Langtidskomplikasjoner ved diabetes type 1 pasienter i Nord-Norge

Diabetes mellitus er en utbredt sykdom i Norge, og deles inn i type-1 og type-2. I dette prosjektet har valgt å rette fokuset mot prevalensen av langtidskomplikasjoner blant diabetes mellitus type-1 pasienter som følges opp av endokrinologisk seksjon ved UNN. Formålet er å undersøke hvilke typer langtidskomplikasjoner pasientene har fått av deres sykdom, om det foreligger kjønnsforskjeller og analysere risikofaktorene som kan bidra til å utvikle langtidskomplikasjonene. Data er blitt samlet inn ved hjelp av Noklus diabetesskjema, som utfylles ved aktuelle årskontroller. Resultatene fra Noklus skjema ble sendt videre inn til Norsk diabetesregister, der vi har hentet dataene våre fra. Langtidskomplikasjonene vi har sett på er nefropati, erektil dysfunksjon, retinopati, nevropati, koronarsykdom, hjerneslag, arteriell karkirurgi, amputasjon og diabetes fotsår. Ved hjelp av programvaren “Statistical Package for the Social Sciences” har vi utført ulike kvantitative analyser og paret t-test basert på disse langtidskomplikasjonene, og mulige risikofaktorer som HbA1c og durasjon. Pasientene i studien vår har hatt en gjennomsnittlig durasjon på 21,2 år, gjennomsnittlig HbA1c på 8,09%, der 43,2% har langtidskomplikasjoner til sin diabetes mellitus type-1. Analysene viser at det foreligger kjønnsforskjeller, hvor det er en høyere andel av komplikasjoner blant menn i forhold til kvinner. Retinopati har vist seg å være den mest utbredte komplikasjonen blant pasientene som er inkludert i studien. T-testene vi har utført viser at sykdomsdurasjon er signifikant korrelert med samtlige langtidskomplikasjoner (p<.001, karkirurgi p=.005). Videre viser det seg at det kun er koronarsykdom som er signifikant korrelert med HbA1c (p=.005), noe som kan være i strid den allmenne oppfatningen av at HbA1c er en pådriver til alle langtidskomplikasjoner. Grunnet ulike feilkilder, som for eksempel manglende distinksjon i durasjonsvarighet, kan dette ha bidratt til konklusjonen. Noe som bør tas i betraktning og studeres videre

Making touch-based kiosks accessible to blind users through simple gestures

Touch-based interaction is becoming increasingly popular and is commonly used as the main interaction paradigm for self-service kiosks in public spaces. Touch-based interaction is known to be visually intensive, and current non-haptic touch-display technologies are often criticized as excluding blind users. This study set out to demonstrate that touch-based kiosks can be designed to include blind users without compromising the user experience for non-blind users. Most touch-based kiosks are based on absolute positioned virtual buttons which are difficult to locate without any tactile, audible or visual cues. However, simple stroke gestures rely on relative movements and the user does not need to hit a target at a specific location on the display. In this study, a touch-based train ticket sales kiosk based on simple stroke gestures was developed and tested on a panel of blind and visually impaired users, a panel of blindfolded non-visually impaired users and a control group of non-visually impaired users. The tests demonstrate that all the participants managed to discover, learn and use the touch-based self-service terminal and complete a ticket purchasing task. The majority of the participants completed the task in less than 4 min on the first attempt

Numerical approach to frictional fingers

Experiments on confined multiphase flow systems, involving air and a dense suspension, have revealed a diverse set of flow morphologies. As the air displaces the suspension, the beads that make up the suspension can accumulate along the interface. The dynamics can generate “frictional fingers” of air coated by densely packed grains. We present here a simplified model for the dynamics together with a new numerical strategy for simulating the frictional finger behavior. We further make theoretical predictions for the characteristic width associated with the frictional fingers, based on the yield stress criterion, and compare these to experimental results. The agreement between theory and experiments validates our model and allows us to estimate the unknown parameter in the yield stress criterion, which we use in the simulations

Pattern formation of frictional fingers in a gravitational potential

Aligned finger structures, with a characteristic width, emerge during the slow drainage of a liquid-granular mixture in a tilted Hele-Shaw cell. A transition from vertical to horizontal alignment of the finger structures is observed as the tilting angle and the granular density are varied. An analytical model is presented, demonstrating that the alignment properties are the result of the competition between fluctuating granular stresses and the hydrostatic pressure. The dynamics is reproduced in simulations. We also show how the system explains patterns observed in nature, created during the early stages of a dike formation

Self-Structuring of Granular material under Capillary Bulldozing

An experimental observation of the structuring of a granular suspension under the progress of a gas/liquid meniscus in a narrow tube is reported here. The granular material is moved and compactifies as a growing accumulation front. The frictional interaction with the confining walls increases until the pore capillary entry pressure is reached. The gas then penetrates the clogged granular packing and a further accumulation front is formed at the far side of the plug. This cyclic process continues until the gas/liquid interface reaches the tube’s outlet, leaving a trail of plugs in the tube. Such 1D pattern formation belongs to a larger family of patterning dynamics observed in 2D Hele-Shaw geometry. The cylindrical geometry considered here provides an ideal case for a theoretical modelling for forced granular matter oscillating between a long frictional phase and a sudden viscous fluidization

Geometric universality and anomalous diffusion in frictional fingers

Frictional finger trees are patterns emerging from non-equilibrium processes in particle-fluid systems. Their formation share several properties with growth algorithms for minimal spanning trees in random energy landscapes. We propose that the frictional finger trees are indeed in the same geometric universality class as the minimal spanning trees, which is checked using updated numerical simulation algorithms for frictional fingers. We also propose a theoretical model for anomalous diffusion in these patterns, and discuss the role of diffusion as a tool to classify geometry

Evaluation of novel concentrated interdisciplinary group rehabilitation for patients with chronic illnesses: Protocol for a nonrandomized clinical intervention study

Background: An aging population with a growing burden of chronic complex illnesses will seriously challenge the public health care system. Consequently, novel and efficacious treatment approaches are highly warranted. Based on our experiences with concentrated treatment formats for other health challenges, we developed a highly concentrated interdisciplinary group rehabilitation approach for chronic illnesses. Objective: We aim to explore the acceptability of the intervention and describe potential changes in functional impairment at follow-up. Methods: The cornerstones of the intervention are as follows: (1) prepare the patient for change prior to treatment, (2) focus on health promoting microchoices instead of symptoms, and (3) expect the patient to integrate the changes in everyday living with limited hands-on follow-up. The intervention will be delivered to patients with highly diverse primary symptoms, namely patients with low back pain, post–COVID-19 symptoms, anxiety and depression, and type 2 diabetes. Results: Recruitment started between August 2020 and January 2021 (according to the illness category). For initial 3-month results, recruitment is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Conclusions: If successful, this study may have a substantial impact on the treatment of low back pain, post–COVID-19 symptoms, anxiety and depression, and type 2 diabetes, which together constitute a major socioeconomic cost. Further, the study may widen the evidence base for the use of the concentrated treatment format in a diverse group of medical conditions.publishedVersio

Beregning av fritt frambyggbru med alkalireaksjoner - Tilstandsvurdering og kapasitetskontroll av Tromsøbrua

Det registreres stadig flere brukonstruksjoner fra 1950- og 1960-tallet som har tegn til alkalireaksjoner. Dette er en langsom prosess som fører til en volumøkning av betongen, og som i tillegg kan lede til opprissing og følgeskader. Tromsøbrua ble i 1960 Norges første fritt frambyggbru, med et hovedspenn på 80 meter. Det tas i oppgaven utgangspunkt i Statens vegvesens håndbøker, i tillegg til tidligere standard NS 3473. Oppgaven begrenses til den spennarmerte hovedseksjonen, og er modellert i NovaFrame. Resultatene er verifisert, kapasiteten kontrollert i bruddgrensetilstanden, og spenningene er beregnet i bruksgrensetilstanden. Tilstandsbeskrivelsen baserer seg på egen befaring, og inspeksjonsrapporter med kloridinnhold, rissvidder og ekspansjonmålinger. Strukturanalysene viser tegn til alkali-silika reaksjoner i overbygningen, men mest for søylene. Alkaligelen farger krakeleringsrissene, og søylene ser mer opprisset ut enn de faktisk er. For viaduktene er det registrert flere vertikale riss og krakelering av brubjelken. Til sammenligning er det stort sett horisontale riss i hovedseksjonen. Dette har sammenheng med trykkspenningene, og kan bekrefte at ekspansjonen da vil gå på tvers av spenningene i stedet. Målinger viser at ekspansjonen for overbygningen kan antas å være under 0,5 ‰. I bruddgrense er kapasiteten tilstrekkelig etter Bk10/50. Utnyttelsesgraden for momentet i hovedfelt og over støtte, er henholdsvis 97 % og 94 %. Dette tilsier at det kan være en utfordring dersom bruksklasse skal økes til Bk10/60, eller ved legging av membran. I tverretning er kapasiteten gjennomgående god, men for skjærstrekk overskrides den med 23 %. Det er likevel kjent at dette ofte forekommer ved valgt beregningsmetode. M-N diagram for søylene viser at kontrollerte lastkombinasjoner er innenfor kapasiteten. Det bør likevel gjøres en grundigere knekkingsanalyse av de slanke søylene, og vindlastenes betydning. Alkalireaksjonene er beregnet og modellert med en antatt 0,5 ‰ ekspansjon. Dette gir tvangsmomenter som kontrolleres. For fritt frambygg vil utnyttelsen reduseres med 5,5 % i felt, men kun økes med 0,3 % ved støtte. For søylene vil alkalireaksjonene ha større betydning for ekspansjoner opp mot, og over 1,0 ‰. An increasing number of bridges constructed from the 1950s and 60s are showing signs of alkali-silica reactions in Norway. The reaction slowly results in a volume increase of concrete, and may further lead to cracking, reinforcement corrosion and frost deterioration. The first cantilever concrete bridge in Norway was the Tromsø Bridge (1960), with a main span of 80 meters. The thesis follows the guidelines and design rules published by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, supplemented by the former Norwegian standard NS 3473. A numerical model of the prestressed main section is established in the finite element software, NovaFrame. The obtained results are then verified, controlled for Ultimate Limit State capacities, and Service Limit State stresses. Furthermore, the state of the bridge is presented. This is based on personal inspection of the bridge, as well as reports of chloride contents, crack widths and measurement of expansion. Microstructural analyses have revealed signs of alkali-silica reactions within the bridge deck, but considerably larger reactions are found in the columns. The reaction gel makes the state of the columns look more troublesome than it actually is. Map cracking and vertical cracks are observed on the bridge beam at the viaducts, while there are mainly horizontal cracks in the prestressed section. This is due to the compression stresses, where expansions will be perpendicular rather than longitudinal to the stresses. Measurements show that expansions in the bridge deck may be assumed less than 0.5 ‰. The capacity in the Ultimate Limit State is sufficient for Bk10/50. The utilization of moment in the main span is 97 %, and 94 % at the supports. Increasing to Bk10/60 might, therefore, be challenging, as well as adding a bridge deck membrane. The capacity is satisfactory in the transverse direction, even though the shear tension capacity is exceeded by 23 %. This is known to occur for bridge calculations following the chosen method. M-N interaction diagrams for columns show sufficient capacity for the slender columns. A more thorough analysis should still be done, regarding buckling, slenderness and wind loads. Alkali-silica reactions have been evaluated and modeled with an assumed 0.5 ‰ expansion, resulting in secondary moments to be controlled. For the prestressed section, the utilization in the main span is reduced by 0.5 %, while only increased by 0.3 % at the supports. The columns will be more affected by the expansions when 1.0 ‰, or above

Making touch-based kiosks accessible to blind users through simple gestures

Touch-based interaction is becoming increasingly popular and is commonly used as the main interaction paradigm for self-service kiosks in public spaces. Touch-based interaction is known to be visually intensive, and current non-haptic touch-display technologies are often criticized as excluding blind users. This study set out to demonstrate that touch-based kiosks can be designed to include blind users without compromising the user experience for non-blind users. Most touch-based kiosks are based on absolute positioned virtual buttons which are difficult to locate without any tactile, audible or visual cues. However, simple stroke gestures rely on relative movements and the user does not need to hit a target at a specific location on the display. In this study, a touch-based train ticket sales kiosk based on simple stroke gestures was developed and tested on a panel of blind and visually impaired users, a panel of blindfolded non-visually impaired users and a control group of non-visually impaired users. The tests demonstrate that all the participants managed to discover, learn and use the touch-based self-service terminal and complete a ticket purchasing task. The majority of the participants completed the task in less than 4 min on the first attempt

Capillary bulldozing of sedimented granular material confined in a millifluidic tube

The motion of a capillary interface across a deformable granular material in a confined geometry shows the complex interplay between viscous forces, solid friction and capillary forces. In a horizontal quasi one-dimensional geometrical confinement, a millifluidic tube, the displacement of a three-phase flow consisting of two fluids and a mobile granular phase exhibits viscous or frictional displacement regimes, as shown in [{} 117 , 028002 (2016)]. In the present paper we explore in details the dynamics in both regimes by making use of a new set of data. The viscous displacement regime which is characterized by a fluidization of the immersed granular material dragged by the flow driving the displacement of the capillary interface is interpreted from a rheological point of view. The frictional displacement regime which displays a self-structuring of the granular material left in the tube behind the invading capillary interface, is interpreted with a model based on the Janssen’s law able to predict the typical size of the plugs obtained