A laser-produced plasma was generated by focusing 100 fs laser pulses, with an energy of 150 mJ, onto metal targets. The laser intensity was expected to reach 10E17 W/cm2. Radiation was emitted from the created plasma, with photon energies extending up to the MeV regime. The laser-based X-ray source was optimised, with the purpose of making it a realistic source of hard X-rays (>10 keV). Dedicated

Telomeres are specialized complexes of DNA and associated proteins that protect the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Although most organisms have short repeated DNA sequences at their telomeres, which are specified and maintained by the enzyme telomerase, there are a few exceptions. Dipteran insects, including the genus Chironomus (non-biting midges), lack telomerase and have atypical terminal sequ

Harvesting changes population abundance and can affect adaptation of several life-history traits. Harvesting can also have indirect effects ? effects on non-target species and secondary effects on target species ? because interactions between species in a community determine the relevant ecological and evolutionary feedback environment. Species interactions therefore influence the effect of harves

The evaluation of skeletal muscle strength is an important part of the physiotherapist’s clinical examination in order to plan and execute appropriate interventions. This requires the objective assessment of muscle strength and the determination of the underlying factors of muscle weakness. One factor that can contribute to muscle weakness is the inability of the central nervous system to voluntar

Cellulose and starch are non-toxic, biodegradable and modifiable polymers. These properties have made them increasingly important in industrial products e. g. in pharmaceutical applications and in technical dispersions. By chemical modification of these polymers the physical and chemical properties of the polymer can be adjusted to suit a certain area of application. The characteristics of modifie

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is currently emerging as an efficient and environmentally friendly power source. The technology is very complex and relies ultimately on materials and components which need further development. One of the major hurdles for advancing the PEMFC technology is currently the demand for new durable low-cost polymeric membranes that will allow fuel cell oper

Intercellular communication is of crucial importance in regulating physiology and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have evolved as an important mechanism in this process. Of the approximately 800 human GPCRs, about 160 are still considered to be “orphan” receptors for which an endogenous ligand remains to be identified. Since an estimated 50% of all clinical drugs act on 30 known GPCRs, the rem

The effect of different additives on protein stability was studied, and the basis for stabilization was investigated at molecular level. The addition of sorbitol enhanced thermal stability of hen egg white lysozyme in aqueous solution. NMR spectroscopy revealed changes in the relaxation properties of Ala and Thr methyl groups in lysozyme, indicating compression of the enzyme as a consequence of pr

The subject for this dissertation is the Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch’s Das 6-Tage-Spiel (1998). The purpose is to examine in what way Das 6-Tage-Spiel, as part of the orgien mysterien theater (hereafter o. m. theater), is an adequate means to realize Nitsch’s intention (as he has described them outside of the work in writings and interviews). Das 6-Tage-Spiel is an example of a category of scen

Amperometric enzyme based biosensors were designed, developed and characterised in flow systems. Solid graphite and carbon paste electrodes were used as support for enzyme immobilisation. Both mediated and direct electron transfers between redox enzymes and electrodes were utilised for biosensor construction, as well as coupled enzyme systems. Special emphasis was placed on the optimisation of bio

A phonetogram is a diagram displaying sound pressure levels (SPL) of softest and loudest possible phonation over the entire fundamental frequency range (F0) of a voice. Female singers mean phonetogram had a significantly higher upper contour than female nonsingers. When reading at various voice levels female singers produced markedly higher mean equivalent sound pressure levels (Leq) and mean rel

The formation of highly ordered mesoporous silica materials, using PEO-PPO-PEO amphiphilic triblock copolymers (so-called Pluronics) as structure directing agents, has been studied. The materials are formed through the addition of a silica source to a polymer solution of low concentration (2.5 wt ) under acidic conditions. The products have BET surface areas of approximately 800 m2/g. The unit cel

This thesis is founded on the premise that traditional discourses of travel and mobility are inherently masculinist, that is, travel is seen as a masculinity rite-of passage for the Euro-American male, shaping his subjectivity through the othering and marginalization of women. Taking Jack Kerouac’s On the Road (1957), the epitome of masculinist travel literature, as a starting point for an examina

Liposuction and controlled compression therapy in the treatment of arm lymphedema following breast cancer About one-third of all women treated for breast cancer develop arm lymphedema. The cancer itself is a worry, but the swollen and heavy arm is an additional handicap for the patients, both physical and psychosocial. Previous surgical and conservative treatments have not always given satisfacto

Polymer gel dosimetry has been used since the 1990s, and several studies have shown that this detector system can be used for verification of static absorbed dose distributions in three dimensions (3D). Its unique properties, such as high resolution, normal tissue equivalence and independency of energy, field size and direction of the incident radiation, should also be advantageous for dosimetric

By building a strong brand that is favourably perceived by target customers, a firm can establish a competitive advantage that enables greater revenues and profitability. This is at least what the branding literature always has assumed, and something few marketing and brand managers seem to disagree with. When asked how exactly a brand can be charged with such great value, however, neither academi

The Ugandan Government has aimed at creating a needs-based and cost-effective health care system. The means to carry out this aim have been 1) a decentralization of the health sector in order to increase lower-level responsibility, accountability, and participation, and 2) a strong national policy formulation capacity, facilitating needs assessment and cost-effective prioritization. Aim The aim

In the present thesis, I investigated the inter- and intraspecific variation in the Silene vulgaris/uniflora species-complex (the bladder campions). I have focused on the effects of past and present hybridization both on a large scale ? over the whole of Europe ? and on a local scale. Silene vulgaris and S. uniflora are perennial herbs and they are interfertile. The results from my studies sugges