270 research outputs found
Non-performing loans at the intersection of EU prudential regulation and consumer protection : unpacking the tension
No full textDefence date: 28 April 2025Examining Board: Prof. Mathias Siems (European University Institute, Supervisor); Prof. Joanne Scott (European University Institute); Prof. Noah Vardi (Università degli studi Roma Tre); Prof. Olha Cherednychenko (University of Groningen)Non-performing loans (NPLs) are private loans not being serviced according to the contractual agreement between borrowers and financial institutions. Following the 2008 financial crisis, NPLs have become a significant concern for EU prudential regulation. Conversely, consumer protection law, aimed to protect the weaker party, is primarily invoked to the extent that it is instrumental in achieving the objectives of prudential regulation. This EU approach fails to address the tension between prudential policy and consumer protection. Against this background, this thesis unpacks the tension, exploring how prudential policy interacts with consumer protection laws and how this tension affects consumer protection in five European jurisdictions characterised by high levels of household indebtedness: Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. It does so with a multi-method approach to capture the interdisciplinary nature of NPLs, which significantly overlaps legal, economic and political research. Notably, it utilises process tracing tools, qualitative content analysis, descriptive statistics, and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The thesis begins by identifying NPLs as a regime complex, using existing theories on the interaction between fragmented supranational laws, different legal instruments, and the relationship between the supranational and national levels. It then borrows the analytical framework on cross-policy interaction introduced by Underdal in the context of international environmental law to unpack the tension between prudential regulation and consumer protection at three levels: the ‘outputs’, the ‘outcome’, and the ‘impact’. The prudential policy’s ‘output’ effect is observed at the EU level in the process, leading to the introduction of pre-emptive measures in the Mortgage Credit Directive and the Consumer Credit Directive to avoid accumulating new NPLs. It is also observed in the EU’s approach to personal insolvency within the context of EU economic governance, which prioritises debt recovery over a fresh start. The prudential policy’s ‘outcome’ effect is observed by analysing the CJEU’s judges’ behaviour. CJEU’s judges, in their reasoning, navigate between two positions: on one hand, they adopt a fragmented approach that leads to consumer-friendly rulings, while on the other hand, they recognise prudential concerns as a valid reason for restricting consumer protection. Finally, the prudential policy’s ‘impact’ is traced to the (in)effectiveness of consumer protection in Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain by analysing the outcomes of non-final courts, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and the imposition of fines by prudential regulators. This thesis uncovers that when faced with strong pressure from the ECB, firm EU prudential public policy, and the push to implement more effective debt recovery laws, national enforcers consistently favour financial institutions in consumer law cases related to non-performing loans. This thesis reveals that the complex and often distorted relationship between prudential regulation and consumer protection, along with the lack of a governing principle to guide their interaction, creates a structural bias that prioritises the survival of the financial system. This aligns with Pistor’s Legal Theory of Finance. Finally, the thesis discusses the broader implications of the findings. It explores a framework solution to actively manage the conflict between prudential regulation and consumer protection. The current approach supports a relationship between the two, but only if it benefits prudential regulation. However, prioritising prudential regulation alone compromises both consumer law and financial regulation. This thesis, therefore, suggests policy integration as a possible solution beyond coordination and coherence
Correction: Micronutrient intake and telomere length: findings from the UK Biobank (European Journal of Nutrition, (2024), 63, 8, (2871-2883), 10.1007/s00394-024-03460-5)
No full texthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-024-03460-5. In the original version of this article, e-mail address of the corresponding author Vasiliki Bountziouka was incorrectly given as [email protected] but should have been [email protected]. © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024
Optimal Phased-Array Signal Combination For Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Measurement In Breast Cancer Using Multiple Quantum Coherence MR Spectroscopy At 3T
No full textAcknowledgements The author would like to thank Dr Matthew Clemence (Philips Healthcare Clinical Science, UK) for clinical scientist support, Ms Bolanle Brikinns, Ms Louisa Pirie, Ms Linda Lett, and Ms Kate Shaw for patient recruitment support, Ms Dawn Younie for logistic support, Mr Roger Bourne and Ms Mairi Fuller for providing access to the patients as well as Mrs Beverly MacLennan, Mrs Nichola Crouch, Mr Mike Hendry, and Ms Laura Reid for radiographer support. This project was funded by Friends of Aberdeen and North Centre for Haematology, Oncology and Radiotherapy (ANCHOR). Vasiliki Mallikourti’s PhD study is supported by The Princess Royal Tenovus Scotland Medical Research Scholarship.Peer reviewe
Phased-array combination of 2D MRS for lipid composition quantification in patients with breast cancer
No full textAcknowledgements: The author would like to thank Dr Matthew Clemence (Philips Healthcare Clinical Science, UK) for support, Ms Bolanle Brikinns, Ms Louisa Pirie, Ms Linda Lett, and Ms Kate Shaw, for patient recruitment support, Ms Dawn Younie for logistic support, Mr Roger Bourne and Ms Mairi Fuller for providing access to the patients as well as Mrs Beverly MacLennan, Mrs Nicola Crouch, Mr Mike Hendry, and Ms Laura Reid for radiographer support. Funding: This project was funded by Friends of Aberdeen and North Centre for Haematology, Oncology and Radiotherapy (ANCHOR), Tenovus Scotland, and NHS Grampian Endowment. Vasiliki Mallikourti’s PhD study is supported by The Princess Royal Tenovus Scotland Medical Research Scholarship.Peer reviewe
Rezension: "Digitale Transformation der Musikausbildung. Kognitive Entscheidungsprozesse an Hochschulen in Österreich und der Schweiz" von Vasiliki Papadopoulou
No full textMit ihrem Werk Digitale Transformation der Musikausbildung - Kognitive Entscheidungsprozesse an Hochschulen in Österreich und der Schweiz legt Vasiliki Papadopoulou eine sorgfältig konzipierte und empirisch abgesicherte Studie vor, die einen substantiellen Beitrag zur Auseinandersetzung mit der Digitalisierung im Kontext künstlerischer Hochschulbildung leistet. Die Autorin überzeugt durch eine klar strukturierte Argumentation, eine fundierte theoretische Herangehensweise sowie eine präzise Analyse der Entscheidungsmuster an sowohl öffentlichen als auch privaten Kunst- und Musikhochschulen in Österreich und der Schweiz. Besonders bemerkenswert ist, dass sie nicht nur strukturelle Rahmenbedingungen, sondern auch individuelle Haltungen und Handlungsmuster in den Blick nimmt, die Transformationsprozesse wesentlich mitgestalten.Vasiliki Papadopoulou\u27s Digitale Transformation der Musikausbildung ̶ Kognitive Entscheidungsprozesse an Hochschulen in Österreich und der Schweiz is a carefully designed and empirically validated study that makes a substantial contribution to the debate on digitalization in the context of artistic higher education. The author impresses with her clearly structured argumentation, a well-founded theoretical approach and a precise analysis of decision-making patterns at both public and private art and music universities in Austria and Switzerland. It is particularly noteworthy that she focuses not only on structural framework conditions, but also on individual attitudes and patterns of action that play a key role in shaping transformation processes
Iterative learning control as a framework for human-inspired control with bio-mimetic actuators
No full textThe synergy between musculoskeletal and central nervous systems empowers humans to achieve a high level of motor performance, which is still unmatched in bio-inspired robotic systems. Literature already presents a wide range of robots that mimic the human body. However, under a control point of view, substantial advancements are still needed to fully exploit the new possibilities provided by these systems. In this paper, we test experimentally that an Iterative Learning Control algorithm can be used to reproduce functionalities of the human central nervous system - i.e. learning by repetition, after-effect on known trajectories and anticipatory behavior - while controlling a bio-mimetically actuated robotic arm.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Learning & Autonomous Contro
An Ultrasonically Powered and Controlled Ultra-High-Frequency Biphasic Electrical Neurostimulator
No full textThis paper presents the design of a neurostimulator performing biphasic ultra-high-frequency electrical stimulation while being driven from ultrasound energy. Unlike conventional constant current or constant voltage stimulators or state-of-the-art ultra-high-frequency stimulators, the system does not convert the input AC signal into regulated DC for storing power and supplying the elements of the circuits. Instead, it uses the received ultrasonic signal frequency (≥1 MHz) for electrically stimulating the tissue directly, and it achieves biphasic stimulation with external control and without storing extra power. This results in a highly efficient and miniature circuit, which has the potential to be used in bioelectronic medicine for stimulating small peripheral nerves deep inside the body. The operation of the circuit was first simulated in LTSpice using a lumped elements model for the impedance of the piezoelectric receivers and the load. Finally, a prototype was tested in vitro with commercial transducers and platinum-iridium electrodes as load.Accepted author manuscriptBio-Electronic
Ultrasound for Data Transfers from Deep Implants: an Experimental Comparison Between Binary-Frequency-Shift-Keying and On-Off-Keying with Backscatter Modulation
No full textImplantable devices need to communicate information to the outside world. For deep-seated miniaturized implants ultrasound communication can be favourable. However, implants need to operate during movement, and the selected communication scheme should be assessed accordingly. In this work, we implemented a simple protocol to transfer data packets based on On-Off-Keying (OOK) and Frequency-Shift-Keying (FSK) by backscatter modulation in ultrasonic communication links for deep implants.We then used it to compare FSK vs OOK encoding regarding the bit error rate during continuous ultrasound power transfer, and while moving, in a water tank setup. Our experiment shows, that sub-millimeter movements can have severe effects on OOK communication, but not for FKS. Therefore, FSK can allow for backscatter communication from deep implants regardless of their position and involved movements. The protocol can also be adapted to other backscatter modulation schemes in the future.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Bio-Electronic
There are many Indias: depictions of Indian-ness, epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration in recent literature for young adults published in India
No full textDeposited with permission of the author. © 2012 Vasiliki SpanosThe study ‘There are many Indias: Depictions of Indian-ness, epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration in recent literature for young adults published in India ’ takes its impetus from the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority’s (ACARA) ‘The Australian Curriculum’ for English (2012), which stipulates as one of its aims the emphasis of Australia’s ‘links to Asia’ (p.3). As an experienced and practising teacher of English and Literature within the secondary classroom in Melbourne, Australia with an interest in Indian culture and literature, I wanted to explore beyond the Asian texts booklisted by the Asia Education Foundation (2011) for use in the English classroom. Curiosity, amongst other factors, led me to India. It is in bookshops and schools in India where I discovered that there are many more texts, delightful, powerful often confronting texts, written in English and evoking a deep sense of Indian culture, that we teachers of English in Australia were aware of. This thesis analyses a selection of YAL novels written in English and published in India recently. It explores the depiction of Indian-ness within the experience and realm of childhood, against a distinctively Indian backdrop. In an appropriation of Hollindale's concept of childness, the term Indian-ness is adopted, addressing the multilayered nature of Indian experience whilst exposing attitudinal shifts in both the depiction of the child/youth protagonist and societal perceptions of the child/youth as reader. Furthermore, this thesis examines Hollindale’s concept of epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration as they manifest in the selected YAL works.
Their subsequent implications from within the text (in terms of the protagonist) and beyond the text (in terms of reader response) are also explored. This study analyses the significance of epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration in relation to perceptions of society and the world of the young adult and how literature offers another way of seeing and being in the world. Thus the expansive potential of literature to empower and transform the individual is examined. Finally, this study asserts that these factors act as a unifying element and allow for a richness of interpretation which extends and further embellishes the scope of possibility in one’s perception of life, their vision for the future and their perception of the quality of Indian-ness and its many manifestations. Hollindale’s concept of epiphanies and moments of transformative exhilaration serves to illustrate the common humanity that the selected YAL texts expose the reader to, whilst simultaneously suggesting the universality of the reading experience
Influence of soft encapsulation on the wireless power transfer for bioelectronic medicine: Evaluating the efficiency of near-field resonant inductive links
No full text- …
