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«Å utfordre etablerte sannheter.» En kvalitativ undersøkelse av lærere sine tanker og refleksjoner omkring utdanning for bærekraftig utvikling
Get PDFBærekraftig utvikling har med fagfornyelsen fått økt satsning i skolesystemet. Som en rød tråd i grunnskolen, er bærekraftig utvikling satt inn både som et tverrfaglig tema, og som et kjerneelement i samfunnsfag. Skolesystemet satser på en bedre fremtid for kommende generasjoner, samtidig som de ivaretar dagens befolkning. Med dette som utgangspunkt kan man spørre seg hvilken kompetanse og ferdigheter elevene tilegner seg av en slik satsing.
Denne oppgaven utforsker hvordan utdanning for bærekraftig utvikling kan fremme kritisk tenkning og handlingskompetanse. For å utforske den gitte problemstillingen, tar oppgaven utgangspunkt i læreres refleksjoner og tanker omkring bærekraft og praksis i grunnskolen. Det er benyttet et kvalitativt forskningsdesign, og forskningsmaterialet er samlet inn gjennom semistrukturerte intervjuer. Informantene er lærere i grunnskolen. I tillegg til det teoretiske rammeverket, vil dette være grunnlaget for å synliggjøre hvordan utdanning for bærekraftig utvikling kan bidra til å fremme kritisk tenkning og handlingskompetanse hos elevene.
Hovedfunnet som presenteres i denne masteroppgaven er at en pluralistisk undervisningstradisjon, og en kritisk tilnærming, er mest brukt i utdanning for bærekraftig utvikling. Disse tilnærmingene til undervisning legger grunnlaget for hvordan kritisk tenkning og handlingskompetanse kan fremmes. Samtidig viser det seg at holdningsendring og handlingsrom er viktige faktorer. Miljødimensjonen er den mest dominerende i undervisningen.
Nøkkelord: Bærekraftig utvikling, handlingskompetanse, kritisk tenkning, medborgerskap og globalt statsborgerskapSustainable development has, with the renewal of academic subjects, received increased investment in the school and education system. As a common thread in primary and lower secondary school, sustainable development is inserted as an interdisciplinary theme, and as a core element in social studies. The school system is aiming for a better future for coming generations, while at the same time looking after today's population. One may ask what competences and skills the students gain from such a venture.
This task aims to find out how education for sustainable development can progress critical thinking and empowerment. In order to explore the given research question, the thesis is based on teachers' reflections and thoughts on sustainability and practices in primary and lower secondary school. A qualitative research design has been used, and the research material has been collected through semi-structured interviews. The informants are teachers in primary and lower secondary school. In addition to the theoretical framework, this will be the foundation for how to highlight the way education for sustainable development can help promote critical thinking and empowerment for the students.
The main finding presented in this master's thesis is that it is a pluralistic teaching tradition and a critical approach, which are most used in education for sustainable development. These teaching approaches set the foundation for how critical thinking and empowerment can be promoted. At the same time, it turns out that attitudinal change and room for actions are important factors. The environmental dimension is the most dominant in teaching.
Keywords: Sustainable development, empowerment, critical thinking, citizenship, global citizenshi
Hvordan blir styringssystemer brukt under endringsprosesser i statlige virksomheter
Get PDFI denne masteroppgaven undersøker jeg bruken av styringssystemer ved implementering av en strategisk endring. Det er en kvalitativ casestudie som tar for seg en avdeling i en statlig virksomhet, som nylig har vært gjennom en organisasjonsutviklingsprosess. Prosessen har påvirket økonomistyringen. Jeg ser på den prosessen de har vært gjennom som en strategisk endring på bakgrunn av hensikten og formålet. Problemstillingen i denne studien er:
Hvordan brukes styringssystemer i organisasjonsutviklingsprosesser?
Jeg har gjennomført en datainnsamling i form av intervjuer og relevante dokumenter for å besvare min problemstilling. Det ble gjennomført intervjuer av medarbeidere som arbeidet innenfor ulike områder i økonomiseksjonen i avdelingen. Videre var det også behov for beskrivelser av ulike områder av casevirksomheten, hvor dokumentstudier ble brukt og disse ga meg relevante empiriske funn til studien. For å kunne se på bruken av styringssystemer i implementeringen av denne strategiske endringen, valgte jeg å anvende Simons (1995) rammeverk «Levers of Control» i min analyse og diskusjon av de empiriske funnene. Det er dette rammeverket som la grunnlaget for mine viktigste funn i denne studien.
Formålet med organisasjonsutviklingsprosessen i avdelingen var å sikre en helhetlig organisering i tråd med virksomhetens samfunnsoppdrag. Dette skulle gjennomføres ved en effektivisering av prosesser, skape brukerorienterte løsninger og forvalte eiendom, bygg og anlegg på en god og målrettet måte. For å oppnå dette skulle blant annet ansvar og myndighet i regionene styrkes. Når jeg ser på bruken av styringssystemer i denne organisasjonsutviklingsprosessen, bærer det preg av at ledelsen har vektet balansen mot det diagnostiske styringssystemet samt bruk av grenser i form av retningslinjer. Det kan argumenters for at balansen har vært skjev, og at bruken av trossystemet og det interaktive systemet ikke har vært tilstrekkelig. Det kan dermed ha hatt negative etterspill for avdelingen. En mer bevisst bruk av styringssystemer sammen med en mer balansert vekting av de ulike styringsmekanismene, kan i fremtiden bidra til en smidigere og mer vellykket implementering av en strategisk endring for alle parter involvert.In this master's thesis, I examine the use of management control systems in the implementation of a strategic change. It is a qualitative case study focusing on a department within a governmental organization that has recently undergone an organizational development process. This process has impacted the financial management. I view the process they have undergone as a strategic change based on intent and purpose. The research question in this study is:
How are management control systems used in organizational development processes?
I conducted data collection through interviews and relevant documents to answer my research question. Interviews were conducted with employees working in various areas within the financial section of the department. Additionally, descriptions of various areas of the case organization were needed, and I used document studies for that and those also gave me relevant empirical findings for the study. To examine the use of control systems in the implementation of this strategic change, I chose to use Simons (1995) framework "Levers of Control" in my analysis and discussion of the empirical findings. This framework laid the foundation for my key findings in this study.
The purpose of the organizational development process in the department was to ensure comprehensive organization in line with the organization's social mission. This was to be achieved through effective processes, creating user-oriented solutions, and managing property, buildings, and facilities in a good and purposefully way. To achieve this, responsibility and authority in the regions were to be strengthened. When examining the use of management control systems in this organizational development process, it appears that management has weighted the balance towards the diagnostic control system and the use of boundary system in the form of guidelines. It can be argued that the balance has been skewed and that the use of the belief system and the interactive system has not been sufficient. This may have had negative repercussions for the department. A more conscious use of management control systems along with a more balanced weighting of the various control mechanisms, may contribute to smoother and more successful implementation of a strategic change for all parties involved in the future
Hat og trusler mot unge lokalpolitikere - en kvalitativ undersøkelse om opplevelser og konsekvenser
Get PDFTemaet for denne undersøkelsen er hat og trusler mot unge lokalpolitikere. Utgangspunktet vårt var en påstand om at hets mot lokalpolitikerne virker fordi det fører til selvsensur og tap av selvtillit. Påstanden kom i forbindelse med en undersøkelser utført av analyseselskapet Ipsos som viste at 4 av 10 lokale folkevalgte har opplevd hat og trusler. Også annen tidligere forskning viser at mange norske politikere jevnlig mottar hatefulle ytringer og trusler. I tillegg slo PST igjen fast at hat og trusler mot folkevalgte er en alvorlig utfordring for demokratiet i den nasjonale trusselvurderingen for 2024. På bakgrunn av dette er formålet med vår studie å undersøke hvordan unge lokalpolitikere opplever hat og trusler, og hvilke konsekvenser hat og trusler kan ha for politiske prosesser og demokratisk deltagelse.
Datainnsamlingen er gjort gjennom intervju med 14 unge lokalpolitikere, noe som har gitt oss tilgang til detaljerte beskrivelser om deres opplevelser med hat og trusler, men også refleksjoner og oppfatninger om betydningen hat og trusler kan ha for demokratiske prinsipper som deltagelse, engasjement og representativitet. Videre har vi benyttet den såkalte stegmodellen som analytisk rammeverk for begrepet politiske prosesser. Begrepet demokratisk deltagelse har vi forankret i demokratiteoretiske perspektiver. I tillegg har teoretiske forståelser av sosiale medier gitt oss et rammeverk for å drøfte hat og truslers betydning for sosiale medier som demokratisk arena.
To sentrale funn i vår undersøkelse om opplevelser er at hat og trusler spesielt rammer unge kvinnelige lokalpolitikere med minoritetsbakgrunn, og at hat og trusler mot unge lokalpolitikere foregår i størst grad på digitale plattformer. Disse funnene er i stor grad sammenfallende med tidligere undersøkelser. Samtidig har vårt undersøkelsesopplegg gitt oss mulighet til å gå mer i dybden på tematikken. Det har gitt oss innsikt som at hat og trusler mot unge kvinnelige lokalpolitikere med minoritetsbakgrunn ofte er rasistisk motivert, og at de som i tillegg bærer synlige religiøse symboler er ekstra utsatt. Vi har også fått nyansert forståelse om hvordan både innhold og avsender av hat og trusler varierer mellom ulike sosiale medier.
Videre finner vi at hat og trusler har negative konsekvenser for politiske prosesser og demokratisk deltagelse. Spesielt selvsensur og mangel på representasjon synes å være konsekvenser som også belyser hvorfor hat og trusler kan være en alvorlig utfordring for demokratiet. Samtidig har vi møtt unge lokalpolitikere som uttrykker at deres politiske engasjement har blitt styrket som en effekt av hat og trusler, og at dette har sammenheng med at de opplever at nettoppThe theme of this study is hatred and threats towards young politicians. Our starting point was the claim that “Harassment of local politicians is effective. It leads to self-censorship and loss of confidence.” This claim emerged in connection with survey conducted by the analysis company Ipsos, which showed that 4 out of 10 local elected officials have experienced hatred and threats. Other previous research also indicates that many Norwegian politicians regularly receive hateful expressions and threats. Additionally, the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) reaffirmed that hatred and threats against elected officials are a serious challenge for democracy in the national threat assessment for 2024. Based on this, the purpose of our study is to investigate how young local politicians experience hatred and threats, and what consequence hatred and threats can have for political processes and democratic participation.
Data collection was conducted through interviews with 14 young local politicians, providing us with access to detailed descriptions of their experiences with hatred and threats, as well as reflections and perceptions about the significance hatred and threats may have for democratic principles such as participation, engagement, and representativeness. Furthermore, we used a policy cycle model as an analytical framework for the concept of political process. The concept of democratic participation is anchored in democratic theoretical perspectives. Additionally, theoretical understandings of social media have provided us with a framework to discuss the significance of hatred and threats for social media as a democratic arena.
Two central findings in our study experiences are that hatred and threats particularly affect young female local politicians with minority backgrounds, and that hatred and threats against young local politicians occur primarily on digital platforms. These findings largely coincide with previous surveys. At the same time, our study design has allowed us to delve deeper into the topic. It has provided us insights such as that hatred and threats against young female local politicians with minority backgrounds are often racially motivated, and that those who additionally wear visible religious symbols are particularly vulnerable. We have also gained a nuanced understanding of how both the content and the sender of hatred and threats vary across social platforms.
Further, we find that hatred and threats have a negative consequence for local political processes and democratic participation. Especially self-censorship and lack of representation appear to be consequences that also illuminate why hatred and threats can be a serious challenge for democracy. At the same time, we have met young politicians who express that their political engagement has been strengthened as an effect of hatred and threats, and that this is related to their experience that their voice is particularly important. This seems especially to apply to those who experienced the most hatred and threats
Design and construction of cloning vectors to improve CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing efficiency in potato
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Potatoes are beneficial for ensuring global food security and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology can be used to improve numerous potato traits. This technology employs a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to direct the genome editing process mediated by the Cas9 endonuclease. Precise genome editing is achievable through careful planning and evaluation of sgRNA expression to increase the efficiency of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
This project aimed to design and construct different pChimera cloning vectors harboring StU6 promoter upstream of a sgRNA scaffold using In-Fusion cloning.
Firstly, the StU6 promoter was amplified in potato Désirée and Asterix cultivars and cloned into an empty vector and E. coli cells were transformed. Then, the plasmid was isolated from the putative positive colonies, sequenced and distinct allelic variations corresponding to four promoter sequences were found in potato Désirée and Asterix cultivars.
The phylogenetic analysis of the StU6 promoters distinguished a high degree of sequence identity in Désirée and Asterix clones, and seven clones from Désirée were chosen for In-Fusion cloning. DNA fragments of seven StU6 promoters and pChimera were PCR amplified to retrieve insert and vector fragments, respectively. In-Fusion cloning was performed to clone the insert fragment into a linearized vector to create the final cloning vector containing endogenous potato StU6 promoter, and Stellar Competent Cells were transformed. Colony PCR was performed to verify putative positive colonies, but no amplification was observed.
Overall, suboptimal PCR conditions or the use of a too high insert-to-vector ratio for the In-Fusion cloning reaction may potentially be the contributing factors to the lack of amplification.
Keywords: In-Fusion cloning, CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing, StU6 promoter, sgRNA expression, PCR, RT-qPCR, colony PCR, pChimera, potato, protoplast, Désirée, Asterix, sanger sequencing, phylogenetic analysis
Glucose ingestion before and after resistance training sessions does not augment ribosome biogenesis in healthy moderately trained young adults
Get PDFPurpose
Resistance training-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy seems to depend on ribosome biogenesis and content. High glucose treatment may augment ribosome biogenesis through potentiating resistance training-induced adaptations. This was investigated with total RNA and ribosomal RNA abundances as main outcomes, with relevant transcriptional/translational regulators (c-Myc/UBF/rpS6) as a secondary outcome.
Methods
Sixteen healthy, moderately trained individuals [male/female, n = 9/7; age, 24.1 (3.3)] participated in a within-participant crossover trial with unilateral resistance training (leg press and knee extension, 3 sets of 10 repetitions maximum) and pre- and post-exercise ingestion of either glucose (3 × 30 g, 90 g total) or placebo supplements (Stevia rebaudiana, 3 × 0.3 g, 0.9 g total), together with protein (2 × 25 g, 50 g total), on alternating days for 12 days. Six morning resistance exercise sessions were conducted per condition, and the sessions were performed in an otherwise fasted state. Micro-biopsies were sampled from m. vastus lateralis before and after the intervention.
Results
Glucose ingestion did not have beneficial effects on resistance training-induced increases of ribosomal content (mean difference 7.6% [− 7.2, 24.9], p = 0.34; ribosomal RNA, 47S/18S/28S/5.8S/5S, range 7.6–37.9%, p = 0.40–0.98) or levels of relevant transcriptional or translational regulators (c-MYK/UBF/rpS6, p = 0.094–0.292). Of note, both baseline and trained state data of total RNA showed a linear relationship with UBF; a ∼14% increase in total RNA corresponded to 1 SD unit increase in UBF (p = 0.003).
Conclusion
Glucose ingestion before and after resistance training sessions did not augment ribosomal RNA accumulation during twelve days of heavy-load resistance training in moderately trained young adults.publishedVersio
Health Literacy in patients participating in cardiac rehabilitation: A prosepective cohort study with pre-post-test design
Get PDFBackground and aims
Adherence to recommendations regarding medical treatment and healthy behaviour serve as a significant challenge for patients experiencing a cardiac event. Optimizing the patients’ health literacy (HL) may be crucial to meet this challenge and has gained increased focus the last decade. Despite cardiac rehabilitation (CR) being a central part of the treatment of patients experiencing a cardiac event, such programs have not been evaluated regarding HL. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and evaluate HL in patients participating in CR.
Methods
A prospective cohort study with pre-post-test design of patients participating in CR. Data were collected at program admission and completion (August 2017–June 2018). Patients from three different CR-programs were included. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to describe and evaluate HL and change in HL across categories of demographical variables and type of rehabilitation.
Results
In total, 113 patients attending CR were included. A statistically significant increase in HL was observed from pre-to post-CR (mean change: 2.24 ± 3.68 (p < 0.001)). Patients attending 12-weeks outpatients CR-program had statistically significant higher HL, both at pre- and post-CR, compared to those attending one-week residential CR.
Conclusions
Participation in CR statistically significantly improves HL. Overall, judging health information was found as the most difficult aspect of HL, both at pre- and post-CR. This should be emphasized in secondary prevention to overcome barriers related to adherence to medical treatment and healthy behaviour.publishedVersio
Ergoterapeuter i fremtidens primærhelsetjeneste: Hva skal de løse, og for hvem? En analyse av helsepolitiske styringsdokumenter
Get PDFBakgrunn: Endrede politiske og organisatoriske rammebetingelser aktualiserer spørsmål om omprioriteringer, omorganiseringer, nye arenaer og nytt innhold i den kommunale ergoterapitjenesten. I studien undersøker vi hvordan ergoterapi fremstilles i helsepolitiske styringsdokumenter. Vi utforsker spesifikt hvilke roller ergoterapeuter tilskrives i fremtidens primærhelsetjeneste, og hva kommuneergoterapeuter bes om å løse for hvem.
Metode: Studien har et diskursanalytisk design, og vi har valgt ut tre stortingsmeldinger og én NOU (Norges offentlige utredninger), som samlet sett representerer sentrale styringssignaler for fremtidens kommunale helse- og omsorgstjenester.
Resultat: Vi finner stor variasjon i måten ergoterapi fremstilles på i styringsdokumentene. Det er i forbindelse med tverrfaglig samhandling, velferdsteknologi og proaktive borgere at ergoterapi særlig nevnes. Videre finner vi at det er innenfor tjenestediskursene proaktive tjenester og aktiv omsorg at ergoterapeutene ses på som en del av løsningen i fremtidens helsetjenester.
Konklusjon: Selv om ergoterapi kobles til sentrale politiske virkemidler for fremtidens tjenesteutforming, synes ikke profesjonen å ha fått en endret posisjon eller tydeligere funksjon i de utvalgte stortingsmeldingene. Skal ergoterapi som profesjon inngå som en del av det politiske virkemiddelapparatet, kreves det mer inngående analyser og reelle diskusjoner om rekruttering og dimensjonering av ergoterapi i kommunehelsetjenesten. Det trengs en tydeligere konkretisering av hvordan ergoterapi skal organiseres, hvilke kompetanser som skal utvikles, og hvilke oppgaver som skal prioriteres i de kommunale helse- og omsorgstjenestene.publishedVersio
Associations Between Learning Environment and Study Satisfaction Across Time: Two Cross-Sectional Analyses of Occupational Therapy Students
Get PDFThere is increasing attention toward students’ satisfaction and how they perceive the quality of the program they attend. This study examined stability and change across time with regard to the relationships between learning environment factors and occupational therapy students’ satisfaction with the program. In the two consecutive cross-sectional analyses performed in this study, 163 second-year students and 193 third-year students from all six occupational therapy education programs in Norway participated. The Course Experience Questionnaire was used to assess learning environment factors and study satisfaction. The data were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation coefficient r and with hierarchical linear regression. Bivariate associations between the learning environment scales were positive and most associations were statistically significant in both study years. Relatively stable associations between the learning environment variable “good teaching” and higher study satisfaction were detected, while other associations differed between years of study. Embedding quality into the learning process, in particular by emphasizing good teaching and the clear dissemination of goals and standards, is important for student satisfaction throughout years of study.publishedVersio
Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Get PDFBackground: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period.
Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 locationyears of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In locationyears
where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic
methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution.
Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during
the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations.
Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth
since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19
pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic.publishedVersio
Testing the radiation cascade in postglacial radiations of whitefish and their parasites: founder events and host ecology drive parasite evolution
Get PDFReciprocal effects of adaptive radiations on the evolution of interspecific interactions, like parasitism, remain barely explored. We test whether the recent radiations of European whitefish (Coregonus spp.) across and within perialpine and subarctic lakes promote its parasite Proteocephalus fallax (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) to undergo host repertoire expansion via opportunity and ecological fitting, or adaptive radiation by specialization. Using de novo genomic data, we examined P. fallax differentiation across lakes, within lakes across sympatric host species, and the contributions of host genetics versus host habitat use and trophic preferences. Whitefish intralake radiations prompted parasite host repertoire expansion in all lakes, whereas P. fallax differentiation remains incipient among sympatric fish hosts. Whitefish genetic differentiation per se did not explain the genetic differentiation among its parasite populations, ruling out codivergence with the host. Instead, incipient parasite differentiation was driven by whitefish phenotypic radiation in trophic preferences and habitat use in an arena of parasite opportunity and ecological fitting to utilize resources from emerging hosts. Whilst the whitefish radiation provides a substrate for the parasite to differentiate along the same water-depth ecological axis as Coregonus spp., the role of the intermediate hosts in parasite speciation may be overlooked. Parasite multiple-level ecological fitting to both fish and crustacean intermediate hosts resources may be responsible for parasite population substructure in Coregonus spp. We propose parasites’ delayed arrival was key to the initial burst of postglacial intralake whitefish diversification, followed by opportunistic tapeworm host repertoire expansion and a delayed nonadaptive radiation cascade of incipient tapeworm differentiation. At the geographical scale, dispersal, founder events, and genetic drift following colonization of spatially heterogeneous landscapes drove strong parasite differentiation. We argue that these microevolutionary processes result in the mirroring of host–parasite phylogenies through phylogenetic tracking at macroevolutionary and geographical scales.publishedVersio