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COMING SOON: Scotland and the Court of Justice of the European Union
<span style="border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: inherit; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">This edited volume offers a unique reflection on the European Union and its judiciary – the Court of Justice of the EU – through a distinctly Scottish lens. Bringing together an assembly of seasoned scholars and practitioners, including former CJEU judges, the book probes the extent to which a particular Scottish influence and legacy might be identified, looking back at almost 50 years of presence through the United Kingdom’s EU membership. The collection inter alia provides substantive reflections on cases originating from Scotland landing on the Court’s docket, the influence exerted via Scots law trained judges, as well as gender (im)balance at the CJEU and Scotland’s supreme court in civil matters (the Court of Session). More generally, the included studies testify to a significant cross-fertilisation, demonstrating how EU membership left a profound influence on Scots law and legal culture. The combination of personal, memoir-style reflections from ‘insiders’ such as Judge Edwards and Judge Forrester, with more traditional academic analyses from scholarly ‘outsiders’, ultimately <span style="border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: inherit; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; background-color: white;">reveals <span style="border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: inherit; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">a fascinating and clearer picture of the myriad ways in which Scots lawyers and the Scots legal system engaged with, and richly contributed to, the evolution of European Union law.
Copyright (c) 2026 Henri de Waele, Maria Fletcher (Volume editor) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Personalization and Evaluation of Conversational Information Access
Conversational interactions have reshaped information retrieval systems, as users increasingly favor direct answers over traditional hyperlinks. To build reliable CIA systems that account for personal context, this thesis addresses challenges: (1) personal context extraction, (2) personalized response generation, and (3) effective and interpretable system evaluation. First, we tackle personal context extraction by studying what Entity Linking (EL) in conversations entails, introducing a dataset for conversational entity linking (ConEL), and proposing CREL, a novel EL method tailored for conversational settings. Second, we focus on personalized response generation by proposing LAPS, a method for efficiently constructing large-scale, human-written, personalized conversational datasets, and using them to study how users’ preferences can be utilized to generate personalized responses. Finally, we address the need for effective and interpretable system evaluation by introducing FACE, an automatic, reference-free method that assesses entire conversations and aligns closely with human judgments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hideaki Joko (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Psoriasis is a common chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease. Despite the increasing evidence that is available about optimal treatment and care for patients with psoriasis, there are still underexposed areas in psoriasis care. In this thesis we aimed to improve the care for patients with psoriasis by addressing underexposed areas in both pediatric psoriasis care and adult psoriasis care. In children where systemic therapy is being considered, not only the severity of psoriasis should be taken into account, but also the location of lesions, the impact on quality of life, and the child's age. In addition, possible sex disparities and comorbidities, such as psoriatic arthritis, deserve further attention. In adults, the findings highlight the importance of psychological and socioeconomic factors due to their potential relationship with comorbidities depression and anxiety. Furthermore, patients with psoriasis have room to improve their lifestyle, and many patients are motivated to make such changes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Malak Al-Gawahiri (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
This dissertation asks how frontline leaders in Dutch road transport shape conditions for truck drivers' career sustainability, and how a Learning Community (LC) can support their development. Four studies show that leadership theory, largely built on white-collar samples, fits poorly with blue-collar realities. A scoping review and meta-analysis confirm that leadership effects vary by occupation, and universal models break down for physical, dispersed, time-pressured work. A qualitative study revealed a tension between perceived and actual agency. Drivers feel responsible for their careers, yet planning, regulations, and distance from supervisors constrain them. Leaders shape key conditions such as information, feedback, development, and planning, but do so inconsistently. As a result, career sustainability depends largely on informal routines. To address this, a six-month Learning Community was designed. Participants valued the recognizable topics and open exchange, but engagement required a careful balance between autonomy and structure. A longitudinal, multi-actor study identified three developmental pathways: leaders who redefined their role with visible behavioral change, those who made incremental adjustments within existing frames, and those who used the LC mainly to confirm existing routines. The dissertation positions occupation as a critical contextual factor in leadership theory and offers practical guidance for sectors where career sustainability matters.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wouter van Zwol (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Improving Screening Mammography Interpretation
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Early detection is important for survival. That is why there is a breast cancer screening program, in which X-ray images of the breasts are taken to detect the disease at an early stage. These images are assessed by two radiologists for possible abnormalities. This is a challenging process, because abnormalities are often difficult to see. This thesis shows how the interpretation of these images can be improved. It investigated which radiologists work best together, in what order the images are best read, and how artificial intelligence (AI) can support the interpretation. The research shows that radiologists performed better when they reviewed images from low to high breast density and when they used AI support. These are practical improvements that can be directly applied to improve image interpretation in breast cancer screening, contributing to better early detection of breast cancer.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jessie Gommers (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
“The Earth is Like My Mother” offers a powerful and intimate portrait of the Kartini Kendeng Movement, where women farmers in Central Java stand at the forefront of Indonesia’s environmental resistance. Through a rich dialogue between ecofeminism, eco-Islam, and indigenous spirituality, this book reveals how women’s lived experiences, ethical practices, and spiritual worldviews shape a profound defense of their homeland against destructive cement mining. Drawing on in-depth fieldwork, Zaimatus Sa’diyah uncovers the moral imagination, gendered agency, and ecological ethics that emerge when faith, tradition, and activism converge. Both scholarly and compelling, this work redefines our understanding of Islam, ecology, and women’s leadership, while offering a visionary contribution to the growing field of Indonesian eco-Islam. An essential read for anyone seeking insight into environmental justice movements, religious ethics, and the transformative power of women defending the Earth.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zaimatus Sa'diyah (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Democratie “zoals we die kennen” staat, zo horen we allerwegen, wereldwijd onder druk en wordt bedreigd. Dit leidt vaak tot een defensieve reflex: behouden wat we hebben en ons dierbaar is. Tegelijk horen we al tientallen jaren dat “de” democratie tekortschiet, voelen mensen zich niet gehoord en lijkt gemeenteraadslid een gevaarlijk beroep te worden. Democratie moet hervormd worden! Maar maakt experimenteren haar niet juist kwetsbaar? Om uit dit dilemma te geraken moeten we twee belangrijke denkstappen doen: inzien dat “democratie” niet een zelfstandig ding is, maar onderdeel van de liberaal-democratische rechtsstaat, en onderscheid maken tussen de crises die bij democratie horen en de meer systemische crisis die democratie momenteel doormaakt. Zetten we die stappen, dan kunnen we ontsnappen aan fatalisme, opteren voor meer en, vooral, betere democratie, en kiezen uit de talloze voorstellen tot verbetering die al gedaan zijn.
Copyright (c) 2026 Evert van der Zweerde (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
﻿Shared decision making in differentiated thyroid cancer
The aim of this thesis was to investigate whether shared decision making (SDM) between physicians and patients could be improved through the use of patient decision aids (PtDAs) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). A systematic review demonstrated that, in low-risk DTC, a less extensive surgical approach (thyroid lobectomy) may result in comparable long-term outcomes to total thyroidectomy, highlighting the importance of SDM. Subsequently, the needs, preferences, and values of patients were explored regarding two key treatment decisions: the extent of surgery in low-risk DTC and the initiation versus postponement of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in advanced disease. Patients particularly emphasized the importance of a strong physician–patient relationship and comprehensive information provision. Based on these findings, web-based PtDAs were developed according to international quality standards. During testing phases, the PtDAs were considered clear, user-friendly, and supportive of decision making. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess their impact on SDM. Although all patients recommended the use of the PtDAs, no additional effect was observed on objectively measured SDM, patient knowledge, trust, or decision-related outcomes. This may be explained by already high SDM scores following physician training, resulting in a ceiling effect. Finally, this thesis underscores the importance of SDM in DTC care and provides recommendations for its further implementation and future research, particularly in the management of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rosalie Koot (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Dit proefschrift is een vergelijkend sociaal-filosofisch onderzoek naar de zingevings- en legitimeringscrisis van de moderniteit, uitgaande van de polycrisis van de neoliberale late moderniteit. Er staan vier denkers centraal: Semjon Frank, Herman Dooyeweerd, Niklas Luhmann en Charles Taylor. Ik vergelijk hen op vier thema’s: secularisering, sociale differentiëring, (zelf-)reflexieve modernisering en transformatie van de moderniteit. De oogst van deze systematische vergelijking loopt uit op een poging om te denken voorbij zinloosheid en nihilisme; een problematiek die als contrapunt fungeert voor de vier denkers.
Copyright (c) 2026 Arthur Zijlstra (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Unravelling the ecological consequences of bioturbation on greenhouse gas emissions in shallow freshwaters
Shallow freshwater ecosystems are significant sources of greenhouse gases, particularly methane, yet the role of bioturbators organisms in shaping these emissions remains poorly understood. This thesis investigates how bioturbators (including rooted macrophytes and benthic animals) influence methane storage, transport, and emissions in shallow freshwater ecosystems through physical and biogeochemical modifications of sediments. Using laboratory and mesocosm experiments combined with a systematic literature review, the thesis shows that rooted macrophytes reduce sediment methane bubble storage through root oxygenation and plant-mediated gas transport, as quantified using a novel cost-effective scanning method. Benthic invertebrates such as Tubifex spp. altered methane and carbon dioxide emissions in a direction and magnitude that depended on sediment organic matter content, while the invasive red swamp crayfish increased CH₄ emissions 2.7-fold by removing macrophytes and disturbing sediments. The overarching finding is that bioturbator effects on greenhouse gas emissions are strongly context-dependent, shaped by the interaction between organism functional traits, bioturbation intensity, and sediment properties. These results highlight the need to explicitly account for bioturbators in freshwater greenhouse gas budgets and ecosystem management strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lucia Cabrera Lamanna (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Many kidney diseases, including nephrotic syndrome (NS) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are difficult to cure and here the recovery of kidney cell types was investigated. Increased fatty acid metabolism was found in podocytes in NS, and lowering this prevented podocyte injury in the lab. This could be a new treatment strategy after safety and effectivity have been further evaluated. The cells responsible for recovery after AKI are not all the same, and further research should find out which of these cells are helping recovery and should be stimulated and which cells are counteracting recovery and should be removed/targeted to stimulate recovery after AKI. Finally, mini-kidneys made from stemcells are a much better model to study kidney diseases compared to alternatives, and it is possible to model kidney diseases in them. Altogether, we hope to find better treatment options for patients with kidney diseases using the advanced mini-kidneys and the information obtained from this research.
Copyright (c) 2026 Martijn van den Broek (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
This dissertation examines the conditions under which co-production succeeds within homeless services. Through ethnographic fieldwork at two Dutch service providers, the research demonstrates that involving vulnerable citizens as active partners is viable. By applying a street-level bureaucracy lens, the study identifies two mechanisms - peer discretion and peer governance - where participants assume responsibilities and decision-making powers traditionally reserved for professional staff. The findings reveal that success results from the alignment of four condition levels: participant group capacity and commitment, empowering program structures, committed professional support, and a facilitating organizational environment. While internal group dynamics like peer pressure can cause fluctuations in daily practice, the studied programs are generally successful. Ultimately, this research argues that vulnerability is not only a barrier to participation but also a rationale for co-production. Under the right conditions, co-production offers a valuable alternative to traditional service delivery.
Copyright (c) 2026 Menno Hoppen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a major cause of stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia, yet its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Most existing research has focused on older individuals with advanced SVD, leaving early pathological changes unexplored. This thesis aimed to investigate early brain alterations associated with SVD in young and middle-aged adults with hypertension, the main risk factor for SVD, and to examine the role of blood pressure fluctuations in SVD progression. Using data from the prospective Hyperintense study, we showed that young adults with hypertension already exhibit subtle MRI markers of SVD, including increased white matter hyperintensity burden. We further demonstrated that these patients have impaired blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity independent of existing MRI lesions, suggesting BBB dysfunction as an early feature of SVD. Blood pressure increases were associated with increased BBB leakage, indicating that BBB integrity is dynamic and influenced by blood pressure changes. In addition, BBB leakage was associated with reduced white matter microstructural integrity. Finally, in participants with established SVD, higher visit-to-visit blood pressure variability was associated with faster progression of white matter damage and increased risk of incident lacunes over 14 years. Together, these findings highlight BBB dysfunction as a potential early mechanism and therapeutic target in SVD.
Copyright (c) 2026 Esther Janssen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Comparing and Constructing (Co)Inductive Predicates
State-transition systems are extensively used models in computer science. They consist of the states in which a system can exist, and transitions between these states indicating how the state can evolve. The computers which many of us use can be seen as having a state: the data they store, and transitions: the changes they make to these data to perform computations. In this thesis, we aim to better understand two main aspects of these models: how manipulations of systems affect their behaviour; and how to compare the behaviour of systems. The first part of this thesis gives a new approach for the comparison of the behaviour of systems (modelled as coalgebras) before and after the application of transformations. We apply this framework to give new conditions under which transformations leave observable behaviour unchanged. These conditions are then applied to a number of known system transformations, as well as to obtain new conditions for important properties of (coalgebraic) modal logics. The second part deals directly with the comparison of system behaviours, specifically when systems exhibit different behaviours. We give a new definition of behavioural apartness, and show how it can be proved inductively. The most important application is in reasoning about differing behaviours between systems with probabilistic transitions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ruben Turkenburg (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Stress hormone effects on episodic-like memory
Emotionally arousing or stressful experiences induce strong and lasting memories. This thesis examines the effects of norepinephrine (NE) and glucocorticoid hormones—corticosterone in rodents and cortisol in humans (CORT)—on memory strength and specificity. It also investigates whether stress prior to memory retrieval modulates memory specificity and whether these effects depend on energy availability, particularly in the context of mitochondrial dysfunction. The results indicate that not all behavioral tasks are suitable across species (rats vs. mice), and that stress exacerbates deficits associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, post-training stress produces brain activation patterns similar to those observed after extensive training in stressful tasks in mice. Overall, the findings show that stress prior to retention testing influences hippocampal mitochondrial activity. Along with the nuanced roles of CA1 and CA3 regions within the hippocampus for episodic-like memory.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sevgi Bahtiyar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
This thesis investigates corneal cell identity at single-cell resolution across donor-derived tissue, pluripotent stem cell-derived corneal cells, and mouse models of corneal injury. By integrating and analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing and single-cell ATAC-sequencing datasets, the work advances understanding of corneal cell heterogeneity, differentiation, and regeneration. An integrated human corneal atlas compiled from multiple public datasets redefines corneal cell identity, improves marker gene identification, and reveals previously unrecognized cell populations. The atlas also supports a machine learning framework for cell classification and enables identification of transcription factors regulating corneal cell states. Using pluripotent stem cell differentiation models, this thesis demonstrates variability in corneal stem cell generation between cell lines and identifies molecular markers that distinguish desired corneal stem cells from unwanted cell populations. Multi-omic integration further reveals transcriptional regulators associated with successful differentiation and persistent pluripotency. In a mouse corneal injury model, single-cell analysis shows that sutured tissue exhibits features of corneal stem cell deficiency, while Duloxetine treatment reduces inflammation and alters signaling pathways. Finally, a novel computational framework, scANANSE, is introduced to infer transcription factors driving differences between cell states. Together, this thesis demonstrates the importance of single-cell and multi-omic approaches for understanding corneal biology and improving regenerative strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Julian Arts (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
On the Art of Bordering and the Lines of Flight of Border Art
Borders do nothing; people do. This book explores borders as processes rather than objects, shifting the focus from fixed lines to everyday practices of bordering. Grounding in critical border studies, it advances theory and conceptualises the border as a dispositif: a mobile assemblage of visibility, discourse, power, and subjectivation. From this perspective, borders are continuously negotiated, staged, and transgressed. At the centre of the analysis are the aesthetic and experiential dimensions of bordering. Far from being secondary, these dimensions are constitutive of how borders are constructed and made meaningful. It is within this terrain that border art becomes analytically and methodologically relevant. As a confrontational practice, it does not represent borders from the outside but intervenes in their making, exposing their logics and opening to reconfiguration. Through a naturalistic and indisciplinary approach, and a combination of qualitative methods with art-based and visual methodologies, the research focuses on post-1989 Europe. It unfolds into two case studies: an exploration of border art practices across the continent, and a collaborative project (What I mean by Europe) that experiments with border art as a research method. By engaging sensory and aesthetic dimensions, often overlooked in conventional analyses, this work rethinks borders as mobile assemblages, a matrix of visual and discursive formations, shaped through practices that constantly traverse and rework them. And, therefore, altering the assemblage and producing a new Europe is not only possible but precisely how it has worked since the bull crossed the sea.
Copyright (c) 2026 Luca Paolo Cirillo (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Solving the equations of life takes the reader on a journey alongside three seemingly simple but fundamental protagonists of life: temperature, oxygen, and size. Each of these elements reveals a core principle of biology, from the near-exponential influence of temperature on the rate of living, to the pivotal role of oxygen in the evolution of complex life, and the continuous balancing act that shapes organismal body size. Insights from laboratory experiments are connected to patterns observed in nature and milestones in the evolution of life, such as the emergence of photosynthesis, the Cambrian explosion, and mass extinction events, are woven together with the aim of classifying species, themselves different answers to the “equations of life” into an ecological periodic table. This book offers an inspiring blend of science, storytelling, and synthesis, aimed at both specialists and a broadly curious audience.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wilco Verberk (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Connected Choices: Marriage and Fertility in the Age of Social and Digital Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa explores why early marriage, teen pregnancy, and high fertility remain widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite rising education and decades of development efforts. This dissertation shows that family formation decisions are deeply shaped by social norms. Expectations within ethnic groups, religious communities, and local neighborhoods influence when women marry, how many children they desire, and when they start a family. At the same time, the rapid spread of mobile internet and social media is transforming the information young women receive. Through digital platforms, they are increasingly exposed to new ideas, role models, and alternative life paths. By combining large-scale survey data with digital trace data and mobile network information, this research demonstrates how strong local traditions and expanding digital networks interact. It finds that tighter social norms are linked to earlier marriage and childbirth, while greater digital connectivity is associated with lower fertility, fewer child marriages, and fewer teen pregnancies. Together, these findings offer new insights into how social change unfolds in a rapidly digitizing region.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jet Wildeman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Maternal Perinatal Distress and Child Behavior
Pregnancy and the postpartum period, though often joyful, result for around 1 in 5 women in serious mental health challenges. Importantly, these challenges could ripple beyond the mother and affect her child. This thesis found that whether and how maternal stress reaches the child may depend on context, caregiving, and biology. American pregnant women worried more about the period after birth than Dutch women, reflecting the importance of cultural context. After birth, acute maternal stress did not trigger stress in the infant, but lower-quality caregiving went hand in hand with more infant crying and physiological stress. Surprisingly, stress hormones in breast milk were linked to longer infant sleep after feeding, offering reassurance that some fluctuations in milk stress do not negatively affect infant behavior. Together, these findings show that perinatal stress affects infants in ways that are rarely straightforward, urging a more nuanced understanding of how maternal wellbeing reaches children.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nina Bruinhof (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
In today’s digital world, news reaches us through websites, social media feeds, and algorithmic recommendations. While news is still expected to present objective facts rather than subjective opinions, it is increasingly common to encounter messages containing subjective evaluations, especially on social media. This dissertation investigates how subjectivity is expressed in British online news and how readers perceive it. Computational methods are used to analyze the language of news articles and Facebook posts from major British outlets and compare levels of subjectivity across platforms and source types. The results show that increased use of subjective language on social media is mainly characteristic of popular news outlets, while quality outlets tend to maintain a more objective reporting style. Experimental studies demonstrate that habitual readers are better at distinguishing between subjective and objective news content. While subjective framing does not necessarily increase readers’ intention to engage with the content further, it comes at a cost: news outlets that use subjective language in reporting are perceived as less trustworthy. Moreover, when subjective evaluations appear in quotations, some readers interpret them as reflecting the journalist’s own stance. Together, these findings show how subjectivity operates in today’s platform-driven news environment and how it shapes readers’ judgements.
Copyright (c) 2026 Elena Savinova (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
This thesis investigates the virome of Anopheles mosquitoes and its potential role in malaria transmission. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains a major global health challenge, and novel strategies are needed to complement existing control methods. The work begins with introducing the term of Insect-Specific Viruses (ISVs) and discusses their possible interactions with mosquito immunity and parasite development. Next, a curated database of ISVs highlights the diversity of viruses present in mosquito vectors, while also identifying gaps in current knowledge. Experimental chapters establish robust methodologies for studying co-infections in mosquitoes and evaluate whether ISVs can influence Plasmodium development. Although no significant effects on parasite transmission were observed, the research identifies multiple viruses capable of efficiently infecting Anopheles mosquitoes, providing valuable tools for future studies. Additional work in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes reveals a conserved antiviral response involving small heat shock proteins with broad activity against arboviruses. Together, these findings expand our understanding of mosquito–virus–parasite interactions and provide a framework for exploring ISVs as potential components of innovative malaria control strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Michelle Schinkel (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
In filosofie en theologie zijn weinig begrippen zo veelgebruikt en toch zo onduidelijk als ‘geest’. Deze afscheidsrede doet aan die onduidelijkheid niets af maar is wel een poging om de geest ter sprake te brengen. Wat is de geest, wat is geesteswetenschap, en hoe kan de geest verzorgd worden? Dergelijke existentiële thema’s vragen in een universiteit om metareflectie. Hoe vergaren we kennis over zingeving in een tijdperk waarin vooral in naturalistische termen over geest gesproken wordt? Wat heeft geesteswetenschap hier te bieden? En in welke kennis willen we eigenlijk wonen? Geestelijk verzorgers blijken succesvol in het adresseren van de geest in hulpbetoon maar welke begripsvorming vraagt dat in onderzoek, en wat is qua opleiding noodzakelijk? Er zijn geen pasklare antwoorden op dergelijke vragen, maar ze schetsen wel de contouren van een betekeniswetenschap zoals die zich nog moet ontwikkelen.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hans Schilderman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Evaluating how microorganisms respond and tolerate space conditions is essential to ensure the safe access and exploration of space. This thesis investigates the risks associated with the contamination other planets with microbes originating from Earth, and how the human immune system responds to infections in space. The first part has showed how human-associated pathogenic bacteria interact with the immune system after exposure to space conditions and how regolith simulants impact human health. The second part focuses on the survival of environmental microorganisms capable of growth at subzero temperatures. The growth of such microbes is relevant to investigate the habitability of the icy moons of the solar system and to evaluate the risks associated with a contamination from Earth. The studies of this thesis have showed how the selected microorganisms can tolerate space conditions, and how genes in the selected yeast are regulated under extreme conditions. As a whole this work provides new microbial survival data and aims to improve the healthy access to space for humans.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tommaso Zaccaria (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
In the modern organizational landscape, software is no longer a support function; it is the strategic engine of success. As businesses demand greater flexibility and faster delivery, the industry has placed the client at the heart of the development process. Yet, while collaboration has intensified, our understanding of the underlying human dynamics remains a "black box.“ This thesis explores the relational motive to co-Create value and the accumulation of relational capital as the missing links in project performance. By synthesizing marketing theory, project management, and system dynamics, this thesis reveals how relationships can be modeled, measured, and managed. This work provides a rigorous framework for transforming relational complexity into a strategic lever, mitigating overruns, boosting motivation, and securing project success in an increasingly volatile environment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jorge Barra Cancela De Sousa (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Dit onderzoek beoogt inzicht te geven in de wijze waarop regionale dagbladen in de Nederlands-Duitse grensregio Euregio Rijn-Waal omgaan met hun bijzondere geografische positie: de grensligging. Het belang van deze positie reikt verder dan de lokale context, omdat het de nationale en Europese ambitie tot Europese samenwerking verbindt met de leefwereld op lokaal niveau. Voor dit onderzoek zijn verschillende methoden ingezet: 1) frequentie-analyse, 2) analyse van geografische plaatsaanduidingen, 3) inhoudsanalyse en 4) interviews met redacties. De resultaten tonen aan dat er een verband bestaat tussen afstand tot de grens en de omvang van de berichtgeving over het buurland in regionale dagbladen, maar dat dit verband in Nederland en Duitsland verschillend uitwerkt en bovendien varieert tussen mantel- en regiokaternen. Ook de wijze van berichtgeving over het buurland verschilt tussen beide landen. Daarnaast blijkt dat regionale media de grensregio aan weerszijden van de grens beperkter definiëren dan het bestuurlijke werkgebied van de Euregio. De ervaren grensregio is daarmee kleiner dan de bestuurlijke. De Europese realiteit van grensoverschrijdende Euregio’s sluit dus vooralsnog niet aan bij de Euregionale representatie in de dagbladen in de Nederlands-Duitse grensregio.
Copyright (c) 2026 Heidi de Ruiter (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Where Law meets Artificial Intelligence: Discrimination and Unfair Differentiation in Insurance
Artificial intelligence (AI) seems to change the way insurers assess risks and set prices: insurers can now analyse large amounts of new data types — ranging from Internet of Things (IoT) devices to social media. This may allow insurers to estimate risks in greater detail. In this dissertation, I address the central research question: To what extent do insurers introduce discrimination-related risks when they use AI systems for underwriting? I organise the PhD thesis around four topics: trends in how insurers apply AI and the possible risks of these practices, the legal obstacle to testing for bias under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the effectiveness of a de-biasing-exception in the EU AI Act, and how the public evaluates these practices.
Sensitive data/Special categories of personal data
Copyright (c) 2026 Marvin van Bekkum (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
De orthodoxe parochie van de heilige Catherina in Amsterdam
Dit proefschrift onderzoekt de oprichting en ontwikkeling van de historische orthodoxe parochie in het achttiende-eeuwse Amsterdam, opgericht door Griekse kooplieden in een stad die werd gekenmerkt door migratie, religieuze diversiteit en geopolitieke spanningen. Aan de hand van uitgebreid en grotendeels ongepubliceerd archiefmateriaal reconstrueert de studie waarom deze migranten het initiatief namen om een eigen kerkelijke gemeenschap te vormen en hoe zij erin slaagden hun religieuze en culturele identiteit te bewaren, terwijl zij zich tegelijkertijd integreerden in de Nederlandse samenleving. Het onderzoek plaatst deze gemeenschapsvorming in een brede internationale context en belicht de banden met het Oecumenisch Patriarchaat, de Orthodoxe Kerk van Rusland en Europese religieuze netwerken. Daarnaast toont het hoe de parochie niet alleen een plaats van eredienst was, maar ook een centrum van sociale samenhang, culturele uitwisseling en religieuze dialoog in een overwegend protestantse omgeving. Meer dan een lokale geschiedenis biedt dit werk een nieuw perspectief op de Griekse diaspora in Nederland en op de rol van religie als drijvende kracht achter identiteitsvorming, integratie en intercultureel samenleven in vroegmodem Europa.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yves Peckstadt (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Antifibrotics for Cleft Palate Muscle Repair
Children born with a cleft lip and palate often need soft palate surgery. Although essential, this procedure can cause scarring that impairs muscle function, leading to speech and swallowing problems. This thesis investigated new strategies to limit such scarring and improve muscle healing, focusing on two antifibrotic approaches: Nintedanib and several TGF-β receptor I inhibitors. In vitro, these drugs effectively blocked myofibroblast formation and enhanced muscle cell growth. In rats, however, systemic Nintedanib caused side effects and did not prevent long-term scarring. Among the TGF-β-receptor I inhibitors, Galunisertib was the most promising, reducing fibrotis while supporting muscle regeneration. The thesis also reviews emerging stem cell and extracellular vesicle-based therapies, which may offer safer ways to improve healing with fewer side effects. Future research will focus on local drug delivery and testing in more advanced models to enable translation to clinical care.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zhihao Wang (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Immune Modulation Through Lifestyle Interventions
Endometriosis and recurrent pregnancy loss affect millions of women worldwide, yet treatment options remain limited and are often do not resolve the problem. Many women are looking for ways to take control of their own health. But can simple lifestyle changes like exercising regularly or adjusting your diet actually make a difference? This research showed that three months of moderate aerobic exercise made immune cells less inflammatory in the blood of women with recurrent pregnancy loss. Meanwhile, an anti-inflammatory diet significantly reduced pain in women with endometriosis, a meaningful improvement in daily life. So should women simply swap their treatment for a gym membership or a new diet? Not quite. The immune system proved more complex than expected, with limited changes observed in the uterus itself. However, these findings open a promising new door: lifestyle changes may not replace medical treatment, but they could become a powerful tool alongside it, giving women more control over their own health.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aysel Gurbanova (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0