Application of the Generalized Propensity Score. Evaluation of public contributions to Piedmont enterprises.

In this article, we apply a generalization of the propensity score of Rosenbaum and Rubin (1983b). Techniques based on the propensity score have long been used for causal inference in observational studies for reducing bias caused by non-random treatment assignment. In last years, Joffe and Rosenbaum (1989) and Imbens and Hirano (2000) suggested two possible extensions to standard propensity score for ordinal and categorical treatments respectively. Propensity score techniques, allowing for continuous treatments effect evaluation, were, instead, recently proposed by Van Dick Imai (2003) and Imbens and Hirano (2004). We refer to Imbens' approach for the use of the generalized propensity score, to widen its application for continuous treatment regimes.

Nonparametric Estimators of Dose-Response Functions

We propose two semiparametric estimators of the dose-response function based on spline techniques. Under uncounfoundedness, the generalized propensity score can be used to estimate dose-response functions (DRF) and marginal treatment effect functions. In many observational studies treatment may not be binary or categorical. In such cases, one may be interested in estimating the dose-response function in a setting with a continuous treatment. We evaluate the performance of the proposed estimators using Monte Carlo simulation methods. The simulation results suggested that the estimated DRF is robust to the specific semiparametric estimator used, while the parametric estimates of the DRF were sensitive to model mis-specification. We apply our approach to the problem of evaluating the effect on innovation sales of Research and Development (R&D) financial aids received by Luxembourgish firms in 2004 and 2005.Continuous treatment; Dose-response function; Generalized Propensity Score; Non-parametric methods; R&D investment

Young in-Old out: a new evaluation based on Generalized Propensity Score

This paper aims at evaluating the effect of the amount of older workers exits (aged 50 or more) on the entries of youngsters at a local labour market level, during years 1985 - 2002. If we can observe some effect of the exits on the entries, it will shed light on the substitution between older workers and youngsters. Moreover, since in our model the causal agent cannot be specified a – priori, we don’t know what causes what. Hence, we are actually looking for a correlation between these two quantities. Systematic differences in background characteristics, between local markets with different levels of the older workers exits, can bias the effect estimation on the entries of youngsters. In order to adjust for this, we apply propensity score methods as extended and generalized in a setting with a continuous treatment by Hirano and Imbens (2004). Our results show a positive and significant correlation between exits of older workers and entries of youngsters.Synthetic firms, Evaluation, Non-experimental methods, Continuous treatment, Matching, Generalized propensity score, Dose-response function.

ENVELHECIMENTO POPULACIONAL E INSTITUCIONALIZAÇÃO DE IDOSOS: Um Panorama da Política de Assistência Social Vigente.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho pretende refletir sobre o envelhecimento populacional e a ausência de serviços públicos estatais previstos na política de Assistência Social, que assegurem ou inviabilizem a institucionalização de idosos, dependendo da necessidade do usuário. Para tanto foi realizada uma revisão não sistemática da literatura, que incluiu documentos oficiais vinculados à política da Assistência Social. O trabalho discute a ausência de Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI) e de centro dia público para idosos de Florianópolis/SC, além de apresentar o perfil demográfico dos idosos, características das ILPI´S conveniadas com a Secretaria de Assistência Social do município, número de vagas disponibilizadas e critérios legais ou usuais para acesso a esses serviços até coleta realizada em dezembro de 2015

The Long-Run Impact of Childhood Poverty and the Mediating Role of Education

This paper examines the role of education as causal channel through which growing up poor affects the economic outcomes in adulthood in the European Union. We apply a potential outcomes approach to quantify those impacts and we provide a sensitivity analysis on possible unobserved confounders, such as child ability. Our estimates indicate that being poor in childhood significantly decreases the level of income in adulthood and increases the average probability of being poor. Moreover, our results reveal a significant role of education in this intergenerational transmission. These results are particularly relevant for Mediterranean and Central and Easter European Countries

A influência do parto no funcionamento sexual feminino : um estudo piloto

Tese de mestrado em Sexualidade Humana, apresentada à Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 2009O presente estudo tem como principal objectivo avaliar a influência do parto no funcionamento sexual feminino aos seis meses pós-parto. Utilizou-se uma metodologia quantitativa, com estudo exploratório - descritivo, transversal e correlacional. Usou-se como instrumento de colheita de dados um questionário sócio-demográfico, escala Female Sexual Function Índex (FSFI) de Rosen et al (2002). Foram excluídas todas as mulheres com valores superiores a 13 da Escala de Depressão Pós-parto de Edinburgo, com doença crónica e a tomar anti-depresssivos no total de 14 mulheres. A amostra de conveniência incluiu as mulheres primíparas do Serviço de Obstetrícia do Hospital Nossa Senhora do Rosário- Barreiro no ano 2005, no total de 84 indivíduos. Foram divididas nos grupos cesariana e via vaginal, este último dividido nas categorias de eutócico com episiotomia e lacerações espontâneas, eutócico com períneo intacto e parto instrumental. Os resultados evidenciaram que a média de idades foi de 27 anos. Verificou-se que 60% dos partos foram cesarianas e 40% foram do tipo vaginal. Relativamente aos partos por via vaginal, 53,8% foram eutócicos com episiotomia com lacerações espontâneas e 43,6% partos instrumentais, respectivamente. O tempo médio de reinício da actividade sexual foi às 8 semanas. Concluiu-se que não ocorreram diferenças significativas nos valores de FSFI nas mulheres com parto por via vaginal ou cesariana. Relativamente ao parto por via vaginal nas diferentes categorias, não se encontraram diferenças nos valores de FSFI; no entanto, as mulheres que tiveram partos por cesariana têm sempre valores médios superiores de FSFI e relativamente às mulheres que tiveram partos por via vaginal. Encontram-se associação positiva com valores de FSFI mais elevados entre as mulheres que com iniciativa sexual, as que predominantemente deixam a iniciativa sexual ao companheiro, mas também a tomam por vezes e as mulheres que partilham aThe main aim of this study is to assess the influence of birth on the female sexual functioning six months after birth. A quantitative methodology was used as an exploratory study descriptive, transversal and correlational. A sociodemographic questionnaire was used to collect data, Rosen's et all (2002) scale Female sexual Function Index (FSFI). From a total of 14 women, all those assessed above 13 on the Edinburgh scale of depression after birth were excluded and also those with chronic disease and those on anti-depressive medication. By convenience this sample includes female primiparous from Obstetrics Service at Hospital Nossa Senhora do Rosário Barreiro, during 2005, including 84 individuals. They were divided into the following groups: Cesarian and vaginal birth. This last one was divided into the categories vaginal delivery with episiotomy and spontaneous lacerations, vaginal delivery with intact perineum and instrumental birth. The results showed that the average age was 27. 60% were cesareans, 40% were vaginal type births. In what vaginal births are concerned, 53,8% were vaginal delivery with episiotomy with spontaneous lacerations and 43,6% were instrumental births, respectively. The average time to restart sexual activity was about 8 weeks. We concluded that there wasn't a significant difference in FSFI values in women with vaginal birth or cesarean. As far as vaginal birth is concerned and considering the different categories there was no difference in FSFI values. However, women with cesareans always have FSFI average values higher when compared with women with vaginal birth. There is to be found a positive association with higher FSFI values among women with sexual initiative than with those who usually leave this (initiative) to their partner but who, sometimes, take it too. And women who show sexual initiative with their partners than women with no sexual initiative

Arsenic-bearing phases in South Andean volcanic ashes: Implications for As mobility in aquatic environments

Three samples of volcanic ashes collected after eruptions of the volcanos Hudson in 1991, Chaitén in 2008 and Puyehue in 2011 were analyzed in order to define the solid speciation of arsenic and the dynamics of its release to the aqueous phase. The bulk chemical and mineralogical characterization of the samples was performed by ICP/OES, DRX, and SEM/EDS analyses. The chemical composition of the near surface region (first 2-10. nm), along with the As and Fe solid speciation was performed by XPS. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the kinetics of the arsenic release under variable pH conditions. The integrated analysis of these data indicates that arsenic compounds are concentrated onto the ash surface in the form of As(III)-S and As(V)-O species. The As(III) species have been assigned to arsenian pyrite, while As(V)-O compounds have been assigned to adsorbed arsenate ions or Fe arsenate salts precipitated as thin coatings.Although the main As carrier in the studied volcanic ashes is Al-silicate glass, this phase is stable at the neutral pH that dominates the aqueous reservoirs of the area affected by ashfall. Thus, its contribution to the pool of dissolved arsenic is minor. Higher contributions are clearly associated with the more mobile As species that concentrate onto the surface of Al-silicate glass. This more available arsenic represents less than 6% of the total measured arsenic.Fil: Bia, Gonzalo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Borgnino Bianchi, Laura Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Gaiero, Diego Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Maria Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentin

El Método "Software Factory": acciones para realizar prácticas más realistas, usando herramientasWeb de trabajo colaborativo, y trabajo a distancia

El método Software Factory (SF) consiste en llevar a cabo acciones y aplicar herramientas informáticas, con dos finalidades: (1) hacer que las prácticas de asignaturas tecnológicas (en un sentido amplio) sean lo más parecidas que sea posible al trabajo real en la empresa o la industria y (2) difundir el uso de herramientas Web que permitan nuevas formas de trabajo ágiles y dinámicas, como por ejemplo el teletrabajo, el trabajo móvil y el trabajo colaborativo a distancia. Este artículo describe las experiencias de los autores en este sentido.SUMMARY -- The SF method is meant to take some actions and to apply software tools, with two purposes: (1) to make the practical work of technology subjects (in a broad sense) to resemble as much as possible the actual work in business or industry, and (2) to spread the use of Web tools that allow new flexible and dynamic forms of work, such as teleworking, mobile working and remote collaborative work. This article describes the experiences of the authors in this regard.Peer Reviewe

Les chartes d'utilisation des TIC : facteurs organisationnels de continence d'une pratique émergente en France.

A l’instar des firmes anglo-saxonnes, les entreprises françaises sont de plus en plus nombreuses à formaliser des règles d’utilisation des TIC destinées à leurs salariés. Une revue de la littérature sur le sujet révèle que les finalités d’une telle démarche sont multiples : promouvoir les conditions d’une utilisation efficiente des outils, sensibiliser à la sécurité informatique, établir des principes éthiques « bilatéraux » d’utilisation des TIC, concernant notamment la surveillance électronique, l’utilisation des ressources à des fins personnelles et le respect de la vie privée. Constatant que cette pratique ne touche pas uniformément toutes les entreprises françaises, cette communication vise à identifier les facteurs organisationnels contingents à la diffusion d’une charte d’utilisation des TIC. Une étude menée auprès de 505 entreprises révèle que la diffusion d’une charte d’utilisation des TIC est liée aux caractéristiques structurelles, technologiques, culturelles et démographiques de l’entreprise.Following the example of Anglo-Saxon companies, French companies are increasingly establishing codes of conduct specific to the use of information technologies and systems. A review of literature reveals that goals of such codes are multiple: improving efficiency of uses, IS security awareness, ethics. Based on a study of 505 French companies, this paper aims to identify organizational contingency factors of the diffusion of a code. Both structural, technological, cultural and demographic factors have been identified.organizational contingency factors; code of conduct; regulation; appropriation process; ICT Use; facteurs organisationnels de contingence; charte d’utilisation des TIC; régulation; processus d’appropriation; Usages des TIC;

Young-in Old-out: a new evaluation

exit age; youth employment; propensity score; match-