Volumen 8 No. 1 (2017)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://dspace-test.ucuenca.edu.ec/handle/123456789/27681

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Políticas públicas y vulnerabilidad socio territorial en Huautla de Jiménez, Oaxaca, México
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) López V., Lilia V.
This paper addresses the socio-territorial vulnerability generated in the 20th century with continuation in the 21st century in a Mexican indigenous town, known because the Mazatec shaman María Sabina “the Sage of sacred mushrooms” lived there. The town is situated in the higher parts of the mountains in the Sierra Mazatec. The historical and contemporary interactions between the physical environmental processes and the public policies, especially the indigenous, resulted in a continuous modification of the natural physical environment and degradation of the biocultural heritage. Huautla is a territory vulnerable in it socio-economic and medium environmental, presenting high levels of marginalization, human settlements on slopes susceptible to landslides and deforestation leading to a reduction in the water delivery to the city. The research is based on the historical time depth review of Mexican and indigenous public policies, and the confrontation of findings with the transformations that occurred in the studied territory.
Sistematización de la evaluación de riesgo de violencia con instrumentos de juicio profesional estructurado en Cuenca, Ecuador
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Ochoa Balarezo, Juana V.; Guillén, Ximena K.; Ullauri Ortega, Dione; Narváez, Juana; León-Mayer, Elizabeth; Folino, Jorge O.
Objectives: To determine the reliability of the psychopathy evaluation instruments and structured professional guides in violence risk assessment used at the Institute of Criminology and Family Psychosocial Intervention of the University of Cuenca, Ecuador. Method: Previously trained pairs of psychologists and social workers assessed simultaneously 37 cases, who were transferred to the Institute, using structured violence risk assessment instruments -HCR 20 and SARA- and psychopathy evaluation instrument -Hare PCL-R-. Indicators of internal agreement and consistency were calculated. Results: The agreement of the assessment of the risk of violence towards the couple was excellent. The intraclass coefficient was respectively 0.76 and 0.90 for psychologists and social workers. The indicators for the different sections of the HCR-20 and SARA were also excellent, ranging between 0.75 and 0.94. The indicator for PCL-R total was 0.96. Conclusions: The results support the reliability of these instruments in Ecuador provided the users receive adequate training. The use of these instruments contributes to the systematization and transparency of the risk assessment procedures and the protection of the professional responsibility.
Análisis comparativo del comportamiento de la escorrentía de tres microcuencas andinas con diferente régimen de precipitación y cobertura vegetal
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Martínez, Erika; Coello, Cristian; Feyen, Jan
The paper presents a descriptive comparative analysis of the precipitation and runoff of three Andean small watersheds (varying in size between 0.6 and 1 km2), using approximately 8 years of rainfall and discharge data, with the objective to relate differences in runoff behavior to the level of annual precipitation, the monthly distribution of rainfall and land use. The catchment covered with native forest receives on average the largest amount of rainfall (1,540 mm/year), whereas the two other catchments, respectively under grassland with extensive cattle breeding and pine trees, receive annually on average respectively 1,267 and 1,181 mm. Although the analysis did not permit to describe in detail the processes controlling the transformation of precipitation into runoff, the exhaustive breakdown of the daily rainfall and runoff data enabled to define the effect of climate and land cover on the runoff pattern of each of the studied micro-catchments. Furthermore, the detailed analysis allowed to accurately identify the type of events whereby the studied micro-catchments show a different response in runoff related to a difference in climate and land use, which would not have been possible to define using only the average monthly precipitation and runoff data of the catchments, a traditional approach in hydrologic consulting services.
Prevalencia de Cryptosporidium spp. y Giardia spp. en terneros, y su presencia en agua y en niños con problemas digestivos en el cantón San Fernando, Ecuador
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Palacios Ordóñez, Teófilo Estuardo
Objective: To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in the feces of calves 0-4 months of age, as contaminating factor of the water resources used by the human population of 2-6 years old, in the canton San Fernando, province of Azuay. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study carried out during the period from September 2013 to April 2014. A sample of 120 calves from 0 to 4 months of age was used, according to AGROCALIDAD data; 42 children from 2 to 6 years of age with digestive problems in their visit to the health center; and 40 liters of water obtained from the catchment area in the Hato de la Virgen sector. In calves and infants, fecal material was collected and treated to perform the Ziehl-Neelsen coloration for Cryptosporidium spp. and the Ritchie technique for Giardia spp.; in the water, the number of cysts and oocysts/100 ml were determined by the EPA method 1623. The children were discriminated for the study according to the origin (rural or urban). Descriptive statistics were applied with the SPSS 22.
A preliminary response from the Faculty of Psychology students of the University of Cuenca to the modified EFL teaching approach
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Berna, Marcelo; Feyen, Jan
English teachers in Ecuadorian universities, like teachers in many non-native English-speaking countries, face the challenge of dealing with uninterested, unmotivated students, even when intermediate proficiency of English is a basic requirement for graduation. As from the end of 2014, the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Cuenca modified the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction at the three proficiency levels of English learning, by linking the training in reading to the reading of major related material and stimulating the students to practice actively the four English language skills outside the classroom using website and video hosting sites. At the end of 2016, the students’ impressions of being exposed to the modified way of student-centered instruction were assessed using a questionnaire. A total of 106 students completed online the 10-question survey. Results showed the enthusiasm of the students towards the modified more dynamic and interactive mode of EFL instruction; appreciated that more autonomy and responsibility were given to the students, and suggested that focus on grammar should not be neglected. An important side effect of the approach was the indirect harnessing of listening, writing, reading and speaking skills as well as skills in the reading and analysis of thematic research papers; considered an important benefit for the thesis project.
Diversidad genética de accesiones de la familia Caricaceae en el sur de Ecuador
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Peña, Denisse F.; Villena, Paulina G.; Aguirre, Ángel J.; Jiménez Merino, Carlos
The genetic diversity of 78 accessions of the Caricaceae family collected in the provinces of Azuay, Cañar, Loja, El Oro and Zamora Chinchipe, south of Ecuador, was studied, including the species Vasconcellea candicans, V. goudotiana, V. longiflora, V. microcarpa, V. monoica, V. omnilingua, V. palandensis, V. stipulata, V. parviflora, V. sp., V. x heilborne, V. x heilborne cv pentagona, V. x heilborne cv chrysopetala, Carica papaya, Jaracatia digitata y J. spinosa by DNA amplifications using 14 aleatory primers from AA, AC, AM and AN series of Operon Technologies Inc. The used RAPD primers produced 76 polymorphic fragments with sizes between 368 and 2102 base pairs (bp). The cluster and principal coordinate analysis grouped the accessions of each kind among them and the results were consistent with previous studies. The dendrogram separated clearly the three genera, however, based on these results, studies and morphological observations, the creation of a new genera that groups the Vasconcellea candicans accessions is suggested. Furthermore, the authors support the hypothesis of designating the materials collected in the Molleturo zone as a new taxón of the genera Vasconcellea. As in other studies, the results suggest possible events of interspecific hybridization within Vasconcellea genus.
Estudio exploratorio sobre la presencia de contaminantes en leche cruda proveniente de la cuenca lechera del Tarqui de la sierra sur ecuatoriana
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Ortíz A., Maira; Rosales Jaramillo, Cornelio Alejandro; Aguilar Valladares, Yolanda Mercedes; Murillo Apolo, Yury Agapito; Serpa García, Víctor Guillermo; Paguay N., Tatania; Coronel A., Angel G.
The present survey aimed to define the presence of contaminants in the raw milk of ten collection centers, with a reception capacity between 2,000 and 10,000 liters, situated in seven cantons of the Province of Azuay. Ninety samples were collected during three visits to each of the collection centers during the months of July and August 2016. In each sample the presence of antibiotics, hydrogen peroxide and neutralizers was analyzed by means of rapid diagnostic tests accredited in the food safety laboratory of AGROCALIDAD, an official institution of quality control. For the detection of antibiotics, a Trisensor® kit with validated sensitivity, applied worldwide, was used to detect and evaluate the level of three antibiotic families: beta-lactams, sulfonamides and tetracyclines, versus the maximum permissible limits in the Codex Alimentarius. The detection of hydrogen peroxide was performed by Test M-Quant™ measuring a range between 0.5 to 25 mg per liter of milk. The presence of neutralizers was determined by the alizarin method according to NTE NTE INEN 10:2012. 141,500 liters of raw milk were analyzed of which 64.7% were not fit for human consumption for the presence of one or more of the studied substances according to the NTE INEN Standard 9:2012 and the Codex Alimentarius. 13.3% of the samples were positive for beta-lactam antibiotics, but sulfonamides and tetracyclines was not detected. Besides 16.4% of the raw milk was adulterated with hydrogen peroxide and 60% with neutralizers
Knowledge commons: an alternative to proprietary knowledge
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Ambrosi De la Cadena, Marco Antonio
Intellectual property (IP) has become a crucial factor in scientific knowledge production which is based predominantly on profits and market relations facilitated by Intellectual property rights (IPRs). The result of this production is a ‘proprietary knowledge’, i.e. an over-patented knowledge which cannot be legally used or produced without the right holder’s consent. This work aims to ‘reopen’ the debate about IP recalling the ‘knowledge commons’ argument in order to affirm a diversity of ownership definitions, e.g. individual, multiple, collaborative, communitarian and public. The article introduces a brief analyse about the philosophy underlying IP – from authors such as Locke, Hegel and Marx – for a critical appraisal of theoretical and social aspects of knowledge property. The discussion presented about contemporary IP and its consequences for scientific production, includes the study of a biopiracy case involving the Waoranis, an Ecuadorean indigenous community, as an example of the ‘over-patenting’ of life and knowledge. Thus, in favour of the ‘knowledge commons’ argument, the paradigmatic case about the donation of the malaria vaccine patent is revised to show that it is possible to organise a scientific production guided by alternative criteria. The methodology used was the critical revision of primary bibliography and academic literature.
Evaluación de los sistemas de cultivo semisólido y BIT en la multiplicación in vitro de Juglans neotrópica
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Rocano, Mélida N.; Villena, Paulina G.; Peña, Denisse F.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate two culture systems, semi-solid and temporary immersion in bioreactors (BIT), for the micropropagation of Juglans neotropica, using zygotic embryos. Additionally, in the BIT culture system also the effect of the frequency of immersion and forced aeration on the micropropagation was examined. The culture growth of the shoots was measured by the following characteristics: number and size of the shoots, number of leaves, and the wet and dry weight. No statistical differences were detected. In general, the BIT immersion system produced an equivalent number of plants of similar characteristics as the embryos propagated in the traditional semi-solid medium method. However, BITs produced more shoots, forced ventilation resulted in less hyperhydric shoots and the BIT system was considerable cheaper, resulting in an average production cost of $0.21 per plant versus $0.40 in the semi-solid propagation method.
Crustáceos bentónicos y macrófitos como indicadores de calidad ecológica en los lagos de los Andes Australes de Ecuador
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Alonso, Miguel; Mosquera, Pablo; Hampel, Henrietta; Vázquez, Raúl F.
The taxonomic composition of the litoral benthic limnetic crustacean communities, (branchiopods, copepods and ostracods) and macrophytes of the lacustrine water bodies of the Cajas National Park located in the Southern Andes of Ecuador have been studied in order to identify the most suitable taxa to be used as indicators of the ecological status of lakes. Among the crustaceans (22 taxa) three groups were differentiated. A first group with taxa of higher indicator value including Branchinecta papillata, Ilyocryptus spinosus, Alonella sp, Pleuroxus sp. Paralona pigra and Alona sp. gr. manueli. A second group with medium indicator value including Alona glabra, Alona guttata, Microcyclops sp. Eucyclops sp. and Paracyclops sp. The third group was formed by taxa of the lower indicator value, either because of its eurioic and / or cosmopolitan character or because of its rarity. Macrophytes have been evaluated as good indicators of the ecological and conservation status of the lakes. The taxa which were submerged, floating and rooted in the sediment were identified to be a good indicator for the water body, and helophytes and hygrophytes for the limnetic litoral zone.
Branquiópodos de las masas de agua lacustre del Parque Nacional Cajas (Andes Australes, Ecuador) inventario y notas autoecológicas
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2017) Alonso, Miguel; Mosquera, Pablo; Hampel, Henrietta; Vázquez, Raúl F.
Extensive sampling of 202 lentic water bodies (lakes, lagoons and ponds) located between 3150 and 4460 m a.s.l. in the Cajas National Park (South Ecuadorian Andes) has revealed the high interest of these mountain enclaves in tropical latitudes for the investigation of faunal and ecological aspects of the branchiopod fauna. The first results allowed to recognize 21 species, 15 of them new to Ecuador, of which 2 are in process of description to be published as new to science. All species are characteristic of little mineralized and oligotrophic waters, 8 of them appear in the plankton and the rest in the limnetic littoral benthos.

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