Search Results (158)

Electric mobility is emerging as a crucial solution to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impact. In Ecuador, the transportation sector significantly contributes to CO₂ emissions. However, the transition to electric vehicles faces several challenges, including high initial costs, insufficient charging infrastructure, and limited battery range. This highlights the need for effective public policies and local economic incentives. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of electric mobility in Andean regions, with a particular focus on Ecuador. It employs a systematic literature review (SLR) adapted from Kitchenham’s methodology, incorporating a multicriteria hierarchical analysis to rank journals according to their relevance. The goal is to assess the growth, implementation, and limitations of electric mobility in Andean countries. Three key research questions are addressed: (i) What are the benefits associated with the transition to electric transportation in Andean countries, with a special focus on Ecuador? (ii) What are the current challenges in transitioning to electric mobility? (iii) What recent public policies are promoting electric transportation? The analysis reveals that the transition to electric mobility could significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, it faces notable challenges due to the insufficient demand for studies in electromobility plans and methodologies for defining charging points. The SLR includes a review of over 90 articles published in high-impact journals over the past six years, providing a solid foundation for decision-making in the current landscape and suggesting strategies to overcome the obstacles faced by government institutions. Finally, the study presents the reality of an installed charging infrastructure in Ecuador and the development of electric mobility in the region. Full article

Banana (Musa spp.) crops face severe yield and economic losses due to foliar diseases such as Moko disease and Black Sigatoka. In Ecuador, Moko outbreaks have increasingly devastated banana plantations, threatening one of the country’s most important export commodities and putting significant pressure on local producers and the national economy. Traditional field inspection methods are labor-intensive, subjective, and often ineffective for timely disease detection and containment. In this study, we propose an improved deep learning-based segmentation approach using YOLOv8 architectures to automatically detect and segment Moko and Black Sigatoka infections from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. Multiple YOLOv8 configurations were systematically analyzed and compared, including variations in backbone depth, model size, and hyperparameter tuning, to identify the most robust setup for field conditions. The final optimized configuration achieved a mean precision of 79.6%, recall of 80.3%, mAP@0.5 of 84.9%, and mAP@0.5:0.95 of 62.9%. The experimental results demonstrate that the improved YOLOv8 segmentation model significantly outperforms previous classification-based methods, offering precise instance-level localization of disease symptoms. This study provides a solid foundation for developing UAV-based automated monitoring pipelines, contributing to more efficient, objective, and scalable disease management strategies. Full article

The construction of prefabricated concrete houses in Ecuador poses significant challenges in terms of environmental and social sustainability, amid growing housing demand and the urgent need to mitigate adverse impacts associated with the construction processes and materials. In particular, the lack of a comprehensive assessment of these impacts limits the development of effective strategies to improve the sustainability of the sector. In addition, in rural areas, the design of flexible and adapted solutions is required, as evidenced by recent studies in the Andean area. This study conducts a comprehensive assessment of the impacts and sustainability indicators for prefabricated concrete houses, employing international certification systems such as LEED, BREEAM, and VERDE, to validate various relevant environmental and social indicators. The methodology used is the Hierarchical Analytical Process (AHP), which facilitates the prioritization of impacts through paired comparisons, establishing priorities for decision-making. Hydrological, soil, faunal, floral, and socioeconomic aspects are evaluated in a regional context. The results reveal that the most critical environmental impacts in Ecuador are climate change (28.77%), water depletion (13.73%) and loss of human health (19.17%), generation of non-hazardous waste 8.40%, changes in biodiversity 5%, extraction of mineral resources 12.07%, financial risks 5.33%, loss of aquatic life 4.67%, and loss of fertility 3%, as derived from hierarchical and standardization matrices. Despite being grounded in a literature review and being constrained due to the scarcity of previous projects in the country, this research provides a useful framework for the environmental evaluation and planning of prefabricated housing. To conclude, this study enhances existing methodologies of environmental assessment techniques and practices in the construction of precast concrete and promotes the development of sustainable and socially responsible housing in Ecuador. Full article

Road infrastructure plays a crucial role in economic development across Latin America, yet outdated design standards in Ecuador compromise both safety and efficiency. Despite a national road network exceeding 61,000 km, Ecuador’s geometric design guidelines have not been formally updated since 2003 and fail to reflect recent changes in vehicle configurations or driver characteristics. This study proposes a data-driven methodology to update two key geometric parameters: vehicle dimensions and driver eye height. A database of 1170 vehicles across 36 categories was developed using 2023 registration records and technical specifications. Driver eye height was estimated using two complementary approaches: (1) combining vehicle seat height and ground clearance data with Ecuador-specific anthropometric measurements from the country’s five main ethnic groups, and (2) virtually assigning anthropometric profiles to the national fleet. The results show that the average eye height of light vehicle drivers is approximately 0.95 m, which is lower than the current design standards in Ecuador (1.15 m) and AASHTO (1.08 m). Estimates for heavy vehicles are also lower (1.70 m versus 2.0 and 2.4 m, respectively). These findings reveal a mismatch between the current design assumptions and real-world conditions. The proposed framework is scalable and replicable, supporting the modernization of road design standards in Ecuador and other Latin American countries. Full article

Background: Hansen’s disease or leprosy is one of the 21 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In Ecuador, leprosy is considered eliminated as a public health problem; however, new cases are reported annually. Additionally, Mycobacterium leprae infection was detected in nine-banded armadillos across the country, suggesting a potential zoonotic reservoir. This literature review aims to provide an updated overview of the epidemiological situation of leprosy in Ecuador, identify knowledge gaps, and outline research priorities to support the development of a comprehensive national strategy for achieving zero autochthonous cases. Methods: This article analyses the current situation of leprosy in Ecuador based on international and national publications. A retrospective literature search using five international, regional, and national publications on leprosy published between 1954 and 2024 (70 years) with no restriction on language or publication date, was performed. Findings: Our review identified 28 publications with the earliest article dating back to 1954. Of these, 14 were published in international journals, 15 (53.6%) were in Spanish. Four nationwide studies documented leprosy cases across Ecuador’s three continental regions (Coast, Andes, and Amazon) with a predominance in the tropical coast. No cases have been reported from the Galápagos Islands. From 1983, Ecuador started multi-drug therapy. Data from the Ministry of Public Health (MoH) system identified 1539 incident cases, showing a significant decline in new cases from 2000 to 2024, with no cases in children. New cases detection rate by 100,000 inhabitants was 0.51 in 2019 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). No study has genotyped the Mycobacterium spp. in human cases, other animal species, or environment. According to the MoH, multibacillary leprosy accounts for 78.95% of diagnosed cases, with confirmation based on Ziehl–Neelsen staining and histopathology. No survey has assessed disabilities, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) or stigma related to leprosy. Research is needed on transmission routes, Mycobacterium genotyping, genetic susceptibility, and antibiotic resistance. BCG vaccination coverage fell to 75.3% in 2021. Cases are currently diagnosed and treated on an outpatient basis in large hospitals. Conclusions: This comprehensive review highlights persistent gaps in leprosy research and critical information, despite seven decades of documented cases in Ecuador. The disease is still endemic across the country, particularly at subnational level in the subtropics and tropics of the Pacific coast and the Amazon. There is a need for nationwide epidemiological research on reservoirs and the environment applying the One Health concept. Increased laboratory facilities and readily available official data are required to improve our understanding of leprosy in Ecuador. Strengthening community-level efforts is essential for Ecuador to meet the targets of the “WHO’s Towards Zero Leprosy: Strategy 2021–2030.” Full article

The instability of the energy supply, growing demand and the need to reduce carbon emissions are priority challenges in developing countries such as Ecuador, where power outages affect productivity and generate economic losses. Therefore, solar energy is positioned as a sustainable alternative. The objective of this study is to evaluate a pilot photovoltaic (PV) system for residential housing in coastal areas in the Santa Elena province, Ecuador. The methodology included the following: (i) criteria for the selection of three representative residential housings; (ii) design of a distributed generation system using PVsyst software; and (iii) proposal of strategic guidelines for the design of PV systems. This proposed system proved to be environmentally friendly, achieving reductions of between 16.4 and 32 tonnes of CO₂ in the first 10 years. A return on investment (ROI) of 16 years was achieved for the low-demand (L) scenario, with 4 years for the medium-demand (M) scenario and 2 years for the high-demand (H) scenario. The sensitivity analysis showed that the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) is more variable in the L scenario, requiring more efficient designs. It is proposed to diversify the Ecuadorian energy matrix through self-supply PV systems, which would reduce electricity costs by 6% of consumption (L scenario), 30% (M scenario), and 100% (H scenario). Although generation is concentrated during the day, the net metering scheme enables compensation for nighttime consumption without the need for batteries, thereby improving the system’s profitability. The high solar potential and high tariffs make the adoption of sustainable energy solutions a justifiable choice. Full article

Cataracts remain one of the leading causes of reversible blindness in low- and middle-income countries such as Ecuador. This study assessed the efficacy of Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) and analyzed sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with postoperative visual outcomes. A retrospective multicenter analysis was conducted across six ophthalmology clinics along the Ecuadorian coast between 2023 and 2024, including 558 patients aged 30 years or older. Postoperative visual acuity, measured using the LogMAR scale, improved significantly (mean improvement of 0.525 LogMAR units in the right eye (OD) and 0.489 LogMAR units in the left eye; p < 0.001). Ages between 60 and 69 years were associated with better outcomes in the right eye, while male sex was a protective factor against poor visual acuity in the left eye. Although diabetes mellitus and hypertension were prevalent, neither condition showed a significant association with postoperative visual outcomes. The findings confirm that SICS is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient surgical approach for restoring vision in resource-limited settings, supporting its inclusion in national public health strategies to reduce avoidable blindness in developing countries. Full article

This study examines the relationship between fear of failure, entrepreneurial passion, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy among university business students from four emerging Latin American economies: Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. This research addresses the need to understand the psychological factors that influence entrepreneurship, particularly in developing economies. Using non-probability convenience sampling, surveys were distributed between June 2021 and August 2022, and 961 valid responses were obtained. Scales from renowned researchers were used, which were translated and semantically validated in Spanish to measure the three variables. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with PLS. The overall results reveal that fear of failure negatively affects entrepreneurial passion, while entrepreneurial passion has a positive and significant relationship with entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Furthermore, entrepreneurial passion has a positive and significant relationship with fear of failure and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, with substantial differences between countries. Gender differences were also identified: in women, all relationships in the model were significant, while in men, the direct effect of fear of failure on entrepreneurial self-efficacy did not reach statistical significance. These findings contribute to the entrepreneurship literature by demonstrating that the relationship between these psychological variables varies by context (country) and gender, contradicting the notion of a universal effect. Full article

The rapid increase in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) creates major environmental and governance issues in developing countries like Ecuador struggle because they with minimal formal collection and recycling rates. This research presents a potential sustainable management approach that tracks products through their life cycles while following circular economy principles that include product extension and material extraction and waste minimization. A systematic literature review (SLR) using the PRISMA methodology combined with a bibliometric analysis found essential global strategies and technological frameworks and regulatory frameworks. The analysis of articles demonstrates that information management systems (IMSs) together with digital technologies and consistent regulations serve as essential elements for enhancing traceability and material recovery and formal recycling processes. A WEEE management IMS model was developed for the Ecuadorian market through an analysis of the findings; it follows a five-stage development process, starting from the technological infrastructure setup to complete data visualization integration. The proposed model is designed to enable public–private–community partnerships using digital tools that promote sustainable practices. The combination of circular strategies with traceability technologies and strong regulatory frameworks leads to improved WEEE governance, which supports sustainable system transitions in emerging economies. Full article

This study investigates how three technical factors—steering wheel tilt, torque, and cabin vibration frequency—affect driver posture. Heavy-truck drivers often suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), mainly due to poor cabin ergonomics and prolonged postures during work. In countries like Ecuador, making major structural changes to cabin design is not feasible. These factors were identified through video analysis and surveys from drivers at two Ecuadorian trucking companies. An experimental system was developed using a simplified cabin to control these variables, while posture and muscle activity were recorded in 16 participants using motion capture, inertial sensors, and electromyography (EMG) on the upper trapezius, middle trapezius, triceps brachii, quadriceps muscle, and gastrocnemius muscle. The test protocol simulated key truck-driving tasks. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (${\displaystyle p<0.05}$), with technical factors and mass index as independent variables, and posture metrics as dependent variables. Results showed that head mass index significantly affected head abduction–adduction (${\displaystyle -}$8.12 to ${\displaystyle -}$2.18°), and spine mass index influenced spine flexion–extension (${\displaystyle -}$0.38 to 6.99°). Among technical factors, steering wheel tilt impacted trunk flexion–extension (${\displaystyle -}$13.56 to 16.99°) and arm rotation (${\displaystyle -}$31.1 to 19.7°). Steering wheel torque affected arm rotation (${\displaystyle -}$30.49 to ${\displaystyle -}$6.77°), while vibration frequency influenced forearm flexion–extension (3.76 to 16.51°). EMG signals showed little variation between muscles, likely due to the protocol’s short duration. These findings offer quantitative support for improving cabin ergonomics in low-resource settings through targeted, cost-effective design changes. Full article

Agroecology has traditionally been implemented using conventional methods. However, the integration of precision equipment, advanced methodologies, and digital technologies (DT) is now essential for transitioning to a more modern and efficient approach. While agroecological principles remain fundamental for planning and managing sustainable food systems by optimizing natural resources, technological tools can significantly support their implementation and adoption by farmers. This transition, however, must also consider socioeconomic factors and policy frameworks to ensure that technological advancements lead to meaningful improvements in farms and agroecosystems. Across both industrialized and emerging economies, various initiatives, such as precision agriculture, digital platforms, and e-commerce, are driving the digitalization of agroecology. These innovations offer clear benefits, including enhanced knowledge generation and direct improvements to the food supply chain; however, several barriers remain, including limited understanding of digital tools, high-energy demands, insufficient financial resources, economical constrains, weak policy support, lack of infrastructure, low digital learning by framers, etc. to facilitate the transition. This review looks for the understanding of how digitalization can align or conflict with local agroecological dynamics across distinct political frameworks and reality contexts because the information about DT adoption in agroecological practices is limited and it remains unclear if digital agriculture for scaling agroecology can considerably change power dynamics within the productive systems in regions of Europe and Latin America. In South America, among countries like Ecuador, with strong potential for agroecological development, where 60% of farms are less than 1 ha, and where farmers have expressed interest in agroecological practices, 80% have reported lacking sufficient information to make the transition to digitalization, making slow the adoption progress of these DT. While agroecology is gaining global recognition, its modernization through DT requires further research in technical, social, economic, cultural, and political dimensions to more guide the adoption of DT in agroecology with more certainty. Full article

This study evaluated the pollutant removal efficiency of two decentralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the high-altitude southern Andes of Ecuador, Acchayacu and Churuguzo, from 2015 to 2024. Acchayacu previously operated using an upflow anaerobic filter (UAF), and from 2021, it transitioned to using vertical-subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (VSSF-CWs). In contrast, Churuguzo employs surface-flow constructed wetlands (SF-CWs). These systems were assessed based on parameters such as the five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus, organic nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total solids, fecal coliforms (TTCs), and total coliforms (TCs). The data were divided into two subperiods to account for the change in technology in Acchayacu. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether significant differences existed between the treatment efficiencies of these technologies, and the SF-CW was found to consistently outperform both the UAF and VSSF-CW in removing organic matter and microbial pollutants. This difference is likely attributed to the longer hydraulic retention time, lower hydraulic loading rate, and vegetation type. The findings highlight the environmental implications of treatment technology selection in WWTPs, particularly regarding the quality of receiving water bodies and their potential applications for public health, proper water resource management, and the design of decentralized systems in high-altitude regions, especially in developing countries. Full article

This research analyzes the digital readiness of Latin American countries by assessing the following key factors: digital infrastructure, human capital, internet use, adoption of digital technology by businesses, and digital government services. These factors are critical to the development of digital technology in the region. The analysis identifies countries that are leaders in digital development (Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina), countries with an average level of digital technology development (Peru, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Panama, and the Dominican Republic), and those with slower progress (Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Cuba, and Nicaragua). Based on this assessment, the study proposes and evaluates positive, negative, and neutral scenarios for the future of digital technology in Latin America over the next five years. The study concludes that a neutral scenario is the most likely, suggesting that, while advanced countries will maintain stable growth, lagging countries will experience accelerated, albeit still moderate, digitalization. This has key implications for regional competitiveness and digital inclusion. The study used methods of analysis, synthesis, classification, grouping, statistics, indexing, and scoring. This study uses the most recent data available (2022–2024) to provide an updated and comprehensive assessment of digital transformation in Latin America, reflecting post-pandemic dynamics and emerging digital trends such as AI and fintech growth. Full article

This study develops a comprehensive roadmap for Ecuador’s energy transition using a hybrid governance model that balances top–down and bottom–up approaches. By integrating national directives with local participation, this framework aims to enhance energy consumption and drive sustainable transitions. This research employs a mixed methodology, combining bibliometric analysis and governance structure assessment to evaluate Ecuador’s centralized energy system and its challenges. A three-phase strategy is proposed: Phase 1 introduces short-term interventions such as efficiency improvements and public awareness campaigns. Phase 2 focuses on decentralization, fostering local renewable energy production and community involvement. Phase 3 envisions a fully decentralized system where local entities operate autonomously within a supportive regulatory framework. The central research question is, how can a balanced governance framework foster sustainable ECB in Ecuador? By aligning national policies with local needs, this approach enhances policy adaptability, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability. Anticipated outcomes include improved energy efficiency, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and increased community engagement in decision making. The findings contribute to global discussions on energy governance, demonstrating how hybrid models can facilitate sustainable energy transitions, particularly in developing countries with historically centralized systems. Full article

This study examines the relationship between banking sector development (credit and deposits) and economic growth in Ecuador, using quarterly data for the period 2000–2022. An ARDL approach with Bound Test cointegration is employed, incorporating structural breaks using the Bai–Perron test and controlling for macroeconomic shocks. In addition, time transformation methodologies are applied to harmonize the frequency of the series: the monthlyization of GDP is performed using the Chow-Lin method, and the imputation of missing unemployment data using the Kalman filter. The results reveal a significant long-run elasticity between bank deposits and GDP (0.45%), while credits do not present a statistically significant effect, possibly due to high delinquency and institutional weakness. Granger causality tests confirm a unidirectional relationship between banking variables to economic growth. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening financial supervision and improving institutional quality to enhance the effect of bank intermediation. The study provides robust and contextualized empirical evidence relevant to resource-dependent economies with concentrated financial systems, contributing to the debate on the relationship between finance and growth in developing countries. Full article