Quantifying the use of the statin antilipemic drugs: Comparisons and contrasts between Nova Scotia, Canada, and Queensland, Australia

Background: jurisdictions are developing public drug insurance systems to improve access to pharmaceuticals, cost-effective prescribing, and patient health and well-being. We compared 2 Jurisdictions with different pharmaceutical policies to determine prescribing patterns for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (le, statins). Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using available prescription admimstrative databases to compare the use of statins in Queensland, Australia, and in Nova Scotia, Canada. Methods: Data from the Nova Scotia Pharmacare Program and the Health Insurance Commission in Australia were used to obtain dispensing data. Utilization was compared for the 5-year period from 1997 through 2001, using the World Health Organization anatomic therapeutic chemical/defined daily dose (DDD) system. Results: In the year 2001, there were 177,000 beneficiaries in the public drug plan in Nova Scotia (62% aged ≥ 65 years old) and 960,000 concession beneficiaries (pensioners and social security recipients, 61% aged ≥ 65 years) in Queensland. These 2 groups were comparable. The overall utilization of statin medications increased steadily in both areas over the study period, from 50 to 205 DDD/1000 beneficiaries per day. Comparison of the 2 growth lines showed no statistically significant differences in overall statin use despite differences in brand availabilities and policies about prescribing. In the year 2001, atorvastatin was the most commonly prescribed statin in both areas, comprising 46% of statin use in Nova Scotia and 51% in Queensland. Mean doses of each statin prescribed were slightly above the DDDs. Expenditure on statins per 1000 beneficiaries and per DDD were similar in each jurisdiction, being slightly higher in Nova Scotia. Conclusions: Despite differences in pharmaceutical reimbursement systems, use of the statins was similar in Nova Scotia and Queensland. The feasibility of the methodology was demonstrated. Future studies, including comparisons of drug utilization for other classes of drugs for which drug policies may be divergent (eg, different pricing structures or prior authorization requirements), or for which less evidence for appropriate use is available, may be useful. © 2005 Excerpta Medica, Inc.

The role of audiometry in the prevention of occupational deafness

The research set out to test three main hypotheses derived from a summary of literature relevant to the use of audiometry in industry. These hypotheses were: (1) performing audiometry increases the probability that hearing protectors, once issued, will be worn; (2) audiometry is considered by workers to be evidence of their employer's concern for their welfare; (3) audiometry is associated with common law claims by workers against employers for alleged occupational deafness. Six subsidiary hypotheses were also developed. Four methods of data collection were used: (1) attitude questionnaires were administered to samples of workers drawn from an industrial company performing audiometry and two industrial companies not performing audiometry; (2) a postal questionnaire was sent out to industrial medical officers; (3) surveys were undertaken to assess the proportion of the workforce in each of eight industrial companies that was wearing personal hearing protectors that had been provided; (4) structured interviews were carried out with relevant management level personnel in each of five industrial companies. Factor analysis was the main statistical analytic technique used. The data supported all three main hypotheses. Audiometry was also examined as an example of medical screening procedure. It was argued that the validation of medical screening procedures requires the satisfaction of attitudinal or motivational validation criteria in addition to the biological and economic criteria currently used. It was concluded that industrial audiometry failed to satisfy such attitudinal or motivational criteria and so should not be part of a programme of screening for occupational deafness. It was also concluded that industrial audiometry may be useful in creating awareness, amongst workers, of occupational deafness. It was argued that the only profitable approach to investigating the role of audiometry in preventing occupational deafness is to study the attitudes and perceptions of everyone involved.

On the use of software models during software execution

Increasingly software systems are required to survive variations in their execution environment without or with only little human intervention. Such systems are called "eternal software systems". In contrast to the traditional view of development and execution as separate cycles, these modern software systems should not present such a separation. Research in MDE has been primarily concerned with the use of models during the first cycle or development (i.e. during the design, implementation, and deployment) and has shown excellent results. In this paper the author argues that an eternal software system must have a first-class representation of itself available to enable change. These runtime representations (or runtime models) will depend on the kind of dynamic changes that we want to make available during execution or on the kind of analysis we want the system to support. Hence, different models can be conceived. Self-representation inevitably implies the use of reflection. In this paper the author briefly summarizes research that supports the use of runtime models, and points out different issues and research questions. © 2009 IEEE.

"Let Us Sing as We Go": The Role of Music in the United States Suffrage Movement

Music played a prominent role in the United States women’s suffrage movement (1848–1920). Suffragists left behind hundreds of compositions supporting their cause and historical accounts indicate that musical performances were common at suffrage events. With only a few exceptions, scholars have disregarded the music used in this movement, and have underemphasized its significance. This study examines the use of music in the suffrage movement from three perspectives: music with lyrics, titles, and images that espouse women’s enfranchisement; music performed at national suffrage conventions held by the National American Woman Suffrage Association; and music accompanying suffrage parades. Though the music used varies in each case, it is clear that music played an important role in unifying suffragists and underscoring the ideals and goals of the movement.

Contributo do sistema integrado de comunicação e manipulação no desenvolvimento e aprendizagem de crianças com paralisia cerebral em contexto educativo/escolar

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de mestre em Educação Especial – ramo de Problemas de Cognição e Multideficiência

The use of corpora to the teach english as a foreign language in secondary education in Portugal

Trabalho de Projecto apresentado para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Didáctica Do Inglês

The use of ISO 9001 quality standard in higher education institution libraries

[eng] ISO standard 9001 is one of a set of management tools that libraries have adopted in recent years. This article focuses on libraries in higher education institutions that have received ISO certification of their quality management systems (ISO standard 9001:2000). We examine their reasons for seeking certification and the advantages and difficulties they have encountered in applying this ISO standard. Finally, we consider the future prospects of ISO standard 9001 in university libraries.

AURPO Guidance - the safe use of lasers in research and education

AURPO Guidance - The safe use of lasers in research and education - Guidance note no.7, 2012 Edition

The use of oral presentations in Higher Education : CLIL vs. English as a foreign language

Incluye ap??ndice

The use of music education in oral schools for children who are deaf and hard of hearing

This paper is a survey and discussion of the teaching methods, objectives, and benefits associated with music programs in oral schools for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Coping with linguistic challenges in UK higher education: the use of strategies by Chinese research students

The present study sets out to examine the strategies used by Chinese learners in a predominantly naturalistic environment and how such learner strategy use relates to their proficiency in the second language. Data were collected from four Chinese research students in the UK using semi-structured interviews. Their proficiency in English was assessed with an oral interview and a listening test. The main findings from this study are that the learners used a wide range of strategies overall, including metacognitive, cognitive, social/affective and compensation strategies. The majority of the commonly reported strategies were metacognitive strategies, suggesting that the learners were self-directed and attempting to manage their own learning in an informal context. They also showed idiosyncrasies in their use of learner strategies. Attempts to explain the learners’ strategy use in relation to their levels of proficiency in English and contextual factors, as well as several other factors, are offered. Implications for target-country institutions in terms of the provision of support to Chinese students are discussed.

The role of efficacy and well-being in guiding the use of education and training services by young homeless mothers

This paper builds on previous work applying the concept of well-being to the field of housing. It uses the concepts of self-esteem, efficacy and social identity to explore the situations of a group of young homeless mothers. In particular, it focuses on the impact of well-being factors, among others, in understanding the uptake of education and training services. The paper concludes by arguing that well-being issues are crucial for housing agencies and others who want to engage with young homeless people.

Policies and practices for the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in education in Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography