On the Design of Education Conditional Cash Transfer Programs and non Education Outcomes: The Case of Teenage Pregnancy

We investigate the effect of education Conditional Cash Transfer programs (CCTs) on teenage pregnancy. Our main concern is with how the size and sign of the effect may depend on the design of the program. Using a simple model we show that an education CCT that conditions renewal on school performance reduces teenage pregnancy; the program can increase teenage pregnancy if it does not condition on school performance. Then, using an original data base, we estimate the causal impact on teenage pregnancy of two education CCTs implemented in Bogotá (Subsidio Educativo, SE, and Familias en Acción, FA); both programs differ particularly on whether school success is a condition for renewal or not. We show that SE has negative average effect on teenage pregnancy while FA has a null average effect. We also find that SE has either null or no effect for adolescents in all age and grade groups while FA has positive, null or negative effects for adolescents in different age and grade groups. Since SE conditions renewal on school success and FA does not, we can argue that the empirical results are consistent with the predictions of our model and that conditioning renewal of the subsidy on school success crucially determines the effect of the subsidy on teenage pregnancy.teenage risk taking behavior, teenage pregnancy, education, conditional cash transfers, incentives

On the design of education conditional cash transfer programs and non education outcomes: the case of teenage pregnancy

ABSTRACTWe investigate the effect of education Conditional Cash Transfer programs (CCTs) on teenage pregnancy. Our main concern is with how the size and sign of the effect may depend on the design of the program. Using a simple model we show that an education CCT that conditions renewal on school performance reduces teenage pregnancy; the program can increase teenage pregnancy if it does not condition on school performance. Then, using an original data base, we estimate the causal impact on teenage pregnancy of two education CCTs implemented in Bogotá (Subsidio Educativo, SE, and Familias en Acción, FA); both programs differ particularly on whether school success is acondition for renewal or not. We show that SE has negative average effect on teenage pregnancy while FA has a null average effect. We also Find that SE has either null or no effect for adolescents in all age and grade groups while FA has positive, null or negative effects for adolescents in different age and grade groups. Since SE conditions renewal on school success and FA does not, we can argue that the empirical results are consistent with the predictions of our model and that conditioning renewal of the subsidy on school success crucially determines the eect of the subsidy on teenage pregnancy.Teenage risk taking behavior, Teenage pregnancy, Education, Conditional Cash Transfers, Incentives.

Closed form solutions to a generalization of the Solow growth model.

The Solow growth model assumes that labor force grows exponentially. This is not a realistic assumption because, exponential growth implies that population increases to infinity as time tends to infinity. In this paper we propose replacing the exponential population growth with a simple and more realistic equation - the Von Bertalanffy model. This model utilizes three hypotheses about human population growth: (1) when population size is small, growth is exponential; (2) population is bounded; and (3) the rate of population growth decreases to zero as time tends toward infinity. After making this substitution, the generalized Solow model is then solved in closed form, demonstrating that the intrinsic rate of population growth does not influence the long-run equilibrium level of capital per worker. We also study the revised model's stability, comparing it with that of the classical model.Solow growth model, population growth

Frieze matrices and infinite frieze patterns with coefficients

Frieze patterns are combinatorial objects that are deeply related to cluster theory. Determinants of frieze patterns arise from triangular regions of the frieze, and they have been considered in previous works by Broline-Crowe-Isaacs, and by Baur-Marsh. In this article, we introduce a new type of matrix for any infinite frieze pattern. This approach allows us to give a new proof of the frieze determinant result given by Baur-Marsh.Comment: In the new version, we explain the relation of our work to the determinant result of Baur and Marsh (BM12 arXiv:1008.5329) and to the work of Holm and Jorgensen (HJ arXiv:2212.11723

From black holes to flux throats: polarization can resolve the singularity

Supersymmetry-breaking is a key ingredient for string theory models to be phenomenologically viable. We review the strong analogy in the physics and the methods used for describing non-supersymmetric flux vacua and non-supersymmetric black holes in string theory. We also show how the polarized state could be the key to describing a well-behaved back-reaction of anti-branes in flux backgrounds, shedding a new light on a recent debate in the literature.Comment: 5 pages, slightly extended contribution to the proceedings of the 21st European String Workshop: "The String Theory Universe" in Leuven, 7-11 Sept 201

Observations on fluxes near anti-branes

We revisit necessary conditions for gluing local (anti-)D3 throats into flux throats with opposite charge. These consistency conditions typically reveal singularities in the three-form fluxes whose meaning is being debated. In this note we prove, under well-motivated assumptions, that unphysical singularities can potentially be avoided when the anti-branes polarise into spherical NS5 branes with a specific radius. If a consistent solution can then indeed be found, our analysis seems to suggests a rather large correction to the radius of the polarization sphere compared to the probe result. We furthermore comment on the gluing conditions at finite temperature and point out that one specific assumption of a recent no-go theorem can be broken if anti-branes are indeed to polarise into spherical NS5 branes at zero temperature.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures, v2: error corrected and text extende

The sustainability factor in Europe and Spain

Los sistemas basados en técnicas de reparto (pay-as-you-go, que parten de en la solidaridad intergeneracional), tratan de buscar soluciones al desequilibrio activos/pasivos que se avecina. Para ello, se proponen alternativas que constituyen una “revolución” en los sistemas de protección social: optar por reformas estructurales; o bien por reformas paramétricas. En este artículo vemos ambas figuras, a través de dos referentes nacionales: el sueco (cuentas nocionales); y el español (reformas paramétricas), aunque en este último caso el factor de sostenibilidad no ha llegado a aplicarse, bien porque la Ley no lo contempló (en la relativo a la edad), o se le ha dado una moratoria (cuantía inicial). Junto a ello analizamos el fracasado mecanismo de ajuste automático en la revalorización de la pensiones en España.The systems based on pay-as-you-go techniques, which based on intergenerational solidarity, try to find solutions to the imbalance of assets/passive that one approaches. For this, alternatives that constitute a “revolution” in social protection systems: opt for structural reforms; or by parametric reforms. In this article we see both figures, through two national references: the Swedish (notional defined contribution); and Spanish (parametric reforms), although in this case, the sustainability factor has not been applied, either because the Law did not contemplate it (in relation to age), or a moratorium has been given (initial amount). Together with this we analyze the automatic balancing mechanism in the revaluation of pensions in Spain

Post-Electing Scenario Analysis, MÉXICO 2012. A Look from Monterrey and its Metropolitan Area Opinion leaders

To carry out the proposal Analysis of Post-Electing Arena, ,MÉXICO 2012, A look from Monterrey and its MetropolitanArea Opinion leaders, 11 in-depth interviews were conductedto representatives of political parties, journalists, academicsand representatives of NGOs and CSOs, which were submittedto a subsequent detailed analysis supported by Nvivo program,so that from their perspective as leaders of the regional settingopinion, they would contribute to answer the research objectivethat guides us: to comprehend the perception towards thepolitical culture of the opinion leaders in the state in the postelectingArena, Mexico 2012. During the ethnographic work, itwas emphasized on the contribution and impact of traditionalmedia and social networking to the knowledge of the electingprocess in citizens.Para la propuesta Análisis del escenario postelectoral, México 2012: una mirada desde los líderes de opinión de Monterrey y su Área Metropolitana, se realizaron 11 entrevistas a profundidad a representantes de los partidos políticos, periodistas, académicos y a representantes de ONG y OSC que se llevaron a un posterior análisis minucioso con el apoyo del programa Nvivo, para que, desde su mirada como líderes de opinión del entorno regional, contribuyeran a responder el objetivo de investigación que nos orienta que es comprender la percepción sobre la cultura política de los líderes de opinión en la entidad en el escenario postelectoral mexicano 2012. Durante el trabajo etnográfico, se profundizó sobre la contribución e impacto de los medios de comunicación tradicionales y las redes sociales al conocimiento del proceso electoral en la ciudadaní