeletic/Leptic Cambisol and Regosol (9%), Rendzic Leptosol (7%), Calcaric/Calcic Vertisol (6%), Chromic Luvisol (6%) and Chromic/Pellic Vertisol (5%). Together these eight soil units cover almost 75% of the catchment. Topography and parent material are the major influencing factors that explain the soil distribution. Besides these two factors, land cover that is strongly impacted by human activities, may not be overlooked. Our soil suitability study shows that currently, after thousands of years of agricultural land use, a new dynamic equilibrium has come into existence in the soilscape, in which ca. 40% of the catchment is very suitable, and 25% is moderately suitable for agricultural production. In view of such large suitable areas, the Giba catchment has a good agricultural potential if soil erosion rates can be controlled, soil fertility (particularly nitrogen) increased, available water optimally used, and henceforth crop yields increased.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Effects of glia metabolism inhibition on nociceptive behavioral testing in rats
- Author
-
Yan Lefèvre, Aurélie Amadio, Peggy Vincent, Amélie Descheemaeker, Stéphane H.R. Oliet, Radhouane Dallel, and Daniel L. Voisin
- Subjects
Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 ,Science (General) ,Q1-390 - Abstract
Fluoroacetate has been widely used to inhibit glia metabolism in vivo. It has yet to be shown what the effects of chronic intrathecal infusion of fluoroacetate on nociceptive behavioral testing are. The effects of chronic infusion of fluoroacetate (5 nmoles/h) for 2 weeks were examined in normal rats. Chronic intrathecal fluoroacetate did not alter mechanical threshold (von Frey filaments), responses to supra-threshold mechanical stimuli (von Frey filaments), responses to hot (hot plate) or cool (acetone test) stimuli and did not affect motor performance of the animals, which was tested with rotarod. This suggests that fluoroacetate at appropriate dose did not suppress neuronal activity in the spinal cord. Keywords: Fluoroacetate, Intrathecal, Nociception, Rat
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Commentary: Sleep Deprivation Promotes Habitual Control over Goal-Directed Control: Behavioral and Neuroimaging Evidence
- Author
-
Yannick Boddez, Eike K. Buabang, Ann-Kathrin Zenses, and Mathilde Descheemaeker
- Subjects
conditioning ,learning and memory ,habits ,goal-directed behavior ,sleep ,Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry ,RC321-571 - Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Using household survey data to identify large-scale food security patterns across Uganda.
- Author
-
Jannike Wichern, Joost van Heerwaarden, Sytze de Bruin, Katrien Descheemaeker, Piet J A van Asten, Ken E Giller, and Mark T van Wijk
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
To target food security interventions for smallholder households, decision makers need large-scale information, such as maps on poverty, food security and key livelihood activities. Such information is often based on expert knowledge or aggregated data, despite the fact that food security and poverty are driven largely by processes at the household level. At present, it is unclear if and how household level information can contribute to the spatial prediction of such welfare indicators or to what extent local variability is ignored by current mapping efforts. A combination of geo-referenced household level information with spatially continuous information is an underused approach to quantify local and large-scale variation, while it can provide a direct estimate of the variability of welfare indicators at the most relevant scale. We applied a stepwise regression kriging procedure to translate point information to spatially explicit patterns and create country-wide predictions with associated uncertainty estimates for indicators on food availability and related livelihood activities using household survey data from Uganda. With few exceptions, predictions of the indicators were weak, highlighting the difficulty in capturing variability at larger scale. Household explanatory variables identified little additional variation compared to environmental explanatory variables alone. Spatial predictability was strongest for indicators whose distribution was determined by environmental gradients. In contrast, indicators of crops that were more ubiquitously present across agroecological zones showed large local variation, which often overruled large-scale patterns. Our procedure adds to existing approaches that often only show large-scale patterns by revealing that local variation in welfare is large. Interventions that aim to target the poor must recognise that diversity in livelihood activities for income generation within any given area often overrides the variability of livelihood activities between distant regions in the country.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Capturing farm diversity with hypothesis-based typologies: An innovative methodological framework for farming system typology development.
- Author
-
Stéphanie Alvarez, Carl J Timler, Mirja Michalscheck, Wim Paas, Katrien Descheemaeker, Pablo Tittonell, Jens A Andersson, and Jeroen C J Groot
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Creating typologies is a way to summarize the large heterogeneity of smallholder farming systems into a few farm types. Various methods exist, commonly using statistical analysis, to create these typologies. We demonstrate that the methodological decisions on data collection, variable selection, data-reduction and clustering techniques can bear a large impact on the typology results. We illustrate the effects of analysing the diversity from different angles, using different typology objectives and different hypotheses, on typology creation by using an example from Zambia's Eastern Province. Five separate typologies were created with principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), based on three different expert-informed hypotheses. The greatest overlap between typologies was observed for the larger, wealthier farm types but for the remainder of the farms there were no clear overlaps between typologies. Based on these results, we argue that the typology development should be guided by a hypothesis on the local agriculture features and the drivers and mechanisms of differentiation among farming systems, such as biophysical and socio-economic conditions. That hypothesis is based both on the typology objective and on prior expert knowledge and theories of the farm diversity in the study area. We present a methodological framework that aims to integrate participatory and statistical methods for hypothesis-based typology construction. This is an iterative process whereby the results of the statistical analysis are compared with the reality of the target population as hypothesized by the local experts. Using a well-defined hypothesis and the presented methodological framework, which consolidates the hypothesis through local expert knowledge for the creation of typologies, warrants development of less subjective and more contextualized quantitative farm typologies.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: unravelling local adaptation
- Author
-
B. Vanlauwe, K. Descheemaeker, K. E. Giller, J. Huising, R. Merckx, G. Nziguheba, J. Wendt, and S. Zingore
- Subjects
Environmental sciences ,GE1-350 ,Geology ,QE1-996.5 - Abstract
Intensification of smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is necessary to address rural poverty and natural resource degradation. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) is a means to enhance crop productivity while maximizing the agronomic efficiency (AE) of applied inputs, and can thus contribute to sustainable intensification. ISFM consists of a set of best practices, preferably used in combination, including the use of appropriate germplasm, the appropriate use of fertilizer and of organic resources, and good agronomic practices. The large variability in soil fertility conditions within smallholder farms is also recognized within ISFM, including soils with constraints beyond those addressed by fertilizer and organic inputs. The variable biophysical environments that characterize smallholder farming systems have profound effects on crop productivity and AE, and targeted application of agro-inputs and management practices is necessary to enhance AE. Further, management decisions depend on the farmer's resource endowments and production objectives. In this paper we discuss the "local adaptation" component of ISFM and how this can be conceptualized within an ISFM framework, backstopped by analysis of AE at plot and farm level. At plot level, a set of four constraints to maximum AE is discussed in relation to "local adaptation": soil acidity, secondary nutrient and micronutrient (SMN) deficiencies, physical constraints, and drought stress. In each of these cases, examples are presented whereby amendments and/or practices addressing these have a significantly positive impact on fertilizer AE, including mechanistic principles underlying these effects. While the impact of such amendments and/or practices is easily understood for some practices (e.g. the application of SMNs where these are limiting), for others, more complex processes influence AE (e.g. water harvesting under varying rainfall conditions). At farm scale, adjusting fertilizer applications to within-farm soil fertility gradients has the potential to increase AE compared with blanket recommendations, in particular where fertility gradients are strong. In the final section, "local adaption" is discussed in relation to scale issues and decision support tools are evaluated as a means to create a better understanding of complexity at farm level and to communicate appropriate scenarios for allocating agro-inputs and management practices within heterogeneous farming environments.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Integrated crop-livestock systems − a key to sustainable intensification in Africa
- Author
-
A.J. Duncan, S.A. Tarawali, P.J. Thorne, D. Valbuena, K. Descheemaeker, and S. Homann-Kee Tui
- Subjects
Agriculture - Abstract
Mixed crop-livestock systems provide livelihoods for a billion people and produce half the world’s cereal and around a third of its beef and milk. Market orientation and strong and growing demand for food provide powerful incentives for sustainable intensification of both crop and livestock enterprises in smallholders’ mixed systems in Africa. Better exploitation of the mutually reinforcing nature of crop and livestock systems can contribute to a positive, inclusive growth trajectory that is both ecologically and economically sustainable. In mixed systems, livestock intensification is often neglected relative to crops, yet livestock can make a positive contribution to raising productivity of the entire farming system. Similarly, intensification of crop production can pay dividends for livestock and enhance natural resource management, especially through increased biomass availability. Intensification and improved efficiency of livestock production mean less greenhouse gases per unit of milk and more milk per unit of water. This paper argues that the opportunities and challenges justify greater investment in research for development to identify exactly where and how ‘win-win’ outcomes can be achieved and what incentives, policies, technologies and other features of the enabling environment are needed to enable sustainable, integrated and productive mixed crop-livestock systems.
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Diagnosis of hepatitis C virus genotype 2k/1b needs NS5B sequencing
- Author
-
Steven De Keukeleire, Patrick Descheemaeker, and Marijke Reynders
- Subjects
Hepatitis C virus ,HCV 2K/1b ,Belgium ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is probably the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. The correct identification of HCV genotype has important clinical implications as a marker of responsiveness to antiviral therapy and serves as a guideline for the duration of treatment. The VERSANT HCV Genotype 2.0 Assay failed to detect HCV genotype 2k/1b. HCV genotype 2k/1b detection requires NS5B sequencing.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococci in Belgian Renal Dialysis Units
- Author
-
Descheemaeker, P., Ieven, M., Chapelle, S., Lammens, C., Hauchecorne, M., Wijdooghe, M., Vandamme, P., and Goossens, H.
- Published
- 2000
26. On the relationship between the indirectly measured attitude towards beer and beer consumption: the role of attitude accessibility.
- Author
-
Mathilde Descheemaeker, Adriaan Spruyt, and Dirk Hermans
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Although some studies have demonstrated that the indirectly measured attitude towards alcohol is related to alcohol use, this relationship has not always been confirmed. In the current study, we attempted to shed light on this issue by investigating whether the predictive validity of an indirect attitude measure is dependent upon attitude accessibility. In a sample of 88 students, the picture-picture naming task, an adaptation of the affective priming paradigm, was used to measure the automatically activated attitude towards beer. Attitude accessibility was measured using a speeded evaluative categorization task. Behavioral measures were the amount of beer poured and drunk during a bogus taste test and the choice between a bottle of beer or water at the end of the experiment. In line with our hypothesis, the indirectly measured attitude towards beer predicted behavior during the taste test only when it was highly accessible. In contrast, this attitude was related to choice behavior irrespective of attitude accessibility. This study confirms that indirect attitude measures can be valuable predictors of alcohol-related behavior, but that it is sometimes necessary to take attitude accessibility into account.
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Near-Fatal Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome Induced by Plasmodium malariae
- Author
-
Pierre-Néri Descheemaeker, Jean-Paul Mira, Fabrice Bruneel, Sandrine Houzé, Michèle Tanguy, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Erwan Flecher, Christophe Rousseau, Jacques Le Bras, and Yannick Mallédant
- Subjects
Malaria ,parasites ,Plasmodium malariae ,septic shock ,ARDS ,genetic polymorphism ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Dertig jaar abortuswetgeving in België: Verslag van het symposium op 28 oktober 2021 te Gent.
- Author
-
Descheemaeker, Kim
- Subjects
ABORTION laws ,ABORTION ,CONFERENCES & conventions - Abstract
Copyright of Brood & Rozen: Tijdschrift voor de Geschiedenis van Sociale Bewegingen is the property of AMSAB - Institute of Social History 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
29. Heads or Tails: Genotyping of Hepatitis C Virus Concerning the 2k/1b Circulating Recombinant Form
- Author
-
Wim Schuermans, Hans Orlent, Isabelle Desombere, Patrick Descheemaeker, Hans Van Vlierberghe, Anja Geerts, Xavier Verhelst, Marijke Reynders, and Elizaveta Padalko
- Subjects
HCV ,genotype ,sequencing ,misclassification ,CRF 2k/1b ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
As different hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes respond differently to initiated therapy, correct HCV genotyping is essential. A potential risk for misclassification of the intergenotypic HCV circulating recombinant form (CRF) 2k/1b strains exists, depending on the genotyping method used. The aim was to investigate the differences in HCV genotyping methods with regard to CRF 2k/1b and to gain insight in the prevalence of the CRF 2k/1b. Genotyping results by Versant HCV Genotype Assay were compared with nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) sequencing. In total, from November 2001 until March 2015, 3296 serum samples were analyzed by Versant HCV Genotype Assay. As misclassified CRF is harbored among HCV genotype 2, we further focused our search on 142 (4.3%) samples positive for HCV genotype 2. On 116 (81.7%) retrieved samples, the NS5B sequencing was performed. Twelve out of the 116 retrieved samples (10.3%) were classified as CRF 2k/1b by sequencing of the NS5B region. Ten of these 12 samples were originally misclassified as genotype 2a or 2c, while 2 of them were misclassified as genotype 2. Our results show that the current prevalence of CRF 2k/1b is underestimated. The importance of correct HCV genotyping is emphasized, considering the tailored choice of treatment regimen and overall prognosis.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. On the homotopy type of p-completions of infra-nilmanifolds
- Author
-
Bastardas, G. and Descheemaeker, A.
- Published
- 2002
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. On the uniqueness of roots in virtually nilpotent groups
- Author
-
Descheemaeker, An and Malfait, Wim
- Published
- 1999
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Molecular characterisation of group A streptococci from invasive and non-invasive disease episodes in Belgium during 1993–1994
- Author
-
DESCHEEMAEKER, P., VAN LOOCK, F., HAUCHECORNE, M., VANDAMME, P., and GOOSSENS, H.
- Published
- 2000
33. Hepatitis E virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
- Author
-
Muyldermans, Astrid, Van Droogenbroeck, Jan, Descheemaeker, Patrick, and Reynders, Marijke
- Abstract
ABSTRACTWe report the first documented case of hepatitis E virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. This case emphasizes the fact that infectious agents other than those classically described should be taken into consideration as a potential trigger of virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome. Prompt recognition is crucial to start early treatment of the underlying infection and possibly improve the outcome of this frequently fatal syndrome.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Promotion de l'élevage de petits ruminants par les groupements des femmes de Nampossela et Nitabougoro dans le cercle de Koutiala au Sud du Mali.
- Author
-
Sanogo, Ousmane M., Doumbia, Salif, and Descheemaeker, Katrien
- Abstract
Copyright of Ubique is the property of American Geographical Society 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
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. DE BRUSSELSE HUIDEVETTERSSTRAAT EN HAAR BEWONERS, 1930-1950.
- Author
-
DESCHEEMAEKER, Kim
- Abstract
Copyright of Brood & Rozen: Tijdschrift voor de Geschiedenis van Sociale Bewegingen is the property of AMSAB - Institute of Social History 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
- 2018
36. Reflections and proposals to assure quality in molecular diagnostics
- Author
-
Raymaekers, Marijke, Bakkus, Marleen, Boone, Elke, De Rijke, B., El Housni, Hakim, Descheemaeker, P., De Schouwer, P., Franke, Sonja, Hillen, F., Nollet, Friedel, Soetens, Oriane, Vankeerberghen, Anne, Raymaekers, Marijke, Bakkus, Marleen, Boone, Elke, De Rijke, B., El Housni, Hakim, Descheemaeker, P., De Schouwer, P., Franke, Sonja, Hillen, F., Nollet, Friedel, Soetens, Oriane, and Vankeerberghen, Anne
- Abstract
Molecular diagnostic testing has become an important tool in clinical laboratories. Accreditation according to the international quality standard ISO15189:2007 for medical laboratories is required for reimbursement of several molecular diagnostic tests in Belgium. Since the ISO15189:2007 standard applies to medical laboratories in general, the particular requirements for quality and competence are mentioned in general terms, not taking into account the specificities of molecular biology testing. Therefore, the working group "MolecularDiagnostics.be" described a consensus interpretation of chapter 5, Technical requirements, of the ISO standard for application in molecular diagnostic laboratories. The manuscript can be used as an instrument to prepare internal and external audits that meet the ISO15189:2007 (chapter 5) criteria., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published
- Published
- 2011
37. Characterising the diversity of smallholder farming systems and their constraints and opportunities for innovation: A case study from the Northern Region, Ghana.
- Author
-
Kuivanen, K.S., Alvarez, S., Michalscheck, M., Adjei-Nsiah, S., Descheemaeker, K., Mellon-Bedi, S., and Groot, J.C.J.
- Abstract
Typologies may be used as tools for dealing with farming system heterogeneity. This is achieved by classifying farms into groups that have common characteristics, i.e. farm types, which can support the implementation of a more tailored approach to agricultural development. This article explored patterns of farming system diversity through the classification of 70 smallholder farm households in two districts (Savelugu-Nanton and Tolon-Kumbungu) of Ghana’s Northern Region. Based on 2013 survey data, the typology was constructed using the multivariate statistical techniques of principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Results proposed six farm types, stratified on the basis of household, labour, land use, livestock and income variables, explaining the structural and functional differences between farming systems. Types 1 and 2 were characterized by relatively high levels of resource endowment and oriented towards non-farm activities and crop sales respectively. Types 3 and 4 were moderately resource-endowed with income derived primarily from on-farm activities. Types 5 and 6 were resource constrained, with production oriented towards subsistence. The most salient differences among farm types concerned herd size (largest for Type 1), degree of legume integration (largest for Types 2–4), household size and hired labour (smallest household size for Types 4 and 6, and largest proportion of hired labour for Type 4), degree of diversification into off/non-farm activities (highest for Type 1 and lowest for Type 5) and severity of resource constraints (Type 6 was most constrained with a small farm area and herd comprised mainly of poultry). It was found that livelihood strategies reflected the distinctive characteristics of farm households; with poorly-endowed types restricted to a ‘survival strategy’ and more affluent types free to pursue a ‘development strategy’. This study clearly demonstrates that using the established typology as a practical framework allows identification of type-specific farm household opportunities and constraints for the targeting of agricultural interventions and innovations, which will be further analysed in the research-for-development project. We conclude that a more flexible approach to typology construction, for example through the incorporation of farmer perspectives, might provide further context and insight into the causes, consequences and negotiation of farm diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Comparison of Direct Plating and Broth Enrichment Culture for the Detection of Intestinal Colonization by Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococci among Hospitalized Patients
- Author
-
Ieven, M., primary, Vercauteren, E., additional, Descheemaeker, P., additional, van Laer, F., additional, and Goossens, H., additional
- Published
- 1999
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Comparison of screening methods for detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and their prevalence among blood isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. in a Belgian teaching hospital
- Author
-
Vercauteren, E, primary, Descheemaeker, P, additional, Ieven, M, additional, Sanders, C C, additional, and Goossens, H, additional
- Published
- 1997
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Evaluation of Arbitrarily Primed PCR Analysis and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis of Large Genomic DNA Fragments for Identification of Enterococci Important in Human Medicine
- Author
-
DESCHEEMAEKER, P., primary, LAMMENS, C., additional, POT, B., additional, VANDAMME, P., additional, and GOOSSENS, H., additional
- Published
- 1997
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Identification and Classification of Lactobacillus Acidophilus, L. Gasseri and L. Johnsonii Strains by SDS-PAGE and rRNA-Targeted Oligonucleotide Probe Hybridization
- Author
-
Pot, B., primary, Hertel, C., additional, Ludwig, W., additional, Descheemaeker, P., additional, Kersters, K., additional, and Schleifer, K.-H., additional
- Published
- 1993
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Primary Care Physical Therapy in People With Fibromyalgia: Opportunities and Boundaries Within a Monodisciplinary Setting
- Author
-
Nijs, Jo, Mannerkorpi, Kaisa, Descheemaeker, Filip, and Van Houdenhove, Boudewijn
- Abstract
Despite the fact that people with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) frequently are seen by primary care physical therapists, guidelines for the management of FMS are based primarily on outcomes from multidisciplinary and tertiary care treatment studies. Few data addressing the treatment of patients with FMS in primary care currently are available. The evidence-based guidelines on the management of FMS are based, in part, on evidence from studies examining physical therapy treatment components alone (eg, aerobic exercise, education). Thus, the recommendations can be applied to primary care physical therapy. Primary care physical therapy for patients with FMS should include education, aerobic exercise, and strengthening exercise. For other treatment components such as passive treatments, activity management, and relaxation, less evidence currently is available to advocate their use in primary care physical therapy. Superior results are to be expected when various treatment components are combined.
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. P-localization of relative groups
- Author
-
Descheemaeker, A. and Malfait, W.
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Motivational factors influencing farming practices in northern Ghana.
- Author
-
Mellon-Bedi, S., Descheemaeker, K., Hundie-Kotu, B., Frimpong, S., and Groot, J.C.J.
- Abstract
• We analysed farmer preferences for Sustainable Intensification Practices (SIPs) in northern Ghana. • Factor analysis identified three factors of motivations and impediments to adoption of SIPs. • Motivational factors were denoted personal satisfaction , eco-diversity, and eco-efficiency. • Impediment factors were uncertainty , absence of social support , and resource constraints. • Motivational factors and other socioeconomic variables influenced decisions to adopt SIPs. Socio-economic factors that influence the adoption of management practices and technologies by farmers have received wide attention in the adoption literature, but the effects of socio-psychological farmer features such as perceptions and motivations have been analysed to a lesser extent. Using farm household survey data from three regions in northern Ghana, this study explores farmers' motivations and perceived adoption impediments for three sustainable intensification practices (SIPs): improved maize varieties, cropping system strategies, and combined SIPs (i.e. improved maize and cropping system strategies), and the effect of motivational factors on decisions to adopt SIPs. First, explorative factor analysis (EFA) was used in identifying factors of motivations and impediments for adoption of SIPs. Then, a multinomial logit model was used to analyze the effect of socio-economic farm characteristics and motivational factors on farmers' decisions to adopt SIPs. EFA identified three motivational factors: personal satisfaction , eco-diversity and eco-efficiency , which differed in importance between the three regions. Across these regions, higher scores for aspects of personal satisfaction were associated with lower interest in improved maize varieties compared to cropping system strategies, while the opposite was true for eco-efficiency which was related to a stronger preference for improved maize varieties. Uncertainty , absence of social support , and resource constraints were identified as impediment factors. The logit model demonstrated that extension services seemed to support the use of improved maize varieties more than the implementation of cropping system strategies. We conclude that motivational factors significantly influence farmer adoption decisions regarding sustainable intensification practices and should be considered systematically in combination with socio-economic farm features and external drivers to inform on-farm innovation processes and supporting policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Comparison of Glycopeptide-ResistantEnterococcus faeciumIsolates and Glycopeptide Resistance Genes of Human and Animal Origins
- Author
-
Descheemaeker, Patrick R. M., Chapelle, Sabine, Devriese, Luc A., Butaye, Patrick, Vandamme, Peter, and Goossens, Herman
- Abstract
ABSTRACTOne hundred thirty-two glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium(GREF) isolates from different hospitals and pig and poultry farms in Belgium were compared on the basis of (i) their antibiotic susceptibilities, (ii) their SmaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, and (iii) the organization of their Tn1546or related elements in order to detect possible phenotypic and genotypic relationships among both groups of isolates. Human and animal vanA-positive GREF isolates were found to have similar susceptibility patterns; they remained susceptible to gentamicin and were, in general, susceptible to ampicillin. PFGE demonstrated a very high degree of genomic heterogeneity in both groups of isolates. However, indistinguishable isolates were found within different farms or hospitals, and in two instances, epidemiologically unrelated pig and human isolates showed indistinguishable PFGE patterns. In total, eight different transposon types were identified, and all were related to the prototype transposon Tn1546. The two predominant types, Tn1546and type 2 transposons, which differed at three band positions, were present in both human and animal isolates. Type 2 transposons were significantly associated with pig isolates. The other types were seldom detected. These data suggest a possible exchange of glycopeptide resistance markers between animals and humans.
- Published
- 1999
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Motivations for the use of sustainable intensification practices among smallholder farmers in Tanzania and Malawi.
- Author
-
Jambo, Isaac Jonathan, Groot, Jeroen C.J., Descheemaeker, Katrien, Bekunda, Mateete, and Tittonell, Pablo
- Abstract
• We analysed decisions on sustainable intensification (SI) of farmers in Tanzania and Malawi. • The smallholder farmers are driven by motivations on a gradient of internalization. • Adoption of SI practices was affected by both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations. • Despite perceived benefits of SI practices, the lack of financial resources is a constraint. • Analysis of motivations with bio-economic factors is needed in research and development projects. Agricultural techniques and technologies that could foster sustainable intensification of farming (hereafter: SI practices) can originate from existing farm practices, from the adoption of externally suggested new practices, or from an adaptation of existing or new practices. The rate at which farmers use SI practices is often low and influenced by on-farm biophysical and socio-economic conditions. There is a narrow understanding of the role of motivations and the balance between external incentives and intrinsic motivations for use of SI practices. We analysed the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations among 246 sampled households alongside the perceived benefits and constraints from SI practices in five districts of Malawi and Tanzania. Our results showed that farmer decisions were not exclusively dependent on external incentives, but also on intrinsic values which farmers attach to their production resources and farming practices. Despite various benefits perceived, farmers highlighted the lack of financial resources as a major constraint to the use of externally proposed SI practices. While we hypothesized that intrinsic motivation would be much stronger than extrinsic in influencing decisions to use SI practices, our results demonstrated equal importance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in influencing the number of SI practices which smallholder farmers used. We suggest explicitly addressing both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in further research in combination with socio-economic and biophysical variables to give a better reflection of what drives farmers' decisions to use more sustainable farming practices. We argue that the design of SI research programs should support motivations of diversified farmers to participate in such programs. Emphasising farmers' autonomy, a key to intrinsic motivation, can stimulate ownership of SI projects and smoothen the process of adoption, adaptation and use of SI practices by farmers, and is expected to reduce the mismatch between proposed practices and farmers' expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Assessment of water productivity and entry points for improvement in mixed crop-livestock systems of the Ethiopian highlands
- Author
-
Descheemaeker, Katrien, Haileslassie, Amare, Amede, Tilahun, Bossio, Deborah, and Tarawali, Shirley
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Transhumance in the Tigray Highlands (Ethiopia)
- Author
-
Nyssen, Jan, Descheemaeker, Katrien, Zenebe, Amanuel, Poesen, Jean, Deckers, Jozef, and Haile, Mitiku
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Masterpieces from Limoges.
- Author
-
Descheemaeker, Bernard
- Abstract
The article reviews the "Works of Art" catalogue by Bernard Descheemaeker.
- Published
- 2008
50. Sub-saharan African feed database
- Author
-
Duncan, Alan J., Gerard, Bruno, and Descheemaeker, Katrien
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.