The cross sections for neutral current (NC) deep inelastic scattering (DIS) in e+p collisions with a longitudinally polarised positron beam are measured at high momentum transfer squared (Q2 > 185 GeV2) at the ZEUS detector at HERA. The HERA accelerator provides e+-p collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 318 GeV, which allows the weak contribution to the NC process to be studied at high Q2. The measurements are based on a data sample with an integrated luminosity of 135.5 pb-1 collected with the ZEUS detector in 2006 and 2007. The single differential NC cross sections dsigma/dQ2, dsigma/dx and dsigma/dy and the reduced cross section are measured. The structure function xF3 is determined by combining the e+p NC reduced cross sections with the previously measured e-p measurements. The interference structure function xF 3^gamma,Z is extracted at Q2 = 1500 GeV2. The cross-section asymmetry between the positive and negative polarisation of the positron beam is measured and the parity violation effects of the electroweak interaction are observed. The predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics agree well with the measurements.

No description available.

<p>Dynamic (or 2D) FT-IR spectroscopy in combination withpolarized IR irradiation has been used in this work to studywood polymer orientation and interactions on theultrastructural level in wood fibers in the native state aswell as the effects of different pulping processes. The woodpolymer interactions were studied under both dry and humidconditions.</p><p>The matrix of lignin and hemicelluloses located between thewell-ordered cellulose fibrils in the wood cell wall of sprucewas here shown to be more highly ordered than has earlier beenrevealed. It was confirmed that glucomannan is orientedparallel to the cellulose fibrils and is highly coupled to it.The lignin was also shown to have a main orientation in thestructure although this is probably not as strong as that ofglucomannan. The orientation of the lignin may derive from thefact that the polysaccharides act as templates during thelignification of the cell wall. This organization implies thatnot only the cellulose but also the lignin and thehemicelluloses have different mechanical properties in thelongitudinal and cross-fiber directions.</p><p>The ability to gain molecular information on the stresstransfer in polymers with dynamic FT-IR spectroscopy made itpossible to verify experimentally earlier molecularcalculations on the stress transfer within the cellulose chain.It was also possible to show, on the molecular level, thedominant importance of the cellulose fibrils for the stresstransfer in the longitudinal direction of pulp fibers,including lignin-rich mechanical pulp fibers. The glucomannanof softwood fibers was also shown to participate in the stresstransfer in the fiber direction indicating a close associationwith the cellulose, whereas the xylan showed no dynamicresponse. Already under dry conditions, the lignin was shown tohave a more viscoelastic response than the polysaccharidesduring the loading of pulp fibers and it was thus able to moveindependently of the cellulose.</p><p>The enhanced spectral resolution obtained with dynamic FT-IRspectroscopy made it possible to study the crystalstructure/chain order of cellulose in pulp fibers. Thepossibility of following changes in the relative cellulose Iallomorph composition of pulp fibers was demonstrated for somechemical pulps.</p><p>Dynamic FT-IR experiments under humid conditions and ofelevated temperatures made it possible to study the softeningof the biopolymers in their native environment. This was alsodemonstrated for some different pulps, and this may be apromising tool for obtaining viscoelastic information on themolecular level in composite systems such as wood fibers.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>cellulose, cooperation, crystallinity, dynamictest, glucomannan, hardwood, holocellulose, humidity, infraredspectroscopy, kraft pulp, lignin, mechanical pulp, orientation,polarised light, softwood, strain, sulphite pulp,viscoelasticity, xylan</p>

The cross sections for neutral current (NC) deep inelastic scattering (DIS) in e+p collisions with a longitudinally polarised positron beam are measured at high momentum transfer squared (Q2 > 185 GeV2) at the ZEUS detector at HERA. The HERA accelerator provides e+-p collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 318 GeV, which allows the weak contribution to the NC process to be studied at high Q2. The measurements are based on a data sample with an integrated luminosity of 135.5 pb-1 collected with the ZEUS detector in 2006 and 2007. The single differential NC cross sections dsigma/dQ2, dsigma/dx and dsigma/dy and the reduced cross section are measured. The structure function xF3 is determined by combining the e+p NC reduced cross sections with the previously measured e-p measurements. The interference structure function xF 3^gamma,Z is extracted at Q2 = 1500 GeV2. The cross-section asymmetry between the positive and negative polarisation of the positron beam is measured and the parity violation effects of the electroweak interaction are observed. The predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics agree well with the measurements.

This thesis addresses electron spin phenomena in semi-conductor quantum dots/anti-dots from a computational perspective. In the first paper (paper I) we have studied spin-dependent transport through open quantum dots, i.e., dots strongly coupled to their leads, within the Hubbard model. Results in this model were found consistent with experimental data and suggest that spin-degeneracy is lifted inside the dot – even at zero magnetic field. Similar systems were also studied with electron-electron effects incorporated via Density Functional Theory (DFT) in paper III. Within DFT we found a significant spin-polarisation in the dot at low electron densities. As the electron density increases the spin polarisation in the dot gradually diminishes. These findings are consistent with available experimental observations. Notably, the polarisation is qualitatively different from the one found in the Hubbard model – this indicates that the simplified approach to electronelectron interaction in the Hubbard model might not always be reliable. In paper II we propose a spin-filter device based on resonant backscattering of edge states against a quantum anti-dot embedded in a quantum wire. A magnetic field is applied and the spin up/spin down states are separated through Zeeman splitting. Their respective resonant states may be tuned so that the device can be used to filter either spin in a controlled way. / <p>Report code: LIU-Tek-Lic 2005:65</p>

Dans ce travail, nous nous sommes concentrés sur la création de nanostructures chirales optiquement actives en fabriquant des nanohélices de silice fluorescente afin d’obtenir des matériaux souple, nanométriques, optiquement actifs pour des applications en tant que matériaux nanophotoniques. Dans cette optique, des nanohélices de silice chirales ont été utilisées pour greffer et organiser des nanocristaux inorganiques fluorescents achiraux tels que des quantums dots, des chromophores, des molécules et des polymères fluorescents selon différentes approches. Ces hélices inorganiques ont été formées par procédé sol-gel en utilisant des auto-assemblages hélicoïdaux organiques de molécules amphiphiles (amphiphile gemini cationique, avec un contre-ion chiral le tartrate) en tant que modèles. Tout d'abord, la surface de la silice hélicoïdale a été fonctionnalisée par l’APTES afin de greffer des quantum dots inorganiques ZnS-AgInS2 possédant divers ligands. Dans la deuxième partie, le polymère de dérivé anthracénique fluorescent a été organisé par dépôt et adsorption à la surface de silice hélicoïdale. Afin d’étudier les propriétés chiroptiques, différentes caractérisations ont été réalisées telle que la spectroscopie du dichroïsme circulaire (CD) et celle de la luminescence circulairement polarisée (CPL).Le premier chapitre présente l’étude bibliographique sur différents systèmes d’auto-assemblage organiques chiraux et leurs propriétés chiroptiques. Les études sur la formation de systèmes auto-assemblés chiraux dans différentes conditions, leur morphologie structurale, les techniques de fabrication et leurs applications sont discutées suivies de l'utilisation de nanocristaux fluorescents, à savoir, les quantums dots (QD) et les polymères fluorescents achiraux sur lesquels les propriétés chiroptiques peuvent être obtenues et leurs applications dans les nanodispositifs optiques, les capteurs et la nano-photonique.Dans la première partie du deuxième chapitre, différentes techniques de caractérisation telles que le microscope électronique en transmission (TEM), le microscope électronique en transmission haute résolution (HRTEM), la microscopie confocale, la spectroscopie UV-Vis, celle de la fluorescence, du dichroïsme circulaire (CD) et de la luminescence circulairement polarisée (CPL) sont décrites. Dans la deuxième partie, la synthèse du gemini 16-2-16 ainsi que son mécanisme d'auto-assemblage, et sa transformation en réplica de silice par l'intermédiaire de la chimie sol-gel sont décrits. Ces nanohélices de silice sont fonctionnalisées par le 3-aminopropyltriéthoxysilane (APTES). Leur analyse est effectuée par analyse thermogravimétrique (TGA) et analyse élémentaire (EA).Dans le troisième chapitre, nous nous sommes concentrés sur la synthèse de QDs inorganiques ((ZnS)x-1(AgInS2)x) avec différentes compositions rapport molaire et leurs caractérisations par TEM, TGA, EA, spectroscopie infrarouge à transformée de Fourier (FTIR), mesures de potentiel zêta, spectroscopie d'absorption et d'émission. Quatre types de ligands ont été utilisés, par échange de ligand, pour recouvrir les QDs : sulfure d'ammonium (AS), acide 3-mercaptopropionique (MPA), l-cystéine (L-Cys) et l'oleylamine (OLA). Ces QDs sont greffés à la surface des hélices de silice modifiée par de l’amine suite à des interactions ioniques. Diverses techniques ont été utilisées pour confirmer leur greffage à la surface des hélices de silice, et les propriétés optiques ont été étudiées par spectroscopie d'absorption et d'émission. Après le greffage, différents résultats ont été observés selon le ligand utilisé : la caractérisation par TEM montre que les QDs sont greffés à la surface des hélices de silice. [...] / In this work, we focused on the creation of optically active chiral nanostructures by fabricating fluorescent silica nanohelices in order to obtain optically active nanoscale soft materials for applications as nanophotonics materials. For this purpose, silica chiral nanohelices were used for grafting and organizing achiral fluorescent inorganic nanocrystals, dyes, molecules, and fluorescent polymers through different approaches. These inorganic helices were formed via sol-gel method using organic helical self–assemblies of surfactant molecules (achiral and cationic gemini surfactant, with chiral counterion, tartrate) as templates. First, the surface of helical silica was functionalized by APTES in order to graft inorganic quantum dots ZnS-AgInS2 with different capping ligands. In the second part, fluorescent anthracene derivative polymer was organized via deposition and absorption on the surface of helical silica. To investigate the chiroptical properties, circular dichroism and circularly polarised luminescence characterization were performed.In the first chapter, the bibliographic study on different chiral organic self-assembling systems and their chiroptical properties are shown. The studies on the formation of chiral self-assembled systems in different conditions, structural morphology, fabrication techniques and their applications are discussed followed by the use of fluorescent nanocrystals, i.e., quantum dots (QDs) and achiral fluorescent polymers on which chiroptical properties can be obtained and their applications in optical nanodevices, sensors, and nano-photonics.In the first part of the second chapter, different characterisation techniques such as transmission electron microscope (TEM) , high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and confocal microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopies, as well as circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) spectroscopies are described. In the second part, the synthesis of Gemini 16-2-16 as well as their self-assemblies mechanism, and their transformation to silica replica via sol-gel chemistry are described. These silica nanohelices are functionalized by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Their analysis is performed by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and elementary analysis (EA).In the third Chapter, we focused on the synthesis of inorganic ((ZnS)x-1(AgInS2)x) QDs with different compositions molar ratio and its characterizations by TEM, TGA, EA, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential measurements, absorption, and emission spectroscopy. Four types of ligands were used to cap the QDs via phase ligand exchange as follows: ammonium sulphide (AS), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), l-cysteine (L-Cys) and the fourth one is oleylamine (OLA). These QDs are grafted on the surface of amine-modified silica helices through ionic interaction. Various techniques were used to show the grafting of QDs on the surface of silica helix, and their optical properties were studied using absorption and emission spectroscopy. After grafting, in each case of ligands, different results were observed as follows: The TEM characterization shows that QDs are grafted on the surface of silica helices. In the case of AS-capped QDs, the helical morphology of silica helices after grafting is destroyed; therefore the further ananlysis was not possible. While, in the cases of QDs with three other ligands MPA, OLA and L-cys, dense and homogeneous grafting of the QDs were observed by TEM and the helical morphology was preserved after their grafting. The HRTEM images were taken on the MPA-QDs@silica helices and energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis was performed in STEM mode, confirming the QDs elements present on the silica surfaces. [...]

The work presented in this thesis was broadly focussed on the investigation of the magnetic behaviour of different superconducting materials in the form of bulk (singe crystals and pellets) and thin films (nanomagnetic devices like superconducting spin valves etc). Neutrons and muons were extensively used to probe the structural and magnetic behaviour of these systems at the nanoscale along with bulk characterisation techniques like high-sensitive magnetic property measurements, scanning probe microscopy and magneto-transport measurements etc. The nanoscale interplay of Superconductivity and Ferromagnetism was studied in the thin film structures using a combination of Polarised Neutron Reflectivity (PNR) and Low Energy Muon Spin Rotation (LE-µSR) techniques while bulk Muon Spin Rotation (µSR) technique was used for microscopic magnetic investigation in the bulk materials. In the Fe/Pb heterostructure, evidence of the Proximity Effect was observed in the form of an enhancement of the superconducting penetration depth (λs) with an increase in the ferromagnetic layer thickness (dF) in both the bilayered and the trilayered structures. The existence of an Inverted Magnetic Region was also detected at the Ferromagnet-Superconductor (F/S) interface in the normal state possibly originating from the induced spin polarisation within the Pb layer in the presence of the neighbouring Fe layer(s). The spatial size (height and width) of the Inverted Magnetic Region did not change much while cooling the sample below the superconducting transition temperature(Tc)and it also stayed unaffected by an increase in the Fe layer thickness and by a change of the applied magnetic field. In the superconducting spin valve structure containing Permalloy (Py) as ferromagnetic layer and Nb as the superconducting layer, LE-µSR measurements revealed the evidence of the decay of magnetic flux density (as a function of thickness) within the Nb layer symmetrically from the Py/Nb interfaces towards the centre of the Nb layer in the normal state. The thickness dependent magnetisation decay occurred over two characteristic length scales in the normal state that stayed of similar values in the superconducting state also. In the superconducting state, an additional contribution towards the magnetisation was found in the vicinity of the Py/Nb interfaces possibly originating from the spin polarisation of the singlet Cooper pairs in these areas. The nanoscale magnetic investigation on a highly engineered F/S/F structure (where each of the F blocks made of multiple Co/Pd layers with magnetic moments aligned perpendicular to the plane of these layers and neighbouring magnetic blocks separated by Ru layers giving rise to antiferromagnetic alignment) using LE-µSR showed an antisymmetric thickness dependent magnetic flux density profile with two characteristic length scales. In the superconducting state, the magnetic flux density profile got modified within the superconducting Nb₆₇Ti₃₃ layer near the F/S interfaces in a way similar to that of observed in the case of Py/Nb system, most likely because of the spin polarisation of the superconducting electron pairs. The vortex magnetic phase diagram of Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O10-δ was studied using the Muon Spin Rotation (µSR) technique to explore the effects of vortex lattice melting and rearrangements for vortex transitions and crossover as a function of magnetic field and temperatures. At low magnetic fields, the flux vortices undergo a first order melting transition from a vortex lattice to a vortex liquid state with increasing temperature while another transition also occurred with increasing field at fixed temperature to a vortex glass phase at the lowest temperatures. Evidence of a frozen liquid phase was found in the intermediate field region at low temperature in the form of a lagoon in the superconducting vortex state which is in agreement with earlier observations made in BiSCCO-2212. The magnetic behaviour of the unconventional superconductor Sr₂RuO₄ was investigated using µSR to find the evidence of normal state magnetism and the nature of the vortex state. In the normal state, a weak hysteretic magnetic signal was detected over a wide temperature and field range believed to be supporting the evidence of a chiral order parameter. The nature of the vortex lattice structure was obtained in different parts of the magnetic phase diagram and the evidence of magnetic field driven transition in the lattice structure was detected from a Triangular→Square structure while the vortex lattice stayed Triangular over the entire temperature region below Tc at low fields with a disappearance of pinning at higher temperatures.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt die Messung der polarisierten Strukturfunktion g1p des Protons in der polarisationsabh"angigen tief inelastischen Positron-Proton-Streuung bei einer Schwerpunktenergie von 7.5 GeV. Die Analyse umfasst die 1997 mit dem Hermes-Experiment am Hera-Positronring aufgezeichneten Daten der Streuung polarisierter Positronen der Energie 27.6 GeV an einem polarisierten Wasserstofftarget. Aus den Z"ahlraten der inklusiv nachgewiesenen, selektierten Positronen f"ur die parallele und die antiparallele Ausrichtung der Spinvektoren von Strahlteilchen und Targetatomen wurde die Streuquerschnitts- Asymmetrie der Positron-Proton-Streuung bestimmt. In verschiedenen Korrekturverfahren wurden Untergrundprozesse, Spektrometereinfl"usse sowie Strahlungskorrekturen ber"ucksichtigt. Die Untergrundkorrekturen wurden aus den Daten, die Spektrometerkorrekturen aus einer Monte-Carlo- Simulation ermittelt. Die Abh"angigkeit der Monte-Carlo- und Strahlungskorrekturen von der gew"ahlten Modell-Asymmetrie zur Beschreibung der polarisationsabh"angigen Effekte wurde durch die Anwendung eines iterativen Verfahrens minimiert. Aus der vollst"andig korrigierten Streuquerschnitts-Asymmetrie wurde die Asymmetrie g1/F1 im kinematischen Bereich 0.021 < x < 0.85 und Q2 > 0.8 GeV^2 mit einer systematischen Unsicherheit von etwa 8% bei einer statistischen Genauigkeit von 6% bis 20%, ansteigend f"ur abnehmende x-Werte, bestimmt. Die aus g1/F1 berechnete polarisierte Strukturfunktion g1p(x,Q2) wird, unter der Annahme einer von q2 unabh"angigen Asymmetry g1/F1, zu einem festen Wert Q2_0 entwickelt. Ihr erstes Moment im gemessenen x-Bereich betr"agt int_{0.021}^{0.85} dx g1p(x,Q2_0) = 0.122 =- 0.003 (stat) =- 0.010 (sys) at Q2_0 = 2.5 GeV^2. Der Vergleich mit den Werten des SMC-Experimentes am CERN und des E143-Experimentes am SLAC f"ur das erste Moment von g1p wurde unter Anwendung des gleichen Integrationsschemas f"ur den jeweils gemeinsam gemessenen x-Bereich sowie f"ur gleiche Q2_0 Werte durchgef"uhrt. Das Ergebnis der vorliegenden Analyse befindet sich, bezogen auf die statistische Genauigkeit der Messungen, in "Ubereinstimmung innerhalb von 0.6 bzw. 1.2 Standardabweichungen mit den Resultaten des E143- bzw. SMC-Experimentes. Durch Extrapolation der Strukturfunktion auf den gesamten x-Bereich [0,1] wird das erste Moment zu \int_{0}^{1} dx g1p(x,Q2_0) = 0.132 +- 0.003 (stat) +- 0.010 (sys) +- 0.006 (extr) bestimmt, wobei der zus"atzliche Fehler die Unsicherheit in der Extrapolation x -> 0 wiedergibt. Die Interpretation der vorliegenden Messung im Rahmen des Quark-Parton-Modells unter Ber"ucksichtigung von QCD-Korrekturen der Ordnung O(alphaS^3) ergibt einen Beitrag der Quarks zum Gesamtspin des Nukleons von (30 +- 10)% f"ur Q2_0 = 2.5 GeV^2. Dieses Ergebnis entspricht einer Abweichung von der Ellis-Jaffe-Vorhersage um 2.5 Standardabweichungen, bezogen auf den angegebenen Gesamtfehler, und f"uhrt im Kontext des Quark-Parton-Modells zur Interpretation negativ polarisierter Strange-Seequarks mit einem Beitrag von (-9 +- 4)% f"ur Q2_0 = 2.5 GeV^2. Von verschiedenen Gruppen werden aus QCD-Analysen unterschiedlicher Datens"atze Beitr"age der Quarks zum Nukleonspin von 19% bis 44% angegeben. Unter Hinzunahme der Hermes-Messung der polarisierten Neutronstrukturfunktion g1n wurde der Wert der fundamentalen Bjorken-Summenregel f"ur Q2_0 = 2.5 GeV^2 bestimmt. Dieser Wert befindet sich, bei einer auf den Gesamtfehler bezogenen Genauigkeit von 13%, innerhalb von 0.5 Standardabweichungen in "Ubereinstimmung mit der theoretischen Vorhersage, berechnet unter Ber"ucksichtigung von QCD-Korrekturen der Ordnung O(\alphaS^3). / The subject of this thesis is the measurement of the polarised structure function g1p of the proton in deeply inelastic positron-proton-scattering at a centre of mass energy of 7.5 GeV. The data used in the analysis were recorded during the 1997 running period of the Hermes experiment using a longitudinally nuclear polarised hydrogen target in the 27.6 GeV Hera polarised positron storage ring. The cross section asymmetry of positron-proton-scattering has been measured by counting the number of inclusively reconstructed and selected positrons with target spin vector parallel or antiparallel to the beam spin direction. Background processes, spectrometer effects, and radiative corrections have been taken into account by applying different correction procedures. Here background corrections were determined from data while spectrometer corrections were computed from Monte Carlo simulation. The dependence of Monte Carlo and radiative corrections on the model asymmetry chosen to describe polarisation dependent effects has been minimised by applying an iterative procedure. From the fully corrected cross section asymmetry the asymmetry g1/F1 has been computed in the kinematic region 0.021 < x < 0.85 and Q2 > 0.8 GeV^2 with a systematic uncertainty of 8% and a statistical accuracy of 6% to 20%, raising for decreasing x values. The polarised structure function g1p(x,Q2), determined from the asymmetry g1/F1 , was evoluted to a common Q2_0 value assuming g1/F1 to be independent of Q2. Its first moment evaluated in the measured x region is int_{0.021}^{0.85} dx g1p(x,Q2_0) = 0.122 =- 0.003 (stat) =- 0.010 (sys) at Q2_0 = 2.5 GeV^2. This result has been compared with those from E143 at SLAC and from SMC at CERN, both calculated with the same integration scheme and for the kinematic range of Hermes. With respect to the statistical uncertainties the agreement is better than 0.6 and 1.2 standard deviations, respectively. Extrapolation over the entire x range [0,1] yield for the first moment\int_{0}^{1} dx g1p(x,Q2_0) = 0.132 +- 0.003 (stat) +- 0.010 (sys) +- 0.006 (extr) where the additional error gives the uncertainty in the extrapolation x -> 0. The interpretation of this measurement in the framework of the quark parton model taking QCD corrections of the order O(alphaS^3) into account results in a contribution of the quarks to the total nucleon spin of (30 +- 10)% at Q2_0 = 2.5 GeV^2. This result corresponds to a deviation from the Ellis-Jaffe prediction by 2.5 standard deviation regarding the given total uncertainty. Within the quark parton model the deviation can be interpreted as negative polarisation of the strange sea quarks with a contribution of (-9 +- 4)% at Q2_0 = 2.5 GeV^2. Different groups give contributions of the quarks to the nucleon spin of 19% to 44% which were obtained from QCD analyses of various data sets. The fundamental Bjorken sum rule has been determined at Q2_0 = 2.5 GeV^2 using the Hermes measurement of the polarised neutron structure function g1n. With respect to the experimental accuracy of 13 %, the result agrees within 0.5 standard deviation with the theoretical prediction taking QCD corrections of the order O(alphaS^3) into account.

Endocytosis, a process of plasma membrane invaginations, is a fundamental cellular mechanism, ensuring uptake of nutrients, enhanced communication between cells, protective functions against invasive pathogens and remodelling of the plasma membrane composition. In turn, endocytic mechanisms are exploited by pathogens to enter their host cells. Endocytosis comprises multiple forms of which our molecular understanding has mostly advanced with respect to clathrin-mediated endocytosis and phagocytosis. Studies on the small GTPase Rab5 have provided important insights into the molecular mechanism of endocytosis and transport in the early stages of the endocytic pathways. Rab5 is a key regulator of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, but in addition, localises to several distinct endocytic carriers including phagosomes and pinocytic vesicles. On early endosomes, Rab5 coordinates within a spatially restricted domain enriched in phosphatidylinositol-3 phosphate PI(3)P a complex network of effectors, including PI3-Kinase (PI3-K), the FYVE-finger proteins EEA1 and Rabenosyn-5 that functionally cooperate in membrane transport. Moreover, Rab5 regulates endocytosis from the apical and basolateral plasma membrane in polarised epithelial cells. During my PhD thesis, I investigated the molecular mechanisms of endocytosis both in polarised and non-polarised cells. I obtained new insights into the molecular mechanisms of endocytosis and their coordination through the functional characterization of a novel Rab5 effector, termed Rabankyrin-5. I could demonstrated that Rabankyrin-5 is a novel PI(3)P-binding Rab5 effector that localises to early endosomes and stimulates their fusion activity in vitro. The latter activity depends on the oligomerisation of Rabankyrin-5 on the endosomal membrane via the N-terminal BTB/POZ domain. In addition to early endosomes, however, Rabankyrin-5 localises to large vacuolar structures that correspond to macropinosomes in epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Overexpression of Rabankyrin-5 increases the number of macropinosomes and stimulates fluid phase uptake whereas its downregulation through RNA interference inhibits these processes. In polarised epithelial cells, the function of Rabankyrin-5 is primarily restricted to the apical membrane. It localises to large pinocytic structures underneath the apical surface of kidney proximal tubule cells and its overexpression in polarised MDCK cells specifically stimulates apical but not basolateral, non-clathrin mediated pinocytosis. In demonstrating a regulatory role in endosome fusion and (macro)-pinocytosis, my studies suggest that Rab5 regulates and coordinates different endocytic mechanisms through its effector Rabankyrin-5. Furthermore, the active role in apical pinocytosis in epithelial cells suggests an important function of Rabankyrin-5 in the physiology of polarised cells. The results obtained in this thesis are central not only for our understanding of the basic principles underlying the regulation of multiple endocytic mechanisms. They are also relevant for the biomedical field, since actin-dependent (macro)-pinocytosis is an important mechanism for the physiology of cells and organisms and is upregulated under certain pathological conditions (e.g. cancer).

The Parliament of Catalonia was restored in 1980 within the transition to democracy in Spain. From the beginning the coalition of Convergència i Unió was dominated in party system. This coalition was consisted by two parties and had absolute parliamentarian majority between years 1984 and 1995. Its dominance was disrupted by Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya in elections in 1999 and also in 2003. Until then, there was a bipolar system where CiU won elections to the Parliament of Catalonia and PSC-PSOE elections to Congreso de Diputados in this autonomous region. CiU won every Catalan parliamentary elections till 2012. After the collapse of CiU in 2015, one of its parties, Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya, started to cooperate with Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya primarily because of Catalonia's independence. The number of relevant parties started to increase in 2015. The aim of the thesis is to answer following questions: what party system according to Sartori's theory occurred/occurs in the Parliament of Catalonia and whether there was a change of party system or not. If yes, then which circumstances affected this change. Furthermore, the results of the elections to the Parliament of Catalonia and to Congreso de Diputados in Catalonia are compared. This comparison seeks to answer the question of...