The Human Development Index Adjusted for Efficient Resource Utilization

human development index, data envelopment analysis, efficiency, congestion and scale economics

Assessing the information content of the technology achievement index in the presence of the human development index

This paper supports the proposition that the indexes of technological achievement and of human development exhibit similar information validity and similar country rankings, thus questioning the need for the existence of two indexes rather than one.human development index

Desempeño económico: diferencias de pequeñas empresas clasificadas según la estructura de la propiedad del capital

El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio del desempeño de la Sociedad Laboral Navarra, a través del análisis de sus resultados económicos y financieros. El período de análisis se refiere a 1994-2003. Compararemos estos resultados con los obtenidos, para el mismo periodo, por la Sociedad Mercantil convencional Navarra, e inferiremos, a partir del estudio comparado, en aquellas características que diferencian, desde el marco de la función financiera, el comportamiento de las Sociedades Laborales (LOFs) de las Sociedades Mercantiles convencionales (PCFs).The primary purpose of this paper is to assess the performance of the labour-managed firms of Navarre, Spain, through an analysis of their economic and financial measures of performance during the 1994-2003 period. We also conduct a similar analysis of the financial and economic indicators of the mercantile firms of Navarre during the same time frame and identify the indexes that reflect competitive advantage to either type of firm.L'objectif de ce travail est l'étude du dégagement de la Société De travail la Navarre, à travers de l'analyse de ses résultats économiques et financiers. La période d'analyse se réfère à 1994-2003. Nous comparerons ces résultats aux obtenus, pour la même période, par la Société Mercantile conventionnelle la Navarre, et nous conclurons, à partir de l'étude comparée, dans ces caractéristiques qu'ils distinguent, depuis le cadre de la fonction financière, le comportement des Sociétés De travail (LOFs) des Sociétés Mercantiles conventionnelles (PCFs)

Video gaming and gender dysphoria: some case study evidence

Video gaming has become an established area of psychological research over the last two decades. Over the past few years there has been increasing research into online gender swapping, showing that for many groups or individuals it can have positive psychological benefits (e.g., as a way to explore gender roles and boundaries in a safe environment). To date, no research has ever examined online gender swapping among individuals with gender dysphoria – people with acknowledged gender-identity issues. Using four case studies, this exploratory study examined the role of gaming in the life of individuals seeking treatment for gender dysphoria. The main objectives were to use exemplar case studies to highlight that gaming – in some circumstances – appears to be a functional way of dealing with gender identity issues, and that gender swapping in gaming may help such individuals to come to terms with their gender dysphoria. Recommendations for further research are suggested along with the limitations of the data collected. Durant les últimes dues dècades, els videojocs han anat ocupant un camp establert de la investigació psicològica. En els últims anys hi ha hagut un augment de la investigació sobre el canvi de gènere online, mostrant que per a molts grups o individus això pot tenir beneficis psicològics (per exemple, com una manera d’explorar les funcions i els límits de gènere en un entorn segur). Fins a la data, cap investigació ha examinat el canvi de gènere online en els individus amb disfòria de gènere - persones amb problemes d’identitat de gènere. Utilitzant quatre estudis de cas, aquest estudi exploratori va examinar el paper del joc en la vida dels individus que busquen tractament per disfòria de gènere. Els objectius principals eren d’usar estudis de casos exemplar per mostrar que jugar jocs online pot ser - en algunes circumstàncies - una manera funcional de tractar amb problemes d’identitat de gènere, i que el canvi de gènere en els jocs poden ajudar aquests ndividus a millorar la disfòria de gènere. Es discuteixen les limitacions de les dades recollides i es suggereixen recomanacions per a futures investigacions

Endocrinology of Transgender Medicine

Gender-affirming treatment of transgender people requires a multidisciplinary approach in which endocrinologists play a crucial role. The aim of this paper is to review recent data on hormonal treatment of this population and its effect on physical, psychological, and mental health. The Endocrine Society guidelines for transgender women include estrogens in combination with androgen-lowering medications. Feminizing treatment with estrogens and antiandrogens has desired physical changes, such as enhanced breast growth, reduction of facial and body hair growth, and fat redistribution in a female pattern. Possible side effects should be discussed with patients, particularly those at risk for venous thromboembolism. The Endocrine Society guidelines for transgender men include testosterone therapy for virilization with deepening of the voice, cessation of menses, and increases of muscle mass and facial and body hair. Owing to the lack of evidence, treatment of gender nonbinary people should be individualized. Young people may receive pubertal suspension, consisting of GnRH analogs, later followed by sex steroids. Options for fertility preservation should be discussed before any hormonal intervention. Morbidity and cardiovascular risk with cross-sex hormones is unchanged among transgender men and unclear among transgender women. Sex steroid-related malignancies can occur but are rare. Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety have been found to reduce considerably following hormonal treatment. Future studies should aim to explore the long-term outcome of hormonal treatment in transgender people and provide evidence as to the effect of gender-affirming treatment in the nonbinary population

The human development index adjusted for efficient resource utilization

The human development index (HDI) developed by the United Nations Development Programme is computed as the average of three equally weighted outcome measures: life expectancy (LI), educational attainment (EI) and income (WI). However, this computational process is independent of the resources being devoted by each country to the achievement of the three outcome levels. Hence, it is conceivable that two different countries may consume vastly different amount of resources in achieving the same outcome, say, LI. However, this difference in the efficiency of resource utilization is not reflected in the HDI. The purpose of this paper is to address this efficiency issue

Responses of track and field coaches to athletes with eating problems

This study aimed to explore how track and field coaches respond to athletes with eating problems. Eleven experienced coaches participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their responses to, and challenges faced when, working with athletes with eating problems. The analysis revealed three themes relating to the strategies employed by coaches. The first theme indicated a supportive approach, where coaches were proactive in seeking support and in reducing training at the early stages of an eating problem. The second theme outlined an avoidant approach, characterized by coach reluctance to be involved in managing eating problems, and a lack of confidence in their knowledge of eating disorders. The third theme involved a confrontational approach, where coaches employed strict rules and engaged in coercion to persuade athletes to seek treatment. All of the coaches reported facing challenges in persuading athletes to seek treatment and were frustrated by the lack of available support. The study highlights the importance of providing resources and support services where coaches can seek advice. Coach-education packages can utilize the findings to highlight the strengths and limitations of different coach strategies, and to reinforce the importance of their role in identification and intervention when eating problems in athletes are suspected

Manifestaciones retinianas de las enfermedades infecciosas

The retina and the choroids are richly vascularised structures and can therefore be colonised by germs via the haematogenous route in the course of a systemic infectious disease. The germs responsible for this type of infection can be fungi, viruses, bacteria and parasites. Ocular candidiasis is outstanding amongst these colonisations because of its frequency; it can manifest itself as an endophthalmitis with a slow and hidden course. The so-called ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, although it is infrequent in our setting, is an important cause of choroidal neovascularisation. The viruses that most frequently affect the retina are of the herpes type and can produce devastating symptoms in immunoincompetent patients, named acute retinal necrosis syndrome. Retinitis due to cytomegalovirus is more frequent in immunodepressed patients, as in the case of AIDS, but it must also be contemplated in patients with lymphoma and immunomodulatory treatment. The most frequent bacterial diseases that affect the retina are syphilis and tuberculosis. Disease due to cat scratches, caused by a borrelia, can produce a neuroretinitis. Toxoplasmosis is the most common of the infectious diseases caused by a parasite and gives rise to chorioretinitis. Toxocariasis, also caused by a parasite, is second in importance, giving rise to choroidal granulomas and retinal tractions

Influence of perfectionism on variables associated to eating disorders in dance students

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of the main two elements of perfectionism (CM, concern over mistakes and PS, personal standards) on eating disorders risk factors in dancers. Based on the literature, we tested the role of CM and PS over diet and mood related symptoms, and the function of performance anxiety and body dissatisfaction as the main mediators in the model. Two hundreds and eighty one female dancers (M = 15.28; SDage = 2.32) from two Spanish dance conservatoires participated in this study. Structural modelling was used to test the hypothesized model. Results confirm the different influence of PS and CM on dieting and the presence of symptoms of mood disorders and performance anxiety just in the debilitative perfectionism path. In conclusion, the presence of CM might be key to differentiate dancers at higher risk of eating disorder due to its association with the variables traditionally associated to this.El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar la influencia de los dos elementos principales del perfeccionismo (CM, preocupación ante los errores y PS, exigencias personales) ante los factores de riesgo de los trastornos alimentarios en bailarinas. Con apoyo en la literatura, evaluamos el rol de CM y de PS sobre la dieta y el estado de ánimo, y la función de la ansiedad de rendimiento y la insatisfacción corporal como los principales mediadores en el modelo. Doscientas ocho bailarinas (M = 15.28, DEedad = 2.32) de dos conservatorios de danza españoles participaron en este estudio. Gracias a modelos estructurales, los resultados confirman la influencia de PS y de CM en la dieta, sin embargo la vinculación entre dieta, insatisfacción corporal, estado de ánimo y la ansiedad de rendimiento solo se produce a partir del CM que es la vía del perfeccionismo debilitador. En conclusión, la presencia de CM puede ser la clave para diferenciar entre bailarines con mayor riesgo para desarrollar trastornos alimentarios debido a su asociación con variables tradicionalmente relacionadas con estos.O objectivo do presente estudo foi analisar a influência dos dois principais elementos do perfeccionismo (CM, preocupação face aos erros e PS, exigências pessoais) face aos factores de risco dos transtornos alimentares em bailarinas. Com suporte na literatura, avaliamos o papel de CM e PS sobre a dieta e o estado de humor, e a função da ansiedade relativa ao rendimento e a insatisfação corporal como os principais mediadores do modelo. Participaram no estudo duzentas e oito bailarinas (M = 15.28, DPidade = 2.32) de dois conservatórios de dança espanhóis. Através de modelos estruturais, os resultados confirmam a influência de PS e de CM na dieta, contudo a relação entre dieta, insatisfação corporal, estado de humor e ansiedade relativa ao rendimento apenas é predita através de CM que é a via do perfeccionismo debilitador. Em conclusão, a presença de CM pode ser a chave para diferenciar os bailarinos com maior risco de desenvolverem transtornos alimentares devido à sua associação com variáveis tradicionalmente relacionadas com estes

The Compulsive Exercise Test : confirmatory factor analysis and links with eating psychopathology among women with clinical eating disorders

Background: This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) among an adult sample of patients with eating disorders. Method: Three hundred and fifty six patients and 360 non-clinical control women completed the CET and the Eating Disorders Examination questionnaire (EDE-Q). Results: A confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the clinical data showed a moderate fit to the previously published five factor model derived from a community sample (Taranis L, Touyz S, Meyer C, Eur Eat Disord Rev 19:256-268, 2011). The clinical group scored significantly higher than the non-clinical group on four of the five CET subscales, and logistic regression analysis revealed that the CET could successfully discriminate between the two groups. A Receiver Operating Curve analysis revealed that a cut-off score of 15 on the CET resulted in acceptable values of both sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: The CET appears to have a factor structure that is acceptable for use with an adult sample of patients with eating disorders. It can identify compulsive exercise among patients with eating disorders and a cut-off score of 15 is acceptable as indicating an appropriate cut-off point