In this thesis we wanted to investigate whether there is a connection between the inward and outward internationalisation of a firm. To do this we have conducted a case study on the Turkish telecom company Turkcell. To examine if Turkcell’s inward internationalisation has affected its outward internationalisation we have studied the relationship between Turkcell and Swedish Ericsson. To collect the primary data for our study we performed interviews in Istanbul Turkey with the procurement manager at Turkcell and the strategic manager at Ericsson. Since there is limited research on the inward-outward connection we have chosen to see this connection from Håkansson and Snehota’s relationship perspective. Further, to analyse the results of Turkcell’s outward internationalisation we compared the findings to the Uppsala Internationalisation Process Model to see if it Turkcell’s establishments abroad was affected by the inward internationalisation by Ericsson. We found that Turkcell and Ericsson have a very close relationship which has given Turkcell many resources such as know-how, opportunities and knowledge. Whether these resources have helped Turkcell in their establishments abroad or not is difficult to determine. However we found that Turkcell had ventured abroad relatively fast which indicates that they have gained the relevant knowledge from external sources. As our results show that Ericsson has transferred many resources to Turkcell it is reasonable to conclude that Turkcell’s success abroad is at least partly due to their relationship with Ericsson.

Accelerated bridge construction methods are being progressively used to construct and replace bridges in North America. Unlike traditional bridge construction methods, accelerated bridge construction methods allow bridges to be built in a shortened period of time on the construction site. These methods reduce the road closure time and the traffic disruption that are associated with bridge construction. One of these methods is carried out by prefabricating the bridge elements offsite and then assembling them onsite in a time-efficient way to build the bridge. This construction method can be used to build steel-precast composite bridges, where steel plate girders are connected to full-depth precast concrete deck panels. For the expeditious construction of composite bridges, a proper shear connection detail is needed to develop composite action between the steel plate girders and the precast concrete deck panels. This research project investigated two types of shear connection that would accelerate the construction of steel-precast composite bridges. First, finite element analysis was used to study the behaviour of composite bridge girders with panel end connections. The girders were analyzed for their load-displacement behaviour, cross-sectional stress and strain profile, and connection force distributions. Secondly, experimental push tests were conducted to study the load-slip behaviour of bolted connections. The effects of steel-concrete interface condition, bolt diameter and bolt tension on the shear capacity of bolted connections were analyzed. Based on the finite element analysis results, it is concluded that the panel end connected girder exhibited strong composite action at service and ultimate load. The level of composite action decreased slightly when the panel end connection stiffness was reduced by a factor of ten. Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that the total shear capacity of the bolted connection is the sum of the friction resistance and the bolt dowel action resistance. The friction resistance of the connection depends on the interface condition and the bolt clamping force. An analytical model that can predict the ultimate shear capacity of bolted connections has been developed and recommended. The proposed model is shown to give reliable predictions of the experimental results. It should be noted that bolted connections exhibit good structural redundancy because the bolt fracture failures do not happen simultaneously.

This thesis explores assumptions regarding the nature of the Self as it relates to the World. The exploration, a hermeneutic investigation initially shaped by the authors interest in the role of the unconscious in thinking, develops through the emergence of questions which move from the role of the unconscious to the conceptualization of self and reality and finally to the role of language. To answer these questions, the author examines ontological and epistemological assumptions about the nature of the Self and the World by analyzing various boundaries, imposed both (a) as spatial metaphors used to speak of subjective experiences and (b) as notions of locality grounded in the classical physics world view. The assumptions of a locally-grounded, boundaried subject create separations between Self, mind, body and the World, and thus are worthy of exploration. Instead of setting out to provide a definitive answer to pre-set questions, the thesis chronicles the evolution of the authors questions and answers produced through her examination of various texts on metaphor, philosophy of mind, and consciousness studies. Thus, the thesis is written as the authors search to understand how it is possible to move beyond locally grounded boundaried subjects towards a form of knowing that considers simultaneously the distinctiveness of Self, and the unity of Self with the whole of what is. The metaphor of tracking emphasizes the importance of possessing attentiveness to the specific while not losing sight of the larger context or whole. Ultimately, the author suggests an attitude of speculative tentativeness constantly on the verge of reconfiguring the whole The thesis is presented in multiple formats including essay, multi-voiced essay, poetry, dialogue, and story. These formats capture the continuous interplay of various faces of knowing presented as forms of perception, unconscious appreciation, and conceptualization. In this way, the overall format of the thesis reflects the content of the thesis where the author portrays her experience of tracking how her living interactions in the world are forms of awareness uninhibited by boundaries. In her conclusion, the author recognizes her experience as a form of direct realism in which human knowing is symbolic of the emergent nature of reality.

Invasive species are one of many important environmental issues facing Canadians today. A great deal of research has explored both the scientific and social aspects of invasive species. However, the cumulative research has not yet thoroughly explored people’s thoughts and feelings about, or perceptions of, invasive species and the influence these may have on management of, or policy decisions regarding, invasive species. This thesis research project was designed to assess the attitudes and perceptions that high school students have towards invasive species and to determine to what extent learning about invasive species alters their connection with nature. The study group was comprised of students from four Grade 11 Environmental Science classes from three high schools within the city of Guelph, Ontario. The students received regular classroom instruction from their teachers covering the course content, including invasive species. Students also made weekly visits to a local nature centre, providing them with hands-on learning experiences related to the course content. Students responded to an 80-question survey that assessed their knowledge of local invasive species and attitudes towards them as well as students’ connection to nature. Their connection to nature was assessed using a modified version of the Connectedness to Nature Scale (Mayer & Frantz, 2004). The surveys were administered by the classroom teachers in October, 2010, prior to the presentation of instructional material covering invasive species and then again in December, 2010 when the presentation of instructional material concerning invasive species was complete. The results showed that the students’ knowledge of invasive species upon entering the course was quite low and each of the classes witnessed a significant increase in knowledge. The survey results did not reveal any change to the students’ connection to nature; however, they did reveal three underlying themes in students’ attitudes towards invasive species: a concern about invasive species as a threat or problem; feelings of acceptance towards invasive species; and feelings of anxiety about invasive species. These attitudes remained relatively unchanged after the course.

Syftet med detta examensarbete är att titta på och eventuellt upptäcka vissa samband mellan de vanligaste klimatparametrarna (lufttemperatur, sol, vind, luftfuktighet och lufttryck) och inomhusklimatet. Inomhusklimatet är i detta arbete det samma som luftens temperatur inomhus. Även en sammanställning av två studier kring NordIQ’s styrning av värmesystemet och tappvarmvattnet görs.   En stor del av arbetet har varit att sammanställa och studera insamlad data från bland annat en väderstation. Under den här perioden (våren) är det solen och utomhustemperaturen som har störst påverkan på temperaturen inomhus.   En stor del inom energisektorn idag handlar om att använda energin effektivare och minska på utsläppen. Förhoppningen är att detta arbete ska kunna hjälpa till i den riktningen. Att utnyttja gratisenergin och dra ner på t.ex. fjärrvärmen är ett sätt, att inte kyla bort övertemperaturer utan att istället dra ner på den köpta energin.   Ett annat sätt att utnyttja energin på ett effektivare sätt är att öka avkylningen och minska på flödet i uppvärmningssystemet. Det är något som NordIQ säger sig göra med sin styrning av värme och tappvarmvatten. Sammanställningen visar att det stämmer. / The purpose of this thesis is to study and contingently discover some linkage between the most common climate parameters (air temperature, sun, wind, air humidity and air pressure) and the indoor climate. The indoor climate in this thesis is the same as the air-temperature indoor. Also a compilation of two studies about NordIQ´s controlling of the heating system and hot water is done.   A major portion of the work has been to compile and study collected data from among other things a weather station. During this period (spring) the sun and the outdoor temperature have the greatest impact on the indoor temperature.   A major portion of the energy sector today is about how to use the energy in a more effective way and decrease the emissions. Hopefully this thesis will help in that direction. To use the free energy and reduce for example district heating is one way, not cooling the high indoor temperatures, rather reduce the bought energy.   Another way to take advantage of the energy in a more efficient approach is to increase annealing and reduce the flow in the heating system. That´s something with the aim of NordIQ`s controlling of the heat and hot water. The compilation shows that it´s true.

Växjö university has together with Södra developed a new green-glued laminated beam, which to be used in a building system. To make a product of the beam it is desired to also develop a building system based on the beam. An important part of such a building system is the connections. The main aim of the thesis was to design a new beam-to-beam connection in for the new green-glued laminated boards. This thesis is about to develop and test a new connection for a beam-to-beam connection in the building system. The requirements set on the connection was that it should be used in an office building with a beam length of 6 m, the connection should be fast to assemble and invisible. The report thoroughly describes the conceptual design, the development and test of the connection. Five different types of connections were designed in the conceptual design phase. One of these connections fulfilled the requirements and was taken to the development and testing phase. Three versions of the connection were tested. The report describes how the green-glued laminated beams with the connections were tested in a testing machine until the failure occurs. The developed connection could fulfil the requirements set on the connection. One version of the connection was even stronger than the green-glued laminated beams.

The purpose of the following research was to test the prediction that a sense of social connectedness to a stranger would result in the tendency to share psychological states with him/her. An overview of the literature on state sharing and the psychological merging between other and self is described in Chapter 1. The first test of my prediction is provided in Chapter 2 where I demonstrate that participants who are led to feel socially connected to a confederate--by sharing idiosyncratic preferences in common with her--resulted in the propensity to take on her goals. In Chapter 3, participants who felt connected to a confederate who was asked to complete a stressful speech task experienced more stress themselves. This effect occurred in part through a sense of felt “oneness” with the confederate. Chapter 4 extended these findings by showing that socially connected participants tended to experience secondary appraisal emotions in line with the confederate’s appraisal of the stressful speech task and this occurred through a sense of felt oneness with the confederate. In Chapter 5, participants who felt connected to an outgroup member tended to experience greater empathy for another outgroup member who experienced discrimination. The implications for social interaction in general and for intergroup relations in particular are discussed in Chapter 6.

This thesis explores assumptions regarding the nature of the Self as it relates to the World. The exploration, a hermeneutic investigation initially shaped by the authors interest in the role of the unconscious in thinking, develops through the emergence of questions which move from the role of the unconscious to the conceptualization of self and reality and finally to the role of language. To answer these questions, the author examines ontological and epistemological assumptions about the nature of the Self and the World by analyzing various boundaries, imposed both (a) as spatial metaphors used to speak of subjective experiences and (b) as notions of locality grounded in the classical physics world view. The assumptions of a locally-grounded, boundaried subject create separations between Self, mind, body and the World, and thus are worthy of exploration. Instead of setting out to provide a definitive answer to pre-set questions, the thesis chronicles the evolution of the authors questions and answers produced through her examination of various texts on metaphor, philosophy of mind, and consciousness studies. Thus, the thesis is written as the authors search to understand how it is possible to move beyond locally grounded boundaried subjects towards a form of knowing that considers simultaneously the distinctiveness of Self, and the unity of Self with the whole of what is. The metaphor of tracking emphasizes the importance of possessing attentiveness to the specific while not losing sight of the larger context or whole. Ultimately, the author suggests an attitude of speculative tentativeness constantly on the verge of reconfiguring the whole The thesis is presented in multiple formats including essay, multi-voiced essay, poetry, dialogue, and story. These formats capture the continuous interplay of various faces of knowing presented as forms of perception, unconscious appreciation, and conceptualization. In this way, the overall format of the thesis reflects the content of the thesis where the author portrays her experience of tracking how her living interactions in the world are forms of awareness uninhibited by boundaries. In her conclusion, the author recognizes her experience as a form of direct realism in which human knowing is symbolic of the emergent nature of reality.

In this research, we propose a framework for measurement-based traffic engineering and connection admission control in radio access networks based on the Internet Protocol (IP). This framework is evaluated by simulation using the popular network simulator ns-2. The framework is adaptive to changes in the network load and can distinguish between different types of service. All traffic engineering decisions are made by edge routers (ERs) at the rim of the network domain. Multiple disjoint paths are configured between those ERs. Network state information is gathered in two different fashions. We evaluate a scheme based on the states of the queues on each alternative path and a scheme based on end-to-end probe packet transmission characteristics on each alternative path. Both schemes are compared to a shortest path first (SPF) routing approach.

The charge equalization for the battery power source with battery power modules (BPMs) in series is presented in the thesis. The bidirectional power converters in BPMs are able to serve as chargers with buck conversion during the charging stage. Even though connected in series, all modules can substantially be operated individually, retaining the advantages of independent operation, such as flexible control, easy protection, simple maintenance, and favorable battery power management. Investigation results indicate that automatic charge equalization is possible for the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) operation. On the other hand, charge equalization can be achieved much faster by individually regulating the charging currents at the continuous conduction mode (CCM). According to the analyzed results, an equalization strategy is proposed to solve the charge imbalance problem by scheduling the individual battery current. Experiments are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of charge equalization.