The labor market effects of payroll taxes in a middle-income country: Evidence from Colombia

We use a panel of manufacturing plants from Colombia to analyze how the risein payroll tax rates over the 1980 s and 1990 s affected the labor market.Our estimates indicate that formal wages fall by between 1.4% and 2.3% as aresult of a 10% rise in payroll taxes. This 'less-than-full-shifting' islikely to be the result of weak linkages between benefits and taxes and thepresence of downward wage rigidities induced by a binding minimum wage inColombia. Because the costs of taxation are only partly shifted fromemployers to employees, employment should also fall. Our results indicatethat a 10% increase in payroll taxes lowered formal employment by between4% and 5%. In addition, we find less shifting and larger disemploymenteffects for production than non-production workers. These results suggestthat policies aimed at boosting the relative demand of low-skill workers byreducing social security taxes on those with low earnings may be effectivein a country like Colombia, especially if tax cuts are targeted to indirectbenefits.

Record keeping by Swiss physiotherapists--a national survey of knowledge regarding legal requirements.

A national survey conducted in Switzerland aimed to evaluate the knowledge of physiotherapists regarding the legal requirements for record keeping and to collect their feedback about record keeping in general. Three physiotherapists from various professional practice groups and a lawyer specialised in health law developed a questionnaire that was sent to the 7,753 members of two existing national associations of physiotherapists. The questionnaire evaluated the participants' knowledge by calculating a score of legal knowledge, which had a maximum of 30 points. We included 825 questionnaires in the analysis. The large majority (83.4%) of participants confessed an ignorance of the legal requirements concerning record keeping prior to the survey. The average score of legal compatibility was 8 points. The younger age of the physiotherapists was a significant predictor of having knowledge of the legal requirements for record keeping (p <0.001). The participants had an appreciation of the value of records, but they did not have the relevant knowledge regarding the legal requirements for keeping records. The participants blamed a lack of time and remuneration for their failure to keep records according to known requirements. All practising allied health professionals should keep up-to-date and accurate records that conform to active legal requirements and existing international guidelines. In addition to the existing legal requirements, the emergence of e-health and the electronic era will trigger major changes in patient record management by physiotherapists.

European Council of Legal Medicine (ECLM) accreditation of forensic pathology services in Europe.

Forensic experts play a major role in the legal process as they offer professional expert opinion and evidence within the criminal justice system adjudicating on the innocence or alleged guilt of an accused person. In this respect, medico-legal examination is an essential part of the investigation process, determining in a scientific way the cause(s) and manner of unexpected and/or unnatural death or bringing clinical evidence in case of physical, psychological, or sexual abuse in living people. From a legal perspective, these types of investigation must meet international standards, i.e., it should be independent, effective, and prompt. Ideally, the investigations should be conducted by board-certified experts in forensic medicine, endowed with a solid experience in this field, without any hierarchical relationship with the prosecuting authorities and having access to appropriate facilities in order to provide forensic reports of high quality. In this respect, there is a need for any private or public national or international authority including non-governmental organizations seeking experts qualified in forensic medicine to have at disposal a list of specialists working in accordance with high standards of professional performance within forensic pathology services that have been successfully submitted to an official accreditation/certification process using valid and acceptable criteria. To reach this goal, the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) has elaborated an accreditation/certification checklist which should be served as decision-making support to assist inspectors appointed to evaluate applicants. In the same spirit than NAME Accreditation Standards, European Council of Legal Medicine (ECLM) board decided to set up an ad hoc working group with the mission to elaborate an accreditation/certification procedure similar to the NAME's one but taking into account the realities of forensic medicine practices in Europe and restricted to post-mortem investigations. This accreditation process applies to services and not to individual practitioners by emphasizing policies and procedures rather than professional performance. In addition, the standards to be complied with should be considered as the minimum standards needed to get the recognition of performing and reliable forensic pathology service.

A new species of Giovanella Bonatto (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae) from Colombia

A new species of Giovanella Bonatto (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae) from Colombia. The Mesembrinellinae are exclusively Neotropical, with 33 nominal species distributed in nine genera. Only the genera Mesembrinella, Eumesembrinella, Huascaromusca and Laneella had until now been recorded in Colombia. In this work we present a new species of Giovanella Bonatto, 2005, genus with only one species, G. bolivar Bonatto, differing from the new species G. carvalhoi sp. nov., in the characters: legs entirely dark chestnut; thorax with dorsocentrals setae 1:2; abdomen with T5 with discal bristles poorly differentiated; T6 symmetric and paraphallus not extended and with denticules. Giovanella carvalhoi sp. nov. is from Cordillera Oriental, from the Departments of Caquetá (Amazonian foothills) and Santander, Colombia, collected between 22002400 m., and associated with decomposing organic matter. A key for the identification of males and females of the two species of Giovanella, illustrations of the genitalia and photographs of male and female of new species are also presented.

Insects associated with tropical foliage produced in the coffee growing region of Colombia

We conducted a survey of insects and pest management practices on 34 farms growing ornamental tropical foliage plants in the central coffee region of Colombia over two years. Tropical foliage provided habitat for a diverse range of insects. In total, phytophagous or detritivorous insects from six orders, 40 families and 62 genera were collected. The most common were Hemiptera (29 genera from 16 families), followed by Coleoptera (17 genera from 4 families), Diptera (5 genera from 5 families), Lepidoptera (5 genera from 4 families), Hymenoptera (3 genera from 2 families) and Orthoptera (2 genera from 2 families). The most common phytophagous species were leaf cutting ants (Atta and Acromyrmex spp.), leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), stinkbugs (Pentatomidae), squash bugs (Coreidae), tree hoppers (Membracidae) and plant hoppers (Fulgoridae). Beneficial insects identified from tropical foliage included predators and parasitoids amongst 5 orders, 12 families and 22 genera. The most abundant were predators among the Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Reduviidae, Lycidae and Formicidae but only low numbers of parasitoids (Ichneumonidae, Braconidae and Tachinidae) were collected. A pest management questionnaire given to growers revealed a preponderance of reliance on broad spectrum insecticides with a smaller number of growers (approximately one third) also using some biological control methods. Our survey contributes basic information regarding diversity of Neotropical insects associated with ornamental foliage plants.

La comunicación del conocimiento científico en la Universidad de los niños EAFIT. Medellín – Colombia

Este proyecto de investigación se ubica en el tópico de la comunicación de la ciencia y la apropiación del conocimiento científico en las “Universidades de los niños”, programas que buscan acercar el quehacer investigativo de las instituciones de educación superior a niños (7 -12 años) y jóvenes (13 – 16 años).La investigación se realizará sobre un caso de estudio particular: la Universidad de los niños EAFIT de Medellín (Colombia), al ser el único programa registrado en Latinoamérica en la Red de Universidades de los niños Europea (EUCU.NET). El propósito en primer lugar, es analizar, bajo la descripción de las interacciones comunicativas que allí se instauran -entre los niños y jóvenes, los estudiantes universitarios que cumplen el papel de talleristas, y los profesores investigadores de la Universidad-, si se percibe una motivación para apropiarse del conocimiento científico, lo que significa tener un papel más activo y propositivo en el intercambio de saberes.Y en segundo lugar, analizar las percepciones de los participantes respecto a las diferencias entre la manera de abordar el conocimiento bajo la propuesta pedagógica y metodológica de los colegios y la planteada por la Universidad de los niños EAFIT.Al ser reciente la aparición de este fenómeno educativo y social de la Universidad de los niños en el continente europeo, es poca la literatura académica publicada. Por ello, tener un análisis del caso particular de Colombia, dará mayores variables sociales y culturales que podrán ser un insumo para la construcción de aristas teóricas sobre el mismo.Este trabajo final corresponde al Máster de Estudios Avanzados en Comunicación y está estructurado bajo la modalidad de proyecto investigativo para la elaboración de la tesis doctoral, que espera ser realizada en el programa de Doctorado en Comunicación Social de esta universidad.

Review of Thompsoniella Guimarães with description of a new species from Colombia (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae)

Review of Thompsoniella Guimarães with description of a new species from Colombia (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae). The Mesembrinellinae (Diptera, Calliphoridae) are exclusively Neotropical with nine genera comprising 36 recognized species, including the genus Thompsoniella Guimarães with a single species, T. anomala Guimarães. We describe a new species, Thompsoniella andina sp. nov., from the Departments of Antioquia and Caldas, Colombia (Cordillera Central of the Andes, between 2600 - 2700 m) and redescribe T. anomala. A key to the nine genera of Mesembrinellinae and a key to the males of the two species of Thompsoniella are provided. Color photographs to illustrate the two species of Thompsoniella and drawings of the male genitalia of both species are also provided. Here we record Thompsoniella for the first time in Colombia.

Preliminary study of insects associated to indoor body decay in Colombia

Preliminary study of insects associated to indoor body decay in Colombia. This is the first report studying insects associated to indoor body decay process of a white pig (Sus scrofa) (Artiodactyla, Suidae) in a controlled indoor environment in an urban area of Florencia city, Amazonia Piedmont, Colombia. For a period of 54 days, 9,220 individuals (immature and adults), distributed in 3 orders, 5 families, 10 genera, and 10 species were collected using entomological nets and tweezers. Five decaying stages are described (fresh, bloated, active decay, advanced decay and remains). During the fresh stage we recorded Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830), Oxysarcodexia sp., Lepidodexia sp. and Lasiophanes sp.; during the bloating stage C. macellaria, C. albiceps, Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819), Hemilucillia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758, O. aenescens, Oxysarcodexia sp., Lepidodexia sp., Dermestes maculatus De Geer, 1774 and Lasiphanes sp.; during the active decay C. macellaria, C. albiceps, L. eximia, M. domestica, O. aenescens, Lepidodexia sp. D. maculatus and Lasiophanes sp.; during the advanced decay C. macellaria, C. albiceps, M. domestica, Lepidodexia sp. and Lasiophanes sp.; and during the remains stage C. albiceps, D. maculatus and Lasiophanes sp. The insects were sorted out in 3 ecological categories; necrophagous, predators and parasites and sarco-saprophagous. According to Chao and Jack estimators, total richness was observed on day 20, with 100% of the expected species.

Riesgo Ergonómico en Estudiantes de Odontología de la Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia

Antecedentes y objetivo: El ejercicio de la práctica odontológica supone factores de riesgo para desarrollar desórdenes musculoesqueléticos, tales como movimientos repetitivos con las manos, fuerza aplicada durante los movimientos, posiciones incomodas prolongadas, presencia de vibración, entre otros. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de exposición a los riesgos ergonómicos, así como problemas de salud asociados, en estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia).

Undocumented migrants in Switzerland: geographical origin versus legal status as risk factor for tuberculosis.

Undocumented migrants, meaning migrants without a legal residency permit, come to Geneva from countries with high tuberculosis (TB) incidence. We estimate here whether being undocumented is a determinant of TB, independently of origin. Cross-sectional study including undocumented migrants in a TB screening program in 2002; results were compared to 12,904 age and frequency matched participants in a general TB screening program conducted at various workplaces in Geneva, Switzerland from 1992 to 2002. A total of 206 undocumented migrants (36% male, 64% female, mean age 37.8 years (SD 11.8), 82.5% from Latin America) participated in the TB screening program. Compared to legal residents, undocumented migrants had an adjusted OR for TB-related fibrotic signs of 1.7 (95% CI 0.8;3.7). The OR of TB-related fibrotic signs for Latin American (vs. other) origin was 2.7 (95% CI 1.6;4.7) among legal residents and 5.5 (95% CI 2.8;10.8) among undocumented migrants. Chest X-ray screening identified a higher proportion of TB-related fibrotic signs among Latin Americans, independently of their residency status.

La situación de las mujeres en el mercado laboral en Cataluña y Bélgica

Actualment el paper que desenvolupen dones i homes en el mercat laboral i les seves oportunitats son diferenciades per ambdós, motiu pel qual en las últimes dècades s’ha posat un gran accent en l’elaboració i l’anàlisi d’estadístiques per sexes. Aquest treball es una guia que ens mostra la situació de les dones en el mercat laboral a Catalunya i Bèlgica. D’aquesta forma, cerquem conèixer en quin mercat laboral seria més fàcil trobar un adequat treball per una dona, en aspectes com la taxa d’atur, la jornada laboral, el sector i el salari. Per realitzar aquest treball ens plantegem analitzar la següent hipòtesi: “La situació de la dona en el mercat laboral a Bèlgica, en referència a la taxa d’atur, la jornada laboral, l’elecció del sector y del salari, es millor que en el mercat laboral a Catalunya. Per resoldre aquesta hipòtesis, estudiarem la taxa d’activitat, la taxa d’ocupació i la taxa d’atur a Catalunya i Bèlgica. Aquestes taxes ens permeten quantificar clarament les diferencies existents en el mercat laboral entre homes i dones. A més, realitzarem un anàlisis per conèixer la jornada que predomina a Catalunya i Bèlgica per sexes. Una manifestació de la desigualtat laboral es la distribució dels treballadors en les diverses branques d’activitat i ocupació. Per això, ens hem proposat identificar la distribució dels treballadors per sexe en els diversos sectors econòmics. D’aquesta manera, podrem conèixer la feminització dels sectors. Finalment analitzarem els salaris per sexes, tant a Catalunya com a Bèlgica. Així mateix, podrem esbrinar en quin mercat laboral, si a Catalunya o a Bèlgica, els salaris són més alts. Al mateix temps que realitzem una comparació entre el guany real d’un treballador i el salari mínim interprofessional.

Normativización del Inventario del Desarrollo Comunicativo MacArthur-Bates al español, Colombia = Normativization to the Spanish-Colombia to the CDI- MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories

El Inventario del Desarrollo Comunicativo MacArthur- Bates (CDI Fenson, Marchman, Thal, Dale & Reznick, 2007) es un instrumento que permite evaluar de forma válida y confiable el desarrollo comunicativo y lingüístico de niños pequeños. Este estudio da cuenta del proceso de adaptación del CDI a los usos lingüísticos y al contexto cultural colombiano, así como su primera fase de baremación en la ciudad de Bogotá y sus alrededores. Los padres de 825 niños y niñas entre 8 y 30 meses de edad de diferentes estratos socioeconómicos, residentes en la ciudad de Bogotá y poblaciones aledañas, diligenciaron los inventarios adaptados para la población. El análisis estadístico incluyó medidas de confiabilidad y validez, las cuales avalan la consistencia interna y el valor predictivo de las escalas. Los resultados del presente estudio permiten identificar el ritmo evolutivo del proceso de adquisición del lenguaje en los niños colombianos, observando reorganizaciones y discontinuidades tal y como se reporta en otras adaptaciones del CDI

Mujeres emprendedoras en internet: una revisión de la literatura

Los estudios sobre emprendimiento desde la perspectiva de género, es un ámbito que ha ido incrementado en los últimos años, la evidencia que más del 50% de la población mundial son mujeres pero que ellas son propietarias y gestionan una proporción de negocios muy inferior que los hombres y que existen diferentes estilos de gestión según el género, han impulsado el estudio de variables explicativas de las características distintivas entre hombres y mujeres en el ámbito del emprendimiento. El objetivo de esta revisión bibliográfica, es presentar un análisis de la literatura que refleja el interés de mujeres empresarias en Internet. La revisión se basa en investigaciones académicas publicadas sobre el tema, y se complementa con un resumen de la literatura "gris", basada en las fuentes encontradas en Internet. Consideramos que existe una clara necesidad de revisar la literatura existente para conocer el caso de las mujeres que han establecido un negocio en Internet, y para indicar una nueva dirección de futuros estudios, y concluimos que existe una escasez de la investigación académica en el área, una clara falta de conocimiento acumulado junto a teorías y propuestas explicativas.