| 1. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(author)
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Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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In: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 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.
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| 2. |
- Osterberg, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Core Outcome Sets (COS) related to pregnancy and childbirth : a systematic review
- 2021
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In: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1471-2393 .- 1471-2393. ; 21:1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundSystematic reviews often conclude low confidence in the results due to heterogeneity in the reported outcomes. A Core Outcome Set (COS) is an agreed standardised collection of outcomes for a specific area of health. The outcomes included in a COS are to be measured and summarized in clinical trials as well as systematic reviews to counteract this heterogeneity.AimThe aim is to identify, compile and assess final and ongoing studies that are prioritizing outcomes in the area of pregnancy and childbirth.MethodsAll studies which prioritized outcomes related to pregnancy and childbirth using consensus method, including Delphi surveys or consensus meetings were included. Searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Academic Search Elite, CINAHL, SocINDEX and COMET databases up to June 2021. For all studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria, information regarding outcomes as well as population, method, and setting was extracted. In addition, reporting in the finalized studies was assessed using a modified version of the Core Outcome Set-STAndards for Reporting.ResultsIn total, 27 finalized studies and 42 ongoing studies were assessed as relevant and were included. In the finalized studies, the number of outcomes included in the COS ranged from 6 to 51 with a median of 13 outcomes. The majority of the identified COS, both finalized as well as ongoing, were relating to physical complications during pregnancy.ConclusionThere is a growing number of Core Outcome Set studies related to pregnancy and childbirth. Although several of the finalized studies follow the proposed reporting, there are still some items that are not always clearly reported. Additionally, several of the identified COS contained a large number (n > 20) outcomes, something that possibly could hinder implementation. Therefore, there is a need to consider the number of outcomes which may be included in a COS to render it optimal for future research.
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| 3. |
- Ahmed, Sahil, 1991, et al.
(author)
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Towards Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Integration
- 2021
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In: Proceedings of the Nofoma Conference 2021.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Sales and operations planning (S&OP) is a tactical level planning process between the demand and supply as well as other functions in an organization. The aim of the paper is to identify and analyze interfaces in S&OP and to conceptualize and explore integration in those interfaces. Design/methodology/approach: The paper builds on literature on integration and its mechanisms in S&OP and adopts a qualitative and explorative research approach. Two companies with established S&OP processes were selected as cases and interviews were conducted with managers in positions having an overview of the process. Findings: Based on the analysis of the two case companies, eight different interfaces were identified in the two case companies. The interfaces were analysed with regard to which mechanisms used to reach integration. Coordination stands out as the most important mechanism, which is facilitated by process, organisation, and technology. Research limitations/implications: The paper starts to conceptualize S&OP integration at the interface level. Based on the case analysis of individual interfaces, initial understanding of how coordination, collaboration, and alignment results in integration was created. The paper ends by raising future research questions regarding S&OP integration. Practical implications: Managers involved in S&OP are involved daily in the interfaces. This paper add knowledge on which mechanisms to use to integrate interfaces. Original/value: Based on identifying a range of interfaces to be integrated in a well-functioning S&OP, this paper starts a discussion of the meaning of integration in S&OP in relation to individual interfaces as well as cross interfaces.
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| 4. |
- Albert, Malin, et al.
(author)
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Hospitalized patients’ attitudes towards participating in a randomized control trial in case of a cardiac arrest
- 2024
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In: Resuscitation Plus. - 2666-5204. ; 18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundNo previous study has evaluated patients attitudes towards inclusion in an ongoing cardiac arrest clinical trial. The aim of this study was to assess patientś willingness and motives to participate in the ongoing randomized controlled drug trial “Vasopressin and Steroids in addition to Adrenaline in cardiac arrest” (VAST-A trial) in case of an in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA).ObjectivesHospitalized patients, men ≥ 18 and women ≥ 50 years, were asked for informed consent for inclusion in the VAST-A trial in case of an IHCA, the reason for approving or declining inclusion in the trial and baseline characteristics.MethodsPatients admitted to hospital were asked to give informed consent of inclusion in VAST-A in case of an IHCA during their hospital stay. Patients were also asked why they approved or declined inclusion as well as baseline characteristics questions.Results1,064 patients were asked about willingness to participate in the VAST-A trial, of these 902 (84.8%) patients approved inclusion. A subgroup of 411 patients were, except willingness, also asked about motives to participate or not and basic characteristics. The main reason for approving inclusion was to contribute to research (n = 328, 83.9%). The main reason for declining inclusion was concerns regarding testing the drug treatment (n = 6, 30%).ConclusionAmong hospitalized patients the vast majority gave informed consent to inclusion in an ongoing randomized cardiac arrest drug trial. The main reason for approving inclusion was to contribute to research.
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| 7. |
- Arce Cardozo, Rodrigo Karlop, 1987-, et al.
(author)
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Did the COVID-19 quarantine policies applied in Cochabamba, Bolivia mitigated cases successfully? : an interrupted time series analysis
- 2024
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In: Global Health Action. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 17:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted varied policy responses globally, with LatinAmerica facing unique challenges. A detailed examination of these policies’ impacts on healthsystems is crucial, particularly in Bolivia, where information about policy implementation andoutcomes is limited.Objective: To describe the COVID-19 testing trends and evaluate the effects of quarantinemeasures on these trends in Cochabamba, Bolivia.Methods: Utilizing COVID-19 testing data from the Cochabamba Department Health Servicefor the 2020–2022 period. Stratified testing rates in the health system sectors were firstestimated followed by an interrupted time series analysis using a quasi-Poisson regressionmodel for assessing the quarantine effects on the mitigation of cases during surge periods.Results: The public sector reported the larger percentage of tests (65%), followed by theprivate sector (23%) with almost double as many tests as the public-social security sector(11%). In the time series analysis, a correlation between the implementation of quarantinepolicies and a decrease in the slope of positive rates of COVID-19 cases was observedcompared to periods without or with reduced quarantine policies.Conclusion: This research underscores the local health system disparities and the effective-ness of stringent quarantine measures in curbing COVID-19 transmission in the Cochabambaregion. The findings stress the importance of the measures’ intensity and duration, providingvaluable lessons for Bolivia and beyond. As the global community learns from the pandemic,these insights are critical for shaping resilient and effective health policy responses.
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| 8. |
- Bertilsson, Frida, et al.
(author)
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Retrieval Practice : Beneficial for All Students or Moderated by Individual Differences?
- 2021
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In: Psychology Learning & Teaching. - : Sage Publications. - 1475-7257. ; 20:1, s. 21-39
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Retrieval practice is a learning technique that is known to produce enhanced long-term memory retention when compared to several other techniques. This difference in learning outcome is commonly called “the testing effect”. Yet there is little research on how individual differences in personality traits and working memory capacity moderate the size of the retrieval-practice benefits. The current study is a conceptual replication of a previous study, further investigating whether the testing effect is sensitive to individual differences in the personality traits Grit and Need for Cognition, and working memory capacity. Using a within-subjects design (N = 151), participants practiced 60 Swahili–Swedish word pairs (e.g., adhama–honor) through retrieval practice and re-studying. Learning was assessed at three time points: five minutes, one week, and four weeks after practice. The results revealed a significant testing effect at all three time points. Further, the results showed no association between the testing effect and the personality traits, or between the testing effect and working memory, at any time point. To conclude, retrieval practice seems to be a learning technique that is not moderated by individual differences in these specific personality traits or with working memory capacity, thus possibly beneficial for all students.
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| 9. |
- Bertilsson, Frida, et al.
(author)
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Self-regulated use of retrieval practice : associations with individual differences in non-cognitive and cognitive factors
- 2024
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In: European Journal of Psychology of Education. - : Springer Nature. - 0256-2928 .- 1878-5174.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Retrieval practice is a learning strategy that has repeatedly been found to have positive effects on memory and learning. However, studies indicate that students rarely use retrieval practice on a voluntary basis. The objective of the present study was to examine students’ self-regulated use of retrieval practice, and to determine whether sex and individual differences in cognitive and non-cognitive aspects are related to optional use of practice testing. A classroom study was conducted with 146 upper-secondary school students taking courses in mathematics and Swedish. An ABAB design was used to compare students’ optional and non-optional use of retrieval practice (i.e., repeated online quizzing). Students performed cognitive tasks to assess working memory capacity and fluid intelligence and completed self-reports of non-cognitive factors related to school achievement, such as grit, need for cognition (NFC), conscientiousness and openness. Quiz use was then compared using paired- and independent-samples t-tests, and hierarchical linear regression analyses explored relations to individual differences. The results showed that students completed significantly fewer quizzes in the optional sections than in the non-optional sections, and that females completed significantly more optional quizzes than males in Swedish, but not in mathematics. Further, the results showed that conscientiousness predicted optional quiz use in mathematics, whereas sex, NFC, conscientiousness, and openness predicted quiz use in Swedish. To conclude, although the findings show a relatively low optional/self-regulated use of practice testing, in line with earlier research, they suggest that sex and non-cognitive factors, such as personality characteristics, can predict optional use of practice testing.
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| 10. |
- Bertilsson, Frida, et al.
(author)
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The Testing Effect and Its Relation to Working Memory Capacity and Personality Characteristics
- 2017
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In: Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology. - : Springer Publishing Company. - 1945-8959 .- 1810-7621. ; 16:3, s. 241-259
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Retrieval practice is known to lead to better retention of a to-be-learned material than restudy (i.e., the testing effect). However, few studies have investigated retrieval practice in relation to working memory capacity (WMC) and personality characteristics such as grittiness (Grit) and need for cognition (NFC). In two experiments, we examined retrieval practice and restudy of Swahili–Swedish word pairs in relation to individual differences in Grit and NFC. In Experiment 1, using a between-subjects design, a significant main effect of retention interval was qualified by a Group × Retention Interval interaction. However, there were no effects of Grit or NFC. In Experiment 2, a within-subjects design was used, and a measure of WMC was included. The analyses revealed a testing effect; but again, WMC, Grit, and NFC were not significantly associated with performance. These results indicate that retrieval practice levels out the playing field regarding WMC, NFC, and Grit.
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