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Food chain theory is based on consumption; that is, presupposing that the only important interaction between organisms is that they actually meet in an unstructured environment and that one of them is consumed. Recently, studies, including biomanipulation projects, have indicated that trophic interactions are more complex than predicted by food chain theory. In this thesis I examine the role of yo
Systems for on-line monitoring of bioprocesses were developed, consisting of a membrane-based sampling unit, a liquid chromatographic (LC) separation step, and a detector. Two sampling units, a tangential flow filtration (TFF) module and a microdialysis probe, were characterised and evaluated for use in different types of bioprocesses. When using the TFF module, an additional sample clean-up step
The general aim of this study has been to study the psychological, social and ethical aspects for carriers of haemophilia and their spouses, related to the development of techniques for carrier testing and for prenatal diagnosis (PD) of haemophilia. This was investigated by a semi-structured follow-up interview with 29 carriers of haemophilia with experience of PD by fetal blood sampling (FBS), an
This thesis investigates different methods for treating strongly correlated systems, and discusses their respective strengths and weaknesses. Many of the results presented in this thesis come from comparing the different methods and approximations to exact results. Paper I: We studied the real-time dynamics of a trapped fermion gas, as it expands after removal of a trapping potential. Paper II: We
Each Ig V-region has its own upstream promoter and the promoter of a mature Ig gene is thereby selected during the V(D)J recombination process. Upon comparison, it is evident that only one transcription factor binding site, the octamer, is preserved within all promoters. The octamer motif and the binding Oct-proteins are crucial for Ig promoter function, but not sufficient for a high level of tran
With the goal to study the mechanisms of dinuclear metalloenzymes, a new line of synthetic and computational models were prepared and studied. Mixed imidazole and carboxylate multidentate complexes were synthesized to better simulate carboxylate-rich ligand environments. Of the compounds, which showed to be the most useful, were one symmetric and the other one asymmetric and in both cases they wer
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the manifestation of atherosclerotic lesions in arteries supplying blood to the legs. Atherosclerosis is now recognized as an inflammatory disease of the vessel wall and important features in the pathophysiology are activation of WBC, endothelial cells and increased levels of inflammatory mediators. The inflammatory response in PAD is further influenced in case
The aquaporins (AQPs) belong to a family of water permeable membrane channels found in virtually all living organisms. Thirteen isoforms of mammalian AQPs are found, whereas in Arabidopsis thaliana 35 genes encoding AQPs are found. The AQPs are distributed in different organs, cell types and in different subcellular membranes. The aquaporins form homotetramers where each monomer functions as an in
Controversies exist regarding both what is required for a proper diagnosis of chronic venous disease (CVD), and what treatment to offer patients. An objective evaluation is mandatory to individualize treatment. This thesis deals with the evaluation of patients with CVD with specific emphasis on CEAP classification (C; clinical, E; etiological, A; anatomical, P; pathophysiological), symptoms and si
The influence of different reaction parameters on enzyme selectivity was investigated. The reaction conditions studied were solvent dependence, water activity and reaction temperature. The improved selectivity was observed as higher synthetic yields in a-chymotrypsin and subtilisin catalyzed peptide synthesis respectively, and as higher enantioselectivity in the asymmetric reduction of ketones cat
It is well established that dietary fibre, especially soluble dietary fibre, has beneficial effects and can prevent diseases associated with the modern lifestyle. This has been explained by the viscous effects of soluble fibre, which can reduce or delay the absorption of carbohydrates and fat in the small intestine, resulting in lower blood concentrations of glucose, insulin and cholesterol. Oats,
The primary aim of this thesis is to formulate a theoretically and empirically based consultation model for psychologists in school contexts. Ideas and strategies are clarified so that they can be applied, evaluated, and further developed by other professionals. The model has been constructed with an interactional approach, with the stress on patterns of interaction between grown-ups and children
The steric and electronic properties of eight water-soluble phosphines (1-8) were investigated by different methods. Phosphines 1-6 were tested as ligands in palladium catalysed hydroxycarbonylation of styrene. In line with the proposal that a ligand with low basicity should facilitate nucleophilic attack of water on the acyl complex, the electron rich {4 - [Bis(2 - diethylaminoethyl)] - aminobenz
Pathogenic bacteria often produce potent proteases capable of destroying host tissue thereby providing the bacteria with tools for spreading and nutrient access. This thesis describes how group A, C and G streptococci can acquire surface bound protease activity through an alternative mechanism, namely by binding and activation of the human protease precursor plasminogen. Group A streptococci of c
Introduction: Shunting systems are implanted for draining cerebrospinal fluid to treat hydrocephalus, intracranial cysts, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Most shunt systems include a valve which regulates drainage. A differential pressure valve opens when intracranial pressure exceeds the valve’s opening pressure. The difficulty with these valves is selecting and predicting the most sui
Aim of the study Today´s methods for the staging of rectal carcinoma: ultrasonography with transrectal probe, CT, MRI or MRI with a rectal coil, all have limitations. The aim was therefore to develop a new, double-contrast MRI method for evaluation of rectal carcinoma. The idea was that a rectally applied contrast medium causing distension and signal void of the rectal lumen and an intravenous inj
This thesis investigated the concept of balance in daily occupations. The overarching aim was to explore women’s patterns of everyday occupations and to investigate relationships between different aspects of patterns of daily occupations and health and well-being. The participants were working, cohabitant women with pre-school children. The methods used focused on exploring patterns of daily occup
Semiconducting nanowires have attracted scientific attention for more than 20 years due to their potential applications in electronic devices, as sensors, and in solid state lighting. These applications require high quality nanowires to begin with. Achieving such good control over the growth of nanowires is not trivial and requires profound understanding of the underlying processes. In this thesis
The present study deals with natural killer (NK) T cells restricted to the antigen presenting molecule CD1d. NKT cells have been suggested to play a role in many diverse immunological situations such as clearance of different pathogens, protection against certain tumors, regulation of autoimmune reactions and as a link between innate and adaptive immune responses. NKT cells are in many respects un
The structure, hydration, and dynamics of concentrated DNA-amphiphile complexes were investigated by small-angle X-ray diffraction, sorption calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. A concentrated, electroneutral, DNA-amphiphile complex can be formed by mixing charge-stoichiometric solutions. The effect is a strong association of DNA with the oppositely charged amphiphile resulting in the form
