Iodine in Early Life : A cross-sectional study of children 0–2 years of age and their mothers in Norway

Bakgrunn: Jod trengs for produksjonen av tyreoideahormoner, som er viktige for metabolismen og for normal vekst og utvikling av hjernen og nervesystemet. Både for mye og for lite jod kan medføre endringer i produksjonen av disse hormonene og føre til uheldige helseeffekter. Selv om andelen med jodmangel og relaterte sykdommer har blitt betydelig redusert de siste tiårene, er mild-til-moderat jodmangel utbredt i enkelte befolkningsgrupper, både i Norge og i andre land. Til tross for viktigheten av jod for vekst og utvikling, er det kunnskapshull om jodstatus og jodinntak blant små barn. Mål: Det overordnede målet var å beskrive jodtatus og jodinntak blant barn mellom 0–2 år og deres mødre i Innlandet, samt å estimere sammenhengen mellom mors og barns jodinntak. Methode: En tverrsnittsstudie ble gjennomført i to faser i Innlandet: fase I) blant mor-barn par (barns alder 0–12 måneder) i to kommuner fra oktober til desember 2018, og fase II) blant mor-barn par (barn 0–2 år) i 30 kommuner fra november 2020 til oktober 2021. Prøver av urin og morsmelk ble samlet inn og analysert for jod. Jodinntak ble beregnet ved bruk av ulike metoder: fase I) spørreskjema for nylig og habituelt inntak, og fase II) repeterte 24-timers kostintervju og matvarefrekvensspørreskjema. I fase II ble det statistiske verktøyet «Multiple Source Method» brukt til å estimere distribusjonen av habituelt inntak av jod fra 24-timers kostintervju. Resultater: Totalt ble 463 mor-barn par inkludert i analysene av jodinntak og jodstatus (130 fra fase I og 333 fra fase II). I fase I var barnas median jodkonsentrasjon i urin (UIC) 145 μg/L, som indikerer tilstrekkelig jodstatus ifølge grenseverdien satt av WHO på 100 μg/L. Habituelt jodinntak ble ikke estimert for alle barna i fase I, men median nylig (24-timers) jodinntak var 50 μg/dag og innenfor anbefalt inntak [«recommended intake» (RI)] på 50–70 μg/dag (NNR2012). I fase II, som inkluderte et representativt utvalg mor-barn par fra Innlandet, var barnas median UIC 145 μg/L, også over WHOs grenseverdi for tilstrekkelig jodstatus. Median habituelt jodinntak basert på repeterte 24-timers kostintervju var 83 μg/dag og under nylig oppdatert referanseinntak [«adequate intake», (AI)] for denne aldersgruppen på 90–100 μg/dag (NNR2023). Videre hadde 35% av barna et suboptimalt jodinntak [under «estimated average requirement» (EAR) på 72 μg/dag], og <1 % hadde et for høyt jodinntak [over «upper limit» (UL) på 200 μg/day]. Median UIC blant mødrene i fase II var 92 μg/L, som indikerer utilstrekkelig jodstatus (<100 μg/L). Median jodkonsentrasjon i morsmelk (BMIC) var 74 μg/L. Videre hadde 23% av kvinnene et suboptimalt habituelt jodinntak [under «average requirement» (AR) på 100 μg/dag], mens ingen hadde et for høyt jodinntak (over UL på 600 μg/dag). Barnas UIC og jodinntak var positivt assosiert med BMIC, mors UIC, og mors habituelle jodinntak. Konklusjon: Barna hadde en adekvat jodstatus på gruppenivå, indikert ved en median UIC over gjeldende grenseverdi på 100 μg/L. 24-timers kostintervjuene indikerte at mer enn en tredjedel av barna hadde et utilstrekkelig jodinntak, mens veldig få barn hadde et for høyt jodinntak. Funnene samsvarer med tidligere funn av lave jodinntak blant ammende kvinner. Med tanke på viktigheten av jod for vekst og utvikling er det behov for tiltak for å øke jodinntaket blant små barn og kvinner i fertil alder.Background: As a component of the thyroid hormones (THs), iodine is a micronutrient essential for normal neurodevelopment and metabolism. Both iodine deficiency and iodine excess may alter TH production and are associated with an increased risk of adverse health effects. While there has been substantial global progress in tackling iodine deficiency disorders over recent decades, mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency remains a threat in certain countries and population groups, including Norway. Despite the importance of iodine in early life, data on iodine nutrition in young children are scarce. Objectives: The main objective of this thesis was to describe iodine nutrition (iodine status and intake) in children between 0–2 years of age and their mothers in Innlandet County, Norway, and relate it to markers of maternal iodine nutrition. Methods: A two-phase cross-sectional study in Innlandet County was performed: phase I in mother-infant pairs (infants 0–12 months of age) in two municipalities from October to December 2018, and phase II in mother-child pairs (children 0–2 years of age) in 30 municipalities from November 2020 to October 2021. Urine and breast milk samples were collected and analyzed for iodine. Iodine intake was estimated using different dietary assessment methods: phase I) questionnaires addressing the recent and usual intake of iodine- rich foods, and phase II) repeated 24-hour dietary recalls (24-HRs) and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The second phase applied the Multiple Source Method to estimate usual iodine intake distributions from the repeated 24-HRs. Results: In total, 463 mother-child pairs were included in the final analyses of iodine nutrition (130 from phase I and 333 from phase II). In phase I, the infant median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 146 μg/L, indicating sufficient iodine status according to the current WHO cut-off of 100 μg/L. Usual iodine intake was not estimated for the whole group of children, but the median recent (24-hour) iodine intake was 50 μg/day and within the recommended intake (RI) at that time point of 50–70 μg/day (NNR2012). In phase II, which evaluated a representative sample of mother-child pairs in Innlandet County, the median UIC in the children was 145 μg/L, which was also above the current WHO cut-off for iodine sufficiency. The median usual iodine intake based on the repeated 24-HRs was 83 μg/day, which was below the updated adequate intake (AI) for this age group of 90–100 μg/day (NNR2023). Further, 35% of the children had a suboptimal usual iodine intake [below the proposed estimated average requirement (EAR) of 72 μg/day], and <1% had an excessive usual iodine intake [above the upper limit (UL) of 200 μg/day]. The median maternal UIC in phase II was 92 μg/L, indicating insufficient iodine status in the women (<100 μg/L), and the median breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) was 74 μg/L. Further, 23% of the women had a suboptimal usual iodine intake (below the AR of 100 μg/day), while none had an excessive usual iodine intake (above the UL of 600 μg/day). The children’s UIC and iodine intake was positively associated with all markers of maternal iodine nutrition (BMIC, UIC, and estimated iodine intake). Conclusion: The children had an adequate iodine status on a population level, as indicated by a median UIC above the current cut-off of 100 μg/L. However, the extensive dietary data in phase II suggested that more than a third of the children had a suboptimal usual iodine intake. Furthermore, the proportion of children with an excessive usual iodine intake was low. Our findings support previous findings of a low iodine intake in postpartum and lactating women. Considering the role of iodine for growth and development, urgent measures are required to improve iodine intake in young children and women of childbearing age.Doktorgradsavhandlin

An Experimental and Numerical Study of Hydraulic Pressure Loss and On-Set of Turbulence

AbstractA long drillstring consists of numerous of diameter changes, where the most frequent is the change due to tool joints for every pipe length. In the upper wellbore sections, were the annular clearance are wide, are the small diameter changes due to tool joints most likely negligible. When drilling the lower wellbore sections and in slim hole drilling, the annular clearance is decreased, thus the geometric changes could affect the hydraulic pressure loss.For the purpose of maintaining wellbore pressure control, the ability to accurately estimate hydraulic pressure loss along the wellbore is essential. By investigating the different segments affecting the fluid flow downstream the mud pump, separately and in combination, it is possible to gain a greater knowledge of hydraulic pressure loss. Increased wellbore control ensures a safer operation, but also a more effective operation, with regard to controlled equivalent circulation density and thus rate of penetration.The main goal in this thesis was to investigate and quantify the contribution to pressure of sequenced tool joints in the string. By building a small scaled lab, experiments were conducted in order to determine the relative difference with and without tool joints, verify existing models and suggest alternative approaches for calculation of the additional pressure drop. Additionally the thesis focus on the impact of on-set of turbulence and its effect on pressure loss, hence the calculation and prediction.Contraction and enlargement in a borehole causes fluid acceleration, deceleration and kinetic energy loss in the mud. Once an obstacle in the well changes the velocity gradients in the mud, the boundary layer is affected, eddies are formed and local or fully turbulent flow regime can occur. By introducing the gradual contraction and enlargement due to tool joints, the velocity gradient in the mud is altered and an additional pressure drop is introduced.The different experiments were carried out with the same base-fluid, applying different concentration of polymers for the purpose of increasing the viscosity. In total four different combinations of the inner steel pipe were planned tested, utilizing one Newtonian fluid and three non-Newtonian fluids. Based on the experiments conducted some findings can be highlighted:? In all tests the presence of tool joints increased the hydraulic pressure loss, also in the laminar region. The highest enhanced pressure loss registered due to tool joints was 90%? Once tool joints are included in the string the on-set of turbulence is strongly shifted towards lower flow rates, which none of the tested models are able to account for.? The presence of tool joints in the string introduces a pressure loss equivalent to a rough obstruction in the annular clearance.? Both modification and the alternative suggested approach, yields more accurate results in the estimation of hydraulic pressure loss with tool joints than the exiting model.The investigation of the previously suggested models and approaches, showed various results in estimation of the additional pressure drop due to tool joints. Only when applying the lowest viscosity, one of the model suggested by Enfis et al. (2011) showed satisfying results for tool joint correction. Increasing the viscosity of the mud, none of the existing models comprehended with the measured values, due to overestimation of the pressure in the laminar region and estimation of on-set of turbulence.Three alternative methods have been suggested, of which two have been investigated in depth. The first one presents a modification of the model suggested by Enfis et al (2011). Applying the new suggested modification of the model, the discrepancy between the measured and the calculated pressure drop were decreased in the turbulent regime, but still with overestimated values in the laminar regime.In the second suggested approach, a regression factor representing increased friction, was presented. By calculating an the frictional enhancement as a function of Reynolds number it was possible to predict a more accurate pressure loss in the higher viscosity range. The regression factor was based on the same principle as Blasius, Moore and Moody in their estimation of pressure loss in pipes with varying surface roughness. The downside of applying a regression approach is the need for continuous experimental investigation in order to create a database based on geometry, annular clearance and fluid rheology

Operando FTIR study of the NH3-SCR reaction over Cu/Al2O3 and Fe/Al2O3 catalysts

The aim of this thesis was to perform an operando study of the NH3-SCR reaction using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). The experiments were performed in a Nicolet iS50 FTIR Spectrometer with a Harrick Praying Mantis cell. 3 wt% Cu/Al2O3, 3 wt\% Fe/Al2O3 catalysts and pure m-Al2O3 support were used in the experiments. The MS data was used as a qualitative measurement for comparison with the generated IR data. The FTIR spectra showed that the NO gas seemed to react differently with the surface of the different samples. The NO seemed to be weakly chemisorbed on Cu/Al2O3 and disappeared when NH3 was introduced to the system. On the Fe/Al2O3 catalyst, the NO reacted with the surface to form ferric nitrates that could further react with NH3to form H2O and N2. As for the m-Al2O3 support, the introduction of NO was almost not noticeable in the spectra. The MS data showed a difference in N2 production between the three samples, although it was expected to see even more activity in the Cu and Fe samples than on the support alone. However, the IR results indicated that less reaction products were formed on the support

CFD simulations in a blade cascade rig

I denne masteroppgaven har det blitt foretatt simuleringer i form av numeriske strømningsberegninger på en hydrofoil i bladkaskaderiggen på Vannkraftlaboratoriet ved Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU). Simuleringene har blitt utført med ANSYS CFX. Form˚alet har vært å bestemme strømningskarakteristikkene nedstrøms for foilens avløpskant, med fokus på grensesjiktets utvikling og følgende vake og virvelavløsningsfrekvens. Hydrofoilen har en stump, asymmetrisk avløpskant og det korde-baserte Reynoldstallet er om lag 2,4·10^6. En rent turbulent tilnærming med 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) og SST k−ω turbulensmodell har blitt sammenlignet med en laminær-til-turbulent overgangssimulering, hvor γ−Re_θ overgangsmodell har blitt brukt i kombinasjon med SST k−ω turbulensmodell. For den rent turbulente RANS-tilnærmingen har også avhengigheten av innløpsgrensens plassering og av turbulensparametre blitt undersøkt. Simuleringsresultatene har blitt validert med eksisterende data av både numerisk og eksperimentell opprinnelse. Det observeres at de numeriske simuleringene generelt underestimerer virvelavløsningsfrekvensen og hastighetsunderskuddet i vaken, og overestimerer vakens bredde. Underestimeringen av virvelavløsningsfrekvensen foreslår at separasjonspunktene til grensesjiktet er estimert til å ligge for langt oppstrøms på foilens overflate. Man ser imidlertid at overgangsmodellen gir et bedre estimat på virvelavløsningsfrekvensen enn SST k−ω modellen klarer alene, sammenlignet med eksperimenter.In this master thesis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of a hydrofoil in the blade cascade rig at the Waterpower laboratory at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have been conducted using ANSYS CFX. The purpose was to determine the flow field characteristics behind the trailing edge of the hydrofoil, with emphasis on the developing boundary layer and consequent wake and shedding frequency. The hydrofoil has a blunt, asymmetrical trailing edge, and the chord-based Reynolds number is 2.4·10^6. A fully turbulent 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach with the SST k−ω turbulence model has been compared with a laminar to turbulent transition simulation, where the γ − Re_θ transition model has been used in combination with the SST k − ω model. For the fully turbulent RANS approach, the dependence on location of inlet boundary and on turbulence parameters have also been investigated. The simulation results have been validated with existing data of both numerical and experimental origin. It is observed that the numerical simulations generally underpredict the vortex shedding frequency and the velocity deficit in the wake, and overpredict the width of the wake. The underpredicted shedding frequency suggests that the separation points of the boundary layer are estimated to lie too far upstream on the foil surface. It is also clear that the transition model produces a better estimate of the shedding frequency than the SST k−ω model manages alone, compared with experiments

Questioning the rise of gelatinous zooplankton in the World's oceans

During the past several decades, high numbers of gelatinous zooplankton species have been reported in many estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Coupled with media-driven public perception, a paradigm has evolved in which the global ocean ecosystems are thought to be heading toward being dominated by “nuisance” jellyfish. We question this current paradigm by presenting a broad overview of gelatinous zooplankton in a historicalcontext to develop the hypothesis that population changes reflect the human-mediated alteration of global ocean ecosystems. To this end, we synthesize information related to the evolutionary context of contemporary gelatinous zooplankton blooms, the human frame of reference forchanges in gelatinous zooplankton populations, and whether sufficient data are available to have established the paradigm. We conclude that the current paradigm in which it is believed that there has been a global increase in gelatinous zooplankton is unsubstantiated, and we develop a strategy for addressing the critical questions about long-term, human-related changes in the sea as they relate to gelatinous zooplankton blooms

Wind Farm Decommissioning

Bacheloroppgave i energiteknologi, Institutt for maskin- og marinfag, Høgskulen på Vestlandet, campus BergenMAS15

Reuse of glass elements in buildings

Norge har gjennom Parisavtalen forpliktet seg til å redusere klimagassutslipp med 50-55 % innen 2050 for å holde den globale oppvarmingen under 2 grader. Det antas at ombruk av bygningsmaterialer kan bidra til å redusere klimagassutslipp knyttet til utvinning av råvarer, produksjon, transport og avfallshåndtering. I utviklingen mot en mer sirkulær byggebransje, må ombruk gå fra å være forbeholdt pilotprosjekter til å bli et attraktivt alternativ. Målet med denne oppgaven er å vurdere hensikten med, og muligheter for, ombruk av glasselementer i bygninger. Metodene som er brukt for å gjøre dette er et litteraturstudie, klimagassberegninger, en casestudie og informasjonsinnhenting gjennom ustrukturerte samtaler med aktører i bransjen. Casen som er valgt er Galleri Oslo, som sto ferdig i 1989. Bygget er valgt på bakgrunn av at det inneholder betydelige mengder glasselementer, og at bygget planlegges å rives før endt levetid. Funnene fra klimagassberegningene tilsier at ombruk av glasselementer gir mellom 66 % og 94 % besparelse i elementenes første prosesser (A1-A4) i forhold til å bruke nye elementer. Ombruk av 85 % av glasselementene som eksisterer i Galleri Oslo vil gi en potensiell besparelse på 282 tonn CO2-ekvivalenter. Det er mange utfordringer knyttet til ombruk av glasselementer, spesielt med tanke på elementenes tekniske egenskaper. Litteraturstudiet viser liten utbredelse av ombruk av glasselementer i stor skala. Dagens krav til dokumentasjon og kvalitet er lik for ombrukte og nye elementer. Dette er en utfordring ved både handel og anvendelse av ombrukte materialer. For å oppnå en økning i ombruk av bygningsmaterialer, må det finnes tilstrekkelig med tilgjengelige materialer, være økonomisk gunstig å ombruke og tilrettelegges for handel. Dersom andelen bygg som selektivt rives øker i tråd med bærekraftstanken fremover, antas en naturlig økning i mengden tilgjengelige materialer. Ombruk av glasselementer har et stort potensiale for klimagassbesparelser, ettersom glass er energikrevende å produsere. Ved tidlig planlegging, og prosjektering ut i fra tilgjengelige elementer, blir gjennomføring enklere.By The Paris Agreement, Norway is committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with 50-55 % by 2050 in order to keep global warming below 2 degrees. It is assumed that reuse of building materials may contribute to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions related to extraction of raw material, production, transport and waste management. Reuse must progress from being reserved for pilot projects to becoming an attractive alternative. The purpose with this thesis is to assess the value and possibilities for reuse of glass elements in buildings. The methods employed as a part of this thesis include a literature study, calculations of carbon emissions, a case study and unstructured gathering of information. The case analyzed in this thesis is Galleri Oslo, an office building which was finalized in 1989. This building was chosen on the basis that it consists of significant amounts of glass and that the building is planned to be demolished before the end of its estimated lifetime. The results from the calculations of carbon emissions indicate that reuse of glass elements can provide a reduction of emissions between 66 % and 94 % in the elements’ first process (A1-A4) compared to using new elements. Reusing 85 % of the glass elements that exist in Galleri Oslo will result in a potential saving of 282 tonnes of CO2-equivalents. There are many challenges associated with the reuse of glass elements, especially regarding the technical properties of the elements. The literature study shows a small prevalence of reuse of glass elements on a large scale. Today’s requirements for documentation and quality are similar for reused and new materials. This is a challenge in both trading and using reused materials. In order to achieve an increase in the reuse of building materials, there must be sufficient materials available. It must also be economically favorable to reuse materials and trading must be encouraged. One can assume a natural increase in the amount of available materials if selective demolishing is favored. Reuse of glass elements has a great potential for reducing carbon emissions, as production of glass is energy-intensive. With early planning and design based on elements available, implementation may be achievable.M-B

Dimensjonering av et industribygg ved bruk av elementmetoden

Oppgaven handler om å dimensjonere et industribygg. Dette innebærer å finne dimensjonene på bjelker, søyler, fagverk etc. Dette er blitt utført ved hjelp av programvare som er basert på elementmetoden. Vi har utført lastberegninger for de eksterne kreftene på bygningen. Disse kreftene er vindlast, snølast, dominerende variabel last, etc. Egenvekt av bygningen er også tatt hensyn til i dimensjoneringen. Vi har valgt å dimensjonere bygget som et stålbygg og dermed har Eurokode 3 – Prosjektering av stålkonstruksjoner blitt anvendt. Det er også blitt benyttet andre standarder, blant annet ved beregning av de ulike lastene. Partialfaktormetoden har blitt benyttet for å finne lastkombinasjoner både for ULS og SLS i tillegg til lastfaktorer for de ulike lastkombinasjonene. Etter å ha funnet alle kreftene som virker på bygningen ble det gjort en innledende analyse ved bruk av tverrsnitt som er innenfor dimensjoneringskravene. Deretter har vi gjort en optimalisering av tverrsnittene, for å unngå overdimensjonering og for å få høyere utnyttingsfaktorer. Oppgavens mål er å komme frem til dimensjoner på de ulike konstruksjonsdelene. Disse kan sees i kapittelet hvor resultatene er beskrevet.The thesis is about designing of an insdustrial building. This involves finding the dimensions of beams, columns, trusses, etc. This had been done using software that is based on the finite element method. We have also executed load calculations for the external forces on the building. These forces are wind load, snow load, dominant variable load, etc. The weight of the building has also been considered for the dimensioning. We have chosen to dimension the building as a steel building and thus Eurocode 3 – Design of steel structures has been used. For various load calculation, other standards have also been included. The partial safety factor method has been used to find load combinations for both ULS and SLS in addition to load factors for the various load combinations. After finding all the forces acting on the building, an initial analysis was made using cross sections that are within the dimensioning requirements. Then we have optimized the cross sections, to prevent oversizing and to get higher utilization ratios. The goal of the thesis is to find the dimensions of various construction parts. These results can be seen in the chapter where the results are described