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From the SEA to the SOLution. An integrative assessment of marine pollution in a changing Arctic

Marine chemical pollution poses known threats to human health and to biodiversity, ecosystem and societal services. The Arctic is a major sink of global mercury (Hg) pollution. Arctic sediments, sea and glacial ice constitute vast Hg reservoirs. Recent studies raise concerns about their increasing role as local Hg sources. In a rapidly warming Arctic, the consequences of potentially increased environmental Hg on marine biota remain unknown. The objective of SEASOL is to identify the pathway(s) of Hg bioaccumulation in marine food webs of the High Arctic Kongsfjorden (Svalbard). This changing glacial fjord is recognised as a ‘natural laboratory’ of climate change in the Arctic. The fellow’s earlier research has shown the sole measurement of Hg levels as insufficient to connect biotic Hg dynamics to environmental change, whereas the analysis of Hg stable isotopes proved to be a promising tool for source discrimination and biotic transfer. SEASOL will build on the novel application of stable isotope analysis to identify the sources of Hg within the fjord system and the pathways to Hg accumulation within sentinel marine species. On the short-term, the study will provide fundamental knowledge to help understand how emerging sources of Hg from rapid environmental change will impact Arctic marine predators. On the long-term, SEASOL will contribute to the development of early-warning, adaptive management strategies, including modelling, for mitigating the cumulative impact of pollutants and climate change on Arctic marine species. This multidisciplinary approach and the central position of the host institution (Norwegian Polar Institute) in the field of Polar Research will equip the Fellow with a broad set of new skills and lay the foundation for building her specific niche as a future leader in marine pollution science.

Optimization of Free Space Optical Communication Link based Drones for Search and Rescue Operations in the Arctic Region

The Arctic region is witnessing more frequent shipping accidents than ever which require accurate search and rescue operations. The existing communication systems use drones with radio frequency (RF) technology, which has limited bandwidth and cannot offer 4G/5G connectivity due to harsh weather constraints. It further limits the capacity of drones and affects the resolution of images and videos. The current research proposes to design free space optical communication (FSOC) link-based drones that can enhance connectivity between multiple drones and rescue ships as well as the capacity of drones to produce high resolution images and videos. The proposed FSOC-based drones can provide highspeed connectivity than the existing RF technology. The research will collect atmospheric turbulences data from the Arctic region and use it for designing the FSOC link. Furthermore, to enhance the capacity of FSOC-based drones, the research will design advanced multiplexing schemes (Mode Division Multiplexing and Orthogonal Code Division Multiple Access) and to ensure link stability, omnidirectional receiver will be designed. The research will further evaluate the performance of proposed FSOC link under the impact of various atmospheric turbulences. The expected outcomes of this research will lead to the optimisation of FSOC-based drones in expanding search areas and improving communication systems for SAR operations in the Arctic region.

AQUASERV – RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE, FISHERIES AND THE BLUE ECONOMY

The overarching objectives of AQUASERV are to bring together, enhance, integrate and customise RI capacities (including facilities, instruments and expertise) and through the provision of transnational access (on-site or remote) and/or virtual access, to significantly further scientific advance and promote and facilitate the implementation of European Common Fisheries Policy, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Sustainable Blue Economy and the European Green Deal. 

AQUASERV will achieve these objectives by offering scientists from academia and business remote and on-site transnational (TA) and virtual (VA) access to an advanced set of European research infrastructures and its nodes related to research and management of marine and freshwater biological resources, food and biotechnology. These include the European Marine Biological Resource Centre ERIC (EMBRC), the Analysis and Experimentation on Ecosystems ERIC, The Aquaculture for Excellence for Aquaculture in Fish (Aquaexcel), and the Infrastructure for Promoting Metrology in Food and Nutrition (METROFOOD), as well as the International Council for Exploration of the Sea, both a service provider and stakeholder. It also includes the Research Infrastructure for Science and Innovation Policy Studies (RISIS) to bring contributions from the social sciences and to bring results nearer to policy makers ensuring societal impact. 

To enhance, integrate and customise RI capacities, collaboration between partners and new pipelines to meet the objectives of the project will be developed during the first 3 years and will make available  to users.  To ensure these capacities will not be lost, a sustainability work package involving stakeholders will address the project legacy.  

To maximize impact, AQUASERV will build a communication network among the partnership and develop a dissemination and outreach programme. Furthermore, an advanced training programme will be developed to capture future users and will be updated during the p

Aqua Research Infrastructure Services for the health and protection of our unique, oceans, seas and freshwater ecosystems

AQUARIUS will provide a highly comprehensive suite of integrated research infrastructures appropriate to addressing significant challenges for the long-term sustainability of our unique oceans, seas and freshwater ecosystems. For the first time, diverse research infrastructures will be combined to facilitate the work of researchers and key stakeholders focused on challenges and opportunities for both marine and freshwater systems. An impressive range of 57 research infrastructure services will be made available to include research vessels, mobile marine observation platforms, aircraft,  drones, satellite, sensors, fixed freshwater and marine observatories and test sites, experimental facilities, and sophisticated data infrastructures. AQUARIUS will support the development phase of the EU Mission to Restore our Ocean and waters by 2030, the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, the European Green Deal, and international climate initiatives. It will also be an essential component in achieving the European Digital Twin of the Ocean and the UN Decade for Ocean Sciences. The needs of researchers will be met through a robust and transparent system of transnational access funding Calls, facilitated by centralised user-friendly access portal. The Call programme will be informed through stakeholder engagement and brokerage events. Projects to be selected for Access must convincingly integrate multiple infrastructures and contribute to the core policy objectives of Mission Ocean, that is, to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity; to prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, seas and waters; and to ensure a sustainable, carbon-neutral and circular blue economy. A thematic and geographic focus will be the hallmark of the proposed transnational Calls, aligning with the Lighthouse Regions, that is, the Baltic and the North Sea Basins, Black Sea, Atlantic/Arctic, and Mediterranean Sea along with their associated rivers.

Advance Marine Research Infrastructures Together

The European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) is the foundation of European ocean knowledge. The core Marine Research Infrastructures (MRIs) focused on ocean observing (EMSO, EURO-ARGO and ICOS ERICs; EuroFleets+, EuroGoShip, GROOM RI, JERICO RI and MINKE as INFRA projects) are the main providers of in situ ocean data for the EOOS and Copernicus, and the primary managers of instrumental capacity supporting fundamental research.
These MRIs are aware that the lack of effective cross coordination prevents them from fully supporting frontier research, while the lack of integration makes it difficult to reach a critical mass for EOOS and results in significant cost duplication. Accordingly, AMRIT gathers these MRIs together with OceanOPS/WMO international coordination experience with the objective to:
- ensure seamless operation of marine observation platforms ;
- ensure the full nominal use of sensors and accelerate their evolution ;
- exploit the complementarity of the various observation platforms ;
- ensure the overall coherence of the ocean data value chain.
To achieve these objectives, AMRIT will design and implement an EOOS Technical Support Center (EOOS TSC) for
- a fully integrated information service across the data value chain from early planning stages to final delivery to users;
- a cross-platform fully standardised data acquisition methodology for Essential Ocean Variables;
- a collaborative federal structure to operate these services, relying on the ERIs and their members.
The EOOS TSC will be the cornerstone in establishing and maintaining the EOOS, upon which European ocean observing can be strengthened in the coming decades. AMRIT will provide a catalyst for the development and consolidation of MRIs throughout Europe, providing a benchmark for operational coordination and collaboration. AMRIT will advance EOOS in line with its 2023-2027 Strategy and beyond, and the European Commission's ambitions for sharing responsibility in ocean observing across Europe.

Improve offshore infrastructure resilience against geohazards towards a changing climate

POSEIDON brings together an interdisciplinary and intersectoral team to deliver a professionally trained next-generation network of Doctoral Candidates to develop a step change in our capacity to identify, map, assess and predict offshore geohazards and in turn produce ground-breaking methods to prevent, mitigate and boost the resilience of current offshore infrastructure under a changing climate. The consortium is formed by experts across EU countries with universities, research institutions, industry partners and a government body to cover a full training programme on scientific and transferable skills. 

The programme will undertake critical research across scales (from micro to macro) for seeking the inner links and differences, with an eventual aim to ascertain the pathways and grow our capacity for the enhancement of the existing and the robust development of new offshore infrastructure in the frame of safety and resiliency. In addition to the informed design and implementation of the novel physical/numerical modelling and lab studies, our approach is unique in the solid integration and utilisation of state-of-the-art data science technologies (e.g., data mining, machine learning, etc.) to their full potential. Only through this systematic approach, we can achieve the objectives of understanding the impact of offshore geohazards on our offshore critical infrastructures (OCIs) and developing novel models, tools and designs for future OCIs, such as, wind turbines, pipelines and cables. 

The Doctoral Candidates will enjoy a highly integrated, interdisciplinary and intersector training environment, enriched through secondments with the network of non-academics. POSEIDON enables critical learning across all training aspects to ensure that comprehensive, robust and implementable solutions are obtained and validated to face the OCIs climate-resilient building.

POLARIN: POLAR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK

The polar regions play a key role in the Earth’s system. They are essential for our climate and are sentinels of climate change, human expansion, and the hunt of new resources. The polar regions are losing ice, and their oceans and land are changing rapidly. The consequences of this polar transition extend to the whole planet and are affecting people in multiple ways. Evidence-based policy recommendations are needed, but the polar regions are difficult to reach, and research infrastructures able to operate in these regions are scarce. To understand and predict key processes in the polar regions and provide evidence-based information, the polar research community needs access to world-class research infrastructure operating in these regions.
POLARIN is an international network of polar research infrastructures and their services, aiming at addressing the scientific challenges of the polar regions. The network includes a wide array of complementary and interdisciplinary top level research infrastructures: Arctic and Antarctic research stations, research vessels and icebreakers operating at both poles, observatories, data infrastructures and ice and sediment core repositories. POLARIN will provide integrated, challenge-driven, and combined access to these infrastructures to facilitate interdisciplinary research on complex processes. 
POLARIN will:
1.	Provide challenge-driven transnational access to a large portfolio of research infrastructures. 
2.	Improve the access to data by improving data availability and interoperability between data infrastructures. 
3.	Provide virtual access to data and data services. 
4.	Provide data products for the scientific community and decision makers.
5.	Train the young generation of polar researchers in optimally exploiting the infrastructures for their research.
6.	Duly advertise the services offered by POLARIN and engage the infrastructure users to share their research outcomes with society.


Land-Sea interface: Let’s observe together!

LandSeaLot will link together in situ, model and earth observations (EO) and connect related communities, citizens and initiatives such as Copernicus, ESA, EEA, GEOSS, EMODnet and the European Digital Twin of the Ocean. These observations will be used in a gap analysis to co-design a common land-sea interface observation strategy and an implementation plan. LandSeaLot participants will simultaneously work on improving: in situ and EO capabilities, models to reduce the model/observations gap and the integration of model, in situ and satellite data. Observation capacity will be increased through tested, improved and guided use of low-cost technology by citizens, facilitated by the network of European marinas. The technologies selected will be piloted in Integration Labs (ILs) together with improved and integrated in situ and EO observation techniques and model outputs. LandSeaLot ILs will cover selected areas in the Black, Aegean, Mediterranean, Atlantic, North and Baltic Seas, with a range of catchment, tidal and meteorological regimes. Experts and citizen science leaders will work in the ILs together with JERICO-RI, DANUBIUS-RI and ICOS-ERIC, and with regional policy makers and managers to tailor integrated observations that will provide them with information to manage societal challenges. These will include assessment of the lateral carbon flux and stock, plastics transfer, nutrients impact on primary production and eutrophication, supporting biodiversity conservation, improving modeling capability and supporting climate change adaptation (storm surge, floods, heat waves, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion). Data generated in the ILs will be made FAIR available via EMODnet and interoperability, and semantic solutions for existing, international data flows will be developed. Relevant communities will be engaged by workshops, conferences, training, a high-tech summit and by a communication strategy including videos and policy briefs to ensure LandSeaLot’s legacy.

Material Science Innovation for Accelerated, Sustainable and Safe Implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage

MISSION-CCS presents a timely and unique doctoral network designed to deliver the next generation of highly trained researchers and entrepreneurs in the field of material science, specifically focused towards accelerating implementation of carbon capture and storage CCS technologies worldwide and ensuring the sustainable and safe operation of existing and future CCS systems.

The training network combines unique experimental system design and modelling approaches, state-of-the-art analytical technologies and techno-economic analysis to deliver a new generation of researchers and entrepreneurs. The programme of research training centres of delivering Doctoral Candidate Researchers (DCRs) with world-leading technical expertise in material science and engineering relevant to the entire CCS process. MISSION-CCS ensures that the subject-specific technical knowledge of each DCRs is under-pinned by inter-sectorial knowledge whilst also promoting wider innovation skills and relevant training on the techno-economics of CCS, developing experts with breadth of knowledge.

A central aim of the network is to forge a strong cohort culture, by ensuring that peer-to-peer learning and mutual support become the norm, in order to enhance experience. Research-led training activities are strengthened through a dynamic and interactive education based programme delivered by an internationally renowned consortium of academics and industrialists with complementary skills. As part of the training programme, subsequent to an introduction to CCS systems and the specific material science challenges, DCRs will gain knowledge of system design and optimisation, state-of-the-art analytical methods, theoretical modelling, techno-economics, and understand the challenges of exploiting their research. They will also acquire proficiency in project management, communication, entrepreneurship, and innovation; all essential attributes for any modern technical professional.

Optimisation of digital catch monitoring and reporting in European Fisheries

 OptiFish will strive to provide technological solutions that will simultaneously improve the sustainability of fisher’s operations, enhance control processes and strengthen society’s trust in their products.
OptiFish will develop, test and recommend a set of innovative technologies and tools supported by artificial intelligence (AI) to provide the management, the fishing sector and the scientist with data on catch volumes, catch compositions and the fishing environment. 
The goal is to unlock the full potential of technologies such as electronic and genetic monitoring for automated species recognition based on AI and computer vision to reduce discards, unreported landings and unreported fishing activities, ultimately establishing  a fisheries control and enforcement system fit for the digital age. The technologies are not enough alone, it is also critical to consider the combination of technologies and the integration of computer vision models, the wide range of data sources and their subsequent formats, while also addressing stakeholders needs and acceptance. 
This goal cannot be achieved by a single project, which is why the aim of OptiFish is to lay a solid foundation for full technological development from which other projects and initiatives can be built. The project will place a strong focus on species recognition in different fisheries equipped with distinctly different catch handling facilities and in different European sea basins. 
To ensure that these innovations are relevant to fisheries management, OptiFish has participation from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, and has received written support from the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the Basque, Danish and Belgian Fisheries authorities.



Midlene fra KIM-Kommunikasjon, IKT og medier fordelt på år

Midlene fra KIM-Kommunikasjon, IKT og medier fordelt på fylker

Midlene fra KIM-Kommunikasjon, IKT og medier fordelt på fagområde

Professor

MULTIMO: Researching multimodal discourses

In many fields extensive data are collected repeatedly over time. The advancing computerization of society makes such detailed follow-up data increasingly available. To extract useful information from the data one needs good statistical methods; indeed ne w methods are needed, especially when it comes to complex event history data. An emerging issue in such data is the interdependence which occurs in family data, in infectious disease data etc.

In Oslo we have an internationally strong group in survival a nd event history analysis. Pioneering work in the use of counting processes, the present mathematical basis of event history analysis, was made in this group. Counting process theory is internationally used in numerous textbooks and papers in statistics. In spite of the success of counting process theory, a number of issues remain unresolved, especially when it comes to complex data collected over time.

A major approach to modeling stochastic processes consists in defining quantities that connect the pas t and the future. These are the intensities of counting processes, the local characteristics of stochastic differential equations etc. This can be termed a dynamic point of view, and is naturally connected to emerging ideas of causal modeling. We develop a time-dependent version of graphical models, called dynamic path analysis, thereby extending the concepts of direct, indirect and total effects. Analysis is carried out by an additive regression model for counting processes. Further connections are drawn  to the concept of Granger causality in econometrics. We believe this approach has considerable promise in analysis how observed processes influence one another.

We will show how related ideas are also of relevance in infectious disease studies and in th e new field of systems biology. Special issues are the interdependence between individuals which can de modeled through dynamic analysis, and network models which are also defined through dynamic mechanism.

Event History Modeling: Causality and Interdependence

In this project we will adress problems in mathematics of interest for theoretical computer science. The project consists of two parts, Types and the Semantics of Algorithms and Complexity and Types. 
In the first part we will adress problems related to t he use of Scott-domains for interpreting types over the natural numbers, the real line and other base structures, and then also related to the denotational semantics for typed algorithms over various base structures. We will focus on extending the existen t machinery for hierarchies of partial or total functionals over the integers, booleans and reals to the situation where Polish spaces and other topological spaces are used as base types. We will also  investigate how Cohen forcing links to domain theory.  
In the second part of the project we will relate complexity theory to type theory. We will undertake a systematic and  detailed investigation of refined hierarchies induced by fragments of a typed lambda-calculus.
There are numerous open questions conne cted with these hierarchies, but at present we know that canonical classes in the  hierarchies  capture major deterministic complexity-theoretic classes like  LOGSPACE, P, LINSPACE, EXPTIME, etc. Hopefully, our investigations will bring type theory and co mplexity theory closer together. We might also achieve results which will shed some light upon some of the notorious hard open problems of complexity theory.

Computability and Complexity in Type Theory

Recently, Winther et. al. have developed several finite element methods for the mixed formulation
of elasticity. These methods have attracted considerable attention internationally, but have 
only been implemented in 2D. One of the goals in this project i s to implement them  in 3D. 
Notice that these elements are rather complicated compared to standard finite elements  (this is 
further explained in the project description).    

Mardal (together with Langtangen) has developed many of the tools for advanc ed finite elements in 
Diffpack.  Based on this experience, we emphasize that the effort of implementing these mixed 
methods  should not be underestimated.  In fact, we argue that the complexity of these elements 
challenges the usual way to implement fi nite element methods.  Therefore, we will develop a 
general finite element package on top of a symbolic mathematics library for polynomials (GiNaC). 
With this package one should be able to work with polynomials and polynomial spaces symbolically 
and he reby define finite elements as they are defined mathematically. The package will be open 
source and will be coupled to other packages for mesh generation (e.g. NetGen) and linear algebra
(e.g. Trilinos).

Mixed Methods for the Stress-Displacement   Formulation of Elasticity - 
A Software Framework for Advanced Finite Elements Methods

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most malignant of the primary brain tumors with grave prognosis.  Recent studies have identified so-called "cancer stem cells" in glioblastomas and other tumors.  These cells have the capacity to proliferate and establish tu mors in laboratory animals after injection of only a small number of cells.  Furthermore, cancer stem cells are resistant to radiation- and chemotherapy, which may explain why many tumors regress significantly with current treatment regimens, only to recu r later with more malignant properties.  What is the origin of these cancer stem cells?  Do they originate from more differentiated cancer cells that acquire stem cell-like properties?  Or, do they originate from the normal neural stem cell population pre sent in the brain?  Recent studies indicate that endogenous neural stem cells are attracted in large numbers to experimental glioma in mouse brain tumor models, and inter-mix with glioma cells.  This raises the possibility that tumor-causing genes may end  up in normal stem cells, transforming them into ?cancer stem cells?, which then drives cancer growth.  We propose to explore whether such a normal-to-cancer stem cell conversion occurs.  Determining the origins of cancer stem cells will facilitate develo pment of more effective and targeted brain tumor therapies.

ORIGINS OF CANCER STEM CELLS IN GLIOBLASTOMA

The focus of this application is how the extracellular matrix can influence transcapillary transport of water and protein. The separate projects are closely related and cover studies from the level of single cells and organs to the organism. The unifying concept is the hypothesis that  extracellular matrix can have an «active» role on transcapillary transport: We have demonstrated that in inflammation and burn injury the tissues generate edema «actively» via a lowering of interstitial fluid pressure, in b urn injury from -1 mmHg to as low as -150 mmHg, raising capillary net filtration pressure 150-300 times above control. In inflammation, we have demonstrated that the final and common step resulting in lowering of interstitial fluid pressure is due to pert urbation of the cellular beta1-integrin receptors towards structural  components in the extracellular matrix. Thus, contrary to the common notion, alterations in extracellular matrix rather than at the capillary wall are responsible for the rapidly formin g edema in acute inflammation. The mechanisms involved will be studied using transgenic animals and methods adapted from cellular and molecular biology.  Our observations offer new understanding of the difficulties of transport of cytostatic agents across  the vasculature in cancers and at the same time provide new and mostly untested opportunities for facilitating such transcapillary transport in cancers. Furthermore, our studies point towards the lowering of interstitial pressure as an important and fund amental pathophysiological mechanism also in septicaemia. The hypothesis will be tested  in vivo by direct measurement of transcapillary exchange using a range of methods including microdialysis, biophysical methods and mathematical modelling.

The dynamic interstitial matrix and transcapillary exchange: Normal function and pathophysiology

With coordinated in-situ and ground-based measurements we will prove or disprove the existence of meteoric smoke particles in the upper mesosphere, as well as study their height and charge distribution, if they exist. This will be the "background campaign " to determine the presence of such particles without the presence of a meteor shower, NLC or PMSE particles, as a preparation for two additional campaigns, applied for to the Research Council 1 June 2006.
Our German colleagues have developed and tested a  new instrument for direct measurement of the smoke particles, while we will contribute instruments for measurements of plasma parameters (ion density, electron density, electron temperature). The rocket experiments will be combined with extensive ground- based measurements by lidar instruments and radars. ALOMAR and EISCAT are the most important ground-based facilities for this campaign.

Existence and charge state of meteoric smoke particles in the middle atmosphere (Ecoma)

The Japanese Solar-B mission is the next major space research project in solar physics. Its purpose is to study the coupling between the fine magnetic structure in the photosphere and the dynamic processes occurring in the corona. During the last years No rway, via the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, has participated in this project through funding supplied by the Norwegian research council.The Norwegian role in the project is to write the ?Quick Look? and other software designed for instrument test ing and calibration, for scientific analysis and for data archiving for the EIS instrument aboard Solar-B. This in collaboration with Mullard Space Science Laboratory (UK) that is the principal investigatior for the EIS instrument.  The project applied fo r here represents a continuation of the ongoing research council project.
Participation of ITA in Solar-B will contribute to maintain and further develop its skills as one of the leading institutions within international solar physics, with the beneficial  effects this implies for Norwegian science education and research in general.

Norwegian Participation in the Solar B satellilte

Solar magnetism lies at the root of most solar and heliospheric physics.  The intricate structure of the solar field, the activity cycle and the influence of the field on the heliosphere represent major quests of (astro-) physics which bear directly on th e human environment. The sun's magnetic field is generated by enigmatic dynamo processes in the solar interior, is organized into the highly complex patterns of solar activity observed in the solar photosphere, dominates the structure of the outer solar a tmosphere (chromosphere, transition region, corona), regulates the solar wind, and affects the whole extended heliosphere into the Earth's upper atmosphere. Solar activity modulation affects satellite orbits, influences jet stream patterns and contributes  to the causes of minor, and possibly major, ice ages.

Through the "Modelling of Astrophysical Plasmas'' and the "Solar and Heliospheric Plasmas'' programs we have developed an expertise that is much sought after internationally.  We have combined the ex pertise in the Oslo region in fields that traditionally have been partially separate disciplines: photospheric physics, studies of the solar chromosphere, transition region, corona and solar wind. We have developed the necessary tools and codes to treat 3 D radiation-magneto-hydrodynamics problems with a realistic treatment of the radiation.

A wealth of observational data is now available through the highly successful SOHO (SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory) satellite and the Swedish 1m Solar Telescope ( SST). More data will arrive through the projects under development such as Solar-B, Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), Solar Orbiter and the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope. It is evident that the development of an understanding of the underlying physi cal processes is hampered by the lack of a corresponding concerted effort into theoretical modelling. The proposed project, "Solar Atmospheric Modelling'' aims at being such an effort.

Solar Atmospheric Modelling

The project is aimed at developing male contraceptives on a collaborative basis between the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (project leader Bjørn Steen Skålhegg) and the Department of Andrology, The National University Hospital of Norway (research lea der Dr. Peter Fedorcsak and head of department Dr. Tom Tanbo). We have made a unique discovery in that we have identified and characterized the function of the gene and  the protein for CaS. CaS is a catalytic subunit of the protein kinase A (PKA) family of serine (Ser) and threonine (Thr) protein kinases and is only expressed (identified) one place in the body, namely the sperm cell. We and others have shown using knock-out (KO) mice that CaS regulates sperm cell forward velocity and male fertility. This  conclusion is based on to experiments performed on sperm cells isolated from CaS KO mice which are unable to penetrate the egg due to abrogated swimming capability. Moreover, breeding experiments with such mice demonstrate that 100 % of the male mice KO for CaS are infertile. Our experiments demonstrate target validation of CaS as a unique molecule that can be manipulated by substances (leads) that can be used to develop male contraceptives. Due to the  unique location of CaS and its function (one target , one place, one function) our discovery is rare both in a national and international perspective. Substances that can target CaS? function are expected to be used pharmacologically to regulate sperm movement without side effects.

Development of male contraceptive through manipulation of CaS

Variation in the physiological stress response has been correlated to a number of major axes of variation in behavior, including activity, shyness-boldness, and aggression. Sih and co-workers recently coined the term behavioral syndromes for this phenomen on, and pointed out several important ecological and evolutionary implications. One of the questions to be addressed is how variation in correlated traits is maintained in a population. In the current project we aim to address the occurrence and fitness c onsequences of behavioral syndromes in two salmonid fish model systems: Genetically selected rainbow trout lines expressing correlated differences in behavior and physiology, and wild lake-migratory brown trout from a river system where migratory behavior , density and growth differ between two nearby stream sections. Behavior and performance of fish with these backgrounds will be compared under both laboratory conditions designed to identify individual profiles in salmonid fish, and in semi-natural artifi cial streams. Fish with consistently low cortisol concentrations under stress are characterized by enhanced competitiveness and a strong tendency to become socially dominant, a more rapid recovery of food intake after transfer to a novel environment, and a reduced panic response under acute stress. We aim to verify that these trait associations represent selection for behavioral syndromes that are also present in wild-type salmonid populations. We will also study whether the frequency distribution of diff erent behavioral syndromes differ between brown trout  populations from two nearby localities that appear to incur different selective pressures. Thereafter we will investigate whether different behavioral syndromes are associated with altered fitness in fluctuating vs stable environments.

Behavioral syndromes in salmonid fish: Ecological and evolutionary implications

Preterm birth (PTB) is the main cause of perinatal mortality and short- and long-term morbidity. The pathophysiology of spontaneous PTB remains poorly understood. Infection and inflammation, fetal growth, uterine distention and decidual haemorrhage are be lieved to be part of the mechanisms resulting in preterm delivery.

The genetic aspects of the mechanisms of spontaneous PTB will be the main focus of this research project, and it will be conducted as part of the Norwegian Mother and Child cohort study. Biological material, in the form of maternal serum, has been sampled at 18th gestational week and at delivery. Paternal serum has also been sampled. Umbilical cord blood (fetal blood) has been sampled at delivery. At present more than 50 000 deliveries ar e included. DNA is extracted and stored. The Norwegian Mother and Child cohort study has prospectively stored a huge amount of epidemiological data from questionnaires regarding the included deliveries. These data can be linked to the Norwegian Medical Bi rth Register as well.     

The study will be conducted using a triad-design with contol trios. We will use a candidate gene approach defined from a thoroughly review of the literature with regard to plausible pathways and available data on the protein le vel from women with threatening PTB. New high throughput technologies within the genetic field will be used. A new analytical model developed at Vanderbilt University, Nashville Tenessee will be used in the analyses after genotyping. Other analytical tool s applicable in trios will also be used.

The significance of the project will be an increased understanding of PTB and its mechanisms at the genetic level. Furthermore, it will contribute to our growing knowledge of the preterm low-risk population. This will make it possible to find strategies for treatment and prevention of PTB. An intermediate aim will be development of biomarkers for PTB in women without symptoms of threatening preterm delivery.

Spontaneous preterm birth and genetics

The purpose of this project is to characterize mechanisms for bone regeneration and healing and to use this knowledge to develop new strategies for improving the performance of loaded metal implants used to restore function in compromised skeletal structu res. From the clinical perspective skeletal implants, including dental and orthopaedic devices should be able to withstand loading as soon as possible after placing. A shortened postoperative period is important to avoid serious complications and to resto re skeletal function before irreversible physiological, pathological and morphological changes are manifest. For the community a shortened "time to load" also is synonymous with reduced recovery costs and improved health care services. Moreover, if metal implant surfaces can be modified to allow an optimal and stable integration into boney tissues, the need for revisions of failing implants will be reduced with accordingly positive outcomes for patients and community alike.
Thus, to achieve an optimal bio logical reaction in the bone following replacing of an implant, and to develop new biomimetic strategies for improved implant performance in bone, 3 major factors must be optimized and carefully controlled. These are: 1) The surface structure and surface chemistry of the implanted device, 2) The nature and quality of the tissue-implant interface and the peri-implant environment, 3) The physiology and biology of the healing process in the compromised bone. 
Each of these topics will be studied in 3 collabo rating sub-projects addressing several research areas including material science, biofilm aggregation, extra-cellular matrix biology and bone biology. By taking full advantage of the multidiciplinary research environment, the highly experienced researcher s behind this application aims at establishing a problem oriented, innovative project team with high productivity and a high change for success in this brave project at the forefront of biomaterial research.

NOVEL BIOTHERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING IMPLANT PERFORMANCE IN BONE

The  project  consolidates a cross-disciplinary venture started in 2004 and brings together theorists and experimentalists, young outstanding researchers and highly qualified established scientists, with the purpose to work out tests of recently formulate d paradigms for the description of complex behavior in plasma and geospace systems. The project will include analysis of optical measurements of auroral displays, and satellite- and geomagnetic data. We will also analyze signals obtained by electric probe  clusters from different magnetized plasma devices, from optical tracking of dust grains in complex plasmas, and data from a variety of computer models simulating turbulence and transport in magnetized plasmas. This effort, which also encompasses  theory and mathematics of complex systems, is a  collaboration involving 15 scientists from 5 different institutions with University of Tromsø as the base. A young research fellow will be employed on the project for 2 years. He will assist the project manager in  coordinating the project and will have responsibility  for  creation of  a forum for exchanging ideas between physicists and mathematicians, specialists in dynamical systems theory and in geophysical and magnetospheric plasma research. The budget will co ver travel and subsistence for  a few longer visits (up to 8 weeks) to UiT for members of the team, and for a larger number of short exchange visits between the participating institutions. There may also be funding of participation at conferences where re sults from the joint work are presented. Funding is also asked to organize a workshop in the summer 2007 for the team members and a handful of other invited specialists in the field.

Scale invariance in plasma and geospace systems. A cross-disciplinary approach to self-organized critical behavior.

This project will maintain and extend the collaboration between world leading international research groups in coding theory, cryptology and wireless communication and the Selmer Center at the University of Bergen. The research group at the Selmer Center has been doing international research in coding theory and cryptology for more than three decades and consists presently of 12 researchers and 12 doctoral students and frequent international visitors. The to  maintain the international network of research  contacts by: (1) Invite international researchers to visit the Selmer Center for shorter and longer stays for joint research collaborations and for giving lectures and short advanced courses in the area of their expertise. (2) To encourage and make it po ssible for researchers at the Selmer Center to visit leading international research group for boosting joint ongoing research and to develop and start new joint research activities. (3) To enable the researchers at the Selmer Center to present their resea rch papers at international conferences. (4) To organize international workshops in coding theory, cryptology and in wireless communication.

During the planned project period (2006-2009), the Selmer Center aims to: 

- Invite leading international resear chers for visits, guest lectures and advanced courses.
- Visit international research groups to maintain and start new collaborations.
- Organize at least one major international conference in coding theory or cryptography.
- Organize at least one nationa l conference with leading international researchers as lecturers.
- Publish more than 60 papers in leading international refereed journals and at conferences.
- Present at least 32 papers at international conferences.
- Publish at least 20 papers with int ernational co-authors.

International collaborations with research groups in reliable and secure communication

The objective of the project is to gain a better understanding of the conditions under which gas hydrates exist in oil and gas pipes. The project aims to design and apply molecular dynamics techniques to study the creation and dissociation of such hydrate s. The molecular dynamics simulations will extend our knowledge and provide us insight where laboratory experiments are insufficient.

A number of model problems are defined to test and validate the developed methods. Initially, the project will test the methods on three gas hydrate crystal structures (SI, SII, and SH).

The project combines molecular dynamics, computational physics, petroleum research, and high performance scientific computing, thereby enabling challenging cross-disciplinary research at the intersection of these activities.

Furthermore, the project will be an important instrument to transfer knowledge between research groups at the Universities of Bergen and Stavanger, thereby bridging the gap between scientific computing and experiment ation.

Computational models and methods to study the dynamics of gas hydrates

Statistical physics and multi-user communications show strong analogies from a
conceptual point of view. In both cases many objects interact with each other
through variables that are constrained to be binary. These interdisciplinary analogies
can be expl oited to advance the understanding and design of future wireless
communication systems. Though the analogies between the two fields do not extend
too far and, in real-world communication systems, statistical physics results
cannot be applied directly, the  engineering community can strongly benefit very
much from the analytical toolboxes developed by physicists to understand the
macroscopic properties of spin glasses. The research focuses on improving the
efficiency of wireless multi-user communications, t hus reducing the demand of
physical spectrum, prolonging the stand time of battery driven devices, and reducing
the emitted electromagnetic radiation. To achieve this goal the project will
target several important open problems in wireless multi-user comm unications:
• Capacity analysis of multi-user systems with dual antenna arrays in correlated
fading.
• Speed of convergence of large system results for non-linear multi-user detectors
towards their asymptotic limits.
• Impact of detector mismatch on the p erformance of wireless multi-user
receivers.
• Pre-coding for wireless broadcast channels.
Additionally, the project seeks to achieve a new realm in education for communication
engineers: The project will develop interdisciplinary course programs to
incre ase mutual exchange between physicists and communication engineers. The
statistical mechanics interpretation of digital communications will be reformulated
into a form that is suitable for students with a standard engineering background
to give them new i nsight and additional intuition when designing communication
systems. An experimental graduate program will be implemented at NTNU.

Statistical Physics in Advanced Multiuser Communications

Here we propose a Norwegian contribution to an international campaign to recover a number of long, large-volume, sediment cores between 45-55°S along the Chilean continental margin. We request support to survey and core five sites spanning the westerly wi nd belt and intersecting the flow path of southeast Pacific intermediate and mode waters.  The extremely high sedimentation rates along the southern Chilean shelf and slope provide the rare opportunity to recover sediments containing paleoenvironmental hi stories with (sub) decadal resolution spanning the Holocene and late glacial periods. Such records are necessary to provide sorely needed southern hemisphere constraints on the magnitude, modes, and origins of natural climate variability in the past on mu lti-decadal to millennial timescales.  In particular, we propose to target sediment sequences capable of portraying 1) changes in continental climate (rainfall) and the latitudinal position of the westerly winds, 2) variability in newly ventilated pacific  thermocline to intermediate water properties and their coupling to surface ocean-atmospheric conditions, and 3) Southern Hemisphere natural climate variability on decadal to millennial timescales through the Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum. 
The timing  of this initiative is designed to capitalize on the window of opportunity presented by the current international investments toward an International Marine Global change Study (IMAGES) coring expedition on the RV Marion Dufresne.  The unique capabilities  of this vessel, to recover wide diameter cores over 60 meters in length, are ideally suited to these high depositional rate environments where conventional coring techniques cannot penetrate beyond the last few thousand years.  This cruise marks the culm ination of over 4 years of planning by the Southern Ocean IMAGES working group and is highlighted as a priority plan within the IMAGES Consortium for CALYPSO coring (IC3).  In addition, the cruise provides site char

Southeast Pacific CALYPSO coring of expanded Holocene-late glacial 
sediment sequences

It is a real problem that one experiences isolation performing research at the University of Tromsø. To intensify our investigations we created the scientific-research seminar "Sophus Lie" (named after the great norwegian mathematician, whose ideas we app ly and develop until nowadays). 
This is the only functioning research seminar at our Department and we united most active researches to periodic exposition and discussion of the most important achievements in our areas of investigations. These include: t he geometric theory of differential equations, quantization problems, noncommutative geometry and related subjects from analysis, applied mathematics, differential geometry and mathematical physics, dynamical systems and statistical physics.
To intensify our research we need periodical scientific contacts with experts in various fields of mathematics. For our Department's money we can travel to the conferences, but this is usually a small amount, which does not allow to invite people or invite by the cost  of reducing our own trips. 
To drive on research, in addition to our internal forces, we also established good scientifc contacts. But to develop them further and to establish new we need a finincial support. Thus we apply for 300.000 for 3 years. This w ould allow us to invite from 3 to 5 scientists yearly, which is really necessary in such a distant place as Tromsø. In addition to research support this external input would give a perspective to young scientists who are limited in selection of possibilit ies for their future carrier.
All in all, this will raise the scientific level of the Mathematical Department of Tromsø University.

Sophus Lie Seminar at the University of Tromsø

This project studies digital storytelling with theories of mediation and mediatization. Focus is on the use of digital storytelling for self-representation, where people apply digital tools to create stories from their own life or immediate environment to  share with others. Such storytelling is emerging in a variety of forms. Digital media and the Internet offer new means and modalities for creating and sharing stories.
Since young people tend to be innovative in new media use, this project specifically s tudies such practices among youth (here 9-19 years). From a platform in cross-European surveys on how children and teenagers actually use new digital tools for interpersonal communication, the project will analyse a range of cases on self-representation i n digital storytelling.
Such stories captured as artefacts or objects (e.g. on a CD-rom or on a web page) are digitally mediated. The project tries to understand digital storytelling through contrasting theories of mediation and mediatization: Media studi es stress that the digital modalities could shape a story to an extent that make it a "mediatized" story. Media studies also stress that it is not the digital media themselves, but the processes of mediation they are involved in that matter, played out in  contested social and cultural contexts. Mediation studies in the field of education shares the socio-cultural perspective but focuses on how people learn and work in mediated action and activities with the use of "tools" and signs as cultural artefacts.
 The selected cases of self-representation in digital storytelling from around the world invite an interdisciplinary encounter on theories of mediation/mediatization that has not yet been undertaken. The project will further analyse the socio-cultural dyna mics of mediation/mediatization, and study how self-representation in digital storytelling may build competence and media literacy through informal learning in mediation/mediatization processes.

MEDIATIZED STORIES.
Mediation perspectives on digital storytelling among youth

The project will investigate how informal networks of care constitute a social and cultural potential for children and adult caretakers who are involved in informal and illegal migration within and into Europe. The degree to which people's activities with in these networks are exposed to different formalizing undertakings- such as authorities' registration, control, labelling activity, service provision and interventions- will also be explored. However, instead of merely looking at how migrants are defined  through their relation to the State or supra-national entities like the EU, we will primarily work within a methodological framework that emphasizes the social relations of the people involved in informal child migration and kinship care practices. The r esearch is organized around three areas of investigation, focusing on:

1. The social models of family and kinship that exist as integrated parts of arrangements and practices of marginal populations currently living in Europe. We will study the tensions between these practices and policy discourses and implementations which emphasize a biogenetic logic of kinship, the nuclear family, individual rights and citizenship. 

2. The gendered experiences of social belonging and mutual dependencies related to wo men and men's caring work in informal kinship networks. We will explore the tendency within public bodies to render invisible the social relations constituting this kind of caring work. 

3. People's access to knowledge through their informal transnationa l networks which help them to manage their marginal situation. We will investigate the mechanisms of social marginalization by looking at the restricted access people have to specialized knowledge about the conditions of governance which influence and fra me their lives.

Informal Child Migration in Europe

Some of the environmental pollutants, due to the susceptibility to be transported by air- and ocean currents, reach pristine and remote areas far away from the actual site of use or release. The potential of substances to degrade in relevant environmental  media, either through biodegradation by microorganisms or chemical transformation is of utmost importance for the fate of organic chemicals, and especially for more hydrophilic chemicals such as many pesticides and PPCPs (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Car e Products). Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs), mathematical methods relating intrinsic molecular descriptors to empirically derived toxicological endpoints or other physical properties, has a growing attention for national and interna tional authorities (EU commission) for the regulation, evaluation and risk assessment of chemicals. Based on the promising experience with the implementation of such QSAR approach with the use of linear solvation-energy relationship (LSER) methods in mult imedia fate models, more accurate descriptions to environmental phase partitioning and thus estimates of environmental fate, overall persistence and long-range atmospheric transport can be obtained. Based on this promising experience, we aim to evaluate t he potential of using similar set of LSER descriptors (such as molecular volume, polarisability and hydrogen bond abilities) as used to describe environmental phase partitioning, for environmental degradation of pollutants. The targeted research proposed herein with the prediction of environmental half-lives should be of great value for the risk assessment of chemicals under relevant environmental conditions. A natural continuation of this methodology, as part of our strategy, will be to utilise a uniform  set of descriptors to describe various properties (included bioaccumulation and effects) of pollutants in multimedia fate models and exposure models for living organisms and humans.

FORURENS: Predicting environmental properties of organic contaminants of emerging concern- QSAR approach with the use of LSER descriptors

Recent research from the applicant and colleagues has shown that adult human hematopoietic stem cells, derived from bone marrow biopsies, can be stimulated to differentiate into nerve cells by placing them into the injured spinal cord of a chicken embryo.   The injured embryonic spinal cord regenerates, and during this regeneration molecular signals clearly are being produced that stimulate the differentiation of the human cells into nerve cells.  This shows that stem cells from a patient?s own bone marrow  can potentially be used to create nerve cells that could be used to treat brain disease or injury in that patient.

This project aims at identifying the molecular signals in the chicken embryo that stimulate this differentiation into nerve cells. Once th ey are identified, the project aims to use them to create a stimulatory environment in a petri dish (in vitro), so that nerve cells can be made from human stem cells directly, without placing them into a chicken embryo.  

This research is important becau se it may lead to stem cell therapies for brain disease and injury that do not require the use of embryonic stem cells.  Bone marrow stem cells are already being used world wide to treat immunological and blood diseases such as leukemia.  It is a very wel l characterized and easily handled source of stem cells.  Obtaining a standard nethod for producing nerve cells from a patient?s own bone marrow would therefore eliminate many technical and ethical problems associated with using embryonic stem cells or ot her sources of stem cells.

Molecular characterization of embryonic microenvironment that stimulates adult human hematopoietic stem cells to differentiate into neurons

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are a subgroup of organic contaminants. POP substances often have 3 characteristics in common (i) one or more cyclical ring structures of either aromatic or aliphatic nature, (ii) a lack of polar functional groups, and  (iii) a variable amount of halogen substitutions, usually chlorine. Typically, POPs are long-lived in the environment (persistent), lipophilic (bio-accumulative), occur to a significant extent in both the gas phase and condensed states (semi-volatile), a nd are toxic. 

To date, two entirely different modelling approaches (multimedia fate models and atmospheric transport models) have been developed and tested to understand and predict the long-range atmospheric transport behaviour of POPs.  This project w ill combine the best of both worlds by implementing processes normally treated in multimedia fate models into the atmospheric transport model FLEXPART. FLEXPART is a widely used Lagrangian particle dispersion model that has been developed by one of the ap plicants but has not yet been used for POP modelling.

After implementing POP processes into FLEXPART, the model shall be run in a receptor-oriented mode backward in time for a large number of POP samples taken at Norwegian and Canadian measurement statio ns. The model performance will then be evaluated against the measurement data. In order to validate the success of the pure transport part of the simulation, measurements of other pollutants such as carbon monoxide (which is known to be affected mainly by  transport) will be considered as well. The remaining differences between the measurement data and the model can then be attributed mainly to errors in the treatment of POP-relevant processes (e.g., re-volatilization, deposition, chemical degradation). Th is will yield new insights into the processes determining the atmospheric transport of POPs. Finally, in order to improve POP emission estimates, the model will be used for inverse modeling of POP emissions

FORURENS: FLEXPOP: Further development of a Lagrangian particle dispersion model (FLEXPART) to evaluate the atmospheric fate and distribut..

Water quality in lakes, streams and rivers in districts with considerable agricultural activity, is largely classified as poor to very poor, due to large inputs of nutrients, in particular phosphorus. The negative development in water quality in spite of considerable abatement erosion strategies to reduce P runoff show that it is necessary also to reduce the P sources, i.e. the level of plant available P in the soil. High PAL level may also influence the lake sediment properties to adsorb and release P an d may therefore both directly and indirectly influence on the water eutrophication processes. P is a limited resource world wide. A better utilization of P in the soil and an optimisation of applied P in agriculture are needed both with regard to agricult ure and the environment. 
The focus in the project is:
· To study the effect of high PAL levels in soil on water soluble P and on the equilibrium P concentration in particle effected water, and how it effects lake sediment sorption chemistry and the poten tial for biological growth in water. In that respect information on plant available P in soil is used to evaluate both risk of eutrophication and the need for fertilization. 
· To calibrate the Norwegian P Index for implementation into the environmental a nd fertilization plans on farm field level as a new strategy to reduce the agricultural P load to water. 
· Evaluation of the fertilization norms and improving the calculation for P in the fertilization programs by use of field experiment results to obtai n a more balanced use of fertilizers to minimize the risk of eutrophication. 


FORURENS: Critical level of P in soil and sediments related to risk of eutrophication, and optimising supply and utilization of P in agricul

Extremely high proportions of hybrids between Atlantic salmon and brown trout have recently been detected in rivers Vefsna and Driva. Both rivers have been infected by the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris since the 1970s, causing a dramatic decline in juveni le salmon densities. Reasons for the remarkable hybridisation rates are probably the dramatically reduced wild salmon stocks and a high frequency of non-native salmon. Increased hybridisation may cause vulnerable populations to become even less viable, an d this needs to be modelled in a stock-recruitment context for both Atlantic salmon and brown trout. On top of this ecological effect, high numbers of hybrids may increase the likelihood of rare events such as back-crosses to one or other parental species  and  introgression of genes from one species to the other. We have already identified triploid backcrosses in both rivers, and detailed genetic analyses are needed to investigate whether diploid backcrosses are formed. Ongoing investigations in both rive rs supply material for studying host-parasite dynamics and some laboratory support for identifying first-generation hybrids. This current proposal suggests to increase the molecular investigations to be able to answer questions related to 1) the occurrenc e of hybridisation beyond the first generation, and 2) the population of origin of the parental fish engaged in hybridisation. Results from the molecular studies will be used to model population viability in the absence/presence of introgression, using me thods developed by a current RCN project.

VANN: Hybridisation between Atlantic salmon and brown trout in Gyrodactylus-infected rivers: consequences for population viability

The marine phase is assumed to have the major influence on variations in population abundances of Atlantic salmon. However, compared to the freshwater phase, knowledge of marine life-history is scare and completely lacking for most populations. In recent years, important information regarding marine migrations of a few southern populations has been obtained. However, little or no comparative information exists from northern populations, but they are hypothesized to have different migration behaviour both within fjords and utilizing different areas in the open ocean. Owing to the importance of the initial life-history stage of post-smolts at sea, and the lack of information regarding ocean migrations of northern salmon populations, the focus of this projec t is to estimate early survival and migration behaviour of wild post-smolt in (i) a typical southern and (ii) northern fjord system with different morphological and oceanographic characters, and (iii) the long term open ocean migrations of adult northern salmon. We will use advanced telemetry methods within the fjords, and a new tool for analyzing combined information from data logger tags with high resolution sea surface data (SST) for estimating migration routes in the open ocean. This approach will gen erate new and basic knowledge important for future management of salmon populations, and contribute to a better understanding of the oscillations in returning rates of adult salmon on different geographical scales. The study will include a PhD project and  cooperation with several national and international research institutes as well as generating synergetic effects by mutual use of data and equipment from other projects.

VANN: Mapping short and long term migration pattern of North Norwegian Atlantic salmon at sea

The aim of the present research project is to structurally and functionally characterize the basis of protein carbohydrate recognition, with the long-term goal of engineering the carbohydrate specificity of carbohydrate binding proteins. This research fie ld is central to many cellular processes (e.g. cell-cell interaction, cellular signaling and differentiation, immune response) that are at the core of important diseases. Understanding the roles of carbohydrates in these processes and how they interact wi th proteins is expected to have a large impact on the development of new treatments against many human diseases. The proposed project currently focuses on the structure/function analysis of three systems 
- soluble lectins, mucins and adhesins.

The propo sed project involves close collaboration between structurally and medically oriented research groups. Many of these collaborations developed due to my central involvement in the Swedish SSF sponsored program "Glycoconjugates in biological systems" (GLIBS) . Also included are new collaborations to glycobiology groups at the University of Oslo. Structural characterization (by X-ray crystallography, molecular modeling and possibly by NMR), protein engineering and carbohydrate binding studies shall be pursued hand in hand with functional characterization in order to probe protein-carbohydrate interactions.

I have recently accepted an associate professorship at the University of Oslo. This proposal seeks funding for my main research activities and will therefo re be of crucial importance for establishing protein crystallography in Oslo. It will further be of high relevance for the nationally prioritized FUGE program: With two high-profile protein crystallography laboratories in Norway, one focusing on medically  important targets (Oslo) and one targeting marine pathogens and fish (Tromsø), the chances are significantly enhanced that FUGE can achieve its ambitious goals.

Structural Glycobiology

Riktig utnyttelse av trevirke krever at man har tilstrekkelig informasjon om råstoffets egenskaper. Nærinfrarød (NIR)-spektroskopi er en rask målemetode som har fått økt anvendelse til kvantifisering av ulike egenskaper til biologiske materialer. I dette prosjektet vil vi benytte NIR spektroskopi til utvikling av modeller for prediksjon av virkesegensegenskaper. Metoden kan ha sin anvendelse innen planteforedlingsarbeid og innen kvalitetsvurdering av trelastprodukter. 

I SNS prosjektet "Genetisk variasjo n och mätteknik för virkesegenskaper" blir det gjort målinger av densitet, mikrofibrillvinkel, E-modul etc. på gran ved hjelp av instrumentet SilviScan som benyttes til måling av flere ved- og fiberegenskaper. Siden egenskapene kan kvantifiseres på borprø ver fra trær, er det mulig å kartlegge egenskapene til stående skog. SilviScan er imidlertid et avansert instrument som det er kostbart å bruke. Det er derfor lite aktuelt for industriell anvendelse eller til bruk i planteforedling. Materialet i SNS-prosj ektet egner seg til å undersøke om det er mulig å kvantifisere disse egenskapene raskt og billig ved hjelp av NIR-spektroskopi. 

Skogforsk har vist at NIR spektroskopi er godt egnet til prediksjon av egenskaper til små treprøver. Modellene har en nøyakti ghet nær nøyaktigheten til referansemålingene. 

For å evaluere om NIR spektroskopi kan benyttes til bestemmelse av vedegenskaper i planteforedling vil det blitt tatt spektre av et større materiale fra et avkomforsøk i gran. Disse skal analyseres på Silvi Scan gjennom et annet prosjekt , og resultatene fra SilviScan  målingene stilles tilgjengelig for dette prosjektets formål.



Nær infrarød (NIR) spektroskopi til ved analyser

A criminological research project that by means of qualitative in-depth interviews, focus-group interviews and open observation in occupational arenas will study the meaning of and the discourse about certain forms of economic crime commited in the occupa tional and corporate context of the taxi-trade. The actors to be recruited for participating in this study are taxi-owners, taxi-drivers and representatives for controlling, enforcing and sanctioning authorities. The taxi-trade in Eastern Norway is for th e most part centred around self-employed taxi-owners or small companies employing one or a small number of drivers, based around a call centre that for a fee administers the matching of clients ordering taxi-rides to the available taxi cabs. There are sev eral reasons to study the disourses and corporate social responsibility found among the owners of small taxi-companies and their employees. The cumulative cost of investigated crimes in this sector is estimated to be in the region of 1.5 billion Norwegian  Crowns. In other words - economical crimes cost even if the actions are committed within the context of small companies. The Government´s focus is directed at developing preventive methods by working to increase levels of corporate social responsibility,  and this project´s point of departure is that prevention best can be carried through with the trade-actors and controlling institutions participation in the shapening of prevention and responsibility-enforcing means. Since there are several business sect ors in Norway that are largely comprisedof self-employed sole-traders and small companies, findings relating to the meaning of economic crime and the prevention of such crimes within the taxi trade may also be applied, with certain adjustments, to other a reas of the economy. A study of the taxi-trade will add to the existing knowledge about prevention based on co-operation between institutional and trading actors.

The meanings of economical crime in the taxi trade - means for prevention?

We propose here to extend a response model for brown trout populations in Norwegian lakes undergoing recovery from acidification, the FIB model ("Fisk I Bedring" = "Fish in Recovery"), as dynamic models for biological response are lacking, and there is an  urgent need for such models to evaluate when, where and to what extent biological recovery can be expected. This model, aimed to explain age structure in a fish population in response to variations in recruitment. The mathematical basis for the initial m odel is the "Fibonacci-numbers", using a defined value for the presence of a defined year-class. The first version is manual, and uses presence of at least one single specimen of a certain year class as score input in the model. We plan in this proposal t o extend and evaluate the FIB model using test-fishing and water chemistry data for lakes in Norway, and link FIB to MAGIC to provide a tool by which the recovery of fish populations can be predicted given changes in acid deposition. We will extend FIB to  a population dynamic model, where the demographic variables are under influence of ANC along with lake- and catchment characteristics. The model will be developed in close co-operation with the originators of MAGIC. The new model will be evaluated using catch- and water chemistry data from 42 lakes. A similar approach for analysing the dynamic interplay between ANC and fish abundance under environmental stochasticity has never, to our knowledge, previously been undertaken.

KIM-Kommunikasjon, IKT og medier

MULTIMO: Researching multimodal discourses

Tildelt: kr 1,00 mill.

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KIM-Kommunikasjon, IKT og medier

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