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Author Dragan, A.-M.; Truta, F.M.; Tertis, M.; Florea, A.; Schram, J.; Cernat, A.; Feier, B.; De Wael, K.; Cristea, C.; Oprean, R. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrochemical fingerprints of illicit drugs on graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Frontiers In Chemistry Abbreviated Journal Front Chem  
  Volume 9 Issue Pages 641147  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract Illicit drugs use and abuse remains an increasing challenge for worldwide authorities and, therefore, it is important to have accurate methods to detect them in seized samples, biological fluids and wastewaters. They are recently classified as the latest group of emerging pollutants as their consumption increased tremendously in recent years. Nanomaterials have gained much attention over the last decade in the development of sensors for a myriad of applications. The applicability of these nanomaterials, functionalized or not, significantly increases and it is therefore highly suitable for use in the detection of illicit drugs. We have assessed the suitability of various nanoplatforms, such as graphene (GPH), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) for the electrochemical detection of illicit drugs. GPH and MWCNTs were chosen as the most suitable platforms and cocaine, 3,4-methylendioxymethamfetamine (MDMA), 3-methylmethcathinone (MMC) and alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (PVP) were tested. Due to the hydrophobicity of the nanomaterials-based platforms which led to low signals, two strategies were followed namely, pretreatment of the electrodes in sulfuric acid by cyclic voltammetry and addition of Tween 20 to the detection buffer. Both strategies led to an increase in the oxidation signal of illicit drugs. Binary mixtures of illicit drugs with common adulterants found in street samples were also investigated. The proposed strategies allowed the sensitive detection of illicit drugs in the presence of most adulterants. The suitability of the proposed sensors for the detection of illicit drugs in spiked wastewaters was finally assessed.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000634708900001 Publication Date 2021-03-16  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2296-2646 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.994 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.994  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177704 Serial 7861  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Truta, F.; Florea, A.; Cernat, A.; Tertis, M.; Hosu, O.; De Wael, K.; Cristea, C. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Tackling the problem of sensing commonly abused drugs through nanomaterials and (bio)recognition approaches Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Frontiers In Chemistry Abbreviated Journal Front Chem  
  Volume 8 Issue Pages 561638  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract We summarize herein the literature in the last decade, involving the use of nanomaterials and various (bio)recognition elements, such as antibodies, aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers, for the development of sensitive and selective (bio)sensors for illicit drugs with a focus on electrochemical transduction systems. The use and abuse of illicit drugs remains an increasing challenge for worldwide authorities and, therefore, it is important to have accurate methods to detect them in seized samples, biological fluids and wastewaters. They are recently classified as the latest group of “emerging pollutants,” as their consumption has increased tremendously in recent years. Nanomaterials, antibodies, aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers have gained much attention over the last decade in the development of (bio)sensors for a myriad of applications. The applicability of these (nano)materials, functionalized or not, has significantly increased, and are therefore highly suitable for use in the detection of drugs. Lately, such functionalized nanoscale materials have assisted in the detection of illicit drugs fingerprints, providing large surface area, functional groups and unique properties that facilitate sensitive and selective sensing. The review discusses the types of commonly abused drugs and their toxicological implications, classification of functionalized nanomaterials (graphene, carbon nanotubes), their fabrication, and their application on real samples in different fields of forensic science. Biosensors for drugs of abuse from the last decade's literature are then exemplified. It also offers insights into the prospects and challenges of bringing the functionalized nanobased technology to the end user in the laboratories or in-field.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000589960100001 Publication Date 2020-11-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2296-2646 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.5 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.5; 2020 IF: 3.994  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174278 Serial 8639  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wood, J.; Geerts, R.; Majean, L.; Coene, V.; Vanheeswijck, J.; de Smalen, D.; Ronda, T.; Keizer, K. url  openurl
  Title De combinatie werk-gezin en het gebruik van formele kinderopvang bij vrouwen met een migratieachtergrond : een mixed methods-benadering Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Sociologos (Brussel) Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 40 Issue 2-3-4 Pages 123-149  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sociology; Centre for Population, Family and Health; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2295-8150 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:167658 Serial 7678  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhang, Z.; Bourgeois, L.; Zhang, Y.; Rosalie, J.M.; Medhekar, N. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Advanced imaging and simulations of precipitate interfaces in aluminium alloys and their role in phase transformations Type P1 Proceeding
  Year 2020 Publication MATEC web of conferences T2 – 17th International Conference on Aluminium Alloys (ICAA), October 26-29, 2020 Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 09003  
  Keywords P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Precipitation is accompanied by the formation and migration of heterophase interfaces. Using the combined approach of advanced imaging and atomistic simulations, we studied the precipitate-matrix interfaces in various aluminium alloy systems, aiming to resolve their detailed atomic structures and illuminate their role in phase transformations.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000652552200053 Publication Date 2020-11-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume 326 Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2261-236x; 2274-7214 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179147 Serial 6851  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Yao, X.; Li, Y.; Cao, S.; Ma, X.; Zhang, X.-ping; Schryvers, D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Optimization of Automated Crystal Orientation and Phase Mapping in TEM Applied to Ni-Ti All Round Shape Memory Alloy Type P1 Proceeding
  Year 2015 Publication MATEC web of conferences T2 – Proceedings of ESOMAT 2015 10th European Symposium on Martensitic Transformations, September 14-18, 2015, Antwerp, Belgium Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 33 Issue 33 Pages 03022  
  Keywords P1 Proceeding; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract A new application which focuses on an artificial sphincter fabricated by Ni-Ti SMAs for human implantation is under investigation by applying the all-round shape memory effect with precise control of the phase transformation temperatures. In this study, a Ni51at.%-Ti alloy was fabricated by arc melting with fast solidification, followed by a proper strained aging which induces the two way shape memory effect needed for this particular application. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate the thermal behavior and transmission electron microscopy was used for studying the microstructure of the alloys. With the latter the novel technique of automated crystal orientation microscopy is used and optimized to obtain phase and orientation mapping of the various structures.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000372402800037 Publication Date 2015-12-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2261-236X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes The author gratefully acknowledges the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) for providing a scholarship. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number c:irua:129977 Serial 3988  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Balemans, S.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Torfs, E.; Hartog, L.; Zaharova, L.; Rehman, U.; Nopens, I. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The impact of local hydrodynamics on high-rate activated sludge flocculation in laboratory and full-scale reactors Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Processes Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 8 Issue 2 Pages 131-18  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract High rate activated sludge (HRAS) processes have a high potential for carbon and energy recovery from sewage, yet they suffer frequently from poor settleability due to flocculation issues. The process of flocculation is generally optimized using jar tests. However, detailed jar hydrodynamics are often unknown, and average quantities are used, which can significantly differ from the local conditions. The presented work combined experimental and numerical data to investigate the impact of local hydrodynamics on HRAS flocculation for two different jar test configurations (i.e., radial vs. axial impellers at different impeller velocities) and compared the hydrodynamics in these jar tests to those in a representative section of a full scale reactor using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The analysis showed that the flocculation performance was highly influenced by the impeller type and its speed. The axial impeller appeared to be more appropriate for floc formation over a range of impeller speeds as it produced a more homogeneous distribution of local velocity gradients compared to the radial impeller. In contrast, the radial impeller generated larger volumes (%) of high velocity gradients in which floc breakage may occur. Comparison to local velocity gradients in a full scale system showed that also here, high velocity gradients occurred in the region around the impeller, which might significantly hamper the HRAS flocculation process. As such, this study showed that a model based approach was necessary to translate lab scale results to full scale. These new insights can help improve future experimental setups and reactor design for improved HRAS flocculation.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000521167900088 Publication Date 2020-01-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2227-9717 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes ; This research was funded by Research Foundation Flanders (FWO SB Grant 1.S.705.18N). ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165420 Serial 6543  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Shaw, P.; Kumar, N.; Sahun, M.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.; Privat-Maldonado, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Modulating the Antioxidant Response for Better Oxidative Stress-Inducing Therapies: How to Take Advantage of Two Sides of the Same Medal? Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Biomedicines Abbreviated Journal Biomedicines  
  Volume 10 Issue 4 Pages 823  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)  
  Abstract Oxidative stress-inducing therapies are characterized as a specific treatment that involves the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) by external or internal sources. To protect cells against oxidative stress, cells have evolved a strong antioxidant defense system to either prevent RONS formation or scavenge them. The maintenance of the redox balance ensures signal transduction, development, cell proliferation, regulation of the mechanisms of cell death, among others. Oxidative stress can beneficially be used to treat several diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, heart disease, cancer, and other diseases by regulating the antioxidant system. Understanding the mechanisms of various endogenous antioxidant systems can increase the therapeutic efficacy of oxidative stress-based therapies, leading to clinical success in medical treatment. This review deals with the recent novel findings of various cellular endogenous antioxidant responses behind oxidative stress, highlighting their implication in various human diseases, such as ulcers, skin pathologies, oncology, and viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000785420400001 Publication Date 2022-03-31  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2227-9059 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Core Research Grant, Department of Science and Technology, India., (CRG/2021/001935) ; Department of Biotechnology, BT/RLF/Re-entry/27/2019 ; We are grateful to Charlotta Bengtson for her valuable input. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:187931 Serial 7051  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Hamidi-Asl, E.; Dardenne, F.; Pilehvar, S.; Blust, R.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Unique properties of core shell Ag@Au nanoparticles for the aptasensing of bacterial cells Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Chemosensors Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 4 Issue 3 Pages 16  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)  
  Abstract In this article, it is shown that the efficiency of an electrochemical aptasensing device is influenced by the use of different nanoparticles (NPs) such as gold nanoparticles (Au), silver nanoparticles (Ag), hollow gold nanospheres (HGN), hollow silver nanospheres (HSN), silvergold core shell (Ag@Au), goldsilver core shell (Au@Ag), and silvergold alloy nanoparticles (Ag/Au). Among these nanomaterials, Ag@Au core shell NPs are advantageous for aptasensing applications because the core improves the physical properties and the shell provides chemical stability and biocompatibility for the immobilization of aptamers. Self-assembly of the NPs on a cysteamine film at the surface of a carbon paste electrode is followed by the immobilization of thiolated aptamers at these nanoframes. The nanostructured (Ag@Au) aptadevice for Escherichia coli as a target shows four times better performance in comparison to the response obtained at an aptamer modified planar gold electrode. A comparison with other (core shell) NPs is performed by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Also, the selectivity of the aptasensor is investigated using other kinds of bacteria. The synthesized NPs and the morphology of the modified electrode are characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000382480000006 Publication Date 2016-08-29  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2227-9040 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 9 Open Access  
  Notes ; Ezat Hamidi-Asl was financially supported by Belspo (University of Antwerp). The authors are thankful to Femke De Croock for her technical support and to Stanislav Trashin for his worthwhile comments on the manuscript. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:135411 Serial 5886  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Parrilla, M.; Slosse, A.; Van Echelpoel, R.; Montiel, F.N.; Langley, A.R.; Van Durme, F.; De Wael, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Rapid on-site detection of illicit drugs in smuggled samples with a portable electrochemical device Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Chemosensors Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages 108-116  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)  
  Abstract The smuggling of illicit drugs urges the development of new tools for rapid on-site identification in cargos. Current methods rely on presumptive color tests and portable spectroscopic techniques. However, these methods sometimes exhibit inaccurate results due to commonly used cutting agents, the colorful nature of the sample or because the drugs are smuggled in common goods. Interestingly, electrochemical sensors can deal with these specific problems. Herein, an electrochemical device is presented that uses affordable screen-printed electrodes for the electrochemical profiling of several illicit drugs by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The identification of the illicit compound is based on the oxidation potential of the analyte. Hence, a library of electrochemical profiles is built upon the analysis of illicit drugs and common cutting agents. This library allows the design of a tailor-made script that enables the identification of each drug through a user-friendly interface (laptop or mobile phone). Importantly, the electrochemical test is compared by analyzing 48 confiscated samples with other portable devices based on Raman and FTIR spectroscopy as well as a laboratory standard method (i.e., gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). Overall, the electrochemical results, obtained through the analysis of different samples from confiscated cargos at an end-user site, present a promising alternative to current methods, offering low-cost and rapid testing in the field.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000775813500001 Publication Date 2022-03-11  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2227-9040 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187766 Serial 8920  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhang, H.; Jin, Q.; Hu, T.; Liu, X.; Zhang, Z.; Hu, C.; Zhou, Y.; Han, Y.; Wang, X. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electron-irradiation-facilitated production of chemically homogenized nanotwins in nanolaminated carbides Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of Advanced Ceramics Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 12 Issue 6 Pages 1288-1297  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Twin boundaries have been exploited to stabilize ultrafine grains and improve mechanical properties of nanomaterials. The production of the twin boundaries and nanotwins is however prohibitively challenging in carbide ceramics. Using a scanning transmission electron microscope as a unique platform for atomic-scale structure engineering, we demonstrate that twin platelets could be produced in carbides by engineering antisite defects. The antisite defects at metal sites in various layered ternary carbides are collectively and controllably generated, and the metal elements are homogenized by electron irradiation, which transforms a twin-like lamellae into nanotwin platelets. Accompanying chemical homogenization, alpha-Ti3AlC2 transforms to unconventional beta-Ti3AlC2. The chemical homogeneity and the width of the twin platelets can be tuned by dose and energy of bombarding electrons. Chemically homogenized nanotwins can boost hardness by similar to 45%. Our results provide a new way to produce ultrathin (< 5 nm) nanotwin platelets in scientifically and technologically important carbide materials and showcase feasibility of defect engineering by an angstrom-sized electron probe.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001004930200012 Publication Date 2023-04-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2226-4108; 2227-8508 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 16.9 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 16.9; 2023 IF: 1.198  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197470 Serial 8860  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wang, L.; Miao, Q.; Niinemets, Ü.; Gielis, J.; Shi, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Quantifying the variation in the geometries of the outer rims of corolla tubes of Vinca major L Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Plants Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 11 Issue 15 Pages 1987-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Many geometries of plant organs can be described by the Gielis equation, a polar coordinate equation extended from the superellipse equation, . Here, r is the polar radius corresponding to the polar angle φ; m is a positive integer that determines the number of angles of the Gielis curve when φ ∈ [0 to 2π); and the rest of the symbols are parameters to be estimated. The pentagonal radial symmetry of calyxes and corolla tubes in top view is a common feature in the flowers of many eudicots. However, prior studies have not tested whether the Gielis equation can depict the shapes of corolla tubes. We sampled randomly 366 flowers of Vinca major L., among which 360 had five petals and pentagonal corolla tubes, and six had four petals and quadrangular corolla tubes. We extracted the planar coordinates of the outer rims of corolla tubes (in top view) (ORCTs), and then fitted the data with two simplified versions of the Gielis equation with k = 1 and m = 5: (Model 1), and (Model 2). The adjusted root mean square error (RMSEadj) was used to evaluate the goodness of fit of each model. In addition, to test whether ORCTs are radially symmetrical, we correlated the estimates of n2 and n3 in Model 1 on a log-log scale. The results validated the two simplified Gielis equations. The RMSEadj values for all corolla tubes were smaller than 0.05 for both models. The numerical values of n2 and n3 were demonstrated to be statistically equal based on the regression analysis, which suggested that the ORCTs of V. major are radially symmetrical. It suggests that Model 1 can be replaced by the simpler Model 2 for fitting the ORCT in this species. This work indicates that the pentagonal or quadrangular corolla tubes (in top view) can both be modeled by the Gielis equation and demonstrates that the pentagonal or quadrangular corolla tubes of plants tend to form radial symmetrical geometries during their development and growth.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000839115100001 Publication Date 2022-08-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2223-7747 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:189315 Serial 7200  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Yao, W.; Niinemets, Ü.; Yao, W.; Gielis, J.; Schrader, J.; Yu, K.; Shi, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Comparison of two simplified versions of the Gielis equation for describing the shape of bamboo leaves Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Plants Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 11 Issue 22 Pages 3058-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Bamboo is an important component in subtropical and tropical forest communities. The plant has characteristic long lanceolate leaves with parallel venation. Prior studies have shown that the leaf shapes of this plant group can be well described by a simplified version (referred to as SGE-1) of the Gielis equation, a polar coordinate equation extended from the superellipse equation. SGE-1 with only two model parameters is less complex than the original Gielis equation with six parameters. Previous studies have seldom tested whether other simplified versions of the Gielis equation are superior to SGE-1 in fitting empirical leaf shape data. In the present study, we compared a three-parameter Gielis equation (referred to as SGE-2) with the two-parameter SGE-1 using the leaf boundary coordinate data of six bamboo species within the same genus that have representative long lanceolate leaves, with >300 leaves for each species. We sampled 2000 data points at approximately equidistant locations on the boundary of each leaf, and estimated the parameters for the two models. The root–mean–square error (RMSE) between the observed and predicted radii from the polar point to data points on the boundary of each leaf was used as a measure of the model goodness of fit, and the mean percent error between the RMSEs from fitting SGE-1 and SGE-2 was used to examine whether the introduction of an additional parameter in SGE-1 remarkably improves the model’s fitting. We found that the RMSE value of SGE-2 was always smaller than that of SGE-1. The mean percent errors among the two models ranged from 7.5% to 20% across the six species. These results indicate that SGE-2 is superior to SGE-1 and should be used in fitting leaf shapes. We argue that the results of the current study can be potentially extended to other lanceolate leaf shapes.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000887783400001 Publication Date 2022-11-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2223-7747 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191859 Serial 7289  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Huang, L.; Ratkowsky, D.A.; Hui, C.; Gielis, J.; Lian, M.; Shi, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Inequality measure of leaf area distribution for a drought-tolerant landscape plant Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Plants Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 12 Issue 17 Pages 3143-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Measuring the inequality of leaf area distribution per plant (ILAD) can provide a useful tool for quantifying the influences of intra- and interspecific competition, foraging behavior of herbivores, and environmental stress on plants’ above-ground architectural structures and survival strategies. Despite its importance, there has been limited research on this issue. This paper aims to fill this gap by comparing four inequality indices to measure ILAD, using indices for quantifying household income that are commonly used in economics, including the Gini index (which is based on the Lorenz curve), the coefficient of variation, the Theil index, and the mean log deviation index. We measured the area of all leaves for 240 individual plants of the species Shibataea chinensis Nakai, a drought-tolerant landscape plant found in southern China. A three-parameter performance equation was fitted to observations of the cumulative proportion of leaf area vs. the cumulative proportion of leaves per plant to calculate the Gini index for each individual specimen of S. chinensis. The performance equation was demonstrated to be valid in describing the rotated and right shifted Lorenz curve, given that >96% of root-mean-square error values were smaller than 0.004 for 240 individual plants. By examining the correlation between any of the six possible pairs of indices among the Gini index, the coefficient of variation, the Theil index, and the mean log deviation index, the data show that these indices are closely related and can be used interchangeably to quantify ILAD.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001065193100001 Publication Date 2023-08-31  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2223-7747 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199564 Serial 8886  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gao, J.; Huang, W.; Gielis, J.; Shi, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Plant morphology and function, geometric morphometrics, and modelling : decoding the mathematical secrets of plants Type Editorial
  Year 2023 Publication Plants Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 12 Issue 21 Pages 3724-2  
  Keywords Editorial; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001103336500001 Publication Date 2023-10-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2223-7747 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:201173 Serial 9072  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Memarbashi, E.; Azadi, H.; Barati, A.A.; Mohajeri, F.; Van Passel, S.; Witlox, F. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Land-use suitability in Northeast Iran : application of AHP-GIS hybrid model Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Isprs International Journal Of Geo-Information Abbreviated Journal Isprs Int J Geo-Inf  
  Volume 6 Issue 12 Pages 396-15  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM); Government and Law  
  Abstract Land-use suitability is the ability of a given type of land to support a defined use. Analysis of land-use suitability requires the consideration of a variety of criteria, not only the natural/physical capacity of a land unit, but also its socioeconomic and environmental impact implications. As land suitability is assessed within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment, it is formulated as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem. The study was conducted in the Sangab Plain in northeast Iran. We investigated the study areas suitability for grassland and agricultural uses. A hybrid method of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and GIS methodology was applied to evaluate land suitability based on a set of criteria and sub-criteria. Results showed that 20% of the study area had high (rich), 65% had medium (fair), and 15% had low (poor) suitability for agriculture. In terms of grassland use, the comparable amounts were, respectively, about 7%, 23%, and 70%. The lands of the Sangab Plain have medium potential for agricultural use and low potential for grassland use. This paper used both qualitative and quantitative techniques.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000419217200018 Publication Date 2017-12-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2220-9964 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 0.371 Times cited 7 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 0.371  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:148395 Serial 6221  
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Author Marimuthu, P.; Razzokov, J.; Singaravelu, K.; Bogaerts, A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Predicted Hotspot Residues Involved in Allosteric Signal Transmission in Pro-Apoptotic Peptide—Mcl1 Complexes Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Biomolecules Abbreviated Journal Biomolecules  
  Volume 10 Issue 8 Pages 1114  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract Mcl1 is a primary member of the Bcl–2 family—anti–apoptotic proteins (AAP)—that is overexpressed in several cancer pathologies. The apoptotic regulation is mediated through the binding of pro-apoptotic peptides (PAPs) (e.g., Bak and Bid) at the canonical hydrophobic binding groove (CBG) of Mcl1. Although all PAPs form amphipathic α-helices, their amino acid sequences vary to different degree. This sequence variation exhibits a central role in the binding partner selectivity towards different AAPs. Thus, constructing a novel peptide or small organic molecule with the ability to mimic the natural regulatory process of PAP is essential to inhibit various AAPs. Previously reported experimental binding free energies (BFEs) were utilized in the current investigation aimed to understand the mechanistic basis of different PAPs targeted to mMcl1. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations used to estimate BFEs between mMcl1—PAP complexes using Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Solvent Accessible (MMGBSA) approach with multiple parameters. Predicted BFE values showed an excellent agreement with the experiment (R2 = 0.92). The van–der Waals (ΔGvdw) and electrostatic (ΔGele) energy terms found to be the main energy components that drive heterodimerization of mMcl1—PAP complexes. Finally, the dynamic network analysis predicted the allosteric signal transmission pathway involves more favorable energy contributing residues. In total, the results obtained from the current investigation may provide valuable insights for the synthesis of a novel peptide or small organic inhibitor targeting Mcl1.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000578895600001 Publication Date 2020-07-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2218-273X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes P.M. gratefully acknowledges the use of the bioinformatics infrastructure facility supported by Biocenter Finland and the CSC-IT Center for Science (Project: 2000461) for the computational facility; Jukka Lehtonen for the IT support; Mark Johnson (SBL) Åbo Akademi University for providing the lab support and Outi Salo-Ahen (Pharmacy) Åbo Akademi University and Olli T. Pentikäinen (Institute of Biomedicine) University of Turku, for their valuable support and discussion. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:170486 Serial 6396  
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Author Abduvokhidov, D.; Yusupov, M.; Shahzad, A.; Attri, P.; Shiratani, M.; Oliveira, M.C.; Razzokov, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Unraveling the Transport Properties of RONS across Nitro-Oxidized Membranes Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Biomolecules Abbreviated Journal Biomolecules  
  Volume 13 Issue 7 Pages 1043  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;  
  Abstract The potential of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) in biomedical applications has received significant interest, due to its ability to generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Upon exposure to living cells, CAP triggers alterations in various cellular components, such as the cell membrane. However, the permeation of RONS across nitrated and oxidized membranes remains understudied. To address this gap, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations, to investigate the permeation capabilities of RONS across modified cell membranes. This computational study investigated the translocation processes of less hydrophilic and hydrophilic RONS across the phospholipid bilayer (PLB), with various degrees of oxidation and nitration, and elucidated the impact of RONS on PLB permeability. The simulation results showed that less hydrophilic species, i.e., NO, NO2, N2O4, and O3, have a higher penetration ability through nitro-oxidized PLB compared to hydrophilic RONS, i.e., HNO3, s-cis-HONO, s-trans-HONO, H2O2, HO2, and OH. In particular, nitro-oxidation of PLB, induced by, e.g., cold atmospheric plasma, has minimal impact on the penetration of free energy barriers of less hydrophilic species, while it lowers these barriers for hydrophilic RONS, thereby enhancing their translocation across nitro-oxidized PLB. This research contributes to a better understanding of the translocation abilities of RONS in the field of plasma biomedical applications and highlights the need for further analysis of their role in intracellular signaling pathways.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001035160000001 Publication Date 2023-06-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2218-273X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes This research was funded by the Innovative Development Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, grant number FZ-2020092817. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:198154 Serial 8803  
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Author Ghasemitarei, M.; Ghorbi, T.; Yusupov, M.; Zhang, Y.; Zhao, T.; Shali, P.; Bogaerts, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Effects of Nitro-Oxidative Stress on Biomolecules: Part 1—Non-Reactive Molecular Dynamics Simulations Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Biomolecules Abbreviated Journal Biomolecules  
  Volume 13 Issue 9 Pages 1371  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; plasma medicine; reactive oxygen and; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;  
  Abstract Plasma medicine, or the biomedical application of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), is an expanding field within plasma research. CAP has demonstrated remarkable versatility in diverse biological applications, including cancer treatment, wound healing, microorganism inactivation, and skin disease therapy. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the effects of CAP remain incompletely understood. The therapeutic effects of CAP are largely attributed to the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), which play a crucial role in the biological responses induced by CAP. Specifically, RONS produced during CAP treatment have the ability to chemically modify cell membranes and membrane proteins, causing nitro-oxidative stress, thereby leading to changes in membrane permeability and disruption of cellular processes. To gain atomic-level insights into these interactions, non-reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have emerged as a valuable tool. These simulations facilitate the examination of larger-scale system dynamics, including protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the applications of non-reactive MD simulations in studying the effects of CAP on cellular components and interactions at the atomic level, providing a detailed overview of the potential of CAP in medicine. We also review the results of other MD studies that are not related to plasma medicine but explore the effects of nitro-oxidative stress on cellular components and are therefore important for a broader understanding of the underlying processes.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001071356400001 Publication Date 2023-09-11  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2218-273X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes This research received no external funding. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:200380 Serial 8958  
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Author Yao, X.; Cao, S.; Zhang, X.P.; Schryvers, D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Microstructural Characterization and Transformation Behavior of Porous Ni50.8Ti49.2 Type P1 Proceeding
  Year 2015 Publication Materials Today: Proceedings Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages S833-S836  
  Keywords P1 Proceeding; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Porous Ni50.8Ti49.2 bulk material was prepared by powder metallurgy sintering. Solid solution and aging treatments were applied to improve the phase homogeneity and phase transformation behavior. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, aided by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, were used to study the microstructure and chemical phase content of the alloys. In-situ cooling was carried out to observe the phase transformation behavior. As-received material contains dispersed Ni2Ti4O particles while Ni4Ti3 precipitates appear after aging. Close to pore edges, the latter have a preferential orientation due to the induced stress fields in the matrix.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000371032100081 Publication Date 2015-11-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2214-7853 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes The author gratefully acknowledges the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) for providing a scholarship and the Key Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province under grant No. S2013020012805. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number c:irua:129980 Serial 3989  
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Author Kumar, M.; Sengupta, A.; Kummamuru, N.B. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Molecular simulations for carbon dioxide capture in silica slit pores Type A3 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Materials Today: Proceedings Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-9  
  Keywords A3 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract In present work, we have performed the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations to quantify CO2 capture inside porous silica at high operating temperatures of 673.15 K and 873.15 K; and over a operating pressure range of 500 kPa – 4000 kPa that are methane steam reforming process parameters. Related chemical potential values at these thermodynamic conditions are obtained from the bulk phase simulations in the Canonical ensemble in conjunction with Widom’s insertion technique, where the CO2 has been accurately represented by TraPPE force field. Present structure of the porous silica is a single slit pore geometry of various heights (H = 20 Å, 31.6 Å, 63.2 Å and 126.5 Å), dimensions in which possible vapour-liquid equilibria for generic square well fluids has been reported in literature. Estimation of the pore-fluid interactions show a higher interaction between silica pore and adsorbed CO2 compared to the reported pore-fluid interactions between homogeneous carbon slit pore and adsorbed CO2; thus resulting in an enhancement of adsorption inside silica pores of H = 20 Å and H = 126.5 Å, which are respectively 3.5 times and 1.5 times higher than that in homogeneous carbon slit pores of same dimensions and at 673.15 K and 500 kPa. Estimated local density plots indicate the presence of structured layers due to more molecular packing, which confirms possible liquid-like and vapour-like phase coexistence of the supercritical bulk phase CO2 under confinement.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2023-05-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2214-7853 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:200944 Serial 9058  
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Author Xie, Y.; Van Tendeloo, M.; Zhu, W.; Peng, L.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Autotrophic nitrogen polishing of secondary effluents : Alkaline pH and residual nitrate control S0-driven denitratation for downstream anammox treatment Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of Water Process Engineering Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 56 Issue Pages 104402-104409  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Energy-lean nitrogen removal technologies, such as partial nitritation/anammox, often encounter effluent issues due to elevated nitrate and ammonium levels. This study proposed a novel autotrophic polishing strategy coupling sulfur-driven denitratation with anammox. To explore the denitratation potential in obtaining stable and sufficient nitrite accumulation, the effects of pH, residual nitrate level, and biomass-specific nitrate loading rate (BSNLR) were investigated in an S0-packed bed reactor at low hydraulic retention time (i.e., 0.2 h). Implementing pH and residual nitrate control strategies would be easier in practice than BSNLR control to polish secondary effluent. Alkaline pH values could realize successful nitrite accumulation without residual nitrate, and further intensify the accumulation under increased residual nitrate levels. The nitrate level was positively correlated with the nitrite accumulation efficiency. At pH 8.5 and nitrate concentration of 1.0 ± 0.8 mg N L−1, sulfur-driven denitratation could successfully maintain nitrite accumulation of 6.4 ± 1.0 mg NO2−-N L−1, ideally for the downstream anammox in case of residual ammonium levels of around 5 mg N L−1. Since Thiobacillus members play a key role in managing nitrite accumulation, their abundance should be guaranteed in the practical application.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001103341400001 Publication Date 2023-10-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2214-7144 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 7 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 18.04.2024  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7; 2023 IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:200036 Serial 8835  
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Author Srivastava, A.; Van Passel, S.; Laes, E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Dissecting demand response : a quantile analysis of flexibility, household attitudes, and demographics Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Energy Research and Social Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 52 Issue 52 Pages 169-180  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Demand response (DR) can aid with grid integration of renewables, ensuring security of supply, and reducing generation costs. However, not enough is known about how residential customers’ perceptions of DR shape their response to such programs. This paper offers a deeper understanding of – and reveals the heterogeneity in – this relationship by conducting a quantile regression analysis of a Belgian DR trial, combining data on response with information on household attitudes towards smart appliances. Results overall suggest that improving response requires subtle shifts in electricity consumption behaviour, which can be achieved through changes in user perceptions. Specifically, if customers are inclined to be flexible, a stronger perception of smart appliances as being beneficial can greatly improve response. With those who are less flexible, the cost of smart appliances is a bigger concern. Thus, when designing DR programs, policymakers should aim to promote modest behaviour changes – so as to minimise inconvenience – in customers, by improving awareness on the benefits of smart appliances. Uptake of such DR programs may be improved by explaining the financial benefits or offering incentives to less flexible population segments. Lastly, improving response among older population segments will require a deeper investigation into their concerns.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000468215900016 Publication Date 2019-03-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2214-6296 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes ; This work continued on the results and data of the project Linear that was supported by the Flemish Ministry of Science and organised by the Institute for Science and Technology (IWT). The authors gratefully acknowledge the support extended by Wim Cardinaels at VITO in helping them access the underlying Linear data. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:158910 Serial 6183  
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Author Srivastava, A.; Van Passel, S.; Laes, E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Assessing the success of electricity demand response programs : a meta-analysis Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2018 Publication Energy Research and Social Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 40 Issue 40 Pages 110-117  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract This paper conducts a meta-analysis of 32 electricity demand response programs in the residential sector to understand whether their success is dependent on specific characteristics. The paper analyses several regression models using various combinations of variables that capture the designs of the programs and the socio-economic conditions in which the programs are implemented. The analysis reveals that demand response programs are more likely to succeed in highly urbanized areas, in areas where economic growth rates are high, and in areas where the renewable energy policy is favorable. These findings provide useful guidance in determining where and how to implement future demand response programs.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000430737800014 Publication Date 2017-12-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2214-6296 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 18 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:149027 Serial 6154  
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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.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000536594400001 Publication Date 2020-04-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
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  ISSN (down) 2213297X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  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 De Backer, J.; Razzokov, J.; Hammerschmid, D.; Mensch, C.; Hafideddine, Z.; Kumar, N.; van Raemdonck, G.; Yusupov, M.; Van Doorslaer, S.; Johannessen, C.; Sobott, F.; Bogaerts, A.; Dewilde, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title The effect of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species on the structure of cytoglobin: A potential tumor suppressor Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2018 Publication Redox Biology Abbreviated Journal Redox Biol  
  Volume 19 Issue Pages 1-10  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Molecular Spectroscopy (MolSpec)  
  Abstract Many current anti-cancer therapies rely on increasing the intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) contents with the aim to induce irreparable damage, which subsequently results in tumor cell death. A novel tool in cancer therapy is the use of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), which has been found to be very effective in the treatment of many different cancer cell types in vitro as well as in vivo, mainly through the vast generation of RONS. One of the key determinants of the cell's fate will be the interaction of RONS, generated by CAP, with important proteins, i.e. redox-regulatory proteins. One such protein is cytoglobin (CYGB), a recently discovered globin proposed to be involved in the protection of the cell against oxidative stress. In this study, the effect of plasma-produced RONS on CYGB was investigated through the treatment of CYGB with CAP for different treatment times. Spectroscopic analysis of CYGB showed that although chemical modifications occur, its secondary structure remains intact. Mass spectrometry experiments identified these modifications as oxidations of mainly sulfur-containing and aromatic amino acids. With longer treatment time, the treatment was also found to induce nitration of the heme. Furthermore, the two surface-exposed cysteine residues of CYGB were oxidized upon treatment, leading to the formation of intermolecular disulfide bridges, and potentially also intramolecular disulfide bridges. In addition, molecular dynamics and docking simulations confirmed, and further show, that the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond, due to oxidative conditions, affects the CYGB 3D structure, thereby opening the access to the heme group, through gate functioning of His117. Altogether, the results obtained in this study (1) show that plasma-produced RONS can extensively oxidize proteins and (2) that the oxidation status of two redox-active cysteines lead to different conformations of CYGB.  
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  Language Wos 000449722100002 Publication Date 2018-07-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2213-2317 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.337 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes M.Y. and N.K. gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), Grant nos. 1200216N and 12J5617N. 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). C.M acknowledges the financial support provided by the Flemish Community and the University of Antwerp (BOF-NOI) for the pre-doctoral scholarship is under grant number/project ID: 28465. S.V.D., S. D. and Z.H. acknowledge the FWO (Grant G.0687.13) and the GOA-BOF UA 2013–2016 (project-ID 28312) for funding. 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 Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Government – department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 6.337  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:152818 Serial 5006  
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Author Yusupov, M.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Cordeiro, R.M.; Verswyvel, H.; Shaw, P.; Razzokov, J.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Oxidative damage to hyaluronan–CD44 interactions as an underlying mechanism of action of oxidative stress-inducing cancer therapy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Redox Biology Abbreviated Journal Redox Biol  
  Volume 43 Issue Pages 101968  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)  
  Abstract Multiple cancer therapies nowadays rely on oxidative stress to damage cancer cells. Here we investigated the biological and molecular effect of oxidative stress on the interaction between CD44 and hyaluronan (HA), as interrupting their binding can hinder cancer progression. Our experiments demonstrated that the oxidation of HA decreased its recognition by CD44, which was further enhanced when both CD44 and HA were oxidized. The reduction of CD44–HA binding negatively affected the proliferative state of cancer cells. Our multi-level atomistic simulations revealed that the binding free energy of HA to CD44 decreased upon oxidation. The effect of HA and CD44 oxidation on CD44–HA binding was similar, but when both HA and CD44 were oxidized, the effect was much larger, in agreement with our experiments. Hence, our experiments and computations support our hypothesis on the role of oxidation in the disturbance of CD44–HA interaction, which can lead to the inhibition of proliferative signaling pathways inside the tumor cell to induce cell death.  
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  Language Wos 000657371800005 Publication Date 2021-04-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2213-2317 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.337 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Fwo; The authors acknowledge 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, where all computational work was performed. Approved Most recent IF: 6.337  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:177780 Serial 6750  
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Author De Backer, J.; Lin, A.; Berghe, W.V.; Bogaerts, A.; Hoogewijs, D. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Cytoglobin inhibits non-thermal plasma-induced apoptosis in melanoma cells through regulation of the NRF2-mediated antioxidant response Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Redox Biology Abbreviated Journal Redox Biol  
  Volume 55 Issue Pages 102399  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Proteinscience, proteomics and epigenetic signaling (PPES)  
  Abstract Melanoma arises from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes located in the basal layers of the epidermis of the skin. Cytoglobin (CYGB) is a ubiquitously expressed hexacoordinated globin that is highly enriched in me­lanocytes and frequently downregulated during melanomagenesis. Previously, we showed that non-thermal plasma (NTP)-produced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) lead to the formation of an intra­ molecular disulfide bridge that would allow CYGB to function as a redox-sensitive protein. Here, we investigate the cytotoxic effect of indirect NTP treatment in two melanoma cell lines with divergent endogenous CYGB expression levels, and we explore the role of CYGB in determining treatment outcome. Our findings are consistent with previous studies supporting that NTP cytotoxicity is mediated through the production of RONS and leads to apoptotic cell death in melanoma cells. Furthermore, we show that NTP-treated solutions elicit an antioxidant response through the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2). The knock­ down and overexpression of CYGB respectively sensitizes and protects melanoma cells from RONS-induced apoptotic cell death. The presence of CYGB enhances heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and NRF2 protein expression levels, whereas the absence impairs their expression. Moreover, analysis of the CYGB-dependent transcriptome demonstrates the tumor suppressor long non-coding RNA maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) as a hitherto unde­ scribed link between CYGB and NRF2. Thus, the presence of CYGB, at least in melanoma cells, seems to play a central role in determining the therapeutic outcome of RONS-inducing anticancer therapies, like NTP-treated solutions, possessing both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic features. Hence, CYGB expression could be of in­ terest either as a biomarker or as a candidate for future targeted therapies in melanoma.  
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  Language Wos 000844595100002 Publication Date 0000-00-00  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2213-2317 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was funded in part by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Government. The FWO fellowships and grants that funded this work include: 12S9221 N (Abraham Lin) and G044420 N (Abraham Lin and Annemie Bogaerts). Joey De Backer acknowledges a visiting fellowship from the University of Fribourg. David Hoogewijs acknowledges support by the Swiss National Science Foundation (grants 31003A173000 and 310030207460). Approved Most recent IF: 11.4  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:190635 Serial 7101  
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Author Oliveira, M.C.; Verswyvel, H.; Smits, E.; Cordeiro, R.M.; Bogaerts, A.; Lin, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The pro- and anti-tumoral properties of gap junctions in cancer and their role in therapeutic strategies Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Redox Biology Abbreviated Journal Redox Biol  
  Volume 57 Issue Pages 102503  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)  
  Abstract Gap junctions (GJs), essential structures for cell-cell communication, are made of two hemichannels (commonly called connexons), one on each adjacent cell. Found in almost all cells, GJs play a pivotal role in many physi­ological and cellular processes, and have even been linked to the progression of diseases, such as cancer. Modulation of GJs is under investigation as a therapeutic strategy to kill tumor cells. Furthermore, GJs have also been studied for their key role in activating anti-cancer immunity and propagating radiation- and oxidative stress-induced cell death to neighboring cells, a process known as the bystander effect. While, gap junction (GJ)based therapeutic strategies are being developed, one major challenge has been the paradoxical role of GJs in both tumor progression and suppression, based on GJ composition, cancer factors, and tumoral context. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of action, regulation, and the dual characteristics of GJs in cancer is critical for developing effective therapeutics. In this review, we provide an overview of the current under­ standing of GJs structure, function, and paradoxical pro- and anti-tumoral role in cancer. We also discuss the treatment strategies to target these GJs properties for anti-cancer responses, via modulation of GJ function.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000871090800004 Publication Date 0000-00-00  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2213-2317 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes We thank Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement (CAPES, Brazil) for the scholarship granted, and the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the University of Antwerp, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Founda­tion, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the University of Antwerp, for providing the computational resources needed for running the simulations. This work was also funded in part by the funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Government. The FWO fellowships and grants that funded this work include: 12S9221N (Abraham Lin), G044420N (Abraham Lin and Annemie Bogaerts), and 1S67621N (Hanne Verswyvel). Figs. 1, 4 and 5 were created in BioRender.com. Approved Most recent IF: 11.4  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:191362 Serial 7112  
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Author Ozkan, A.; Dufour, T.; Arnoult, G.; De Keyzer, P.; Bogaerts, A.; Reniers, F. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title CO2-CH4 conversion and syngas formation at atmospheric pressure using a multi-electrode dielectric barrier discharge Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2015 Publication Journal of CO2 utilization Abbreviated Journal J Co2 Util  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 74-81  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract The conversion of CO2 and CH4 into value-added chemicals is studied in a new geometry of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) with multi-electrodes, dedicated to the treatment of high gas flow rates. Gas chromatography is used to define the CO2 and CH4 conversion as well as the yields of the products of decomposition (CO, O2 and H2) and of recombination (C2H4, C2H6 and CH2O). The influence of three parameters is investigated on the conversion: the CO2 and CH4 flow rates, the plasma power and the nature of the carrier gas (argon or helium). The energy efficiency of the CO2 conversion is estimated and compared with those of similar atmospheric plasma sources. Our DBD reactor shows a good compromise between a good energy efficiency and the treatment of a large CO2 flow rate.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000350088700010 Publication Date 2015-01-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2212-9820; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.292 Times cited 57 Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.292; 2015 IF: 3.091  
  Call Number c:irua:123029 Serial 3522  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sun, S.R.; Wang, H.X.; Mei, D.H.; Tu, X.; Bogaerts, A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title CO2 conversion in a gliding arc plasma: Performance improvement based on chemical reaction modeling Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Journal of CO2 utilization Abbreviated Journal J Co2 Util  
  Volume 17 Issue 17 Pages 220-234  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)  
  Abstract CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals is gaining increasing interest in recent years, and a gliding arc plasma has great potential for this purpose, because of its high energy efficiency. In this study, a chemical reaction kinetics model is presented to study the CO2 splitting in a gliding arc discharge. The calculated

conversion and energy efficiency are in good agreement with experimental data in a range of different operating conditions. Therefore, this reaction kinetics model can be used to elucidate the dominant chemical reactions contributing to CO2 destruction and formation. Based on this reaction pathway analysis, the restricting factors for CO2 conversion are figured out, i.e., the reverse reactions and the small treated gas fraction. This allows us to propose some solutions in order to improve the CO2 conversion, such as decreasing the gas temperature, by using a high frequency discharge, or increasing the power

density, by using a micro-scale gliding arc reactor, or by removing the reverse reactions, which could be realized in practice by adding possible scavengers for O atoms, such as CH4. Finally, we compare our results with other types of plasmas in terms of conversion and energy efficiency, and the results illustrate that gliding arc discharges are indeed quite promising for CO2 conversion, certainly when keeping in mind the possible solutions for further performance improvement.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000393928500023 Publication Date 2016-12-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN (down) 2212-9820 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.292 Times cited 41 Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes We acknowledge financial support from the IAP/7 (Inter- university Attraction Pole) program ‘PSI-Physical Chemistry of Plasma-Surface Interactions’ by the Belgian Federal Office for Science Policy (BELSPO) and the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO; Grant no. G.0383.16N). The calculations were carried out using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UAntwerpen), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UAntwerpen. This work is also supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 11275021, 11575019). S R Sun thanks the financial support from the China Scholarship Council (CSC). Approved Most recent IF: 4.292  
  Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @ c:irua:138986 Serial 4332  
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