One-off ocean nitrogen fertilization as carbon dioxide removal strategy?: Exploring its long-term carbon sequestration potential

To limit global warming to 2 °C or below, the IPCC emphasizes the need for large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR) alongside emissions reductions. There is a growing recognition of ocean-based CDR techniques and expanded research is needed. This thesis investigated the long-term (>100 years) carbon sequestration potential of enhancing the...

Chance to Change the Chain: Imagining a More Circular and Inclusive Food Supply Chain

Food. It is grown, processed, distributed, sold, eaten and then oftentimes<br/>carelessly discarded. In the European Union, 88 million tonnes<br/>of food waste is produced each year, while the Netherlands stands<br/>out as the EU’s largest producer. Food waste causes soil degradation,<br/>emits significant amounts of greenhouse gasses and can...

Neighbourhoods and Workplaces: Are They Related to the Fertility of Immigrants and Their Descendants? A Register-Based Study of Finland, 1999–2014

An increasing number of studies point to the existence of fertility differences between immigrants and those who are native to the receiving countries. However, despite a large body of literature covering a wide range of settings, there is a lack of research into the factors that may underlie the observed differentials. In this article, we...

Non-contaminated uterine microbiome sampling for fertility research

The human microbiome and its relationship to several diseases is a new and evolving field of study. The uterine microbiome can be used to predict the chance of success of natural or assisted pregnancy. Possible contamination of the uterine microbiome during sampling hinders the ability to make conclusions about the possible relation between it...

Magnetic separation and characterization of vivianite from digested sewage sludge

To prevent eutrophication of surface water, phosphate needs to be removed from sewage. Iron (Fe) dosing is commonly used to achieve this goal either as the main strategy or in support of biological removal. Vivianite (Fe(II) ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ * 8H ₂ O) plays a crucial role in capturing the phosphate, and...

Fertility detection of chicken eggs in early stage

The worldwide production of poultry meat was estimated to reach 116 million metric tons in 2016. About ten percent of all broiler-type eggs is not fertilized. After the breeding process, these unhatched eggs do not have commercial value and are destined to be destroyed. Moreover, valuable resources are wasted during incubation and the risk of...

Molten Salt Fast Reactor: Shift from Burner to Breeder

The nuclear reactors currently in operation utilise only a small fraction of the available natural uranium. By continuing in this track, known resources will be depleted too soon. Furthermore, Light Water Reactors (LWR) need to be shut down periodically so that refueling can take place. On top of that, their spent fuel must be safely stored for...

Female fertility preservation: Developing a technique to harvest ovarian tissue fragments

Young women who suffer from cancer have a high change of becoming infertile as a consequence of the treatment. They would benefit from an effective fertility preservation method that allows natural conception. A new method, called autotransplantation of ovarian tissue, has much potential but improvements can be made. The method entails that...

Emotions and Ethical Considerations of Women Undergoing IVF-Treatments

Women who suffer from fertility issues often use in vitro fertilization (IVF) to realize their wish to have children. However, IVF has its own set of strict administration rules that leave the women physically and emotionally exhausted. Feeling alienated and frustrated, many IVF users turn to internet IVF-centered forums to share their stories...

Slimmer Zwanger: An interactive tool for stimulating a healthy diet pattern

This master thesis shows the result of the development of an e-health tool that is targeted to future pregnant couples. The objective was to stimulate a healthy dietary pattern and lifestyle in order to create the optimal circumstances before, during and after conception. The tool is a web application that continues on the current measures for...

Supplement bij het rapport Emissies in het Nederlandse Rijnstroomgebied: Toevoeging additionele NAP-stoffen voor de bronnen landbouw en atmosferische depositie

Landuse inventory using landsat thematic mapper imagery to study environmental pollution

The possibility to obtain up-to-date information on agricultural landuse from Landsat TM imagery by means of classification was investigated in a pilot study on a 50.000 ha area. The pilot study was a preparation for a national exercise. The accuracy of the results for the most important classes varied between 80 % and over 95 %. The result was...