Publikationer från Högskolan i Gävle
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Kartläggning av brukarnas påverkan på en byggnads energianvändning : Fallstudie på Engesberg herrgård i Gävle
No full textThis study aims to investigate how user behavior affects the total energy consumption in a recently renovated culturally and historically significant building, as well as to identify possible energy efficiency measures. The study also includes a cost analysis of the proposed measures and a comparison of the building’s energy performance against the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning’s (Boverket) requirements for new construction. Given that the vast majority of buildings within the EU were constructed before the year 2000, and that a significant portion of these are considered to have poor energy performance, there is considerable potential within the existing building stock. The work has been carried out as a case study on Engesberg Manor in Gävle, a building from the 18th century that was renovated in 2023 into a multi-family residence with six apartments. Since the building had remained unoccupied since it was put into operation, a unique opportunity arose to analyze its energy performance without user influence. To reliably address the research questions, the energy simulation software IDA ICE was used. An energy model of the building was developed and calibrated based on the measured energy use unaffected by occupancy. The model was validated according to the ASHRAE Guideline 14 to ensure reliable results. Data collection for the energy model included on-site measurements, review of technical documentation and design phase records, as well as correspondence with the project manager. Subsequently, user input data from Sveby versions 1.0 and 2.0 were applied to examine the impact of user behavior on the building’s energy consumption. To assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of potential energy efficiency measures, a Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis was conducted. The results show that user behavior has a significant impact on the building’s total energy consumption, which nearly doubled when using standard occupancy input data from Sveby version 1.0. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the only energy efficiency measure feasible in consideration of the building's cultural heritage values is the addition of insulation to the roof, which was found not to be cost-effective. Finally, it can be concluded that the building does not meet all of Boverket’s energy requirements (BBR 29), either before or after the implementation of the measure.Denna studie avser att undersöka hur brukarbeteenden påverkar den totala energianvändningen i en nyligen renoverad kulturhistoriskt värdefull byggnad samt identifiera möjliga energieffektiviseringsåtgärder. Studien omfattar även en kostnadsanalys för föreslagna åtgärder samt en jämförelse av byggnadens energiprestanda mot Boverkets krav för nybyggnad. Detta med hänsyn till att en majoritet av byggnaderna inom EU byggdes före år 2000 och att en betydande del av dessa bedöms ha dålig energiprestanda, finns en stor potential till energibesparing i det äldre byggnadsbeståndet. Arbetet har genomförts som en fallstudie på Engesberg herrgård i Gävle, en byggnad från 1700-talet som under 2023 renoverades till ett flerbostadshus med sex lägenheter. Eftersom byggnaden stått obebodd sedan den sattes i drift fanns ett unikt tillfälle att analysera dess energiprestanda utan påverkan av brukare. För att på ett tillförlitligt sätt besvara arbetets frågeställningar har energisimuleringsprogrammet IDA ICE använts. En energimodell över byggnaden har byggts upp och utifrån den uppmätta energianvändningen opåverkad av brukare har modellen kalibrerats och validerats enligt gällande riktlinjer från ASHRAE 14 för att säkerställa ett tillförlitligt resultat. Datainsamlingen för uppbyggnad av energimodellen har inkluderat platsmätningar, avläsning av tekniska dokument och handlingar från projekteringsskedet samt kontakt med projektansvarig. Därefter har brukarindata från Sveby version 1.0 respektive 2.0 använts för att undersöka hur brukarbeteenden påverkar byggnadens energianvändning. För att undersöka besparing och lönsamhet för de eventuella energieffektiviseringsåtgärderna har en livscykelkostnadsanalys (LCC) tillämpats. Resultatet visar att brukarbeteenden har en betydande påverkan på byggnadens totala energianvändning, där den nästan dubblerades vid användning av indata för normalt brukande enligt Sveby version 1.0. Vidare har studien visat att den enda energieffektiviseringsåtgärden som är möjlig med hänsyn till byggnadens kulturhistoriska värden är tilläggsisolering av taket, som inte visade sig vara en lönsam åtgärd. Slutligen kan det konstateras att byggnaden inte uppfyller alla energikrav från Boverket (BBR 29) vare sig före eller efter åtgärden
The influence of physical exercise in older people with dementia : A descriptive literature review
No full textBackground: Dementia currently impacts approximately 55 million individuals globally, its prevalence continues to rise. Some studies have shown that physical exercise may have certain effects on patients' physical functions and quality of life. However, more scientific evidence is still needed for evaluation and analysis additional empirical validation through analysis remains necessary to guide effective intervention protocols.Aim: The aim of the literature review will be to describe the influence of the physical exercise in older PwD.Methods: This study is a descriptive review of studies on the effects of physical exercise on elderly dementia patients conducted between 2014 and 2024. PubMed Is the main database for literature search, by searching the keywords, we selected 14 articles. We used NolaJ.Pender's Health Promotion Model to guide the analysis.Findings: Exercise interventions demonstrated multifaceted benefits for dementia patients.-Structured home and multimodal exercises improved executive function, reduced falls and slowed the decline in cognitive function.-Physical health benefits included reduced fall-related injuries and comparable nutritional improvements from exercise/social activities.-Quality of life improved via daily living skills, gait speed , and vitality.-Intervention efficacy correlated with adherence, with personalized, high-compliance strategies yielding optimal outcomes, while individual factors moderated effects.Conclusion: Physical activity improves cognitive function, health, reduces fall risk and improves quality of daily life in older adults with dementia. Effects varied by method and duration, were more pronounced with short-term interventions, and long-term cognitive gains remained limited. Although high-intensity training showed minimal cognitive impact, it reduced fall-related injuries. Compliance and intervention type critically influenced outcomes, with higher adherence correlating to better functional improvements. Socially engaging activities and personalized approaches enhanced physical and emotional well-being, while individual characteristics moderated intervention efficacy. Future research should focus on standardized, individualized approaches and long-term interventions that take into account subject compliance to maximize benefits
The experience of women with preeclampsia : A descriptive literature review
No full textBackground: Preeclampsia, the second leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally, affects 7%–10% of pregnancies and can lead to severe physiological complications (e.g., hypertension, organ damage) and long-term health risks (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancer). While clinical research on preeclampsia is extensive, studies on patients' lived experiences remain limited.Aim: The aim of the literature review is to describe the experience of women with preeclampsia.Design: A descriptive literature review.Methods: Studies on the experience of women with preeclampsia were searched through PubMed/MEDLINE and CINAHL databases, and the keywords "pre-eclampsia", "women" and "experience*" were combined for screening. Finally,14 studies were included, thematic analysis was employed to extract data.Results:A total of 14 studies were included, and the experiences of women with preeclampsia were classified into three categories: physiological, psychological, and social. At the physiological level, acute symptoms (e.g., hypertension, headaches, blurred vision and edema ) and complications ( placental abruption and acute cerebrovascular events ); At the psychological level, fear at diagnosis (67.5% perceived life-threatening risks), trauma of mother-child separation (47.5%), and long-term psychological sequelae (e.g., PTSD); At the social level, there are inadequate medical support (poor communication, lack of follow-up), differences in cultural resources (e.g., Ghanaian women misunderstand "BP" as a result of stress) and racial/ethnic differences(African American women face higher cardiovascular mortality , ewish women of West Asian descent exhibit elevated cancer risks) and the need for social support(the medical system needs to be improved, more information and support can be obtained through Internet media, and prenatal education needs to be popularized ).Conclusion: Preeclampsia has multiple negative impacts on women and requires interdisciplinary care interventions, including enhanced physiological monitoring and early diagnosis, psychological support and health education, and improved health equity (e.g., culturally sensitive care, tool development in low-resource areas)
Professional Competence of Registered Nursesand Its Related Factors : A descriptive review
No full textBackground: Nursing competence is essential to avoid medical errors and improve healthcare delivery, ensuring patient safety, enhancing healthcare quality, and improving patient outcomes. The complexity of healthcare and the aging population have increased the focus on nurse competence .Aim: The aim was to describe the current status of professional competence among registered nurses and identify the factors associated with their competence.Design: A descriptive literature review.Methods: A descriptive literature review was conducted, focusing on quantitative studies published in the last decade. The search terms used were "professional competence", "Clinical competence", and "Nurses".Results: A total of 10 quantitative articles were included describing nurses' professional competence. The factors associated with nursing competence were categorized into three aspects: (1) Demographic variables, (2) Work-related factors, and (3) Individual-related factors.Conclusion: Nurses' professional competence varied in different regions, working environments and personal backgrounds. Factors associated with competence level included demographic, work-related, and individual-related. Hospital managers should realize that nurses' working environment, training and continuing education system are critical for their competence development
Differentiated Teaching in EFL Classrooms in Swedish Primary Schools : A qualitative interview study with a focus on teachers’ attitudes towards differentiation
No full textDifferentiated teaching could be a helpful tool for teachers to both support and challenge students. This study investigates how teachers in Swedish primary schools differentiate their EFL teaching and what attitudes they have toward this practice. It also explores the strategies teachers use to adapt instruction as well as factors they believe affects students’ motivation. The study is based on a qualitative research method, using semi-structured interviews with teachers from two primary schools. The interviews were transcribed, and the data was analysed using a combination of content and thematic analysis. The findings show that the teachers generally view differentiated teaching as something positive, considering it both valuable and necessary. However, a lack of time and access to suitable teaching materials are obstacles to consistent implementation. Moreover, the teachers described several informal strategies, but did not consciously identify and label these as differentiated teaching. Supporting struggling students was perceived as more manageable than challenging high-performing ones. Students’ motivation was seen as strongly linked to enjoyment and engagement. The study concludes that while teachers recognise the importance of differentiated teaching, and already use it in various ways, there is a need for increased support and resources to enable a more systematic implementation to be able to meet the diverse needs of all students
Vem är den svenska revisorn? : En kvantitativ studie om personlighetsdrag och bakgrundsfaktorer bland auktoriserade revisorer
No full textTitel: Vem är den svenska revisorn? - En kvantitativ studie om personlighetsdrag och bakgrundsfaktorer bland auktoriserade revisorer. Nivå: Kandidatuppsats i företagsekonomi. Författare: Benjamin Alsterbåge och Lukas Kitzberger. Handledare: Fredrik Hartwig. Datum: Juni 2025. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att, utifrån femfaktormodellen, undersöka vilka personlighetsegenskaper som karaktäriserar svenska auktoriserade revisorer verksamma vid mindre revisionsbyråer samt analysera om kön och ålder påverkar resultaten. Metod: Studien bygger på primärdata från Mäklar- och Revisorsbarometern. För att undersöka syftet har multipla regressionsanalyser genomförts för att kontrollera sambanden mellan personlighetsegenskaper (beroende variabler) och ålder/kön (oberoende variabler). Vidare har parvisa t-test genomförts för att undersöka skillnaden mellan vänlighet och samvetsgrannhet gentemot ett index av övriga egenskaper. Resultat och Slutsats: Resultatet visar att svenska auktoriserade revisorer uppvisar högre grad samvetsgrannhet och vänlighet. Vidare identifierades ett signifikant samband mellan kön och öppenhet där män visade högre nivåer öppenhet, men inga andra signifikanta samband mellan övriga personlighetsdrag och ålder/kön identifierades. Bidrag: Arbetet tillgodoser ökad förståelse för personlighetsprofilen hos auktoriserade revisorer, särskilt inom mindre byråer, och nyanserar tidigare stereotypa uppfattningar genom att tillföra ljus på ett nytt sätt i denna kontext. Förslag till vidare forskning: Framtida studier bör fördjupa dessa fynd i en longitudinell forskning för att undersöka eventuella förändringar i personlighetsegenskaper över tid. Vidare skulle en jämförelse mellan olika storlekar på revisionsbyråer vara stärkande för att undersöka potentiella strukturella skillnader. Nyckelord: Personlighet, Femfaktormodellen, Revisorer, Karaktärisering, Stereotyper. Title: Who is the Swedish auditor? - A quantitative study about characteristics and background factors among authorized accountants. Level: Bachelor thesis in Business administration. Author: Benjamin Alsterbåge and Lukas Kitzberger. Supervisor: Fredrik Hartwig. Date: June 2025. Aim: The purpose of this study is to analyze, based on the Five-Factor model, which personality traits characterize Swedish authorized auditors working in smaller accounting firms, and to examine whether gender and age affect these traits. Method: This study is based on primary data from Mäklar- och Revisorsbarometern. To investigate the research aim, multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between personality traits (dependent variables) and age/gender (independent variables). Furthermore, paired t-tests were performed to assess differences in agreeableness and conscientiousness compared to an index of the remaining traits. Results and Conclusions: The findings indicate that Swedish authorized accountants exhibit higher levels of conscientiousness and agreeableness. Additionally, a significant relationship was identified between gender and openness, where male respondents reported higher levels of openness. No other significant associations were found between the remaining personality traits and age or gender. Contributions: This study contributes to an enhanced understanding of the personality profile of authorized accountants, particularly those that are based in smaller firms, and provides a more nuanced perspective by challenging previous stereotypical conceptions within this context. Suggestions for future research: Future research should build upon these findings through longitudinal studies to explore potential changes in personality traits over time. Moreover, a comparative analysis across different sizes of accountant firms would be beneficial to examine possible structural differences. Key words: Personality, The Five-Factor model, Auditors, Characterization, Stereotypes.
Effektivisering av reservdels- och underhållslager i kärntekniska verksamheter
No full textLagerhantering är processen genom vilken en lagerverksamhet organiseras, styrs och optimeras. Det innebär komplexa avvägningar där lösningar måste anpassas efter verksamhetens specifika förutsättningar och behov, vilka påverkas av såväl interna som externa faktorer. Sverige var ett av de första länderna i världen att erhålla tillstånd för ett slutförvar av radioaktivt avfall, en process med höga krav på säkerhet och tillförlitlighet i samtliga stödjande funktioner. Inom denna kontext är reservdels- och underhållslager av särskild vikt. Till skillnad från traditionella lager syftar dessa till att säkerställa tillgänglighet och driftsäkerhet. Trots detta finns begränsad forskning kring hur sådana lager bör utformas och hanteras, särskilt med hänsyn till Sveriges tidiga inträde inom området. Detta understryker behovet av vidare studier om lagerhantering i säkerhetskritiska verksamheter. Syftet är att analysera ett reservdels- och underhållslager som används mot slutförvaret av radioaktivt avfall, samt föreslå förbättringsåtgärder för en effektivare lagerhantering. För att besvara syftet har en fallstudie, hos två geografiskt åtskilda kärntekniska verksamheter tillämpats som forskningsstrategi, med ett abduktivt angreppssätt. Datainsamlingen utgörs av intervjuer och observationer, medan litteraturstudien legat till grund för både faktainsamling och den teoretiska referensramen. Fall 1:s lagerhantering präglas av flera utmaningar, särskilt kopplade till inlagring, lagring och plockning. Brist på överblick, otydlig ansvarsfördelning och avsaknad av dokumenterade rutiner skapar osäkerhet i det dagliga arbetet. Därtill är underhållssystemet inte integrerat i lagerverksamheten, vilket försvårar systematik och effektivitet. För att effektivisera lagerhanteringen föreslås flera förbättringsåtgärder. Dessa omfattar en inledande sortering av lagret, följt av en strukturerings- och klassificeringsfas där artiklar tilldelas fasta lagringsplatser. Vidare föreslås utarbetandet av rutiner för ankomstkontroll samt ett tydligt ramverk för hur underhållssystemet ska tillämpas för lagerändamål. Avslutningsvis lyfts ett potentiellt samarbete med Fall 2, med syftet att främja kostnadseffektivitet samtidigt som säkerhet och tillgänglighet fortsatt prioriteras.Warehouse management is the process by which a warehouse operation is organized, controlled and optimized. It involves complex trade-offs where solutions must be adapted to the specific conditions and needs of the operation, which are influenced by both internal and external factors. Sweden was one of the first countries in the world to obtain a permit for a final repository of radioactive waste, a process with high demands on safety and reliability in all supporting functions. Within this context, spare parts and maintenance warehouses are of particular importance. Unlike traditional warehouses, these aim to ensure availability and operational reliability. Despite this, there is limited research on how such warehouses should be designed and managed, especially considering Sweden's early entry into the field. This underlines the need for further studies on warehouse management in safety-critical operations. The aim is to analyze a spare parts and maintenance warehouse used for the final repository of radioactive waste, and to propose improvement measures for more efficient warehouse management. To answer the purpose, a case study at two geographically separated nuclear operations has been applied as a research strategy, with an abductive approach. Data collection consists of interviews and observations, while the literature study has been the basis for both fact collection and the theoretical frame of reference. Case 1's warehouse management is characterized by several challenges, particularly related to receiving, storage and picking. Poor overview, unclear division of responsibilities and lack of documented routines create uncertainty in daily work. In addition, the maintenance system is not integrated into the warehouse operations, which makes systematicity and efficiency difficult. Several improvement measures are proposed to make warehouse management more efficient. These include an initial sorting of the warehouse, followed by a structuring and classification phase where items are assigned to fixed storage locations. Furthermore, the development of routines for arrival control and a clear framework for how the maintenance system should be applied for warehouse purposes is proposed. Finally, a potential collaboration with Case 2 is raised, with the aim of promoting cost-efficiency while continuing to prioritize safety and availability
The Intersection of Leaving Care and Homelessness: A Literature Overview in a Nordic Welfare State Context
No full textCare leavers are significantly overrepresented among young homeless people, a phenomenon that can be found internationally as well as within the Nordic countries. However, we argue that leaving care and homelessness are two distinct research fields, despite overlapping target groups and challenges. While both fields are aware of the intersection of leaving care and homelessness, the issue is perceived from different perspectives. In this article, we provide an overview of the literature on homelessness and the risk of homelessness among care leavers in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) to highlight the literature gap at the intersection of leaving care and homelessness research. We particularly emphasise the transition from leaving care to an independent adult life. We reviewed the literature comprising extant research studies and grey literature in the native languages of all five aforementioned Nordic countries, as well as the literature in English, with an emphasis on the Nordic context. The objective is to present a synthesis of the Nordic literature from these perspectives while also acknowledging some differences between the countries. Our analysis indicates that homelessness is addressed in the leaving-care literature, and vice versa, from the perspectives of quantification, understanding the risk for homelessness among care leavers, and challenges in transitions between child and adult welfare services. However, the literature at the intersection is overall very scattered, and more comprehensive and nuanced analysis is needed
Experimental evaluation of a hybrid evaporative and groundwater cooling system for enhancing photovoltaic efficiency in arid climates
No full textPhotovoltaic panels are considered a vital sustainable source of electrical energy; however, their efficiency tends to decline as a result of increasing temperature. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel evaporative cooling and groundwater-based system designed to simultaneously cool both the air and photovoltaic panels in hot, dry climates. Experimental results from the developed prototype indicate a clear enhancement in energy generation compared to conventional photovoltaic and evaporative cooling systems. Statistically, the evaporative cooling system reduced the average panel temperature by 15 °C, resulting in an 8.4% increase in photovoltaic efficiency, while maintaining air conditions of 32.6 °C and 62% relative humidity. Furthermore, the groundwater-to-air heat exchanger reduced the panel temperature by 22.8 °C, leading to a 12.7% increase in efficiency, and lowered the air temperature from 43.5 to 26.3 °C at 55% relative humidity. These results highlight the potential of integrated cooling systems to significantly improve the performance of photovoltaic panels in arid regions
Visualisering av koordinattransformationsavvikelse
No full textCoordinate transformations are essential in geodetic workflows, but current tools such as GTRANS primarily visualize deviations in the horizontal plane (X and Y), often neglecting the vertical component (Z). This omission can lead to misinterpretation of elevation-related distortions, which are crucial in precision-dependent applications. This study investigates how vertical deviations can be effectively visualized alongside horizontal components using three geo-visualization strategies: color-coded 2D, symbolic 2D projection, and interactive 3D vectors. A convergent mixed methods approach was used, involving seven participants who completed two tasks: estimating vertical deviation and identifying spatial outliers. The results show that no single visualization method is optimal in all cases. However, separating the Z component from X and Y improves clarity. The symbolic 2D projection yielded the highest accuracy in technical tasks, while 3D visualization was most effective for spatial understanding and communication. The color-coded 2D method enabled fast scanning but had perceptual limitations. The study concludes that vertical deviation should be explicitly visualized in transformation tools, and that the choice of visualization should align with user goals, whether focused on accuracy, speed, or interpretability.Koordinattransformationer är centrala i geodetiska arbetsflöden, men befintliga verktyg som GTRANS visualiserar främst horisontella avvikelser (X och Y), medan den vertikala komponenten (Z) ofta förbises. Detta kan leda till feltolkningar av höjdavvikelser, vilket är särskilt problematiskt i projekt där precision är avgörande. Detta examensarbete undersöker hur vertikala avvikelser kan visualiseras tillsammans med horisontella genom tre olika geo-visualiseringsstrategier: färgkodad 2D, symbolisk 2D-projektion och interaktiv 3D-visualisering. Studien bygger på en konvergent mixed methods-design där sju deltagare utförde två uppgifter: att uppskatta vertikala avvikelser samt identifiera utliggare. Resultaten visar att ingen metod är överlägsen i alla sammanhang. Däremot förbättras tolkningen när den vertikala komponenten separeras visuellt från X och Y. Den symboliska 2D-projektionen gav högst precision i tekniska uppgifter, medan 3D-visualiseringen stödde rumslig förståelse och kommunikation bäst. Den färgkodade 2D-metoden möjliggjorde snabb scanning men led av tolkningssvårigheter. Slutsatsen är att verktyg för koordinattransformation bör visualisera den vertikala avvikelsen tydligt och att val av visualisering bör anpassas efter användarens syfte—oavsett om det handlar om teknisk noggrannhet, snabb överblick eller kommunikativ klarhet