Designing an Ontology to Describe Ecological Cycling Routes within the Province of Tungurahua

Tourism, a significant industry worldwide, has allowed for economic, social, and cultural development in rural areas because of all the advantages it offers to tourists. Ecuador is a country that presents a wide range of alternatives in the tourist field allowing a massive tourist influx to many of its destinations such as indigenous communities, natural reserves, and tourist, ecological, and volcanic routes. Most importantly, Ecuador encourages the conservation of the diversity resulting from such influx. The objective of this research is to design an ontology which facilitates a description of the bicycle tourist routes in the province of Tungurahua, and specifically in the city of Ambato. Apart from route descriptions, this ontology gives information about the flora and fauna and places of interest such as inns, hotels, and restaurants that can be found along this route. This ontology was developed based on the application and enforcement of semantic web technologies. That being said, all the described information is attached to an RDF vocabulary and it can be accessed using SPARQL. Therefore, information that is semantically described in an organized and standardized manner is available in order to allow for interoperability with other existing data sources. As for the development of the ontology, the methodology used was an open code software known as “protégé”. The OWL (Ontology Web Language) was also used as marked language and RDFS for the description of the employed vocabulary

The Iconographic Method Applied in the Design of Products with Cultural Demostration in the Creation of the Tourist Destination

The popular festivity known as Corpus Cristi is a clear manifestation of culture in Ecuador. It is considered a crosscultural expression of the cosmovision and iconographic symbolism of religious fusion making an evident imaginary connotation of the population. Where evident, catholics are of a vernacular world and end up being a praise in honor of the favors received from the Body of Christ and the indigenous roots of spirituality. It represents gratitude for the successful harvests obtained in the year by the Pachamama and Taita Inti. The present study aims to provide furnishings with designs of this festival, the park 13 de abril in Pujilí, which is also commonly known by locals as the Danzante Park. The methodology used was an analysis of the artistic projects developed by Panofsky where the work is reinterpreted from a designer perspective. This method is used to propose a method of extracting the iconographic and iconological elements of cultural demonstrations resulting in the innovation of the canton. Taking advantage of the values and cultural heritage of the nation and showcasing its aesthetics, a greater flow of visitors to the area is ensured as well as the dynamics of the local economy

Factores de riesgo psicosocial en docentes universitarios

The psychosocial factors constitute a fundamental axis of the effects that work has on people’s lives. The present research applied the adaptation and validation of the “CoPsoQIstas 21” (short version) in the Ecuadorian environment. It was applied to 435 university professors to identify the level of psychosocial affectation that they are exposed in their context. The results showed that 72% of the participating teachers were located at a high level of exposure.Los factores psicosociales constituyen un eje fundamental de los efectos que el trabajo tiene en la vida de las personas. La presente investigación aplicó la adaptación y validación de la "CoPsoQ-Istas 21" (versión corta) en el entorno ecuatoriano. Se aplicó a 435 profesores universitarios para identificar el nivel de afectación psicosocial que están expuestos en su contexto. Los resultados mostraron que el 72% de los profesores participantes estaban ubicados en un alto nivel de exposición.Fil: Heredia Gálvez, Sonnia A.. Universidad Técnica de Ambato; EcuadorFil: Morales Gómez, María Fernanda. Universidad de los Andes; ColombiaFil: Infante Paredes, Ruth. Universidad Técnica de Ambato; EcuadorFil: Sánchez Guerrero, Daniel. Universidad Técnica de Ambato; EcuadorFil: Páez Quinde, Cristina. Universidad Técnica de Ambato; EcuadorFil: Gabini, Sebastián Manuel. Universidad Abierta Interamericana; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Humanidades y Artes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentin

Promoting the English language learning through the use of effective andragogical strategies

Introducción. Este trabajo de investigación implementó estrategias andragógicas para el aprendizaje del inglés en docentes de la Unidad Educativa “El Oro” de la ciudad de Ambato. Objetivo. Promover el aprendizaje del idioma inglés mediante el uso de estrategias andragógicas efectivas. Metodología. En esta investigación cuasiexperimental, la misma se ejecutó con la participación de 30 docentes (adultos) de diferentes áreas, quienes estaban automotivados para aprender y ayudarse mutuamente con el fin de actualizar su conocimiento del inglés. Se trabajó con dos grupos de la población objeto de estudio. Ambos grupos conformados por 15 docentes. El grupo experimental fue tratado con una propuesta de intervención que contenía estrategias andragógicas, tales como: la discusión, análisis, elaboración de proyecto, simulación, demostraciones y resolución de problemas; las que tenían una serie de tareas con enfoque comunicativo a través de la Plataforma Zoom a causa de la pandemia COVID-19. En cambio, el grupo control trabajó con actividades en línea quienes tenían documentos para llenar ejercicios gramaticales. Resultados. Ambos grupos respondieron a dos exámenes: el primero fue el pretest, antes de la intervención y el segundo o post-test después de la misma. Las medias de los dos exámenes fueron comparadas en el pretest y se evidenció que los dos grupos tenían un nivel bajo de inglés. En cambio, en el post-test, las medias de los dos grupos presentaron una notable diferencia por cuanto el grupo experimental, demostró una mejora considerable. Conclusión. Determina que las estrategias andragógicas ayudaron a los docentes a mejorar su aprendizaje del inglés. Se concluye que es de suma importancia la aplicación de estrategias andragógicas para mejorar su calidad profesional.Introduction. This research work implemented andragogical strategies for English learning in teachers of the Educational Unit "El Oro" in Ambato. Objective. Promote the English language learning through the use effective andragogical strategies. Methodology. It was used quasi-experimental research; it was executed with 30 teachers (adults) from different areas who were motivated to learn and help each other to update their knowledge of English. We worked with two groups of the population under study. Both groups were made up of 15 teachers. The experimental group was treated with an intervention proposal containing andragogical strategies, such as discussion, analysis, project elaboration, simulation, demonstrations, and problem solving, which had a series of tasks with a communicative approach through the Zoom Platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the control group worked with online activities who had documents to fill grammar exercises. Both groups responded two tests: the first was taken before the intervention and the second or post-test after it. Results. The means of the two exams were compared in the pre-test and it was evidenced that the two groups of teachers had a low level of English. On the other hand, in the post-test, that is, after the intervention, the means of the two groups showed significant difference, since the experimental group experienced a considerable improvement. Conclusion. In this way, it was determined that the use of andragogic strategies helped teachers to improve their learning of the English language. Therefore, it is recommended to apply andragogic strategies for better teachers’ learning and thus, to improve their professional quality

El diseño curricular, una herramienta para el logro educativo / Curriculum design, a tool for educational achievement

The purpose of writing this article is to demonstrate the impact of the development of a correct curricular design as a structural tool in the educational teaching process. The importance of the management and application of educational processes understood as methodologies, strategies and teaching techniques are an initial part of this work; It also highlights the need to improve educational quality in institutional systems, through teaching practice with updated resources and according to the management and compliance of objectives and programmatic content in the classroom. The different educational models are then stressed, from which an educational system is structured, which in its essence should seek the application of teaching processes as methodological strategies, application of resources with a critical and proactive development approach and with the use of technological tools that facilitate this educational process. The current role of the teacher and the role played by the student are a fundamental part of the research carried out, which indicates the updating and educational reform that has been implemented as a global policy for the advancement and development of education.La finalidad de redactar este artículo es evidenciar la incidencia que tiene la elaboración de un correcto diseño curricular como herramienta estructural en el proceso de enseñanza educativa. La importancia del manejo y aplicación de procesos educativos entendidos como metodologías, estrategias y técnicas de enseñanza forman parte inicial del presente trabajo; además se pone de manifiesto la necesidad del mejoramiento de la calidad educativa en los sistemas institucionales, a través de la práctica docente con recursos actualizados y acorde al manejo y cumplimiento de objetivos y contenidos programáticos en el aula de clase. Se recalcan posteriormente los diferentes modelos educativos de los cuales se va estructurando un sistema educativo que en su esencia debe procurar la aplicación de procesos de enseñanza como estrategias metodológicas, aplicación de recursos con un enfoque de desarrollo crítico y propositivo y con el uso de herramientas tecnológicas que faciliten dicho proceso educativo. El papel que tiene actualmente el docente y el rol que cumple el estudiante forman parte fundamental de la investigación realizada, con lo cual se señala la actualización y reforma educativa que se viene implementando como política mundial para el adelanto y desarrollo de la educación

The use of literature in efl classrooms in order to increase vocabulary with students at seventh year at the "Centro educativo biligue internacional C.E.B.I."

1. Literature review. 2. Methodology. 3. Analysis and interpretation of results. 4. Samples of proposed materials. 5. Conclusions and recommendationsLa presente tesis tiene como objetivo ayudar a los alumnos a mejorar su vocabulario por medio del uso de la literatura. Esta es una investigación experimental porque se ha seguido un proceso y se han hecho observaciones para analizar la información obtenida durante este estudio. Además se aplicó un método científico a través del uso de la Prueba T que ha validado los resultados con nivel de significancia del 97,5%. Este resultado se ha obtenido gracias a la aplicación de técnicas de vocabulario como: Órdenes, uso de objetos reales, uso de diccionarios, mostrando el significado de palabras, y observación al texto. Finalmente, la hipótesis nula (La literatura no mejoro el aumento de vocabulario en los estudiantes del séptimo año B del Centro educativo Bilingüe Internacional C.E.B.I.) no comprobó y la hipótesis planteada en el estudio se ratificóPontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Escuela de Lenguas y LingüísticaLicenciatura en Lingüística aplicada a la enseñanza del idioma inglé

Drama as a tool teach English

1. Introduction to drama 2. Drama techniques/activities 3. Conclusions and RecommendationsThis reserch work aims to point out new drama techniques that may became communicative and innovative tools for ESP and EFL teachers. Besides, it makes emphasis on the benefits and struggles that not only techers but atudents can face when applying these Drama Techniques. This study also mentions the teacher's and atudent's role through the teaching-learning process by using Drama techniques. It explains the process of Drama that will serve as a guide with its phases in order to give a clear idea about this process.Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Escuela de Lenguas y LingüísticaDiploma Superior en Metodologías Comunicativas del Idioma Inglé

El diseño curricular, una herramienta para el logro educativo

The purpose of writing this article is to show the impact that has the correct development of a curriculum as a structural tool in the teaching educational process. The importance of managing and implementing educational processes understood as methodologies, strategies and teaching techniques are part of this work. Then focus the need for improvement of educational quality institutional systems, through teaching practice and consistent with the current management, compliance objectives and program content in the classroom resources. Different educational models which will structure an educational system that essentially must ensure the implementation of teaching process with a focus on critical and purposeful development and the use of technological tools that facilitate the educational process later. The role currently held by the teacher and the role played by the student is a fundamental part of the investigation, thus updating and educational reform is being implemented as a global policy for the advancement and development of education.La finalidad de redactar este artículo es evidenciar la incidencia que tiene la elaboración de un correcto diseño curricular como herramienta estructural en el proceso de enseñanza educativa. La importancia del manejo y aplicación de procesos educativos entendidos como metodologías, estrategias y técnicas de enseñanza forman parte inicial del presente trabajo; además se pone de manifiesto la necesidad del mejoramiento de la calidad educativa en los sistemas institucionales, a través de la práctica docente con recursos actualizados y acorde al manejo y cumplimiento de objetivos y contenidos programáticos en el aula de clase. Se recalcan posteriormente los diferentes modelos educativos de los cuales se va estructurando un sistema educativo que en su esencia debe procurar la aplicación de procesos de enseñanza como estrategias metodológicas, aplicación de recursos con un enfoque de desarrollo crítico y propositivo y con el uso de herramientas tecnológicas que faciliten dicho proceso educativo. El papel que tiene actualmente el docente y el rol que cumple el estudiante forman parte fundamental de la investigación realizada, con lo cual se señala la actualización y reforma educativa que se viene implementando como política mundial para el adelanto y desarrollo de la educación

At-admission prediction of mortality and pulmonary embolism in an international cohort of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 using statistical and machine learning methods

By September 2022, more than 600 million cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported globally, resulting in over 6.5 million deaths. COVID-19 mortality risk estimators are often, however, developed with small unrepresentative samples and with methodological limitations. It is highly important to develop predictive tools for pulmonary embolism (PE) in COVID-19 patients as one of the most severe preventable complications of COVID-19. Early recognition can help provide life-saving targeted anti-coagulation therapy right at admission. Using a dataset of more than 800,000 COVID-19 patients from an international cohort, we propose a cost-sensitive gradient-boosted machine learning model that predicts occurrence of PE and death at admission. Logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards models, and Shapley values were used to identify key predictors for PE and death. Our prediction model had a test AUROC of 75.9% and 74.2%, and sensitivities of 67.5% and 72.7% for PE and all-cause mortality respectively on a highly diverse and held-out test set. The PE prediction model was also evaluated on patients in UK and Spain separately with test results of 74.5% AUROC, 63.5% sensitivity and 78.9% AUROC, 95.7% sensitivity. Age, sex, region of admission, comorbidities (chronic cardiac and pulmonary disease, dementia, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, obesity, smoking), and symptoms (any, confusion, chest pain, fatigue, headache, fever, muscle or joint pain, shortness of breath) were the most important clinical predictors at admission. Age, overall presence of symptoms, shortness of breath, and hypertension were found to be key predictors for PE using our extreme gradient boosted model. This analysis based on the, until now, largest global dataset for this set of problems can inform hospital prioritisation policy and guide long term clinical research and decision-making for COVID-19 patients globally. Our machine learning model developed from an international cohort can serve to better regulate hospital risk prioritisation of at-risk patients

ISARIC-COVID-19 dataset: A Prospective, Standardized, Global Dataset of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

The International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) COVID-19 dataset is one of the largest international databases of prospectively collected clinical data on people hospitalized with COVID-19. This dataset was compiled during the COVID-19 pandemic by a network of hospitals that collect data using the ISARIC-World Health Organization Clinical Characterization Protocol and data tools. The database includes data from more than 705,000 patients, collected in more than 60 countries and 1,500 centres worldwide. Patient data are available from acute hospital admissions with COVID-19 and outpatient follow-ups. The data include signs and symptoms, pre-existing comorbidities, vital signs, chronic and acute treatments, complications, dates of hospitalization and discharge, mortality, viral strains, vaccination status, and other data. Here, we present the dataset characteristics, explain its architecture and how to gain access, and provide tools to facilitate its use