My research takes the artistic use of the devices that bring sound waves into electricity and back as its central focus point; they are commonly called microphones and loudspeakers. These devices... Show moreMy research takes the artistic use of the devices that bring sound waves into electricity and back as its central focus point; they are commonly called microphones and loudspeakers. These devices have become essential for many forms of music making. Through the same pair of loudspeakers, people listen to diverse music and sound, such as violin sonatas, rock songs or simply the latest news. Accordingly, microphones and loudspeakers are often designed to remain transparent; that is, "inaudible" in the final sound result. From the 1950s on, microphones and loudspeakers started to play a crucial role not only in the mere reproduction of sound, but also in the creation of music. Composers and musicians often described these new possibilities of using microphones and loudspeakers as musical instruments. This resulted not only in many pieces and performances that used microphones and loudspeakers in unusual ways but also in many new possibilities for musical composition. Confronted with microphones and loudspeakers through my own practice as a composer using electro-acoustic media, I investigated how microphones and loudspeakers could become musical instruments. This resulted in 28 compositions and a text about historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of the subject. To obtain a clear picture of the possibilities of microphones and loudspeakers in music, I develop four approaches in my dissertation. Three of them focus on the transparent use (reproducing, supporting and generating). The fourth approach focuses on the use of microphone and loudspeakers in an opaque way; that is, as musical instruments. I call this the interacting approach, since the music should, in contrast to the other approaches, not be transmitted through microphones and loudspeakers, but formed, coloured, and changed by these devices. The fourth approach was the starting point for 28 compositions, in which I investigate in what ways one could interact or "play" microphones and loudspeakers. This resulted in a categorisation of three interaction parameters: movement, material and space. I looked at how these interaction parameters might be recognised in the work of other musicians and composers, as well as how the interaction with microphones and loudspeakers influenced compositional form, the performance situation, and the relationship between musician and musical instrument. This resulted in a theory and praxis in which I elaborate upon unique features of music, composed with microphones and loudspeakers. ****************** Several chapters of this dissertation have been adapted and made into the book ‘Between Air and Electricity : Microphones and Loudspeakers as Musical Instruments’ which has been published at Bloomsbury Open Access DOI 10.5040/9781501327636Show less
The law of the European Union requires effective enforcement of EU policy, for which criminal law can, and sometimes must be used. This means that the scope of policy freedom that criminal law... Show moreThe law of the European Union requires effective enforcement of EU policy, for which criminal law can, and sometimes must be used. This means that the scope of policy freedom that criminal law authorities can utilize, varies dependent on the applicable legal context. The principle of expediency, which gives the Public Prosecution Service the authority to drop cases conditionally or unconditionally, should be interpreted in a differentiated way, leaving more room for policy choices in certain areas and less in areas where European interests are particularly important. Show less
Population growth and the drop in the returns from the major cash crop (coffee) for small farmers are the main drivers that have influenced the farming systems and mobility of farmers in the... Show morePopulation growth and the drop in the returns from the major cash crop (coffee) for small farmers are the main drivers that have influenced the farming systems and mobility of farmers in the Western Highlands of Cameroon (WHC). The main objective of this research activity was to determine the interactions between farming systems and human mobility in the WHC. A comparative study was conducted through household and field surveys in three villages and conceptualized based on the systems approach. The different types of mobility were influenced by household social factors, the quest for ‘high valued' farm plots and hired labour. Urban-rural migration contributed to occupation diversification and social mobility. The sustainability factor was a function of land use intensity, intensity of off-farm inputs, the household adjustment factor and mobility of the household. The sacred groves were rich in plant diversity of varied ecological and economic importance. Nitrogen mining was common at all levels of the farming system. These determinants and types of mobility claims are pertinent to the research area; the sustainability results of the farming systems reflect the reality on the ground; the nutrient flux evaluated at the crop and farm levels constitute a valuable database for future research. Show less
Since the 1990s, the number of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) has grown rapidly worldwide. NHRIs are widely believed to be able to contribute to the realisation of human rights, by... Show moreSince the 1990s, the number of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) has grown rapidly worldwide. NHRIs are widely believed to be able to contribute to the realisation of human rights, by embedding international norms in domestic structures. Promoting Human Rights: National Human Rights Commissions in Indonesia and Malaysia addresses this issue by a comparative analysis of two NHRIs in Southeast Asia. It traces the development of both organisations since their inception, as well as their performance and effectiveness in three case studies regarding the freedom of religion, the right to a fair trial and the right to adequate housing. It reveals that the manner in which NHRIs address human rights issues differs between categories of rights, and that the promotion of international human rights standards is often hampered by the contestation of these norms, both within and outside of the organisation. At the same time, this study highlights some of the contributions the NHRIs have made to the realisation of human rights in challenging circumstances. The author therefore argues that NHRIs play a crucial role in making human rights an integral part of both the state and society. Show less
The study of the integration of areas peripheral to the main urban centres of the conquered lands to the Islamic sphere of authority in the 7th century poses great issues to historians because of... Show moreThe study of the integration of areas peripheral to the main urban centres of the conquered lands to the Islamic sphere of authority in the 7th century poses great issues to historians because of the scarcity of sources available. The Egyptian countryside however beneficiates from a large body of documentary evidence composed of papyri in Greek, Coptic and Arabic in addition to archaeological data and local historiography. This study offers to explore the history of Middle-Egypt, precisely the region of Antinoe/Anṣinā and Hermopolis/Ašmūn/Ašmūnayn as it became part of the empire of the Medinan (642-659), Umayyad (659-750) and Abbasid caliphs (750-868). The very detailed documentation available for the region allows to investigate the immediate measures that were taken locally after the conquest to insure and installation of the conquerors and their sustenance. It also shows how cooperation with the local au thorities was working from the very first years of Islamic dominance. One of the examples of that is given by the office of the duke of the Thebaid in Antinoe, revealing over time how such position contributed to the formation of the Islamic administrative hierarchy during the Umayyad period. However, the city of Anṣinā progressively fades away from the available documentation from the 8th century on as Ašmūn/Ašmūnayn becomes the main administrative centre of the area indicating a shift in the administrative system completed by the 9th century Show less
The aim of preventive care traditionally refers to measures taken to prevent disease and injury. However, for vulnerable older people the aim to maintain independence and wellbeing seems to be... Show moreThe aim of preventive care traditionally refers to measures taken to prevent disease and injury. However, for vulnerable older people the aim to maintain independence and wellbeing seems to be appropriate. Although a 'gold standard' to stratify for vulnerability in the general older population is lacking, GPs share the same concept of vulnerability for somatic and psychological patient characteristics. However, within the vulnerable older population, there is no evidence (except for physical activity) that a collective screening approach, with a standardized intervention program, will be the most appropriate way to contribute to the maintenance of independence and wellbeing. Moreover, since te majority of vulnerable older people already receive medical care for their chronic disease(s), more benefit can be expected from improving the individual regular care than from a separate screening program. According to GPs, te main topic in the prevention of disease in the general older population is (apart from national programs) cardiovascular risk management. A collective approach, consisting of high risk stratification and treatment, appeared to be possible even at high age. Show less
The study of exoplanets and the protoplanetary discs in which they form is a very challenging task. In this thesis we present several studies in which we investigate the potential of imaging... Show moreThe study of exoplanets and the protoplanetary discs in which they form is a very challenging task. In this thesis we present several studies in which we investigate the potential of imaging polarimetry at visible and near-infrared wavelengths to reveal the characteristics of these objects and overcome the scientific and technical challenges involved. Show less
This study investigates the perception and production of emotional prosody by native and non-native listeners and speakers, i.e. Chinese and Dutch listeners and speakers, including Dutch L2... Show moreThis study investigates the perception and production of emotional prosody by native and non-native listeners and speakers, i.e. Chinese and Dutch listeners and speakers, including Dutch L2 learners of Chinese. There is an acoustic analysis in this dissertation which shows the differences between three types of production of emotional prosody, i.e., Chinese L1, Dutch L2 and Dutch L1. This study also studies the in-group advantage and the cross-cultural perceptual ability of recognizing emotional prosody in an unknown language. Furthermore, the functional view is tested in this study, predicting that listeners of a tonal language will be less intent on paralinguistic use of prosody than listeners of a non-tonal language. This study describes three judgment studies in total. The first two judgment studies were carried out with native and non-native speakers and listeners of Chinese, and using Chinese native speakers and listeners to provide a baseline. The third study was conducted to test how well novice Chinese and Dutch listeners recognize emotional prosody expressed in their native language and in the other language. The results show that Dutch L2 speakers of Chinese are not able to produce emotional prosody as well as Chinese native speakers do; neither are they able to vocally express emotion as recognizable as they do in their L1. It seems that Dutch L2 speakers of Chinese develop a hybrid system for expressing emotional prosody in the L2. Moreover, the functional view is supported, indicating that Dutch listeners are generally better than Chinese listeners in recognizing emotional prosody, regardless the language in which the emotion is expressed. This dissertation is of interest to linguists, psychologists, phoneticians, language instructors or coaches, and those who work in the perception and/or production of emotion cross-culturally. Show less
An abundance of natural resources in a country is conducive to its development. Nevertheless, the last few decades have shown a harsher reality, where natural resources have triggered, financed or... Show moreAn abundance of natural resources in a country is conducive to its development. Nevertheless, the last few decades have shown a harsher reality, where natural resources have triggered, financed or fuelled a number of internal armed conflicts. Examples include the armed conflicts in Cambodia, Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which have been financed with the exploitation of a variety of valuable natural resources, including diamonds, gold, timber, oil and cocoa. Two main challenges can be identified. The first concerns stopping natural resources from financing or fuelling armed conflicts, while the second challenge is to improve the governance over natural resources within States in order to resolve existing armed conflicts and to prevent a relapse into armed conflict. The aim of this book is to assess the role of international law in addressing these two challenges. For this purpose, this book discusses the legal frameworks for the governance of natural resources in States in general, in situations of armed conflict and as part of conflict resolution and immediate post-conflict peacebuilding efforts. Show less
This thesis involves excitonic physics in bilayers of strongly correlated electron materials. The fermionic bilayer extended Hubbard model is studied by means of mean field theory and Determinant... Show moreThis thesis involves excitonic physics in bilayers of strongly correlated electron materials. The fermionic bilayer extended Hubbard model is studied by means of mean field theory and Determinant Quantum Monte Carlo simulations. A bosonic low-energy effective theory is developed, called the exciton t-J model. The phase diagram and the elementary excitations of this model are investigated. Surprisingly, the excitons are predicted to exhibit Ising confinement physics in the antiferromagnetic phase. In the exciton superfluid phase the magnetic triplon modes borrow kinetic energy from the excitons. Show less
Currently, treatment of arrhythmias is largely symptomatic and pro-arrhythmic mechanisms are incompletely understood. The research described in this thesis therefore investigates cellular and... Show moreCurrently, treatment of arrhythmias is largely symptomatic and pro-arrhythmic mechanisms are incompletely understood. The research described in this thesis therefore investigates cellular and molecular pro-arrhythmic mechanisms in in vitro models of pro-arrhythmic substrates such as fibrosis and hypertrophy, to provide and expand upon a mechanistic basis for future, substrate-oriented anti-arrhythmic strategies. In the model of cardiac fibrosis, the prominent pro-arrhythmic role of myofibroblasts was apparent. In a quantity-dependent manner, these cells have a detrimental depolarizing and pro-arhythmic influence on cardiac tissue. A mechanism that appears to be responsible for this depolarization of cardiomyocytes is heterocellular coupling, a pro-arrhythmic mechanism that was also observed between mesenchymal stem cells and cardiomyocytes and may therefore also have cautionary implications for the future of cardiac stem cell therapy. Through the use of genetic modification, such mechanisms can be selectively targeted. In this thesis, control of selective transgene expression in myofibroblasts or cardiomyocytes was further refined by investigating the cellular tropism of several adeno-associated viral vectors and the use of celltype-specific promotors. By employing such genetic tools together with expanded knowledge of pro-arrhythmic mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis and other pro-arrhythmic substrates, future treatment modalities for arrhythmias may improve by becoming more mechanism- and substrate-oriented. Show less
Research into the relation between psychopathology and etiological factors has not yet resulted in clear findings. One of the probable causes is that most researchers use the categorical DSM-IV... Show moreResearch into the relation between psychopathology and etiological factors has not yet resulted in clear findings. One of the probable causes is that most researchers use the categorical DSM-IV Classification of mental disorders. A dimensional system has several advantages compared to categorical systems: comorbidity, lack of diagnostic agreement and arbitrary nature of used boundaries are no longer a problem. Our aim was to develop a model with dimensions that can adequately describe patients with mood- and anxiety disorders. This project used data collected through Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM), a monitoring system for patient care. First, we validated a Dutch adaptation of an instrument based on the tripartite model. Next, we formulated an extension of this model with 5 dimensions. Consequently we presented a second model with 6 dimensions: feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, somatic arousal, anxious apprehension, phobic fear and tension. We used several analysis techniques to create a valid and reliable dimensional model. Each individual factor and the total of factors can be regarded as unidimensional measurement scales. This model can describe the clinical state of patients more specifically than the tripartite model, and can be used in subsequent research into etiological factors of psychopathology (e.g. endophenotype, genotype, trauma's, personality). Show less
Het fenomeen kroongetuige mag zich de laatste jaren in grote belangstelling verheugen, niet alleen bij de opsporing en vervolging van grote strafzaken maar ook in de media en in de maatschappij.... Show moreHet fenomeen kroongetuige mag zich de laatste jaren in grote belangstelling verheugen, niet alleen bij de opsporing en vervolging van grote strafzaken maar ook in de media en in de maatschappij. De berichtgeving is meestal niet positief van toon. Doordat kroongetuigen met enige regelmaat overhoop liggen met het OM, wordt getwijfeld aan de betrouwbaarheid van die kroongetuigen én aan de rechtmatigheid van de door het OM beloofde tegenprestaties. Is er iets mis met de wijze waarop justitie overeenkomsten met getuigen aangaat? Ligt dat aan het type getuige en heeft het OM heel veel pech gehad met zijn kroongetuigen of zijn er structurele problemen bij de met getuigenbescherming belaste functionarissen? Hoe verhoudt de overeenkomst om een verklaring af te leggen zich tot de getuigenbeschermingsovereenkomst? Is sprake van tekortkomingen op wettelijk of rechtstheoretisch niveau die zich vertalen naar de praktijk? Samengevat: Biedt het geheel aan wet-en regelgeving dat ziet op kroongetuigen en getuigenbescherming een werkbaar juridisch kader voor de strafpraktijk? Op die vragen hoopt dit onderzoek antwoord te geven door de beide overeenkomsten die met een kroongetuige worden gesloten aan een kritisch rechtstheoretisch en praktisch onderzoek te onderwerpen. Er wordt bekeken hoe de problemen die zich in de praktijk voordoen kunnen worden voorkomen en een slagvaardige en rechtsstatelijk verantwoorde kroongetuigenregeling haar plaats binnen het Nederlandse strafproces kan krijgen. Show less
Increasing evidence suggests that perception and action planning do not represent separable stages of a unidirectional processing sequence, but rather emerging properties of highly interactive... Show moreIncreasing evidence suggests that perception and action planning do not represent separable stages of a unidirectional processing sequence, but rather emerging properties of highly interactive processes. To capture these characteristics of the human cognitive system, we have developed a connectionist model of the interaction between perception and action planning: HiTEC, based on the Theory of Event Coding (Hommel, M_sseler, Achschersleben & Prinz, 2001). The model is characterized by representations at multiple levels and by shared representations and processes. It complements available models of stimulus__response translation by providing a rationale for (1) how situation-specific meanings of motor actions emerge, (2) how and why some aspects of stimulus__response translation occur automatically and (3) how task demands modulate sensorimotor processing. The model is demonstrated to provide a unitary account and simulation of a number of key findings with multiple experimental paradigms on the interaction between perception and action such as the Simon effect, its inversion (Hommel, 1993), and action__effect learning. Show less
The aim of this set of studies was to provide more insight in individual characteristics that influence care-giving abilities, in particular precursors of harsh and abusive parenting. We examined... Show moreThe aim of this set of studies was to provide more insight in individual characteristics that influence care-giving abilities, in particular precursors of harsh and abusive parenting. We examined how different subtypes of childhood abuse were related to child abuse potential in adulthood. Emotional neglect in childhood was related to child abuse potential, which is in line with earlier research showing the long-lasting effects of emotional maltreatment and neglect in childhood. With regard to the effects of oxytocin on the neural basis of parenting, we used fMRI to examine how oxytocin influenced emotion recognition using pictures of both adult and infant faces, taking experiences of maternal love withdrawal into account as potential moderator. Oxytocin enhanced neural activity in regions involved in emotion processing, such as the IFG, insula and STG. Our findings regarding the moderating role of experiences of maternal love withdrawal are inconsistent for emotion recognition in adult faces and in infant faces. Lastly, a new paradigm (LISSA) to observe sensitivity in response to standardized infant cues was developed and tested. Our results show that sensitivity can be reliably assessed using this procedure, making the LISSA a promising method for future research and clinical practice. Show less
When soft, repulsive particles, like foam bubbles or emulsion droplets, are sheared, they show interesting scaling behaviour. We develop a simple scaling model that captures the rheological... Show moreWhen soft, repulsive particles, like foam bubbles or emulsion droplets, are sheared, they show interesting scaling behaviour. We develop a simple scaling model that captures the rheological behavior starting from three assumptions that explicitly depend on the microscopic interactions. This model starts from three ingredients: energy conservation, the concept of an effective steady state strain in our flowing system and a constitutive elasticity equation linking the effective strain to the shear stress. Our model allows for non-linear microscopic particle interactions and it predicts that the global rheological behaviour depends on the details of the microscopic interactions between the particles - in contrast to standard critical scaling theory. We test our model in computer simulations of soft, massless particles under steady shear and find that the numerics are broadly consistent with our model. jamming, rheology, foam, critical scaling Show less
Unlike the formation of Solar-type stars, the formation of massive stars (M>8 Msun) is not yet well understood. For Solar-type protostars, the presence of circumstellar or protoplanetary disks... Show moreUnlike the formation of Solar-type stars, the formation of massive stars (M>8 Msun) is not yet well understood. For Solar-type protostars, the presence of circumstellar or protoplanetary disks which provide a path for mass accretion onto protostars is well established. However, to date only few cases of young massive stars show the evidence of circumstellar disks which support the idea that a scaled-up version of low-mass star formation could be applied to young massive stars. To what extend this hypothesis can be applied is still unclear and more observational evidences are required to characterize the physical properties of the disk-like structures around massive stars in order to understand how exactly massive stars gain their masses in the equatorial regions. In this thesis, we present high-resolution (sub)millimeter interferometric and single-dish observations of massive star-forming cores. We suggest that massive stars may form via disk accretion in some relatively isolated star-forming cores, while massive stars may form through competitive accretion in the central part of massive star-forming clusters. Our studies serve as the basis for the coming Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) studies at very high angular resolution. Show less
The study of immunity against Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing (TAP)-deficient cells led to the discovery of peptides presented by such TAP-deficient cells. Some of these peptides... Show moreThe study of immunity against Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing (TAP)-deficient cells led to the discovery of peptides presented by such TAP-deficient cells. Some of these peptides constituted antigens to Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) and these CTL only recognized TAP-deficient cells but not normal cells. These peptides were called __T-cell epitopes associated with impaired peptide processing__ (TEIPP). Therefore, TEIPP corresponds to immunogenic peptides that are presented only in cases of processing deficiency and not by normal cells. The studies of TEIPP antigens thus far have revealed that these antigens are promising candidates for the combat of immune escaped tumors. However, several aspects about TEIPPs needed clarification: what are the processing pathways that lead to generation and presentation of TEIPP antigens; what is the mechanism behind the immunogenicity of TEIPP; what are the charac teristics of TEIPP peptides presented by non-classical Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. The studies presented in this thesis are focused on these topics Show less
When a child is often scolded or threatened by his parents (emotional abuse) and /or when a child is structurally ignored or isolated by his parents (emotional neglect) we call this childhood... Show moreWhen a child is often scolded or threatened by his parents (emotional abuse) and /or when a child is structurally ignored or isolated by his parents (emotional neglect) we call this childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM). CEM is the most common form of child abuse, however, CEM is also the most hidden, underreported and least studied form of child abuse. An important reason for this may be because that the consequences of CEM are underestimated (e.g. __Sticks and Stones may break bones, but words will never hurt me__). However, this thesis shows that CEM is related with a persistent negative impact on cognition and the brain. We discovered that individuals that report CEM show differential structure and function of a brain area (the medial prefrontal cortex) that is crucial for role in responding to stress and thinking about yourself. Individuals with CEM also showed more activity in an area that signals threat (the amygdala) which may represent a persistent vigilance towards the detection of threat from others. These brain changes may underlie our other findings that individuals with CEM think more negatively about themselves and others. Negative thoughts can evoke negative thoughts and in new situations, which reinforces more negative memories. Due to this process, emotionally abused individuals may be more vulnerable to develop a depressive and/or anxiety disorder. Our findings warrant scientific and policital investments to increase societal awareness about the detrimental impact of CEM on cognition and the brain. Increased societal knowledge will hopefully lead to better awareness, reports, and subsequent interventions for individuals with CEM. Show less
Children with hearing loss are at risk for developing psychopathology, which has detrimental consequences for academic and psychosocial functioning. Therefore, the aims of this thesis were to... Show moreChildren with hearing loss are at risk for developing psychopathology, which has detrimental consequences for academic and psychosocial functioning. Therefore, the aims of this thesis were to objectify levels of psychopathology in hearing-impaired children, and to investigate the influence of various risk and protective factors on psychopathology. The first result of this large multi-center study was that children with hearing loss were more prone to developing psychopathology than their normally hearing counterparts. The second outcome entailed that cochlear implants recipients equaled to or outperformed children with hearing aids involving their levels of psychopathology. Moreover, for several psychopathological symptoms, children that received cochlear implants were comparable to normally hearing children, which is a very positive outcome for the cochlear implant children. Thirdly, several factors that impacted levels of psychopathology were identified. For example, children at mainstream schools using well-developed spoken language, have low risks for developing psychopathology. On the basis of this thesis, it was concluded that it is not the severity of hearing loss that contributes to the genesis of psychopathology, but many other factors. This necessitates clinicians to always consider the heterogeneity of the HI population, in order to improve personalized screening and treatment trajectories. Show less
