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“Dynamic identifiability analysis-based model structure evaluation considering rating curve uncertainty”. Van Hoey S, Nopens I, van der Kwast J, Seuntjens P, Journal of hydrologic engineering 20, 04014072 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000995
Abstract: When applying hydrological models, different sources of uncertainty are present, and evaluations of model performances should take these into account to assess model outcomes correctly. Furthermore, uncertainty in the discharge observations complicates the model identification, both in terms of model structure and parameterization. In this paper, the authors compare two different lumped model structures (PDM and NAM) considering uncertainty coming from the rating curve. Limits of acceptability for the model simulations were determined based on derived uncertainty bounds of the discharge observations. The authors applied the DYNamic Identifiability Approach (DYNIA) to identify structural failure of both models and to evaluate the configuration of their structures. In general, similar model performances are observed. However, the model structures tend to behave differently in the course of time, as revealed by the DYNIA approach. Based on the analyses performed, the probability based soil storage representation of the PDM model outperforms the NAM structure. The incorporation of the observation error did not prevent the DYNIA analysis to identify potential model structural deficiencies that are limiting the representation of the seasonal variation, primarily indicated by shifting regions of parameter identifiability. As such, the proposed approach is able to indicate where deficiencies are found and model improvement is needed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000995
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“A qualitative model structure sensitivity analysis method to support model selection”. Van Hoey S, Seuntjens P, van der Kwast J, Nopens I, Journal of hydrology 519, 3426 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHYDROL.2014.09.052
Abstract: The selection and identification of a suitable hydrological model structure is a more challenging task than fitting parameters of a fixed model structure to reproduce a measured hydrograph. The suitable model structure is highly dependent on various criteria, i.e. the modeling objective, the characteristics and the scale of the system under investigation and the available data. Flexible environments for model building are available, but need to be assisted by proper diagnostic tools for model structure selection. This paper introduces a qualitative method for model component sensitivity analysis. Traditionally, model sensitivity is evaluated for model parameters. In this paper, the concept is translated into an evaluation of model structure sensitivity. Similarly to the one-factor-at-a-time (OAT) methods for parameter sensitivity, this method varies the model structure components one at a time and evaluates the change in sensitivity towards the output variables. As such, the effect of model component variations can be evaluated towards different objective functions or output variables. The methodology is presented for a simple lumped hydrological model environment, introducing different possible model building variations. By comparing the effect of changes in model structure for different model objectives, model selection can be better evaluated. Based on the presented component sensitivity analysis of a case study, some suggestions with regard to model selection are formulated for the system under study: (1) a non-linear storage component is recommended, since it ensures more sensitive (identifiable) parameters for this component and less parameter interaction; (2) interflow is mainly important for the low flow criteria; (3) excess infiltration process is most influencing when focussing on the lower flows; (4) a more simple routing component is advisable; and (5) baseflow parameters have in general low sensitivity values, except for the low flow criteria. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHYDROL.2014.09.052
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Van Laer K (2017) Numerical and experimental study of a packed bed plasma reactor for environmental applications. Antwerpen
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
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“Een tempel voor elektronenmicroscopie “kijken naar atomen””. van Landuyt J, Fonds informatief 38, 13 (1998)
Keywords: A3 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
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“Methods of structural analysis of modulated structures and quasicrystals”. van Landuyt J, Kuypers S, van Heurck C, Van Tendeloo G, Amelinckx S s.l., page 205 (1993).
Keywords: H3 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
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“HREM for characterisation of nanoscale microstructures”. van Landuyt J, Van Tendeloo G, , 15 (1998)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
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“High-resolution electron microscopy for semiconducting materials science”. van Landuyt J, Vanhellemont J Elsevier, Amsterdam, page 1109 (1994).
Keywords: H3 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
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“Prediction of the optical characteristics and analytical qualities of an X-ray fluorescence microprobe at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble)”. van Langevelde F, Janssens KH, Adams FC, Vis RD, Nuclear instruments and methods in physics research : A: accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment 317, 383 (1992). http://doi.org/10.1016/0168-9002(92)90632-E
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/0168-9002(92)90632-E
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Van Loenhout J (2021) Targeting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma with oxidative stress-mediated treatment strategies : focus on tumor cell death and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. 167 p
Abstract: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are two of the most malignant solid tumor types with poor survival rates, which underscore the urgency of novel and efficacious treatment strategies. Within the last decade, immunotherapy has been established as a breakthrough in cancer therapy. This mainly has been driven by the clinical data and approval associated with several immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/L1). Despite the clinical benefit in specific tumor types, these inhibitors have not yet fulfilled their promise in low immunogenic tumors such as PDAC and GBM. Oxidative stress in cancer cells due to elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an inability to balance intracellular redox state has recently been highlighted as promising target for anticancer treatment strategies with possible immunogenic effects. In this PhD dissertation, I investigated novel oxidative stress-mediated treatment approaches to target PDAC and GBM and to enhance immunogenicity by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). In the first part of this thesis (chapter 2), I reviewed the mechanistic responses of cancer cells towards different oxidative stress-inducing treatment strategies and their immunomodulating effects. The resulting literature demonstrated that different exogenous and endogenous ROS-inducing therapies show direct and indirect immunomodulating effects, which can be either immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive. One of the indirect immunostimulatory effects of the ROS-mediating therapies is the capacity of inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells, which can increase the immunogenicity and consequently can trigger an antitumoral immune response. In chapter 3, I investigated a novel exogenous ROS-inducing treatment method, namely cold atmospheric plasma, to determine the therapeutic and ICD-inducing effects in PDAC, in vitro. I revealed that plasma-treated PBS (pPBS) has the potential to induce ICD in pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and to reduce the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) by attacking the tumor supportive pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Although the cell death induced in PSCs was non-immunogenic as seen by the lack of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) emission and DC activation, I showed that pPBS could disrupt the physical barrier and lower the immunosuppressive secretion profile (lower TGF-β) of PSCs. In contrast, DAMPs were released by PCCs after treatment with pPBS which resulted in activation and maturation of DCs and a more immunostimulatory secretion profile (higher TNF-α, IFN-γ). Hence, indirect plasma treatment via pPBS has the potential to enhance immunogenicity in PDAC by triggering ICD and by attacking the immunosuppressive PSCs. Tumor cells can evolve adaptation mechanisms to protect themselves against intrinsic oxidative stress by upregulation of pro-survival molecules and their antioxidant defense system to maintain the redox balance. As such, tumor cells can become resistant towards exogenous ROS-inducing therapies, like plasma. Dual targeting of the redox balance of tumor cells by increasing exogenous levels of ROS and inhibiting the antioxidant defense system can maximally exploit ROS-mediated cell death mechanisms as therapeutic anticancer strategy. In this regard, cold atmospheric plasma was combined with auranofin, a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor, in GBM (chapter 4). A synergistic effect was shown after this combination treatment in 2D and 3D, however, in 3D only high concentrations of auranofin synergized with plasma treatment. I confirmed a ROS-mediated response after combination treatment, which was able to induce distinct cell death mechanisms, specifically apoptosis and ferroptosis. Additionally, the auranofin and plasma combined treatment strategy induced cell death, which resulted in an increased release of DAMPs. Together with the observed DC maturation, these results indicates the potential increase in immunogenicity, though, the phagocytotic capacity of DCs was inhibited by auranofin. In chapter 5, I evaluated this promising oxidative stress combination therapy in GBM, in vivo. A decrease in tumor kinetics and an increased survival in GBM-bearing mice was observed when auranofin was sequentially combined with direct plasma treatment. No T cell infiltration was observed after auranofin monotherapy. However, further characterization of the TME after the combination therapy is necessary to provide more insight in the immunogenic effects in vivo. In conclusion, this PhD dissertation comprises novel and important therapeutic and immunogenic insights in cold atmospheric plasma and auranofin as promising oxidative stress-mediated treatment strategies for low immunogenic tumors, like PDAC and GBM. These preclinical results provide a solid basis for future research towards combinations with immunotherapeutic approaches.
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
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“The role of smalt in complex pigment mixtures in Rembrandt'sHomer1663: combining MA-XRF imaging, microanalysis, paint reconstructions and OCT”. van Loon A, Noble P, de Man D, Alfeld M, Callewaert T, van der Snickt G, Janssens K, Dik J, Heritage science 8, 90 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1186/S40494-020-00429-5
Abstract: As part of the NWO Science4ArtsREVISRembrandtproject (2012-2018), novel chemical imaging techniques were developed and applied to the study of Rembrandt's late experimental painting technique (1651-1669). One of the unique features in his late paintings is his abundant use of smalt: a blue cobalt glass pigment that he often combined with organic lake pigments, earth pigments and blacks. Since most of these smalt-containing paints have discolored over time, we wanted to find out more about how these paintings may have originally looked, and what the role of smalt was in his paint. This paper reports on the use of smalt in complex pigment mixtures in Rembrandt'sHomer(1663), Mauritshuis, The Hague. Macroscopic X-ray fluorescence imaging (MA-XRF) assisted by computational analysis, in combination with SEM-EDX analysis of paint cross-sections, provides new information about the distribution and composition of the smalt paints in the painting. Paint reconstructions were carried out to investigate the effect of different percentages of smalt on the overall color, the drying properties, translucency and texture of the paint. Results show that the influence of (the originally blue) smalt on the intended color of the paint of theHomeris minimal. However, in mixtures with high percentages of smalt, or when combined with more transparent pigments, it was concluded that the smalt did produce a cooler and darker paint. It was also found that the admixture of opaque pigments reduced the translucent character of the smalt. The drying tests show that the paints with (cobalt-containing) smalt dried five times faster compared to those with glass (without cobalt). Most significantly, the texture of the paint was strongly influenced by adding smalt, creating a more irregular surface topography with clearly pronounced brushstrokes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used as an additional tool to reveal differences in translucency and texture between the different paint reconstructions. In conclusion, this study confirmed earlier assumptions that Rembrandt used substantial amounts of smalt in his late paintings, not for its blue color, but to give volume and texture to his paints, to deepen their colors and to make them dry faster.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Impact Factor: 2.5
DOI: 10.1186/S40494-020-00429-5
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“Beauty is skin deep : the skin tones of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring”. van Loon A, Vandivere A, Delaney JK, Dooley KA, De Meyer S, Vanmeert F, Gonzalez V, Janssens K, Leonhardt E, Haswell R, de Groot S, D'Imporzano P, Davies GR, Heritage science 7, 102 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1186/S40494-019-0344-0
Abstract: The soft modelling of the skin tones in Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring (Mauritshuis) has been remarked upon by art historians, and is their main argument to date this painting to c. 1665. This paper describes the materials and techniques Vermeer used to accomplish the smooth flesh tones and facial features of the Girl, which were investigated as part of the 2018 Girl in the Spotlight research project. It combines macroscopic X-ray fluorescence imaging (MA-XRF), reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS), and 3D digital microscopy. Vermeer built up the face, beginning with distinct areas of light and dark. He then smoothly blended the final layers to create almost seamless transitions. The combination of advanced imaging techniques highlighted that Vermeer built the soft contour around her face by leaving a 'gap' between the background and the skin. It also revealed details that were otherwise not visible with the naked eye, such as the eyelashes. Macroscopic imaging was complemented by the study of paint cross-sections using: light microscopy, SEM-EDX, FIB-STEM, synchrotron radiation mu-XRPD and FTIR-ATR. Vermeer intentionally used different qualities or grades of lead white in the flesh paints, showing different hydrocerussite/cerussite ratios and particle sizes. Lead isotope analysis showed that the geographic source of lead, from which the different types of lead white were manufactured, was the same: the region of Peak District of Derbyshire, UK. Finally, cross-section analysis identified the formation of new lead species in the paints: lead soaps and palmierite (K2Pb(SO4)(2)), associated with the red lake.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1186/S40494-019-0344-0
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“Transposing testing from lab to on-site environment : a case of cocaine powder sampling”. Van Loon J, De Jong M, De Wael K, Du Bois E, (2020)
Abstract: This paper reports on the transition process to convert a specific lab technique to the on-site, real-life environment. Bringing a lab test to an on-site environment involves many difficulties regarding to the context, people skills and environmental support. Within this project, a case about sampling for an electrochemical measurement, was investigated as a basis to reason upon some general conclusions related to the process of transposing lab-tests to an on-site environment. The current lab test was analysed and compared with a focus group discussion with future users. Based on the findings, assumptions for the new sampling technique in the specific case were formulated. New low-tech methods to achieve the sampling were extensively tested and verified. Starting from this chosen case an argumentation was set up to generalise the conclusions, by reasoning on other cases of products that already passed this transition to the field. Based on a comparison, we could discuss that the selected parameters related to impact of the context environment, of the people that should handle the tests, related to the reasons for transposing the technology, and related to the technology that will be transposed to the on-site environment, were of importance of almost all cases and can therefore be considered as context-independent and related to the transfer to on-site testing.
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Product development
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“Chemical characterisation, source identification and quantification of the input of atmospheric particulate matter into the North Sea”. van Malderen H, de Bock L, Hoornaert S, Injuk J, Van Grieken R page 103 (1996).
Keywords: H3 Book chapter; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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“North Sea aerosol characterization by single particle analysis techniques”. van Malderen H, de Bock L, Injuk J, Xhoffer C, Van Grieken R page 119 (1993).
Keywords: H3 Book chapter; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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“Individual particle characterization of Siberian aerosols by micro-PIXE and backscattering spectrometry”. van Malderen H, Hoornaert S, Injuk J, Przybylowicz WJ, Pineda CA, Prozesky VM, Van Grieken R, X-ray spectrometry 30, 320 (2001). http://doi.org/10.1002/XRS.505
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1002/XRS.505
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“Identification of individual aerosol particles containing Cr, Pb, and Zn above the North Sea”. van Malderen H, Hoornaert S, Van Grieken R, Environmental science and technology 30, 489 (1996). http://doi.org/10.1021/ES950205L
Abstract: Aerosol samples have been collected over the southern bight of the North Sea from an aircraft. In this way, 96 samples were taken for single-particle analysis during 16 flights. Almost 45 000 individual particles were analyzed with electron probe X-ray microanalysis. More than 5000 of these were found to contain significant concentrations of one or more of the heavy metals Cr, Pb, and Zn. With the help of hierarchical, nonhierarchical, and fuzzy clustering techniques, various heavy metal-containing particle types could be identified. Significant differences in abundances were detected in the North Sea heavy metal aerosol, depending on the origin of the air masses. In samples with continental influence 50 times more Zn- and Pb-containing particles were found than in samples with a marine history. For Cr, on the other hand, we found abundances in the marine sector that were one-third of the values for continental sectors. This might point to a rather undefined marine source, which could be the recycling of previously deposited material by reinjection into the atmosphere by sea spray. The highest values for Cr-, Pb-, and Zn-containing particles were always detected under southeastern wind directions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1021/ES950205L
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“Characterization of individual giant aerosol particles above the North Sea”. van Malderen H, Rojas C, Van Grieken R, Environmental science and technology 26, 750 (1992). http://doi.org/10.1021/ES00028A013
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1021/ES00028A013
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“Chemical characterization of individual aerosol particles in Central Siberia”. van Malderen H, Van Grieken R, Bufetov NV, Koutzenogii KP, Environmental science and technology 30, 312 (1996). http://doi.org/10.1021/ES950402K
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1021/ES950402K
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“Composition of individual aerosol particles above Lake Baikal, Siberia”. van Malderen H, Van Grieken R, Khodzher T, Obolkin V, Potemkin V, Atmospheric environment : an international journal 30, 1453 (1996). http://doi.org/10.1016/1352-2310(95)00430-0
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/1352-2310(95)00430-0
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“Analysis of individual aerosol particles in Siberian region: provisional results”. van Malderen H, Van Grieken R, Khodzher TV, Bufetov NS, Koutsenogii KP, Atmospheric and oceanic optics 7, 622 (1994)
Keywords: A3 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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“Single particle analysis of aerosols from Siberia”. van Malderen H, Van Grieken R, Khodzher TV, Grachev M, Bufetov NS, Koutsenogii KP, Proceedings of the Russian-Ukrainian-Austrian-German Analytical Symposium (1994)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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“Application of high-energy polarised beam energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to cadmium determination in saline solutions”. van Meel K, Fontàs C, Van Grieken R, Queralt I, Hidalgo M, Marguí, E, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 23, 1034 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1039/B718382H
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1039/B718382H
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“Elemental concentrations in aerosols at the Belgian coast versus seasons and air mass trajectories”. van Meel K, Horemans B, Krata A, Bencs L, Buczyńska AJ, Dirtu AC, Worobiec A, Van Grieken R, Environmental chemistry letters 8, 157 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1007/S10311-009-0203-4
Abstract: Marine aerosols have extensively been monitored in the framework of a research project to investigate the inorganic and organic nutrient fluxes of the atmospheric nitrogen input into the North Sea. As a part of this project bulk analysis was also performed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) on a total of 366 samples in order to provide detailed elemental composition. Samples have been clustered per campaign and differences were related to backward trajectories. Elements as Cl, Si, and S appeared to be the best tracers for coastal aerosols. Therefore they have been chosen to represent each campaign and to map the seasonal variations. It is clear that Cl is an excellent tracer for oceanic trajectories, while a less clear correlation between the soil dust components and the air mass trajectories is found.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP); Toxicological Centre
DOI: 10.1007/S10311-009-0203-4
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“Determination of platinum, palladium, and rhodium in automotive catalysts using high-energy secondary target X-ray fluorescence spectrometry”. van Meel K, Smekens A, Behets M, Kazandjian P, Van Grieken R, Analytical chemistry 79, 6383 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1021/AC070815R
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1021/AC070815R
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“Sample damage during X-ray fluorescence analysis: case study on ammonium salts in atmospheric aerosols”. van Meel K, Worobiec A, Stranger M, Van Grieken R, Journal of environmental monitoring 10, 989 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1039/B807909A
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)
DOI: 10.1039/B807909A
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Van Oijstaeijen W (2023) Green infrastructure and local implementation : (green) bridging the gap between research and practice. xvii, 194 p
Abstract: Climate change is an ever-increasing threat to our planet, with the urbanisation of previously open spaces exacerbating the issue. The loss of open space leads to a decrease in ecosystem services, which negatively impacts the liveability in urbanised environments, and beyond. The incorporation of green infrastructure (GI) into the built environment is acknowledged as an effective and multi-functional measure to make our living environment resilient and future-proof. Notwithstanding that the local level is essential for effective GI implementation, research into local decision making is very limited. This thesis therefore aims to address two significant gaps in the implementation of GI. The first objective is to bridge the science-policy gap by integrating scientific knowledge on ES and GI into local decision-making processes. In this context, the policy dimension within this thesis involves the process of translating overarching policy objectives into practical actions within local decision-making practices, abstracting from the intricacies of higher-level policymaking itself. The second objective focuses on the people-policy gap, which involves understanding stakeholders' perspectives and priorities regarding GI and its associated ecosystem services. Through stated preference valuation techniques (discrete choice experiments and a best-worst scaling experiment), multi-stakeholder GI perceptions are gathered. Finally, a novel tool to GI valuation is developed, acknowledging the different stakeholder views and building on the insights of collaborative tool development and design. By gaining insights into the demand, prioritisation, and provision of GI from the two most important stakeholder groups at the local level (residents and local decision-makers), this research aims to foster effective communication and alignment between public preferences and policy implementation. Ultimately, addressing these gaps will contribute to more informed planning and decision-making practices related to green infrastructure. The overall goal of this thesis is to enhance the uptake of GI knowledge in the local decision-making context, proposing pathways to facilitate and optimise investments in public GI.
Keywords: Administrative Services; Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
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Van Oijstaeijen W, Finizola e Silva M, Back P, Collins A, Verheyen K, De Beelde R, Cools J, Van Passel S (2023) The Nature Smart Cities business model : a rapid decision-support and scenario analysis tool to reveal the multi-benefits of green infrastructure investments. 127923–14
Abstract: Incorporating natural spaces within urban areas has been shown to have multiple benefits. However, despite greening and adaptation strategies at different levels of government, progress remains slow with a lack of easy to use and comprehensive tools identified as key to overcoming this. This paper presents a co-designed tool with academic and local authority partners to demonstrate the ecosystem service benefits of small-scale urban green infrastructure projects. Through the tool, users can readily assess the impact of green infrastructure investments on the delivery of a selection of ecosystem services in the early stages of a project. Furthermore, the tool provides a standardised assessment of cultural ecosystem services' contributions, as well as offering a method to score spatial designs on the impact on habitat for biodiversity. Use of the tool is demonstrated using a pilot study in Kapelle, the Netherlands. The results set out an overview of the impacts of the spatial design on estimated ecosystem service delivery. They also show the tool's potential to add value in early project stages and as a planning and design tool, helping to maximise the benefits that can be achieved through green infrastructure design. Complementing these arguments with ball-park estimations on green infrastructure costs, the Nature Smart Cities Business Model aims to offer public sector officers the means to create a business case for green infrastructure measures, facilitating the translation from strategies to actual plans, thus benefitting green infrastructure implementation in the public realm.
Keywords: Administrative Services; A1 Journal article; Art; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 6.4
DOI: 10.1016/J.UFUG.2023.127923
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Van Oijstaeijen W, Van Passel S, Back P, Cools J (2022) The politics of green infrastructure : a discrete choice experiment with Flemish local decision-makers. 107493–18
Abstract: Being confronted with increasing and expanding urbanisation and the loss of natural green spaces, our living environment is threatened more and more by the effects of global climate change. Green infrastructure is often thought of as the solution to increase climate resilience and reinforce the quality of the lived environment simultaneously. While the benefits, or ecosystem services, that are generated through green infrastructure have been studied intensively, forces that influence green infrastructure decision-making have been far less subjected to thorough research. In this study a discrete choice experiment was conducted with local decision makers in Flemish municipalities to reveal crucial factors in the decision process applied to green infrastructure projects. Flanders is one of the most densely built regions in Europe, stressing the urgency to understand local spatial decision factors to guarantee green space. 568 decision makers active in the local administration of 235 Flemish municipalities participated in the experiment, set in a hypothetical neighbourhood park. Every choice alternative exists of five attributes: investment cost, maintenance cost, deferred investment, recreational value, and climate impact. We find that barriers hampering Flemish munipalities' GI implementation, differ over size of the municipality: smallers municipalities are more affected by knowledge gaps, while larger municipalities are experiencing prioritization issues. Results from hierarchical Bayes choice models indicate that municipal decisions on green infrastructure are highly – almost solely -cost-driven, rarely consider the full range of benefits, and centre around short-term and immediate arguments. Moreover, interaction models reveal that a municipalities' financial result is a key determinant of its willingness to invest in public greening and consider long term benefits, suggesting that GI is a luxury good. The results expose some of the heuristics in GI decision making and can be used to inform higher authorities on ways to overcome barriers towards informed decision-making and to facilitate GI investment.
Keywords: Administrative Services; A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 7
DOI: 10.1016/J.ECOLECON.2022.107493
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“Farmers' preferences towards water hyacinth control : a contingent valuation study”. Van Oijstaeijen W, Van Passel S, Cools J, Janssens de Bisthoven L, Huge J, Berihun D, Ejigu N, Nyssen J, Journal Of Great Lakes Research 46, 1459 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JGLR.2020.06.009
Abstract: Lake Tana is the most important freshwater lake in Ethiopia. Besides pressures on water quality resulting from urbanization and deforestation, the invasion of the exotic water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) poses new threats to the ecosystem. Water hyacinth, endemic to South America, is widely considered as the world's worst aquatic invasive weed. In 2011, the weed appeared on the northern shores of Lake Tana, expanding in south-eastern direction. The lake area affected by water hyacinth was last estimated in 2015 at 34,500 ha, which equals 16% of the total lake surface. In this research, the benefits of water hyacinth control and eradication for the rural population inhabiting the northern and northeastern villages bordering Lake Tana, are investigated. In the area, the population largely depends on farming and fishing. An assessment of the total economic benefit of eradication was conducted. The stakeholder-centered approach led to measuring the willingness to contribute in labor and cash terms. Results showed smallholders in the study are willing to contribute over half-a-million euros annually. Costs of management actions can be weighed to the benefits, where further research is needed on the impact on other stakeholder groups. Moreover, wetland management should advance to explore multiple pathways in an integrated approach: water hyacinth control, water hyacinth utilization and sustainable waste water management. (C) 2020 International Association for Great Lakes Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 2.2
DOI: 10.1016/J.JGLR.2020.06.009
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“Quantitative characterization of individual particle surfaces by fractal analysis of scanning electron microscope images”. van Put A, Vertes A, Wegrzynek D, Treiger B, Van Grieken R, Fresenius' journal of analytical chemistry 350, 440 (1994). http://doi.org/10.1007/BF00321787
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1007/BF00321787
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