OB associations are loose groups of young, massive stars. They constitute the last stage of the massive starformation process, and the context in which new stars are formed.

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. One of its symptoms is the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.

This thesis focuses on enhancing predictions of central nervous system drug exposure using the LeiCNS-PK3.0, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model.

This thesis addresses the problem of designing performance and energy efficient embedded streaming systems, that is, systems which process a stream of input data coming from the environment and generate a stream of output data going into the environment.

Promotor: Prof.dr. J.N. Kok

We consider the propagation of electrical signals through nerve fibres.

Artificial intelligence algorithms govern in subtle, yet fundamental ways, the way we live and are transforming our societies. The promise of efficient, low‐cost or ‘neutral’ solutions harnessing the potential of big data has led public bodies to adopt algorithmic systems in the provision of public…

Promotor: J.G.E.M. Fraaije, Co-Promotor: A. Kros

In this thesis we use state-of-the-art observations and simulations to provide the best constraints to date on the HVS ejection rate and constraints on the stellar content and dynamics at the GC, including the progenitor binary populations and their star formation history.

Promotor: Prof.dr. J.N. Kok, Co-promotor: A.J. Knobbe

Mechanical forces are known to play an important role in bacterial colonies. In this dissertation, we study the self-organization at various stages of growing bacterial colonies, and focus on the mechanical effects of cell growth.

Light-Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) is responsible for light absorption and excitation energy transfer in plants and photosynthetic algae, while in high light it undergoes conformational changes by which it quenches excitations to prevent photodamage.

Galaxies in the Universe are distributed along the intricate framework of the Cosmic Web. Groups and clusters of galaxies comprise the densest regions in this network, and therefore, are excellent cosmic laboratories to study different aspects of galaxy evolution in extreme environments.

Almost three years after receiving her honorary doctorate, Dr Graça Machel returned to Leiden University. Over the course of two days she spoke with students, researchers, and other interested persons, about human rights – particularly those of women and children – in a world in which these are continually…

Despite substantial progress in understanding tuberculosis (TB), the eradication of the TB epidemic is still far from reach.

In this thesis, we extend the concept of null models as canonical ensembles of multi-graphs with given constraints and present new metrics able to characterize real-world layered systems based on their correlation patterns.

Promotor: S.J. Edixhoven

Een virtuele hand die voelt alsof het je eigen hand is. Je vrolijker voelen omdat een virtueel gezicht samen met jou glimlacht. Psycholoog Ke Ma ontdekte met virtual reality dat ons lichaamsgevoel flexibeler is dan gedacht. Ke Ma: ‘We kunnen fantastische applicaties bedenken.’

In dit proefschrift wordt gekeken naar de produktie en consumptie van het reality-tv-programma ‘Nieuwe Wijze Oom’. Deze show, uitgezonden op het entertainmentkanaal van de provincie Shanghai, draait om mediation in conflicten tussen burgers. ‘Nieuwe Wijze Oom’ is geliefd bij het publiek én bij de autoriteiten.…

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Promotor: Prof.dr. M. de Jong, Co-Promotor: A.J. Heijboer

We explored the Universe using weak gravitational lensing, a phenomenon that occurs when light from distant galaxies is bent by the gravitational fields of closer cosmic objects, much like how a lens distorts light.

Improvements of weak gravitational lensing shape measurements are presented and some used for data analysis.

In vitro disease models play a fundamental role in drug research. They enable the systemic identification and validation of disease mechanisms and the discovery of possible drug targets. However, more than often, drug candidates that are identified in vitro fail in the later clinical stages of drug…

In this thesis we examine certain phenomena in symplectic topology which are related to the theory of isolated singularities.

Promotores: Prof.dr. J. Kuiper, Prof.dr. P.H.A. Quax, Co-promotor: I. Bot

Promotor: Prof.dr. S. Haring

The ongoing increase in antimicrobial resistance combined with the low discovery of novel antibiotics is a serious threat to our health care.

This thesis describes the development of improved formulations and alternative delivery strategies for polio vaccination.

This thesis describes the development and validation of new high-contrast imaging techniques, with the ultimate goal of enabling the next generation of instruments for ELT-class telescopes to directly image Earth-like extra-solar planets orbiting around nearby stars.

Anthropogenic noise negatively affects wildlife in a wide range of taxonomic groups.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading global cause of mortality. Endothelial dysfunction, an early reversible stage of CVD development, is marked by decreased nitric oxide production linked to Ca2+ influx in endothelial cells.

Promotor: K.E. Schalm, Co-promotor: S.S. Lee

Inspired by natural photosynthesis, perovskite-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems are being developed for artificial photosynthesis, aiming to enhance solar-to-hydrogen conversion for green energy.

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are mechanical waves that travel along the surface of a material and find many applications in modern technologies due to the ease of excitation on piezoelectric substrates via interdigital transducers (IDTs).

A novel mathematical model describes spatial-temporal drug distribution within one or more brain units, which are cubic representations of a piece of brain tissue with brain capillaries at the edges.

Promotor: Prof.dr. G.J. Kroes

Promotor: Prof.dr. W.Th.F. den Hollander, Co-promotor: R. Fernandez.

What is the effect of light at night on plant phenology and physiology, and how does this affect plant interactions with other species?

This dissertation presents new cryptographic protocols, which can be divided into two families.

The Sundanese people, the largest ethnic group in West Java, have been using traditional medicine for a long time. Known as ubar kampung, Sundanese indigenous knowledge, beliefs and practices of traditional medicine are based on local people’s knowledge and use of Medicinal, Aromatic, and Cosmetic (MAC)…

Promotor: Prof.dr. H.J.M de Groot, Co-Promotor: A. Alia

Lezing

This Thesis shows discoveries in non-linear astrochemical kinetics as well as a deeper analysis of dark clouds chemistry.

There is a need for alternative methods to replace, reduce and refine (3R) animal experimentation. Combining experimental data from high-throughput in vitro studies with in silico modeling is a promising approach to unravel the effect of chemicals on living cells and to gain a better understanding of…

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Co-Promotor: G.J. Herczeg

IoT technology poses serval opportunities to supply chains. This thesis employs grey correlation and forecasting models, system dynamics, agent-based modeling, and ex-ante LCA to investigate and quantify the opportunities and risks of IoT-enabled sustainable supply chain operations from both industrial…

Promotor: Prof.dr. E. Deprettere

In this thesis, I targeted the orchid genus Lepanthes, one of the six genera of angiosperms that surpasses 1,000 species in the Neotropics, as a study model to investigate the evolutionary processes that promoted species diversifications.

Optimally solving real-world expensive Black-Box Optimization (BBO) problems w.r.t. real-world constraints, such as wall-clock time and computational costs, is extremely difficult and tedious.