Fra politisk vedtak til profesjonelt mudder

Denne oppgaven tar for seg arbeidet med opprydding av forurenset sjøbunn i Oslofjorden, og styring, kontroll og tilsyn i forbindelse med dette. Vi har foretatt intervjuer av politikere, involverte fagfolk og fagmyndigheten, daværende statens forurensningstilsyn og spurt hva de legger i begrepene kontroll og tilsyn, og hvordan de mente det ble gjennomført i dette tilfellet. Svarene viser at begrepene tilsyn og kontroll ikke er klart definert. Det ble gjennomført en viss tilsyn og kontroll i prosjektet, men SFT var avhengig av å stole på de rapporter de fikk av utfører, og at kontrollplan for arbeidet ble fulgt

The added value of abnormal regional myocardial function for risk prediction in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Aims A risk calculator for individualized prediction of first-time sustained ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) patients has recently been developed and validated (www.ARVCrisk.com). This study aimed to investigate whether regional functional abnormalities, measured by echocardiographic deformation imaging, can provide additional prognostic value. Methods From two referral centres, 150 consecutive patients with a definite ARVC diagnosis, no prior sustained VA, and an echo- and results cardiogram suitable for deformation analysis were included (aged 41 ± 17 years, 50% female). During a median follow-up of 6.3 (interquartile range 3.1–9.8) years, 37 (25%) experienced a first-time sustained VA. All tested left and right ventricular (LV and RV) deformation parameters were univariate predictors for first-time VA. While LV function did not add predictive value in multivariate analysis, two RV deformation parameters did; RV free wall longitudinal strain and regional RV deformation patterns remained independent predictors after adjusting for the calculator-predicted risk [hazard ratio 1.07 (95% CI 1.02–1.11); P = 0.004 and 4.45 (95% CI 1.07–18.57); P = 0.040, respectively] and improved its discriminative value (from C-statistic 0.78 to 0.82 in both; Akaike information criterion change > 2). Importantly, all patients who experienced VA within 5 years from the echocardiographic assessment had abnormal regional RV deformation patterns at baseline. Conclusions This study showed that regional functional abnormalities measured by echocardiographic deformation imaging can further refine personalized arrhythmic risk prediction when added to the ARVC risk calculator. The excellent negative predictive value of normal RV deformation could support clinicians considering the timing of implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation in patients with intermediate arrhythmic risk

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Ett språk för alla? : en kvalitativ studie av ett antal pedagogers syn på sinanvändning av IKT-verktyg i den tidiga läs- och skrivinlärningen

The aim of this study is to investigate a number of class teachers' thoughts on the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in early literacy learning. The study has been conducted as a qualitative study, interviewing five teachers with the help of an interview guide. Three central questions were posed. What perception do the teachers have about the use of ICT in their tuition? What perception do the teachers have about the pupils' literacy learning in teaching with ICT tools? What perception do the teachets have about teaching and learning by means of ICT when it comes to pupils with reading and writing difficulties/dyslexia? The overall theoretical basis of the study is Vygotskij's sociocultural theory. In conclusion, the result of the study is as follows.Most class teachers feel that the training they have undergone in ICT education was adequate, but they also call for skill development.Most teachers believe that the use of ICT tools provide opportunities to adapt their teaching to pupils' knowledge level. The teachers' opinion is that ICT in teaching is useful for pupils' progress in early literacy learning.Most teachers also believe that ICT tools in teaching can be of some help for pupils with reading and writing difficulties/dyslexia.One obstacle in helping these pupils is lack of time.Therefore, the majority of the teachers hand these pupils over to special education outside the classroom

Styring, kontroll og tilsyn ved anbud

Denne oppgaven tar for seg arbeidet med opprydding av forurenset sjøbunn i Oslofjorden, og styring, kontroll og tilsyn i forbindelse med dette. Vi har foretatt intervjuer av politikere, involverte fagfolk og fagmyndigheten, daværende statens forurensningstilsyn og spurt hva de legger i begrepene kontroll og tilsyn, og hvordan de mente det ble gjennomført i dette tilfellet. Svarene viser at begrepene tilsyn og kontroll ikke er klart definert. Det ble gjennomført en viss tilsyn og kontroll i prosjektet, men SFT var avhengig av å stole på de rapporter de fikk av utfører, og at kontrollplan for arbeidet ble fulgt

Relationship status: It's complicated : A study of how retirement homes can strengthen the relationship with their target audience

Frågeställning: Vilka behov behöver tillfredsställas hos de boende och anhöriga för att stärka en relation till äldreboendet? Kan digital marknadsföring användas som metod för att stärka relationer och i så fall hur? Syfte: Syftet är att undersöka hur relationen mellan äldreboende och deras målgrupp kan stärkas. Metod: Ansatsen har varit en deduktiv ansats och en kvalitativ metod har använts där sju semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts. Slutsats: Resultatet visar på fem faktorer som samtliga respondenter identifierat skulle tillfredsställa deras behov. Dessa fem faktorer är identifierade som: smak- och näringsrik kost, närheten till natur och möjlighet att komma ut, trygghet i form av kompetent personal, socialt umgänge, att den boende hamnar i centrum samt mental stimulans. Dessa faktorer kan kopplas till samtliga behovssteg i Maslows behovspyramid. Resultatet visar generellt på en positiv inställning till digital kanaler som en marknadsföringskanal, dock visar resultatet att de boende inte själva har någon direkt nytta för detta för egen skull, men ser positivt på att deras anhöriga skulle ha värde av det. De anhöriga påvisar en mycket stark bild av att de skulle finna digital marknadsföring värdefullt för dem. Genom att påvisa att behoven ovan är tillfredsställda kan relationen stärkas, då anhöriga inte alltid har möjlighet att fysiskt besöka sina anhöriga. På så sätt kan de anhöriga få en inblick i sin närståendes vardag genom digital marknadsföring utan att fysiskt vara på plats, detta ökar deras känsla av trygghet och tillit till att de närstående har det bra.Research questions: What needs of the elderly and their relatives need to be satisfied to strengthen the relationship with the retirement home? Could digital marketing be employed to strengthen the relationship and in that case how? Purpose: The purpose is to examine how the relationship between retirement homes and their target audience can be strengthened. Method: A deductive approach has been used in this report with a qualitative method and seven semi-structured interviews have been conducted. Conclusion: The study results in five factors that all respondents have identified as factors that would satisfy their needs. These five factors are identified as: a tasteful and nutritious diet; closeness to nature and the ability to be out in the fresh air; safety in form of qualified staff; social interaction; that the elderly is in focus and; mental stimulation. These factors can be linked to every step in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The result show an overall positive attitude towards digital channels as a marketing tool. However, the result also shows that the residents would not benefit directly from digital marketing, but are positive that their relatives would find it valuable. The relatives are showing a strong, positive attitude towards the value of digital marketing channels. The above mentioned needs should be in focus in the digital marketing, so that the relatives who do not have the opportunity to visit their elderly as often as they would like may see that their needs are satisfied. That way, the relatives may get an insight in how their relative’s everyday life looks like without being on set in person, which may increase their feeling of safety, and faith in that their relative is in a good place

Vem tar du på dig idag? : - En studie i ungdomars syn på kläder som kommunikationsmedel

This essay aims to investigate young people's vision of clothes as a means of communication. Focus lies on what message the clothing we have on sends out and how they are interpreted by our surroundings. Do other people interpret us the way we intend to through our clothes? The theoretical frame of reference that applies is Thomas Ziehe’s theories about Clothing and Identity, Anthony Giddens’ Reflexive Identity Processes and the Uses and Gratification’s theory. The researches were carried out with a comprehensive questionnaire survey among high school students, at Lars Kaggskolan in Kalmar, with an associated image, and two personal interviews. The results showed that young people in general do not want to stand out from the quantity and they often describe their clothing style as ordinary, normal, and fashion conscious. Young people ascribe other people stereotypes on the basis of their clothing. There are many factors that play a part in the choice of clothing we do. Everything from media, group belonging to past experiences has a great meaning in the context

Surface haziness in chalcogenide glass

This study seeks to determine the source of haziness in chalcogenide glasses, and to serve as a basis for further investigations. XPS, Raman spectroscopy and SEM was used to characterise the surface. Raman spectroscopy was used first and the results  indicated structural changes. Subsequently XPS was used which found a difference between new and old samples regarding the As/Se ration. Vaporisation of As seems to be the main effect, the cause of which could not be determined. Later, SEM and EDS was used which provided morphological and compositional analysis of the samples. Precipitates and potential precursors were identified on the surface. A large amount of nickel was found on one sample which could not be explained. Alongside the experiments a literature study was conducted which sought to explain the structure and factors which could cause changes to the structure. Photo-induced phenomena as well as the manufacturing process were considered and studied

Surface haziness in chalcogenide glass

This study seeks to determine the source of haziness in chalcogenide glasses, and to serve as a basis for further investigations. XPS, Raman spectroscopy and SEM was used to characterise the surface. Raman spectroscopy was used first and the results  indicated structural changes. Subsequently XPS was used which found a difference between new and old samples regarding the As/Se ration. Vaporisation of As seems to be the main effect, the cause of which could not be determined. Later, SEM and EDS was used which provided morphological and compositional analysis of the samples. Precipitates and potential precursors were identified on the surface. A large amount of nickel was found on one sample which could not be explained. Alongside the experiments a literature study was conducted which sought to explain the structure and factors which could cause changes to the structure. Photo-induced phenomena as well as the manufacturing process were considered and studied