Conflicts over wildlife and their potential impacts on human practices and livelihoods are widespread. Large carnivore predation on livestock often becomes a contested topic which has led to global declines in carnivore numbers over centuries. To minimise impacts of carnivores on human livelihoods and allow conservation, various interventions are used to prevent attacks. However, these interventio

In view of unsolved issues regarding cellular events underlying the adaptation of insulin secretion to insulin resistance, together with the observation that insulin secretion induced by the gastrointestinal hormone and neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) is not solely explained by phospholipase C-protein kinase C (PLC-PKC) pathway activation, this study aimed at delineate mechanisms responsible fo

Studies were performed to investigate the influence of the vasoconstrictors angiotensin II (AII) and norepinephrine (NE) on calcium metabolism in smooth muscle cells of afferent arterioles. Fura-2 and image analysis techniques were used to evaluate calcium responses in the proximal and distal parts of afferent arterioles with attached glomeruli. AII and NE increase intracellular calcium concentrat

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) and the group B streptococcus (GBS) are two important human pathogens that cause different types of diseases and express different surface structures implicated in virulence. This thesis focuses on several surface proteins expressed by these pathogens, analyzing the biological function of these proteins and their ability to elicit protective immunity.

According to Silvan Tomkins’ (1963, 1965) Polarity Theory, all ideologies are polarized by a fundamental conflict between Humanism, which idealizes and glorifies humanity, and Normativism, which portrays human beings as inherently worthless and able to attain value only through achievement of external norms. Research has shown that Humanism and Normativism do indeed form two coherent and negativel

The G protein-coupled receptors form one of the largest families of proteins involved in signalling between cells. It contains receptors for molecules as diverse as biogenic amines, glycoproteins and enzymes. The manuscripts included in this thesis together describe the initial characterisation of a previously unknown receptor of this class. A DNA fragment was cloned from a mouse genomic library.

The data presented in this thesis deal with the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in adult sensory neurons. We have used different injury and pain models to determine the involvement of PACAP during such conditions. The role of neurotrophins for PACAP expression was also investigated. PACAP is one of the excitatory neuropeptides expressed in small sized DRG ne

The aim of this thesis has been to increase understanding on the process of smoking cessation during pregnancy from the perspective of learning. The smoking pattern before and after pregnancy related to health, Sense of Coherence (SOC) and social issues was studied among all pregnant women in south-east Skåne during the period March 1994 to August 1995. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire d

In the present thesis, the quantitative role of active transport (transcytosis) in bulk transvascular protein movement in vivo was evaluated. Using chemical transcytosis inhibition (N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and filipin), we were able to show that NEM actually increases endothelial permeability to macromolecules, probably as a result of unspecific toxic action on endothelial cells. Filipin, on the ot

Various studies have highlighted older persons' problems in potentially failing to keep pace with developments in information technology and the latest technologies that prevent physical and social loss. In contrast to such studies that treat users as static and technology as changing, it's important to understand the use of technology can change over time. For example, older persons have used tec

Essential to this paper is the recognition of the "privileged status our culture accords written discourse", which is discussed against the background of "the variety of ways in which we represent our realities" (Chaplin, 1994, p. 277), the power of representations to influence perceptions (Jacob, 1989) and the ever-growing importance of communities of shared meaning (Delanty, 2002). Jenks' argume

This 18-month follow-up study investigated needs for care and support, quality of life and social network in individuals with schizophrenia or a schizoaffective disorder living in the community and in contact with psychiatric services. The validity of Antonovsky's sense of coherence (SOC) measure was also examined. At baseline 120 patients were interviewed and 94 of these participated in the follo

Popular Abstract in English What is common between the science of physics and global politics? They both define power in terms of energy. Indeed, the uneven distribution of petroleum reserves has been one of the main reasons of social, political and economic problems worldwide. Even more worrying is the rapid increase in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is mainly caused by ouCaldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus is an extremely thermophilic, strictly anaerobic, Gram-positive and cellulolytic microorganism with a natural ability to produce hydrogen (H2) at nearly theoretical maximum yield, i.e. 4 mol/ mol of glucose. Due to its CO2-free combustion and high energy density, among other desirable properties, H2is touted as a fuel of the future. Biological H2 production b

A smoking cessation program targeting pregnant women and their partners was monitored during 17 years and subjected to several substudies. All women in Blekinge, who gave birth in the months of September during the period 1984 to 2000, were asked to fill out a questionnaire, anonymously, about their smoking habits before and during pregnancy. During these years a long-term educational programme co

Effects of ambient and elevated temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) on CO2 assimilation rate and the structural and phenological development of shoots during their first growing season were studied in 45-year-old Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) enclosed in whole-tree chambers. Continuous measurements of net assimilation rate (NAR) in individual buds and s

The definition of Validation and Verification (V&V) tests for analysing evacuation model capabilities is the object of a large debate among researchers given the lack of an international standard. Four main types of tests have been reported in the literature, 1) component testing, 2) functional verification, 3) qualitative verification and 4) quantitative validation. An important issue relates