Plastic production is only increasing, and it‟s not showing any signs of slowing down. Microplastics are particles smaller than 5 mm, either produced intentionally, or created from items being withered into small particles. Microplastic contamination in marine environments is higher closer to cities, and most of the plastic litter eventually ends up in the oceans. Microplastics have been found in Plastic production is only increasing, and it‟s not showing any signs of slowing down. Microplastics are particles smaller than 5 mm, either produced intentionally, or created from items being withered into small particles. Microplastic contamination in marine environments is higher closer to cities, and most of the plastic litter eventually ends up in the oceans. Microplastics have been found in

This thesis deals with various aspects of coordinated voltage control in electric power systems. It consists of an introduction and six papers. The introduction contains a summary of the thesis and tutorials on voltage control and the search methods that have been applied. The first part deals with the coordination of cascaded tap changers in radial distribution feeders. A tuning rule for the con

Background – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is little information on the prevalence and particularly on the incidence of COPD. Also, apart from the importance of tobacco smoking and a1-antitrypsin deficiency, information on contributing risk factors for the development of COPD is limited. Hypotheses – 1. Spirometry

Isocyanates are used in the production of polyurethane (PUR). Exposure to isocyanates is associated with respiratory disorders and may occur during production or processing of PUR. During thermal degradation of PUR, amines and aminoisocyanates are formed in addition to isocyanates. Some isocyanates and several aromatic amines are sensitizers and listed as carcinogens. A liquid chromatography mass

Forests are of major importance to climate change mitigation due to their strong capacity to sequester carbon. Nearly half of the terrestrial carbon is stored in forests, and forests contribute to half of the terrestrial primary productivity, with forests in the mid- and high latitude ecosystems as major contributors. These high latitude forests are, however, projected to be strongly influenced by

Radioiodine therapy of hyperthyroidism is the most frequently performed radiopharmaceutical therapy. To calculate the activity of 131-I to be administered for giving a certain absorbed dose to the thyroid, the mass of the thyroid and the individual biokinetic data, normally in the form of uptake and biologic half-time, have to be determined. The biologic half-time is estimated from several uptake

In this study university teachers? personal theories of their pedagogical practice in basic courses in undergraduate education are described and analyzed. According to for example Polanyi (1958) and Bourdieu (1990) university teachers have developed a personal practical theory as participators in an academic social context, first as students then as teachers. This can be seen as their ?pedagogy? a

Western European states are faced by societies with increasing ethnic, cultural and religious diversity as a result of migration flows. Advocates of multiculturalism have tried to address these potential challenges by advocating the accommodation of minorities within the recipient society. This study argues that the normative and practical measures suggested by multiculturalists tend to be de-cont

The logistical activity of transport is one of the largest contributors to several environmental problems. One efficient and effective way to decrease the environmental impact from transports is to implement changes in the logistically related strategies and activities applied, such as the selection of transport suppliers. Consideration of the environmental aspect when purchasing transport servic

The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the social, cultural and psychological situation of a group of women with drug addiction, and to gain an understanding of it. Different theoretical perspectives were utilized in efforts to understand and explain why some young women start using drugs. The attempt was made to integrate a social psychological perspective with a perspective base

Background: Relenza represents the first neuraminidase inhibitor (NI), a class of drugs that also includes the drug Tamiflu. Although heralded as breakthrough treatments in influenza, NI efficacy has remained highly controversial. A key unsettled question is why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more cautious efficacy statements in labelling than European regulators for both dBackgroundRelenza represents the first neuraminidase inhibitor (NI), a class of drugs that also includes the drug Tamiflu. Although heralded as breakthrough treatments in influenza, NI efficacy has remained highly controversial. A key unsettled question is why the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more cautious efficacy statements in labelling than European regulators f

‘Collective Autonomy in the European Union’ explores the question of collective autonomy by investigating the relationship between collective bargaining and legal regulation and its current evolution in the national contexts and in the EU internal market. The thesis aims at achieving a comprehensive understanding of the notion, function and exercise of collective autonomy and collective bargaining‘Collective Autonomy in the European Union’ explores the question of collective autonomy by investigating the relationship between collective bargaining and legal regulation and its current evolution in the national contexts and in the EU internal market. The thesis aims at achieving a comprehensive understanding of the notion, function and exercise of collective autonomy and collective bargaining