Morona Santiago Research Articles

Porous frameworks from Ecuadorian clays

This research provides a literature review on several topics as a foundation to comprehend porous materials, their structure, and behavior to explore how they can be derived from clays and nanoclays. In this case, considering the several minerals present in some Ecuadorian clays, which are a potential starting material for the synthesis of porous frameworks, they constitute a solid source of metal atoms such as Silicon or Aluminum. This research presents the evaluation and characterization via XRD and AAS of clay samples collected in the southeast of Ecuador in the provinces of Azuay, Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe, which present diversified soil mineralogy with many chemical and crystallographic features for suitable precursors in nanomaterials design.

Songs to encourage English speaking in students

This study aims to explore that approach and demonstrate how the use of songs in English influences students' motivation while learning English as a second or foreign language. A sample of thirty students from the Tayuza Educational Unit located in the province of Morona Santiago, Ecuador, was used. The results of the application of a ten-question questionnaire show that students prefer the use of songs in English to participate and get actively involved in classroom activities. The importance of using tools other than traditional ones to motivate and encourage students to learn English as a second or foreign language is confirmed.

Calculation of Collectors for Social Housing in Different Climate Floors of Ecuador

Ecuador has significant potential in the renewable energy industry, to which solar energy contributes. The current investigation proposes a method to determine the savings when using solar collectors. The analysis is made for social housing projects located in different climate environments around the country: dry tropical megathermic (coast), semi-humid equatorial mesothermic (mountains), rainy megathermic (amazon), equatorial highlands (equatorial highlands). The cases studied are located in: Pasaje, El Oro; Cuenca, Azuay; Huamboya, Morona Santiago; and Chordeleg, Azuay. The method used in this research is an evaluation of drinking water per user demand (litter/person/day) which can determine the annual energetic demand. Furthermore, from the geographic location, the average solar radiation, and useful hours of sunshine are obtained. Then, these are used to obtain the available net annual energy. Furthermore, a relationship between demand and available energy is obtained for the solar collectors that satisfy the demand for the different locations studied. Finally, an analysis of the cost of implementing this technology and the projected savings in comparison to using hydrocarbons to heat domestic hot water is presented.

Recommendations for Directing the Success of Roads Projects Management, Analysis of Triple Restriction

The present Project is developed in Ecuador, Morona Santiago Province as a response to prior research that determined the failure of projects execution is due to the poor management of restrictions set by the director project. This research constitutes a contribution to Scientific knowledge about Project Management, primary factors influencing the failure of projects and recommendations for the achievement of success on roads construction projects. In order to get the stablished objective in this study, it was necessary the analysis of the conditions on which roads projects were executed and completed over the years 2018, 2019, and 2020 by the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Morona Santiago on the modality of procurement, and it was also important to stablish the causes that contributed to a particular outcome on projects. The approach of the analysis is focused on the management of restrictions of costs, time, and scope (triple restriction) of projects in study. The technique that was used is the analysis of the content that was applied to contractual records of 81 hired projects by selection of minor amount, price, bid, reverse auction, and contingency plan according to the Ecuadorian legislation for public works procurement. For the record and further data analysis, the information was encoded identifying in contractual files the causes that directly or indirectly led to categories of costs management, time and scope of projects. The results achieved show the causes that contributed to the failure of projects and the state in which they were finished in terms of initially stablished costs, time and scope. The obtained information was the basis to come up with recommendations referring the good practices on projects management that will work people in charge of projects management of roads constructions in order to obtain success on future projects.

Benefits of Legume Species in an Agroforestry Production System of Yellow Pitahaya in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Agroforestry systems have become an alternative that promotes the conservation of natural resources and the sustainable production of fruit crops in the Ecuadorian Amazon. However, it is required to demonstrate the benefit of the companion species that make up these production systems. The objective of this research was to determine how the legume species within an agroforestry system influence the yield of yellow dragon fruit (pitahaya), carbon sequestration and nutritional contribution. The experiment was carried out in Palora (province of Morona Santiago) and organized in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were two agroforestry arrangements and the monoculture as a control treatment. Erythrina poeppigiana, Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla were used in the agroforestry arrangements for the contribution of biomass. Results showed that during the five years of study, pitahaya yield was influenced by the quality of the leaf litter (biomass) incorporated in to the fruit crop. Biomass from E. poeppigiana and F. macrophylla as companion crops contributed a greater amount of Ca and Mg, increased C sequestration and crop yield. The results suggest that the use of legume species in agroforestry systems positively affects pitahaya productivity, enabling sustainable agriculture in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Propuesta de análisis territorial para enfrentar la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 basado en el perfil de neumonía e influenza en Ecuador 2016-2018

ObjectiveThe present study seeks to analyse sociodemographic determinants related to severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and calculate the priorization index in the cantons of Ecuador to identify areas probably most vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission. DesignThis descriptive ecological observational study. Setting224 cantons (geographical area) of Ecuador with secondary data sources of hospital information. ParticipantsThe unit of measurement was 224 cantons of Ecuador, in which analysed morbidity and lethality rates for SARI using hospital release data (2016-2018). Main measurementsEight sociodemographic indicators were structuralized, and correlation tests applied for a multiple regression model. The priorization index was created with criteria of efficiency, efficacy, effect size (IRR) and equity. Using the sum of the index for each indicator, the priorization score was calculated and localized in a territorial map. ResultsMorbidity associated factors where: school attendance years, urbanization and population density; for mortality resulted: school attendance and ethnics (indigenous) IRR: 1.09 (IC95%:1.06-1.15) and IRR: 1.024 (IC95%:102-1.03) respectively. With lethality where related cantons, with population older than 60 years, IRR: 1.049 (IC95%: 1.03-1.07); 87 cantons had high priority mostly localized in the mountain region and the Morona Santiago Province. ConclusionsMorbidity and mortality of SARI in Ecuador are associated to social and demographic factors. Priorization exercises considering these factors permit the identification of vulnerable territories facing respiratory disease propagation. The social determinants characteristic for each territory should be added to known individual factors to analyse the risk and vulnerability for COVID in the population.

Key Agronomic Fertilization Practices That Influence Yield of Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) in the Ecuadorian Amazon

An application of a balanced nutrition will improve the soil as well as enhance the yield of naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) grown in the Ecuadorian Amazon. A field experiment was carried out in Palora, 16 de Agosto (Morona Santiago province) and Fátima (Pastaza province) to find which variables are related with the yield of the naranjilla crop and the yield response when the crop receives complete nutrition with N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S plus lime and with the omission of each of these nutrients. A Random Complete Block Design with three replications was used in the three environments. The naranjilla crop had higher yields (18.14 Mg ha−1) in the complete treatments (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and without S and Mg, consequently, these two last nutrients did not limit the production. When N, P, K, and Ca were not applied, the yields fell to 14.62 Mg ha−1. The main environmental effect showed that Palora had the highest fruit yields (19.73 Mg ha−1), followed by 16 de Agosto (13.57 Mg ha−1) and finally Fátima with 11.04 (Mg ha−1). These preliminary results showed that with the treatments without S (18.55 Mg ha−1), without Mg (18.42 Mg ha−1) and complete (17.46 Mg ha−1) the highest yields were obtained, consequently, the production was not affected by the absence of these elements; the opposite happened when N, P, K, and Ca were not present.

Cambios administrativos y organizativos como propuesta emergente en Pandemia

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo, plantear un modelo de gestión para la implementación de un cambio de estructura administrativa y organizacional, con miras a las condiciones actuales de teletrabajo, para su realización. Metodológicamente fue de tipo descriptivo. La prefectura de Morona Santiago lleva varios programas y proyectos enmarcados en sus competencias, dentro del desarrollo social del territorio, con este antecedente fue creada la Coordinación, Equidad, Formación y Acción Social que se encarga de la atención a los grupos prioritarios, es prioritario implementar cambios en los temas administrativos y organizativos, con esto se puede garantizar que los beneficiarios mejoren su calidad de vida y que los colaboradores puedan ejercer sus actividades laborales en condiciones de bajo estrés laboral y de seguridad para ellos y sus familias.

In the footsteps of Michel Allioni: Liverworts and hornworts from the surroundings of Gualaquiza (Ecuador)

Gradstein, S.R. & Á.J. Pérez (2021). In the footsteps of Michel Allioni: Liverworts and hornworts from the surroundings of Gualaquiza (Ecuador). Candollea 76: 41–54. In English, English and Spanish abstracts.The liverwort and hornwort flora of Ecuador is still very incompletely known. We report three species new to Ecuador (Lejeunea rionegrensis Steph., Notothylas javanica (Sande Lac.) Gottsche, Riccia vitalii Jov.-Ast) and 38 new to the province of Morona Santiago based on our fieldwork in the surroundings of Gualaquiza, Morona Santiago, in 2019. The bryophyte flora of this area was explored in the early 20th century by the Italian missionary and naturalist Michel Allioni. A brief eulogy of the life and work of Michel Allioni is presented together with a revision of the species described by Stephani based on Allioni's Ecuadorian collections. Almost all of them are synonyms. Sixteen new synonyms and seven new lectotypifications are proposed.

New Records of Anopheles benarrochi B (Diptera: Culicidae) in Malaria Hotspots in the Amazon Regions of Ecuador and Peru.

The increase in malaria transmission in the Amazon region motivated vector control units of the Ministry of Health of Ecuador and Peru to investigate Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) species present in transmission hotspots. Mosquitoes were collected using prokopack aspirators and CDC light traps (Ecuador) and human landing catch in Peru. In Ecuador, 84 Anopheles were captured from Pastaza, Morona Santiago, and Orellana provinces and identified morphologically [An. (An.) apicimacula Dyar and Knab, An. (Nys.) near benarrochi, An. (Nys.) near oswaldoi, An. (Nys.) near strodei, An. (An.) nimbus (Theobald, 1902), and An. (Nyssorhynchus) sp.]. In Peru, 1,150 Anopheles were collected in Andoas District. A subsample of 166 specimens was stored under silica and identified as An. near oswaldoi, An. darlingi, and An. (An.) mattogrossensis Lutz and Neiva. COI barcode region sequences were obtained for 137 adults (107 from Peru, 30 from Ecuador) identified by ITS2 PCR-RFLP as An. benarrochi Gabaldon, Cova Garcia, and Lopez and retained in the final analysis. Haplotypes from the present study plus An. benarrochi B GenBank sequences grouped separately from Brazilian An. benarrochi GenBank sequences by 44 mutation steps, indicating that the present study specimens were An. benarrochi B. Our findings confirm the presence of An. benarrochi B in Ecuador and reported here for the first time from the Amazonian provinces of Orellana and Morona Santiago. Furthermore, we confirm that the species collected in Andoas District in the Datem del Maranon Province, Peru, is An. benarrochi B, and we observed that it is highly anthropophilic. Overall, the known distribution of An. benarrochi B has been extended and includes southern Colombia, much of Peru and eastern Ecuador.

New data on Neotropical Carpenter Moths of Subfamily Hypoptinae Neumoegen & Dyar, 1894 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae). III. Laberlia − a new genus from Northern and Central Andean Mountains

The article describes a new genus, Laberlia (type species − Langsdorfia bellaria Dognin, 1911), including three species, distributed in northern and central Andes (the territory of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru). We establish a new combination: Laberlia bellaria (Dognin, 1911) comb. nov. Two new species are described: Laberlia illapai Yakovlev, Naydenov, Penco sp. nov. (type locality − Ecuador, Morona Santiago, 55 km Road Rio Bamba-Macas) and Laberlia apusorum Yakovlev, Naydenov, Penco sp. nov. (type locality – Peru, La Libertad, Pataz prov., S of Tayabamba). The article is illustrated with images of type specimens and male genital structures, the distribution map is provided.

Breastfeeding practices and complementary feeding in Ecuador: implications for localized policy applications and promotion of breastfeeding: a pooled analysis

BackgroundBest practices in breastfeeding are often not followed despite appropriate levels of knowledge and positive attitudes regarding the benefits of human milk. For many reasons, some women do not initiate breastfeeding, suspend breastfeeding early, or initiate complementary feeding earlier than recommended. Usual measurement methods use large sample surveys at a national scale, which are not well suited for monitoring sub-national differences.MethodsIn order to understand how local infant feeding practices could influence policy and promotion practices, we apply data pooling methodology to analyse breastfeeding patterns in different Ecuadorian settings: Cumbayá parish, located near Quito, the Ecuadorian capital; the city of Macas and rural surroundings in the Amazon basin province of Morona Santiago; and the province of Galapagos. Surveys were conducted independently between August 2017 and August 2018; while they are representative of each respective setting, sampling designs and survey methods differ, but the same demographic information and data based on standard breastfeeding indicators established by the World Health Organization (WHO) were collected. In order to account for differences in the different settings, the design effect of each survey was considered in the analysis.ResultsSignificant differences were found in breastfeeding practices between the suburban Cumbayá parish near Quito and Galapagos on one hand, and urban and rural parts of Morona Santiago, on the other. The rates of early breastfeeding initiation and age-appropriate breastfeeding are significantly higher in urban and rural Morona Santiago then in Cumbayá or Galapagos, while the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is highest in rural parts of Morona Santiago. No significant differences were found in complementary feeding practices between Cumbayá and Galapagos, but there are with urban and rural Morona Santiago. Initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour after birth occurs in only 36.2% of cases in Cumbayá but in 75.4% of cases in urban Morona.ConclusionsDifferences among regions reflect specific opportunities and barriers to practices related to promoting optimal infant health and nutrition. Consequently, regional or local conditions that often are not apparent in national-level data should orient policies and promotion activities in specific populations.

Evaluación de riesgos y gestión administrativa para las compañías de transporte pesado

El objetivo se basó en evaluar el impacto que tiene el servicio de las empresas de transporte pesado de la provincia de Morona Santiago, desde el efecto que causa el transporte ilegal de carga pesada como competencia comercial. Se desarrolló metodológicamente desde un tipo descriptiva con diseño no experimental transversal, contándose con una población de 23 empresas que conforman el transporte de la provincia de Morona Santiago del Ecuador. Las personas que prestan servicio de forma particular afectan de manera directa, por cuanto crean una disminución en el precio, esto ocasiona que clientes potenciales reduzcan el valor de servicio en forma general, dando como resultado una disminución en el flujo que se proyectan al año en cuanto a ingresos, por cuanto día a día se ven afectados los ingresos, van decreciendo y la informalidad va aumentando.

Optimal Sizing and Scheduling of Hybrid Energy Systems: The Cases of Morona Santiago and the Galapagos Islands

Hybrid energy systems (HESs) generate electricity from multiple energy sources that complement each other. Recently, due to the reduction in costs of photovoltaic (PV) modules and wind turbines, these types of systems have become economically competitive. In this study, a mathematical programming model is applied to evaluate the techno-economic feasibility of autonomous units located in two isolated areas of Ecuador: first, the province of Galapagos (subtropical island) and second, the province of Morona Santiago (Amazonian tropical forest). The two case studies suggest that HESs are potential solutions to reduce the dependence of rural villages on fossil fuels and viable mechanisms to bring electrical power to isolated communities in Ecuador. Our results reveal that not only from the economic but also from the environmental point of view, for the case of the Galapagos province, a hybrid energy system with a PV–wind–battery configuration and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) equal to 0.36 $/kWh is the optimal energy supply system. For the case of Morona Santiago, a hybrid energy system with a PV–diesel–battery configuration and an LCOE equal to 0.37 $/kWh is the most suitable configuration to meet the load of a typical isolated community in Ecuador. The proposed optimization model can be used as a decision-support tool for evaluating the viability of autonomous HES projects at any other location.

Comportamiento agro-productivo del Axonopus scoparius frente a niveles de fertilización en el Cantón Morona - Provincia Morona Santiago

La producción de Axonopus scoparius se desarrolló en los predios de la ESPOCH extensión Morona Santiago, para lo cual se utilizó cinco tratamientos (T0: sin abono, T1: 10-30-10 + úrea, T2: gallinaza + úrea, T3: 10-30-10 + gallinza + úrea y T4: Cuyinaza + úrea) con cuatro repeticiones, los mismos que se distribuyeron en 20 parcelas experimentales de 5 x 4, considerando que únicamente se tomó los datos de 16 metros cuadrados como parcela neta; los resultados obtenidos se analizaron bajo un Diseño de Bloques Completamente al Azar y separación de medias según Tukey. Periódicamente se realizó la toma de datos, tales como: la altura y producción de forraje, cuando el pasto ´llegó a su clímax. Una vez procesada la información se pudo determinar, que la altura del Axonopus scoparius inicial, a los 15, 30, el peso de la biomasa de 16 metros cuadrados, incremento de peso diario, producción de forraje por hectárea, carga animal estimada a los 90, 18 y 270 días no registró diferencias significativas; mientras que la altura a los 75 y 90 días fue 117.05 y 148.73 cm, el incremento de la altura durante los 90 días fue 145 cm y el crecimiento diario de la planta fue 1.61 cm, siendo el más eficiente la utilización del tratamiento 10-30-10 + gallinaza + urea.

The use of short films in learning English as a foreign language

The challenges presented in higher education today are the consequence of a different vision of the uncertain and changing social reality. Respect for life, for the human being, and learning to live with others constitute fundamental elements for the formation of competent professionals. Therefore, essential that teachers update their teaching methods and strategies to create an atmosphere in which learning can be dynamic and active. This research aims to analyze the student's perception at ESPOCH Morona Santiago Campus about the advantages and disadvantages of participating in short films in English as an end of semester project. For the development of this research work, a qualitative approach was used because it allowed the analysis of each student's opinions about their participation in a short film in English. A group of students from the second and third levels of English from the careers of Environmental Engineering, Accounting and Auditing, Zootechnics and Mining were selected. A survey was applied to them through which it was possible to demonstrate that, after they participated in this educational activity, they were able to improve their pronunciation, their speaking, and their collaborative teamwork. The students also observed that they lost their fear of speaking English in public and that their interpersonal relationships improved, while their self-esteem increased. Therefore, most of them suggest that these activities continue as an end of semester project as it is an innovative, active, and fun way to learn English as a foreign language.

Alimentación de cuyes en la fase de crecimiento en base a gramíneas tropicales de Morona Santiago

La alimentación de cuyes en la fase de crecimiento en base a gramíneas tropicales se desarrolló en los predios de la ESPOCH Sede Morona Santiago, para lo cual se utilizaron 20 cuyes de 60 días de edad, los mismos que se distribuyeron en cinco tratamientos (Tripsacum laxum, Pennisetum sp, Pennisetum purpureum y Axonopus scoparius) incluido el control y cuatro repeticiones, cada unidad experimental estuvo conformado por un animal el mismo que tuvo un peso promedio de 409.6 g. a los cuales se le alojaron aleatoriamente en una jaula metabólica individual para observar el comportamiento productivo y aprovechamiento del pasto, y asignar los tratamientos al azar a cada cobayo. Diariamente se suministró alimento deshidratado previo el registro de su peso, de la misma manera se pesó los residuos de forraje y las excretas, datos que sirvieron para el análisis. Una vez recopilada y procesada la información obtenida se pudo notar que el peso de los cuyes a los 60 días de investigación, consumo de materia seca, cantidad de heces producida, materia seca aprovechada no registraron diferencias significativas no así, el aprovechamiento de la proteína, grasa, fibra, Fibra Detergente Ácida (FDA) y fibra detergente neutra (FDN) registró diferencias estadísticas. Concluyéndose que el balanceado dispone de mayor cantidad de proteína y grasa aprovechada, aunque el contenido de fibra es escaso, de la misma manera la disponibilidad de FDN y FDA en el pasto Tripsacum laxum está en menor proporción al contrastar con el resto de pastos utilizados en la investigación.

Las tecnologías del aprendizaje y la comunicación (TAC) en el marco de la profesionalización docente UNAE-Morona Santiago

Las tecnologías del aprendizaje y la comunicación (TAC) orientan las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) hacia usos formativos; reorientando el proceso de enseñanza - aprendizaje - evaluación hacia el sujeto que aprende (centrado en el estudiante), utilizando un conjunto de servicios, redes, aplicaciones y dispositivos que nos ofrece la era digital dirigidos a mejorar la calidad de los procesos de aprendizaje. Este estudio se enfoca en conocer cómo el uso de la tecnología permite estrechar las brechas de desigualdades sociales al acercar el conocimiento y la información a quienes, por cuestiones sociales, económicas y de género no han concluido su formación académica a nivel superior, bajo este contexto la profesionalización docente de quienes ejercen las funciones de docentes en la Provincia de Morona Santiago tanto en la jurisdicción hispana como bilingüe han sido beneficiadas por las carreras a distancia ofertada por la Universidad Nacional de Educación del Ecuador (UNAE), con base a un modelo pedagógico mediante la aplicación de las tecnologías del aprendizaje y la comunicación (TAC), a la vez promueve el aprendizaje para toda la vida. Los estudiantes docentes interactúan con el profesorado mediante el Entorno Virtual de Enseñanza y Aprendizaje (EVEA), esta plataforma es amigable y fácil de usarla tanto para quienes cumplen las funciones de docentes o de estudiantes en esta carrera de profesionalización. El resultado se centra en la experiencia obtenida al relacionar la práctica en entornos presenciales y virtuales, como en la reflexión de la importancia de la tecnología para borrar fronteras de todo tipo con el único objetivo de generar nuevas alternativas que coadyuven a la excelencia educativa. La interacción entre las TAC de los estudiantes-docentes participantes genera motivación para avanzar hacia el desarrollo profesional docente.

<p><strong><em>Burmeistera quimiensis</em></strong><strong> (Lobelioideae, Campanulaceae): A new species from the Cordillera del Cóndor range in southeast Ecuador</strong></p>

A new taxon belonging to the genus Burmeistera (Campanulaceae, Lobelioideae) is described from El Quimi Biological Reserve in Morona Santiago Province, southeast Ecuador. Burmeistera quimiensis is characterized by its red-violet stems and veins, spiral phyllotaxy, bullate, ascending leaves with a revolute margin, puberulous abaxial leaf surface, cupuliform hypanthia, and thick-walled white to red-violet fruits with reflexed pedicels. Photos of the new species are given, as well as a distribution map of known collection localities, and its relationships with other species are discussed.

Identifying priority management of Ecuadorian forests based on the environmental integrated assessment

Anthropogenic impacts, such as deforestation, soil erosion, and carbon dioxide emissions, have a negative influence over global warming due to the increase of CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The sustainable forest management is a way to mitigate climate change owing to the carbon storage capacity of forests. This study highlights the priority of forest management according to the integrated assessment of carbon storage under anthropogenic impacts in the administrative units of Ecuador. In the obtained map, the provinces Guayas, Esmeraldas, and Manabí showed the highest values of 25, 22.85 and 19.9, respectively, followed by two Amazon provinces, Morona Santiago and Sucumbíos. Therefore, we concluded that deforestation, soil erosion, and carbon dioxide emissions were more pronounced on the coast mainly due to agriculture and livestock activities and the forests in these provinces must have priority management. This analysis is useful for planning environmental practices in order to increase carbon storage as a strategy of mitigation for global warming.