This study proposes strategic guidelines aimed at improving the tourist experience in the destination of Topes de Collantes, Cuba. A mixed-methods research design was adopted. Reviews published on TripAdvisor between 2004 and 2025 were analyzed: 6,120 corresponding to the Viñales Valley and 518 to Topes de Collantes. Natural language processing techniques, sentiment analysis, descriptive statistics, and a Pareto chart were applied. The findings were triangulated through a literature review and a brainstorming session with specialists from Cuba’s Sectoral Tourism Program. Topes de Collantes showed a lower relative presence of online reviews and a smaller proportion of positive ratings than Viñales. The main aspects associated with dissatisfaction were the perceived loss of authenticity, value for money, insufficient information on services and prices, limited diversification of the tourism offer, and accessibility difficulties, especially during the rainy season. Based on these findings, twenty strategic guidelines were developed, focusing on cultural authenticity, service quality, tourism communication, product diversification, and connectivity. It is concluded that the proposed guidelines may guide destination management toward a more sustainable, accessible tourism offer aligned with visitors’ expressed perceptions.
While preconception care is standard practice in high-income countries, it is an unused or even unrecognized service in low-income countries. The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge of pregnant women about preconception care in a hospital in Liberia. This study used the descriptive and cross-sectional research design. The population of this study included all pregnant women who attended antenatal care at a hospital in Liberia from July 15 to December 15, 2023. The final sample consisted of 190 pregnant women. Data were collected face-to-face using a personal information form and the preconception care improvement scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Results: In this study, most of the pregnant women are single (72.6%), Christian, and rural dwellers. More than half of pregnant women (57.9%) have primary education, and 74.2% of the pregnant women have unplanned pregnancies. This study found that 77.4% of the pregnant women had low knowledge of preconception care, whereas 22.6% had good knowledge of preconception care. It was found that there is a statistically significant difference between marital status, area of residence, level of education, the number of live births, planned or unplanned pregnancies, age range, and level of knowledge on the preconception care improvement scale (p<0.001). The knowledge of preconception care among pregnant women at a hospital in Liberia is low. It is recommended that antenatal care services be added to preconception care of primary and secondary healthcare services as routine care.
El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la naturaleza de la condición tecnológico-ingenieril desde una perspectiva histórico-lógica, con el propósito de valorar sus repercusiones en los ámbitos profesional-investigativo, formativo-educativo y sociocultural. Se desarrolló un estudio cualitativo, teórico-documental y reflexivo, sustentado en el análisis crítico de literatura especializada. Se emplearon métodos teóricos como el análisis-síntesis, el enfoque histórico-lógico y el enfoque sistémico, integrando aportes de la Filosofía de la Tecnología, los Estudios de Ciencia, Tecnología y Sociedad, y las Ciencias de la Educación. Se identificó que la condición tecnológico-ingenieril posee especificidad propia como forma de producción de conocimiento, diseño de artefactos, resolución de problemas e innovación contextualizada. Sus repercusiones se expresan en la investigación aplicada, la formación profesional del tecnólogo-ingeniero y la incidencia social, cultural, productiva y ambiental de las soluciones tecnológicas. Se concluye que lo tecnológico- ingenieril debe comprenderse como una práctica socioinstitucional compleja, con criterios propios de funcionalidad, eficiencia, seguridad, sostenibilidad y pertinencia social. Esta comprensión permite fortalecer la formación universitaria, la identidad profesional ingenieril y el desarrollo de soluciones tecnológicas éticas, innovadoras y socialmente responsables.
El presente estudio se propone analizar los factores asociados a la emigración internacional de mujeres ecuatorianas. Se pretende profundizar en las condiciones de vulnerabilidad que suelen enfrenta, el acceso a derechos y respuestas institucionales que inciden en la garantía de sus derechos humanos en los países de destino. Se desarrolló una investigación de enfoque mixto, sustentada en revisión documental de fuentes secundarias. El estudio permitió identificar los principales países receptores y examinar las condiciones de vulnerabilidad asociadas a la movilidad femenina ecuatoriana. Los resultados evidenciaron que las mujeres ecuatorianas migrantes enfrentan en el exterior barreras en el acceso a servicios básicos, condiciones laborales precarias, discriminación, violencia de género y limitada protección legal y social. Aunque numerosas han lograron insertarse en actividades productivas, dicha incorporación ha ocurrido frecuentemente en contextos de informalidad y escasas garantías. También se observaron diferencias relevantes según el país de destino, lo que demuestra la necesidad de respuestas políticas contextualizadas y sensibles al género. Se confirma que las políticas nacionales e internacionales han tenido una eficacia parcial en la protección de los derechos de las mujeres migrantes ecuatorianas. Se recomienda fortalecer programas educativos, asesoría legal, redes de protección y mecanismos integrales de apoyo. La novedad del estudio radica en actualizar el panorama migratorio ecuatoriano desde una perspectiva de género, al reconocer a las mujeres como sujetas activas del proceso migratorio.
This study systematizes the international scientific production on governance and transparency indexed in Scopus during the period 2020–2024 by identifying its temporal evolution, main academic actors, publication sources, collaboration networks, and emerging thematic trends. A bibliometric study was conducted for the 2020–2024 period. The search was carried out without language restrictions and included articles, reviews, book chapters, books, and conference papers. A total of 3,495 initial records were retrieved and, through a screening process inspired by PRISMA, 29 studies were selected for qualitative synthesis. The bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer, considering keyword co-occurrence, thematic networks, and density maps. The results show a sustained increase in scientific production, with a notable rise in 2024. Articles published in academic journals predominate, as do studies related to social sciences, management, economics, and public administration. The United States, the United Kingdom, China, and India stand out among the countries with the highest scientific output. The main thematic lines are related to institutional transparency, accountability, digital governance, e-government, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. The field of study shows an evolution toward the integration of institutional, technological, and ethical dimensions. Governance and transparency are consolidated as central axes for institutional strengthening, public innovation, and citizen trust.
El caramelo artístico presenta dificultades de conservación debido a su sensibilidad frente a la humedad ambiental, lo que afecta su estabilidad, textura, brillo y apariencia. El uso de vinagres, por su contenido de ácido acético, puede constituir una alternativa para mejorar su preservación y calidad organoléptica. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el efecto de distintos tipos de vinagre sobre los niveles de humedad, la estabilidad frente a la exposición ambiental y las características organolépticas del caramelo artístico, para determinar su contribución a la conservación y calidad del producto final. Se desarrolló un estudio experimental de alcance exploratorio. Se evaluaron diez tratamientos: un control y nueve combinaciones de tres vinagres en dosis de 5 cc, 10 cc y 15 cc, con tres repeticiones por tratamiento. Las muestras fueron observadas durante el periodo experimental y los datos de humedad se analizaron mediante ANOVA y prueba post hoc de Tukey. El análisis evidenció que la humedad constituye el principal factor de deterioro estructural del caramelo artístico. Se identificaron diferencias entre tratamientos, destacándose el vinagre de frutas, especialmente en dosis de 10 cc, y el vinagre de manzana en dosis de 15 cc, por presentar mejores condiciones de conservación. Se concluye que el uso de vinagres favorece el control de la humedad y mejora características como brillo, color, aroma, sabor y textura. Su aplicación representa una alternativa funcional al ácido acético para prolongar la durabilidad y calidad del caramelo artístico.
El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la contribución formativa de las prácticas preprofesionales en el desarrollo de competencias profesionales de los estudiantes de la carrera de Derecho de la Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes (UNIANDES), Ecuador. Se adoptó un enfoque mixto de carácter descriptivo-analítico, integrando una revisión bibliográfica con un estudio empírico transversal. En la fase teórica se analizaron 42 documentos publicados entre 2020 y 2025, donde se identificaron como principales desafíos la débil articulación entre teoría y práctica, limitaciones en los procesos de supervisión y evaluación, y desigualdades en la calidad de los centros de prácticas. En la fase empírica participaron 37 estudiantes de séptimo nivel y 10 supervisores jurídicos. Se aplicaron cuestionarios estructurados con escala Likert para estudiantes y fichas de evaluación competencial para supervisores, analizándose los datos mediante estadística descriptiva. Los resultados evidencian una valoración mayoritariamente positiva de la experiencia de prácticas, donde se destaca su contribución al desarrollo de competencias comunicativas, profesionales, sociales y actitudinales. No obstante, se identificaron áreas de mejora relacionadas con la retroalimentación formativa y la coordinación institucional. Se concluye que las prácticas preprofesionales constituyen un componente esencial en la formación integral del estudiante de Derecho de la universidad, favorece la aplicación contextualizada del conocimiento y fortalece su preparación para el ejercicio profesional, aunque requieren optimización en sus mecanismos de seguimiento y evaluación.
In the contemporary context of the digital transformation of higher education, emerging technologies such as simulations, augmented reality, and virtual laboratories have gained relevance due to their potential to improve teaching and learning processes; however, the evidence regarding their effectiveness presents heterogeneous and scattered results. In this sense, this study aimed to critically and systematically analyze the existing empirical evidence on the use of these emerging technologies in higher education, focusing on their educational impact and the main limitations arising from their application within the pedagogical field itself, and not only from the technological perspective. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology guidelines. To this end, empirical research on the use of emerging technologies was examined, focusing on variables such as learning outcomes, motivation, knowledge retention, and skills development. The analysis showed that these technologies can improve conceptual learning, knowledge retention, and transfer, as well as the development of practical and spatial skills. However, their effectiveness is mediated by pedagogical factors, instructional design, and the implementation context. Limitations include the small number of standardized studies, small sample sizes, and limited evaluation of long-term effects. Overall, the results demonstrate the high educational potential of these technologies, although they require robust pedagogical approaches and more comparative evidence to substantiate their effectiveness in higher education.
The objective of this research was to develop a geospatial and predictive analysis model to identify high-incidence homicide areas in Ecuador for strategic planning in public security. The geospatial distribution of homicides in the country during 2024 was analyzed using the official database provided by the Ministry of the Interior, with a particular focus on the provinces of Guayas and Manabí, which report the highest rates of violence. A combined methodology was implemented, integrating the unsupervised clustering algorithm DBSCAN to detect spatial homicide clusters and the supervised prediction model Random Forest to anticipate the likelihood of new cases belonging to the identified hot zones. The analysis revealed significant crime clusters in urban and peri-urban areas, as well as the presence of scattered homicides classified as noise, suggesting complex or atypical patterns. The predictive model achieved high levels of accuracy (F1-score of 0.9987), highlighting the importance of geospatial and demographic variables in classification. The results are consistent with national and international research and confirm that spatiotemporal analysis using machine learning techniques provides valuable tools for targeting security interventions.
This article presents the results of a research study on the relationship between social memory and press narratives, based on an analysis of journalistic coverage. The aim was to identify how the informational narratives constructed by the newspapers El Tiempo and El Espectador between 1985 and 1990 contributed—or not—to the configuration of a social memory regarding the extermination of the members of the Unión Patriótica. The methodology consisted of a documentary press analysis, based on content analysis with a qualitative approach. Informative units published during the specified period were examined, with special attention to the narrative conditions of their discursive construction. The findings show that the coverage did not generate content that would allow the phenomenon of violence to be understood from the lived experience of Colombians or to be projected toward the future. The narrative was limited, with scarce contextualization and poor representation of the victims. The study concludes that the journalistic approach did not contribute to a social memory oriented towards non-repetition or the recognition of victims. On the contrary, the media narrative delegitimized their experiences by focusing on violent events without delving into life stories. This form of representation fostered the normalization of violence and the trivialization of death, undermining the possibility of constructing a collective memory that transcends ideological confrontation and is rooted in the country’s territorial realities.
Inequalities in access to higher education in Latin American countries still reflect structural imbalances between supply and demand. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the perception of university educational supply and demand among secondary school students from UGEL La Esperanza, Trujillo, Peru. A quantitative, descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted. The intentional sample consisted of 392 fifth-year secondary students from 14 educational institutions. Two expert-validated questionnaires were applied, with acceptable reliability (α = 0.796 overall). Data were processed using SPSS v.25, employing descriptive analyses and Spearman’s Rho test. A significant but low correlation was found between the perception of educational supply and demand (Rho = 0.322; p < 0.01). The dimensions most strongly associated with demand were “academic support” and “university well-being,” while “need for access to higher education” was most associated with supply. Although the overall relationship between perceived supply and demand was weak, specific components showed relevant associations. The findings highlight the need to align educational supply with students’ informed expectations and actual conditions, promoting vocational guidance programs, institutional strengthening, and improved access to educational information.
La presente investigación tiene como objetivo evaluar la viabilidad técnica y financiera de alternativas de gestión financiera para la organización de bordadoras y artesanos de Zuleta, Ecuador, con el fin de seleccionar la opción más adecuada para optimizar su gestión económico-financiera. Se adoptó un enfoque mixto. En la fase cuantitativa se aplicó el Proceso de Jerarquía Analítica (AHP) para comparar tres alternativas: método manual, desarrollo de aplicación web y software comercial, considerando cinco criterios: impacto económico, costo de desarrollo, usabilidad, accesibilidad y seguridad. Se verificó la consistencia del modelo (CR < 0.10). Complementariamente, se realizó un análisis financiero ex ante con proyección de flujos de caja a cinco años. En la fase cualitativa se aplicaron encuestas y entrevistas a miembros y directivos de la organización. El AHP identificó que la aplicación web obtuvo el mayor puntaje global (0.389), superando al método manual (0.322) y al software comercial (0.289), destacando en impacto económico y usabilidad. El análisis financiero mostró flujos netos positivos anuales, evidenciando viabilidad en el mediano plazo. Los resultados cualitativos confirmaron la necesidad de mayor transparencia, control y acceso a información financiera. El desarrollo de una aplicación web constituye la alternativa más adecuada desde una perspectiva técnica, económica y organizacional para fortalecer la gestión financiera de la organización analizada.
This study examines the role of online conference participation in enhancing university teachers’ digital competence and its impact on teaching innovation and professional development. Guided by the DigCompEdu framework, the study investigates the relationships among conference engagement, institutional support, self-efficacy, digital competence, teaching innovation, and perceived professional impact. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed with 500 in-service university teachers from public and private universities in Pakistan. Data was collected using a structured survey instrument and analyzed through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Multi-group SEM analysis was also conducted to examine differences between public and private universities. The results indicate that conference engagement (β = .29, p < .001), institutional support (β = .24, p < .001), and self-efficacy (β = .38, p < .001) significantly predict digital competence. In turn, digital competence strongly predicts teaching innovation (β = .71, p < .001) and perceived professional impact (β = .48, p < .001). Bootstrapping analysis further confirmed a significant indirect effect of conference engagement on professional impact through digital competence (β = .14, p < .001). The findings highlight the importance of institutional support and professional learning ecosystems in strengthening faculty digital competence and fostering sustainable digital transformation in universities.
The present study analyzes the bioethical perceptions and knowledge of medical students at Universidad San Gregorio de Portoviejo. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted, using a mixed-methods approach with a predominantly quantitative component. A total of 71 students from the first three levels of the medical program participated, selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was applied, structured into dimensions related to bioethical principles, medical duties, clinical communication, informed consent, and training needs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi-square test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Adequate conceptualization of the principles of autonomy (87.3%) and beneficence (85.9%) was identified. However, 31% justified omitting biosafety measures in emergencies; 26.8% accepted unjustified medical practices; and 29.6% presented conceptual errors regarding informed consent. Significant associations were found between sex and several evaluated dimensions. Although students recognize the importance of Bioethics, conceptual deficiencies persist, highlighting the need to strengthen its teaching from a transversal, critical, and contextualized perspective.
El presente estudio analiza los estándares jurisprudenciales y consultivos desarrollados por la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (en adelante, Corte IDH) en materia de identidad de género, igualdad, y no discriminación, con el propósito de determinar su alcance en la protección del derecho a la educación inclusiva de niños, niñas y adolescentes transgénero. Se desarrolló un artículo de reflexión jurídica con enfoque cualitativo, documental y analítico-interpretativo. El estudio revisó fuentes normativas, jurisprudenciales y doctrinales, así como en normativa ecuatoriana y referentes comparados de la región. El análisis evidenció que la Corte IDH ha construido estándares relevantes sobre identidad de género, vida privada, dignidad humana, igualdad y no discriminación. No obstante, se identificó un vacío jurisprudencial específico respecto del derecho a la educación inclusiva de niñas, niños y adolescentes transgénero. En Ecuador, pese al reconocimiento normativo de la igualdad y la inclusión, persisten barreras institucionales, ausencia de protocolos específicos y limitaciones en la garantía efectiva del derecho a la educación. La protección de niños, niñas y adolescentes transgénero exige desarrollar estándares interamericanos más específicos sobre educación inclusiva, fortalecer políticas públicas nacionales, garantizar el reconocimiento de la identidad de género en entornos escolares y promover mecanismos jurídicos de exigibilidad frente a prácticas discriminatorias.
This study aims to predict the export price of pitahaya in Ecuador through the application of the SARIMAX model, using variables associated with the historical behavior of prices and monthly export volume, to generate useful information for producers’ decision-making. The research adopted a quantitative approach, with a predictive scope and a non-experimental design. Monthly time series of the average price per kilogram of pitahaya were analyzed for the period from September 2021 to May 2025, based on records from producers in the province of Manabí. A SARIMAX model with an annual seasonal component was estimated, incorporating monthly export volume as an exogenous variable. Model performance was evaluated using MAE, RMSE, MAPE, and information criteria. The model made it possible to identify seasonal patterns and price variations associated with exportable supply. The inclusion of the exogenous variable provided greater sensitivity to market changes, especially during periods of higher product availability. The metrics obtained showed acceptable performance for predictive purposes, with a MAPE of 12.45%. It is concluded that the SARIMAX model constitutes a useful statistical tool for anticipating price fluctuation scenarios in pitahaya exports. Its application may contribute to improving production and commercial planning, although the incorporation of additional external variables is recommended to strengthen its predictive accuracy.
The objective of this study was to identify the main ergonomic risks affecting administrative personnel, their consequences on occupational health, and the preventive measures adopted. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed, and the PICO framework was applied to structure the research questions. A total of 33 studies published between 2000 and 2025 were identified in scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, SciELO), meeting specific inclusion criteria. The narrative synthesis grouped the results into four categories: physical, organizational, technological/environmental, and psychosocial risks. The findings revealed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), visual fatigue, and mental workload, associated with factors such as prolonged postures, non-adjustable furniture, continuous screen exposure, and inadequate working conditions, particularly in telework contexts. The most effective interventions included adjustable workstations, active breaks, and participatory ergonomics strategies. However, the implementation of such interventions remains limited in Latin America, where research is predominantly descriptive. Regional, methodological, and practical application gaps were identified, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen public policies, institutional programs, and regulatory frameworks in occupational health.
Portoviejo River, a vital axis in the province of Manabí, Ecuador, is currently undergoing environmental degradation due to industrial, agricultural, and urban pollution. This study aims to review the available scientific literature on the Portoviejo River, analyzed through the comprehensive lens of the One Health approach and linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology. The search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, and was complemented by manual review. A total of 12 studies published between 2000 and 2025 in English and Spanish were included, focusing on the Portoviejo River in relation to One Health and the SDGs. The collected evidence demonstrates that the degradation of the Portoviejo River hinders progress toward the SDGs by increasing health risks from waterborne diseases, limiting access to safe water for human consumption and livestock production, exacerbating the vulnerability of riverside communities to climate change, and threatening the preservation of strategic ecosystems.
This study analyzes the behavior of spirometric indicators in 19-year-old young smokers and non-smokers who were first-year medical students at the University of Medical Sciences of Holguín, Cuba. An observational, descriptive-comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 129 students, distributed according to sex and smoking habit. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF25–75%) were evaluated. Comparisons between smokers and non-smokers were performed using Welch’s t-test for independent samples, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. In both sexes, smokers showed lower mean values in the spirometric indicators evaluated. In men and women, differences were significant for FVC and FEV1/FVC. In contrast, FEV1 and FEF25–75% did not show statistically significant differences between smokers and non-smokers. Smoking was associated with a less favorable spirometric profile in 19-year-old young adults, mainly expressed by lower FVC and a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio. These findings support the usefulness of spirometry as a preventive tool in university students.
El estudio tiene como objetivo comprender los significados y experiencias que los docentes de la Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes (UNIANDES), Ecuador, atribuyen a la vinculación con la sociedad y su integración en el currículo universitario. Desde un enfoque cualitativo interpretativo de orientación fenomenológico-hermenéutica, se buscó indagar en los significados que los docentes atribuyen a este proceso en el contexto institucional. Se empleó un muestreo intencional de tipo criterial y se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a tres docentes con experiencia en actividades de vinculación. El análisis se desarrolló mediante reducción de unidades de significado, comparación constante e integración categorial. Los resultados evidenciaron una articulación insuficiente entre vinculación y currículo, así como la necesidad de resignificar este proceso como dimensión intrínseca de la formación universitaria. Emergieron tres categorías interrelacionadas: flexibilidad curricular, praxis y proyectos interdisciplinarios de vinculación. La flexibilidad curricular se identificó como condición estructural; la praxis interdisciplinaria, como dinámica articuladora entre docencia, investigación y acción social; y los proyectos interdisciplinarios, como mecanismo operativo de implementación. Se concluye que la integración efectiva de la vinculación requiere una configuración sistémica que articule estructura curricular, práctica pedagógica y dispositivos formativos concretos. El estudio aporta una interpretación estructurada del fenómeno desde la experiencia docente, contribuyendo al debate sobre la articulación de las funciones sustantivas en la educación superior contemporánea.
