Gemeente Den Haag

With robots increasingly being used for artistic expression in interactive performances, this research investigates the production of expressive swarm behaviour that could form the basis for an interactive performance between a dancer and a swarm of drones. We contribute a mapping of Laban Effort parameters - a common movement analysis framework - onto a particle swarm and integrate it into an interactive prototype. The system accepts human motion as input and generates responsive swarm behaviour with the Boids algorithm as the foundational behaviour model. In a user study evaluating the mapping (N=17), we show that the Space and Time parameters were recognised significantly better than Weight and Flow, suggesting that parameters connected to embodied cues such as intention and emotion are more challenging to computationally implement, and need further refinement. The novel mapping, along with the interactive system and user study insights, offers an initial step towards practical applications in choreography development, interactive performance, or art installations, as well as designing expressive frameworks with human-guided swarm control.

Abstract Europe and the world are currently in a poly-crisis. Firstly, anthropogenic climate change leads to an increase in extreme weather conditions while increasing the pressure on an already weakened ecosystem. Secondly, the biodiversity crisis as a follow up of pollution and reduction of natural habitats causes unstable eco systems. Thirdly, the geopolitical order and energy security for many (European) countries is getting jeopardised by the Russian attack on Ukraine and the ongoing trade-wars. This work shows how the build-out of offshore renewable energy in multi-source parks combining offshore wind, wave and offshore solar energy can tackle multiple of those crises. A tool, called Multi-Source Offshore Renewable Energy (MultiORE) is used for the layout, energy profile and economics of such a combination of technologies wave, wind and solar energy resources. The MultiORE simulation of a 600 MW wind – 210 MW wave – 900 MW solar park at this North Sea location resulted in an 21% increased energy density compared to the wind-only scenario. The increase in energy density is possible without any delay on site characterisation and grid infrastructure build-out as well as only minor expected impacts on construction time, critical for the climate crisis. The increased energy density requires less areas for offshore renewables leaving more space for natural ecosystems. To achieve the same yearly energy output as the wind-only park, the multi-source park would require about 18% less space helping to mitigate the biodiversity crisis. The model further shows an increase of the capacity factor from 52% (Wind only) to 63% (Wind/Wave/Solar) while also reducing low production hours (<20% of export capacity) by almost 60% compared to wind-only. The longest duration of low production hours was reduced from 144 consecutive hours to 39 hours. This overplanting at the same time did not lead to significant curtailment, as only 5% of the total energy produced could not be exported indicating improved energy security. Even though multi-source parks can have several positive impacts on above described crises they also come with difficulties like varying maturity of different technologies having a higher risk profile and cost . An economic assessment showed that a positive bussiness case, calculated via a net present value (>0), is possible, considering learning rates on the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) provided by industry as part of the Horizon 2020 EU-SCORES project.

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disorder marked by demyelination and axonal damage, where oxidative stress and cytokine-mediated inflammation are key pathological factors. Spirulina, a microalga rich in phycocyanin, phenolic compounds, and omega-3 fatty acids, exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially targeting these pathways. This study investigated spirulina’s impact on inflammatory biomarkers and quality of life in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.MethodsA triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomized 80 RRMS patients (EDSS 0–6) to receive 1 g/day spirulina (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 12 weeks. Sixteen participants (20%) withdrew. Primary analysis followed the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle (N = 80) using baseline-observation-carried-forward for missing data. Serum IL-1β and IL-6 (primary outcomes) were measured by ELISA. Quality of life (MSQoL-54) and anthropometric measures were secondary outcomes.ResultsA linear mixed-effects model revealed that spirulina supplementation significantly reduced serum IL-1β (Estimate = − 1.07 ± 0.14, p < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (Estimate = − 2.66 ± 0.26, p < 0.001) compared to placebo. Significant improvements were also observed in health perception (Estimate = − 0.49 ± 0.12, p < 0.001), physical function (–0.37 ± 0.11, p < 0.001), role limitation–physical (–0.36 ± 0.16, p = 0.030), energy (–0.64 ± 0.15, p < 0.001), and sexual function (–1.31 ± 0.29, p < 0.001). No significant effects were found for emotional wellbeing, health distress, social function, cognitive function, sexual satisfaction, overall quality of life, or total mental health. Anthropometric analysis showed a significant weight reduction in the spirulina group versus placebo (–2.85 ± 1.13 kg, p = 0.015), while BMI reduction was borderline significant (–0.78 ± 0.41, p = 0.060). No significant changes were observed in waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, energy intake, or physical activity.ConclusionSpirulina supplementation significantly reduced pro-inflammatory markers and improved multiple physical and cognitive quality of life domains in patients with RRMS. Spirulina shows promise as a safe adjunct therapy in MS management, but larger trials with longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings and explore its clinical utility alongside DMTs.Trial registrationThe trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (ID IRCT2024124060794N1), with registration completed on 4 February 2024. Informed consent will be secured from each participant or their legal guardian.

ABSTRACTPublic policy often builds on a large body of policy advice—produced by bureaucrats, advisory bodies, scientists, and consultants—that has accumulated over time about a specific policy problem and appropriate policy responses. Yet, how this body of policy advice develops and which pieces of advice influence subsequent policy recommendations is poorly understood. We seek to fill this gap by proposing a novel conceptualization and methodological approach for unpacking the influence of policy advice on other policy advice. First, we distinguish four conceptual dimensions along which the influence of policy advice varies: lasting influence, broad influence, influential followers, and influence as broker. Second, we propose citation network analysis as a methodological tool for measuring these multiple dimensions of influence. We present a set of citation network measures of influence and illustrate their usefulness by analyzing influence patterns within a large network of Norwegian advisory reports.

Life Cycle Impact Assessments (LCIAs) examine the environmental impacts of products using life cycle inventories (LCIs) of quantified inputs and outputs of a product through its life cycle. Currently, estimated impacts from mining are dominated by long-term metal release from tailings due to inaccurate assumptions regarding metal release and transport within and from mine materials. A conceptual model approach is proposed to support the development of a new database of LCI data, applying mechanistic processes required for the release and transport of metals through tailings and categorizing model inputs into ‘bins’. The binning approach argues for accuracy over precision, noting that precise metal release rates are likely impossible with the often-limited data available. Three case studies show the range of forecasted metal release rates, where even after decades of monitoring within the tailings and underlying aquifer, metal release rates span several orders of magnitude (&lt;100 mg/L to &gt;100,000 mg/L sulfate at the Faro Mine). The proposed tool may be useful for the development of a new database of LCI data, as well as to analyze mine’s regional considerations during designs for risk evaluation, management and control prior to development, when data is also scarce.

Abstract Why do companies sometimes lobby legislators directly and sometimes act predominantly through business associations? Although economic factors, such as size and profitability, are well-known determinants of companies’ decision to lobby, they alone cannot explain the choice in lobbying strategies. This paper provides an explanation for why companies sometimes choose to lobby collectively: reputation. When firms want to lobby in favor of a publicly unpopular position, channeling their efforts through business associations can help them shield themselves from reputational consequences. To test this theory, this paper provides evidence from firms’ lobbying on climate change. Combining climate-friendliness ratings of corporate lobbying with an original survey experiment, it demonstrates the existence of reputational costs from lobbying alone and shows that lobbying through business associations helps firms avoid such costs. For the study of lobbying positions, these results imply important systematic differences in the positions firms take alone and collectively.