Dutch Partners Research Articles

Impact of Native and Nonnative Study Partners on Medical Students’ Confidence and Collaborative Strategies in Second Language Medical Dutch Learning

Abstract Objective This study explored how native and nonnative study partners impact medical students’ confidence, learning strategies, and perceptions of learning experiences in second language (L2) medical Dutch learning using Kolb’s experiential learning framework. Methods Twelve third-year international bachelor medical students participated in a mixed-methods pre-post quasi-experimental design. Four students were paired with highly proficient native Dutch partners in a mixed group, and eight nonnative students formed pairs in a homogeneous group. The need satisfaction competence scale was used for pre- and post-tests, and individual interviews were analyzed for content and themes. Code co-occurrence and network analyses were carried out to identify the relationships between themes in the two groups. Results Common themes in both groups included a positive atmosphere, collaboration, and confidence. The mixed group prioritized language learning and motivation, while the homogeneous group emphasized interpersonal relationships and feedback-seeking behaviors. Nonnative students in homogeneous groups gained confidence, while confidence of those in mixed groups decreased, possibly due to comparing themselves with native partners. Homogeneous groups have communication focused collaborative strategies, while the mixed group emphasized personal growth with fewer drawbacks. Conclusions Our findings suggest that initiating the course with homogeneous nonnative student groups fosters collaboration and builds confidence among participants. However, to maintain motivation and further enhance language proficiency, it is advisable to introduce native Dutch partners at a later stage of the course. This approach allows students to benefit from both the positive collaborative atmosphere and interpersonal growth fostered in homogeneous groups, as well as the language learning and motivation gains associated with mixed-group experiences. Overall, our study highlights the importance of considering the stage of language learning and student needs in designing effective second language learning environments for medical students.

‘Nobody can take the stress away from me’: a qualitative study on experiences of partners of patients with cancer regarding their work and health

Purpose To explore experienced health- and work-related problems of partners of patients with cancer, and their needs for support. Materials and methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Dutch partners of patients with cancer. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed thematically, following the six steps of Braun & Clarke. Results Of 20 included partners (mean age: 50 years [31–63]), 60% was female. Five themes consistently emerged from the data: 1) overwhelming chaos calls for taking control; 2) impact of prolonged stress; 3) flexibility and support of the employer are crucial; 4) coping with family and friends is a delicate matter; and 5) support from healthcare professionals is needed, but not a given. Conclusions Findings from this study show that the burden on partners of patients with cancer is substantial and cannot be overlooked. The state of survival mode that partners get into during the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of their loved ones can have various implications on their physical and mental health, and work situation. Given this high burden and as legislation for care leave from work and (health care) support for partners appear to be insufficiently in place in the Dutch context, there is a need for better-targeted support for partners of patients with cancer. Implications for Rehabilitation The survival mode that partners of patients with cancer get into during the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of their loved ones can have various implications on their physical and mental health, and work situation. This study showed that the burden on partners of patients with cancer is substantial and cannot be overlooked. Given this high burden and because legislation for care leave from work and (health care) support for partners appears to be insufficiently in place in the Dutch context, there is a need for better-targeted support for partners of patients with cancer.

Biological & Geological Collections as a Research Infrastructure: A Dutch case

Within the Netherlands, large scale digitization efforts of natural science collections have taken place in recent years. This has led to a wealth of digital information on natural science collections. Still, large quantities of collection data remain untapped and undigitized. The usage of all these digital collections data as driver for science and society remains underexplored. Especially important, is the opportunity for such data to be combined and/or enriched with other data types with the aim to empower different user groups. A consortium of Dutch partners has committed themselves in working together to make biological and geological collections into a joint research infrastructure, underpinning other research infrastructures and scientific uses also beyond the biodiversity research domain. This consortium combines the Dutch contribution to the Distributed Systems of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo), LifeWatch, the Catalogue of Life and the Global Biodiversity Information facility, under the coordination of the Netherlands Biodiversity Information Facility. As part of a preparatory project for DiSSCo, funded by the Dutch science council, we connected the different users groups of collection managers (data providers), scientists (end-users), IT-specialists and policymakers. With collection managers we explored how to move towards an overview of all natural science collections in the Netherlands. In addition, we studied to what extent collection holdings of different musea could be combined, managed, and shared into one research infrastructure. Using a research data management cycle perspective, we surveyed and interviewed the Dutch research community for the barriers and opportunities in using natural science collections and related data. The outcomes of the project should lead to the next steps in creating a more comprehensive and inclusive biodiversity research data infrastructure in the Netherlands that interacts seamlessly with existing international research infrastructures, including DiSSCo.

Risk and Failure in Tax Farming: De Bruijn & Cloots of Lisbon and the Portuguese Tobacco Monopoly, 1722–1727

AbstractBy examining how a Dutch firm in Lisbon operated two Portuguese tobacco tax farms from 1722 to 1727 and failed subsequently, this article brings together, on the one hand, research on the relationship between state and business groups through a monopolistic rent provided by the empire and, on the other hand, a growing literature discussing institutional and economic variables, as well as human agency, in business failure in early modern Europe. The article aims to achieve two goals. The first is to shed light on the perspective of the Dutch tax farmers, highlighting why they chose to incur the risks of managing a nationwide sales monopoly and the business model they implemented to maximize profits and mitigate risks, while the second is to examine the general and specific reasons behind their ultimate downfall. It concludes that, despite the organizational innovations they introduced and that led them to exploit interconnected businesses, the Dutch partners were unable to overcome the negative effects of conjunctural and contingent factors that temporarily squeezed the domestic consumption of tobacco.

Dutch partners deliver first 2 MW PEMFC plant, in China

Dutch partners deliver first 2 MW PEMFC plant, in China

Migrantes por amor? Ciclo de vida, gênero e a decisão de migrar em diferentes fases da vida

Resumo: Este artigo mostra a importância do curso de vida, entrelaçado à perspectiva de gênero, para analisar os processos de tomada de decisão de mulheres brasileiras sobre migrar (ou não) para a Holanda para viverem com seus companheiros holandeses. Segundo as interlocutoras de uma pesquisa etnográfica realizada entre 2012 e 2013, a idade é um importante fator a ser considerado para ponderar os riscos, vantagens e desvantagens da migração. Além da faixa etária, outros marcadores do curso de vida, como ter filhas/os, o nascimento das/os netas/os e a idade destes indivíduos também são considerados em suas decisões. O artigo também traz as considerações das interlocutoras da pesquisa sobre o amor, que, segundo elas, difere a cada fase da vida. Mais do que o amor por seus companheiros holandeses, elas evidenciam e reificam a idealização do amor materno.

Correlates of partner support to abstain from prenatal alcohol use: a cross-sectional survey among Dutch partners of pregnant women.

Partners can play an important role, but are often ignored in interventions targeting the prevention of prenatal alcohol use. A better understanding of the correlates of partner support to abstain from prenatal alcohol use can help to make a better use of partner support. The aim of this study was to identify correlates of this support by analysing differences between partners reporting low versus high support. An online cross-sectional study among 237 Dutch partners of pregnant women was conducted. Respondents were recruited through Dutch midwifery practices in September-October 2009. Questionnaires were based on the I-Change Model. Chi-square and t-test showed that partners reporting high support were more likely to desire their partner to abstain from alcohol use and to have received advice from their pregnant spouse or midwife that abstinence was desirable. They also had stronger perceptions that the baby would experience harm from prenatal alcohol use and that harm could be more severe, and they saw more advantages and fewer disadvantages of providing support. They also reported more influence from their social environment encouraging their support, had greater self-efficacy and had a stronger intention to support their partner during the remainder of the pregnancy compared to partners reporting low support. Health professionals may improve their alcohol advice by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of support with the partner and by encouraging couples to discuss and propose solutions for the situations in which partners find it difficult not to support alcohol abstinence. By providing an insight into important correlates of partner support, this study expands the research area aiming to reduce prenatal alcohol use.

Investigation of a new fibre metal laminate (FML) family on the base of Al‐Li‐Alloy with lower density

AbstractThe hybrid Fiber Metal Laminate (FML) GLARE (Glass Laminate Aluminium Reinforced Epoxy) is applied effectively by Airbus instead of monolithic aluminum alloys for lowering of weight and increase of the damage tolerance capability on the largest civil aircraft A‐380. Standard GLARE contains thin aluminum sheets of 2024T3 (duralumin type) alloy, which is used usually as a skin alloy because it provides high fatigue and damage tolerance properties as well as a high ductility. One of advanced ways of further FML development is an application of thin sheets from processable Al‐Li Russian high‐modulus (E = 80 GPa) 1441 alloy with lower density (d = 2.60 g/cm3). This results in further weight saving but also to an increase of stiffness of the FML‐structure by 5–7%. Investigations and tests of coupons, components, joints and panels from 1441‐FML are carried out by Airbus, Russian and Dutch partners. Various resins and glass fiber types were also used. It was shown that generally 1441‐FML properties can be compared to Standard GLARE, i. e. an 1‐to‐1 substitution of the 2024 sheets into 1441 sheets is an option in order to obtain the full weight saving advantage due to the density effect.

Similarity in husbands and wives party family preference in the Netherlands

Using insights from theories on marital homogamy and political behaviour, this research examines the tendency of husbands and wives to vote for the same party family. It disentangles the extent to which similarity in party family preference can be explained by (1) partners choosing one another because of their shared socio-economic position and (2) partners influencing one another. For this purpose, we conducted probit regression models with instrumental variables using data from the 2000 and 2003 Dutch Family Survey. Using instrumental variables to analyze endogenous relationships, we found that Dutch partners tend to support parties belonging to the same party family (left, confessional or right). There is some support for the idea that similarity in preference for a leftist and confessional party is – at least partly – a by-product of ‘self-selection’, i.e. the preference for a partner who is similar in socio-economic characteristics to oneself. As regards rightist voting, there does not seem to be an effect of similarity in socio-economic characteristics. Similarity in preference for a rightist party rather seems to be uniquely the result of mutual influence.

Thrust Together: The Netherlands Relationship with Its Caribbean Partners

In December 1942, the Dutch Queen Wilhelmina announced, in a radio address, that the Netherlands was revising its relationship with its colonies, employing the famous words: “Relying on one’s own strength, with the will to support each other” [Steunend op eigen kracht, metde wil elkander bij te staan] (Schenk and spaan, 1945: 56). Some 52 years later, her granddaughter, Queen Beatrix, returned to this theme in a televised speech delivered to mark the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, when she referred to relations betweenThe Netherlands and its Caribbean partners as one of “a genuine relationship and mutual commitment” (een echte verwantschap en onderlinge betrokkenheid). This Charter, signed in 1954, had been drawn up to establish that henceforth the Kingdom of the Netherlands would be comprised of three equal partners: the Netherlands itself, Suriname, and the Netherlands Antilles. Back in 1954, when it was signed, the Charter was widely viewed as constituting a first, major step towards eventual independence for the Dutch partners in the Caribbean. Nor could anyone have foreseen that, 40 years later, only Suriname would have achieved independence, while the islands of the Netherlands Antilles were renouncing that option and expressing a desire to remain Dutch.

Thrust Together: The Netherlands Relationship with Its Caribbean Partners

In December 1942, the Dutch Queen Wilhelmina announced, in a radio address, that the Netherlands was revising its relationship with its colonies, employing the famous words: “Relying on one’s own strength, with the will to support each other” [Steunend op eigen kracht, metde wil elkander bij te staan] (Schenk and spaan, 1945: 56). Some 52 years later, her granddaughter, Queen Beatrix, returned to this theme in a televised speech delivered to mark the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, when she referred to relations betweenThe Netherlands and its Caribbean partners as one of “a genuine relationship and mutual commitment” (een echte verwantschap en onderlinge betrokkenheid). This Charter, signed in 1954, had been drawn up to establish that henceforth the Kingdom of the Netherlands would be comprised of three equal partners: the Netherlands itself, Suriname, and the Netherlands Antilles. Back in 1954, when it was signed, the Charter was widely viewed as constituting a first, major step towards eventual independence for the Dutch partners in the Caribbean. Nor could anyone have foreseen that, 40 years later, only Suriname would have achieved independence, while the islands of the Netherlands Antilles were renouncing that option and expressing a desire to remain Dutch.

Dutch partners for La Palma observatory

Dutch partners for La Palma observatory