Filetype
This thesis addresses the corporate sustainability process and different tools to assist the process of generating corporate strategies towards sustainability in the energy sector. The focus of the research was in backcasting approaches. The main outcome of the work is a framework for corporate sustainability for the energy sector. The framework is constructed around a three step strategic plannin
Neural transplantation is over a century old, but the modern era encompasses only the last 30-40 years. For most of this time period, research has focused on reversing disability engendered by neurologic disease and brain damage. Only recently was it recognized that the underlying neurological disease itself might negatively impact the grafted neurons. We have found that a subset of neurons within
Radiative lifetimes for the levels of the 3s(2)3p(2)4p configuration in neutral phosphorus have been determined experimentally for the first time and also theoretically. Experiments were performed by using two-photon UV laser excitation and subsequent fluorescence detection in a laser-produced plasma. In relativistic Hartree-Fock calculations, the Cowan code extended to 42 configurations was used.
The aim of this study was to demonstrate safe orthotopic transplantation of porcine donor hearts harvested 24 hours after brain death and preserved for 24 hours before transplantation.
The function of the immune system requires coordinated expression and action of many genes and proteins. With the emergence of high throughput technologies it has become possible to target human immunity from a systems biology point of view. To perform systems biology studies with comparable results we need not just a reference gene and protein set but also useful and descriptive reference categor
Aim: The prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) increase with age and comorbidity. The benefits of pharmacotherapy for UI in the elderly are questionable. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for UI in the elderly and frail elderly. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and Cinahl databases through October
Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) is an interesting option for ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials. To meet desired overall yields during ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials, it is important to use both hexoses and pentoses. This can be achieved by co-fermentation of sugars in SSF, so called SSCF (simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation), us
Primary health care resources for rehabilitation and secondary prevention after myocardial infarction - a questionnaire survey Background: During the first year after a cardiac event, many patients are offered participation in a cardiac rehabilitation programme, after which the patients are often not given the opportunity to continue to attend rehabilitation and secondary prevention programmes. Ai
A novel environmentally sound continuous-flow hot water extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis method for determination of quercetin in onion raw materials was successfully constructed using a stepwise optimization approach. In the first step, enzymatic hydrolysis of quercetin-3,4'-diglucoside to quercetin was optimized using a three level central composite design considering temperature (75-95°C), p
Amorphous surface oxides of III-V semiconductors are harmful in many contexts of device development. Using low-energy electron diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy, we demonstrate that surface oxides formed at Sn-capped GaAs(100) and InAs(100) surfaces in air are effectively removed by heating. This Sn-mediated oxide desorption procedure results in the initial well-defined Sn-stabilized (1x2
There are conflicting reports as to whether malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) have worse prognosis than non-NF1 MPNST patients. Large clinical studies to address this problem are lacking due to the rareness of MPNST. We have performed meta-analyses testing the effect of NF1 status on MPNST survival based on publications from the last 50 ye
A total of 308,036 women were selected from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study to evaluate the association between tobacco smoking and the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 3 (CIN3)/carcinoma in situ (CIS) and invasive cervical cancer (ICC). At baseline, participants completed a questionnaire and provided blood samples. During a mean fol
Amputation of the lower limb is one of the most feared diabetic complications. It is associated with loss of mobility and a poor quality of life. Amputations result in high economic burden for the healthcare system. The financial cost is also high for patients and their families, particularly in countries that lack a comprehensive health service and/or have a low income. Losing a leg frequently im
The role of inflammation in atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability is well recognized. However, it is only during recent years it has become evident that this inflammation is modulated by immune responses against plaque antigens such as oxidized LDL. Interestingly, both protective and pathogenic immune responses exist and experimental data from animal studies suggest that modulation of these imm
Successful further treatment of Wilms tumors (WTs) after preoperative chemotherapy and surgery depends on correct histopathologic risk stratification, including quantification of remaining blastemal elements. In the present study, we assessed the usefulness of protein markers for the detection of WT blastema.
Background: Adjusting medication for uncontrolled asthma involves selecting one of several options from the same or a higher treatment step outlined in asthma guidelines. We examined the relative benefit of introducing budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FORM) maintenance and reliever therapy (Symbicort SMART (R) Turbuhaler (R)) in patients previously prescribed treatments from Global Initiative for Asthma
This thesis is based upon four original papers describing the characterisation of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) tumours and cell lines in comparison with different populations of normal B cells. Gene expression profiling, which were used in the studies, has during recent years developed as an important tool in characterisation of different types of malignancies. In this thesis, the technique is used
Ethanol production by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae from dilute acid lignocellulose hydrolyzate was studied with the aim to improve fuel ethanol production. Specifically, the problem of inhibition was addressed. Lignocellulose hydrolyzate contains not only sugars, but also several compounds, such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), which can inhibit yeast growth and ethanol produc
Modern military multi-role combat aircrafts need an emergency power system (EPU) to maintain back-up power supply for all normal and degraded flight modes. The reason for this requirement is that modern combat aircrafts are designed with built-in relaxed or negative stability. Inability of the Flight Control System to perform continuous, corrective control surface actuation, due to loss of power
