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Catalytic processes for synthetic fuel production
No full textCO₂ and hydrogen can be turned into fuels. To make this reaction efficient, you need a catalyst and a well-designed process. In this research, both the catalyst and the process were developed, characterized, and optimized. Hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy, while CO₂ is released when burning fuels. In this way, CO₂ can be converted back into fuel, closing the loop
The impact of relocations within and between nursing homes on long-term care residents
No full textThe documentary Uitgewoond highlighted emotional and health-related consequences of group relocations in Dutch nursing homes, prompting parliamentary questions and further research. To support this, the RELOCARE Consortium was established, uniting all six Academic Networks for Elderly Care to investigate the impact of relocations on residents and relatives, and to explore ways to improve relocation processes.This thesis examined how often relocations occur and what impact they have, with insights from four complementary studies. Quantitative analyses of large datasets revealed how frequently relocations happen, what types occur, and how they relate to health outcomes. Qualitative research, including interviews, a focus group, and case studies, explored how relocations are experienced by residents and perceived by stakeholders.The studies revealed that relocations were common, especially shortly after admission. Residents reported experiencing ambivalent emotions—ranging from stress and sadness to satisfaction and excitement—that varied across individuals and phases of the relocation. While measured mood and mortality risks were similar between relocated and non-relocated residents, relocation was associated with increased cognitive decline and loss of independence in daily activities.The perceived impact of relocations on residents was shaped by residents’ mental resilience, social connections, the organization of the move, and the new care environment. Ensuring autonomy and continuity, through attention to residents’ familiar surroundings, personal belongings, and trusted caregivers, proved essential.. Above all, ongoing dialogue with each resident appeared to be key to ensuring they feel involved, respected, and supported throughout the process
Indigenous Language Revitalisation in Central and Southern Chile, and New South Wales, Australia:Language Attitudes, Ideologies, and Digital Technologies
No full textMost Indigenous languages of the world are at risk of disappearing. In many cases, this threat has its origins in the violence of colonisation, which meant Indigenous communities were forcibly uprooted from their lands, impeding the continuity of their cultural traditions, and severely affecting the strength of their languages. Over the last few decades, communities have taken concrete actions to bring their languages back. These efforts can be referred to as Language Revitalisation (LR), a process characterised by actions that promote the use of threatened languages. Within these contexts, Indigenous peoples have taken up digital technologies as part of the resources that can support their LR processes and strengthen their cultural identity.This thesis focuses on the sociolinguistic context of Indigenous communities in central and southern Chile and New South Wales, Australia, to understand their perspectives in relation to their languages, LR processes, and the role digital technologies play. The findings showed that Indigenous communities conceive their language as a shared entity to be taken care of by the entire community. Their LR processes develop as a matter of cultural recovery, and within that process, digital technologies are generally viewed positively as supportive tools for learning, representation, and community connection, though concerns about the misuse of Indigenous cultural knowledge emerge. The discussion offered in this thesis aims to provide insights into how we can best contribute to the future of Indigenous languages in and outside the digital world, and counter the risk of losing such valuable knowledge
Multimodality imaging in advanced heart failure. A clinical consensus statement of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC. Part 1:Multimodality imaging for the evaluation of patients with advanced heart failure
No full textHeart failure (HF) represents a significant global health burden, with approximately 10% of patients progressing to advanced stages characterized by severe symptoms and recurrent hospitalizations despite conventional treatments such as guideline-directed medical therapy, devices, and surgery. This clinical consensus statement from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology discusses the applications of imaging modalities in patients with advanced HF. Transthoracic echocardiography remains the cornerstone for initial diagnosis and monitoring, providing critical insights into cardiac volumes, function, and valvular integrity, as well as congestion status. Transoesophageal echocardiography offers detailed evaluations of valve pathology, essential for surgical or transcatheter planning. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance provides comprehensive assessments of biventricular size and function, tissue characterization, and flow dynamics, proving particularly useful for diagnosing specific HF aetiologies. Computed tomography offers valuable insights into pulmonary artery diameter, right ventricular volume, and valvular anatomy, which are crucial for guiding percutaneous procedures. Nuclear imaging techniques allow assessing viability and diagnosing non-ischaemic HF conditions, guiding revascularization decisions. Advanced imaging techniques have expanded the understanding and management of right ventricular dysfunction. The integration of these advanced imaging modalities enhances diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, and therapeutic decision-making, ultimately improving the prognosis and quality of life for patients with advanced HF. This clinical consensus statement highlights the critical role of various imaging modalities in managing patients with advanced HF, excluding those needing mechanical circulatory support or heart transplantation, emphasizing the multifaceted approach required for effective management.</p
Effect of Acoramidis on Recurrent and Cumulative Cardiovascular Outcomes in ATTR-CM:Exploratory Analysis From ATTRibute-CM
No full textBackground: Transthyretin (TTR) amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a progressive disease with a significant burden of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events. Acoramidis, an approved oral therapy for ATTR-CM, achieves early, near-complete (≥90%) TTR stabilization. In the phase 3 ATTRibute-CM (Efficacy and Safety of Acoramidis in Participants with Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy) study, acoramidis significantly reduced the composite of all-cause mortality or first CV-related hospitalization (CVH), with an effect observed at month 3. Its efficacy on the burden of cumulative CV outcome events has not been reported. Objectives: This study was a post hoc exploratory recurrent-event analysis of the efficacy of acoramidis on the cumulative incidence of CV outcomes from ATTRibute-CM and its open-label extension. Methods: Cumulative incidences of centrally adjudicated CV-related mortality (CVM) or recurrent CVH (first and, if applicable, subsequent CVH), recurrent CVH alone (month 30), and CVM (month 42) were measured in the modified intention-to-treat population (acoramidis, n = 409; placebo, n = 202). Mean cumulative events by treatment, and the difference between treatment groups were estimated by using a modified Andersen-Gill model. Results: Acoramidis significantly reduced the cumulative risk of CVM or recurrent CVH through month 30 vs placebo (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.43-0.62; P < 0.0001). A notable proportion of CV outcome events (19% of CVM or recurrent CVH events, 22% of CVH) occurred within the first 6 months. Numerically fewer cumulative events were observed with acoramidis compared with placebo at month 1, and the difference increased progressively, resulting at month 30 in 53 events avoided per 100 treated participants (95% CI: 29-79). At month 42, CVM was reduced with continuous acoramidis vs placebo-to-acoramidis (HR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.39-0.79; P = 0.0011). The annualized frequency of recurrent CVH was significantly decreased through month 30 (relative risk ratio: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.35-0.69; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Acoramidis significantly reduced the cumulative burden of CV outcomes in ATTR-CM over 30 months. Numerically fewer events were observed with acoramidis vs placebo by month 1, and the difference increased progressively over time, resulting in 53 events avoided per 100 treated patients at month 30. Almost one-fourth of the cumulative CV events occurred within the first 6 months. These exploratory findings suggest that cumulative event burden may occur early, highlighting the importance of timely evaluation, diagnosis and treatment in ATTR-CM.</p
The Euro Crisis and Changing Governance of the Economic Monetary System:More "Regionalism" at the Expense of "Regionalization"
No full textThe chapter addresses the change of governance of the European Monetary system after the euro crisis. It shows that while there is improvement in monetary and budgetary matters, the arrangements for economic coordination have merely been defensively devised
Gendered imaginations:Critical prompting and decoding bias in text-to-image generative AI
No full textEnergy crisis, climate policies, and global inequalities:Investigating the impacts of energy price shocks and climate policies on household welfare, employment, and green development
No full textThis thesis examines how the global energy price crisis and key climate and energy policy instruments affect inequality across households, countries, and regions. As climate mitigation becomes increasingly urgent and fossil fuel markets remain persistently volatile, governments rely more heavily on price-based instruments such as carbon pricing, fossil fuel subsidies, and the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). While these policies aim to reduce emissions and enhance energy security, their distributional consequences raise growing concerns. This research assesses whether current policy responses adequately protect vulnerable groups and support a fair global energy transition.This thesis employs integrated modelling frameworks that combine global household expenditure data, multi-regional input–output analysis, and computable general equilibrium models to capture both direct and indirect impacts transmitted through global supply chains. Chapter 2 analyses the effects of the global energy price crisis on household cost-of-living burdens. Rising energy prices substantially increase household expenditures worldwide, with indirect energy costs embedded in goods and services exceeding direct energy expenses. These impacts are highly uneven across countries and income groups, disproportionately burdening low-income households and pushing many into energy and extreme poverty. Chapter 3 evaluates the distributional and environmental impacts of fossil fuel subsidies and carbon pricing. Carbon pricing reduces emissions but raises household costs, while fossil fuel subsidies lower energy prices and significantly increase emissions. Existing subsidy levels more than offset emission reductions from carbon pricing, with benefits concentrated among wealthier households. Chapter 4 assesses the employment impacts of CBAM, revealing limited aggregate effects but substantial distributional consequences across regions, skill levels, and genders. Chapter 5 shows that recycling CBAM revenues toward renewable energy investment in low- and middle-income countries improves both equity and mitigation outcomes.Overall, the thesis highlights the need for coordinated policy design integrating carbon pricing, subsidy reform, social protection, and international climate finance to support a just global energy transition
Variability in fricative contrast merger:Evidence from Quanzhou Southern Min and Mandarin
No full textThis study investigates the merger of the Mandarin alveolar-retroflex contrast in two vowel contexts ([a] vs [u]) among bilingual speakers of Quanzhou Southern Min [first language (L1)] and Mandarin [second language (L2)], with a focus on the interaction between linguistic and social factors. Sixty-one bilingual speakers' productions were evaluated by L1 Mandarin listeners in a perceptual identification task, and k-means clustering analysis based on each fricative's perceptual accuracy was used to classify speakers as “distinctive” or “merged.” Acoustic analysis of the spectral center of gravity (CoG) confirmed that L1 Standard Mandarin speakers maintained a larger CoG separation between /s/ and /ʂ/ than bilinguals, especially in the [u] context, reflecting individual variability within the bilingual group. For bilinguals, acoustic analysis further corroborated the perceptual classification: “Distinctive” bilinguals maintained clear CoG separation between /s/ and /ʂ/ categories, whereas merged bilinguals showed little to no difference in either vowel context. Furthermore, gender and age significantly influenced this contrast production. Notably, these effects were largely mediated by L2 exposure levels. Women and younger speakers tended to have greater exposure to Mandarin, which correlated with more distinctive productions. This result highlights the dynamic relationship between linguistic and social factors in shaping phonological contrast variability in bilingual speakers