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Aquifers and groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are facing increasing pressure from water consumption, irrigation and climate change. These pressures modify groundwater levels and their temporal patterns and threaten vital ecosystem services such as arable land irrigation and ecosystem water requirements, especially during droughts. This review examines climate change effects on groundwater a
Individual metering and charging (IMC) allows energy costs to be apportioned among tenants in multi-apartment buildings based on their own energy use. This can result in reduced energy use due to an increased saving behaviour by tenants, which has caught the attention of the European Parliament. In the EU-directive 2012/27/EU there is a requirement for IMC to be installed by December 31, 2016 in m
Lead (Pb) is one of the most important models for biomonitoring of exposure, with the blood Pb concentration as a predominant choice in practice and in epidemiology. In this article the alternatives for biomarkers to blood are reviewed. This overview focuses on a number of different qualities that are of importance in the evaluation of a biomarker's usefulness and performance. The qualities scruti
Since 2009, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) regime has seen the emergence of several new political groups. This article analyses how the new political groups are positioning themselves in relation to the key UNFCCC principles (the North–South divide and ‘common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities’, CBDR/ RC). Drawing on original data, in
This overview aims to give an indication of the current status and trends in occupational health epidemiology in the Nordic countries. As indicated by recent biometric reviews, Nordic countries currently rank among the top five globally in terms of research output on the work environment. However, birth-cohort effects and rapid change in institutions and funding may seriously jeopardize this posit
The built environment accounts for a significant share of energy consumption and energy efficiency in this sector is important for the Swedish environmental objectives. Only a limited share of the total new construction of multifamily houses are constructed as low-energy buildings. Current building regulations lay down requirements for energy efficiency for new construction, and these will be tigh
A new health surveillance protocol for work-related upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders has been validated by comparing the results with a reference protocol. The studied protocol, Health Surveillance in Adverse Ergonomics Conditions (HECO), is a new version of the reference protocol modified for application in the Occupational Health Service (OHS). The HECO protocol contains both a screenin
The present paper provides an extensive literature review on water related health issues in Central Asia. Even though the per capita amount of available freshwater is substantial in all Central Asian states the uneven distribution in time and space creates problems for water availability. Due to this, the Central Asian economies are developing under increasing water deficiency. The degradation of
To address wicked issues, public authorities depend on each other. Yet an ongoing trend within contemporary public administration has been to streamline and decentralize welfare service. Consequently, the need for public agencies to work through inter-organisational collaborations has increased. Substantial knowledge of how this works in practice is however lacking. The aim of this thesis is to u
This thesis explores the possibility for (re)defining the relationship between humans and robots with conversational interfaces. It does so by looking at the creation process of a voice and text-based virtual assistant for tourists from the perspective of critical posthumanism and posthuman performativity. In a reflexive fashion, I analyze my involvement in a tech start-up, in order to argue that,
Indoor temperatures in multifamily houses are indirectly controlled by the outdoor temperature. The radiator supply temperature is a function of the outdoor temperature. This control principle cannot take into account for disturbances from people, electric appliances, airing, sun, and air leakage due to wind. A control setting with a suitable margin can avoid complaints, but may result in overheat
This paper contains a proposal of new Swedish framework for performance-based design of road tunnel fire safety derived from Swedish and European regulation. The overall purpose of the guideline is to protect life, health, property, environment, and key societal functions from fire. The guideline is structured into five key groups of requirements: #1 Proper management and organisation, #2 to limit
A large number of photovoltaic systems have been installed in developing countries around the world during numerous projects. The goal is often to improve the quality of life in rural areas often lacking electricity. Many of these installations provide important services such as lighting and charging of various devices. However, when the projects are finished, there is a large risk that maintenanc
This report provides a detailed study of attic fires that have occurred in Swedish apartment buildings in order to determine if there are specific technical or organizational factors that influence them. The study has been carried out by a combined analysis of rescue service statistics with case studies based on detailed fire investigations. In the case study a total of 27 fire investigations w
This thesis explores the reception system for unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) in Sweden, with a focus on preventive and responsive measures to sexual violence. The aim is to understand the professional challenges of actively working against sexual vulnerability and violence. Furthermore, it explores the interrelation between changes in laws and legislation and shifts in the public discourse, w
Accidents always get a lot of public attention. Journalists appear at the site of an accident, taking pictures and making interviews with professionals and eyewitnesses. With the emergence of smartphones, online-media, and social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. everyone became a journalist. It is no longer only accidents catching public attention but also near misses, sm
Klimatförändringar orsakade av människan medför en betydande konsekvens. I Sverige har handlingsplaner och lagkrav införts för att uppnå ett hållbart samhälle. En av branscherna med stor klimatpåverkan i form av växthusgasutsläpp är bygg- och fastighetssektorn. En konkret åtgärd som införts för att främja en hållbar utveckling inom samhällsbyggnadssektorn är lagkravet om klimatdeklaration av byggnClimate change caused by humans entails significant consequences. In Sweden plans of actions and new laws has been introduced to achieve a sustainable society. One of the industries with a major climate impact in the form of greenhouse gas emissions is the construction sector. A tangible action made to promote sustainable development within the construction sector is the legal requirement for a cl
År 2045 har Sverige som mål att ha netto-noll utsläpp av växthusgaser. Från och med år 2019 betyder det att utsläppen måste minska med 6–10 % per år. År 2018 stod bygg- och fastighetssektorn i Sverige för 21 % av landets utsläpp av växthusgaser, vilket motsvarade 11,8 miljoner ton koldioxidekvivalenter. Om de utsläpp på 5,8 miljoner ton koldioxidekvivalenter som genererades på grund av import av sIn 2018 the Swedish construction and real estate industry accounted for 21 % of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2045, Sweden aims to reach net zero emissions of greenhouse gases. This study aimed to analyse the possibilities and the potential of reuse of construction products in new residences based on the aspects climate, cost and feasibility. Two products were selected, one due to bei
A study is carried out on the ventilation strategies for road tunnels in different countries and consequences using fixed fire fighting systems (FFFS). The type of ventilation strategy for road tunnels can ensure the safety of people during the evacuation stages and protection of the rescue services during their intervention of the fire. Ventilation strategies vary from country to country and ther
The subject of this Master’s thesis is the management of electronic books at three Swedish public libraries. Current statistics about lending e-books have been gathered and supplemented by interviews with librarians and head librarians from the libraries in the study. Statistics and interviews are then analysed together with the library’s policy documents by using an institutional theory. The thes
