• Netherlands
• Open Access close

We investigated the processing of violations of the verb position in Dutch, in a group of healthy subjects, by measuring event-related potentials (ERPs) through electroencephalography (EEG). In Dutch, the base position of the verb is clause final, but in matrix clauses, the finite verb is in second position, a construction known as Verb Second. In embedded clauses, the finite verb remains in its clause-final base position. The results show that ungrammatical placement of finite verbs in second position in embedded clauses yields a P600 response, which suggests that the parser treats this type of violation as a clear syntactic anomaly. This is in contrast to accounts by which a general preference for subject-verb-object word order in languages like Dutch is reflected by an absence of P600 effects in response to violations of Verb Second.

Abstract Communication-centric systems are software systems built as assemblies of distributed artifacts that interact following predefined communication protocols. Session-based concurrency is a type-based approach to ensure the conformance of communication-centric systems to such protocols. This paper presents a model of session-based concurrency with mechanisms for run-time adaptation . Our model allows us to specify communication-centric systems whose session behavior can be dynamically updated at run-time. We improve on previous work by proposing an event-based approach: adaptation requests, issued by the system itself or by its context, are assimilated to events which may trigger adaptation routines. These routines exploit type-directed checks to enable the reconfiguration of processes with active protocols. We equip our model with a type system that ensures communication safety and consistency properties: while safety guarantees absence of run-time communication errors, consistency ensures that update actions do not disrupt already established session protocols. We provide soundness results for binary and multiparty protocols.

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown conflicting results on the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on quality of life (QoL) in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients. Objectives To evaluate the effect of CPAP on QoL in OSA patients compared to sham CPAP, placebo pills, and conservative treatment. Methods Studies were identified via Web of Knowledge, PubMed, PsychInfo, CINAHL, EMBASE, OpenGrey, and the Cochrane Library. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. Results Meta-analysis of 13 randomised controlled trials showed no significant differences in overall and psychological QoL comparing values of CPAP treated patients with controls; however, physical QoL improved. CPAP significantly affected the overall QoL in studies with controls receiving sham CPAP, parallel design, low risk of bias, and mild OSA patients. Conclusion CPAP treatment may help to improve physical symptoms of OSA, whereas impaired psychological QoL still cannot be alleviated.

Het zou mogelijk kunnen zijn, dat nitraat de schildklierfunctie in de mens remt, zoals dit in proefdieronderzoek is gevonden. Het mechanisme hierachter is dat het nitraation (NO3-) opname van jodide (I-) in schildkliercellen competitief remt door gebruik te maken van hetzelfde transportmechanisme. Een lagere schildklier jodide opname kan leiden tot een verlaagde schildklierhormoon secretie (T4, T3), gevolgd door een verhoogde productie van TSH (thyro6d stimulerend hormoon). Hierdoor kan een schildklier vergroting (krop) ontstaan. Onze doelstelling in dit onderzoek was daarom om het effect van nitraat op de menselijke schildklierfunctie te onderzoeken in een vier weken nitraat blootstellingstudie. Gedurende 28 dagen kregen tien vrijwilligers dagelijks een oplossing met 15 mg natriumnitraat per kg lichaamsgewicht (driemaal de maximaal toelaatbare dagelijkse hoeveelheid, ADI) in 200 ml gedestilleerd water oraal toegediend (nitraatgroep) en kregen tien vrijwilligers dagelijks 200 ml gedestilleerd water oraal toegediend (controlegroep). Beide groepen volgden een jodium-beperkt en nitraatarm dieet, wat gecontroleerd werd aan de hand van 24-uurs jodide in urine en plasma nitraat-concentraties. Voor en na 28 dagen blootstelling werd het percentage (%) radiojodium (131I) opname (RAIU) gemeten op 5 uur en 24 uur na de inname van de 131I-capsule om het competitief effect van nitraat op de schildklier jodide opname te meten. Voor (nitraat) blootstelling en twee, drie en vier weken na de start aan de blootstellingperiode werden bloedmonsters afgenomen voor de hormoonconcentraties van TSH, T4, T3, rT3 en IGF I om de schildklierfunctie te bepalen. Er werd geen effect van nitraat op de hormoonconcentraties gevonden gedurende de vier weken blootstellingperiode aan driemaal de ADI van nitraat. Na vier weken nitraat blootstelling was de 24-uurs RAIU 1,5 maal de 24-uurs RAIU voor nitraat blootstelling. Echter, een afname in 24-uurs RAIU in de nitraatgroep werd verwacht. De conclusie van dit onderzoek is dat een blootstelling aan driemaal de ADI van nitraat geen veranderingen in schildklierfunctie te weeg brengt in een gezonde populatie.

Opening chapter of the English version of the book 'Energieke Arbeid' published by the Centre of Applied Labour Market Research and Innovation (Dutch abbreviation: KCA) to celebrate the 10th anniversary of applied labour market research at Hanze University of Applied Sciences. This first chapter takes a brief look back at the development of KCA over the past ten years.

Hyponatraemia is the commonest electrolyte abnormality in hospitalized patients. If the plasma sodium concentration (PNa) declines to ∼ 120 mM in <48 h, brain cell swelling might result in herniation, with devastating consequences. The volume and/or the composition of fluids used for intravenous therapy often contribute to the development of acute hyponatraemia. Our hypothesis is that the traditional calculation of the daily loss of insensible water overestimates this parameter, leading to an excessive daily recommended requirement for water. We offer suggestions to minimize the risk of iatrogenic hyponatraemia.

Whispering gallery modes supported by open circular dielectric cavities are embedded into a nonparametric two-dimensional frequency domain hybrid coupled mode theory framework. Regular aggregates of these cavities, including straight access channels, are investigated. The model enables convenient studies of the guided wave scattering process, the response of the circuit to guided wave excitation. Transmission resonances can be characterized directly in terms of resonance frequency and linewidth by computing supermodes of the entire composite circuits, comprising both cavities and bus waveguides. Examples of single ring and disk filters, a coupled-resonator optical waveguide, and a three-cavity photonic molecule in a reflector configuration allow the approach to be assessed.

ABSTRACTWe present the most sensitive and extensive survey yet performed of extragalactic H 2 CO 6 cm (4.829 GHz)emission/absorption. Sixty-two sources were observed with the C-band system of the Arecibo Telescope to a 1rms noise level of 0.3 mJy. We report a new detection of H 2 CO 6 cm absorption toward NGC 520 and theconfirmation of H 2 CO 6 cm absorption toward several sources. We report confirmation of H 2 CO 6 cm emissiontoward the OH megamasers Arp 220, IC 860, and IRAS 15107+0724. At present these are the only extragalacticH 2 CO 6 cm emitters independently confirmed. A characterization of the properties of formaldehyde absorbersand emitters based on infrared properties of the galaxiesis discussed. We also conducted a simultaneous surveyof the H110 hydrogen recombination line toward a sample of 53 objects. We report the detection of H110toward the giant extragalactic H ii region NGC 604 in M33.Subject headinggs: galaxies: ISM — ISM: molecules — radio lines: galaxies1. INTRODUCTIONMore than 20 molecular species have been detected towardextragalactic regions during the last decades (e.g., Henkel MTakanoetal.1995),formaldehyde(H

Summary Background Divergent results have been reported regarding early life exposure to indoor environmental agents and the risk of asthma and allergic sensitization later in life. Objective To assess whether early exposure to indoor allergens, β(1,3)-glucans and endotoxin modifies the risk of allergic diseases at 10 years of age. Methods The concentrations of mite, cat and dog allergens, endotoxin and β(1,3)-glucans were determined in dust from the homes of 260 two-year-old children with lung function measured at birth (tidal flow volume loops) in the Environment and Childhood Asthma study in Oslo. At 10 years, the health status was assessed in a follow-up study including a structured interview of the parents and an extended clinical examination. Results Cat and dog keeping at 2 years of age was reported in 6.5% and 5.5% of the families, respectively. Mite allergens were detected in only 4/260 dust samples. The adjusted odds ratio for asthma at age 10 was 1.20 (95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.43) and 1.22 (1.02–1.46) for bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) per 10 μg/g dust increase in cat allergen exposure at 2 years of age. No association was seen with allergic sensitization. Moreover, endotoxin and β(1,3)-glucan exposure did not modify the risk of asthma or allergic sensitization. None of the measured environmental factors were associated with lung function at 10 years of age or a relative change in lung function from birth. Conclusion In a community with a low prevalence of pet keeping and low mite allergen levels, exposure to cat allergens early in life increased the risk of late childhood asthma and BHR, but not the risk of allergic sensitization. No risk modification was seen for dog allergens, endotoxin and β(1,3)-glucans. Cite this as: R. J. Bertelsen, K. C. Lodrup CarlsenK.-H. Carlsen, B. Granum, G. Doekes, G. Haland, P. Mowinckel and M. Lovik, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 307– 316.