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In this bachelor thesis, composite columns are investigated in order ta gain deeper knowledge about the interaction between concrete and steel. The goal is ta simplify the dimensioning process for structural engineers by creating a set table for the maximum load capacity with regards ta breaking af composite columns, in comparison ta normal steel square tubes (VKR). Composite columns come in 3 different principals in regards ta shape and form all with different properties. There are concrete encased steel sections, concrete-filled steel sections and a combination af these. Composite columns have existed since early 20th century and are mainly used ta protect the steel sections from fire and corrosion. When using these columns it was discovered that the actual load capacity was increased when compared ta a normal steel column. This happened by mistake when composite columns exceeded their maximum load but did not break. Further research showed that the confinement effects the maximum load increased by 25 %. Other aspects that are improved with composite columns are that the buckling af the steel is delayed, pressure capacity and counteractions ta stress and tensile forces. Handmade calculations were carried out, comparing a concrete-filled VKR-profile with dimensions 220x220 with a normal steel square tube with the same dimensions following Eurocode 4 SS-EN 1994-1-1:2005. The calculations showed a 30 % improvement with composite column. The set table for maximum load showed that bigger dimensions af columns showed larger improvement in percentages with numbers up ta SO % improvement. The handmade calculations can be done using two different methods; e.g. an ordinary method and a simplified method. 

Bakgrund: Befolkningsgruppen som lever med en demenssjukdom blir större i takt med att medellivslängden i världen ökar och där med blir sannolikheten för att sjuksköterskor kommer träffa på de här personerna under sitt arbetsliv inom professionen större. Tidigare forskning visar på att anhöriga erfar vården av sina närstående positivt när sjuksköterskorna kan upprätthålla en bra kommunikation med anhöriga och när de kan anpassa vården efter deras närståendes individuella behov. Syfte: Var att beskriva sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av vårdande av personer med demenssjukdom. Metod: En litteraturöversikt bestående av sju kvalitativa artiklar, två kvantitativa artiklar och en mixed-method artikel. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i fyra teman som belyser sjuksköterskors erfarenheter: Emotionella intryck, Begränsningar för vårdande, Anpassat vårdande och Kommunikation i vårdande. Slutsats: Behovet av tillräckligt med tid och en vårdmiljö som går att anpassa efter personer med demenssjukdoms behov, var erfarenheter från sjuksköterskorna som kom fram i resultatet. Samt att svårigheter i kommunikationen försvårade vårdandet.

This project is in the field of information design, with a focus on text design and the association of text and image. It´s a common problem that many organizations are so complex that they are difficult to describe in a clear manner. Often, they face the challenge of trying to communicate everything they do instead of focusing on their core mission. This lack of clarity can lead to mistrust, especially when it involves tax-funded operations. The aim of the work is to investigate how text and image in collaboration can help to clearly explain what organizations do. The project was carried out in association with Västerås stad.To answer the work’s research question, I have used different methods. I have worked in an iterative design process where I collected material through interviews and conversations, performed text and image analysis, and tested ideas through sketches and prototypes. The empirical material has been collected through trials during various parts of the design process. The empirical result became the foundation of basis for the information material I worked on. The final outcome is a brochure in A5 format.

Keywords: text and image in collaboration, plain language, authority, layout, prototyping

Background: Dementia is the fourth most common public illness. Annually, 20,000–25,000 people suffer from dementia, and right now there are between 130,000–150,000people with dementia in Sweden. Relatives can help loved ones with dementia, whichbecomes an extensive role as the disease is progressive and affects cognitive functions.According to law, relatives have the right to support in the situation. Purpose: The purposewas to describe the experiences of being a relative of a relative affected by dementia.Method: The chosen method was a general literature review containing a total of 13 articles,of which twelve were qualitative and one was quantitative. Results: Four themes wereidentified and these were the importance of knowledge, changed roles and relationships,physical and psychological impact on relatives and the importance of support. Conclusion:Relatives are in need of more knowledge in their situation. Education and information about,among other things, challenging behaviors would probably make life easier for relatives.Depriving relatives of their own time meant that they suffered in the form of exhaustion,stress, frustration, resignation, lack of sleep and/or depression. Relatives are in need of moreindividually tailored and optimal support in their situation, partly to promote person-centredcare in meetings with nurses, partly to prevent ill-health among them.

Water, being essential to life, has been a prominent concern in global discussions for many years. However, the global availability of fresh, clean water is dwindling, largely due to the extensive need for irrigation in agriculture. Efficient use of water resources has thus become imperative. Due to the enhanced poverty in the water reserve quality in arid and semiarid regions, the use of treated wastewater in the irrigation systems has been recommended. Still, enormous hurdles exist which discourage the use of this technology, most being anxiety of its unfavorable effects on the soil and plants. The present research explores the impact of treated wastewater on the environment specifically on the selected Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It reviews the status of municipal wastewater reuse in the GCC and assesses studies related to the effects of treated wastewater on soils and plants. This study conducts a comprehensive literature review to emphasize the importance of utilizing treated wastewater as an alternative to freshwater in irrigation, assessing its effects on soil fertility, soil properties, and plant growth.  

Background: In previous research, patients found that their previous experiences of death increased their attitude to their own death, which gave them a peaceful attitude to living in the present. Relatives’ previous experiences challenges, feelings of stress and isolation, from seeing the condition of their relatives at the end of life. Through the 6 s, nurses could provide good care and support to patients. Aim: To describe nurses´ experiences of caring forpatients at the end of life. Methods: A common literature review according to Friberg (2022), with eight qualitative and two quantitative articles were analyzed. Results: In the theme, the importance of communication showed that effective and correct communication in healthcare emerged. In the theme, the importance of contributing to provide a good death at the end of life, nurses’ presence and contact with the patient emerged, which increased their experience of a good death. In the theme, the importance of experience and education emerged that the nurses´ lack of experience and education affected the patients´ quality of care. Conclusion: The nurses experienced that the lack of communication, education and experience affected the patients´ care in the final stage of life to a worse quality of care.

Background: Burnout is a big and growing problem in Sweden. In the year 2023, there were 20,616 new cases of fatigue syndrome. Rehabilitation can take a long time. Exercise has shown a good effect in stress-related disorders and is an important part of the treatment. The physiotherapists' role in rehabilitation is to support physical training, teach the patient strategies for recovery and tools to manage everyday life. Physiotherapists' experiences with treatment are, however, less researched despite their important role in rehabilitation.

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe physiotherapists' experiences of supporting physical training in patients with burnout

Method: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with six physiotherapists active in Sweden, participants were recruited through a convenience sample. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.

Results: Three main categories and eleven subcategories were identified. The main categories were: "Planning, individual strategies and training are a basis for treatment", "Behavioural medicine approach to the patient's situation" and "The importance of weighing personality and symptoms".

Conclusion: The result shows that it was from the physiotherapists' experiences that there are many different factors that can affect the patient's burnout, including physical, psychological and social factors.  The physiotherapists' experiences were that all must be taken into account for a successful rehabilitation.

Bakgrund: Handboll är en av de mest skadebenägna idrotterna, särskilt bland ungdomar i åldrarna 15–19 år. Skolverket betonar vikten av skadeförebyggande arbete på idrottsgymnasier, vilket fysioterapeuter med sin expertis inom området kan spela en central roll. Dock saknar många tränare tillräcklig kunskap för att implementera effektiva skadeförebyggande åtgärder och involveringen av fysioterapeuter på gymnasienivå varierar. Enligt författarna saknas studier om handbollstränares erfarenhet av att arbeta med skadeförebyggande arbete, trots sportens risker och specifika fysiska krav.

Syfte: Studiens syfte var att utforska handbollstränares erfarenheter av att arbeta med skadeförebyggande åtgärder på gymnasiet.

Metod: Kvalitativ deskriptiv design med semistrukturerade intervjuer. Åtta handbollsgymnasietränare med ≥2 års erfarenhet inkluderades i studien, där en manifest innehållsanalys användes för analys. 

Resultat: Kommunikation och stöd av fysioterapeuten var viktiga för arbetet med skadeförebyggande åtgärder. Tidsbrist, bristande förståelse för skadeförebyggande åtgärder, och kommunikationssvårigheter med klubblagstränare försvårade det skadeförebyggande arbetet. Åtgärder riktade till biologiska och sociala skaderiskfaktorer använde tränare mer än åtgärder riktade till psykologiska riskfaktorer.

Slutsats: Tränare använder mest åtgärder mot de biologiska och sociala skaderiskfaktorer medan arbetet med psykologiska sidan sker mindre systematiskt. Kommunikation, tid, fysioterapeut kopplad till skolan och förståelse för skadeförebyggande åtgärder är nycklar till att på bästa sätt kunna arbeta med skadeförebyggande åtgärder.

Background: End-of-life care is characterized by relieving patients’ suffering in the end-of-life care. Previous research suggests that patients can experience both joy and sorrow when in the end-of-life stage. When cared for by nurses, they may feel safe but also overlooked. Aim: To describe nurses' experiences of caring for patients at the end of life. Method: A general literature review based on 13 articles, including six qualitative, six quantitative, and one mixed-method study. Results: Three themes emerged; The relationship with the patient, The significance of external factors and The significance of internal factors. A good relationship between nurses and patients was essential for achieving quality care. Nurses experienced emotional challenges when caring for patients. Team collaboration was seen as a crucial factor, and nurses reported a lack of knowledge, experience and confidence in caring for patients at the end of life. Conclusion: The need for education is great and would contribute to higher-quality end-of-life care.

Data Distribution Service (DDS) systems utilizing the publish-subscribe paradigm typically lack support for the automatic generation of variant topics from original data models. This limitation requires developers to manually expand systems, a process that is both time-consuming and prone to errors. This thesis addresses these challenges by defining potential data variants, developing their logic, and introducing a mechanism for their automatic generation. As a practical output of this thesis, we have developed a tool that uses XML configurations to automatically generate the necessary code The research was conducted within the openDDS framework, specifically focusing on support for OpenDDSharp, which is compatible with C#. This work uses a case study approach, supplemented by additional software development and a literature review. It expands upon previous work by adding improved capabilities for managing variants and includes the development of a new tool.

Denna uppsats undersöker de bakomliggande orsakerna till varför ungdomar i socioekonomiskt utsatta områden dras in i gängkriminalitet, samt vilka brottsförebyggande insatser som kan hjälpa dem att återintegreras i samhället. Genom kvalitativa intervjuer med tidigare gängkriminella och yrkesverksamma inom brottsförebyggande arbete har uppsatsen identifierat både individuella och strukturella faktorer som påverkar ungdomars väg in i kriminalitet. De tidigare gängkriminella arbetar idag inom brottsförebyggande organisationer. De individuella faktorerna inkluderar neuropsykiatriska diagnoser, bristande stöd från familj och skola, samt behovet av social status, medan strukturella faktorer som segregation, fattigdom och stigmatisering bidrar till att förstärka den kriminella identiteten.

Uppsatsen baseras på marginaliseringsteorin och stämplingsteorin, vilka ger en teoretisk ram för att förstå hur social exkludering och stämpling som avvikare kan driva ungdomar till kriminalitet. Genom analys av intervjuerna framkom det att brottsförebyggande insatser, såsom mentorskap, familjestöd och förbättrad skolgång, kan vara effektiva i att hjälpa ungdomar att lämna kriminaliteten bakom sig. Samtidigt krävs också strukturella förändringar för att minska ojämlikhet och segregation i samhället. Sammanfattningsvis visar studien att det krävs en kombination av individuellt stöd och samhällsinsatser för att framgångsrikt förebygga gängkriminalitet bland unga.

En viktig insikt från denna studie är hur strukturell marginalisering spelar en avgörande roll i att driva ungdomar till kriminella miljöer. Ungdomar som växer upp i segregerade områden med begränsad tillgång till utbildning, arbete och positiva förebilder har ofta få alternativ för att bygga en stabil25framtid. Gängen erbjuder dem ett substitut i form av status, samhörighet och ekonomisk trygghet - något som samhällets institutioner inte lyckas tillgodose. Detta förstärks av stämplingsteorin, som visar hur ungdomar som ses som kriminella av både samhället och deras närmiljö riskerar att internalisera denna identitet och fortsätta på en kriminell bana.

Intervjuerna belyser också vikten av tidiga och anpassade insatser för att bryta denna negativa cykel. Brottsförebyggande åtgärder som mentorprogram, familjestöd och skolintegration visade sig vara centrala för att ungdomar ska kunna lämna kriminaliteten bakom sig. Insatser som fokuserar på att bygga relationer, erbjuder alternativa vägar till status och framgång samt ge långsiktigt stöd är avgörande. Det blir tydligt att det inte räcker med kortsiktiga lösningar, samhället måste investera i långsiktiga program som skapar en trygg och hållbar förändring för dessa ungdomar.

En fråga som också bör lyftas i diskussionen är hur de samhälleliga strukturerna kan förändras för att minska marginalisering och segregation. Det är tydligt att kriminalitet inte endast kan bekämpas på individnivå. Om ojämlikheter i tillgången till resurser, utbildning och arbete kvarstår kommer kriminalitet fortsätta att vara ett attraktivt alternativ för unga i utsatta områden. Därför krävs ett bredare samhällsperspektiv där både strukturella förändringar och individuellt stöd måste samspela för att skapa en långsiktig lösning.

Sammanfattningsvis visar denna studie att kriminalitet bland ungdomar i socioekonomiskt utsatta områden är en produkt av både individuella sårbarheter och samhälleliga ojämlikheter. För att effektivt motverka gängkriminalitet krävs det därför insatser som adresserar såväl de personliga utmaningar som de strukturella hinder som dessa ungdomar står inför.

This study investigates how visual communication techniques can enhance the understanding of office spaces and their potential without physical presence in the location. Through two-dimensional representations, different visualizations are analyzed for how they inform about the layout and opportunities of the spaces from the user's perspective. The methods used are market analysis, photo elicitation, and prototype testing. This is done to create an understanding of the context as well as users’ preferences and opinions. The results show that a combination of visualizations plays a crucial role in effectively conveying the design and potential of office spaces. The work presents a design proposal on how this could be implemented. The goal of the design proposal and this study is to reduce the risk of misunderstandings and underutilized spaces, and to promote a more efficient use of work environments.

Background: Palliative care at end of life implies promoting patients’ quality of life and to alleviate suffering when demise is inevitable within the foreseeable future. Prior research has demonstrated patients’ experiences of the importance of having their dignity and autonomy safeguarded by nurses. Furthermore, patients and their relatives experience the need of support by engaging in difficult conversations regarding death together with nurses. Patients and their relatives experience that there is considerable variation in the level of knowledge possessed by nurses, which they describe results in deficiencies in communication. Without effective communication, patients experience that they lack sufficient information about their health to inform decision-making. Consequently, their capacity to make decisions and their level of involvement is experienced to be diminished. Aim: The aim was to describe registered nurses’ experiences of palliative care at end of life. Method: A literature review consisting of eight articles with a qualitative approach and two articles with a quantitative approach. Results: The result generated three themes which included insufficient conditions, the emotional impact and the need of support. Conclusion: Insufficient knowledge and lack of experience made it difficult for nurses to meet the needs of the patients and their relatives. The nurses were emotionally affected and felt the need to distance themselves along with seeking support from colleagues. By analyzing the experiences of nurses, the objective was to identify areas requiring development to optimize palliative care at end of life.

Keywords: End of life care, experiences, literature review, palliative care, registered nurse.

Background: Sedentary behavior is an increasing public health concern as both adults and children spend a large portion of their waking hours sitting. Prolonged sedentary behavior elevates the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a communication technique that can be applied during behavior change interventions to help individuals discover their motivation for change.

Objective: The aim of this literature review was to assess whether Motivational Interviewing is an effective communication technique for behavior change for individuals who need to reduce sedentary behavior.

Method: A systematic literature review was conducted through searches in the databases PubMED, PEDro, and APA PsycINFO. Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included and assessed for quality using SBU’s review templates. Data relevant to the research questions and objectives were extracted from the studies.

Results: One of the seven studies used MI exclusively, while the others combined MI with additional interventions. The studies employed two different types of evaluation tools: questionnaires and/or accelerometers. In all studies, sedentary behavior was reduced; however, only four studies reported statistically significant results. The preliminary evidence, according to the GRADE system, was judged to be moderate.

Conclusion: Motivational interviewing can be used to reduce sedentary behavior. The combination of MI with other interventions, addressing individual and environmental factors related to sedentary behavior, appears to be beneficial. However, further randomized controlled trials, specifically from a physiotherapeutic perspective, are needed in this area.

Projektet ”Uppföljning av flytten till Nya MDH” syftade till att

• följa upp flytten till det nya campuset med aktivitetsbaserade flexibla kontorsarbetsplatser vid Mälardalens högskola/Mälardalens universitet

• analysera anställdas upplevelse av den fysiska och psykosociala arbetsmiljön efter flytten • studera beslutsprocessen och implementeringen av ny kontorsutformning och nytt sätt att arbeta.

Datainsamlingen genomfördes mellan september 2019 och maj 2022 genom intervjuer, enkätundersökningar med personalen och en fokusgruppsintervju med det stödjande synk-teamet.

The aim of this degree project is to describe the textile waste management process of Eskilstuna Energi & Miljö (eem), as well as to quantify its climate impact compared to incineration with energy recovery (IWER). This is done via a case study that includes an interview, an economic assessment (capital investments and operational expenses), a life cycle assessment (LCA), a lifecycle impact assessment (LCIA) focusing on climate impact and a sensitivity analysis of EEM’s process. The results show that EEM has a well-established,profitable process for textile waste management, collecting 800 t of textile in 2023, of which 93.7% ended up being reused or recycled. The climate impact assessment of the lca show substantial advantage for collecting and sorting textile waste for reuse and recycling (75.68 kg CO2eq per t of treated textile waste), compared to IWER (8114 kg CO2eq per t of treated textile waste).The sensitivity analysis (using parameters closer to a Swedish/Nordic average for emission factors) revealed a climate impact of 338.8 kg CO2eq pert of treated textile waste, about four times higher than EEM’s process but still much lower than IWER. To conclude, by separately collecting textilewaste, sorting and preparing it for reuse (avoiding incineration), EEM are inline with existing and upcoming regulations on textile waste management. This approach to treating textile waste has clear advantage over IWER (the currently most common method of treatment in Sweden). However there are uncertainties regarding the assumption that a reuse or recycled textile item is replacing an item made from virgin materials at a rate of 1:1. A further investigation of replacement rates is warranted, to find more realistic values that can be used in LCAs. Finally, existing collection schemes for textile waste can become an important service, integrated into a future extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme.

Purpose: The purpose is to analyze the current recycling process within the construction and demolition industry in Sweden. The study examines the potential for increasing reuse and recycling of various waste materials, considering environmental, technical, and economic perspectives. Method: The method includes literature study, interviews, and case study. The literature study identified Sweden's regulations regarding reuse, the reuse possibilities of building materials and the demolition process. Interviews with four different construction companies were conducted. Two case studies were analyzed to assess the potential economic and environmental benefits of increased reuse and recycling. Results: The results of the literature review and interviews identified financial challenges and opportunities for reuse, including lack of incentives, transport and storage difficulties, and time constraints. The possibilities consist of government initiatives, faster handling of recycled materials, smart inventory before demolition and circular economy. Technical considerations include quality and warranty assurance, risk of contamination and CE-brand of recycled materials. Environmentally, recycling reduces emissions from the manufacture of new building materials, demolition waste and contributes to climate savings despite transport and storage. Concrete, wood, gypsum, and mineral wool have great reuse potential, and if reuse is not possible, there are recycling options. The first object showed a financial saving of 217 641 SEK and a carbon dioxide saving of 8 402 kg CO2-eq. The second object showed a financial saving of 503 880 SEK and a carbon dioxide saving of 5,94 tons CO2-eq. Conclusions: The construction industry needs to intensify its focus on recycling and reuse to achieve both economic and environmental benefits. While using new materials is often cheaper and more time-efficient, facing challenges, such as financial costs and time demands, hinder the reuse and recycling of building materials. To overcome these challenges, detailed technical inspections should be conducted on individual assessment. There are substantial opportunities to enhance the reuse and recycling of materials, but a stronger practical commitment from the industry is essential. According to the two studies implementing strategies that prioritize reuse can lead to considerable economic savings and environmental gains. 

I och med att flera personer har flytt till andra länder, inte minst Sverige för att söka asyl från krig och oroligheterna som pågår i deras ursprungsländer, har det lett till att Sverige under de senaste 10 åren har fått många nya medborgare. Ämnet flyktingar och integration har väckt flera åsikter bland den svenska befolkningen och politikerna. I denna studie har vi undersökt ifall Sverige har varit lika bra på att integrera dessa individer som de har varit med att ta emot dem. Syftet med studien är att söka en djupare förståelse för hur den enskilda individens integrationsprocess har gått till när de har bott i Sverige mellan 6 och 10 år. Vi har utgått från en kvalitativ metod där vi har samlat information om informanternas integrationsprocess och deras upplevelse av hur Sverige har hjälpt dem under denna process, då vi anser att ett formellt medborgarskap inte är tillräckligt för att samhället ska klassa dem som integrerade, utan det krävs att de har ett fullvärdigt medborgarskap.

This article presents an evaluation of the environmental impact of forestry based on landscape theory. It has been argued that this type of forestry offers a positive impact on the climate because there is a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and the absorption of these gases within an entire forested area. However, this analysis will demonstrate that the arrangement and composition of managed forests are linked to a significant carbon debt. This debt represents the disparity between the carbon that would typically be stored in a natural forest and the actual amount of carbon stored in the managed forest. While this excess carbon remains in the atmosphere rather than being sequestered, it contributes to the greenhouse effect. Using Swedish forestry as an example, the carbon debt is estimated to be comparable in scale to the total accumulated fossil fuel emissions of the country.