2014, Article / Letter to editor (BMC Public Health, vol. 14, (2014), pp. 77)BACKGROUND: Evidence has been synthesized to determine hindering and facilitating factors associated with the work participation of adults with developmental dyslexia (DD), classified according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). METHODS: A systematic literature review has been performed. Two search strings were used to determine the population and the context of work. The ICF was expanded with two subdivisions: one that made the environmental factors more work-related and a subdivision of personal factors. For data extraction the method known as qualitative metasummary was used and the manifest frequency effect size (MFES) for each category in the ICF was calculated. RESULTS: From 33 included studies 318 factors have been extracted and classified in the ICF. In the classification the frequency of occurrences and the consistency in direction (i.e., hindering or facilitating) have been made visible. The ICF categories with the highest MFES were mental functions with factors like feelings and emotions about dyslexia; activities like reading or writing/spelling; participation with factors like acquiring and keeping a job; social relationships at work where the attitudes and support of the employer and co-workers are important; working conditions with factors like the availability of assistive technology and accommodations on the job; and personal factors like self-disclosure and coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of work DD affects nearly all domains of functioning, mostly in a negative way. Within each domain the impact of DD increases over the course of life. To overcome that negative influence, many forms of adaptation, compensation, or coping are mentioned. Also notable is the lack of positive attitudes toward DD of the participants with DD-with the exception of the attitudes of teachers with DD-as well as on the part of colleagues, supervisors, and employers.
2013, Article in monograph or in proceedings ()The upbringing of children with ASD is a difficult task for their parents. Because of their constraints in contact and communication it is hard to understand their needs and therefore the parents and their brothers and sisters need specific skills. In the Netherlands there is no home treatment specifically for families with ASD. We developed a competence directed home treatment program: the Family Home treatment for Autism (FHA).
The aims are: to restore the balance of family life by improving the competence in dealing with ASD of all family members.
2014, Article in monograph or in proceedings (Chi Sparks 2014)In this paper we present the design and field trial of the Dynamic Collage. The Dynamic Collage was designed to facilitate and to stimulate participation of family members in the informal care of an elderly person. The Dynamic Collage enabled relatives to update their current activity by sending a photo to a digital collage at the elderly person's living space. The service is triggered when a family member visits the elderly person. The field trial revealed that all family members valued this type of communication and that they became more aware of informal care. This shows there are opportunities to support informal care in a broader circle than current practices allow. Apart from informal care, our design case contributes to the field of social awareness systems, which we will discuss in the paper.
2019, Article / Letter to editor (JMIR Research Protocols, vol. 8, iss. 4, (2019))Background: Interventions to improve the nutritional status of older adults and the integration of formal and family care systems are critical research areas to improve the independence and health of aging communities and are particularly relevant in the rehabilitation setting.
Objective: The primary outcome aimed to determine if the FREER (Family in Rehabilitation: EmpowERing Carers for improved malnutrition outcomes) intervention in malnourished older adults during and postrehabilitation improve nutritional status, physical function, quality of life, service satisfaction, and hospital and aged care admission rates up to 3 months postdischarge, compared with usual care. Secondary outcomes evaluated include family carer burden, carer services satisfaction, and patient and carer experiences. This pilot study will also assess feasibility and intervention fidelity to inform a larger randomized controlled trial.
Methods: This protocol is for a mixed-methods two-arm historically-controlled prospective pilot study intervention. The historical control group has 30 participants, and the pilot intervention group aims to recruit 30 patient-carer pairs. The FREER intervention delivers nutrition counseling during rehabilitation, 3 months of postdischarge telehealth follow-up, and provides supportive resources using a novel model of patient-centered and carer-centered nutrition care. The primary outcome is nutritional status measured by the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Score. Qualitative outcomes such as experiences and perceptions of value will be measured using semistructured interviews followed by thematic analysis. The process evaluation addresses intervention fidelity and feasibility.
Results: Recruitment commenced on July 4, 2018, and is ongoing with eight patient-carer pairs recruited at the time of manuscript submission.
Conclusions: This research will inform a larger randomized controlled trial, with potential for translation to health service policies and new models of dietetic care to support the optimization of nutritional status across a continuum of nutrition care from rehabilitation to home.
2020, Article / Letter to editor (Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, (2020), pp. 1-13)INTRODUCTION: Integrating web-based or mobile components and face-to-face components within a treatment process is called blended care. As part of the participatory development of a blended physiotherapeutic intervention for patients with low back pain (e-Exercise LBP), a proof of concept study was carried out and showed promising results. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of the e-Exercise LBP prototype for patients and physiotherapists to improve the intervention. METHODS: A mixed methods study was executed, embedded in the development phase of e-Exercise LBP. 21 physiotherapists treated 41 patients with e-Exercise LBP. Quantitative data consisted of: patients' satisfaction on a five-point Likert Scale; patients' and physiotherapists' experienced usability of the web-based application (System Usability Scale) and; patients' experiences with e-Exercise LBP (closed-ended questions and statements related to the elements and goals of e-Exercise LBP). Semi-structured interviews about experiences with e-Exercise LBP were conducted with seven patients and seven physiotherapists. Qualitative data were analyzed by a phenomenological approach. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Patients were satisfied with e-Exercise LBP (mean: 4.0; SD:0.8; range: extreme dissatisfaction (1)-extreme satisfaction (5)). Usability of the web-based application was acceptable (patients: mean: 73.2 (SD:16.3); physiotherapists: mean: 63.3 (SD:12.0); range: 0-100). Interviews revealed that physiotherapists' training is essential to successfully integrate the web-based application and face-to-face sessions within physiotherapy treatment. Also, patients addressed the need of reminder messages to support long-term (exercise) adherence. CONCLUSION: e-Exercise LBP appeared to be feasible. However, various prerequisites and points of improvement were mentioned to improve physiotherapists' training and the prototype.
2010, Article / Letter to editor (Biosystems Engineering, iss. 105, (2010), pp. 51-58)Throughout the world greenhouse horticulture is expanding and intensifying. The expansion is driven by the much higher production levels that are achieved in greenhouses compared to open fields. This provides increased income for farmers and a positive effect on rural development. Intensification is driven by the demand for better control of the production process resulting in higher yield but, more importantly, higher product quality. As a result products can meet the standards of the fast expanding consumer market for high quality fresh products, driven by the booming new economies. However greenhouse horticulture also faces major problems. In northern countries, with cold winter climates, greenhouses have to be heated for optimal growing conditions so energy supply is an important issue. In the southern countries with the combination of high global radiation and high outdoor temperatures during summer, cooling of greenhouses is needed during this period. Solutions for energy supply in winter and cooling in summer can be combined applying seasonal storage of excess solar energy and exploiting this for heating in winter. The advantage of this system is cheaper cooling, and energy savings of about 35% compared to heating by furnace. The disadvantage is that the excess solar energy is converted to low grade thermal energy which is stored at a temperature level of about 18 °C. This can only be exploited for heating in winter by a heat pump, driven by high grade energy such as electricity. Here, the feasibility of a novel approach is investigated of a greenhouse design combining cooling with energy supply in such a way that excess solar energy is directly converted to high grade electric energy. A prototype greenhouse according to this design is under construction. In a following paper the experimental results of this prototype greenhouse will be presented.
2012, Part of book or chapter of book (, pp. 27-42)Entrepreneurship is the driving force for the growth of economies. Female entrepreneurship is, however, still lagging behind in development when compared to male entrepreneurship. This paper describes possible differences between male and female entrepreneurship and the reasons behind these differences, and more particular, why and how education can play a role in stimulating female students to become entrepreneurs. The most common research question is related to differences between male and female entrepreneurs in attitudes, characteristics and competences in respect to entrepreneurship. Few such differences were found. The educational setting is one of the core areas where students can devote their time in developing competences. Therefore, it might be of interest to study the educational context that contributes to female entrepreneurship. This paper presents an overview of the disincentives and incentives for female entrepreneurship. Furthermore it discusses the role of traits and competences in comparing male and female entrepreneurship. Concluded is with how education can contribute to fostering female entrepreneurship.
2009, Part of book or chapter of book (, pp. 35-47)In deze bijdrage ga ik in op wat feminisering van het onderwijs is en hoe we daar de afgelopen 25 jaar – zowel op de pabo als in het basisonderwijs – mee te maken hebben gekregen. De keerzijde is masculinisering en ik zal eveneens laten zien hoe zich dat in het onderwijs voordoet. Zowel feminisering als masculinisering hebben negatieve gevolgen. Ik wil duidelijk maken dat de gevolgen van de feminisering minder erg zijn dan we volgens de pers moeten geloven, maar dat het desondanks een ongewenste ontwikkeling is. Tot slot geef ik aan hoe we zowel in het basisonderwijs als op de pabo kunnen werken aan een ommekeer, dat wil zeggen: meer diversiteit in het onderwijs in alle functies.
2011, Article / Letter to editor (International Journal of Nursing Studies, vol. 48, iss. 9, (2011), pp. 1040-1048)Patient care guidelines are usually implemented one at a time, yet patients are at risk for multiple, often preventable, adverse events simultaneously. This study aimed to test the effect of the SAFE or SORRY? programme on the incidence of three adverse events (pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections and falls). This paper describes Part I of the study: the effect on the incidence of adverse events. A cluster randomised trial was conducted between September 2006 and November 2008. After a three-month baseline period the intervention was implemented followed by a nine-month follow-up period. Ten wards from four hospitals and ten wards from six nursing homes were stratified for institute and ward type and then randomised to intervention or usual care group.
2009, Article / Letter to editor (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 90, iss. 2, (2009), pp. 354-361)Diet is a major factor in the etiology of colorectal cancer, with high fish consumption possibly decreasing colorectal cancer risk, as was shown in several observational studies. To date, no intervention trials have examined the possible beneficial effects of fish intake on colorectal cancer risk. The objective was to investigate the effects of a 6-mo intervention with oil-rich or lean fish on apoptosis and mitosis within the colonic crypt. In a multicenter, randomized, controlled intervention trial, patients with colorectal polyps, inactive ulcerative colitis, or no macroscopic signs of disease were recruited (n = 242) and randomly allocated to receive dietary advice plus either 300 g oil-rich fish (salmon) per week (n = 82), 300 g lean fish (cod) per week (n = 78), or only dietary advice (DA) (n = 82). Apoptosis and mitosis were measured in colonic biopsy samples collected before and after intervention (n = 213). The total number of apoptotic cells per crypt did not increase in the salmon or cod group: -0.10 (95% CI: -0.36, 0.16) and -0.06 (95% CI: -0.32, 0.20), respectively, compared with the DA group. The total number of mitotic cells per crypt decreased nonsignificantly in the salmon group (-0.87; 95% CI: -2.41, 0.68) and in the cod group (-1.04; 95% CI: -2.62, 0.53) compared with the DA group. Furthermore, the distribution of mitosis within the crypt did not significantly change in either group. An increase in the consumption of either oil-rich or lean fish to 2 portions weekly over 6 mo does not markedly change apoptotic and mitotic rates in the colonic mucosa. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00145015.
2020, Article / Letter to editor (Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, vol. 23, iss. 3, (2020), pp. 164-173)Purpose of review Providing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in the form of fish oils, to benefit muscle is an emerging area of interest. The aim of this work was to evaluate the current literature that has assessed muscle mass as an outcome during a fish oil intervention in any chronic disease. Recent findings The vast majority of studies published in the last 3 years (12 of 15) have been conducted in the oncological setting, in patients undergoing treatment for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, breast, head and neck, lung, cervix, and hematological cancers. Three studies were conducted in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fish oil was provided as part of nutrient mixtures in 12 studies and as capsules in three studies. Overall, the evidence for an effect of fish oil supplementation on muscle mass in patients with cancer undergoing treatment and in COPD remains unequivocal and reveals limited new knowledge in the area of fish oil supplementation in the cancer setting. Recent literature continues to provide mixed evidence on the efficacy of fish oil on muscle mass and function. The present review highlights challenges in comparing and interpreting current studies aimed at testing fish oil supplementation for muscle health.
2013, Article / Letter to editor (PLoS One, vol. 8, iss. 2, (2013), pp. e57209)In contrast to western countries, foot complaints are rare in Africa. This is remarkable, as many African adults walk many hours each day, often barefoot or with worn-out shoes. The reason why Africans can withstand such loading without developing foot complaints might be related to the way the foot is loaded. Therefore, static foot geometry and dynamic plantar pressure distribution of 77 adults from Malawi were compared to 77 adults from the Netherlands. None of the subjects had a history of foot complaints. The plantar pressure pattern as well as the Arch Index (AI) and the trajectory of the center of pressure during the stance phase were calculated and compared between both groups. Standardized pictures were taken from the feet to assess the height of the Medial Longitudinal Arch (MLA). We found that Malawian adults: (1) loaded the midfoot for a longer and the forefoot for a shorter period during roll off, (2) had significantly lower plantar pressures under the heel and a part of the forefoot, and (3) had a larger AI and a lower MLA compared to the Dutch. These findings demonstrate that differences in static foot geometry, foot loading, and roll off technique exist between the two groups. The advantage of the foot loading pattern as shown by the Malawian group is that the plantar pressure is distributed more equally over the foot. This might prevent foot complaints.
2017, Article / Letter to editor (SBI formaat Stand MZ, vol. 2, iss. 2, (2017), pp. 16-17)Flexibele arbeid en zekerheid worden steeds meer tegenpolen, zo lijkt het. Een op de vier werkenden heeft een flexbaan of werkt als zzper. Vonden in de jaren negentig nog één op de twee flexwerkers binnen een jaar een vaste baan, nu is dat nog maar één op de vijf / zes. In flexwerkers wordt minder geïnvesteerd dan in vast personeel als het gaat om opleiding en training. Bovendien is het werk van lager niveau, heeft men minder inkomen en autonomie en is het minder uitdagend dan vast werk. Flex lijkt vooral een ‘lage lonen’-strategie om de loonkosten te drukken. Daarnaast speelt mee dat werkgevers huiverig zijn om ‘vast’ personeel aan te nemen vanwege de kosten en risico’s voor pensioen, de tweejarige loondoorbetaling en tienjarige re-integratieverplichtingen bij ziekte, en de kosten bij ontslag. Dat betekent dat werkzekerheid belangrijker is dan baanzekerheid. Daarvoor is sociale innovatie en herijking van onze instituties nodig.
2010, Part of book or chapter of book (, pp. 139-160)In todays society, the quantity of information available to learners is so vast that new strategies of information processing and exchange must be continually developed and improved. E-Collaborative Knowledge Construction: Learning from Computer-Supported and Virtual Environments explores the construction of beneficial e-collaborative knowledge environments from four vital perspectives: educational, psychological, organizational, and technical. It offers several scenarios where the implementation of e-collaborative knowledge construction is necessary and then not only presents methods for facilitating e-collaborative knowledge construction, but also provides methods for assessing its results. This exciting new publication is a must-have for academics, researchers, and professionals who dare to discover new innovations!
2009, Article / Letter to editor (Hanblad, vol. 2009, iss. 13, (2009), pp. 10-11)Veel markten worden steeds volatieler. Door de globalisering beïnvloeden alle sectoren en markten elkaar. Gaan de financiële wereld en de automotive onderuit dan heeft dat ook z’n effect op de olie & gas, krijgen de semicon en de IT-sector tikken en worden ook de metaal- en de kunststofbranches meegesleept. In hoog tempo. En in tijden van upturn gaat dat precies zo, maar dan andersom.
2016, Article / Letter to editor ((2016), pp. 45-48)New health technologies are not accessible to all users due to the circumstantial or permanent disabilities some users have. Especially in healthcare, attention must be paid to accommodating all potential users or patients. With the smart use of multimodal systems and multimedia solutions, a broader patient group can be reached. In this paper, we lay out the concept guidelines for accessible wearable technology. Wearables are used for many purposes, including health. The research on these guidelines is in progress, first recommendations based on preliminary outcomes are given.
2014, Article / Letter to editor (Gait & Posture, vol. 39, iss. 2, (2014), pp. 773-777)INTRODUCTION: Based on the windlass mechanism theory of Hicks, the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) flattens during weight bearing. Simultaneously, foot lengthening is expected. However, changes in foot length during gait and the influence of walking speed has not been investigated yet. METHODS: The foot length and MLA angle of 34 healthy subjects (18 males, 16 females) at 3 velocities (preferred, low (preferred -0.4 m/s) and fast (preferred +0.4 m/s) speed were investigated with a 3D motion analysis system (VICON(®)). The MLA angle was calculated as the angle between the second metatarsal head, the navicular tuberculum and the heel in the local sagittal plane. Foot length was calculated as the distance between the marker at the heel and the 2nd metatarsal head. A General Linear Model for repeated measures was used to indicate significant differences in MLA angle and foot length between different walking speeds. RESULTS: The foot lengthened during the weight acceptance phase of gait and shortened during propulsion. With increased walking speed, the foot elongated less after heel strike and shortened more during push off. The MLA angle and foot length curve were similar, except between 50% and 80% of the stance phase in which the MLA increases whereas the foot length showed a slight decrease. CONCLUSION: Foot length seems to represent the Hicks mechanism in the foot and the ability of the foot to bear weight. At higher speeds, the foot becomes relatively stiffer, presumably to act as a lever arm to provide extra propulsion.
2010, Article / Letter to editor (Educational Technology Research and Development, vol. 58, iss. 3, (2010), pp. 311-324)This article describes a blueprint for an online learning environment that is based on prominent instructional design and assessment theories for supporting learning in complex domains. The core of this environment consists of formative assessment tasks (i.e., assessment for learning) that center on professional situations. For each professional situation, three levels of situational complexity are defined, and within each of these three levels, tasks are offered that differ in the degree of support offered to the learner. This environment can support (beginning) professionals in complex domains in gaining insight into the available repertoire of behavior in professional situations, as well as into the quality and effectiveness of that behavior (assessment criteria), while simultaneously helping them to develop insight into the standards that their own behavior should (eventually) match.
2012, Article / Letter to editor (Lastechniek : vakblad voor verbinden en snijden, vol. 2012, iss. 11, (2012), pp. 18-21)Tijdens de conferentie Trends in Welding Research van juni jl. in Chicago was een speciale sessie gewijd aan de microstructuurontwikkeling tijdens het lassen. Eén van de bijdragen was een presentatie van de onderzoeksresultaten van een M2i-onderzoek (Materials Innovation Institute), waarbij Tata Steel en TU Delft betrokken waren [1]. Het onderzoek had betrekking op de lasbaarheid van in ontwikkeling zijnde hogesterktestaalsoorten.
2015, Article / Letter to editor (Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. November 2, iss. 49, (2015), pp. 119-127)Family foster care placement decision-making has a weak scientific underpinning. Mostly a ‘variable-oriented approach’ is taken, which requires a lot of information that is not always available. The identification of clusters of foster children with similar characteristics may be a more viable decision strategy. In this study we investigated if foster children could indeed be clustered, which problems were identified at the time of placement, and the influence of placement history. It proved possible to group foster children into two clusters: (1) young children with familial problems and few behavioral problems, and (2) older children with prominent child problems and behavioral problems. For foster children with and without placement history, problems associated with placement proved identical. Considering that a foster care placement did not result in fundamental change in the problems present at time of placement, the importance is stressed of approaching foster care assessment as part of a decision making process which looks back as well as forward. Placement decisions should be based on an appraisal of the appropriateness of foster placement as a solution for the child. In conjunction with this appraisal a decision is required on how parents can be supported toward reunification. Or – if this is not an option – whether long term foster care is the best option for the child and if so, what conditions need to be met.
2009, Part of book or chapter of book (, pp. 375-395)Extant literature on collaborative learning shows that this instructional approach is widely used. In this chapter, the authors discuss the lack of alignment between collaborative learning and assessment practices. They will argue that peer assessment is a form of collaborative learning and a mode of assessment that perfectly fits the purpose of collaborative learning. As such, the authors purposefully depart from the more traditional application of assessment as a summative tool and advocate the consideration of formative peer assessment in collaborative learning. This shift towards formative assessment they believe has the potential to enhance learning. Their goal in this chapter is to review both shortcomings of current peer assessment practice as well as its potential for collaborative learning. Interactivity is central to foster the alignment between assessment and collaborative learning and the authors present a set of guidelines derived from research for increasing interactivity through formative peer assessment among peers in collaborative learning contexts.