Pilot Evaluation of the Mexican Model of Dual TVET in the State of Mexico

Since the first public announcement of the Mexican Model of Dual TVET (MMFD) in June 2013, more than 5,000 apprentices have enrolled in the programme and around 2,000 already graduated. The Ministry of Education (SEP and CONALEP), the Chambers of Commerce (i.e. COPARMEX) and the German Cooperation Agencies (i.e. CAMEXA) have been collaborating with state authorities, families, schools and companies to turn this initial idea into a significant and sustainable initiative. Although the numbers are still small, it seemed necessary to undertake a pilot evaluation study of the implementation and impact of this program on its participants to inform those responsible for this policy. We decided to focus our study on the State of Mexico because of the higher number of apprentices in this state and because of the access that the CONALEP authorities gave us to the informants. The report that you are about to read is structured in four main sections. In the first one we reviewed the international evidence on the experiences of policy transfer of Dual TVET. Transferring international good practice sin TVET is always a complex process that requires careful attention to the experiences and lessons from those that tried to do it before. In the second section, we present the main characteristics of the Mexican Model of Dual TVET and the specificities of its implementation in the State of Mexico. In a federal country like Mexico, it is important to understand that national policies may largely vary across states in terms of design and implementation. The third section outlines the methodology of the study, which is inspired by the realist evaluation principles. Realist evaluation, not only tries to measure the impact of interventions on beneficiaries, but also to understand the causal mechanisms that explain why this policy is more effective in certain contexts and with certain beneficiary populations than in others. In the final section, the results of the interviews and the survey with 25 apprentices that completed their studies under the MMFD in the State of Mexico are presented. Obviously, the reduced sample of the study limits the representativeness of our findings but it will offer some expected and unexpected results that should not be ignored by those involved in this policy in the State of Mexico and nationally

A gerontopsychomotor rehabilitation program can revert losses of motor and cognitive functioning on nursing home residentes.

NTRODUCTION European Union older adults number and old-age-dependency has increased (Eurostat, 2015). A frequent answer for their care needs is nursing home admission, although this solution tends to exacerbate older adults losses of cognitive and motor functioning (Frandin et al., 2016). OBJECTIVE To analyze the effect of a psychomotor intervention, accomplished by a multimodal exercise program alternating exercises mainly motor with exercises mainly cognitive, on executive and physical function of nursing homes residents. METHODS This study included 34 nursing home residents (82.4±6.3 yrs): 17 were allocated to the experimental group (EG: engaged on a 10- weeks multimodal exercise program), and 17 to a control group (maintained usual activities). Planning ability and selective attention were assessed by the Tower of London task and the attention Test d2, respectively. Physical function was assessed by the Senior Fitness Test and the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment. RESULTS Comparison between groups evidenced that the EG improved planning ability variables from5% to 32%, attention variables from 19% to 67%, and physical function variables (aerobic endurance, lower body strength, agility, balance, gait, and mobility) from 11% to 41% (p<0.05), corresponding to an effect size ranging from 0.29 to 1.11. CONCLUSIONS The program induced improvements in the participants ́ executive functions (planning ability and attention) and physical functions, with a treatment effect from small to high. This shows that the psychomotor intervention was able to revert the usual loss of cognitive and motor functioning in old and very old institutionalized persons

Effects of a 10-week multimodal exercise program on physical and cognitive function of nursing home residents: a psychomotor intervention pilot study

Background Nursing home institutionalization tends to exacerbate loss of functioning. Aims Examine the feasibility and the effect of a psycho- motor intervention—a multimodal exercise program pro- moting simultaneous cognitive and motor stimulation—on the executive (planning ability and selective attention) and physical function of nursing home residents. Methods Seventeen participants engaged in a 10-week multimodal exercise program and 17 maintained usual activities. Results Exercise group improved planning ability (25– 32%), selective attention (19–67%), and physical function [aerobic endurance, lower body strength, agility, balance, gait, and mobility (19–41%)], corresponding to an effect size ranging from 0.29 (small) to 1.11 (high), p < 0.05. Discussion The multimodal exercise program was fea- sible and well tolerated. The program improved execu- tive and physical functions of the nursing home residents, reverting the usual loss of both cognitive and motor func- tioning in older adult institutionalized. Conclusions Multimodal exercise programs may help to maintain or improve nursing home residents’ functioning.FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/DTP/04045/2013) - and the European Fund for regional development through Horizon 2020 - Portugal 2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Alentejo (ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000007 - project: ESACA - Ageing Safely in Alentejo. Understanding for Action)

Imaginarios sociales sobre la sexualidad en estudiantes de la carrera de Psicología UPS Quito durante el periodo 54 (2019)

Este trabajo se titula “IMAGINARIOS SOCIALES SOBRE LA SEXUALIDAD EN ESTUDIANTES DE LA CARRERA DE PSICOLOGÍA UPS QUITO DURANTE EL PERIODO 54 (2019)”, su objetivo es comprender cuáles son los imaginarios sociales sobre la sexualidad en de los estudiantes de psicología que participaron de los grupos focales. Los datos se obtuvieron con la conformación de tres grupos focales, donde se trataron temas sobre la sexualidad. La metodología fue cualitativa, de tipo descriptiva y diseño no-experimental, y se usó el análisis cualitativo por categorías. La población elegida para el estudio estuvo constituida por jóvenes de entre 18 y 24 años. Participaron 31 personas, 24 eran mujeres y 7 hombres. Es una muestra no-probabilística e intencional. Finalmente, de la interpretación se comprende que existen cambios y posicionamientos contrarios en los imaginarios sociales de la sexualidad.This work has been entitled “IMAGINARIOS SOCIALES SOBRE LA SEXUALIDAD EN ESTUDIANTES DE LA CARRERA DE PSICOLOGÍA UPS QUITO DURANTE EL PERIODO 54 (2019)”, its objective is to understand what the social imaginaries about sexuality are among bachelor students in Psychology, who participated in focus groups discussions. Data was obtained of discussion sessions with three focus groups, where topics about sexuality were discussed. The used methodology was qualitative, of descriptive type and non-experimental design, with the use of an analysis by categories. The chosen population for this study were young people between 18 and 24 year old. It had the participation of 31 persons, 24 women and 7 men. It was a non-probabilistic sample. Finally, from the interpretation it could be comprehended the existence of opposite changes and stances regarding the social imaginaries on sexuality

Efeito de uma intervenção de reabilitação psicomotora em funções executivas e capacidades psicomotoras complexas em idosos institucionalizados

Objetivo: Investigar os benefícios de um programa de reabilitação psicomotora em idosos institucionalizados, nas funções executivas e capacidades psicomotoras complexas (FECPC). Metodologia: A amostra integrou 48 participantes (836.7 anos), dos quais 23 pertenciam ao grupo experimental (programa de reabilitação), e 25 ao grupo controlo. As FECPC foram avaliadas pelo Trail Making Test (TMT) e Tower of London (TOL); os processos atencionais pelo Teste de Atenção-D2. Resultados: Os testes de comparação evidenciaram melhorias significativas no grupo experimental, nas variáveis: número de problemas resolvidos à primeira tentativa e totais, e no score total na TOL; total de acertos e de erros, e índices de concentração e de variabilidade no D2; e, principalmente, nas variáveis tempo e número de erros no TMT, p<0.05. Conclusão: A intervenção psicomotora promoveu melhorias nas FECPC dos idosos institucionalizados, com maior impacto, ao nível da capacidade visuoespacial e da velocidade de processamento de informação; ### Abstract: Objective: To investigate the benefits of a rehabilitation program on psychomotor institutionalized elderly in executive functions and complex psychomotor skills (EFCPS). Methodology: The sample incorporated 48 participants (836.7 years), of which 23 belonged to the experimental group (rehabilitation program), and 25 to the control group. Executive functions were assessed by the Trail Making Test (TMT) and the Tower of London (TOL); attentional processes were assessed by Attention Test-D2. Results: Comparison tests have shown significant improvements in the experimental group, in the following variables: number of problems solved on the first attempt, total number of problems solved and total score on TOL; total of hits and errors, concentration and variability rates on D2; mainly on time and number of errors on TMT, p<0.05. Conclusion: The psychomotor intervention promoted improvements in EFCPS institutionalized elderly, with the greatest impact at the level of visuospatial ability and speed of information processing

A (3+ϵ)(3+\epsilon)-approximation algorithm for the minimum sum of radii problem with outliers and extensions for generalized lower bounds

For a given set of points in a metric space and an integer $k$, we seek to partition the given points into $k$ clusters. For each computed cluster, one typically defines one point as the center of the cluster. A natural objective is to minimize the sum of the cluster center's radii, where we assign the smallest radius $r$ to each center such that each point in the cluster is at a distance of at most $r$ from the center. The best-known polynomial time approximation ratio for this problem is $3.389$. In the setting with outliers, i.e., we are given an integer $m$ and allow up to $m$ points that are not in any cluster, the best-known approximation factor is $12.365$. In this paper, we improve both approximation ratios to $3+\epsilon$. Our algorithms are primal-dual algorithms that use fundamentally new ideas to compute solutions and to guarantee the claimed approximation ratios. For example, we replace the classical binary search to find the best value of a Lagrangian multiplier $\lambda$ by a primal-dual routine in which $\lambda$ is a variable that is raised. Also, we show that for each connected component due to almost tight dual constraints, we can find one single cluster that covers all its points and we bound its cost via a new primal-dual analysis. We remark that our approximation factor of $3+\epsilon$ is a natural limit for the known approaches in the literature. Then, we extend our results to the setting of lower bounds. There are algorithms known for the case that for each point $i$ there is a lower bound $L_{i}$, stating that we need to assign at least $L_{i}$ clients to $i$ if $i$ is a cluster center. For this setting, there is a $3.83$ approximation if outliers are not allowed and a ${12.365}$-approximation with outliers. We improve both ratios to $3.5 + \epsilon$ and, at the same time, generalize the type of allowed lower bounds

Gestión presupuestal y conformidad del usuario en el Ositran en el año fiscal 2018

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo general determinar la relación que existe entre la gestión presupuestal y la conformidad del usuario del Ositran en el Año Fiscal 2018. El método empleado fue el hipotético-deductivo, el tipo de investigación fue básica fundamental de enfoque cuantitativo; de nivel descriptivo correlacional y de diseño no experimental de corte transversal. La población estuvo formada por 20 trabajadores vinculados al manejo del presupuesto y planeamiento en cada gerencia de Ositran y el personal de la Gerencia de Planeamiento y Presupuesto (GPP) y por ser una cantidad mínima se utilizó a toda la población como muestra. La técnica empleada para recolectar información fue la encuesta y el instrumento de recolección de datos fue el cuestionario que fue debidamente validados a través de juicios de expertos y determinado su confiabilidad a través del estadístico de fiabilidad del alfa de Crombach del 0.803 para la gestión presupuestal y 0.781 para la conformidad del usuario. Se concluyó que relación directa entre la gestión presupuestal y la conformidad del usuario del Ositran en el Año Fiscal 2018, según la correlación de Spearman de 0.610 representado este resultado como moderado y positivo con una significancia estadística de p=0.001 siendo menor que el 0.01

Instrumentos de Avaliação do Risco de Quedas em Pessoas Idosas Residentes na Comunidade

A probabilidade da ocorrência de quedas em pessoas idosas aumenta de forma proporcional ao número de fatores de risco de quedas presentes. As autoridades de saúde recomendam que as pessoas idosas com histórico de quedas, ou dificuldades na marcha/equilíbrio, devem ser alvo de uma avaliação multifatorial do risco de quedas. Esta deve incluir, entre outros, o histórico de quedas, revisão da medi- cação, testes de marcha, equilíbrio, função neurológica, força muscular dos membros inferiores, estado cardiovascular, acui- dade visual, atividades da vida diária, o medo de cair, além de uma avaliação podológica e do calçado. Neste capítulo iremos expor alguns dos instrumentos de avaliação do risco de quedas em pessoas idosas mais referenciados na literatura, agrupados em função do tipo de fator de risco: Informação Demográfica, Historial Clínico, Medicação, Avaliação da Aptidão Física, So- matossensorial, Psicológica, Cognitiva, Ameaças Ambientais e Multidimensionais

Programas de Intervenção para a Prevenção de Quedas em Pessoas Idosas Residentes na Comunidade

De uma forma generalizada, as quedas estão associadas a situações de dependência, morbilidade, ou mortali- dade em pessoas idosas. Importa testar a suscetibili- dade individual ao risco de queda e implementar programas de intervenção. A identificação e a associação dos fatores de risco que contribuem para a queda são fundamentais, dado que as quedas apresentam uma etiologia multifatorial. A análise dos resultados da avaliação permite encaminhar o indivíduo para a intervenção adequada. Antes de delinear um programa de intervenção é relevante, o profissional de saúde, considerar as recomendações gerais referentes à prática de atividade física e exercício em pessoas idosas. Deve-se também ter atenção à especificidade do treino, bem como, às componentes a incluir no programa de intervenção, tendo em conta o nível de fragi- lidade do indivíduo. Entre os programas de intervenção para a prevenção de quedas destacam-se os programas singulares, combinados ou personalizados

Reliability and construct validity of the stepping-forward affordance perception test for fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults

Thus far, few studies have examined the estimation and actual performance of locomotor ability in older adults. To our knowledge, there are no studies examining the relationship between stepping-forward estimation versus ability and fall occurrence. The aim of this study was to develop and assess the reliability and validity of a new test for fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults. In total, 347 participants (73.1 ± 6.2 years; 266 women) were assessed for their perception of maximum distance for the stepping-forward and action boundary. The test was developed following the existing literature and expert opinions. The task showed strong internal consistency. Intraclass correlation ranged from 0.99 to 1 for intrarater agreement and from 0.83 to 0.97 for interrater agreement. Multivariate binary regression analysis models revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.665 (95% CI: 0.608–0.723) for fallers and 0.728 (95% CI: 0.655–0.797) for recurrent fallers. The stepping-forward affordance perception test (SF-APT) was demonstrated to be accurate, reliable and valid for fall risk assessment. The results showed that a large estimated stepping-forward associated with an underestimated absolute error works as a protective mechanism for fallers and recurrent fallers in community-dwelling older adults. SF-APT is safe, quick, easy to administer, well accepted and reproducible for application in community or clinical settings by either clinical or nonclinical care professionals