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Abstract The transitions between the statuses of pupil, student teacher and professional teacher remain some of the most fundamental challenges for student teachers. Teacher education programs emphasize that students should become equipped with competences to cope with change and adhere to career-long learning. In this study, we make use of inquiry-based learning (IBL) and qualitative data collected from student teachers at three different departments at a university in Norway to investigate how student teachers reflect on these transitions. The findings suggest the need to assist the students in engaging in a dialogue between theory and practice in relation to these transitions, and that IBL cannot be developed hermetically at the university without a close dialogue with the practice field.

Abstract Background Morning reports are an essential component of physicians’ daily work. Attending morning reports is prioritized by junior doctors as it provides them with an opportunity to learn diagnostic reasoning through discussion of cases. While teaching formats during morning reports have previously been reported, an in-depth analysis of what learning opportunities exist, e.g., how teaching is enacted during morning reports, is lacking. This qualitative study explores learning opportunities during morning reports. Methods We used an explorative design based on video-recordings of 23 morning reports from two surgical departments, an internal medicine department and an emergency department. We used thematic analysis combined with and inspired by Eraut’s theoretical framework of workplace learning. Results Both formal and informal learning opportunities were identified. Formal learning opportunities had the character of planned teaching activities, and we identified four themes: (1) modes of teaching, (2) structure, (3) presenter role, and (4) participant involvement. Informal learning, on the other hand, was often implicit and reactive, while deliberate learning opportunities were rare. The data showed many missed opportunities for learning. Conclusion Both formal and informal learning opportunities are present during morning reports. However, a prevalent focus on medical topics exists, leaving other important aspects of the medical role under-discussed. Pedagogical methods could be employed more optimally, and harnessing the potential of missed opportunities should be encouraged.

Aim: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a major health problem, and the overall survival rate is low (4.6%–16.4%). The initiation of the current chain of survival depends on the presence of a witness of the cardiac arrest, which is not present in 29.7%–63.4% of the cases. Furthermore, a delay in starting this chain is common in witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This project aims to reduce morbidity and mortality due to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by developing a smartwatch-based solution to expedite the chain of survival in the case of (un)witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods: Within the ‘Beating Cardiac Arrest’ project, we aim to develop a demonstrator product that detects out-of-hospital cardiac arrest using photoplethysmography and accelerometer analysis, and autonomously alerts emergency medical services. A target group study will be performed to determine who benefits the most from this product. Furthermore, several clinical studies will be conducted to capture or simulate data on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases, as to develop detection algorithms and validate their diagnostic performance. For this, the product will be worn by patients at high risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, by volunteers who will temporarily interrupt blood flow in their arm by inflating a blood pressure cuff, and by patients who undergo cardiac electrophysiologic and implantable cardioverter defibrillator testing procedures. Moreover, studies on psychosocial and ethical acceptability will be conducted, consisting of surveys, focus groups, and interviews. These studies will focus on end-user preferences and needs, to ensure that important individual and societal values are respected in the design process.

Background: The rapid delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr) is important for cardiac repolarization and is most often involved in drug-induced arrhythmias. However, accurately measuring this current can be challenging in human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes because of its small current density. Interestingly, the ion channel conducting IKr, hERG channel, is not only permeable to K+ ions but also to Cs+ ions when present in equimolar concentrations inside and outside of the cell.Methods: In this study, IhERG was measured from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-hERG cells and hiPSC-CM using either Cs+ or K+ as the charge carrier. Equimolar Cs+ has been used in the literature in manual patch-clamp experiments, and here, we apply this approach using automated patch-clamp systems. Four different (pre)clinical drugs were tested to compare their effects on Cs+- and K+-based currents.Results: Using equimolar Cs+ solutions gave rise to approximately ten-fold larger hERG conductances. Comparison of Cs+- and K+-mediated currents upon application of dofetilide, desipramine, moxifloxacin, or LUF7244 revealed many similarities in inhibition or activation properties of the drugs studied. Using equimolar Cs+ solutions gave rise to approximately ten-fold larger hERG conductances. In hiPSC-CM, the Cs+-based conductance is larger compared to the known K+-based conductance, and the Cs+ hERG conductance can be inhibited similarly to the K+-based conductance.Conclusion: Using equimolar Cs+ instead of K+ for IhERG measurements in an automated patch-clamp system gives rise to a new method by which, for example, quick scans can be performed on effects of drugs on hERG currents. This application is specifically relevant when such experiments are performed using cells which express small IKr current densities in combination with small membrane capacitances.

Climate services (CS) are generally recognized as potentially effective tools to communicate climate-related risks to the general public, end-users and other stakeholders. However, empirical evidence indicates that there often is a gap in understanding between the producers of the CS and those that are meant to use them. It is therefore crucial to place the stakeholders in the centre of the process of CS-production to identify their actual needs. Facilitating iterative and collaborative processes that allow stakeholders to provide feedback bridges the process-content gap. This leads to an improvement of each step in the production of CS, and ultimately, helps building engaged communities.One way of minimising the gap between providers and users of CS, is to incorporate evaluations in the co-production process. Our paper presents the evaluation of the co-production of CS at two case study sites, Larvik, Norway and Flensburg, Germany. The study illustrates how the stakeholders are involved in the development of the CS and specifically the use of questionnaires for evaluating the CS as well as the co-production process of developing these CS in the case study sites.These results indicate that the Living Lab workshops, and the active use of questionnaires followed by evaluation, facilitates a more iterative process of developing CS by better involving stakeholders within the co-production of CS. Adequately addressing stakeholder needs and the usability of CS are also essential within the CS co-production process as these aspects give an indication to the uptake of CS to support climate adaptation planning outcomes and longer-term longevity that support climate adaptation policy and ultimately societal impacts.

Na+,K+-ATPase actively extrudes three cytoplasmic Na+ ions in exchange for two extracellular K+ ions for each ATP hydrolyzed. The atomic structure with bound Na+ identifies three Na+ sites, named I, II, and III. It has been proposed that site III is the first to be occupied and site II last, when Na+ binds from the cytoplasmic side. It is usually assumed that the occupation of all three Na+ sites is obligatory for the activation of phosphoryl transfer from ATP. To obtain more insight into the individual roles of the ion-binding sites, we have analyzed a series of seven mutants with substitution of the critical ion-binding residue Ser777, which is a shared ligand between Na+ sites I and III. Surprisingly, mutants with large and bulky substituents expected to prevent or profoundly disturb Na+ access to sites I and III retain the ability to form a phosphoenzyme from ATP, even with increased apparent Na+ affinity. This indicates that Na+ binding solely at site II is sufficient to promote phosphorylation. These mutations appear to lock the membrane sector into an E1-like configuration, allowing Na+ but not K+ to bind at site II, while the cytoplasmic sector undergoes conformational changes uncoupled from the membrane sector.

Plain English summary In more and more projects, researchers and young people are working together in partnership; but there is little guidance about how to organize this partnership. In this paper, we share what partnerships in six projects from Canada, Netherlands, and United Kingdom looked like, so that others can be inspired. To do so, a researcher and a young partner from each project were asked to together: (1) describe their project, (2) summarize the practical details about the collaboration and (3) think about things that went well or could be improved. We found that all projects had the same beliefs important to partnerships, like having respect for each other. Young people could work on parts of the project they liked in a way that worked for them. They were supported by staff, could join meetings and were appreciated for their work. Clear communication during and in-between meetings was helpful. Youth were often asked about the role they wanted in the project. While there was often no formal training on how to do research, there were many opportunities to learn. We offer six recommendations to researchers and young people who want to partner together: (1) It is okay to not know what the partnership will look like and there is no single recipe of how to partner; (2) Take your time; (3) Discuss how the partnership is going; (4) Think about who is doing what and why; (5) Consider the diversity of young partners. We hope others will share their experiences.

Abstract Background Communication skills learned in the classroom do not transfer easily into clinical practice because they are not reinforced by teachers in the workplace setting and because lack of faculty training restricts the transfer of communication skills in real patient encounters. Trained university-based communication skills teachers often work simultaneously as doctors in clinics. This study explored if and how the skills of these teachers play a role in communication skills training in the clinical workplace. Methods We used an exploratory sequential design: a mixed method approach that combined a survey with communication skills teachers, and qualitative individual interviews with these teachers and their educational leaders in clinical departments. The questionnaire was analysed using descriptive statistics. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. Results The response rate was 34 %. A majority (93 %) used their communication skills when communicating with patients and relatives. Less than half taught communication in clinical departments. Approximately half of the respondents stated that encouragement from their leaders or colleagues would inspire them to use their teaching skills in the workplace. However, only 20 % had told their leaders about their competencies in teaching communication. One third thought that they needed further teacher training to teach in the clinical workplace. Qualitative analysis showed that teaching opportunities existed but mainly consisted of random, one-off sessions that came about through the initiative of the communication skills teachers themselves. The teachers described several barriers, such as the challenge of teaching colleagues, as communication relates to identity and hierarchical structures, as well as a lack of requests from colleagues or management, and department culture prioritizing topics relating to medical expertise. None of the educational leaders made use of the teachers’ specific communication skills in a structured way: some saw it as unimportant, while others saw it as a potential resource. Conclusion Transfer of the teaching skills of communication skills teachers trained for university-based clinical communication training happened, but to a limited degree. Although both opportunities and barriers for transferring communication skills existed, barriers seemed to dominate, and opportunities for communication skills training in the workplace setting were not used to their full potential.

Story maps offer the possibility to visualise scientific information and climate data in an accessible format and, as web-based tools, reach a large audience. However, the use of story maps in the context of climate services has not yet been widely explored or implemented. In this study we present a story map for communicating the potential impacts of flooding due to sea-level rise for the city of Flensburg, situated at the German Baltic Sea coast. The map is developed in the form of a web-based tool and includes background information on sea-level rise and coastal flooding as well as on coastal adaptation measures; interactive maps with information on city landmarks; and maps of future flooding scenarios based on numerical modelling. To increase the usability of the climate service we have applied a co-production approach and collaborated with the general public to identify user needs in an iterative process. Our study highlights the user needs for detailed visualisation of potential flooding due to sea-level rise as well as for further information on adaptation measures. As a climate service, our story map serves as a starting point for raising awareness among the general public and for initiating action for adaptation to reduce vulnerability to coastal flooding in Flensburg.

Abstract Background Preterm infants are especially vulnerable to pain. The intensive treatment often necessary for their survival unfortunately includes many painful interventions and procedures. Untreated pain can lead to both short- and long-term negative effects. The challenge of accurately detecting pain has been cited as a major reason for lack of pain management in these non-verbal patients. The Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) is one of the most extensively validated measures for assessing procedural pain in premature infants. A revised version, PIPP-R, was recently published and is reported to be more user-friendly and precise than the original version. The aims of the study were to develop translated versions of the PIPP-R in Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish languages, and to establish their content validity through a cultural adaptation process using cognitive interviews. Methods PIPP-R was translated using the recommendations from the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research and enhanced with cognitive interviews. The respondent nurse was given a copy of the translated, national version of the measure and used this together with a text describing the infant in the film to assess the pain of an infant in a short film. During the assessment the nurse was asked to verbalize her thought process (thinking aloud) and upon completion the interviewer administered probing questions (verbal probing) from a structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a structured matrix approach. Results The systematic approach resulted in translated and culturally adapted versions of PIPP-R in the Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish languages. During the cultural adaptation process several problems were discovered regarding how the respondent understood and utilized the measure. The problems were either measure problems or other problems. Measure problems were solved by a change in the translated versions of the measure, while for other problems different solutions such as education or training were suggested. Conclusions This study have resulted in translations of the PIPP-R that have content validity, high degree of clinical utility and displayed beginning equivalence with each other and the original version of the measure.

This article analyzes how two development traits in the regulatory requirements for Working Environment (WE) activities – an expansion of scope and a decentralization of responsibility – are understood and handled over time by actors responsible for WE activities in Norwegian hospitals. The expanded scope of WE activities is studied based on the requirements outlined in The Working Environment Act, public health science theory, and the WE challenges in hospitals. The decentralized responsibility for WE activities is studied based on Internal Control (IC) reform and other hospital reforms inspired by New Public Management (NPM). The final section of the article discusses the effects of the two development traits, and how these enlarge the line manager’s area of responsibility. The article is based on a qualitative, longitudinal study conducted in three Norwegian hospitals in 1998-1999 and 2013.

Few studies highlight the content of early childhood teacher education (ECTE) and examine the quality of knowledge acquired by future early childhood teachers. The current study concerns two questions. The first explores the goals of the national curricula in Danish and Norwegian ECTE concerning children’s language learning and early literacy. The second explores how satisfied Danish and Norwegian student teachers are with their own subjective learning outcomes related to the same themes. To answer the first question, data were collected through document analysis of the two countries’ national curricula. To answer the second question, data were collected through a survey handed out to student teachers in both countries at the end of their education. The survey contained questions about factual, procedural, and meta-knowledge areas. The survey participants comprised 199 Norwegian student teachers from three University Colleges and 90 Danish student teachers from three separate campuses at one University College. This study reveals that the Norwegian student teachers evaluated their subjective learning outcomes in the fields of language learning and early literacy more highly than Danish student teachers. Our research points to the fact that, compared to the Norwegian ECTE, the breadth of subjects in the Danish ECTE bachelor program tends to give lower subjective learning outcomes in these knowledge areas.

Supervising texts with a bachelor thesis as its outcome, has been prioritized in the Norwegian Early Childhood Teacher Education. The focus has been on recruiting enough supervisors, and on qualifying supervisors. There has not been a similar focus on the bachelor texts as such, and on questions concerning what kind of function these texts should have in professional education. From a Bakhtinian dialogic perspective we value variation and change in student subjectivity as a fruitful, rather than a problematic means of enhancing quality. The current study has two main research questions: (1) what typologies of subjectivity can be identified in student’s bachelor texts, and (2) what typologies of subjectivity are given priority and how these priorities respond to the possibility of change. Concerning the first question, students’ legitimations have been identified as typologies of uncomplicated and complex subjectivity. As for the second question we observed that individual voices in bachelor students’ texts were not given equal status compared with more powerful generic voices that represent sameness. The latter voices are interpreted as articulated intentions in the national curriculum for the Early Childhood Education and Care, and in local curricula. An important insight from this study is that changes in subjectivity is tightly connected to sameness for all bachelor students and educational cannons. Student subjectivity seems to be fixed and finished and in status of adjustment to universal claims. Such insight generates new questions concerning the space for students’ lived experience, emotions and creativity in higher education.

Thermal ablation and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) are techniques to eradicate colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). This study compares the safety, efficacy and long-term oncological outcomes of these treatment methods. All prospectively registered patients (AmCORE registry) treated with thermal ablation or SABR alone for unresectable CRLM between 2007 and 2020 were analyzed using multivariate Cox-proportional hazard regression. In total 199 patients were included for analysis: 144 (400 CRLM) thermal ablation; 55 (69 CRLM) SABR. SABR patients were characterized by older age (p = 0.006), extrahepatic disease at diagnosis (p = 0.004) and larger tumors (p < 0.001). Thermal ablation patients were more likely to have synchronous disease, higher clinical risk scores (p = 0.030) and higher numbers of CRLMs treated (p < 0.001). Mortality was zero and morbidity low in both groups: no serious adverse events were recorded following SABR (n = 0/55) and nine (n = 9/144 [6.3%]; all CTCAE grade 3) after thermal ablation. SABR was associated with an inferior overall survival (OS) (median OS 53.0 months vs. 27.4 months; HR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.12–1.49; p = 0.003), local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) per-tumor (HR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.01–1.52; p = 0.044) and local control per-patient (HR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.20–2.04; p = 0.001) and per-tumor (HR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.44–2.49; p < 0.001). In this study thermal ablation was superior to SABR with regard to OS, LTPFS and local control, albeit at the cost of a limited risk of serious adverse events. Further studies are required to assess whether the worse outcomes following SABR were the effect of true differences in ablative treatment or a result of residual confounding.

Background Psychological factors are associated with an increased risk of developing ischemic heart disease (IHD). Women more often report psychological factors, and sex and gender differences are present in IHD. In this meta‐analysis we examine the risks of psychological factors for IHD incidence in women and men. We hypothesize that a broad range of psychological factors are related to a higher risk for incident IHD, with a higher risk for women. Methods and Results PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched for studies assessing the risk between psychological factors and incident IHD. Psychological factors included depression, anxiety or panic disorder, social support, hostility, anger, personality (type D), type A behavior pattern, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychological distress. In the primary analyses, 62 studies (77 separate reports) that included 2 145 679 women and 3 119 879 men and reported confounder‐adjusted hazard ratios or relative risks were included. Pooled effect confounder‐adjusted estimates from random‐effects models showed that psychological factors (all combined) were associated with incident IHD in women (hazard ratio: 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14–1.30) and men (hazard ratio: 1.25; 95% CI, 1.19–1.31). No sex and gender differences were found for these pooled effect estimates (P=0.547). Conclusions Psychological factors are associated with incident IHD in both women and men, but no significant differences were observed between women and men. IHD is predominantly being studied as obstructive coronary artery disease, which is more prevalent in men. Data are needed on psychological predictors and other manifestations of IHD such as coronary microvascular disease, which is more common in women.

The intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein (aSN) is, in its fibrillated state, the main component of Lewy bodies—hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. Additional Lewy body components include glycosaminoglycans, including heparan sulfate proteoglycans. In humans, heparan sulfate has, in an age-dependent manner, shown increased levels of sulfation. Heparin, a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan, is a relevant mimic for mature heparan sulfate and has been shown to influence aSN fibrillation. Here, we decompose the underlying properties of the interaction between heparin and aSN and the effect of heparin on fibrillation. Via the isolation of the first 61 residues of aSN, which lacked intrinsic fibrillation propensity, fibrillation could be induced by heparin, and access to the initial steps in fibrillation was possible. Here, structural changes with shifts from disorder via type I β-turns to β-sheets were revealed, correlating with an increase in the aSN1–61/heparin molar ratio. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that heparin and aSN1–61 co-exist in the final fibrils. We conclude that heparin can induce the fibrillation of aSN1–61, through binding to the N-terminal with an affinity that is higher in the truncated form of aSN. It does so by specifically modulating the structure of aSN via the formation of type I β-turn structures likely critical for triggering aSN fibrillation.

The guidelines for metastatic colorectal cancer crudely state that the best local treatment should be selected from a ‘toolbox’ of techniques according to patient- and treatment-related factors. We created an interdisciplinary, consensus-based algorithm with specific resectability and ablatability criteria for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). To pursue consensus, members of the multidisciplinary COLLISION and COLDFIRE trial expert panel employed the RAND appropriateness method (RAM). Statements regarding patient, disease, tumor and treatment characteristics were categorized as appropriate, equipoise or inappropriate. Patients with ECOG≤2, ASA≤3 and Charlson comorbidity index ≤8 should be considered fit for curative-intent local therapy. When easily resectable and/or ablatable (stage IVa), (neo)adjuvant systemic therapy is not indicated. When requiring major hepatectomy (stage IVb), neo-adjuvant systemic therapy is appropriate for early metachronous disease and to reduce procedural risk. To downstage patients (stage IVc), downsizing induction systemic therapy and/or future remnant augmentation is advised. Disease can only be deemed permanently unsuitable for local therapy if downstaging failed (stage IVd). Liver resection remains the gold standard. Thermal ablation is reserved for unresectable CRLM, deep-seated resectable CRLM and can be considered when patients are in poor health. Irreversible electroporation and stereotactic body radiotherapy can be considered for unresectable perihilar and perivascular CRLM 0-5cm. This consensus document provides per-patient and per-tumor resectability and ablatability criteria for the treatment of CRLM. These criteria are intended to aid tumor board discussions, improve consistency when designing prospective trials and advance intersociety communications. Areas where consensus is lacking warrant future comparative studies.

Intensjonen med denne artikkelen er å analysere og diskutere hvordan eksamensformer og oppgavetekster i den nye barnehagelærerutdanningen bidrar til en integrert, profesjonsrettet og forskningsbasert utdanning. Eksamensoppgavetekster gitt ved ni norske høgskoler og universiteter, blir analysert ut fra profesjonsteori og teorier om forskningsbasert utdannelse. Analysene viser at oppgavetekstenes form og innhold fra over halvparten av institusjonene som er undersøkt, ikke skiller seg nevneverdig fra tidligere oppgaver. Vi stiller spørsmål ved om disse oppgavetypene og -tekstene oppfyller kravet om at barnehagelærerutdanningen skal være en integrert, profesjonsrettet og forskningsbasert utdanning. The purpose of this article is to analyze and discuss whether exam types and texts in the new Early Childhood Teacher Education contribute to an integrated, professional and research-based education. Examination papers given by nine Norwegian colleges and universities are analyzed within the framework of theory on vocational education and theory on research-based education. The analyzes show that in more than half of the institutions investigated, the content and form of the examination papers do not differ significantly from previous assignments. We question whether these exam types and texts fulfill the demand of the Early Childhood Teacher Education to be both integrated, professionally oriented and based on research-based knowledge.

De siste tiårs forskning, samfunnsdebatt og politikkutforming knyttet til skolesektoren har vært preget av diskusjoner om hva det egentlig innebærer å være en kompetent lærer, og hvordan de to læringsarenaene i lærerutdanningene – teoriarenaen og praksisarenaen – best kan utfylle hverandre for å utdanne kompetente lærere. I denne artikkelen presenterer vi resultatene fra en undersøkelse blant grunnskolelærerstudenter på én utdanningsinstitusjons grunnskolelærerutdanning for 1.–7. trinn. I undersøkelsen har vi rettet blikket mot studentenes opplevelser av lærerrollen og av sammenhengen mellom teoriarenaen og praksisarenaen. Dette har vi gjort i tilknytning til ett spesifikt undervisningsfag i lærerutdanningen – norskfaget. Gjennom en spørreskjemaundersøkelse og gruppeintervjuer har vi bedt studentene svare på hvordan de mener at norskfaglig kompetanse bidrar til at de kan fylle lærerrollen på en god måte, og hvordan de opplever sammenhengen mellom undervisning i norskfaget ved lærerutdanningsinstitusjonen og praksiserfaringer fra norskfaget i skolen. Målsettingen med artikkelen er å bidra til diskusjonen om hvordan man best mulig kan legge til rette for en god lærerutdanning, hvor studenter og lærerutdannere (på både praksisarenaen og teoriarenaen) opplever gjensidig toleranse og felles forståelse for kompleksiteten som ligger i denne profesjonsutdanningen, og der de anerkjenner de to læringsarenaenes likeverdighet. Hovedfunnene er at lærerstudentene ikke uten videre klarer å omsette kunnskap mellom de to læringsarenaene, at de i stor grad ser relasjonskompetanse som viktigere enn fagkompetanse, at disse to kompetanseområdene er uavhengige av hverandre og at praksisarenaen er viktigere enn teoriarenaen som grunnlag for å tre inn i lærerrollen. Nøkkelord: lærerutdanning, lærerstudent, lærerkompetanse, lærerrolle, fagkunnskap, læringsarenaer, norskfaget Abstract During the last few decades, research, public debate and policymaking related to the school sector, have been characterized by discussions concerning what being a competent teacher involves. Another issue has been how the two learning arenas in teacher education – the theory arena and the practice arena – can best complement each other to educate competent teachers. In this article we present and discuss results from an investigation conducted among teacher students in teacher education 1-7 at one particular educational institution. We have focused on getting across the students´ experiences and understanding of what the teacher role comprises, and how they see the connections between the two learning arenas as campus training and practice training in partner schools in the school subject Norwegian. This is done using a survey and group interviews. Our goal has been to contribute to the ongoing discussion about how to develop a teacher education in which teacher students and teacher educators (in both learning arenas) share an understanding of mutual tolerance and respect. Another has been to develop a common understanding of the complexity of teacher education, and thereby recognizing the equivalence of the students` two learning arenas. Our main findings are that the respondents are not automatically able to transfer knowledge between the two arenas. Consider relational competence more important than subject competence, that these two competence areas are seen as independent of each other, and that the practice arena is considered as more important than the theory arena for developing the role of the teacher. Key words: teacher education, student teacher, teacher competence, teacher role, subject knowledge, learning arenas, the subject Norwegian

IgG subclass-specific differences in biological function and in vitro stability are often referred to variations in the conformational flexibility, while this flexibility has rarely been characterized. Here, small-angle X-ray scattering data from IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 antibodies, which were designed with identical variable regions, were thoroughly analysed by the ensemble optimization method. The extended analysis of the optimized ensembles through shape clustering reveals distinct subclass-specific conformational preferences, which provide new insights for understanding the variations in physical/chemical stability and biological function of therapeutic antibodies. Importantly, the way that specific differences in the linker region correlate with the solution structure of intact antibodies is revealed, thereby visualizing future potential for the rational design of antibodies with designated physicochemical properties and tailored effector functions. In addition, this advanced computational approach is applicable to other flexible multi-domain systems and extends the potential for investigating flexibility in solutions of macromolecules by small-angle X-ray scattering.

The biological solution small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS) field has undergone tremendous development over recent decades. This means that increasingly complex biological questions can be addressed by the method. An intricate synergy between advances in hardware and software development, data collection and evaluation strategies and implementations that readily allow integration with complementary techniques result in significant results and a rapidly growing user community with ever increasing ambitions. Here, a review of these developments, by including a selection of novel BioSAXS methodologies and recent results, is given.

This study aims to examine what conceptions preschool teacher educators in Norway have about the subject fields of children’s language learning and early literacy. To investigate what the teacher educators in these two subject fields hold as important, we have interviewed twelve teacher educators having a master or PHD degree, six from the subject of Norwegian and six from the subject of Pedagogy. The research question is: What conceptions do teacher educators have about teaching in the subject fields of children’s language learning and early literacy in preschool teacher education? The results show that the teacher educators had quite different perspectives on what to teach future preschool teachers in the subject fields of children’s language learning and early literacy. The teacher educators in Norwegian talked of early literacy as a field of great importance, but gave equal status to children’s literature, and said that they used more time to teach literature than to teach children’ language learning and early literacy. The teacher educators in Pedagogy said they thought of children’s language learning as having less importance than play. They all claim that the teacher students do not have solid educational knowledge when they graduate from the Preschool Teacher Education.

Glutaminase C is a key metabolic enzyme, which is unregulated in many cancer systems and believed to play a central role in the Warburg effect, whereby cancer cells undergo changes to an altered metabolic profile. A long-standing hypothesis links enzymatic activity to the protein oligomeric state, hence the study of the solution behavior in general and the oligomer state in particular of glutaminase C is important for the understanding of the mechanism of protein activation and inhibition. In this report, this is extensively investigated in correlation to enzyme concentration or phosphate level, using a high-throughput microfluidic-mixing chip for the SAXS data collection, and we confirm that the oligomeric state correlates with activity. The in-depth solution behavior analysis further reveals the structural behavior of flexible regions of the protein in the dimeric, tetrameric and octameric state and investigates the C-terminal influence on the enzyme solution behavior. Our data enable SAXS-based rigid body modeling of the full-length tetramer states, thereby presenting the first ever experimentally derived structural model of mitochondrial glutaminase C including the N- and C-termini of the enzyme.

Understanding the early events during amyloid aggregation processes is crucial to single out the involved molecular mechanisms and for designing ad hoc strategies to prevent and reverse amyloidogenic disorders. Here, we show that, in conditions in which the protein is positively charged and its conformational flexibility is enhanced, Concanavalin A leads to fibril formation via a non-conventional aggregation pathway. Using a combination of light scattering, circular dichroism, small angle X-ray scattering, intrinsic (Tryptophan) and extrinsic (ANS) fluorescence and confocal and 2-photon fluorescence microscopy we characterize the aggregation process as a function of the temperature. We highlight a multi-step pathway with the formation of an on-pathway long-lived intermediate and a subsequent coagulation of such "crinkled" precursors into amyloid-like fibrils. The process results in a temperature-dependent aggregation-coagulation pathway, with the late phase of coagulation determined by the interplay between hydrophobic and electrostatic forces. Our data provide evidence for the complex aggregation pathway for a protein with a highly flexible native conformation. We demonstrate the possibility to generate a long-lived intermediate whose proportion and occurrence are easily tunable by experimental parameters (i.e. temperature). As a consequence, in the case of aggregation processes developing through well-defined energy barriers, our results can open the way to new strategies to induce more stable in vitro on-pathway intermediate species through a minute change in the initial conformational flexibility of the protein. This will allow isolating and experimentally studying such transient species, often indicated as relevant in neurodegenerative diseases, both in terms of structural and cytotoxic properties.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. One of the key players in the development of the disease is the protein α-synuclein (aSN), which aggregates in the brain of PD patients. The aSN mutant A30P has been reported to cause early-onset familial PD and shows different aggregation behavior compared to wt aSN. Here we use a multidisciplinary approach to compare the aggregation process of wt and A30P aSN. In agreement with previous studies, we observe an initial lag phase followed by a continuous structural development of fibrils until reaching an apparent monomer-aggregate equilibrium state and a plateau in Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence intensity. However, at later timepoints A30P shows greater propensity than αSN wt to form dense bundled fibril networks. Combining small angle x-ray scattering, x-ray fibre diffraction and linear dichroism, we demonstrate that while the microscopic structure of the individual fibril essentially remains constant throughout the experiment, the formation of dense A30P fibril networks occur through a continuous assembly pathway while the formation of less dense wt fibril networks with fewer contact points follows a continuous path during the elongation phase and a second rearrangement phase after reaching the ThT fluorescence plateau. Our work thus highlights that structural rearrangements proceed beyond the plateau in ThT-based monitoring of the fibrillation process, and the density and morphology of the resulting fibril networks is highly dependent on the aSN form studied.

Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase maintains electrochemical gradients of Na⁺ and K⁺ essential for a variety of cellular functions including neuronal activity. The α-subunit of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase exists in four different isoforms (α1-α4) encoded by different genes. With a view to future use of pig as an animal model in studies of human diseases caused by Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase mutations, we have determined the porcine coding sequences of the α1-α3 genes, ATP1A1, ATP1A2, and ATP1A3, their chromosomal localization, and expression patterns. Our ATP1A1 sequence accords with the sequences from several species at five positions where the amino acid residue of the previously published porcine ATP1A1 sequence differs. These corrections include replacement of glutamine 841 with arginine. Analysis of the functional consequences of substitution of the arginine revealed its importance for Na⁺ binding, which can be explained by interaction of the arginine with the C-terminus, stabilizing one of the Na⁺ sites. Quantitative real-time PCR expression analyses of porcine ATP1A1, ATP1A2, and ATP1A3 mRNA showed that all three transcripts are expressed in the embryonic brain as early as 60 days of gestation. Expression of α3 is confined to neuronal tissue. Generally, the expression patterns of ATP1A1, ATP1A2, and ATP1A3 transcripts were found similar to their human counterparts, except for lack of α3 expression in porcine heart. These expression patterns were confirmed at the protein level. We also report the sequence of the porcine ATP1A3 promoter, which was found to be closely homologous to its human counterpart. The function and specificity of the porcine ATP1A3 promoter was analyzed in transgenic zebrafish, demonstrating that it is active and drives expression in embryonic brain and spinal cord. The results of the present study provide a sound basis for employing the ATP1A3 promoter in attempts to generate transgenic porcine models of neurological diseases caused by ATP1A3 mutations.

Title: Issues of Educational Policy and Educational Activities in Norwegian kindergartens Abstract: In recent decades the Norwegian kindergartens have become an important social institution where both its content and aims have been part of the public debate. The aim of this article is to put the spotlight on educational activities in Norwegian kindergartens and discuss these issues in the light of increased political focus. What kind of educational activities do kindergarten teachers (pedagogical leaders) and kindergarten assistants emphasize in everyday work with children? Are we heading towards a more “schoolish” content in Norwegian kindergartens? What consequences have kindergarten teachers and kindergartens assistants professional background for educational activities in Norwegian kindergartens? Results from a national survey (MAFAL) to kindergarten teachers and kindergartens assistants will be presented and discussed.

BACKGROUND: The oncogenesis of ovarian cancer is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify mRNAs differentially expressed between moderately and poorly differentiated (MD/PD) serous ovarian carcinomas (SC), serous ovarian borderline tumours (SBOT) and superficial scrapings from normal ovaries (SNO), and to correlate these mRNAs with clinical parameters including survival. METHODS: Differences in mRNA expression between MD/PD SC, SBOT and SNO were analyzed by global gene expression profiling (n = 23), validated by RT-qPCR (n = 41) and correlated with clinical parameters. RESULTS: Thirty mRNAs differentially expressed between MD/PD SC, SBOT and SNO were selected from the global gene expression analyses, and 21 were verified (p

BACKGROUND:Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) constitutes more than 90% of ovarian cancers and is associated with high mortality. EOC comprises a heterogeneous group of tumours, and the causes and molecular pathology are essentially unknown. Improved insight into the molecular characteristics of the different subgroups of EOC is urgently needed, and should eventually lead to earlier diagnosis as well as more individualized and effective treatments. Previously, we reported a limited number of mRNAs strongly upregulated in human osteosarcomas and other malignancies, and six were selected to be tested for a possible association with three subgroups of ovarian carcinomas and clinical parameters. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:The six selected mRNAs were quantified by RT-qPCR in biopsies from eleven poorly differentiated serous carcinomas (PDSC, stage III-IV), twelve moderately differentiated serous carcinomas (MDSC, stage III-IV) and eight clear cell carcinomas (CCC, stage I-IV) of the ovary. Superficial scrapings from six normal ovaries (SNO), as well as biopsies from three normal ovaries (BNO) and three benign ovarian cysts (BBOC) were analyzed for comparison. The gene expression level was related to the histological and clinical parameters of human ovarian carcinoma samples. One of the mRNAs, DNA polymerase delta 2 small subunit (POLD2), was increased in average 2.5- to almost 20-fold in MDSC and PDSC, respectively, paralleling the degree of dedifferentiation and concordant with a poor prognosis. Except for POLD2, the serous carcinomas showed a similar transcription profile, being clearly different from CCC. Another mRNA, Killer-specific secretory protein of 37 kDa (KSP37) showed six- to eight-fold higher levels in CCC stage I compared with the more advanced staged carcinomas, and correlated positively with an improved clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:We have identified two biomarkers which are markedly upregulated in two subgroups of ovarian carcinomas and are also associated with stage and outcome. The results suggest that POLD2 and KSP37 might be potential prognostic biomarkers.

Although amyloid fibrillation is generally believed to be a nucleation-dependent process, the nuclei are largely structurally uncharacterized. This is in part due to the inherent experimental challenge associated with structural descriptions of individual components in a dynamic multi-component equilibrium. There are indications that oligomeric aggregated precursors of fibrillation, and not mature fibrils, are the main cause of cytotoxicity in amyloid disease. This further emphasizes the importance of characterizing early fibrillation events. Here we present a kinetic x-ray solution scattering study of insulin fibrillation, revealing three major components: insulin monomers, mature fibrils, and an oligomeric species. Low-resolution three-dimensional structures are determined for the fibril repeating unit and for the oligomer, the latter being a helical unit composed of five to six insulin monomers. This helical oligomer is likely to be a structural nucleus, which accumulates above the supercritical concentration used in our experiments. The growth rate of the fibrils is proportional to the amount of the helical oligomer present in solution, suggesting that these oligomers elongate the fibrils. Hence, the structural nucleus and elongating unit in insulin amyloid fibrillation may be the same structural component above supercritical concentrations. A novel elongation pathway of insulin amyloid fibrils is proposed, based on the shape and size of the fibrillation precursor. The distinct helical oligomer described in this study defines a conceptually new basis of structure-based drug design against amyloid diseases.

Editorial. Comments on the discussion of the role of gender in higher education in the December 2001 issue of the periodical 'NORA.' Strategy for the expansion of the reader base; Examination of the topic from a professional perspective.

Purpose: Presently, no markers exist to predict metachronous metastasis at the time a primary colorectal cancer is diagnosed. While aneuploidy indicates poor survival prognosis and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels the presence of recurrent disease, the predictive value of both markers regarding imminent metachronous metastases is unclear., Methods: Sixty patients with distant recurrence throughout a 5-year follow-up (TM+) were randomly chosen and 60 patients without metastasis matched to this cohort (TM-). In addition, an enlarged collective (n = 217; n TM+ = 85, n TM- = 132) with median follow-up of 79.2 months was assessed by logistic regression regarding metachronous metastases. Univariate and stepwise regression analyses included clinicopathological characteristics, preoperative CEA levels and aneuploidy assessed by DNA image cytometry., Results: The matched-pair collective showed aneuploidy in 71.1 % (TM-) and 85.0 % (TM+; p = 0.076), and elevated CEA in 24.5 % (TM-) and 52.2 % [TM+; odds ratio (OR), 3.414; p = 0.007]. The enlarged collective presented aneuploidy in 71.2 % (TM-) and 83.5 % (TM+; OR 2.050, p = 0.038), and elevated CEA in 28.6 % (TM-) and 48.9 % (TM+; OR 2.391, p = 0.020). Elevated CEA and aneuploidy did not show any association (p = 0.919). In contrast, logistic regression analyses demonstrated that besides increased T category (OR 1.745, p = 0.019), both elevated CEA level (OR 2.633, p = 0.015) and aneuploidy (OR 1.929, p = 0.058) were independent predictive markers for metachronous metastasis., Conclusions: Our data show that aneuploidy and elevated CEA levels besides increased T category could serve for individual risk assessment to predict metachronous metastases. The fact that still aneuploidy missed the significance level by a small margin emphasizes the need for larger validation studies.