Efficiency of colombian schools

The main goal of this paper is to study the efficiency of Colombian schools with an eye on understanding what drives school productivity and how much is to be gained by increasing efficiency. The paper uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to study efficiency and a Tobit model to study the determinants of efficiency. Introduction. The main goal of this paper is to study the efficiency of Colombian schools with an eye on understanding what drives school productivity and how much is to be gained by increasing efficiency. The paper uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to study efficiency and a Tobit model to study the determinants of efficiency. This is not the first paper to look at the efficiency of secondary schools in Colombia. Gaviria and Barrientos (2001) look at the determinants of test scores in the city of Bogotá. They find that public schools produce lower scores than private schools after controlling for socioeconomic characteristics. More importantly, they find that teacher´s education and infrastructure positively affect scores in private schools but not in public schools, which suggests the existence of inefficiencies in publicly provided education. Nunez et al. (2002) look at the differences between private and public secondary schools in both urban and rural areas for the year 1999. They find that public schools produce, on average, lower scores. However, at the bottom of the distribution, public schools appear to be better than private schools. Finally, Barrera (2003) finds that test scores in both public and private schools increased in the last decade, but that private school scores increased more than public school ones. Initially for the investigation, we analyzed the case of Bogotá. However, given the disparity between this city and the rest of the country and a desire to include municipal level variation, we decided to expand the study to the national level. The results, as we will show, change dramatically in the two samples. We will, therefore, present the results using the national sample and analyze the specific case of Bogotá separately. The paper has the following structure. In the second part, we describe the main methodology used in the analysis. The third part presents the results for the whole country. The next section includes a discussion of the potential role of costs of public versus private education. Finally we close the paper with some general conclusions. In the Appendix we present the analysis of Bogotá as a particular case.Educación, Enseñanza Secundaria, Calidad de la Educación, Rendimiento de la Educación, Colombia

El último intento de salvar la valorización financiera: el "blindaje", el "megacanje" y los "préstamos garantizados"

El proceso político económico neoliberal de la última dictadura cívico-militar dejó diversas secuelas en la argentina que cuatro décadas después siguen calando hondo. Entre ellas se pueden mencionar: un aparato policial y represor en el que aún habitan prácticas institucionales constituidas bajo el régimen militar; un sistema judicial en el que todavía fijan sentencias jueces cómplices del genocidio; un proceso de desindustrialización y disgregación social que dejó una elevada heterogeneidad laboral y pobreza estructural aún luego de una década de elevado crecimiento; y un endeudamiento externo que durante el patrón de acumulación de valorización financiera del capital fue funcional a los sectores dominantes y que fue una de las causas de la mayor crisis económica de la historia argentina en 2001. En este marco, el presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar los años finales del patrón de acumulación de valorización financiera. Más precisamente, se indaga sobre las tres últimas operatorias de deuda externa que aumentaron fuertemente los compromisos externos del país y que le permitieron a los grandes capitales locales conseguir las divisas necesarias para resguardar sus activos en el exterior antes del colapso de la convertibilidad: el "blindaje", el "megacanje" y los "préstamos garantizados".Fil: Barrera, Mariano Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales. Sede Académica Argentina Buenos Aires. Área de Economía y Tecnología; Argentin

Initial Education of Philosophy Teachers in Colombia: Association between new Public Policy Requirements and National Standardized Tests

This paper evaluates the association between new public policy requirements for B.Ed. programs in Colombia —1) demand high-quality accreditation, 2) restrict distance modality, 3) restrict multidisciplinary programs, and 4) increase academic credits in education courses and pedagogical practices— and the outcomes of 1387 B.Ed. in Philosophy students in the National Saber Pro test 2016-2018, in ‘Education’ component. The methodology was multilevel linear regression; the residential region is the level variable, and were included other control variables (gender, age, ethnic minority, socioeconomic index, etc.). The results show that outcomes are associated with pedagogical practices and with non-multidisciplinary programs, supporting new regulations. Students attending on campus programs had better outcomes, but students in distance programs came from regions where there are no programs, so this must be taken carefully. Contrary to the hypothesis, high-quality accreditation was not significant. This should lead to a review of accreditation criteria and its mandatory nature

Cryptographic salting for security enhancement of double random phase encryption schemes

Security in optical encryption techniques is a subject of great importance, especially in light of recent reports of successful attacks. We propose a new procedure to reinforce the ciphertexts generated in double random phase encrypting experimental setups. This ciphertext is protected by multiplexing with a 'salt' ciphertext coded with the same setup. We present an experimental implementation of the 'salting' technique. Thereafter, we analyze the resistance of the 'salted' ciphertext under some of the commonly known attacks reported in the literature, demonstrating the validity of our proposal.Fil: Velez Zea, Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas; ArgentinaFil: Barrera Ramírez, John Fredy. Universidad de Antioquia; ColombiaFil: Torroba, Roberto Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Uidet Grupo de Ensayos Mecanicos Aplicados.; Argentin

A Review of the 2012 Reynosa Gas Plant Explosion

Presentatio

Rate coefficient for the reaction of Cl atoms with cis-3-hexene at 296 ± 2 K

The rate coefficient of the cis-3-hexene + Cl atoms reaction at 296 ± 2 K and 750 ± 10 Torr was determined using the relative rate technique. The reaction was investigated using an 80 L Teflon reaction bag and a gas chromatograph coupled with flame-ionization detection. Chlorine atoms were produced by the photolysis of trichloroacetyl chloride. No previous experimental data was available in the literature, to the best of our knowledge. The mean second-order rate coefficient value found was (4.13 ± 0.51) × 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The experimental value agrees with the rate coefficient estimated by structure-reactivity analysis, 4.27 × 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. Moreover, both addition and hydrogen abstraction channels contribute to the global kinetics, with branching ratios 70:30. Effective lifetime with respect to Cl atoms is predicted as 67.2 hours; however, the cis-3-hexene + Cl channel is suggested to be non-negligible at atmospheric conditions. Other atmospheric implications are discussed.Fil: Barbosa, Thaís S.. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Barrera, Javier Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Jara Toro, Rafael Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Bauerfeldt, Glauco F.. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Arbilla, Graciela. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Lane, Silvia Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentin

Os efeitos estruturais da política energética na Argentina, 1989-2014

El objetivo del artículo es describir las políticas energéticas desarrolladas desde las reformas neoliberales hasta 2014 para determinar los impactos estructurales que tuvieron sobre la economía argentina. La metodología utilizada radicó en utilizar fuentes secundarias, sea tanto legislación oficial y estadísticas públicas como reconstruir la voz de los principales actores involucrados con declaraciones en medios gráficos. Asimismo se desplegaron técnicas cuantitativas para confirmar la relación entre las principales variables. El trabajo muestra cómo desde las reformas neoliberales de la década de 1990 se impulsó una dinámica del sector que fue desacoplando la oferta de la demanda energética. Como respuesta, el Estado nacional promovió las importaciones para cubrir tal brecha, situación que terminó impactando en la macroeconomía, acelerando el déficit fiscal, profundizando el quiebre del balance de pagos y agudizando la restricción externa, situación que más que una crisis energética, terminaría ocasionando una crisis del modelo energético.The objective of this paper is to describe the energy policies developed since the neoliberal reforms until 2014, to determine the structural impacts of these policies on the Argentine economy. The methodology consisted in using secondary sources, such as official legislation and public statistics, and in the reconstruction of the voice of the main actors involved, using statements in graphic media. Moreover, quantitative techniques were deployed to confirm the relationship between the main variables. The work shows how, since the neoliberal reforms of the 1990s, a dynamic of the sector was promoted, which was decoupling the energy supply and demand. In response, the national government promoted imports to bridge the gap, which finally had an impact on the macroeconomics, since it accelerated the fiscal deficit, deepened the breakdown of the balance of payments and exacerbated the external restrictions; this situation, more than an energy crisis, would end up causing a crisis of the energy modelO objetivo do artigo é descrever as políticas energéticas desenvolvidas desde as reformas neoliberais até 2014 para determinar os impactos estruturais que tiveram na economia argentina. A metodologia utilizada baseou- -se no uso de fontes secundárias, legislação oficial e estatísticas públicas, e reconstrução da voz dos principais atores envolvidos com declarações na mídia. Da mesma forma, técnicas quantitativas foram implantadas para confirmar a relação entre as principais variáveis. O trabalho mostra como, desde as reformas neoliberais da década de 1990, se fomentou uma dinâmica do setor que estava desacoplando o suprimento de demanda de energia. Em resposta, o governo nacional promoveu as importações para cobrir essa lacuna, mas acabou tendo um impacto na macroeconomia, acelerando o déficit fiscal, aprofundando a quebra da balança de pagamentos e agravando a restrição externa; uma situação que, mais do que uma crise de energia, acabaria causando uma crise do modelo energético.Fil: Serrani, Esteban Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Altos Estudios Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Barrera, Mariano Alejandro. Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales. Sede Académica Argentina Buenos Aires. Área de Economía y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Energía y restricción externa en la Argentina reciente

El presente artículo analiza las consecuencias que tuvo sobre la economía la convergencia de dos tendencias contrapuestas durante las últimas décadas: el estrangulamiento de la oferta energética por la caída de la extracción de hidrocarburos, insumo esencial para el autoabastecimiento energético de la Argentina, y la expansión de la demanda que generaron las políticas de ampliación de la cobertura de energía, que ocasionaron el quiebre de la balanza comercial energética con un severo déficit de divisas para la economía. En definitiva, se busca comprender cómo la intensificación de los problemas estructurales del sector se fue consolidando como un obstáculo estructural al desarrollo económico en Argentina, afectando el crecimiento del producto interno bruto a través del fortalecimiento de la restricción externa.this article analyzes the consequences of the convergence of two opposing trends which impacted on the economy over recent decades: the strangulation of energetic supply given the drop in hydrocarbon extraction - essential material for argentine energy self-supply - and the growth of demand generated by energy coverage expansion policies, which generated a rapture in energy trade balance accompanied by a severe deficit of currency in the economy. in short, the aim is understanding how the intensification of the sector's structural problems was solidified as a structural obstacle for economic development in argentina, impacting the growth of gross domestic product through the strengthening of foreign restriction.Fil: Barrera, Mariano Alejandro. Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales. Sede Académica Argentina Buenos Aires. Área de Economía y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Serrani, Esteban Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Altos Estudios Sociales; Argentin

Solar Energy Prediction Model Based on Artificial Neural Networks and Open Data

With climate change driving an increasingly stronger influence over governments and municipalities, sustainable development, and renewable energy are gaining traction across the globe. This is reflected within the EU 2030 agenda, that envisions a future where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. One of the challenges to achieve this vision lies on the low reliability of certain renewable sources. While both particulars and public entities try to reach self-sufficiency through sustainable energy generation, it is unclear how much investment is needed to mitigate the unreliability introduced by natural factors such as varying wind speed and daylight across the year. In this sense, a tool that aids predicting the energy output of sustainable sources across the year for a particular location can aid greatly in making sustainable energy investments more efficient. In this paper, we make use of Open Data sources, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and installations distributed across Europe to create such tool through the application of Artificial Neural Networks. We analyze how the different factors affect the prediction of energy production and how Open Data can be used to predict the expected output of sustainable sources. As a result, we facilitate users the necessary information to decide how much they wish to invest according to the desired energy output for their particular location. Compared to state-of-the-art proposals, our solution provides an abstraction layer focused on energy production, rather that radiation data, and can be trained and tailored for different locations using Open Data. Finally, our tests show that our proposal improves the accuracy of the forecasting, obtaining a lower mean squared error (MSE) of 0.040 compared to an MSE 0.055 from other proposals in the literature.This paper has been co-funded by the ECLIPSE-UA (RTI2018-094283-B-C32) project from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities; both Jose M. Barrera (I-PI 98/18) and Alejandro Reina (I-PI 13/20) hold an Industrial PhD Grants co-funded by the University of Alicante and the Lucentia Lab Spin-off Company

A Scoping Review of Complexity Science in Dentistry

Introducción: El propósito de esta revisión es establecer cómo se entiende e instituye la teoría de la complejidad en odontología. Métodos: El sistema estomatognático puede ser entendido como un sistema dinámico, complejo y adaptativo. Cada condición patológica o fisiológica de este sistema involucra procesos físicos, químicos y biológicos en interacciones constantes, abiertas y cambiantes con procesos sociales, emocionales, nutricionales, políticos y económicos. En este contexto, concretamente, se plantearon las siguientes preguntas de investigación: ¿Cómo utilizan los investigadores la ciencia de la complejidad en odontología? ¿Cómo se describe la ciencia de la complejidad en los artículos de odontología? Resultados: Se realizó una breve búsqueda bibliográfica que permitió identificar 11 artículos de PubMed, así como dos de la base de datos Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS) y uno de la Biblioteca Cochrane para una revisión de texto completo. Los estudios sobre complejidad en las ciencias odontológicas se presentan mayoritariamente en forma de artículos de opinión crítica, que correspondieron al 50% de los artículos revisados. En odontología, la complejidad se entiende menos como una teoría y más como una línea de pensamiento relativa a los procedimientos que pueden volverse complejos en un momento dado. Conclusiones: Este artículo muestra que existen grandes dificultades para integrar la complejidad y entenderla en odontología. Hay muchos aspectos de la ciencia de la complejidad que aún deben comprenderse en la salud bucodental.Introduction: The purpose of this review is to establish how the theory of complexity is understood and instituted in dentistry. Methods: The stomatognathic system can be understood as a dynamic, complex, and adaptive system. Each pathological or physiological condition of this system involves physical, chemical, and biological processes in constant, open, and changing interactions with social, emotional, nutritional, political, and economic processes. Against this background, specifically, the following research questions were posed: How do researchers use complexity science in dentistry? How is complexity science described in dentistry articles?. Results: A brief literature search was implemented, which identified 11 PubMed articles as well as two from the Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS) database and one from the Cochrane Library for a full text review. Studies on complexity in the dental sciences are mostly presented in the form of critical opinion articles, which corresponded to 50% of the reviewed articles. In dentistry, complexity is understood as less of a theory and more as a line of thinking regarding procedures that can become complex at any given time. Conclusion: This article shows that there are great difficulties in integrating complexity and understanding it in dentistry. There are many aspects from complexity science that still need to be understood in oral health