Timber-concrete composite structures were originally developed for upgrading existing timber oors, but during last decades, they have new applications in multistorey buildings. Most of the research performed on these structures has focused on systems in which wet concrete is cast on top of timber beams with mounted connectors. Recently investigations on composite systems were performed at Luleå Un

Föroreningar på en fastighet berör fastighetsägaren på olika sätt. En direkt effekt av föroreningarna kan vara att fastighetsägarens möjligheter att använda marken begränsas och att värdet på fastigheten påverkas. Det kan också få till följd att fastigheten blir svår att avyttra. Framförallt kan en förorening på fastigheten innebära att fastighetsägaren riskerar miljörättsliga krav på att vidta av

Background: Osteoporosis is a common bone disease, which does not give symptoms until the ultimate outcome, the fragility fracture occurs. Regulation of bone mass is controlled by genetic, environmental and nutritional influences. Peak bone mass, defined as the maximum bone mass accrued, is usually reached by the third decade of life and is an important determinant of future osteoporotic fracture.

This is a review of the hip arthroplasty era. We concentrate on new metal bearings, surface replacements, and the lessons not learned, and we highlight recent reports on malignancies and joint implants. A low incidence of blood malignancies has been found in bone marrow taken at prosthetic surgery. The incidence is increased after replacement with knee implants that release very low systemic level

Abstract The aim of this thesis was to perform health economic analyses of lifestyle intervention for people at a high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The results can help decision-makers to make informed decisions over implementing lifestyle intervention, taking several dilemmas into consideration. Paper I provides evidence on the cost-effectiveness of

BACKGROUND: Patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer have a low likelihood of being cured and suffer from a broad spectrum of symptoms and problems that negatively affect their quality-of-life (QOL). Although the majority (67-75%) of patients at the time of diagnosis suffer from an incurable disease, research has primarily focused on the pre- and postoperative phase among patients treated with

BACKGROUND: Self-management programs are recognized as a valuable approach to supporting people with long-term conditions, such as stroke, in managing their daily lives. Bridges Self-Management (Bridges) focuses on how practitioners interact and support patients' confidence, skills, and knowledge, and it is an example of a complex intervention. Bridges has been developed and used across multiple h

Background: Rectal cancer treatment has improved through important incremental surgical and oncological developments over the past decades. Localized disease is highly treatable with multimodal surgical and oncological therapy. Prognosis is dependent on several factors with tumour stage at diagnosis being the most important. Furthermore, curative treatment is highly dependent on radical surgical r

The burden of cardiometabolic diseases is increasing worldwide. Early detection of high-risk individuals is essential for appropriate diagnosis, better treatment outcomes, quality of life and lower health related costs. Aims: The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate the possible associations between plasma proneurotensin (Pro-NT) and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes (T

Energy users who don’t participate in efficiency and conservation programmes despite ongoing outreach are often referred to as ‘Hard-to-Reach’ (HTR). These individuals or organisations can include, e.g., low income or vulnerable households; renters; and small businesses. More effectively engaging HTR audiences is key to ensuring everyone benefits equitably from low-carbon energy transitions and re