Development Co-operation Report 2014: Mobilising Resources for Sustainable Development

The Millennium Development Goals come of age in 2015, yet many development challenges remain and others are emerging. The post-2015 goals currently being discussed by the international community under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly will integrate social, environmental and economic concerns into a single set of Sustainable Development Goals. This Development Co-operation Report (the second in a trilogy on the post-2015 goals) asks what can be done to mobilise the resources needed to finance the achievement of these goals

Solar activity and Svalbard temperatures

The long temperature series at Svalbard (Longyearbyen) show large variations, and a positive trend since its start in 1912. During this period solar activity has increased, as indicated by shorter solar cycles. The temperature at Svalbard is negatively correlated with the length of the solar cycle. The strongest negative correlation is found with lags 10-12 years. The relations between the length of a solar cycle and the mean temperature in the following cycle, is used to model Svalbard annual mean temperature, and seasonal temperature variations. Residuals from the annual and winter models show no autocorrelations on the 5 per cent level, which indicates that no additional parameters are needed to explain the temperature variations with 95 per cent significance. These models show that 60 per cent of the annual and winter temperature variations are explained by solar activity. For the spring, summer and fall temperatures autocorrelations in the residuals exists, and additional variables may contribute to the variations. These models can be applied as forecasting models. We predict an annual mean temperature decrease for Svalbard of 3.5\pm2 oC from solar cycle 23 to solar cycle 24 (2009-20) and a decrease in the winter temperature of \approx6 oC.Comment: 14 pages, including 5 figure

Climate, Conflict and Capital: Critical Issues for the MDGs and Beyond 2015

As 2015 approaches we need to take stock of how we have delivered on the MDGs. This article argues critical issues for accelerating progress on the MDGs and thinking beyond 2015, on climate, conflict and capital. Each is discussed in turn as to why it matters and what needs to be done

How dynamic capabilities have helped firms seize digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 and its impact on digital transformation is a subject of great interest among many industries. This thesis aim to investigate how firms have utilized dynamic capabilities to seize digital transformation during COVID-19. Thus, this study raises two main questions, (1) how and which dynamic capabilities has been utilized, (2) and how digital transformation is seized through these capabilities. There is also discussions and analysis of the impact and ramifications caused by COVID-19. We have utilized an explorative qualitative research method to investigate these questions further. The research method is done through five semi-structured interviews with five saving banks in Norway. In order to categorize and address the questions used in our interviews we have utilized a framework of dynamic capabilities in which we have sorted the different information in three different categories. Findings indicate that the banking firms themselves somewhat have negated most of the negative effects of COVID-19. Their already existing internal dynamic capabilities and digital work approach has helped them in this regard. However, their environment consisting of customers and other third-party actors has been affected in a much larger scale. In order to protect and help their customers the bank has given them more digital accessibility and freedom. During COVID-19 most interactions with third-party actors has been conducted on digital platforms. The findings suggests that this has made interactions and meetings much more efficient for all participants. There are however concerns of the long-term effects of the digital interactions. This is connected to relational and cultural values that could be negatively affected in the long-term. COVID-19 has had a reinforcing and accelerating effect on decision making, strategy planning and implementation processes. Throughout our methodical approach we have found that several internal and external factors has affected how the banks has utilized dynamic capabilities to seize digital transformation

One coast, two systems: Regional innovation systems and entrepreneurial discovery in Western Norway

This paper introduces an analytical framework for understanding how specialized and diversified regional innovation system (RIS) differ in the way an entrepreneurial discovery process (EDP) is likely to unfold. To analytically explore the proposed framework, we deploy a sequential explanatory design approach, using quantitative data to analyze the regional industry structure of the city regions of Bergen and Stavanger in Western Norway, followed by a qualitative analysis of interviews with key stakeholders in both regions. We find that the city regions face unique challenges that align with an understanding of their respective RIS categorization, providing evidence that the framework proposed serves as a useful guide in understanding the development of an EDP.publishedVersio

WSO/UV: World Space Observatory/Ultraviolet

We summarize the capabilities of the World Space Observatory (UV) Project (WSO/UV). An example of the importance of this project (with a planned launch date of 2007/8) for the study of Classical Novae is given.Comment: 4 pages, To appear in the proceeedings of the "Classical Nova Explosions" conference, eds. M. Hernanz and J. Jose, AI

Forekomsten av fjelljo Stercorarius longicaudus på Hardangervidda

Occurrence of Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus at HardangerviddaIn the Western Palearctic, the southernmost regular breeding area of Long-tailed Skuas is found at Hardangervidda mountain plateau, south Norway. Up to now, available information has indicated that the species only occurs in small numbers in this area (maximum four nests found in 1966). In 2001 and 2002 high abundances of small rodents were observed at Hardangervidda. We then found 12 and 9 nesting pairs of Long-tailed Skuas, respectively. In addition, one nest was found by other observers in both years, and several birds were observed in areas that we did not manage to cover, suggesting that at least 15 pairs may have bred in 2001. The whole area was not covered in 2002, but observations of clutch size and nest density indicated similar numbers of breeding pairs. Most breeding pairs were in both years concentrated within an area of about 20 km2. The density here was similar to what is reported from more central parts of the species range in Fennoscandia (mean neighbouring distance = 815 m, 0.83 pairs/km2; Fig. 2). No birds were observed at all in 2003, probably due to very low small rodent abundance, although the area was only visited once this summer. Compared with previous reports, our observations suggest that the Long-tailed Skua population has increased at Hardangervidda during the last few decades

A Blended Learning Course Design in Clinical Pharmacology for Post-graduate Dental Students

Postgraduate courses in clinical pharmacology are important for dentists to be updated on drug therapy and information related to their clinical practice, as well as knowledge of relevant adverse effects and interactions. A traditional approach with classroom delivery as the only method to teaching and learning has shortcomings regarding flexibility, individual learning preferences, and problem based learning (PBL) activities compared to online environments. This study examines a five week postgraduate course in clinical pharmacology with 15 hours of lectures and online learning activities, i.e. blended course design. Six postgraduate dental students participated and at the end of the course they were interviewed. Our findings emphasize that a blended learning course design can be successfully used in postgraduate dental education. Key matters for discussion were time flexibility and location convenience, change in teacher’s role, rein-forced learning strategies towards professional needs, scarcity in online communication, and proposed future utilization of e-learning components.publishedVersio