We study whether transfer programs in which funds are targeted to women decrease the incidence of spousal abuse. We examine the impact of the Mexican Oportunidades program on spousal abuse rates and threats of violence using data from a specialized survey. Beneficiary women are 40 percent less likely to be victims of physical abuse, but are more likely to receive violent threats with no associated abuse. This evidence is consistent with a model of decision-makers' interactions with asymmetric information in the male partner's gains to marriage, who can then use threats of violence to extract rents from their female partners. (JEL D82, J12, J16, K42, O15, O17)

The use of hydrogen (H 2 ) as a fuel offers enhanced energy conversion efficiency and tremendous potential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, but producing it in a distributed, carbon-neutral, low-cost manner requires new technologies. Herein we demonstrate the complete conversion of glucose and xylose from plant biomass to H 2 and CO 2 based on an in vitro synthetic enzymatic pathway. Glucose and xylose were simultaneously converted to H 2 with a yield of two H 2 per carbon, the maximum possible yield. Parameters of a nonlinear kinetic model were fitted with experimental data using a genetic algorithm, and a global sensitivity analysis was used to identify the enzymes that have the greatest impact on reaction rate and yield. After optimizing enzyme loadings using this model, volumetric H 2 productivity was increased 3-fold to 32 mmol H 2 ·L. The productivity was further enhanced to 54 mmol H 2 ·L −1 ·h −1 by increasing reaction temperature, substrate, and enzyme concentrations-an increase of 67-fold compared with the initial studies using this method. The production of hydrogen from locally produced biomass is a promising means to achieve global green energy production.hydrogen | biomass | in vitro metabolic engineering | metabolic network modeling | global sensitivity analysis

Violence is common among pregnant women, but pregnancy does not appear to be an initiating factor. Intergenerational violence is highly predictive of violence during pregnancy.

Obstetric violence has not received the same amount of interest as other forms of violence against women (VAW). We assess the prevalence and factors associated with experiences of obstetric violence (obstetric abuse and violence, and nonconsensual care) among women between 15 and 49 years of age in their latest childbirth within the last 5 years by using the 2016 National Survey on Household Relationship Dynamics. ( N = 24,126 women). A total of 33.3% of Mexican women experienced obstetrical violence in their last childbirth: 23.6% experienced obstetric abuse and violence and 17.1% nonconsensual care. Gender interacts with other social stratification variables. Obstetric violence is an extended practice in health care services. It is a human rights problem that must be prevented and eradicated.

Research into intimate partner violence has shown that social isolation constitutes a risk factor, and the presence of social networks can be an important source of social support. This research note presents some results of an empirical study carried out in Mexico into women's social relations, especially their family relations, and their role in the promotion of traditional gender norms. Findings indicate that some of the main conditions that are associated with the production of violence against women are either generated or reinforced within the realm of what can be regarded as women's "strong ties."