Service-based survey of dystonia in Munich

We performed a service-based epidemiological study of dystonia in Munich, Germany. Due to favourable referral and treatment patterns in the Munich area, we could provide confident data from dystonia patients seeking botulinum toxin treatment. A total of 230 patients were ascertained, of whom 188 had primary dystonia. Point prevalence ratios were estimated to be 10.1 (95% confidence interval 8.4-11.9) per 100,000 for focal and 0.3 (0.0-0.6) for generalised primary dystonia. The most common focal primary dystonias were cervical dystonia with 5.4 (4.2-6.7) and essential blepharospasm with 3.1 (2.1-4.1) per 100,000 followed by laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia) with 1.0 (0.4-1.5) per 100,000. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Base

El significado social que los jóvenes universitarios mexicanos tienen del celular. Un análisis desde la perspectiva de género

En esta nueva realidad social, la juventud se acompasa de forma natural a los cambios acelerados, a diferencia de los adultos “que se resisten a la celeridad de los cambios por el cúmulo de hábitos, prácticas y conocimientos ya incorporados” (Zermeño, 2002: 29). Por otro lado, los jóvenes tienen como reto natural de su etapa de desarrollo, lo que Erikson llamó “generatividad”, la capacidad para ser productivo y creativo (Citado en Donas, 2001). Y las nuevas reglas del juego están caracterizadas por una realidad social en donde el acceso al conocimiento y a la información son los ejes claves para el desarrollo social de los jóvenes (Castells, 2000). En este sentido, desde la sociología y la comunicación reflexionamos respecto al significado social que los jóvenes universitarios tienen del celular, tomando en cuenta la perspectiva de género. Para ello, el trabajo está organizado en cinco apartados. En el primero se hace una introducción del tema estudiado. En el segundo se hace una revisión teórico-conceptual de las perspectivas teóricas desde donde se comprenden las categorías: significado social, jóvenes universitarios y celular. En el tercero se explica la estrategia metodológica que se empleo para obtener la evidencia empírica. En el cuarto, se expone el significado social que los jóvenes universitarios tienen del celular tomando en cuenta la perspectiva de género. Y finalmente, en el quinto apartado se hacen las reflexiones finales sobre los hallazgos

Antecedents and consequences of knowledge management performance: the role of IT infrastructure

Purpose: In this paper, we assess the role of knowledge management (KM) practices as a key antecedent of KM performance. Also, we examine how Information technology (IT) infrastructure is used as a driver of KM performance, organizational performance and innovation. In addition, the effects of IT infrastructure can be indirect. Specifically, we show that KM performance is a mediator between organizational performance and innovation. Design/methodology/approach: Applying a variance-based structural equation modelling (PLS), we have carried out a study among a sample of 82 Andalusian technology-intensive innovative companies. Findings: First, KM practices and IT infrastructure are significant antecedents of KM performance. Second, KM performance has a direct influence on business performance and innovation outcomes. Third, IT infrastructure does not have a direct influence on business performance and innovation outcomes, but does have a significant indirect effect on them via KM performance. Practical implications: This research provides insights for why some firms may not be realizing benefits from investing in IT infrastructure. KM performance is strongly needed for the successful implementation of IT infrastructure in the organizations. Originality/value: The findings are important for practitioners and researchers because this study makes a contribution to the literature in KM by supporting the perspective that the business and organizational performance are function of the KM performance, a complementary resource through the value of IT infrastructure is enhanced.Peer Reviewe

Antecedents and consequences of knowledge management perfomance. the role of IT infrastructure.

Purpose: In this paper, we assess the role of knowledge management (KM) practices as a key antecedent of KM performance. Also, we examine how information technology (IT) infrastructure is used as a driver of KM performance, organizational performance and innovation. In addition, the effects of IT infrastructure can be indirect. Specifically, we show that KM performance is a mediator between, on the one hand, IT infrastructure and, on the other hand, organizational performance and innovation. Design/methodology: Applying Partial Least Squares (PLS), a composite-based structural equation modeling, we have carried out a study among a sample of 82 Andalusian technology-intensive innovative companies adopting both a confirmatory and predictive purposes. Findings: First, both IT infrastructure and KM practices are key drivers of KM performance. Second, KM performance shows a significant direct impact on business performance and innovation outcomes. Third, the influence of IT infrastructure on business performance and innovation outcomes is not direct but indirect through KM performance. Finally, the model shows good fit values and appropriate predictive power to predict new observations of KM performance and organizational performance. Practical implications: This research provides insights for why some firms may not be realizing benefits from investing in IT infrastructure. KM performance is strongly needed for the successful implementation of IT infrastructure in the organizations. Originality/value: This study has a double research purpose, confirmatory and predictive. In this vein, it applies new PLS developments focused on the goodness of fit as well as on the predictive performance of the model. The findings are important for practitioners and researchers because this study makes a contribution to the literature on KM by supporting the perspective that the business and organizational performance are functions of the KM performance, a complementary resource through which the value of IT infrastructure is enhanced