3,384 research outputs found

    Reforming Brazil's Cadastro Unico to improve the targeting of the Bolsa Familia Program

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    This case study is part of six country case study reports that were commissioned in 2003 by the World Bank specifically for the purposes of a summary report on the design and implementation of household targeting systems in the following countries: Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil and the United States. The report was prepared at the request of officials from the Ministry of Social Assistance. It seeks to examine Brazil's main existing beneficiary registry and selection mechanism. While targeting can effectively channel resources to the poor, implementation details matter tremendously to distributive outcomes. Several key factors affect performance, including: data collection processes; information management; household assessment mechanisms; institutional arrangements; and monitoring and oversight mechanisms. This report conducts an in-depth assessment of key design and implementation factors and their potential impact on outcomes for the household targeting system Cadastro Unico used in Brazil to target social programs to the poor and vulnerable.

    Study on Doping Prevention: A map of Legal, Regulatory and Prevention Practice Provisions in EU 28

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    Historically, anti-doping efforts have focused on the detection and deterrence of doping in elite and competitive sport. There is, however, a growing concern that doping is occurring outside the organised sporting system; giving rise to the belief that the misuse of doping agents in recreational sport has become a societal problem and a public health issue that must be addressed. The EU Commission awarded a contract (EAC/2013/0617) to a Consortium to undertake this Study with the aim of developing the evidence-base for policies designed to combat doping in recreational sport. Fourteen internationally recognised experts shaped the Study which comprised (i) the collection of primary data through a structured survey, and (ii) secondary data through literature searches and website analysis. All 28 Member States participated in the information-gathering process. Specifically, this involved a systematic study of the ethical considerations, legal position, prevention research landscape, and current practise in relation to the prevention of doping in recreational sport. The Study provides a comprehensive overview of current practice and legislation as it applies to the prevention of doping and promotes and supports the sharing of best practices in the EU regarding the fight against doping in recreational sport. It concludes with seven recommendations for future action that focus on the need for a coordinated response in relation to the problems arising from doping in recreational sport

    Employment services and active labor market programs in Eastern European and Central Asian countries

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    The objective of this paper is to look at employment services and labor market policies in the transition countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and identify key benefits and constraints of active labor market programs, as well as the main characteristics and features of successful policy interventions. Various policy options are discussed on how to enhance public employment services but also private employment agencies which might be relevant to and suitable for the countries in the region given their macroeconomic and labor market situation. Overall, this report recommends that greater resources will be needed for active labor market programs (ALMPs) in the future. However, the emphasis should be put on improving the design and effectiveness of ALMPs, rather than on increasing spending levels only.Labor Markets,Labor Policies,Markets and Market Access,Labor Management and Relations,Population Policies

    D4.3 Overview report on relevant socio-economic situation in EU Member States. Dataset on economic situation as input in EMT and for other WPs

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    This report gives an overview of relevant EU Member States' economic and social situation, compiling indicators that can affect migration decisions, planned destinations, and integration trajectories after arrival. All data used in the report originates from the Eurostat database. We identified the database as the most suitable source of live data as it is regularly updated and presents the data in a standardized form that makes it comparable across countries. Furthermore, the Eurostat database provides wide geographic coverage and an extensive set of variables that cover the key economic and social indicators relevant to the context of migration decision-making and attitudes towards migration

    How Can the EU Beating Cancer Plan Help in Tackling Lung Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Breast Cancer and Melanoma?

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    Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in EU countries, and the needs to tackle cancer are obvious. New scientific understanding, techniques and methodologies are opening up horizons for significant improvements in diagnosis and care. However, take-up is uneven, research needs and potential outstrip currently available resources, manifestly beneficial practices—such as population-level screening for lung cancer—are still not generalised, and the quality of life of patients and survivors is only beginning to be given attention it merits. This paper, mainly based on a series of multistakeholder expert workshops organised by the European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM), looks at some of those specifics in the interest of planning a way forward. Part of this exercise also involves taking account of the specific nature of Europe and its constituent countries, where the complexities of planning a way forward are redoubled by the wide variations in national and regional approaches to cancer, local epidemiology and the wide disparities in health systems. Despite all the differences between cancers and national and regional resources and approaches to cancer care, there is a common objective in pursuing broader and more equal access to the best available care for all European citizens

    How Can the EU Beating Cancer Plan Help in Tackling Lung Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Breast Cancer and Melanoma?

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    Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in EU countries, and the needs to tackle cancer are obvious. New scientific understanding, techniques and methodologies are opening up horizons for significant improvements in diagnosis and care. However, take-up is uneven, research needs and potential outstrip currently available resources, manifestly beneficial practices—such as population-level screening for lung cancer—are still not generalised, and the quality of life of patients and survivors is only beginning to be given attention it merits. This paper, mainly based on a series of multistakeholder expert workshops organised by the European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM), looks at some of those specifics in the interest of planning a way forward. Part of this exercise also involves taking account of the specific nature of Europe and its constituent countries, where the complexities of planning a way forward are redoubled by the wide variations in national and regional approaches to cancer, local epidemiology and the wide disparities in health systems. Despite all the differences between cancers and national and regional resources and approaches to cancer care, there is a common objective in pursuing broader and more equal access to the best available care for all European citizens

    Across disciplinary boundaries towards a sustainable life: psychodynamic reflection on human behaviour ; dedicated with eternal gratitude and in high esteem to Prof. Dr. Rainer Fuchs

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    Contents: Introduction: Inga Krättli: Long-term Responsibility for a Sustainable Life: Introductory Panel Session and Roundtable Discussion (15-22); Part 1: On Organisations and Philosophies of Development: Isolde M. Schönstein: Die Verantwortung der Kirchen für nachhaltige Entwicklung (25-33); Emil Brix: Zivilgesellschaft als Chance für die Demokratie (35-42); Michal Sicinski: Ecology and Sustainable Development within a General Social Theory: Old and New Approaches (43-52); Part 2: On Higher Education and Cases of Institution Building: Norbert Derner: Mutual Relationships of Personal Interests and the Evolution of Complex Social Systems (55-59); R. Garleja, I. Kerpe: Innovative Changes in the Social Demand for Lifelong Education (61-66); Richard J. Bartak: Bioakademie - Bildungsprojekt zum ökologischen Landbau in der Tschechischen Republik (67-74); Vijaya Sherry Chand, Elmar A. Stuhler and Sasi Misra: The Fachhochschule System of Higher Education: University of Applied Sciences, Landshut and University of Applied Sciences, Freising-Weihenstephan (75-86); Part 3: Interdisciplinary Studies on National Parks, Ecotourism and Investment: Jan W. Dobrowolski: An Interdisciplinary Study of, and Education for, the Sustainable Development of National Park Regions in Poland and a New Concept of Sound Tourism Management applied to the Cinque Terre National Park in Italy (89-100); Aleksandra Wagner, Jan W. Dobrowolski, Maria Zielinska: Ecotourism as a Factor of Sustainable Development of Specially Protected Regions (101-108); Philippos Nicolopoulos: The Large Scale Investments in Alternative Tourism and Sustainable Development: The Case of Crete and Arcadia (109-121); Part 4: Living Space Resources, Evaluation of Raw Materials, Agricultural and Food Policy: Drago Muvrin: Sustainable Development through Research and Learning. Sustainable Development and Habitation. An Approach to the Use of Living Space Resources (125-136); Ingeborg Bauer: Basic Principles of the Bavarian Agricultural Policy and its Contribution to Sustainable Development (137-142); Aija Melngaile: Global Aspects of Food Chain Development (143-149); Richard J. Bartak: Evaluating the Use of Raw Materials for Food Production from Economic, Ecological, Ethical and Social Points of View (151-162); Part 5: International Agricultural Research for Development: Sabine Homann, Andre van Rooyen, Thinah Moyo and Zivayi Nengomasha: Strengthening Livestock Market Flows and Feeding Practices for Improved Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe (165-173); Sabine Homann, Barbara Rischkowsky, Jörg Steinbach, Michael Kirk: Towards Endogenous Development: Borana Pastoralists' Response to Environmental and Institutional Changes (175-182); Sabine Homann, Barbara Rischkowsky, Jörg Steinbach: Herd Mobility Leads the Way for Sustainable Pastoral Development: The Case of Borana Rangelands, Southern Ethiopia (183-194); Part 6: Aspects of Eco-Design and Development, Innovation as well as Renewable Energy Sources: Marion Hersh: Ecodesign for All: Principles and Practice (197-216); Jozica Knez-Riedl: Developing a Sustainable/Holistic Firm (217-225); Majda Bastic: Analysis of Slovenian New Products from Environmental Viewpoint (227-234); Jan Fiedler: The Economics of Renewable Energy Sources in the Czech Republic (235-240); Part 7: Technological Issues and Opportunities: Zinaida Klestova, Alexander Makarenko, Eugene Samorodov: Geoinformational Systems in society Transformation. System Analysis and Transregional Infrastructure (243-250); T. Abadjieva: Effect of Solar Radiation on Materials and Design of Buildings in Botswana (251-258); Vera Vokolkova: Road Transport and its Contribution to Global Warming with Special Regards to Developing Countries (259-269); Dana Wenscheova: Transportation and Environment in the City of Brno (271-275); Antonin Kremr: The Modrice Project - Reconstruction and Intensification of the City Waste Water Treatment Plant in Brno (277-280); Part 8: Latvian Processes and Methodologies: I. Skards, J. Raipulis, I. Karlsone, V. Strazdina: Why Have Suicide Rates in Baltic States Increased after Restoration of Independence after 1990 (283-296); Ilmars Skards, Jekabs Raipulis, Ilga Karlsone: Demographic Situation in Latvia and the Conditions which Limit it (297-310); A. Goldsteins: State Forest Certification Activities in Latvia (311-315); Part 9: Our New Enemy: Timi Ecimovic: The Climate Change System (319-334); Melanie Thun: "Shishmaref Must Yield" (335-336); Werner Zeppenfeld: Tuvalu: An Island Nation Cables SOS (337); Part 10: Possible Follow up Studies: Rainer Fuchs, Shalini Misra: Need and Possibility for Analysing Human Motivation Potential - Related to Sustainability (341-363); Rainer Fuchs: Goal-oriented Action: The Interaction of Process Components in Terms of Cybernetic Theory (365-380); Elmar A. Stuhler: The Usefulness of Action Psychology for Multipurpose Agribusiness (381-393); Elmar A. Stuhler: Retrospect and Prospect (395-400)

    Reducing Vascular Access Complications Through Precise Cannulation Plan Implementation

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    Abstract Aneurysm, which is the dilatation of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF), and pseudo-aneurysm, which is caused by leaking of blood outside the arteriovenous graft (AVG), pose a threat to the vascular access (VA) and the patient (Mudoni et al., 2015). Uneven vein penetration by dialysis needles and subsequent skin scarring lead to the development of inflammatory changes in the VA area. Scab formation masks the signs of ongoing inflammation. Damage to and tearing of the scab can then lead to lethal exsanguination from the VA (Handlos, Marecová, Smatanová, Dvořáček, & Dobiáš, 2018). Dialysis staff members are trained to use the entire length of the VA for cannulation; this rope-ladder cannulation method relies on changing the puncture sites for each dialysis treatment (Twardowski, 2015). However, in daily clinical practice, often the same area of the fistula or graft is cannulated for reasons of comfort and ease (Verhallen, Kooistra, & Jaarsveld, 2007). An engaged outpatient in-center hemodialysis (HD) team adopts the use of a disposable measuring tool of their choice to create a VA-specific cannulation plan to achieve the aim of reducing aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm formation in new VA by 50% within one year. Weekly audits of Chairside VA assessment monitor adherence to cannulation plan. The monthly quality score VA-in-use percentage reflects VA longevity. Continuous assessment of patients’ care experience and the team’s adherence to the cannulation plan will identify opportunities for improvement, and determine the successful adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP)

    Integrity of Medicare customer data

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    This audit examined the effectiveness of the Department of Human Services’ management of Medicare customer data and the integrity of this data. Audit objective, criteria and scope The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Human Services’ management of Medicare customer data and the integrity of this data. To assist in evaluating the department’s performance in terms of the audit objective, the ANAO developed the following high level criteria: Human Services has adequate controls and procedures for the collection and recording of high quality customer data; Medicare customer data as recorded on Human Services systems is complete, accurate and reliable; and customer data recorded on Human Services systems is subject to an effective quality assurance program and meets relevant privacy and security requirements. The audit scope focused on the integrity of Medicare customer data and included related testing of all Medicare customer records. It did not examine Healthcare Provider Information, the allocation or management of Individual Healthcare Identifiers (IHI) or the operation of Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records. The audit also considered the extent to which Human Services had implemented the six recommendations from ANAO Performance Audit Report No.24 of 2004–05 Integrity of Medicare Enrolment Data. Overall conclusion Medicare has been in place for 30 years and is accessed by almost all Australians and some visa holders and visitors. In 2012­­–13, Human Services reported over 23 million people enrolled in Medicare, including 618 533 new enrolments. The department’s administration of Medicare is supported by a long‑established database, the Consumer Directory, which contains all Medicare customer records. As the repository of a large and evolving data set incorporating, on an ongoing basis, both new enrolments and changes to customer information, the Consumer Directory requires active management to maintain the integrity, security and privacy of customer data; essential prerequisites for the effective administration of Medicare. Human Services’ framework for the management of Medicare customer data, including procedures and input controls for the entry of new enrolment information and changes to customer information, has not been fully effective in maintaining the integrity of data in the Consumer Directory. ANAO analysis of the department’s Medicare customer data holdings identified: at least 18 000 possible duplicate enrolments—an ongoing data integrity issue in the Medicare customer database; active records for customers without an entitlement as well as inactive records and some with unusual activity; and records which had customer information inconsistently, inaccurately and incompletely recorded. In addition, the department advised the ANAO of instances where the records of two different customers are combined (‘intertwined records’), giving rise to privacy and clinical safety risks. While the number of compromised records held in the database is not significant given the scale of the department’s data holdings, the data integrity issues referred to above indicate that departmental procedures and key elements of the data input control framework require management attention to improve operational efficiency, better protect customer privacy and clinical safety, and reduce the risk of fraudulent activity. The extent of the data integrity issues highlighted by the audit and the length of time these issues have been evident also indicate a need for the department to periodically assess the underlying causes of data integrity issues and implement necessary treatments. The audit identified that additional attention should be given to: the tightening of data input controls, including the full and accurate completion of mandatory data fields in accordance with system and business rules; the adequacy and consistency of staff training and written guidance; addressing duplicate and ‘intertwined records’; and undertaking data integrity testing on a targeted risk basis. Further, Human Services’ procedures for managing the security of Medicare customer data do not comply fully with some mandatory requirements of the Australian Government’s Information Security Manual (ISM); significantly reducing the level of assurance of the relevant systems’ ability to withstand security threats from external and internal sources. The department should implement whole‑of‑government requirements in relation to system security. Positive elements of Human Services’ approach to managing Medicare customer data include: unique customer reference numbers within the Consumer Directory, which have a high degree of integrity; a well‑developed privacy framework which contributes to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive Medicare customer records; and a Quality Framework comprising a daily program of random checks on completed transactions by customer service officers. As discussed however, a fully effective approach to managing the integrity of data holdings requires that attention be given to the development and consistent implementation of the full suite of procedures and controls. The ANAO last examined the integrity of Medicare enrolment data in 2004–05, making six recommendations. Human Services could demonstrate implementation of two recommendations but could not demonstrate implementation of the remainder, which were aimed at addressing data integrity issues, including duplicate enrolments, prior to the migration of Medicare customer data to the Consumer Directory. As discussed, the ANAO’s analysis in this audit indicates that the issue of duplicate enrolments has persisted; and, more broadly, the department has foregone an opportunity to enhance its performance by implementing a number of the earlier ANAO recommendations targeted at improving data integrity. The ANAO has made five recommendations in the current audit aimed at enhancing the management and integrity of Medicare customer data by Human Services. The recommendations relate to improving training and guidance for customer service officers, addressing data integrity issues and their causes, and complying with the mandatory requirements of the ISM

    Information Outlook, April 1997

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    Volume 1, Issue 4https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_1997/1003/thumbnail.jp
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