El papel de las instituciones en el desarrollo económico de México

El neoinstitucionalismo económico crítica la racionalidad instrumental de la microeconomía neoclásica que bajo los supuestos: maximización de la utilidad, racionalidad de la elección, escala de valores establecida, información y competencia perfecta y, por tanto, clarificación de los mercados, crean un vacío al no considerar el papel que desempeñan las instituciones, reglas y normas en el sistema económico.El presente artículo tiene como propósito el estudio de las instituciones como variable clave del desarrollo económico en México, desde el enfoque del nuevo institucionalismo económico, pues es bien conocida la literatura que ha abordado la disertación del desarrollo económico por el papel de la política económica, los sectores de la economía, la hacienda, etcétera, sin embargo, muy pocos han estudiado el papel desempeñado por las instituciones de los costos de transacción y derechos de propiedad, y como han incidido en el cambio institucional. En este sentido, la reflexión sobre el desempeño de la vida institucional en el desarrollo económico de México se empata con el análisis del papel del Estado y su transformación para explicar los cambios que se dan en el sistema económico, político y social, en particular, en los últimos 30 años

Food Insecurity and the Behavioral and Intellectual Development of Children: A Review of the Evidence

Background: Given that an alarming 1 in 5 children in the USA are at risk of hunger (1 in 3 among black and Latino children), and that 3.9 million households with children are food insecure, it is crucial to understand how household food insecurity (HFI) affects the present and future well-being of our children. Purpose: The objectives of this review article are to: (i) examine the association between HFI and child intellectual, behavioral and psycho-emotional development, controlling for socio-economic indicators; (ii) review the hypothesis that HFI is indeed a mediator of the relationship between poverty and poor child development outcomes; (iii) examine if the potential impact of HFI on caregivers’ mental health well-being mediates the relationship between HFI and child development outcomes. Methods: Pubmed search using the key words “food insecurity children.” For articles to be included they had to: (i) be based on studies measuring HFI using an experience-based scale, (ii) be peer reviewed, and (iii) include child intellectual, behavioral and/or socio-emotional development outcomes. Studies were also selected based on backward and forward Pubmed searches, and from the authors’ files. After reviewing the abstracts based on inclusion criteria a total of 26 studies were selected. Results: HFI represents not only a biological but also a psycho-emotional and developmental challenge to children exposed to it. Children exposed to HFI are more likely to internalize or externalize problems, as compared to children not exposed to HFI. This in turn is likely to translate into poor academic/cognitive performance and intellectual achievement later on in life. A pathway through which HFI may affect child development is possibly mediated by caregivers’ mental health status, especially parental stress and depression. Thus, HFI is likely to foster dysfunctional family environments. Conclusion: Findings indicate that food insecure households may require continued food assistance and psycho-emotional support until they transition to a “stable” food secure situation. This approach will require a much better integration of social policies and access to programs offering food assistance and mental health services to those in need. Findings also fully justify increased access of vulnerable children to programs that promote early in life improved nutrition as well as early psycho-social and cognitive stimulation opportunities

Intermediate Outcomes of a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for Spanish-Speaking Older Adults in South Florida, 2008–2010

Introduction The prevalence and negative health effects of chronic diseases are disproportionately high among Hispanics, the largest minority group in the United States. Self-management of chronic conditions by older adults is a public health priority. The objective of this study was to examine 6-week differences in self-efficacy, time spent performing physical activity, and perceived social and role activities limitations for participants in a chronic disease self-management program for Spanish-speaking older adults, Tomando Control de su Salud (TCDS). Methods Through the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative, 8 area agencies delivered 82 workshops in 62 locations throughout South Florida. Spanish-speaking participants who attended workshops from October 1, 2008, through December 31, 2010, were aged 55 years or older, had at least 1 chronic condition, and completed baseline and post-test surveys were included in analysis (N = 682). Workshops consisted of six, 2.5-hour sessions offered once per week for 6 weeks. A self-report survey was administered at baseline and again at the end of program instruction. To assess differences in outcomes, a repeated measures general linear model was used, controlling for agency and baseline general health. Results All outcomes showed improvement at 6 weeks. Outcomes that improved significantly were self-efficacy to manage disease, perceived social and role activities limitations, time spent walking, and time spent performing other aerobic activities. Conclusion Implementation of TCDS significantly improved 4 of 8 health promotion skills and behaviors of Spanish-speaking older adults in South Florida. A community-based implementation of TCDS has the potential to improve health outcomes for a diverse, Spanish-speaking, older adult population

A radio and infrared exploration of the Cygnus X-3 environments

To confirm, or rule out, the possible hot spot nature of two previously detected radio sources in the vicinity of the Cygnus X-3 microquasar. We present the results of a radio and near infrared exploration of the several arc-minute field around the well known galactic relativistic jet source Cygnus X-3 using the Very Large Array and the Calar Alto 3.5~m telescope. The data this paper is based on do not presently support the hot spot hypothesis. Instead, our new observations suggest that these sources are most likely background or foreground objects. Actually, none of them appears to be even barely extended as would be expected if they were part of a bow shock structure. Our near infrared observations also include a search for extended emission in the Bracket $\gamma$ (2.166 $\mu$m) and $H_{2}$ (2.122 $\mu$m) lines as possible tracers of shocked gas in the Cygnus X-3 surroundings. The results were similarly negative and the corresponding upper limits are reported.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A; 5 pages, 4 figure

Chandra X-ray counterpart of KS 1741-293

We aim to investigate the nature of the high energy source KS 1741-293 by revisiting the radio and infrared associations proposed in the early 1990s. Our work is mostly based on the analysis of modern survey and archive data, including the NRAO, MSX, 2MASS and Chandra archives, and catalogues. We also have obtained deep CCD optical observations by ourselves. The coincidence of KS 1741-293 with an extended radio and far-infrared source, tentatively suggested in 1994, is no longer supported by modern observational data. Instead, a Chandra source is the only peculiar object found to be consistent with all high-energy error circles of KS 1741-293 and we propose it to be its most likely X-ray counterpart. We also report the existence of a non-thermal radio nebula in the vicinity of the KS 1741-293 position with the appearance of a supernova remnant. The possibility of being associated to this X-ray binary is discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

La retracción del Estado ante las nuevas tendencias del mercado global

La economía mundial en las últimas décadas se ha visto transformada de manera más rápida e intensa, evidenciando cambios estructurales en la organización y funcionamiento del propio capitalismo moderno. Este nuevo capitalismo muestra los impactos de las tendencias que se expresan en el proceso de la globalización, tanto en los ámbitos de la economía, como de la política y la cultura. Esta nueva configuración económica del mapa mundial agudiza la competencia internacional de las economías nacionales, las cuales ajustan sus políticas a la dinámica del mercado global y a las estrategias de las empresas globales (transnacionales).El presente trabajo tiene como propósito analizar las tendencias que convergen en la configuración del mercado global; la globalización económica (comercial, financiera, productiva y tecnológica); la transnacionalización como fenómeno del capitalismo que convierte a la corporación transnacional en el centro vital del moderno proceso de acumulación de capital, lo cual ha conducido a la retracción del Estado en la dirección macroeconómica para el crecimiento y el bienestar social, tanto de las naciones desarrolladas como de las naciones en vías de desarrollo

El Estado entre la idea mínima y la premium mobile en la economía. Un análisis conceptual

El papel del Estado en la economía se percibe en la concurrencia de una diversidad de elementos económicos, políticos, ideológicos y de orden pragmático. Ello significa que no exista una teoría específica sobre la intervención estatal y hace difícil el estudio de la especificidad del término conceptual dada la pluralidad de métodos, objetos de estudios y esquemas teóricos.Para propósitos de este artículo haré un recorrido breve por las diferentes concepciones del papel del Estado en la economía a través de la concepción clásica, neoclásica, economía del bienestar, fallas del mercado, marxista, keynesiana, neoliberal y neoinstitucional para comprender si el Estado debería sólo promover la coordinación del mercado o bien ser el único sustituto de la coordinación del mercado

Becoming breastfeeding friendly in Great Britain - Does implementation science work?

The Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) in Great Britain study was conducted during 2017–2019 comprising three country studies: BBF England, Wales and Scotland. It was part of an international project being coordinated during the same period by the Yale School of Public Health across five world regions to inform countries and guide policies to improve the environment for the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding. This paper reports on the application of the BBF process that is based on an implementation science approach, across the countries that constitute Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). The process involves assessing 54 benchmarks across eight interlocking gears that drive a country's ‘engine’ towards a sustainable policy approach to supporting, promoting and protecting breastfeeding. It takes a consensus-oriented approach to the evaluation of benchmarks and the development of recommendations. This paper provides a critical overview of how the process was conducted, the findings and recommendations that emerged and how these were managed. We draw on critical theory as a theoretical framework for explaining the different outcomes for each country and some considerations for future action