It remains to be seen whether recent reforms can reverse Mexico’s decline in electoral integrity

Mexico has a chequered history when it comes to elections, with its electoral integrity occasionally coming under question. Here, Miguel Angel Lara Otaola assesses Mexico against the Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index and analyses recent elections as well as the recent problems faced by the country from the disappearance of 43 students last year to the recent escape from prison by the top drug lord in the country

Brexit and the tragedy of Europe

Is the EU in danger of collapse following the UK’s decision to leave? Miguel Angel Lara Otaola writes that Brexit represents a key challenge for Europe’s post-war system of open markets, cooperation between nations, stability, and peace. He argues that both the UK and the rest of the EU will need to be constructive in their negotiations if they are to avoid aggravating tensions and divisions

Perception is key in explaining when election results are, and aren’t, accepted by voters

Is it sufficient for elections merely to have been conducted fairly for the result to be accepted? Drawing on research conducted on 28 separate elections, Miguel Angel Lara Otaola argues that elections not only need to be conducted fairly, but that they have to be perceived as such. If this does not happen, the risk of violence and other kinds of instability is heightened considerably

Beneficios de la Respiración consiente contra la ansiedad generalizada y el estrés

Se llevó a cabo una investigación bibliográfica relacionando los beneficios de la respiración consciente en contraposición a la ansiedad y el estrés, con el fin de brindar una solución parcial o total a los estados de ansiedad y estrés que se han incrementado en las últimas décadas. Considerando las dificultades que representa el tratamiento de estas patologías en el ámbito de la psicología, se propuso utilizar la herramienta conocida como respiración consciente, debido a su impacto psicofisiológico demostrado frente a los síntomas relacionados a los estados de ansiedad y estrés. Además, de contribuir a la difusión del uso de la respiración consciente como herramienta complementaria en las diversas terapias psicológicas tomando en cuenta los beneficios ya comprobados en la comunidad científica; los cuales, en su mayoría se refieren al mejoramiento de los estados psicoemocionales, anímicos y psicofisiológicos. La investigación fue realizada mediante un proceso de exploración de datos, recopilación, síntesis y análisis, por medio de la consulta en diversas bases de datos de carácter científico (Scopus, Sciendirect entre otras), en el formato de artículos, informes y libros. Utilizando palabras clave referentes a la respiración consciente y su aplicación en diversos contextos patológicos, así como sus beneficios ante la ansiedad y el estrés entre otras patologías. Se encontraron resultados positivos en investigaciones de diferentes países, referentes a los campos en mención, brindado un esquema generalizado sobre los diversos beneficios y aportes de la respiración consciente a la salud y bienestar humano. Concluyendo que la respiración consciente es una herramienta de gran utilidad en contraposición a la ansiedad y el estrés, además, de que contribuye en gran medida al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida.An investigation was carried out related to the benefits of conscious breathing as opposed to anxiety and stress, in order to provide a partial or total solution to the states of anxiety and stress that have increased in recent decades. Considering the difficulties that the treatment of these pathologies in the field of psychology represents, therefore, it was proposed to use the tool known as conscious breathing, due to its demonstrated psychophysiological impact against the symptoms related to the states of anxiety and stress. In addition, this review contribute to the dissemination of the use, of conscious breathing as a complementary tool in the various psychological therapies due to its benefits already proven in the scientific community, which mostly refer to the improvement of psychoemotional, mood and psychophysiological states. The research was carried out through a process of information mining, collection, synthesis and analysis, through consultation in various scientific databases (Scopus, Sciendirect among others), in the format of articles, reports and books. Using keywords related to conscious breathing and its application in various pathological contexts, as well as its benefits in the face of anxiety and stress among other pathologies. Positive results were found in research in different countries, referring to this field and provided a general scheme on the various benefits and contributions of conscious breathing to human health and wellbeing. In conclusion the conscious breathing is a very useful tool as opposed to anxiety and stress, in addition to contributing greatly to the improvement of the quality of life

When, where and under what conditions are election results accepted? A comparative study of electoral integrity

When votes are cast in an election and a winner is declared, people can accept the result, they can challenge it or they can turn against democracy. This thesis seeks to understand why in some cases elections are accepted while in others they are challenged and their outcomes rejected. Conventional wisdom holds that when elections are held according to international standards, acceptance will follow. I challenge this notion. As experience shows, sometimes even elections classified as free and fair evoke protests, while less technically perfect elections are sometimes widely accepted. So, when, where and under what conditions are election results accepted? And what can we do to increase their credibility? There are many aspects than can influence this but I focus on three main areas that deserve especial attention. A first research phase relies on Qualitative Comparative Analysis. It shows that holding free and fair elections is necessary but not sufficient for the acceptance of election results. Two other factors are needed: a) political parties need to support electoral institutions and b) election results need to be transparent. A second research phase uses multilevel regression to explore the first of these factors in greater detail. Findings show that including political parties in the appointment of the members of the electoral management body has a positive impact on election credibility. A third research phase consisting of a small N structured comparison focuses on election results. It shows that having visible and inferable results contributes to preventing and mitigating post-election protests. In short, an election not only has to be “free and fair” but also needs the legitimacy and credibility obtained when political parties support the main election institution and when results are clear, widely available and completely beyond doubt

Construcción y diseño de material educativo acerca de programación básica para diseño web

Proporciona material educativo a los catedráticos de Técnicas digitales 7, que apoye a los contenidos de la asignatura que no se pueden abordar completamente en clase. La pieza seleccionada es una plataforma educativa, que estará siempre en línea al alcance de todos, está diseñada para visualizar todo el material educativo de una forma lúdica, el diseño va guiado por la tendencia web flat, con una paleta de colores suaves. Otro medio de socialización serán las redes sociales, con el fin de causar impacto en el grupo objetivo y complementar los contenidos de la asignatura en mención

Use of low-cost daylighting system: Custom design and application consequences in an office environment

Nowadays, many working environments are located within facilities that are not visually connected with the exterior. This is due to the new architectural paradigms as regards the design, based on the possibility to substitute natural light for artificial lighting even in daytime. Accordingly, the need of reducing energy costs and the user's wish to optimize lighting and visual comfort levels raises the option of innovative natural lighting systems implementation. For a luminous retrofitting case, located in Mendoza, Argentina, a specific methodology used determined that the more adequate natural lighting strategy would be redirecting direct sunlight, working on the reflected light design. The methodology proposed is formed by an analysis of the initial situation, conditions modelization and design resolving proposals, through luminous evaluation, real and virtual scale model construction, and performance evaluation using heliodon and simulation software. This work points to use natural lighting to reduce energy consumption and get better luminous ambient through the application of a low-cost daylighting system. In the mentioned case, strategies of redirection of the solar component capable of optimizing indoor lighting levels up to a 40% were applied.Fil: Ferron, Leandro Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Pattini, Andrea Elvira. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Lara, Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; Argentin

Deterioro cognitivo postquirúrgico en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria y/o valvulopatía aórtica

Se muestra la presencia de deterioro cognitivo postquirúrgico en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria y/o valvulopatía aórticaUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Digital teaching materials and their relationship with the metacognitive skills of students in primary education

Metacognition is a construct that is noteworthy for its relationship with the prediction and enhancement of student performance. It is of interest in education, as well as in the field of cognitive psychology, because it contributes to competencies, such as learning to learn and the understanding of information. This study conducted research at a state school in the Community of Madrid (Spain) with a sample of 130 students in Grade 3 of their primary education (8 years old). The research involved the use of a digital teaching platform called Smile and Learn, as the feedback included in the digital activities may have an effect on students' metacognition. We analyzed the implementation of the intelligent platform at school and the activities most commonly engaged in. The Junior Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (Jr. MAI) was the measuring instrument chosen for the external evaluation of metacognition. The study's results show a higher use of logic and spatial activities. A relationship is observed between the use of digital exercises that have specific feedback and work on logic and visuospatial skills with metacognitive knowledge. We discuss our findings surrounding educational implications, metacognition assessment, and recommendations for improvements of the digital materials.This research was funded by Community of Madrid ‘Industrial PhD grants’, under project number IND2017/SOC-7874

La evolución de los "otros intermediarios financieros" y su impacto sobre los agregados monetarios

Artículo de revist