Charles Liernurs pneumatische riool en het besturen van bodems

Charles Liernur’s Pneumatic Sewage System and the Governing of Soils This article interrogates the epistemological conditions of Charles Liernur’s pneumatic sewage system in order to shed light on the changing relation between soils and Dutch society in the nineteenth century. The first section discusses the relation between hygienism, soil and sewage. The second section unearths how Liernur’s design related to the agricultural chemistry of Justus Liebig. Through the epistemologies and the mediating technologies that are operationalized by hygienists and chemists, soils are made governable. The final section of this article discusses the struggle to commercialise the urban waste collected by Liernur’s system, highlighting the difference between governable and governed soils.

Op onvruchtbare bodem?

On barren soil? Early nature reserves of Natuurmonumenten and the Dutch landscape In 1905, Natuurmonumenten (Natural Monuments Society), a Dutch NGO for nature conservation, was founded. The society aimed to preserve some uncultivated lands, such as heathlands, fens, peat bogs but also forests, which were under threat of cultivation and reclamation. Natuurmonumenten managed to acquire a number of nature reserves in the years 1905-1940 for scientific, recreational and aesthetic reasons. In this article, this collection is analyzed and compared to the reserves of other Dutch nature conservation organizations in the same period. Although Natuurmonumenten acquired mainly barren soils, it turned out to be a fruitful start of a nature preservation organization that operated nationwide, and established a strong network within Dutch society.

Functional and Facilitating: A Look into the Promotion and Standardization of Dutch as the Official Language in the Netherlands

Dutch society is open and international-oriented. A long standing tradition of world trade has contributed to the English proficiency of Dutch citizens. This, however, brings challenges to the status of Dutch as the national official language in the Netherlands. This paper takes the framework of national language capacity building proposed by Wen Qiufang and inspects the Dutch language policy in official language promotion and standardization. Results of the research show that coming from other languages that undermines the position of Dutch as national official language is gradually increasing. The Dutch solution is to put facilitating measures in place and to develop functional tools to support language users and learners. This solution can be valuable for the building of European multilingual landscape with its facilitating feature.

An Educational Need Regarding Treatment-Related Infertility and Fertility Preservation: a National Survey Among Members of the Dutch Society for Medical Oncologists

Cancer diagnosis and treatment may influence reproductive planning and impact fertility in patients of reproductive age. Although guidelines have been established in the past decade, education, practice, and attitudes of medical oncologists regarding fertility preservation remain undecided. A nationwide survey was performed among members of the Dutch Society for Medical Oncology. Demographics, practice, knowledge, and barriers were measured regarding information provision of fertility preservation towards cancer patients of childbearing age. From 392 members, 120 oncologists completed the questionnaire (30.6%). Majority of oncologists was convinced it is their responsibility to discuss impact of cancer treatment to fertility (93.2%), yet 68.3% discussed the subject often or always (n = 82). Oncologists employed in district general hospitals were less likely to discuss fertility (p = 0.033). On average, 44.6% of reproductive men and 28.9% of reproductive women is referred to fertility specialists. Half of the respondents declared to possess sufficient knowledge regarding fertility preservation (n = 57, 47.5%). Poor prognosis (53%), unlikely survival (43.1%), and high chances on fertility recovery (28.7%) were identified as barriers to discussing fertility preservation. Among oncologists, impact of cancer treatment on fertility is a well-accepted responsibility to counsel. Despite, self-reported knowledge regarding fertility preservation is strongly varying. In practice, fertility is discussed to some extent, influenced by several barriers and depending on prognosis and type of hospital. Patients benefit from knowledge improvement among oncology care providers concerning fertility effects of cancer treatment. Education during medical school, residency, and among practicing oncologists may raise awareness, together with enhancement of referral possibilities.

Transforming Obstacles Into Icons Bridges as Key Elements in Cycling Infrastructure

<p>Cycling is deeply embedded in Dutch society and town planning. The latest development is that of bicycle fast lanes. In a country that is largely located in a river delta, with waterways literally everywhere, creating those fast lanes more often than not also requires building one or more bicycle bridges. Ipv Delft is a Dutch bridge design and engineering office, specializing in cycling infrastructure. As such, we have plenty of experience in designing bicycle bridges on bicycle fast lanes. Our integrated design method, which was the basis for the Brief Dutch Design Manual for Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridges (2017) has played a mayor role in creating bicycle bridge designs that not only look good, but are also cost-effective, within budget and adjusted to the requirements of the location, its stakeholders and the bridge users.</p><p>Our lecture will focus on several projects that illustrate how we work and why we believe an integrated approach is the way to go.</p>

Bariatric Surgery in Youth: the Perspective of Dutch Pediatricians, Parents, and Adolescents

Background Recent studies have indicated that bariatric surgery is effective for the treatment of youth with severe obesity. The attitudes of pediatricians, parents, and adolescents regarding this topic remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the current thoughts and beliefs of Dutch pediatricians, parents, and adolescents regarding bariatric surgery in youth. Methods An online survey containing twenty questions on bariatric surgery in youth was distributed to pediatricians of the Dutch Society of Pediatrics. Parents and adolescents who participated in an interdisciplinary care program for overweight, obesity, and severe obesity filled out an online survey of twelve questions. Results One hundred and twenty-one pediatricians, 49 parents, and 19 adolescents completed the surveys. Seventy-two pediatricians (59.5%) considered bariatric surgery to be an effective treatment for youth with severe obesity when conventional treatment fails, and intend to refer patients for bariatric surgery. The most frequently suggested conditions for bariatric surgery were a minimum age of 16 years (n = 59, 48.7%), a BMI threshold of 40 kg/m2 (n = 51, 42.2%), and a minimum Tanner stage of IV (n = 59, 48.8%). Thirty parents (61.2%) and fourteen adolescents (73.7%) responded that bariatric surgery should become available for youth with severe obesity. Conclusion Dutch pediatricians, parents, and adolescents increasingly accept bariatric surgery as a treatment modality in youth with severe obesity who do not respond successfully to lifestyle intervention. Whether pediatricians will actually refer youth for bariatric surgery remains to be seen when this treatment option will be implemented in the Netherlands. Graphical abstract

Geneva, natural history and the art of observing

According to the naturalist Charles Bonnet (1720–1793), an “art of observing” was sorely needed to stimulate further progress in natural history. Although he never published on the subject, Bonnet proposed a prize competition on the “art of observing” to Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen (the Dutch Society of Sciences) in Haarlem of which he was a member. Jean Senebier, a pastor and librarian who later became a skilled scientific observer in his own right, took part in this competition (1768) with an essay on the art of observing that influenced, embodied and codified the advanced scientific observational practices of the Genevan naturalists in the eighteenth century.