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The purpose of this study was to explore the required criteria for sharing an electric machine and explore how PSS as a BM could be adapted to share an electric machine. This resulted in the following research questions: 1. From the customers’ perspective, what are the criteria for changing the ownership of an electric machine?  2. How could PSS as a business model be adapted to share an electric machine?  This study was of a qualitative nature based on an abductive approach. This enabled interaction between the theoretical framework and empirical findings. The theory was mainly based on scientific articles and the study was limited to investigating one organisation, which is described as a case study. Empirical data collection was conducted through five semi- structured interviews with customers from Industry A and three unstructured interviews with employees from the case organisation.   In the first research question, the most discussed and mentioned criteria from the customers during the semi-structured interviews were the economic gain, service quality, and accessibility. In the second research question, scenario 3, out of the five presented scenarios, is the one that could mostly be adapted to share an electric machine.

Background: There are a number of different anesthetic techniques used in same-day surgery. The aim of the present study was to try to describe the postoperative clinical course and to identify factors that may be associated with the delay time from the surgical procedure was completed until discharge from hospital when intravenous anesthesia was used. Methods: A Quantitative Cross- sectional designed was used by using a self-designed questionnaire. Results: Total of 289 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 40 years and 63% were women and 37% men. Of the 289 patients’ only one required unanticipated admission over night at the hospital. The median delay from completed surgery until discharge from hospital was 2 hours and 5 minutes and the maximum delay was 5 hours and 55 minutes. All patients received general anesthesia with an intravenous as maintenance anesthesia. Important risk factors for increasing postoperative delay were the severity of the postoperative pain and thereby the requirement of opioids in the postoperative phase Conclusion: Then undergoing daytime surgery the median delay from completed surgery until hospital discharge was about two hours. Problems with postoperative pain was associated with a prolonged delay. Thus, in order to shorten the delay to hospital discharge even further the pain-relieving treatment needs to be enhanced.

The ability to monitor client change in psychotherapy over time is vital to quality assurance in psychotherapy as well as the continuing improvement of psychotherapy research. Currently there is not a free and comprehensive outcome measure for psychotherapy that meets current research and treatment goals. This study took further steps to validate a suite of measures to aid in treatment and research, theoretically based in the research domain criteria (RDoC) and the phase model of change frameworks. Items previously tested in a community sample were further tested in a clinical population in psychotherapy training clinics and a community clinical sample Data was analyzed using bi-factor confirmatory factor analysis and multidimensional item response theory. Additional exploratory analyses were conducted to explore differential item functioning in these samples.

Denna studie undersöker styrning av professioner i offentlig förvaltning. Syftet med studien är att ta reda på hur managementstyrning påverkar professioner. Studiens empiriska material är dokument som uttrycker lönekriterier. Dokumenten representerar sex organisationer i offentlig förvaltning. Dokumenten representerar de tre olika huvudmännen inom offentlig förvaltning, statlig förvaltning, regional förvaltning och kommunal förvaltning. Dokumenten riktar sig till relativt starka och traditionella professionsyrken. Studien visar att dokumenten innehåller en managementdiskurs vilken konstruerar medarbetare. Professionen styrs genom beteendestyrning, resultatstyrning och normstyrning. Den professionella logiken står tillbaka för den marknadsmässiga logiken och den politisk/byråkratiska logiken. / This study explores the management of professions in public administration. The purpose of the study is to find out how management affects professions. The empirical material of the study is documents expressing salary criteria. The documents represent six organizations in public administration. The documents represent the three different levels in public administration, state administration, regional administration and municipal administration. The documents are aimed at relatively strong and traditional professions. The study shows that the documents contain a management discourse that construct employees. The profession is governed by behavioral control, performance management and norm control. The professional logic stands back for market logic and political/bureaucratic logic.

[pt] Entalhes e mudanças bruscas de geometria são indispensáveis na prática, mas geram uma perturbação no campo de tensões e são responsáveis pela falha da maioria dos componentes estruturais. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo estudar o efeito de concentração de tensão em materiais compósitos. O formalismo de Stroh é utilizado para obter a solução analítica da distribuição de tensão na borda de furos elípticos em placas infinitas anisotrópicas sob tensões nominais aplicados genéricas no plano. A teoria clássica dos laminados é aplicada para obter propriedades equivalentes de laminados simétricos de tal forma que o mesmo possa ser considerado uma placa ortotrópica homogênea de rigidez equivalente. Os critérios de Tsai-Wu, Puck e LaRC05 são estudados pelos seus destacados desempenhos no WWFE (World-Wide Failure Exercise) e aplicados a diversas condições de carregamentos para furos circulares e elípticos para diferentes laminados. O estado multiaxial da distribuição de tensões na borda do furo causado pelo efeito da espessura é estudado analiticamente considerando a hipótese limite de deformação plana. A análise de placas finitas é realizada utilizando o software comercial de elementos finitos ANSYS considerando-se tensão plana para comparar soluções aproximadas para as mesmas encontradas na literatura. Por último, um estudo com base na micromecânica utilizando o modelo de Halpin-Tsai para estimar as propriedades de uma lâmina em função da fração volumétrica das fibras é apresentado para avaliar a importância da mesma na concentração de tensão. / [en] Notches and abrupt geometry variations are unavoidable in practice, but they result in stress field irregularities and are the reason for failure in majority of structural components. The aim of the present work is to study stress concentration on composite materials. To accomplish, the Stroh formalism is introduced to obtain the analytical solution of the stress distribution around the border an elliptical hole in an infinity plate subjected to general in-plane applied nominal stresses. The classical laminate theory is used to obtain equivalent properties of symmetric laminates since it could be modeled as a homogeneous plate with equivalent stiffness. Tsai-Wu, Puck and LaRC05 criteria are discussed in detail and applied for different load conditions for laminate plates with circular and elliptical holes. The multiaxial stress distribution along the hole border caused by the thickness effect is studied using the plane strain hypothesis. Finite plates are analyzed using the commercial finite element package ANSYS considering plane stress hypothesis to compare the approximation solutions available in literature. At last, a micromechanics based approach using the Halpin-Tsai model to estimate the lamina mechanical properties according to the fiber volumetric fraction is presented to evaluate its influence on stress concentration.

The increasing amount of microplastics found in the environment have underscored the urgency to identify, develop and deploy scenarios in which municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) limit the release of urban microplastics into the environment. Simultaneously, the global trend towards a circular economy has defined the conditions for these scenarios in relation to the water-energy- nutrient nexus. This study has created a novel framework between studies into treatment technologies for microplastics removal in wastewater streams and circular economic objectives from policymakers with regard to the water-energy-nutrient nexus. The results of this study build on the existing evidence that MWWTPs release significant amounts of microplastics to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. This study has demonstrated how Multi-criteria Analysis (MCA) can be applied to analyse wastewater treatment scenarios for their ability to limit microplastic pollution from MWWTPs, whilst taking the water-energy- nutrient nexus into account. The MCA has identified MBR inci-eco as the best performing circular economic scenario for limiting microplastic pollution from MWWTPs in to be constructed plants. This scenario includes a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) with Anaerobic Digestion, energy recovery through incineration and Phosphorus recovery through Ecophos. If already existing MWWTPs aim to upgrade their facility to limit microplastic pollution, CASPACUF with Pyreg as an energy-nutrient recovery is seen as the best performing scenario. The powder activated carbon with ultra filtration (PAC-UF) system would then be installed as an additional polishing step to an existing conventional activated sludge (CAS) system, significantly reducing upfront investment costs. Academia can build upon these results to initiate additional research into novel microplastic filtration specific technologies, business model innovation for wastewater treatment and microplastic pollution prevention at the source and in stormwaters. National and international policymakers should ban the distribution and sale of biosolids for direct land application to limit the pollution of microplastics from bio-solids. Furthermore, efforts should be put in place to limit microplastic pollution at the source by stimulating policies for a ban on the use of microbeads, limit tyre wear and improving design for e.q. washing machines. / Den ökande mängden mikroplast som finns i miljön har understrukit brådskan i att identifiera, utveckla och tillämpa strategier där kommunala avloppsreningsverk (MWWTP) begränsar utsläpp av urbana mikroplaster. Samtidigt har den globala trenden mot en cirkulär ekonomi definierat villkoren för dessa scenarier i förhållande till vatten-energi-näring-näxan. Denna studie har tagit fram ett nytt ramverk mellan studier om reningsteknologier för avlägsnande av mikroplast i avloppsvattenströmmar och cirkulära ekonomiska mål från beslutsfattare med avseende på water-energy-nutrient nexus. Resultaten av denna studie bygger på befintliga bevis på att kommunala avloppsreningsverk släpper ut betydande mängder mikroplast i både mark- och vattenmiljöer. Denna studie har visat hur Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) kan användas för att analysera avloppsreningsscenarier utifrån deras förmåga att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från reningsverk, samtidigt som man tar hänsyn till vatten-energi-näring-näxan. MCA har identifierat MBR-inci-eco som det bäst presterande cirkulära ekonomiska scenariot för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från nya verk. Detta scenario inkluderar en Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) med anaerobisk nebrytning, energiåtervinning genom förbränning och fosforåtervinning genom Ecophos. Om redan befintliga verk ska uppgradera sin anläggning för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar, ses CASPACUF med Pyreg som energi-näringsåtervinning som det bästa scenariot. Det pulveraktiverade kolet med ultrafiltreringssystemet (PAC-UF) skulle sedan installeras som ett ytterligare poleringssteg till ett befintligt konventionellt system för aktiverat slam (CAS), vilket avsevärt minskar investeringskostnaderna. Framtida forskning kan använda dessa resultat för att undersöka nya mikroplastfiltreringsspecifika tekniker, affärsmodellinnovation för avloppsrening och förebyggande av mikroplastförorening vid källan och i stormvatten. Nationella och internationella beslutsfattare bör förbjuda distribution och försäljning av biosolids för direkt markanvändning för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från biosolids. Vidare bör åtgärder vidtas för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar vid källan genom att stimulera policyer för ett förbud mot användning av mikrokulor, begränsa däckslitage och förbättra designen för e.q. tvättmaskiner.

Biochar, the solid product of thermal conversion of biomass with little or no available air, is acknowledged as a carbon dioxide removal technique and soil enhancer among other applications. Its potential soil enhancing properties consists of increased water and nutrient holding capacities, liming effects and sorption of pollutants. However, not all soils benefit equally from biochar amendments. The thesis aims to investigate the suitability of biochar applications to agricultural soils in Sweden and communicate the results visually with a biochar indication map, illustrating where biochar could serve the highest benefits as a soil improver. A literature review was carried out to analyse the soil enhancing opportunities of biochar applications, which determined that the criteria soil texture, nitrogen leaching, ground moisture, soil pH and soil organic matter (SOM) were suitable for the analysis in a Swedish context. Then, a multi-criteria analysis was conducted in ArcGIS, based on spatial data of these criteria. Each arable land block was assigned a biochar class, varying from high indication to no indication. Arable land was considered highly recommended for biochar applications if the soil texture was sandy and at least one of the soil criteria was beyond a limiting agronomic threshold. At the national level, high indication for biochar application occupied 24.2% (528 thousand ha) of the arable land in Sweden, while the remaining land had either medium indication (13%), low indication (3.5%) or no indication (59.3%). Despite spatial variations, all Swedish counties (with data coverage above 84%) had at least 2% of high indication arable land. In particular, 66.1% of Halland’s arable land showed high indication. In turn, Skåne had the largest area (148 thousand ha, 35.7%) with high indication for biochar applications. The corresponding biochar volume potential, at the national level, suggested that between 0.5 and 26.4 million tonnes biochar can be applied to arable land with high indication for biochar applications, given application rates between 1 and 50 tonnes/ha over a 20 year timeframe. This means that arable land in Sweden can accommodate for a future production of 500 000 tonnes per year, which was suggested as an upper limit in an inquiry from the Swedish government, if application rates remain below 20 tonnes/ha. The multi-criteria analysis performed includes several subjective choices and uncertain parameters (criteria combination, data accuracy, agronomic thresholds, and classification scheme). Therefore, the biochar indication maps cannot yet be used for farm- or field-level recommendations for biochar applications. Nonetheless, despite uncertainties, the national- and county- level indication maps may still provide interesting order of magnitude. More field experiments are needed in Sweden as well as a more detailed analysis. To be able to make more precise recommendations, the present analysis can be refined by connecting all criteria to physical agricultural mechanisms and to the properties of biochar, and by using spatial data with higher resolution or even field-level data. This said, models need to be validated with experimental data, which is to date, non- existent: controlled biochar field experiments are therefore needed in Sweden. / Biokol, en solid produkt från termisk omvandling av biomassa med begränsat syre tillgängligt, är identifierad som en möjlig teknik för att minska halten av koldioxid i atmosfären och som jordförbättrare bland andra applikationer. Dess potentiella jordförbättrande egenskaper består av vattenhållning, näringsbindning, balansering av pH-värdet och minskad biotillgänglighet av föroreningar. Däremot så drar inte alla jordar samma nytta av biokolapplikationer. Arbetet syftar till att undersöka lämpligheten av biokolapplikationer på jordbruksmark i Sverige och kommunicera resultaten visuellt med en indikationskarta. En litteraturstudie genomfördes för att analysera jordförbättringsmöjligheterna till följd av biokolsapplikationer. Det fastställdes att kriterierna jordtyp, kväveläckage, markfuktighet, pH och organiskt material var lämpliga för analys i svensk kontext. En multikriterieanalys utfördes i ArcGIS, baserat på rumsliga data för dessa kriterier. Vardera jordbruksblock tilldelades en biokolklass, som varierade mellan hög indikation och ingen indikation. Jordbruksmark ansågs högt rekommenderad för biokolapplikationer om jordtypen var av sandig karaktär och minst ett av kriterierna översteg ett begränsande tröskelvärde. På nationell nivå ockuperade hög indikation för biokolapplikationer 24.2% (528 tusen hektar) av Sveriges jordbruksmark, medan den återstående marken hade antingen måttlig indikation (13%), låg indikation (3.5%) eller ingen indikation (59.3%). Trots rumsliga variationer, hade samtliga svenska län (med datatillgänglighet över 84%) minst 2% åkermark med hög indikation. I synnerhet, 66.1% av Hallands åkermark visade hög indikation. Vidare, Skåne hade den största arealen (148 tusen hektar, 35.7%) med hög indikation för biokolapplikationer. Den motsvarande potentialen för biokol, på nationell nivå, antyder att mellan 0.5 och 26.4 miljoner ton biokol kan appliceras på jordbruksmark med hög indikation för biokolapplikationer, givet appliceringsgrader mellan 1 och 50 ton/hektar över en 20-årsperiod. Detta innebär att svensk jordbruksmark kan rymma en framtida produktion på 500 000 ton per år, förslaget av en statlig utredning, ifall appliceringsgraden förblir under 20 ton/ha. Den utförda multikriterieanalysen inkluderar flertalet subjektiva val och osäkerheter (kriteriakombination, datans noggranhet, tröskelvärden, och klassificeringsmetod). Därmed kan indikationskartorna för biokol ännu inte användas för rekommendationer på jordbruksblocknivå. Resultaten kan emellertid, trots osäkerheter, antyda intressanta storleksordningar på nationell- och länsnivå. Fler svenska fältexperiment samt en mer detaljerad analys behövs. För att kunna ge mer exakta rekommendationer, kan den nuvarande analysen utvecklas genom att koppla samtliga kriterier till fysiska jordbruksmekanismer och biokolsegenskaper och genom att tillämpa rumsliga data av högre upplösning eller till och med fältnivådata. Modeller måste valideras med experimentella data, som hittills är obefintlig: kontrollerade fältförsök med biokol behövs därmed i Sverige.

<p>Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition that can lead to pain, functional limitations and disability. Due to the prevalence of LBP, multiple self-reported outcome measures have been developed, which have resulted in redundancy in the literature. Two frequently used outcome measures are the Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Few authors have performed head-to-head comparison studies to determine which of these outcome measures are the most successful at measuring sensitivity to change. The purpose of this thesis was to answer the question: Is there a difference in the sensitivity to change between the RMQ and the ODI in their ability to measure pain-related functional status in persons with low back pain?</p> <p>The first part of this thesis involves a systematic review of head-to-head comparison studies to determine the difference in the sensitivity to change of the RMQ and the ODI. Five databases were searched and nine articles were located. The second part of this thesis entails the development of a quality criteria form to evaluate head-to-head comparison studies.</p> <p>The third aspect of this research was to perform a head-to-head comparison study of the RMQ and the ODI using data from the nine studies. A small but significant difference was noted in favour of the RMQ in terms of the Spearman rank correlation coefficient between its change scores and the reference standard (Z = 2.36, p = 0.018; Z = 3.28, p = 0.001) and also in the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve area (<em>X</em>²₁ = 8.58, p = 0.003).</p> / Master of Science Rehabilitation Science (MSc)