abstract: Due to depletion of oil resources, increasing fuel prices and environmental issues associated with burning of fossil fuels, extensive research has been performed in biofuel production and dramatic progress has been made. But still problems exist in economically production of biofuels. One major problem is recovery of biofuels from fermentation broth with the relatively low product titer achieved. A lot of in situ product recovery techniques including liquid-liquid extraction, membrane extraction, pervaporation, gas stripping and adsorption have been developed and adsorption is shown to be the most promising one compared to other methods. Yet adsorption is not perfect due to defect in adsorbents and operation method used. So laurate adsorption using polymer resins was first investigated by doing adsorption isotherm, kinetic, breakthrough curve experiment and column adsorption of laurate from culture. The results indicate that polymer resins have good capacity for laurate with the highest capacity of 430 g/kg achieved by IRA-402 and can successfully recover laurate from culture without causing problem to Synechocystis sp.. Another research of this paper focused on a novel adsorbent: magnetic particles by doing adsorption equilibrium, kinetic and toxicity experiment. Preliminary results showed excellent performance on both adsorption capacity and kinetics. But further experiment revealed that magnetic particles were toxicity and inhibited growth of all kinds of cell tested severely, toxicity probably comes from Co (III) in magnetic particles. This problem might be solved by either using biocompatible coatings or immobilization of cells, which needs more investigation. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Chemical Engineering 2012

The remapping of cortical networks after stroke is hypothesized to be one of the mechanisms subserving functional recovery. Our understanding of cortical remapping remains limited due to the inability to resolve which cells are active while performing motor tasks with high temporal and spatial specificity. The experiments presented in the first chapter of this thesis evaluate the ability of the inducible Arc-CreERT2:Rosa-YFPf/f model to label cells in the motor cortex activated by a motor-related behaviour. Through the modification of previously published 4-hydroxytamoxifen treatment paradigms, this model can differentiate between animals that performed the rotarod task at two time points and home cage controls. In addition, 65% of cells active at the first behavioural time point are reactivated. Taken together, these data suggest that the Arc-CreERT2:Rosa-YFPf/f model is able to reliably label networks used to perform the same behavioural task at two time points. The second chapter of this thesis details a pilot study in which the Arc-CreERT2:Rosa-ChR2:YFPf/f model was used to test the effect of daily optogenetic stimulation of the contralateral cortex on functional recovery. The results of this chapter suggest that stimulating the contralesional motor cortex may impair functional recovery. Overall, the results of this thesis lay the foundation to use this model to investigate motor networks in both naïve and pathological conditions, such as stroke.

The Internet has changed the platform for how services are delivered. In the absence of one-to-one personal interactions between a service provider and a customer, failures unique to e-service are bound to occur. E-service failures are likely to result in unsatisfied customers. Therefore, a recovery system is important to tilt the balance of satisfaction/dissatisfaction to a more favorable condition. An e-service recovery process is an important operational process to affect this change. It is in a sense, a second chance to gain/retain loyal customers by rectifying e-service failures. Equity Theory and Exchange Theory were the theoretical bases for how customers’ perceptions transitioned from loss and unfairness to equity and satisfaction after an e-service recovery. This study investigated the relationships between e-service recovery processes attributes (compensation, respond speed, and apology) and perceived justice constructs (interactional, distributive, and procedural), and examined the relationship between perceived justice and e-service recovery satisfaction. Data from a community of students and knowledge workers in a Mid-western university was collected to analyze the effects of these constructs in service recovery processes for the purpose of designing recovery policy. The study used MANOVA and Multiple regressions for hypotheses testing. The results indicate that all service recovery process attributes had a significant main effect on all perceived justice variables. This suggests that the different levels of compensation, response speed, and apology will impact a customer’s perception of perceived justice. There is also a marginally significant interaction effect for compensation and apology. This significant interaction effect could indicate that the positive impact of an apology as part of a service recovery process could be intensified when accompanied by monetary compensation. Furthermore, the findings indicate that perceived justice (interactional justice, distributive justice, and procedural justice) are significant drivers of satisfaction in an e-service recovery. There was also a significant interaction effect with distributive justice and procedural justice in predicting e-service recovery satisfaction. The result suggests that when compensation is given, customers perceive that the e-service provider is following the rules and regulations in providing compensation in exchange for their losses.This helps transition the customer to a more equitable and satisfied state. The study also supports past research in traditional services by finding that all three perceived justice predictors were significant drivers of recovery satisfaction and that at least one interaction was significant in predicting e-service recovery satisfaction. In addition, another contribution from this study is the development of a new e-service recovery satisfaction scale. Lastly, this study contributes to the emerging stream of research on e-service recovery processes and satisfaction, and the empirical results further delineate the role of social justice in e-service recovery.

abstract: ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this randomized parallel two-arm trial was to examine the effect that an intervention of combining daily almond consumption (2.5 ounces) with a walking program would have on heart rate recovery and resting heart rate when compared to the control group that consumed a placebo (cookie butter) in men and postmenopausal women, aged 20-69, in Phoenix, Arizona. Design: 12 men and women from Phoenix, Arizona completed an 8-week walking study (step goal: 10,000 steps per day). Subjects were healthy yet sedentary, non-smokers, free from gluten or nut allergies, who had controlled blood pressure. At week 5, participants were randomized into one of two groups: ALM (2.5 oz of almonds daily for last 3 weeks of trial) or CON (4 tbsp of cookie butter daily for last 3 weeks of trial). Body weight, BMI, and percent body fat were measured using a stadiometer and Tanita at the screening visit. Resting heart rate, heart rate recovery, and anthropometric measurements were taken at weeks 0, 5, and 8. Results: 8 weeks of walking 10,000 steps per day, with or without 3 weeks of almond consumption did not significantly improve heart rate recovery (p=0.818) or resting heart rate (0.968). Conclusions: Almond consumption in combination with a walking intervention does not significantly improve heart rate recovery or resting heart rate. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Nutrition 2016

No description available.

Climate warming during the latest Permian is associated with the most severe mass extinction event of the Phanerozoic, and the expansion of hypoxic and anoxic conditions into shallow shelf settings. Our understanding of the magnitude, pattern and duration of the extinction event and subsequent recovery remains equivocal. Evidence suggests that the action of waves provided an oxygenated refuge, i.e. ‘habitable zone’, above wave base that may be limited to high latitudes, in association with a faster pace of recovery. In addition, advanced recovery faunas have been documented from the Induan and there is evidence from the pelagic realm that further biotic crises may have delayed the recovery of benthic organisms coinciding with large carbon isotope perturbations at the Lower Triassic sub-stage boundaries. To test these hypotheses, novel palaeoecological data was collected from localities in Hungary, northern Italy, and Svalbard. To understand better the ecological impact of the extinction, a database of all known benthic marine invertebrates from the Permian and Triassic periods was created, with each taxon assigned to a functional group based on their inferred lifestyle. This study found that the skeletal and ichnofaunal assemblages consistent with advanced ecological recovery are limited to settings aerated by wave activity, which supports the habitable zone hypothesis. In the western Palaeotethyan sections it was found that the proximal end of the ‘habitable zone’ was limited by persistent environmental stress attributed to increased runoff that resulted in large salinity fluctuations, increased sedimentation rates and eutrophication creating an environment only favourable for opportunistic taxa. In the Tirolites carniolicus Zone, however, the ‘habitable zone’ expands into more proximal and offshore settings. This is associated with climate cooling in the late Spathian. The data also demonstrate that despite the taxonomic severity of the extinction, only one mode of life went extinct and only one subsequently evolved in the aftermath. Functional diversity was, however, reduced in particular regions and environmental settings, and recovery varied spatially and temporally. In western Palaeotethys, benthic communities record evidence for biotic crises, such as reduced tiering in the Smithian, associated with Early Triassic carbon isotope excursions, but, until the Spathian there was no significant change in the composition of the benthic faunas.

Pulp and paper mills are high power consuming industries. Pulp and integrated mills produce power via steam turbines in recovery boilers. Due to high power prices and the fact that biomass combusted in the recovery boiler is considered as green energy, there is today a desire to always increase the power generation when investing in new recovery boilers. In order to increase power output from the steam turbine the steam data (i.e temperature and pressure) needs to be increased. With higher steam temperature follows a higher risk of corrosion due to the non process element potassium in the boiler fuel. The uncertainties of high temperature corrosion and the unpredictable environment in the furnace makes it difficult to design recovery boilers. This results in higher investment cost and could lead to less profit for the mill buying the boiler. The question then stands whether the revenue obtained from the higher power generation, is higher than the investment made for the upgrade in order to produce the higher steam data over a certain time. And more specifically what steam data will be the most economical, when comparing revenue from power generation with investment cost? In this study, together with ÅF Industry AB, four boilers with different steam data (Boiler A: 38.5 bar, 450°C; Boiler B: 92 bar, 480°C; Boiler C: 106 bar, 500°C; Boiler D: 115 bar, 515°C) were compared. The boilers were compared for four potassium levels: 1.0wt%, 1.5wt%, 2.5wt%, 3.5wt%. And two values of power were used, 300 SEK/MWh and 700 SEK/MWh. The marginal differences between the boilers were: the amount of material used in the superheaters in order to produce different steam data; the type of material used in the superheaters and the furnace; whether an ash-treatment system was needed (in order to purge potassium from the process); the turbines and generators; whether a feed water demineralization equipment was needed; the yearly cost for make-up chemicals (due to usage of an ash-treatment system) and the amount of power generated. The boilers investment cost and net yearly revenue were compared in order to determine the marginal pay-off in years. The most economical choice of boiler for the different potassium levels for 300 SEK/MWh: 1.0wt%, Boiler D; 1.5wt%, Boiler C; 2.5wt%, Boiler B; 3.5wt%, Boiler D (A). And for 700 SEK/MWh: 1.0wt%, Boiler D; 1.5wt%, Boiler C; 2.5wt%, Boiler D (B); 3.5wt%, Boiler D. The conclusion in this thesis was that the deciding factor is whether the boiler is in need of an ash-treatment system. Higher steam data is preferable as long as ash-treatment can be avoided. However, when comparing two boilers with ash-treatment the one with higher steam data is more feasible. Low steam data, such as boiler A, will never be feasible, regardless of potassium level and value of power.

Drawing on expectation confirmation research, we develop hypotheses regarding the effect of compensation on key customer outcomes following a major data breach and consequent service recovery effort. Data were collected in a longitudinal field study of Sony customers during their data breach in 2011. A total of 144 customers participated in the two-phase data collection that began when the breach was announced and concluded after reparations were made. Using polynomial modeling and response surface analysis, we demonstrate that a modified assimilation-contrast model explained perceptions of service quality and continuance intention and a generalized negativity model explained repurchase intention. The results of our work contribute to research on data breaches and service failure by demonstrating the impacts of compensation on customer outcomes. We discuss theoretical and practical implications.

Magister Legum - LLM / This paper seeks to examine the relationship between foreign aid and corruption in Zambia. Drawing from the analysis of the two, it then explores whether the existing legal instruments are adequate and effective to combat corruption in the aid context.

Magister Legum - LLM / Corruption is rampant in Tanzania. It is one of the major obstacles to the economic growth and sustainability of the country. The country loses a huge amount of money through corrupt practices. It is estimated that 20% of the national budget is lost to corruption annually. In recent years, Tanzania experienced grand corruption scandals which involved senior public officials and high political leaders. Between 2005 and 2006, 22 companies stole 133 billion Tanzanian shillings, the equivalent of$96 million, from the External Payment Arrears Account facility at the Central Bank of Tanzania. The discovery of this theft led to the investigation and prosecution of a number of perpetrators, including big businessmen and senior officers of the Central Bank of Tanzania. However, hitherto no assets have been traced and recovered from the offenders, save a handful of money which was paid back by a few perpetrators on condition that they would not be prosecuted. Furthermore, in 2008 a government minister by the name of Andrew Chenge was forced to resign after he allegedly was implicated in taking a bribe of $1 million from the British company, BAE Systems, in relation to a $40 million radar deal. Sources disclosed that Chenge deposited the alleged bribe money in one of his offshore accounts, but this money has not been recovered by the state. In response to the corruption problem, Tanzania enacted various anti-corruption laws. These laws include the Anti-Money Laundering Act (2006), the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act (2007), the Proceeds of Crime Act (1991) and the National Prosecutions Service Act (2007). These laws contain provisions for the confiscation of proceeds of crime as one means of combating economic crimes. However, grand corruption persists in the country and only a few stolen assets have been confiscated to date. It is on this account that this study is exploring confiscation procedures in Tanzania.