Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

This paper uses data from National Surveys on Sexual and Reproductive Health to test whether variables related to identity, sexuality and contraceptive knowledge are associated with the preference and demand for children in Costa Rica.  Both the preferred and actual number of children are estimated with a double hurdle model.  The findings indicate that preferences for children seem to be quite fixed around two children and are mainly associated with religious beliefs and the person’s gender, but they are not found to be associated with human capital.  In contrast, the probability of having a child and the number of children are related to investment in human capital and sex education.  Hence, human capital might be relevant in bringing a child into the world, but not in the initial preference.

Skill mismatches are estimated using the National Household Survey 2011-2017, as defined by Chevalier (2003).  A logit multinomial analysis is used to study the covariates of skill mismatches and wage equations are analyzed as a function of the workers’ skill mismatches and competence levels.  The working adult population is found to have an underqualification level of 28.9%, while apparent and genuine overqualification levels are 13.3% and 0.8%, respectively.  Results show that underqualification is associated to a wage premium of about 30%, while apparent and genuine overqualification have a 35% and 47.5% wage penalty, respectively.  Graduates from tertiary institutions with an apparent overqualification level report a wage penalty of 38.9%, and it increases to 49.3% for those with a genuine overqualification level.

In this paper we present estimations of the Non-accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment or NAIRU for the Costa Rican economy. We highlight the following results: The NAIRU displays an upward trend since the early 90s which was accentuated after the Great Recession when the Costa Rican inflation rate exhibits historically low levels; the estimations of the unemployment gap (the difference between the observed unemployment rate and the NAIRU) indicates that this gap was negative in the nineties and the first half of 2000’s but became positive afterwards. At the second quarter of 2017, the different estimates of the unemployment gap coincide in pointing out that this gap was closed, indicating the absence of aggregate demand pressures. In addition, since 2004, there has been a strengthening in the relationship between inflation and the unemployment gap.

One of the oldest and most interesting questions in the economic literature is how to quantify the gains from trade. Recently, Costinot & Rodríguez-Clare (2014) (CRC) developed a methodology that uses the World Input Output Database (WIOD) to compute this value for a list of countries. Costa Rica has never been part of this database given the lack of appropriate data. However, with the publication of a new Input Output Table for Costa Rica, the Foreign Trade Ministry (COMEX) was able to develop a domestic version of the WIOD that includes the country.  This paper presents the results of the CRC methodology using this version of the WIOD to compute gains from trade for the Costa Rican economy. Counterfactual exercises that compare the current situation with autarky and other average tariff levels using different productive structures and competition schemes in the economy are also presented. The results can provide valuable information on how much a small open economy like Costa Rica’s can benefit from international trade, and what are the differences in the results when compared to similar countries.

Raptor populations, including the order Strigiformes, have declined in number and are threatened or endangered, not only by habitat destruction, but also by human activities. The objectives of present study were to describe the main causes of entry for the species of the Order Strigiformes in the Simón Bolívar National Zoological Park and Botanical Garden, as well as to summarize the primary clinical diagnoses, localities of origin and species entered, using the information generated in the records of admission during a period of 20 years (1995-2015). The following data were used from the entry sheets: date of entry, species, locality, and cause: (1) trauma, (2) orphans, (3) intoxication, (4) electrocution, (5) unknown causes. And the category of trauma was classified according to the type of injury: (1) fracture in extremities (anterior or posterior), (2) Brain head trauma (TCE), (3) Skin wounds. There were 352 individuals of nine species of Strigiformes, being the Neotropical owl (Megascops choliba) the most abundant species with 141 individuals (40.05%). The highest percentage of individuals came from the province of San José (80.91%, n=285). The trend of admissions per year was generally relatively homogeneous in a range of 10 to 20 individuals, except for 1999 (n=35) and 2000 (n=48). Trauma was the most frequent cause of admission, representing 54% (n=190), where 78% (n=148) corresponded to fractures. The information generated on the species entered into ex situ wildlife management sites is essential because there are considerable gaps in information for many species, especially for the Costa Rican Strigiformes.

The presence of bee diseases was studied in 34 swarms of Africanized honey bees, recently established in different geographic areas of Costa Rica. One hundred adult bees were collected from the brood chamber of each swarm in a plastic container containing 70.0% alcohol to preserve them until the analysis. Bees were processed at the Bee Pathology Lab of the Tropical Beekeeping Research Center (CINAT-UNA), where samples were tested for varroosis, nosemosis, and acariosis. Based on the study conducted, recently established swarms of Africanized honey bees had the presence of varroosis and nosemosis, but no acariasis. From the samples that tested positive for varroosis, 41.0% showed a low level of infestation, with 2.0 ± 0.05 (mites/100 bees), while only 6.0% had a high level. In addition, from the samples that tested positive for Nosema spp, 26.0% showed a very low level of infection, while 18.0% had a low level. No high or moderate levels of infection were observed for Nosema spp. Given that most beekeepers catch and introduce swarms directly to the apiary, they are recommended to quarantine swarms and make laboratory analyses to know their health condition. This will allow for immediate actions to control diseases and, consequently, prevent contamination of healthy colonies in the apiary.

An efficient dairy herd must produce a living, healthy calf per cow per year, and it should be accomplished with a Calving-Conception Interval (CCI) no greater than 100 days. Objective: Describe CCI epidemiological aspects in specialized dairy cattle in Costa Rica during the 2000-2013 period. Materials and methods: A historical prospective study was conducted with 434,708 entries from the VAMPP Bovino 3.0 software. CCI was estimated for intrinsic and extrinsic variables in cattle. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, 95% confidence interval). Furthermore, means and percentages were compared using T-Student and Chi-square tests, respectively, while the risk of a CCI higher than 100 days was calculated by the rate radio (RR), using Poisson regression. Results: Over 50% of cattle had a CCI greater than 100 days, with a general mean of 136.6 days (± 84.2). CCI was higher in first lactation animals (142.0 ± 88.4 days) (P<0.001). It was also higher in Holstein cattle (148.7±85.9 days) than in Brown Swiss and Jersey cattle (P < 0.0001). Average CCI was higher in cattle with dystocic or cesarean deliveries (P < 0.001). Cattle with high milk production (5900-10100 kg/305d) exhibited a greater CCI (141.5 d ± 80.8 d). CCI of animals living in the dry forest was almost 10 days higher than those living in other areas (P<0.01). Those same weather conditions were the ones that showed the highest risk (rate ratio) with a CCI greater than 100 days. Conclusion. CCI is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic variables. Therefore, herd management should focus on modifiable variables, such as heat detection and efficient artificial insemination.

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