Hvordan påvirkes den norske maritime næringen av piratvirksomheten utenfor Somalia?

Formålet med utredningen er å vurdere hvilken innvirkning piratvirksomheten utenfor kysten av Somalia har på den norske maritime næringen. Vi har fokusert på rederier og sjøforsikringsselskaper, og studert hvordan de påvirkes av pirattrusselen, og hvor stort det økonomiske omfanget av piratvirksomheten medfører for disse aktørene. Utredningen er basert på innhentede kvalitative og kvantitative data fra norske rederier og forsikringsselskaper. I tillegg har vi benyttet teori om shippingmarkedet fra Martin Stopford og eksisterende litteratur om emnet, for å belyse hvordan denne næringen blir påvirket av pirattrusselen. Resultatene viser at piratvirksomheten fører til økte direkte og indirekte ekstrakostnader for norske rederier, mens forsikringsselskapene har fått økt sine premieinntekter på grunn av denne trusselen. Dersom man måler ekstrakostnadene og økte premieinntekter opp mot omsetning, finner vi at piratvirksomheten har begrenset økonomisk betydning for norske rederier og sjøforsikringsselskaper

Valuation in emerging markets : how to adjust the cost of capital for country risk

In this paper, we conduct valuations on four Argentine companies, all registered on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange. Our goal is to investigate how to best calculate the relevant cost of capital in emerging markets. We start by thoroughly presenting the Argentine economic history and present macro-economic environment, before we present relevant theory for conducting valuations in emerging markets. We further carefully discuss theory on calculating the cost of capital and how to apply it. We take on different assumptions on the level of market integration when calculating the cost of equity, which we plug into the weighted cost of capital formula (WACC). Our valuations are conducted using the discounted cash flow-approach. Based on our results, we try to identify methods to calculate the cost of equity superior to other methods. Our valuations are based upon our own subjective assumptions and information collected by us

RNA form baker's yeast cultured with and without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modulates gene transcription in an intestinal epithelial cell model, RTgutGC from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The objective of this study was to evaluate if the intestinal RTgutGC cell line could be suitable for research on dietary ingredients and their function as modulators of inflammation during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced stress.publishedVersio

Er finansanalytikere rasjonelle? : en studie av skjevheter i resultatestimater

Denne utredningen tar for seg sentrale teorier rundt rasjonalitet og kognitive tilbøyeligheter, og ser ut i fra dette nærmere på egenskaper ved analytikerestimater for resultat per aksje for selskaper ved Oslo Børs hovedindeks i perioden 1995 til 2008. Spesielt vil utredningen ta for seg hvordan analytikerestimater kan tenkes å påvirkes av historisk utvikling både i markedet generelt, og i selskapenes egne resultater. For å avdekke eventuelle skjevheter foretas det empiriske analyser av to hypoteser som sammenligner konsensusestimater for resultat per aksje med realiserte verdier. Resultatene som har fremkommet antyder at det finnes enkelte regelmessige og forutsigbare feil i estimatene, som ser ut til å være avhengige av utviklingen i markedet generelt. Den største forskjellen mellom oppgangs- og nedgangstider ser ut til å være andelen positive estimeringsfeil, som er signifikant større i nedgangstider. Analysene i utredningen gir imidlertid ikke grunnlag for å påstå at analytikere blir systematisk påvirket av historisk utvikling i resultat per aksje

Et spindelvev av kontroll. En tematisk analyse av fem personers opplevelser av vold som del av religiøs praksis under oppvekst i lukkede religiøse samfunn i Norge.

Flere har satt søkelys på at det forekommer ulike former for vold mot barn i lukkede, religiøse samfunn i Norge. Rapporter og handlingsplaner etterlyser økt kunnskap og oppmerksomhet om barns situasjon i lukkede trossamfunn, for å sikre deres rettigheter og hjelpebehov. Masterprosjektet undersøkte følgende forskningsspørsmål: Hvordan, i retroperspektiv, opplever personer som har vokst opp i lukkede religiøse samfunn, det å ha blitt utsatt for vold som del av samfunnets religiøse praksiser? Prosjektets mål er å bidra med økt kunnskap og forståelse. Forskningsspørsmålet ble studert ved bruk av kvalitativ metode i form av individuelle dybdeintervjuer med strategisk utvalgte intervjupersoner. Datamaterialet ble organisert og analysert ved bruk av refleksiv tematisk analyse. Forskningsspørsmålet besvares ved hjelp av fem tema: kontrollen er sammenvevd med troen; en fryktstyrt verden av oss og dem; kjærligheten har så mange betingelser; muliggjøring av seksuelle overgrep; og vansker og verktøy for å håndtere livet. Teori om vold, symbolsk makt og symbolsk vold, samt begrepene frykt, stress, skam og skyld ble benyttet som teoretiske verktøy i analyse og drøft. Prosjektet har vist at det forekommer vold og rettighetsbrudd for noen barn som vokser opp i lukkede, religiøse samfunn. Volden og rettighetsbruddene som beskrives i dette prosjektet er i stor grad vevd sammen med religiøse praksiser i de lukkede trossamfunnene. Prosjektet har vist at trossamfunnets lukkethet er et hinder for at barn får den hjelpen de trenger fra offentlige tjenester. Det er behov for mer kunnskap om barns situasjon i lukkede trossamfunn. Samt behov for økt kompetanse hos de som arbeider med barn for at de kan gjenkjenne, reagere og handle slik at barn får den hjelpen de trenger.Several have highlighted the fact that there are various forms of violence against children in closed, religious communities in Norway. Reports and plans call for increased knowledge and awareness of the situation of children in closed religious communities, to ensure their rights and need for help. This master project investigated the following research question: How, in retrospect, do people who have grown up in closed religious communities experience being exposed to violence as part of society’s religious practices? The project’s goal is to contribute with increased knowledge and understanding. The research question was studied using a qualitative method in the form of individual in-depth interviews, with strategically selected interviewees. The data material was organized and analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. The research question is answered using five themes: control is intertwined with faith; a fear-driven world of us and them; love has so many conditions; enabling sexual abuse; difficulties and tools for dealing with life. Theory of violence, symbolic power and symbolic violence, as well as the concepts of fear, stress, shame and guilt were used as theoretical tools in analysis and discussion. The project has shown that there is violence and violation of rights for some children who grow up in closed, religious communities. The violence and violations of rights described in this project are largely woven together with religious practices in the closed religious communities. The project has shown that the community’s closedness is an obstacle to children getting the help they need from public services. There is a need for more knowledge about children’s situation in closed religious communities. There is also a need for increased competence among those who work with children so that they can recognize, react to and act to ensure that children get the help they need

The antihypertensive MTHFR gene polymorphism rs17367504-G is a possible novel protective locus for preeclampsia

Objective: Preeclampsia is a complex heterogeneous disease commonly defined by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria in pregnancy. Women experiencing preeclampsia have increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) later in life. Preeclampsia and CVD share risk factors and pathophysiologic mechanisms, including dysregulated inflammation and raised blood pressure. Despite commonalities, little is known about the contribution of shared genes (pleiotropy) to these diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether genetic risk factors for hypertension or inflammation are pleiotropic by also being associated with preeclampsia. Methods: We genotyped 122 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in women with preeclampsia (n = 1006) and nonpreeclamptic controls (n = 816) from the Norwegian HUNT Study. SNPs were chosen on the basis of previously reported associations with either nongestational hypertension or inflammation in genome-wide association studies. The SNPs were tested for association with preeclampsia in a multiple logistic regression model. Results: The minor (G) allele of the intronic SNP rs17367504 in the gene methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) was associated with a protective effect on preeclampsia (odds ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.53–0.80) in the Norwegian cohort. This association did not replicate in an Australian preeclampsia case–control cohort (P = 0.68, odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 0.83–1.32, minor allele frequency = 0.15). Conclusion: MTHFR is important for regulating transmethylation processes and is involved in regulation of folate metabolism. The G allele of rs17367504 has previously been shown to protect against nongestational hypertension. Our study suggests a novel association between this allele and reduced risk for preeclampsia. This is the first study associating the minor (G) allele of a SNP within the MTHFR gene with a protective effect on preeclampsia, and in doing so identifying a possible pleiotropic protective effect on preeclampsia and hypertension

Metabolic profiles of placenta in preeclampsia using HR-MAS MRS metabolomics

Introduction Preeclampsia is a heterogeneous gestational disease characterized by maternal hypertension and proteinuria, affecting 2–7% of pregnancies. The disorder is initiated by insufficient placental development, but studies characterizing the placental disease components are lacking. Methods Our aim was to phenotype the preeclamptic placenta using high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR-MAS MRS). Placental samples collected after delivery from women with preeclampsia (n = 19) and normotensive pregnancies (n = 15) were analyzed for metabolic biomarkers including amino acids, osmolytes, and components of the energy and phospholipid metabolism. The metabolic biomarkers were correlated to clinical characteristics and inflammatory biomarkers in the maternal sera. Results Principal component analysis showed inherent differences in placental metabolic profiles between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. Significant differences in metabolic profiles were found between placentas from severe and non-severe preeclampsia, but not between preeclamptic pregnancies with fetal growth restricted versus normal weight neonates. The placental metabolites correlated with the placental stress marker sFlt-1 and triglycerides in maternal serum, suggesting variation in placental stress signaling between different placental phenotypes. Discussion HR-MAS MRS is a sensitive method for defining the placental disease component of preeclampsia, identifying several altered metabolic pathways. Placental HR-MAS MRS analysis may improve insight into processes affected in the preeclamptic placenta, and represents a novel long-required tool for a sensitive placental phenotyping of this heterogeneous disease.acceptedVersio

Occupational Benzene Exposure in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Industry, 2002-2018

Purpose Workers on offshore petroleum installations are at risk of being exposed to benzene which is carcinogenic to humans. The present study aimed to assess the time trend of full-shift benzene exposure from 2002 to 2018 in order to characterize benzene exposure among laboratory technicians, mechanics, process operators, and industrial cleaners, and to examine the possible determinants of benzene exposure. Methods A total of 924 measurements of benzene exposure from the Norwegian petroleum offshore industry were included. The median sampling duration was 680 min, ranging from 60 to 940 min. The overall geometric mean (GM) and 95% confidence interval, time trends, and determinants of exposure were estimated using multilevel mixed-effects tobit regression analyses. Time trends were estimated for sampling duration below and above 8 h, both overall and for job groups. The variability of exposure between installation and workers was investigated in a subset of data containing worker identification. Results The overall GM of benzene exposure was 0.004 ppm. When adjusting for job group, design of process area, season, wind speed, and sampling duration, industrial cleaners had the highest exposure (GM = 0.012). Laboratory technicians, mechanics, and process operators had a GM exposure of 0.004, 0.003, and 0.004 ppm, respectively. Overall, the measured benzene exposure increased by 7.6% per year from 2002 to 2018. Mechanics had an annual increase of 8.6% and laboratory technicians had an annual decrease of 12.6% when including all measurements. When including only measurements above 8 h, mechanics had an increase of 16.8%. No statistically significant time trend was found for process operators. Open process area, high wind speed, and wintertime were associated with reduced exposure level. Conclusions An overall increase in measured exposure was observed from 2002 to 2018. The increase may reflect changes in measurement strategy from mainly measuring on random days to days with expected exposure. However, the time trend varied between job groups and was different for sampling duration above or below 8 h. Industrial cleaners had the highest exposure of the four job groups while no differences in exposure were observed between laboratory technicians, mechanics, and process operators. The design of the process area, job group, wind speed, and season were all significant determinants of benzene exposure.publishedVersio