Norwegian Research Research Articles

The ECO_CARE Participation in the G20 Delegation to Brazil

This report outlines the various activities coordinated by the ECOCARE team during the G20 Norwegian delegation’s visit to Brazil. The events were co-organized by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, the Norwegian Agency for Higher Education and Skills (HKDIR), The Norwegian Research Council, and Innovation Norway. The series that involved our ECOCARE team members included two seminars: one held in Rio at PUC with the coordination of Margherita Paola Poto, Silvano Chue Muquissai, Rodrigo Tavares, and Natalia Médici Machado; and another at Manaus, UFAM, coordinated by Giulia Parola and Margherita Paola Poto, with contributions from Ragnhild Tungesvik and Adelson Lima Gonçalves. These events served to strengthen both old and new connections and solidified a shared commitment to collaborate with Indigenous scholars and students from Brazil and Norway, as well as with academic institutions, towards fostering a just world and a sustainable Planet.

Hybridity and Leadership In Norwegian Early Childhood Education and Care Organizations

Norwegian early childhood education and care organizations are marked by tensions. These tensions are rooted in the social mandate, in recent changes in the ownership structure and in increased competition. The challenges that these changes pose to ECEC organizations and leadership need further exploration. This two-tiered article first analyzes these changes using the notion of the hybrid organization. Building on existing regulations, policy documents, previous research, and available statistics, the analysis takes a particular interest in organizational goals and missions and argues that organizational hybridity is a central feature of ECEC organizations. The analysis relates hybridity to governing mechanisms. Second, the article discusses the consequences of hybridity for ECEC directors. The inherent tensions generated by potentially conflicting missions are discussed in relation to internal and external leadership. The article aims to contribute a new perspective on organizations and leadership in Norwegian ECEC research.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Emotion Beliefs Questionnaire – Norwegian Version (EBQ-N)

Abstract: The Emotion Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ) assesses beliefs about the controllability and usefulness of positive and negative emotions. The aim of the present study was to establish the construct validity and reliability of the EBQ within the cultural and linguistic context of Norway. The Norwegian version of the EBQ (EBQ-N) was administered to a sample of university students ( N = 380, 64.2% females, 93.7% aged 25 or younger). Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the EBQ-N is best represented by three first-order factors and a higher-order general factor, consistent with the findings of the initial validation study. The items displayed both adequate convergence in assessing their intended constructs and effective discrimination among the three first-order factors. The scale components demonstrated acceptable to good internal consistency. In the context of its intrinsic properties, the EBQ-N appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing emotion beliefs in Norwegian research and clinical settings.

A Conceptual Model for Automation of Small Ports

Abstract For large ports and terminals, the loading and discharge operations have to a great extent been automated already. However, for the vast number of small ports, for instance all Norwegian ports, this large-scale automation is not possible due to the small size of the ports compared to the cost of introducing full automation. Still, these small ports are important logistics hubs in the transport system. They facilitate the shift from congested roads to the sea by allowing the goods to arrive closer to the final destination by using smaller, possibly autonomous, vessels. However, this puts pressure on the ports to facilitate reduced laytime in the port, to increase the port efficiency and to improve interoperability towards hinterland systems and terminals. For small ports, this means that manual and automated work processes need to exist side by side, and that it will be important to get an overview of which processes to automate and which will remain manual, in addition to the handling of the hand-over between humans and automation. This paper describes a conceptual model that can be used by small ports as a starting point on their way to introduce automation of their services supporting the cargo flow through the port. The model includes a description of port functions, tasks and responsibilities and use the concept of operational envelope to define the overall capabilities of the system, including both automation and human. This will be the starting point for how to structure the description of an operation centre that monitor and control the maritime terminal operations. The starting point for this work is a use case analysis performed in some small ports in Norway, and their need to optimize the utilization of their assets. The work is done as part of the AutoPort project which is a research project funded by the Norwegian Research Council (project number 337211). The goal of this work is to describe a methodology on how to identify the interface between automation and human operators when it comes to small ports and the movement of cargo through its terminals, and by this give a description on how different levels of automation can be implemented. The methodology consists of several steps, including definition of the context (big picture of the use case, actors and their roles, and communication), the scenario (port activities and processes), and the use cases including the control tasks performed by the automated systems.

Leveraging a Dual Organisation-Development (OD) Process: A Longitudinal Study of a Start-up’s Transformation in the Energy Sector

This paper explores the transformative journey of a start-up company in the energy sector, employing a Dual Organisation-Development (OD) Process, as conceptualised within the co-generative learning/organisation development (OD) model. Originating from a doctoral thesis, this research unveils the application of the dual OD process in a longitudinal study of a start-up’s pursuit to revolutionise the Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) market through digitalisation. The company aimed to connect energy users directly with renewable energy producers, ensuring transparency and traceability of the renewable origin of energy. Initiated through the “DIgitalised Node-trading for renewable energy with GO (DINGO)” project, the start-up received funding from a Norwegian research fund called Oslofjordfondet, propelling the development of a digitalised platform and the underlying research. This paper documents the dynamic interplay between daily business operations and the DINGO project, presenting the dual OD process as a bridged, facilitated intraorganisational and interorganisational development mechanism. Grounded in participatory organisation development and the cogenerative learning model, the study draws on historical written sources and insider perspectives. The research unfolds three key dimensions of the dual OD process within the start-up. Firstly, the research-based innovation project itself serves as a continuous learning and maturing process, reshaping the company over time. Secondly, the project opens avenues for accessing crucial financial, technological, and human resources, fostering new interorganisational collaborations. Thirdly, the project introduces friction between the research project and daily business operations, propelling the business model into unforeseen pathways, resulting in intraorganisational changes. To enhance the depth of the study, a reflection dialogue with the project owner were conducted in the spring 2024, offering a hindsight reflection on the effectiveness of the dual OD process in enhancing project outcomes and its continued application within the company. The paper contributes to understanding the pivotal role of research in early-stage business development, introducing the dual OD process as a valuable model for comprehending the intricate interaction between daily business operations, business modelling, and research projects. It also pays homage to Professor Morten Levin, highlighting the enduring influence of his mentorship and the co-generative learning model. In addition, entrepreneurs can derive practical insights from the dual OD model, providing a framework for navigating the challenges and opportunities inherent in combining business modelling and research, thereby facilitating successful business development.

AKMA3 Cruise Report

The AKMA3 oceanographic expedition (29th April–10th May) is part of the Advancing Knowledge of Methane in the Arctic, a project funded by the Norwegian Research Council (287869). The main aim of AKMA is to develop a long-term, multidisciplinary education, and research collaboration focused on Arctic methane sources, processes, ecosystems, and geological history to provide exceptional training for the next generation of experts in Arctic marine sciences and greenhouse gas phenomena. The AKMA3 oceanographic expedition focuses on three objectives: SCIENCE: Focus on the interplay between changing ocean conditions and the physical, biological, and chemical response of extreme environments (methane and oil seepage sites) through a multidisciplinary study of sites in the Barents Sea. Research activities: study sediment-sea-air greenhouse gas exchange; conducting water-column profiling of CH4; gas source analyses; biological and sediment sampling. EDUCATION: This high-level science on this cruise also includes sea-going training for students to develop their knowledge in collecting, curating, and processing samples and data, providing opportunities to fully engage in marine science. OUTREACH: To generate enthusiasm and interest in research expeditions with students and to promote a deeper understanding of science and its applications.

Assessment of visual problems after acquired brain injury: a survey of current practice in Danish hospitals.

To explore current hospital practice in relation to the assessment of vision problems in patients with acquired brain injury. A survey study. A total of 143 respondents from hospital settings, with background in occupational therapy and physical therapy, participated in the survey. The survey questionnaire, developed collaboratively by Danish and Norwegian research groups, encompassed 22 items categorically covering "Background information", "Clinical experience and current practice", "Vision assessment tools and protocols", and "Assessment barriers". It was sent out online, to 29 different hospital departments and 18 separate units for occupational therapists and physiotherapists treating patients with acquired brain injury. Most respondents worked in acute or subacute hospital settings. Few departments had an interdisciplinary vision team, and very few therapists had formal education in visual problems after acquired brain injury. Visual assessment practices varied, and there was limited use of standardized tests. Barriers to identifying visual problems included patient-related challenges, knowledge gaps, and resource limitations. The study emphasized the need for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, formal education, and standardized assessments to address visual problems after acquired brain injury. Overcoming these challenges may improve identification and management, ultimately contributing to better patient care and outcomes in the future.

New ways in delivering services for people with dual diagnosis

IntroductionPeople with severe mental health disorders and concurrent addiction problems are one of the most challenges patients to treat within mental health and addiction. They often find themselves fallen between different chairs within mental health and addiction services and between spescialist and primary care. There is a need for new ways of delivering services for this group.ObjectivesThe objective of this presentation is to present how Flexible assertive outreach teams (FACT) are delivered in a densly populated country and the results on changes in use of spescialist services and detension. We will also present the results of changes in quality of life before and after entering FACT and which factors that might be associated with life quality.MethodsThe establising of FACT in Norway has been extecively evaluated both in the form of official reports to the health authorities and academic research papers. We will do a scoping review of the Norwegian research on the effect of FACT teams with a spesific attention to the results obtained in densly populated areas. The review will cover the years fra 2018 up til to day.ResultsThe results so far indicate that it is possible to deliver FACT services in densly populated areas and that there is an increase in qualty of life before and after entering a FACT team. The use of hospitalization days are reduced with about 50 % and the same applies for days in detention.ConclusionsFACT teams seems to be a viable way of delivering mental health care services to one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The state of Russian national fisheries in the Northern Fishery Basin at the beginning of the 21st century

The purpose of the work is to review of Russian fisheries evolution and modern condition in the Northern Fishery Basin in the first decades of the 21st century to improve the Russian fishery management.The work is based on the data collected by the Polar Branch of the «VNIRO» (N. M. Knipovich «PINRO»), the data of the ICES Working Group on Arctic Fisheries, the decisions of the Joint Norwegian-R ussian Fisheries Commission sessions, the results of the Russian- Norwegian research surveys for the assessment of pelagic and demersal fish stocks and information about the Russian fishing fleet structure and fishing activities.Relevants and findings. The summarized materials on the evolution and modern status of the Russian fisheries in the Barents Sea as the main fisheries are in the north-w estern Russia at the beginning of the 21st century are presented for the first time. The dynamics of stocks and catches of demersal and pelagic fish in 2000–2020 was analyzed. In the observed period in the Barents Sea, the highest biomass of stocks and catches were characteristic of bottom fish species, while stocks and catches of pelagic fish were at an average or even low level. In general, the first decades of the 21st century were favorable for the Russian fishery in the Barents Sea. Additionally, the current state of fisheries in the White and the Kara seas, which are significantly different from the Barents Sea by environmental conditions, legal status and marine biological resources, are considered. Commercial stocks there are significantly underutilized by the Russian fishery. In the Barents Sea, while maintaining fish stocks biomasses at the current levels following by the continuing the hydrologically warm period in the Arctic, the stabilization of the Russian catch at the levels close to existing values is expected.Practical importance. The results obtained will improve the efficiency of the Russian fishing fleet operated in the Northern Fishery Basin.

The associations between different types of infection and sleep duration, sleep debt, circadian preference, shift work and insomnia: results from the Norwegian practice-based research network in General Practice – PraksisNett

The associations between different types of infection and sleep duration, sleep debt, circadian preference, shift work and insomnia: results from the Norwegian practice-based research network in General Practice – PraksisNett

The associations between different types of infections and circadian preference and shift work

ABSTRACT Disturbed sleep and circadian disruption are reported to increase the risk of infections. People with an evening circadian preference and night workers typically report insufficient sleep, and the aims of the present study were to investigate possible associations between various types of infections and circadian preference and shift work status. Data were collected from an online cross-sectional survey of 1023 participants recruited from the Norwegian practice-based research network in general practice – PraksisNett. The participants completed questions about circadian preference (morning type, intermediate type, evening type), work schedule (day work, shift work without nights, shift work with night shifts), and whether they had experienced infections during the last three months (common cold, throat infection, ear infection, sinusitis, pneumonia/bronchitis, COVID-19, influenza-like illness, skin infection, gastrointestinal infection, urinary infection, venereal disease, eye infection). Data were analyzed with chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses with adjustment for relevant confounders (gender, age, marital status, country of birth, children living at home, and educational level). Results showed that evening types more often reported venereal disease compared to morning types (OR = 4.01, confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–14.84). None of the other infections were significantly associated with circadian preference. Shift work including nights was associated with higher odds of influenza-like illness (OR = 1.97, CI = 1.10–3.55), but none of the other infections. In conclusion, neither circadian preference nor shift work seemed to be strongly associated with risk of infections, except for venereal disease (more common in evening types) and influenza-like illness (more common in night workers). Longitudinal studies are needed for causal inferences.

Digital Life Norway (DLN) Initiative to foster and boost transdisciplinary biotechnology research and innovation

Digital Life Norway (DLN) Initiative to foster and boost transdisciplinary biotechnology research and innovation Meeting the rapid developments in biotechnology by fostering transdisciplinarity, including digitalisation and big data, to create convergence for innovation in a virtual centre. The Centre for Digital Life Norway (DLN) is a strategic national initiative originally conceived in 2014 by the BIOTEK2021 programme of the Research Council of Norway (RCN). It is an ambitious and large-scale initiative to foster and boost transdisciplinary biotechnology research and innovation activities, combined with a novel framework of responsible research and innovation, to solve challenges of societal importance and create value. DLN departs from the traditional organisation of research and development among Norwegian research institutions. The centre aims to untangle and resolve some of the fundamental societal challenges facing new and emerging biotechnology by emphasising technological convergence and transdisciplinarity.

Национальные научные исследования в контексте общеевропейских приоритетов научного развития: опыт Норвегии

The author examines to what extent national scientific research in Norway meets the pan-European principles and priorities of scientific development. The success of the interaction between European and national research efforts is a key condition for improving the competitiveness and efficiency of research in Europe. As an associated country, Norway does not have much influence on the allocation of funds from the European budget for research, nevertheless, the country is involved in all projects implemented within the framework of the European Research Area, financing and receiving funding from the EU Framework Programs. The article examines the structure of the scientific research complex, paying special attention to the main documents and institutions that determine science policy. In addition, the author studies budget formation in the scientific field in Norway, as well as the country’s participation in the international scientific cooperation. Norway’s experience is useful for understanding how nation states organize and coordinate their participation in European programs, especially in terms of addressing current and future “great challenges”. As a result of the analysis of the scientific policy carried out in Norway, the author comes to the conclusion that R&D institutions are directly adapted to the priorities of the European level, while national authorities have limited influence on the country’s European research portfolio. The purpose of the study is to analyze the interaction of the European research policy with the national research system of Norway. Research objectives: to analyze the formation of the structure and goals of European programs; to identify changes in the instruments and goals of national scientific policy; to determine the consequences of changes in scientific policy for the Norwegian research complex; to assess the level of coincidence of the interests and practices of the national scientific community with the interests and practices of the European scientific community, which is being formed at the supranational level.

Disturbance of sand samples obtained by piston samplers and ground freezing

High quality sampling of sand and silty sands is extremely challenging. Undisturbed samples of sand can be obtained by means of very expensive and time-consuming techniques such as ground freezing. Given the high costs and expertise required to obtain undisturbed sand samples through ground freezing, piston sampling techniques are usually used in engineering practice. This paper summarises the experiences, technical difficulties, disturbance analyses and issues encountered during sand sampling at the Norwegian Research Site at Øysand using piston sampling and ground freezing technology. Two state-of-the-art piston samplers were used (NGI-Geonor composite piston sampler and Geonor K-200 thin-wall push piston sampler) along with the state-of-the-art Japanese gel push piston sampler. Ground freezing was successfully achieved also both on sands and silty sands at Øysand. Sample disturbance was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively through analysis of micro-computed tomography images. Results from these analyses provide an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the three piston samplers in comparison with ground freezing, together with recommendations for sampling of sands using piston techniques.

Rogue waves: Results of the ExWaMar project

Rogue waves, also known as freak waves, have received much attention in the scientific community as well as in media and the marine industry in the past two decades. Forecasts of extreme weather events have always been welcomed by the marine industry. Therefore, the development of warning criteria for rogue waves, being scientifically challenging forecast products, has also been encouraged. Such criteria would help mariners avoid sea states where rogue waves occur. The paper summarizes the main findings of the Norwegian research project ExWaMar dedicated to development of improved warning criteria for extreme and rogue waves. Three approaches for warning criteria for extreme and rogue waves based on information provided by the weather forecast are proposed. They include use of integrated wave parameters, coupling of a phase-averaged wave spectral model and phase-resolving wave model and application of Machine Learning methodology. Challenges related to development of warning criteria for rogue waves are discussed.

Når spiritualitet blir kroppslig

Spiritual awakening is becoming a common phenomenon in alternative spiritual communities and is no longer exclusive to a small elite of religious saints and disciples. There is limited research on spiritual experiences outside religious contexts in the Nordic countries. While relevant theological research exists on religious experiences in Christian contexts, much of the research on alternative spirituality is based on outsider perspectives that miss out on the deeper psychological phenomena experienced by “spiritual, but not religious” individuals. This article is based on three qualitative interviews with individuals in contemporary spiritual communities in Norway who have experienced spontaneous spiritual awakenings and speak openly about this. Focus is on the experience of altered states of consciousness, intense feelings of love, and physical energies in the body, which lead to permanent psychological transformation. Starting with a review of relevant Norwegian and Swedish research in the field, we apply a theoretical approach drawn from humanistic and transpersonal psychology to make sense of our interviewees’ experiences, and then discuss how these cases of embodied spiritual transformation differ from religious conversion and are better understood in terms of psychological concepts of trauma healing, self-actualization and human potential.

A Taste of Things to Come with Sea Kelp

The Norwegian Research Council project SusKelpFood addresses the challenges of producing kelp for Nordic and European food industries. Project Leader, Dr Pierrick Stévant, Ph.D and Dr Arne Duinker, Ph.D explain their research, undertaken to bolster the efficient production of safe, nutritious and tasty seaweed food products.

A holistic sustainability assessment of a zero-emission development in Norway

The decarbonisation of the construction sector is critical to meet national and international climate goals. Literature gives many examples of measures for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings. However, few studies investigate the trade-offs between potentially conflicting GHG emission reduction measures or the affordability of these measures. Ydalir is a Zero Emission Neighbourhood (ZEN) pilot area in the Norwegian research centre for Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in smart cities. One of the major challenges Ydalir faces is how to reduce GHG emissions from the neighbourhood towards a net zero emission building (nZEB). Additional challenges include retaining social, environmental, and economical sustainability for both the project developer and building owners and avoid suboptimal solutions. This paper investigates the trade-offs between energy efficiency and material use for two scenarios. The scenarios are a Norwegian building code scenario and a passive house scenario. The analysis ascertains total energy demand, whole life cycle GHG emissions, and cost assessment for two housing units within Ydalir Torg. The results show lower total GHG emissions and lower GHG emissions from operational energy use in the passive house scenario, and an increase in GHG emissions from the production phase due to thicker levels of insulation. The cost assessment shows increased investment costs for the project developer in the passive house scenario, despite lower operational costs for the building owner. Total GHG emission payback times for the passive house scenario are at 18 - 19 years. Cost payback time varies between 10 - 37 years. This paper is useful for practitioners that wish to balance GHG emission reduction requirements between operational energy use, material use and affordability.

Medical education as a research field in Norway – a bibliometric study

Medical education is a growing international field of research. However, no overview exists of Norwegian researchers' contribution to the field. This study aimed to identify and describe medical education research originating from Norwegian research institutions. We performed targeted searches in Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest Education and Cristin, and identified published research within the field from Norwegian institutions. Using bibliometric analyses, we mapped patterns in research output over time, research communities that have published their work, and which publication channels were used. We also categorized the research articles according to methodology, empirical origin, educational level and topic. We found 423 published research articles linked to Norwegian research institutions and an increase in the number of publications in the last decade. The studies were published in 141 different scientific journals. Of these, the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association had 94 articles (22%). A total of 122 (29%) articles were published in key medical education journals. Altogether 249 (59%) of the studies were quantitative and 262 (62%) were based on empirical data from Norway. A little more than half, 237 (56%), focused on undergraduate medical education. Researchers affiliated to the University of Oslo were involved in 173 (43%) articles. The most frequently researched topics were curricula, teaching and learning technology, retention and career choices. Research activity within the field of medical education is increasing in Norway, but few Norwegian researchers publish in the specialised medical education journals.

Dental professionals’ views on motivational interviewing for the prevention of dental caries with adolescents in central Norway

BackgroundEstablishing positive oral health behaviours during adolescence should be a key priority to improve lifelong oral health. However, changing adolescent behaviours is known to be a challenge. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a method of working with patients to activate their motivation for change and has shown promising results within the dental setting. Yet, little is known about the actual experiences and perspectives of Norwegian dental health professionals in delivering motivational interviewing as part of routine care to their young patients. The overall aim of the present study was to explore the implementation of motivational interviewing by dentists and dental hygienists, employed by the Norwegian Public Dental Service, for their adolescent patients.MethodsAs part of the larger #Care4YoungTeeth <3 project, a Norwegian Research Council funded four-year Collaborative Project to Meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges, an online survey was developed and administered to dental personnel (n = 168) in one region of Central Norway. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and two-sample tests of proportions at the 95% confidence level.ResultsA total of 98 dental personnel responded to the survey (response rate 58.3%), of which 37 were dental hygienists (response rate 72.5%) and 61 were dentists (response rate 52.1%). A greater proportion of hygienists reported implementing this intervention compared to dentists (78.4% versus 50.8%; p = 0.007). Similarly, a greater proportion of hygienists (83.8%) stated that they had received training in MI compared to dentists (65.6%; p = 0.051). About 80% of dentists and 90% of dental hygienists felt that they understood the principles of MI. However, only about 45% and 60%, respectively, felt confident in its use. Dental hygienists found MI more usable in their work (p = 0.052), to a greater extent want to use MI (p = 0.002) and found that using MI works well (p < 0.001), as compared to dentists.ConclusionsA high proportion of dental professionals working within a Norwegian public dental service have received training in MI. However, barriers to implementation for adolescent patients and differences in practice between dentists and hygienists warrant further enquiry.