Volumen 7 No. 2 (2016)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://dspace-test.ucuenca.edu.ec/handle/123456789/26246

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Improving the publication visibility of Ecuador’s higher education system
(2016) Feyen, Jan; Milia, Matías Federico; Van Hoof, Hubert B.; Quinde Herrera, Karina Sandra; Ochoa Robles, María Verónica; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Bojorque Iñeguez, Jaime Asdrúbal
This article reports on a comparative study between the publication productivity of Ecuador’s leading Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) (as reported in the SCOPUS journal/proceedings database; https://www.elsevier.com/solutions/scopus) and the publication efforts of similar universities in South America and Western Europe when those universities converted from a “teaching-only” to a “teaching and research” focus. The authors highlight the causes of Ecuador’s research and publication paucity and suggest remedial strategies which focus on adjusting the profile and activities of Ecuador’s HEIs to better meet the skills gap in the 21st century economy; economy driven by innovation and knowledge. The article proposes that Ecuador’s HEIs make teaching collaborative and more affordable, stimulate faculty to examine society-relevant problems in teams, educate and encourage faculty to publish in peer-reviewed journals and enhance effectiveness and efficiency so that a stronger teaching-researchservice nexus emerges; all even though Ecuador has entered a period of economic hardship with dwindling funds for higher education.
Análisis dinámico de estabilidad de taludes por medio de elementos finitos
(2016) Bojorque Iñeguez, Jaime Asdrúbal
This manuscript presents the results of an analysis, parameter by parameter, that affect the displacement of a slope when subjected to dynamic loads. The effect of the shape of the dynamic record through parameters such as frequency, amplitude and duration is evaluated. Also, the soil characteristics are investigated considering the specific gravity, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, cohesion, friction angle and damping. The displacement of the crest of a slope can indicate the performance of stability, hence the use of numerical techniques such as finite element helps to understand the effect that an earthquake (dynamic load) could have on the generation of deformations. Traditional methods such as pseudostatic and Newmark do not consider the characteristics of the earthquake. To better capture the effects of an earthquake, parameters such as frequency, amplitude and duration should be considered as to make a reliable estimate of displacements, which can be done by a dynamic analysis using finite elements.
Multi agentes y autómatas celulares como base para el análisis eficaz y realista de la macroeconomía
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Donoso Correa, Mario Ernesto; Donoso Correa, Jorge Santiago
Throughout history many economic theories saw daylight that tried to solve problems related with production, unemployment, poverty and social injustice. Some of these doctrines have been supported using different mathematics, computer and even psychological techniques. This article presents an unorthodox proposal of macroeconomic development, with the government as backbone for productive public investment, and the objective to enhance productivity and business competition; which in turn leads to an increase in purchasing power of the people, more jobs and wealth distribution. For the explanation of the operation of the proposal’s economic cycle and the economic behavior of the multi agents the manuscript used respectively the diagramming and cellular automaton techniques.
Attitudes of adolescents toward violence and their related factors
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Pinos, Verónica; Pinos, Guido; Jerves, Monserrath; Enzlin, Paul
Behavior research revealed that attitudes are important in understanding the roots of violence. People acquire those attitudes by social learning, particularly in adolescence, because in this stage of life is the influence of social environment strongest. This study aimed to assess adolescents’ attitude toward violence and their related factors. The Questionnaire on Attitudes toward Diversity and Violence1 was applied. This questionnaire addresses the following factors: justification of violence toward peers as a reaction of courage, sexist beliefs and justification of domestic violence, and tolerant beliefs and rejection of violence. An extra factor was incorporated in the research to evaluate the attitude toward the justification of sexual violence. Analysis of the responses to the questionnaire disclosed middle level of justification and rejection toward violence. The stronger attitudes of justification of violence toward peers, domestic violence and sexual violence were related with male sex, alcohol consumption, violence among siblings and higher level of enjoyment of violence in media. The stronger tolerant beliefs and rejection of violence was related with female sex, the experience of sexual violence and the age group of 14-16 years old. Results clearly recommend the need to work with adolescents and their families to eliminate prejudices that justify violence and to promote violence rejection as preventive measures, considering the related factors.
The triple helix model of silicon valley and Ecuador
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Ledesma, Yolanda E.; Cobos, Angel R.
Silicon Valley emerged as a center of research and innovative technological development. The unprecedented success of Silicon Valley is a result of the interaction between the structural transformation of technology and economic resources, and the social, cultural and institutional conditions of entrepreneurship. Ecuador created recently the City of Knowledge “Yachay”; named the “Ecuadorian Silicon Valley”. The objective of this paper is to analyze the Government-Industry, Government-University, and University-Industry interactions in Silicon Valley and Ecuador in general, as basis for the identification of achievements and gaps. First, a brief review of the historical evolution of Silicon Valley during its 70 years of existence is given, highlighting the amazing and unexpected growth and technological and economic progress. The methodology used in this article is the Triple Helix model enabling to analyze the interactions between the three sectors: Government, Industry, and University. The initial double helix Government-University and University-Industry interactions in Silicon Valley converged over time into the triple helix University-Industry-Government relations. This article identifies the limitations of the relationships and suggest the strategies that the Ecuadorian government should pursue and implement the ones that lead the Valley to success. Ecuador is now trying to develop a knowledge economy in anticipation that someday its economy based on natural resources might dry up.
Perception of gender stereotypes, machismo and marianismo in Ecuadorian adolescents: a focus group study
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Pinos, Verónica; Pinos, Guido; Baitar, Rachid; Jerves, Monserrath; Enzlin, Paul
Recent studies increasingly demonstrated that gender differences are linked with macro-cultural factors. The stereotypes in Latin America that shape gender roles are machismo and marianismo. In contrast, with the ample publications on the importance of machismo, empirical research on machismo and certainly marianismo is still in its infancy despite both being well known concepts. To this end, the present study explores how Ecuadorian adolescents from Cuenca experience, and make sense of, gender stereotypes. Twelve focus groups were carried out, involving 127 male and female adolescents. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four categories related to machismo emerged: cognition regarding machismo, manifestations of machismo, adolescents’ expectations by gender, and advantages of traditional norms. The results showed that participants know about machismo and stated that gender stereotypes are transmitted to adolescents by parents and society in general to the next generations. Our participants blame gender stereotypes for the inequality in the society, but at the same time, their intervention showed that they absorbed these stereotypes in their belief system.
A tentative analysis of the causal stress factors of graduate students of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Ledesma, Yolanda E.; Cobos, Angel R.
Stress reflects the body’s response to different demands, and it is generally accepted that good and bad experiences can cause stress. There is positive (eustress) and negative stress (distress), and both affect people. The factors causing stress range from physiological (e.g., fear of danger) too emotional (e.g., worry about money or family), and vary from person to person. The research question of this study was if the causes of stress are different between Latin American and American students at the Latin American Studies Program of the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque, the United States. The article depicts how local and foreign graduate students perceive their stress. Findings revealed that the top four common stressors for college students are academic responsibility, time management, financial situation, and personal relationships. Six qualitative methods, such as observation, individual interviews, focus groups, collective analysis, social mapping, and visual analysis, were used to collect insight in the phenomenon of stress. The collected information was codified, organized, classified and consolidated using the Atlas.ti database, and analyzed using the triangulation technique. Results show that stress perception is significantly influenced by the cultural differences between the students.
Recientes avances en la clasificación de explosiones de rayos gamma cortas en astrofísica
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Baquero Larriva, Andrés
Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBx) have been an enigma since its discovery more than 40 years ago. They are the most energetic events of the universe after the Big Bang and take place at cosmological distances. This article explores the progress in knowledge which has been achieved in the last decade, as the advances in knowledge resulted in a dramatic breakthrough in the understanding and clarification of some of their intrinsic physics processes, thanks to the theoretical, observational and instrumentation advances. Recent investigations suggest the existence of at least one new type of GRB, which would change the concept we currently have on their classification and the assignment of their progenitors.
Variables personales relacionadas con el rendimiento académico
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Bojorque, Gina; Bojorque, Vilma; Dávalos, Juana
The present study examined to what extend some personal variables such as intelligence, attention, self-concept, and anxiety, predict four-grade children´s academic achievement. A total of 410 children form 14 public schools of the city of Cuenca were subjected to a series of tests focusing on intelligence (WISC), attention (D2), self-concept (Piers-Harris), and anxiety (Spence). Results revealed that children´s levels of self-concept and anxiety were normal; however, their level of intelligence was normal-low and their level of attention was extremely low. Second, it was found that all the mentioned variables predicted children´s academic achievement, with intelligence possessing the highest predicting validity. Finally, gender differences were consistently found in all the variables, indicating that girls obtained higher scores of intelligence, attention, and self-concept, as well as higher levels of anxiety. The results of this study point to the need of implementing educational interventions aimed at stimulating the development of personal variables, including intelligence, to increase children´s academic achievement, particularly for those students at risk of academic failure.
Adulto mayor: desde una vejez “biológica-social” hacia un “nuevo” envejecimiento productivo
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Valarezo Garcia, Carlos Luis
The aging of the population is characteristic for the contemporary world, and seemingly countries do not have the key to tackle this evolution in the best way. Most countries maintain an old aging paradigm that associates biological aging with functional impairment. In fact, many governments introduced an artificial age line, the so-called retirement age, at which it is assumed that a decline in the functional-intellectual and productive capacities of a human being emerge, generally coupled with a social burden for the state. However, the social life cycle not necessarily corresponds with biological dysfunctionality, delineating a before and after a lifetime in the emotional aspects, self-esteem and interrelation of a person, and which traditionally is based on a denigrating socio-cultural conception of old age associated with dependence. Right in front of this conceptual stigma, this paper attempts to analyze the multiple voices expressing new paradigms of productive age and the various forms of work activities, with direct or indirect economic impact, elderly people can accomplish and help them to stay physically and mentally active and useful to the society.
Eficiencia energética en el sector residencial de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Baquero Larriva, María Teresa; Quesada Molina, Juan Felipe
The objective of the research presented herein was to determine how far in the residential area of the City of Cuenca the consumption of energy can be reduced, maintaining optimal comfort conditions. In addition, the research focused on the definition of energy efficiency indicators for residential homes. The study involved determination of the energy demand and assessment of the major consumption factors using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Surveys were conducted in 280 households of the residential area of Cuenca. Parallel, light consumption and indoor environmental quality was monitored in 6 houses and reconstructed using simulation models. The results were analysed and compared with national and international standards of efficiency, and used as a basis for defining strategies for reducing energy consumption and the definition of indicators of minimum power consumption.
Propiedades psicométricas del TEOSQ adaptado a la educación física en estudiantes ecuatorianos
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2016-12) Franco, Evelia; Coterón, Javier; Brito, Jorge
The objective of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Task and Ego Orientation Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) adapted to PE2, in an Ecuadorian context. Five hundred and eighty PE students aged 12 to 16 (M = 13.15; SD = 1.29) participated in the study. Factor analysis results confirmed the structure of the instrument obtained in previous studies. The questionnaire showed an acceptable internal consistency (αEgo = .86 y αTask = .80). The differences per gender indicated that boys show greater ego orientation than girls in line with existing literature. Results allow considering the Spanish version of TEOSQ adapted to PE a reliable and valid instrument to measure motivational orientation of students in an Ecuadorian context.

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