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The aim of this work was to investigate the dosimetric effects of removing the flattening filter from conventional C-arm medical linear accelerators. In conventional linear accelerators used for radiotherapy, a flattening filter is positioned in the beam line to provide a uniform lateral dose profile at a specified depth in water. However, for some radiotherapy treatments, a uniform lateral dose p
How are access to asylum and other forms of extraterritorial protection regulated in the European Union? Is the EU acquis in these areas in conformity with international law? What tools does international law offer to solve conflicts between them? And, finally, is law capable of bridging the foundational oppositions embedded in migration and asylum issues? This work combines the potential of legal
The current form-giving activity in industrial design is characterized by explorations that depend on the individual capability to mentally manipulate a solution space from which to select and express the intended result. Industrial designers frequently rely on artistic experimentation, aesthetic inspiration, or design briefs. These points of departure often result in satisfactory results, but the
In the last two decades, phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) has evolved from two-dimensional velocity and flow measurements to volumetric, time-resolved depictions of velocity fields (4D PC). The acquisition of time-resolved velocity fields allows flow visualisations that might provide better understanding of the dynamics of the cardiac system. Because 4D PC is increasingly being u
In the normal functioning organism, there is a balance between cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and cell death. An imbalance in these processes results in different diseases. This thesis concerns the imbalance where there is too little cell death and cell differentiation with increased cell proliferation. The result is uncontrolled cell proliferation resulting in the development of cancer
This dissertation discusses the personal implications of the early consequences of rheumatoid arthritis, how they effect the person's working life and how they are dealt with. In this qualitative study thematized interviews are used. Twenty-three persons, recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, were interviewed twice, two years apart. The study is influenced by an interactionist perspective
The role of stochasticity throughout many biophysical systems is of great importance. From evolution to foraging, from the spreading of viruses to cell fate, all hinge in one way or another on inherent stochasticity. The aim of this thesis is to explore the tools often used to quantify randomness in nature, and employ these tools on a selected range of biophysical systems (Papers I-IV). In these p
Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen strongly associated with chronic type B gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma. Our aims were to establish a mouse model of H. pylori infection, to study pathogenesis of gastritis and gastric cancer and to investigate new treatment strategies in this model. Both spiral and coccoid forms of H. pylori strains 17874, 25 and 553/93 cau
Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica hosts nesting by four species of highly migratory and endangered sea turtles (green, hawksbill, leatherback and loggerhead turtles). Sea turtle research at Tortuguero has been continuous since Dr. Archie Carr began studies in the 1950?s. This dissertation aims to clarify the Tortuguero sea turtles? post-nesting migrations, nesting trends and survival threats.
This book attempts to answer the question of how it is possible that Christianity in the beginning of the second century C.E. had developed into a non-Jewish, Gentile religion. Since Christianity was originally one of many Jewish factions within the diversified Judaism of the period, and one that even primarily seems to have directed its attention to the people of Israel, the problem of its separa
The crystalline properties of starch constitutes a puzzling area of research. Our understanding of the crystalline structure of amylopectin, that is the crystalline component in starch, is based on the observations from investigations on modified amylose. The first part of this thesis includes a discussion of the unit cells (the smallest crystalline units) suggested in the literature. The differen
A continuing use of fossil fuels will accelerate global warning and result in severe consequences for the environment and thereby also us. Development of alternative, sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources is therefore crucial. One approach is to create an artificial photosynthetic system that converts sunshine into fuel (e.g. hydrogen gas) by splitting water molecules. However, i
The modification of drugs into pro-drugs is an attractive concept allowing you to tweak the chemical and physical properties of a drug without changing the original structure of the active compound. In principle, any compound possessing a preferred biological activity can be transformed into a pro-drug. Many natural products harbor qualities that are potentially interesting as drugs but difficult
Preparation for radiotherapy is a complex procedure that involves many different technologies and groups of professionals. The rapid development and introduction of new technologies throughout the last decade have made it possible to deliver highly conformal, individually-shaped dose distributions with high accuracy. However, there is widespread concern that current quality assurance practices hav
The studies presented in Papers I to VI illustrate several different aspects of the impact of vascular plants on methane emissions from northern natural wetlands. The subject has been approached on different scales, ranging from the study of microbial substrates in the vicinity of a single plant root, to an attempt to extrapolate some of the results to the entire northern hemisphere north of 50°N.
The studies presented in this thesis concern the optimisation and evaluation of the dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI) technique for the assessment of perfusion-related parameters of the brain, such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT). Several methodological factors influence these measurements, for example, contra
Synthesis of compounds based on the structurally rigid bicyclo[2.2.2]octane and the dibenzobicyclo[3.3.1]nonane frameworks and also their application as ligands and catalysts in asymmetric synthesis are described. For the synthesis of 1,3-diols based on the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane framework, an improved synthesis of the starting material bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2,6-dione was developed and performed at 0
The migratory behaviour of birds has received much scientific interest, though many questions still remain unsolved. One of the reasons for this is the difficulty of following the birds as they move between breeding and wintering localities. Populations may mix on migration and the origin of individual birds is difficult to assess. One way to address this problem may be to develop genetic populati
During production of concentrated fruit juices, both physical and chemical losses of aroma compounds occur due to heat treatment such as pasteurisation and evaporation. This leads to an inferior quality of the final product. By recovering the aroma complex from fresh juice and then adding it back to the processed juice, heat treatment can be avoided. Hydrophobic pervaporation is an emerging membr
What are the discursive pre-conditions for planning? In this dissertation the author analyzes and critically assesses the assumptions which underlie our thinking about planning. This is done in an analysis of firstly, how planning is legitimized, and secondly, what consequences these forms of legitimation have for planning theory as well as for planning as a political practice. The author descri
