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Contracts traded on international financial and commodity markets are associated with complex risk structures. In this dissertation we are concerned with two specific types of risks; market risks and credit risks. The first chapter investigates market risks in the context of the Nordic electricity market. The paper performs in- and out-of-sample backtesting of a VaR model based on GARCH volatili

Starch microsphere is a dosage form suitable for the encapsulation of protein drugs. The starch microspheres investigated in this thesis are intended for release of the drug in a pre-designed way, or in controlled manner. For this purpose the starch microspheres can be coated by poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) film, which is a release controlling. The term microsphere quality is complicated an

Bacillus subtilis is a model organism for endospore-forming gram-positive bacteria. Endospores are formed in response to nutrient starvation. They can resist harsh environments and last for long periods of time. Once nutrients again become available, the endospore can germinate and the vegetative life cycle be resumed. The outermost layers of the endospore are cortex and coat that protect the cell

This study investigates the interaction between dendritic cells (DC) and the Gram negative intracellular bacterium Salmonella typhimurium. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, the capacity of DC to directly and indirectly present antigens from Salmonella-infected cells, cytokine production by infected DC, and activation of bacteria-specific T cells was analyzed. These studies revealed differenti

Neuroleptic maintenance treatment is effective to reduce the risk of further episodes of schizophrenia and other chronic psychoses, except affective. Lack of insight often lead to poor compliance to the prescripted medication. Then, neuroleptics might be given as depot injections. A group of chronic psychotic outpatients were assessed of clinical symptoms and side effects regularely during the th

The work presented in this thesis deals with metallacyclic late transition metal complexes, obtained by intramolecular Csp3-H activation, and the application of such compounds in catalysis. The new hemilabile P,O phosphines N-methyl-N-propionyl-2-(diphenylphosphino)benzylamine (DPPAM), o-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid ethyl ester (DPPES), o-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid methyl ether (DPPET) and

This thesis deals with the development of novel methodologies for the synthesis of hetero- and carbocycles enabled by transition metal catalysis. The second chapter of the thesis describes a gold-catalyzed three-component reaction to form a variety of substituted oxazoles from readily available N-benzylimines, terminal alkynes, and acyl chlorides. Sacrificial benzyl groups are used to merge two o

This doctoral thesis deals with consumers’ attitudes towards serving them-selves with machines rather than being served by personnel. Its aim is to contribute to the theory of perceived service quality by providing a better understanding of customers’ attitudes and preferences when using technology-based self-service. In addition to aspects of service dealt with by traditional service-quality rese

This essay has three main aims. The first one is to give an overview of some hundred years of European intellectual history, bringing out new aspects of the classical thinkers. The analysis of the four philosophers Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, David Hume and Charles de Montesquieu aims at illustrating a general historical process, viz. the emergence of the modern view of man in Europe. After Hobbes,

Knowledge work is often portrayed as hidden or ambiguous: an ambiguous product is sold, ambiguous results are delivered, and work processes are ambiguous. This in turn affects the type of management expected in knowledge-intensive organisations, where emphasis is on managing people rather than work. In this study, the organisation of knowledge work is discussed and problematized through analysis o

The research field of the thesis is clinical adult psychiatry and it focuses on the treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorders. Before the publication of DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) in 1994 intellectually high-functioning patients with autism have not been included in diagnostic manuals and received appropriate treatment in adult psychiatry. In recent y

This thesis concentrates on the development, synthesis and evaluation of supramolecular systems, assembled from its components by means of hydrogen bonding, using the self-complementary 2-pyridone motif. The thesis is divided in two parts. 1) Supramolecular catalysis: Substrate selectivity is imposed on a derivative of Jacobsen's catalyst, an Mn(salen) complex with 2-quinolone hydrogen-bonding gr

The aim of this work was to develop, implement and evaluate an independent system with which to calculate the absorbed dose, delivered by high-energy X-ray beams, to the prescription point and the depth of dose maximum. The introduction of such a system in the clinical routine may help ensure high-quality treatment and avoidance of errors which may jeopardise the clinical outcome of the treatment

The ongoing increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations causes an increase in the global mean air temperature. One important moderator of the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is the gas exchange between the atmosphere and the biosphere; photosynthesis extracts and respiration releases CO2, resulting in a net exchange. A variety of methods are used to improve our understandi

This study explores the role of transcriptional regulation important in the development of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease. In patients with Parkinson’s disease, dyskinesia is one of the most difficult complications of the DA-replacement therapy by L-DOPA. The underlying mechanisms are still unknown, but a role of abnormal striatal plasticity has been proposed. The

Simulation of coupled dynamical systems, where the subsystems are bundled with their own internal solver, is important in industry. This is due to that in many cases, with complex systems, this is the only viable option. In this setting, the dynamics of each system is hidden and information between subsystems is exchanged through sampled inputs and outputs, a weakly coupled system. While a new ind

The formation of the kingdom of Denmark is generally presented as a linear process linking ancient chiefs to the modern nation state of Denmark. This dissertation focuses on the small stories behind this great narrative of Denmark. The purpose is to show that there never was any formation process. Instead, encounters between people in the local landscapes and the Danish kingdom were both considera

Combustion is the most important source of energy worldwide. A better understanding of it is essential if pollutant emissions are to be reduced and combustion devices be made more efficient. This requires measurement of physical and chemical combustion parameters. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is widely employed as a laser-diagnostic technique for the detection of combustion species but it suff

Ethanol produced from renewable resources can be used to replace fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel. This thesis deals with the development of the enzymatic process used for ethanol production from softwood. A techno-economic tool, based on Aspen Plus and Icarus Process Evaluator, was developed in which the whole process, from raw material to ethanol, was studied and critical process paramet

In this Thesis, I studied some of the current aspects of organic matter photochemistry. I analyzed abiotic phototransformations of several types of dissolved (DOM) and particulate organic matter (POM). I also evaluated the effects of phototransformation of several types of DOM on bacteria. Finally, in a field experiment, I analyzed net effects of solar radiation on organic matter decomposition. DO