Crop coefficients, growth rates and quality of cool-season turfgrasses

Determination of crop coefficients (Kc), the ratio between actual (ETa) and reference evapotranspiration (ET0), is necessary to schedule irrigation. Our objective was to determine Kc, turf quality and growth rate under daily irrigation to field capacity (FC = −3 kPa tension) and drying. Minilysimeters installed in a green (mowing height 3–5 mm) and fairway (15 mm) were weighed during four periods of 4–10 days duration in 2009 and 2010. Crop coefficients on the second and subsequent days after irrigation were not significantly different among species and averaged 0.81 and 0.91 on green and fairway, respectively. On the first day after irrigation, the Kc varied from 1.67 to 2.85 and decreased in the order Agrostis capillaris > Festuca rubra ssp. litoralis > F. rubra ssp. commutata > A. stolonifera > A. canina on the green, and F. rubra ssp. litoralis > Lolium perenne > F.rubra ssp. rubra > Poa pratensis > F. rubra ssp. commutata on the fairway. Drying reduced the average daily height growth from 0.98 to 0.74 mm on the green and 1.97–1.72 mm on the fairway. Scores for turf quality were reduced but remained acceptable. Although the Kc during the first day after irrigation to FC may be overestimated due to latent soil heat and a possible oasis effect, we conclude that irrigation to FC should be avoided as it causes excessive water use

Cardiac hypertrophy is inhibited by a local pool of cAMP regulated by phosphodiesterase 2

Rationale: Chronic elevation of 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels has been associated with cardiac remodelling and cardiac hypertrophy. However, enhancement of particular aspects of cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signalling appears to be beneficial for the failing heart. cAMP is a pleiotropic second messenger with the ability to generate multiple functional outcomes in response to different extracellular stimuli with strict fidelity, a feature that relies on the spatial segregation of the cAMP pathway components in signalling microdomains. Objective: How individual cAMP microdomains impact on cardiac pathophysiology remains largely to be established. The cAMP-degrading enzymes phosphodiesterases (PDEs) play a key role in shaping local changes in cAMP. Here we investigated the effect of specific inhibition of selected PDEs on cardiac myocyte hypertrophic growth. Methods and Results: Using pharmacological and genetic manipulation of PDE activity we found that the rise in cAMP resulting from inhibition of PDE3 and PDE4 induces hypertrophy whereas increasing cAMP levels via PDE2 inhibition is anti-hypertrophic. By real-time imaging of cAMP levels in intact myocytes and selective displacement of PKA isoforms we demonstrate that the anti-hypertrophic effect of PDE2 inhibition involves the generation of a local pool of cAMP and activation of a PKA type II subset leading to phosphorylation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Conclusions: Different cAMP pools have opposing effects on cardiac myocyte cell size. PDE2 emerges as a novel key regulator of cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo and its inhibition may have therapeutic applications

Pentosan Polysulfate Decreases Myocardial Expression of the Extracellular Matrix Enzyme ADAMTS4 and Improves Cardiac Function In Vivo in Rats Subjected to Pressure Overload by Aortic Banding

Background: We hypothesized that cleavage of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteoglycans versican and aggrecan by ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs) proteases, which contributes to stress-induced ECM-reorganization in atherogenesis and osteoarthritis, also play a role in heart failure development. Objectives: The primary objective was to identify alterations in expression of ADAMTS versicanases and aggrecanases during development of heart failure, while evaluation of the effects of in vivo modulation of relevant changes in ADAMTS activity constituted the secondary objective. Methods: Myocardial levels of versican, aggrecan, and their ADAMTS cleaving proteases were examined in Wistar rats six weeks after aortic banding (AB), and versican and selected ADAMTS versicanases were further analyzed in neonatal cardiomyocytes (NCM) and cardiac fibroblasts (NFB) after stimulation by inflammatory mediators. Based on the initial findings, ADAMTS4 was selected the most promising therapeutic target. Thus, rats with AB were treated with pentosan polysulfate (PPS), a polysaccharide with known ADAMTS4-inhibitory properties, and effects on versican fragmentation, left ventricular function and geometry were evaluated. Results: We discovered that myocardial mRNA and protein levels of ADAMTS1 and -4, and mRNA levels of versican, aggrecan, and ADAMTS8 increased after AB, and TNF-α and IL-1β synergistically increased mRNA of versican and ADAMTS4 in NCM and NFB and secretion of ADAMTS4 from NCM. Furthermore, PPS-treatment improved systolic function, demonstrated by an improved fractional shortening (vehicle 48±3% versus PPS 60±1%, p<0.01) after AB. Following PPS-treatment, we observed an ∼80% reduction in myocardial ADAMTS4 mRNA (p = 0.03), and ∼50% reduction in the extracellular amount of the p150 versican fragments (p = 0.05), suggesting reduced versicanase activity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that AB induces an increase in myocardial ADAMTS4 versicanase activity, and that PPS-treatment improved systolic function in the pressure-overloaded heart, holding promise as a novel therapeutic agent in heart failure

Norwegian EFL Teachers’ Perceptions about the Role of Literature in Vocational Studies

Engelsk mastergradsoppgaveENG350MAHF-ENGMAHF-LÆF

An Experimental Investigation of In-line and Combined In-line and Cross-flow Vortex Induced Vibrations

This thesis presents results from an experimental investigation of hydrodynamic forces on a cylinder under prescribed harmonic motions in uniform flow. The purpose of the experiments has been to find hydrodynamic coefficients for pure in-line (IL) oscillations and investigate the interaction between IL and cross-flow (CF) vortex induced vibrations (VIV). Hydrodynamic forces are hence measured in both directions. The experiments are performed in a towing tank of 40m, using a rigid cylinder of aspect ratio 20. The cylinder is installed in a yoke structure which in turn is suspended to an overhanging tow carriage. Model oscillations are achieved by oscillating the yoke on the carriage, while the flow velocity is obtained by moving the carriage at constant speed in still water. All experiments are performed at Reynolds number 2.4•104. Three main types of experiments are carried out: 1. IL oscillations where the frequencies and amplitudes are varied to obtain a detailed map of the forces acting on a cylinder in the pure IL VIV regime. 2. Two degree-of-freedom motions resembling the oscillation patterns observed in a flexible beam experiment. 3. Two degree-of-freedom motion tests where the shape and direction of the orbital paths are systematically varied. From the detailed knowledge of the excitation forces in the pure IL VIV regime, obtained in the first set of experiments, a novel approach for determining the effect of structural damping is introduced. This approach makes it possible to distinguish between the effect of structural damping and the effect of mass ratio on the response of a body subjected to VIV. A response model for predicting IL VIV is presented based on this method. The results also reveal that IL oscillations will give rise to CF forces that contribute to an earlier start-up of CF VIV, compared to conditions where the IL motion is restrained. The results of the second set of experiments indicate that hydrodynamic coefficients from forced oscillation experiments and the assumption that strip theory is valid, can be used to predict two degree-of-freedom response of a flexible beam. In the third set of experiments it is revealed that changing the shape and direction of the orbital path significantly changes the forces acting on the cylinder. Hydrodynamic forces at multiples of the oscillation frequency, known as higher order harmonic forces, are also measured.PhD i marin teknikkPhD in Marine Technolog

Path Planning and Obstacle Avoidance for Marine Vessels Using the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient Method

Med autonomi som et av hovedfokusene innen utviklingen av den maritime industrien er dokking-fasen et aspekt av et fullt autonomt fartøy som ennå ikke er utforsket fullt ut. På grunn av manøvreres kompleksitet er det vanskelig å beregne hva som er den optimale oppførselen nå r man dokker. Men med fremskritt av maskinlæring de siste å rene har nye metoder blitt tilgjengelige som mulige løsninger på problemet. I denne oppgaven er problemet med autonom dokking delt inn i to separate må l. Disse er baneplanlegging og hinder unngåelse. En implementasjon av Deep Deterministic Policy Gradientmetoden blir deretter brukt som en kontrollalgoritme for å lø se begge de separate må lene. Til tross for begrenset suksess i trening og tester utført i dette arbeidet, viser algoritmen seg lovende gitt at visse foreslåtte forbedringer blir gjennomført.With autonomy as one of the main focuses in the development of the maritime industry one aspect of a fully autonomous vessel which has yet to be fully explored is the docking phase. Due to the complexity of the maneuvers it is difficult to compute what is the optimal behaviour when docking. However with the advancement of machine learning in recent years new methods have become available as possible solutions to the problem. In this thesis the problem of autonomous docking is separated into two separate objectives of path planning and obstacle avoidance. An implementation of the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient method is then applied as a control algorithm for solving both the separate objectives. Despite limited success in the training and tests performed in this work the algorithm shows promise given certain suggested improvements are made

The effects of a 12-week structured strength training program on self-reported disease activity in females with rheumatoid arthritis: A series of N-of-1 trials

Masteroppgave - Norges idrettshøgskole, 2024Aim: To investigate the effects of a structured 12-week strength training program on self-reported disease activity and the disease's impact on physical, emotional, and functional domains related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in females with rheumatoid arthritis. Method: Eligibility criteria: Females aged 18-65 with RA and stable disease activity for at least three months were eligible. Outcomes: A numeric rating scale in The Patient Global Assessment (PGA) assessed weekly measurements of self-reported disease activity. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) questionnaire was used to weekly assess the patient-important domains (pain, function, fatigue, sleep disturbance, emotional well-being, physical well-being, coping). Muscle strength was measured through isokinetic force production in the knee extensors. The median and interquartile range (IQR) were used to represent the central tendency of PGA and RAID to compare each intervention period. Each of the seven RAID domains was assessed to determine if the results indicated a minimal clinically important improvement (MCII). Intervention: The study followed an N-of-1 experimental design (A1–B–A2) over 20 weeks. During the initial four-week baseline period A1, the participants' baseline values were assessed using the PGA and RAID. Subsequently, it was followed by a 12-week structured strength training period (B) consisting of two weekly training sessions. Each session consisted of three exercises: leg press, chest press, and one-arm seated row. After the strength training period, a four-week wash-out period (A2) commenced. Results: Participants: A total of six participants completed the intervention, while three withdrew during it. The participants' age and disease duration ranged from 30-50 and 3-35 years, respectively. Four out of six participants at baseline reported low disease activity (PGA), while the remaining two reported substantially higher disease activity scores. Through RAID, three participants reported a low impact of their disease on their HRQoL, one reported a moderate impact, and two reported a high impact. Outcomes: By the end of the intervention, all participants reported low disease activity (PGA) and a low impact of their disease (RAID) on HRQoL, and improvements were considerably higher in those with prominent disease activity at baseline. There were observed MCIIs for pain, physical function, fatigue, and emotional well-being at the end of the wash-out period (A2) in two participants. All participants, except one, showed improvements in their isokinetic force production, ranging from 11% to 29%. Conclusion: Strength training does not worsen self-reported disease activity and positively affects pain, physical function, fatigue, emotional well-being, and muscle strength in females with RA, with moderate to high disease activity.Institutt for idrettsmedisinske fag / Department of Sports Medicin

The residence of paradise -above the clouds the skies are always blue : a meetingspot in paradise for souls and everyone else columbarium/concervatory/paradise vegetation

Det här examensarbetet utgår från två stora intressen, kyrkogårdar och medelhavsvegetation. En till synes icke väl fungerande kombination i Sverige, om det inte vore för att medelhavsväxterna får bo och leva i ett tempererat glashus. Men här bor inte bara medelhavsväxter utan också våra nära och kära i deras sista vila, i kolumbarium. Arbetet har en inledande litteraturstudie kring flertalet områden såsom begravningar och begravningsskick i Sverige, kolumbarium, hur ser kyrkogårdar ut år 2020, ett eventuellt paradis, rekreationsområde, glashus och slutligen förslag på karaktärsväxter. Arbetet är ett helhetskoncept med ett gestaltningsförslag där arkitektonisk form, materialval, färger, växter och växtformationer presenteras. Konceptet är flexibelt i storlek och form och uppbyggt så att det kan appliceras på olika begravningsplatser beroende på hur stor yta som finns till hands. Arbetet beskriver också hur och varför arbetsprocessen och de sammanlagda aspekterna från litterturstudien har mynnat ut i gestaltningsförslaget ”Paradisets hemvist”.This thesis is based on two major interests, cemeteries and Mediterranean vegetation. A seemingly non-functioning combination in Sweden, if it were not for the Mediterranean plants to live in a temperate glass house. But not only Mediterranean plants lives here, but also our loved ones in their last rest, in the columbarium. The work has an introductory literature study on several areas such as burials and burial conditions in Sweden, columbarium, what cemeteries look like in 2020, a possible paradise, recreation area, glass houses and finally proposals for character plants. The work is a concept with a design proposal in which architectural form, choice of materials, colors, plants and plant formations are presented. The concept is flexible in size and shape and designed so that it can be applied to different cemeteries depending on the size of area at hand. The work also describes how and why the work process and the overall aspects of the literature study have resulted in the design proposal ”The Residence of Paradise”