Documentary about one of Early Christianity's most important leaders, Augustine of Hippo, his cultural context and his importance today, featuring interviews with experts at relevant locations in... Show moreDocumentary about one of Early Christianity's most important leaders, Augustine of Hippo, his cultural context and his importance today, featuring interviews with experts at relevant locations in Tunisia and Italy. Show less
Metals have an important role in the global economy. With the energy transition, the demand for many metals is expected to sharply increase in the future. Although many studies apply prospective... Show moreMetals have an important role in the global economy. With the energy transition, the demand for many metals is expected to sharply increase in the future. Although many studies apply prospective LCA to assess future environmental impacts of metal supply, the methods have not yet converged to a common approach. This study aims to provide an overview of these studies and their approaches, following 2 research questions: 1. Which metals have been addressed by previous prospective LCA studies and what are their expected future supply impacts according to the identified studies? 2. What are the studied parameters of the metal supply chains, the applied scenario modelling approaches, and data sources used? We performed a systematic literature review to identify studies which assess future environmental impacts due to the supply of metals. This includes publications about absolute impacts of global metal demand, but also relative impacts assessed by comparative LCAs of emerging technologies. For these studies, we analysed both the results and the methods to integrate prospective elements in the LCA models focussing on the choice of parameters, background scenarios, data sources and modelling approaches. The literature review yielded 40 papers. We found that the majority of publications investigate bulk metals like Cu, Fe and Al. Most studies investigate relative impacts (i.e. per kg metal produced). Fewer studies also address absolute impacts of the total future demand; however, these mostly agree that absolute environmental impacts associated with global metal demand are likely to increase. Moreover, the results show that the majority of studies assess CO2 emissions, while other impacts are less often investigated. Furthermore, we found that the parameters considered most frequently are future ore grades, recycling shares, and energy efficiency. Background scenarios were primarily energy scenarios, which were most often electricity scenarios from the integrated assessment model IMAGE. Background scenarios modelling other developments are less common. Overall, the review reveals a wide variety of parameter choices, scenario modelling approaches and data sources. This study stresses the necessity to reduce environmental impacts of metal supply. Moreover, it highlights the need for guidelines for prospective LCA as well as for the documentation of modelling choices, LCI and scenario data to facilitate transparency and sharing of LCA scenarios in the community. Show less
Werf, V. van der; Aivaloglou, E.; Hermans, F.F.J.; Specht, M.M. 2022
n the James Webb Space Telescope and Extremely Large Telescopes era we expect to characterize a number of potentially habitable Earth-like exoplanets. However, the characterization of these worlds... Show moren the James Webb Space Telescope and Extremely Large Telescopes era we expect to characterize a number of potentially habitable Earth-like exoplanets. However, the characterization of these worlds depends crucially on the accuracy of theoretical models. Validating these models against observations of planets with known properties will be key for the future characterization of terrestrial exoplanets. Due to its sensitivity to the micro- and macro-physical properties of an atmosphere, spectropolarimetry will be an important tool that in tandem with traditional flux-only observations will enhance the capabilities of characterizing Earth-like planets. In this presentation we benchmark two separate polarization-enabled radiative transfer codes against each other and against unique linear spectropolarimetric observations of the Earthshine (i.e., sunlight scattered by the dayside of the Earth and reflected back to the planet by the nightside of the Moon) that cover wavelengths from ~ 0.4 μm to ~ 2.3 μm. We find that the results from the two codes agree with each other but both underestimate the level of polarization of the Earthshine. We discuss how we plan to update the two codes to better fit the observations. We also report an interesting discrepancy between our models and the observed 1.27 μm O2 feature in the Earthshine, together with an analysis of potential methods for matching this feature and a discussion on the implications this has for future observations of habitable exoplanets. Show less
Studies into the history of mate search show that important mate choice criteria vary through time, influenced by societal circumstances, whereas others seem to remain constant. Nowadays, online... Show moreStudies into the history of mate search show that important mate choice criteria vary through time, influenced by societal circumstances, whereas others seem to remain constant. Nowadays, online dating has become one of the most popularways to meet a partner, which changed the mate selection process because this computer-mediated communication facilitates selective self-presentation. Biographies of dating app profiles are space limited and often selfwritten, providing insight in what users find crucial to mention about themselves and their wishes for a future partner. Here we collected 300 biographies from three online dating platforms and coded them on four content themes: dating intention, personality and appearance of self vs. potential partner, and lifestyle.We present a preliminary comparison of these mate choice criteria between gender and age. Show less
Today, Computed Tomography (CT) is a widely established technique to visualize pathological changes in archaeological human remains. The high definition of the current scanners allow for even small... Show moreToday, Computed Tomography (CT) is a widely established technique to visualize pathological changes in archaeological human remains. The high definition of the current scanners allow for even small lesions to be visualized, therefore giving osteoarchaeologists a powerful tool to investigate disease in the past.The study of chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS) has received significant attention in the past years as the presence of CMS is generally considered indicative or air quality. We discuss here the methodological implications of using CT scans for diagnosing CMS in contrast to classical endoscopical observation. A total of 32 crania from the Dutch post-medieval rural village of Middenbeemster (AD 1829-1866) were examined both endoscopically and through CT scans. Criteria for identifying CMS included presence of bone spicules and pitting on the sinus walls. 12 cases of CMS were identified endoscopically, and 19 through CT scanning. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in scoring CMS endoscopically or through radiographic imaging (τb=0.246, p=0.170). When investigating differences among features, no statistical difference was found between spicules observed through macroscopical analysis and computed tomography respectively (τb=0.246, p=0.170). The same analysis, however, revealed a statistically significant difference in endoscopically-assessed and CT-observed pitting (τb=0.374, p=0.037). Our results suggest that diagnosis of CMS on human skeletal remains can be confidently performed both through endoscopical and radiological analysis, albeit delivering better performances in scoring bone formation in contrast to bone resorption. Further research is being considered to fully explore the role of computed tomography in the study of CMS. Show less
Schaik, L. van; Fontijn, D.; Schats, R.; Kootker, L. 2022
IntroductionOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease that degrades the cartilage in synovial joints, eventually leading to the direct destruction of bone. Today, OA is often observed in the hands... Show moreIntroductionOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease that degrades the cartilage in synovial joints, eventually leading to the direct destruction of bone. Today, OA is often observed in the hands and wrists, yet there have been few dedicated studies in past populations. This research aims to investigate how the living environment impacts the occurrence and patterning of hand and wrist OA in the medieval Netherlands.Materials & MethodsThe skeletal remains of 226 adult individuals from three sites (urban Alkmaar, rural Klaaskinderkerke, and urban hospital Kampen) were analysed to shed light on past prevalence and variation in affected joints between contextually different populations. The operational definition from Waldron (2009) was used to diagnose OA. ResultsExpectedly, a significant relationship between age and OA prevalence was found, χ2(2, N=226)=26.72, p<.001), with older individuals being more affected. Sex did not influence OA prevalence, χ2(2, N=226)=.75, p=0.68). Interestingly, even though the age distribution between the sites was similar, a clear interpopulation difference in overall hand and wrist OA prevalence was observed: hospital (32%), urban (12%) and rural (5%). Joint-specific patterning also showed variation between the sites, with OA predominance in the lateral wrist (thumb-base/wrist joint complex) in the urban hospital population, and in the medial wrist (piso-triquetral) in the urban population. ConclusionsThese results suggest that population context plays a significant role in OA occurrence. Differences in OA prevalence and patterning may suggest different activities or risk factors depending on the environment, which need to be explored further and on a larger scale. Show less
