The Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (State Technical University of Quevedo), is located in Quevedo, Ecuador central city and economic capital of the province of Los Ríos Province. It began on January 22, 1976, as University Extension career with the Forestry (Ingeniería Forestal) and Animal Husbandry Engineering (Ingeniería Zootécnica), under the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at The University "Luis Vargas Torres" of Esmeraldas Province. It was created as Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (State Technical University of Quevedo) through Law of the Republic of January 26, 1984, published in Official Gazette No. 674 of February 1, 1984.
Entomopathogenic fungi are increasingly regarded as promising alternatives to conventional insecticides for the management of stored-product pests. Their effectiveness, however, depends not only on their ability to kill insect hosts but also on how infection influences behaviors that may affect fungal dissemination and, ultimately, biological control performance. We compared the virulence of six Ecuadorian isolates of Beauveria bassiana against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, and investigated the behavioral changes elicited by the most virulent isolate at three conidial concentrations (107, 108, and 109 conidia mL−1). Adult survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, whereas repellency, locomotion, and group interaction patterns were quantified using AI-assisted automated video tracking. Isolate BBAL31 exhibited the greatest virulence, causing the most rapid mortality among the isolates evaluated. Repellency varied with conidial concentration, with early avoidance observed at 107 conidia mL−1, whereas at the highest concentration (109 conidia mL−1) avoidance was delayed, becoming evident only after 36 h of exposure. Despite its high virulence, BBAL31 caused only minor changes in locomotion, including walking distance, speed, resting time, and interaction network density. In contrast, deltamethrin markedly disrupted insect activity, increasing trajectory tortuosity and inactivity while reducing group connectivity. Together, these findings demonstrate that behavioral traits provide complementary insight into the performance of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents against stored-product insect pests.
Sustainability education is crucial for empowering young farmers to adopt environmentally responsible practices, yet it remains understudied due to limited resources, logistical challenges, and competing political priorities. This study addresses this gap by examining how different forms of capital shape young farmers’ understanding and adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Llanganates Sangay Ecological Corridor (LSEC) of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The specific objectives were to: i) identify socio-demographic characteristics within the dimensions of capital theory (human, social, physical, and financial), ii) assess SDG understanding and adoption, and iii) determine which characteristics influence these outcomes. Data from 110 young farmers were collected through surveys using cluster and snowball sampling schemes, which were adapted to the territorial complexity and educational levels. Fisher’s test, Chi-square test, Spearman’s correlation, and discriminant analysis were applied. Results revealed significant gender disparities in the perceived importance of education as a source of human capital, household access to roads, and specific financial indicators. Notably, 73.31 % of women valued education highly, and 64.55 % expressed stronger associative aspirations than men. However, no statistically significant differences emerged in overall SDG understanding and adoption. Engagement with the SDGs was positively associated with age, prior knowledge, awareness of target countries, and associative support. These findings highlight the role of socio-demographic factors and forms of capital in shaping young farmers’ engagement with the SDGs, providing evidence to inform targeted sustainability education and rural development policies.
Dysphania ambrosioides is a widely distributed species with a traditional use in folk medicine, but it exhibits marked chemical variability that limits its standardization. This study is the first to characterize the essential oil (EO) of three Ecuadorian populations—Arenillas (ARE), Pasaje (PAS) and Piñas (PIN)—using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection (GC-MS/FID), and to correlate its composition with edaphic properties and antioxidant activity. Chemical profiles revealed three distinct chemotypes: ARE (α-terpinene 65.35%, o-cymene 24.83% and ascaridole 3.30%), PAS (α-terpinene 56.31%, o-cymene 10.09% and ascaridole 10.84%) and PIN (α-terpinene 56.89%, o-cymene 17.07% and ascaridole 7.60%). The EO yield was low (0.030–0.064% w/w), coinciding with acidic and nutrient-poor soils. On the other hand, PAS, with its neutral soil and high nitrogen, produced the highest number of oxygenated compounds. Only PAS exhibited strong ABTS radical-scavenging activity (SC50 = 37.99 ± 1.01 µg/mL). In contrast, ARE showed weak activity (SC50 = 424 ± 1.01 µg/mL), while PIN showed moderate activity (SC50 = 112.26 ± 1.01 µg/mL), which was correlated with its high total phenol content (298.48 mg EAG/L). The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity was low in all samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed clear separation of the chemotypes, which was linked to edaphic factors such as pH, heavy metals (Cu, Fe and Mn) and organic matter. These findings suggest that edaphic conditions may modulate the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of D. ambrosioides, indicating a potential approach for the sustainable selection of plant material.
The growing demand for lifelong learning and workforce adaptability has positioned micro-credentials as a strategic innovation in higher education systems worldwide. While individual micro-credentials initiatives have expanded rapidly, their effectiveness and sustainability increasingly depend on coherent national and system-level ecosystems that integrate governance, quality assurance, and technological infrastructure. This study conducts a scoping review of the international literature on national and institutional ecosystems of stackable micro-credentials in higher education, following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted primarily in Scopus, complemented by searches in Web of Science (Core Collection) and ERIC, as well as relevant grey literature from international organizations. A total of 18 studies were included after systematic screening and eligibility assessment. The results reveal converging conceptual frameworks that position micro-credentials within lifelong learning systems, alongside diverse governance models ranging from state-led to hybrid arrangements. Key enabling mechanisms include alignment with national qualifications frameworks, robust quality assurance processes, and interoperable digital credentialing systems. However, persistent challenges remain, particularly in developing regions, where fragmented governance and limited regulatory clarity constrain implementation. Drawing on these findings, the study highlights evidence-informed implications for the development of a national stackable micro-credentials ecosystem in Ecuador, contributing to policy-oriented debates on the future of higher education.
Este estudio analizó la incidencia de la planificación estratégica en la gestión de transparencia del GAD Pichincha (2019-2022). Ante la reducida participación ciudadana y percepción de opacidad administrativa, el objetivo fue evaluar cómo la planificación institucional afecta la rendición de cuentas. Mediante un enfoque mixto y descriptivo-explicativo, se aplicaron encuestas a 380 ciudadanos y entrevistas a actores clave. Los resultados revelaron un cumplimiento técnico del 80% en transparencia activa vía web; no obstante, persistió una brecha en la transparencia proactiva, donde el 50% de la ciudadanía percibió una participación intermitente. Se concluye que la planificación estratégica no ha logrado consolidarse como motor de confianza pública por la desconexión entre el diseño técnico y la praxis participativa. Se requiere una transición hacia modelos de gobernanza abierta que aseguren una participación vinculante, ética y con pertinencia territorial para reducir la brecha de legitimidad detectada.
