This thesis consists of two subjects, that are both a consequence of radiation pressure. In optomechanics, light is used to influence the motion of a trampoline resonator. It is possible to slow... Show moreThis thesis consists of two subjects, that are both a consequence of radiation pressure. In optomechanics, light is used to influence the motion of a trampoline resonator. It is possible to slow down this motion, cooling it from room temperature to an effective temperature of several milllikelvins, The other subject is how superconductivity influences the Casimir force between a niobium-titanium-nitride plate and a gold microsphere. This has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Show less
The dissertation describes TEM experiments on heterogeneous catalysts. Starting with characterization of (Ni/Co)MoS2 on Alumina and the effect of oxidation, and sequential resulfidation. After that... Show moreThe dissertation describes TEM experiments on heterogeneous catalysts. Starting with characterization of (Ni/Co)MoS2 on Alumina and the effect of oxidation, and sequential resulfidation. After that, Co-based catalysts are used for high-resolution (S)TEM/EDX caracterization studies, and in situ catalysis experiments. Show less
We investigate how radiation pressure can be used to influence the mechanical motion of a micro-mirror suspended from springs. This trampoline resonator is part of an optical Fabry-Perot cavity. By... Show moreWe investigate how radiation pressure can be used to influence the mechanical motion of a micro-mirror suspended from springs. This trampoline resonator is part of an optical Fabry-Perot cavity. By tuning the laser frequency with respect to the optical resonance, we are able to optically cool the mechanical motion of the resonator. When combining this optical cooling with cryogenic cooling techniques, we are able to bring the mechanical resonator close to the quantum mechanical ground state. This is a requirement for future experiments to investigate the fundamentals of quantum mechanics. Show less
Imagined Voices deals with a form of composition, music with on-screen text, in which the dynamic between sound, words and visuals is explored. The research explores the ideas around these 'music... Show moreImagined Voices deals with a form of composition, music with on-screen text, in which the dynamic between sound, words and visuals is explored. The research explores the ideas around these 'music-text-films', and attempts to explain how meaning is constructed in the interplay between the different layers of media. Issues that initially arose out of the research, were directly related to the question of 'voice': Who is narrating? And where is the voice located? These questions became more pertinent after noticing a phenomenon occurring during performances of these works: that when we read text synchronised to music, we become very aware of an inner voice silently reading along. This effect of hearing one's own voice in the music, was a discovery that had many consequences for the ways in which the ideas about listening and the role of multimedia could function within music. In the creative work of the research, that has resulted in over thirty works of 'music-text-film' the media are set up to highlight ways of listening that puts emphasis on the role of the listener/spectator. A state of limbo is created between the narrative voice of the text and the implied voice of the music, due to the absence of a conventional focal point to pin it on - an actor or a singer. The thesis suggests that because of this vacancy and the way the projected word takes the place of the sung or spoken voice, the inner voice of the audience becomes activated. This then becomes a vital immersive dimension in the performance, as the inner voices of the audience find their place within the fabric of the music. Show less
This dissertation investigates the life of Judean deportees in Babylonia in the sixth and fifth centuries BCE. The results from the study of Judeans are placed in the wider context of... Show moreThis dissertation investigates the life of Judean deportees in Babylonia in the sixth and fifth centuries BCE. The results from the study of Judeans are placed in the wider context of Babylonian society and are evaluated by using a group of Neirabian deportees as a point of comparison. The sources of this study consist of 289 clay tablets written in Akkadian cuneiform, such as promissory notes, leases, receipts, and lists. The dissertation shows that there was considerable diversity in the deportees’ socio-economic status and integration into Babylonian society. The majority of deportees were settled in the countryside and integrated into the land-for-service system, which was aimed at increasing agricultural output and providing the state with labour, soldiers, and tax income. In addition, foreign professionals were employed in cities, and the worlds of commerce and royal administration were open to some deportees. A relatively small number of deportees were donated to Babylonian temples. The Babylonian practice of settling deportees in ethnically homogenous rural communities supported the survival of their culture and traditions in the countryside. Adoption of Babylonian names and culture was faster among those Judeans who lived in cities and were in regular contact with the native population. Show less
Of all the mass in our Universe, 80% is thought to consist of a hypothetical and invisible substance called dark matter (DM). So far, all observations of DM are based on its gravitational... Show moreOf all the mass in our Universe, 80% is thought to consist of a hypothetical and invisible substance called dark matter (DM). So far, all observations of DM are based on its gravitational interaction, either through the dynamics of normal (baryonic) matter or through the deflection of light. The latter approach, called ‘gravitational lensing’, is a unique way to probe the distribution of DM without making any assumptions on its dynamical state, and on scales larger than the extent of baryons. Using weak gravitational lensing with the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS), we first study the relation between galaxies and their dark matter halos on the scale of individual galaxies and galaxy groups. We then attempt to measure the effect of the local and large scale (cosmic web) density distribution on galaxies and halos, and we measure the interplay between galactic and DM structures at the scale of the cosmic web. Finally, we perform the first test of Verlinde’s theory of Emergent Gravity, all with the ultimate goal of gleaning some insight into the possible nature of the elusive ‘missing mass’. Show less
Traditional drug discovery approaches have been hampered by (in vitro) cell-culture models that poorly represent the situation in the human body. Principally, cells grow in the body in a three... Show moreTraditional drug discovery approaches have been hampered by (in vitro) cell-culture models that poorly represent the situation in the human body. Principally, cells grow in the body in a three-dimensional (3D) environment that cannot generally be captured using cell culture methods. For this reason, cell-culture models have been developed where cells grow in a 3D-environment, which allows them to form structures that are more comparable to tissue in the body. However, the full complexity of these advanced cell-culture models can only be fully used for routine drug testing if the cell culture model can be used on a large scale (also termed high-throughput screening or HTS), and if the readout can capture all of the biological complexity reflected by the 3D-cultured cells (high-content screening or HCS). Due to these technological limitations, 3D cellular models are not yet routinely applied in drug and drug-target discovery. This thesis describes the development of fully-scalable 3D cell-culture screening platforms in the context of cancer and polycystic kidney disease. Show less
Producing the local: Javanese performance on Indonesian television explores how television represents Javaneseness, as a factor designed to catch and keep the attention of its putative... Show moreProducing the local: Javanese performance on Indonesian television explores how television represents Javaneseness, as a factor designed to catch and keep the attention of its putative audiences. Central is the question of how people make use of national, regional, local, public and private television in Indonesia – each in their own way and with their own goals – to represent the local and, in particular, how they construct images of Javaneseness through the production and dissemination of performance. Performance in Javanese has been used by the Indonesian television industry to achieve various purposes: to entertain and inform its audiences, to represent the local/the regional, to preserve and nurture the traditional and to build national culture, for persuasive (commercial or propaganda) aims, as a counter-voice of diversification towards global or Jakartan influences, and to express multiculturalism. These issues have been put into the framework of discursive practices about local, national and global cultures in the electronic audiovisual media in Indonesia. Three main themes structure the study: representing tradition, localizing persuasion and mediating the local. Above all, this dissertation is a plea for a more thorough study of the role of proximity in the production, dissemination and reception of local television programmes. Show less
Maritime archaeologists, historians and heritage managers have struggled to position maritime and underwater cultural heritage (MUCH) in the sub-Saharan African heritage context. Management of... Show moreMaritime archaeologists, historians and heritage managers have struggled to position maritime and underwater cultural heritage (MUCH) in the sub-Saharan African heritage context. Management of MUCH resources, based on Western legal systems, has focused almost exclusively on shipwreck sites. Management strategies have been implemented to stop treasure hunting and limit the damage caused by salvage activities. The application of internationally accepted MUCH management practices has, however, failed to engage the publics of many African nations. This has meant that the application of regulatory strategies has been a challenging task which has ultimately failed to successfully manage MUCH resources or engage sub-Saharan communities. This research proposes, applies and assesses alternative management and engagement models at several southern-African case study sites, and contributes towards establishing a new approach to MUCH. The approach examines the context in which the heritage resource exists, including the socio-political and economic environments, as well as the available mechanisms in place, and available, for research and management. It considers the scope of MUCH in a regional context and seeks to establish some preliminary guidelines for management strategies built on local relevance and buy-in. Finally, it offers a management approach that is beneficial to both professional practitioners and community leaders. Show less
The aim of this research is to develop a 'flowchart' for the application of international law in the national legal order by the Dutch judiciary in civil cases. Both national law - especially... Show moreThe aim of this research is to develop a 'flowchart' for the application of international law in the national legal order by the Dutch judiciary in civil cases. Both national law - especially the articles 93 and 94 of the Dutch Constitution - and international rules for the interpretation and application of international legal sources are thereby taken into account. In order to analyse the different ways of application and interpretation, four casestudies are conducted. Based on (a comparision between) the results of these casestudies, some suggestions are given for the national application of international law. Show less
The main goal of the research described in this thesis was the development of new photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) ruthenium(II) complexes bearing a non-toxic photolabile ligand. We first... Show moreThe main goal of the research described in this thesis was the development of new photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) ruthenium(II) complexes bearing a non-toxic photolabile ligand. We first investigated whether non-toxic ligands such as L-proline, 2-(methylthio)methylpyridine (mtmp), or 3-(methylthio)propylamine (mtpa), once coordinated to ruthenium(II) complexes, could be photosubstituted upon visible light irradiation. The lipophilicity, and in some cases the strain of the ruthenium(II) complexes, were systematically varied and the effects of such variations on the cytotoxicity of the complexes in the dark and under light irradiation were studied. In the second part, the best ligand candidates (i.e. mtmp and mtpa) were coordinated to cyclometalated ruthenium complexes of the type [Ru(bpy)(phpy)(S,N)]PF6 (bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine and phpy = 2-phenylpyridine), to shift the absorption of the complex to the red region of the spectrum. The photosubstitution properties of these cyclometallated complexes were investigated in detail. The most promising ruthenium complexes were tested in cancer cell monolayers under hypoxic conditions (1% O2) to investigate their mode of action and distinguish between PACT and PDT. Show less
Drug-target binding kinetics determine the time course of the central event in pharmacotherapy: Drug-target interaction. However, the time course of a drug effect is also influenced by many... Show moreDrug-target binding kinetics determine the time course of the central event in pharmacotherapy: Drug-target interaction. However, the time course of a drug effect is also influenced by many other physiological processes such as the metabolism and excretion of a drug and the transduction of the relevant biological signals. In this study, we investigate when target binding kinetics are determining the time course of drug effect and generate understanding into the relation between the parameter values and the rate-limiting step in the duration of a drug effect. Show less
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent causes of death in the world. The main underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases is the development of atherosclerosis in the medium and... Show moreCardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent causes of death in the world. The main underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases is the development of atherosclerosis in the medium and large-sized arteries. The role of several immune cell subsets has been identified in atherosclerosis and it has been established that the immune system contributes to initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is thus currently described as a chronic inflammatory disease and both the innate and adaptive immune cells contribute to disease initiation and progression. This suggests that targeting the ongoing inflammatory response may limit atherogenesis. This thesis discusses several therapeutic immune targets to limit atherosclerotic lesion development. The results described show the interplay between lipids and the immune system and a number of anti-inflammatory strategies to reduce atherosclerotic lesion development. The studies show a clear advantage of reducing inflammation in atherosclerotic lesion development. Future (clinical) studies identifying new targets will lead to a better-personalized therapy reducing atherosclerosis. Show less
Planets are formed in disks of gas and dust around young stars. These planet-forming disks undergo several physical and chemical processes that can lead to planetary systems like our own. This... Show morePlanets are formed in disks of gas and dust around young stars. These planet-forming disks undergo several physical and chemical processes that can lead to planetary systems like our own. This thesis uses data of two well known planet-forming disks around TW Hya and HD 163296 taken with the Atacama Large (sub)Milimeter Array (ALMA) and the Herschel Space Telescope to study the spatial distribution of their dust and gas content. In particular, we aim to constrain the spatial distribution of the main oxygen- and nitrogen-bearing species in planet-forming disks and to explore the relationship between their physical features and the formation and chemistry of common molecular species. By analysing water and ammonia emission form the disk around TW Hya, we conclude that the location of oxygen- and nitrogen-bearing volatiles in planet-forming disks are set by grain evolution, in particular radial drift. In addition, we conclude that the spatial location of temperature-sensitive species trace substructures in the temperature profile of protoplanetary disks and therefore (indirectly) the impact of dust evolution process on its morphology. Show less
There is an urgent need for more physiologically relevant cell culture methods to guide compound selection in pre-clinical stages of the drug development pipeline. This thesis describes the... Show moreThere is an urgent need for more physiologically relevant cell culture methods to guide compound selection in pre-clinical stages of the drug development pipeline. This thesis describes the development of the OrganoPlate, a microfluidic platform that enables enhanced physiology in cell culture models by combining 3D cell culture, co-culture and perfusion flow, whilst maintaining ease of use, compatibility and throughput. Phaseguides are capillary pressure barriers that enable microfluidic liquid routing and patterning without the use of membrane or other physical barriers. This technology was further developed to enable complex liquid routing using only a standard pipette Phaseguide technology was implemented for gel patterning in a dedicated 3D cell culture device embedded in a standard 384 wells plate. Each plate contains up to 96 microfluidic networks that enable perfusion culture of extracellular matrix embedded tissues and perfused epithelial or endothelial tubules. The standard dimensions and high quality optical readout allows interrogation of these tissues using high content readers as well as other standard readout equipment. The platform has been used for the culture of a variety of tissue types and disease models by the authors, but has also been adopted by expert and non-expert users across the field. Show less
In this thesis chemical and physical processes in the ice mantles on interstellar dust grains are studied. With the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array molecules of interest to the... Show moreIn this thesis chemical and physical processes in the ice mantles on interstellar dust grains are studied. With the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array molecules of interest to the formation of bigger, life-bearing molecules are detected for the first time around the sun-like low-mass protostar IRAS 16293-2422. These detections give clues about the earliest conditions our solar system formed under and potentially how life on earth emerged. Laboratory studies investigate the formation of these complex species in a laboratory set-up mimicking the conditions on interstellar icy dust grains. In this ways formation routes for molecules with a so-called amide functional group are mapped. Show less
Plants and their pollinators form complex interaction networks. Within these networks, species differ widely in the number of species they interact with. These interaction patterns are important... Show morePlants and their pollinators form complex interaction networks. Within these networks, species differ widely in the number of species they interact with. These interaction patterns are important aspects in pollination ecology, since it influences species coexistence and community stability. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms behind plant-pollinator interactions is thus important to predict the dependency of species on each other and responses of plant-pollinator communities to (global) changes, such as the introduction of invasive species and climate change. In this study, I investigated whether flower abundance, flower morphology (nectar tube depth and flower display area), nectar production and pollinator foraging efficiency can predict plant-pollinator interaction patterns and the stability of these interactions. This study shows that flower density might be less important for structuring plant-pollinator interactions. Pollinators do not forage randomly. Rather flower morphology, nectar production and pollinator foraging efficiency are important aspects that determine interaction patterns, including species generalization degree and matching between flower nectar tube depth and pollinator proboscis length (size-matching). Although plant species with deeper flowers are more specialized, they are visited by pollinator species which, locally, fluctuate less across years. Thus, specialized plants might be less vulnerable to yearly fluctuations in plant-pollinator communities than often assumed. Show less
In recent decades, the use of a systems-based view of life has provided key insight into fundamental processes with respect to biology. In life sciences, important paradigm shifts are the way in... Show moreIn recent decades, the use of a systems-based view of life has provided key insight into fundamental processes with respect to biology. In life sciences, important paradigm shifts are the way in which we approach health and disease. Although modern medicine has traditionally emphasized pathology and acute conditions, our current understanding is that different interventions are needed for treating and preventing chronic disease. To design better interventions, new diagnostic tools are urgently needed in order to create new opportunities for achieving personalized health and medicine. The focus in diagnosis is, therefore, shifting from measuring single biomarkers such as glucose and cholesterol to creating complex maps of the dynamic patterns underlying regulatory processes. Moreover, the notion of "health" is viewed in a holistic context using biochemistry as a basis and then expanding this basis to include the psycho-social environment, including the individual's worldview. In the field of diagnostics, a highly promising new tool has recently emerged based on ultra-weak photon emission from biological systems, including all living cells. The aim of this thesis was to explore the applications of UPE and correlate it with biochemistry in order to obtain a deeper understanding of the processes that occur in living systems. Show less
There is a cluster of Early Iron Age (800–500 BC) elite burials in the Low Countries in which bronze vessels, weaponry, horse-gear and wagons were interred as grave goods. Mostly imports from... Show moreThere is a cluster of Early Iron Age (800–500 BC) elite burials in the Low Countries in which bronze vessels, weaponry, horse-gear and wagons were interred as grave goods. Mostly imports from Central Europe, these objects are found brought together in varying configurations in cremation burials generally known as chieftains’ graves or princely burials. In terms of grave goods they resemble the Fürstengräber of the Hallstatt Culture of Central Europe. Fragmenting the Chieftain presents the results of an in-depth and practice-based archaeological analysis of the Dutch and Belgian elite graves and the burial practice through which they were created. It was established that the elite burials are embedded in the local burial practice, while it appears that those individuals interred with wagons and related items warranted a more elaborate funerary rite, most likely because these ceremonial and cosmologically charged vehicles marked their owners out as exceptional individuals. Furthermore, in a few graves the configuration of the grave good set, the use of textiles to wrap grave goods and the dead and the reuse of burial mounds show the influence of individuals familiar with Hallstatt Culture burial customs. Show less
Conventional chemotherapy often suffers from a lack of specificity, affecting both normal and cancer cells. Light-activated drugs provide spatial and temporal control over their activity, providing... Show moreConventional chemotherapy often suffers from a lack of specificity, affecting both normal and cancer cells. Light-activated drugs provide spatial and temporal control over their activity, providing a possible solution for this problem. This dissertation describes the synthesis and biological applications of (blue/green/red) light-activated ruthenium polypyridyl drugs as potential prodrugs against cancer. Show less