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Simulation of GNSS Dilution of Precision for Automated Mobility Along the MODI Project Road Corridor Using High-Resolution Digital Surface Models
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Stabile Utbytter i Ustabile Tider? En Studie av Banker og Aksjonærenes Avkastning Under Økonomiske Kriser
Full text linkDenne masteroppgaven undersøker hvordan bankers utbyttebetalinger under økonomiske kriser er assosiert med aksjonærenes avkastning. Temaet er særlig relevant i perioder med markedsuro, hvor utbytte kan fungere både som et signal om finansiell styrke og som en kilde til trygg kontantstrøm for investorer. Banker spiller en stor rolle i økonomien og er dermed preget av strenge regulatoriske krav. Dette gjør banksektoren til et interessant utgangspunkt for vår analyse.
Ved hjelp av deskriptiv statistikk, eventstudier og t-tester analyseres avkastningsforskjeller mellom banker med stabile utbyttebetalinger gjennom kriser med banker som har valgt å holde utbytte tilbake, med utgangspunkt i månedlig data fra banker notert på Oslo Børs i perioden 2005-2025. Analysen fokuserer spesielt på finanskrisen i 2008-2009 og Covid-19-perioden i 2020-2021, hvor utbyttepolitikkens rolle som signal kan være særlig viktig.
Resultatene viser en tydelig tendens til at banker som opprettholder en stabil utbyttepolitikk oppnår en høyere aksjeavkastning enn banker som ikke har det, både over tid og i kriseperioder. Under finanskriser ser vi en tydelig meravkastning for utbyttebetalende banker. Under Covid-19 finner vi også en klar meravkastning, men ikke like signifikant. Funnene gir støtte til signalteorien og bird-in-hand-teorien, og indikerer at investorer ser ut til å foretrekke banker som betaler utbytte under usikre markedsforhold.
Disse resultatene har implikasjoner for både bankledelse og investorer, og peker på at stabil utbyttepolitikk kan være et effektivt verktøy for å bygge tillit i markedet, særlig i perioder preget av økonomisk usikkerhet.This master’s thesis investigates how dividend payments by banks during economic crises are associated with shareholders returns. The topic is particularly relevant in times of market uncertainty, where dividends can serve both as a signal of financial strength and as a stable source of cash flow for investors. Given the critical role of banks in the economy and their exposure to strict regulatory frameworks, the banking sector provides and interesting foundation for this analysis.
Using descriptive statistics, event study methodology, and t-tests, the thesis analyses return differences between banks that maintained stable dividend payments during crises and those that withheld dividends. The analysis is based on monthly data from banks listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange over the period 2005-2025, with particular focus on the financial crisis of 2008-2009 and the Covid-19 crisis of 2020-2021, when dividend policy may be especially important as a market signal.
The results show a clear tendency for banks with a stable dividend policy to generate higher stock returns than banks that change their policy, both over time and during crisis periods. During the financial crisis, dividend paying banks experienced notable excess returns. A similar, though less statistically significant, pattern is observed during the Covid-19 period. These findings support both signaling theory and the bird-in-hand theory, suggesting that investors tend to prefer banks that continue to pay dividens under uncertain market conditions.
The results have implications for both bank management and investors, indicating that a stable dividend policy may serve as an effective tool for maintaining investor confidence, particularly during times of economic turbulence
Mapping Micronutrient Retention in Foods Across Selected Processing Methods
Full text linkABSTRACT
Background: The increased consumption of processed foods has raised concerns due to their often-low micronutrient content and high levels of fats, sugars, and additives. While food processing can improve shelf life and safety, its impact on nutrient content varies. Despite considerable research on changes in macronutrient content during processing, the effects on micronutrients and nutrient absorption are less understood. This has led to an interest in how processing methods affect nutrient retention and a shift towards gentler, nutrient-preserving techniques.
Aims: The overall aim was to examine the impact of common unit process operations such as heat preservation, high pressure processing, drying, milling and extrusion on the preservation of vitamins, iron and calcium in different food products.
Methods: By focusing on one of the five processing methods at a time, systematized literature searches were conducted in the databases Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 43 studies were identified as relevant to this thesis. This includes eight additional studies included based on their relevance to the research question.
Results: Eight studies on heat treatment revealed losses of water-soluble vitamins and generally high retention of fat-soluble vitamins, depending on the level of heat exposure. Eleven studies on high-pressure processing emphasized high retention of vitamins and minerals. Eleven studies on drying highlighted challenges in preserving micronutrients, especially water-soluble vitamins, with large variations between different drying methods. Seven studies on milling stressed that the degree of milling is a critical factor in how much of the micronutrients are retained in the grain, particularly minerals, B vitamins, and vitamin A. Six studies on extrusion showed good retention of minerals but losses of vitamins under harsh processing conditions.
Conclusion: Food processing methods significantly affect micronutrient retention. Preservation varies with method and processing conditions, with gentler techniques like high-pressure processing and freeze-drying showing the best results. Heat treatment and extrusion with high thermal loads, as well as extensive milling often lead to losses, especially of vitamins. Research on micronutrient retention remains limited, highlighting the need for further studies
Tracking Deformation for Adaptive Soft Object Grasping
Full text linkThis thesis presents a system for adaptive soft object grasping using visual deformation tracking. The goal was to enable a robotic gripper to adjust its behavior based on how an object deforms during compression, using low-cost and interpretable sensing. A custom setup was developed to collect synchronized RGB-D and force data during gripping, allowing stress and strain to be calculated and used to estimate physical properties such as Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. Three calibration methods were explored: vision-only, force-only, and a combined approach. Although absolute estimates of mechanical properties did not align with expected reference values, the system reliably distinguished between materials based on relative deformation patterns. The most accurate stiffness estimation was achieved using a single-point method where gripper width and force were held constant, rather than from regression over the full grasping cycle. Based on this calibration, object-specific deformation thresholds were assigned and used to control the gripper in real time. A visual tracking script monitored the strain, while a separate control node closed the gripper until the threshold was reached. This approach was tested in a mock scenario using water-filled sponges, where it reduced water loss to 6.88% compared to 23.28% with the gripper's default mode for soft objects. These results demonstrate that vision-based deformation tracking can support practical and adaptive control without relying on complex models or expensive sensors. The findings suggest that even simple visual feedback, when integrated into a lightweight control strategy, can improve soft object handling in robotics
En risikovurdering av skogbranns påvirkning på drikkevannskilden Aurevann
Full text linkEt klima i endring fører til hyppigere ekstremværhendelser som tørke og flom, noe som igjen øker risikoen for skogbrann og påfølgende avrenning. Dette gjør råvannskilder sårbare for vannkvalitetsendringer som kan føre til midlertidig svikt i vannbehandlingsprosessen eller i verste fall gjøre kilden uegnet til drikkevannsproduksjon.
I denne studien ble drikkevannskilden Aurevann i Bærum kommune valgt som caseområde for å vurdere skogbrannpotensialet, identifisere faktorer som påvirker råvannskvalitet etter skogbrann og evaluere vannbehandlingens kapasitet til å håndtere skogbrannrelaterte forurensninger. Risikovurderingen viste at tilførsel av næringsstoffer etter brann kan utløse algeoppblomstring, og dermed øke risikoen for forekomst av microcystin i drikkevannet. En økning i naturlig organisk materiale (NOM) forekommer gjerne i påfølgende år etter skogbrann, noe som kan ha stor betydning for vannbehandlingsanleggets renseevne. I tillegg kan forhøyede nivåer av polysykliske aromatiske hydrokarboner (PAH) og tungmetaller utgjøre en alvorlig trussel, selv om sannsynligheten er mer usikker.
Konsekvensene vil i stor grad avhenge av brannens omfang, intensitet og tidspunkt på året, samt den hydrologiske tilstanden i nedbørfeltet. Dette understreker behovet for målrettet beredskapsplanlegging. Microcystin fjernes ikke i koaguleringsprosessen, men kan fjernes med aktivt karbon (GAC). Ettersom det er usikkert hvorvidt dagens anlegg kan fjerne PAH, bør det i fremtidig beredskapsarbeid utføres undersøkelser omhandlende dette.A changing climate is leading to more frequent extreme weather events such as drought and flood, which in turn increase the risk of forest fires and subsequent runoff episodes. This makes drinking water sources more vulnerable to water quality changes that can cause temporary failures in the water treatment process or, in worst case, render the source unsuitable for drinking water production.
In this study, the drinking water source Aurevann in Bærum municipality was chosen as a case area to assess forest fire potential, identify factors affecting raw water quality post forest fire, and evaluate the treatment plant’s ability to handle forest fire-related contaminants. The risk assessment showed that post-fire nutrient influx can trigger algal blooms, thus raising the risk of microcystin occurring in the drinking water. An increase in natural organic matter (NOM) often follows in subsequent years after a wildfire, which can significantly impact the treatment plant’s removal efficiency. Elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals may also pose a serious threat, although the likelihood is more uncertain.
Consequences will largely depend on the fire’s extent, intensity and time of year, as well as the hydrological state of the catchment. This underscores the need for targeted contingency planning. Microcystin is not removed in the coagulation process but can be removed with granular activated carbon (GAC). Because it is uncertain whether the current facility can adequately remove PAHs, future preparedness efforts should include investigations specifically addressing this issue
Rasteplassen ved Jora bru - En rasteplass med fokus på bevegelse, romlige kvaliteter og opplevelser.
No full textRasteplassen ved Jora bru har hovedfokus på bevegelse og romlige opplevelser, og hvor naturen som prinsipp for utforming. Det varierende stisystemet gir muligheter til å oppdage ulike romlige kvaliteter på området. Det er gitt forslag til runder man kan gå, med gitt distanse for enklere vurdere bevegelsesmønster utfra egne forutsetninger og preferanser. Deler av området er også universelt utformet for å gi alle tilgang til i alle fall deler av prosjektet.
Konstruksjonene på stedet skal være så skånsomme som mulig for naturen, og vil stort sett stå på påler for å minimere inngrepet.
Det er fire fokusområdet som jeg har valgt utfra analyser og befaringer, disse knyttes sammen av stinettverket. Her kan man bevege seg langs med elven, inni skogen, svevende over elven eller under Jora bru.
* De fire delområdene fokuserer på hver sin romlige opplevelse.
Langs med elven er en promenade hvor man får bevege seg helt nede ved elven på en opphevet sti.
* Inni skogen består av skogstier hvor man beveger seg mellom høye furustammer, og her er det sittebenker for den som ønsker å spise nisten sin her.
* Det svevende platået er et utkikkspunkt hvor man svever ca. 11 meter over elven. Her har man god utsikt til broen og elven.
* Platået under broen er endepunktet for den universelle konstruksjonen, og gir en opplevelse av å være i ett med konstruksjonen.
Attraksjonene på stedet vil variere litt utafra når på året man besøker anlegget, men elven og broen er det som er viktigst her. Når det er mørkere vil det være spennende belysning og trygt å ferdes her.The rest area next to Jora bridge has a main focus on movement and spatial experiences, and where nature is the design principle. The varying path system provides opportunities to discover different spatial qualities in the area. There are suggestions for laps that you can walk, with a given distance to make it easier to assess movement patterns based on your own assumptions and preferences. Parts of the area are also universally designed to give everyone access to at least parts of the project.
The constructions on site must be as gentle as possible to nature, and will mostly stand on stilts to minimize the intervention.
There are four focus areas that I have chosen based on analyzes and inspections, these are linked by the trail network. Here you can move along the river, inside the forest, floating above the river or under the bridge.
The four sub-areas each focus on their own spatial experience.
* Along the river is a promenade where you can walk all the way down by the river on a raised path.
* Inside the forest consists of forest paths where you move between tall pine trunks, and here there are benches for those who want to eat their lunch here.
* The floating plateau is a lookout point where you soar approximately 11 meters above the river. Here you have a good view of the bridge and the river.
* The plateau under the bridge is the endpoint of the universal construction, and gives an experience of being a part of the construction.
The attractions on site will vary slightly depending on the time of year you visit the facility, but the river and the bridge are what are most important here. When it is darker, there will be exciting lighting and it will be safe to walk here
How Do Dead Wood and Site Index Affect Beetle Diversity in a Boreal Spruce Forest?
Full text linkWe are confronting a global biodiversity crisis, where habitat change is the major driver. The demand for forest resources and land has led to the widespread alteration of forests. This is especially true in the boreal forest, where intensive forestry has been widespread for a long while. This poses a serious threat to forest biodiversity. Intensive forestry, like clear cutting, reduce biodiversity by homogenizing forest structure and decreasing deadwood volumes and variation. Norway’s forests are home to nearly half of the nation's endangered species. Efforts to protect forests often focus on less productive areas, while human activities often target high-productivity land. This can harm significant amounts of biodiversity, as biodiversity often is correlated with productivity. My thesis aims to answer the question “How do deadwood and productivity affect beetle diversity in a boreal spruce forest? “
To answer this question, 268 sample plots were established in the Hurdal-Nannestad area one of Norway’s largest forest properties. Site selection was based on site index, stand age, and topographic wetness index. The Metric Uniform Design Algorithm (MUDA) was used to ensure spatial evenness across these different important variables. Beetle sampling involved using window traps and measuring deadwood volume within the 250 m² plots. The collected beetles were analysed against the explanatory factors: deadwood volume and proportion, productivity (using site index as a proxy), and forest age, to determine their influence on beetle diversity.
This study identifies productivity as the most significant factor influencing beetle species richness, abundance, and composition, surpassing other variables in explaining biodiversity. Additionally, deadwood was found to positively impact beetle abundance and richness, though it did not distinctly affect saproxylic species compared to all beetle species. These findings emphasize the importance of productivity and deadwood volume in forest ecosystems. They suggest that high productivity forest sites should be prioritized for conservation more than they currently are. Furthermore, deadwood should be considered in decision making processes aimed at preserving biodiversity, potentially through restoration projects that increase the amount and variety of deadwood
Gypsum and Lime as Soil Amendments to Reduce Phosphorous Losses from a Norwegian Sandy Loam in a Climate Change Perspective
Full text linkEt potteforsøk og et småskala lysimeter forsøk ble satt opp for å undersøke effekten av gips og to kalkbaserte jordforbedringsmidler på fosfortap fra en norsk lettleire. Potteforsøket bestod av 54 potter, hvor gips (4 t/ha) ble tilsatt til 27 av dem og ingenting ble tilsatt til de resterende 27 som en kontroll. Pottene ble deretter delt inn i tre ulike temperatur behandlinger: Ingen frysing, kontinuerlig frysing og åtte fryse-tine-sykluser, for å undersøke mulige effekter av høyere temperaturer om vinteren, og følgende mindre stabilt snødekke. Lysimeter forsøket bestod av 48 lysimeter, hvor gips (4 t/ha), brent kalk blanding (8 t/ha), hydrert kalk blanding (8 t/ha) og ingen tilsetning, ble utsatt for to ulike vannings intensiteter. Alle lysimetrene ble vannet med totalt 2,4 L per uke, hvor halvparten fikk alt på en gang, mens resten ble vannet to ganger i uka, for å simulere de forventede klimaendringene som økt intensitet i nedbørsmønster. Avrenning fra lysimeterforsøket ble samlet over en periode på ni uker, mens avrenning fra potteforsøket ble hentet inn etter endt temperatur behandling. Det ble målt totalt innhold av fosfor (TP), løst fosfat (DP), turbiditet, elektrisk konduktivitet (EC) og pH i avrenningen. Jordprøver ble tatt for å måle aggregatstørrelsesordelingen og aggregat stabiliteten til størrelsesfraksjonen 0,6-2 mm. I tillegg ble det gjort kjemiske analyser av jorda i lysimeterforsøket fra to ulike dybder. Infiltrasjonsraten ble også målt i lysimeterforsøket. I lysimeterforsøket økte infiltrasjonsraten og aggregatstabiliteten ved tilsetting av kalkblandingene. Alle behandlinger førte til en nedgang av Mg-innholdet i det øvre laget i lysimeter forsøket. Det var ingen effekt av de to ulike nedbørintensitetene, og fosforkonsentrasjonen i avrenninga reagerte ikke på noen av behandlingene. I potteforsøket førte gips til en reduksjon i aggregatstabilitet for to av temperaturbehandlingene, og temperaturbehandlingen med åtte fryse-tine-sykluser førte til den laveste aggregatstabiliteten, og den kontinuerlige fryse behandlingen ga laveste verdier av fosfor i avrenninga
Effects of Local and Upstream Environmental Variables on The Invertebrate Drift in Two Tributaries of Verdalselva
Full text linkThe removal of riparian vegetation in streams has historically been a common practice. This may be problematic for the invertebrate drift, the downstream movement of invertebrates within the water column. The invertebrate drift is an essential part of the diet of drift-feeding animals and relies on the riparian vegetation as a source of both energy and terrestrial invertebrates. Changes to the upstream vegetation may have an impact on the downstream invertebrate drift and animals that depend on it. This study aimed to investigate possible long-term effects of removing the riparian vegetation on community composition, diversity, and habitat source of the invertebrate drift. As the drift is shaped by its environment, the impact of variables such as the gradient slope, mesohabitat, and precipitation was also examined. Two main research questions, with accompanying hypotheses, were formulated: 1) How does the quality of stream and riparian zone habitat influence drift composition and diversity? and 2) how do environmental variables that govern transport mechanics influence drift composition and diversity? To answer these questions, two tributaries of Verdalselva in Trøndelag county, Norway, were sampled for drifting invertebrates in late June – early August 2024. Eight stations, where four had intact riparian vegetation and four had “open” riparian vegetation, were used. In total, 5487 invertebrates were collected and identified down to 149 different taxa.
My results show that the condition of the riparian vegetation had a significant impact on the community composition of the drift. Terrestrial invertebrates were associated with open areas and aquatic invertebrates with intact riparian forests, on both spatial scales. Rain also had a significant effect on the community composition and was associated with aquatic invertebrates tolerant to organic pollution. None of the riparian vegetation variables had a detectable effect on the total diversity or the habitat of origin. Rain and gradient had a significant, positive additive effect on the total diversity. Rain and gradient 200 m upstream had an interaction in their influence on the habitat source. The lowest chance of capturing an aquatic invertebrate was at the flattest sites. This chance increased dramatically with rain. At the steepest sites, this pattern was reversed. In conclusion, the quality of the stream and riparian zones habitat did influence the drift composition, but not the diversity of the drift. The environmental variables that govern the transportation to and within the drift explained a large part of the variation found in my data. Restoration of the riparian forest and the in-stream habitat is recommended based on my conclusion, on both the local and upstream scales
Kommunikative mønstre i arealplaner - formidling, samspill, rom
Full text linkForholdet mellom kommunikasjon og arealplanlegging har hovedsakelig knyttet seg til planprosessen, mens betydningen av kommunikasjon i selve plandokumentet har vært lite belyst. Formålet med denne oppgaven er derfor å undersøke kommunikasjonsaspektet i arealplaner og identifisere mønstre som kan beskrive ulike kommunikasjonspraksiser i plandokumentene. Hvilken rolle spiller kommunikasjon i et plandokument?
For å svare på dette har de juridiske kravene til kommunikasjon, innholdet i planene og forholdet mellom avsender og mottaker blitt undersøkt. Funnene tyder på at dagens praksis rundt kommunikasjon i plandokumenter i stor grad fokuserer på lesbarheten av dokumentene. Dette er et uttrykk for kommunikasjon med mål om å sikre demokratisk legitimitet i planen. Likevel rammer virkningen av kommunikasjon langt bredere enn denne oppfatningen. Måten man kommuniserer på i et dokument har også mye å si for relasjonen til aktørene og styringsevnen til planen.
Dette illustreres i modellen for kommunikative mønstre. Denne viser at det er to hovedspor for kommunikasjon i plandokumenter; transmisjon og transaksjon. Modellen kan benyttes for å vise sammenhengen mellom kommunikasjon, styring og samspill. Oversikten over kommunikative mønstre gjør det mulig å identifisere kommunikative problemstillinger kommunene står ovenfor, og dermed mulighet til å ta et mer bevisst standpunkt i forhold til dem.
Oppgaven belyser viktigheten av å ha en god forståelse av rollen kommunikasjon spiller i plandokumenter. Dette utvider handlingsrommet for planleggere, som kan bidra til å øke planens legitimitet, samt styrke styrings- og gjennomføringsevnen.The relationship between communication and spatial planning has mostly been associated with the planning process, while the significance of communication within the planning document itself has received little attention. The aim of this thesis is therefore to explore the communicative dimension of land-use plans and identify patterns to describe different communicative practices within the planning documents. What is the role of communication in a planning document?
To answer this, the legal requirements for communication, the content of the plans and the relationship between the sender and receiver of the document have been studied. The findings indicate that the current practice regarding communication in planning documents largely focuses on the readability of the documents. This reflects a communicative approach aimed at ensuring democratic legitimacy in the plan. However, the impact of communication is much broader than this perception. The way in which one communicates in a document also influences the relationship with the actors and the management ability of the plan.
This is illustrated in the model for communicative patterns. This shows that there are two main approaches for communication in planning documents: transmission and transaction. The model can be used to show the connection between communication, management and interaction. The overview of communicative patterns makes it possible to identify communicative issues facing municipalities and thus provides the opportunity to take a more conscious stance in relation to them.
The paper highlights the importance of understanding the role communication plays in planning documents. This expands the scope for action for planners, enabling them to enhance the legitimacy of the plan, as well as strengthen its management and implementation capabilities