A quarterly fiscal database for the euro area based on intra-annual fiscal information

The analysis of the macroeconomic impact of fiscal policies in the euro area has been traditionally limited by the absence of quarterly fiscal data. To overcome this problem, we provide two new databases in this paper. Firstly, we construct a quarterly database of euro area fiscal variables for the period 1980-2008 for a quite disaggregated set of fiscal variablessecondly, we present a real-time fiscal database for a subset of fiscal variables, composed of bi-annual vintages of data for the euro area period (2000-2009). All models are multivariate, state-space mixed-frequencies models estimated with available national accounts fiscal data (mostly annual) and, more importantly, monthly and quarterly information taken from the cash accounts of the governments. We provide not seasonallyand seasonally-adjusted data. Focusing solely on intra-annual fiscal information for interpolation purposes allows us to capture genuine intra-annual "fiscal" dynamics in the data. Thus, we provide fiscal data that avoid some problems likely to appear in studies using fiscal time series interpolated on the basis of general macroeconomic indicators, namely the well-known decoupling of tax collection from the evolution of standard macroeconomic tax bases (revenue windfalls/shortfalls)

Los primates, sujetos del derecho ecuatoriano

La tesina plantea el reconocimiento de derechos específicos hacia la especie animal conocida como primate, considerando el origen y desarrollo de la teoría sobre los derechos de los animales en el mundo, así como las perspectivas científicas y culturales que apoyan el otorgamiento de derechos hacia animales. El trabajo expone los aportes normativos de diversos países respecto a derechos animales y busca determinar cuáles derechos, aparentemente exclusivos de los seres humanos, sí pueden ser reconocidos hacia primates dentro del marco normativo ecuatoriano. Se expone, además, las circunstancias que demuestran la necesidad de que se otorgue la titularidad de derechos hacia esta especie de animales que, al ser reconocidos únicamente como objetos, se encuentra en peligro de extinción así como sometidos a tratos degradantes e irreparables. Al ser un tema poco examinado, la metodología utilizada es la exploratoria, apenas se conoce la diferencia entre bienestar animal y derechos animales, por lo que en el país no se ha establecido con claridad la tendencia respecto a la protección animal; constitucionalmente, se brindó reconocimiento expreso de derechos hacia la naturaleza y por ende, se entendería hacia animales, sin embargo, esta postura no ha sido analizada a fondo, sus beneficios y resultados no han sido detallados con amplitud. A diferencia, el segmento creciente de la sociedad que lleva a cabo el activismo a favor de los animales, exige con más premura que sean otorgados derechos a fin de cesar con el sufrimiento animal; incongruente al retraso en el análisis de la protección animal en el país, el activismo se manifiesta, conquista y avanza en brindar un cambio de vida a los animales que aman y consideran sus semejantes

Sense of coherence, academic performance and professional vocation in Certified Nursing Assistant students

BACKGROUND: The sense of coherence (SOC) of the salutogenic health model explains why people in stressful situations are able to maintain or even improve their health. There are some studies on which measures are more effective to reduce stress in Nursing assistant students. There are no studies that link SOC with the two key aspects in the prevention of stress in Nursing assistant students: the motivation of pursuing this profession and the academic level. OBJECTIVES: To explore the salutogenic paradigm among Nursing assistant students in a region of Spain (Comunitat Valenciana). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, analytical and exploratory study carried out in 2016. METHODS: Students of the first year of Nursing Assistant certification. Self-administered questionnaire to collect the variables: Sense of Coherence (SOC-13 instrument); professional vocation; Self-reported grades of the academic record. RESULTS: The mean score for the total SOC measurement was M?=?56.38 (SD?=?12.236; 71). Regarding the SOC components, the average score was for Manageability M?=?16.45 (SD?=?4.53; 24); Comprehensibility M?=?19.27 (SD?=?5.642; 30) and Meaningfulness M?=?20.65 (SD?=?4.48; 23). Students who lived in rural environments presented a weaker SOC (M?=?54.05), compared to those who were located in urban environments (M?=?56.83) and large cities (M?=?56.15). The students who reported a choice of studies motivated by professional vocation presented a stronger SOC, scoring also a remarkable academic performance (p?<?0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Strong levels of SOC in Nursing assistant students, are related to a greater motivation to study something desirable, and to obtaining high academic performance, despite being a demanding and high-stress profession. Therefore, a strong SOC seems to contribute to being more resistant to stress. The environments that provide and facilitate greater external resources such as health, education, culture, association, leisure and recreation, for the community, have higher global levels of sense of coherence

Prevalencia del dengue en la parroquia de Lagunillas, municipio Sucre, estado Mérida, 2005 – 2015.

&nbsp; Dengue is a viral disease that depends on interactions between environment, agent, population of hosts and vector, as well as socioeconomic, political, technical and administrative determinants. The article aims to describe the prevalence of dengue for the period 2005 to 2015 in the Lagunillas parish of the municipality of Sucre, Mérida, Venezuela. Methodology: quantitative approach, descriptive type and non-experimental longitudinal design. Results: 2947 cases of dengue were found between the years under study. The presence of dengue with signs of alarm was recorded in the last three years of the study period and for severe dengue, the highest incidence occurred in 2010 with 1,085 cases / 100,000 inhabitants, the standardized prevalence rate: 2005 13/1000 inhabitants, by 2010 28/1000 inhabitants and 2015 of 8/1000 inhabitants and the projection (2016-2025) of the cases of dengue, a relation was obtained directly proportional in the time series, as Years increase the casuistry of the disease. Conclusions: The Lagunillas parish of Mérida state presents a high prevalence of dengue, being classified as an epidemic zone. It was determined that in the years 2013-2015 the dengue with signs of alarm, has suffered an increase in its incidence, although it has not been determined the cause, it is very probable that local environmental phenomena, such as the water deficit, as well as the social context , May translate into an increase in the density of the dengue transmitter vector and an increase in the reporting of dengue cases. &nbsp;El dengue es una enfermedad vírica que depende de interacciones entre ambiente, agente, población de huéspedes y vector, además de determinantes socioeconómicos, políticos, técnicos y administrativos. El artículo tiene por objeto describir la prevalencia de dengue para el periodo 2005 al 2015 en la parroquia Lagunillas del municipio Sucre del estado Mérida, Venezuela. Metodología: enfoque cuantitativo, tipo descriptivo y diseño no experimental longitudinal. Resultados: se encontró 2947 casos de dengue entre los años en estudio. La presencia de dengue con signos de alarma, se registró en los últimos tres años del periodo en estudio y para el dengue grave, la mayor incidencia se registró en los años 2010 con 1.085 casos/100.000 habitantes, la tasa de prevalencia estandarizada: en el 2005 13/1000 habitantes, para el 2010 28/1000 habitantes y el 2015 de 8/1000 habitantes y la proyección (2016-2025) de los casos de dengue, se obtuvo una relación directamente proporcional en la serie de tiempo, a medida que transcurren los años aumentan la casuística de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: La parroquia Lagunillas del estado Mérida presenta una alta prevalencia del dengue, siendo catalogada como una zona epidémica. Se determinó que en los años 2013-2015 el dengue con signos de alarma, ha sufrido un aumento en su incidencia, aunque no se ha determinado el causante, es muy probable que fenómenos ambientales locales, como el déficit hídrico, así como el contexto social, puede traducir en un aumento en la densidad del vector trasmisor del dengue y se observara un aumento en el reporte de casos

RIU project: Perceived changes by health agents and professionals after a health intervention in an urban area of socioeconomic disadvantage

Objetivo: Describir los cambios percibidos por la población y los profesionales en relación con la salud y el uso de servicios tras la intervención RIU con agentes comunitarios en un barrio vulnerable. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo cualitativo con entrevistas individuales y grupales y observación participante de octubre de 2008 a julio de 2009. Emplazamiento: Barrio Raval (Algemesí-Valencia). Participantes: Selección por muestreo opinático de 7 mujeres agentes de salud, todas las que finalizaron la intervención, y 10 profesionales implicados en la misma. Método: Con las mujeres se mantuvo una entrevista grupal a los 6 meses, y una entrevista grupal y 7 individuales a los 9 meses de intervención. Se realizó un análisis temático de tipo descriptivo desde el modelo de promoción de salud. Con los profesionales se utilizó observación participante en una reunión a los 9 meses, analizándose las notas de campo según: valoración del proyecto, cambios detectados, dificultades y recomendaciones. Resultados: Las mujeres adquirieron información sobre salud, anticoncepción, embarazo y servicios sanitarios; señalaron cambios en autocuidados y habilidades sociales y liderazgo; interiorizaron el rol de agente de salud difundiendo lo aprendido y manifestando mejor autoestima y reconocimiento social. Provocaron cambios en su entorno relativos al cuidado de la salud y el acceso a los servicios. Los profesionales no incorporaron a su trabajo la perspectiva comunitaria; valoraron el proyecto, coincidieron con las mujeres en la mejora del acceso y uso de servicios y en el acercamiento población-profesionales. Conclusiones: RIU aumenta las capacidades de las personas participantes, su reconocimiento social y mejora el acceso y uso de servicios sanitarios.Objective: To describe how health agents and professionals working in a community project perceive the changes related to the population health status and their use of health-care services after the RIU intervention in an urban area of socioeconomic disadvantage. Design: A qualitative descriptive study based on individual and group interviews and participant observation conducted between October 2008-July 2009. Location: Raval (Algemesí-Valencia). Participants: We selected by purposive sample 7 women health agents, all persons who completed the intervention, and 10 professionals for their involvement in the intervention. Method: We conducted a group interview with the women at 6 months and a group and 7 individuals interviews both at 9 months of intervention. We realized a thematic descriptive analysis from health promotion framework. We used participant observation in a meeting with professionals at 9 months and analyzed field notes as: appraisal project, detected changes, challenges and recommendations. Results: Women acquired information about health, contraception, pregnancy and health services; they noted changes in self-care and social skills and leadership; they internalized the role of health worker disseminating what they learned and showed improvement in self-esteem and social recognition. They caused changes in the people related on health care and access to services. Professionals didn’t incorporate at their work the community perspective; they valued positively the project; professionals and women agreed on improving access and use of services and closeness population-professionals. Conclusions: RIU increases the capabilities of the participants, their social recognition and improves access and use of health services.Agencia de Calidad del Sistema Nacional de Salud-Observatorio de Salud de las Mujeres del Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad y Ayuntamiento de Algemesí

Fiscal policy shocks in the euro area and the US : an empirical assessment

We analyse the impact of fiscal policy shocks in the euro area as a whole, using a newly available quarterly dataset of fiscal variables for the period 1981-2007. To allow for comparability with previous results on euro area countries and the US, we use a standard structural VAR framework, and study the impact of aggregated and disaggregated government spending and net taxes shocks. In addition, to frame euro area results, we apply the same methodology for the same sample period to US data. We also explore the sensitivity of the provided results to the inclusion of variables aiming at measuring "financial stress" (increases in risk) and "fiscal stress" (sustainability concerns). Analysing US and euro area data with a common methodology provides some interesting insights on the interpretation of fiscal policy shock