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This contribution offers a reflection on the theme of religious educational leadership (REL) at a time when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is gripping society. The main question that guides the contribution is: How does one practice REL in theological education during COVID-19 and its accompanying measures? In answering this question, the author reflects on his own experiences as a rector on a theological faculty in Belgium and brings these experiences into conversation with the literature on the role of normativity in religious education (RE). This contribution presents a number of normative positions and discourses in leadership at the time of COVID-19 and invites the reader to reflect on the issue of normativity in their own practices of bridge-building leadership.

In Europe, the prerequisites of equitable substance use treatment (SUT) for migrants and ethnic minorities (MEM) remain understudied. This qualitative study maps barriers and facilitators identified by 14 professionals in Flanders, Belgium. The analysis identified micro and meso level barriers and how they intersect. Whereas barriers to treatment are often attributed to the client (vulnerabilities, language, trust, knowledge) our results demonstrate that they are also rooted in services (lack of expertise, issues with interpreters, diversity policies, waiting list and referral bias). These results emphasize the responsibility of meso and macro policymaking in resolving treatment mismatch problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite mounting evidence of disparities in health service provision for migrants and ethnic minorities (MEM) across EU countries, there has been limited research into how services (meso) and policy (macro) can contribute to reducing these disparities. In Flemish (Belgian) substance use treatment (SUT) policy making, no systematic attention is given to MEM. Nevertheless, preliminary studies have identified some disparities, especially among non-Belgian MEM. For this paper we studied the factors related to these disparities and ways forward based on 21 semi-structured interviews with SUT coordinators and experts. The low representation of MEM populations in psychiatric hospitals due to language exclusion criteria stands out as the main disparity. Moreover, respondents indicated that exclusion may be anticipated by general practitioners in the referral process, causing additional disparities. The exclusion of MEM from policy making processes, waiting lists and the structure of the federalized Belgian health system are identified as indirect macro contributors to disparities. Respondents specified four main ways to reduce disparities in SUT among MEM: targeted treatment and policy making, installing diversity policies in SUT services, enhancing training and education, and community-based treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding salt mixtures in the built environment is crucial to evaluate damage phenomena. This contribution presents charge balance calculations applied to a dataset of 11412 samples taken from 338 sites, building materials showing signs of salt deterioration. Each sample includes ion concentrations of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− adjusted to reach charge balance for data evaluation. The calculation procedure follows two distinct pathways: i) an equal adjustment of all ions, ii) adjustments to the cations in sequence related to the solubility of the theoretical solids. The procedure applied to the dataset illustrates the quantification of salt mixture compositions and highlights the extent of adjustments applied in relation to the sample mass to aid interpretation. The data analysis allows the identification of theoretical carbonates that could influence the mixture behavior. Applying the charge balance calculations to the dataset validated common ions found in the built environment and the identification of three typical mixture compositions. Additionally, the data can be used as direct input for thermodynamic modeling. Measurement(s) Ion • inorganic salt Technology Type(s) ion chromatography Factor Type(s) sample location country code (SLCC) • sample city (SC) • sample (site) name • sample material (SM) • sample height (H) • Sample depth from surface of specific material (D) Sample Characteristic - Organism Element, Ion, or Isotope Sample Characteristic - Environment building Sample Characteristic - Location Belgium [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fossil record, it has been shown that various clades of secondarily aquatic tetrapods experienced an initial densification of their bones in the early stages of their evolution, and developed spongier and lighter bones only later in their evolution, with the acquisition of more efficient swimming modes. Although the inner bone structure of most secondarily aquatic tetrapods has already been studied, no research hitherto focused on true seals, or Phocidae. However, preliminary observations previously made on a Miocene species, Nanophoca vitulinoides, suggested that this taxon showed pronounced specialization of bone structure as compared to other seals. This feature justifies a specific comparative study, which is the purpose of this article. Microanatomical analysis of bones of N. vitulinoides shows compactness values nearing 100%, which is much higher than in other semi-aquatic mammals, pinnipeds included. Osteohistological analyses show virtually complete remodeling of the medullary territory by Haversian substitution. Extreme bone compactness locally resulted from an imbalance, towards reconstruction, of this process. Cortical regions were less intensely remodeled. In a number of specimens, the cortex shows clear growth marks as seasonal lines of arrested growth. The results suggest that, despite the extreme compactness of long bones of N. vitulinoides and the small size of this taxon, the growth rate of the cortex, and that of the bones in general, did not differ strongly from that of other, larger phocids. Extreme skeletal compaction and densification must have increased body density in Nanophoca. Consequently, speed, acceleration, and maneuverability must have been low, and this taxon was most likely a near-shore bottom-dwelling seal. Consequently, dietary preferences were most likely oriented towards benthic food sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many geo-engineering fields, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of a rock material is the parameter most commonly used to define a rock's mechanical strength. Several international standards have been developed for determining this value, which require the tested material to have certain minimum dimensions and shapes. In many applications, however, sample material is limited. Therefore, this study investigates the possibility of determining the UCS on rock plugs smaller than the minimum dimensions in the most common standards. The materials investigated are four different depositional limestones from the Paris Basin which are often used as building material in France and Belgium. Results from UCS tests in a small-scale uniaxial compressive device are compared to standard-sized tests according to the governing international standards. The results show that the strength determined on the small-scale plugs is very similar to the UCS determined on standard-sized cores. Using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, it was possible to investigate the failure modes of the small-scale plugs and link them to their internal rock fabric. Obtaining a three-dimensional visualization provides valuable insights into the origin of the variability in the UCS measurements in small-scale plugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at analyzing the mineralogical, chemical, and structural characteristics of flint raw material used for the production of prehistoric stone tools in NW Belgium. Understanding these characteristics is important to recognize their value for tool making and even tool use during prehistory. Due to its formation process, flint is defined by a wide variety of internal structures, chemical variations, and impurities. Moreover, alteration processes cause additional chemical and structural changes complicating the study of this material. Archaeological artifacts often display alteration features, mostly expressed as patination or burning, leading them to be regularly discarded from the functional analysis of lithic tools. By not incorporating these artifacts, our understanding of the investigated assemblage is biased. It is therefore important to investigate the influence of flint characteristics on its weathering behavior, and the impact of preservation of prehistoric use‐wear traces on flint artifacts. The characteristics of flint raw material and natural patination were studied using a combination of different techniques, such as macroscopic analysis, optical microscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, and high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography. This resulted in a detailed description and distinction of the different flint variants used on prehistoric sites in NW Belgium and a good understanding of patination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is an effective strategy to promote action research regarding health and substance use issues. The London-based Centre for Ethnicity and Health's CBPR model was replicated in Belgium to study substance use and service utilisation in Bulgarian, Slovakian and Turkish communities in the city of Ghent. This article focuses on the implementation of the CBPR model, challenges and adaptions linked to the Belgian context. In this paper, we describe the study design and actors involved, namely (1) community organisations, (2) the community advisory board and (3) community researchers. Furthermore, we focus on the challenges and pitfalls of the CBPR method and its implications, including (1) community collaboration, (2) co-ethnic researchers, (3) characteristics of the respondents and (4) empowerment of the respective communities. We conclude by discussing potential pathways for future CBPR in the field of substance use and service utilisation among migrants and ethnic minorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For restoration and intervention on natural stones in historical buildings, it is important to pay attention to the origin and condition of the original building material. A prominent part of the façade of the 12th century tower ruin of Dudzele (Province of West-Flanders, Belgium) is constructed with buff-coloured limestone which survived almost nine centuries of environmental and anthropological stress. Microscopical research allowed one to identify this stone as Caen stone (France) which is an important historic building material in northern France and Britain. Additional petrophysical tests confirmed this identification. Based on the stone's petrophysical properties and an evaluation of its decay state, criteria for properties of a replacement stone in a similar material could be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays there is an increase of imported natural building stones, often used as replacement of local, more traditional building stones. The durability of these traditional stones is generally well known; however, when new imported materials are used, it is essential to study their behaviour under the current and local climatological conditions to predict their weathering resistance. In addition to water exposure, these building materials have to be resistant to significant mechanical stress created by the imbibition of de-icing salt solutions, frequently used during winter in Western Europe, with temperature periodically changing from freeze to thaw conditions. Porous network modifications related to the materials’ chemical composition are very complex when different forces are acting on the stone itself. Therefore it is crucial to determine the internal structure of the building stone under changing external conditions with and without the presence of de-icing salts, to understand the influence of these additional salts. In this paper, particular attention was paid to the multi-characterization of compact Kandla Grey laminated sandstone, a building stone frequently imported from India to Belgium recently. Traditional as well as highly advanced research techniques were used for the characterization and monitoring of changes under different external conditions. This study demonstrates that the structural characteristics of the laminations have an effect on the frost resistance of the stone and its response to salt weathering. From the experiments carried out, it can be concluded that Kandla Grey can be sensitive to frost and salt weathering under the current climatic conditions in Western Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]