Central University of Ecuador

About: Central University of Ecuador is a education organization based out in Quito, Ecuador. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 2220 authors who have published 1910 publications receiving 15052 citations.

Soil Biological Properties and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities of Representative Crops Established in the Andean Region from Ecuadorian Highlands

Abstract: Biological activities determine quality, sustainability, health, and fertility of soils The purpose of this study was to evaluate chemical and biological characteristics of soils from Ecuadorian highlands subjected to different management practices, as well as the density and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Soils from naturalized grasslands and other previously cropped plots with Zea mays and Solanum tuberosum were analyzed in laboratory for soil biochemical properties, enzyme activity, and AMF colonization to determine the effect of the soil management over its quality The characterization of AMF propagules associated to spontaneously colonizing plants in the above soils was also performed Soil previously cropped with S tuberosum showed the highest glomalin content; at the same time, naturalized grassland and Z mays cropped soils showed higher hyphal length The acid phosphatase activity was higher in naturalized grasslands and Z mays cropped soils compared with that in the S tuberosum cropped soils Moreover, the highest AMF colonization rates and spore number were found in different spontaneous plant species growing in the naturalized grasslands This study represents the first characterization of AMF propagules of different cropped and naturalized grassland soils, and also is one of the first reports about changes on biochemical and microbial activities occurring in Andean soils from the highlands of Ecuador, undergoing determinant soil management activities

Teletrabajo como estrategia de competitividad y desarrollo para las empresas en el Ecuador

Abstract: El teletrabajo en el Ecuador ha sido sobrevalorado debido a la falta de conocimiento e importancia que se tiene sobre este tema, los avances tecnologicos han aportado a que las organizaciones desarrollen nuevos mecanismos de trabajo ya sea por innovacion o por adaptabilidad a entornos de riesgo como en caso de enfermedades, pandemias, protestas sociales, catastrofes, entre otros, siendo asi que el teletrabajo aporta grandes soluciones a las necesidades actuales del sector empresarial. En paises desarrollados, pertenecientes a la region europea, el teletrabajo ha ayudado a minimizar costos fijos y maximizar la productividad mejorando el nivel de satisfaccion por parte de los empleados, entre otros. Partiendo de esto, el presente estudio propone aplicar un modelo de teletrabajo a las organizaciones, tanto publicas como privadas en el Ecuador, facilitando la innovacion y aportando herramientas de competitividad.

Increase motivation in learning Java Programming Fundamentals using Gamified Moodle: Case: Central University of Ecuador

Abstract: Gamifying learning environments, combining classroom with gamified e-Learning platform, is one of the educational proposals that increases motivation and commitment of the students in the learning process. This research analyzes, quantitatively and qualitatively, the use of Gamified Moodle as a tool to improve the above mentioned parameters by the completion of autonomous tasks, in a Java Programming Fundamentals course at the Central University of Ecuador.

First report and molecular identification of Trypanosoma (Duttonella) vivax outbreak in cattle population from Ecuador.

Abstract: The bovine trypanosomosis is responsible for economic losses from tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and Latin America. This disease is characterized by fever, anaemia, loss of production and even death. Few studies have been carried out in Ecuador regarding Trypanosoma spp. presence but the species has not been determined in cattle and those have only determined the presence of genus, but not the species. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the trypanosome species involved in the suspected bovine trypanosomosis outbreak reported in Convento Village in Manabi Province located in the coastal region of Ecuador. Twenty cattle from three farms were sampled. Three samples were positive for T. vivax, using an end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a fragment of the cathepsin L-like cysteine protease (CatL-like) gene. A phylogenetic tree analysis of these three Ecuadorian isolates showed a close relationship with isolates from South America (Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela) and West Africa (Nigeria). This is the first report of T. vivax in Ecuadorian cattle.

Extraction of Knowledge with Population-Based Metaheuristics Fuzzy Rules Applied to Credit Risk

Abstract: One of the goals of financial institutions is to reduce credit risk. Consequently they must properly select customers. There are a variety of methodologies for credit scoring, which analyzes a wide variety of personal and financial variables of the potential client. These variables are heterogeneous making that their analysis is long and tedious. This paper presents an alternative method that, based on the subject information, offers a set of classification rules with three main characteristics: adequate precision, low cardinality and easy interpretation. This is because the antecedent consists of a small number of attributes that can be modeled as fuzzy variables. This feature, together with a reduced set of rules allows obtaining useful patterns to understand the relationships between data, and make the right decisions for the financial institutions. The smaller the number of analyzed variables of the potential customer, the simpler the model will be. In this way, credit officers may give an answer to the loan application in the shorter time, achieving a competitive advantage for the financial institution. The proposed method has been applied to two databases from the UCI repository, and a database from a credit unions cooperative in Ecuador. The results are satisfactory, as highlighted in the conclusions. Some future lines of research are suggested.