Residential electricity demand for Spain: new empirical evidence using aggregated data

This paper presents an empirical analysis on the residential demand for electricity. This analysis has been performed using aggregate panel data at the province level for 47 Spanish provinces for the period from 2000 to 2008. For this purpose, we estimated a log-log demand equation for electricity consumption using a dynamic partial adjustment approach. This dynamic demand function has been estimated using OLS, a fixed effect model, and a GMM estimator proposed by Blundell and Bond (1998). The purpose of this empirical analysis has been to highlight some of the characteristics of the Spanish residential electricity demand. Particular attention has been paid to the influence of price, income, and weather conditions on electricity demand. The estimated short and long-run own price elasticities are, as expected, negative, but lower than 1. Furthermore, weather variables have a significant impact on electricity demand.residential electricity demand, panel data, partial adjustment model, aggregate data

EU Integration and Production Networks: Evidende from Spain

The aim of this paper is to advance knowledge of Spain's participation in international production networks using data on trade in parts and components from 1990 to 2006. Data analysis shows a remarkable dynamism of Spanish trade in P&C, both in imports and exports, being capable of keeping their shares despite the intense competition from less developed countries. Additionally, Spanish participation in networks is mostly in Europe. In fact, Spain has maintained itself as one of the primary destinations of European P&C exports and has been the only economy that has improved its position as a supplier. These facts allow us to infer a significant competitive capacity of the Spanish economy in Europe, for both production and assembly of P&C. The EU enlargement to Eastern European countries seems not to have damaged Spanish competitiveness as an assembler. In order to analyse the nature of Spanish participation in production networks, we estimate the determinants of trade in P&C using an extended gravity panel data model. In addition to the standard variables in gravity models, we also examine the role of differences in technology and factor endowment between Spain and its trading partners, and the role of service link costs in P&C trade. We find that Spain's integration in production networking responds to comparative advantage but also to other factors such as EU membership and a good quality transport and communication infrastructures. Some lessons from the experience of a middle-income country like Spain may be useful for the CEECs, which have increased their presence in European production sharing in the last decade. Future EU enlargement towards lower costs countries could threaten their position in networking. The reinforcement of these other factors, besides comparative advantage, would act as key element to strengthen their participation in cross-border networks

CALIDAD DE LA ATENCIÓN A NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES CON LEUCEMIA LINFOBLÁSTICA AGUDA EN UN CENTRO ONCOLÓGICO

Introducción: La Leucemia Linfoblástica Aguda (LLA) es el cáncer más frecuente en niños y adolescentes, tiene altas tasas de mortalidad que la convierten en un problema de salud pública en México y en el mundo. Mediante el Modelo de calidad de Donabedian con sus tres enfoques de evaluación: estructura, proceso y resultado, valorándolos a través de los calificativos de excelente, suficiente e insuficiente se pueden identificar los valores porcentuales del comportamiento de calidad de la atención de este tipo de pacientes, favoreciendo identificar de manera más fácil áreas de oportunidad.    Objetivo: Identificar la calidad de la atención que se ofrece a pacientes menores de 18 años con LLA en un centro oncológico del estado de Veracruz según los enfoques del Modelo de calidad de Donabedian (estructura, proceso y resultado). Material y métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal analítico. Población de estudio menores de 18 años con LLA, sus acompañantes, prestadores de servicio del área de Oncopediatría y servicios relacionados. Se emplearon cinco instrumentos de recolección de datos, validados previo a su aplicación. Resultados: Estructura 67% de excelencia, 20% de suficiencia y 13% de insuficiencia; Proceso 88% de excelencia, 11% de suficiencia y 1% de insuficiencia; de Resultado se obtuvo 76% de excelencia, 17% de suficiencia y 7 de insuficiencia. La calidad de la atención global presentó 77% de excelencia, 16% de suficiencia y 7% de insuficiencia. Discusión: La calidad de la atención fue mayoritariamente excelente, sin embargo, se detectaron áreas de oportunidad, que deben ser consideradas en las intervenciones sanitarias para mejorar la calidad de la atención prestada y la sobrevida de estos pacientes

The Economic Crisis and Residential Electricity Consumption in Spanish Provinces: A Spatial Econometric Analysis

This paper presents an empirical analysis of residential electricity demand considering the existence of spatial effects. This analysis has been performed using aggregate panel data at the province level for 46 Spanish provinces for the period from 2001 to 2009. For this purpose, we estimated a log-log demand equation using a spatial autoregressive model with autoregressive disturbances (SARAR). The purpose of this empirical analysis is to determine the influence of price, income, and spatial spillovers on residential electricity demand in Spain. We are particularly interested in analyzing the impact of household disposable income variation across provinces observed during the economic crisis period from 2008-2009. The estimation results show relatively high income elasticity and relatively low price elasticity. Furthermore, the results show the presence of spatial effects in Spanish residential electricity consumption

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Satisfacción del trato recibido durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio en un hospital público.

Satisfacción del trato recibido durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio en un hospital público. Satisfaction of the treatment received during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium in a public hospital   Resumen   Objetivo general: Conocer la satisfacción de las usuarias desde la perspectiva del trato recibido durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio, en un hospital público. Método: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, transversal. Se elaboró instrumento exprofeso, basado en indicadores de trato digno y dos cuestionarios de satisfacción, piloteado, validado y probada su confiabilidad. Aplicado en puerperio inmediato de parto eutócico. Resultados: 114 encuestadas, análisis bivariado reportó mayor satisfacción en la atención del parto y puerperio en mujeres en unión libre; y menor satisfacción durante el puerperio en usuarias con mayor nivel de escolaridad. Turno nocturno presentó índice de satisfacción más alto en el parto. Discusión: Resultados concuerdan con el "Paradigma de la Desconfirmación", se obtuvo desconfirmación nula (cumpliendo las expectativas), los resultados mostraron buenos índices de satisfacción. Sin embargo, es necesario considerar a las usuarias que expresaron insatisfacción y proponer recomendaciones para mejorar la atención.  

SATISFAÇÃO DO TRATAMENTO RECEBIDO DURANTE A GRAVIDEZ, PARTO E PUERPÉRIO EM UM HOSPITAL PÚBLICO

General Objective: To know about users´ satisfaction regarding treatment received during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum at a public hospital. Method: Descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study. An instrument was deliberately created, based on dignified care indicators and two satisfaction questionnaires, after being piloted, validated and its reliability checked. Applied in immediate postpartum after normal childbirth. Results:114 respondents, bivaried analysis reported more satisfaction in delivery and postpartum care in women in free union, and less satisfaction during postpartum in users with higher levels of education. Night shift presented the highest index of satisfaction in delivery. Discussion: Results agree with the “Disconfirmation Paradigm”, null disconfirmation was obtained (fulfilling expectations) and results showed good satisfaction indexes.  However, it is necessary to consider the users who expressed dissatisfaction and make recommendations to improve care.Satisfacción del trato recibido durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio en un hospital público.Satisfaction of the treatment received during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium in a public hospital Resumen Objetivo general: Conocer la satisfacción de las usuarias desde la perspectiva del trato recibido durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio, en un hospital público. Método: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, transversal. Se elaboró instrumento exprofeso, basado en indicadores de trato digno y dos cuestionarios de satisfacción, piloteado, validado y probada su confiabilidad. Aplicado en puerperio inmediato de parto eutócico. Resultados: 114 encuestadas, análisis bivariado reportó mayor satisfacción en la atención del parto y puerperio en mujeres en unión libre; y menor satisfacción durante el puerperio en usuarias con mayor nivel de escolaridad. Turno nocturno presentó índice de satisfacción más alto en el parto. Discusión: Resultados concuerdan con el "Paradigma de la Desconfirmación", se obtuvo desconfirmación nula (cumpliendo las expectativas), los resultados mostraron buenos índices de satisfacción. Sin embargo, es necesario considerar a las usuarias que expresaron insatisfacción y proponer recomendaciones para mejorar la atención.  Objetivo geral: Conhecer a satisfação dos usuários na perspectiva do tratamento recebido durante a gravidez, parto e puerpério, em um hospital público. Método: Estudo descritivo, prospectivo, transversal. Desenhou-se um instrumento exprofeso, baseado em indicadores de tratamento digno e dois questionários de satisfação, pilotados, validados e checados em sua confiabilidade. Foi aplicado no puerpério imediato de parto eutócico. Resultados: dos 114 entrevistados, a análise bi-variada relatou maior satisfação no atendimento ao parto e puerpério nas mulheres em união livre;e menor satisfação durante o puerpério em usuários com maior nível de escolaridade. A turma da noite apresentou maior índice de satisfação no parto. Discussão: Os resultados concordam com o “Paradigma da Desconfirmação”, houve desconfirmación nula (cumprindo as expectativas), os resultados mostraram bons índices de satisfação. No entanto, é necessário considerar os usuários que expressaram insatisfação e propor recomendações para melhorar o atendimento

Shrub encroachment in semi-arid rangelands of southwestern Buenos Aires, Argentina does not affect plant diversity and composition

Shrub encroachment in semi-arid rangelands is a phenomenon associated with changes in floristic composition, loss of diversity and ecosystem degradation, enhanced by inappropriate grazing practices. However, the outcome depends on the species’ identity and the management carried out. The objective of this study was to evaluate shrub species dynamics and their effect on plant community composition in a Monte rangeland of Argentina, under conservative grazing management at two different working scales. During two years, ground-based vegetation and soil cover measurements were performed in patches with and without shrubs using Dau-benmire and Canfield’s methods. Herbaceous and woody species recorded were classified according to their functional traits and forage value. Specific richness, Shannon’s diversity index and Pielou’s evenness were calculated. At a larger-scale evaluation, Sentinel-2A satellite images from year 2016–2022 were classified into three cover classes to evaluate the shrub encroachment process. Although an increase in shrub presence was observed over the years at both scales no effect was found on the diversity and specific composition, nor on the occurrence of forage species. Shrub presence promotes the coexistence of species with different functional traits and creates favorable conditions for soil protection and the establishment of desirable species for livestock purposes