A Working Machine: Patronage Jobs and Political Services in Argentina

Why does the control of patronage significantly increase a party's chances of staying in power? What do public employees do that affect electoral competition? What motivates public employees to do it? In this dissertation, I seek to describe what it is that public employees do that affects electoral competition and to establish why they do it. I argue that patronage jobs are distributed to supporters in exchange for a wide range of political services. Since government jobs are expensive, the type of political support that is expected in exchange for public sector employment goes far beyond the simple act of voting. Patronage employees perform a number of different political activities that are essential for attracting and maintaining electoral support. However, a citizen who receives a public sector job with the understanding that she will provide political services in return can easily renege on her side of the contract after getting the job. Why would public sector employees comply with their side of the patronage contract after receiving the job? Existing explanations are based either on fear of punishment (clients comply with their side of the agreement because they are afraid the patron will cut off the benefit if they fail to do so) or feelings of reciprocity (clients comply with the agreement because they want to help the person that have helped them). Departing from these explanations, I argue that patronage employees engage in political activities that support politicians (patrons) because their fates are tied to the political fate of their patrons. Put simply, their incentives are aligned. What makes patronage contracts self-sustaining without punishment or reciprocity is the fact that patronage jobs are distributed to supporters (because only supporters can credibly commit to provide political support), whose fates are tied to the political fate of the politician who has hired them. Patronage jobs (and working conditions) held by supporters will be maintained by the incumbent politician (the patron) but not by a competing politician, because supporters of the incumbent cannot credibly commit to provide political services for the opposition. Supporters, then, have large incentives to provide political services to help the incumbent stay in power, which makes their original commitment to provide political services a credible one. This alignment of interests between patrons and clients (or politicians and patronage employees) makes patronage contracts incentive-compatible and therefore self-sustaining. I test the empirical implications of my theory using an original face-to-face survey of 1200 local public sector employees that I fielded in three Argentine municipalities (Salta, Santa Fe, and Tigre). Using list experiments--a technique that provides respondents with the anonymity needed to obtain accurate information about sensitive topics-- I show that a considerable proportion of public sector employees are involved in political activities. To establish why public sector employees provide these political services I use two survey experiments that allow me to identify employees' comprehension of the likely effect of a change in municipal government. The results strongly support the empirical predictions--public employees believe that their jobs are tied to the political success of the incumbent politician. Finally, I complement the analysis of the survey results with a series of in-depth interviews of public sector employees, brokers, and politicians. I conclude by providing additional evidence from other Latin American countries as an out of sample test of the theory and to provide more confidence about the external validity of the argument

The right and democracy in Latin America

We explore the relationship between the right turn and authoritarian backlash in Latin America in terms of public opinion. Is there evidence of a right turn in public opinion? What is the relationship at the individual level between ideology and democratic support, particularly among those who identify with the right? Are people who identify with the “new right” less committed to democracy than other citizens? We study these questions using six waves of public opinion surveys conducted in 17 Latin American countries between 2008 and 2019.En este artículo exploramos, a nivel de la opinión pública, la relación entre el giro a la derecha y el backlash autoritario en América Latina. ¿Se puede hablar de un giro a la derecha a nivel de la opinión pública? ¿Cuál es la relación entre la ideología de los individuos, particularmente la de aquellos que se identifican con la derecha, y el apego a la democracia? ¿Son los individuos que se identifican con la “nueva derecha” menos democráticos que el resto de la población? Para responder a estas preguntas utilizamos encuestas de opinión realizadas en 17 países latinoamericanos entre 2008 y 2019 en seis olas de encuestas.We explore the relationship between the right turn and authoritarian backlash in Latin America in terms of public opinion. Is there evidence of a right turn in public opinion? What is the relationship at the individual level between ideology and democratic support, particularly among those who identify with the right? Are people who identify with the “new right” less committed to democracy than other citizens? We study these questions using six waves of public opinion surveys conducted in 17 Latin American countries between 2008 and 2019

Effect of the chain length of geraniol esters on the plasticization efficiency with poly(lactide)

[EN] This work reports on the development of environmentally friendly PLA formulations utilizing different esters derived from geraniol as plasticizers. Geranyl formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isovalerate and caproate at 10 wt% were combined with PLA in formulations that were produced through extrusion and injection moulding processes. Theoretical solubility parameter studies predicted good miscibility between PLA and all the plasticizers. This was confirmed by tensile test, which showed elongation at break values between 200 and 300 %, totally in contrast with the 8 % value of neat PLA. Geranyl acetate and geranyl formate exhibited the highest elongation at break behavior. These values of elongation at break were supported by FESEM images, which showed clear signs of plasticization. The plasticization effect was further corroborated by DSC and DMTA analysis, where a clear decrease in the glass transition temperature was observed from a typical value of 60 °C for neat PLA down to 40¿50 °C for the plasticized blends. This was related to an enhanced chain mobility of the amorphous regions of PLA. Moreover, the plasticizers slightly increased the water absorption capabilities of PLA, as demonstrated by an increase in the water contact angle and water uptake for 11 weeks.This research is a part of the grant PID2020-116496RB-C22, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the grant TED2021- 131762A-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union "NextGenerationEU"/PRTR. Authors also thank Generalitat Valenciana-GVA for funding this research through the grant numbers AICO/2021/025 and CIGE/2021/094. Funded with Aid for First Research Projects (PAID-06-22), Vice -rectorate for Research of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) . R.T.-O. wishes to thank UPV for the grant received though the PAID-01-20 program. J. I.-M. wants to thank FPU19/01759 grant funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ESF Investing in your future. J. G.-C. wants to thank FPU20/01732 grant funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ESF Investing in your future. V. M. thanks Ge eralitat Valenciana-GVA for funding a postdoc position through the APOSTD program co -funded by ESF Investing in your future, grant number CIAPOS/2021/67. Microscopy Services at UPV are also acknowledged by their help in collecting and analyzing images.Gómez-Caturla, J.; Ivorra-Martinez, J.; Tejada-Oliveros, R.; Moreno-García, V.; Garcia-Garcia, D.; Balart, R. (2024). Effect of the chain length of geraniol esters on the plasticization efficiency with poly(lactide). Polymer. 290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2023.12652229

Merit, Tenure, and Bureaucratic Behavior: Evidence From a Conjoint Experiment in the Dominican Republic

Bureaucratic behavior in developing countries remains poorly understood. Why do some public servants – yet not others – work hard to deliver public services, misuse state resources, and/or participate in electoral mobilization? A classic answer comes from Weber: bureaucratic structures shift behavior towards integrity, neutrality, and commitment to public service. Our paper conducts the first survey experimental test of the effects of bureaucratic structures. It does so through a conjoint experiment with public servants in the Dominican Republic. Looking at merit examinations and job stability, we find that Weber was right – but only partially. Recruitment by examination curbs corruption and political services by bureaucrats, while enhancing work motivation. Job stability, by contrast, only decreases political services: tenured bureaucrats are less likely to participate in electoral mobilization. Examinations thus enhance the quality of bureaucracy (motivation and lower corruption) and democracy (electoral competition); job stability only enhances the quality of democracy

Guía de práctica clínica para manejo de las lesiones pulpares y periapicales en dentición permanente en el Seguro Social de Salud del Perú (EsSalud)

Introduction: This article summarizes the evidence-based recommendations of the clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the treatment of patients with pulpal and periapical lesions in the Social Health Insurance of Peru (EsSalud). Objective: Provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for the treatment of patients with pulpal and periapical lesions in EsSalud. Methods: A guideline development group (GEG) was formed that included dental surgeons, specialists, and methodologists. The GEG formulated five clinical questions to be answered in this CPG. Systematic searches of systematic reviews and -when considered pertinent- primary studies were carried out in PubMed and CENTRAL during the years 2020-2021. The evidence was selected to answer each of the clinical questions posed. Evidence was selected to answer each of the clinical questions posed. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In periodic work meetings, the GEG used the GRADE methodology to review the evidence and formulate the recommendations, the points of good clinical practice, and the treatment flowchart. Finally, the CPG was approved with Resolution No. 085-IETSI-ESSALUD-2021. Results: This CPG addressed five clinical questions about the management of pulpal and periapical lesions. Based on these questions, four strong recommendations, two conditional recommendations, 9 points of good clinical practice, and a flowchart were formulated. Conclusion: This article summarizes the methodology and evidence-based conclusions of the CPG for the treatment of pulpal and periapical lesions in EsSalud.Introducción: El presente artículo resume las recomendaciones basadas en evidencias de la guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para el tratamiento de los pacientes con lesiones pulpares y periapicales en el Seguro Social de Salud del Perú (EsSalud). Objetivo: Brindar recomendaciones clínicas basadas en evidencia para el tratamiento de pacientes con lesiones pulpares y periapicales en EsSalud. Métodos: Se conformó un grupo elaborador de la guía (GEG) que incluyó cirujanos dentistas, especialistas y metodólogos. El GEG formuló cinco preguntas clínicas a ser respondidas en la presente GPC. Se realizó búsquedas sistemáticas de revisiones sistemáticas y –cuando fue considerado pertinente– estudios primarios en PubMed y CENTRAL durante los años 2020-2021. Se seleccionó la evidencia para responder cada una de las preguntas clínicas planteadas. La certeza de la evidencia fue evaluada usando la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). En reuniones de trabajo periódicas, el GEG usó la metodología GRADE para revisar la evidencia y formular las recomendaciones, los puntos de buena práctica clínica y el flujograma de tratamiento. Finalmente, la GPC fue aprobada con Resolución N° 085–IETSI-ESSALUD-2021. Resultados: La presente GPC abordó cinco preguntas clínicas sobre el manejo de las lesiones pulpares y periapicales. En base a dichas preguntas se formularon cuatro recomendaciones fuertes, dos recomendaciones condicionales, 9 puntos de buena práctica clínica, y un flujograma. Conclusión: El presente artículo resume la metodología y las conclusiones basadas en evidencias de la GPC para el tratamiento de las lesiones pulpares y periapicales en EsSalud

Guía de práctica clínica para el tratamiento del mieloma múltiple

296 p.El mieloma múltiple (MM) es una patología caracterizada por una infiltración maligna de las células plasmáticas de la médula ósea, y se encuentra asociada con un incremento en el nivel de proteína monoclonal, tanto en sangre como en orina. Este crecimiento incontrolado, genera consecuencias, incluyendo destrucción ósea, falla de médula ósea, supresión de la producción de inmunoglobulina e insuficiencia renal. Se considera que es la enfermedad maligna ósea primaria más común. Según datos del Instituto Nacional de Cáncer de los Estados Unidos, la incidencia de esta patología, ajustada por edad, en población americana entre los años 2003 y 2007 fue de 7 casos por 100.000 hombres y de 4,6 casos por 100.000 mujeres y se sabe que la mediana de edad de presentación de la enfermedad es a los 66 años . Según las estimaciones hechas por GLOBOCAN 2012, la tasa de incidencia mundial, estandarizada por edad en hombres es de 1,7 casos por 100.000 personas año y en las mujeres de 1,2 casos por 100.000 personas año.Incluye glosario y lista de siglas y acrónimo

Guía de práctica clínica para el tratamiento del mieloma múltiple: guía para profesionales de la salud

113 p.La guía está dirigida al personal clínico asistencial especializado que brinda tratamiento a los pacientes con diagnóstico de MM activo, en el contexto del Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS) colombiano. Incluye a los siguientes profesionales potenciales: médicos especialistas en hematología, oncología y hemato-oncología. Dado que se abordan algunos datos del contexto de la enfermedad, la guía puede ser de utilidad para otros profesionales tales como: médicos internistas, radioterapeutas, enfermeras oncólogas y profesionales en formación. También está dirigida a los centros asistenciales que brindan cuidado a los pacientes con diagnóstico de MM activo y a quienes toman decisiones administrativas, tanto en el medio hospitalario como en las aseguradoras, pagadores del gasto en la salud y en la generación de políticas de salud. Finalmente, las recomendaciones pueden ser de interés para pacientes con MM activo, sus familiares y cuidadores.Incluye glosario y lista de siglas y acrónimo

Guía de práctica clínica para el tratamiento del mieloma múltiple: guía para profesionales de la salud

113 p.La guía está dirigida al personal clínico asistencial especializado que brinda tratamiento a los pacientes con diagnóstico de MM activo, en el contexto del Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS) colombiano. Incluye a los siguientes profesionales potenciales: médicos especialistas en hematología, oncología y hemato-oncología. Dado que se abordan algunos datos del contexto de la enfermedad, la guía puede ser de utilidad para otros profesionales tales como: médicos internistas, radioterapeutas, enfermeras oncólogas y profesionales en formación. También está dirigida a los centros asistenciales que brindan cuidado a los pacientes con diagnóstico de MM activo y a quienes toman decisiones administrativas, tanto en el medio hospitalario como en las aseguradoras, pagadores del gasto en la salud y en la generación de políticas de salud. Finalmente, las recomendaciones pueden ser de interés para pacientes con MM activo, sus familiares y cuidadores.Incluye glosario y lista de siglas y acrónimo

Differential cross section measurements for the production of a W boson in association with jets in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Measurements are reported of differential cross sections for the production of a W boson, which decays into a muon and a neutrino, in association with jets, as a function of several variables, including the transverse momenta (pT) and pseudorapidities of the four leading jets, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta (HT), and the difference in azimuthal angle between the directions of each jet and the muon. The data sample of pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV was collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb[superscript −1]. The measured cross sections are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo generators, MadGraph + pythia and sherpa, and to next-to-leading-order calculations from BlackHat + sherpa. The differential cross sections are found to be in agreement with the predictions, apart from the pT distributions of the leading jets at high pT values, the distributions of the HT at high-HT and low jet multiplicity, and the distribution of the difference in azimuthal angle between the leading jet and the muon at low values.United States. Dept. of EnergyNational Science Foundation (U.S.)Alfred P. Sloan Foundatio

Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis