- CAMBIO DE RÉGIMEN Y SOSTENIBILIDAD A LARGO PLAZO DE LA POLÍTICA FISCAL: EL CASO DE ESPAÑA

In this paper, the Spanish fiscal policy sustainability is tested for the period 1964-1996. The theoretical framework used in this paper draws from Quintos (1995) where a distinction between weak and strong conditions for deficit sustainability is pointed out. From an empirical point of view, new cointegration techniques allowing for structural breaks in the long-run relationships as well as in the cointegration parameters are implemented in order to reach a deeper insight. En este trabajo se contrasta la sostenibilidad de la política fiscal en la economía española para el periodo 1964-1996 utilizando el planteamiento teórico propuesto en Quintos (1995). Desde el punto de vista empírico, la novedad del estudio radica en la utilización de nuevas técnicas de cointegración que recogen la posibilidad de cambios estructurales, tanto en las relaciones de largo plazo como en los parámetros de cointegración.sostenibilidad, política fiscal, cointegración, cambio de régimen sustainability, fiscal policy, cointegration, regimen shifts.

f(R) brane cosmology

Despite the nice features of the Dvali, Gabadadze and Porrati (DGP) model to explain the late-time acceleration of the universe, it suffers from some theoretical problems like the ghost issue. We present a way to self-accelerate the normal DGP branch, which is known to be free of the ghost problem, by means of an f(R) term on the brane action. We obtain the de Sitter self-accelerating solutions of the model and study their stability under homogeneous perturbations.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Contribution to the proceedings of Spanish Relativity Meeting 2009, Bilbao, Spain, 7-11 September 200

The Relationship Between Dairy Product Consumption and Cognitive Performance in a Group of Community-dwelling Healthy Older Adults

Dietary intake is one of the modifiable factors that may affect older adults’ cognitive function in their later years. Very little research has considered the potential role of dairy products on cognitive function. The aim of the present study was twofold: first, to investigate whether there is a difference in cognitive performance between older adults who consumed the recommended amount of dairy products (3 servings per day) and individuals who consumed less than the recommended amount (1 or 2 servings per day); second, to examine whether there is an association between the nutrients contained in the dairy products and cognitive performance. To do this, a cross-sectional study was undertaken. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Rey Complex Figure Test and Recognition Trial (RCFT), Trail-Making Test, Victoria Stroop Test (VST) and the Digit Span Test (forward and backward) were used to assess cognitive function. Dietary intake of food group consumption was also assessed via estimated 5-day food intake records and analyzed for saturated fat, vitamin D, calcium and other macronutrients and micronutrients. In the 32 participants (8 males and 24 females) who completed the study (average age= 70.59± 7.07 years; BMI=27.59±4.45 kg/m^2), no differences were found between the group who consumedHowever, a number of associations were found between the nutrients (vitamin D, saturated fat, calcium) found in dairy products and cognitive performance. A positive correlation was found between the level of vitamin D and the RCFT, Digit Span test backward version, and the MoCA. Also, a negative correlation was found between the level of saturated fat and performance on the RCFT. However, no association was found between calcium level and performance on any of the cognitive tests. In conclusion, dairy products intake is associated with better cognitive performance but underlying mechanisms are still to be determined

Monetary Union and productivity differences in Mercosur countries

This paper investigates cross-country productivity convergence for the period 1960-1999. The testing strategy is based on a combination of tests and estimation methods. We use the de…nitions of time-series convergence by Bernard and Durlauf (1995), applying multivariate unit root tests, such as those proposed by Sarno and Taylor (1998). Moreover, in this same multivariate context, the Flôres et al. (1996) and Breuer et al. (1999) tests identify the countries that converge. Based on a sample of the 4 Mercosur countries plus associates (Chile and Bolivia) and Peru our results show evidence of convergence among the four Mercosur countries, both using Argentina and Brazil as benchmark countries. Moreover, some weaker evidence of convergence is also found with Bolivia. In contrast, convergence is rejected with Chile and Peru.Stochastic convergence, deterministic convergence, SUR estimation, productivity, Mercosur

THE ROLE OF THE NURSES IN HEALTH PROMOTION FROM THE VIEW POINT OF PATIENTS AT KINGABDULLAH HOSPITAL IN IRBID

This study aimed to know the viewpoint of patients at King Abdullah Hospital on the role of nurses in health promotion in general, and also aimed to investigate the effect of gender, age, area of residence, and academic level on the point of view of patients. The study sample consisted of 120 patients 63 males and 57 females at King Abdullah Hospital. Means and standard deviations and t-test were used to analyze the results. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the views of the patients on the role of nurses in health promotion in general, also showed a statistically significant differences at the level of significance (α ≥ 0,05) in their views attributed to the age, as there are statistically significant differences at the level of significance (α ≥ 0,05) in their views attributed to gender, and results also showed the existence of clear statistically significant differences in the views of the patients on the role of nurses in health promotion due to the Academic level and area of residence variables

Optimasi Tekanan Dan Rasio Refluks Pada Distilasi Fraksinasi Vakum Terhadap Mutu Eugenol Dari Minyak Daun Cengkeh (Eugenia Caryophyllata)

Eugenol merupakan komponen utama minyak daun cengkeh dan memiliki nilai ekonomis tinggi. Hal ini dipengaruhi oleh tingkat kemurniannya. Untuk mendapatkan eugenol dengan tingkat kemurnian tinggi dan memenuhi standar United States Pharmacopeia / USP (2010) yaitu minimal 99,5%, maka pada penelitian ini dipelajari tekanan dan rasio refluks pada distilasi fraksinasi vakum minyak daun cengkeh. Metode yang digunakan adalah eksperimen dengan variabel tekanan (4, 6, 10 mmHg) dan rasio refluks (10/5, 20/4, 40/4). Hasil menunjukkan bahwa tekanan mempengaruhi kemurnian, rendemen, bobot jenis, indeks bias, dan putaran optik eugenol secara nyata (α = 0,01). Tekanan distilasi fraksinasi vakum terbaik adalah 10 mmHg dengan rasio refluks 20/4 dan menghasilkan eugenol beraroma khas cengkeh dan tidak berwarna dengan kemurnian 99,65% (sesuai standar USP), rendemen 64,61%, bobot jenis 1,0656, indeks bias 1,5407, putaran optik -0,10, kelarutan eugenol dalam etanol 70% sebesar 1:1

Dairy intake and cognitive function in Canadian older adults

Background: Dietary intake is one of the modifiable factors that may affect older adults’ cognitive function in their later years. Few research has considered the potential role of dairy foods on cognitive function. Methods: Across-sectional study was undertaken in 2014. Cognitive function was assessed using The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Rey Complex Figure Test and Recognition Trial (RCFT), Trail-Making Test (TMT), Victoria Stroop Test (VST) and the Digit Span Test (DST). Dietary intake was assessed via estimated 5-day food intake records and analyzed for saturated fat, vitamin D and calcium. Results: A total of 32 participants (8 males and 24 females) (average age= 70.59± 7.07 years; BMI=27.59±4.45 kg/m^2) completed the study. No differences were found between the group who consumed However, a number of associations were found between the nutrients (vitamin D, saturated fat, calcium) found in dairy foods and cognitive performance. A positive correlation was found between the level of vitamin D and the RCFT [r=0.367], the DST [r=0.390], and the MoCA [r=0.362]. Also, a negative correlation was found between the level of saturated fat and performance on the RCFT [r=-0.361]. However, no association was found between calcium level in dairy foods and performance on any of the cognitive tasks. Conclusion: Consumption of dairy foods is associated with better performance on cognitive tasks but underlying mechanisms are still to be determined

Does Immediate Access to Birth Control Help Prevent Pregnancy? A Comparison of Onsite Provision Versus Off Campus Referral for Contraception at Two School-Based Clinics

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of different policies on access to hormonal contraception and pregnancy rates at two high school-based clinics. METHODS: Two clinics in high schools (Schools A and B), located in a large urban district in the southwest US, provide primary medical care to enrolled students with parental consent; the majority of whom have no health insurance coverage. The hormonal contraceptive dispensing policy of at School clinic A involves providing barrier, hormonal and emergency contraceptive services on site. School clinic B uses a referral policy that directs students to obtain contraception at an off-campus affiliated family planning clinic. Baseline data (age, race and history of prior pregnancy) on female students seeking hormonal contraception at the two clinics between 9/2008-12/2009 were extracted from an electronic administrative database (AHLERS Integrated System). Data on birth control use and pregnancy tests for each student was then tracked electronically through 3/31/2010. The outcomes measures were accessing hormonal contraception and positive pregnancy tests at any point during or after birth control use were started through 12/2009. The appointment keeping rate for contraceptive services and the overall pregnancy rates were compared between the two schools. In addition the pregnancy rates were compared between the two schools for students with and without a prior history of pregnancy. RESULTS: School clinic A: 79 students sought hormonal contraception; mean age 17.5 years; 68% were \u3e 18 years; 77% were Hispanic; and 20% reported prior pregnancy. The mean duration of the observation period was 13 months (4-19 months). All 79 students received hormonal contraception (65% pill and 35% long acting progestin injection) onsite. During the observation period, the overall pregnancy rate was 6% (5/79); 4.7% (3/63) among students with no prior pregnancy. School clinic B: 40 students sought hormonal contraception; mean age 17.5 years; 52% \u3e 18 years; 88 % were Hispanic; and 7.5% reported prior pregnancy. All 40 students were referred to the affiliated clinic. The mean duration of the observation period was 11.9 months (4-19 months). 50% (20) kept their appointment. Pills were dispensed to 85% (17/20) and 15% (3/20) received long acting progestin injection. The overall pregnancy rate was 20% (8/40); 21.6% (8/37) among students with no prior pregnancy. A significantly higher frequency of students seeking hormonal contraception kept their initial appointment for birth control at the school dispensing onsite contraception compared to the school with a referral policy for contraception (p\u3c0.05). The pregnancy rate was significantly higher for the school with a referral policy for contraception compared to the school with onsite contraceptive services (p\u3c 0.05). The pregnancy rate was also significantly higher for students without a prior history of pregnancy in the school with a referral policy for contraception (21.6%) versus the school with onsite contraceptive services (4.7%) (p\u3c 0.05). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study showed that School clinic B with a referral policy had a lower appointment keeping rate for contraceptive services and a higher pregnancy rate than School clinic A with on-site contraceptive services. An on-site dispensing policy for hormonal contraceptives at high school-based health clinics may be a convenient and effective approach to prevent unintended first and repeat pregnancies among adolescents who seek hormonal contraception. This study has strong implications for reproductive health policy, especially as directed toward high-risk teenage populations