Absence and Overtime Work:Empirical Evidence from Norway

This paper presents both theoretical and empirical analyses of the relationship between overtime work and absence. Demand for absence is analysed under the assumption that workers in a given firm can be represented by one of two types of workers, denoted overemployed and underemployed. Increased demand for overtime hours has a nonpositive effect on absence. If actual overtime pay is higher than the reservation wage, a higher demand for overtime hours will reduce absence. Otherwise absence is unaffected. On the other hand, demand for overtime increases if absence increases. The empirical analysis is carried out on quarterly panel data from 263 firms, covering the time period 1990-96. The empirical results confirm the theoretical predictions except from the effect of overtime hours on absence, where positive elasticities are estimated.Absenteeism;overtime work

Non-linear Unemployment Effects in Sickness Absence: Discipline or Composition Effects?

By applying Smooth Transition Regressions (Teräsvirta, 1998) we test whether effects on short (STA) and long term (LTA) sickness absence depend on the level of unemployment. The main question is to what extent unemployment affects sickness absence through so-called discipline and/or composition effects. The empirical analysis is carried out on time series data referring to blue collar workers in Norway. For LTA we conclude that only discipline effects are present. Concerning STA, none of these effects seems present among women, whereas both effects may be present among men. Non-linear effects of wage and sick pay scheme changes support these conclusions.sickness absence; unemployment; non-linear modelling

A methodological framework for capturing relative eyetracking coordinate data to determine gaze patterns and fixations from two or more observers

While physical activity during cancer treatment is found beneficial for breast cancer patients, evidence indicates ambiguous findings concerning effects of scheduled exercise programs on treatment-related symptoms. This study investigated effects of a scheduled home-based exercise intervention in breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy, on cancer-related fatigue, physical fitness, and activity level. Sixty-seven women were randomized to an exercise intervention group (n=33, performed strength training 3x/week and 30 minutes brisk walking/day) and a control group (n=34, performed their regular physical activity level). Data collection was performed at baseline, at completion of chemotherapy (Post1), and 6-month postchemotherapy (Post2). Exercise levels were slightly higher in the scheduled exercise group than in the control group. In both groups, cancer-related fatigue increased at Post1 but returned to baseline at Post2. Physical fitness and activity levels decreased at Post1 but were significantly improved at Post2. Significant differences between intervention and control groups were not found. The findings suggest that generally recommended physical activity levels are enough to relief cancer-related fatigue and restore physical capacity in breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy, although one cannot rule out that results reflect diminishing treatment side effects over time

Increased motivation for physical activity among readers of lifestyle intervention articles

The main purpose of this study was to investigate if readers of lifestyle intervention articles published in a newspaper became more motivated for physical activity (PA). A secondary aim was to chart reader characteristics like sex, age and PA level. In 2014, a regional newspaper with 152 000 readers in Stavanger, Norway followed the story of four untrained adults trying to become physically fit. Their goal was to run an 8.2 km park race after 13 weeks of training. A panel of 623 newspaper readers answered a questionnaire about their own PA level and motivation to increase their PA level after reading the articles. Twenty percent of the readers (127 of 623) reported that they always or usually read the intervention articles, which was equal to the number who never read these articles. There was no significant difference in the distribution of men and women within these different categories. Sixteen percent of the reader panel (estimated to 24 000 readers) reported that they were motivated to become more physically active after reading the articles. The study indicates a great potential for promoting a healthy lifestyle by publishing lifestyle interventions in a newspaper

Just As Good As They Are : Voices of Contemporary Women Involved in Farming and Ranching in North Dakota

The purpose of this study was to examine the current experiences of women involved in farming and ranching in North Dakota. Specifically, women from across the state of North Dakota were interviewed to further our understanding of their lives as they experienced and reacted to the changing nature of agriculture. Interviewing was employed as the primary method of investigation to allow the women\u27s voices to be conveyed directly to others. Through analysis based in grounded theory methodology, three descriptive assertions emerged from the interview data, and they are as follows: (1) The women involved in farming and ranching in this study are extremely busy and work very hard. (2) The women involved in farming and ranching in this study risk compromising, or have already compromised, their psychological health due to stress. (3) The women involved in farming and ranching in this study have many reason to remain on their farms and ranches. These three assertions led to a discussion on how and why we should listen to the voices of the women involved. This discussion centered on the concept that through paying careful attention to the women\u27s needs and desires, we may work collaboratively with the women to better understand, serve, and represent them in a variety of contexts

Relay Lab at NTNU

This thesis presents background on power system protection, relay principles, modern relay technology and relay testing, to support the design, practical set up and proposals for use of a new relay lab at NTNU.The paper includes a theoretical part describing the components of power system protection, their function and attributes. To better the understanding of the importance of power system protection, a short study of the different types of faults that may occur in a power system and how they can be calculated has been made.One chapter covering the principles of protective relaying functions relevant for the lab, is included. It covers the theory of overcurrent (including directional), distance and differential protection, as well as challenges one may encounter when applying these protective functions.A chapter on modern relay technology, describing the possibilities and benefits of micro-processor based relays, especially with regards to communication, is a part of the report. This chapter also includes sections describing the inputs and outputs, logic and function of modern relays.The essentials of relay testing is described in the paper. The different methods available for the testing of relays; scaled physical networks, relay testers and fault simulators are mentioned. Focus has been put on use of relay testers as it is most relevant for the lab. A description of common test procedures is also included. Selected relevant software has been studied to find a software which can be used in the lab exercises.Discussion of practicalities regarding the lab, i.e. the design and set up of the lab is also made in the thesis. Opportunities for, and use of the lab have been discussed. The basics of relay configuration is explained. Proposals for lab exercises that can be performed in the new relay lab are presented near the end.A list covering proposals for further work for the relay lab is the final part of the thesis

Transient Flow in Gas Transport

Transport of natural gas to continental Europe and UK is a large portion ofNorwegian petroleum industry. The gas is mainly transported undersea inlarge-scale transport pipelines. Amount of transported gas is currently closeto maximum capacity of the pipeline network, and as a consequence the gastransport must be careful planned so that the optimal capacity can be utilized.An important tool in this planning is the use of computational method topredict the flow. Accurate computational tools is therefore of great value whenpredicting the pressures and flow rates in transient cases such as opening of avalve or shut down of a flow. This report is a part of a major research projectinitiated by Gassco, for better flow-predictions models in natural gas pipelines.A computational model based on the method of characteristics has beendeveloped. In this report the main focus is on the solution of the energy equationand introduction of this equation to an already existing code solving for pressureand mass flux. The method is verified using measured values of pressure at theinlet.Since much of the uncertainty is related to the transients, this report focuseson transient cases. The old program solving the characteristic equations using anisothermal assumption actually proves surprisingly accurate, and the additionalsolution of temperature does not significantly improve the results. The methodhowever does not provide satisfactory results at the larger transients.If large temperature gradients are imposed on the solver we see instabilities inthe flow and it affects the solution of the parameters. The Joule Thomson effectthat we have in our solution also results in a much higher drop of temperaturethan what can be measured, in case of pressure drop at the inlet.From the results we also see that the coefficient that is supposed to correctfriction factor for additional drag effects, also should be a function of pressureand/or Reynold number. If such a correlation would provide more accurateresults in the transient has not been debated, but more accurate correlation offriction depending on flow rate would probably give a more accurate result.Also worth noticing is that the method does not have a clear convergence,or reduction of error as the number of calculation points increases. It givessmaller extreme values, but average error is not reduced significantly. This isprobably a result of the reduced effect of missing convective-term as the gridhas a finer resolution and time-step decreases and the effect of loss of velocityin the characteristic becomes small.As a simple tool for calculation of gas transport in pipelines, the isothermalmethod of characteristics proves to give surprisingly accurate results. However,for more complex systems, i.e. including the temperature and variable propertiessuch as compressibility and density, finite difference methods are more versatile.Finite difference methods can be done implicit, giving a more stable solver, andit s simpler to account for some of the effects such as temperature etc.i

A study on metabolic rewiring in cancer cell plasticity

Adaptation of cellular energetics is an important feature of tumorigenesis as a vast supply of nutrients is needed to accommodate increased growth. Essential energy pathways includes glucose, fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, where mitochondria function as key orchestrators. The main aim of this thesis was to investigate metabolic rewiring during cancer cell plasticity. Providing knowledge on central metabolic regulators and markers of metabolic reprogramming may present new therapeutic strategies to overcome development of resistance to cancer therapy. In order to identify metabolic rewiring associated with cancer cell plasticity we focused especially on cellular energetics in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug resistance, which are both well-documented examples of cancer cell plasticity. EMT is important in cellular functions such as wound healing and embryonal development. However, this process is hijacked in cancer development and is known to be an important mediator of invasion and metastasis, and associated with poor overall survival. We found that altered mitochondrial function contributed to development of EMT in breast cancer. This included reduced mitochondrial size and network, and reduced mitochondrial Complex II succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, which resulted in reduced mitochondrial respiration. Upon analyzing gene expression data in breast tumors, we found the SDH subunit C and EMT to be inversely correlated, especially in basal-like breast cancer. Upon investigating markers of altered response to starvation and fatty acid oxidation, we found pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), a central regulator of pyruvate metabolism, to be upregulated. We found that PDK4 was a sensitive hallmark of cellular plasticity as upregulation of PDK4 marked the metabolic shift from glucose to fatty acid oxidation (FAO). This was evident both upon overexpression of central FAO regulators and pharmacological FAO inducers. Altered PDK expression was also evident in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with PDK1 being upregulated in tissue from NSCLC patients compared to healthy tissue. Acquired drug resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) in NSCLC remain one of the major contributors to the high mortality rate of lung cancer, and is an example of cancer cell plasticity. Therefore, we developed cell lines resistant EGFR TKIs to mimic acquired drug resistance. We also found evidence of deregulated pyruvate metabolism upon drug resistance through upregulation of PDK2. As PDKs was identified as a common denominator both in NSCLC patient cohorts and upon acquired drug resistance, we tested the sensitivity and effect of the PDK inhibitor dichloroacetate (DCA) with the aim to increase therapeutic efficacy. Upon DCA treatment, we found increased pyruvate and lactate oxidation, while reducing glucose oxidation and lactate production. We further found that DCA reduced growth alone or in synergy with EGFR TKIs in both sensitive and resistant cell lines. To conclude, we show that metabolic rewiring is an important feature of cancer cell plasticity, both through dysregulation of mitochondrial function and altered pyruvate metabolism. We found that metabolic rewiring mediates the process of EMT and drug resistance. Rewiring of cellular energetics is a common feature in cancer cell plasticity, and we show that inducing metabolic stress through targeting pyruvate metabolism, may represent a promising therapeutic strategy

Scale-Up Feasibility And Novel Method Of Separation Of Carbon From An Oxygen Carrier

This project targets the development of a technology for segregating fuel-based contaminants (char/carbon) from oxygen carrier material in the context of chemical looping combustion applications. In chemical looping, the well-mixed solids that flow from the fuel reactor consisting of char, ash, and oxygen carrier particles cannot be completely separated into their constituents before they enter the air reactor. The slip of carbon leads to char oxidation in the wrong reactor and poor carbon dioxide separation efficiency. The buildup of ash that is not rejected necessitates rejection of larger quantities of oxygen carrier material, resulting in a high operating cost penalty. An efficient method to separate char from oxygen carrier material is critical for the deployment of chemical looping technology. This project developed a novel method for char separation from oxygen carrier that is specifically tailored to chemical looping combustion and its unique constraints and process conditions. The segregation system consists of a novel combination of methodologies that together provide very high segregation efficiency, even under the extreme conditions of chemical looping systems. Following the successful demonstration in Phase I at the lab-scale, this Phase II project involved a significant scale-up. The components in the novel segregation system were optimized through parametric evaluation of several process conditions. Design emphasis was on reducing equipment size and energy input. There is a target of 80% removal of char in the exit stream of oxygen carrier. Due to the scale of the project, tests were completed under cold flow conditions, meaning room temperature

Exposure to Violence and Attitudes Towards Transitional Justice

Transitional justice has emerged to address victims' needs as a means of restoring relations broken by violence. Yet we know little about victims' attitudes towards different transitional justice mechanisms. Why do some victims prioritize retributive justice while others favor other forms of dealing with the violent past? What determines victims' attitudes towards transitional justice policies? To address these questions, we offer a new theoretical framework that draws upon recent insights from the field of evolutionary psychology and links both war exposure and postwar environments to transitional justice preferences. We argue that both past experiences of wartime violence and present-day social interdependence with perpetrators impact transitional justice preferences, but in divergent ways (resulting in greater support for retributive vs. restorative justice measures, respectively). To test our framework, we rely upon a 2013 representative survey of 1,007 respondents focusing on general population attitudes towards transitional justice in Bosnia two decades after the implementation of the Dayton Accords. Specifically, we examine the impact of displacement, return to prewar homes, loss of property, loss of a loved one, physical injury, imprisonment, and torture on attitudes towards transitional justice. On the whole, our findings confirm our two main hypotheses: Exposure to direct violence and losses is associated with more support for retributive justice measures, while greater present-day interdependence with perpetrators is associated with more support for restorative justice measures. While acknowledging the legacy of wartime violence, we highlight the importance of the postwar context and institutional mechanisms that support victims in reconstructing their lives