What Makes Small-City Downtowns Viable?

The paper examines the experience of Connecticut's urban centers over the past century with an eye toward informing public policy. An in-depth qualitative discussion describes the rise and characteristics of urbanism, and then its unraveling. Linear regression analysis then quantifies the impact of various contributory factors on urban economic health in Connecticut cities since 1980. The findings suggest that local policymakers are largely unable to influence economic conditions in their cities.

The mark of a good healer: Examining health care behaviors in the Vietnamese community

The purpose of this study was to conduct a descriptive, exploratory analysis of the utilization of both traditional healing methods and western biomedical approaches to health care among members of the Vietnamese community in Houston, Texas. The first goal of the study was to identify the type(s) of health care that the Vietnamese use. The second goal was to highlight the numerous factors that may influence why certain health care choices are made. The third goal of this study was to examine the issue of preference to determine which practices would be used if limiting factors did not exist. ^ There were 81 participants, consisting of males and females who were 18 years or older. The core groups of participants were Vietnamese students from the University of Houston-Downtown and volunteer staff members from VN TeamWork. Asking the students and staff members to recommend others for the study used the snowball method of recruiting additional participants. ^ Surveys and informed consents were in English and Vietnamese. The participants were given the choice to take the surveys face-to-face or on their own. Surveys consisted of structured questions with predetermined choices, as well as, open-ended questions to allow more detailed information. The quantitative and qualitative data were coded and entered into a database, using SPSS software version 15.0. ^ Results indicated that participants used both traditional (38.3%) and biomedical (59.3%) healing, with 44.4% stating that it depended on the illness as to treatment. Coining was the most used traditional healing method, clearly still used by all ages. Coining was also the method most used when issues regarding fear and delayed western medical treatment were involved. It was determined that insurance status, more than household income, guided health care choices. A person's age, number of years spent in the United States, age at migration, and the use of certain traditional healing methods like coining all played a role in the importance of the health care practitioner speaking Vietnamese. The most important finding was that 64.2% of the participants preferred both traditional and western medicine because both methods work. ^

A Su Salud Injury Prevention expansion: Analysis of injury prevention perceptions in a Hispanic community

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for American ages one to 44 and is ranked in the top ten causes of death for all age groups (CDC, 2006a). A Su Salud Injury Prevention was developed to address injury prevention awareness and education. The program is a mass media education campaign that uses role models, mass media, and community outreach to prevent injury. In 2009, University Health System (UHS) expanded the program. Baseline data were collected from 426 residents in targeted neighborhoods northwest of downtown San Antonio to support the expansion. The purpose of this study was to explore injury perceptions, knowledge, and behaviors of adults living in the expansion area, and define the predominant factors associated with these perceptions. A secondary aim was to assess community awareness and willingness to participate in the program.^ Survey results showed motor vehicle crashes (MVC), falls, drinking and driving, and guns and assaults were considered the most serious injures for adults. The most serious child injuries were MVC, abuse and neglect, falls, and head injuries. Residents were knowledgeable of state seatbelt policy, and over 90% responded as compliant for seatbelt and child car seat use. Most were knowledgeable about drinking and driving state policy and negative outcomes. However, 70% of those reporting driving under the influence of alcohol within the last year engaged in repeat high risk behavior. Men and residents under the age of 55 were more likely to engage in repeat drinking and driving (OR= 3.6, 7.0 respectively). Residents consider injury prevention an important issue, and have interest in a local injury prevention program. Younger women are the most likely to participate in a local program as potential role models and volunteers.^ Results from the study are summarized into an injury prevention and demographic profile of the community that will be used to develop tailored injury prevention messages to create a more effective program, and support program coordinators in effective community engagement. Results will also be used as a comparative basis for future evaluation of a behavioral injury prevention program focused on a predominantly Mexican-American community.^

Effectiveness of a nutrition education program for women in a residential program after incarceration

Background: The number of incarcerated women has increased dramatically over the past two decades. During their stay in prison, the medical and nutritional needs of these women are frequently ignored. Overweight or obesity related to poor dietary habits and low-income status are important risk factors for health inequities. Women in this population are at risk for dietary-related chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This is an indication that there is a need for nutrition education in this population. ^ Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide an evidence-based nutrition education program at a facility for previously incarcerated women in Downtown Houston, Texas (Brigid's Hope). This nutrition education program focused on promoting better health and prevention of chronic diseases by increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and healthy eating on a limited budget. Constructs such as knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers were evaluated as well as acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability of the program. ^ Methods: The Hope for Health Nutrition Education Program occurred in four weekly sessions at Brigid's Hope. The evaluation design was a one-group quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measures. Identical pre- and post-tests were administered before and after the intervention. A total of 11 residents and 2 staff members participated in the study. Results: After four nutrition education sessions, post-tests revealed an overall increase in knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy scores, and decrease in perceived barrier scores towards FV consumption. Changes in skills, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers scores were found to be statistically significant. Participant satisfaction surveys revealed overall high satisfaction of the program and that continuing the program in the future would be possible with support from staff member and mentors. ^ Conclusions: Results from this study show that a nutrition education program can have positive effects towards knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers towards FV consumption for previously incarcerated women. The high satisfaction for this program shows that a health promotion program with focus on diet and nutrition can play an important role in helping this unique population of women re-enter society.^

Correlation of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus in Harris County, Texas from 2009 through 2010 using Geographic Information Systems

A population based ecological study was conducted to identify areas with a high number of TB and HIV new diagnoses in Harris County, Texas from 2009 through 2010 by applying Geographic Information Systems to determine whether distinguished spatial patterns exist at the census tract level through the use of exploratory mapping. As of 2010, Texas has the fourth highest occurrence of new diagnoses of HIV/AIDS and TB.[31] The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has identified HIV infected persons as a high risk population for TB in Harris County.[29] In order to explore this relationship further, GIS was utilized to identify spatial trends. ^ The specific aims were to map TB and HIV new diagnoses rates and spatially identify hotspots and high value clusters at the census tract level. The potential association between HIV and TB was analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and linear regression analysis. The spatial statistics used were ArcGIS 9.3 Hotspot Analysis and Cluster and Outlier Analysis. Spatial autocorrelation was determined through Global Moran's I and linear regression analysis. ^ Hotspots and clusters of TB and HIV are located within the same spatial areas of Harris County. The areas with high value clusters and hotspots for each infection are located within the central downtown area of the city of Houston. There is an additional hotspot area of TB located directly north of I-10 and a hotspot area of HIV northeast of Interstate 610. ^ The Moran's I Index of 0.17 (Z score = 3.6 standard deviations, p-value = 0.01) suggests that TB is statistically clustered with a less than 1% chance that this pattern is due to random chance. However, there were a high number of features with no neighbors which may invalidate the statistical properties of the test. Linear regression analysis indicated that HIV new diagnoses rates (β=−0.006, SE=0.147, p=0.970) and census tracts (β=0.000, SE=0.000, p=0.866) were not significant predictors of TB new diagnoses rates. ^ Mapping products indicate that census tracts with overlapping hotspots and high value clusters of TB and HIV should be a targeted focus for prevention efforts, most particularly within central Harris County. While the statistical association was not confirmed, evidence suggests that there is a relationship between HIV and TB within this two year period.^

Configuraciones espaciales del comercio minorista en Brasil

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el crecimiento del comercio minorista en Brasil teniendo en vista la ampliación del mercado interno de consumo que ha sido impulsada por la ampliación del sistema de crédito y por políticas estatales de redistribución de renta y de exención de impuestos. La expansión del mercado implica una profunda reestructuración a nivel productivo que abarca el sector industrial, comercial y de servicios y que se realiza por medio de una constante reorganización espacial y de la transformación gradual de los patrones de consumo. Una de las características principales del crecimiento del mercado interno de consumo es la tendencia a exacerbar las contradicciones centro-periferia generadas por la consolidación de procesos de concentración y centralización espacial de las actividades económicas en determinadas regiones del territorio brasilero.

Manuel Vázquez Montalbán

El 17 de octubre de 2003 falleció uno de los autores más salientes de las letras españolas de las últimas décadas: Manuel Vázquez Montalbán. Estas páginas quieren presentar una semblanza de su obra y de su actividad y su imagen como escritor en general, caudalosa y febril, atravesada por las tensiones y conflictos entre el campo literario y el campo político; la alta literatura, el mercado y el acceso a un público masivo; la reelaboración y recodificación de diversos géneros, incluyendo la de sus objetivos, niveles de lectura y horizontes estéticos y políticos. En las últimas líneas se refiere y comenta brevemente la última novela del autor, Erec y Enide.

Configuraciones espaciales del comercio minorista en Brasil

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el crecimiento del comercio minorista en Brasil teniendo en vista la ampliación del mercado interno de consumo que ha sido impulsada por la ampliación del sistema de crédito y por políticas estatales de redistribución de renta y de exención de impuestos. La expansión del mercado implica una profunda reestructuración a nivel productivo que abarca el sector industrial, comercial y de servicios y que se realiza por medio de una constante reorganización espacial y de la transformación gradual de los patrones de consumo. Una de las características principales del crecimiento del mercado interno de consumo es la tendencia a exacerbar las contradicciones centro-periferia generadas por la consolidación de procesos de concentración y centralización espacial de las actividades económicas en determinadas regiones del territorio brasilero.

Manuel Vázquez Montalbán

El 17 de octubre de 2003 falleció uno de los autores más salientes de las letras españolas de las últimas décadas: Manuel Vázquez Montalbán. Estas páginas quieren presentar una semblanza de su obra y de su actividad y su imagen como escritor en general, caudalosa y febril, atravesada por las tensiones y conflictos entre el campo literario y el campo político; la alta literatura, el mercado y el acceso a un público masivo; la reelaboración y recodificación de diversos géneros, incluyendo la de sus objetivos, niveles de lectura y horizontes estéticos y políticos. En las últimas líneas se refiere y comenta brevemente la última novela del autor, Erec y Enide.

Configuraciones espaciales del comercio minorista en Brasil

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el crecimiento del comercio minorista en Brasil teniendo en vista la ampliación del mercado interno de consumo que ha sido impulsada por la ampliación del sistema de crédito y por políticas estatales de redistribución de renta y de exención de impuestos. La expansión del mercado implica una profunda reestructuración a nivel productivo que abarca el sector industrial, comercial y de servicios y que se realiza por medio de una constante reorganización espacial y de la transformación gradual de los patrones de consumo. Una de las características principales del crecimiento del mercado interno de consumo es la tendencia a exacerbar las contradicciones centro-periferia generadas por la consolidación de procesos de concentración y centralización espacial de las actividades económicas en determinadas regiones del territorio brasilero.

Manuel Vázquez Montalbán

El 17 de octubre de 2003 falleció uno de los autores más salientes de las letras españolas de las últimas décadas: Manuel Vázquez Montalbán. Estas páginas quieren presentar una semblanza de su obra y de su actividad y su imagen como escritor en general, caudalosa y febril, atravesada por las tensiones y conflictos entre el campo literario y el campo político; la alta literatura, el mercado y el acceso a un público masivo; la reelaboración y recodificación de diversos géneros, incluyendo la de sus objetivos, niveles de lectura y horizontes estéticos y políticos. En las últimas líneas se refiere y comenta brevemente la última novela del autor, Erec y Enide.

Sediment composition and sedimentation rates of four Holes in ODP Leg 166

To date, work on the Great Bahama Bank's western, leeward margin has centred chiefly on seismic-scale expressions of carbonate sequences and systems tracts. However, periplatform, slope sediments also exhibit very well developed cyclicity on scales of decimetres to several metres. It is these small-scale, high-frequency cycles within the larger-scale facies successions of the Quaternary which form the main topic of this paper. Previous studies have shown that the small-scale cycles correlate to the orbitally forced, high-frequency sea-level changes. Therefore these cycles should indicate how sea level has affected the slope development and thus platform-margin evolution during this period. Through detailed, high-resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Great Bahama Bank's leeward margin, obtained via delta18O isotope and mineralogical (XRD) analyses, confined by U/Th dating and nannofossil bioevents, a greater understanding of the bedding geometries within the Pleistocene-Holocene seismic sequences and clues as to the nature of the slope development has been achieved. The high-resolution seismic profiles indicate that since the Plio-Pleistocene change in geometry, in which the Great Bahama Bank developed into a rimmed platform, continued steepening and subsequent progradation of the leeward margin has typified slope development during the Quaternary, which is described as an accretionary slope. However, on the basis of our observations we conclude that only the early to lower middle Pleistocene section (isotope stages 45-20) and the Holocene (isotope stage 1) of the leeward margin is accretionary. This indicates that a degree of erosion and/or by-passing has occurred on the leeward margin since the lower middle Pleistocene (isotope stage 19). During the first part of this period (isotope stages 19-12) erosion and/or by-passing occurred in the middle to lower slope regions and toe-of-slope. By the end of the upper middle to late Pleistocene phase (isotope stages 11-2) erosion also occurred on the upper slope. This erosion by currents at the toe-of-slope and oversteepening of the upper and middle slopes have led to back-cutting upslope and resulted in the progressive retreat of the toe-of-slope towards the platform to the east. However, the rise in sea level since the Last Glacial Maximum to its present-day level has allowed high productivity on the platform top during the Holocene and the deposition of a thick sediment wedge on the slope and sedimentation across the entire leeward flanks. This has led to the redevelopment of an accretionary slope and continued westward progradation of the Great Bahama Bank's western, leeward margin.

Sediment geochemistry, foraminiferal fauna parameter, census counts and Varimax PC-factor loadings and scores of foraminiferal assemblages of sediment core GeoB12615-4

Analogous to West- and North Africa, East Africa experienced more humid conditions between approximately 12 to 5 kyr BP, relative to today. While timing and extension of wet phases in the North and West are well constrained, this is not the case for the East African Humid Period. Here we present a record of benthic foraminiferal assemblages and sediment elemental compositions of a sediment core from the East African continental slope, in order to provide insight into the regional shallow Indian Ocean paleoceanography and East African climate history of the last 40 kyr. During glacial times, the dominance of a benthic foraminiferal assemblage characterized by Bulimina aculeata, suggests enhanced surface productivity and sustained flux of organic carbon to the sea floor. During Heinrich Stadial 1 (H1), the Nuttallides rugosus Assemblage indicates oligotrophic bottom water conditions and therefore implies a stronger flow of southern-sourced AAIW to the study site. During the East African Humid Period, the Saidovina karreriana Assemblage in combination with sedimentary C/N and Fe/Ca ratios suggest higher river runoff to the Indian Ocean, and hence more humid conditions in East Africa. Between 8.5 and 8.1 kyr, contemporaneous to the globally documented 8.2 kyr Event, a severe reduction in river deposits implies more arid conditions on the continent. Comparison of our marine data with terrestrial studies suggests that additional moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, delivered by an eastward migration of the Congo Air Boundary during that time period, could have contributed to East African rainfall. Since approximately 9 kyr, the gaining influence of the Millettiana millettii Assemblage indicates a redevelopment of the East African fringe reefs.

Origin and patterns of distribution of trace elements in street dust. Unleaded petrol and urban lead

The elemental composition, patterns of distribution and possible sources of street dust are not common to all urban environments, but vary according to the peculiarities of each city. The common features and dissimilarities in the origin and nature of street dust were investigated through a series of studies in two widely different cities, Madrid (Spain) and Oslo (Norway), between 1990 and 1994. The most comprehensive sampling campaign was carried out in the Norwegian capital during the summer of 1994. An area of 14 km2, covering most of downtown Oslo and some residential districts to the north of the city, was divided into 1 km2 mapping units, and 16 sampling increments of approximately 150 g were collected from streets and roads in each of them. The fraction below 100 μm was acid-digested and analysed by ICP-MS. Statistical analyses of the results suggest that chemical elements in street dust can be classified into three groups: “urban” elements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Mg, Pb, Sb, Ti, Zn), “natural” elements (Al, Ga, La, Mn, Na, Sr, Th, Y) and elements of a mixed origin or which have undergone geochemical changes from their original sources (Ca, Cs, Fe, Mo, Ni, Rb, Sr, U). Soil resuspension and/or mobilisation appears to be the most important source of “natural” elements, while “urban” elements originate primarily from traffic and from the weathering and corrosion of building materials. The data for Pb seem to prove that the gradual shift from leaded to unleaded petrol as fuel for automobiles has resulted in an almost proportional reduction in the concentration of Pb in dust particles under 100 μm. This fact and the spatial distribution of Pb in the city strongly suggest that lead sources other than traffic (i.e. lead accumulated in urban soil over the years) may contribute as much lead, if not more, to urban street dust.

Fragmentación formal y simplificación funcional de la ciudad de Tacubaya, dentro de la metrópoli de México, durante los procesos de expansión de la primera mitad del siglo XX

La fragmentación espacial de una ciudad, que será el principal enfoque de la presente Tesis, ocurre cuando una entidad pequeña se ve obligada a adecuar sus relaciones ante la inminente presencia de un entorno urbano de mayor peso que se aproxima y densifica. Este tipo de fragmentación se analizará tomando en cuenta tres factores (especulación, desorganización y falta de protección) que moldean el desarrollo de procesos urbanísticos modernos en las grandes metrópolis Latinoamericanas, particularmente en la Ciudad de México. La Ciudad de México tuvo un desarrollo altamente competitivo, que ha sido también el catalizador de un largo y sostenido crecimiento urbano. Con el pasar del tiempo, la capital ha sobrepasado las expectativas de los más visionarios. El estudio detallado del asentamiento de Tacubaya (el cual conforma una parte dinámica de la Ciudad de México), permitirá al lector evaluar el extravagante crecimiento que ocurre en la Ciudad de México y los asentamientos que lo rodean, en la primera mitad del siglo XX. Tacubaya, así como muchos de los pequeños poblados preexistentes que se ubicaban en las afueras de la gran urbe, fue alcanzado y engullido por la mancha urbana, sufriendo importantes cambios en su núcleo urbano. Sin embargo, partes de esta antigua centralidad han persistido junto con una parte de los elementos urbanos que la estructuraban; monumentos y riquezas históricas, los cuales han facilitado la reinvención de su centro urbano, sobreviviendo tanto a los abates del tiempo como a las oleadas de nuevos pobladores. El lugar que permanece es un centro urbano sumamente fragmentado, permeado por: una incesante superposición de tejidos y elementos estructuradores olvidados, poblaciones flotantes y de paso que desestabilizan las zonas residenciales, estratos sociales cada vez más apartados. Pensaríamos que las circunstancias que envuelven la demarcación la han dejado en caos, sin embargo, para la sorpresa de muchos, Tacubaya se sigue adaptando a pesar de todos los obstáculos. ABSTRACT In urbanism, the type of spatial fragmentation, that will be the main focus of this Thesis, occurs when a stronger and denser environment takes over a smaller entity, forcing it to adapt its functional relations. This type of fragmentation will be analyzed taking into account three specific factors (speculation, disorganization, and lack of protection) that mold the development of modern urbanistic processes in large Latin American cities, particularly in Mexico City. Mexico City had a highly competitive and bright development, which served as catalyst in a long and sustained urban growth. With the passing of time, the capital has outgrown the measures, previsions and administrative limits created by the government and its visionaries. The detailed study of the Tacubaya settlement (which conforms a vibrant part of Mexico City) will allow the reader to appreciate the exceptional and rare growth that occurs in Mexico City and in the settlements that surround it, in the first half of the 20th century. Tacubaya as well as many other small preexisting settlements located on the outskirts of the city, has been engulfed by the urban expansion suffering important changes in its urban core. Parts of the ancient centrality have persisted along with its structural urban elements, due mainly to monuments and other historical entities that have facilitated the reinvention of the downtown area, helping it survive not only the passing of time, but also the incrementing population. The city that now exists is fragmented beyond recognition. Tacubaya is permeated by an endless fabric overlay created by forgotten structural elements, floating populations that affect the residential zones, and a polarized society that diverges with every passing day. We may think that the circumstances that surround the city have left it in shambles; however, to the surprise of many, Tacubaya is still adapting in spite of all the obstacles.