Background In Dutch engineering education, female students outperform male students. Using an interactionalist framework, this study explores factors that contribute to this gender-based difference. Purpose This study aims to answer two questions: Do female and male students differ in background characteristics, …

There are a plethora of drivers of change in energy systems until 2015. The role of social and political actors is likely to be more noticeable. In Europe, locally, high-impact ideas like green consumerism and limited acceptance of energy systems that result in trade-offs will be important. Nationally, …

Background: Most studies on birth settings investigate the association between planned place of birth at the start of labor and birth outcomes and intervention rates. To optimize maternity care it also is important to pay attention to the entire process of pregnancy and childbirth. This study explores …

Most food & agribusiness stakeholders (entrepreneurs in particular) agree that it is not only difficult to innovate new products and technology, but also to realize its true market potential. A lack of market and/or supply partnerships, i.e. a robust and committed value chain, is often cited as the reason …

Objectives: While poor health contributes to early work exits, it is less clear how early work exits affect health. This study therefore examines changes in health associated with retirement. Method: Survey data from gainfully employed individuals aged 57 to 66 in 2002 were used to assess changes in …

When an institution wishes to develop a Masters programme that combines relevance to the profession with preparation for possible 3rd cycle study, there are many things to consider: curriculum design and content, facilities, stakeholder opinion, assessment, likely student intake, etc. But at least as …

In the wake of increasing and seemingly inexorable waves of migration to the developed countries of the world, one of the greatest challenges of our time is to preserve social cohesion in the host societies. To achieve this, the integration of immigrants in the host society is essential; however, too …

In this thesis the different aspects of acquiring the complex refractive index of interstellar ice analogues are treated. The ultimate aim of this work is to search for abilities to predict the infrared absorption spectra of these analogues. A key factor in these predictions is the optical influence …

Background. Bathing assistance is a core element of essential care in nursing homes, yet little is known for quality of assisted bathing or its determinants. Aim. To explore differences in completeness of assisted bathing in relation to bathing method and resident characteristics. Methods. Secondary …

Sport is often considered as a promising instrument for reaching a wide array of policy objectives. Social inclusion is one of the goals frequently mentioned. Though one can argue about the feasibility of the many claims made, sport can only reasonably be expected to play a role if the targeted population …