In this thesis we consider the Einstein-Vlasov system, which models a system of particles within the framework of general relativity, and where collisions between the particles are assumed to be sufficiently rare to be neglected. Here the particles are stars, galaxies or even clusters of galaxies, which interact by the gravitational field generated collectively by the particles. The thesis consists of three papers, and the first two are devoted to cylindrically symmetric spacetimes and the third treats the spherically symmetric case. In the first paper the time-dependent Einstein-Vlasov system with cylindrical symmetry is considered. We prove global existence in the so called polarized case under the assumption that the particles never reach a neighborhood of the axis of symmetry. In the more general case of a non-polarized metric we need the additional assumption that the derivatives of certain metric components are bounded in a vicinity of the axis of symmetry to obtain global existence. The second paper of the thesis considers static cylindrical spacetimes. In this case we prove global existence in space and also that the solutions have finite extension in two of the three spatial dimensions. It then follows that it is possible to extend the spacetime by gluing it with a Levi-Civita spacetime, i.e. the most general vacuum solution of the static cylindrically symmetric Einstein equations. In the third and last paper, which is a joint work with C. Uggla and M. Heinzle, the static spherically symmetric Einstein-Vlasov system is studied. We introduce a new method by rewriting the system as an autonomous dynamical system on a state space with compact closure. In this way we are able to improve earlier results and enlarge the class of distribution functions which give rise to steady states with finite mass and finite extension.

In today’s world, where the consumer is constantly exposed to more and more brands in almost any kind of environment, the importance of exploiting those brands which have managed to reach the consumer’s mind and gained a strong position has increased. A majority of new product launches are extensions of existing brands. Brand extensions can be seen as a less expensive as well as less risky way to satisfy the consumer’s demands and needs within several segments by providing several products under the same brand rather than creating a new name for every new product. Even though the extension of brands has become a popular strategy, it can still be somewhat of a troublesome affaire to extend the brand without loosing its original value. A “very good” brand extension not only creates additional cash-flow but also enhances the brand name. Thus, the purpose of this thesis is to identify factors that enable enhanced brand equity through category brand extension. A category extensions is when an existing brand name is applied to a product category that is new to the firm. The study is conducted based on exclusively written data whereas a presentation of textual analysis will appear. As the focus is on theoretical findings and not empirical, no entire chapter in this thesis will concern empirical findings. Elementary variables of brands are defined, explained and discussed as well as the concept of brand equity, identity and image. Further, we present a discussion concerning definitions and the research that has been conducted on the subject of extensions. A discussion on the potential benefits and difficulties that are involved in brand extension follows and the concept of extension fit as well as aspects of lifestyle are presented. The conclusions reach are seven factors, all benefiting from having a high level of abstraction. The factors enhancing brand equity through category extensions are: Brand Context Distance, Lifestyle, Brand Awareness, Fit, Guarantee Function, Personality and Relationship.

As the number of people affected by natural and man-made disasters increases, so does the need for emergency preparedness education. Previous research has indicated that education and training can have an impact on the resiliency of individuals, families, and communities. The use of Extension professionals in regional and county offices across each state is an effective means for education. In this study, family and consumer sciences (FCS) county Extension faculty in the Western Region of the United States were surveyed to determine the best practices used and perceptions of the importance and their ability to educate individuals, families, and communities on emergency preparedness. Many respondents agreed on effective strategies to recruit individuals to Extension programming. Overall, FCS county Extension faculty indicated that emergency preparedness being offered was important; however, they did not think they had adequate knowledge or ability to educate on many emergency preparedness topics.

Branding is essential for a business success although it may be difficult to decide what branding strategy to use. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the concept of branding, and more explicitly the strategies of umbrella branding and brand extensions and how it relates to value, in practice. A case study of an ice cream company, SIA Glass, was conducted to answer the research question of how SIA Glass’ branding strategy affect its’ brands. The method used was based on a deductive approach with semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that SIA Glass’ decision to offer a more diverse brand portfolio created problems in its’ internal communication and the focus was lost on brands less prioritized. Instead of focusing on the SIA Glass brand, the company wanted to connect SIA Glass to its’ corporate heritage and the Bertegruppen group, and offer products in new segments with less connection to the SIA Glass brand. Conclusions from the study imply that it is difficult for a company with limited resources to have an extended brand portfolio. In addition, as brand value is co-created with consumers and customers it demand more emphasis in practice, as well as in branding research.

This study utilised U-Pb geochronology, and 40Ar/39Ar and (U-Th)/He thermochro-nology to delineate arc magmatism, metamorphism, and exhumation of the pericratonic Yukon-Tanana terrane in the McQuesten map area of west-central Yukon, Canada. SHRIMP U-Pb ages delineate Mid to Late Paleozoic arc magmatism and fit key units into the regional lithotectonic framework of the terrane. The juxtaposition of unmetamorphosed and predomi-nantly undeformed Devono-Mississippian rocks in the northwest of the study area with polydeformed and up to amphibolite facies metamorphosed rocks in the southwest suggests a crustal-scale discontinuity, the Willow Lake fault, bounds the two domains. The asymmetric distribution of 40Ar/39Ar ages across the fault suggest it is extensional, and was active in the Early Jurassic. Zircon (U-Th)/He ages delineate erosion of rocks in the northwest through the upper crust during the Late Triassic and Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous followed by Mid-dle Cretaceous erosion of the southwestern domain and possibly fault reactivation.

This research explores transformative learning occurring through the Farmer Field Schools of the Taita Hills, Kenya using a qualitative, case study approach. The findings reveal that cultural roles and premises profoundly impacted learning and that a mixed-group setting could contribute to closing the gap between gender inequalities, leading to a more just and sustainable type of agriculture. / February 2009

Quadriceps muscle weakness is a condition that can result from a wide variety of causes, from diseases like polio and multiple sclerosis to injuries of the head and spine. Individuals with weakened quadriceps often have difficulty supplying the knee-extension moments required during common mobility tasks. Existing powered orthoses that provide an assistive knee-extension moment are large and heavy, with power supplies that generally last less than two hours. A new device that provides a knee-extension-assist moment was designed to aid an individual with quadriceps muscle weakness to stand up from a seated position, sit from a standing position, and walk up and down an inclined surface. The knee-extension-assist (KEA) was designed as a modular component to be incorporated into existing knee-ankle-foot-orthoses (KAFO). The KEA consists of three springs that are compressed, as the knee is flexed under bodyweight, by cables that wrap around a sheave at the knee. The KEA returns the stored energy from knee flexion as an extension moment during knee extension. During swing or other non-weight bearing activities, the device is disengaged from the KAFO by decoupling the sheave from the KAFO knee joint, allowing free knee joint motion. A prototype was built and mechanically tested to determine KEA behaviour during loading and extension and to ensure proper KEA function. For biomechanical evaluation, able-bodied subjects used the prototype KEA while performing sit-to-stand, stand-to-sit, ramp ascent, and ramp descent tasks. The KEA facilitated sitting and standing, providing an average of 53 % of the required extension moment for the two participants, which allowed one participant to reduce quadriceps usage by 38 % and the other to perform sit-to-stand in a slower and more controlled manner that was not possible without the KEA. KEA use during ramp gait caused an overall increase in quadriceps activation by 76 %, on average, with use. Future efforts will be made to modify the design to improve functionality, especially for ramp gait, and to reduce device size and weight.

The aim of this thesis is to develop an technical aid (software) to help people with colourblindness. Colour blind people have difficulties to differentiate between certain colours,so the implemented software will name a selected colour. The software is implementedas a Mozilla Firefox extension and also uses a XPCOM component. Furthermore canthe user select different colour databases and change the displaying properties.The aim of this thesis is to develop an technical aid (software) to help people with colourblindness. Colour blind people have difficulties to differentiate between certain colours,so the implemented software will name a selected colour. The software is implementedas a Mozilla Firefox extension and also uses a XPCOM component. Furthermore canthe user select different colour databases and change the displaying properties.

This study investigates the proposed extension of the existing runway of Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The process involves the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) and several geospatial techniques for analysis and result presentation. The aim of the study was achieved with the following resources: satellite imagery downloaded from the Landsat webpage and processed to generate a land use map of the study area; a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) covering the study area which was downloaded from the Consortium for Spatial Information’s (CSI) webpage and observed ground spot heights along the straight path of the proposed runway extension covering a total length of 2.5km and 200m wide. These datasets were modified, processed and assigned the same coordinate system in order to make them conformal for analysis. A GIS was created with the foregoing resources in conjunction with other geospatial applications such as ERDAS Imagine and Surfer 8 to carry out the analysis. The analysis covered the environmental impacts of the proposed project, its effects on already existing human settlements and the huge cost implications based on certain conditions like the mandatory straight path which has to be maintained as an extension of the existing runway. Other factors considered are; the land use of the extension area, the economic benefits of the project, the accessibility of the area, noise pollution as well as the safety and security issues involved. A summary of the result of our analysis shows features such as residential settlements, roads, swampy areas, valleys and areas of high elevation which will act as obstructions along the proposed  runway path. Also, the total surface area of the proposed runway and the volume of earth material required were calculated. The results achieved from this study shows that GIS and other geospatial tools are indispensable resources in complex planning processes such as facility maintenance and management.

A study has been made of a few different freely available Quantum Computer simulators.All the simulators tested are available online on their respective websites. A number oftests have been performed to compare the different simulators against each other. Someuntested simulators of various programming languages are included to show the diversityof the quantum computer simulator applications. The conclusion of the review is that LibQuantum is the best of the simulatorstested because of ease of coding, a great amount of pre-defined functionimplementations and decoherence simulation support among other reasons.