Matrix iterations and Cichon's diagram

Using matrix iterations of ccc posets, we prove the consistency with ZFC of some cases where the cardinals on the right hand side of Cichon's diagram take two or three arbitrary values (two regular values, the third one with uncountable cofinality). Also, mixing this with the techniques in J Symb Log 56(3):795-810, 1991, we can prove that it is consistent with ZFC to assign, at the same time, several arbitrary regular values on the left hand side of Cichon's diagram.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures, article in press for the journal Archive for Mathematical Logi

Template iterations with non-definable ccc forcing notions

We present a version with non-definable forcing notions of Shelah's theory of iterated forcing along a template. Our main result, as an application, is that, if $\kappa$ is a measurable cardinal and $\theta<\kappa<\mu<\lambda$ are uncountable regular cardinals, then there is a ccc poset forcing $\mathfrak{s}=\theta<\mathfrak{b}=\mu<\mathfrak{a}=\lambda$. Another application is to get models with large continuum where the groupwise-density number $\mathfrak{g}$ assumes an arbitrary regular value.Comment: To appear in the Annals of Pure and Applied Logic, 45 pages, 2 figure

Many Different Uniformity Numbers of Yorioka Ideals

Using a countable support product of creature forcing posets, we show that consistently, for uncountably many different functions the associated Yorioka ideals' uniformity numbers can be pairwise different. In addition we show that, in the same forcing extension, for two other types of simple cardinal characteristics parametrised by reals (localisation and anti-localisation cardinals), for uncountably many parameters the corresponding cardinals are pairwise different.Comment: 29 pages, 4 figure

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF HEALTH CARE REFORM IN COLOMBIA: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

This article presents an evaluation of an ambitious health reform implemented in Colombia during the first half of the nineties. The reform attempted to radically change public provision of health services, by means of the transformation of subsidies to supply (direct transfers to hospitals) into a new scheme of subsidies to demand (transfers targeted at the poorest citizens). Although the percentage of the population having medical care insurance has notably increased, mostly among the poorest, problems of implementation have been numerous. It has not been possible to achieve the transformation of subsidies to supply into subsidies to demand. At the same time, competition has not made it possible to increase the efficiency of many public hospitals, which continue to operate with very low occupation rates, while receiving hefty money transfers. Subsidies increased demand for medical consultations, but have curbed demand for hospitalizations. Nonetheless, subsidies might have adversely affected female´s labor market participation and even household consumption. As a whole, evidence suggests that the health reform has been effective in rationalizing households´ demand for health, but not in rationalizing public supply, and neither in increasing the efficiency of service providers.demand subsidies, targeted social services, instrumental variables