Popular Abstract in Swedish Avhandlingen utreder några av konsekvenserna av de institutionella reformer som genomfördes i Sydafrika under 1990-talet, med särskilt fokus på det nya kommunsystemet, enligt vilket varje kommun är skyldig att stimulera lokal ekonomisk utveckling i samarbete med det lokal näringslivet och andra civilsamhälleliga aktörer. Den syftar även till att utveckla den samhällsvetThis thesis focuses on the consequences of the institutional transformations in South Africa during the 1990s with specific reference to the introduction of a mode of local governance based on the direct participation of private and civic actors in policymaking and implementation. The study also aims to contribute to theory. The approach is that public, private and civic associations are best unde

Popular Abstract in English In this thesis I will compare and contrast two willow warbler subspecies, each with different migratory programs that meet in Central Sweden forming a migratory divide and hybrid zone. These migratory programs differ in the direction and distance traveled during migration. The "northern" willow warblers migrate south-southeast through the Balkan Peninsula to winter in eIn this thesis I will compare and contrast the two willow warbler subspecies (Phylloscopus trochilus trochilus and P. t. acredula) with differing migratory phenotypes (or "migratype") in the context of their migratory divide and hybrid zone in central Sweden. Their migratory programs differ in the direction and distance traveled during migration. The "northern" willow warblers migrate south-southe

BACKGROUND: A role for the transient receptor potential (TRP) A1 ion channel in rat lower urinary tract (LUT) sensation and disease has been proposed, but in the human LUT no information on TRPA1 activity is available. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the distribution of TRPA1 in the human urethra and to study the effect of TRPA1 agonists on isolated urethral strip preparations. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PA

Rationale: Vascular calcification is a significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We recently reported that cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is pivotal for maintaining the homeostasis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Whether COMP affects the process of vascular calcification is unknown. Objective: We aimed to test whether COMP modulates vascular calcificat

Popular Abstract in Swedish Polymermembranbränsleceller (PEM) anses vara en mycket lovande teknik inom fordonsindustrin på grund av dess kompakthet i storlek, höga verkningsgrader samt låga arbetstryck och temperaturer. De senaste åren har tekniken varit fokus för en anseenlig mängd forskning. PEM-bränsleceller har den stora fördelen att energiomvandlingseffektiviteten har potential för att vara bThis thesis presents numerical simulations of reacting transport phenomena in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Broadly, the presented work is subdivided into macro and microscale simulations. In macroscale simulations, a unit PEM fuel cell with interdigitated flow field configurations is simulated keeping in mind all the essential transport mechanisms, i.e., transport of species, ion

This doctoral thesis is comprised of five parts in the field of biomedical signal processing with focus on methods for use in hemodialysis as well as in cardiac applications. The problem of predicting hypotension is the main concern in the parts were data from patients undergoing hemodialysis are used. In Part I, a newly developed method for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in the presence of

The use of this material under current use conditions is supported by the existing information. This material was evaluated for genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, phototoxicity, skin sensitization potential, as well as environmental assessment. Repeated dose toxicity was determined to have the most conservative systemic

Context: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4); plasma activity of DPP-4 may be increased in obesity. The impact of this increase on incretin hormone secretion and metabolism is not known. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess incretin hormone secretion and degradation in lean and obese nondiabet

Recently, plasma soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has gained interest as a marker of cardiovascular risk. suPAR is released through the cleavage of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), which is found in monocytes, activated T-lymphocytes and endothelial cells, all involved in atherosclerosis. suPAR levels have been well studied in plasma, but no studies have foc