In this research, we study the oxidation process of the Transition Metal Dichalcogenide (TMD) niobium diselenide, NbSe2. TMDs are a category of van der Waals materials, of which samples are...Show moreIn this research, we study the oxidation process of the Transition Metal Dichalcogenide (TMD) niobium diselenide, NbSe2. TMDs are a category of van der Waals materials, of which samples are obtained by exfoliation. The measurements are performed with the Low Energy Electron Microscope (LEEM), which measures reflectivity at different energy, resulting in the so-called IV curves. To analyze oxidation, we have developed a new method to obtain in situ exfoliated flakes in the LEEM set-up. First, we measure in situ cleaved NbSe2 flakes (bulk). The reflectivity upon adding (pure) oxygen is followed. Additionally, the reflectivity of ex situ cleaved NbSe2 flakes is assessed. Here, an intensity boundary between flake’s edge and center is recognized. The reflectivity measurements show that the electronic structure is different across the boundary: a V-shaped reflectivity minimum appears, which sharpens over time upon oxidation. The boundary is further researched with Atomic Force Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis. Additionally, we perform roughness analysis and Principal Component Analysis. The latter provides an alternative method to follow the change in electronic properties over time. We propose that already degraded NbSe2 flakes are more susceptible to oxidatin damage, compared to in situ exfoliated flakes. Upon further measurements, the in situ cleaved samples do not show any degradation signs, therefore we attribute the presence of an intensity contrast with the associated IV features, to oxidized NbSe2.Show less
The actual numbers of international climate-related migration are not as large as expected, considering the rapid increase in the uninhabitability of these places in the Global South. This...Show moreThe actual numbers of international climate-related migration are not as large as expected, considering the rapid increase in the uninhabitability of these places in the Global South. This discrepancy may partly stem from the complex and multifaceted nature of migration, with the climate factors influencing economic opportunity and conflict, making it difficult to differentiate between people that migrate for climate reasons and people that migrate for other reasons, such as economic opportunities. However, it more likely arises from people being trapped within their increasingly uninhabitable homes, because they do not have the capacity to move or willingness to leave their home. Therefore, policymakers and researchers should redirect their attention to immobility, as the ‘trapped populations’ are an urgent and underexposed problem. This thesis will examine the term 'trapped populations,' by using conceptions of Zickgraf (2019, 2023) and De Shalit (2011) and clarifying the complexities inherent in their immobility. I will argue for ‘the right to stay’ as the most protective right for the interests of the trapped populations, as it respects the importance of a home in a person their life.Show less
Since 2014, Europe has faced an explosive increase in migrants, leading Europe into a migration crisis. Political parties in European countries have responded differently to this influx of people....Show moreSince 2014, Europe has faced an explosive increase in migrants, leading Europe into a migration crisis. Political parties in European countries have responded differently to this influx of people. This study aims to clarify the relationship between the agenda of these political parties and the European migration crisis. Based on qualitative research, a content analysis was used to study the differences between left-wing, right-wing and centre-parties and how the European migration crisis has impacted these points of view. The analysis shows that political parties with different ideologies about migration react differently to the crisis. The European migration crisis has little to no effect on the agenda of left-wing parties and right-wing parties, but a major effect on the agendas of centre-parties.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
This thesis explores the relationship between humans and non-humans within a sea turtle conservation organization in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Through eleven weeks of in-depth visual ethnographic...Show moreThis thesis explores the relationship between humans and non-humans within a sea turtle conservation organization in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Through eleven weeks of in-depth visual ethnographic fieldwork, I investigate the influence these human/non-human relationships have on scientific knowledge production. The output of this research consists of an ethnographic film ‘The Turtle Team’ and this article. This research underscores the necessity of adopting transdisciplinary methodologies in which non-humans are integrated, which is crucial in the era of the Anthropocene. It provides a nuanced understanding of how human/non-human relationships shape the production of scientific knowledge in this team of conservationists and emphasizes the interwovenness of humans and non-humans. This research contributes to the existing literature on the Anthropocene and the nature-culture debate and I argue that the interwovenness of humans and non-humans should be discussed more within scientific research, especially in conservation biology.Show less
There is an inherent tension between poverty-eradicating, but fossil-fuel intensive, development and global climate change mitigation efforts. The human right to development, as established in the...Show moreThere is an inherent tension between poverty-eradicating, but fossil-fuel intensive, development and global climate change mitigation efforts. The human right to development, as established in the 1986 Declaration, recognizes a right to continuous improvement of life, irrespective of the negative environmental consequences related to this development. There is thus a need to review the human right to development in the context of climate change. In this thesis, I argue for a ‘threshold conception’ of the right to development, as it should be understood as a right to an unconditional process of development till the fulfillment of basic needs. Thereafter, development – then considered economic growth – should be consistent with the concept of sustainability. Moreover, I argue in favor of the adoption of the OHCHR’s Draft Convention on the Right to Development (2020) because it recognizes the triangular interconnectedness of development, the protection of human rights, and climate-related obligations. The convention establishes duties regarding climate mitigation, adaptation, and combatting climate injustices for states and the international community, which can both realize the right to development as the objectives of the human rights approach to climate change.Show less
One of the greatest remaining puzzles in physics is what particle dark matter consists of. For this project, the theory of dark pions is considered, a Hidden Valley model that extends the Standard...Show moreOne of the greatest remaining puzzles in physics is what particle dark matter consists of. For this project, the theory of dark pions is considered, a Hidden Valley model that extends the Standard Model with new, dark particles and a new force, dark QCD. A sensitivity study is performed to determine how many dark pions are expected to be in acceptance of the LHCb detector for Run 2 conditions; the LHCb is well-suited to search for particles in the considered O(1) GeV mass and O(1) - O(100) ps lifetime range. Additionally, a framework has been developed to study the dependence of the sensitivity on a number of theoretical parameters of the dark QCD model, namely the probability to form a dark vector meson instead of a dark pion, the number of colours in dark QCD, the dark QCD scale, and the Higgs mass. It is found that O(100) dark pions are in LHCb acceptance for different track categories, and that the considered the- oretical parameters do not drastically change the number of expected particles (with some small caveats), staying within a difference of about 20%. This is acceptable given the expected experimental uncertainty, showing theory inde- pendent searches for dark pions are possible.Show less
The past decades have shown a rise in skin cancer. This creates the need for prevention and efficient treatment. The most common skin cancer (melanoma) can only be treated when detected early. In...Show moreThe past decades have shown a rise in skin cancer. This creates the need for prevention and efficient treatment. The most common skin cancer (melanoma) can only be treated when detected early. In this thesis we propose a method of increasing awareness for people with a high risk of skin cancer as well as allowing for early detection. Skin cancer is hard to detect, even for experiences healthcare professionals. One of the signals of potential harm full lesions is change over time. We propose to develop an application with which changes in skin lesions can be identified early. By allowing patients to film their body with a mobile phone camera we aim to track the development of lesions. If a patient films their body regularly changes can be detected and the application can urge the patient to consult a dermatologist. In this thesis we explore the possibility of combining the frames of these films into an overview displaying the patients complete back or arm. Combining frames is called stitching. Different stitching techniques found in literature are explored and tested for effectiveness. The optimizations performed are reported and the final result is presented. The location of the different lesions on an overview of the body is needed to show the patient and the healthcare professional where potential harmful lesions are located on the body. This allows for further inspection at the dermatology department.Show less
This thesis is about the burden-sharing question concerning climate change. And whether the Structural Injustice approach can offer a more nuanced perspective. Thereby, arguing for a fourth...Show moreThis thesis is about the burden-sharing question concerning climate change. And whether the Structural Injustice approach can offer a more nuanced perspective. Thereby, arguing for a fourth principle the Imperfect responsibility to Pay Principle (IRPP).Show less
The Eurozone crisis is an example of how democratic regimes can be threatened under emergencies, and it revealed two contributing phenomena – the state of exception and technocracy. This thesis...Show moreThe Eurozone crisis is an example of how democratic regimes can be threatened under emergencies, and it revealed two contributing phenomena – the state of exception and technocracy. This thesis aims to understand the link between the two in the context of emergency politics, through the paradox of politics. This paradox, which can be traced back to Rousseau, brings to light an aporia in democratic politics, where we need good citizens to make good laws and good laws to make good citizens. This thesis starts by analysing each phenomenon individually and the way they threaten democracy. It then interprets them through the paradox of politics as arrangements meant to resolve that paradox, but infringing upon the ideal of democracy it subscribes to (inspired by the analysis of political theorist Bonnie Honig). Finally, it analyses the link between them and the potentials for the democratization of emergency politics. The main conclusions are 1) in emergency politics, technocracy and exception display a link of mutual reinforcement that infringes upon democratic politics (empirically and conceptually), and 2) the democratization of emergency politics requires not only a deexceptionalization of emergency (as suggested by Honig), but also a process of detechnocratization of democracy.Show less
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean holds significant reserves of polymetallic nodules, making it a potential exploitation area for deep sea mining. However, the exploitation of...Show moreThe Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean holds significant reserves of polymetallic nodules, making it a potential exploitation area for deep sea mining. However, the exploitation of this shared natural resource poses challenges in terms of sustainability and resource management. This thesis examines the governing framework of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the management of deep sea mining in the CCZ. The study draws upon the design principles for governing the commons proposed by Elinor Ostrom to analyze the policies and draft regulations of the ISA. By examining to what extent the policies and regulations of the ISA are aligned with Ostrom's principles, this research aims to evaluate the current governance framework for the management of the CCZ and its resources.Show less
This thesis sought to investigate the relationships between treatment delays in bipolar disorder (BD) and cognitive impairments which characterize the disorder, measured both objectively and...Show moreThis thesis sought to investigate the relationships between treatment delays in bipolar disorder (BD) and cognitive impairments which characterize the disorder, measured both objectively and subjectively. Previous studies have established that a long delay occurs between the onset of mood symptoms in BD and the first form of treatment received, estimates ranging between 6 and 11 years. Cognitive impairments in the domains of executive functions, processing speed and memory were found to persist in BD patients even during euthymia. Such cognitive impairments burden BD patients, prevent them from regaining an appropriate level of general functioning and diminish their quality of life. Thus, in order to determine whether treatment delay impacts the cognitive impairments present in BD, 69 participants were followed over the course of one year, at three different time points. The participants took part in clinical interviews, and then were asked to complete multiple measures, such as the YMRS, the QIDS, four WAIS subscales (Block Design, Arithmetic, Information and Digit symbol), and the Cognition subscale of the WHODAS. The average treatment delay found in the current sample was 14.53 years. The results of the current study suggest that longer treatment delays did not significantly predict worse cognitive functioning in BD patients, either when measured subjectively, or when measured objectively.Show less
