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Politics and the political in women's fashion magazines:Perspectives from India, Russia and the USA
No full textThe central theme of this thesis is a broad engagement of women’s fashion and lifestyle media with politics and the political. In the first quarter of the 21st century, fashion media’s coverage of political and social issues, although still largely perceived as novel and unusual, has become ubiquitous. The thesis focuses on the increased visibility of political coverage in fashion media, and its main research questions concern how politics and the political are expressed in fashion publications, and what change the newly sharpened focus on politics signifies in the genre of the fashion magazine. To address these questions, the research examines how fashion publications’ political coverage relates to locally and globally shifting views on citizenship, activism, and civic duty, while also considering how this coverage aligns with the traditional genre of the fashion magazine. The study explores the conflation of spectacle, activism, consumption, and politics that characterises the current moment, alongside the exigencies, limitations, and historically gendered nature of fashion media. The study focuses on the time span between late 2019 and early 2023, and analyses political discourses in fashion media situating them within wider political and cultural contexts. It is based on data from three countries – India, Russia and the USA, and draws on examples from nine mainstream fashion and lifestyle publications for women
Against labour dispossession:A philosophical critique of the legal normalisation of undocumented migrants' exploitation in Europe
Get PDFThis doctoral dissertation undertakes a legal-philosophical investigation into the role of the European human rights regime in normalising legal structures that expose undocumented migrants to severe exploitation. It combines law and critical (migration) theory to examine the logic and functioning of regulations governing the residence and labour relations of undocumented migrants from both internal and external perspectives. It analyses the European Union’s Return and Sanctions Directives, along with a selection of landmark ECtHR judgments on the regularisation of undocumented migrants’ status and their protection against slavery, servitude, and forced labour. The dissertation introduces the term ‘il-legal alien’ to underscore the role of law in constructing and maintaining conditions of illegality and alienage. It situates its analyses within the broader context of the political economy of irregular migration under global capitalism and the market’s increasing deemand for cheap labour.The dissertation demonstrates that prevailing interpretations of European human rights laws reinforce and normalise structures of exploitability against il-legal aliens. It argues that these individuals are transformed into ‘pseudo-legal’ persons who lack the legal capacity to establish valid employment relationships. The illegalisation of their labour relations operates through a logic of ‘dispossession’, stripping them of the ability to autonomously control their bodily labour power. The dissertation shows that legal structures functioning under this logic bear similarities to legal regimes of slavery. The disserttaion highlights the liberatory potential of the right to unionisation, which could serve as the foundation for il-legal aliens’ collective struggle to reclaim their human right to work, independent of their residence status, in post-slavery Europe
The impact of pediatric post-COVID-19 condition:Navigating the long and winding road
Get PDFFive years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many children continue to experience long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This thesis explores the impact of Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Condition (PPCC) at global, national, and individual levels.Part I examines pediatric post-COVID-19 care programs internationally, highlighting challenges, multidisciplinary approaches, and the need for standardized guidelines. The International Post-COVID-Condition in Children Collaboration (IP4C) revealed a high burden of symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive difficulties globally, yet few objective abnormalities in diagnostic testing were found. Treatment is primarily focused on rehabilitation and symptom management.Part II investigates PPCC in the Netherlands, analyzing prevalence, risk factors, and other clinical outcomes. A nationwide study found that PPCC was more common after severe COVID-19, and is associated with reduced physical health-related quality of life. Further research into children hospitalized for severe COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) revealed long-term respiratory impairments in symptomatology and functional tests, emphasizing the need for tailored follow-up care. The role of multidisciplinary clinics in providing individualized treatment is also explored.Part III assesses the impact of PPCC on children’s daily lives. Three clinical phenotypes were identified, offering insights into the large variability in symptoms and patient characteristics. Additionally, children with PPCC demonstrated significantly lower quality of life and increased risks of anxiety, depression, and sleep-related impairments compared to children with chronic health conditions and healthy peers.This thesis underscores the need for standardized healthcare and research protocols, and individualized, multidisciplinary care strategies to improve outcomes for children with PPCC
Appropriate care and sustainable anaesthesiology
Get PDFWith stagnating life expectancy in developed nations, rising incidence of chronic diseases and mounting costs of care, the call for transforming healthcare into an efficient and sustainable sector has never been more pressing. In this thesis, meta-research on appropriate care and sustainability was combined with qualitative research and guideline development. The overall aim of the thesis was to enable changes in clinical and scientific behaviour that promote appropriate and sustainable healthcare.The findings of this thesis indicate that methodological limitations, unrealistic expectations and the use of inappropriate outcomes measures may limit the translation of study results into clinical practice. Moreover, our results suggest that all those involved in research – researchers, funders, editors – are inclined to favour innovation above evaluation. These findings were translated into clinical practice by interviewing anaesthetists about clinical decision-making. Reported barriers to change included a prevailing lack of evidence for everyday interventions, patient and societal pressures and expectations, and financial incentives to ‘do more’. This thesis further focussed on the largest source of environmental pollution originating from anaesthesiology, which is the use of anaesthetic gases. These gases are potent greenhouse gases, ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) and cause ozone layer depletion. We performed two systematic reviews with meta-analyses and concluded that omitting anaesthetic gases from general anaesthesia is safe and effective, and actually improved postoperative recovery. To promote sustainable change among anaesthetists, we additionally collected qualitative data through questionnaires and interviews and combined these to create a national guideline in close collaboration with the Dutch Society for Anaesthesiology
De-escalation of breast and axillary treatment in breast cancer patients
Get PDFThis thesis focuses on improving breast cancer treatment through response-guided therapies. While the number of breast cancer diagnoses continues to rise, survival rates have improved due to effective screening programs and systemic treatments. The prognosis of breast cancer is highly dependent on tumor stage, biological characteristics, and response to therapy. Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) allows for tumor shrinkage and monitoring of treatment response, providing the opportunity for tailored treatment. The likelihood of achieving a pathological complete response (pCR) varies by subtype, with the highest rates seen in HER2+ and triple-negative (TN) breast cancer. Achieving pCR is associated with better long-term survival and lower recurrence rates and as long-term oncological outcomes improve, it is important to reconsider whether the benefits of locoregional treatment outweigh the associated side effects.This thesis explores minimally invasive biopsies to evaluate response to NST as imaging methods like MRI and FDG-PET/CT are useful, but not accurate enough to reliably detect pCR. However, small biopsies may miss relevant residual disease, emphasizing the need for breast surgery in many patients. The thesis also examines tailored locoregional treatments, such as omitting radiotherapy in patients achieving pCR and optimizing surgery for invasive lobular carcinoma.A major focus is on tailored axillary treatment based on NST response in clinically node positive patients. The MARI procedure, involving the removal of a pre-NST marked lymph node during surgery, enables tailored axillary treatment reducing unnecessary axillary lymph node dissections. This approach has shown excellent survival outcomes and low recurrence rates in breast cancer patients with limited and extensive nodal disease.By investigating innovative diagnostic and treatment strategies, this thesis provides new insights into personalizing breast cancer treatment, minimizing overtreatment, and improving patients' quality of life
Big Tech in check:News media's watchdog role in the digital age
Get PDFAs Big Tech corporations like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Alphabet wield growing influence over society, concerns about their accountability remain unresolved. Their transnational operations, financial power, and lobbying efforts have outpaced regulatory mechanisms, creating an accountability gap. This dissertation investigates the role of news media as watchdogs, assessing whether and how they hold Big Tech accountable for their societal impact.Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the dissertation is structured into two parts. The first examines the perceptions of journalists, lobbyists, and news audiences regarding news media’s watchdog role through interviews and surveys. Findings reveal that while journalists acknowledge the importance of accountability reporting, their willingness to adopt an active watchdog stance is influenced by complex relationships with expert sources. Meanwhile, audiences expect stronger media oversight of Big Tech, yet perceive journalism as falling short, affecting trust in news institutions. The second part shifts to a performative lens, analyzing news coverage to assess how journalists frame Big Tech’s role. While media outlets expose and critique Big Tech’s influence, corporations strategically shape public narratives to legitimize their power and align themselves with societal values. A bridging chapter blends perceptual and performative approaches and reflects on the use of reconstruction interviews.To conclude, this dissertation argues that accountability should be understood as a dynamic, communicative exchange. It underscores the need for independent, transparent, and adaptive journalism to maintain its legitimacy and safeguard democratic values
Light-driven CO<sub>2 </sub>reduction in metal-organic frameworks:Strategies for catalyst immobilization
Get PDFThe increasing concentration of atmospheric CO₂ due to fossil fuel overreliance demands innovative solutions to mitigate climate change and transition toward a carbon-neutral society. This thesis focuses on the development of a hybrid catalytic platform for photocatalytic CO₂-to-CO reduction, combining the high activity and selectivity of molecular catalysts with the stability and recyclability of heterogeneous systems. In this work, we employed porous, tuneable, and hierarchical coordination polymers, known as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), to immobilize an active and selective CO₂ reduction molecular catalyst, creating a hybrid material. Initially, the optimal catalyst loading within the MOF was identified to balance porosity and catalytic performance to optimize CO₂-to-CO conversion. The study further explored different installation strategies for the catalyst within the MOF, revealing that the coordination linkage between the catalyst and MOF provides the most robust attachment, minimizing leaching and enhancing long-term stability. Next, a comparative analysis between 3D and 2D assemblies highlighted the trade-off between initial catalytic performance and durability, with MOFs demonstrating superior recyclability. Finally, the hybrid material was integrated into a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell, where a redox mediator facilitated electron transfer from the photoelectrode to the catalytic sites within the MOF. The fabricated device achieved a stable photocurrent, leading to the formation of CO. This work advances the understanding of hybrid catalysts for solar fuels, emphasizing the importance of catalyst loading, immobilization strategy, and integration into functional devices. The findings offer a promising step toward scalable and sustainable artificial photosynthesis.
Early nutritional strategies to modulate the early-life stress- and Alzheimer's disease-induced changes in the brain:Focus on microglia
Get PDFDit proefschrift onderzoekt de invloed van voedingsstoffen zoals omega-3 vetzuren (N-3 PUFAs) en koffiepolyfenolen op de hersenen en hun rol in het immuunsysteem, met een specifieke focus op microglia, de immuuncellen van de hersenen. Een belangrijk thema is de rol van deze voedingsstoffen in het verminderen van de negatieve gevolgen van vroege stress (early-life stress (ES)) en hun mogelijke bijdrage aan de ziekteprocessen van de ziekte van Alzheimer (AD).Uit eerder onderzoek blijkt dat vroege voedingsinterventies, bijvoorbeeld via verrijking met N-3 PUFAs, bescherming kunnen bieden tegen de schadelijke effecten van ES, waarbij microglia een belangrijke rol spelen. Deze interventies kunnen mogelijk de achteruitgang verminderen bij AD, zoals wordt waargenomen in individuelen blootgesteld aan ES. Dit proefschrift bespreekt hoe N-3 PUFA en hun derivaten, zoals oxylipines, de structuur en functies van microglia beïnvloeden in verschillende hersengebieden. Er wordt onderzocht hoe een dieet verrijkt met N-3 PUFAS de vorming van amyloïde plaques, een pathologisch kenmerk van AD, kan verminderen. Muizen die op jonge leeftijd een dergelijk dieet kregen, vertoonden een significante afname van amyloïde plaques in de hippocampus en de entorhinale cortex, hersengebieden die essentieel zijn voor geheugenfuncties. Deze vermindering van plaques werd in verband gebracht met veranderingen in de morfologie en functie van microglia. Microglia die zich dichter bij amyloïde plaques bevonden, vertoonden veranderingen in complexiteit en een toename van fagocytose—het vermogen om schadelijke stoffen zoals amyloïde plaques op te ruimen.Samengevat, dit proefschrift benadrukt het potentieel van (vroege) voedingsinterventies, met name N-3 PUFAs, om vroege negatieve programmering door stress te moduleren en de ontwikkeling van neurodegeneratieve ziekten zoals AD op latere leeftijd te beïnvloeden. Het onderzoek draagt bij aan een beter begrip van de complexe interacties tussen voeding, het immuunsysteem van de hersenen en ziekteprocessen zoals AD
A white elephant or a silver bullet?:What (not) to do with online higher education
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education institutions to resort to online forms of teaching and learning. This offered a unique opportunity to gain more insights into online teaching and learning strategies and how these can meaningfully contribute to existing on-site educational practices. The research that underpins this dissertation was initiated to gain insights from the experiences of teachers and students with online education that can be used to (re)develop more sustainable online teaching and learning strategies. This was the central question: How did teachers and students experience emergency remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic and which online teaching strategies did they identify as advantageous or inauspicious? Some overall conclusions can be drawn based on the conducted studies. First and foremost, numerous experiences with online teaching and learning strategies have been identified that have potential value beyond the pandemic. By contrast, many obstacles have been described as well, which have to be accounted for before online teaching and learning strategies can be sustainably integrated in higher education curricula. The title of this dissertation concerns the question whether online education is a white elephant or a silver bullet; a suboptimal and expensive form of education, or valuable and welcome addition? At the very least, the online transition has fueled a debate about what good education does (not) encompass. The insights reported throughout this dissertation suggest that online education could play an important part in the future of higher education. Under the right conditions, online education could become a silver bullet
Dynamics of the alveolar host response and pulmonary infections in ARDS
Get PDFThis thesis explores alveolar host-immune responses, viral kinetics, and secondary pulmonary infections in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with a focus on COVID-19-related ARDS. It investigates persistent inflammation, alveolar subphenotypes, fibroproliferation, and their impact on outcomes.The thesis demonstrates that COVID-19 ARDS is characterized by a hyperinflammatory alveolar state with increased inflammatory biomarkers associated with higher mortality and distinct inflammatory profiles in the alveolar and systemic compartments. Two distinct alveolar inflammatory subphenotypes were identified, revealing poor agreement between alveolar and systemic subphenotypes. A fibroproliferative response, marked by increased NT-PCP-III, correlated with short-term outcomes but showed weak association with long-term lung function.The thesis also examines viral dynamics, showing that alveolar SARS-CoV-2 viral loads decrease in a biphasic pattern, with high early viral loads associated with worse outcomes. Pulmonary viral reactivations, particularly HSV, were common in ARDS, and associated with increased inflammation and mortality. Antiviral treatment was found to reduce inflammation.These findings emphasize the role of alveolar inflammation and viral reactivations in ARDS pathophysiology. They support the need for precision medicine strategies targeting these processes to improve patient outcomes. Future research should expand beyond COVID-19-related ARDS to include broader populations at risk for persistent inflammation and viral reactivation