This thesis describes experiments aimed at developing a key component in applications such as quantum networks and long-distance quantum communication systems: quantum memories. Quantum memories for light using photon-echo and coherent rephrasing techniques have been developed. The work is carried out on rare-earth-ion-doped inorganic crystals. Several properties are associated with these crystals

There is a need for integrated care and smooth collaboration between care-providing organisations and professions to create a continuum of care for frail older people. However, collaboration between organisations and professions is often problematic. The aim of this study was to examine the process of implementing a new continuum of care model in a complex organisational context, and illuminate so

It is well known that patients with COPD have an increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, but less is known about the association with other infections. The aim of this thesis was to explore epidemiological aspects of severe infections in COPD, using public registries in Sweden. In the first study, incidence rates of tuberculosis were compared in all individuals discharged with COPD,

Introduction: Treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) remains an unsolved problem in intensive care medicine. As simvastatin exerts protective effects in inflammatory diseases we explored its effects on development of ALI and due to the importance of neutrophils in ALI also on neutrophil effector functions. Methods: C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to aerosolized LPS (500 mg/ml) for 30 min. The count of alv

BACKGROUND: Cancer has consequences not only for the sick person but also for those who have a close relationship with that person. Greater knowledge about how family members manage the situation in the period immediately following the diagnosis means greater opportunity to provide the best possible support for the family. The purpose of this study was to explore management strategies that family

The influence of substrate orientation on the morphology of graphene growth on 6H-SiC(0 0 0 1) was investigated using low-energy electron and scanning tunneling microscopy (LEEM and STM). Large area monolayer graphene was successfully furnace-grown on these substrates. Larger terrace widths and smaller step heights were obtained on substrates with a smaller mis-orientation from on-axis (0.03°) tha

The ongoing globalisation and the rise of the knowledge economy creates new challenges for regional economic development. In order to cope with these challenges, regions need to strengthen the capacity of existing industries to innovate, but also transform their innovation systems and facilitate the emergence of new industries and development paths. The ability to transform and renew themselves, h

Popular Abstract in Swedish Benskörhet (osteoporos) är ett tillstånd som definieras av låg benmassa och ökar med stigande ålder. Osteoporos är idag en av de stora folksjukdomarna och man räknar med att en tiondel av alla män och en fjärdedel av alla kvinnor i Sverige drabbas. Tillståndet är i sig symptomfritt men ökar risken att råka ut för ett benbrott (fraktur) redan vid lättare fall. Frakturer The aim of this thesis was to evaluate risk factors for bone fragility and fractures in postmenopausal women in a long-term perspective. The study period spanned from the age of 48 to age 82 and is thus unique in its length. The studied sample was homogeneous and consisted of 390 north European women from a population-based cohort. At the start of the study, general health and lifestyle parameters

Background: Written prescriptions of physical activity have increased in popularity. Such schemes have mostly been evaluated in terms of efficacy in clinical trials. This study reports on a physical activity prescription referral scheme implemented in routine primary health care (PHC) in Sweden. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' self-reported adherence to physical activity prescripti

T-STAR (testis-signal transduction and activation of RNA) is an RNA binding protein, containing an SH3-binding domain and thus potentially playing a role in integration of cell signaling and RNA metabolism. The specific function of T-STAR is unknown and its implication in cancer is poorly characterized. Expression of T-STAR has been reported in human testis, muscle and brain tissues, and is associ

At the radioactive ion beam facility REX-ISOLDE, neutron-rich zinc isotopes were investigated using low-energy Coulomb excitation. These experiments have resulted in B(E2, 2(1)(+)-> 0(1)(+)) values in Zn74-80, B(E2, 4(1)(+)-> 2(1)(+)) values in Zn-74,Zn-76 and the determination of the energy of the first excited 2(1)(+) states in Zn-78,Zn-80. The zinc isotopes were produced by high-energy proton-

Genome-wide association studies have identified 32 loci influencing body mass index, but this measure does not distinguish lean from fat mass. To identify adiposity loci, we meta-analyzed associations between similar to 2.5 million SNPs and body fat percentage from 36,626 individuals and followed up the 14 most significant (P < 10(-6)) independent loci in 39,576 individuals. We confirmed a previou

Abstract in UndeterminedLimb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A is an autosomal recessive disorder generated by inactivating mutations in the gene coding for the muscle specific protease calpain-3. It is mainly expressed in skeletal muscle as a monomeric multidomain protein characterized by three unique insertion sequences (NS, IS1, IS2). It is unstable, and undergoes very rapid autolysis in soluti

The Barany Society Ad Hoc Committee on Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy has developed guidelines for developing educational programs for continuing education. These guidelines may be useful to individual therapists who seek to learn about vestibular rehabilitation or who seek to improve their knowledge bases. These guidelines may also be useful to professional organizations or therapists who prov

The safety and efficacy of warfarin in a large, unselected cohort of warfarin-treated patients with high quality of care is comparable to that reported for non-vitamin K antagonists. Warfarin is commonly used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, as well as for treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism. While reducing risk of thrombotic/embolic incidents, warfarin increases the ri