The challenge of transboundary coordination: The case of the Norwegian police and military

Under embargo until: 2022-02-13This article examines how the transboundary coordination capacity between the military and the police has changed since the terrorist attacks in Norway in 2011. We address changes in the arrangements that regulate how the police can ask for assistance from the military during a crisis and how the military and the police cooperate to implement the regulations designed to protect important public buildings and facilities. The processes and the outcome are analyzed from a hierarchical perspective, a negotiation perspective and an institutional perspective. A main finding is that there are many transboundary coordination challenges, which can mainly be explained from a negotiation and a cultural perspective. Both path dependencies and negotiations constrained the process and led to incremental changes.acceptedVersio

Nordic Administrative Collaboration: Scope, Predictors and Effects on Policy Design and Administrative Reform Measures

This article examines whether Nordic administrative collaboration is still 'alive and kicking,' or whether it has been marginalized by increased integration into Europe and strong international reform trajectories. We analyse the scope and intensity of Nordic administrative collaboration from a structural perspective based on the perceptions of civil servants in the Norwegian central government. We also address the implications of Nordic collaboration for policy design and reform measures. The main conclusion is that Nordic administrative collaboration can best be described as differentiated integration. The scope of Nordic administrative collaboration is rather broad, and its internal structural features vary significantly. Nordic collaboration is perceived to have more of an effect on policy design than on specific administrative reform means and measures. However, structural features also matter

Accountability and interorganizational collaboration within the state

This article discusses collaborative arrangements within the state and looks at their consequences for democratic accountability in networked governance involving public actors at different levels and in different policy areas. Applying an institutional perspective, it examines two such collaborations in Norway: work-related organized crime and vulnerable youths. It finds that horizontal collaborations incorporate local differentiation and expertise resulting in a ‘collaborative culture’ facilitating broader involvement and more deliberative processes. However, top-down mechanisms, organizational commitment, resource allocation, and monitoring are also important. The cases demonstrate a shift towards more informal, voluntary, and horizontal accountability existing in the shadow of hierarchy, constraining the collaborative arrangements’ effectiveness and making them more complex and multi-layered.publishedVersio

Effect of saliva contamination on the bond strength of single-step and three-step adhesive systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of saliva contamination on bond strength to dentin with an etch-and-rinse and a self-etch adhesive system. For each of these adhesive systems, the dentin surface of 24 human molars were allocated to one of four groups representing different saliva contamination scenarios. Saliva was applied at different stages in the bonding process, and was investigated to be remedied by water rinsing and/or air drying. Uncontaminated tooth surfaces were used as controls. Bonding procedures were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and a polymer-based composite was placed. The bond strength was measured by a micro-tensile test. Except for the etch-and-rinse approach having contamination with saliva after etching, followed by air drying, all salivary contamination regimens resulted in a substantial number of specimens not surviving the test, and the bond strength value of these was therefore set to 0 MPa for the purposes of the statistical analysis. Water rinsing after etching and salivary contamination did significantly reduce the bond strength. Contamination after priming showed the lowest bond strength. For the self-etch approach, saliva contamination before the adhesive procedure, followed by air drying, significantly reduced the bond strength, while contamination followed by water rinsing or air drying did not statistically significantly reduce the strength.publishedVersio

Coal phase-out pledges follow peak coal: evidence from 60 years of growth and decline in coal power capacity worldwide

Transitioning to net-zero carbon emissions requires phasing-out unabated coal power; however, recently it has only been declining in some countries, while it stagnated or even increased in others. Where and under what circumstances, has coal capacity reached its peak and begun to decline? We address this question with an empirical analysis of coal capacity in 56 countries, accounting for 99% of coal generation in the world. The peaks in national coal power have been equally spread per decade since 1970. The peaks are more likely to occur in country-years with high levels of electoral democracy, higher GDP per capita, slower electricity demand growth, and with low levels of political corruption. Normally, peaking coal power preceded rather than followed political coal phase-out pledges, often with long time lags. We conclude that though the cost of coal alternatives are declining and concerns over climate change increasing, coal power does not automatically peak even in situations with low demand growth, aging power plants and high import dependence. A quick and decisive destabilization of coal regimes requires, in addition, having sufficient economic capacities and strong democratic governance.publishedVersio

Dental Students’ Experiences during the COVID‐19 Pandemic — A Cross‐Sectional Study from Norway

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to map dental students’ experience of the study situation throughout the pandemic. All clinical dental students (year 3 to 5) at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Dentistry (IKO), University of Bergen (UiB), Norway, were invited. Participation was anonymous and voluntary, and the response rate was 63%. Questions regarding stress-related factors were divided into three categories. In the category «Stressors/learning», a statistically significant difference was observed between both the genders (p = 0.001) and years of study (p = 0.028). Statistically significant differences between the genders were also observed in the category «Stressors/infection» (p = 0.008). Women were significantly more stressed due to lack of clinical skills (p = 0.048), not receiving as good theoretical teaching as before the pandemic (p = 0.016), and uncertain issues around the exams (p = 0.000). Fourth year students were significantly more stressed due to lack of clinical skills (p = 0.012), for not passing the clinic/skills courses due to lack of study progression (p = 0.005), and worries about not being a good enough dentist after graduation (p = 0.002). In conclusion, the pandemic had a major impact on dental students. The most prominent stressors in relation to the study situation were experienced by students from the fourth year and female students. Clinical and theoretical learning outcomes among students were regarded as worse than before the pandemic. The students preferred in presence lectures, but experienced digital asynchronous video lectures as a good alternative. The pandemic negatively affected the students’ social life. Dental schools should be aware that students have been exposed to increased distress and burden through the pandemic and should provide support for those in need.publishedVersio

Pino Palladino: Ein bassist – ulike versjonar

Masteroppgave rytmisk musikk MUR502 - Universitetet i Agder 2018Konfidensiell til / confidential until 01.07.202