The Swedish Winter Olympic team is one of the strongest Olympic teams in theworld, and the majority of the team’s success comes from ski-related sports. So howcan the Swedish team remain, and maybe even accelerate, its competitive advantage? The answer is science. In order to narrow down the broad field that is equipment development, this thesishad the purpose to examine the stone grind’s impact on friction between the ski andthe snow. To achieve this purpose, the project was designed to answer these threequestions: • How does the ski base impact the friction between the ski and the snow? • How do the stone grind’s parameters impact the ski base? • How do the stone grind’s parameters impact the friction between the ski andthe snow? To answer these questions, a total of three pilot tests were done before the finalfull-scale experiment. The method to strategically test the parameters of the stonegrind was to use a full two-level factorial design, with a total of three stone grindparameters being investigated. Those parameters were: Cutting Depth, Line Density,and Wheel Pressure. The skis were tested in Arctic Fall’s indoor facilities where theskis were tested with a winch set-up to get the skis up to a desired speed, and thedata collected from the test were speed data from each of the skis. This speed datawould then be used to calculate the coefficient of friction acting between the ski andthe snow. To understand the stone grinds parameters on the ski base, the ski basesurfaces were measured after the skis were grounded, to build a regression modelconsisting of stone grind parameters as independent variables, and surface parametersbeing the dependent variables. A model was created suggesting that in the conditions the tests were executed, thesurface parameters Sa should be minimized and Sm should be maximized to achievea minimized coefficient of friction. A more generalisable model to impact the surfaceparameters Sa and Sm was also generated. It suggests that to impact Sa and Sm, itis the stone grind parameter Cutting Depth and Line Density that should be adjustedto achieve a desirable ski base structure.

Reliability requirements for power systems have been constantly increasing, as customers of electric power desire high power availability. In order to improve continuity of supply in medium voltage (MV) networks, utilities in many countries in Europe, North/South America and Oceania use resonant earthing and allow the operation of the network during a single phasetoearth fault for periods from several seconds up to several hours, since the earthfault current at the fault point in such systems is considerably reduced and is unlikely to damage equipment or create hazardous voltages for people or livestock. Due to the neutral potential displacement during the phasetoearth fault, the healthy phases can rise up to 1.73 times the nominal values in the entire network, overstressing insulation and increasing the probability of a second fault from another phasetoearth fault somewhere in the network. The situation of two simultaneously active phasetoearth faults on different phases at different locations in a network is commonly called a crosscountry or doubleearth fault. The current through the earth then becomes many times higher than in case of a single phasetoearth fault in a resonantearthed network. Few studies about CrossCountry faults in MV systems have been done so far, particularly with real fault data and simulations. This thesis has as main objectives to: improve understanding of how crosscountry faults behave in resonantearthed systems; show how the double fault situation can be analytically calculated; and study what difficulties these faults can pose to traditional distance protection. This is done by: analyzing recordings of real faults, obtained from utilities in Scandinavia; modelling the fault situations analytically; simulating such systems with real system data; and examining in particular how faultedphase selection and distance protection behave during these faults. The developed mathematical model was compared with a simple simulated system. The results showed that the modelling produces accurate results. Analysis of the real faults showed that crosscountry faults cannot be equated directly to more traditional singlephase or doublephase faults on particular feeders, since voltages and currents can behave in atypical manners. Finally, during the comprehensive simulations of such network, limitations of traditional distance protection were identified. Phasetophase loops can face difficulties in properly detecting crosscountry faults even when one of the two simultaneous faults is relatively close to the measuring point. Phasetoearth loops can only be reliable when faults are solid or with very low resistance and in conditions where zero sequence current is present, while for multiple infeeds can also face difficulties. / Kraven på elkraftsystemets pålitlighet ökar hela tiden, då kundernas krav på tillgänglighet hela tiden stiger. Som ett led i att förbättra leveranssäkerheten på mellanspänningsnivån har ett flertal elnätsbolag i Europa, Nord och Sydamerika samt Oceanien börjat använda spoljordning. Genom detta kan jordfel under drift tillåtas, på allt ifrån sekundbasis till timmar. På detta sätt undviks driftavbrott vid jordfel. Spoljordning gör att jordfelsströmmen reduceras vilket minimerar risken för person, djur och egendomsskador. Under ett enfasigt jordfel höjs spänningen i de två opåverkade faserna till maximalt 1.73 gånger den nominella spänningen, detta i hela det aktuella nätet. Spänningshöjningen riskerar att ge skador på isolaringen, vilket gör att risken för uppkomsten av ett andra jordfel någonstans i samma nätavsnitt ökar. Att två enfasiga jordfel på olika platser inträffar samtidigt i samma nät, kallas dubbelt jordfel, på engelska crosscountry fault. Strömmen genom jord i ett spoljordat nät blir i detta fallet mycket högre än för ett enfasigt jordfel. Än så länge har bara ett fåtal studier med verkliga data och simuleringar gällande dubbla jordfel på mellanspänningsnivå utförts. Detta examensarbete syftar till att: förbättra förståelsen för hur dubbla jordfel uppkommer i spoljordade nät; beskriva hur dubbla jordfel kan beräknas analytiskt; och visa på vilka svårigheter dubbla jordfel kan ge för distansskydd. Detta görs genom: att analysera verkliga fel uppkomna i Skandinavien; analytisk modellering av dessa situationer; simulering med data från verkliga elnät; undersökning av hur felbehäftade delar och dess distansskydd beter sig vid fel. Den utvecklade matematiska modelleringsmetoden är jämförd med ett enkelt system som var simulerat, och resultaten av jämförelsen visar att modellen ger ett överensstämmande och noggrant resultat. Analysen av verkliga fel visar att dubbla jordfel inte direkt kan likställas med traditionella enfas- eller tvåfasfel för ett och samma utgående fack, då spänning och strömmar kan ha olika beteende. Avslutningsvis kunde begränsningar hos traditionella distansskydd upptäckas, tack var en omfattande simulering av nyss nämnda elnät. Fas- fas slingan kan se svårigheter att detektera dubbla fel även när ett av dessa två är nära till mätpunkten. Fas- jord slingan är endast pålitlig när felresistansen är försumbar, eller i fall där felresistansen är låg, samt i fall när nollföljdsströmmen är närvarande. Flera felströmsinmatningar kan likaså ställa till svårigheter.

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Metrogaining is an urban outdoor navigational sport that uses a street map to which scored control points have been added. The objective is to collect maximum score points within a set time by visiting a subset of the scored control points. There is currently no metrogaining scoring standard, only guidelines on how to allocate scores. Accordingly, scoring approaches were explored to create new score sets by using scoring algorithms based on a simple relationship between the score of, and the number of visits to a control point. A spread model, which was developed to evaluate the score sets, generated a range of routes by solving a range of orienteering problems, which belongs to the class of NP-hard combinatorial optimisation problems. From these generated routes, the control point visit frequencies of each control point were determined. Using the visit frequencies, test statistics were subsequently adapted to test the goodness of scoring for each score set. The ndings indicate that the score-visits relationship is not a simple one, as the number of visits to a control point is not only dependent on its score, but also on the scores of the surrounding control points. As a result, the scoring algorithms explored were unable to cope with the complex scoring process uncovered. / Decision Sciences / M. Sc. (Operations Research)

The thesis investigates the role of structural rigidities in recent labour market performances in Europe through various and complementary angles in five essays. By structural rigidities, we mean a lasting feature caused by a set of institutions, which prevents a market from operating efficiently. The approach is essentially empirical and macro-economic, while the scope of the analysis is definitely European, which is technically reflected in the use of either euro area aggregates or panels and cross-sections of European countries. / Doctorat en Sciences économiques et de gestion / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Title: A comparison of dynamic abilities in nordic ski disciplines Aim: This dissertation aims to compare the dynamic abilities of cross country skiers and ski jumper in age between 12 to 15. Clarification of whether or not a training process of those two athlete groups has a crucial impact on the development of mentioned abilities compared to the other hobby sports group (target group). Methodology: This dissertation is conceived as empiric-theoretical. It analyses the results of samples to verify the hypothesis. There were three groups consisting of 10 samples (athletes) in total. The samples were tested in horizontal jumps (long jump, triple jump, multiple jumps) and vertical jumps (squat jump, counter movement jump). In all tests, it was decided to use only the best of all three attempts for the results. Findings: Development of dynamic abilities during the training process has a positive impact on their development in general. Both cross country skiers and ski jumpers achieved better results than the target group. Furthermore, ski jumpers performed better than cross country skiers. Keywords: physical health, sport performance, cross country skiing, ski jumping, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), long jump, triple jump, multiple jumps

В данной магистерской диссертации произведен обзор и анализ наземных транспортных средств, в частности колесных вездеходов на шинах сверхнизкого давления, получивших наиболее широкое распространение на территориях Крайнего Севера. Выявлены характерные особенности и условия эксплуатации автомобильного транспорта в арктической части РФ. На основании полученной информации разработана концепция вездехода на шинах сверхнизкого давления, наиболее адаптированного для использования в северных широтах. Исходя из предложенной конструкции, составлен технологический процесс изготовления и последующей сборки кузова данной колесной машины. Определены необходимые конструкционные материалы, используемые при производстве кузова вездехода. / In this master's dissertation, a survey and analysis of land vehicles, in particular wheeled all-terrain vehicles on ultra-low pressure tires, which have been most widely used in the Far North. The characteristic features and conditions of operation of motor transport in the Arctic part of the Russian Federation are revealed. Based on the information received, was developed the concept of an all-terrain vehicle on ultra-low pressure tires, most adapted for use in the northern latitudes. Proceeding from the proposed design, was compiled the technological process of manufacturing and subsequent assembly of the body of this wheeled vehicle. The necessary structural materials used in the manufacture of the body of an all-terrain vehicle are determined.

Corporate reporting has changed from the traditional form of reporting which covered financial information only to the modern form of reporting called integrated reporting which covers, financial, corporate governance and sustainability information. The levels of corporate disclosure among corporate entities within any country and between countries are thus likely to have been affected by this change. Motivated by the IMF/World Bank (2006) that observed that corporate reporting improved in Botswana during the previous five years, without indicating what the actual level was or how it compares with that of other countries; this study sought to determine the actual level of corporate disclosure of two samples of companies: 23 companies listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and the top 40 companies (by market capitalisation) that are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The study also shows how the two levels of corporate disclosure compare. This study is qualitative and descriptive by design; and involves analysing the content of the corporate annual report of each company in a sample using a corporate disclosure checklist; and determining the level of corporate disclosure for each sample of companies. The process ends with a comparative analysis of the levels of corporate disclosure of the companies from the two samples. Consistent with the IMF/World Bank report, the study revealed that the level of corporate disclosure in the BSE sample was low but increasing. However, the increase in the level of corporate disclosure varied from sector to sector and the specific information items. The study also showed that integrated reporting was not practised at all by the companies in the BSE sample. Comparatively, companies in the JSE sample had a higher level of corporate disclosure than that of companies in the BSE sample; and the rate of increase was much higher than that in the BSE sample. The study further found integrated reporting practiced in the entire JSE sample, although at different levels. xi This study also noted that although in principle it is sensible to benchmark from the best, other fundamental factors need to be considered before carrying out the exercise. Furthermore, the study indicated that the prevalent low level of corporate disclosure in the BSE sample was evidence that the corporate reporting environment in which the BSE lies was not conducive for the theories of corporate disclosure to fully explain corporate disclosure. A number of recommendations were made including establishing corporate disclosure indices and creation of a corporate environment in which all the theories discussed in the study can explain corporate disclosure. This study contributes to the literature on cross-country corporate disclosure and cautions companies with low levels of corporate disclosure not to embark on benchmarking without creating an environment conducive for corporate reporting. The study also offers useful insights to policymakers in Botswana and South Africa; and stimulates further research on cross-country corporate disclosure. The academia too will be able to identify areas for further research from this study. / Business Management / M. Com. (Accounting)

Corporate reporting has changed from the traditional form of reporting which covered financial information only to the modern form of reporting called integrated reporting which covers, financial, corporate governance and sustainability information. The levels of corporate disclosure among corporate entities within any country and between countries are thus likely to have been affected by this change. Motivated by the IMF/World Bank (2006) that observed that corporate reporting improved in Botswana during the previous five years, without indicating what the actual level was or how it compares with that of other countries; this study sought to determine the actual level of corporate disclosure of two samples of companies: 23 companies listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and the top 40 companies (by market capitalisation) that are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The study also shows how the two levels of corporate disclosure compare. This study is qualitative and descriptive by design; and involves analysing the content of the corporate annual report of each company in a sample using a corporate disclosure checklist; and determining the level of corporate disclosure for each sample of companies. The process ends with a comparative analysis of the levels of corporate disclosure of the companies from the two samples. Consistent with the IMF/World Bank report, the study revealed that the level of corporate disclosure in the BSE sample was low but increasing. However, the increase in the level of corporate disclosure varied from sector to sector and the specific information items. The study also showed that integrated reporting was not practised at all by the companies in the BSE sample. Comparatively, companies in the JSE sample had a higher level of corporate disclosure than that of companies in the BSE sample; and the rate of increase was much higher than that in the BSE sample. The study further found integrated reporting practiced in the entire JSE sample, although at different levels. xi This study also noted that although in principle it is sensible to benchmark from the best, other fundamental factors need to be considered before carrying out the exercise. Furthermore, the study indicated that the prevalent low level of corporate disclosure in the BSE sample was evidence that the corporate reporting environment in which the BSE lies was not conducive for the theories of corporate disclosure to fully explain corporate disclosure. A number of recommendations were made including establishing corporate disclosure indices and creation of a corporate environment in which all the theories discussed in the study can explain corporate disclosure. This study contributes to the literature on cross-country corporate disclosure and cautions companies with low levels of corporate disclosure not to embark on benchmarking without creating an environment conducive for corporate reporting. The study also offers useful insights to policymakers in Botswana and South Africa; and stimulates further research on cross-country corporate disclosure. The academia too will be able to identify areas for further research from this study. / Business Management / M. Com. (Accounting)

The aim of the thesis is to understand why European countries show a very different picture of female employment (in their fertile ages) which is not the case for men of the same age. We shed light on the various positions of countries in this framework of earner-carer models, in analysing policy designs, policy outcomes and policy determinants. That is, respectively, family policy indicators, employment of mothers and childless women, gender role attitudes and their interacting effect with policies and employment outcomes. We have used a wide range of primary or secondary quantitative and qualitative data to carry out our comparative analysis, mixing approaches, techniques and methods, from micro-econometric models to macro-level harmonised indicators, supplemented with a case study.<p>The dissertation is divided in three parts, each focusing on one question:<p>(i)\ / Doctorat en sciences de gestion / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished