Há benefícios a longo prazo da educação infantil em países de baixa e média renda?

We examine the relationship between participation in early childhood education (ECE) and various long-term outcomes: post-ECE educational attainment, the development of both cognitive and socioemotional skills, and labor market outcomes. The data are from the recent Skills Toward Employability and Productivity surveys of urban adults in 12 low- and middle-income countries. Using OLS regression and propensity score matching techniques, we find suggestive evidence of long-term benefits across countries, as well as mixed evidence within countries. Notably, we find positive and statistically significant associations between ECE participation and post-ECE educational attainment (a mean of 0.9 additional years across countries). We find relatively fewer cases of positive associations between ECE and long-term socioemotional outcomes. The evidence on ECE and labor market outcomes is varied, with positive associations for skill-use but weak associations with earnings. Such mixed results suggest that improvements in the quality of ECE programs are necessary for realizing the full range of long-term benefits. Examinamos la relación entre la participación en la educación de la primera infancia (ECE) y varios resultados a largo plazo: el logro educativo después de la ECE, el desarrollo de habilidades cognitivas y socioemocionales, y los resultados del mercado laboral. Los datos provienen de las recientes encuestas de Habilidades hacia el Empleabilidad y la Productividad de adultos urbanos en 12 países de ingresos bajos y medianos. Encontramos evidencia sugestiva de beneficios a largo plazo en todos los países, así como evidencia mixta dentro de los países. En particular, encontramos asociaciones positivas y estadísticamente significativas entre la participación de ECE y el logro educativo después de la ECE (una media de 0,9 años adicionales en todos los países). Encontramos relativamente pocos casos de asociaciones positivas entre ECE y resultados socioemocionales a largo plazo. La evidencia sobre ECE y los resultados del mercado laboral es variada, con asociaciones positivas para el uso de habilidades pero asociaciones débiles con los ingresos. Estos resultados mixtos sugieren que las mejoras en la calidad de los programas de ECE son necesarias para realizar toda la gama de beneficios a largo plazo.Nós examinamos a relação entre a participação na educação infantil (ECE) e vários resultados a longo prazo: o sucesso escolar após a educação infantil, o desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas e sócio-emocionais, e os resultados do mercado de trabalho. Os dados são provenientes de pesquisas recentes sobre Competências para Empregabilidade e Produtividade de adultos urbanos em 12 países de baixa e média renda. Encontramos evidências sugestivas de benefícios a longo prazo em todos os países, bem como evidências mistas nos países. Em particular, encontramos associações positivas e estatisticamente significativas entre a participação no ECE e o desempenho educacional após a ECE (uma média de 0,9 anos adicionais em todos os países). Encontramos relativamente poucos casos de associações positivas entre ECE e resultados socioemocionais de longo prazo. A evidência sobre a ECE e os resultados do mercado de trabalho é mista, com associações positivas para o uso de habilidades, mas associações fracas com a renda. Esses resultados mistos sugerem que melhorias na qualidade dos programas de ECE são necessárias para a obtenção de toda a gama de benefícios a longo prazo

Feeding spectra and activity of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus kensleyi (Decapoda: Brachyura: Trichodactylidae) at La Plata basin

Background: In inland water systems, it is important to characterize the trophic links in order to identify the ‘trophic species’ and, from the studies of functional diversity, understand the dynamics of matter and energy in these environments. The aim of this study is to analyze the natural diet of Trichodactylus kensleyi of subtropical rainforest streams and corroborate the temporal variation in the trophic activity during day hours. Results: A total of 15 major taxonomic groups were recognized in gut contents. The index of relative importance identified the following main prey items in decreasing order of importance: vegetal remains, oligochaetes, chironomid larvae, and algae. A significant difference was found in the amount of full stomachs during day hours showing a less trophic activity at midday and afternoon. The index of relative importance values evidenced the consumption of different prey according to day moments. Results of the gut content indicate that T. kensleyi is an omnivorous crab like other trichodactylid species. Opportunistic behavior is revealed by the ingestion of organisms abundant in streams such as oligochaetes and chironomid larvae. The consumption of allochthonous plant debris shows the importance of this crab as shredder in subtropical streams. However, the effective assimilation of plant matter is yet unknown in trichodactylid crabs. Conclusions: This research provides knowledge that complements previous studies about trophic relationships of trichodactylid crabs and supported the importance of T. kensleyi in the transference of energy and matter from benthic community and riparian sources to superior trophic levels using both macro- and microfauna.Fil: Williner, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: de Azevedo Carvalho, Debora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Collins, Pablo Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentin

Measuring and forecasting progress in education: what about early childhood?

A recent Nature article modelled within-country inequalities in primary, secondary, and tertiary education and forecast progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets related to education (SDG 4). However, their paper entirely overlooks inequalities in achieving Target 4.2, which aims to achieve universal access to quality early childhood development, care and preschool education by 2030. This is an important omission because of the substantial brain, cognitive and socioemotional developments that occur in early life and because of increasing evidence of early-life learning's large impacts on subsequent education and lifetime wellbeing. We provide an overview of this evidence and use new analyses to illustrate medium- and long-term implications of early learning, first by presenting associations between pre-primary programme participation and adolescent mathematics and science test scores in 73 countries and secondly, by estimating the costs of inaction (not making pre-primary programmes universal) in terms of forgone lifetime earnings in 134 countries. We find considerable losses, comparable to or greater than current governmental expenditures on all education (as percentages of GDP), particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries. In addition to improving primary, secondary and tertiary schooling, we conclude that to attain SDG 4 and reduce inequalities in a post-COVID era, it is essential to prioritize quality early childhood care and education, including adopting policies that support families to promote early learning and their children's education

Recognizing Early Childhood Education as a Human Right in International Law

There is incontrovertible evidence that early learning opportunities shape long-term development and health. Nevertheless, early childhood care and education (ECCE) is not expressly mentioned as part of the right to education in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This paper argues that the right to education can nevertheless be regarded as including ECCE. We examine the treaties, General Comments, and 264 Concluding Observations by relevant UN monitoring bodies, covering 152 countries from 2015 to 2020, to determine whether the right to ECCE is regarded as part of States' obligations and the content of the duty. These demonstrate consistently that States must provide affordable, accessible, quality, inclusive ECCE, with adequate resources. We argue that monitoring committees should draw these obligations together in one General Comment, thereby improving States' accountability and guiding the delivery of ECCE

Spatio-temporal variability in underwater light climate in a turbid river-floodplain system. Driving factors and estimation using Secchi disc

The underwater light climate has important effects on primary producers. The aim of this research was to evaluate its variability in a turbid river-floodplain system. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was measured in the Middle Paraná River during different hydrological phases to (a) analyse the photosynthetically active radiation attenuation coefficient (k) and euphotic depth (Zeu) as well as their associations with optically active components and (b) develop and evaluate indices and regression models based on Secchi disc (SD) measurements to estimate k and Zeu. Values of k were higher in the fluvial system than in the floodplain and during low-water stage than high-water stage. Particulate components controlled the light climate variability. Chromophoric dissolved organic matter and chlorophyll-a had significant effects during floods. The estimation of k and Zeu was sensitive to temporal but not to spatial variations. The highest prediction accuracy was observed when using specific non-linear regressions for each hydrological phase, especially for Zeu estimation (low stage: k = 1.76 × SD−0.80, Zeu = 2.62 × 1/SD−0.80; high stage: k = 2.04 × SD−0.53, Zeu = 2.26 × 1/SD−0.53). The indices k × SD and Zeu/SD were significantly different from those proposed for clear water environments. It is concluded that temporal variations should be considered when estimating k and Zeu in turbid river-floodplain systems because of the temporal heterogeneity in optically active components. Considering that ecological implication of the light climate depends on Zeu:depth ratio, we propose to estimate Zeu instead of k. Finally, indices proposed for clear water environments are not recommended to be applied to turbid environments.Fil: Mayora, Gisela Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Devercelli, Melina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentin

Characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised adults with COVID-19 in a Global Health Research Network: A cohort study

Objective To examine age, gender, and temporal differences in baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of adult patients hospitalised with COVID-19. Design A cohort study using deidentified electronic medical records from a Global Research Network. Setting/Participants 67 456 adult patients hospitalised with COVID-19 from the USA; 7306 from Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific between February 2020 and January 2021. Results In the US cohort, compared with patients 18-34 years old, patients ≥65 had a greater risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.73, 95% CI 1.58 to 1.90), acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)/respiratory failure (aHR 1.86, 95% CI 1.76 to 1.96), invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV, aHR 1.93, 95% CI, 1.73 to 2.15), and all-cause mortality (aHR 5.6, 95% CI 4.36 to 7.18). Men appeared to be at a greater risk for ICU admission (aHR 1.34, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.39), ARDS/respiratory failure (aHR 1.24, 95% CI1.21 to 1.27), IMV (aHR 1.38, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.45), and all-cause mortality (aHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.24) compared with women. Moreover, we observed a greater risk of adverse outcomes during the early pandemic (ie, February-April 2020) compared with later periods. In the ex-US cohort, the age and gender trends were similar; for the temporal trend, the highest proportion of patients with all-cause mortality were also in February-April 2020; however, the highest percentages of patients with IMV and ARDS/respiratory failure were in August-October 2020 followed by February-April 2020. Conclusions This study provided valuable information on the temporal trends of characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised adult COVID-19 patients in both USA and ex-USA. It also described the population at a potentially greater risk for worse clinical outcomes by identifying the age and gender differences. Together, the information could inform the prevention and treatment strategies of COVID-19. Furthermore, it can be used to raise public awareness of COVID-19's impact on vulnerable populations

Measuring and forecasting progress in education: what about early childhood?

A recent Nature article modelled within-country inequalities in primary, secondary, and tertiary education and forecast progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets related to education (SDG 4). However, their paper entirely overlooks inequalities in achieving Target 4.2, which aims to achieve universal access to quality early childhood development, care and preschool education by 2030. This is an important omission because of the substantial brain, cognitive and socioemotional developments that occur in early life and because of increasing evidence of early-life learning's large impacts on subsequent education and lifetime wellbeing. We provide an overview of this evidence and use new analyses to illustrate medium- and longterm implications of early learning, first by presenting associations between pre-primary programme participation and adolescent mathematics and science test scores in 73 countries and secondly, by estimating the costs of inaction (not making pre-primary programmes universal) in terms of forgone lifetime earnings in 134 countries. We find considerable losses, comparable to or greater than current governmental expenditures on all education (as percentages of GDP), particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries. In addition to improving primary, secondary and tertiary schooling, we conclude that to attain SDG 4 and reduce inequalities in a post-COVID era, it is essential to prioritize quality early childhood care and education, including adopting policies that support families to promote early learning and their children's education

Trends in characteristics and outcomes among US adults hospitalised with COVID-19 throughout 2020: An observational cohort study

Objectives To examine the temporal patterns of patient characteristics, treatments used and outcomes associated with COVID-19 in patients who were hospitalised for the disease between January and 15 November 2020. Design Observational cohort study. Setting COVID-19 subset of the Optum deidentified electronic health records, including more than 1.8 million patients from across the USA. Participants There were 51 510 hospitalised patients who met the COVID-19 definition, with 37 617 in the laboratory positive cohort and 13 893 in the clinical cohort. Primary and secondary outcome measures Incident acute clinical outcomes, including in-hospital all-cause mortality. Results Respectively, 48% and 49% of the laboratory positive and clinical cohorts were women. The 50- 65 age group was the median age group for both cohorts. The use of antivirals and dexamethasone increased over time, fivefold and twofold, respectively, while the use of hydroxychloroquine declined by 98%. Among adult patients in the laboratory positive cohort, absolute age/sex standardised incidence proportion for in-hospital death changed by -0.036 per month (95% CI -0.042 to -0.031) from March to June 2020, but remained fairly flat from June to November, 2020 (0.001 (95% CI -0.001 to 0.003), 17.5% (660 deaths /3986 persons) in March and 10.2% (580/5137) in October); in the clinical cohort, the corresponding changes were -0.024 (95% CI -0.032 to -0.015) and 0.011 (95% CI 0.007 0.014), respectively (14.8% (175/1252) in March, 15.3% (189/1203) in October). Declines in the cumulative incidence of most acute clinical outcomes were observed in the laboratory positive cohort, but not for the clinical cohort. Conclusion The incidence of adverse clinical outcomes remains high among COVID-19 patients with clinical diagnosis only. Patients with COVID-19 entering the hospital are at elevated risk of adverse outcomes