Returns to Schooling in Spain. How Reliable Are IV Estimates?

This paper studies the Ordinary Least-Squared (OLS) and Instrumental Variables (IV) estimates of the returns to schooling for male workers in Spain. OLS estimates are often biased due to the endogeneity of schooling, measurement errors or omitted variables. Proper IV estimates correct this bias. The reliability of family background, natural experiments (based on changes in the education system and season of birth) and the availability of a college in the province is checked using Spanish data. The results suggest that background and college availability are valid instruments and that the IV estimates of the returns to schooling are higher than OLS estimates. These results are in line with the majority of previous results in the literature.Returns to schooling, Instrumental Variables, Spanish schooling system

Employment: Can We Keep Old Jobs and Create New Ones?

Associated with the goals of economic growth and reform is the generation of employment and cooperation in industrial relations. This issue assesses the accomplishments of the government in achieving these goals and its impact on the national objective of growth, equity and improved quality of living.unemployment, industrial relations, labor migration, human resource development

Analytical strategy to investigate 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) metabolites in consumers’ urine by high-resolution mass spectrometry

The potential of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for the investigation of human in vivo metabolism of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) using urine collected from a consumer (this is, in non-controlled experiments) has been investigated. As a control sample was not available, the common approach based on the comparison of a control/blank sample and samples collected after drug intake could not be used. Alternatively, an investigation based on common fragmentation pathways was applied, assuming that most metabolites share some fragments with the parent drug. An extension of this approach was also applied based on the fragmentation pathway of those metabolites identified in urine samples in the first step. The use of MSE experiments (sequential acquisition of mass spectra at low and high collision energy) has been crucial to this aim as it allowed promoting fragmentation in the collision cell without any previous precursor ion selection. MDPV belongs to the group of new psychoactive substances (NPS), being known as the “cannibal drug”. This substance is being abused more and more and is associated with dangerous side effects. The human metabolites (both phase I and phase II) were detected and tentatively identified by accurate mass full-spectrum measurements using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MS). Following this strategy, up to 10 phase I metabolites, together with some glucuronides and sulphates, were detected and tentative structures were proposed. Several compounds identified in this work have not been previously reported in the literature.MINECO (CTQ2012-36189) i Generalitat Valenciana (research group of excellence PROMETEOII/2014/023; ISIC Envi-Food 2014/016). Spanish Health National System is acknowledged for O. J. Pozo contract (MS10/00576)

Prevalence of bullying in grassroots soccer in Spain : victims, bullies, and bystanders

Bullying is a social problem that has been studied most in schools but affects other social contexts. However, there is a general lack of studies on bullying in sports. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bullying among youth soccer players. Participants were 1,980 soccer players (88.2% boys) aged 8 to 13 years (Mage = 10.5, SD = 1.68) from 25 clubs in Catalonia, Spain. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of bullying from the perspective of victims, bullies, and bystanders. The overall bullying victimization rate was 8.9%, with higher rates observed in the younger categories (p < .001); 5.2% of victims experienced bullying in both their soccer club and at school. The bullying and bystander rates were 14.8% and 34.7%, respectively, with significant differences between boys and girls (15.5% of boys and 9% of girls were bullies [p < .05], while 36.4% of boys and 21.9% of girls were bystanders [p < .001]). Verbal bullying was the main type of bullying reported. The locker room and pitch were the most common locations, and victims were more likely to deal with bullying on their own than to ask for help. Bullying is present in grassroots soccer, and anti-bullying programs are needed to instill ethical and moral values in athletes and equip coaches with the necessary skills to prevent, detect, and address bullying situation

The impact of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment on central nervous system results in Bogota, Colombia

To improve the outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated at the National Cancer Institute, Bogota, Colombia, a protocol based on the BFM-90 (Berlin, Frankfurt, Munster study) and the LSA2L 2 regimens was implemented in the year 1993. The patients were classified as being standard risk (SR) or high risk (HR) according to clinical criteria, to which cytogenetic information and day-8 prednisone response were also added. A 123-patient cohort entered the study, 18 of them being considered SR and 105 HR. There was a 94% 10 years' event-free-survival rate for the SR group and 36% for the HR group. Decreased induction death rate (7% vs. 14%), increased complete remission (CR) rate (81% vs. 75%), and continuous CR (45% vs. 33%) were found in comparison with the previous study. A significant improvement was achieved in relapse rate, 44% to 28% (P=0.029), mainly due to reduced central nervous system relapse rate from 16% to 6% (P=0.037), whereas the number of patients receiving cranial radiation was reduced to 55%. A major problem concerned the increased CR mortality rate, 5% to 14% (P=0.06). Improved supportive care therapy and socioeconomic conditions will hopefully reduce the CR mortality rate in the future. © 2008 by Lippincott Williams and amp; Wilkins

Prevalence of bullying in grassroots soccer in Spain: Victims, bullies, and bystanders

Bullying is a social problem that has been studied most in schools but affects other social contexts. However, there is a general lack of studies on bullying in sports. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bullying among youth soccer players. Participants were 1,980 soccer players (88.2% boys) aged 8 to 13 years (Mage = 10.5, SD = 1.68) from 25 clubs in Catalonia, Spain. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of bullying from the perspective of victims, bullies, and bystanders. The overall bullying victimization rate was 8.9%, with higher rates observed in the younger categories (p < .001); 5.2% of victims experienced bullying in both their soccer club and at school. The bullying and bystander rates were 14.8% and 34.7%, respectively, with significant differences between boys and girls (15.5% of boys and 9% of girls were bullies [p < .05], while 36.4% of boys and 21.9% of girls were bystanders [p < .001]). Verbal bullying was the main type of bullying reported. The locker room and pitch were the most common locations, and victims were more likely to deal with bullying on their own than to ask for help. Bullying is present in grassroots soccer, and anti-bullying programs are needed to instill ethical and moral values in athletes and equip coaches with the necessary skills to prevent, detect, and address bullying situations

Plan de negocio para el centro de producción de servicios de ensayos de materiales, suelos y pavimentos en una universidad privada de Lambayeque

En la última década en el Perú se han dado políticas, decretos y programas que impulsan la inversión para la ejecución de obras de infraestructura, agricultura, vivienda, saneamiento y carreteras en la zona norte del país, mostrando un crecimiento sostenido del sector construcción en estos últimos años y con ello un incremento de la demanda de pruebas de materiales, suelos y pavimentos. Sin embargo en nuestra región, se observa que la demanda de estos servicios, es medianamente atendida solo por 2 universidades que actualmente brindan este servicio en Lambayeque. En ese sentido, la presente investigación tuvo como objetivo general: Determinar en qué medida es viable implementar un Centro de producción de servicios de ensayos de materiales, suelos y pavimentos en una universidad privada de lambayeque que atienda la demanda de estos servicios. Para esto, se elaboró un Plan de Negocios que propone las estrategias para la implementación de este centro de producción de servicios teniendo como principal propuesta de valor, el prestigio de la institución y la confiabilidad de los resultados, que de acuerdo al estudio de mercado, es la característica más importante a considerar en la contratación del servicio. Finalmente se determinó que la implementación del centro de producción es viable, existe demanda y la inversión inicial es mínima, debido a que se cuenta con la infraestructura y equipamiento. Además, operativa y organizacionalmente, se cuenta con personal con experiencia y un esquema organizacional interno adaptable que garantizan la rentabilidad del centro

Cardiovascular response to chronic administration of c-type natriuretic peptide in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Introducción: El péptido natriurético tipo C (CNP) ha cobrado relevancia por sus efectos sobre la regulación de la función y la morfología del corazón y los vasos sanguíneos. Previamente demostramos in vitro que el CNP incrementa la actividad del sistema del óxido nítrico (NO) en ratas espontáneamente hipertensas (SHR). Objetivo: Estudiar el efecto del tratamiento crónico con CNP sobre la presión arterial sistólica (PAS), la función cardíaca y vascular y el sistema del NO en ratas espontáneamente hipertensas y normotensas. Material y métodos: Se emplearon ratas Wistar macho de 12 semanas de edad normotensas y espontáneamente hipertensas. Los animales recibieron infusión crónica de solución salina o CNP (0,75 mg/hora/rata) durante 14 días mediante la implantación de bombas osmóticas subcutáneas. Se midió la PAS y se realizaron un electrocardiograma y un ecocardiograma. Se extrajeron el ventrículo izquierdo y la arteria aorta torácica y se determinó la actividad, con L-[U14C]-arginina, de la óxido nítrico sintasa (NOS) y se realizaron estudios de reactividad vascular. Resultados: La administración crónica de CNP disminuyó la PAS en las SHR. Se observó menor volumen minuto en las SHR y el CNP incrementó dicho volumen, en tanto que no indujo cambios en las ratas normotensas. En las SHR se observó un desequilibrio en las respuestas vasodilatadora y vasoconstrictora en la arteria aorta y el tratamiento con CNP mejoró la función vascular respecto de las ratas normotensas. En ambos tejidos, la actividad de la NOS fue mayor en las SHR y se incrementó con la infusión durante 14 días de CNP. Sin embargo, dicho incremento fue menor en las SHR. Conclusión: El CNP induce cambios a nivel cardiovascular y en el sistema del NO que podrían resultar beneficiosos en este modelo de hipertensión arterial.Background: C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular function and morphology. We have previously demonstrated that CNP increases nitric oxide (NO) system activity in vivo in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of chronic CNP administration on systolic blood pressure (SBP), cardiovascular function and the NO system in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats. Methods: Twelve-week-old normotensive male Wistar rats and SHR were used. They received chronic infusion of saline or CNP (0.75 mg/h/rat) for 14 days via subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps. Systolic blood pressure was measured and an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram were performed. The left ventricle and the thoracic aorta were resected; nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was determined using L-[U14C]-arginine and vascular reactivity was assessed. Results: Chronic administration of CNP decreased SBP in SHR. Cardiac output was lower in SHR and increased with CNP; however, CNP had no effect in normotensive rats. Spontaneously hypertensive rats had unbalanced aortic vasodilation and vasoconstriction responses, and CNP improved the vascular function. Nitric oxide synthase activity was greater in SHR and increased with the 14-day CNP infusion, but this increase was lower than in normotensive rats. Conclusion: C-type natriuretic peptide induces cardiovascular and NO system changes which may be beneficial in this model of hypertension.Fil: Caniffi, Carolina Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Sueiro, Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Bouchet, Gonzalo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Barrionuevo, Emiliano. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Arranz, Cristina Teresa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Maria de Los Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentin

Chronic treatment with atrial natriuretic Peptide in spontaneously hypertensive rats: beneficial renal effects and sex differences.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic treatment with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on renal function, nitric oxide (NO) system, oxidative stress, collagen content and apoptosis in kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), as well as sex-related differences in the response to the treatment. METHODS: 10 week-old male and female SHR were infused with ANP (100 ng/h/rat) or saline (NaCl 0.9%) for 14 days (subcutaneous osmotic pumps). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded and diuresis and natriuresis were determined. After treatment, renal NO synthase (NOS) activity and eNOS expression were evaluated. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in the kidney. Collagen was identified in renal slices by Sirius red staining and apoptosis by Tunel assay. RESULTS: Female SHR showed lower SBP, oxidative stress, collagen content and apoptosis in kidney, and higher renal NOS activity and eNOS protein content, than males. ANP lowered SBP, increased diuresis, natriuresis, renal NOS activity and eNOS expression in both sexes. Renal response to ANP was more marked in females than in males. In kidney, ANP reduced TBARS, renal collagen content and apoptosis, and increased glutathione concentration and activity of GPx and SOD enzymes in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Female SHR exhibited less organ damage than males. Chronic ANP treatment would ameliorate hypertension and end-organ damage in the kidney by reducing oxidative stress, increasing NO-system activity, and diminishing collagen content and apoptosis, in both sexes.Fil: Romero, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Caniffi, Carolina Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Bouchet, Gonzalo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Maria de Los Angeles. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Elesgaray, Rosana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Arranz, Cristina Teresa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Tomat, Analia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentin