Studies have shown that climate change causes large scale human displacement. With this as background this thesis investigates the connection between climate change and immigration/asylum in EU documents. The EU is an institution that has not acknowledged the existence of climate change induced migration despite outside awareness that the phenomenon exists. This thesis analyzes discourses about climate change and immigration/asylum in the EU in order to find out how EU regards climate change induced migrants, and why it has not acknowledged their existence or provides protection. The thesis found that discourses of inclusion and exclusion based on European ethnicity and culture restricts possibilities for migrants from developing countries to come to Europe. It also found that EU represents its strategy to fight climate change as comprehensive and leaves no room for changes in that strategy. These two findings in combination explain why climate change induced migrants are not acknowledged, and in extension do not get protection from the EU. The research found that the absence of an acknowledgement and protection for climate change induced migrants is influenced by political discourses in the EU that see unskilled immigrants from developing countries as a threat and danger to Europe and its current climate change strategy as sufficient for coping with the effects of climate change.

<p>This thesis reports on shake table tests on fully-grouted reinforced masonry (RM) shear walls. The test walls covers a range of design parameters to facilitate benchmarking, a thorough performance investigation, and calibration of numerical models as well as development of fragility curves within the context of Performance Based Seismic Design (PBSD). The details of the experimental program undertaken, including general observations in terms of cracking patterns and failure modes of the tested walls and the results on the lateral strength, hysteretic response, dynamic properties, and the contribution of different displacement components to the response of the walls, are presented. More detailed analyses include seismic performance quantification of the walls in terms of inelastic behaviour characteristics, various energy components, and the effective dynamic properties of the tested walls. The analysis is concluded with development of simplified nonlinear response history analytical models and seismic fragility assessment tools for the tested walls. In general, the study results indicated that the displacement ductility capacity of the RM walls and their capability to dissipate energy through plastic hinging are higher than what is currently recognized by the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). The fragility assessment study further indicated that similar walls are expected to conform to the current drift limits of the NBCC even at high seismic regions in Canada. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the growing Seismic Performance Database (SPD) of RM Seismic Force Resisting System (SFRS), and to the understanding of the lightly reinforced masonry wall system behaviour.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Inadequate nutrition during the postnatal period may be associated with adverse outcomes in later life. Tailoring nutrition to promote optimal growth requires monitoring body composition (BC). This could guide nutritional strategies to promote optimal outcomes, however preterm infant BC data is lacking. <strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To introduce and assess the feasibility of air displacement plethysmography (PEA POD) as a bedside tool in the NICU; Second, to longitudinally measure preterm infant BC in hospital.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong>: This was a longitudinal, observational study. Inclusion criteria: infants 24-37 weeks gestational age (GA); informed consent. Exclusion criteria: chromosomal/congenital abnormalities; hydrops fetalis. Preterm infant BC assessed by PEA POD; anthropometric measures were collected. Infants assessed from study inclusion to hospital discharge. For reference, 23 term infants were measured.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>: PEA POD was a feasible bedside tool to measure preterm infant BC that was accepted by parents and free of adverse events. Longitudinal measures demonstrated preterm infants (n=65) gained fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) at differing rates, leading to an overall %FM increase in hospital. Our data suggests that, at term corrected age, preterm infants may achieve a BC similar to full term infants at birth.</p> <p><strong>Discussion</strong>: This study established PEA POD as a useful bedside clinical tool for preterm infants. Longitudinal BC changes in preterm infants using PEAPOD in hospital is described for the first time. Future application of PEA POD can expand longitudinal measures to create reference preterm infant BC data for evaluating quantity and quality of growth in relation to nutritional management.</p> / Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS)

Syfte Undersöka biomekaniska och fysiologiska skillnader mellan modern och gammeldags stakteknik vid konstant submaximalt arbete på rullskidor. Metod Tolv manliga elitskidåkare rekryterades till studien (ålder: 21 ± 4 år, längd: 183,6 ± 9,3 cm, och vikt: 77,8 ± 10,3 kg). Efter en standardiserad uppvärmning genomfördes två deltester, om fyra minuter vardera, i modern och gammeldags stakning med en individanpassad hastighet och lutningen 2,5°. Syreförbrukningen och ventilation analyserades under testen och efter varje deltest togs ett laktatprov och skattning av ansträngning utifrån Borgs RPE. Testerna filmades, där vinklar sedan plockades ut i ett videoanalysprogram. De olika testvärdena analyserade sedan med Paired samples t-test samt Paired samples Wilcoxon signed-ranked test. Resultat Ingen signifikant skillnad påvisades mellan modern och gammeldags stakning för syreförbrukning, energiförbrukning, rörelseekonomi, andningsfrekvens samt laktathalt. Signifikanta skillnader påvisades för hjärtfrekvens, ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) samt Borg RPE, där gammeldags stakning uppvisade högre värden för samtliga variabler förutom RER. Även i en del ledvinklar samt för tiden i den kraftskapande- och återhämtningsfasen stakcyklerna och tyngdpunktsförflyttningen. Slutsatser Studien visar inga signifikanta skillnader i energikostnad, syrekonsumtion, rörelseekonomi samt blodlaktatskoncentration mellan modern och gammeldags stakning vid submaximalt arbete. Däremot finns signifikanta skillnader i hjärtfrekvens, ventilation samt den skattade tröttheten som tyder på att gammeldags stakning upplevs något mer ansträngande. Framtida forskning behövsför att avgöra om detta skiljer sig i annan lutning och hastighet. / Purpose Examine whether biomechanical and physiological variables differ between modern and old-fashioned double poling technique (OFDP) at a constant submaximal work rate during roller skiing. Methods Twelve male elite cross-country skiers were recruited (age: 21 ± 4 years, length: 183,6 ± 9,3 cm, and weight: 77,8 ± 10,3 kg). After a standardized two subtests followed, in modern and OFDP technique at an individual velocity and the incline 2,5°. Oxygen consumption and ventilation were measured during the testand lactate concentration as well as estimation of Borg RPE were measuredafter every subtest. The test was recorded and angles were analysed. Test values were analysed using Paired samples t-test as well as Paired samples Wilcoxon signed-ranked test. Results No significant difference in energy expenditure (EE), O2 consumption, gross efficiency (GE), breathing frequency (BF) and lactate were shown. Significant differences were shown between heart rate (HR), ventilation, RER and Borg RPE, where higher values were shown for OFDP at all variables except RER. Significant differences were shown in some joint angles as well as the time of the power creating phase,returning phase of the pole stroke and the centre of mass (COM) displacement. Conclusions No significant difference in EE, O2 consumption, GE and lactate between modern and OFDP during a submaximal work rate. Differences in HR and estimated exhaustion gives a hint of the OFDP being more exhausting. Future research is required to determine if this differs in other inclines and velocities.

no / The interface tribo-layer (ITL) in an automotive brake friction pair is a layer of material created from transfer films, wear particles, and surface transformations between the rotor and stator. Its presence in a brake friction interface has been proven, e.g. by the existence of a temperature ‘jump’ across the friction interface. In this paper two static transient heat transfer models which force one dimensional heat flow, have been used to investigate the ITL behaviour and obtain an equivalent thermal conductance value. The ITL equivalent thermal conductance value is important as it reduces computational requirements and software restrictions encountered in the physical model of the ITL. This approach is developed into a more realistic two-dimensional coupled temperature-displacement model using commercial FEA software (ABAQUS). A newly developed relationship that utilises the contact pressure, real contact area, and the ITL equivalent thermal conductance, has been used to estimate the effective thermal conductance at the friction interface. Subsequently the effective thermal conductance relationship is combined with the 2-D coupled temperaturedisplacement model. The combination of this relationship with the 2D FE model provides a new method of heat partition prediction in brake friction pairs. Heat partition at a brake friction interface is confirmed to be neither uniform nor constant with time. / IMechE / The full text will not be made available in Bradford Scholars due to the publisher's copyright policies.

Yes / Arching in soils has received great attention due to its significance on the soil–underground structure interaction. The state of stress on underground structures as a result of cycles of active and passive arching was neither explored nor systematically assessed. In the present study, comprehensive investigation was carried out to examine: i. the effects of displacement direction to induce active or passive arching, ii. the behaviour of subsequent arching, iii. the effect of magnitude of initial displacement on the formation of arching and iv. the influence of soil height on sequential active and passive arching. The results showed that alternating the displacement of the underground inclusion exacerbated the formation of active and passive arching leading to a substantial reduction in shear resistance and stress redistribution. It is noted that sequentially alternating displacement of the underground inclusion was detrimental to the formation of full active and passive arches irrespective of the burial height.

The aim of this thesis is to attempt to address gaps in the forced displacement-conflict escalation literature, as well as in the literature on conflict forecasting. By posing the question To what extent can data on forced displacement improve accuracy of conflict escalation forecasts?, the aim is to explore the possible bidirectional relationship between forced displacement and armed conflict, as well as how such a relationship may be beneficial for conflict forecasts. Through utilizing Random Forest classifiers and regressors, two hypotheses are tested: 1) Increasing numbers of displaced persons are associated with escalating violence, and 2) Incorporating forced displacement data into conflict forecasting models can improve the accuracy of conflict timing prediction. The obtained results offer support for both hypotheses, in turn providing two contributions to the field of peace and conflict studies. First, that the relationship between displacement and conflict escalation is not strictly causal. Second, data on displacement magnitudes can improve conflict escalation forecasts.

The circular economy presents a promising framework for sustainable production and consumption by emphasizing resource conservation through practices such as recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing. However, a systematic analysis of these aspects remains underexplored, particularly regarding the comprehensive evaluation of displacement or substitution effects and the broader implications of circular practices on resource conservation. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting a systematic literature review, evaluating the extent to which circular activities mitigate resource extraction and their influence on the substitution or displacement between primary and secondary materials and products.  The findings reveal that the effectiveness of circular economy strategies is dependent on their capacity to successfully displace virgin raw materials and prevent rebound effects. It also highlights the variability in outcomes based upon various factors including the business models, consumer behaviour, type of materials, and circular practices employed. It highlights the need for comprehension of how circular economy practices influence demand for new products and the substitution between primary and secondary materials.   This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the conditions under which circular economy strategies can effectively reduce resource use, including suggestions for future studies aimed at enhancing the resource conservation efficiency of circular initiatives and by identifying key gaps in current research, it supports the development of more sustainable production and consumption models. / Den cirkulära ekonomin presenterar ett lovande ramverk för hållbar produktion och konsumtion genom att betona resursbevarande metoder som återvinning, återanvändning och återtillverkning. En systematisk analys av dessa aspekter är dock fortfarande underutforskad, särskilt när det gäller den omfattande utvärderingen av förskjutningseffekter och de bredare konsekvenserna av cirkulära behandlingssätt för resursbevarande. Den här studien syftar till att fylla den luckan genom att genomföra en systematisk litteraturanalys, som utvärderar i vilken utsträckning cirkulära aktiviteter minskar resursutvinning.  Resultaten avslöjar att effektiviteten hos strategier för cirkulär ekonomi är beroende av deras förmåga att framgångsrikt ersätta jungfruliga råmaterial och förhindra återverkningseffekter (rebound effect). Den belyser också variationen i resultat baserat på olika faktorer, inklusive affärsmodeller, konsumentbeteenden, typ av material och vilket cirkulärt behandlingssätt som används. Dessutom understryker resultatet behovet av en nyanserad förståelse för hur cirkulär ekonomi påverkar efterfrågan på nya produkter och substitutionen mellan primära och sekundära material.   Studien bidrar till en djupare förståelse av under vilka förutsättningar strategier för cirkulär ekonomi effektivt kan minska resursanvändningen samt förslag på framtida studier som syftar till att förbättra resursbevarandeeffektiviteten inom cirkulära initiativ.

Background: Artificial Intelligence is a novel technology that is rapidly becoming an important part of everyday life. With the increasing implementation across industries, there are fears of massive job displacements in the future. Because of this, it is crucial to examine these effects and how Artificial Intelligence can be designed to comply with social sustainability.   Purpose: explore how social sustainability can be considered to mitigate negative outcomes related to individual perceptions of AI-related job displacement.  Method: To conduct this study, we have applied the Delphi method which consists of surveys and panels done with 9 participants (5 experts and 4 students). The data collected was then analysed with the IPA method and classed into themes, and clusters of themes. This allowed us to obtain findings which formed the basis of the theoretical and practical conclusions and implications that this paper obtained.   Conclusion: The research shows the potential benefits of designing Artificial Intelligence for social sustainability by adapting the model of Human-Centred AI to the context of AI-related job displacement.

As an alternative to existing research which states that the phenomenon of displacement resists theorisation because of its complex nature, this study conducts a Phenomenological examination of the nature of displacement in which the interlinked losses in the key concepts of the consciousness of the displaced, namely Memory, Land and home and Identity, are navigated. It is shown that the current consciousness of society mimics these losses with the effect of displacement being experienced as a state of mind by contemporary society. By comparing selected artworks of artists Rachel Whiteread and Cornelia Parker, it is established that although manifested in diverse ways, contemporary artworks reflect displacement according to a set of broadly defined visual signifiers. The visual documentation of a site of displacement in the North West Province of South Africa and subsequently produced artworks underline these findings and highlight the elusive attributes of loss inherent in the displacement phenomenon. / Art History, Visual Arts & Musicology / M.A. (Visual Arts)