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This thesis investigates the impacts of three major global disruptions: the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suez Canal blockage, and the Russia-Ukraine war on Sweden’s automotive exports, a critical sector contributing approximately 15% to Sweden’s total goods exports. Utilizing monthly export data from 2017 to 2024 and employing a Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average model with exogenous inp
This thesis focuses on the issue of abortion rights in the Philippines, a country which maintains one of the strictest abortion laws globally, prohibiting abortion under all circumstances without exceptions. Despite severe penalties, unsafe abortions remain widespread, resulting in approximately 1.1 million induced abortions and around 1,000 maternal deaths annually. The interaction between the Ph
Purpose: This paper explores the phenomenon of unexpected co-branding – collaborations between brands with low strategic or functional fit – and identifies the key aspects that make such partnerships successful in the modern digital era. The study aims to extend Blackett and Boad’s (1999) hierarchy of shared value creation framework. Methodology: Through a qualitative, abductive multiple-case stu
This thesis examines users’ responses to immersive art installations and the curatorial challenges of exhibiting such hybrid, “phygital” forms. It asks: How do the virtual worlds created by Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen evoke emotional responses and empathy, shaping users’ understanding of the world? How do exhibition design and curatorial aesthetics influence users’ embodied encounters wit
Every day, new decisions are made, ranging from trivial to critical, and their impact can vary greatly. Despite these differences, all decisions share a common goal: to choose the best possible action based on the knowledge available at the time. In some cases, past events offer little insight into what lies ahead. However, in many situations, especially in structured environments, historical patt
Industrial redevelopment has become an increasingly pressing urban challenge as cities expand and central industrial areas are drawn into the evolving urban fabric. While regeneration projects often succeed in giving former industrial sites new roles, the preservation of the industrial legacy is frequently reduced due to the conflicting demands between industrial and central urban functions. What
Purpose This paper aims to explore how low-cost brands can rejuvenate and create an emotionally engaging brand identity, moving beyond their low-price positioning. Methodology A qualitative research approach has been used, drawing on both primary and secondary data. The primary data consist of semi-structured interviews exploring low-cost brands and their marketing. The secondary data includes a
In the global race against climate change, the answer of the European Union is the transition towards a green economy by focusing on strengthening the competitiveness of the net-zero technology industry and securing the necessary critical materials. To do so, the Union presented two legislative acts in the European Green Deal Industrial Plan in 2023, amongst which the Net-Zero Industry Act. While
Age-associated B cells (ABCs) are a novel subtype of B cells that accumulate with ageing, during infection, and in the progression of autoimmune diseases. Still, their exact phenotype and effector functions remain unknown. In this thesis, we aimed to provide an immunological characterisation of human ABC subsets by phenotyping them before and after in vitro stimulation and evaluating the alteratio
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. There are various studies about the contributing molecular mechanisms, and our recent findings show that the complement inhibitor Cd59 might play a non-canonical role in insulin secretion. Specifically, knock-out of Cd59 greatly inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. This, however, can be rescued by t
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbial bio polyesters that offer a promising biodegradable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. This thesis focuses on the production and characterization of medium-chain-length PHAs (mcl-PHAs) by Pseudomonas putida using octanoic acid as a carbon source. The main aim was to optimize key bioprocess parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO),
Enteroviruses are widespread pathogens implicated in acute illness and increasingly linked to chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes. Despite their impact, no FDA-approved antiviral therapies exist for enterovirus infections. Resistance to direct-acting antivirals underscores the need for alternative strategies. Given enteroviruses’ dependence on host machinery, targeting host factors, particula
The human immune system is influenced by factors such as sex hormones, chromosomes, age, infections, and the environment, leading to distinct immune profiles between individuals and between sexes. Females typically mount stronger immune responses, increasing protection against infections but also susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Testosterone, acting through the androgen receptor (AR), is a k
The field of cancer immunology is complex and diverse. In the case of breast cancer, recent advances indicate a prognostic relevance of the lymph node resident subcapsular sinus macrophage (CD169+ macrophages). Depending on the location of its presence, it is correlated with either an improved or worsened prognosis. Remarkably, these CD169+ macrophages display the function of aiding B cell activat
Pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes have evolved different mechanisms to evade host immune defenses, primarily through the expression of virulence factors. Among these, the Streptococcal nuclease A (SpnA), a cell wall-associated protein, is important in bacterial pathogenesis. SpnA hydrolyzes host DNA present within neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), therefore helping bacteria t
Most pre-clinical models fail to reliably predict the effects of immunotherapeutic drugs intended for treatment of cancer. A major limitation is their inability to reliably model the tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex and essential component of tumor resistance to treatment. Patient-derived tumor models, like precision-cut tumor slices (PCTS), preserve the tumor architecture and capture the c
Purpose: To investigate how the nation brand and country-of-origin of China jointly influence the European consumers’ perceptions towards Chinese smartphone brands. The reputation of Chinese smartphone brands in Europe is shaped by European consumers' concerns about China's national image over their global success and technological advancements. Hence, this study focuses on how these perce
