Skill-biased Technology Adoption: Evidence for the Chilean manufacturing sector

We examine the evolution of the demand for skilled workers relative to unskilled workers in the Chilean manufacturing sector following Chile’s liberalization of trade in the late 1970’s. Following such trade reforms, the standard Heckscher-Olin model predicts that a low labor-cost country like Chile should experience an increased demand for low skilled workers relative to high skilled workers. Alternatively, if trade liberalization is associated with the adoption of new technologies, and technology is skill-biased, the relative demand for skilled workers may rise. Using a newly available plant-level data set that spans the sixteen year period 1979-1995, we find that the relative demand for skilled workers rose sharply during the 1979-1986 period and then stabilized. The sharp increase in demand for skilled workers coincided with an increased propensity to adopt new technologies as measured by patent usage. Plant-level analysis of labor demand confirms a significant relationship between the relative demand for skilled workers and technology adoption as measured by patent usage and other technology indicators. Our results suggest that skill-biased technological change is a significant determinant of labor demand and wage structures in developing economies.

Early Pension Withdrawals in Chile During the Pandemic

Chile, with one of the largest and best funded defined contribution programs in Latin America, held over USD $200 bn in assets at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, or more than 80$50 bn from the system. This paper explores several hypotheses regarding why people withdrew their pension money early, and it also presents evidence regarding the likely impact of this short-term policy on long-term retirement wellbeing. We conclude with lessons for global policymakers seeking to protect pension assets critical for retirement security

Effectiveness of the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine against invasive pneumococcal disease in people 60 years or older

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) is currently recommended in elderly and high-risk adults. However, its efficacy in preventing pneumococcal infections remains controversial. This study assessed the clinical effectiveness of vaccination against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among people over 60 years.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Population-based case-control study that included 88 case patients over 60 years-old with a laboratory-confirmed IPD (bacteraemic pneumonia, meningitis or sepsis) and 176 outpatient control subjects who were matched by primary care centre, age, sex and risk stratum. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for vaccination were calculated using conditional logistic regression, controlling for underlying conditions. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated as (1 - OR) ×100.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pneumococcal vaccination rate was significantly lower in cases than in control subjects (38.6% <it>vs </it>59.1%; p = 0.002). The adjusted vaccine effectiveness was 72% (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.15-0.54) against all IPD and 77% (OR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.08-0.60) against vaccine-type IPD. Vaccination was significantly effective against all IPD in both age groups: 60-79 years-old (OR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.14-0.74) and people 80 years or older (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.09-0.91). Vaccination appears significantly effective as for high-risk immunocompetent subjects (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.11-0.79) as well as for immunocompromised subjects (OR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03-0.53).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings confirm the effectiveness of the 23-valent PPV against IPD, and they also support the benefit of vaccination in preventing invasive infections among high-risk and older people.</p

Rationale and design of the CAPAMIS study: Effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination against community-acquired pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction and stroke

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV-23) is recommended for elderly and high-risk people, although its effectiveness is controversial. Some studies have reported an increasing risk of acute vascular events among patients with pneumonia, and a recent case-control study has reported a reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction among patients vaccinated with PPV-23. Given that animal experiments have shown that pneumococcal vaccination reduces the extent of atherosclerotic lesions, it has been hypothesized that PPV-23 could protect against acute vascular events by an indirect effect preventing pneumonia or by a direct effect on oxidized low-density lipoproteins. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of PPV-23 in reducing the risk of pneumonia and acute vascular events (related or nonrelated with prior pneumonia) in the general population over 60 years.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Cohort study including 27,000 individuals 60 years or older assigned to nine Primary Care Centers in the region of Tarragona, Spain. According to the reception of PPV-23 before the start of the study, the study population will be divided into vaccinated and nonvaccinated groups, which will be followed during a consecutive 30-month period. Primary Care and Hospitals discharge databases will initially be used to identify study events (community-acquired pneumonia, hospitalisation for acute myocardial infarction and stroke), but all cases will be further validated by checking clinical records. Multivariable Cox regression analyses estimating hazard ratios (adjusted for age, sex and comorbidities) will be used to estimate vaccine effectiveness.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The results of the study will contribute to clarify the controversial effect of the PPV-23 in preventing community-acquired pneumonia and they will be critical in determining the posible role of pneumococcal vaccination in cardiovascular prevention.</p

La ética ¿competencia transversal olvidada en las titulaciones de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Barcelona?

Podeu consultar la Vuitena trobada de professorat de Ciències de la Salut completa a: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/66524El compromiso ético es una competencia transversal propuesta por la Universidad de Barcelona. El profesorado diseña escenarios docentes facilitadores de su adquisición que son analizados en 72 asignaturas de 5 titulaciones del área de Salud (26 en Farmacia, 12 en Medicina y Odontología y 11 en Enfermería y Psicología), mediante cuestionarios. Se determina la importancia concedida a la ética profesional, se conoce la modalidad de docencia en que es desarrollada (presencial, semipresencial o no presencial), así como las actividades y/o metodologías docentes en las que es trabajada la competencia y se determina si es evaluada o no. La competencia es trabajada en 45 asignaturas (11 en Odontología, 10 en Medicina, 9 en Farmacia, 8 en Psicología y 7 en Enfermería), siendo prioritario el formato semipresencial en Odontología, Farmacia, Psicología y Enfermería y el presencial en Medicina. Las asignaturas analizadas incluyen hasta 26 actividades docentes en las que se trabaja la ética. Las clases magistrales son el marco en el que esta competencia es trabajada con mayor frecuencia. Las prácticas de laboratorio en sus distintas modalidades y la resolución de casos y problemas, son escenarios que el profesorado considera también adecuados. La competencia es evaluada en 27 asignaturas (9 en Odontología, 6 en Medicina, 5 en Farmacia y 7 en Psicología y Enfermería). Los resultados indican que el profesorado considera importante trabajar la ética en el contexto del grado. Este esfuerzo debería ser normalizado y tener proyección en estudios de máster y doctorado de forma transversal y coherente, en continuidad con los resultados obtenidos en los grados. Trabajo realizado en el marco del proyecto 2009MQD0018

Texturas evolutivas en la introducción de nuevos alimentos: un acercamiento teórico

Nowadays, there is a debate about the best method to choose to start feeding the infant. The models analyzed to carry out the feeding are: the modified textured feeding directed by the parents or caregivers and the feeding with minimally modified texture directed by the baby such as the baby-led weaning (BLW) and baby lead introduction to solids (BLISS) methods. The purpose of this document is to help, from a theoretical point of view, in the debate on the possible textures to be used at any time, taking into account different factors, such as: digestive development, dentition rhythm, chewing evolution, psychomotor skills and prevention of suffocation or choking. In the text, the textures that are used in all the methods are classified, according to the items that have been studied, so that later they can be used as an orientation guide according to ages in healthy babies and with a growth within the percentiles. Based on the most current scientific evidence found and prioritizing the precautionary principle, the theoretical approach to the problem adds nuances to be taken into account in the empirical evaluation. More studies and higher quality are required to identify differences in the impact of the use of different textures and food practices.En la actualidad, existe un debate sobre el mejor método a elegir para iniciar la alimentación del lactante. Los modelos analizados para llevar a cabo la alimentación son: la alimentación con textura modificada dirigida por los padres o cuidadores y la alimentación con textura mínimamente modificada y dirigida por el bebé como los métodos baby-led weaning (BLW) y baby lead introduction to solids (BLISS). Este documento, tiene como finalidad ayudar, desde el punto de vista teórico, en el debate sobre las posibles texturas a utilizar en cada momento, atendiendo a diferentes factores, como son: el desarrollo digestivo, el ritmo de dentición, la evolución de la masticación, las habilidades psicomotoras y la prevención de asfixia o atragantamiento. En el texto, se clasifican las texturas que se usan en todos los métodos, según los ítems que se han estudiado, para que posteriormente puedan ser usadas como una guía orientativa según edades en bebés sanos y con un crecimiento dentro de los percentiles. Teniendo como base la evidencia científica más actual encontrada y primando el principio de precaución, el acercamiento teórico al problema añade matices a tener en cuenta en la evaluación empírica. Se requieren más estudios y de mayor calidad para identificar diferencias en el impacto del uso de diferentes texturas y prácticas alimentarias