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Perspectives for plant biology in space and analogue environments
Full text linkAdvancements in plant space biology are required for the realization of human space exploration missions, where the re-supply of resources from Earth is not feasible. Until a few decades ago, space life science was focused on the impact of the space environment on the human body. More recently, the interest in plant space biology has increased because plants are key organisms in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) for the regeneration of resources and fresh food production. Moreover, plants play an important role in psychological support for astronauts. The definition of cultivation requirements for the design, realization, and successful operation of BLSS must consider the effects of space factors on plants. Altered gravitational fields and radiation exposure are the main space factors inducing changes in gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation, signalling and physiological processes with possible consequences on tissue organization and organogenesis, thus on the whole plant functioning. Interestingly, the changes at the cellular and molecular levels do not always result in organismic or developmental changes. This apparent paradox is a current research challenge. In this paper, the main findings of gravity- and radiation-related research on higher plants are summarized, highlighting the knowledge gaps that are still necessary to fill. Existing experimental facilities to simulate the effect of space factors, as well as requirements for future facilities for possible experiments to achieve fundamental biology goals are considered. Finally, the need for making synergies among disciplines and for establishing global standard operating procedures for analyses and data collection in space experiments is highlighted.publishedVersio
Measuring Resilience in Long-term Sick-listed Individuals: Validation of the Resilience Scale for Adults
Full text linkReturn to work from long-term sick leave is influenced by personal and social factors, which can be measured by resil ience, a construct that describe healthy adaptation against adversity. This study aimed to validate the validity and psy chometric properties of the resilience scale for adults in a sample of long-term sick-listed individuals, and to investigate measurement invariance when compared with a university student sample. Confirmatory factor analysis was used on a sick-listed sample (n=687) to identify the scale?s factor structure, and comparison with a university student sample (n=241) was utilized to determine measurement invariance. Results show that a slightly modified factor structure, in accordance with previous research, achieved acceptable fit in the sick-listed sample, while comparisons with the student sample supported measurement invariance. This means that the study to a large degree support the factor structure of the resilience scale for adults in long-term sick-listed. Furthermore, the results indicate that the scale is similarly understood among long-term sick-listed as in a previously validated student sample. Thus, the resilience scale for adults can be a valid and reliable measure of protective factors in the long-term sickness absence and return to work context, and the subscale and total score can be interpreted similarly in long-term sick-listed as in other populations.publishedVersio
Plant and microbial science and technology as cornerstones to Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in space
Full text linkLong-term human space exploration missions require environmental control and closed Life Support Systems (LSS) capable of producing and recycling resources, thus fulfilling all the essential metabolic needs for human survival in harsh space environments, both during travel and on orbital/planetary stations. This will become increasingly necessary as missions reach farther away from Earth, thereby limiting the technical and economic feasibility of resupplying resources from Earth. Further incorporation of biological elements into state-of-the-art (mostly abiotic) LSS, leading to bioregenerative LSS (BLSS), is needed for additional resource recovery, food production, and waste treatment solutions, and to enable more self-sustainable missions to the Moon and Mars. There is a whole suite of functions crucial to sustain human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and successful settlement on Moon or Mars such as environmental control, air regeneration, waste management, water supply, food production, cabin/habitat pressurization, radiation protection, energy supply, and means for transportation, communication, and recreation. In this paper, we focus on air, water and food production, and waste management, and address some aspects of radiation protection and recreation. We briefly discuss existing knowledge, highlight open gaps, and propose possible future experiments in the short-, medium-, and long-term to achieve the targets of crewed space exploration also leading to possible benefits on Earth.publishedVersio
Structures for collaboration and networked adaptation: Emerging themes from the COVID-19 pandemic
Full text linkThe COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis that is “creeping” in its onset and “slow-burning” in its duration. It is characterized by extreme uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity, presenting an unprecedented need for response across sectors and political-administrative levels. While there has been an explosion of research papers into the national strategies for handling the pandemic, empirical publications on the local and regional management are still scarce. This paper presents early empirical insights into key collaborative functions in Norway and Sweden, with an ambition to contribute to a research agenda focusing on the collaborative practices of pandemic crisis management. Our findings point to a set of themes that are all related to emerging collaborative structures, that fill holes in pre-established structures for dealing with crises, and that have been important for being able to effectively deal with the pandemic. At the municipal and regional levels, we see more examples of well-adapted collaborative practices than we see the wickedness of the problem causing inertia and paralysis. However, the emergence of new structures indicates a need to adapt organizational structures to the existing problem, and the duration of the current crisis allows for significant evolution of collaborative structures within the various phases of the pandemic. The lessons that can be drawn from this reveal a need for reconsideration of some of the basic assumptions of crisis research and practice, in particular the so-called similarity principle that is a cornerstone of emergency preparedness organization in many countries, including Norway and Sweden.acceptedVersio
Research-based teacher education in Norway – a longitudinal perspective
Full text linkResearch has been highlighted as a key dimension in the development of teacher education quality. However, there are different understandings of how research is and should be linked to teacher educators’ competence. We examine changes in teacher educators’ attitudes towards research-based teacher education in Norway by comparing results from 2008 with those from 2021. Teacher educators’ attitudes have changed towards a more research-positive approach. The changes are to some extent related to more research-experienced staff, but the positive attitudes towards research-based teacher education seem also to be a matter of culture and teacher identity.publishedVersio
Structural Disadvantages and Individual Characteristics Exacerbating Care Leavers’ Housing Vulnerabilities: Overview of Research in Norway and Australia
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Safe housing for a meaningful everyday life
Full text linkAbstract:
Objective: establishing a safe and worthy place to live is an important step for people struggling with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders. In this project, we have followed Trondheim Munic ipality in the process of establishing a new housing model that contributes to safety and mastery for people with combined disorders and violent behaviour.
Background: providing comprehensive services to people with violent behaviour affected by drug use is challenging. Trondheim Municipality aims to develop a breadth of housing and services for this target group. One of the plans in that context is to establish a home for 6–8 people in close phys ical proximity to the mental health-care department at St. Olav's hospital.
Methods: an action research approach is suitable when the goal is to create change and the intention is to create new solutions to current problems (Levin, 2017). Qualitative interviews with professionals in the field, user representatives, workshops, participation in the planning process, and literature studies have been conducted.
Results: the need for safety, fixed routines, positive impulses, and the opportunity to influence one's own everyday life are pointed out as crucial for people with a behaviour that either scares or is ex ploited. Several emphasise the importance of activities and food- service to ensure that nutritional status is maintained.
Conclusion: Rethinking housing models for the target group is necessary but difficult in practice. There is a need for innovative solutions, designs, and services for individuals that secure employees and neighbours.publishedVersio
Risk in transit: a case study of the introduction of a new risk definition for risk management in the Norwegian petroleum industry
Full text linkIn 2015, a new risk definition was presented by the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA-N) as a petroleum regulation update and ‘rolled out’ in the PSA-N organisation and the oil and gas industry as a regu latory guideline, changing the definition of risk from ‘the combination of probabilities and consequences’ to ‘the consequences of an activity, with associated uncertainties’. This article reports on research that explores the industrial effects of this change. We have conducted qualitative interviews with both operator employees and consultants, and we have undertaken a qualitative cross-sectional analysis, where we explored how the implementation of the new risk definition is experienced by different actors in the industry. The analysis draws on translation perspectives from institutional theory and focuses on the developments of theory and practice influenced by the interaction between the industry and consultancies, academia and the regulator. We find that the new risk definition has had some practical influence on risk management, partic ularly exemplified through a generally raised awareness about uncertainty, in addition to some direct effects on risk analysis tools. The study also demonstrates pros et cons with a functional regulatory regime. On one hand it gives the companies significant leeway for them to tailor their treatment and evaluation of uncertainty to the context. On the other hand, with different understandings of uncertainty among the companies, it is more challenging for the regulator to perform audits in a structured manner. Furthermore, the study sheds light on different power aspects that are at play, influencing the interplay between standardised defini tions, legislative instruments, practice, experience, and expertise.publishedVersio
Potential safety outcomes of communication difficulties in mixed nationality crews: A study of Greek and Norwegian vessels
No full textThe study examines potential safety outcomes of communication difficulties in mixed nationality crews on Greek and Norwegian cargo and passenger vessels. The aims are to examine the prevalence of unsafe situations due to language misunderstandings on vessels with different degrees of mixed nationality crews, and the factors influencing this. The study is based on quantitative survey data (n=367) and qualitative interviews (n=15) with seafarers on different types of Greek and Norwegian vessels with different degrees of mixed nationality crews. The survey indicates that respondents on board mixed-nationality vessels experience more unsafe situations because of language misunderstandings between different nationalities on board. Work pressure are also among the influencing factors. The qualitative data provide illustrations of such situations, including cultural differences on board.Potential safety outcomes of communication difficulties in mixed nationality crews: A study of Greek and Norwegian vesselspublishedVersio