Influence of combined emulsifier on physical characteristics of fat filling

The influence of mixture of two separate emulsifiers and a new generation of emulsifier 2 in 1, which nowadays has a tendency to replace these two, on the rheological and textural properties and sensory quality of fat filling was investigated. Emulsifiers were added in concentrations of 0.3, 0.45 and 0.75%, and calculated on the total mass of raw materials. The addition of emulsifiers in concentrations of 0.3 and 0.45% had a significant influence on the textural and rheological parameters of fat filling. These results showed that is not necessary to add a maximum amount of an emulsifier in order to achieve optimal spreadibility and hardness, which is certainly justified from an economic point of view. The addition of emulsifier 2 in 1 caused starchy taste and migration of fat to the surface of fat filling. The sample with 0.45%, which was a combination of two emulsifiers, had the best sensory quality and spreadability characteristics

Prophylactic Antimicrobial Therapy in Children with Hydronephrosis

Objective: The goal of this literature review was to examine the efficacy of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in children with hydronephrosis. Methods: Research articles from 2005-2011 were reviewed to identify primary studies on children with documented hydronephrosis. A total of 20 articles met these criteria, however only 10 of these articles were used in this review, focusing specifically on studies, which examined the need for treatment with prophylactic antimicrobial therapy for children with hydronephrosis, or looked at antibiotic resistance patterns in children receiving prophylactic treatment for hydronephrosis. Results: The literature review revealed conflicting data about the efficacy of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in preventing infection in children with hydronephrosis. A majority of the studies found that the risk for antibiotic resistance outweighed potential kidney damage and concluded that children with hydronephrosis should be placed on prophylactic antibiotic therapy. However, others concluded that the potential for antibiotic resistance places the child at a higher risk due to the inability to combat infections with the appropriate antibiotics. Conclusion: Current literature supports the concern about the impact of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in children but yet, there is not enough evidence-based research to change the current treatment method used for children with hydronephrosis. Recommendations point to the best treatment for children with hydronephrosis should be to manage each case individually based on the severity of the renal impairment. The various grades of hydronephrosis and the underlying condition should be treated as separate conditions because ultimately they have a different outcome

Antenatal and postnatal ultrasound in the evaluation of the risk of vesicoureteral reflux

Antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH) is a frequent anomaly detected on fetal ultrasound scans. There is no consensus recommendation for the postnatal follow-up and/or the necessity to perform a voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). We conducted a cohort/non-randomized trial of 121 patients with ANH, defined as an anterior posterior diameter (APD) ≥5mm after the 20th week of gestation, to evaluate the ability of the antenatal and postnatal ultrasonography results to predict VUR. All infants had two successive ultrasounds at 5days and 1month, respectively, after birth. A VCUG was performed at 6weeks in children with a persistent APD ≥5mm and/or an ureteral dilatation observed on at least one of two postnatal ultrasounds. In total, 88 patients had VCUG and nine had VUR, with five having high-grade reflux (>grade II). The risk of VUR increased significantly with the degree of APD detected on the postnatal ultrasound scan (p = 0.03). The odds ratios were 5.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5-51.2] for APD = 7-9mm and 9.1 (95% CI 1.0-80.9) for APD ≥10mm. The results of this study show that among our patient cohort antenatal ultrasound was not predictive of reflux. There was, however, a relation between the importance of the postnatal renal pelvis diameter and the risk of VUR. A cut-off of 7mm showed a fair ability of ultrasonography to predict VUR and a cut-off of 10mm enabled all severe refluxes in the 88 patients who had a VCUG to be diagnose

Vesicoureteral reflux and bladder dysfunction

The relationship between vesicoureteral reflux and bladder dysfunction is inseparable and has long been emphasized. However, the primary concern of all physicians treating patients with vesicoureteral reflux is the prevention of renal scarring and eventual deterioration of renal function. Bladder dysfunction, urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux are the three important factors which are closely related to each other and contribute to the formation of renal scar. Especially, there is ongoing discussion regarding the role of bladder dysfunction in the prognosis of both medically and surgically treated vesicoureteral reflux. The effect of bladder dysfunction on VUR is mostly via inadequate sphincter relaxation during infancy which is closer to immature bladder dyscoordination rather than true dysfunction. But after toilet training, functional obstruction caused by voluntary sphincter constriction during voiding is responsible through elevation in bladder pressure, thus distorting the architecture of bladder and ureterovesical junction. Reports suggest that voiding phase abnormalities in lower urinary tract dysfunction contributes to lower spontaneous resolution rate of VUR. However, filling phase abnormalities such as involuntary detrusor contraction can also cause VUR even in the absence of dysfunctional voiding. With regards to the effect of bladder dysfunction on treatment, meta-analysis reveals that the cure rate of VUR following endoscopic treatment is less in children with bladder bowel dysfunction but there is no difference for open surgery.ope

Strategisk marknadsföring av produkter av rapsolja

The background to this study is to find alternative ways of size rationalization. My vision is to take the basic conditions and make the best and most profitable of them. I have chosen press of rape oil because it's interesting and the investment to get started is relative small. The opportunity to use outmoded and unrational buildings which often are found at many farms to something that gives money instead of costs money is also an argument. The press of rape oil can also be a way to increase the turnover or to increase employment in the company. The pressing can also be an alternative to increase the worth of the rape that the company produces. The purpose is to give support for decisions about products and markets for rape oil in different shapes. I have also evaluated the properties of the rape oil and made a review of fats and how those influence us, something that is interesting because it can be used as argument to sell. The fact that rape oil contents 6 % less of saturated fat than olive oil and considerable more omega 3 is also something to use as sell argument. I have also looked at products which can be made of rape oil and how the economy turns out for those. Those products are oil for consumption, and to animal feed, RME, chainsaw oil, oil for concrete shapes, oil for cleaning in asphalt construction and the reminder product, rapeseed cookie for animal feed. The conclusion is that a lot of products are possible to produce profitability.Bakgrunden till mitt arbete är att finna alternativa vägar till att storleksrationalisera och istället utifrån de förutsättningar man har och göra det lönsammaste av dem. Mitt val har fallit på pressning av rapsolja, för att produkten är intressant och investeringen till att börja göra det är relativt liten. Även möjligheten till att kunna utnyttja orationella och omoderna lokaler som ofta finns på gårdar till något inkomstbringande istället för något kostnadskrävande har varit ett argument. Pressningen är sådeles ett alternativ för att öka värdet på rapsen som produceras i företaget. Syftet är att ge underlag för beslut om produkter och marknad för rapsolja i olika former. Jag har också utvärderat rapsoljans egenskaper och gjort en genomgång av fetter och hur dessa påverkar oss, något som är intressant då detta kan användas som försäljningsargument. Det faktum att rapsolja innehåller 6 % mindre mättat fett än olivolja och avsevärt mycket mera Omega 3 är något som definitivt är att ta fasta på. Jag har även gjort en genom genomgång av vilka produkter som oljan kan vidareförädlas till och hur ekonomin ser ut för dessa. Produkterna i fråga har varit olja för konsumtion, till foder, RME, sågkedjeolja, dammbindning av grusvägar, formsläppolja, olja för rengöring i asfaltanläggningar samt biprodukten, presskaka till kor. Slutsatsen är att det är möjligt att med god ekonomi producera en mängd produkter baserade på rapsolja

Teamwork training using patient simulation

Teamwork is an important factor in safe healthcare. Simulation based team training (SBTT) is a method to gain the non-technical skills important for proficient teamwork. This thesis evaluated SBTT using different modalities and evaluation levels, looking at whole teams of either medical students or full professionals. In study I 15 medical students participated in a target-focused scenario-based teamwork practice during a one-day course. Their team behaviour skills were video-recorded and their attitudes towards safe teamwork assessed in this observational cohort study. Team behaviour skills showed improvement after five scenarios in a full-scale patient simulator environment, while no change in attitudes toward safe teamwork were detected. In study II 54 medical students participated in three video-recorded scenarios (n=36). Clinical performance improved in one variable; the frequency of sum-ups. Changes in individual experiences could be detected early during SBTT; self-efficacy improved after training. Individual teamwork behaviours did not change after this half-day course. Participants communicated to a greater extent and experienced higher mental strain and concentration in the role of leader than in the role of follower. Study III investigated whether training with high-fidelity simulators (HFS) could increase trainees’ experience of realism in task performance and facilitate the trainers’ task, resulting in different behaviour and individual experiences than training with low-fidelity models (LFM). A case control study was conducted with 34 teams using either a LFM (n=17) or a HFS (n=17). Professionals involved in paediatric emergencies performed one video-recorded emergency scenario in situ in an authentic emergency room. The trainees’ time to deliver oxygen was significantly longer (p=0.014) when using a HFS, which was interpreted as more realistic timing of task performance. Leaders experienced a higher level of mental strain during training with a HFS. There was a reduction in the trainers’ frequency of interventions in the scenarios as well as their mental strain, signifying potential for the trainers to focus more on trainees’ behaviours and performance during training using a HFS. In study IV all staff members (n=152) in an intensive care unit (ICU) were trained during one day. An observational cohort study (case control design on sick leave and staff turnover) was conducted. The training was performed in situ at the ICU and preceded by an interactive lecture concerning human factors. Before training, the medical professions’ perceptions of safety differed. After the training period, nurses’ and physicians’ mean self-efficacy scores improved, and nurse assistants’ perceived that the quality of collaboration and communication with physician specialists improved. In addition, nurse assistants’ perception of the Safety Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) factors teamwork climate, safety climate and working conditions were more positive after the project and in concert with nurses’ perception of safety climate. In comparison to a control ICU during the study period, the number of nurses quitting their job and nurse assistants’ time on sick leave was reduced. In conclusion, the SBTT protocols applied in these studies are promising. A one-day course seems to benefit medical students’ teamwork behaviour. During a half-day course, i.e. early phase of training, aspects of clinical performance were improved as well as self-efficacy. Equipment fidelity influenced trainees’ clinical performance to some extent, but the trainers’ performance and experience to a larger extent. Leaders, followers and the different medical professions reported different experiences and attitudes. This finding accords with earlier studies on professions but has not been well studied earlier in the context of leaders and followers. All professions benefited from one day of SBTT in an ICU, but it was expressed in different ways

Automatiserad Valutahandel - En kvantifierad teknisk approach

Studien använder sig av en kvantitativ metod, där 18 handelsstrategier har tagits fram och testats på en tioårig tidsperiod på tre olika valutapar. Studien ämnar förstärka eller falsifiera den effektiva marknadshypotesen och genomförs således enligt en hypotetisk-deduktiv metod. Syftet är att med hjälp av kvantifierade investeringsstrategier undersöka huruvida det går att prognostisera framtida priser för att uppnå en högre avkastning relativt en riskfri ränta. Handelsstrategiernas avkastning ligger över tid i linje med vad man kan förvänta sig av Random Walk-teorin och resultatet förstärker därmed EMHThis thesis uses a quantitative method in which 18 trading strategies have been developed and have been backtested ten years on three different currency pairs. Furthermore it intends to either strengthen or falsify the Efficient Market Hypothesis in accordance with a hypothetical-deductive method. The purpose is to examine the possibility of achieving a positive return on the currency market using automated trading strategies based on technical indicators in comparison with a risk-free rate. The trading strategies are in line with what can be expected from the Random Walk theory over time, thus, the result strengthens the EMH