Land-use change is a major driver of the global loss of biodiversity, but it is unclear to what extent this also results in a loss of ecological traits. Therefore, a better understanding of how land-use change affects ecological traits is crucial for efforts to sustain functional diversity. To this end we tested whether higher species richness or taxonomic distinctness generally leads to increased

Abstract in UndeterminedIn an attempt to develop it computationally efficient model for simulation of fatigue crack growth of microstructurally short cracks two dislocation based models have been compared. In both models, the geometry of the boundary and the crack is described using dislocation dipole elements, whereas the plasticity is described either by discrete dislocations or by distributed d

Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) provide a uni- or bidirectional communication link between the central nervous system and the outside world. This link facilitates the studying of neuronal mechanisms underlying behavior as well as the treatment of neurological disease. Wired BMIs are limited in the sense that they restrict the mobility of the subject and they increase the risks for post-surgical co

The overall aim of this thesis was to describe parent’s experiences, reactions and needs in connection with a routine ultrasound examination during pregnancy when the foetus was found to have an abnormal ultrasound finding. The data collection began in February 2005 and the one year cohort study was completed by March 2006. The participants in this study were each asked if they would also consid

This article reviews our work on the description of electronic transport through self-assembled quantum dots. Our main interest is in the effect of Coulomb interaction on quantum dot charging (capacitance-voltage characteristics), on the average current (current-voltage characteristics), and on current fluctuations (quantum shot noise) in quantum dot layers embedded in pn- or resonant tunneling de

Using constant-effort catch data, causes of annual variation in the timing of migration of Curlew Sandpipers (Calidris ferruginea) migrating through Ottenby, Sweden, as well as the trend in timing of migration from 1946-2005, was investigated. Variation in the timing of autumn migration of adult and juvenile Curlew Sandpipers was influenced by breeding success connected to predation pressure on th

This paper examines Sweden’s role as a pioneer in mitigating climate change. Critical discourse analysis of climate and energy policy unveils Sweden’s ambition to ‘lead-by-example’, by virtue of a win-win combination of economy and environment via stringent regulations and an early-mover strategy on eco-innovations. The extent of the unilateral approach is constrained by concerns for the competiti

OBJECTIVE-We tested genetic associations with weight loss and weight regain in the Diabetes Prevention Program, a randomized controlled trial of weight-loss inducing interventions (lifestyle and metformin) versus placebo. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-Sixteen obesity-predisposing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested for association with short-term (baseline to 6 months) and long-term (

We report on the network characterization of a series of hybrid nanocomposites consisting of integrated anisotropic nanoparticles (NPs) within a polyurea elastomeric matrix with low weight fractions ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 wt%. The grafting method employed to incorporate the silica-coated spindle-type hematite nanoparticles (SCH NPs), promotes the stability of the NPs in dispersion, and further en

A linearly polarized photon beam has been produced at MAX-lab using the coherent bremsstrahlung of electrons with an energy of 192.6 MeV in a 0.1 mm thick diamond crystal. The intensity and shape of the coherent maxima and their dependence on the crystal orientation are similar to the features observed at higher electron energies (similar to 1 GeV) and are well described by coherent bremsstrahlung

Popular Abstract in English The dissertation is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the development of a questionnaire diagnostic instrument for atopic dermatitis (AD). The second part concerns following a cohort and assessing the natural history of AD, in which the effect of specified risk factors is analysed. In Värmland, Sweden, a questionnaire that diagnoses AD in infants and preAbstract In childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most frequent inflammatory condition. Validated eczema questionnaires have been available for schoolchildren only, but the incidence of atopic dermatitis is highest during infancy. Evidence is needed on the further development of asthma, and rhinitis in these infants with AD and on remission of AD in children. We aimed to validate a parental ques

Popular Abstract in Swedish Det traditionella jordbruket i nordvästra Europa har gynnat förekomsten av många arter under tusentals år och den snabba övergången till modernt jord- och skogsbruk har lett till försämrade förutsättningar för dessa arter. Både internationellt och nationellt finns strategier för att bevara biologisk mångfald. I Sverige är dessa strategier integrerade i miljömål med ansThis thesis explores the relationship between land-use and floristic diversity over the last three millennia in the uplands of southern Sweden. A quantitative approach based on high-resolution pollen data was applied, using the Landscape Reconstruction Algorithm (LRA), historical maps/aerial photographs, palynological richness and new ways to estimate past evenness at regional and local spatial sc

A single bi-functional monomer, N,O-bismethacryloyl ethanolamine (NOBE), was used in precipitation polymerization system to synthesize molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) microspheres. Highly specific binding sites were obtained for N-terminal protected neuropeptides, Boc-Leu-enkephalin and Pyr-Leu-enkephalin. The use of NOBE allowed binding sites to be formed in polymer microspheres that are able

Waist-hip ratio (WHR) is a measure of body fat distribution and a predictor of metabolic consequences independent of overall adiposity. WHR is heritable, but few genetic variants influencing this trait have been identified. We conducted a meta-analysis of 32 genome-wide association studies for WHR adjusted for body mass index (comprising up to 77,167 participants), following up 16 loci in an addit

The simulation software for the ATLAS Experiment at the Large Hadron Collider is being used for large-scale production of events on the LHC Computing Grid. This simulation requires many components, from the generators that simulate particle collisions, through packages simulating the response of the various detectors and triggers. All of these components come together under the ATLAS simulation in

The aim of this work was to investigate sorting mechanisms of von Willebrand factor (VWF) when expressed in haematopoietic cells. The processing and sorting of both the wild-type VWF and a multimerization defective propeptide-mutant (VWFm) were investigated after expression in the 32D cell line. Normal proteolytic processing was observed for both proteins, however the processing of VWFm was much s