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Author Lizin, S.; Van Passel, S.; Vranken, L. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Heterogeneity in the solar-powered consumer electronics market : a discrete choice experiments study Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Solar Energy Materials And Solar Cells Abbreviated Journal Sol Energ Mat Sol C  
  Volume 156 Issue Pages 140-146  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Solar-powered consumer electronics are a likely starting point for organic photovoltaic (OPV) market development. Therefore, a generic discrete choice experiments study can determine how Flemish consumers value solar-cell characteristics for solar-poweied consumer electronics. Such characteristics include efficiency, lifetime, aesthetics, integratability, and price. We contribute to the literature by investigating preference heterogeneity in a solar-power niche market with an experimental design with a fixed reference alternative. The error components random parameter logit (ECRPL) with interactions provides a better fit than the latent class (LC) model for our choice data. The main effects had the expected signs. Consequently, aesthetics and integratability are OPV's assets. Nevertheless, heterogeneity puts the results that are valid for the average consumer into perspective. Based on our findings, OPV commercialization efforts should target the experienced, impatient user who highly values design and functionality. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000383304100015 Publication Date 2016-06-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0927-0248 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.784 Times cited 2 Open Access  
  Notes ; Sebastien Lizin thanks the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for funding his postdoctoral mandate with Grant number 12G5415N, without which it would have been impossible to revise this work. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.784  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:137107 Serial 6207  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Mey, Y.; Wauters, E.; Schmid, D.; Lips, M.; Vancauteren, M.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Farm household risk balancing : empirical evidence from Switzerland Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication European Review Of Agricultural Economics Abbreviated Journal Eur Rev Agric Econ  
  Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics  
  Abstract Empirical evidence on household risk balancing behaviour is presented by estimating a fixed effects seemingly unrelated regression model using Swiss Farm Accountancy Data Network data. We find that in response to changes in expected business risks, Swiss farm households not only make strategic farm financial risk decisions (original risk balancing), but also make strategic off-farm decisions (household risk balancing) by altering their share of off-farm income and relative consumption. Small farms appear to make more use of household risk balancing strategies whereas large farms conversely make more use of the original risk balancing strategy.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000386026600005 Publication Date 2015-11-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0165-1587; 1464-3618 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.6 Times cited 15 Open Access  
  Notes ; This research was funded by a scholarship from the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT) in Flanders. The authors are very grateful to Ludwig Lauwers and Frankwin van Winsen for many helpful discussions. They also thank the editor and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and conference/workshop participants from ART, BAAE, EAAE, KU Leuven and WUR for excellent comments on earlier versions of the article. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Agroscope Institute for Sustainability Sciences ISS. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.6  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:138183 Serial 6202  
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Author De Schepper, E.; Van Passel, S.; Lizin, S.; Vincent, T.; Martin, B.; Gandibleux, X. doi  openurl
  Title Economic and environmental multi-objective optimization to evaluate the impact of Belgian policy on solar power and electric vehicles Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Journal of environmental economics and policy Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 5 Issue 1 Pages 1-27  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract This research uses multi-objective optimisation to determine the optimal mixture of energy and transportation technologies, while optimising economic and environmental impacts. We demonstrate the added value of using multi-objective mixed integer linear programming (MOMILP) considering economies of scale versus using continuous multi-objective linear programming assuming average cost intervals. This paper uses an improved version to solve MOMILPs exactly. To differentiate optimal solutions with and without subsidies, the impact of policy on the Pareto frontier is assessed. We distinguish between minimising economic life cycle costs (complete rationality) and required investments (bounded rationality). The approach is illustrated using a Belgian company with demands for electricity and transport. Electricity technologies are solar photovoltaics and the grid; transportation includes internal combustion engine vehicles, grid powered battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and solar-powered BEVs. The impact of grid powered BEVs to reduce GHG emissions is limited, yet they are less costly than solar panels to decrease emissions. Current policy measures are found to be properly targeting rational investors who consider life cycle costs, while private (potentially bounded rational) investors often focus on required investments only.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2015-03-12  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2160-6544 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:136756 Serial 6186  
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Author Vanschoenwinkel, J.; Mendelsohn, R.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Do Western and Eastern Europe have the same agricultural climate response? Taking adaptive capacity into account Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Global Environmental Change-Human And Policy Dimensions Abbreviated Journal Global Environ Chang  
  Volume 41 Issue Pages 74-87  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Current cross-sectional methodologies measuring climate change impacts assume that regions at the same latitude face a similar climate response and therefore have the same adaptive capacity. This paper proves that assumption to be erroneous in the European Union. It does so by ameliorating the Ricardian methodology by restricting which farmers (and therefore which adaptation options) are allowed in the dataset. In doing so, a comparative Ricardian methodology is suggested that makes it possible to examine, for the first time, how the climate responsiveness of a region changes if adaptive capacity changes. The paper combines climate, soil, geographic, socio-economic, and farm-level data in a linear mixed-effect model and examines whether Eastern and Western Europe have the same climate responses and how these responses change if regional adaptive capacity increases. The paper concludes that both regions currently have a significantly different climate response, but that if Eastern Europe were to implement the same adaptation options as Western Europe, it could avoid a large decrease in land value and even benefit from climate change depending on the climate scenario.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000389732700007 Publication Date 2016-09-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-3780; 1872-9495 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.327 Times cited 8 Open Access  
  Notes ; Steven Van Passel would kindly want to express his gratitude towards DG AGRI for access to the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). The authors also thank the reviewers of this journal for their improvements to the final manuscript and they are grateful for the comments and suggestions they received at the conferences where this paper has been presented (IAMO forum 2015, EAAE PhD workshop 2015, Belgian PhD symposium 2015, EAERE conference 2016). Janka Vanschoenwinkel also wants to thank FWO and the Doctoral Schools of Hasselt University for giving a mobility grant to go to the EAAE PhD workshop in Rome. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.327  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:139026 Serial 6185  
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Author van Winsen, F.; de Mey, Y.; Lauwers, L.; Van Passel, S.; Vancauteren, M.; Wauters, E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Determinants of risk behaviour : effects of perceived risks and risk attitude on farmer's adoption of risk management strategies Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Journal Of Risk Research Abbreviated Journal J Risk Res  
  Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 56-78  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sociology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The importance of risk perception and risk attitude for understanding individual's risk behaviour are independently well described in literature, but rarely combined in an integrated approach. In this study, we propose a model assuming the choice to implement certain risk management strategies to be directly driven by both perceptions of risks and risk attitude. Other determinants influence the intention to apply different risk strategies mainly indirectly, mediated by risk perception and risk attitude. This conceptual model is empirically tested, using structural equation modelling, for understanding the intention of farmers to implement different common risk management strategies at their farms. Data are gathered in a survey completed by 500 farmers from the Flanders region in Belgium, investigating attitudes towards farming, perceived past exposure to risk, socio-demographic characteristics, farm size, perceptions of the major sources of farm business risk, risk attitudes and the intention to apply common risk management strategies. Our major findings are: (i) perception of major farm business risks have no significant impact on the intention of applying any of the risk strategies under study, (ii) risk attitude does have a significant impact. Therefore, rather than objective risk faced and the subjective interpretation thereof, it is the general risk attitude that influence intended risk strategies to be implemented. A distinction can be made between farmers willing to take risk, who are more inclined to apply ex-ante risk management strategies and risk averse farmers who are less inclined to implement ex-ante risk management strategies but rather cope with the consequences and diminish their effects ex-post when risks have occurred.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000365523100004 Publication Date 2014-07-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1366-9877 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.34 Times cited 25 Open Access  
  Notes ; This work was supported by the agency for Innovation by Science and Technology [grant number 080508]. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.34  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:130188 Serial 6177  
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Author Ghanian, M.; Ghoochani, O.M.; Kitterlin, M.; Jahangiry, S.; Zarafshani, K.; Van Passel, S.; Azadi, H. doi  openurl
  Title Attitudes of agricultural experts toward genetically modified crops : a case study in Southwest Iran Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Science And Engineering Ethics Abbreviated Journal Sci Eng Ethics  
  Volume 22 Issue 2 Pages 509-524  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The production of genetically modified (GM) crops is growing around the world, and with it possible opportunities to combat food insecurity and hunger, as well as solutions to current problems facing conventional agriculture. In this regard the use of GMOs in food and agricultural applications has increased greatly over the past decade. However, the development of GM crops has been a matter of considerable interest and worldwide public controversy. This, in addition to skepticism, has stifled the use of this practice on a large scale in many areas, including Iran. It stands to reason that a greater understanding of this practice could be formed after a review of the existing expert opinions surrounding GM crops. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the predictors that influence agricultural experts attitudes toward the development of and policies related to GM crops. Using a descriptive correlational research method, questionnaire data was collected from 65 experts from the Agricultural Organization in the Gotvand district in Southwest Iran. Results indicated that agricultural experts were aware of the environmental benefits and possible risks associated with GM crops. The majority of participants agreed that GM crops could improve food security and accelerate rural development, and were proponents of labeling practices for GM crops. Finally, there was a positive correlation between the perception of benefits and attitudes towards GM crops.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000373378100011 Publication Date 2015-06-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1353-3452 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.229 Times cited 5 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.229  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:136751 Serial 6158  
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Author Azadi, H.; Akbar Barati, A.; Rafiaani, P.; Raufirad, V.; Zarafshani, K.; Mamoorian, M.; Van Passel, S.; Lebailly, P. doi  openurl
  Title Agricultural land conversion drivers in Northeast Iran : application of structural equation model Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Applied Spatial Analysis And Policy Abbreviated Journal Appl Spat Anal Polic  
  Volume 9 Issue 4 Pages 591-609  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Identifying driving forces behind agricultural land conversion (ALC) remains one of the most difficult challenges that agricultural and environmental scientists must continually deal with. The difficulty emerges from the fact that in ALC, multiple actions and interactions between different factors (i.e., economic, political, environmental, biophysical, institutional, and cultural) exist and make it difficult to understand the function of the processes behind the changes. The phenomenon of ALC in different countries is varied in terms of intensity, trends and drivers. The main goal of this study was to understand these drivers in Northeast Iran through applying structural equation model (SEM). Using multi-stage stratified random sampling, 101 executive officers participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. A multi-stakeholder analysis and a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) approach were applied. Results revealed that not only from the policy makers perspective but also based on the SEM, economic, political, technological, social and environmental factors should respectively be the five major drivers of ALC. The results also showed that among other drivers, more profitability of non-agriculture sectors, excessive rising of land prices, farmers income instability, land fragmentation, urban sprawl and inheritance laws are the main six causes of ALC. Hence, it can be concluded that policy-makers and planners need to take these drivers and subsidiaries more into consideration in order to properly respond to ALC.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000387410900008 Publication Date 2015-06-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1874-463x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.825 Times cited 6 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.825  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:136749 Serial 6148  
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Author Desmet, N.; Touchant, K.; Seuntjens, P.; Tang, T.; Bronders, J. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title A hybrid monitoring and modelling approach to assess the contribution of sources of glyphosate and AMPA in large river catchments Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication The science of the total environment Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 573 Issue Pages 1580-1588  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Large river catchments with mixed land use capture pesticides from many sources, and degradable pesticides are converted during downstream transport. Unravelling the contribution of pesticide source and the effect of degradation processes is a challenge in such areas. However, insight and understanding of the sources is important for targeted managen-lent, especially when water is abstracted from the river for drinking water production. The river Meuse is such a case. A long-term monitoring data set was applied in a modelling approach for assessing the contribution of waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) and tributaries (sub-basins) to surface water contamination, and to evaluate the effect of decay on the downstream concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA at the point of drinking water abstraction. The results show that WWTPs are important contributors for glyphosate and AMPA in large river catchments with mixed land uses. In the studied area, the river Meuse in the Netherlands, the relative contribution of WWTP effluents is above 29% for glyphosate and around 12% for AMPA. Local industries are found to be potentially big contributors of AMPA. Glyphosate entering the river system is gradually converted to AMPA and other degradation-productions, which results in downstream loads that are considerably lower than the sum of all influxes. In summer when the travel time is longer due to lower discharge, the first order decay of glyphosate in the river Meuse is estimated to result in about 50% reduction of the downstream glyphosate concentrations over a river stretch of 250 km. The contribution of glyphosate decay to the observed AMPA concentrations ranges between 2% and 10%. Contributions are sensitive to seasonal variations in discharge that influence the concentrations through dilution and degradation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000390071000153 Publication Date 2016-10-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0048-9697; 1879-1026 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:140296 Serial 7391  
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Author Courtens, E.N.P.; Spieck, E.; Vilchez-Vargas, R.; Bode, S.; Boeckx, P.; Schouten, S.; Jauregui, R.; Pieper, D.H.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Boon, N. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A robust nitrifying community in a bioreactor at 50 degrees C opens up the path for thermophilic nitrogen removal Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication The ISME journal : multidisciplinary journal of microbial ecology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 10 Issue 9 Pages 2293-2303  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The increasing production of nitrogen-containing fertilizers is crucial to meet the global food demand, yet high losses of reactive nitrogen associated with the food production/consumption chain progressively deteriorate the natural environment. Currently, mesophilic nitrogen-removing microbes eliminate nitrogen from wastewaters. Although thermophilic nitrifiers have been separately enriched from natural environments, no bioreactors are described that couple these processes for the treatment of nitrogen in hot wastewaters. Samples from composting facilities were used as inoculum for the batch-wise enrichment of thermophilic nitrifiers (350 days). Subsequently, the enrichments were transferred to a bioreactor to obtain a stable, high-rate nitrifying process (560 days). The community contained up to 17% ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOAs) closely related to 'Candidatus Nitrososphaera gargensis', and 25% nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOBs) related to Nitrospira calida. Incorporation of C-13-derived bicarbonate into the respective characteristic membrane lipids during nitrification supported their activity as autotrophs. Specific activities up to 198 +/- 10 and 894 +/- 81 mg N g(-1) VSS per day for AOAs and NOBs were measured, where NOBs were 33% more sensitive to free ammonia. The NOBs were extremely sensitive to free nitrous acid, whereas the AOAs could only be inhibited by high nitrite concentrations, independent of the free nitrous acid concentration. The observed difference in product/substrate inhibition could facilitate the development of NOB inhibition strategies to achieve more cost-effective processes such as deammonification. This study describes the enrichment of autotrophic thermophilic nitrifiers from a nutrient-rich environment and the successful operation of a thermophilic nitrifying bioreactor for the first time, facilitating opportunities for thermophilic nitrogen removal biotechnology.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000386664600019 Publication Date 2016-02-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1751-7362 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:138184 Serial 7397  
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Author Smets, W.; Moretti, S.; Denys, S.; Lebeer, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Airborne bacteria in the atmosphere : presence, purpose, and potential Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Atmospheric environment : an international journal Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 139 Issue Pages 214-221  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Numerous recent studies have highlighted that the types of bacteria present in the atmosphere often show predictable patterns across space and time. These patterns can be driven by differences in bacterial sources of the atmosphere and a wide range of environmental factors, including UV intensity, precipitation events, and humidity. The abundance of certain bacterial taxa is of interest, not only for their ability to mediate a range of chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere, such as cloud formation and ice nucleation, but also for their implications -both beneficial and detrimental-for human health. Consequently, the widespread importance of airborne bacteria has stimulated the search for their applicability. Improving air quality, modelling the dispersal of airborne bacteria (e.g. pathogens) and biotechnological purposes are already being explored. Nevertheless, many technological challenges still need to be overcome to fully understand the roles of airborne bacteria in our health and global ecosystems.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000379093900021 Publication Date 2016-05-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1352-2310 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:133711 Serial 7432  
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Author Van Winckel, T.; De Clippeleir, H.; Mancell-Egala, A.; Rahman, A.; Wett, B.; Bott, C.; Sturm, B.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Al-Omari, A.; Murthy, S. openurl 
  Title Balancing flocs and granules by external selectors to increase capacity in high-rate activated sludge systems Type P3 Proceeding
  Year 2016 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 6 p. T2 - WEFTEC.16, 24 - 28 September 2016, New O  
  Keywords P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:151122 Serial 7548  
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Author Carvajal-Arroyo, J.M.; Vitor Akaboci, T.R.; Ruscalleda, M.; Colprim, J.; Courtens, E.; Vlaeminck, S.E. isbn  openurl
  Title Biofilms for one-stage autotrophic nitrogen removal Type H3 Book chapter
  Year 2016 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 205-222 T2 - Aquatic biofilms : ecology, water qua  
  Keywords H3 Book chapter; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN 978-1-910190-17-3 Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:130466 Serial 7559  
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Author Ilgrande, C.; Christiaens, M.; Clauwaert, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Boon, N. openurl 
  Title Can nitrification bring us to Mars? The role of microbial interactions on nitrogen recovery in Life Support Systems Type A2 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Communications in agricultural and applied biological sciences Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 81 Issue 1 Pages 74-79  
  Keywords A2 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The development cost-effective life support technologies is a highly relevant topic for space biology. Currently, food and water supply during space flights is currently restricted by technical and economic constraints: daily water consumption of an average crew of 6 members is about 72 L, with an estimated cost of 2,160,000 d-1. To reduce these costs and sustain long term space missions, the European Space Agency designed MELiSSA, an artificial ecosystem based on 5 compartments for the recycling gas, liquid and solid waste (Lasseur et al., 2011). In the CI stage, crew and inedible solid waste is fermented by thermophilic anaerobic bacteria, producing volatile fatty acids (VFAs), CO2 and ammonium (NH4+). In the CII compartment the VFAs are converted into edible biomass, using the photoheterotroph Rodospirillum rubrum. Afterwards, the nitrifying CIII unit converts toxic levels of ammonia/ammonium into nitrate, which enables the effluent to be fed to the photoautotrohopic CIV stage, that provides food and oxygen for the crew (Godia et al., 2002). The highest nitrogen flux in a Life Support System is human urine. As nitrate is the preferred form of nitrogen fertilizer for hydroponic plant cultivation, urine nitrification is an essential process in the MELiSSA loop. The development of the Additional Unit for Water Treatment or Urine NItrification ConsortiUM (UNICUM) requires the selection and characterization of the microorganisms that will be used. The key microorganisms in the biological treatment of urine are heterotrophs, for the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB), for the ammonia oxidation into nitrite and Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria (NOB), for the conversion of nitrite into nitrate. The strains were selected according to predefined safety (non sporogenic and BSL 1) and metabolic (Ks, μmax) criteria. To evaluate functional consortia for space applications, ureolysis, nitritation and nitratation of the selected microorganisms and synthetic communities were elucidated. Additionally, urine is a matrix with a high salt content. Unhydrolised urine's EC ranges from 1.1 to 33.9 mS/cm, the mean value being 21.5 mS/cm (Marickar, 2010), while hydrolysed urine can reach higher levels, up to 75 mS/cm. This conditions could inhibit microbial metabolism, therefore the effect of salinity on urine nitrification was also elucidated.  
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  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1379-1176 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:151151 Serial 7573  
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Author Lachmann, T.; van der Snickt, G.; Haschke, M.; Mantouvalou, I. doi  openurl
  Title Combined 1D, 2D and 3D micro-XRF techniques for the analysis of illuminated manuscripts Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 31 Issue 10 Pages 1989-1997  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract The combination of several micro-XRF analysis modes is presented for the investigation of an illuminated parchment manuscript. With a commercial instrument, conventional micro-XRF spot analysis (0D) and mapping (2D) are performed, yielding detailed lateral elemental information. Depth resolution becomes accessible by mounting an additional polycapillary lens in front of an SDD detector. Quantitative confocal depth profiles (1D) are presented as well as the full separation of the front and the backside decorations with the help of fast 3D mappings of specific areas. Only through the use of these multidimensional modes can elemental information be assigned both to lateral and depth positions, making the analysis of such heterogeneous samples feasible.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000385362200004 Publication Date 2016-08-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0267-9477 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:144755 Serial 7679  
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Author Van Vlierberghe, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Crosslinking strategies for porous gelatin scaffolds Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Journal of materials science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 51 Issue 9 Pages 4349-4357  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract The present work reports on the application and the evaluation of a multitude of crosslinking approaches including high-energy irradiation, redox-initiating systems and conventional carbodiimide-coupling chemistry for frozen and/or freeze-dried porous gelatin scaffolds. The latter is particularly relevant for a plethora of biomedical applications such as tissue engineering supports, wound dressings, adhesive and absorbent pads for surgery, etc. Moreover, the results obtained for gelatin can be considered a proof-of-concept to be extrapolated to other polymer systems containing double bonds and/or amines and carboxylic acids to also realize scaffold crosslinking in dry or frozen state. The results showed that high-energy irradiation at -5 A degrees C enabled sufficient segmental mobility to induce chemical crosslinking after performing a cryogenic treatment of methacrylamide-modified gelatin scaffolds. Alternatively, although several redox-initiating systems were unable to chemically crosslink functionalized gelatin, the combination of ammonium persulphate and TEMED resulted in the formation of scaffolds with a reasonable gel fraction. Interestingly, carbodiimide-coupling was found suitable to crosslink freeze-dried gelatin matrices.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000370342100016 Publication Date 2016-01-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0022-2461 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:132277 Serial 7742  
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Author Zhang, Q.; De Clippeleir, H.; Su, C.; Al-Omari, A.; Wett, B.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Murthy, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Deammonification for digester supernatant pretreated with thermal hydrolysis : overcoming inhibition through process optimization Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Applied microbiology and biotechnology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 100 Issue 12 Pages 5595-5606  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The thermal hydrolysis process (THP) has been proven to be an excellent pretreatment step for an anaerobic digester (AD), increasing biogas yield and decreasing sludge disposal. The goal of this work was to optimize deammonification for efficient nitrogen removal despite the inhibition effects caused by the organics present in the THP-AD sludge filtrate (digestate). Two sequencing batch reactors were studied treating conventional digestate and THP-AD digestate, respectively. Improved process control based on higher dissolved oxygen set-point (1 mg O-2/L) and longer aeration times could achieve successful treatment of THP-AD digestate. This increased set-point could overcome the inhibition effect on aerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AerAOB), potentially caused by particulate and colloidal organics. Moreover, based on the mass balance, anoxic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) contribution to the total nitrogen removal decreased from 97 +/- A 1 % for conventional to 72 +/- A 5 % for THP-AD digestate treatment, but remained stable by selective AnAOB retention using a vibrating screen. Overall, similar total nitrogen removal rates of 520 +/- A 28 mg N/L/day at a loading rate of 600 mg N/L/day were achieved in the THP-AD reactor compared to the conventional digestate treatment operating at low dissolved oxygen (DO) (0.38 +/- A 0.10 mg O-2/L).  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000376456700033 Publication Date 2016-02-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0175-7598; 1432-0614 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:134166 Serial 7755  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Pilehvar, S. openurl 
  Title Development of new strategies for electrochemical aptasensing Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2016 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 198 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:133790 Serial 7802  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Mescia, L.; Bia, P.; Caratelli, D.; Chiapperino, M.A.; Stukach, O.; Gielis, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electromagnetic mathematical modeling of 3D supershaped dielectric lens antennas Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Mathematical problems in engineering: theory, methods, and applications Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 8130160-10  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The electromagnetic analysis of a special class of 3D dielectric lens antennas is described in detail. This new class of lens antennas has a geometrical shape defined by the three-dimensional extension of Gielis formula. The analytical description of the lens shape allows the development of a dedicated semianalytical hybrid modeling approach based on geometrical tube tracing and physical optic. In order to increase the accuracy of the model, the multiple reflections occurring within the lens are also taken into account.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000372246600001 Publication Date 2016-02-29  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1024-123x; 1563-5147 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:131516 Serial 7866  
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Author Courtens, E.N.P.; Vandekerckhove, T.; Prat, D.; Vilchez-Vargas, R.; Vital, M.; Pieper, D.H.; Meerbergen, K.; Lievens, B.; Boon, N.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Empowering a mesophilic inoculum for thermophilic nitrification : growth mode and temperature pattern as critical proliferation factors for archaeal ammonia oxidizers Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Water research Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 92 Issue Pages 94-103  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Cost-efficient biological treatment of warm nitrogenous wastewaters requires the development of thermophilic nitrogen removal processes. Only one thermophilic nitrifying bioreactor was described so far, achieving 200 mg N L-1 d-1 after more than 300 days of enrichment from compost samples. From the practical point of view in which existing plants would be upgraded, however, a more time-efficient development strategy based on mesophilic nitrifying sludge is preferred. This study evaluated the adaptive capacities of mesophilic nitrifying sludge for two linear temperature increase patterns (non-oscillating vs. oscillating), two different slopes (0.25 vs. 0.08 °C d-1) and two different reactor types (floc vs. biofilm growth). The oscillating temperature pattern (0.25 °C d-1) and the moving bed biofilm reactor (0.08 °C d-1) could not reach nitrification at temperatures higher than 46°C. However, nitrification rates up to 800 mg N L-1 d-1 and 150 mg N g-1 volatile suspended solids d-1 were achieved at a temperature as high as 49°C by imposing the slowest linear temperature increase to floccular sludge. Microbial community analysis revealed that this successful transition was related with a shift in ammonium oxidizing archaea dominating ammonia oxidizing bacteria, while for nitrite oxidation Nitrospira spp. was constantly more abundant than Nitrobacter spp.. This observation was accompanied with an increase in observed sludge yield and a shift in maximal optimum temperature, determined with ex-situ temperature sensitivity measurements, predicting an upcoming reactor failure at higher temperature. Overall, this study achieved nitrification at 49°C within 150 days by gradual adaptation of mesophilic sludge, and showed that ex-situ temperature sensitivity screening can be used to monitor and steer the transition process.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000371555200011 Publication Date 2016-01-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0043-1354; 1879-2448 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:130444 Serial 7900  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Seuntjens, D.; Bundervoet, B.L.M.; Mollen, H.; De Mulder, C.; Wypkema, E.; Verliefde, A.; Nopens, I.; Colsen, J.G.M.; Vlaeminck, S.E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Energy efficient treatment of A-stage effluent : pilot-scale experiences with short-cut nitrogen removal Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Water science and technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 73 Issue 9 Pages 2150-2158  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000376285300013 Publication Date 2016-02-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0273-1223; 1996-9732 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:130442 Serial 7908  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Meerburg, F.A.; Rahman, A.; Van Winckel, T.; Pauwels, K.; De Clippeleir, H.; Al-Omari, A.; Murthy, S.; Boon, N.; Vlaeminck, S.E. openurl 
  Title Fast and furious : optimization and validation of high-rate contact stabilization (HiCS) for recovery of organics from sewage Type P3 Proceeding
  Year 2016 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 3 p. T2 - WEF/IWA Nutrient Removal and Recovery Co  
  Keywords P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:151132 Serial 7958  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Grunert, O.; Robles Aguilar, A.A.; Hernandez-Sanabria, E.; Reheul, D.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Boon, N.; Jablonowski, N.D. openurl 
  Title Fertilizer type influences dynamics of the microbial community structure in the rhizosphere of tomato and impact the nutrient turnover and plant performance Type A2 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Communications in agricultural and applied biological sciences Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 81 Issue 1 Pages 67-73  
  Keywords A2 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOB and AOA) and nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are the most important organisms responsible for ammonia and nitrite oxidation in agricultural ecosystems and growing media. Ammonia and nitrite oxidation are critical steps in the soil nitrogen cycle and can be affected by the application of mineral fertilizers or organic fertilizers. The functionality of the microbial community has a major impact on the nutrient turnover and will finally influence plant performance. The microbial community associated with the growing medium and its functionality will also be influenced by the rhizosphere and the bulk soil. In our study, we used a tomato plant with a high root exudation capacity in order to stimulate microbial activity. We studied plant performance in rhizotrons (a phentotyping system for imaging roots), including an optical method (planar optodes) for non-invasive, quantitative and high-resolution imaging of pH dynamics in the rhizosphere and adjacent medium. The horticultural growing medium was supplemented with organic-derived nitrogen or ammonium derived from struvite. The possible differences in the root structure between treatments is compared with the total root length. Destructive growing medium sampling and high throughput sequencing analysis of the bacterial abundance of the communities present in the rhizosphere and the bulk soil is used to study the growing medium-associated microbial community structure and functionality, and this will be related to pH changes in the rhizosphere and the bulk soil. Our hypothesis is that the growing medium-associated microbial community structure changes depending on the nitrogen form provided and we expect a higher abundance of bacteria in the treatment with organic fertilizer and a higher abundance of AOB and NOB in the rhizosphere in comparison to the bulk soil.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1379-1176 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:151149 Serial 7964  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Coppens, J.; Meers, E.; Boon, N.; Buysse, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Follow the N and P road : high-resolution nutrient flow analysis of the Flanders region as precursor for sustainable resource management Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Resources, conservation and recycling Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 115 Issue Pages 9-21  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Resource-efficient nutrient management is key to secure food production in the context of a growing global population, rising resource scarcity and increasing pressure on the environment. To map the potential towards increasing nutrient use efficiencies and reduce environmental losses, a high-resolution insight of the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient streams is pivotal. In this study, a substance flow analysis for N and P is presented for the nutrient intensive region of Flanders (6,211,065 inhabitants) in Belgium for the year 2009. A set of 160 nutrient fluxes was quantified throughout 21 economic and environmental compartments, with a particular focus on 10 waste management processes. A total nutrient load of 20 kg N cap(-1) yr(-1) (ca. 73% to the air and 28% to surface waters) and 0.53 kg P cap(-1) yr(-1) (to surface waters) is emitted to the environment; with crop and livestock production as the main contributors (49% of N and 36% of P). The food supply chain revealed a fertilizer-to-consumer efficiency of 14% for N as well as for P, with important losses embedded in waste streams such as excess manure. Advanced manure and waste processing facilities nevertheless offer the opportunity for enhanced nutrient recycling to increase the nutrient use efficiencies and reduce the dependency of inorganic fertilizers. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000384852500002 Publication Date 2016-08-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0921-3449 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:137229 Serial 7977  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Han, M.; De Clippeleir, H.; Al-Omari, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Wett, B.; Murthy, S. openurl 
  Title Free ammonia and/or temperature impact study on temperature-acclimated mainstream nitrification sludge Type P3 Proceeding
  Year 2016 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 3 p. T2 - WEF/IWA Nutrient Removal and Recovery Co  
  Keywords P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:151134 Serial 7984  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Anibas, C.; Schneidewind, U.; Vandersteen, G.; Joris, I.; Seuntjens, P.; Batelaan, O. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title From streambed temperature measurements to spatial-temporal flux quantification : using the LPML method to study groundwater-surface water interaction Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Hydrological processes Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 203-216  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Knowledge on groundwater-surface water interaction and especially on exchange fluxes between streams and aquifers is an important prerequisite for the study of transport and fate of contaminants and nutrients in the hyporheic zone. One possibility to quantify groundwater-surface water exchange fluxes is by using heat as an environmlental tracer. Modern field equipment including multilevel temperature sticks and the novel open-source analysis tool LPML make this technique ever more attractive. The recently developed LPML method solves the one-dimensional fluid flow and heat transport equation by combining a local polynomial method with a maximum likelihood estimator. In this study, we apply the LPML method on field data to quantify the spatial and temporal variability of vertical fluxes and their uncertainties from temperature-time series measured in a Belgian lowland stream. Over several months, temperature data were collected with multilevel temperature sticks at the streambed top and at six depths for a small stream section. Long-term estimates show a range from gaining fluxes of -291 mm day(-1) to loosing fluxes of 12 mm day(-1); average seasonal fluxes ranged from -138 mm day(-1) in winter to -16 mm day(-1) in summer. With our analyses, we could determine a high spatial and temporal variability of vertical exchange fluxes for the investigated stream section. Such spatial and temporal variability should be taken into account in biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nutrients and metals and in fate analysis of contaminant plumes. In general, the stream section was gaining during most of the observation period. Two short-term high stream stage events, seemingly caused by blockage of the stream outlet, led to a change in flow direction from gaining to losing conditions. We also found more discharge occurring at the outer stream bank than at the inner one indicating a local flow-through system. With the conducted analyses, we were able to advance our understanding of the regional groundwater flow system. Copyright (C) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000369164900004 Publication Date 2015-06-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0885-6087 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:131587 Serial 7986  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Lin, S.; Zhang, L.; Reddy, G.V.P.; Hui, C.; Gielis, J.; Ding, Y.; Shi, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title A geometrical model for testing bilateral symmetry of bamboo leaf with a simplified Gielis equation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Ecology and evolution Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 6 Issue 19 Pages 6798-6806  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The size and shape of plant leaves change with growth, and an accurate description of leaf shape is crucial for describing plant morphogenesis and development. Bilateral symmetry, which has been widely observed but poorly examined, occurs in both dicot and monocot leaves, including all nominated bamboo species (approximately 1,300 species), of which at least 500 are found in China. Although there are apparent differences in leaf size among bamboo species due to genetic and environmental profiles, bamboo leaves have bilateral symmetry with parallel venation and appear similar across species. Here, we investigate whether the shape of bamboo leaves can be accurately described by a simplified Gielis equation, which consists of only two parameters (leaf length and shape) and produces a perfect bilateral shape. To test the applicability of this equation and the occurrence of bilateral symmetry, we first measured the leaf length of 42 bamboo species, examining >500 leaves per species. We then scanned 30 leaves per species that had approximately the same length as the median leaf length for that species. The leaf-shape data from scanned profiles were fitted to the simplified Gielis equation. Results confirmed that the equation fits the leaf-shape data extremely well, with the coefficients of determination being 0.995 on average. We further demonstrated the bilateral symmetry of bamboo leaves, with a clearly defined leaf-shape parameter of all 42 bamboo species investigated ranging from 0.02 to 0.1. This results in a simple and reliable tool for precise determination of bamboo species, with applications in forestry, ecology, and taxonomy.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000385626100003 Publication Date 2016-09-02  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2045-7758 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:144547 Serial 7998  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Grunert, O.; Reheul, D.; Van Labeke, M.-C.; Perneel, M.; Hernandez-Sanabria, E.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Boon, N. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Growing media constituents determine the microbial nitrogen conversions in organic growing media for horticulture Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Microbial Biotechnology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 9 Issue 3 Pages 389-399  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy food diet, however, the eco-sustainability of the production of these can still be significantly improved. European farmers and consumers spend an estimated Euro15.5 billion per year on inorganic fertilizers and the production of N-fertilizers results in a high carbon footprint. We investigated if fertilizer type and medium constituents determine microbial nitrogen conversions in organic growing media and can be used as a next step towards a more sustainable horticulture. We demonstrated that growing media constituents showed differences in urea hydrolysis, ammonia and nitrite oxidation and in carbon dioxide respiration rate. Interestingly, mixing of the growing media constituents resulted in a stimulation of the function of the microorganisms. The use of organic fertilizer resulted in an increase in amoA gene copy number by factor 100 compared to inorganic fertilizers. Our results support our hypothesis that the activity of the functional microbial community with respect to nitrogen turnover in an organic growing medium can be improved by selecting and mixing the appropriate growing media components with each other. These findings contribute to the understanding of the functional microbial community in growing media and its potential role towards a more responsible horticulture.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000374662600009 Publication Date 2016-03-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1751-7907 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:133617 Serial 8013  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Godoi, R.H.M.; Goncalves, S.J., Jr.; Sayama, C.; Polezer, G.; Reis Neto, J.M.; Alfoldy, B.; Van Grieken, R.; Riedi, C.A.; Yamamoto, C.I.; Godoi, A.F.L.; Bencs, L. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Health implications of atmospheric aerosols from asbestos-bearing road pavements traditionally used in Southern Brazil Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Environmental Science and Pollution Research T2 – 1st International Caparica Conference on Pollutant Toxic Ions and, Molecules (PTIM), 2015, Caparica, PORTUGAL Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 23 Issue 24 Pages 25180-25190  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract Serpentine and amphibole asbestos occur naturally in certain geologic settings worldwide, most commonly in association with ultramafic rocks, along associated faults. Ultramafic rocks have been used in Pin County, Southern Brazil for decades for the purpose of road paving in rural and urban areas, but without the awareness of their adverse environmental and health impact. The aim of this study was the chemical characterization of aerosols re-suspended in two rural roads of Pin, paved with ultramafic rocks and to estimate the pulmonary deposition of asbestos aerosols. Bulk aerosol samples were analyzed by means of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis, in order to characterize elemental composition and crystallinity. Single-particle compositions of aerosols were analyzed by computer-controlled electron-probe microanalysis, indicating the presence of a few percentages of serpentine and amphibole. Given the chemical composition and size distribution of aerosol particles, the deposition efficiency of chrysotile, a sub-group of serpentine, in two principal segments of the human respiratory system was estimated using a lung deposition model. As an important finding, almost half of the inhaled particles were calculated to be deposited in the respiratory system. Asbestos depositions were significant (similar to 25 %) in the lower airways, even though the selected breathing conditions (rest situation, nose breathing) implied the lowest rate of respiratory deposition. Considering the fraction of inhalable suspended chrysotile near local roads, and the long-term exposure of humans to these aerosols, chrysotile may represent a hazard, regarding more frequent development of lung cancer in the population of the exposed region.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000389301700060 Publication Date 2016-09-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0944-1344; 1614-7499 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:139232 Serial 8018  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Meerburg, F.A.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Roume, H.; Seuntjens, D.; Pieper, D.H.; Jauregui, R.; Vilchez-Vargas, R.; Boon, N. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title High-rate activated sludge communities have a distinctly different structure compared to low-rate sludge communities, and are less sensitive towards environmental and operational variables Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Water research Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 100 Issue Pages 137-145  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract High-rate activated sludge processes allow for the recovery of organics and energy from wastewaters. These systems are operated at a short sludge retention time and high sludge-specific loading rates, which results in a higher sludge yield and better digestibility than conventional, low-rate activated sludge. Little is known about the microbial ecology of high-rate systems. In this work, we address the need for a fundamental understanding of how high-rate microbial communities differ from low-rate communities. We investigated the high-rate and low-rate communities in a sewage treatment plant in relation to environmental and operational variables over a period of ten months. We demonstrated that (1) high-rate and low-rate communities are distinctly different in terms of richness, evenness and composition, (2) high-rate community dynamics are more variable and less shaped by deterministic factors compared to low-rate communities, (3) sub-communities of continuously core and transitional members are more shaped by deterministic factors than the continuously rare members, both in high-rate and low-rate communities, and (4) high-rate community members showed a co-occurrence pattern similar to that of low-rate community members, but were less likely to be correlated to environmental and operational variables. These findings provide a basis for further optimization of high-rate systems, in order to facilitate resource recovery from wastewater.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000378448800014 Publication Date 2016-05-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0043-1354; 1879-2448 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:139914 Serial 8035  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Han, M.; De Clippeleir, H.; Al-Omari, A.; Wett, B.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Bott, C.; Murthy, S. doi  openurl
  Title Impact of carbon to nitrogen ratio and aeration regime on mainstream deammonification Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Water science and technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 74 Issue 2 Pages 375-384  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract While deammonification of high-strength wastewater in the sludge line of sewage treatment plants has become well established, the potential cost savings spur the development of this technology for mainstream applications. This study aimed at identifying the effect of aeration and organic carbon on the deammonification process. Two 10 L sequencing bath reactors with different aeration frequencies were operated at 25 degrees C. Real wastewater effluents from chemically enhanced primary treatment and high-rate activated sludge process were fed into the reactors with biodegradable chemical oxygen demand/nitrogen (bCOD/N) of 2.0 and 0.6, respectively. It was found that shorter aerobic solids retention time (SRT) and higher aeration frequency gave more advantages for aerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AerAOB) than nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) in the system. From the kinetics study, it is shown that the affinity for oxygen is higher for NOB than for AerAOB, and higher dissolved oxygen set-point could decrease the affinity of both AerAOB and NOB communities. After 514 days of operation, it was concluded that lower organic carbon levels enhanced the activity of anoxic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) over denitrifiers. As a result, the contribution of AnAOB to nitrogen removal increased from 40 to 70%. Overall, a reasonably good total removal efficiency of 66% was reached under a low bCOD/N ratio of 2.0 after adaptation.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000380765500011 Publication Date 2016-04-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0273-1223; 1996-9732 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:135032 Serial 8062  
Permanent link to this record
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