A model for analyzing changes in systems development practices

This paper introduces an empirically grounded model for analyzing intended and unintended changes in the prevalence of information systems development practices. In the model, any development practice observable in a development organization can be analyzed according to two dimensions: the intended scope of defined practices versus the actual scope of enacted practices. Furthermore, the model identifies eight types of change paths in systems development practices based on the two dimensions: emergence, entropy, initiation, abandonment, formalization, informalization, implementation, and recalcitrance. The eight types of change paths provide an integrated theoretical model for understanding how systems development practices can change in organizations and projects and among individual developers in a given context. The paper concludes by discussing how the model complements and integrates concepts of the contemporary research on systems development practices and outlines its potential uses for future research

Praksisnær undervisning i legemiddelregning i arbeidet med å redusere testangst og styrke selvoppfattelse hos sykepleierstudenter

Alternative teaching method in dosage calculation to reduce nursing students’ test anxiety and enhance self-conceptNorwegian nursing students must pass a drug calculation test with a flawless performance if they are to qualify as nurses. This requirement is found to increase students’ test anxiety and mathematical low self-conceptual students are highly effected. The aim of the current study is to examine if participating in a special education program benefits students with high test anxiety and low self-concept in the domain of mathematics. The participants were highly involved in both planning and conducting the alternative program which had a practical approach towards both mathematics and drug calculation. We use a mixed methods approach to examine nursing students’ experiences participating in the program, and data are collected by using survey questionnaires, participants’ evaluation and a focus group interview. Ten freshman nursing students participating in the program responded to a questionnaire pre and post intervention, including a written evaluation during the program. Finally a focus group interview was conducted two years after the intervention. The survey data show a significant change in mathematics-self-concept, however, no significant reduction in test anxiety was found, but the qualitative data from the interview suggest a reduction in anxiety and higher mathematical self-concept after participating in the program

Perfect poopers; passerine birds facilitate sexual reproduction in clonal keystone plants of the boreal forest through directed endozoochory towards dead wood

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Hvordan kan simulering bidra til bevisstgjøring av utfordringer knyttet til legemiddelhåndtering i sykehjem?

Background: Simulation is an educational method that can be used to clarify complex issues. Challenges related to medication management in various healthcare facilities including nursing homes are known. We wanted to see if simulation could be useful to bring out different challenges that are associated with this area. The purpose of this article is to describe nurses' and health care assistants' experiences of participating in simulation, and what reflections arise around medication management in nursing homes. Method: Qualitative method with focus group interviews. Results: Nurses and health care assistants became aware of various challenges related to medication management using simulation. Most of them experienced the simulation as a useful method in raising awareness. Most of them felt that they learned something that gave new insight into their own work situation. There were challenges related to distractions and stress, a shortage of nurses as well as unclear responsibilities and task distributions. Conclusion: Simulation as a method can be awareness-raising in order to visualize various challenges related to medication management in nursing homes.Bakgrunn: Simulering er en pedagogisk metode som kan benyttes for å tydeliggjøre sammensatte problemstillinger. Utfordringer knyttet til legemiddelhåndtering i ulike helseinstitusjoner inkludert sykehjem er kjent. Vi ønsket å se om simulering kunne være nyttig for å få frem ulike utfordringer som er knyttet til dette området. Hensikten med denne artikkelen er å beskrive sykepleieres og helsefagarbeideres erfaringer med å delta i simulering, og hvilke refleksjoner som oppstår rundt legemiddelhåndtering i sykehjem. Metode: Kvalitativ metode med fokusgruppeintervju. Resultater: Sykepleiere og helsefagarbeidere ble bevisst ulike utfordringer knyttet til legemiddelhåndtering ved hjelp av simulering. De fleste opplevde simuleringen som en nyttig metode i denne bevisstgjøringen. De fleste opplevde at de lærte noe som gav ny innsikt i egen arbeidssituasjon. Det var utfordringer knyttet til distraksjoner og stress, mangel på sykepleiere samt uklar ansvar- og oppgavefordeling. Konklusjon: Simulering som metode kan være bevisstgjørende for å synligjøre ulike utfordringer knyttet til legemiddelhåndtering i sykehjem

Daily intake of cod or salmon for 2 weeks decreases the 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio and serum triacylglycerols in healthy subjects

Intake of fish and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids is associated with a reduced concentration of plasma triacylglycerols (TAG) but the mechanisms are not fully clarified. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) activity, governing TAG synthesis, is affected by n-3 fatty acids. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) display expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to estimate whether intake of lean and fatty fish would influence n-3 fatty acids composition in plasma phospholipids (PL), serum TAG, 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio in plasma PL, as well as PBMC gene expression of SCD1 and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Healthy males and females (n = 30), aged 20–40, consumed either 150 g of cod, salmon, or potato (control) daily for 15 days. During intervention docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) increased in the cod group (P\0.05), while TAG concentration decreased (P\0.05). In the salmon group both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and DHA increased (P\0.05) whereas TAG concentration and the 18:1n-9/ 18:0 ratio decreased (P\0.05). Reduction of the 18:1n-9/ 18:0 ratio was associated with a corresponding lowering of TAG (P\0.05) and an increase in EPA and DHA (P\0.05). The mRNA levels of SCD1 and FAS in PBMC were not significantly altered after intake of cod or salmon when compared with the control group. In conclusion, both lean and fatty fish may lower TAG, possibly by reducing the 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio related to allosteric inhibition of SCD1 activity, rather than by influencing the synthesis of enzyme protei