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Assessing the robustness and implications of econometric estimates of climate sensitivity
Full text linkEarth's transient climate response (TCR) quantifies the global mean surface air temperature change due to a doubling of atmospheric CO2 concentration after 70 years of a compounding 1% per year increase. TCR is highly correlated with near-term climate projections, and thus of relevance for climate policy, but remains poorly constrained in part due to uncertainties in the representation of key physical processes in Earth System Models (ESMs). Within state-of-the-art ESMs participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), the TCR range (1.1 ºC–2.9 ºC) is too wide to offer useful guidance to policymakers. Similarly, the sixth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, while not solely reliant on ESMs for its TCR assessment, produced a very likely range of 1.2 ºC–2.4 ºC. To complement earlier, ESM-based, estimates, we here present a new TCR estimate of 2.17 (1.72–2.77) ºC (95% confidence interval), derived based on a statistical relationship between surface air temperature and observational proxies for its main drivers, i.e. changes in atmospheric greenhouse gases and aerosols. We show that, within uncertainty, this method correctly diagnoses TCR from 20 CMIP6 ESMs if the same input variables are taken from the ESMs that are available from observations. This increases confidence in the new observation-based central estimate and range, which is respectively higher and narrower than the mean and spread of the estimates from the entire ensemble of CMIP6. Many ESM-based estimates tend to produce TCRs lower than the observational range reported here. Our findings suggest that a misrepresentation of the aerosol cooling effect could be the cause of this discrepancy. Further, the revised TCR estimate suggests a downward revision of the remaining carbon budgets aligned with the overarching goal of the Paris agreement
Pre-processing of red seaweeds to increase the protein yield
Full text linkThere is an increasing need for new sustainable food sources to meet the demands of a growing population. Marine protein, mainly from fish, constitutes 6.2 % of the global protein consumption today. The marine environments have the potential to play a significant role in future food security by increasing the utilisation of traditional and new species. Seaweeds have a long tradition as a food source and are gaining interest as a potential protein source. The rigid cell wall in seaweeds makes digestion and extraction of protein and other valuable components challenging. There are several new, sustainable methods of extraction that are being investigated for efficient disruption of the cell wall structures. This includes methods such as pulsed electric field, ultrasound, and enzymes.
This thesis aimed to investigate the efficiency of novel, greener processing techniques to increase protein yields from the red seaweed Palmaria palmata. The methods investigated were pulsed electric field, ultrasound, and enzymes. In addition, the seasonal variation of the biochemical composition of P. palmata was investigated to optimise utilisation and identify potential bottlenecks for consumption.
Pulsed electric field and ultrasound treatments of P. palmata showed limited effect on disrupting the cell wall structures, where the supernatants were rich in galactose and ash, and contained limited amounts of protein. Enzymatic-assisted extraction, on the other hand, showed a high potential in disrupting the cell wall structures, increasing the extraction yields of xylose and glucose significantly. This resulted in a protein enrichment in the pellets. There were no synergistic or additive effects by combining pulsed electric field or ultrasound with enzymatic extraction. The protein-enriched pellets have a high potential as a food and feed ingredient.
The analysed compounds in P. palmata showed a clear seasonal trend, with higher protein, ash and iodine contents during winter and spring and lower contents during summer and autumn. The dry matter and sugar (carbohydrates) contents showed an opposite trend. In addition to seasonal variations, there were significant differences between two harvesting sites that represented highly different environments. At one of the sites, the material was harvested in the intertidal zone (Håkøybotn), whereas at the other site (Kårvik), the material was harvested from a floating bridge where the material was permanently submerged underwater. This was reflected in the protein and iodine content, with higher protein content in the material from Kårvik, and higher iodine content in the material from Håkøybotn. It is important to have knowledge about such seasonal and geographical impacts on the biochemical composition when choosing a harvesting site and time, as it can have a large effect on the final products.Det er et økende behov for nye bærekraftige matkilder for å møte kravene til en voksende befolkning. Marint protein, hovedsakelig fra fisk, utgjør i dag 6,2 % av det globale proteininntaket. De marine miljøene har potensial til å spille en betydelig rolle i fremtidig matsikkerhet ved økt utnyttelse av tradisjonelle og nye arter. Sjøgress har en lang tradisjon som matkilde og får økende interesse som en potensiell proteinkilde. Den stive celleveggen i tang og tare gjør fordøyelse og ekstraksjon av protein og andre verdifulle komponenter utfordrende. Det er flere nye, bærekraftige metoder for ekstraksjon som undersøkes for effektiv forstyrrelse av celleveggstrukturer. Dette inkluderer metoder som pulserende elektrisk felt, ultralyd og enzymer.
Denne avhandlingen hadde som mål å undersøke effektiviteten av nye, grønnere prosesseringsteknikker for å øke proteinutbyttet fra den røde algen Palmaria palmata. Metodene som ble undersøkt var pulserende elektrisk felt, ultralyd og enzymer. I tillegg ble den sesongmessige variasjonen av den biokjemiske sammensetningen av P. palmata undersøkt for å optimalisere utnyttelsen og identifisere potensielle flaskehalser for konsum.
Behandlinger med pulserende elektrisk felt og ultralyd av P. palmata viste begrenset effekt på å forstyrre celleveggstrukturene, hvor supernatantene var rike på galaktose og aske, og inneholdt begrensede mengder protein. Enzymassistert ekstrakjon, derimot, viste et høyt potensial i å forstyrre celleveggstrukturene, og økte ekstraksjonsutbyttet av xylose og glukose betydelig. Dette resulterte i en proteinberikelse i pelleten. Det var ingen synergistiske eller additive effekter ved å kombinere pulserende elektrisk felt eller ultralyd med enzymatisk utvinning. De proteinberikede pelletene har et høyt potensial som mat- og fôringrediens.
De analyserte forbindelsene i P. palmata viste en klar sesongmessig trend, med høyere protein, aske og jodinnhold om vinteren og våren, og lavere innhold om sommeren og høsten. Tørrstoff og sukkerinnholdet (karbohydrater) viste en motsatt trend. I tillegg til sesongvariasjoner var det betydelige forskjeller mellom to høstingssteder som representerte svært forskjellige miljøer. På det ene stedet ble materialet høstet i tidevannssonen (Håkøybotn), mens det på det andre stedet (Kårvik) ble høstet fra en flytebrygge hvor materialet var permanent under vann. Dette ble reflektert i protein og jodinnholdet, med høyere proteinnivå i materialet fra Kårvik, og høyere jodinnhold i materialet fra Håkøybotn. Det er viktig å ha kunnskap om slike sesongmessige og geografiske påvirkninger på den biokjemiske sammensetningen når man velger høstingssted og tid, da dette kan ha stor effekt på sluttproduktene
Facing the future: The case of the Response Centre of Tromsø Municipality
Full text linkSource at https://ebooks.iospress.nl/volumearticle/72571.Introduction - The increased demands put on the health and care services coupled with technological developments have formed an impetus for the implementation of assistive (or, welfare) technologies in the Norwegian health and care sector.
Methods - We discuss the organization and functionality of a unit that monitors and coordinates the use of these technologies, named a ‘Response Centre’ in a Norwegian municipality.
Results - We briefly present some of the assistive technology devices in current use, and discuss some ethical dilemmas that arise with their implementation in the care of the elderly and disabled.
Conclusion - Assistive technolgies are likely to become increasingly important in the health and welfare sector as the proportion of eldery persons increases
Pivot point estimation based advanced ship predictor evaluation with vessel maneuvers under sea trial conditions
Full text linkTo enhance Situation Awareness (SA) in the context of autonomous ship navigation within a complex navigation environment, the Advanced Ship Predictor (ASP) is proposed as a solution framework aimed at predicting ship maneuvers. This can be used to identify potential ship close encounters and collision scenarios in advance, where appropriate collision avoidance actions should be taken. The implementation of the localized ASP is divided into three stages. In the first stage, Kalman Filter (KF)-based techniques with kinematic motion models are employed to estimate vessel navigation states. The second stage involves calculating the pivot point (PP) from these estimates using a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) model. Finally, in the last stage, a trajectory prediction algorithm that accounts for the characteristics of the vessel PP is employed to provide trajectory predictions. This study also aims to validate the local-scale prediction of the ASP by using sea trial experimental data in real ocean environments. Therefore, several data sets from two ship maneuvers executed by the UiT research vessel, Ymir RV, are used to validate the proposed ASP. The real-world validation results demonstrate that the applied KF-based algorithms and kinematic motion models are consistent with the simulation results. It is concluded that the vessel state estimation and calculated PP of the ASP are adequate for real ship navigation situations and have the potential to reduce the risk of collisions and near-miss incidents
Would I do it again? Examining foster parents’ willingness to take on the same foster care placement again
Full text linkThis study aims to identify factors that are important to improve the retention of foster parents, which is crucial to meet the increasing need for good and stable foster homes. Using data from a survey conducted by the Norwegian Foster Homes Association, we assessed which variables could predict the willingness of foster parents to take on the same foster care placement again. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to compare foster parents which were willing to, not willing to and unsure about doing it again. Cooperation with the Child Welfare Services and information received before placement on the health and functioning of the child/youth were central to predict the willingness to take on the same placement again. In addition, foster parents reporting that their financial security had not been preserved as presented before placement were the most negative to the perspective of doing it again. On the other hand, the child/youth characteristics and the experienced economy loss were significant for foster parents that were unsure about doing it again. This highlights the importance of presenting foster parents with a realistic picture of what to expect from the foster care assignment, both in terms of health of the child/youth and economy
Microplastic pellets in Arctic marine sediments: a common source or a common process?
Full text linkPlastic consumption is increasing, and millions of tonnes of plastic are released into the oceans every year. Plastic materials are accumulating in the marine environment, especially on the seafloor. The Arctic is contaminated with plastics, including microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) but occurrences, concentrations and fate are largely unknown. This study aimed at assessing whether MPs accumulate at greater water depths in the Barents Sea, and close to the Longyearbyen settlement, and at understanding the ubiquity and source of a specific type of collected pellets. Surface sediments were collected at seven stations around Svalbard with a box-corer, and three replicates were taken at each station. MPs were extracted through density separation with saturated saltwater. Many pellets were found, and their composition was assessed by pyrolysis-GC/MS. Procedural blanks were performed using field blanks as samples to assess the overall contamination. The composition of all extracted particles was then analysed by μRaman spectroscopy. On average, 3.61 ± 1.45 MPs/100 g (dw) were found. The sea ice station, after blank correction, was more contaminated and displaying a different profile than the other stations, and the deepest station did not show the highest MP concentrations but rather the opposite. Sediments close to Longyearbyen were not more contaminated than the other stations either. Dark pellets of similar aspect were found at all stations, raising the question about a possible common source or process. These pellets were made of several plastic polymers which varied in proportion for each pellet, suggesting a common process was at the origin of those pellets, potentially marine snow formation
Arctic fjord ecosystem adaptation to cryosphere meltdown over the past 14,000 years
Full text linkThe Arctic cryosphere is the epicentre of acute global change impact, with abrupt warming and amplification driving rapid sea ice decline and irreversible glacial ice loss. A key challenge is understanding how the cryosphere meltdown will impact Arctic marine carbon cycles and ecosystems. Here, we use organic geochemical biomarkers to trace the contribution of different planktonic groups to organic carbon in Arctic fjord sediments (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard) during past warmer and colder (than present) climate states. We show that phytoplankton community structures changed abruptly with variable sea ice cover and glacial ice loss. Our results imply that future deglaciation of Svalbard fjords will likely increase primary productivity in a “blue” (summer ice-free) scenario; however, the potential for fjords to serve as hotspots of marine organic carbon burial will likely be constrained due to warmer, stratified waters and reduced meltwater-induced supply of critical nutrients
Bruk av kosmetiske behandlinger og tidligere kjeveortopedisk behandling: En studie fra Fit Futures-kohorten
No full textFull text not availableBakgrunn
Bruken av kosmetiske behandlinger som botox og fillers virker å ha økt, spesielt blant unge voksne, muligens påvirket av trender på sosiale medier. Kjeveortopedisk behandling er en odontologisk begrunnet behandling med potensielle kosmetiske fordeler. Det er imidlertid uklart hvordan tidligere kjeveortopedisk behandling og faktorer som psykisk helse, sosioøkonomi og estetisk selvbilde påvirker bruken av kosmetiske behandling senere i livet.
Hensikt
Masteroppgaven hadde som hensikt å kartlegge utbredelsen av botox- og fillers bruk blant unge voksne i Fit Futures-kohorten, samt undersøke relasjonen mellom bruken av disse behandlingene og tidligere kjeveortopedisk behandling, eget syn på tannstilling og psykiske helsesymptomer og sosioøkonomiske faktorer. Videre hadde oppgaven som mål å undersøke mulige sammenhenger mellom bruk av botox og fillers og psykiske helsesymptomer.
Metode
Data fra Fit futures 1, 2 og 3 ble analysert i SPSS ved hjelp av Chi-kvadrat- og Mann Whitney U-tester. Det ble hentet inn variabler som inkluderte bruken av botox/fillers, tidligere kjeveortopedisk behandling, eget syn på tannstilling, psykiske helsesymptomer målt ved HSCL-10 og sosioøkonomiske faktorer.
Resultater
5,3 % av kvinnene og 1 % av mennene rapporterte bruk av botox, mens 10% av kvinnene og ingen menn rapporterte bruk av fillers. Det var en statistisk signifikant sammenheng mellom eget syn på tannstilling og bruk av kosmetiske behandlinger. Høyere HSCL-skår var assosiert med bruk av botox eller fillers i ungdomsårene, men ikke hos unge voksne. Det var ingen statistisk signifikant sammenheng mellom tidligere kjeveortopedisk behandling eller sosioøkonomiske faktorer og bruk av botox eller fillers.
Konklusjon
Studien indikerer at estetiske utfordringer og psykisk helse er assosiert med bruk av kosmetisk behandling som botox og fillers, mens tidligere kjeveortopedisk behandling ikke viste noen statistisk signifikant sammenheng med slik bruk. Resultatene gir innsikt i hva som motiverer unge voksne til å oppsøke kosmetiske behandling og kan være relevant for helsepersonell og folkehelseinitiativer
Enhanced fish performance and biosecurity by manipulation of the natural microbiome of Atlantic salmon
Full text linkSource at https://nofima.no/.The project aimed to enhance Atlantic salmon's performance and biosecurity by manipulating their microbiome.
The study investigated whether specific seawater bacteria from healthy salmon skin could improve smolts' survival
after seawater transfer. Scale-explants were used to study host-bacterial interactions. Although some bacteria
showed probiotic potential, they did not significantly reduce mortality or improve fish health and welfare when
challenged with Moritella viscosa or after seawater transfer. The study emphasized the importance of removing
fish with winter ulcer disease and the complexity of skin mucus layer colonization