Reflexiones sobre el espacio público = Thoughts on Public Space

En este artículo planteamos una aproximación a la idea de espacio público como articulador del conjunto de acontecimientos que intervienen en la vida de las ciudades. Entendemos este fenómeno como una red poliédrica y multidimensional, cuyo estudio pasa por el análisis de diversas problemáticas: la identificación de los límites entre espacio público y esfera pública; la conformación del espacio público construido; la aproximación teórica al fenómeno desde la contemporaneidad; la dimensión social del espacio público; y finalmente la perspectiva de la gestión de las ciudades. Todas estas dimensiones expresan una mirada crítica del objeto i ponen en valor niveles de trabajo interdisciplinar y multiescala, fundamentales para entender e intervenir en el espacio público de la ciudad contemporánea.

Reflexiones sobre el espacio público = Thoughts on Public Space

En este artículo planteamos una aproximación a la idea de espacio público como articulador del conjunto de acontecimientos que intervienen en la vida de las ciudades. Entendemos este fenómeno como una red poliédrica y multidimensional, cuyo estudio pasa por el análisis de diversas problemáticas: la identificación de los límites entre espacio público y esfera pública; la conformación del espacio público construido; la aproximación teórica al fenómeno desde la contemporaneidad; la dimensión social del espacio público; y finalmente la perspectiva de la gestión de las ciudades. Todas estas dimensiones expresan una mirada crítica del objeto i ponen en valor niveles de trabajo interdisciplinar y multiescala, fundamentales para entender e intervenir en el espacio público de la ciudad contemporánea.

The Human Resources Strategy as the Key to Success of Knowledge Management in Companies Implementing New Technologies in the City of Montería

Knowledge management has been one of the topics of greatest interest in the field of organizational studies in recent years. The objective of this research is to analyze the adoptionof knowledge management practices and their relation to human resource policies. The study was carried out in companies operating in the city of Monteria from a quantitative analysis.

The role of location in knowledge creation and diffusion: evidence of centripetal and centrifugal forces in the City of London financial services agglomeration

In this paper we report on a major empirical study of centripetal and centrifugal forces in the City of London financial services agglomeration. The study sheds light on (1) the manner and magnitude of firm interaction in the agglomeration; (2) the characteristics of the agglomeration that aid the competitiveness of incumbent firms; and (3) the problems associated with agglomeration. In addressing these issues, we use the data to (1) test emerging theory that explains the high productivity and innovation of agglomerations in terms of their ability to generate and diffuse knowledge; and (2) evaluate the ‘end of geography’ thesis.

Impact on public knowledge and attitudes. Kansas City ASAP--analytic study 7. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension and control practices among elderly residents of São Paulo city, Brazil

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of hypertension and control practices among the elderly. The survey analyzed data from 872 elderly people in São Paulo, Brazil, through a cluster sampling, stratified according to education and income. A Poisson multiple regression model checked for the existence of factors associated with hypertension. The prevalence of self-reported hypertension among the elderly was 46.9%. Variables associated with hypertension were self-rated health, alcohol consumption, gender, and hospitalization in the last year, regardless of age. The three most common measures taken to control hypertension, but only rarely, are oral medication, routine salt-free diet and physical activity. Lifestyle and socioeconomic status did not affect the practice of control, but knowledge about the importance of physical activity was higher among those older people with higher education and greater income. The research suggests that health policies that focus on primary care to encourage lifestyle changes among the elderly are necessary.

Exposure to contaminated water: perceptions and practices in a neighborhood in the city of Manaus, Brazil

Objective. To investigate the modes of water supply and the perception concerning the problems caused by this water among residents of a neighborhood without public supply of water, settled in an area previously used as a garbage dump in the city of Manaus, Brazil. Methods. One hundred and sixty-two semi-structured household interviews were conducted. In addition, a focal group with teachers from a local public school and a meeting with residents were held. The instruments employed focused on the perception and modes of water use and on the process of exposure to chemical contaminants through water. Results. Untreated well water was used by most families. This water was considered to be ""good"" by 64.8% of the individuals interviewed. Most residents (88.3%) declared knowledge about the garbage dump. Of these, 77.6% stated that the garbage dump caused health and environmental problems. However, qualitative analysis of the responses revealed that the residents were not aware of contamination by chemical elements or of the consequences of such contamination. The activities carried out with teachers revealed that they were partially aware of the problem, but did not design interventions to address the issue. In a meeting with neighborhood residents, the presence of social activism concerning the problem was identified, but it did not extend beyond the neighborhood or reach governmental spheres. Conclusions. The study identified a situation of critical exposure that tends to be maintained as a result of misperceptions and lack of social mobilization. The dissemination of research results to teachers and residents was useful to empower subjects.

Study of the Extent of the Information of Cardiologists from Sao Paulo City, Brazil, Regarding a Low-Prevalence Entity: Brugada Syndrome

Objective: To determine the degree of knowledge that cardiologists from Sao Paulo, Brazil, have regarding a low-prevalent entity associated with a high rate of sudden death-Brugada syndrome. Methods: Two hundred forty-four cardiologists were interviewed by an instrument divided in two parts: in the first, we recorded gender, age, and data related to academic profile. The second-answered only by the professionals that manifested having some degree of knowledge on the syndrome-had 28 questions that evaluated their knowledge. The answers were spontaneous and they did not have a chance to consult. We used uni- and multivariate analysis on the average percentage of right and wrong answers, and the influence of the academic profile. Results: The predominant gender was the male gender (61.1%), the average age was 44.32 +/- 10.83 years, 40% with more than 20 years after obtaining their degree, 44% were educated in public institutions, 69% had a residency in cardiology, 20% had overseas practice, 12% had postdegree, 41% were linked to an educational institution, 24% with publication(s) in an indexed journal, 17.2% were authors of chapters in books, 2.5% had edited books, and 10% were linked to the Brazilian Society of Cardiac Arrhythmias. The average percentage of right answers was 45.7%. Conclusion: The sample studied revealed a little knowledge on the entity. A residency in cardiology was the factor of greater significance in the percentage of right answers. Other significant factors were the link of the interviewed person to an educational institution, or the Brazilian Society of Cardiac Arrhythmias, and having a specialist degree.

Intracultural Diversity in Food Knowledge in Southern Brazil

This research explores the social distribution of food knowledge in Ribeirao Preto, a city in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Through an analysis of the distribution of individual expertise in regard to the cultural model of food along the dimensions of healthfulness, practicality, and prestige, this research demonstrates that knowledge of the cultural model of food is most strongly shared in the upper class of the city. Qualitative and quantitative ethnographic research suggests that the social patterning of health-related food knowledge in Ribeirao Preto may serve to maintain class distinction.

Knowledge and policy action in urban development: if we know so much, why is the urban condition not improving?

In spite of the wealth generation potential of the world's large metropolitan cities, poor living conditions for much of the world's urban population persist. Although the city has been widely studied, urban policy often remains ineffective. The paper adopts a policy process approach to analyze the relationship between knowledge and governmental action. Impediments to improving urban policy are found in the inadequate capacity of government to act and in the politics of democratic decision-making. The paper recommends that a pragmatic view of knowledge generation be adopted.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of mammography among women users of public health services

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice related to mammography among women users of local health services, identifying barriers to its performance. METHODS: A total of 663 women were interviewed at 13 local health centers in a city of Southeastern Brazil, in 2001. Interviewees were randomly selected at each center and they were representative from different socioeconomic conditions. The number of interviewees at each center was proportional to monthly mean appointments. For data analysis, answers were described as knowledge, attitude, practice and their respective adequacies and then they were correlated with control variables through the chi-square test. RESULTS: Only 7.4% of the interviewees had adequate knowledge on mammography, while 97.1% of women had an adequate attitude. The same was seen for the practice of mammography that was adequate in 35.7% of the cases. The main barrier to mammography was lack of referral by physicians working at the health center (81.8%). There was an association between adequacy of attitude and five years or more of education and being married. There was also an association between adequacy of mammography practice and being employed and family income up to four minimum wages. CONCLUSIONS: Women users of local health services had no adequate knowledge and practice related to mammography despite having an adequate attitude about this exam.

Locus of control and contraceptive knowledge, attitude and practice among university students

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between locus of control and knowledge, attitude and practice regarding pill and condom use among university students. METHODS: The inquiry was developed in Campinas, a city in Southeastern Brazil, in 2006. A total of 295 adolescent newcomers to a public university answered a structured questionnaire and Levenson's multidimensional locus of control scale. The scores of the dimensions of locus of control were calculated and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess their correlation with knowledge and practice concerning pill and condom use. In order to assess the relationship between the dimensions of locus of control and sociodemographic variables and variables related to the individuals' sex life, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used. RESULTS: Male adolescents had higher scores of powerful others externality when compared to female adolescents (p=0.01). Students living alone had lower internality (p=0.01). When locus of control was compared to condom use in the first intercourse, considering only the 102 students who informed the age of the beginning of sexual activity, greater internality was found among male adolescents who did not use condoms (p<0.05). When the locus of control scores were correlated with contraceptive knowledge and practice, it was found that the higher the powerful others externality locus, the lower the adequate use of contraceptive methods (r = -0.22, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The powerful others externality locus influences the practice of contraceptive use in this group of adolescents.