116 research outputs found
Organisering av ekonomiskt bistånd – Perspektiv på en integrerad och en specialiserad kommun
No full textAuthor: Merima Colak Title: Organization of financial assistance - Perspective on an integrated and a specialized municipality [translated title] Supervisor: Håkan Johansson Assessor: Staffan Blomberg The purpose of this study was to examine how specialized and integrated social services manage their social assistance. In addition to this the aim was to examine how social workers and officials working within these two forms of organizations experience discretion. Furthermore, a goal of this paper was also to examine if the social workers felt that any of these two organizational forms had any impact on the workload and how that in such case manifested. The study was conducted through a qualitative research method. Six social workers and officials were interviewed for the study. The results from the study demonstrated that the employees in the integrated organization had more general work tasks and that those in the specialized organization had their tasks divided on different units that were more specialized. Findings also showed that employees in each municipality interpret discretion differently. The social workers from the integrated organization interpreted discretion in terms of being able to affect their client’s case. The social workers from the specialized organization, on the other hand, defined discretion as being able to influence their own daily work tasks. Conclusively, the study showed that workload exists in both municipalities and that it was manageable in each of the municipalities, the workload was however higher in the specialized one but it was no burden on the employees in neither the specialized nor the integrated. Key words: Discretion, organizational structure, integrated and specialized organizations, social assistance, workload. Key words: handlingsutrymme, organisationsstruktur, integrerade och specialiserade organisationer, ekonomiskt bistånd, arbetsbelastning
Comparative analysis of on-load tap changing (OLTC) transformer topologies
No full textOld - EWI-ESE-DC&S DC systems & StorageElectrical Power Processin
Effect of sample type, centrifugation and storage conditions on vitamin D concentration
No full textIntroduction: Studies about vitamin D [25(OH)D] stability in plasma are limited and preanalytical variables such as tube type may affect results. We aimed to evaluate effect of storage conditions, sample type and some preanalytical variables on vitamin D concentration.
Materials and methods: Blood samples from 15 healthy subjects were centrifuged at different temperatures and stored under different conditions. Serum and plasma 25(OH)D difference, effect of centrifugation temperature and common storage conditions were investigated.
Results: There was no difference between serum and plasma vitamin D concentration. Centrifugation temperature had no impact on vitamin D concentration. 25(OH)D is stable under common storage conditions: 4 hours at room temperature, 24 hours at 2-8 °C, 7 days at -20 °C, 3 months at -80 °C.
Conclusion: Vitamin D does not require any special storage conditions and refrigeration. Both serum and plasma can be used for measurement
The reliability of the augmented Lehnert-Schroth and Rigo classification in scoliosis management
No full textBackground: In pattern-specific scoliosis exercises and bracing, the corrective treatment plan differs according to different curve patterns. There are a limited number of studies investigating the reliability of the commonly used classifications systems. Objective: To test the reliability of the augmented Lehnert-Schroth (ALS) classification and the Rigo classification. Methods: X-rays and posterior photographs of 45 patients with scoliosis were sent by the first author to three clinicians twice at 1-week intervals. The clinicians classified images according to the ALS and Rigo classifications, and the data were analysed using SPSS V-16. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error measurement (SEM) were calculated to evaluate the inter-and intra-observer reliability. Results: The inter-observer ICC values were 0.552 (ALS), 0.452 (Rigo) for X-ray images and 0.494 (ALS), 0.518 (Rigo) for the photographs. The average intra-observer ICC value was 0.720 (ALS), 0.581 (Rigo) for the X-ray images and 0.726 (ALS) and 0.467 (Rigo) for the photographs. Conclusions: The results of our study indicate moderate inter-observer reliability for X-ray images using the ALS classification and clinical photographs using the Rigo classification. Intra-observer reliability was moderate to good for X-ray images and clinical photographs using the ALS classification and poor to moderate for X-ray and clinical photographs using the Rigo classification
The Effectiveness of Temperature Versus Aprotinin in Maintaining the Preanalytical Stability of Adrenocorticotrophin
No full textObjective: To investigate the effect of temperature and protease inhibitor on adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) stability
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 and oxidative imbalance: evaluation of ischemia-modified albumin and oxidant stress
No full textObjectives: Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals accumulate at high levels in the body, affecting biological molecules. Some studies have focused on the multisystemic involvement, signs of premature aging, and the potential role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). We aimed to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress markers in patients diagnosed with DM1. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 27 clinically and genetically confirmed DM1 patients and 34 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were included. Oxidative stress markers, including ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) levels, ischemia-modified albumin to albumin ratio (IMAR), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were examined. Results: TOS (p=0.001), IMA levels (p=0.001), IMAR (p=0.004), and OSI (p<0.001) in the patient group were significantly higher than in the healthy group, while TAS (p<0.001) was lower in the patient group. Conclusions: The elevation of oxidative stress markers suggests the potential effect on the pathogenesis of DM1. Thus, antioxidant therapy approaches could be crucial to reducing oxidative stress in patients with DM1
Diagnostic values of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio and procalcitonin in early diagnosis of bacteremia
No full textObjective: The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) levels, which can be used as a cultural alternative for the diagnosis of infection faster. Methods: The patients were divided into two groups as bacteremia (n = 220) and nonbacteremia group (n=812). The bacteremia group was divided into two subgroups as Gram-positive bacteria (n=167) and Gram-negative bacteria (n = 53). Results: PCT, CRP, red blood cell distribution width (RDW), platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels were significantly higher in patients with positive blood culture than non-patients. The serum PCT levels were 3.80 (0.83-37.68) and 0.43 (0.16-2.61) ng/mL, respectively (p <0.001) in the patients with Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterium. PCT at a cut-off value of 0.45 ng/mL for Gram-negative bacterium; sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 64%. Conclusions: It is important that RDW, PDW, NLR, PLR, MPV values can be measured quickly, easily and cheaply by automatic hematological analysis. However, among the markers tested, PCT has the best diagnostic performance for Gram-negative bacteremia
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