A Transient Luminal Chitinous Matrix Is Required to Model Epithelial Tube Diameter in the Drosophila Trachea

SummaryEpithelial tubes are found in many vital organs and require uniform and correct tube diameters for optimal function. Tube size depends on apical membrane growth and subapical cytoskeletal reorganization, but the cues that coordinate these events to ensure functional tube shape remain elusive. We find that epithelial tubes in the Drosophila trachea require luminal chitin polysaccharides to attain the correct diameter. Tracheal chitin forms a broad transient filament within the tubes during the restricted period of expansion. Loss of chitin causes tubular constrictions and cysts associated with irregular subapical cytoskeletal organization, without affecting epithelial integrity and polarity. Analysis of previously identified tube expansion mutants in genes encoding septate junction proteins further suggests that septate junction components may function in tubulogenesis through their role in luminal matrix assembly. We propose that the transient luminal protein/polysaccharide matrix is sensed by the epithelial cells and coordinates cytoskeletal organization to ensure uniform lumen diameter

Targeted Radiation Therapy Patient Education Session, Utilizing 3-D Simulation, to Decrease Patient Anxiety and Increase Compliance

Radiation therapy often causes anxiety for patients and their families, and targeted patient education can potentially decrease anxiety and increase compliance. The introduction of a targeted patient education session within the radiation oncology patient process, prior to the start of treatment, in the form of a patient education session provided by a radiation therapist can potentially decrease patient anxiety, and increase patient compliance. The targeted education session includes an introduction to radiation therapy and the interprofessional team, and the utilization of a 3-D simulation tool to provide an audio and visual experience of what to expect with radiation treatment. Studies from the UK, Denmark and Australia have shown the benefit of an additional educational session utilizing a 3-D simulation tool, for patients with prostate cancer. We recently implemented a patient education session for every patient with prostate cancer at OHSU Tuality Cancer Center, and have received positive feedback from patients thus far. We plan to continue with other patient groups. The sarcoma patient group could benefit greatly from an additional targeted education session, utilizing a 3-D tool. This group has not been included in previous studies and it is expected that patient anxiety will decrease, and treatment compliance will increase. An informal assessment of a session was completed in October 2017, with twenty patients from the sarcoma group. The feedback received identified a gap in patient education for this group, with regards to radiation therapy

Authorship of the Ghost

Authorship of the Ghos

Vulnerable Groups in Climate Adaptation in Oslo Municipality

Cities are starting to feel the effects of climate change and climate adaptation is becoming increasingly important. It is the most vulnerable in society that are also the most affected by climate change. Concerns about equity and justice on who is responsible for climate change has moved to the urban environment and climate adaptation. Researchers are now more interested in the relationship between, political, economic, and social systems and adaptation. However, justice and fairness of vulnerable groups in decision-making and distribution of climate adaptation has not been significantly prioritized. Oslo is a city that is feeling the effects of climate change and is implementing surface water measures to handle the projected precipitation. How are vulnerable groups considered and included in climate adaptation planning in Oslo municipality? This thesis utilises document analysis and interviews of adaptation planning documents and planners, that will give insight to the scope of the inclusion of vulnerable groups in adaptation by using Oslo as a case study. This study shows that Oslo treats vulnerability as an end point, where exposure minus adaptation defines a systems vulnerability. Consequently, the built and natural environment is considered the most vulnerable in the city of Oslo. Climate adaptation is concerned with safeguarding the urban environment through blue-green infrastructure. Vulnerable groups are there for underrepresented in climate adaptation planning in Oslo though municipal planners ensure that adaptation measures are safe and accessible. Changing the way Oslo municipality evaluates vulnerability, to vulnerability as a starting point, might illuminate possible injustices with adaptation planning. Offer greater consideration to vulnerable groups

Drivers and Barriers for implementing a Battery as a Service Business Model

Flere og flere selskaper implementerer Battery as a Service (BaaS) for å gjøre verdikjedene for batterier mer sirkulære. Imidlertid er det lite forskning på hva som driver selskaper til å velge denne forretningsmodellen. Tidligere har heller ikke vært forskning på hvilke hindringer de møter når de implementerer BaaS. Derfor vil denne oppgaven ta for seg og undersøke forskningsspørsmålet: I denne oppgaven er målet å svare på forskningsspørsmålet: "Hva driver selskaper til å implementere forretningsmodellen Battery as a Service, og hvilke hindringer kan oppstå ved implementering av BaaS?" For å svare på forskningsspørsmålet ble det gjennomført en kvalitativ studie av to selskaper som har implementert BaaS. Teori om forretningsmodeller, implementering av forretningsmodeller, Product as a Service, og Battery as a Service vil gi leseren en forståelse av eksisterende forskning og hvordan denne oppgaven kan gi merverdi for videre forskning. Motivasjonen for å implementere BaaS var blant annet økonomiske fordeler, miljømessige gevinster, muligheten til å selge mer kostbart utstyr, og oppnå et konkurransefortrinn. Hindringene som ble identifisert inkluderte endringer i interne systemer, ekstern infrastruktur, tekniske utfordringer, regelverk, juridiske standarder, og et høyt ressursbehov. De to selskapene opplevde ulike økonomiske- og ressursrelaterte utfordringer. Dataene som ble samlet inn kunne ikke avdekke om kunde aksept var en driver eller en hindring. I stor grad valgte kundene av selskapene i studien, BaaS over tradisjonelt batteri kjøp. Likevel er ikke kundene store nok til å representere den generelle aksepten i markedet. I slutten av oppgaven ble driverne og hindringene for implementering av BaaS sammenlignet med litteraturen om implementering av PaaS. Likhetene mellom forretningsmodellene var betydelige, og den største forskjellen var graden av tekniske utfordringer, noe som kan skyldes batterienes bruk av mer avansert teknologi.An increasing number of companies are implementing Battery as a Service (BaaS) to make battery value chains more circular. However, there is limited research on what drives companies to choose that business model, including the barriers they encounter when implementing BaaS. In this thesis, the aim is to answer the following research question. “What drives companies to implement the Battery as a Service business model, and which barriers may occur when implementing BaaS?” To answer the research question, a qualitative study has been conducted on two companies that have implemented BaaS. Theory about business models, business model implementation, Product as a Service, and Battery as a Service, will give the reader an understanding of the research already conducted and how this thesis will be a positive addition to existing research. The main drivers found in the two study cases for why implementing BaaS were financial benefits, environmental benefits, the ability to upsell more expensive equipment, and the ability to gain a competitive advantage. The barriers identified were changes in the internal system, external infrastructure, technical barriers, regulations, legal standards, and an excessive need for resources. The two companies experienced different financial challenges and resource challenges. The data collected could not reveal whether customer acceptance was a driver or a barrier. However, in this case study, the customers of the cases preferred the BaaS over the traditional battery purchase, but the number of customers in the study is not large enough to represent the general acceptance of the market. Making it difficult to conclude if customer acceptance is a driver or a barrier for BaaS business models. At the end of the thesis, the drivers and barriers of implementing BaaS were compared to the literature regarding implementing PaaS. The similarities between the business models were significant, but the biggest difference was the degree of technical challenges, which can be due to the batteries' use of more advanced technology

Control and Optimization of Ventilation in Zero Emission Buildings using IoT

En stor del av det totale energiforbruket i bygg kan knyttes til ventilasjon og bygningsklimatisering. Behovsstyr ventilasjon (DCV) kan benyttes som et tiltak for å senke det totale energiforbruket. Som et ledd i utviklingen av DCV har lav-kostnads sensorer som måler ulike inneklimaparametere blitt ett fokusområde. Både med tanke på muligheter til å måle inneklima sammenliknet med anerkjente sensorer, og hvorvidt de kan benyttes til å styre DCV. Denne oppgaven ser videre på muligheten til å benytte lav-kostnads sensorer til å kontrollerer ventilasjon på bakgrunn av forskjellige inneklimaparametere. For å tilrettelegge for videre testing av DCV strategier, ble et provisorisk kontorområde planlagt og påbegynt bygget i laboratoriet. Dette innebar prosjektering av et DCV anlegg samt selve byggingen av kontorområdet. Det planlagte kontorområdet i laboratoriet satte rammeverket for simuleringer som er gjennomført i CONTAM. CONTAM ble brukt til å undersøke innvirkningen til DCV på luftkvalitet og energiforbruk. Denne oppgaven tar for seg forskjellige kontrollstrategier for DCV basert på målinger av CO2 og HCHO. Total ble fem DCV strategier analysert og sammenliknet gjennom simuleringer. I tillegg ble tre kontrollstrategier for styring av omluft undersøkt. De kontrollstrategiene for omluft er basert på målinger av CO2, en kombinert løsning med måling av CO2 og HCHO, og målinger av PM2.5. Implementering av omluft viste seg å være vanskelig uten å forstyrre kontrollen av tilluft. Siden reguleringen av omluft og tilluft er styrt av samme parametere, konkurrerer dem om autoritet. Dermed ble reguleringen ukontrollerbar. Med de forutsetninger som er satt i denne oppgaven, kan ikke omluftstyring anbefales som et ledd i å senke energiforbruket eller øke luftkvalitet. Simuleringene viser at DCV kontrollert av CO2 holder nivået av HCHO under anbefalte grenseverdier i arbeidstiden. Men, om emisjonsraten er for høy, kan HCHO akkumuleres og stige over anbefalte grenseverdier utenfor arbeidstid. Simuleringene viser at ventilasjon styrt av CO2 og HCHO hindrer akkumuleringen av HCHO og sikrer bedre inneklima. Estimering av energiforbruk tilknyttet oppvarming og viftedrift viser stort potensiale til å spare energi sammenliknet med CAV. DCV styrt av CO2 og HCHO sparer opp mot 31 % av energiforbruket sammenliknet med CAV for den simulerte uken. Basert på disse resultatene anbefales DCV styrt av CO2 og HCHO for videre undersøkelser i laboratoriet.Ventilation accounts for a large amount of energy use in buildings. A large amount of a building's total energy consumption is related to heating, cooling, and ventilation. DCV can be used as means to achieve more energy-efficient buildings. In context with the progress surrounding DCV, low-cost IAQ sensors are a subject of investigation. Low-cost sensors have shown improvement in the sensor's performance compared to recognized IAQ sensors and their relevance in controlling ventilation. This thesis further explores the possibilities of using low-cost IAQ sensors to control a DCV system based on IAQ measurements. To facilitate the investigation of DCV control strategies, a provisional office area supplied with a DCV system was planned. The planned office area determined the framework for simulations. The simulation program CONTAM was used to compare the impact on IAQ and energy consumption for different DCV control strategies. Indoor air concentration of CO2 or HCHO or a combination of CO2 and HCHO was the basis for the proposed DCV control cases. Five control cases were investigated and compared. In addition to supply air control, the CONTAM simulations contain an investigation of three control algorithms for recirculation of extract air. Indoor air concentration of HCHO, indoor air concentration of HCHO and CO2, and indoor air concentration of particulate matter are the basis of the three recirculation controls. Combining the DCV control strategies with the recirculation controls investigated in this thesis did not show promising results. The intent of implementing recirculation control was to lower the overall energy use. Simulations show that implementing recirculation control based on the same parameters as the supply airflow control did not work. The recirculation controls ended up being unstable and contradictory in terms of saving energy and achieving better IAQ. The simulations in CONTAM show that ventilation controlled by the indoor concentration of CO2 can keep HCHO below the recommended indoor threshold limit during working hours. But, pending on the base ventilation rate and pollutant generation rate, the level of HCHO exceeds the threshold limit outside working hours. The CONTAM simulation shows that a combined HCHO and CO2 DCV control strategy prevents accumulation of HCHO and achieves better IAQ. Compared to CAV, the DCV controls investigated will save energy related to heating and operation of fans. The DCV control based on CO2 and HCHO saved a total of 31 \% energy compared to CAV for the simulated week. Based on these results, the combined CO2 and HCHO control is recommended for further investigation in the laboratory

Upscaling of Water-Flooding Scenarios and Modeling of Polymer Flow

This thesis considers simulations of the fluid flow in petroleum reservoirs, and includes work on upscaling methods and on modeling of polymer flood- ing, which is a particular method of enhanced oil recovery. The details of a small-scale model can have large impact on the flow on larger scales, and upscaling is therefore an essential part of reservoir modeling. We consider upscaling on the field-scale, investigate the balance of forces during the water-ooding of a reservoir, and use this to asses the applicability of different upscaling methods, and in particular steady- state methods. Two novel upscaling methods based on the steady-state assumption are suggested, and a comparison study is performed between different methods through realistic field-scale simulations. Established two-phase upscaling techniques are also extended to include polymer properties. As an alternative to upscaling, we also consider the application of a multiscale method to run polymer flooding simulations more efficiently. Using the developed solver, we demonstrate that we are able to obtain fast and accurate solutions on complex grids, using realistic and highly non-linear ow physics. Considering another aspect of polymer modeling, we address a known issue with the mathematical model of an import physical effect of polymer flooding, the velocity enhancement due to inaccessible pore volume. The conventional model may lead to ill-posed equations, and we propose alternative formulations to obtain numerically more stable simulations

Crown Privilege in Regard to Upper Echelon Government Documentation

This article reviews the common law pertaining to the manner in which courts have entertained claims of privilege by Crown authorities when the latter are requested to produce documents or submit to discovery. In considering the issue it deals specifically with executive level documentation and by examining recent trends, attempts to isolate some of the matters that must be addressed when a party attempts to wrench such material from the government’s grasp.De quelle façon les tribunaux ont-ils disposé des revendications à un privilege de la part de la Couronne lorsqu’il lui est demandé de déposer des documents ou de se soumettre à un examen au préalable? Cet article tente d’y répondre en faisant une étude du “common law” à ce sujet. L’auteur discute plus précisément de la documentation au niveau exécutif. En procédant à l’analyse des tendances les plus récentes, il fait voir les différents aspects auxquels une partie doit toujours réfléchir lorsqu’elle veut soustraire de tels documents de l’étreinte du gouvernement fédéral

Beyond Survival - Cognition after Pediatric Brain Tumor

Background: Pediatric Brain Tumor (PBT) survivors suffer from cognitive sequelae, especially within the areas of cognitive tempo, attention, executive function and memory. The cognitive difficulties are often accentuated over the years, but knowledge about the long term trajectory is still scarce. Aim: The aim of this thesis was to examine cognitive sequelae after Pediatric Brain Tumor (PBT); risk factors, common difficulties, development and neuroimaging correlates. Methods: In study I, data from medical logs were used to examine characteristics of the patients who got access to neuropsychological services, compared to those who did not. In study II, data from 70 neuropsychological assessments were used to describe common cognitive impairments and to find risk factors. In study III, patients were invited to a follow-up study 10-13 years after diagnosis. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging data were collected and the two were compared. In study IV, longitudinal cognitive data from 173 patients were analyzed in order to describe development over time and to find risk factors for a negative development. Results: Study I: There were few differences between referred and non-referred patients. Study II: Patients had generally suppressed IQ and difficulties with executive function, memory, cognitive processing speed and attention. Risk factors were Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy (WBRT), large tumors, young age at diagnosis and male sex. Study III: Radiated as well as non-radiated patients had white matter abnormalities. Correlation between neuroimaging and cognition was low when group based statistics were used, but increased when a personalized method was used. Study IV: Most cognitive abilities showed a decline in age related scores over time unconsidered treatment given. Risk factors for impaired cognitive function at diagnosis were: male sex, WBRT, supratentorial lateral tumor, young age at diagnosis, larger tumor size and treatment with chemotherapy. Conclusions: A systematic neuropsychological follow-up is important. Risk factors for cognitive impairment and IQ decline are WBRT, large tumors, young age at diagnosis, male sex, supratentorial lateral tumor, and treatment with chemotherapy. A decline in IQ after PBT is common, unconsidered treatment given. Personalized methods of research would contribute significantly to our understanding of cognitive sequelae after PBT and its relation to neuroimaging