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Same as it never was? Monetary politics in an era of lowflation and pending climate crisis
No full textThe Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the subsequent Covid-19 economic shock fed expectations of a radical overhaul of the set of economic ideas that have ruled (macro)economic policymaking since the 1970’s. Monetary policy especially saw a spectacular shift in new policies that were adopted. When nominal interest rates hit the zero lower bound, central banks of the Advanced Market Economies (AME) were forced to explore a broad range of new and rather unconventional policies. In terms of monetary policymaking the past decade and a half is marked by experimentation and innovation. Central banks’ role in the economy has massively expanded and new problems and responsibilities were entrusted upon them.
This has come with new challenges. Since the start of the GFC and up until the Covid-19 economic shock, inflation has been persistently below target despite monetary policy being extremely accommodative. Seemingly signaling a chronical inability to control the level of inflation, this undermined the credibility of central banks. The coming climate crisis, in addition, has confronted AME central bankers with a ‘green policy dilemma’: should they engage with climate change and risk jeopardizing the consensus approach to monetary policy (focused solely on price stability) or should they refuse to do so and risk jeopardizing financial stability? These challenges have put the dominant paradigm of modern central banking under increasing stress.
An unsettled issue is whether these multiple crises and new challenges have also led to a genuine ‘policy revolution’ or a true ‘paradigmatic shift’ in monetary policy-making. This dissertation will answer this question by analyzing AME central banks’ policy reactions to both the financial and Covid-crisis and the new challenges of lowflation and climate change. It will examine what these reactions have meant for the survival of the current macro-economic regime and will develop a more general theory on the potential drivers and barriers of radical policy change in monetary pol-icy.
This is done by developing an idiosyncratic analytical framework that departs from Peter Hall’s classic framework on policy paradigms. By relying too heavily on the work of Thomas Kuhn, it is argued, Hall’s framework restricts the possible types of policy change by allowing only for slow incremental change (as part of ‘normal policymaking’) or a radical rupture or full-blown paradigm shift. Our alternative frame-work, in contrast, starts from the work of Imre Lakatos’ conception of paradigms or research programs as basically consisting of a set of tenacious ‘hard core beliefs’ that cannot be challenged and a set of ‘ancillary beliefs’ or ‘protective belt assumptions’ that are more malleable and subject to change. Based on this insight, the alter-native framework proposes three dimensions of change that mutually interact and together determine the degree of possible policy change: I) cognitive, II) normative-institutional, and III) socio-political change. Corresponding with Lakatos’ hard core beliefs, it is the normative-institutionalist ideas that central bankers hold that will eventually determine which new ideas and policies will be considered, deemed acceptable and put into practice.
Based on this analytical framework the dissertation reaches the conclusion that the continued attachment by AME central bankers to certain core principles of the old paradigm (i.e. price stability, strict central bank independence, monetary dominance and the long-term neutrality of money) has prevented a full-blown paradigm shift taking place both in the aftermath of the GFC and Covid19-crisis. Because the normative-institutionalist ideas of the current monetary policy consensus were not questioned more fundamentally, practical alternatives legitimizing radically different policy solutions were never allowed to blossom
Analysis and prevention of microbial biofilms on medical devices and in chronic wounds
No full textMany bacterial infections are biofilm-related infections and these are generally difficult to clear due to the biofilm possessing greater tolerance to antibiotics than planktonic cells. Many different types of biofilm infections occur in patients, but two of the most common ones are device-associated infections and chronic wound infections. Two noteworthy pathogenic bacteria involved in these infections are Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii. We investigated the biofilm that forms on endotracheal tubes of COVID-19 patients. Many COVID-19 patients required mechanical ventilation, however this also puts these patients at risk of ventilator associated pneumoniae. The biofilm that forms on the tube is most likely an important causative factor of this infection. The composition of the biofilm was studied and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance was assessed. A large variety of micro-organisms was recovered from the biofilm, including many common lung pathogens Antimicrobial resistance was widespread amongst the obtained pathogenic isolates. A wound dressing loaded with a novel antimicrobial compound, CC366, was developed to combat A. baumannii wound infections. CC366 proved to be an effective drug against A. baumannii in various in vitro models as well as the Caenorhabditis elegans in vivo model. To move towards an application it was included in a 3D-printed wound dressing, which was evaluated in an in vitro wound model and showed promising results. Two dehydroabietic acid derivatives were investigated as agents against S. aureus and both compounds proved effective against S. aureus in various models. Based on data from synergistic relationships with specific β-lactam antibiotics as well as the sequencing of S. aureus cultures, with increased tolerance to GHA36, leads to possible modes of action were found. A dehydroabietic acid derivative was also attached to cellulose nanofibril to create a material resistant to S. aureus fouling
On the road to mental health : sources of support amidst stressful experiences in the lives of unaccompanied refugee minors
No full textQuicumque in villa per annum unum et diem unum manserit, liber erit : de genese van het poorterschap in de dertiende-eeuwse steden van de Vlaamse ruimte
No full textRoof runoff quality in view of its utilization and discharge : the effect of material leaching and treatment possibilities
No full textAn increasing water demand, in combination with a decreasing amount of qualitative fresh water, is a major driving force in the search for alternative water sources. Rainwater, and more specifically roof runoff, is one of these alternatives. Although rainwater runoff is generally presumed to be a relatively clean source of water in terms of physicochemical quality, an extensive literature review in the scope of this doctoral research revealed that roof runoff could be potentially contaminated by a wide range of organic as well as inorganic contaminants. In the same literature review, both atmospheric deposition and material leaching were identified as important contaminant sources. Nevertheless, for many materials, information on leaching was scarce.
Therefore, this doctoral research aimed to contribute to the knowledge in this field by using laboratory leaching tests, which allowed to identify contaminants, benchmark materials and identify the dominant leaching mechanisms. In addition, also the leaching behavior under real outdoor conditions was studied. This allowed to identify the effect of external factors such as the preceding meteorological conditions. In order to study these outdoor conditions, a pilot scale set-up consisting of different small roofs equipped with different roofing materials was used. As also atmospheric deposition was considered here, roof runoff quality from different roofing materials was evaluated in view of its utilization and discharge.
Next to the identification of contaminants and contaminant sources, this doctoral research also investigated the potential to produce water fit-for-use from roof runoff by applying conventional treatment and disinfection techniques
General introduction : addiction, recovery and quality of life: Introducing and disentangling the core constructs in this handbook
No full textIn this first chapter, we introduce the central concepts of this handbook: addiction, recovery and quality of life. Addiction and Substance use disorders (SUDs) present a significant global challenge, impacting individuals’ health, social dynamics, and overall quality of life (QoL). Recovery from SUDs is a multifaceted, non-linear process that extends beyond mere abstinence, emphasizing personal growth, social inclusion and leading a fulfilling life. The concept of “recovery capital”, which includes personal, social, and community resources, plays a critical role in facilitating recovery and enhancing QoL. Many individuals achieve recovery outside formal treatment, highlighting the importance of personal and contextual factors and support systems that integrate peer-led initiatives and community resources. The subjective nature of QoL necessitates a focus on individual experiences and perceptions, recognizing that recovery involves developing new meanings and purposes in life. This shift towards a holistic understanding of recovery and QoL underscores the need for person-centered approaches that empower individuals, promoting autonomy and well-being in their journey toward a healthier, more meaningful life