The general aim of the studies in this dissertation is to provide more insight in the role of family characteristics, parent characteristics, and child characteristics in early child emotion... Show moreThe general aim of the studies in this dissertation is to provide more insight in the role of family characteristics, parent characteristics, and child characteristics in early child emotion socialization and children’s social-emotional development. In Chapter 2 the degree to which fathers and mothers elaborate on emotions with their daughters and sons is examined from toddlerhood to preschool age. In addition, the role of gender stereotypes in parents’ use of emotion talk is examined. Chapter 3 reports on the role of the gender combination of siblings on everyday (emotion-related) parent-child interactions. Chapter 4 focuses on the potential influence of the proportion of male siblings in fathers’ and mothers’ family of origin on their current gender-typed parenting characteristics, including parents’ gendered use of emotion talk. In addition to a direct relation between parents’ family background and their gender-typed parenting, an indirect effect through parents’ testosterone levels is tested. In Chapter 5 a mediation model is tested in which the link between parents’ psychopathology symptoms and preschoolers’ social-emotional functioning is mediated by the degree to which parents elaborate on negative emotions with their children. Finally, in Chapter 6 the main findings of these empirical studies are reviewed and integrated. Show less
This dissertation focused on the prolific early European trade and consumption of three Asian manufactured goods: Chinese silk and porcelain, and Japanese lacquer in the sixteenth and early... Show moreThis dissertation focused on the prolific early European trade and consumption of three Asian manufactured goods: Chinese silk and porcelain, and Japanese lacquer in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, and has shown how the material cultures of late Ming China and Momoyama/early Edo Japan became inextricably linked with the West. Multiple sources provided new and unexpected documentary and material evidence of this trade by the Iberian Kingdoms of Portugal and Spain, and the trading companies formed in the Northern Netherlands/Dutch Republic and England. They also informed us about the commercial networks through which these Asian goods circulated, and the way in which they were acquired, used and appreciated in the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and English societies in Western Europe, and in the multi-ethnic societies of the colonies in the New World. Some new finds relate to the use of porcelain in Western Europe in the sixteenth century, the terminology employed in northwestern Europe to refer to Kraak porcelain, and the Japanese lacquer objects made in European shapes for the Dutch and English trading companies earlier than in Chinese porcelain. This study provides a better understanding of the intercultural exchanges that occurred between the East and West at the time. Show less
In Cytomics environment, scientist has to continuosly deal with a large volume of structured and unstructured data, this condition in particular, makes a challenge the interoperability for any... Show moreIn Cytomics environment, scientist has to continuosly deal with a large volume of structured and unstructured data, this condition in particular, makes a challenge the interoperability for any platform developed for cytomics. CytomicsDB approach is an effort for developing a framework which takes care of the standardization of the unstructured data, providing a common data model layer for HTS experiments. This model as well is suitable for the integration with other systems in Cytomics, in special other repositories, which allow the validation of key metadata used in the experiments, thus ensure reliability of the data stored. Other possible solutions for cytomics data management, should take special care in the use of data model standards for enhancing the collaboration and data sharing in the scientific community. Show less
My thesis provides a comparative analysis of early cilivilisations through archaeological sources. The two selected cases are Mycenaean Greece and the Late Preclassic lowland Maya. Specifically the... Show moreMy thesis provides a comparative analysis of early cilivilisations through archaeological sources. The two selected cases are Mycenaean Greece and the Late Preclassic lowland Maya. Specifically the study focuses on art and its role in social life of the two cases. Major methodological reflections are included. Show less
Most proteins and their complexes are flexible and dynamic in solution, occupying several conformations over time. Therefore, complex formation can be thought of as following a trajectory along... Show moreMost proteins and their complexes are flexible and dynamic in solution, occupying several conformations over time. Therefore, complex formation can be thought of as following a trajectory along which a loosely associated, weakly interacting encounter complex acts to pre-orient the binding partners before they proceed to the final stereo-specific state. Encounter complexes often play a large role for complexes that must balance a biological requirement for a high turnover rate with the necessity of forming a specific interaction. This is particularly the case for electron transfer complexes, such as the complex between yeast cytochrome c (Cc) and cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP). The work described in this thesis focuses on the use of paramagnetic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to study dynamic (transient) protein complexes, using the Cc-CcP complex as a model. Paramagnetic NMR has proven to be an extremely powerful technique for studying lowly populated states such as those of the encounter complex. It relies on the magnetic effects generated by an unpaired electron within a paramagnetic centre that disturb the local magnetic field experienced by nearby nuclei. This results in measureable changes in the NMR signals from which distance and orientation information for protein structure modelling can be extracted. Show less
The aims of this thesis are to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the theoretical and methodological aspects of environmental footprints and into the disciplinary relationship with the... Show moreThe aims of this thesis are to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the theoretical and methodological aspects of environmental footprints and into the disciplinary relationship with the latest science in defining planetary boundaries for human activities. Main conclusions are as follows: (1) environmental footprints are measures of anthropogenic pressure or impact on the planet's environment irrespective of their precise units and dimensions; (2) environmental footprints are classified into the inventory-oriented footprints and impact-oriented footprints, which offer two competing paradigms for footprint indicators; (3) integrating the impact-oriented footprints provides policy makers with a unified approach to assessing overall environmental impacts and has a broader scope of applicability than life cycle assessment; (4) life cycle assessment cannot be interpreted as a versatile tool for accounting for all possible environmental footprints, although the footprint community has indeed learned and borrowed much from it; (5) latest science in planetary boundaries is found to complement environmental footprints in assessing environmental sustainability that is a critical prerequisite for the economic and social pillars of sustainable development; and (6) the sustainability gap between the converted footprint and boundary metrics plays a central role in understanding the national performance on individual and collective environmental issues. Show less
My research addresses the function of the much-debated particle -nā in Biblical Hebrew, often translated with “please”, from the point of view of the most important ancient Bible translations ... Show moreMy research addresses the function of the much-debated particle -nā in Biblical Hebrew, often translated with “please”, from the point of view of the most important ancient Bible translations (Greek, Syriac, Latin). It combines textual criticism, translation technique, discourse pragmatics, and the study of politeness in language. The bewildering amount of variation in the rendering of this particle in the ancient versions can be explained as the result of a conscious choice by the translator or as a reflex of a different Hebrew original. After a survey of previous research, a systematic and comprehensive investigation of the evidence shows that the pragmatic function of this particle is strongly conditioned by the context and cannot be explained by a unified denominator. Its primary function appears to be emphasis, hence it sensitizes the addressee/reader. Cases of schematic translation can indicate with relative certainty where -nā was present or not in the Hebrew original of a given translation. By and large, the following tendencies can be observed: the Greek often has dē as the most obvious translation equivalent, the Syriac only translates it occasionally, and the Latin connects it most directly with politeness by a Latin expression for request (generally obsecro or quaeso). Show less
Parenting influences many aspects of child development, including socio-emotional, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes. Yet most studies report only modest effect sizes. An increasingly likely... Show moreParenting influences many aspects of child development, including socio-emotional, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes. Yet most studies report only modest effect sizes. An increasingly likely explanation is that not all children are equally affected by environmental factors, including parenting. The differential susceptibility theory proposes that some children might be more susceptible to both positive and negative environmental influences, compared to other children. Such differences in susceptibility are thought to be due to genetic, temperamental, or physiological susceptibility factors. In the current thesis, we tested the theory of differential susceptibility of children to the effects of parenting in a large population-based cohort, the Generation R Study. Doing so, we went beyond common methods. First, we investigated differential susceptibility from a developmental perspective by including multiple measures over time. Second, we went beyond single-gene/polymorphisms in the investigation of gene-environment interplay by aggregating genetic variation in a set of dopamine genes. Third, we extended previous research on mild perinatal adversity as a susceptibility factor by examining its moderating role in the association between harsh parenting and hair cortisol levels, taking into account background factors that we demonstrated to be of influence on hair cortisol levels. Show less
In this thesis novel techniques are described which are developed to analyze or predict the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for pain. In Chapter 2 an overview is presented on recent pharmacokinetic... Show moreIn this thesis novel techniques are described which are developed to analyze or predict the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for pain. In Chapter 2 an overview is presented on recent pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modeling in acute and chronic pain. Chapter 3 describes the analgesic effect of a capsaicin patch in diabetic painful neuropathy (DPN) pain patients. A longitudinal population PD analysis is performed. In Chapter 4 a subgroup analysis is performed on pooled data from 4 multicenter trials on the effect of capsaicin 8% patch in post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Apart from longitudinal and mixture analyses, covariates are examined to identify predictors of efficacy. In Chapter 5 the analgesic effect of orodispersible oxycodone versus orodispersible paracetamol for the management of breakthrough pain is quantified using a novel pharmacodynamic model. ________________________________Finally, Chapter 6 describes the effect of tapentadol versus morphine on conditional pain modulation (CPM) in healthy volunteers. A difference in CPM engagement between these two __opioids__ might proof the difference in mechanisms of action between the classical mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonist and the combined MOR-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor (NRI) compound. Show less
This thesis discusses the parameters affecting the catalysis for the electrochemical conversion of water into oxygen. The slow kinetics for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is one of the major... Show moreThis thesis discusses the parameters affecting the catalysis for the electrochemical conversion of water into oxygen. The slow kinetics for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is one of the major bottlenecks in the solar energy-to-fuels conversion process, which reduces the efficiency for the photo-electrochemical fuels generation (artificial photosynthesis). The work shows that to enhance the kinetics for the oxygen evolution reaction, one should not only look at the catalysts but also consider the synergy between catalyst and electrolyte. A more general approach that considers the electrochemical interface as a whole (electrode + electrolyte) is therefore the most promising route towards optimal activity. Show less
The Reoviridae are a family of viruses with a non-enveloped icosahedral capsid and a segmented double-stranded RNA genome. Prototypes of the mammalian Orthoreoviruses have been isolated from human... Show moreThe Reoviridae are a family of viruses with a non-enveloped icosahedral capsid and a segmented double-stranded RNA genome. Prototypes of the mammalian Orthoreoviruses have been isolated from human respiratory and enteric tracts and are not associated with human disease. One of these, human reovirus type 3 Dearing (T3D), usually serves as a model for the family. In the last decade the mammalian Orthoreoviruses, especially T3D, have been evaluated as oncolytic agents in experimental cancer therapy. This is based on the observation that reoviruses induce cell death in tumor cells, but not in healthy non-transformed cells. Cancer cells have developed all kinds of strategies to escape control of normal regulators in tissue. If the strategy involves evading cell death pathways on which the reovirus relies on for replication or if the expression of the canonical receptor is diminished, the effect of the therapy is severely reduced. To boost the oncolytic potency of reoviruses in tumor cells that resist reovirus infection and replication, we used two strategies; 1) a bioselection procedure to select for reoviurses that can replicate in cells lacking the receptor and 2) genetic modification to insert small transgenes in one of the reovirus dsRNA segments (S1). Show less
In recent years, the debate on access to and social inclusion in higher education has been intense, with university selection and admission standing out as particularly relevant topics. Admissions... Show moreIn recent years, the debate on access to and social inclusion in higher education has been intense, with university selection and admission standing out as particularly relevant topics. Admissions criteria and admissions in themselves are considered ‘technical-political devices’ or ‘social-technical tools’ and, as such, are increasingly interesting for research purposes. The historical tendency observed in the twentieth century is from an admissions system focused on merit to the diversification of criteria, consideration of social identities and use of affirmative action by groups that lack representation. This study is focused on university selection and admissions policies in Chile. At the same time, it also describes the role they play in socioeconomic access inequality in detail. As a result, it provides a comprehensive theoretical approach that helps align said policies with the aim of providing greater social inclusion in higher education. On the basis of the empiric and theoretical evidence presented at this study the author suggests that a series of changes in the selection and admission mechanisms of university students in Chile are needed. The search for social justice - that is to say, the capacity for self-fulfillment within the widest social spectrum - should be one of the main aims of an admissions system. By extrapolation, each university’s contribution to this aim could be evaluated as a result of how their enrollment is made up socioeconomically. The system’s general regulatory structure (criteria used, how places are offered, the number of places available, discounts, etc.) should allow institutions to outline the characteristics they look for in students beyond academic merit. Show less
Carnivores are an important component of many ecological systems and they play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health (Terborgh et al., 1999; Terborgh et al., 2002; Ray et al., 2005). Being... Show moreCarnivores are an important component of many ecological systems and they play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health (Terborgh et al., 1999; Terborgh et al., 2002; Ray et al., 2005). Being at the top of the food chain, carnivores have important ecological impacts, such as the regulation of mesopredators and prey numbers present in an area (Terborgh et al., 1999). Important cascading trophic effects, caused by population changes of their prey or of sympatric mesopredators, may result when some of these large carnivores are extirpated from ecosystems. Unexpected effects of trophic cascades on various taxa and processes include changes to other vertebrates and herpetofaunal abundance or diversity. It could also have indirect effects and altered disease dynamics; carbon sequestration; modified stream morphology; and crop damage (Ray, 2005). Therefore, promoting tolerance and coexistence with large carnivores is a more crucial societal challenge now than ever before. The removal of top predators from ecosystems commonly results in dramatic changes in biodiversity and community structure, and as a result these areas can have severe consequences for the functioning of ecosystems (Berger et al., 2001; Terborgh et al., 1999). Show less
The study of non-Western cultures often relies on the knowledge of those cultures’ religions. This certainly applies to Javanese Studies, where “Javanese Islam” is one of its constitutive concepts.... Show moreThe study of non-Western cultures often relies on the knowledge of those cultures’ religions. This certainly applies to Javanese Studies, where “Javanese Islam” is one of its constitutive concepts. However, this notion is plagued by theoretical problems, suggesting it misrepresents the Javanese religious condition. Through a conceptual genealogy this research traces the origin of “Javanese Islam”. Its conceptualisation is shown to be part of a Western project of making sense of Javanese culture. However, the origin of the twin-concepts “Javanese Islam” and “Javanism” does not lie in the West’s ambitions for colonial dominance. Rather, they are pieces of Christian theology. The West’s preoccupation with religion compelled it to recognise certain Javanese traditions as elements of religion. It thus came to see ngelmu as the core beliefs and slametan as the central ritual of a Javanese religion. This representation however is not supported by empirical evidence or theoretical proof. If, as this research suggests, syncretist Javanese Islam is actually an experiential entity in the experiential world of the West, new research questions arise. Is there an alternative approach to gain insight into Java’s traditions? Show less
The brain is increasingly recognized as the regulator of body homeostasis and as possible treatment target for cardiovascular disease. This thesis further reveals the role of the autonomic nervous... Show moreThe brain is increasingly recognized as the regulator of body homeostasis and as possible treatment target for cardiovascular disease. This thesis further reveals the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in the control of lipid metabolism and inflammation, and identified pathological consequences of disturbed regulation. Part I focuses on regulation of lipid metabolism by the ANS, with special attention for brown adipose tissue (BAT) as an emerging pharmacological target for therapy. We describe novel targets that modulate BAT, both directly (e.g. CB1R) and via the brain (e.g. MC4R, GLP-1R) to show that BAT activation improves dyslipidemia, glucose tolerance and T2D and even atherosclerosis. In addition, we identified the biological clock as an important regulator of BAT function and showed the consequences of disturbed circadian rhythmicity for lipid metabolism. Part II of this thesis describes studies on the regulation of inflammation by the ANS, with focus on the anti-inflammatory reflex. During this reflex, binding of acetylcholine to _7nAChR and subsequent intracellular signaling results in transcriptional repression of pro-inflammatory genes. We investigated the effects of hematopoietic _7nAChR deficiency and the consequences of selective parasympathetic and sympathetic denervation of the spleen for this reflex, and for inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque development. Show less
Historiography of science is in its current self-image a non-evaluative discipline. Its main goal is to understand past processes of knowledge formation on their own terms. In the last few... Show moreHistoriography of science is in its current self-image a non-evaluative discipline. Its main goal is to understand past processes of knowledge formation on their own terms. In the last few decades this approach has greatly improved our understanding of the phenomenon of science. Yet, something strange in going on. Reading present-day historiography of science it is as if no one ever made a mistake. We may wonder why there has been development in science at all, if no mistake has ever stood in need of correction. I argue that it is possible to add an evaluative dimension to historiography of science without relinquishing the many insights won in the past few decades. Such an evaluative stance requires a radical comparative approach towards assessments of past science. I argue that this comparativism is not incompatible to relationalism but complementary to it. Next to this I argue that, if we take the wish to reduce uncertainty as the primary force of change in science, a proper conceptualization of the notion of error, which is now surprisingly lacking, becomes possible. The results of my thesis endow historians of science with a set of analytical possibilities, which, if used, will significantly strengthen the historiographical output of the field. Show less
Although the introduction of invasive plant species in a given area causes economic and ecological problems, it still provides an ideal opportunity for ecologists to study evolutionary changes.... Show moreAlthough the introduction of invasive plant species in a given area causes economic and ecological problems, it still provides an ideal opportunity for ecologists to study evolutionary changes. According to the Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability hypothesis and Shifting Defense Hypothesis, the release from specialist herbivores after introduction is expected invasive plants to shift their costly defense against specialist herbivores to cheaper defense against local generalist herbivores. A net gain can be saved to increase plant growth and competitive ability. In this thesis I used Jacobaea vulgaris as a model plant species to study the evolutionary changes in plant anti-herbivore defenses and growth ability. I found that invasive Jacobaea vulgaris populations indeed have evolved better growth and competitive ability, higher chemical defense but decreased structural defense and regrowth ability compare to the native populations. In addition, we show that all studied traits of invasive populations from multiple geographically distinct regions changed toward the same expected direction. It indicates parallel evolution took place in these invasive regions since they all differed significantly in climatic conditions. Such parallel evolution is most likely due to the disappearance of selection pressures from specialist herbivores rather than the adaptation to local abiotic factors after invasion. Show less
Adolescence, defined as the transition phase between childhood and adulthood, is a time of many physical, cognitive and social-emotional changes. It is a natural time of exploring, thrill seeking,... Show moreAdolescence, defined as the transition phase between childhood and adulthood, is a time of many physical, cognitive and social-emotional changes. It is a natural time of exploring, thrill seeking, and for eventually setting long-term goals and aspirations. One of the most prominent findings is that adolescents take more risks than children or adults. The focus of this thesis is on adolescent risk taking behavior. The goal is to identify individual difference factors that are related to risk taking behavior and assess how these variables change over development. Adolescence is associated with major changes in hormonal levels, brain function and social environment. In this thesis it is tested how changes in pubertal development, brain function and social environment together influence real life risk taking. The studies in this thesis show that neural responses to rewards in the striatum are elevated during adolescence. This response is influenced by chronological age, pubertal development, personality and the social context. Importantly, the striatum response to rewards is related to real life risk taking behavior and therefore has functional relevance. The results of this thesis provide vital insight in the complex relationship between reward processing and real life risk taking behavior. Show less
The decision to treat elderly patients with cancer aged 70 years or older with chemotherapy is generally based on clinical judgment of the clinician, in combination with the evidence obtained from... Show moreThe decision to treat elderly patients with cancer aged 70 years or older with chemotherapy is generally based on clinical judgment of the clinician, in combination with the evidence obtained from clinical studies performed in younger age groups. The instrument GA might be helpful to detect hidden shortcomings and may aid clinical decision making with regard to the feasibility of treatment with chemotherapy and prediction of survival in the elderly patients with cancer. The following questionnaires and tests were considered appropriate to obtain a practical GA: MNA, GFI, IQCODE, MMSE, and laboratory values of albumin, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase and hemoglobin. The main questions we tried to answer were firstly to assess the predictive value prior to the start of chemotherapy of the chosen GA with respect to the probability to complete the planned chemotherapy and overall survival and secondly to analyze and determine which elements of the chosen GA were independently predictive to complete chemotherapy and which elements predicted early mortality.This thesis is the result of clinical research on certain elements of GA that might be useful for routine daily oncology practice, in order to select the proper patients and improve the outcome of treatment with chemotherapy. Show less
