A Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) tem apresentado bons resultados em saúde e pode ser um instrumento importante para a efetivação do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (URM). A prescrição medicamentosa é um componente fundamental para a promoção do URM, portanto a ESF precisa ter uma abordagem diferenciada também em relação ao processo de prescrição. Este estudo transversal visa analisar comparativamente as prescrições provenientes do serviço de atendimento médico básico tradicional com aquelas provindas da ESF, assim como avaliar a compreensão dos pacientes sobre estas prescrições, no município de Ribeirão Preto- SP. Este estudo incluiu 1.053 participantes, os quais foram alocados em dois grupos: 932 usuários provenientes do modelo de atendimento básico tradicional (Grupo A - GA) e 121 usuários provenientes da ESF (Grupo B - GB). Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos e aplicou-se um instrumento para analisar a compreensão do usuário sobre a sua receita de medicamentos. As prescrições foram ainda copiadas e posteriormente analisadas de acordo com: conformidade com os itens exigidos por lei; indicadores de qualidade da prescrição propostos pela OMS; complexidade farmacoterapêutica; presença de interações medicamentosas. A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (77,5%), possuía renda per capita de até um salário mínimo (67,2%) e a escolaridade correspondente ao ensino fundamental completo ou não (63,4%). A média de idade foi de 53,9 anos (DP= 17,5). Quanto à compreensão do paciente sobre a prescrição, 63,3% dos usuários do GA apresentaram compreensão insuficiente, no GB esta frequência foi de apenas 18,2%. As prescrições da ESF também se mostraram estatisticamente superiores quanto ao cumprimento dos aspectos legais: presença da forma farmacêutica (70,7% GA; 80,2% GB), dose (70,9% GA; 79,3% GB), posologia completa (63% GA; 75,2% GB), via de administração (58,3% GA; 83,5% GB), duração do tratamento (76,9% GA; 92,6% GB), endereço do prescritor (82,6% GA; 96,7% GB) e ausência de rasuras (90,3% GA; 96,7% GB). A média de medicamentos prescritos foi de 3,9 no GA (DP= 2,8) e 3,5 no GB (DP = 2,4). Em ambos os grupos cerca de 92% dos medicamentos foram prescritos pela denominação oficial, aproximadamente 91% constavam na lista de medicamentos essenciais do município. 11% das prescrições continham ao menos uma indicação de antibiótico. Medicamentos injetáveis constavam em 9,7% das prescrições do GA e 3,3% das do GB. A média de complexidade foi de 12,6 pontos no GA (DP= 9,4) e 11,8 pontos no GB (DP= 8,3). Em relação à presença de interações medicamentosas potencias, no GA a média de interações por prescrição foi de 2,5 (DP = 3,9), no GB o valor foi de 1,9 (DP= 2,6). Em conclusão, os resultados revelam práticas inapropriadas na prescrição de medicamentos em ambas as modalidades de atendimento primário, entretanto, os prescritores da ESF parecem estar mais preparados para realizar a prescrição racional de medicamentos, ainda que não estejam no padrão ideal. / The Family Health Strategy (FHS) has shown good results in health and it is argued that this strategy can be an important tool for ensuring the Rational Use of Drugs (RUD). The rational prescription of drugs is a key component to promote RUD, thus the FHS must have a differential approach regarding drug prescription process too. This cross-sectional research aims to compare drug prescriptions derived from the traditional basic medical care service with those from the FHS, as well as to measure patients\' knowledge about these prescriptions, in Ribeirão Preto- SP. This study includes 1.053 participants, which were separated into two groups: 932 individuals coming from the traditional basic medical care service (Group A - GA) and 121 individuals from the FHS (Group B - GB). Sociodemographic data was collected and an instrument to analyze patient\'s knowledge about their prescription was applied. Prescriptions were also copied and analyzed according to: compliance with prescription standards demanded by the law; prescription quality indicators proposed by WHO; pharmacotherapeutic complexity; presence of drug interactions. Most participants were female (77.5%) had per capita income up to minimum wage (67.2%) and level of education corresponding to elementary school, complete or not (63.4%). The average age was 53.9 years (SD= 17.5). Regarding patient\'s knowledge about their prescriptions, 63.3% of GA individuals had insufficient knowledge; in GB this rate was only 18.2%. Furthermore, prescriptions from FHS also show statistically superior results about compliance with standards demanded by the law, such as: the presence of the pharmaceutical form (70.7% GA; 80.2% GB), dose (70.9% GA; 79.3% GB), comprehensive posology (63% GA; 75.2% GB), administration route (GA 58.3%; 83.5% GB), time of therapy (76.9% GA; 92.6% GB) prescriber\'s address(82.6% GA; GB 96.7%) and absence of erasures (90.3% GA; GB 96.7%). The average number of prescribed drugs was 3.9 in GA (SD = 2.8) and 3.5 in GB (SD = 2.4). In both groups about 92% of the drugs were prescribed by the official nomination, approximately 91% of prescribed drugs were listed on the Essential Medications List of the city and 11% of prescriptions had at least one antibiotic prescribed. Injectable drugs were prescribed in 9.7% of prescriptions from GA and 3.3% from GB. The average complexity was 12.6 points in GA (SD = 9.4) and 11.8 points in GB (SD = 8.3). About the existence of potential drug interactions, the average drug interactions by prescriptions in GA was 2.5 (SD = 3.9), in GB it was 1.9 (SD = 2.6). All things considered, the results reveal inappropriate practices in drug prescription in both modalities of Primary Health Care, nonetheless, prescribers from FHS seem to be more prepared to make rational drug prescription, although they are not still in the ideal pattern.

In this paper I have investigated the role of the weaver, from my own perspective as a weaver. I have discussed weaving in relation to function and painting, and how the weaving process and the collaboration with the loom have a great impact on what I create. I have found it difficult to believe in the future as a weaver, and with this project I wanted to find a meaning with weaving that I can lean on.   All five weaves are woven on the same warp, I call it a warp family. Every weave is a try and a failure to weave a rug. Instead they have all turned into different characters, portraying my ongoing struggle with, and love for, the warp.    I’ve come to the conclusion that for me the rug is a symbol for honesty in making, and that it’s function is to remind us about values that often are neglected. The visible process, the human presence, is then more important than aspects like functionality or perfection.

A weaving program initiated in 1981 by the National Welfare Organization to support the women with low educational background living in a Slavic-speaking area of the mountainous borderlands of Northern Greece, and continued for thirty years until its suspension in 2010. This research aims to shed light on factors that are experienced as important by participants in handcrafted employability projects. By uncovering socio-political factors that led to the suspension of the program, and its consequences on the women, insights about better understanding and dealing with similar conditions could be beneficial for future programs. An open-ended research strategy using individual semi-structured interviews, under the scope of the biographical narrative approach, was followed. According to the research results, the existence of the workshop improved the working conditions of the local women. The positive impact of its operation is reflected on the economic and social life of the village too. However, the sudden decision for suspension left no room for reactions, thus resulting to various economic and social consequences on personal and community levels. In conclusion, the power of structural forces started and ended the program. Despite the restrictions and intentions of the program, the people of this small community managed to create beautiful artefacts and a balanced social atmosphere, as well as to enrich the social life of the village.

New chemical substances being considered for use today are required by law to be evaluated for potential toxic effects upon disposal to the environment. A thorough evaluation, however, is complex, time-consuming, expensive, and impossible to perform on each new substance. In this study the potential toxic effects of a new carpet additive with antimicrobial properties and the associated process waste stream from a textile facility were considered. The wastewater from the rest of the plant was currently being treated in a land application disposal system. An assessment of the toxicity of the antimicrobial additive was made using conventional greenhouse studies. This assessment was compared to the results obtained from three short-term toxicity tests performed on the same set of solutions. The short-term tests used were a corn seedling bioassay, adenosine triphosphate measurements, and bacterial bioluminescence. These short-term tests were evaluated as to their utility as screening tools and as monitoring devices for toxic substances. / Master of Science

Funding of services to residents in publicly funded long-term care (LTC) facilities has historically rested upon a list of physical needs. However, more than 60% of residents in nursing homes have dementia; a condition in which physical needs are only a part of the overall clinical picture. Since past funding formulas focused primarily on the physical characteristics of residents, the Ontario government has adopted the RUG (Resource Utilization Groups)-III (34 Group) for use in LTC facilities which follows the adoption of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 2.0 assessment instrument. Some still question whether the newer formula adequately reflects the care needs of residents with dementia despite its validation in many countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the comprehensiveness of the RUG-III (34 Group) in addressing the needs of residents with dementia living in LTC. First, a critical systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the needs of residents with dementia. Numerous electronic databases were searched for articles published between January 2000 and September 2010, and later cross-referenced. Second, needs identified from the literature were matched to the items of the RUG-III which are selected variables of the MDS 2.0. Third, the priority of the items in the RUG-III was analysed in accordance with the importance of the identified needs. The documented needs were taken from 68 studies and classified into 19 main categories. The needs most supported by the literature were the management of behavioural problems, social needs, the need for daily individualized activities/care and emotional needs/personhood. Among the needs identified, activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive needs and general overall physical health met the most RUG-III items. These needs were found to be well represented within the system. Other needs of importance such as social needs are not thoroughly considered in the grouping methodology though matched to MDS variables. The fact that these needs are not well addressed in the RUG-III poses concerns. Future research is needed to validate the significance of these needs. Considerations should be made as to the adequacy of the funding system and the allocation of funding.

Funding of services to residents in publicly funded long-term care (LTC) facilities has historically rested upon a list of physical needs. However, more than 60% of residents in nursing homes have dementia; a condition in which physical needs are only a part of the overall clinical picture. Since past funding formulas focused primarily on the physical characteristics of residents, the Ontario government has adopted the RUG (Resource Utilization Groups)-III (34 Group) for use in LTC facilities which follows the adoption of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 2.0 assessment instrument. Some still question whether the newer formula adequately reflects the care needs of residents with dementia despite its validation in many countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the comprehensiveness of the RUG-III (34 Group) in addressing the needs of residents with dementia living in LTC. First, a critical systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the needs of residents with dementia. Numerous electronic databases were searched for articles published between January 2000 and September 2010, and later cross-referenced. Second, needs identified from the literature were matched to the items of the RUG-III which are selected variables of the MDS 2.0. Third, the priority of the items in the RUG-III was analysed in accordance with the importance of the identified needs. The documented needs were taken from 68 studies and classified into 19 main categories. The needs most supported by the literature were the management of behavioural problems, social needs, the need for daily individualized activities/care and emotional needs/personhood. Among the needs identified, activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive needs and general overall physical health met the most RUG-III items. These needs were found to be well represented within the system. Other needs of importance such as social needs are not thoroughly considered in the grouping methodology though matched to MDS variables. The fact that these needs are not well addressed in the RUG-III poses concerns. Future research is needed to validate the significance of these needs. Considerations should be made as to the adequacy of the funding system and the allocation of funding.

Funding of services to residents in publicly funded long-term care (LTC) facilities has historically rested upon a list of physical needs. However, more than 60% of residents in nursing homes have dementia; a condition in which physical needs are only a part of the overall clinical picture. Since past funding formulas focused primarily on the physical characteristics of residents, the Ontario government has adopted the RUG (Resource Utilization Groups)-III (34 Group) for use in LTC facilities which follows the adoption of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 2.0 assessment instrument. Some still question whether the newer formula adequately reflects the care needs of residents with dementia despite its validation in many countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the comprehensiveness of the RUG-III (34 Group) in addressing the needs of residents with dementia living in LTC. First, a critical systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the needs of residents with dementia. Numerous electronic databases were searched for articles published between January 2000 and September 2010, and later cross-referenced. Second, needs identified from the literature were matched to the items of the RUG-III which are selected variables of the MDS 2.0. Third, the priority of the items in the RUG-III was analysed in accordance with the importance of the identified needs. The documented needs were taken from 68 studies and classified into 19 main categories. The needs most supported by the literature were the management of behavioural problems, social needs, the need for daily individualized activities/care and emotional needs/personhood. Among the needs identified, activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive needs and general overall physical health met the most RUG-III items. These needs were found to be well represented within the system. Other needs of importance such as social needs are not thoroughly considered in the grouping methodology though matched to MDS variables. The fact that these needs are not well addressed in the RUG-III poses concerns. Future research is needed to validate the significance of these needs. Considerations should be made as to the adequacy of the funding system and the allocation of funding.