Windows of opportunities and knowledge networks: implications for the catch-up in developing countries

This document represents a doctoral thesis held under the Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration of Getulio Vargas Foundation (EBAPE/FGV), developed through the elaboration of three articles. The research that resulted in the articles is within the scope of the project entitled “Windows of opportunities and knowledge networks: implications for catch-up in developing countries”, funded by Support Programme for Research and Academic Production of Faculty (ProPesquisa) of Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration (EBAPE) of Getulio Vargas Foundation.

Strategies to promote farm animal welfare in Latin America and their effects on carcass and meat quality traits

Several initiatives, including research and development, increasing stakeholders' awareness and application of legislation and recommendation, have been carried out in Latin America to promote animal welfare and meat quality. Most activities focused on the impact of pre-slaughter conditions (facilities, equipment and handling procedures) on animal welfare and meat quality. The results are encouraging; data from Brazil, Chile and Uruguay showed that the application of the improved pre-slaughter handling practices reduced aggressive handling and the incidence of bruised carcasses at slaughter in cattle and pigs. These outcomes stimulated some to apply animal welfare concepts in livestock handling within the meat production chain as shown by the increasing demand for personnel training on the best. To attend this demand is important to expand local studies on farm animal welfare and to set up (or maintain) an efficient system for knowledge transfer to all stakeholders in the Latin America meat production chains. However, it is clear that to promote the long-term progress in this field is important to deliver practical solutions, assuring that they match the technical and financial conditions of those who are the target of training programs. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microbiological evaluation of different strategies for management of snakes in captivity

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Knowledge and attitudes of health care workers from intensive care units regarding nosocomial transmission of influenza: a study on the immediate pre-pandemic period

The transmission of influenza in health care settings is a major threat to patients, especially those with severe diseases. The attitude of health care workers (HCWs) may influence the transmission of countless infections. The current study aimed to quantify knowledge and identify attitudes of HCWs involved in intensive care units (ICUs) regarding the risk of nosocomial influenza transmission. A questionnaire was applied through interviews to HCWs who worked in one of the five ICUs from a teaching hospital. Questions about influenza were deliberately dispersed among others that assessed several infectious agents. Forty-two HCWs were interviewed: nine physicians, ten nurses and 23 nursing technicians or auxiliaries. Among the 42 HCWs, 98% were aware of the potential transmission of influenza virus in the ICUs, but only 31% would indicate droplet precautions for patients with suspected infection. Moreover, only 31% of them had been vaccinated against influenza in the last campaign (2008). Nursing technicians or auxiliaries were more likely to have been vaccinated, both by univariate and multivariable analysis. When asked about absenteeism, only 10% of the study subjects stated that they would not go to work if they had an influenza-like illness. Those findings suggest that, in non-pandemic periods, influenza control in hospitals requires strategies that combine continuous education with changes in organizational culture.

Polycation-Based Gene Therapy: Current Knowledge and New Perspectives

At present, gene transfection insufficient efficiency is a major drawback of non-viral gene therapy. The 2 main types of delivery systems deployed in gene therapy are based on viral or non-viral gene carriers. Several non-viral modalities can transfer foreign genetic material into the human body. To do so, polycation-based gene delivery methods must achieve sufficient efficiency in the transportation of therapeutic genes across various extracellular and intracellular barriers. These barriers include interactions with blood components, vascular endothelial cells and uptake by the reticuloendothelial system. Furthermore, the degradation of therapeutic DNA by serum nucleases is a potential obstacle for functional delivery to target cells. Cationic polymers constitute one of the most promising approaches to the use of viral vectors for gene therapy. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which DNA can escape from endosomes and traffic to enter the nucleus has triggered new strategies of synthesis and has revitalized research into new polycation-based systems. The objective of this review is to address the state of the art in gene therapy with synthetic and natural polycations and the latest advances to improve gene transfer efficiency in cells.

A Metacommunity Framework for Enhancing the Effectiveness of Biological Monitoring Strategies

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Education and knowledge: basic pillars of changing production patterns with social equity

Includes bibliography

ICT for growth and equality: renewing strategies for the information society. Summary

Includes bibliography

Building long term strategies and public-private alliances for export development: the Finnish case

Includes Bibliography

Job-seeking strategies in Trinidad and Tobago

Includes bibliography

Knowledge Management for Development: Towards a Practical Approach for the Caribbean

This report proposes a framework for locating, collecting, creating, sharing and applying information and knowledge (from within and outside the subregion) for development purposes in the Caribbean subregion. The framework emphasizes the importance of protecting and tapping into the rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of the Caribbean to support its development. This knowledge management for development framework, advanced by ECLAC, is proposed for consideration in the design and implementation of both national policies and strategies, and communitylevel projects to support the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the overall sustainable development of the Caribbean subregion. It considers six main elements, namely inputs, processes and tools, outputs, pillars (on which all the above are built on), the environment or context in which this, like any other scheme, operates and the monitoring and evaluation of knowledge management initiatives. The approach draws from examples of models, frameworks and initiatives developed worldwide, with particular emphasis on those from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mensuração de estratégias de estudo e aprendizagem de alunos universitários: learning and study strategies inventory (lassi) adaptação e validação para o Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Perceptions of environmental change and use of traditional knowledge to plan riparian forest restoration with relocated communities in Alcantara, Eastern Amazon

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)