Socioeconomic inequality in the use of long-term care among European older adults: an empirical approach using the SHARE survey

The increase in the proportion of elderly people in developed societies has several consequences, such as the rise in demand for long-term care (LTC). Due to cost, inequalities may arise and punish low-income households. Our objective is to examine socioeconomic inequalities in LTC utilization in Europe. We use the last wave from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe SHARE (Munich Center for the Economics of Ageing, Munich, Germany), dated 2017, to analyze the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on LTC. For this purpose, we construct logistic models and control for socioeconomic/household characteristics, health status, and region. Then, concentration indices are calculated to assess the distribution of LTC. Moreover, we also analyze horizontal inequity by using the indirect need-standardization process. We use two measures of SES (household net total income and household net wealth) to obtain robust results. Our findings demonstrate that informal care is concentrated among low-SES households, whereas formal care is concentrated in high-SES households. The results for horizontal concentration indices show a pro-rich distribution in both formal and informal LTC. We add new empirical evidence by showing the dawning of deep social inequalities in LTC utilization. Policymakers should implement policies focused on people who need care to tackle socioeconomic inequalities in LTC.Acknowledgments: This paper used data from SHARE Wave 7 (DOIs: 10.6103/SHARE.w7.700); see [50] for methodological details. The SHARE data collection was primarily funded by the European Commission through FP5 (QLK6-CT\u1000002001\u10000000360), FP6 (SHARE-I3: RII-CT-2006-062193, COMPARE: CIT5-CT-2005-028857, SHARELIFE: CIT4-CT-2006-028812), and FP7 (SHARE-PREP: no. 211909, SHARE-LEAP: no. 227822, SHARE M4: no. 261982). Additional funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research, the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, the U.S. National Institute on Aging (U01_AG09740-13S2, P01_AG005842, P01_AG08291, P30_AG12815, R21_AG025169, Y1-AG-4553-01, IAG_BSR06-11, OGHA_04-064, HHSN271201300071C), and from various national funding sources is gratefully acknowledged (see www.share-project.org)

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of the Transiting Planet Host Star TrES-1

We report on a spectroscopic determination of the stellar parameters and chemical abundances for the parent star of the transiting planet TrES-1. Based on a detailed analysis of iron lines in our Keck and Hobby-Eberly Telescope spectra, we derive Teff = 5250 ± 75 K, log g = 4.6 ± 0.2, and [Fe/H] = 0.00 ± 0.09. By measuring the Ca II activity indicator and by putting useful upper limits on the Li abundance, we constrain the age of TrES-1 to be 2.5 ± 1.5 Gyr. By comparing theoretical stellar evolution models with the observational parameters, we obtain M* = 0.89 ± 0.05 M⊙ and R* = 0.83 ± 0.05 R⊙. Our improved estimates of the stellar parameters are utilized in a new analysis of the transit photometry of TrES-1 to derive a mass Mp = (0.76 ± 0.05) MJ a radius RP = 1.04-0.05+0.08RJ, and an inclination i = 89.5-1.3+0.5 deg. The improved planetary mass and radius estimates provide the grounds for new crucial tests of theoretical models of evolution and evaporation of irradiated extrasolar giant planets

Analyzing individual drivers of global changes promotes inaccurate long-term policies in deforestation hotspots: The case of Gran Chaco

In the context of the global climate and biodiversity crises, forecasting the effectiveness of Protected Areas (PAs) and forest management to conserve biodiversity in the long-term is a high priority, especially in threatened environments. By combining distribution models and conservation planning protocols, we analyzed the effect of global climate and agriculture-linked activities in the long-term conservation opportunities of one most threatened deforestation hotspots: the South American Gran Chaco. We showed that assessing the effects of each driver of global change individually, promotes inaccurate long-term policies in deforestation hotspots. Our future scenarios indicated a low impact of climate change on the species distributions when it was analyzed individually. However, its effects were strongly exacerbated when both drivers of threat were combined in the same analyses, strongly diminishing conservation opportunities in the region: more than 50% of the remaining species' distribution and hotspot areas could be lost in the near future. In this dramatic context, we identified important opportunities to improve the level of long-term protection by increasing at least 5.6% the protection coverage and placing PAs strategically. It is imperative policymakers promote policies to generate a long-term improvement of conservation areas that are resilient to both threats as soon as possible for these threatened environments.Fil: Prieto Torres, David Alexander. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Facultad de Estudios Superiores de Iztacala; MéxicoFil: Díaz, Sandra Myrna. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Cordier, Javier Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Zoología Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Torres, Ricardo Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Carón, María Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Museo de Zoología; ArgentinaFil: Nori, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Zoología Aplicada; Argentin

Pertinencia académica y pertenencia social del currículo del programa de contaduría pública, Universidad de los Llanos

The present article reflects about the academic and  social  relevancy  of   the  curriculum  of   the  program of  Public Accounting of  the University of   the  Plains;  showing  the  components  related  to   the   higher   education   according   to   the   lineaments  of   the  International  Federation  of   Meters (IFAC), UNESCO, Organization for the Cooperation  and  the  Development  Economic  (OCDE),  International  Monetary  Fund  (IMF) and World Bank, who promote the social project, in  the  search  of   the  internationalization  of   the  same one. Hence its targets bear to identify needs and  tendencies  of   the  formation  of   the  Public  Meter  in  the  region  of   the  Orinoquia;  likewise,  he   analyzes   the   update   and   determines   the   contribution of the program to the fulfillment of  its intentions and targets of  formation in the social environment. For the characteristics of the object of study, the   development   of    the   investigation   was   framed   inside   a   mixed,   qualitative   approach   –  quantitatively.  Its  quantitative  character  was  represented    in    the    compilation,    tabulation and  analysis  of   the  information  obtained  in  the  application  of   the  instruments.  As  for  the  qualitative  dimension,  he  receives  meaning  in  relation  to  the  interpretation  of   the  obtained  information   and   in   the   presentation   of    the   categories  that  emerge  of   the  development  of   the  study  and  constitute  the  structural  analysis  of   the  investigation  to  come  to  the  results  and  conclusions.    Everything  previous  in  order  to  establish   the   academic   relevancy   and   social   belonging  of   the  curriculum  of   the  program  of   Public  Accounting  of   the  University  of   the  Plains for the region of  the Orinoquia.El presente artículo reflexiona acerca de la pertinencia académica y social del currículo del programa de Contaduría Pública de la  Universidad  de  los  Llanos;  mostrando  los  componentes  relacionados   con   la   educación   superior   acorde   con   los   lineamientos  de  la    Federación  Internacional  de  Contadores  (IFAC),  UNESCO,  Organización  para  la  Cooperación  y el  Desarrollo  Económicos  (OCDE),  Fondo  Monetario Internacional  (FMI)  y  Banco  Mundial,  quienes  promueven el proyecto social, en la búsqueda de la internacionalización de la misma.  De ahí que sus objetivos conllevan a identificar necesidades y tendencias de la formación del Contador Público en la región de la Orinoquia; así mismo, analiza la actualización y determina la contribución del programa al cumplimiento de sus propósitos y objetivos de formación en el entorno social. Por las características del objeto de estudio, el desarrollo de la investigación  se  enmarcó  dentro  de  un  enfoque  mixto,  cualitativo – cuantitativo. Su carácter cuantitativo se representó en la recolección, tabulación y análisis de los datos obtenidos en la aplicación de los instrumentos. En cuanto a la dimensión cualitativa, cobra significado con relación a la interpretación  de  la  información  obtenida  y  en  la  presentación  de  las  categorías  que  emergen  del  desarrollo  del  estudio  y  se  constituyen   en   el   análisis   estructural   de   la   investigación   para   llegar   a   los   resultados   y   conclusiones.    Todo lo anterior con el fin  de establecer la pertinencia académica y pertenencia social del currículo del programa de Contaduría Pública de la Universidad de los Llanos para la región de la Orinoquia

First record of Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Procyonidae) for the Zulia state, western Venezuela

We report a new record for the South American coati, Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766), based on a specimen from Sierra de Perijá, Zulia state, western Venezuela. This specimen represents the first record of the species for the state, increasing to 192 the number of mammals reported for Zulia. It also extends the species distribution in about 245 km northwest from the nearest known locality in Venezuela, and about 80 km from the nearest locality in Colombia

Socioeconomic determinants and health care utilization among elderly people living in Europe: Evidence from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement.

This paper examines health care utilization among elderly people in sixteen European countries using the last wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Negative Binominal regression is conducted to study the main driving factors behind health care utilization (visits to the General Practitioners, GP; Hospital Stays, HS). The empirical results suggest that age, gender, education level, self-assessed health, health limitations and status and other socioeconomic variables are the main driving factors. We also show that socioeconomic variables do not play the same role in every country. From a policy economic approach, we propose important information to the current debates both in the health economics and social welfare literature. Our findings are relevant and have several implications for policy purposes to enhance efficiency, equity and quality of health care that it can be provided

Consolidación de la innovación docente en la etapa universitaria: COVID-19 y las nuevas tecnologías

Introducció. La crisi sanitària generada per la COVID-19 va tenir repercussions importants a tots els nivells i va suposar diversos reptes educatius, el més rellevant dels quals va ser la suspensió de classes presencials. L’objectiu d’aquest treball és analitzar la implantació i la consolidació després de la covid de l’aprenentatge semipresencial. Mètode. Entre els nous mètodes docents hi ha les classes en línia, l’organització de seminaris web impartits tant per experts de l’àmbit econòmic i empresarial com pels mateixos alumnes, i el foment del debat en fòrums i xats a través de Moodle. Resultats. Alguns punts positius per a l’alumnat són: millora global dels resultats, més aprofundiment en els coneixements adquirits, millora de la capacitat de debat i de l’aprenentatge actiu i cooperatiu, i creació de grups de treball que permeten la col·laboració entre alumnes i agents externs a l’àmbit universitari. Tot i això, es detecten desigualtats en l’accés a la tecnologia i problemes d’incompatibilitat d’horaris. Discussió. Els resultats mostren una millora dels resultats acadèmics i la satisfacció generalitzada. Com a repte fonamental queda la consolidació d’aquests mètodes tenint en compte que de vegades suposen un treball extra per a l’alumnat i la desigualtat en l’accés a la tecnologia.Introduction: The health crisis generated by COVID-19 had significant effects at all levels and created several educational challenges, perhaps the most important being the suspension of face-to-face classes. The main objective of this study is to analyze the implementation of blended learning and its consolidation post-COVID-19. Methods: These new teaching methods comprise online classes, the organization of webinars taught by experts from the fields of economics and business, seminars given by the students themselves, and the promotion of debate in forums and chats through Moodle. Results: The positive points for students are the following: overall improvement of results, the opportunity to expand on the knowledge acquired, improvement of the capacity for debate and for active and cooperative learning, and the creation of networks that allow collaboration between students and agents outside the university environment. Discussion: This blended learning experience obtained positive results in terms of academic success and satisfaction among students and professors. The consolidation of these methods remains a challenge considering that their use requires an additional effort for students and also because of the inequality that exists with regard to access to technology.Introducción: La crisis sanitaria generada por la COVID-19 tuvo importantes repercusiones a todos los niveles y supuso diversos retos educativos, siendo el más relevante la suspensión de clases presenciales. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es analizar la implantación y futura consolidación postCOVID-19 del blended learning.  Método: Entre los nuevos métodos docentes se encuentran las clases online, la organización de webinars impartidos por expertos del ámbito económico y empresarial, seminarios impartidos por los propios alumnos, el fomento de debate en foros y chats a través de Moodle. Resultados: Algunos puntos positivos para el alumnado son los siguientes: mejora global de los resultados, mayor profundización en los conocimientos adquiridos, mejora de la capacidad de debate y aprendizaje activo y cooperativo, creación de redes de networking que permiten la colaboración entre alumnos y agentes externos al ámbito universitario. No obstante, se detectan desigualdades en el acceso a la tecnología y problemas de incompatibilidad de horarios y tareas. Discusión: Los resultados muestran una mejora de los resultados académicos y satisfacción generalizada. Como reto fundamental queda la consolidación de estos métodos teniendo en cuenta que en ocasiones suponen un trabajo extra para el alumnado y la desigualdad en el acceso a la tecnología

Effectiveness of Hypopressive Exercises in Women with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Hypopressive exercises have emerged as a conservative treatment option for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of an eight-week hypopressive exercise program to those of an individualized pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training (PFMT) program, and to a combination of both immediately after treatment and at follow-up assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months later. The study was a prospective, single-centre, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Ninety-four women with PFD were assigned to PFMT (n = 32), hypopressive exercises (n = 31) or both (n = 31). All programs included the same educational component, and instruction about lifestyle interventions and the knack manoeuvre. Primary outcomes were the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short Form (PFDI-20); the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire Short Form (PFIQ-7); PFM strength (manometry and dynamometry) and pelvic floor basal tone (dynamometry). There were no statistically significant differences between groups at baseline, nor after the intervention. Overall, women reduced their symptoms (24.41-30.5 on the PFDI-20); improved their quality of life (14.78-21.49 on the PFIQ-7), improved their PFM strength (8.61-9.32 cmH2O on manometry; 106.2-247.7 g on dynamometry), and increased their pelvic floor basal tone (1.8-22.9 g on dynamometry). These data suggest that individual PFMT, hypopressive exercises and a combination of both interventions significantly reduce PFD symptoms, enhance quality of life, and improve PFM strength and basal tone in women with PFD, both in the short and longer term

Effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: randomised, single blinded, clinical trial

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of early physiotherapy in reducing the risk of secondary lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer. Design: Randomised, single blinded, clinical trial. Setting University hospital in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Participants: 120 women who had breast surgery involving dissection of axillary lymph nodes between May 2005 and June 2007. Intervention: The early physiotherapy group was treated by a physiotherapist with a physiotherapy programme including manual lymph drainage, massage of scar tissue, and progressive active and action assisted shoulder exercises. This group also received an educational strategy. The control group received the educational strategy only. Main outcome measure: Incidence of clinically significant secondary lymphoedema (>2 cm increase in arm circumference measured at two adjacent points compared with the non-affected arm). Results: 116 women completed the one year follow-up. Of these, 18 developed secondary lymphoedema (16%): 14 in the control group (25%) and four in the intervention group (7%). The difference was significant (P=0.01); risk ratio 0.28 (95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.79). A survival analysis showed a significant difference, with secondary lymphoedema being diagnosed four times earlier in the control group than in the intervention group (intervention/ control, hazard ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.09 to 0.79). Conclusion: Early physiotherapy could be an effective intervention in the prevention of secondary lymphoedema in women for at least one year after surgery for breast cancer involving dissection of axillary lymph nodes

The economic burden of localized prostate cancer and insights derived from cost-effectiveness studies of the different treatments

Prostate cancer is one of the most frequent and impacting malignant neoplasms for men. In particular, localized prostate cancer has a notably high incidence and prevalence, despite which a solid consensus on treatment and procedure of care has not yet been reached. This article aims to shed light on this challenge by characterizing the economic burden and cost-effectiveness of different treatment strategies for localized prostate cancer after analyzing published comparable data from studies conducted in OECD countries