Evaluation of factors affecting plate waste of inpatients in different healthcare settings.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Satisfaction of inpatients with served food within a hospital care system still constitutes one of the main attempts to modernize food services. The impact of type of menu, food category, hospital centre and timetable on the meals wastage produced in different Spanish healthcare settings, was evaluated. METHODS: Meal wastage was measured through a semiquantitative 5-point scale ("nothing on plate"; "¼ on plate"; "half on plate"; "¾ on plate" and "all on plate"). The study was carried out in two periods of three months each in 2010 and 2011. A trained person took charge of measuring plate waste classified into 726 servings belonging to 11 menus. In total 31,392 plates were served to 7,868 inpatients. A Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test (p < 0.05) was applied to evaluate significant differences among the variables studied. RESULTS: The menus were satisfactorily consumed because more than 50% of the plates were classified as "nothing on plate". Regarding food categories, 26.78% of the plates corresponded to soups and purées, while pasta and rice, and prepared foods were only distributed in 4-5% of the servings. Desserts were mostly consumed, while cooked vegetables were less accepted by the inpatients evaluated. Other factors such as hospital centre influenced plate waste (p < 0.05) but timetable did not (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Visual inspections of plate waste might be useful to optimize type and quality of menus served. The type of menu served and the food category could have a great influence on food acceptability by the inpatientsstudied.

Estudio comparativo del aloinjerto hth vs autoinjerto de isquiotibiales en la reparación del LCA. Presentacion de resultados de nuestra serie

Objective: To present and compare the functional outcomes and degree of satisfaction of patients operated on in the Knee Unit of our hospital, using bank BTB or Hamstring Autograft. Material and Methods: There were 96 patients included in the study who were operated on between 2001 and 2009 using bank BTB, and 104 patients operated on between 2007 and 2009 using Hamstring Autograft. All of them completed the IKDC questionnaire by telephone. Results: No significant differences were found between both groups regarding the onset of pain, inflammation, or instability of the knee. A large majority of patients in both groups were satisfied or very satisfied with the results obtained (81% of the BTB, and 90 % of the hamstring group). Conclusions: There are no sound reasons to proscribe either of the two techniques; the surgeon must decide the most appropriate intervention depending on the case, personal experience, the economic situation and especially the needs of the patient.

Expert study: A bolus calculator improves glycemic control and quality of life of type 1 diabetic patients (T1DM) (preliminary results)

Aims: To evaluate the impact on glycemic control and quality of life of a bolus calculator. Methods: Multicentre randomized prospective crosssectional study. Patients were randomized to control phase (3 months; calculation of prandial insulin according to insulinto-carbohydrate ratio and insulin sensitivity factor using a single strip meter) or intervention phase (3 months; calculation of prandial insulin with a bolus advisor), with a washout period (3 months). Patients wore a continuous glucosensor (7 days) and answered a quality of life questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of each phase. A questionnaire of satisfaction was obtained at the end of both phases. Inclusion criteria: Adults; T1DM> 1 year, HbA1c > 7.5%, basal-bolus therapy with insulin analogs, experience with carbohydrate Results: Data from the first 32 subjects with at least 1 ended phase (27 females, age 38 – 11 years, diabetes duration 16.8 – 7.5 years). Basal characteristics were comparable independently of the starting phase. No differences were found between phases in terms of mean blood glucose, standard deviation (from meter neither from sensor) and satisfaction. Conclusions: The use of a bolus calculator improves glycemic control and quality of life of T1DM subjects.

Administració pública electronica i immigracio: una nova oportunitat per una societat xarxa catalana inclusiva

Aquest projecte explora dues dinàmiques socials interrelacionades: a) L'increment de la diversitat cultural al territori català i la necessitat d'implementar polítiques públiques per millorar la convivència i la cohesió social. b) El desenvolupament de la societat xarxa catalana mitjançant la disseminació de les noves tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació en I'espai de I'administració pública. Mes en concret, el projecte aborda la qüestió de la participació de les persones immigrades en la societat xarxa catalana mitjançant una metodologia que combina la investigació online i offline. Es posa un especial èmfasi en I'estudi de I ‘accés i ús dels serveis oferts per I'administració pública electrònica de les persones immigrades a Catalunya. Els nous usuaris i usuàries dels serveis públics presenten condicionants i necessitats particulars que depenen del seu origen cultural i de la seva situació administrativa. Aquest projecte estudia el grau d'adequació de la e-Administració a les demandes i necessitats especifiques d'aquest grup de població. En aquest sentit, I'estudi explora les possibilitats per a poder promoure la cohesió social mitjançant el desenvolupament d'una administració pública electronica mes inclusiva i interactiva a Catalunya. L’anàlisi de I'adaptació i adopció de I'administració electrònica catalana en el context de la població immigrada s'ha fet des d'un doble camí metodològic. D' una banda, s'ha realitzat una incursió en com I'administració pública catalana, tant local com autonòmica, s'ha adaptat a la diversitat dels seus usuaris mitjançant I'observació de webs i entrevistes a responsables tècnics i polítics. D'altra banda, s'han fet entrevistes amb persones immigrades amb perfils socio-culturals diversos. podem apuntar que I'administració pública electrònica a Catalunya es una realitat per a moltes persones immigrades que ja han provat de fer-la servir per a usos socialment importants. Existeixen, però, impediments tant des de la pròpia dinàmica de I'administració, que no ha posat aquesta qüestió en un lloc prioritari, com des de les persones que desconfien dels seus propis coneixements i no sempre troben allò que busquen. Amb tot, ens trobem amb un espai que obre expectatives de futur molt amplies. Un espai molt idoni per a repensar les formes que exigeixen els reptes de la nova ciutadania

Local Roads Maintenance Workers’ Manual, June 2006

This manual describes best roadway maintenance practices for Iowa's local roads and streets, from the center line to shoulders, ditches, and drainage, with chapters on public relations, bridge maintenance, and snow and ice control. Each chapter contains safety tips, information(as appropriate) on managing quality control, and a list of references for further information.

Annual Report of the Iowa Communications Network FY 06

This annual report covers highlights and financial information for fiscal year 2006 for the ICN. Any questions may be directed to Public Relations Manager Gail Geery.

A festschrift for Roland L. Weinsier: nutrition scientist, educator, and clinician.

Roland L. Weinsier, M.D., Dr.P.H., devoted himself to the fields of nutrition and obesity for more than 35 years. He contributed outstanding work related to the treatment of obesity through dietary and lifestyle change; metabolic/energetic influences on obesity, weight loss, and weight regain; body composition changes accompanying weight loss and regain; the health benefits and risks of weight loss; nutrition education for physicians; and nutrition support of sick patients. He served on the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) National Task Force on Prevention and Treatment of Obesity, as Chair of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Department of Nutrition Sciences, and as Founder and Director of its NIDDK-funded Clinical Nutrition Research Center. He was a long-time and active member of NAASO, serving in the roles of Councilor, Publications Committee Chair, Continuing Medical Education Course Director, Public Relations Committee Chair, and Membership Committee Co-Chair, to name just a few. He was well respected as a staunch defender of NAASO's scientific integrity in these roles. Sadly, Roland Weinsier died on November 27, 2002. He will be missed and remembered by many as a revered and beloved teacher, mentor, healer, and scholar.

Conflictivitat comunicativa en episodis d'emergència: aproximació a la cobertura informativa i la gestió institucional de l'esfondrament d'un túnel del metro al barri del Carmel de Barcelona

En aquesta investigació s’estudien els processos de producció de la informacióper part dels mitjans de comunicació i la gestió comunicativa institucional en episodis d’emergència. En concret, s’analitzen les negociacions entre els actors, les fonts informatives i el respecte deontològic en la divulgacióde les notícies. Per tal de conèixer específicament aquesta conflictivitat,s’ha escollit per a l’estudi de cas l’esfondrament d’un túnel del metro albarri del Carmel de Barcelona el gener de 2005. Per a realitzar aquesta investigació,s’ha utilitzat una perspectiva teòrica multidisciplinària. S’han pres en consideració els postulats teòrics de la sociologia, a partir del diàleg queestableixen diferents autors (Beck, Giddens, Lash i Luhmann) entre el conceptede modernitat i el nou paradigma que Beck (1998) denomina la societat del risc. També s’han tingut en compte els camps de la teoria i la sociologia de la comunicació i, més específicament, el marc teòric del periodisme i de les relacions públiques.

Learning journalistic opinion genres using CLIL methodology

The Faculty of Business and Communication recently started an internationalization process that, in two year’s time, will allow all undergraduate students (studying Journalism, Audiovisual Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, Business and Marketing) to take 25% of their subjects in English using CLIL methodology. Currently, Journalism is the degree course with the greatest percentage of CLIL subjects, for example Current Affairs Workshop, a subject dedicated to analyzing current news using opinion genres. Moreover, because of the lack of other subjects offered in English, ERASMUS students have to take some journalism subjects in order to complete their international passport, and one of the classes they choose is the Current Affairs Workshop. The aim of this paper is to explore how CLIL methodology can be useful for learning journalistic opinion genres (chat-shows, discussions and debates) in a subject where Catalan Communication students –with different levels of English- share their knowledge with European students of other social disciplines. Students work in multidisciplinary groups in which they develop real radio and TV programs, adopting all the roles (moderator, technician, producer and participants), analyzing daily newspapers and other sources to create content, based on current affairs. This paper is based on the participant observation of the lecturers of the subject, who have designed different activities related to journalistic genres, where students can develop their skills according to the role they play in every assignment. Examples of successful lessons will be given, in addition to the results of the course: both positive and negative. Although the objective of the course is to examine professional routines related to opinion genres, and students are not directly graded on their level of English, the Catalan students come to appreciate how they finally overcome their fear of working in a foreign language. This is a basic result of their experience.

2004-2014 Odissea a la xarxa : Una visió de la comunicació d'empresa

Aquest estudi analitza els canvi entre 2004 i 2014 de 5 elements clau en els departaments de comunicació de les empreses: la gestió de la reputació corporativa, les relacions amb els mitjans, la comunicació publicitària, les eines i canals propis dels departaments de comunicació i, finalment, els canvis en el rol dels departaments de comunicació i els seus professionals.

Museos y periodistas. Análisis de la sala de prensa virtual como espacio de relaciones públicas

Las rutinas de producción periodística se vieron alteradas con la aparición de Internet y la evolución de las fuentes 2.0. Se han extendido los espacios virtuales corporativos para los medios de comunicación, entendidos como herramienta básica de Relaciones Públicas. Los responsables de las organizaciones museísticas han entendido la necesidad de establecer un vínculo relacional con los periodistas en la red, a través de los sitios web oficiales de los museos. No obstante, concluimos que no facilitan los contenidos necesarios para transmitirlos de forma apropiada.

Comunicar una marca : El rol de las relaciones públicas en la construcción de la moda emergente

La idea de esta disertación es investigar acerca de las tendencias que configurarán el futuro de la moda desde el punto de vista de la comunicación y las relaciones públicas en marcas de moda emergentes. El enfoque está enmarcado en Suecia como escena con la intención de resaltar las acciones que han ido configurando los valores de esta sociedad y que los han llevado al desarrollo de un nuevo paradigma.

Julkishallinnon sähköisten palveluiden arkkitehtuurit

Sähköinen asiointi on yleistynyt viime vuosien aikana nopeasti. Toimivia julkishallinnon sähköisiä palveluita kehitetään jatkuvasti yhä uusiin tarkoituksiin. Tällä hetkellä sähköisten palveluiden tarjontaa leimaa hajanaisuus. Jokainen palveluita tarjoava organisaatio kehittää palveluita itsenäisesti, omalla tavallaan. Palveluiden kehittäminen asiakaslähtöisesti edellyttää palvelukokonaisuuksien suunnittelua arkkitehtuuritasolla. Yksittäisten sovellusten kehittämisen lisäksi on huomioitava näiden sovellusten toimivuus yhteen, osana suurempaa kokonaisuutta. Palvelukeskeisessä arkkitehtuurisuunnittelussa lähtökohta on se, että jokainen yksittäinen sovellus on itsessään palvelu, joka tuottaa määritelmänsä mukaisen tulosteen sellaisessa muodossa, jota muut sovellukset kykenevät ymmärtämään. Työn tuloksena havaittiin, että vaikka sähköiselle hallinnolle on kehitetty useita viitearkkitehtuureja, on käytännön työ palveluiden integroimiseksi vielä kesken. Yksittäisten palveluiden liittäminen suuremmiksi kokonaisuuksiksi vaatii määrätietoista arkkitehtuurisuunnittelua sekä kansallista suunnittelun koordinointia. Tiedon jakaminen organisaatiorajojen yli muodostaa joukon kysymyksiä, joihin ei ole vielä vastausta. Tietosuojaa ja yksityisyyttä ei voida uhrata sähköistä hallintoa suunniteltaessa.

Sähköinen huutokauppa ja dynaaminen hankintajärjestelmä

Opinnäytetyöni tavoitteena on esitellä olennaiset kohdat julkisten hankintojen sähköisessä menettelyssä. Arvioinnin kohteena on lokakuussa 2011 voimaan astunut laki sähköisestä huutokaupasta ja dynaamisesta hankintajärjestelmästä. Opinnäytetyöni on kirjoituspöytätutkimus, joka perustuu julkisia hankintoja koskevaan lainsäädäntöaineistoon sekä julkisia hankintoja tutkivien sidosryhmien tuottamaan kirjallisuuteen. Näkökulmana on sähköisen menettelyn sääntelyn tarkoituksenmukaisuus hankintayksiköiden sekä toimittajien näkökulmista. Sääntely julkisten hankintojen sähköisestä menettelystä tarkoittaa julkisilla varoilla hankittavien palvelujen sekä tavaroiden hankintaa sähköisessä verkkoympäristössä. Hankintayksikkö, kuten valtion tai kunnan viranomainen, voi tämän lain myötä suorittaa hankintaprosessin sähköisesti käyttöliittymän kautta haluamastaan tuotteesta tai palvelusta.

Strategic communication : practice, ideology and dissonance

This dissertation approaches the manifestations of ideology in U.S. Strategic Communication. The discussion approaches Strategic Communication by relating it to the Enlightenment narratives and suggesting these narratives maintain similar social and political functions. This dissertation aims to address the key contents and mechanisms of Strategic Communication by covering the perspectives of (i) communication as leadership as well as (ii) communication as discourse , i.e. practice and contents. Throughout the empirical part of the dissertation, the communication theoretical discussion is supported by a methodological framework that bridges Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and functional language theory. According to the principles of CDA, Strategic Communication is treated as ideological, hegemonic discourse that impacts social order. The primary method of analysis is transitivity analysis, which is concerned with how language and its patterns construe reality. This analysis is complemented with a discussion on the rituals of production and interpretation, which can be treated as visual extensions of textual transitivity. The concept of agency is the key object of analysis. From the perspective of leadership, Strategic Communication is essentially a leadership model through which the organization defines itself, its aims and legitimacy. This dissertation arrives to the conclusion that Strategic Communication is used not only as a concept for managing Public Relations and information operations. It is an esse ntial asset in the inter-organization management of its members. The current developments indicate that the concept is developing towards even heavier measures of control. From the perspective of language and discourse, the key narratives of Strategic Communication are advocated with the intrinsic values of democracy and technological progress as the prerequisites of ethics and justice. The transitivity patterns reveal highly polarized agency. The agency of the Self is typically outsourced to technology. Further, the transitivity pa tterns demonstrate how the effects-centric paradigm of warfare has created a lexicon that is ideologically exclusive. It has led to the development of two mutually exclusive sets of vocabulary, where the desc riptions of legitimate ac tion exclude Others by default. These ideological discourses have become naturalized in the official vocabulary of strategic planning and le adership. Finally, the analysis of the images of the captures and deaths of Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi bring the discussion back to the themes of the Enlightenment by demonstrating how democracy is framed to serve political purposes. The images of democracy are essentially images of violence. Contrary to the official, instrumental and humanitari an narratives of Strategic Communication, it is the grammar of expressive, violent rituals that serve as the instrument of unity.