Arctic, marine bacteria and their ability to produce polyhydroxyalkonates (PHAs) using underexploited biomass as nutrient source

In this project we are studying marine bacteria and their ability to produce polyhydroxyalkonates (PHAs), a fully biodegradable polyester known as bioplastic. Bioplastics can replace petroleum-based plastics in many applications. PHAs accumulate as intracellular carbon and energy storages when the bacteria grow in an environment with nutrient imbalance. The monomeric building blocks in the PHA polymers determine the physical properties of the bioplastics and depend upon carbon sources, the bacteria’s metabolism and PHA synthetic pathways. The production of PHA is still costly, and the ultimate goal of this project is to develop cost-efficient PHA producers using cold adapted marine bacteria that are able to grow on low-value biomass. Our research group has already identified some promising candidates. The PhD work will include the following tasks: 1) Screening marine bacteria for PHA production. 2) Optimization of growth conditions and medium for efficient PHA production. 3) PHA quantification and characterization. 4) Genome and transcriptome sequencing and of promising candidates. 5) Genetic engineering of promising candidates to further maximise the PHA output

Does being real pay off? : examining the impact of perceived authenticity in crisis communication

This study examines whether communicating with authenticity in a crisis situation can help produce more successful post-crisis results and if the type of crisis apology impacts the relationship between authenticity and post-crisis success. The theoretical framework is centered around the contingency theory of accommodation, the situational crisis communications theory, and findings from other fields on the impact of authenticity. Authenticity is hypothesized to have a positive effect on post-crisis outcomes, and it is also explored if there is an interaction effect between authenticity and degree of accommodation. The study uses a 2 (authenticity: present vs. not present) x 2 (type of crisis response: accommodative vs. advocating) mixed experimental design, where authenticity and type of crisis response both are between-subjects factors. For the experiment, 229 participants were presented with modified crisis scenarios and manipulated responses in an online setting and subsequently asked about how the organization handled the crisis. The experiment was repeated in two different scenarios focusing on the American Red Cross and United Airlines. The findings show that authentic crisis responses lead to significantly more positive crisis outcomes, measured on four different parameters than non-authentic crisis responses did. Whether an organization accommodated or not in their crisis response did not significantly impact the crisis outcomes, and the study also failed to find any interaction between authenticity and accommodation on crisis success.Includes bibliographical reference

Sanctioning smarter? : the impact of smart sanctions on democracy and human rights

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on September 10, 2012).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Thesis advisor: Professor A. Cooper DruryIncludes bibliographical references.M.A. University of Missouri--Columbia 2012."May 2012"Do so-called smart economic sanctions, aimed at a target country's political regime, cause less political repression than traditional comprehensive sanctions? That is the main research question of this. By utilizing time-time series cross-sectional regressions with data from 77 sanctioned countries from 1980 to 2007, this thesis confirms the notion that economic sanctions in general, have severe negative consequences for the human rights conditions in the target countries. Smart sanctions are also found to have a negative impact on human rights conditions; however these results are not as consistent. The effects of sanctions and smart sanctions are also tested on two proxies for democracy, but the results are mostly insignificant and suggest that a methodological error has crept in

The dream is more than process

The piece is a more overt nod to my rap and rap-culture related influences. This is manifested in a number of ways, the beat-box flute throughout the mid-section of the piece, and the bass line and kick drum dancing around each other underneath among others.by Mikkel S. ChristensenIncludes bibliographical reference