Et kompetansemiljø for tverrfaglighet, en undersøkelse av mindset og delingskultur hos NT6

Denne oppgaven skal ta for seg hvordan man kan utvikle en delingskultur hos kompetansemiljøet NT6. Med relevant teori hentet fra litteratur om organisasjoner, tenkemåte (mindset), og innovasjon blir casestudiet teoretisk og bestående av flere analyseenheter. Gjennom kvantitativ og kvalitativ tilnærming samles det inn data som senere analyseres og settes opp mot teorien i form av teoretiske antakelser og delproblemstillinger. Kompetansemiljøets tilnærming til konkurransepregede markeder er nytenkende og annerledes, samtidig som det bidrar til at man skal ha større sannsynlighet for å overleve som nyoppstartet bedrift. Hvilke kulturelle forskjeller vil man møte i denne strukturen som man ikke møter til vanlig? Hvordan skal delingen bli optimal?This thesis discuss how to develop a culture for knowledge sharing at NT6, an organizational environment of expertise. With relevant theory revolving organizational literature, mindset and innovation, consists this case study of multiple analysis units. Through both a quantitative and a qualitative approach, the data is collected, analyzed, and compared against collected theory through theoretical propositions and research questions. The environment of expertise´s approach to competitive markets is innovative and different, as they contribute to better the survivability of newly founded businesses. Which cultural differences can one meet in this structure, that one does not meet elsewhere? How can the sharing be optimized

Severe Cases of Pandemic H1N1 Pneumonia and Respiratory Failure Requiring Intensive Care

BackgroundThe objective of our study is to analyze the clinical data of patients with pandemic H1N1 2009 infection admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and to report key features observed among these patients.MethodsA total of 18 patients were admitted to our ICU between July and November 2009, with a primary diagnosis of influenza. Clinical data were analyzed to identify potential risk factors and characteristics thought to affect outcomes.ResultsOur patients were between ages 23 and 62 (mean 41). In all, 10 were obese. Two had no other comorbid conditions and 6 had obesity as their only comorbid condition. The most common symptoms were fever, shortness of breath, and cough. Laboratory data were notable for elevated creatine kinase levels, transaminitis, and lack of leukocytosis. The rapid influenza detection test (RIDT) had a 76% false negative result. Patients with a negative RIDT had their infection confirmed with real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). A total of 12 patients required invasive mechanical ventilation, with over half of whom responded only to nonconventional modes of ventilation. Most patients received high-dose (150 mg twice daily) oseltamivir. In all, 3 patients died and 11 were discharged without any long-term sequalae.ConclusionsUnlike seasonal influenza, our patients were not in the extremes of age. Most were obese and presented with severe respiratory distress and hypoxia in the summer months. A negative RIDT did not exclude pandemic H1N1 2009. Using a higher dose of oseltamivir and nonconventional modes of ventilation may have improved the outcome in our subset of patients. Hence, patients with a high clinical suspicion of severe influenza infection should be treated early and aggressively, even before confirmatory results are available

Acquiring Tetanus After Hemorrhoid Banding and Other Gastrointestinal Procedures

Tetanus after hemorrhoidal banding is an extremely rare but serious complication of the procedure. We describe the second reported case of this complication and review the literature concerning tetanus after different gastrointestinal procedures. Although a rare complication, practicing physicians need to be aware of the clinical presentation of this deadly disease when encountered in at-risk patient populations. Such cases also reemphasize the importance of primary tetanus immunization and follow-up boosters for all vulnerable patients

Two-year changes in quality of life in elderly patients with low-energy hip fractures. A case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The long-term effect of hip fracture on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and global quality of life (GQOL) has not been thoroughly studied in prospective case-control studies.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>a) to explore whether patients with low-energy hip fracture regain their pre-fracture levels in HRQOL and GQOL compared with changes in age- and sex-matched controls over a two year period; b) to identify predictors of changes in HRQOL and GQOL after two years.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined 61 patients (mean age = 74 years, <it>SD </it>= 10) and 61 matched controls (mean age = 73 years, <it>SD </it>= 8). The Short Form 36 assessed HRQOL and the Quality of Life Scale assessed GQOL. Paired samples <it>t </it>tests and multiple linear regression analyses were applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HRQOL decreased significantly between baseline and one-year follow-up in patients with hip fractures, within all the SF-36 domains (<it>p </it>< 0.04), except for social functioning (<it>p </it>= 0.091). There were no significant decreases within the SF-36 domains in the controls. Significantly decreased GQOL scores (<it>p </it>< 0.001) were observed both within patients and within controls between baseline and one-year follow-up. The same pattern persisted between baseline and two-year follow-up, except for the HRQOL domain mental health (<it>p </it>= 0.193). The patients with hip fractures did not regain their HRQOL and GQOL. Worsened physical health after two years was predicted by being a patient with hip fracture (B = -5.8, <it>p </it>< 0.001) and old age (B = -1.0, <it>p </it>= 0.015), while worsened mental health was predicted by co-morbidity (B = -2.2, <it>p </it>= 0.029). No significant predictors of differential changes in GQOL were identified.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A hip fracture has a long-term impact on HRQOL and is a strong predictor of worsened physical health. Our data emphasize the importance of preventing hip fracture in the elderly to maintain physical health. This knowledge should be included in decision-making and health care plans.</p

No long-term impact of low-energy distal radius fracture on health-related quality of life and global quality of life: a case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Changes in patient-reported outcomes like health related quality of life (HRQOL) and global quality of life (GQOL) in patients with low-energy distal radius fracture might be related to fracture, or be within the normal range of variation in an elderly population. Hence, the present study aims to examine: Whether patients with low-energy distal radius fracture attain their pre-fracture levels in HRQOL and GQOL one year after the fracture and compare these levels with age- and sex-matched controls; and whether objective factors predict changes in HRQOL and GQOL during the same one year period.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined 160 patients and 169 age- and sex matched controls, respectively (mean ± SD) 67 ± 9 and 66 ± 9 years of age. HRQOL was assessed by the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ) and the Short–Form 36 (SF-36). The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) assessed GQOL. Paired sample t-tests and multiple linear regression analyses were applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After one year no differences were found in HRQOL (assessed as arm functions, physical health and mental health) compared to pre-fracture level in the patient group. Both patients with distal radius fracture and controls reported a reduced GQOL after one year (p < 0.001). Low-energy distal radius fracture did not predict worsened HRQOL or GQOL one year after inclusion, and few predictors of changes were identified. Worsened arm function was predicted by low BMI (B = -0.20, p = 0.019) at baseline, worsened physical health was predicted by low education (B = 1.37, p = 0.017) at baseline, and living with someone predicted worsened mental health (B = 2.85, p = 0.009)</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients with a distal radius fracture seem to manage well despite the fracture, and distal radius fracture is not an independent predictor of worsened HRQOL and GQOL.</p

HIV and COVID-19: two pandemics with significant (but different) central nervous system complications

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cause significant neurologic disease. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement of HIV has been extensively studied, with well-documented invasion of HIV into the brain in the initial stage of infection, while the acute effects of SARS-CoV-2 in the brain are unclear. Neuropathologic features of active HIV infection in the brain are well characterized whereas neuropathologic findings in acute COVID-19 are largely non-specific. On the other hand, neuropathologic substrates of chronic dysfunction in both infections, as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and post-COVID conditions (PCC)/long COVID are unknown. Thus far, neuropathologic studies on patients with HAND in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy have been inconclusive, and autopsy studies on patients diagnosed with PCC have yet to be published. Further longitudinal, multidisciplinary studies on patients with HAND and PCC and neuropathologic studies in comparison to controls are warranted to help elucidate the mechanisms of CNS dysfunction in both conditions

Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion