RESEARCH ON THE NORWEGIAN CONSUMPTION FUNCTION: Consumer Confidence

Masteroppgave(MSc) in Master of Science in Business, Finance - Handelshøyskolen BI, 2023This paper examines the link between consumer confidence and consumption expenditures in Norway. We first tested the predictive ability of consumer confidence in a linear regression with macroeconomic fundamentals as controls. The model shows how confidence brings additional information to explain consumption growth beyond fundamentals. Inclusion of consumer confidence for the EU in the model reveals a possible confidence channel from the EU to Norway. The relationship between the Norwegian consumer confidence and Norwegian fundamentals is investigated further through vector autoregressions (VAR). Impulse response functions reveal an increased consumption response to confidence shocks in times of uncertainty. Consumers seem to maintain a long memory of the impact of confidence during these uncertain times relative to regular times. We also discovered the increasing importance of confidence shock during the last three decades. Our findings suggest that consumer confidence should be included when assessing consumption growth

Bibelundervisning for ungdom : dokumentanalyse av det tilrettelagte konfirmantopplegget Se, smak og kjenn! og dens bruk av artefakter inn i bibelundervisningen

I denne masteravhandlingen tar jeg for meg en todelt problemstilling der jeg prøver å finne ut av hvordan artefakter tas i bruk i undervisningen i det tilrettelagte konfirmantopplegget Se, smak og kjenn! som er utviklet i 2006 av prest Rune Rasmussen: 1. Hvordan brukes artefakter i bibelundervisningen i opplegget «Se, smak og kjenn!» og hvilken funksjon har disse? 2. Hvordan kan vi ta i bruk artefakter slik at ungdommer, uavhengig av funksjonsevne, vil bruke Bibelen og bibelhistoriene mer konkret i egne liv? Den første delen av analysen vil se på hvordan artefaktene brukes i bibelundervisningen, mens den andre delen av analysen ser på hvordan vi som undervisere kan ta i bruk artefakter som en inspirasjon inn i videre arbeid med bibelundervisning. Ved å overføre deler av opplegget kan vi muligens klare å gjøre Bibelen mer relevant for ungdom nå i dag. Analysen bruker Lev Vygotskijs sosiokulturelle læringsteori om artefakter og Aleksei Leontievs kulturhistoriske aktivitetsteori for å vise til hvordan vi i lærer gjennom deltakelse i fellesskap og gjennom å ta i bruk redskaper. Rasmussen har laget et opplegg som bruker egne bibelkort med bilder for å gjøre bibelhistoriene levende. Opplegget er tiltenkt konfirmanter med nedsatt funksjonsevne. Da jeg ble kjent med opplegget på et kurs i starten av året var førsteinntrykket mitt at dette var noe jeg som bibelunderviser hadde savnet, både som frivillig og som ansatt i kirken. Bibelen står ikke like høyt i kurs hos verken barn, unge eller voksne i disse dager og pandemien har lært meg at jeg må tenke nytt når det kommer til undervisning. Bibelkortene brukes som artefakt, og denne måten å formidle Bibelen på har en overføringsverdi i arbeid med barn og unge. Det må bare brukes i riktig setting og format. Ideen bak kortene kan absolutt videreutvikles til å kunne brukes for barn og unge, uavhengig av funksjonsevne i dag. Dersom vi tar med oss ideen av bibelbildekortene inn i noe som er litt mer digitalt kan dette være med på å gjøre bibelhistoriene mer levende for dagens ungdom, og kanskje også mer livsnære. Et av hovedfunnene i prosessen med denne avhandlingen er at opplegget Se, smak og kjenn! er mer predikantpreget og enn teologisk forankret. Fokuset i formidlingen ligger på å fortelle om Jesus, og ikke nødvendigvis å lese historien som den står skrevet i Bibelen

Foreword

The postsynaptic density protein-95/disks large/zonula occludens-1 (PDZ) protein domain family is one of the most common proteinprotein interaction modules in mammalian cells, with paralogs present in several hundred human proteins. PDZ domains are found in most cell types, but neuronal proteins, for example, are particularly rich in these domains. The general function of PDZ domains is to bring proteins together within the appropriate cellular compartment, thereby facilitating scaffolding, signaling, and trafficking events. The many functions of PDZ domains under normal physiological as well as pathological conditions have been reviewed recently. In this review, we focus on the molecular details of how PDZ domains bind their protein ligands and their potential as drug targets in this context

Design of Potent Inhibitors of Human RAD51 Recombinase Based on BRC Motifs of BRCA2 Protein: Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Chimera Peptide

We have previously shown that a 28-amino acid peptide derived from the BRC4 motif of BRCA2 tumor suppressor inhibits selectively human RAD51 recombinase (HsRad51). With the aim of designing better inhibitors for cancer treatment, we combined an in silico docking approach with in vitro biochemical testing to construct a highly efficient chimera peptide from eight existing human BRC motifs. We built a molecular model of all BRC motifs complexed with HsRad51 based on the crystal structure of the BRC4 motif-HsRad51 complex, computed the interaction energy of each residue in each BRC motif, and selected the best amino acid residue at each binding position. This analysis enabled us to propose four amino acid substitutions in the BRC4 motif. Three of these increased the inhibitory effect in vitro, and this effect was found to be additive. We thus obtained a peptide that is about 10 times more efficient in inhibiting HsRad51-ssDNA complex formation than the original peptide

Regnskapsanalyse av TINE SA med fokus på lønnsomhet

I denne oppgaven har vi foretatt en regnskapsanalyse av Norges ledende meieribedrift TINE SA. Vi starter med å gi en introduksjon av bedriften, valg av problemstilling, presentere relevant teori og drøfter metoden vi har brukt. Videre tar analysen opp aspekter ved TINE som påvirker lønnsomheten til selskapet, samt en undersøkelse av makroomgivelsene som var til stede under den avgrenset tidsperioden. Analyseverktøyet PESTEL er blitt brukt for dette formålet. I analysen har vi fokusert på lønnsomheten til TINE i perioden 2017-2019. Denne blir presentert i kapittel fire og er delt inn i to deler; en regnskapsanalyse av sentrale nøkkeltall og en strategisk analyse av de interne og eksterne faktorene som kan påvirke selskapet. Det fremkommer av analysen at både likviditet, soliditet, finansiering og lønnsomhet har hatt en negativ utviklingstrend. Nedgangen i nøkkeltallene kan skyldes flere årsaker som er diskutert og utdypet i den strategiske analysen. Her er det spesielt noen spesifikke faktorer som peker seg ut for hvorfor nøkkeltallene har hatt en nedgang; en økt andel av befolkningen som velger å kjøpe veganske produkter, økning i kostnader, investeringer som ikke ennå er blitt lønnsomme og klimaendringer i løpet av perioden. Avslutningsvis konkluderer vi med at den økonomiske utviklingen til TINE SA har hatt en negativ utviklingstrend. Til tross for denne trenden er lønnsomhet til TINE fremdeles regnet som stabil. Dette mye grunnet deres gode soliditet og finansiering, som gjør de i stand til å håndtere perioder med lavere resultat enn ønsket.In this thesis we have focused on the profitability to one of Norway’s leading diary producing groups. We start with an introduction of the company, questions to address, present relevant theory and discuss the method we have used. The thesis addresses the most relevant key figures to comment on the profitability of TINE, as well as an examination of the environments from a macro perspective. We used a framework, called PESTEL, for this part. In the analysis we have focused on the profitability of TINE in the time period 2017-2019. It will be presented in chapter four in two separate parts; an analysis of key figures and a strategic analysis of the internal and external factors that can affect the company. The result of the analysis is that the liquidity, solvency, financing and profitability has a negative trend of development. The cause of this negative trend is discussed and elaborated on in the strategic analysis. In the analysis we found some specific reasons why the key figures have declined; an increasing proportion of the population chooses vegan products, costs have increased, new investments have not yet become profitable and there have been climate changes during the period. To conclude; the economic development of TINE has been negative. Despite this, TINE could still be considered to have stable finances. Due to their great solidity and financing, TINE is able to withstand periods of lower income

The Src Homology 3 Domain Is Required for Junctional Adhesion Molecule Binding to the Third PDZ Domain of the Scaffolding Protein ZO-1

Tight junctions are cell-cell contacts that regulate the paracellular flux of solutes and prevent pathogen entry across cell layers. The assembly and permeability of this barrier are dependent on the zonula occludens (ZO) membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins ZO-1, -2, and -3. MAGUK proteins are characterized by a core motif of protein-binding domains that include a PDZ domain, a Src homology 3 (SH3) domain, and a region of homology to guanylate kinase (GUK); the structure of this core motif has never been determined for any MAGUK. To better understand how ZO proteins organize the assembly of protein complexes we have crystallized the entire PDZ3-SH3-GUK core motif of ZO-1. We have also crystallized this core motif in complex with the cytoplasmic tail of the ZO-1 PDZ3 ligand, junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) to determine how the activity of different domains is coordinated. Our study shows a new feature for PDZ class II ligand binding that implicates the two highly conserved Phe−2 and Ser−3 residues of JAM. Our x-ray structures and NMR experiments also show for the first time a role for adjacent domains in the binding of ligands to PDZ domains in the MAGUK proteins family

Success factors for interventions to reduce low-value imaging. Six crucial lessons learned from a practical case study in Norway

Background: Substantial overuse of health care services is identified and intensified efforts are incited to reduce low-value services in general and in imaging in particular. Objective: To report crucial success factors for developing and implementing interventions to reduce specific low-value imaging examinations based on a case study in Norway. Materials and methods: Mixed methods design including one systematic review, one scoping review, implementation science, qualitative interviews, content analysis of stakeholders’ input, and stakeholder deliberations. Results: The description and analysis of an intervention to reduce low-value imaging in Norway identifies six general success factors: 1) Acknowledging complexity: advanced knowledge synthesis, competence of the context, and broad and strong stakeholder involvement is crucial to manage de-implementation complexity. 2) Clear consensus-based criteria for selecting low-value imaging procedures are key. 3) Having a clear target group is critical. 4) Stakeholder engagement is essential to ascertain intervention relevance and compliance. 5) Active and well-motivated intervention collaborators is imperative. 6) Paying close attention to the mechanisms of low-value imaging and the barriers to reduce it is decisive. Conclusion: Reducing low-value imaging is crucial to increase the quality, safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the health services. Reducing low-value imaging is a complex task and paying attention to specific practical success factors is key.publishedVersio

Structural Basis of a Key Factor Regulating the Affinity between the Zonula Occludens First PDZ Domain and Claudins

The molecular seal between epithelial cells, called the tight junction (TJ), is built by several membrane proteins, with claudins playing the most prominent role. The scaffold proteins of the zonula occludens family are required for the correct localization of claudins and hence formation of the TJ. The intracellular C terminus of claudins binds to the N-terminal PDZ domain of zonula occludens proteins (PDZ1). Of the 23 identified human claudin proteins, nine possess a tyrosine at the −6 position. Here we show that the claudin affinity for PDZ1 is dependent on the presence or absence of this tyrosine and that the affinity is reduced if the tyrosine is modified by phosphorylation. The PDZ1 β2-β3 loop undergoes a significant conformational change to accommodate this tyrosine. Cell culture experiments support a regulatory role for this tyrosine. Plasticity has been recognized as a critical property of TJs that allow cell remodeling and migration. Our work provides a molecular framework for how TJ plasticity may be regulated

Structure-activity relationship of the peptide binding-motif mediating the BRCA2:RAD51 protein-protein interaction

RAD51 is a recombinase involved in the homologous recombination of double-strand breaks in DNA. RAD51 forms oligomers by binding to another molecule of RAD51 via an 'FxxA' motif, and the same recognition sequence is similarly utilised to bind BRCA2. We have tabulated the effects of mutation of this sequence, across a variety of experimental methods and from relevant mutations observed in the clinic. We use mutants of a tetrapeptide sequence to probe the binding interaction, using both isothermal titration calorimetry and X-ray crystallography. Where possible, comparison between our tetrapeptide mutational study and the previously reported mutations is made, discrepancies are discussed and the importance of secondary structure in interpreting alanine scanning and mutational data of this nature is considered.We would like to thank Protein and Nucleic Acid Service at the Department of Biochemistry for peptide synthesis and the X-ray crystallographic and Biophysics facilities for access and support. We thank Diamond Light Source (beamline I02, I03 and I04 proposal MX315), Swiss Light Source (beamline pxIII) and European Synchrotron Radiation Source (beamline ID14.4) for access to and support at beamlines that contributed to the results presented here. This work was funded by a Translational Award from the Wellcome Trust (080083/Z/06/Z)

DIDS, a chemical compound that inhibits RAD51-mediated homologous pairing and strand exchange

RAD51, an essential eukaryotic DNA recombinase, promotes homologous pairing and strand exchange during homologous recombination and the recombinational repair of double strand breaks. Mutations that up- or down-regulate RAD51 gene expression have been identified in several tumors, suggesting that inappropriate expression of the RAD51 activity may cause tumorigenesis. To identify chemical compounds that affect the RAD51 activity, in the present study, we performed the RAD51-mediated strand exchange assay in the presence of 185 chemical compounds. We found that 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) efficiently inhibited the RAD51-mediated strand exchange. DIDS also inhibited the RAD51-mediated homologous pairing in the absence of RPA. A surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that DIDS directly binds to RAD51. A gel mobility shift assay showed that DIDS significantly inhibited the DNA-binding activity of RAD51. Therefore, DIDS may bind near the DNA binding site(s) of RAD51 and compete with DNA for RAD51 binding