37115 research outputs found
Sort by
Annotated Bibliography Postcolonial/Decolonial Texts 1952-2020
Get PDFThe creation of this systematic bibliography of postcolonial and decolonial texts was supported generously by the department for gender equality and diversity (Likestillings- og mangfoldsutvalget) at UiT The Arctic University of Norway in 2020. The overarching project aimed at analyzing power relations in the classroom of a university in Sápmi. The bibliography provides a rough chronological overview of the postcolonial and decolonial literature that existed at the time. Many important writings are missing. Also, the bibliographical work was not continued systematically; the rapidly growing field of decolonial and postcolonial scholarship is therefore not represented approximately. Nothing is original about it; the bibliography merely gathers often-cited texts and uses the publishers’ short descriptions to invite readers new to the topic to dive into the original texts. Nevertheless, we hope that the collection can help orient those who question colonial power structures and dedicate their thinking, teaching and research activity to fight them and to inspire others to do so as well. Many thanks to Julia Wong and Oda Nigist Wigstøl for their intensive work on this document. Romsa/Tromsø, summer 202
Advice on fishing opportunities for beaked redfish in 2025 and 2026 in ICES subareas 1 and 2
Get PDFSource at https://www.hi.no/hi/nettrapporter/imr-pinro-en-2024-11
University snow science courses - an analysis of student learning outcomes
Get PDFSource at https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/.The Department of Geosciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway offers two snow and avalanche courses to its students. The bachelor course ‘Introduction to Snow and Avalanche Science’ (GEO2015) focuses on teaching the physical characteristics of the seasonal snowpack and learning appropriate techniques for snowpack observation. Its master-level counterpart, the course ‘Snow and Avalanche Science and Management’ (GEO-3139), concentrates on teaching concepts related to avalanche release and dynamics while providing students experience assessing and applying diverse avalanche risk mitigation strategies. These two courses have been taught for several years, prompting the question; do the student learning outcomes align with the lecturer’s intentions for the courses and, more broadly, how the employed learning activities in the courses differ or coincide with activities typically used in recreational or professional avalanche courses outside of the university setting.
Both courses utilize a variety of teaching methods to facilitate the optimal learning environment. This includes both classroom and online lectures in addition to an emphasis on fieldwork. Additionally, guest lectures by experts on different subtopics such as meteorology, organizational mitigation strategies, and governmental administration have been arranged. The aim of this research is to assess student learning outcomes in university-level snow avalanche courses and to identify the learning methods that best resonate with the students to thereby support their learning processes.
The data for this research is obtained through a survey. Students from both courses responded to questions regarding their learning outcomes rated on a Likert scale. Additionally, open-ended questions give insights into more nuanced individual learning goals and motivation.
This study will benefit this year’s participants and also future students. The valuable feedback gained from the evaluation will inform suggestions, and further improvements can be stated and implemented. It is a shared mission of the Department of Geosciences at UiT and the students alike to improve snow and avalanche education at the university level. Additionally, the survey results can help to clarify which learning activities university courses can focus on to augment existing non-academic avalanche education curricula more comprehensively
Intermittent protein restriction elevates food intake and plasma ghrelin in male mice
Get PDFLow-protein diets affect body weight, body composition, food intake, and food preferences in mice. Furthermore, single periods of protein restriction can have lasting effects on these parameters. We sought to examine the effect of multiple, short, bouts of protein restriction, relative to long-term maintenance on either a control (NR) or protein-restricted (PR) diet. We found that male mice experiencing intermittent protein restriction (IPR) were indistinguishable from NR mice in terms of body weight and composition, but had food intake and plasma ghrelin as high as mice on PR diet, even when they were returned to control diet. This was not found in female mice. The results of this experiment highlight the importance of diet history on food intake and ghrelin levels in male mice, and the difference in how PR diet might affect male and female mice
Acquisition of peak bone mass in a Norwegian youth cohort : longitudinal findings from the Fit Futures study 2010–2022
Get PDFSummary In a Norwegian youth cohort followed from adolescence to young adulthood, bone mineral density (BMD) levels
declined at the femoral neck and total hip from 16 to 27 years but continued to increase at the total body indicating a sitespecifc attainment of peak bone mass.
Purpose To examine longitudinal trends in bone mineral density (BMD) levels in Norwegian adolescents into young
adulthood.
Method In a prospective cohort design, we followed 980 adolescents (473 (48%) females) aged 16–19 years into adulthood
(age of 26–29) on three occasions: 2010–2011 (Fit Futures 1 (FF1)), 2012–2013 (FF2), and 2021–2022 (FF3), measuring
BMD (g/cm2
) at the femoral neck, total hip, and total body with dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We used linear mixed
models to examine longitudinal BMD changes from FF1 to FF3.
Results From the median age of 16 years (FF1), femoral neck BMD (mean g/cm2
(95% CI)) slightly increased in females
from 1.070 (1.059–1.082) to 1.076 (1.065–1.088, p=0.015) at the median age of 18 years (FF2) but declined to 1.041
(1.029–1.053, p<0.001) at the median age of 27 years (FF3). Similar patterns were observed in males: 16 years, 1.104
(1.091–1.116); 27 years, 1.063 (1.050–1.077, p<0.001); and for the total hip in both sexes (both p<0.001). Total body BMD
increased from age 16 to 27 years in both sexes (females: 16 years, 1.141 (1.133–1.148); 27 years, 1.204 (1.196–1.212),
p<0.001; males: 16 years, 1.179 (1.170–1.188); 27 years, 1.310 (1.296–1.315), p<0.001).
Conclusion BMD levels increased from 16 to 18 years at the femoral and total hip sites in young Norwegian females and
males, and a small decline was observed at the femoral sites when the participants were followed up to 27 years. Total body
BMD continued to increase from adolescence to young adulthood
When Successful Action Research is not Legitimizedas Scientific Contribution by the Central Sponsors: How canMorten Levin’s Three Pillars of Action Research Supportthe Arch of Research Collaboration between Large Public Organizations and Universities?
Get PDFMorten Levin’s work on Action Research (AR) clearly stated that the three pillars partici‑
pation, action and research was equally important. During his long practice as an AR pio‑
neer, he campaigned for the legitimacy of AR within academia. In this paper we investigate
how AR is perceived as sound research within a large and distributed organization. We
present a retrospective case study based on a research collaboration between UiT The Artic
University of Norway (UiT) and the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organization (NAV),
that fostered an AR project together, ‘Work inclusion, learning and innovation’ (ALIN), but
later led to the termination of the collaboration agreement. The ALIN project fulfls all the
criteria for being a successful AR project in terms Levin’s action, research and participa‑
tion criteria. However, external audit and central NAV actors had different expectations of
successful institutional research collaboration. Through our case we illustrate several con‑
flict dimensions within the three AR pillars that must be challenged to strengthen the legiti‑
macy of AR. The debate on rigour and relevance should not be limited to academic fields
and include various actors and decision makers within large and distributed organizations
Breast Cancer Detection and Analytics Using Hybrid CNN and Extreme Learning Machine
Get PDFEarly detection of breast cancer is essential for increasing survival rates, as it is one of the primary causes of death for women globally. Mammograms are extensively used by physicians for diagnosis, but selecting appropriate algorithms for image enhancement, segmentation, feature extraction, and classification remains a significant research challenge. This paper presents a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD)-based hybrid model combining convolutional neural networks (CNN) with a pruned ensembled extreme learning machine (HCPELM) to enhance breast cancer detection, segmentation, feature extraction, and classification. The model employs the rectified linear unit (ReLU) activation function to enhance data analytics after removing artifacts and pectoral muscles, and the HCPELM hybridized with the CNN model improves feature extraction. The hybrid elements are convolutional and fully connected layers. Convolutional layers extract spatial features like edges, textures, and more complex features in deeper layers. The fully connected layers take these features and combine them in a non-linear manner to perform the final classification. ELM performs classification and recognition tasks, aiming for state-of-the-art performance. This hybrid classifier is used for transfer learning by freezing certain layers and modifying the architecture to reduce parameters, easing cancer detection. The HCPELM classifier was trained using the MIAS database and evaluated against benchmark methods. It achieved a breast image recognition accuracy of 86%, outperforming benchmark deep learning models. HCPELM is demonstrating superior performance in early detection and diagnosis, thus aiding healthcare practitioners in breast cancer diagnosis
Bilberry metabolomic and proteomic profiling during fruit ripening reveals key dynamics affecting fruit quality
Get PDFBilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is a wild berry species that is prevalent in northern Europe. It is renowned and well-documented for its nutritional and bioactive properties, especially due to its anthocyanin content. However, an overview of biological systems governing changes in other crucial quality traits, such as size, firmness, and flavours, has received less attention. In the present study, we investigated detailed metabolomic and proteomic profiles at four different ripening stages of bilberry to provide a comprehensive understanding of overall quality during fruit ripening. By integrating omics datasets, we revealed a novel global regulatory network of plant hormones and physiological processes occurring during bilberry ripening. Key physiological processes, such as energy and primary metabolism, strongly correlate with elevated levels of gibberellic acids, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid in unripe fruits. In contrast, as the fruit ripened, processes including flavour formation, cell wall modification, seed storage, and secondary metabolism became more prominent, and these were associated with increased abscisic acid levels. An indication of the increase in ethylene biosynthesis was detected during bilberry development, raising questions about the classification of non-climacteric and climacteric fruits. Our findings extend the current knowledge on the physiological and biochemical processes occurring during fruit ripening, which can serve as a baseline for studies on both wild and commercially grown berry species. Furthermore, our data may facilitate the optimization of storage conditions and breeding programs, as well as the future exploration of beneficial compounds in berries for new applications in food, cosmetics, and medicines
Visible light-mediated alkyl radical additions to alkenyl and alkynyl silanes
No full textRadicals are reactive species that possess a unique reactivity, which enables them to form unusual bonds unreachable by ionic chemistry. In the last twenty years, radical chemistry has benefited from a renewed interest due to the emergence of methods that can initiate radical reactions under mild conditions. Among those, visible light-mediated radical chemistry has become established as a powerful synthetic strategy and is to this day a fast-growing field.
Organosilanes are a highly useful and versatile class of compounds that have found multiple applications in synthetic chemistry. Despite belonging to the same periodic table group, significant differences exist between carbon and silicon, which impact their reactivities. While radical additions to unsaturated C-C bonds are well known, similar additions to alkenyl and alkynyl silanes remain underexplored. The work presented in this thesis aimed to investigate and develop new methods for the visible light-mediated intra- and intermolecular addition of alkyl radicals onto vinyl and alkynyl silanes.
First, we have developed a general protocol for the introduction of vinyl and alkynyl groups onto sp3 carbons from activated and unactivated alkyl iodide radical precursors, using vinyl and alkynyl silyl tethers as radical acceptors. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the intramolecular photoredox catalyzed radical group transfer of the vinyl or alkynyl group from silicon to carbon proceeds through a pathway involving both single electron transfer (SET), halogen atom transfer (XAT) and chain propagation, which also includes radical cyclization and spontaneous ring fragmentation of the resulting cyclic intermediate. The protocol was successfully applied to a wide range of substrates and afforded the desired products in moderate to excellent yields with high diastereoselectivities.
Second, we investigated the photoredox catalyzed intermolecular radical addition of electron-deficient radicals onto divinyltetramethyldisiloxane. To our surprise, the anticipated radical cyclization did not take place, but a product resulting from an atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) process was formed instead. Thus, we turned our attention to the optimization of the intermolecular ATRA reaction. While this work requires further investigation, it orientated us towards our third objective.
Finally, we developed a preliminary protocol for the photocatalyst-free visible light-mediated intermolecular ATRA reaction between α-iodoketones and trimethylvinylsilane. The protocol was successfully applied to a selection of substrates. However, a high variability of isolated yields was observed despite extensive screening of the reaction conditions, which suggests that the optimal conditions may be substrate dependent. We postulated that the desired ATRA reaction was initiated by photoexcitation of a halogen bond (XB) complex and operated through chain propagation.
Overall, we have successfully developed both inter- and intramolecular radical addition processes of alkyl radicals to vinylsilanes. Through our work, we have exploited multiple ways to generate alkyl radicals from alkyl halide precursors using visible light-mediated techniques, and have gained insight onto the different mechanisms of these reactions. We anticipate that these results will establish alkenyl and alkynyl silanes as radical acceptors in contemporary radical chemistry
Leaving the niche: Recommendations for mainstreaming Low Trophic Aquaculture in countries around the Atlantic basin
Get PDFLow Trophic Aquaculture (LTA) is the farming of aquatic organisms such as primary producers (e.g., seaweeds) and primary consumers (e.g. bivalves). Despite recognition as a key pathway to the provision of sustainable food from the oceans, many forms of LTA around the Atlantic basin remain in the niche stage of socio-technical evolution. With governance regarded as a limiting factor to LTA development, aquaculture experts and stakeholders were surveyed to find, and interviewed to document, examples of implemented good practice in rules, regulations and processes that were seen as supportive of the sustainable development of LTA and related Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture. A theoretical framework on socio-technical change under polycentric governance informed an analysis of the good practices, according to five core themes: regulation and legislation; resources and infrastructure; human and social capital; financial instruments and economic support; and, the overarching socio-economic environment. Recommendations for action were constructed both inductively (from interview evidence) and deductively (from the theory), and were organised in relation to the three spheres of governance: Government should: provide stable policy and legal frameworks within which developers can operate with commercial confidence; ensure public trust in LTA products; support LTA start-ups; ensure availability of researchers and public officials with LTA relevant skills and knowledge. Market organisations should: allow LTA to better access financial capital and insurance; develop consultancy services; inform the public about LTA. Civil Society organisations, including universities, producer organisations and NGOs, should: in some cases, lead development of LTA with arrangements for local control; help certify appropriate LTA as sustainable, healthy and socially equitable