This study investigates how tagging is being used in a new way when members of a Swedish dating site get to tag themselves in an act of self-presentation with the aim of meeting new people. In the study seven members of the dating site Mazily were interviewed about their self-presentation, tagging and identity formation there. The questions concerned how they formed their own tags, but also how they interpret and use other members' tags in their search for a potential partner. I have been using queer theories for this study, in order to find out what kind of norms and structures that lie behind and affect the members' behaviour on the website. My study finds that the interviewed members to a high degree reflect about both their own and other members tagging and self-presentations. Although they spend quite some time trying to analyse other people on the website they have a great sense of understanding that a person may give two very different impressions on the site and offline. Another finding is that although tagging is a very free way to present yourself, there still are structures and norms about gender, sexuality and culture that will affect members actions on the dating site. This is a study in Library and Information Science.

This study examines the potential influence of consumer generated advertising on consumer’s trust in brands. In particular it focuses on consumer’s behavior before and after their exposure on consumer generated videos, which share their product experience (positive & negative). The study begins with a detailed literature review of previous academic research and theory. From this emerged the research objective and aims. Two different questionnaires were given to students and graduate students, before and after their exposure to consumer generated videos, so as to explore their influence to them. Interesting results and insights are presented, which represent the need for companies to gain a deeper understanding of the potential power of social media and consumer generated advertising and how it may be harnessed. / Η μελέτη αυτή εξετάζει την πιθανή επιρροή της διαφήμισης που παράγουν οι καταναλωτές απέναντι στην εμπιστοσύνη τους στις ευρέως γνωστές μπράντες. Συγκεκριμένα εστιάζει στην συμπεριφορά του καταναλωτή πριν και μετά την έκθεσή τους σε βίντεο (θετικά & αρνητικά) με εμπειρίες καταναλωτών σε διάφορα προιοντα. Η μελέτη ξεκινά με θεωρία σχετικά με τα social media απ'όπου προκύπτουν και οι αντικειμενικοί στόχοι της εργασίας. Συνεχίζει με το εμπειρικό κομμάτι όπου 2 διαφορετικά ερωτηματολόγια δίνονται σε καταναλωτές για να συμπληρωθούν, το πρώτο πριν από την προβολή των βίντεο και το δεύτερο μετά την προβολή ώστε να εξετάσουμε την πιθανή επιρροή στη συμπεριφορά τους. Τα ευρήματα είναι πολύ ενδιαφέροντα τόσο για τους καταναλωτές και τα ανερχόμενα social media όσο και για τις εταιρείες και τα προϊόντα τους.

The importance of online brand communities has received increasing attention from both academia and industry. This paper reports a case study. It explains successful online strategies developed by two leading brands, Samsung mobile and Chungjungwon, in Korea. The current study has shown that the online brand community can act as a marketing tool to develop a group of loyal consumers around the brand. This study provides marketers with insights into and some useful guidelines for the creation and maintenance of successful marketer-generated online brand communities. The findings also suggest that there are differences in community development and management strategies, according to the characteristics of product category and community members, as well as in the purpose of the community operation. / text

This dissertation is comprised of two separate topics within the domain of polarization optical engineering. The first topic is a Mueller matrix roots decomposition, and the second topic is polarization computer generated holography. The first four chapters of the dissertation are on the topic of the Mueller matrix roots decomposition. Recently, an order-independent Mueller matrix decomposition was proposed in an effort to organize the nine depolarization degrees of freedom. Chapter 1 discusses relevant Mueller matrix decomposition prior art and the motivation for this work. In chapter 2, the critical computational issues involved in applying this Mueller matrix roots decomposition are addressed, along with a review of the principal root and common methods for its calculation. The choice of the pth root is optimized at p = 10⁵, and computational techniques are proposed which allow singular Mueller matrices and Mueller matrices with a half-wave of retardance to be evaluated with the matrix roots decomposition. A matrix roots algorithm is provided which incorporates these computational results. In chapter 3, the Mueller matrix roots decomposition is reviewed and a set of Mueller matrix generators are discussed. The parameterization of depolarization into three families, each with three degrees of freedom is explained. Analysis of the matrix roots parameters in terms of degree of polarization maps demonstrates that depolarizers fall into two distinct classes: amplitude depolarization in one class, and phase and diagonal depolarization in another class. It is shown that each depolarization family and degree of freedom can be produced by averaging two non-depolarizing Mueller matrix generators. This is extended to provide further insight on two sample measurements, which are analyzed using the matrix roots decomposition. Chapter 4 discusses additional properties of the Mueller matrix roots generators and parameters, along with a pupil aberration application of the matrix roots decomposition. Appendix C, adapted from a conference proceedings paper, presents an application of the matrix roots depolarization parameters for estimating the orientation of a one-dimensionally textured object. The last two chapters are on the topic of polarization computer generated holography. In chapter 5, an interlaced polarization computer-generated hologram (PCGH) is designed to produce specific irradiance and polarization states in the image plane. The PCGH produces a tangentially polarized annular pattern with correlated speckle, which is achieved by a novel application of a diffuser optimization method. Alternating columns of orthogonal linear polarizations illuminate an interlaced PCGH, producing a ratio of polarization of 88% measured on a fabricated sample. In chapter 6, an etched calcite square-wave retarder is designed, fabricated, and demonstrated as an illuminator for an interlaced polarization computer generated hologram (PCGH). The calcite square-wave retarder enables alternating columns of orthogonal linear polarizations to illuminate the interlaced PCGH. Together, these components produce a speckled, tangentially polarized PCGH diffraction pattern with a measured ratio of polarization of 84% and a degree of linear polarization of 0.81. An experimental alignment tolerance analysis is also reported.

Fluid structure interactions in the presence of a free surface includes complex phenomena, such as slamming, air entrainment, transient loads, complex free surface profiles and turbulence. Hence, an appropriate and efficient numerical method is required to deal with these type of problems (efficient both in problem setup and numerical solution). Eulerian mesh-based methods can be used to solve different types of problems, however they have difficulties in problems involving moving boundaries and discontinuities (e.g. fluid structure interactions in the presence of a free surface). Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is a mesh-less Lagrangian particle method, ideal for solving problems with large deformation and fragmentation such as complex free surface flows. The SPH method was originally invented to study astrophysical applications and requires modifications in order to be applied for hydrodynamic applications. Applying solid boundary conditions for hydrodynamic applications in SPH is a key difference to the original SPH developed for astrophysics. There are several methods available in literature to apply solid boundaries in SPH. In this research, an accurate solid boundary condition is used to calculate the pressure at the boundary particles based on the surrounding fluid particles. The two main methods to calculate the pressure in the SPH method are the weakly compressible SPH (WCSPH) and the incompressible SPH (ISPH) approaches. The WCSPH uses the equation of state while ISPH solves Poisson's equation to determine the pressure. In this dissertation, an explicit incompressible SPH (ISPH) method is used to study nonlinear free surface applications. In the explicit ISPH method, Poisson's equation is explicitly solved to calculate the pressure within a projection based algorithm. This method does not require solving a set of algebraic equations for pressure at each time step unlike the implicit method. Here, an accurate boundary condition along with an accurate source term for Poisson's equation is used within the explicit method. Also, the sub-particle turbulent calculation is applied to the explicit ISPH method (which handles large-scale turbulent structures implicitly) in order to calculate the flow field quantities and consequently forces on the device more accurately. The SPH method is typically computationally more expensive than Eulerian-based CFD methods. Therefore, parallelization methods are required to improve the performance of the method, especially for 3D simulations. In this dissertation, two novel parallel schemes are developed based on Open Multi Processing (OpenMP) and Message Passing Interface (MPI) standards. The explicit ISPH approach is an advantage for parallel computing but our proposed method could also be applied to the WCSPH or implicit ISPH. The proposed SPH model is used to simulate and analyze several nonlinear free surface problems. First, the proposed explicit ISPH method is used to simulate a transient wave overtopping on a horizontal deck. Second, a wave impacting on a scaled oscillating wave surge converter (OWSC) is simulated and studied. Third, the performance and accuracy of the code is tested for a dam-break impacting on tall and short structures. Forth, the hydrodynamic loads from the spar of a scaled self-reacting point absorber wave energy converter (WEC) design is studied. Finally, a comprehensive set of landslide generated waves are modeled and analyzed and a new technique is proposed to calculate the motion of a slide on an inclined ramp implicitly without using a prescribed motion. / Graduate

The After August Museum collects and exhibits an open, user-generated body of content. Its primary objective is to help heal the post-Katrina Lower Ninth Ward community. It is respectful and considerate of the area's established traditions, present concerns, and future goals. The museum assumes multiple shapes and plays multiple roles as it acts as the center of the transitioning community.

Master of Science / Department of Journalism and Mass Communications / Thomas Gould / The consumer value of user generated content was investigated between culture groups. Two groups of survey participants and three groups of interview respondents were utilized to identify the culture value’s influence on people’s reliance and preference in consumption-related UGC information. The behavior pattern of Chinese students and American students on UGC were identified and connected with dimensions of culture value. Some difference in preference and attitude between Chinese users and American users were found in this research. Power distance, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance are considered important cultural factors that influence the consumer-value of UGC in each culture group. Several potential areas for future quantitative and qualitative study as well as suggestions for UGC platform providers were also identified.

The following study aims to give a first look into the process of when tourists searches for information before a trip and to understand how they reflect over the reliability in different kinds of information. Internet has an important meaning for information research, especially within the tourism business and experience economy. The value of reviews has grown increasingly bigger for customers when they are about to look for information, decide which product that suits them the most and to make their decision. While positive reviews have become yet more important for a product/experience to get chosen by the customer, false reviews have started to take their places at the websites of reviews. The reasons behind may be to raise a certain product’s ratings or simply to give another product or company a bad reputation.The following essay put light on the problem with the phenomena of false reviews and how these can harm the tourism industry in several ways. The study will highlight how different segments of tourists searches information, what value reviews have to them and what makes a review seem trustworthy or faked. The segments that were asked to participate in the survey were chosen based on their age and life situation. Through this we created the following three groups: students, parents from a family with children, and people who are retired.The result of the study shows that many of the respondents within the segment Students use online reviews to gather information and to boost their motives for consumption. The respondents within the other two groups mainly use the tourism companies’ own websites when they are about to consume. An important result of the study is that, although many respondents gave the answer that they mainly search information on websites, they still put greater trust in rumors and comments from friends, especially the respondents within the segment parents from a family with children. It has also been proved that the use of internet increases the risk of getting a negative experience.

O presente trabalho, da área da Geografia Urbana, trata dos impactos socioambientais do processo de ocupação da Orla do município de Tefé-AM, especificamente do bairro do Juruá. Objetiva-se analisar os fatores que influenciaram a referida ocupação. Para tanto, buscou-se respaldo em autores como Becker (1987, 1991, 1999), Carlos (2005, 2009), Corrêa (2004) e Santos (1982, 2008, 2009) para conceituar o que seja urbanização e produção do espaço urbano; procedeu-se a localização da área de estudo e a caracterização da problemática da carência e da precariedade da prestação de serviços de saneamento ambiental urbano ao bairro: abastecimento de água, esgotamento sanitário, disposição de resíduos sólidos, limpeza urbana e drenagem de águas pluviais. Buscou-se também, com o trabalho de campo, verificar como o bairro do Juruá consta do Plano Diretor de Tefé-AM; caracterizar o modo como os grupos sociais excluídos produzem espaço urbano e os impactos socioambientais gerados. Espera-se, com os resultados, o levantamento de subsídios para a elaboração de um plano de ação, junto aos órgãos municipais competentes. / The present work, the field of Urban Geography, describes about social and environmental impacts of the occupation process at the edge of Tefé, Amazonas, specifically the neighborhood of Juruá. The aim was to analyze the factors that influenced such occupation. Therewith, there was used papers of the some authors such as Becker (1987, 1991, 1999), Charles (2005, 2009), Correa (2004) and Santos (1982, 2008, 2009) to conceptualize what is urbanization and production of urban space, was proceeded the location of the study area and the characterization of the problem of lack and precariousness of the provision of urban environmental sanitation services to the neighborhood: water supply, sewerage, solid waste disposal, street cleaning and storm drainage systems. It also sought, with the field work, see how the neighborhood of the Master Plan contained Juruá Tefé-AM; characterize how the excluded social groups produce urban space and social and environmental impacts generated. It is expected, with the results, raising subsidies for the development of a plan of action, along with municipal agencies

For applications that rely on User-Generated Content (UGC), there is a need to find what may motivate the applications user base to consistently contribute with quality content. One category of such applications is Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) traffic applications, which serve a specific goal; providing useful traffic-oriented content. By implementing useful incentives into Intelligent Transportation System traffic applications, the applications can better serve their purposes, and at the same time, improve their user's experience. Incentives are intrinsic or extrinsic, i.e., the motivation comes from internal- or external stimuli, which can motivate users in different ways and produce different incentive outcomes. To find the most useful incentives, and gain a better understanding of how to best stimulate active application participation, the research question addressed by this thesis is: Which incentives are useful for increasing quality content in the field of ITS traffic applications? The main method employed to address the research question was a survey. The survey was carried out to investigate what people thought was motivating in ITS traffic applications. In addition to the survey, an interview with the project manager of a Swedish ITS traffic application was done. Previous research concludes that the gain and the incentive for people or organizations hosting UGC are apparent, but the gain for the creators is not as clearly recognized and varies in which area the content is created. The findings of this study showed, from a user perspective, an interest in helping others and monetary gain, as potential incentives for implementation. The authors concluded that intrinsic inclined incentives should work better in-line with the goal of functionality and user long-term engagement, which the authors believe would be preferable for UGC based ITS traffic applications. These findings will be useful for understanding the optimal way to increase motivation for adequate quality UGC in ITS traffic applications.