Future emission legislation puts great emphasis on increasing the efficiency of the engine, thereby reducing fuel consumption. The tribological contact between cylinder liner and piston ring is where an great amount of energy is lost due to friction, and by reducing these losses an reduction in fuel consumption can be achieved.The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the tested piston ring coatings against a plasma sprayed cylinder liner and rank these combinations of materials for friction and wear resistance. The coatings that were tested was Cr + Al2O3, (Al,Cr)N, two types of CrN and WC / C.The experimental tests were performed with a so-called pin-plate, where used oil with addition of an acidic mixture of sulfuric and nitric acid to mimic the acidic condensate formed when exhausts recirculate, were added with a continuous flow. The results were then analyzed by weighing, studies by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and profile measurements.The results from each material combination were that the plasma coated cylinder liner wears too aggressively in order to yield a ranking of the piston ring coatings based on the parameters of friction and wear resistance. It is therefore proposed that an alternative coating on the cylinder liner should be developed, lacking the large abrasive wear on piston rings and that can withstand the corrosive environment resulting in engines equipped with EGR.

The dairy cow?s ability to resume estrus after calving and to conceive is affected by their metabolic status after calving. For high yielding cows there is a high risk that the feed intake will not be sufficient to cope with the increased energy demands after calving, and the cow will end up in a state of negative energy balance. Energy balance can be measured in various ways, for example by body condition score or by plasma concentration of several metabolic hormones and metabolites. After calving, endocrine pathways stimulate tissue mobilization; insulin signaling is blocked, the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) and leptin decreases, and the concentration of growth hormone (GH) increases.

This paper investigates strategic opportunities for film festivals in a digital film business, with emphasis on Göteborg international film festival and the Swedish film industry. Using a theoretical framework of strategy analysis, the film value chain is examined with special regards to disruptive technology, and the film festival's unique resources are linked to industry structure. It is shown that relationships between actors and across sectors are crucial features of the film industry, and hence a network perspective is added to the theoretical framework. Barriers to entry are shown to be relatively low in all sectors except the cinema market, and it is proposed that film festival's could expand into digital distribution, taking advantage of brand strength, customer loyalty and knowledge of industry. The study adds to the mounting research on film festival practice and its significance for marketing and distribution in the film industry, and highlights the emergence of strategic openings in destabilized networks..

The manufactory industry, due to decline in profit margins, is seeking new business opportunities by moving towards servitization and value-adding services in after-sales. We have therefore conducted a case study to investigate a manufacturing company in their current transformation towards servitization. By studying the management perspective, we aimed to understand how Information Technology, by adding value, could play a role in the transformation process. This study shows that information technology can take an integrating role, by supporting new value-adding services to provider and customer, as well as a co-creating role, where both provider and customer benefits by learning from each other, in the changing work process initiated by new services. The study has also shown that Information Technology, together with organization, information and people, are crucial components in the manufactory industry?s transformation towards servitization.  Furthermore, the study has also shown that the value chain has the potential to drastically change due to the value-adding that the information technology brings to the progress of servitization..

This thesis serves to examine how manufacturing SMEs consider outsourcing. Furthermore, we aim to identify the main characteristics and patterns for these types of companies that can explain their rationale in such a decision. The chosen method for this thesis is abduction and selected research approach is multiple case studies. Seven case studies have been conducted at EAB AB, Esbe AB, Hörle Automatic AB, Pelly Industri AB, SGV Industrier AB, Swede-Wheel AB and Wulkan AB. Our findings have illustrated that although traditional outsourcing theory provides a good platform for explaining the rationale behind outsourcing decisions in SMEs, we have identified additional considerations that SMEs, operating as 2, 3 or 4-tier suppliers towards OEM-corporations, make.

Denna studie handlar om storbankernas interna värdeskapande processer med de anställda för att kunna skapa lojala kunder. Fokus ligger på just den interna marknadsföringen då denna måste vara effektiv för att den externa marknadsföringen ska bli framgångsrik. Ambitionen med undersökningen är att analysera vilka marknadsföringsstrategier de traditionella storbankerna bör använda sig av för att skapa lojala kunder. Detta krävs då den svenska bankmarknaden idag karaktäriseras av en mättad marknad. Konkurrensen är hård på grund av att både mindre svenska nischbanker och nya utländska aktörer försöker ta storbankernas marknadsandelar.För att storbankerna ska kunna skapa lojala kunder måste de få dem hög involverade.

This master's thesis focuses on the development of a strategy for aninformation service in the area of digitization of cultural heritage andresearch, with a web based platform as implementation of the strategy. Viathe platform, digital collections and research are presented and shared.Services around the platform are provided. Support activities comprise thewhole chain of digitization, from digitization to archival of the digitizedobjects. The information service aims for a new approach to combine ICT andestablished research; research and industrial practice were combined andcooperation of participants from various backgrounds was enabled. Thestrategy and organization of such information service was described using a?quality management system?, standard ISO 9001.

Holmen Skog AB is an important supplier of conifer pulpwood to the Iggesund Paperboard mill. After logging and transport to the landing by a forwarder, the wood is loaded on trucks for further transport, often by using separate loaders. During this handling process considerable amounts of stone material is sometimes mixed into the pulpwood and this causes problems for the industry. The aim of this study is to identify which part of the chain from forest to pulpmill, that contributes the most to this contamination. Sizes and total volumes of the contaminating stones were also investigated.

Med hjälp av en stor mängd vindobservationer i tid och rum analyseras vindhastigheters statistiska egenskaper. Det visar sig att weibullfördelningen väl beskriver vinden, bådeårs- och månadsvis. Vidare används variogram för att undersöka vindens korrelation i rummet. En parametrisk variogrammodell som ger en bra beskrivning för närliggandepunkter ärWhittle. Dessutom skattas medelvärdesfunktioner för vindens tidsserier.

Abstract.The levels of dioxin and comparable substances rose to a large extent in our environment during the second half of the 20'Th century. This was the result of the synthesis of, and careless usage of these substances in cooling fluids, hydraulics, pesticides etc. Background levels of dioxins and furans in sealed samples prior to this era suggest that former sources of these substances existed. Salt glazing is a method of adding a smooth acid resistant exterior to stoneware ceramics. The technique has been in use since the 16'Th century, maybe even earlier than that.

This paper investigates and explains the existence of different governance structures in the Swedish film industry. Using a theoretical framework of transaction cost economics, it is shown that trust follows from frequent production projects, affecting the distributors? control of producers, cinemas, video retailers and television. Control becomes more flexible, informal and less time consuming. Furthermore, the control of the distributors? relationship with television and cinemas proves to be multidimensional and affected by transaction activities, as well as by demands from previous parties in the value chain.

Med hjälp av en stor mängd vindobservationer i tid och rum analyseras vindhastigheters statistiska egenskaper. Det visar sig att weibullfördelningen väl beskriver vinden, bådeårs- och månadsvis. Vidare används variogram för att undersöka vindens korrelation i rummet. En parametrisk variogrammodell som ger en bra beskrivning för närliggandepunkter ärWhittle. Dessutom skattas medelvärdesfunktioner för vindens tidsserier.

Abstract.The levels of dioxin and comparable substances rose to a large extent in our environment during the second half of the 20'Th century. This was the result of the synthesis of, and careless usage of these substances in cooling fluids, hydraulics, pesticides etc. Background levels of dioxins and furans in sealed samples prior to this era suggest that former sources of these substances existed. Salt glazing is a method of adding a smooth acid resistant exterior to stoneware ceramics. The technique has been in use since the 16'Th century, maybe even earlier than that.

Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att svara på frågan: Hur påverkar den flödesbaseradelogistiken logistikledningen vid en internationell operation utförd av FM? Genom att kvalitativtanalysera teorin bakom flödesbaserad logistik (Supply Chain Management), ochFörsvarsmaktens logistikledningssystem vid internationella operationer via de tre begreppenorganisation, teknik och individ besvaras detta. Uppsatsen tar stöd av manöverteorin, ochspeciellt dess komponent uppdragstaktik, för att verifiera analysens operativa relevans.En specifik studie av det ovanstående i en NBF-miljö har också genomförts.Det empiriska underlaget baseras helt på skrivet material, och främst läroböcker avseenderespektive begrepp. De svar som analysen har givit är sammanfattningsvis;? Industriaktörerna i logistikkedjan kan ta ett större ansvar för försörjningen avutlandsbaserade förband.? Förvarsmakten bör anskaffa systemstöd som medger kommunikation med samtligaaktörer i logistikkedjan.? De civila aktörernas behov och möjligheter till kommunikation måste beaktas vidanskaffning av ett NBF-system..

Med hjälp av en stor mängd vindobservationer i tid och rum analyseras vindhastigheters statistiska egenskaper. Det visar sig att weibullfördelningen väl beskriver vinden, bådeårs- och månadsvis. Vidare används variogram för att undersöka vindens korrelation i rummet. En parametrisk variogrammodell som ger en bra beskrivning för närliggandepunkter ärWhittle. Dessutom skattas medelvärdesfunktioner för vindens tidsserier.