Publikationer från Mälardalens högskola
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En viilkorad trygghet : Lederskap och social stöds betydelse för etablering av psykologisk trygghet
No full textPATIENTERS ERFARENHETER AV LÅNGA VÄNTETIDER PÅ AKUTMOTTAGNINGEN : En allmän litteraturöversikt
No full textBackground: Long waiting times at emergency departments are a well-known challenge within healthcare and affect patient experience and the working conditions of healthcare professionals. Emergency departments are increasingly characterized by overcrowded and confined environments, where patients remain for longer periods. Previous research indicates that prolonged waiting is associated with increased anxiety, frustration, and feelings of neglect among patients. Lack of information, limited communication, and insufficient involvement can intensify these negative experiences, while respectful encounters and continuous updates may reduce perceived distress. Method: A general literature review based on eleven scientific articles, including both qualitative and quantitative studies. The articles were analyzed and compared regarding the aim, method, and results. Result: Three main themes were identified: Patient’s experiences of communication, Patient’s experiences of interaction and Patient’s experiences of the care environment during overcrowding. Conclusion: Patients' experiences of waiting times are influenced not only by the actual duration of the wait but largely by how they are treated. Clear communication, continuous information, and a person-centered approach can reduce feelings of insecurity and care related suffering. Overcrowding and high workload limit the ability to provide person centered care, highlighting the need for structural improvements and strengthened nursing communication strategies.
Against Practice : An Artistic Theory of Knowledge
No full textAs artistic research grows into an established mode of academic inquiry, it has become possible to distinguish a ruling metaparadigm which we denote as the practice paradigm. This paradigm is to a large extent based on the argument that artistic research is not equipped to produce standalone theories, but instead offers ways to develop and disseminate knowledge through sensory media and embodiment. The foundations for this argument are not grounded in actual expressions of artistic reasoning and reflection in a wider perspective. The enforcement of this paradigm furthermore concerns the challenges that maturing artistic research faces in co-existing with scientific research in institutional settings. We argue that the fixation on personal practice imposes unnecessary restrictions on artistic researchers and that the reduction of exploratory artmaking to applied practices is superficial, as it ignores the way artistic theorizing has tended to be done earlier in non-institutional settings. In this position paper, we review epistemological and methodological claims made by influential promoters of the metaparadigm and critique the justification of the approach. Moreover, we propose a way to move beyond the practice paradigm by reconnecting exploratory artmaking to a kind of artistic theorization that generates creative frameworks for conceptual ideas, styles, and formats rather than a catalogue of implemented works by individual practitioners. We also speculate that the articulation of the philosophical underpinnings of artistic research in its first phase might be a premature response to a theoretical crisis in the arts in general—a crisis that indeed calls for creative solutions, but has so far been met primarily with a defense of practice
The price of accountability : corruption erodes social trust more in democracies than in autocracies
No full textIntroduction: While corruption exists in both democracies and autocracies, its social consequences may differ fundamentally across regime types. Democratic norms of equality and impartiality make trust highly sensitive to institutional failure. We theorize two mechanisms-normative amplification and representative contagion-by which corruption erodes trust more in democracies. In democracies, corruption violates core fairness norms and implicates the citizenry that elected corrupt officials. In autocracies, corruption is expected and elites are seen as separate from ordinary citizens. Methods: To test this theory, we perform multilevel analysis of data from 62 countries combining individual-level survey responses with country-level democratic quality indicators. Results: We first demonstrate that perceiving corruption predicts lower generalized trust almost universally across individuals. We then show this individual-level psychological mechanism is considerably stronger in democracies than in autocracies, even controlling for inequality and country-level corruption. Discussion: These findings reveal an asymmetric vulnerability: the accountability structures that make democracies function also make their social capital fragile. This has important implications for understanding democratic resilience, as corruption threatens the social trust necessary for democratic cooperation differently across regime types
An optimal adaptive control framework for reducing operating costs and enhancing thermal comfort in low-temperature heating systems
No full textThe present study introduces and thoroughly investigates a novel smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system with thermal storage in a newly built commercial building in Uppsala, Sweden. The system combines 25 double U-tube borehole thermal energy storage, district heating, and intelligent control strategies to effectively manage heating and cooling demands for offices and restaurants. A novel optimal adaptive control framework dynamically adjusts the radiator supply temperature by accounting for solar radiation, ventilation flow rate, occupancy gains, and outdoor temperature. These modifications are optimized using the particle swarm method to enhance thermal comfort and energy efficiency. The proposed framework is compared with the existing control system based solely on outdoor temperature from techno-economic, environmental, and comfort aspects. According to the results, the outdoor temperature history and wind velocity have minimal effects on heating demand deviations, while solar radiation, occupancy gains, and ventilation performance play significant roles. The results further indicfate that solar radiation is the most influential factor in warmer months, whereas occupancy and ventilation gain are more important in colder months. Results demonstrate substantial enhancements in thermal comfort, with the weighted temperature deviation index reduced by 72.7% and the comfort consistency ratio increased by 54.4%. The designed adaptive controller reduces the annual heating supplied to radiators and the payback period by 13.2% and 9.0%, respectively, and decreases CO2 emissions and the index by 9.4% and 2.6%, respectively. After 20 years, the adaptive controller outperforms the basic model in terms of profit, increasing it by 20.4% to 190,260 USD, proving its economic superiority in the long run. In transitional months like April (14.9 MWh, 56.3% of the total) and May (15.9 MWh, 69.9%), when efficient solar gains reduce heating demands, the suggested adaptive controller also has substantial monthly energy savings
Circular approaches to HVAC components : A comparative life cycle and cost assessment of Reuse, Reapplication andRecycling
No full textThe building and construction sector faces increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gasemissions and improve resource efficiency, highlighting the need for effective circularstrategies for technical building installations. This degree project aimed to develop an apply adecision-support model to determine under which conditions reuse, reapplication orrecycling of HVAC installation products constitute the most environmentally andeconomically beneficial option. The study integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and LifeCycle Costs (LCC) within harmonized system boundaries, focusing on embodies climateimpacts and life-cycle costs at both component and system level.The model was implemented in Python and applied to a counterfactual office renovation casestudy in Sweden, where all HVAC components were replaced with new products in thebaseline scenario despite technical feasibility for reuse. Environmental impacts werecalculated using manufacturer-specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) inaccordance with En 15804 and EN 15978, while economic inputs were derived from theWikells construction cost database following ISO 15686-5. Sensitivity and break-evenanalyses were conducted for key uncertain parameters, including transport distance,replacement fraction, testing and reconditioning emission and recycled content fraction.The results show that reapplication yields the lowest life-cycle climate impact and life-cyclecost, followed by reuse, while recycling provides inly moderate improvements compared tobaseline replacement. Avoided manufacturing emissions dominate life-cycle climateperformance, and no break-even points were observed where recycling outperforms reuse orreapplication under the tested conditions, Component-level analysis revealed that high masscomponents, particularly chilled beams, dominate both environmental and economicoutcomes.The study concludes that prioritizing reapplication and reuse of HVAC components candeliver substantial climate and cost benefits and that the proposed decision-support modelprovides a transparent and practical framework to support circular decision-making inrenovation projects
Det var som en annan sorts skola : En fenomenografisk studie om ungdomars retrospektiva uppfattningar av stöd, lärmiljö och delaktighet i särskilda undervisningsgrupper och ordinarie undervisning
No full textStudiens syfte var att bidra med fördjupad kunskap om hur ungdomar retrospektivt beskriver sin tid i särskilda undervisningsgrupper (SUG) under högstadiet i relation till den ordinarie undervisningsgruppen, med fokus på stöd, lärmiljö och delaktighet. Studien inspirerades av en fenomenografisk ansats och byggde på semistrukturerade intervjuer med nio ungdomar. Resultatet visade ett utfallsrum med fem beskrivningskategorier som belyser variationen i ungdomars erfarenheter. Den ordinarie undervisningsgruppen beskrevs ofta som en överbelastad lärmiljö med otillräckligt stöd, medan SUG framträdde som mer hanterbar genom tryggare relationer, mindre grupper och tydligare anpassningar. Samtidigt synliggjordes ett spänningsfält mellan behovet av anpassat stöd och viljan att tillhöra den ordinarie sociala gemenskapen. Slutsatsen är att det framför allt är kvaliteten i de pedagogiska förutsättningarna, särskilt trygga relationer, flexibla anpassningar och en tydlig struktur som formar ungdomarnas upplevelser av lärande och delaktighet. I ungdomarnas erfarenheter har dessa förutsättningar i högre grad möjliggjorts inom ramen för särskild undervisningsgrupp snarare än genom placering eller gruppstorlek i sig
PROFESSIONALISERING PÅ GOTT OCH ONT : En kvalitativ studie om vilken mening personal inom HVB tillskriver det nya utbildningskravet
No full textPlaceringar på hem för vård eller boende (HVB) är en central insats inom den sociala barn- och ungdomsvården i Sverige. Mot bakgrund av återkommande kritik mot kvalitet, personalomsättning och bristande kompetens har regeringen infört ett nytt utbildningskrav för personal inom HVB, som trädde i kraft juli 2025. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vilken mening personal inom en kommunal HVB- verksamhet tillskriver det nya utbildningskravet på tvåårig eftergymnasial utbildning. Studien har genomförts med en kvalitativ metod och en fenomenologisk-hermeneutisk ansats. Datamaterialet består av sju dialogiska intervjuer genomförda med personal inom ett kommunalt HVB. Analysen visar att utbildningskravet tillskrivs en dubbel mening. På individnivå upplevs kravet ofta ha begränsad relevans, särskilt bland personal med lång yrkeserfarenhet, där praktisk kunskap och relationskompetens värderas högre än formell utbildning. Samtidigt uppfattas utbildningskravet på en övergripande nivå som legitimt och positivt för yrket och verksamheten, då det förknippas med professionalisering, ökad legitimitet och kvalitetsutveckling. Resultatet visar även på upplevda risker kopplade till kompetensbortfall, personalomsättning och minskad kontinuitet i verksamheten
ENERGY BALANCE ANALYSIS IN A RESIDENTIAL RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMUNITY IN STOCKHOLM : A MATLAB-Based Simulation of Photovoltaic, Battery Storage, and CHP Integration for Local Self-Sufficiency
No full textThis thesis evaluates how rooftop photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage and a small renewable fuel combined heat and power unit are able improve factors such as adequacy, cost, and emissions for a Swedish residential Renewable Energy Community. A time-series simulation for Stockholm models three configurations which are PV only, PV with a 200 kWh lithium-ion battery, as well as a PV with the same battery plus a 100 kWₑ CHP operated on HVO. Hourly PV production is taken from PVGIS for a multi-apartment building in Skarpnäck, and the electricity demand is represented by a synthetic 600 MWh/year load profile for 150 dwellings. Annual indicators and representative January, July, and October profiles are used in order to assess self-consumption, self-sufficiency, grid interaction, operating cost, and CO₂ outcomes, with rule-based, price-aware dispatch, and a sensitivity analysis on CHP and storage sizing and HVO price. PV alone shows strong seasonal and intra-day mismatch with self-consumption being 60.3 %, self-sufficiency 17.9 %, exports 70.8 MWh, and imports 492.4 MWh. Adding the battery shifts part of the midday surplus into the evening, lifting self-consumption to 73.6% and self-sufficiency to 20.9 %, while the exports fall to 47.2 MWh and imports to 474.9 MWh, with about 294 full-cycle equivalents per year. Introducing CHP changes the system most materially. Annual CHP generation reaches 417.8 MWhₑ and raises self-sufficiency to 90.5 % while imports drop to 57.1 MWh. CHP also delivers 633 MWhₜₕ of useful heat, covering 30.1 % of an assumed 2.1 GWh thermal demand. Annual operating cost is about 1.33 MSEK for PV only, 1.20 MSEK for PV plus battery, and 3.64 MSEK for PV + battery + CHP when fuel and maintenance costs and annualised CHP investment are included. Grid-related CO₂ is low in Sweden (9.4, 9.0, and 1.1 t for the three cases), while CHP tailpipe emissions are around 357.8 t, under certified life-cycle accounting for renewable diesel this burden would be substantially reduced. Sensitivity results show diminishing returns to storage size, a strong dependence of CHP economics on HVO price and heat credit, and limited effect of electricity price assumptions on autonomy. The findings imply that Swedish RECs need hybrid architectures. PV with battery is the cost-efficient baseline that improves day-to-day operation and reduces peak imports, while adding a modest CHP provides winter adequacy and near autonomy when supported by sustainable fuel pathways and favourable policy for heat valorisation
ATT VÅRDAS ISOLERAD PÅ SJUKHUS FÖR COVID-19 : En litteraturöversikt ur ett patientperspektiv
No full textBakgrund: Covid-19 identifierades i Kina i slutet av 2019 vilket ledde till att en pandemi utvecklades. Pandemin bidrog till omfattande utmaningar inom Hälso- och sjukvården där isoleringsvård blev en nödvändig åtgärd ur smittskyddsperspektiv för att minska smittspridning. Vårdrelationen försvårades då sjuksköterskorna stod inför en komplex omställning där det dagliga arbetet präglades av krav om skyddsutrustning, tidspress och brist på resurser. Detta försvårade kommunikationen och den fysiska kontakten. Sjuksköterskorna beskrev känslor såsom stress, oro, otillräcklighet och rädsla, men trots detta kvarstod en vilja att ge en god vård. Syfte: Var att beskriva patienternas erfarenheter av att vårdas isolerade på sjukhus för Covid-19 under pandemin. Metod: Examensarbetet har tillämpat en litteraturöversikt där totalt 13 artiklar inkluderats med både kvalitativ och kvantitativ ansats. Resultat: Efter analysering av artiklarna identifierades fyra teman: Att känna oro, att känna ensamhet, betydelsen av relation till sjuksköterskan och att känna självförebråelse. Slutsats: Under isoleringsvården påverkades patienternas välbefinnande samt att vårdrelationen var betydande för att minska lidande. Det finns ett behov för vidareutveckling av kommunikation, psykologiskt stöd och omvårdnad i isoleringsvård. Den framtida forskningen bör fokusera på att utveckla och utvärdera omvårdnadsåtgärder och miljöanpassningar som stärker patienternas välbefinnande i liknande vårdsituationer. Nyckelord: Covid-19, Isoleringsvård, Pandemi, Patientens erfarenheter, Sjukhus