<p>Research Question/Purpose: Due to environmental legislation, economic influences and increasing concern about the environment among the general public, today’s businesses are becoming more committed to environmental issues. Some enterprises yet have implemented a green strategy. This thesis aims at identifying issues that determine the long-term efficiency of green marketing and how confidence and trust plays a role in order to gain competitive advantage through customer satisfaction and customer retention. The common denominator of both, CRM and green marketing is the creation of confidence, trust and value for customers. So, focus is laid on measures that lend credibility to companies’ green marketing by interviewing experts and observing their opinions about green marketing and eco-labeling.</p><p>Design/Methodology/Approach: Interviews conducted with company professionals from IKEA and Konsum Gävleborg and a member of the municipality in Gävle, as well as findings from secondary sources of the company Nestlé were used to investigate the companies’ ways to respond to environmental concern and how they deal with green issues and ecological responsibility. The interviews provide valuable insights of the success of green marketing depending on the confidence between company and customer.</p><p>Findings: By analyzing the results of the interviews with the literature review, the thesis reveals that environmental responsibility and ecological orientation needs to be based upon the entire business strategy of a company and implemented in its core principles in order to deal effectively and efficiently with this issue.</p><p>Conclusions: Companies respond in different ways to ecological issues, through eco-labeling, cooperation with NGOs and energy-saving production processes. In conclusion, it can be said that the need for customer relationship commitment, trust, confidence and loyalty as a result of satisfaction are as important in customer relationship management as in green marketing, because competitive advantage can be achieved by environment-related activities and motivates companies to go green to promote ecologically sustainable practices.</p><p>Research Limitations/Implications: There is a number of literature focusing on customer relationship management and implications of green issues for business strategy, but there are only a few on green marketing yet and the interaction between green marketing and CRM is missing attention, so far.</p><p>Originality/Value: This work seeks to make a contribution towards bridging the ends of CRM and green marketing. It indicates a relationship between eco-orientation and company performance and implicates, on the basis of the theoretical and empirical findings, that integrating ecological features and good performance in a company is not impossible. Trust and confidence are as important concepts in green marketing as in CRM.</p>

Detecting data race is very important for debugging shared-memory parallel programs, because data races result in unintended nondeterministic execution of the program. We propose a dynamic on-the-fly race detection mechanism called Parallel Nondeterminator to check for determinacy races during the parallel execution of a program with recursive spawn-sync parallelism. A modified version of Nested Region Labeling scheme is developed for the concurrency relationship test in the spawn-sync parallel structure. Through the identification of Least Common Ancestor in the spawn tree, the Parallel Nondeterminator only needs to keep two read access records and one write access record for each shared location. The work and critical path in the instrumented codes are analyzed as well as time complexity and space requirements. Let N denote the maximum depth of the recursion in the parallel program. The worst case time increased for each spawn and sync operation is O(N) and the time required to monitor any shared memory location is O(lgN). Moreover, Parallel Nondeterminator is able to execute the race detection code without loss of parallelism of the original program. In summary, the Parallel Non-determinator represents a provably efficient strategy for detecting data races for shared-memory parallel programs. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Generality, representation, and control have been the central issues in machine recognition. Model-based recognition is the search for consistent matches of the model and image features. We present a comparative framework for the evaluation of different approaches, particularly those of ACRONYM, RAF, and Ikeuchi et al. The strengths and weaknesses of these approaches are discussed and compared and the remedies are suggested. Various tradeoffs made in the implementations are analyzed with respect to the systems' intended task-domains. The requirements for a versatile recognition system are motivated. Several directions for future research are pointed out.

The structure and function of RNA molecules are dependent on RNA-metal ion interactions in both diffusive and direct ways. Structural information for RNA has been obtained using various biophysical and biochemical methods. In this study, using site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) and EPR spectroscopy, distances in RNA duplexes, TAR RNA, and the hammerhead ribozyme have been measured to investigate RNA structures. Kinetic measurements have been performed in the extended hammerhead ribozyme to correlate the catalytic function with metal dependent ribozyme folding. As a basic model system for distance measurements, inter-spin distances in RNA duplexes with spin labels at various positions are measured using SDSL with continuous EPR and a Fourier deconvolution method. Divalent metal-ion dependent TAR RNA folding from bent to extended conformers is monitored by measuring inter-spin distances near the bulge region. In order to investigate a proposed loop-loop interaction in the extended hammerhead ribozyme which significantly enhances the ribozyme activity, distance measurements, dynamics studies, and kinetics measurements have been performed. We have introduced PELDOR long-distance measurements in order to investigate metal dependent folding of the hammerhead ribozyme. The dynamics of the spin labels attached to the hammerhead ribozyme with increasing mono- and divalent metal ion concentrations are monitored using CW EPR spectroscopy at room temperature. EPR data show that a loop-loop interaction occurs near the U1.6 nucleotide, and that in 0.1 M NaCl the docking occurs at submillimolar Mg2+ concentrations ([Mg2+]1/2, docking = ~ 0.7 mM). Kinetics measurements show that the hammerhead ribozyme requires high concentration of Mg2+ for the maximum cleavage activity ([Mg2+]1/2, cleavage = ~ 90 mM).

The cytoskeleton is a diverse, multi-protein framework that plays a fundamental role in many cellular activities including mitosis, cell division, intracellular transport, cell motility, muscle contraction, and the regulation of cell polarity and organization. Furthermore, cytoskeletal filaments have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of diseases including cancer, blood disease, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, neurodegenerative disease, and problems with skin, nail, cornea, hair, liver and colon. Increasing evidence suggests that the distribution and organization of the cytoskeleton in living cells are affected by mechanical stresses and the cytoskeleton determines cell stiffness. We developed a fully nonlinear, constrained mixture model for adherent cells that allows one to account separately for the contributions of the primary structural constituents of the cytoskeleton and extended a prior solution from the finite elasticity literature for use in a sub-class of atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of cell mechanics. The model showed that the degree of substrate stretch and the geometry of the AFM tip dramatically affect the measured cell stiffness. Consistent with previous studies, the model showed that disruption of the actin filaments can reduce the stiffness substantially, whereas there can be little contribution to the overall cell stiffness by the microtubules or intermediate filaments. To investigate the effect of mechanical stretching on cytoskeletal remodeling and cell stiffness, we developed a simple cell-stretching device that can be combined with an AFM and confocal microscopy. Results demonstrate that cyclic stretching significantly and rapidly alters both cell stiffness and focal adhesion associated vinculin and paxillin, suggesting that focal adhesion remodeling plays a critical role in cell stiffness by recruiting and anchoring F-actin. Finally, we estimated cytoskeletal remodeling by synthesizing data on stretch-induced dynamic changes in cell stiffness and focal adhesion area using constrained mixture approach. Results suggest that the acute increase in stiffness in response to an increased cyclic stretch was probably due to an increased stretch of the original filaments whereas the subsequent decrease back towards normalcy was consistent with a replacement of the highly stretched original filaments with less stretched new filaments.

The power dynamics of consumerism is an important aspect of contemporary consumer culture. Within the field of marketing and consumption, consumer culture theory (CCT) tends to understand power in terms of agency, the ability of consumers to emancipate from a market infused by the culture of consumerism. As such, CCT assumes a repressive hypothesis of power, as if consumerism was an external reality from which agentic consumers can escape by acts of dialectical opposition. In contrast, through a Foucauldian approach, the present study emphasizes the productive side of power, arguing that consumerism operates beyond dialectical oppositions to constitute consumption at different levels of scale – at the macro, meso and micro levels. More specifically, through qualitative data generated from official documents and interviews with state agency officials, consumers, and food manufacturers and retailers, the study undertakes a discourse analysis of date labeling in the food market. In accounting for the regulative, organizational and performative dimensions of consumption, the case of date labeling makes it possible to study consumerism at the intersection of the state, business and consumers. The study argues that consumption is constituted through a multiplicity of mundane power struggles that arise in the wake of date labeling. As such, it extends previous approaches by suggesting an extra-dialectical theory of consumer culture. Further, it argues that date labeling reinforces the mind/body dualism of consumerism by privileging cognition and choice at the cost of the human embodiment and sensory perception. It concludes that empowered performativity does not represent a negation of power, but that it emerges as a product of power and the consumerist attempt to constitute effective, predictable, responsible and controlled consumption. However, future research should continue studying the dominant institutional conditions of particular consumption contexts.

Title: “A Study of Factors That Affect Green Purchase”   Due to the environmental issues, green products have got more attention during the latest years and the availability of such products is increasing in many food stores. The appearance of eco-label assists the consumers in the store to buy eco-friendly products which are less harmful to the environment. Eco-labels which are frequently available in the food stores are; The Nordic eco-label (Svanen), Krav, The Euro Flower, MSC label (Marine stewardship council) and Bra Miljöval.  Governments in some countries are supporting these labels to ensure the sustainable development and a better quality of life for everyone, and for the generations to come. A question, which arises here, is that what compels the consumers to choose eco-labelled products over conventional ones. We have short-listed several factors during literature review which can influence the consumers green purchase behavior and these factors are; Eco-motivation, Eco-knowledge, Gender, Peer influence, Price and Shelf space.    The purpose of this study is to get a deeper understanding of the factors that can affect green purchase of food products in the store. Thus our main research question that we want to answer with our study is: “Which are the most important factors that influence the purchase behavior of eco-labelled products?” Along with this main research question we are also interested to know if ‘shelf space’ is an important factor that can affect the consumer’s choice of eco-labelled products in the store. Due to lack of data there is still no clear understanding about the role of shelf space in the purchase decision of green products. To answer these questions we will investigate all these factors and try to understand their influence on consumer green purchase behavior.  This quantitative study is carried out in Umeå, Sweden with 150 respondents and focuses mainly on the food market consumers. We stand on objectivist position for this study and we believe that cross-sectional research design is most suitable to fulfill our research purpose. We developed several null hypotheses and for this purpose we distributed our research questionnaire at the entrance of different super markets in Umeå, Sweden to collect our data from the respondents. We applied convenience sampling with simple quota to this research. We evaluated the gathered data with help of SPSS. Results proved that eco-motivation and shelf space plays vital role (positive correlated) in the purchase decision of eco-labelled products. We have provided statistical evidence that eco-motivation and shelf space induce actual purchase of green products. Eco-knowledge shows to induce interest in eco-labelled product but does not help in actual purchase of eco-labelled products. Surprisingly price and gender has not shown any influence on the consumer green purchase. We believe that our findings and recommendations can contribute in the area of consumer’s ecological behavior research. Due to our sampling technique (convenience) and small size of our respondent we cannot generalize the results of this study.   Key words: Purchase decision, Green marketing, Eco-labeling, Shelf space, Eco-motivation, Eco-knowledge, Gender, Price, Peer influence

Syfte med undersökningen var att undersöka vilka socialisationsverktyg använder personalen vid kommunala HVB (Hem för vård eller boende) för ensamkommande barn, samt ta reda på om personalen använder makt genom att stämpla ensamkommande barn som avvikare. Vi genomförde åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer med personal inom fem olika kommunala HVB för ensamkommande barn. Resultatet analyserades med utgångspunkt i symbolisk interaktionistiskt perspektiv, socialisationsteorin, maktteori samt stämplingsteorin. Resultat visade att socialisationsarbetet kan i hög grad bli bättre på att socialisera barnen på ett positivt sätt. Fyra socialisationsverktyg identifierades: 1) riktlinjer och handlingsplaner 2) språket 3) bemötandet i vardagen och personalens attityd 4) att överföra normer och värderingar. Vi fann att HVB för ensamkommande barn har stora kvalitetsbrister. Vi konstaterade också att makt och stämpling förekommer inom HVB för ensamkommande barn i syfte att forma barnen genom att det fastställs vad som är normalt/onormalt, önskvärt/icke önskvärt inom boendet. Nya sociala normer, värderingar och helt nya livsvillkor gör att barnen känner personalens upprepade påtryckningar om deras uppträdande och personlig egenskaper. Att inte rätta sig efter normerna ses som en avvikare och personalen betecknar barnets egenhet som avvikelse. Barnen går igenom en process som upphör i ett tankesätt om bestående avvikelse, som inkluderas av barnen själv och dem som omger honom. I detta sammanhang kunde vi koppla hur personalen med påtryckningar möjliggör för barnen ett negativt synsätt på sig själva. Vi fann också en positiv aspekt med resultatet och det är att det finns personal som är medvetna om bristerna och vill bättre ta hand om ensamkommande barnen inom boendena samt strävar efter att förbättra arbets siuationen på boendena genom att efterlysa behovet att bygga upp kompetensen bland personalen. Informanterna upplever att personalen behöver specialinriktad utbildning för att kunna bemöta barnen på ett professionellt sätt.

By integrating the simplicity of 18O-labeling and the low signal-to-noise of MS/MS spectra with supporting software and combining them with global shotgun protein identification, a robust quantitative pipeline has been created that avoids the disadvantages of other quantitative approaches. Test mixtures of labeled and unlabeled peptides were subjected to LC-MS/MS profiling experiments. Software programs were developed and applied to automatically determine protein ratios between two samples while applying a correction for incomplete labeling. The measurement of relative abundance at the product ion (MS/MS) level, instead of at the full scan (MS) level, is shown to provide excellent accuracy and sensitivity. Ratio distributions approached the expected means, allowing empirical derivation of confidence level cutoffs for determining statistically significant fold-changes in protein abundance. A set of stringent criteria for detecting spurious ratios based on consistency checking between unlabeled and labeled y-ion pairs was found to highlight putative false positive identifications.

By integrating the simplicity of 18O-labeling and the low signal-to-noise of MS/MS spectra with supporting software and combining them with global shotgun protein identification, a robust quantitative pipeline has been created that avoids the disadvantages of other quantitative approaches. Test mixtures of labeled and unlabeled peptides were subjected to LC-MS/MS profiling experiments. Software programs were developed and applied to automatically determine protein ratios between two samples while applying a correction for incomplete labeling. The measurement of relative abundance at the product ion (MS/MS) level, instead of at the full scan (MS) level, is shown to provide excellent accuracy and sensitivity. Ratio distributions approached the expected means, allowing empirical derivation of confidence level cutoffs for determining statistically significant fold-changes in protein abundance. A set of stringent criteria for detecting spurious ratios based on consistency checking between unlabeled and labeled y-ion pairs was found to highlight putative false positive identifications.