Universidad Ciencia y Tecnología

Remediation Strategies Applied in Major Coastal Oil Spills: A Global Theoretical Analysis

2026-01-08T23:46:36+00:00

Coastal oil spills generate complex environmental impacts that require increasingly specialized remediation strategies. This study presents a systematic review of the ten most significant oil spill events worldwide, analyzing the remediation techniques applied, their temporal evolution, and existing thematic gaps in the scientific literature. The search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science, applying clearly defined inclusion and exclusion criteria to obtain an adequate documentary corpus. The results indicate that scientific production is influenced by historical, technological, and institutional factors, and that remediation approaches have progressively shifted from predominantly physical methods toward more integrated biological strategies. However, several limitations persist, particularly the limited field validation of emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, electroremediation, and artificial intelligence. In addition, the need to assess the functional recovery of ecosystems after remediation processes is highlighted. The study proposes strategic directions for future research in hydrocarbon-impacted coastal environments.

Analysis of Food Policies and Their Impact on Obesity Levels in Ecuador

2026-01-10T23:47:26+00:00

This study analyzes the relationship between food policies in Ecuador and their impact on obesity levels. Through a literature review, the effectiveness of regulations such as the Organic Law on Food Sovereignty implemented in 2009 was examined. Although the country has robust legal frameworks, the findings indicate that food policy evaluation systems must be strengthened to properly recognize their effects on target populations. Likewise, limited knowledge of nutritional labeling and high consumption of ultra-processed products reduce the effectiveness of such policies. The study highlights the need to reinforce the implementation and monitoring of public policies and suggests a research-based health approach to promote adapted and sustainable interventions aimed at improving food environments in the country.

The Right to Health as a State Obligation Comparable to the Right to Life

2026-01-14T23:48:19+00:00

The present study is framed within the Sustainable Development Goal on Health and Well-Being and examines the right to health as an essential obligation of the State, intrinsically linked to the fundamental right to life. The research adopts a theoretical–empirical approach based on documentary analysis of legal and institutional frameworks, complemented by interviews with actors from the legal field. The findings reveal persistent structural and administrative gaps within health systems that limit effective access to timely, dignified, and quality health services. Additionally, deficiencies related to insufficient resources, systemic fragmentation, and shortcomings in healthcare provision negatively affect the population’s quality of life. These conditions, observable in both local and global contexts, hinder the effective guarantee of the right to health and, in critical scenarios, compromise the protection of the right to life.

Improving the Application of the Ishikawa Diagram Through the MindMaster Software

2026-01-26T23:52:28+00:00

The study analyzed the effect of using the MindMaster software on the design of the Ishikawa diagram among university students in the social sciences. A quantitative approach was applied using a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design with an experimental group and a control group. The sample consisted of 46 students equally distributed between both groups. Inferential analysis was conducted using non-parametric tests, specifically the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, due to the absence of normality in the dataset. The results showed statistically significant improvements in the experimental group in both the execution and quality of the final diagram, as well as in the overall design of the Ishikawa diagram. It is concluded that the integration of digital mind-mapping tools significantly enhances causal analysis and strengthens competencies associated with quality management in educational contexts.

Sanctions and Reparation in Judgments for Wildlife Crimes: A Descriptive Analysis with Institutional Triangulation

2026-01-23T23:52:02+00:00

The study assessed the coherence between the seriousness of wildlife crime offenses and the severity of judicial responses, while triangulating institutional perceptions. Five judgments issued between 2018 and 2020 were systematized and functional interviews were analyzed. Offending conduct, evidentiary elements, aggravating circumstances, penalties, fines, reparation, date, jurisdiction, and evidentiary observations were compared using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of categories (trafficked goods, affected species, and custody procedures). Three patterns were identified: predominance of bushmeat and anatomical parts over live animals; high variability in fines and in the definition of reparation; and recurrent deficiencies in the chain of custody and expert reports. The severity of sanctions revealed heterogeneity in relation to aggravating circumstances. A checklist is proposed to support proportionality in sanctioning and standardization in reparation. The comparative matrix used is replicable at the cantonal level and useful for future provincial comparisons.

Digital Tools and Belief Systems: Predictors of Competency-Based Assessment in Higher Mathematics Education

2026-01-25T23:49:22+00:00

Este trabajo consistió en analizar el impacto de las herramientas digitales docentes y su relación con el sistema de creencias asociado a la planificación y ejecución de la evaluación por competencias en el contexto de la enseñanza de la matemática en el nivel superior. Se desarrolló bajo el enfoque cuantitativo, diseño correlacional y de nivel descriptivo – explicativo. La muestra fue de 124 docentes, seleccionados en forma no probabilística. La técnica empleada para la recolección de datos fue la encuesta a través de tres cuestionarios ad hoc. Los resultados permiten afirmar que el factor relacionado con las herramientas digitales y las creencias de los docentes aporta significativa al planeamiento de la evaluación de la matemática en el nivel superior, aunque existe una variabilidad importante que permanece explicada por otros factores.

Effectiveness of the APA Strategy in French Reading Comprehension: A Pre-Experimental Study

2026-01-26T21:46:39+00:00

The study aimed to determine the level of achievement of French reading comprehension through the application of the Before, During, and After (\textit{Avant–Pendant–Après}, APA) strategy, considering its effects on the literal, inferential, and critical dimensions. A quantitative approach was adopted with a pre-experimental pretest and posttest design, applying a previously validated objective test of reading comprehension to a group of higher education students. Data analysis was carried out using the paired-samples Student's t-test. The results showed a positive and statistically significant improvement in overall reading comprehension, as well as in each of its dimensions. These findings confirm that this strategy can be considered an effective and relevant pedagogical tool to strengthen foreign-language reading comprehension in higher education contexts.

Hybrid Communities: Emerging Social Practices Between Virtual and Face-to-Face Interaction in Latin American Urban Contexts

2026-02-09T23:53:45+00:00

This study analyzes hybrid communities as emerging social configurations that integrate virtual and face-to-face practices in Latin American urban contexts. A quantitative approach using synthetic data was employed to examine the relationship between virtual interaction, in-person participation, digital--face-to-face integration, community cohesion, collective identity, and involvement. The results show moderate to high positive associations among the analyzed dimensions, highlighting the central role of digital--face-to-face integration and community cohesion in explaining involvement. Regression models confirm that community engagement emerges as an integrative construct resulting from the convergence of hybrid social practices, relational ties, and shared identity. This study provides empirical evidence to understand urban social dynamics in the digital era.

Emotional States and Academic Performance in Higher Education: An Educational Psychology Approach

2026-02-10T23:54:10+00:00

This study analyzed the relationship between emotional states and academic performance in higher education students from an educational psychology perspective. Using a quantitative design and synthetic data, academic emotions, affect, psychological distress, academic engagement, and burnout were assessed. Descriptive and correlational results showed positive associations between academic performance and adaptive emotions, positive affect, and academic engagement, as well as negative relationships with anxiety, boredom, and psychological distress. Hierarchical regression confirmed the incremental and significant contribution of different emotional and motivational domains in explaining academic performance. These findings highlight the importance of integrating emotional well-being into university training strategies.

Digital Emotional Capital: Social Media Interactions and Their Impact on the Construction of Prestige and Social Exclusion

2026-02-13T23:54:47+00:00

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between academic stress and emotional regulation in university students exposed to high-demand academic environments. A quantitative approach was adopted, with a non-experimental design and correlational scope, applying validated scales to measure academic stress and emotional regulation strategies. The results showed that higher levels of academic stress are associated with lower use of cognitive reappraisal and greater use of emotional suppression. These findings suggest that high academic demands promote more reactive emotional regulation styles, which may increase psychological strain. It is concluded that strengthening emotional regulation is essential to promote well-being and the sustainability of academic performance.