Socioeconomic status (SES) differences in health are well known. Both material and psychosocial hypotheses regarding these SES differences have been forwarded. Social capital (trust, social participation) may be seen as a contextual and social extension of this debate with access to healthcare as one of the four hypothesized mechanisms between high social capital and health. This thesis investigatSocioeconomic status (SES) differences in health are well known. Both material and psychosocial hypotheses regarding these SES differences have been forwarded. Social capital (trust, social participation) may be seen as a contextual and social extension of this debate with access to healthcare as one of the four hypothesized mechanisms between high social capital and health. This thesis investigat

Non-Hermitian quantum mechanics with parity-time (PT) symmetry is presently gaining great interest, especially within the fields of photonics and optics. Here, we give a brief overview of low-dimensional semiconductor nanodevices using the example of a quantum dot with input and output leads, which are mimicked by imaginary potentials for gain and loss, and how wave functions, particle flow, coale

The purpose of this study was to develop a method to simulate breathing motion induced interplay effects for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), to verify the proposed method with measurements, and to use the method to investigate how interplay effects vary with different patient- and machine specific parameters. VMAT treatment plans were created on a virtual phantom in a treatment planning s

The deactivation of a diesel SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalyst by impregnation with CaSO4 was studied. The loss in activity after 2729 h of use on the engine was lower than when deactivated by impregnation. This was the case even if the amount of Ca in the catalyst was high after use on the engine. In the used catalyst a surface layer of CaSO4 was built up on the monolith during use. Th

Thrombin-derived C-terminal peptides (TCPs) constitute a novel class of immunomodulatory host defense peptides, generated during infection and inflammation. Previous investigations have shown that TCPs of 2-3 kDa inhibit pro-inflammatory immune responses in vitro and in vivo, but their mode of action remained unclear. Paper I shows that the prototypic TCP GKY25 binds to LPS, thereby preventing TLR

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease that results in functional loss and disability. People with PD have an increased risk of falling, and most of their falls occur while walking. As yet, there is limited knowledge concerning activity avoidance due to perceived risk of falling in people with PD. In order to quantitatively assess perceived walking

We recently analyzed the robustness of competing evolution models developed to identify the root of the Tree of Life: 1) An empirical Sankoff parsimony (ESP) model (Harish and Kurland, 2017), which is a nonstationary and directional evolution model; and 2) An a priori ancestor (APA) model (Kim and Caetano-Anollés, 2011) that is a stationary and reversible evolution model. Both Bayesian model selec

The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) survey reported on the largest cohort of 125 aggressive pituitary tumours (APT) and 40 pituitary carcinomas (PC). Whilst the survey focused on treatment effectiveness, all pathological data were not explored in detail. Here, we comment on some interesting pathological findings, notably the difference between APT and PC.

Objectives Our aim was to use the opportunity provided by the European Scleroderma Observational Study to (1) identify and describe those patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) with progressive skin thickness, and (2) derive prediction models for progression over 12 months, to inform future randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods The modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS)

Seven native residues on the regulatory protein calmodulin, including three key methionine residues, were replaced (one by one) by the vibrational probe amino acid cyanylated cysteine, which has a unique CN stretching vibration that reports on its local environment. Almost no perturbation was caused by this probe at any of the seven sites, as reported by CD spectra of calcium-bound and apo calmodu

The design of antennas for compact multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) terminals is a challenging feat, due to the space constraint and the physical structure of the terminal. The space constraint forces the antennas to be closely spaced, which degrades MIMO performance due to high signal correlation and low antenna efficiency. Moreover, the terminals are equipped with ground planes which furthe

Pt-Rh alloy nanoparticles on oxide supports are widely employed in heterogeneous catalysis with applications ranging from automotive exhaust control to energy conversion. To improve catalyst performance, an atomic-scale correlation of the nanoparticle surface structure with its catalytic activity under industrially relevant operando conditions is essential. Here, we present x-ray diffraction data

Background: Atopic disorders are a global concern. Studies in migrant populations can illuminate the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Exposures related to bad housing (indoor dampness, mould growth, crowding etc.) are likely to play a role in how socioeconomic inequalities can turn into health disparities for disadvantaged populations. The sizable immigrant population living in very