Changes in poverty and the stability of income distribution in Argentina: evidence from the 1990s via decompositions

From 1992 to 2001, despite its rapid economic growth during the early 1990s, Argentina experienced a period characterized by increasing income inequality and poverty. An axiomatically modified Datt-Ravallion decomposition, that separates changes in poverty rates into mean and inequality components, will illustrate how each of them has contributed to those changes. Contrary to the claims of much of the recent cross-country literature, income inequality does not appear stable in Argentina. Previous results are extended in two key ways. First, the empirical density function is used to calculate the inequality component, without assuming a particular functional form for the Lorenz curve. Second, both components are recomputed without the vaguely defined Datt-Ravallion residual, which improves interpretability.decomposition of changes in poverty, poverty measures, inequality and growth.

Is there such thing as middle class values ? Class differences, values and political orientations in Latin America

Middle class values have long been perceived as drivers of social cohesion and growth. This paper investigates the relation between class (measured by position in the income distribution), values, and political orientations using comparable values surveys for six Latin American countries. The analysis finds that both a continuous measure of income and categorical measures of income-based class are robustly associated with values. Both income and class tend to display a similar association to values and political orientations as education, although differences persist in some important dimensions. Overall, there is no strong evidence of any"middle class particularism": values appear to gradually shift with income, and middle class values are between the ones of poorer and richer classes. If any, the only peculiarity of middle class values is moderation. The analysis also finds changes in values across countries to be of much larger magnitude than the ones dictated by income, education, and individual characteristics, suggesting that individual values vary primarily within bounds dictated by each society.Inequality,Economic Theory&Research,Social Inclusion&Institutions,Labor Policies,Access&Equity in Basic Education

Is There Such a Thing As Middle Class Values? Class Differences, Values, and Political Orientations in Latin America - Working Paper 286

Middle class values have long been perceived as drivers of social cohesion and growth. In this paper we investigate the relation between class (measured by the position in the income distribution), values, and political orientations using comparable values surveys for six Latin American countries. We find that both a continuous measure of income and categorical measures of income-based class are robustly associated with values. Both income and class tend to display a similar association to values and political orientations as education, although differences persist in some important dimensions. Overall, we do not find strong evidence of any “middle class particularism”: values appear to gradually shift with income, and middle class values lay between the ones of poorer and richer classes. If any, the only peculiarity of middle class values is moderation. We also find changes in values across countries to be of much larger magnitude than the ones dictated by income, education and individual characteristics, suggesting that individual values vary primarily within bounds dictated by each societyMiddle class, income, values, political orientations

The Role of Puf3p and Puf4p in the Regulation of mRNA Decay in Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Proper regulation of gene expression at a cellular level is required in all organisms for their successful adaptation and survival to physiological or environmental changes. In eukaryotes, a convenient way of regulating gene expression is achieved by post-transcriptionally adjusting the decay rates of different mRNAs. The Puf family of proteins in yeast belong to a widespread group of eukaryotic RNA-binding proteins that regulate the lifespans of target mRNAs by sequence specifically binding to 3\u27 untranslated regions (UTRs) and modulating their decay rates. For example, the yeast Puf3 protein binds the COX17 3\u27 UTR, stimulating its deadenylation and subsequent decay. However, the specific mechanism by which Puf3p regulates these decay processes was not known. In this research, insight was gained on Puf3 protein interactions and its mechanism of action for COX17 mRNA regulation. Through biochemical and genetic approaches, several decay factors involved in decapping and deadenylation events were identified to bind Puf3p via protein-protein interactions. Specifically, a four amino acid loop structure on the outer surface of Puf3p (R7A loop) was found to be the interaction point to which Pop2p directly (and Dhh1p indirectly through Pop2p) binds the Puf3RD. Other decay factors were found to bind Puf3RD independent of the R7A loop and Pop2p. Puf3p activity was also analyzed under different environmental conditions. Finally, four new Puf4p mRNA targets (Rrs1, YJL122W, Ebp2 and Pus7) were experimentally determined. All of these Puf4p target RNAs were also regulated by Puf5p, suggesting that combinatorial regulation of RNAs by Puf4p and Puf5p is a common mechanism. In conclusion, the results from this research provide insight into the mechanism of Puf protein action and contribute to the understanding of Puf3p interactions that function to regulate mRNA decay in yeast. In addition, this research provides evidence that physiological conditions play a key role in post-translational regulation of Puf3p activity and therefore mRNA decay. Given the structural and functional similarities between Puf proteins, these results will significantly increase our understanding of the role of Puf proteins in yeast and other eukaryotes

How Do Crises Affect Schooling Decisions? Evidence from Changing Labor Market Opportunities and a Policy Experiment

This paper examines the effect of labor market opportunities on schoolingemployment decisions in 12 urban areas in Argentina over 12 years, emphasizing the recession/crisis years 1998-2002. Over “typical” years deteriorating job rates increase the probability of attending school and decrease the probability of combining work and school, particularly for boys; the probability of being in school for secondary school children was about 6 percent higher in 2002 than in 1998. These estimates account for the fact that a new Federal Education Law (FEL) in 1996 extended mandatory education to 10 years. Differences across regions in implementation and differences in exposure across cohorts induced by the timing of the Law reveal that children in provinces fully implementing the FEL were 3 percent more likely to be in school and 1.6 percent points less likely to be working.schooling decision, macroeconomic shocks, education policy

Concert recording 2017-12-02

[Track 1]. Sonata no. 6. I. Adagio [Track 2]. II. Allegro [Track 3]. III. Largo [Track 4]. IV. Allegro / Johann Joachim Quantz -- [Tracks 5-6]. Andante pastroal et scherzettino / Paul Taffanel -- [Track 7]. From 8 pieces for solo flute. I. Gemachlich, leicht bewegt [Track 8]. II. Scherzando [Track 9]. III. Sehr langsam, frei im Zeitmab [Track 10]. IV. Gemachlich [Track 11]. V. Sehr lebhaft / Paul Hindemith -- [Track 12]. Deep blue / Ian Clarke -- [Track 13]. From Five original methodical flute duets. I. Pasaje folia [Track 14]. II. Torbellino [Track 15]. V. Polka chocoana [Track 16]. IV. Bolero rhumna / Carmen Liliana Marulanda -- [Track 17]. Sunswept / Adrienne Albert

Revision of Oxalis section Palmatifoliae DC. (Oxalidaceae)

A taxonomic revision of Oxalis section Palmatifoliae and cluster analyses to clarify the limits of the species are provided. This monophyletic section includes five species endemic from Southern Argentina and Chile. A key for the species together with description, illustration, synonymy, and geographical distribution for each species are given. Five lectotypifications and two new synonymies are proposed.Fil: Lopez, Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Panseri, Andrea Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste (i); ArgentinaFil: Urtubey, Estrella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; Argentin

Inequality in the early years in LAC: a comparative study of size, persistence, and policies

Gaps in child development by socioeconomic status (SES) start early in life, are large and can increase inequalities later in life. We use recent national-level, cross-sectional and longitudinal data to examine inequalities in child development (namely, language, cognition, and socio-emotional skills) of children 0-5 in five Latin American countries (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay). In the cross-section analysis, we find statistically significant gaps with inequality patterns that widely differ across countries. For instance, gaps in language and cognition for Uruguay and Chile are much smaller than those for Colombia and Peru. When turning to the longitudinal data, average SES gaps are similar to those of the cross-section in language but differ substantially in cognition, mainly in Uruguay where they emerge as more unequal when cohort effects do not operate. Importantly, we also find that the ECD gaps found at early ages (0-5), still manifest 6-12 years later in almost all locations and realms in which we have measures of early child development, but they do not increase with age. Results are robust to using different measures of inequality (income and maternal education). Gaps are smaller but generally remain when adjusting for possible explanatory factors (e.g., family structure, parental education, geographic fixed effects). To reduce ECD inequality and promote equality in later life outcomes, policymakers should look to implementing evidence-based interventions at scale to improve developmental outcomes of the most disadvantaged children in society

Optimization of β-cyclodextrin-based extraction of antioxidant and anti-browning activities from thyme leaves by response surface methodology

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has been demonstrated to extend the shelf-life of food products, being also a potential source of bioactive compounds. The aim of this research was to optimize the ultrasound assisted extraction employing β-cyclodextrin aqueous solutions as no-contaminant technology and Response Surface Methodology to obtain thyme extracts with the maximum antioxidant capacity. The optimal extraction conditions were: a solution of β-ciclodextrin 15 mM, an ultrasonic treatment time of 5.9 min at a temperature of 36.6 °C. They resulted in an extract with a polyphenolic content of 189.3 mg GAE/mL, an antioxidant activity (DPPH[rad]) of 14.8 mg GAE/mL, and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) of 3.3 mg GAE/mL. Interestingly, the extract demonstrated to inhibit the production of Maillard browning products and can be considered a potential antiglycant agent. The obtained data is important for developing eco-friendly technologies in order to obtain natural antioxidant extracts with a potential inhibitory capacity of Maillard glycation reaction.Fil: Favre, Leonardo Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; ArgentinaFil: dos Santos, Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Química Orgánica; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Fernandez, Maria Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Mazzobre, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; ArgentinaFil: Buera, Maria del Pilar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentin

Análisis de los gradientes socioeconómicos en el desarrollo de los niños de 0–3 años en Fortaleza, Noreste de Brasil

OBJETIVO: Identificar los gradientes socioeconómicos en medidas del desarrollo y bienestar en menores de tres años en Fortaleza, Nordeste de Brasil. MÉTODOS: Se recolectó información a través de una encuesta socioeconómica, toma de medidas antropométricas, observación del ambiente en el hogar y aplicación del Test de Denver II de 2.755 niños de cero a 28 meses potenciales beneficiarios del programa Cresça com Seu Filho en Fortaleza. Estos niños fueron seleccionados aleatoriamente de un universo identificado a partir del registro administrativo del Catastro Único del Ministerio de Desarrollo Social de Brasil. Para el análisis se reportan estadísticas descriptivas, correlaciones de Pearson y diferencias de medias. RESULTADOS: Las tasas de desnutrición crónica y el sobrepeso fueron iguales a 7,0%. Los resultados del Test de Denver II indicaron que las áreas en las que los niños presentan un mayor rezago en su desarrollo, cuando se compararon con la muestra de referencia internacional fueron personal-social (23,0%) y lenguaje (20,0%). Las prácticas parentales medidas por dos sub-escalas del Home Observation of the Enviroment fueron pobres, solo el 14,0% de las familias reportaron tener dos o más libros en el hogar y 35,0% de los hogares reportaron haberle pegado a su hijo en los últimos tres días. CONCLUSIONES: Se identifican gradientes socioeconómicos claros en los indicadores antropométricos, las pautas de crianza y en la prueba Denver II (especialmente en el dominio de lenguaje). Los niños pertenecientes a los hogares más pobres, así como hijos de madres con menor nivel educativo, presentan un desempeño bajo en la mayoría de las medidasOBJECTIVE: To identify the socioeconomic gradients in the measures of development and wellbeing of children under three years of age in Fortaleza, Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: We compiled information using a socioeconomic survey instrument, collecting anthropometric measurements, observing the home environment, and applying the Denver Test II to 2,755 children aged between zero and 28 months who are potential beneficiaries of the Cresça com Seu Filho program in Fortaleza. These children were randomly selected from a universe identified from the administrative record of the Cadastro Único of the Ministry of Social Development of Brazil. For the analysis, we reported descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and mean differences. RESULTS: Rates of chronic malnutrition and overweight were 7.0%. The results of the Denver II test indicated that personal social (23%) and language (20%) are the domains in which children have the highest developmental delay, when compared with the international reference sample. Parental practices measured by two sub-scales of the Home Observation of the Environment Inventory were poor, with only 14.0% of families having two or more books in the home and 35.0% of the households reporting having spanked their child in the past three days. CONCLUSIONS: We identified clear socioeconomic gradients in the anthropometric indicators, parenting practices, and the Denver Test II (especially in the language domain). Children from poorer households, as well as children of mothers with lower education levels, perform poorly on most measures