The problem which the present study discusses is modernity. The study interprets modernity’s cultural and anthropological dispositions as historical appearances. Consequently, it is situated at the intersection of cultural sociology and historical anthropology. The aim is to generate insight and understanding rather than a coherent theory. The key element consists of combination and variation of c

Different aspects of porphyrin proteins have been studied with theoretical methods. For example, we have studied: - The importance of hydrogen bonds for the discrimination between carbon monoxide and molecular oxygen by myoglobin, the oxygen carrier in muscles, modelling the active site both in vacuum and in the protein matrix - The inner-sphere reorganisation energy during electron transfer for

Ferrochelatase catalyses the synthesis of heme by inserting Fe(II) into protoporphyrin IX. The structure of ferrochelatase from yeast has been determined (2.4 Å). The structure is homodimeric with each of the monomer made up of two Rossmann type domains with an active-site cleft between them. Metal binding studies with Co(II) and Cd(II) ions reveal the metal binding residues as being the His-Glu

Eicosanoids are known to be involved in many different aspects of eukaryotic physiology and pathology. Notably, over the past 10 years much attention has been given to cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) due to its involvement in colorectal cancer. Less is known about the other major branch of arachidonic acid metabolism, namely the lipoxygenases (LO). The cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are a family of met

Structure- property relationships and thickening mechanism in aqueous solution of two hydrophobically modified polymers (HM-P) with different architecture have been investigated. The two polymers, hydrophobically modified ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (HM-EHEC) and hydrophobically modified polyethylene glycol (HM-PEG), are commonly used as associative thickeners in the paint industry. The strength

In this thesis, in situ doping during growth of III-V semiconductor nanowires, primarily for photovoltaic applications, is investigated. The nanowires were grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE), with gold seed particles. After growth the nanowires were characterized using various techniques, including photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy and electrical measurements of co

An essential part of the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for use in diagnostic nuclear medicine is the determination of its biokinetic properties. The uptake and turn-over of the radiopharmaceutical in the source organs is of great interest since this could determine whether the radiopharmaceutical would be suitable for clinical use or not. It is also important that the biokinetics and dos

The influence of added colloidal particles on the phase behaviour of a polymer solution was investigated. Binary, quasi-binary and mixed polymer solutions were used in the study, where at least one of the polymers had an affinity for the surfaces of the colloidal particles. Experimentally, silica and polystyrene latex particles were used as colloidal particles. Theoretical calculations have been p

The aim of the thesis is to investigate experiences of and ways of relating to environmental issues and towards their profession among a group of graduates in environmentla science. The respondents were either in the end of or had completed an educational program in Environmental sciences with a social science perspective offered at Malmö University. Those who hade completed the program have recen

The local deposition, pharmacokinetics, and systemic activity of inhaled and intranasal glucocorticosteroids in different formulations and devices(ICSs) has been investigated. After nasal administration of the ICS budesonide (Bud), the systemic availability (F) was found to be significantly higher from an aqueous pump spray and from the powder inhaler Turbuhaler, than from a pressurized metered do

The kidneys play a pivotal role in the adaptive physiology of the pregnant woman, presenting some changes at term similar to the changes found in preeclampsia – a state of increased risk of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of these investigations was to explore possible similarities in blood pressure regulation, renal function and structure in normal term and preeclamptic pregna

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is still the leading cause of mortality in the surgical intensive care unit. The effect on among others endothelial barrier permeability, reticuloendothelial function, organ function and protease-antiprotease activities was studied following a variety of challenges, especially over-activation of macrophages induced by intraperitoneal administration of zym

According to the theory of sexual selection, traits can evolve because they confer a mating advantage in competition with members from the same sex. In animals, sexual selection is considered as an important evolutionary force. In this thesis I have investigated the potential for sexual selection in plants. I have concentrated on the phase of reproduction that occurs after pollinators have deposit

In this thesis, semiconductor nanowires are studied from the point of view of growth and electrical properties. The growth of nanowires is done by chemical beam epitaxy (CBE), an ultra-high vacuum technique allowing a precise control of precursor deposition and low growth rates. In conventional epitaxy, growth is usually two or three- dimensional, depending on growth conditions and material combin

This thesis deals with the problem of interpreting test scores. The intention has been to explore and elucidate the effects of trait anxiety on test scores that have been obtained in applied research settings. Paper I showed that different relationships between personality traits and cognitive functioning emerged in a group of men with solvent induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (TE; N=57) compa

Nanowires constitute one of the fundamental building blocks in assembled nanodevices. Due to the high surface to volume ratio, the fraction of surface atoms is not negligible for nanosized elements. Because of the reduced coordination of surface atoms, the physical properties deviate from those of the bulk, which influences the overall physical properties of nanostructures. Consequently, this prov

This thesis focuses on the magnetotransport properties of highly Mn-doped crystalline GaAs nanowires. The GaAs nanowires were first grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy from gold seed particles, and subsequently implanted with Mn ions under varying conditions, e.g., ion fluence and acceleration voltage. The implantation process was carefully analyzed and optimized within the research project

We have studied protein motions with nanosecond time-resolved crystallography. The release of carbon monoxide from its complex with myoglobin (MbCO) was triggered by nanosecond laser pulses. X-ray data were collected with time delays ranging from 4 ns to 1.9 ms using the Laue method, at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble. For the first time point, X-ray pulses of 150 ps durati

An increase in the plasma level of creatine kinase MB (CKMB) has long been used to indicate acute myocardial infarction (AMI). For optimal treatment an early diagnosis is important. An increase in the ratio between the two isoforms of CKMB is seen much earlier than an increase in the total level of CKMB. One possible method for separating these isoforms could be weak affinity chromatography (WAC).

From 1990 to 1998, estimations of the effective dose from external as well as internal irradiation from 137Cs and 134Cs were carried out for inhabitants in rural villages in the Bryansk region, Russia, highly contaminated due to the Chernobyl accident in 1986. The villages were situated about 180 km from the Chernobyl power plant and the deposition of 137Cs was in the range 0.9-2.7 MBq m-2. Yearly