Bakgrunn: Diabetes er globalt økende, og et voksende folkehelseproblem. Hovedårsakene er den raske økningen av fedme, fysisk inaktivitet og et økende antall eldre. Samtidig med økt inntakav sukker og kunstige søtningsstoffer, brus og lettbrus, har fedme og diabetestilfeller også økt. Hensikten med denne studien var å undersøke om det er en sammenheng mellom inntak av brus og lettbrus og insidensav diabetes type 2. Metode: Data ble samlet fra Adventist Health Study-2, en prospektiv kohortstudie. Data benyttet varbasert på et spørreskjema ved studiestart, og et oppfølgingsskjema, Hospital History Form(HHF-3). HHF-3 ble benyttetopptil 6 år senere med spørsmål om en evt. diabetesdiagnose, og tidspunkt for diagnosen. Deltakere med diabetes ved studiestart ble ekskludert. Antall deltakere i diabetesstudien var 45777. Nye diabetestilfeller under studien var 1277. Analysene ble gjort både med og uten kroppsmasseindeks (KMI). Det ble benyttet komplementær log-log-Cox analyse for å beregne hazard ratioer (HR) og tilhørende 95 % konfidensintervaller. Resultater: I multivariate analyser justert for demografiske variabler, KMI, type kosthold, fysisk aktivitet, inntak av fiberog magnesium, var inntak av≥1 boks ( = 355 ml) lettbrus daglig assosiert med insidens av diabetes type 2(HR=1,46, 95% CI, 1,19-1,78),p(trend)&lt; 0,0001. Inntak av ≥ 1 boksvanlig brusdagligvar ikke forbundet med økt risiko for diabetes, (HR=1,20, 95 %Cl 0,95-1,50). Sammenhengene ble styrketog statistisk signifikant for begge typer brus når det ikke blejustert for KMI. Andre risikofaktorer for utvikling av diabetes var alder, mannlig kjønn, ikke-hvit etnisitet, og KMI. Et høyt magnesiuminntak, et høytfiberinntak, høyere utdanningog et vegetarisk kostholdvar beskyttende mot sykdommen. Konklusjon: Inntak av lettbrus men ikkevanlig brus,var signifikant assosiert med utvikling av diabetes type 2. / Background: Diabetes is increasing globally,presenting a growing public health problem. The rapid rise of obesity, physical inactivity, and an increasinglyelderly populationcontribute to this epidemic. The increase in obesity and diabetes coincide with increased intake of sugary and artificially sweetened drinks. Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether the consumption of regularor diet soft drinks predicts the incidence of type2 diabetes. Method: We used data collected from the Adventist Health Study-2, a prospective cohort study. The data was based on a baseline questionnaire, as well as a follow-up form (i.e., hospital history form-3) distributed to previous respondents up to 6 years later. Both questionnaire and follow-upformasked about a possible diabetes diagnosis and date of diagnosis. Importantly, Adventist Health Study-2 excluded individiuals who presented with diabetes at baseline. Among 45,777 subjects, the study detected 1,277 new cases of diabetes. Analyses were conducted both with and without body mass index. Complementary log-log Cox analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios(HR)and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results: Adjusted for demographic variables, body mass index, type of diet, physical activity, and fiber and magnesiumintake, multvariateanalysis showed that consumptionof ≥1 can (355 ml) of diet soda/day was associated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes (HR=1.46, 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.73;p&lt;0.001). In comparison,consumptionof ≥ 1 can of regular soda/daydid not increaserisk of diabetes (HR = 1.20, 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.50). The associations were strengthened and statistically significant for both types of soda when not adjusted for BMI. Other risk factors for developing diabetes included age, male gender, non-white ethnicity, and body mass index. High intake of magnesiumandfiber, higher education,and a vegetarian diet were protective against the disease. Conclusion:  Consumption of diet soda was significantly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. / <p>ISBN 978-91-982282-0-5</p>

A complexa interação que ocorre entre os processos oceânicos e atmosféricos no Oceano Austral afeta a circulação oceânica global em diferentes camadas. O Mar de Weddell e o Mar de Ross possuem reconhecida importância na formação da Água de Fundo Antártica (AABW). O objetivo principal deste trabalho é caracterizar as massas de água dos Mares de Weddell e Ross, através dos dados mais recentes de reanálise oceânica SODA (Simple Ocean Data Assimilation). Através da técnica de separação de massas de água Análise Multiparamétrica Ótima (AMO) foi possível a identificação de 3 principais massas de água no Mar de Ross: Água Profunda Circumpolar Superior (UCDW), Água Profunda Circumpolar Inferior (LCDW) e Água de Plataforma de Baixa Salinidade (LSSW). A UCDW foi a que apresentou a maior variabilidade, não atingindo a Plataforma de gelo do MR durante os anos de 1950-1974. No Mar de Weddell foi possível a identificação das seguintes massas de água: Água Profunda Cálida (WDW), Água Profunda do Mar de Weddell (WSDW) e Água de Fundo do Mar de Weddell (WSBW). A WDW atingiu valores >70% à 800m. A WSDW possui em seu núcleo valores > 90% entre 2000 e 3500m. A WSBW, apresenta ~100% em profundidades > 4000m. / The complex interaction that occurs between the oceanic and atmospheric processes in the Southern Ocean affects global ocean circulation in different layers. The Weddell and Ross Seas have recognized importance in the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). This work aims to characterize the water masses of the Weddell and Ross Seas, using the latest ocean data reanalysis SODA (Simple Ocean Data Assimilation). Through the water masses separation technique, Optimum Multiparameter Analysis (OMP), it was possible to identify three main water masses in Ross Sea: Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW), Lower Circumpolar Deep Water (LCDW) and Low Salinity Shelf Water (LSSW). UCDW showed the greatest variability, not reaching the Ross Sea Ice Shelf during the years 1950-1974. It was possible to identify the following water masses in Weddell Sea: Warm Deep Water (WDW), Weddell Sea Deep Water (WSDW) and Weddell Sea Bottom Water (WSBW). WDW reached values up to 70% in 800m. WSDW has in its core values > 90% between 2000 and 3500m. WSBW presents a contribution up to 100% at depths > 4000m.

No description available.

The West Crater-Soda Peaks area covering about 100 km is located 35 km southeast of Mount St. Helens in southern Washington State. It is one of several Quaternary monogenetic High Cascade volcanic centers overlying the Ohaaapecosh Formation of the Western Cascade Group and interstratified glacial till.These volcanic centers are the most westerly of the range.

<p>The aim of the project was to study the manufacturing of synthetic soda ash (sodium carbonate, Na2CO3) on an industrial scale. Currently all Soda ash that is used in South Africa for manufacturing glass is imported at a high cost, and the company Nampak Wiegand Glass (South Africa) is investigating the possibility to locally manufacture synthetic soda ash. About 75% of soda ash is synthetically produced from either the Leblanc process, Solvay process, Modified Solvay (Dual) process or dry lime process. This study concentrated on the Solvay process on a laboratory scale for eventual input into a larger pilot plant. The produced material was analyzed using analytical techniques such as FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). There are certain standard requirements for impurities in the soda ash, and this needed to be measured and determined what changes to the process will bring the impurities to the required minimum standard. Environmental issues around the manufacturing process were also studied. After completing of the laboratory experiments and the extraction of required data from the results, Nampak will use the information to decide on a followup to the building of a small pilot plant to further test and develop the engineering and economical aspects of a full plant. If successful a full scale manufacturing plant can be developed in South Africa for producing soda ash.&nbsp / This study thus will not only help Nampak Wiegand Glass in finalizing the decision to go ahead, but its result will also benefit other companies that use the soda ash in oil refining, water treatment, pulp and paper, chemical industry etc. Some parts of the work done will be proprietary to Nampak and subject to confidentiality agreement.</p>

<p>This dissertation consists of three chapters relating to various topics in empirical Industrial Organization. The first two chapters deal with the empirical treatment of sales in online markets. The third chapter explores the level of pass-through for taxes on soft drinks.</p><p>In the first chapter I demonstrate that when dealing with online market places it is important to take into account the fact that multiple listings coexist. Traditionally, the economic literature has treated listings as independent. In reality, however, buyers often have the choice between multiple contemporaneous listings. I demonstrate that it is important to take this fact into account since sellers who list their items simultaneously are in direct competition. More specifically, I show that the sale probability of a given item decreases when the number of simultaneous listings increases. Thus, the aforementioned assumption of independence can lead to wrong results.</p><p>In the second chapter, I specify and estimate a structural model of mechanism choice in online markets. I consider both sides of the market: On the demand side, buyers' choices among available listings are equilibrium outcomes of an entry game. On the supply side, sellers take competition into account and make equilibrium decisions when choosing sales mechanisms and prices. I estimate this model using data from sales of baseball tickets on eBay. I find that sellers' outside options, dynamic incentives, and risk preferences affect mechanism choice. Using the estimation results from my model I analyze the welfare effects of a hybrid mechanism (buy-it-now auctions) eBay offers. I find that the existence of buy-it-now auctions increases the consumer surplus and reduces the producer surplus. The reason for this is that buy-it-now auctions diminish sellers' potential for diversification via mechanism choice and thus strengthen competition.</p><p>The third and last chapter focuses on the incidence of soda taxes by studying the pass-through level of these taxes. It lays out a framework for thinking about the determinants of the pass-through level. More specifically, it builds theoretical models that examine the pass-through under more complex supply structures with multiple manufactures and retailers. In addition to providing some intuition behind theoretical predictions of the models, this chapter also presents empirical results found in the data along with their implications.</p> / Dissertation

No description available.

Objective: Over the past several decades, increase in SSB consumption has coincided with increasing rates of obesity. This study evaluated the association between SSB consumption and BMI. Methods: FFQ data from NHANES 2003-2004 was used to examine 100% orange juice, sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, soft drinks, and other beverage consumption frequency vs. mean BMI. ANOVA, relative risk, and linear regression analyses were done. Results: ANOVA found significant differences in mean BMI across consumption frequencies for orange juice (p=.001), sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (p<.001), and soft drinks (p<.001). Increased risk of being obese was associated with increasing consumption frequency for orange juice (RR=1.282), sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (RR=1.417), and soft drinks (RR=1.749). Multiple linear regression found significant positive associations between mean BMI and sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (b=.056, p=.004) and soft drinks (b=.134, p=.001). Conclusion: This study found that mean BMI was positively associated with certain beverage consumption frequency (sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, soft drinks consumed during summer, soft drinks consumed during rest of year), but not others (100% orange juice). Fewer significant results were found when confounding variables were controlled. Drinking soft drinks or sugar-sweetened fruit drinks increased the risk of obesity more than drinking natural fruit juices.

<p>The aim of the project was to study the manufacturing of synthetic soda ash (sodium carbonate, Na2CO3) on an industrial scale. Currently all Soda ash that is used in South Africa for manufacturing glass is imported at a high cost, and the company Nampak Wiegand Glass (South Africa) is investigating the possibility to locally manufacture synthetic soda ash. About 75% of soda ash is synthetically produced from either the Leblanc process, Solvay process, Modified Solvay (Dual) process or dry lime process. This study concentrated on the Solvay process on a laboratory scale for eventual input into a larger pilot plant. The produced material was analyzed using analytical techniques such as FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). There are certain standard requirements for impurities in the soda ash, and this needed to be measured and determined what changes to the process will bring the impurities to the required minimum standard. Environmental issues around the manufacturing process were also studied. After completing of the laboratory experiments and the extraction of required data from the results, Nampak will use the information to decide on a followup to the building of a small pilot plant to further test and develop the engineering and economical aspects of a full plant. If successful a full scale manufacturing plant can be developed in South Africa for producing soda ash.&nbsp / This study thus will not only help Nampak Wiegand Glass in finalizing the decision to go ahead, but its result will also benefit other companies that use the soda ash in oil refining, water treatment, pulp and paper, chemical industry etc. Some parts of the work done will be proprietary to Nampak and subject to confidentiality agreement.</p>

Abstract available in PDF copy. / Thesis (M.Sc.-Chemical Engineering)-University of Natal, 1988.