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Author Gezahegn, T.W.; Van Passel, S.; Berhanu, T.; D'haese, M.; Maertens, M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Do bottom-up and independent agricultural cooperatives really perform better? Insights from a technical efficiency analysis in Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Agrekon Abbreviated Journal Agrekon  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The cooperative landscape in Ethiopia is very heterogeneous with a mixture of remains of the pre-1991 government-controlled system and new post-1991 bottom-up collective action initiatives. This heterogeneity, coupled with a large growth in the number of cooperatives in the country, offers an interesting perspective to study the determinants of the (in)efficiency of cooperatives. In this paper, we analyse the performance of Ethiopian agricultural cooperatives, focusing on the degree of technical (in)efficiency and its determinants. We use the stochastic frontier approach in which we account for heteroskedasticity and the monotonicity of production functions, presenting a methodological improvement with respect to previous technical efficiency studies. The results show that NGO- and government-initiated cooperatives are less efficient than community-initiated ones, implying that governments and NGOs should not interfere too strongly in cooperative formation. Cooperatives with a high degree of heterogeneity in members' participation are found to be about 98% less efficient, while cooperatives that have paid employees are 33% more efficient. Besides, results show that cooperatives in Ethiopia function more efficiently if they incentivize committee members through monetary compensation.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000487651200001 Publication Date 2019-09-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0303-1853 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.3 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes ; The authors acknowledge funding from the VLIR-UOS TEAM Program (VLIR-UOS-ZEIN2015PR406 (13V95615T), Belgium. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.3; 2020 IF: 0.224  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:163772 Serial 6184  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Rafiaani, P.; Kuppens, T.; Thomassen, G.; Van Dael, M.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A critical view on social performance assessment at company level : social life cycle analysis of an algae case Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication International Journal Of Life Cycle Assessment Abbreviated Journal Int J Life Cycle Ass  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Purpose Social indicators are not easy to be quantitatively analyzed, although at the local scale, the social impacts might be relevant and important. Using the existing approaches for both quantitative and semi-qualitative measurements, this study aims to assess the social impacts of a company working on algae production systems in Belgium through social life cycle analysis (SLCA). By highlighting the opportunities and challenges on the way of applying the existing SLCA approaches at company level, the objective of this study is to contribute to the development of a suitable and clear SLCA approach when a company is considered as the unit of analysis. Methods Based on the list of potential social impact categories suggested by the United Nations Environment Program/Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (UNEP/SETAC) guidelines (2009) for SLCA, three stakeholder groups (workers, consumers, and local community) and three subcategories associated with each stakeholder group were identified as the most relevant for carbon capture and utilization technologies. Company and sector level data were collected using existing documents and reports, and the data were analyzed and scored using a combined quantitative and semi-quantitative approach to develop a social assessment model for the case study. Results and discussion The company appears to perform well for all the evaluated social indicators except the one related to the subcategory “equal opportunity/discrimination for workers” for which the share of women employed is lower compared with the sector-level data. The results of our assessment were further discussed regarding the challenges and limitations of performing SLCA at the company level. Based on our experience, the validity of the outcomes is significantly influenced by the data availability, the generality of the indicators introduced within the UNEP/SETAC guidelines, and the subjectivity in data collection for the semi-quantitative assessment among others. Conclusions By highlighting the difficulties and challenges of applying the SLCA at the company level, our study provides a starting point for improving the quantitative assessment and monitoring social implications at the company level within a regional foreground in Europe.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000492643600001 Publication Date 2019-10-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0948-3349; 1614-7502 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.8 Times cited 1 Open Access (up)  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.8; 2020 IF: 3.173  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164676 Serial 6141  
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Author Fukuhara, S.; Bal, K.M.; Neyts, E.C.; Shibuta, Y. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Accelerated molecular dynamics simulation of large systems with parallel collective variable-driven hyperdynamics Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Computational Materials Science Abbreviated Journal Comp Mater Sci  
  Volume 177 Issue Pages 109581  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract The limitation in time and length scale is a major issue of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Although several methods have been developed to extend the MD time scale, their performance usually deteriorates with increasing system size. Therefore, an acceleration method which is applicable to large systems is required to bridge the gap between the MD simulations and target phenomena. In this study, an accelerated MD method for large system is developed based on the collective variable-driven hyperdynamics (CVHD) method [K.M. Bal and E.C. Neyts, 2015]. The key idea is to run CVHD in parallel with rate control and accelerate multiple possible events simultaneously. Using this novel method, carbon diffusion in bcc-iron bicrystal with grain boundary is examined as an application for practical materials. Carbon atoms reaching at the grain boundary are trapped whereas carbon atoms in the bulk region diffuse randomly, and both dynamic regimes can be simultaneously accelerated with the parallel CVHD technique.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000519576300001 Publication Date 2020-02-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0927-0256 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.3 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes JSPS, J22727 ; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; This work was supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (No.19H02415) and Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Research Fellow (No.18J22727) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan. S.F. was supported by JSPS through the Program for Leading Graduate Schools (MERIT). Data availability The data required to reproduce these findings are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request. Approved Most recent IF: 3.3; 2020 IF: 2.292  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:166773 Serial 6333  
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Author Hoffman, B.M.; Lukoyanov, D.; Yang, Z.-Y.; Dean, D.R.; Seefeldt, L.C. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Mechanism of Nitrogen Fixation by Nitrogenase: The Next Stage Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2014 Publication Chemical Reviews Abbreviated Journal Chem. Rev.  
  Volume 114 Issue 8 Pages 4041-4062  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;  
  Abstract Ammonia is a crucial nutrient used for plant growth and as a building block in pharmaceutical and chemical industry, produced via nitrogen fixation of the ubiquitous atmospheric N2. Current industrial ammonia production relies heavily on fossil resources, but a lot of work is put into developing non-fossil based pathways. Among these is the use of nonequilibrium plasma. In this work, we investigated water vapor as H source for nitrogen fixation into NH3 by non-equilibrium plasma. The highest selectivity towards NH3 was observed with low amounts of added H2O vapor, but the highest production rate was reached at high H2O vapor.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2014-04-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0009-2665 ISBN Additional Links  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes We would like to thank Sylvia Dewilde (Department of Biomedical Sciences) for providing analytical equipment. Approved no  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @ Serial 6337  
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Author Cordeiro, R.M.; Yusupov, M.; Razzokov, J.; Bogaerts, A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Parametrization and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Nitrogen Oxyanions and Oxyacids for Applications in Atmospheric and Biomolecular Sciences Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Physical Chemistry B Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem B  
  Volume 124 Issue 6 Pages 1082-1089  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract Nitrogen oxyanions and oxyacids are important agents in atmospheric chemistry and medical biology. Although their chemical behavior in solution is relatively well understood, they may behave very differently at the water/air interface of atmospheric aerosols or at the membrane/water interface of cells. Here, we developed a fully classical model for molecular dynamics simulations of NO3−, NO2−, HNO3, and HNO2 in the framework of the GROMOS 53A6 and 54A7 force field versions. The model successfully accounted for the poorly structured solvation shell and ion pairing tendency of NO3−. Accurate pure-liquid properties and hydration free energies were obtained for the oxyacids. Simulations at the water/air interface showed a local enrichment of HNO3 and depletion of NO3−. The effect was discussed in light of earlier spectroscopic data and ab initio calculations, suggesting that HNO3 behaves as a weaker acid at the surface of water. Our model will hopefully allow for efficient and accurate simulations of nitrogen oxyanions and oxyacids in solution and at microheterogeneous interface environments.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000512222500015 Publication Date 2020-02-13  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1520-6106 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.3 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes We thank Universidade Federal do ABC for providing the computational resources needed for completion of this work. This study was financed in part by the Coordenaçaõ de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nı ́vel Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. Approved Most recent IF: 3.3; 2020 IF: 3.177  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:166488 Serial 6340  
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Author Chin, C.–M.; Battle, P.D.; Hunter, E.C.; Avdeev, M.; Hendrickx, M.; Hadermann, J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Magnetic properties of La3Ni2Sb Ta Nb1––O9; from relaxor to spin glass Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Journal of solid state chemistry (Print) Abbreviated Journal Journal of Solid State Chemistry  
  Volume 273 Issue Pages 175-185  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Neutron diffraction experiments conducted at 5 K in a magnetic field 0 < H/kOe < 50 have shown that the monoclinic perovskite La3Ni2TaO9 behaves as a relaxor ferromagnet. Compositions in the series La3Ni2SbxTayNb1–x–yO9 have been synthesized in polycrystalline form. Electron microscopy, X–ray diffraction and neutron diffraction have shown that the solid solutions are largely homogeneous and monophasic. Magnetometry and neutron diffraction have shown that the relaxor magnetisation persists in low fields when x + y = 1 but is rapidly diminished by the introduction of niobium. This change in magnetic behaviour is ascribed to the differences in the d–orbital energies of Sb5+, Nb5+ and Ta5+.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000466261100026 Publication Date 2019-03-02  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0022-4596 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes We thank EPSRC for funding through grant EP/M0189541. CMC thanks the Croucher Foundation and the University of Oxford for the award of a graduate scholarship. Approved no  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:166445 Serial 6346  
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Author Hugé, J.; Rochette, Aj.; de Béthune, S.; Parra Paitan, Cc.; Vanderhaegen, K.; Vandervelden, T.; Van Passel, S.; Vanhove, Mp.m.; Verbist, B.; Verheyen, D.; Waas, T.; Janssens, I.; Janssens de Bisthoven, L. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Ecosystem services assessment tools for African Biosphere Reserves: A review and user-informed classification Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Ecosystem Services Abbreviated Journal Ecosyst Serv  
  Volume 42 Issue Pages 101079  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract While the concept of ecosystem services which links biodiversity to human wellbeing, is by now well-known, its translation into actual management decisions is still uneven. African Biosphere Reserves, which are to be living labs for sustainable development, embody the idea of synergies between people and nature. Gaining knowledge about the provision, the use and the trends of ecosystem services in these reserves is essential to ensure their global change-proof management. The diversity of rapidly evolving ecosystem services assessment tools requires a systematic and informed selection, in order to ensure that prospective tool users select the most adequate tool, aligned to their needs and context. Based on a Delphi survey of future tool users, and on a review of ecosystem services assessment tools, we propose guidance to users to select the most suited tool based on the context of African Biosphere Reserves, and on tool requirements regarding data input, necessary skills, outputs and types of ecosystem services addressed. The use of the Delphi survey and the focus on African Biosphere Reserves are new elements that contribute to the theory and practice of ecosystem services assessment.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000522223700008 Publication Date 2020-03-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2212-0416 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.6 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes The authors wish to thank all Delphi participants. The authors ac- knowledge the financial support of the UNESCO MAB Programme and the Belgian Science Policy, within the frame of the EVAMAB project; the Belgian Development Cooperation for its support to CEBioS; the KLIMOS Acropolis Research Platform funded by the Flemish Inter- University Council – University Development Cooperation VLIR UOS; the Global Minds Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and VLIR UOS. This manuscript is one of the out- puts of Work Package 1 of the EVAMAB Project (Economic valuation of ecosystem services in Biosphere Reserves: testing effective rapid as- sessment methods in selected African Biosphere Reserves). Approved Most recent IF: 7.6; 2020 IF: 4.072  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:167256 Serial 6349  
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Author Vanschoenwinkel, J.; Moretti, M.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The effect of policy leveraging climate change adaptive capacity in agriculture Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication European Review Of Agricultural Economics Abbreviated Journal Eur Rev Agric Econ  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Agricultural adaptation to climate change is indispensable. However, the degree of adaptation depends on adaptive capacity levels and it only takes place if the appropriate resources are present. Cross-sectional climate response models ignore this requirement. This paper adapts the Ricardian method to control for a generic territorial adaptive capacity index. The results for a sample of over 60.000 European farms show a significant non-linear positive relationship between adaptive capacity and climate responsiveness and that some regions in Europe can increase their climate responsiveness significantly. This confirms that improvement of adaptive capacity is an important policy tool to enhance adaptation.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000558982300007 Publication Date 2019-03-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0165-1587 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.4 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes This paper was supported by the Horizon 2020 project SUFISA (Grant Agreement No. 635577). Approved Most recent IF: 3.4; 2020 IF: 1.6  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:167258 Serial 6350  
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Author Bjørnåvold, A.; Lizin, S.; Van Dael, M.; Arnold, F.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Eliciting policymakers’ preferences for technologies to decarbonise transport: A discrete choice experiment Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions Abbreviated Journal Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions  
  Volume 35 Issue Pages 21-34  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract Socio-technical transitions are often hindered by the resilience of existing infrastructures, as policymakers are reluctant to invest in novel products or services. Using the example of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) based fuels, we set up a discrete choice experiment to assess whether European policymakers have a tendency to avoid investing in novel, and more disruptive technologies, and rather prefer to invest in technologies that resemble the incumbent. Results indicate that policymakers prefer to allocate funding to dominant technologies. The results also revealed an overall positive perception of CCU technologies among policymakers. As the commercialisation of such products and processes continues, acceptance among this group of stakeholders is key.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000540750600002 Publication Date 2020-02-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2210-4224 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 7.2 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes The authors would like to express their thanks to the participants that took part in this study. Financial support from the Flemish University Research Fund (BOF) (for Amalie Bjørnåvold) and the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) Postdoctoral Grant 12G5418N (for Sebastien Lizin) is gratefully acknowledged. The authors have no competing interests to declare. Approved Most recent IF: 7.2; 2020 IF: NA  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:167254 Serial 6351  
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Author Zewdie, M.C.; Van Passel, S.; Moretti, M.; Annys, S.; Tenessa, D.B.; Ayele, Z.A.; Tsegaye, E.A.; Cools, J.; Minale, A.S.; Nyssen, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Pathways how irrigation water affects crop revenue of smallholder farmers in northwest Ethiopia: A mixed approach Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Agricultural Water Management Abbreviated Journal Agr Water Manage  
  Volume 233 Issue Pages 106101  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The relationship between irrigation water availability and crop revenue is multifaceted. However, most of the previous studies focused only on the direct effect of irrigation water on crop revenue or considered that the indirect effect passes only through the farmers’ improved farm inputs usage. Nevertheless, unlike previous studies, this study argues that a one-sided argument that irrigation water directly causes high crop revenue or indirectly affects crop revenue only via the farmers’ improved farm inputs usage is incomplete, as irrigation water not only directly contributes to crop revenue but also indirectly conduces to crop revenue via both the type of crops produced and the farmers’ improved farm inputs usage. Considering the previous studies’ limitations, this study investigates pathways how small-scale irrigation water affects crop revenue and identifies challenges of small-scale irrigation farming in Fogera district, Ethiopia. Results endorsed that irrigation water has both direct and indirect effects on crop revenue. The indirect effect is 67 percent of the total effect and it is mediated by both the type of crops produced and farmers’ improved farm inputs usage. The result also indicated that irrigation user farmers have a higher income, more livestock assets and resources and better food, housing, and cloths than the non-users. Moreover, challenges related to agricultural output and input market were identified as the most severe problem followed by crop disease. The findings of our study suggest that to utilize the benefits of irrigation water properly, it is crucial to encourage farmers to use more improved farm inputs and to shift from staple to cash crop production. Moreover, farmers are frequently exposed to cheating by illegal brokers in the output market, therefore it is also important to increase farmers’ accessibility to output and input markets, the quality of improved farm inputs, and the bargaining power of farmers with market information.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000525291200025 Publication Date 2020-02-29  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0378-3774 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.7 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes Bahir Dar University – Institutional University Cooperation; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 2.848  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:167592 Serial 6353  
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Author Rafiaani, P.; Dikopoulou, Z.; Van Dael, M.; Kuppens, T.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Identifying Social Indicators for Sustainability Assessment of CCU Technologies: A Modified Multi-criteria Decision Making Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Social Indicators Research Abbreviated Journal Soc Indic Res  
  Volume 147 Issue 1 Pages 15-44  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies capture CO2 waste emissions and utilize them to generate new products (such as fuels, chemicals, and materials) with various environmental, economic, and social opportunities. As most of these CCU technologies are in the R&D stage, their technical and economic viability are examined with less attention to the social aspect which is an important pillar for a holistic sustainability assessment. The lack of systematic social impact research is mainly due to the difficulty of identifying and quantifying social aspects through the entire life cycle of products. We will fill this gap for CCU technologies and identify the main social indicators. A multi-criteria decision making tool: TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) was applied to empirically determine which indicators are more relevant for assessing the social impact of a company operating CCU activities within a European context. First, seeing that social impact categories are linked to key stakeholder groups, we considered workers, consumers, and local communities as relevant stakeholders. Second, the main social impact categories and their potential performance indicators associated to each group of stakeholders were listed using the United Nations Environment Program/Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (UNEP/SETAC) guidelines. In the third step, an online questionnaire was distributed to identify the main social categories and indicators for CCU, to which 33 European CCU experts responded. Finally, a modified TOPSIS was applied to rank the indicators based on their relevance. We found that the indicators related to “end of life responsibility” and “transparency” within a CCU company achieved the highest rank affecting the consumers group, whereas “fair salary” and “equal opportunities/discriminations” were determined as the most relevant impact categories for the workers. For the local community group, “secure living conditions” and “local employment” received the highest priority from the experts’ point of view. Furthermore, “health and safety” considerations were identified as one of the most important criteria affecting all three groups of stakeholders. The ranking list of the main social indicators identified in our study provides the basis for the next steps in the social sustainability assessment of CCU technologies; that is, data collection and impact assessment. Our outcomes can also be used to inform the producers regarding the most and least relevant social aspects of CCU so that the potential social impacts caused by their production activities can be improved or prevented.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000511863600002 Publication Date 2019-07-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0303-8300 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.743 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes We would also like to thank James Morrison from the JamesEdits agency for proof reading and editing the article. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:166591 Serial 6354  
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Author Spanoghe, J.; Grunert, O.; Wambacq, E.; Sakarika, M.; Papini, G.; Alloul, A.; Spiller, M.; Derycke, V.; Stragier, L.; Verstraete, H.; Fauconnier, K.; Verstraete, W.; Haesaert, G.; Vlaeminck, S.E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Storage, fertilization and cost properties highlight the potential of dried microbial biomass as organic fertilizer Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Microbial biotechnology Abbreviated Journal Microb. Biotechnol.  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-13  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The transition to sustainable agriculture and horticulture is a societal challenge of global importance. Fertilization with a minimum impact on the environment can facilitate this. Organic fertilizers can play an important role, given their typical release pattern and production through resource recovery. Microbial fertilizers (MFs) constitute an emerging class of organic fertilizers and consist of dried microbial biomass, for instance produced on effluents from the food and beverage industry. In this study, three groups of organisms were tested as MFs: a high-rate consortium aerobic bacteria (CAB), the microalga Arthrospira platensis (‘Spirulina’) and a purple non-sulfur bacterium (PNSB) Rhodobacter sp. During storage as dry products, the MFs showed light hygroscopic activity, but the mineral and organic fractions remained stable over a storage period of 91 days. For biological tests, a reference organic fertilizer (ROF) was used as positive control, and a commercial organic growing medium (GM) as substrate. The mineralization patterns without and with plants were similar for all MFs and ROF, with more than 70% of the organic nitrogen mineralized in 77 days. In a first fertilization trial with parsley, all MFs showed equal performance compared to ROF, and the plant fresh weight was even higher with CAB fertilization. CAB was subsequently used in a follow-up trial with petunia and resulted in elevated plant height, comparable chlorophyll content and a higher amount of flowers compared to ROF. Finally, a cost estimation for packed GM with supplemented fertilizer indicated that CAB and a blend of CAB/PNSB (85%/15%) were most cost competitive, with an increase of 6% and 7% in cost compared to ROF. In conclusion, as biobased fertilizers, MFs have the potential to contribute to sustainable plant nutrition, performing as good as a commercially available organic fertilizer, and to a circular economy.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000563539700001 Publication Date 2020-03-16  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1751-7915 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes The authors would like to kindly acknowledge (i) the MIP i‐Cleantech Flanders (Milieu‐innovatieplatform; Environment innovation platform) project Microbial Nutrients on Demand (MicroNOD) for financial support, (ii) the DOCPRO4 project ‘PurpleTech’, funded by the BOF (Bijzonder onderzoeksfonds; Special research fund) from the University of Antwerp for financially supporting J.S., (iii) all MicroNOD partners, including the University of Antwerp, Ghent University, AgrAqua, Greenyard Horticulture and Avecom; and (iv) all steering committee members, including Greenyard Frozen, Agristo, AVBS, Vlakwa, het Innovatiesteunpunt, VCM and OVAM. Approved Most recent IF: 5.7; 2020 IF: NA  
  Call Number DuEL @ duel @c:irua:167595 Serial 6357  
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Author Jafarzadeh, A.; Bal, K.M.; Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Activation of CO2on Copper Surfaces: The Synergy between Electric Field, Surface Morphology, and Excess Electrons Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Physical Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C  
  Volume 124 Issue 12 Pages 6747-6755  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract In this work, we use density functional theory calculations to study the combined effect of external electric fields, surface morphology, and surface charge on CO2 activation over Cu(111), Cu(211), Cu(110), and Cu(001) surfaces. We observe that the binding energy of the CO2 molecule on Cu surfaces increases significantly upon increasing the applied electric field strength. In addition, rougher surfaces respond more effectively to the presence of the external electric field toward facilitating the formation of a carbonate-like CO2 structure and the transformation of the most stable adsorption mode from physisorption to chemisorption. The presence of surface charges further strengthens the electric field effect and consequently causes an improved bending of the CO2 molecule and C−O bond length elongation. On the other hand, a net charge in the absence of an externally applied electric field shows only a marginal effect on CO2 binding. The chemisorbed CO2 is more stable and further activated when the effects of an external electric field, rough surface, and surface charge are combined. These results can help to elucidate the underlying factors that control CO2 activation in heterogeneous and plasma catalysis, as well as in electrochemical processes.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
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  Language Wos 000526396900030 Publication Date 2020-03-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1932-7447 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds, 32249 ; The financial support from the TOP research project of the Research Fund of the University of Antwerp (grant ID: 32249) is highly acknowledged by the authors. The computational resources used in this study were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Governmentdepartment EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2020 IF: 4.536  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:168606 Serial 6361  
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Author Duan, J.; Ma, M.; Yusupov, M.; Cordeiro, R.M.; Lu, X.; Bogaerts, A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title The penetration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species across the stratum corneum Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Plasma Processes And Polymers Abbreviated Journal Plasma Process Polym  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract The penetration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) across the stratum corneum (SC) is a necessary and crucial process in many skin‐related plasma medical applications. To gain more insights into this penetration behavior, we combined experimental measurements of the permeability of dry and moist SC layers with computer simulations of model lipid membranes. We measured the permeation of relatively stable molecules, which are typically generated by plasma, namely H2O2, NO3−, and NO2−. Furthermore, we calculated the permeation free energy profiles of the major plasma‐generated RONS and their derivatives (i.e., H2O2, OH, HO2, O2, O3, NO, NO2, N2O4, HNO2, HNO3, NO2−, and NO3−) across native and oxidized SC lipid bilayers, to understand the mechanisms of RONS permeation across the SC. Our results indicate that hydrophobic RONS (i.e., NO, NO2, O2, O3, and N2O4) can translocate more easily across the SC lipid bilayer than hydrophilic RONS (i.e., H2O2, OH, HO2, HNO2, and HNO3) and ions (i.e., NO2− and NO3−) that experience much higher permeation barriers. The permeability of RONS through the SC skin lipids is enhanced when the skin is moist and the lipids are oxidized. These findings may help to understand the underlying mechanisms of plasma interaction with a biomaterial and to optimize the environmental parameters in practice in plasma medical applications.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000536892900001 Publication Date 2020-06-02  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1612-8850 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.5 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes National Natural Science Foundation of China, 51625701 51977096 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 1200219N ; China Scholarship Council, 201806160128 ; M. Y. acknowledges the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for financial support (Grant No. 1200219N). This study was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No: 51625701 and 51977096) and the China Scholarship Council (Grant No: 201806160128). All computational work was performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA Core Facility of the University of Antwerp (UA), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI), and the UA. Approved Most recent IF: 3.5; 2020 IF: 2.846  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:169709 Serial 6372  
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Author Maes, D.; Vancauteren, M.; Van Passel, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Investigating market power in the Belgian pork production chain Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2019 Publication Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies Abbreviated Journal Rev Agric Food Environ Stud  
  Volume 100 Issue 1-4 Pages 93-117  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract Belgian pork production has faced stagnating prices for decades. It remains unclear whether excessive market power from slaughterhouses or meat retailers has played a role in this trend. While market power studies can reveal some of the market dynamics in this setting, this type of research has not yet been applied to the Belgian pork market. The present paper investigates oligopolies and oligopsonies in the pork production sector. We build a new model that focuses on market power dynamics in the market for live pigs and distinguishes horizontal and vertical market power parameters, both for pig farmers and for slaughterhouses. The results follow from an empirical application using unique slaughterhouse data for 2001–2015. The results indicate that the farmers benefit from a significant power advantage in the live pig market, when very modest price demands are taken as a reference. The final market price of live pigs approaches the price requested by the farmers. On the other hand, the measured vertical market power also suggests that a pig farmer does not receive the (modest) full-wage-based salary. The market power of the slaughterhouses is also limited. Market power as a result of collusion—that is, horizontal market power—is present, but is not strong. However, there are significant differences between the slaughterhouses in terms of mark-up on the input prices. These differences reflect differences in company strategy, and this diversity further reduces the possibility to create sector-wide collusive behaviour.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2019-11-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2425-6870 ISBN Additional Links  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes H2020 Food, 635577 ; TUL Impuls (transnational university Limburg) Interuniversity fund; Approved no  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @ Serial 6377  
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Author Sebhatu, K.T.; Gezahegn, T.W.; Berhanu, T.; Maertens, M.; Van Passel, S.; D’Haese, M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Conflict, fraud, and distrust in Ethiopian agricultural cooperatives Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management Abbreviated Journal Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management  
  Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 100106  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Agricultural cooperatives; Cooperative size; Conflict; Fraud; Distrust; Ethiopia; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract Agricultural cooperatives are seen as an efficient way for smallholder farmers to create bargaining power in order to achieve poverty reduction and food security. However, the success of these cooperatives depends on their ability to maintain their social capital, which is at the core of collective action. A few studies have addressed issues of member participation, commitment, and trust, yet less is known about rural cooperatives in developing countries as a social organization. It is also unclear whether a relationship exists between cooperative size and the incidence of conflict, fraud, and distrust. Using unique data collected from 511 agricultural cooperatives in 12 districts of Tigray region in northern Ethiopia, this paper examines the effects of cooperative size on conflict, fraud, and distrust. We used instrumental variables (IV) probit estimation techniques, accounting for endogeneity of membership size, to confirm that cooperative size does affect the occurrence of conflict, fraud, and trust. The results also indicate that other influencing factors include: cooperative age, number of employees, payment of dividends based on transaction volume, and heterogeneity of member goals.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000536594400001 Publication Date 2020-04-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2213297X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes The authors would like to thank the office of the twelve districts, facilitators and Cooperative Promotion Agency staff for their collaboration in facilitating the field survey, most of all the chair- and vice-chairpersons of the study Agricultural Cooperatives who had to respond to all our questions with seriousness and patience. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170073 Serial 6379  
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Author Sharafi, L.; Zarafshani, K.; Keshavarz, M.; Azadi, H.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Drought risk assessment: Towards drought early warning system and sustainable environment in western Iran Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Ecological Indicators Abbreviated Journal Ecological Indicators  
  Volume 114 Issue Pages 106276  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Drought; Early warning system; Risk management; Vulnerability; Environmental risk; Resilient farming; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract Prolonged drought is considered as a creeping natural hazard, which has created a financial burden and unsustainable environment in Iran. Moreover, the effect of drought phenomenon in rural areas is more extensive, causing significant challenges to the rural economy in general and agricultural production in particular. A common strategy to manage drought is based on crisis management (ex-ante). However, for effective drought management, risk management seems to be more in line with drought early warning systems. This quantitative study used risk assessment, which is the function of two elements such as hazard (SPI and SDI indices) and vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity). This study aims to build the foundations for drought early warning systems in limited resource areas such as Kermanshah Township in the northwestern part of Iran. The population of this study comprised of wheat farmers in which 293 farmers were selected using multistage cluster sampling method. In the next step, the drought risk map for Kermanshah Township was developed, which revealed that the majority of villages are at intense environmental risk. The result of this study has implications for drought management practitioners. For example, the results can aid policymakers in the design of an early warning system in order to reduce risk and thus empower farmers toward resilient farming.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000559966500006 Publication Date 2020-04-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1470160X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170071 Serial 6380  
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Author Fitawok, M.B.; Derudder, B.; Minale, A.S.; Van Passel, S.; Adgo, E.; Nyssen, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Modeling the Impact of Urbanization on Land-Use Change in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia: An Integrated Cellular Automata–Markov Chain Approach Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Land Abbreviated Journal Land  
  Volume 9 Issue 4 Pages 115  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; analytical hierarchy process; cellular automata; land-use change; Markov chain; urbanization; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract The fast-paced urbanization of recent decades entails that many regions are facing seemingly uncontrolled land-use changes (LUCs) that go hand in hand with a range of environmental and socio-economic challenges. In this paper, we use an integrated cellular automata–Markov chain (CA–MC) model to analyze and predict the urban expansion of and its impact on LUC in the city of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. To this end, the research marshals high-resolution Landsat images of 1991, 2002, 2011, and 2018. An analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method is then used to identify the biophysical and socioeconomic factors underlying the expansion in the research area. It is shown that, during the period of study, built-up areas are rapidly expanding in the face of an overall decline of the farmland and vegetation cover. Drawing on a model calibration for 2018, the research predicts the possible geographies of LUC in the Bahir Dar area for 2025, 2034, and 2045. It is predicted that the conversions of other land-use types into built-up areas will persist in the southern, southwestern, and northeastern areas of the sprawling city, which can mainly be traced back to the uneven geographies of road accessibility, proximity to the city center, and slope variables. We reflect on how our findings can be used to facilitate sustainable urban development and land-use policies in the Bahir Dar area.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000533901100026 Publication Date 2020-04-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2073-445X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes The authors would like to thank the VLIR-UOS project for funding this research through Bahir Dar University—Institutional University Cooperation (BDU-IUC) program. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:169600 Serial 6381  
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Author Finizola e Silva, M.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Northeast of Brazil: An Integrated Assessment of the Aquaponics Technology Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel  
  Volume 12 Issue 9 Pages 3734  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; aquaponics; Aquaponova; Brazil; semi-arid region; food insecurity; cost–benefit analysis; socio-economic approach; climate-smart agriculture; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine if aquaponic systems can reduce food insecurity in the semi-arid regions of Brazil and generate income for the beneficiaries. Aquaponics is a potentially sustainable way to produce food based on gardening, hydroponics and aquaculture. A case study, based on a project called Aquaponova, was developed. The aquaponic systems currently used in the project are non-commercial and designed for households with limited resources. The data based on six existing systems within this project were used to compare the costs and the benefits. The cost–benefit analysis covers four scenarios and three financing options. The results show that aquaponic systems have a large potential and can reduce food insecurity in semi-arid regions while generating income for the beneficiaries. Even if the system only produces 40% of the total estimated production, the system will still be feasible. However, the low opportunity cost of labour is an essential factor for obtaining these positive results. Moreover, the social benefits, such as a community spirit and the health benefits of the system, should not be underestimated.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000537476200232 Publication Date 2020-05-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2071-1050 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes We would like to express our gratitude to Francisco Fechine Borges who introduced Maíra Finizola e Silva the basics of aquaponics and gave her the opportunity to base her research on the data from the Aquaponova project. We would also like to thank the participants of the 2nd LA SDEWES conference in Buenos Aires (9–12 February 2020) for the useful comments and suggestions. Approved Most recent IF: 3.9; 2020 IF: 1.789  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170074 Serial 6382  
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Author Tschulkow, M.; Compernolle, T.; Van den Bosch, S.; Van Aelst, J.; Storms, I.; Van Dael, M.; Van den Bossche, G.; Sels, B.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Integrated techno-economic assessment of a biorefinery process: The high-end valorization of the lignocellulosic fraction in wood streams Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Cleaner Production Abbreviated Journal J Clean Prod  
  Volume 266 Issue Pages 122022  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract A new lignin-first biorefinery with a reductive catalytic fractionation process, which targets the valorization of the lignin and the carbohydrate fraction into higher value end-products, is currently being designed. To identify the various R&D drivers for projects with a low technology readiness level (TRL), we developed an integrated techno-economic assessment (TEA) that directly integrates the results of lab studies with economic costs and benefits. Furthermore, different linkages are made to upstream wood availability and downstream demand to understand its fit into existing wood value chains. By making the relations across the wood value chain explicit within the integrated TEA, we find that the scale of the plant, the feedstock-specific output quantities, and output prices highly determine the economic feasibility. Furthermore, this detailed analysis reveals the importance of assessing different types of feedstock. If only virgin wood is available as feedstock, minimum capacity levels between 190 and 234 kilotons per year are needed for the investment to be profitable. Waste wood proves to be the most profitable feedstock with an NPV of M€ 59 and an IRR of 26%. Using only waste wood as feedstock makes the investment profitable at a lower capacity level of 80 kilotons per year and economic shocks can be absorbed. Based on these results we show that an integrated and detailed TEA is indispensable to define future development paths for early-stage, innovative technologies.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000573461000008 Publication Date 2020-05-07  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes This project has received funding from the Research FoundationFlanders (FWO)-SBO BIOWOOD project. Tine Compernolle thanksthe (FWO) for funding her postdoctoral mandate with Grantnumber 12M7417N. G. V.d.B. acknowledges funding from FISCH-ICON project MAIA. J.V.A. and S.V.d.B acknowledge Flanders Inno-vation&Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) for their innovation mandate. Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2020 IF: 5.715  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170069 Serial 6383  
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Author Larrain, M.; Van Passel, S.; Thomassen, G.; Kresovic, U.; Alderweireldt, N.; Moerman, E.; Billen, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Economic performance of pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste: Open-loop versus closed-loop recycling Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Cleaner Production Abbreviated Journal J Clean Prod  
  Volume Issue Pages 122442  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract In recent decades new recycling technologies for mixed plastic waste have emerged. In pyrolysis, the polymer chains are thermally broken (pyrolyzed) to obtain hydrocarbon materials of different molecular weights such as naphtha, oil or waxes, whose yields can be controlled by varying the reaction parameters. Naphtha represents a closed-loop recycling process as it is a feedstock for (poly)olefins; while the co-production of waxes, having several applications in e.g. the construction industry, exemplifies an open-loop recycling process. This paper compares the economic performance of the pyrolysis of mixed polyolefin waste in a closed-loop and open-loop scheme, including a probabilistic approach to the most important variables. From an economic perspective, open-loop pyrolysis as presented outperforms closed-loop recycling, due to the high prices of wax. However, the results present a high dispersion caused by the volatility of the prices of crude oil and its derivates. Considering the current oil price projections, our case study analysis showed that for open-loop recycling there is a future probability of almost a 98 % of observing positive results and around 57 % of probability in the case of closed-loop recycling, under the assumptions made. Yet, in a future scenario where decarbonized electricity would decrease oil prices, the probability of a positive outcome reduces to 57 % for the open-loop case and to less than 8 % in the case of closed-loop recycling. To make these pathways attractive to investors, the nameplate capacity should be at least 70 kt/year for open-loop recycling and 115 kt/year for closed-loop recycling. A 120 kt/year plant should operate minimally at 80 % of its capacity for open-loop recycling, while closed-loop recycling would demand running close to maximum capacity. Security of feedstock supply therefore is required.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000579071300078 Publication Date 2020-05-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes This work was supported by the VLAIO Catalisti-ICON project MATTER (Mechanical and Thermochemical Recycling of mixed plastic waste; project HBC.2018.0262). Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2020 IF: 5.715  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170005 Serial 6385  
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Author Larrain, M.; Van Passel, S.; Thomassen, G.; Kresovic, U.; Alderweireldt, N.; Moerman, E.; Billen, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Economic performance of pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste: Open-loop versus closed-loop recycling Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Cleaner Production Abbreviated Journal J Clean Prod  
  Volume Issue Pages 122442  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract In recent decades new recycling technologies for mixed plastic waste have emerged. In pyrolysis, the polymer chains are thermally broken (pyrolyzed) to obtain hydrocarbon materials of different molecular weights such as naphtha, oil or waxes, whose yields can be controlled by varying the reaction parameters. Naphtha represents a closed-loop recycling process as it is a feedstock for (poly)olefins; while the co-production of waxes, having several applications in e.g. the construction industry, exemplifies an open-loop recycling process. This paper compares the economic performance of the pyrolysis of mixed polyolefin waste in a closed-loop and open-loop scheme, including a probabilistic approach to the most important variables. From an economic perspective, open-loop pyrolysis as presented outperforms closed-loop recycling, due to the high prices of wax. However, the results present a high dispersion caused by the volatility of the prices of crude oil and its derivates. Considering the current oil price projections, our case study analysis showed that for open-loop recycling there is a future probability of almost a 98 % of observing positive results and around 57 % of probability in the case of closed-loop recycling, under the assumptions made. Yet, in a future scenario where decarbonized electricity would decrease oil prices, the probability of a positive outcome reduces to 57 % for the open-loop case and to less than 8 % in the case of closed-loop recycling. To make these pathways attractive to investors, the nameplate capacity should be at least 70 kt/year for open-loop recycling and 115 kt/year for closed-loop recycling. A 120 kt/year plant should operate minimally at 80 % of its capacity for open-loop recycling, while closed-loop recycling would demand running close to maximum capacity. Security of feedstock supply therefore is required.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000579071300078 Publication Date 2020-05-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes This work was supported by the VLAIO Catalisti-ICON project MATTER (Mechanical and Thermochemical Recycling of mixed plastic waste; project HBC.2018.0262). Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2020 IF: 5.715  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170005 Serial 6386  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Jong, M.; Florea, A.; Daems, D.; Van Loon, J.; Samyn, N.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrochemical Analysis of Speedball-like Polydrug Samples Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Analyst Abbreviated Journal Analyst  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Product development  
  Abstract Increasing global production, trafficking and consumption of drugs of abuse cause an emerging threat to people’s health and safety. Electrochemical approaches have proven to be useful for on-site analysis of drugs of abuse. However, few attention has been focused on the analysis of polydrug samples, despite these samples causing severe health concerns, certainly when stimulants and depressants are combined, as is the case for Speedball, a mixture of cocaine and heroin. In this work, we provide solutions for the selective detection of cocaine (stimulant) in polydrug samples adulterated with heroin and codeine (depressants). The presence of either one of these compounds in cocaine street samples leads to an overlap with the cocaine signal in square-wave voltammetry measurements at unmodified carbon screen-printed electrodes, leading to inconclusive screening results in the field. The provided solutions to this problem consist of two parallel approaches: (i) cathodic pretreatment of the carbon screen-printed electrode surface prior to measurement in both alkaline and neutral conditions; (ii) electropolymerization of orthophenylenediamine on graphene modified carbon screen-printed electrodes prior to measurement in neutral conditions. Both strategies allow simultaneous detection of cocaine and heroin in speedball samples as well as simultaneous detection of cocaine and codeine. Implementing these strategies in portable devices holds great potential for significantly improved accuracy of on-site cocaine screening in polydrug samples.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000568961600011 Publication Date 2020-07-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2654 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.2 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes This work was supported by IOF-SBO and IOF-POC from University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; and VLAIO IM [HBC.2019.2181], Brussels, Belgium. Approved Most recent IF: 4.2; 2020 IF: 3.885  
  Call Number AXES @ axes @c:irua:170444 Serial 6395  
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Author Mehta, P.; Barboun, P.M.; Engelmann, Y.; Go, D.B.; Bogaerts, A.; Schneider, W.F.; Hicks, J.C. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Plasma-Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis beyond the Equilibrium Limit Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Acs Catalysis Abbreviated Journal Acs Catal  
  Volume 10 Issue 12 Pages 6726-6734  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract We explore the consequences of nonthermal plasma-activation on product yields in catalytic ammonia synthesis, a reaction that is equilibrium-limited at elevated temperatures. We employ a minimal microkinetic model that incorporates the influence of plasma-activation on N2 dissociation rates to predict NH3 yields into and across the equilibrium-limited regime. NH3 yields are predicted to exceed bulk thermodynamic equilibrium limits on materials that are thermal-rate-limited by N2 dissociation. In all cases, yields revert to bulk equilibrium at temperatures at which thermal reaction rates exceed plasma-activated ones. Beyond-equilibrium NH3 yields are observed in a packed bed dielectric barrier discharge reactor and exhibit sensitivity to catalytic material choice in a way consistent with model predictions. The approach and results highlight the opportunity to exploit synergies between nonthermal plasmas and catalysts to affect transformations at conditions inaccessible through thermal routes.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000543663800015 Publication Date 2020-06-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2155-5435 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.9 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes University of Notre Dame; Basic Energy Sciences, DE-SC-0016543 ; Air Force Office of Scientific Research, FA9550-18-1- 0157 ; This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Sustainable Ammonia Synthesis Program, under Award DE-SC-0016543 and by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, under Award FA9550-18-1-0157. P.M. acknowledges support through the Eilers Graduate Fellowship for Energy Related Research from the University of Notre Dame. Computational resources were provided by the Notre Dame Center for Research Computing. We thank the Notre Dame Energy Materials Characterization Facility and the Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility for the use of the X-ray diffractometer and the transmission electron microscope, respectively. Approved Most recent IF: 12.9; 2020 IF: 10.614  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:170713 Serial 6405  
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Author Andersen, Ja.; Christensen, Jm.; Østberg, M.; Bogaerts, A.; Jensen, Ad. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane: Screening of catalytic materials in a coaxial packed-bed DBD reactor Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Chemical Engineering Journal Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng J  
  Volume 397 Issue Pages 125519  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract The combination of catalysis with non-thermal plasma is a promising alternative to thermal catalysis. A dielectric-barrier discharge reactor was used to study plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane at ambient pressure and temperature and a fixed plasma power of 45 W. The effect of different catalytic packing materials was evaluated in terms of conversion, product selectivity, and energy efficiency. The conversion of CO2 (~22%) and CH4 (~33%) were found to be similar in plasma-only and when introducing packing materials in plasma. The main reason is the shorter residence time of the gas due to packing geometry, when compared at identical flow rates. H2, CO, C2-C4 hydrocarbons, and oxygenates were identified in the product gas. High selectivity towards H2 and CO were found for all catalysts and plasma-only, with a H2/CO molar ratio of ~0.9. The lowest syngas selectivity was obtained with Cu/Al2O3 (~66%), which instead, had the highest alcohol selectivity (~3.6%).  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000542296100011 Publication Date 2020-05-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1385-8947 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark; We thank Haldor Topsoe A/S for providing all the catalytic materials used and the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, for funding this project. Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2020 IF: 6.216  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:170613 Serial 6406  
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Author Attri, P.; Park, J.-H.; De Backer, J.; Kim, M.; Yun, J.-H.; Heo, Y.; Dewilde, S.; Shiratani, M.; Choi, E.H.; Lee, W.; Bogaerts, A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Structural modification of NADPH oxidase activator (Noxa 1) by oxidative stress: An experimental and computational study Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication International Journal Of Biological Macromolecules Abbreviated Journal Int J Biol Macromol  
  Volume 163 Issue Pages 2405-2414  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract NADPH oxidases 1 (NOX1) derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the progression of cancer through signaling pathways. Therefore, in this paper, we demonstrate the effect of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) on the structural changes of Noxa1 SH3 protein, one of the regulatory subunits of NOX1. For this purpose, firstly we purified the Noxa1 SH3 protein and analyzed the structure using X-ray crystallography, and subsequently, we treated the protein with two types of CAP reactors such as pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and Soft Jet for different time intervals. The structural deformation of Noxa1 SH3 protein was analyzed by various experimental methods (circular dichroism, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy) and by MD simulations. Additionally, we demonstrate the effect of CAP (DBD and Soft Jet) on the viability and expression of NOX1 in A375 cancer cells. Our results are useful to understand the structural modification/oxidation occur in protein due to reactive oxygen and nitrogen (RONS) species generated by CAP.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000579839600233 Publication Date 2020-09-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0141-8130 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.2 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, 743546 ; JSPS, 20K14454 ; National Research Foundation of Korea, 2019M3A9F6021810 NRF-2017M3A9F6029753 NRF-2019M3E5D6063903 NRF-2016R1A6A3A04010213 ; Brain Korea 21; MSIT, NRF-2016K1A4A3914113 ; Hercules Foundation; Flemish Government; UA; We gratefully acknowledge the European Marie SkłodowskaCurie Individual Fellowship “Anticancer-PAM” within Horizon 2020 (grant number 743546). This work was also supported by JSPS-KAKENHI grant number 20K14454. Additionally, work was supported by several grants (2019M3A9F6021810, NRF2017M3A9F6029753, NRF-2019M3E5D6063903 to W. Lee), Basic Science Research Program (NRF-2016R1A6A3A04010213 to J.H. Yun) through the National Research Foundation of Korea and in part by the Brain Korea 21 (BK21) PLUS program (J.H.P.). EHC is thankful to National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea, funded by the Korea government (MSIT) under the grant number (NRF2016K1A4A3914113). The computational work was carried out using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UA), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UA. Approved Most recent IF: 8.2; 2020 IF: 3.671  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:172451 Serial 6419  
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Author Bal, K.M.; Fukuhara, S.; Shibuta, Y.; Neyts, E.C. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Free energy barriers from biased molecular dynamics simulations Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Chemical Physics Abbreviated Journal J Chem Phys  
  Volume 153 Issue 11 Pages 114118  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract Atomistic simulation methods for the quantification of free energies are in wide use. These methods operate by sampling the probability density of a system along a small set of suitable collective variables (CVs), which is, in turn, expressed in the form of a free energy surface (FES). This definition of the FES can capture the relative stability of metastable states but not that of the transition state because the barrier height is not invariant to the choice of CVs. Free energy barriers therefore cannot be consistently computed from the FES. Here, we present a simple approach to calculate the gauge correction necessary to eliminate this inconsistency. Using our procedure, the standard FES as well as its gauge-corrected counterpart can be obtained by reweighing the same simulated trajectory at little additional cost. We apply the method to a number of systems—a particle solvated in a Lennard-Jones fluid, a Diels–Alder reaction, and crystallization of liquid sodium—to demonstrate its ability to produce consistent free energy barriers that correctly capture the kinetics of chemical or physical transformations, and discuss the additional demands it puts on the chosen CVs. Because the FES can be converged at relatively short (sub-ns) time scales, a free energy-based description of reaction kinetics is a particularly attractive option to study chemical processes at more expensive quantum mechanical levels of theory.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000574665600004 Publication Date 2020-09-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0021-9606 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.4 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 19H02415 18J22727 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 12ZI420N ; This work was supported, in part, by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant No. 19H02415) and Grant-in-Aid for a JSPS Research Fellow (Grant No. 18J22727) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan. K.M.B. was funded as a junior postdoctoral fellow of the FWO (Research Foundation – Flanders), Grant No. 12ZI420N. S.F. was supported by JSPS through the Program for Leading Graduate Schools (MERIT). The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the HPC core facility CalcUA of the Universiteit Antwerpen, and VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Government. The authors are grateful to Pablo Piaggi for making the pair entropy CV code publicly available. Approved Most recent IF: 4.4; 2020 IF: 2.965  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:172456 Serial 6420  
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Author Pennycook, T.J.; Martinez, G.T.; O'Leary, C.M.; Yang, H.; Nellist, P.D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Efficient Phase Contrast Imaging via Electron Ptychography, a Tutorial Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Microscopy and microanalysis Abbreviated Journal Microsc Microanal  
  Volume 25 Issue S2 Pages 2684-2685  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2019-08-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1431-9276 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:172444 Serial 6424  
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Author de Jong, M.; Sleegers, N.; Schram, J.; Daems, D.; Florea, A.; De Wael, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A Benzocaine‐Induced Local Near‐Surface pH Effect: Influence on the Accuracy of Voltammetric Cocaine Detection Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Analysis & Sensing Abbreviated Journal Anal. Sens.  
  Volume Issue Pages anse.202000012  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract This work reports on a local induced near-surface pH effect (pHS), due to the presence of one analyte, leading to an influence or even suppression of redox signals of a second analyte present in solution. This concept and its impact on voltammetric sensing is illustrated by focusing on the detection of cocaine in the presence of the common adulterant benzocaine. An in-depth study on the occurring interference mechanism and why it occurs for benzocaine specifically and not for other adulterants was performed through the use of multiple electrochemical strategies. It was concluded that the potential shift and loss of intensity of the squarewave voltammetric cocaine signal in the presence of benzocaine was caused by a local pHS effect. A cathodic pretreatment strategy was developed to nonetheless allow accurate cocaine detection. The gathered insights are useful to explain unidentified phenomena involving compounds with properties similar to benzocaine in voltammetric electroanalysis.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2020-10-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2629-2742 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from IOF-SBO/POC (UAntwerp), the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) Flanders, Grant 1S 37658 17N and Grant 1SB 8120N, and VLAIO IM [HBC.2019.2181]. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number AXES @ axes @c:irua:173031 Serial 6427  
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Author Schram, J.; Parrilla, M.; Sleegers, N.; Samyn, N.; Bijvoets, S.M.; Heerschop, M.W.J.; van Nuijs, A.L.N.; De Wael, K. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Identifying Electrochemical Fingerprints of Ketamine with Voltammetry and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Its Detection in Seized Samples Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Analytical Chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem  
  Volume 92 Issue 19 Pages 13485-13492  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Toxicological Centre  
  Abstract Herein, a straightforward electrochemical approach for the determination of ketamine in street samples and seizures is presented by employing screen-printed electrodes (SPE). Square wave voltammetry (SWV) is used to study the electrochemical behavior of the illicit drug, thus profiling the different oxidation states of the substance at different pHs. Besides, the oxidation pathway of ketamine on SPE is investigated for the first time with liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curve of ketamine at buffer solution (pH 12) exhibits a sensitivity of 8.2 μA μM–1, a linear relationship between 50 and 2500 μM with excellent reproducibility (RSD = 2.2%, at 500 μM, n = 7), and a limit of detection (LOD) of 11.7 μM. Subsequently, binary mixtures of ketamine with adulterants and illicit drugs are analyzed with SWV to investigate the electrochemical fingerprint. Moreover, the profile overlapping between different substances is addressed by the introduction of an electrode pretreatment and the integration of a tailor-made script for data treatment. Finally, the approach is tested on street samples from forensic seizures. Overall, this system allows for the on-site identification of ketamine by law enforcement agents in an easy-to-use and rapid manner on cargos and seizures, thereby disrupting the distribution channel and avoiding the illicit drug reaching the end-user.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000580426800091 Publication Date 2020-10-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0003-2700 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.4 Times cited Open Access (up)  
  Notes Universiteit Antwerpen; H2020 Societal Challenges, 833787 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 1S3765817N 1SB8120N ; Approved Most recent IF: 7.4; 2020 IF: 6.32  
  Call Number AXES @ axes @c:irua:170523 Serial 6435  
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