Shipping and Arctic communities. An empirical study of local adaptive capacity

Avhandling (Ph.d.) - Nord universitet, 2020publishedVersio

Adaptive capacity of Arctic communities in the context of climate change and shipping growth : A review of Russian and Western literature

publishedVersionUnit License Agreemen

Single-particle levitation system for automated study of homogeneous solute nucleation

We present an instrument that addresses two critical requirements for quantitative measurements of the homogeneous crystal nucleation rate in supersaturated aqueous solution. First, the need to perform repeated measurements of nucleation incubation times is met by automating experiments to enable programmable cycling of thermodynamic conditions. Second, the need for precise and robust control of the chemical potential in supersaturated aqueous solution is met by implementing a novel technique for regulating relative humidity. The apparatus levitates and weighs micron-sized samples in an electric field, providing access to highly supersaturated states. We report repeated observations of the crystal nucleation incubation time in a supersaturated aqueous sodium chloride droplet, from which we infer the nucleation rate

Efficient Synthesis of Narrowly Dispersed Brush Copolymers and Study of Their Assemblies: The Importance of Side Chain Arrangement

Efficient, one-pot preparation of synthetically challenging, high molecular weight (MW), narrowly dispersed brush block copolymers and random copolymers in high conversions was achieved by ring-opening metathesis (co)polymerization (ROMP) of various macromonomers (MMs) using the highly active, fast-initiating ruthenium olefin metathesis catalyst (H_2IMes)(pyr)_2(Cl)_2RuCHPh. A series of random and block copolymers were prepared from a pair of MMs containing polylactide (PLA) and poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA) side chains at similar MWs. Their self-assembly in the melt state was studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In brush random copolymers containing approximately equal volume fractions of PLA and PnBA, the side chains segregate into lamellae with domain spacing of 14 nm as measured by SAXS, which was in good agreement with the lamellar thickness measured by AFM. The domain spacings and order−disorder transition temperatures of brush random copolymers were insensitive to the backbone length. In contrast, brush block copolymers containing approximately equal volume fractions of these MMs self-assembled into highly ordered lamellae with domain spacing over 100 nm. Their assemblies suggested that the brush block copolymer backbone adopted an extended conformation in the ordered state

Exploringbubble tendenciesin the lithium-ion battery market

We applied structural time series econometrics and correlation analysis to key macroeconomic and sector-specific indicators to detect potential bubbles in the lithium-ion battery market in the United States and Europe. Anchored in economic theories such as the financial instability hypothesis, hegemonic stability theory, real business cycles, the AD-AS framework, and financial bubble theory, the analysis seeks to provide clarity in a s ector marked by an emerging stage. In the absence of a publicly traded Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB) index, the thesis introduces the Battery Company Index (BCI) created by the writers of this thesis. The BCI is an aggregate of LIB firms publicly listed on stock exchanges in Europe, the US, and globally. This index serves as a new instrument to indicate the pulse of the market and to benchmark financial health against regional monetary fluxes, credit movement, production outputs, and asset price variances. Research conducted between 2016 and 2023 reveals potential bubble patterns, with the years 2020 and 2021 standing out as particularly noteworthy, especially for the US. It posits that the unique market conditions, amplified by subsidies and monetary stimulus, may have fostered a situation for speculative behaviour. The analysis of the BCI and corresponding macroeconomic indicators captures these dynamics, suggesting financial instability within the sectors in this period. In conclusion, we find speculative behaviours within the stock market segments, confirming a broad complex economic bubble. The interplay of various factors like the emergent nature of the LIB market, creates a difficult market environment, making definite statements on the presence of bubbles challenging, especially for estimating fundamental value. However, we look at the findings of this thesis as a preliminary contribution to academic discussions regarding potential financial bubbles within the LIB sector.nhhma

Children’s Self-Reported Reasons for Accepting and Rejecting Foods

Children’s eating behavior does not necessarily align with dietary recommendations, and there is a need for better understanding the factors underlying their food choices. The aim of this study was to investigate children’s self-reported reasons for accepting and rejecting foods. A questionnaire was developed with reasons based on prior research and in-depth interviews. A set of various food stimuli covering different types was evaluated by 106 girls and 99 boys aged 10–13 years by checking all reasons that apply (CATA) for either accepting or rejecting them. Results showed gender differences among reasons for both food acceptance and rejection, but also in liking and willingness to re-taste the stimuli. The most common reason for food acceptance was good taste in boys and curiosity in girls; for food rejection they were bad taste, bad smell and dislike of appearance in boys and bad taste, bad smell, dislike of appearance and texture in girls. Overall, boys liked the food stimuli more than girls and were more willing to re-taste them. Future research should focus more on the role of sensory properties in both acceptance and rejection, and the potential of children’s curiosity as a driver in tasting foods should be further explored

Navigating Governance Systems & Management Practices for Pleasure Craft Tourism in the Arctic

publishedVersio

Barentsburg and Longyearbyen in times of socioeconomic transition: Residents' perceptions of community viability

publishedVersio

Scanning Activity Gravimetric Analysis

We introduce a new technique -- scanning activity gravimetric analysis (SAGA)for investigating phase transitions in semicrystalline polymers. Isothermal growth and dissolution of polymer crystallites within picogram to milligram samples are manifested by mass changes in response to changes in the activity of sorbed solvent vapor. Single charged particles are levitated and weighed in an electrostatic field, providing access to highly supersaturated states. Phase transitions are inferred from simultaneous sorption and light scattering measurements. Analogous to differential scanning calorimetry, scanning solvent activity up and down exposes broad transitions between the semicrystalline solid state and the dissolved state, which are influenced by sample history. We demonstrate repeated dissolution and crystallization of an 11 ng sample of poly(ethylene oxide) by controlling the activity of sorbed water vapor and observe self-nucleation of crystallites from partially and fully solvated states