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This thesis describes the preparation of heterogeneous latexes, which may serve as binders in coating applications, and the characterization of these. The latexes were prepared in two-stage seeded emulsion polymerization. The seed latexes used were polystyrene, whose properties had been changed by copolymerization with methacrylic acid (MAA) or divinyl benzene. The second-stage polymers were copol
Increasing attention is paid to mechanical ventilation as one cause behind aggravation of lung injury. Lung protective ventilation can be achieved e.g. by minimising tidal lung collapse and re-expansion and by the use of small tidal volume allowing some degree of permissive hypercapnia. The ventilator and the sick lung comprise a very complex system. Identification of a ventilator setting that wit
The purpose of the present investigations was to obtain a more comprehensive view of fire setting by children and adolescents; to explore the prevalence of the phenomenon; whether or not it experimentally may be related to frustration or boredom and to examine the role of personality traits such as optimism, pessimism and creativity. This dissertation consists of two experimental and two interview
Predictability is a key function of law. When the application of law goes from being flexible to becoming unpredictable this key function is lost. This article shows how legal application can deviate from formal agreements and law, how legal predictability experiences a setback when other forces or values affect the decision making that is supposed to be strictly legally controlled. Non-legally ac
This thesis studies several different algorithmic problems in graph theory and in geometry. The applications of the problems studied range from circuit design optimization to fast matrix multiplication. First, we study a graph-theoretical model of the so called ''firefighter problem''. The objective is to save as much as possible of an area by appropriately placing firefighters. We provide both n
Cellulose based derivatives, such as cellulose ethers, today find many applications in a diverse range of fields. The numerous applications put high demands on the technological performance of the cellulose ethers. In order to be able to control the technological properties it is necessary to develop analytical methods by, which they can be correlated to the chemical structure. In some cases va
Based on the results of two rehabilitation engineering design projects, this thesis aims to present and analyze: ? What is required for genuine engineering knowledge and expertise to come into its own in rehabilitation engineering when the entire effort starts and ends with the person for whom it is intended. ? How the work of an engineer not only can improve the conditions for the actual d
This thesis presents the development, optimisation, and various applications of enzyme-based biosensors and immunoassays, mainly with relevance to environmental analysis. the thesis discusses problems and possible solutions associated with selectivity, sensitivity and robustness of such bioassays with emphasis on various immunoasssay configurations for determination of surfactants, phenols, or dru
In the research area of cleaning and process hygiene it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms behind the deposition of particles and macromolecules onto surfaces. The deposition process is described as the transport of particles to the surface followed by attachment. If the hydrodynamic forces are strong enough, the particles can be re-entrained. In this work particle deposition wa
Natural products have until recently provided the only remedy for treatment of diseases. The development of modern chemistry in the last centuries has opened the door for tapping into the chemical diversity found in nature. Synthetic natural products, together with analogues, are an important piece in the puzzle towards curing many ailments. In this thesis, synthetic endeavors towards different bi
This thesis work presents various performance estimation methods of compact brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHE) operating in single phase, condenser, evaporator, cascaded and transcritical applications. Such methods play a vital role in development of heat exchanger selection software and during geometry parameter estimation in the new product development process. The suitability of employing comm
In recent years, the supreme courts in the Nordic countries have set aside statutes as contrary to the constitution of the country or to the ECHR. A much debated question is whether the courts have gone too far – or if they have waited too long to take on this task. In this dissertation, the task of Nordic judges to critically examine the compatibility of legislation with constitutional norms is
Biologically harmful ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280-320 nm) is increasing at the Earth´s surface owing to stratospheric ozone depletion. This is of global concern due to potential impacts of enhanced UV-B radiation on the biosphere. The aim of this thesis was to investigate effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on components (bryophytes) and processes (decomposition, productivity, species interac
This thesis deals with the structure and function of two different enzymes, ferrochelatase and magnesium chelatase, that catalyse similar reactions. When this work started, a three-dimensional model of ferrochelatase existed. Much was known about the enzyme, but some details remained unclear. The focus has been to establish where the metal and the porphyrin binds to the enzyme, and how they are pu
A new detector for on-line digital detection of charged particles (beta-particles, conversion electrons and alpha-particles) from thin samples for rapid autoradiography has been developed; the Beta Camera. The device consists of a photon-sensitive detector (image photon detector, IPD); the main component of which is a microchannel plate. The sample to be measured is mounted in close contact to a t
The pedigree of the elements heavier than iron is a vital question in the history and evolution of our galaxy. The elements up to and including those of the iron group are produced mainly through fusion processes within stars, giving the stars their energy. The even heavier elements are instead mainly produced through neutron capture processes: weak s-process, main s-process and r-process. The wea
As the tridentate chelate complexes referred to as pincer complexes have expanded their scope as homogeneous catalysts, there is an increased interest in electronic and steric fine-tuning of such complexes. One accessible variable in this aspect is the hybridisation of any coordinated carbon atoms. This thesis describes the synthesis of bis(phosphine) and bis(phosphinite) PCP pincer complexes with
