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International audience; Magnitudes of differential stress in the lithosphere, especially in the crust, are still disputed. Earthquake-based stress drop estimates indicate median values ca. 180 MPa, corresponding to a friction angle of ca. 10° to maintain the topographic relief between lowland and plateau for >10 Ma. The relative contribution of crustal strength to total lithospheric strength varies considerably laterally. In the region between lowland and plateau and inside the plateau the depth-integrated crustal strength is approximately equal to the depth-integrated strength of the mantle lithosphere. Simple analytical formulae predicting the lateral variation of depth-integrated stresses agree with numerically calculated stress fields, which show both the accuracy of the numerical results and the applicability of simple, rheology-independent, analytical predictions to highly variable, rheology-dependent stress fields. Our results indicate that (1) crustal strength can be locally equal to mantle lithosphere strength and that (2) crustal stresses must be at least one order of magnitude larger than median stress drops in order to support the plateau relief over a duration of ca. 10 Ma.

AbstractFossil benthic foraminifera are used to trace past methane release linked to climate change. However, it is still debated whether isotopic signatures of living foraminifera from methane-charged sediments reflect incorporation of methane-derived carbon. A deeper understanding of isotopic signatures of living benthic foraminifera from methane-rich environments will help to improve reconstructions of methane release in the past and better predict the impact of future climate warming on methane seepage. Here, we present isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ18O) of foraminiferal calcite together with biogeochemical data from Arctic seep environments from c. 1200 m water depth, Vestnesa Ridge, 79° N, Fram Strait. Lowest δ13C values were recorded in shells of Melonis barleeanus, − 5.2‰ in live specimens and − 6.5‰ in empty shells, from sediments dominated by aerobic (MOx) and anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), respectively. Our data indicate that foraminifera actively incorporate methane-derived carbon when living in sediments with moderate seepage activity, while in sediments with high seepage activity the poisonous sulfidic environment leads to death of the foraminifera and an overgrowth of their empty shells by methane-derived authigenic carbonates. We propose that the incorporation of methane-derived carbon in living foraminifera occurs via feeding on methanotrophic bacteria and/or incorporation of ambient dissolved inorganic carbon.

PRETTY is a 3U Cubesat mission by a consortium of Technical University Graz, Seibersdorf Laboratories and RUAG Space GmbH with a planned launch in 2022. The satellite is based on the OPS-SAT platform [1] and will host two payloads, a radiation monitor and a passive reflectometer. Within the present publication we will discuss the current status of the reflectometer payload including the most relevant risks and also their mitigation by prototype developments and measurements. A first operational version of the instrument using commercial off the shelf (COTS) demonstration boards, hosting flight representative components for the RF front end as well as for the digital signal processing has been assembled and integrated with the corresponding hard- and software. While measurement results based on using the output of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) simulator as input to the PRETTY instrument have been presented earlier, we focus within this publication on the result of field tests on representative hardware in order to evaluate the expected L1 band environment for the mission.

Positive feedbacks are of importance in biochemical processes, including also replication mechanisms. Positive feedback is a process that takes place in a feedback loop that amplifies small changes. It means that the impact of perturbation on the system requires an increase in perturbation. Hypercycle is a certain kind of positive feedback. The notion of hypercycle was developed in order to explain how organisms could survive in the natural selection process. Replication of nucleic acids is an essential process in the reproduction process, which means that replication plays a significant role in natural selection. The replication stage of viral infection leads to a hyperbolic growth. In this thesis, positive feedback motifs and hypercyclic models were investigated in order to see the increased type of these biochemical processes and explore under what conditions this type of development achieved.

Abstract: A generic top-down control structure is proposed for the optimal steady-state operation of a grinding mill circuit. The economic cost function of the grinding mill circuit is defined with reference to the final product of the larger mineral processing plant. A mineral processing plant in this study consists of a comminution and a separation circuit. The comminution circuit’s operational performance primarily depends on the mill’s performance. Since grindcurves define the operational performance range of a mill, the grindcurves are used to define the setpoints for the economic controlled variables for optimal steady-state operation. For a given metal price, processing cost, and transportation cost, the proposed structure can be used to define the optimal operating region of a grinding mill circuit for the best economic return of the mineral processing plant.

In this study, we investigate double-laminated glass plates under ballistic impact through experimental tests and numerical simulations. The experimental tests are used to determine the ballistic limit velocity and curve for the laminated glass targets, and to create a basis for comparison with numerical simulations. We tested two different glass pane configurations: (1) one double-laminated glass plate, and (2) two layers of double-laminated glass plates separated by an airgap. In the numerical study, we used finite element simulations that employed higher order elements and 3D node splitting to predict the residual velocities of the bullets in the experiments. Node splitting enabled modelling of fracture by element separation and was employed for the glass parts. The material and fracture models that we used for the glass and the PVB parts were simplified, but the numerical predictions proved to be in excellent agreement with the experimental results.

Masteroppgave idrettsvitenskap ME517 - Universitetet i Agder 2017 The purpose of this thesis is to identify performance-enhancing factors amongst twins in elite sport. It is well documented that the familial context plays a role in sporting activity and development, but there is little research on how siblings and twins interact with achievement progress in sports. The informants were six Norwegian women, all twins, between 26 and 36 years of age, where everyone is or has been on a high international level in women's handball. Several of the performers are merited, with titles at both club and international level, through participation in the Champions League, European Championships, World Championships and Olympics. By using a semi-structured interview-guide, in-depth interviews with the informants are conducted. The data collection is based on qualitative methods, and the practitioners' experiences are phenomenologically analyzed. After the interviews were completed and structured, it turned out that there were three main categories that emerged: "Sibling relationship", "family structure" and "motivation". The results show that athletes describe the relationship with her twin sister as important for success in elite sport, through support, training, common goals and motivation. The informants describe dual relationship as a mutually dependent relationship, where they jointly push each other forward to achievement progress. Similarity in age means that they have experienced common development and progress, and there is reason to believe that it is a factor that may have contributed positively for the athletes. This study adds new knowledge to the field, and could pave the way for more research on how siblings are mutually interrelated in elite sport. Keywords: Twins, elite sport, performance-enhancing, support, qualitative interviews

Limited data exist evaluating the effect of blood pressure (BP) on clinical outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We sought to evaluate the association of BP levels on clinical outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated with MT. Studies were identified that reported the association of systolic BP (SBP) or diastolic BP levels before, during, or after MT on the outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with MT. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses of studies reporting odds ratios (OR adj ) per 10 mm Hg BP increment were performed. Our analysis included 25 studies comprising 6474 patients. Higher pre-MT mean SBP ( P =0.008) and post-MT maximum SBP ( P =0.009) levels were observed in patients who died within 3 months. Patients with 3-month functional independence were noted to have lower pre-MT ( P <0.001) and post-MT maximum SBP levels ( P <0.001). In adjusted analyses, increasing post-MT maximum SBP and diastolic BP levels were associated with 3-month mortality (OR adj , 1.19 [95% CI,1.00–1.43]; I 2 =78%, P value for Cochran Q test: 0.001) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR adj , 1.65 [95% CI, 1.11–2.44]; I 2 =0%, P value for Cochran Q test: 0.80), respectively. Increasing pre- and post-MT mean SBP levels were associated with lower odds of 3-month functional independence (OR adj , 0.86 [95% CI, 0.77–0.96]; I 2 =18%, P value for Cochran Q test: 0.30) and (OR adj , 0.80 [95% CI, 0.72–0.89]; I 2 =0%, P value for Cochran Q test: 0.51), respectively. In conclusion, elevated BP levels before and after MT are associated with adverse outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion.

Johnsen, S.I., Strand, D.A., Rusch, J. & Vrålstad, T. 2019. Nasjonal overvåking av edelkreps og spredning av signalkreps - presentasjon av overvåkingsdata og bestandsstatus. NINA Rapport 1590. Norsk institutt for natuforskning. Overvåkingsprogrammet for edelkreps ble startet opp i 2001. Programmets overordnede mål er å overvåke tilstanden til et utvalg av de viktigste norske edelkrepsbestandene slik at større endringer i bestandsstatus kan avdekkes. Bestandene/lokalitetene som overvåkes utgjør et representativt utvalg med hensyn på påvirkninger fra ulike miljøfaktorer, geografisk plassering og beskatningstrykk. Overvåkingen har basert seg på et fast nett av prøvefiskestasjoner der det innhentes relative estimater på bestandstetthet ved bruk av teiner og dykking (K/TN=ant. kreps per teinenatt; K/TD= ant. kreps fanget per time dykk). Fra og med 2016 er dykking utelatt. I de krep-sepestrammede områdene og i krepsepestutsatte områder, er det fra og med 2018 inkludert innsamling av miljø-DNA fra 35 lokaliteter for å se på mulig forekomst av edelkreps og/eller sig-nalkreps. Denne overvåkingen er gjennomført i tett samarbeid med krepsepestovervåkingen for et mest helhetlig trussel- og spredningsbilde. Da overvåkingsprogrammet ble igangsatt, var det særlig interesse knyttet til overvåking av de vassdragene der krepsebestandene ble forsøkt reetablert etter at de ble utryddet eller redusert av krepsepest eller forsuring. Utviklingen med tanke på spredning av signalkreps og krepsepest er dramatisk i områdene nær svenskegrensen, særlig i Østfold, Akershus og Hedmark. På grunn av krepsepest er bestanden av edelkreps slått ut i ti av overvåkingslokalitetene. Årsaken til ut-bruddene av krepsepest i Haldenvassdraget er signalkreps som ble oppdaget i 2008. I dag er det signalkreps i alle innsjøene i Haldenvassdragets hovedstreng fra Rødenessjøen og ned til Femsjøen. I Mossevassdraget og i Finsrudelva (Eidskog) var det aktive krepsepestutbrudd i 2018, men årsaken til utbruddene er ukjent. Årsakene til de tidligere krepsepestutbruddene i Glomma og Buåa er heller ikke kjent. Edelkrepsbestandene i forsuringsutsatte/påvirkede lokaliteter har utviklet seg i ulik grad, særlig på grunn av ulik kalkingshistorikk. I de forsuringsutsatte lokalitetene bør det utformes et mer finmasket stasjonsnett for vannprøvetaking. Identifisering av problemområder og tidsperioder for surstøt vil kunne bidra til en mer målrettet kalkingsstrategi. Kalking i disse lokalitetene bør målrettes mot kreps, f.eks. ved utlegging av kalkstein i strandsonen. I enkelte lokaliteter, som f.eks. Digeren vil trolig edelkrepsbestanden forsvinne hvis ikke kalkingen gjenopptas. I noen av de regulerte innsjøene (Næra og Sperillen) synes det som at det er problemer med rekrutteringen. En mulig forklaring på dette kan være at skjulmulighetene under laveste regulerte vannstand (LRV) er begrenset, og at det er stor dødelighet på kreps (særlig småkreps) som følge av predasjon og kannibalisme. Bestandene i noen av disse lokalitetene er relativt unge, og man skal imidlertid ikke utelukke at bestandene trenger en viss tid for å få «etablert» seg skikkelig i lokaliteten. Denne rapporten presenterer overordnede overvåkingsdata frem til og med 2018. Eldre data fra overvåkingslokaliteter (før 2001) er også presentert der disse finnes.

Denne studien ble utarbeidet for å undersøke allmennlegers erfaringer med spiseforstyrrelser. Dette ble gjort på grunnlag av at det tidligere er gjort lite forskning på spiseforstyrrelser fra allmennlegens perspektiv. Formålet med studien var å inhente informasjon som kan bidra til å forbedre og utvikle behandling av spiseforstyrrelser. Materiale og metode: I denne studien ble det valgt å bruke kvalitativ metode. Det ble gjort semistrukturerte intervjuer med 5 allmennleger. Intervjuene ble transkribert og analysert i tråd med systematisk tekstkondensering (Malterud 2017). Resultater: Studien viste at allmennleger møter lite pasienter med spiseforstyrrelser i allmennpraksis. De få pasientene de møtte oppleves som vanskelig å oppdage. Allmennlegene vurderte allmennpraksis som en god arena for pasienter med spiseforstyrrelser, på grunn av dens potensiale til tett relasjon til pasientene, og langvarig oppfølging. På den andre siden viser studien også at allmennleger har en del utfordringer tilknyttet det å jobbe med pasienter med spiseforstyrrelser. Det viser seg at den begrensede tidsbruken i allmennpraksis er en utfordringene. Allmennlegene ønsker kortere ventetider ved henvisning, og et bredere tilbud både kommunalt og i spesialisthelsetjenesten. Konklusjon: Studien viser at allmennleger har lite erfaring med pasienter med spiseforstyrrelser. Det er behov for å styrke allmennlegers kompetanse i å identifisere pasienter med spiseforstyrrelser, da det kan tenkes at det vil øke andelen pasienter som kommer i behandling. Det er også behov for å revurdere rammene og arbeidsvilkårene for allmennpraksis, for å optimalisere håndteringen av pasienter med spiseforstyrrelser. Studien viser også at arbeidsfordelingen mellom primærhelsetjenesten og spesialisthelsetjenesten bør gjennomgås når det kommer til håndtering av pasienter med spiseforstyrrelser.