Microplastic Index-How to Predict Microplastics Formation?

The presence of microplastics in environmental compartments is generally recognized as a (potential) health risk. Many papers have been published on the abundance of microplastics at various locations around the globe, but only limited knowledge is available on possible mitigation routes. One of the mitigation routes is based on the choice of plastic materials used for products that may unintentionally end up in the environment.

Turning grey is not a black-and-white experience: A phenomenological study on the lived experience of old age among Dutch Franciscan friars.

The lack of constructive cultural narratives of old age impedes older people from giving meaning to any difficult circumstances related to aging in which they might find themselves. In this study, we attempted to shed a different light on experiences of meaning in older age to contribute to sources for constructive counter narratives by gaining insight into (the experience of) meaning in old age of Dutch Franciscan friars. The research was a phenomenological in-depth interview study among twelve friars (mean age 80.

Saddle and leg forces during lateral movements in dressage.

Reasons For Performing Study: In the equestrian world it is assumed that riders use changes in weight distribution and leg forces as important instruments to give horses directions about speed and direction of movement. However, the changes of these forces have never been quantified.

Objectives: To investigate the distribution of normal forces (perpendicular to surface) underneath the saddle and of normal forces exerted by the rider's legs during lateral movements.

Establishing the manding function of communicative gestures with individuals with severe/profound mental retardation.

Procedures for teaching communicative gestures to individuals with mental retardation are focused mostly on establishing requesting or manding. It is often taken for granted that when a student has been taught to make a request, that he or she is indeed manding. Five students with severe/profound mental retardation accepted referents, regardless of whether the referents matched the gestures they made.