Structural budget balance: the pilar of the new chilean fiscal policy rule

This paper develops the structural budget balance methodology, adopted for use in the Chilean public sector. The structural balance methodology adjusts fiscal accounts so they reflect changes in net worth and makes it possible to isolate changes in fiscal policy resulting from the main exogenous factors determining fiscal revenues: GDP and copper price. This facilitates the analysis and evaluation of fiscal policy in Chile, which, since 2000, has focused on achieving a structural budget surplus, thus ensuring the existence of counter-cyclical fiscal policy in a framework of robust fiscal accounts.

Particulate air pollution (pm2.5 and pm10) and medical consultations due to respiratory disease in Medellín (2008-2009)

ABSTRACT: Scientific evidence shows how air pollution has negative effects on human health. Medellin city (Colombia) has high levels of air pollution (according to Redaire’s measurements) as well as a high rate of medical and emergency consultations due to respiratory disease (according to Metrosalud’s measurements). Objective: to show statistical evidence of the positive relationship between pollution due to pm2.5 and pm10 particulate matter and the medical and emergency consultations due to respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis, infections, and rhinitis). Methodology: a number of time series models were applied on daily records of pm10 and pm2.5 particles. A total of ten models were calculated using ordinary least squares (OLS) with White’s correction in order to adjust heteroskedasticity problems. Initially, five models were used for the consultations caused by respiratory disease and pm10 particles. Then, five additional models were used for the consultations caused by respiratory diseases and pm2.5 particles. Results: particulate air pollution leads to respiratory disease, thus becoming a public health problem in Medellín, Colombia.RESUMEN: La evidencia científica muestra cómo la contaminación del aire genera efectos negativos en la salud humana. En Medellín, Colombia, se registra un alto nivel de contaminación del aire por material particulado (medido por Redaire) y un considerable volumen de consultas externas y por urgencias a causa de enfermedades respiratorias, medidas por Metrosalud. Objetivo: presentar evidencia estadística de la relación positiva entre contaminación por material particulado pm2,5 y pm10 y las consultas externas y por urgencia debidas a enfermedades respiratorias (asma, bronquitis, infecciones, rinitis). Metodología: se emplearon modelos de series de tiempo sobreregistros diarios de medición para pm10 y pm2,5; se estimaron diez modelos por mínimos cuadrados ordinarios con corrección de White para ajustar problemas de heterocedasticidad; cinco modelos con consultas por enfermedades respiratorias y pm10; y cinco modelos con consultas por enfermedades respiratorias y pm2,5. Resultados: se concluye que la contaminación del aire por material particulado provoca problemas respiratorios y, en consecuencia, es un problema de salud pública en Medellín

Evaluación del cumplimiento de la guía de atención en desnutrición indicada por el Ministerio de Protección Social de 0 a 10 años

Malnutrition is a public health problem that mainly affects children in our country. Decree 117 from Resolution 412 establishes the procedures to be followed for diseases that are of public interest, such as malnutrition. Objective: evaluate compliance and use of the guide for the treatment of malnourished, an initiative begun by the head office for promotion of the social protection ministry. Methodology: A descriptive transversal study was carried out in a health center in Cali, Colombia. It included 17 clinical histories of malnourished children with age 0 to 10. Results: A total of 17 clinical histories were reviewed: 41.2% were children 0-2 years old, 58.8% were older than 2 years old. 52.9% were females and 47.1% were males. All the clinical histories of the children less than 2 years old included weight-age, height-age and weight-height. For the children older than 2 years old all the histories had weigh–age, height-age; only 10% included the BMI. Biochemistry tests carried out were in 47.1% of the cases CBC and TSH, 5.9 % had a creatinine test. Only 23.5% had stool studies. 100% of the histories lacked total protein tests, T3 and T4, Transferrin, ureic nitrogen and growth hormone tests. Professional healthcare is provided by a physician and a nursing assistant; 100% of the follow-up is done by the nursing assistant. The children are not seen or monitored by a nutritionist. Conclusions: The Basic Care Guide for Malnutrition is not being totally complied by the Health Services.La desnutrición es un problema de salud pública que afecta en su mayoría a los niños y niñas de Colombia. El decreto 117 de la Resolución 412 de obligatorio cumplimiento reglamenta los procedimientos a seguirse con las enfermedades de interés en salud pública, como la desnutrición. Objetivo: Evaluar el cumplimiento y manejo de la guía de atención en niños diagnosticados con desnutrición Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, se incluyeron 17 registros de niños de 0 a 10 años afectados con desnutrición atendidos en un CAA de Cali. Resultados: Se analizaron 17 historias clínicas. 41.2% niños de 0 a 2 años de edad y 58.8% mayores de 2 años. 52.9% niñas y 47.1% niños. En los niños de 0 a 2 años el 100% de las historias incluía el peso-edad, talla-edad, y peso-talla. En los niños mayores de 2 años el 100% de las historias incluían el peso-edad y talla-edad, solo el 10% incluía el IMC. Las pruebas bioquímicas realizadas fueron en un 47.1% el cuadro hematico y TSH, en un 5.9% la creatinina. El coprológico se indico solo en un 23.5% .El 100% de las historias no incluían exámenes de proteínas totales, T3 y T4, Transferrina, Nitrógeno Ureico y Hormona de crecimiento. La intervención profesional la hace el médico y la auxiliar de enfermería, el seguimiento lo hace la auxiliar. Los niños no son valorados ni seguidos por nutricionistas. Conclusión: La guía de atención básica en desnutrición no se está cumpliendo en su totalidad por parte del CAA

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

EpIG‐DB: A database of vascular epiphyte assemblages in the Neotropics

Vascular epiphytes are a diverse and conspicuous component of biodiversity in tropical and subtropical forests. Yet, the patterns and drivers of epiphyte assemblages are poorly studied in comparison with soil‐rooted plants. Current knowledge about diversity patterns of epiphytes mainly stems from local studies or floristic inventories, but this information has not yet been integrated to allow a better understanding of large‐scale distribution patterns. EpIG‐DB, the first database on epiphyte assemblages at the continental scale, resulted from an exhaustive compilation of published and unpublished inventory data from the Neotropics. The current version of EpIG‐DB consists of 463,196 individual epiphytes from 3,005 species, which were collected from a total of 18,148 relevés (host trees and ‘understory’ plots). EpIG‐DB reports the occurrence of ‘true’ epiphytes, hemiepiphytes and nomadic vines, including information on their cover, abundance, frequency and biomass. Most records (97%) correspond to sampled host trees, 76% of them aggregated in forest plots. The data is stored in a TURBOVEG database using the most up‐to‐date checklist of vascular epiphytes. A total of 18 additional fields were created for the standardization of associated data commonly used in epiphyte ecology (e.g. by considering different sampling methods). EpIG‐DB currently covers six major biomes across the whole latitudinal range of epiphytes in the Neotropics but welcomes data globally. This novel database provides, for the first time, unique biodiversity data on epiphytes for the Neotropics and unified guidelines for future collection of epiphyte data. EpIG‐DB will allow exploration of new ways to study the community ecology and biogeography of vascular epiphytes

Putting vascular epiphytes on the traits map

Abstract: Plant functional traits impact the fitness and environmental niche of plants. Major plant functional types have been characterized by their trait spectrum, and the environmental and phylogenetic imprints on traits have advanced several ecological fields. Yet, very few trait data on epiphytes, which represent almost 10% of vascular plants, are available. We collated 76,561 trait observations for 2,882 species of vascular epiphytes and compared these to non‐epiphytic herbs and trees to test hypotheses related to how the epiphytic habit affects traits, and if epiphytes occupy a distinct region in the global trait space. We also compared variation in traits among major groups of epiphytes, and investigated the coordination of traits in epiphytes, ground‐rooted herbs and trees. Epiphytes differ from ground‐rooted plants mainly in traits related to water relations. Unexpectedly, we did not find lower leaf nutrient concentrations, except for nitrogen. Mean photosynthetic rates are much lower than in ground‐rooted plants and lower than expected from the nitrogen concentrations. Trait syndromes clearly distinguish epiphytes from trees and from most non‐epiphytic herbs. Among the three largest epiphytic taxa, orchids differ from bromeliads and ferns mainly by having smaller and more numerous stomata, while ferns differ from bromeliads by having thinner leaves, higher nutrient concentrations, and lower water content and water use efficiency. Trait networks differ among epiphytes, herbs and trees. While all have central nodes represented by SLA and mass‐based photosynthesis, in epiphytes, traits related to plant water relations have stronger connections, and nutrients other than potassium have weaker connections to the remainder of the trait network. Whereas stem‐specific density reflects mechanical support related to plant size in herbs and trees, in epiphytes it mostly reflects water storage and scales with leaf water content. Synthesis. Our findings advance our understanding of epiphyte ecology, but we note that currently mainly leaf traits are available. Important gaps are root, shoot and whole plant, demographic and gas exchange traits. We suggest how future research might use available data and fill data gaps

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

This article has 730 authors, of which I have only listed the lead author and myself as a representative of University of HelsinkiPlant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.Peer reviewe

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives