Introduction: The road connecting Alóag and Santo Domingo is one of the main routes linking Ecuador’s coastal and highland regions. It experiences frequent landslides due to geomorphological, climatic, and anthropogenic factors, while existing information is limited and outdated. In this context, geomatics and remote sensing enable the creation of up-to-date maps for identifying critical areas. Objectives: To spatially analyze landslide vulnerability along the Alóag–Santo Domingo Road during the period July 2024–June 2025, using geomatics to generate technical and specialized maps that enable the delineation of critical zones. Methodology: The study was conducted using a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design with a mixed-methods approach. Google Earth Engine was used to process and download remote sensing data (SRTM, CHIRPS, Sentinel-1, and Sentinel-2). The variables were normalized using fuzzy logic to perform a multi-criteria analysis and assess susceptibility, which was validated using statistical metrics such as the success rate and AUC. Results: The variables with the highest weights were slope, flow accumulation, and aspect, with an AHP consistency index of 0.04; validation metrics indicated an AUC of 0.82 and 85.71% of landslides concentrated in areas of high and exceedingly high susceptibility. Conclusions: The integration of geomatics, multi-criteria analysis, and fuzzy logic enables the creation of robust, reproducible, and updatable models for assessing vulnerability, providing a replicable methodology that strengthens preventive risk management. General Area of Study: Environment. Specific area of study: Risk and Natural Disaster Management. Type of study: Original article.

Introduction: a child's first language acquisition begins at birth and continues until puberty, and its importance encompasses cognitive, affective, social, and educational dimensions. During the first three years of a child's life, they are exposed to language in their environment. During this time, the child develops their language abilities. In this context, exposure means that children are physically immersed in a particular linguistic environment where they can continuously hear, interact, and communicate in that specific language. Objective: to analyze the development of oral language in 2–3-year-old infants from two educational institutions in Tungurahua: the "La Dolorosa" and "Capu Kids" Child Development Centers (CDIs). Methodology: this study employs a non-experimental, mixed-methods design. It is descriptive in scope, as it seeks to characterize and detail the components of oral language and associated factors. It is also cross-sectional since the instruments will be administered at a single point in time. Results: the results show that most children receive frequent language stimulation at home but still exhibit difficulties with speech clarity and some communicative behaviors, such as naming objects or initiating interactions. Teachers confirm that the educational environment contributes to these advances, although family support remains crucial. Conclusion: regarding the analysis of oral language development in 2–3-year-old infants, the results determined that children from the "La Dolorosa" and "Capu Kids" Early Childhood Development Centers (CDIs) show differences attributable to family, sociocultural, and educational factors that directly influence the rate of language acquisition. The institutions play a significant role in creating a structured communication environment, although active family participation remains essential for language progress. General Area of ​​Study: Education. Specific Area of ​​Study: Neurodevelopment. Type of Study: Original Article.

Introduction. This research is aimed at analyzing the urban rescue techniques employed by the Fire Department of the city of Latacunga, considering the diversity of emergencies that occur in the urban environment and the need to optimize intervention processes to strengthen public safety. Objective. to identify and evaluate the urban rescue techniques used in diverse types of emergencies, with the purpose of proposing optimization processes based on the results obtained from the research. Methodology. The study was conducted under a descriptive and comparative approach, through the collection Anda analysis of information related to intervention techniques applied in urban emergency scenarios. Criteria such as effectiveness, available resources, and operational performance of personnel were considered. Results. The expected results are based on a comparative analysis of the intervention techniques used in the urban area, identifying strengths and areas for improvement proposals are formulated to strengthen the operational capacities of the Latacunga Fire Department. Conclusion. The research shows high feasibility, as it makes use of available resources, promotes teamwork, and contributes to improving public safety. Likewise, it strengthens training capacity, interest in research among students and teachers, critical thinking, and the correct application of intervention techniques in real emergency contexts. General area of study. Safety sciences and risk management. Specific area of study. Urban rescue and fire protection. Type of article: Original article.

Introduction: the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is one of the main limitations in tomato cultivation, due to direct and indirect damage caused and the intensive use of chemical insecticides for its control. Objective: This research focuses on studying the biological control agents; Beauveria bassiana, Metharhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium lecanii, and Paecilomyces spp and their effect on the population density of Bemisia tabaci in tomato production as a sustainable and environmentally friendly strategy. Specifically, the aim is to determine the population behavior of the pest under different biological management schemes, as well as to analyze the performance and evaluate the economic impact associated with the different control alternatives. Methodology: Four biological treatments were evaluated along with a conventional treatment for comparison and an absolute control under field conditions. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement of a 6 × 4 repetitions was used, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and a Tukey test at the 5% significance level. Results: The results showed that biological treatments achieved a progressive and sustained reduction of the B. tabaci population, maintaining yields higher than the absolute control. Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium lecanii stood out, with densities of 8.25 and 9.50 individuals per treatment, respectively, followed by 2.11 and 2.74 nymphs per plant. Beauveria bassiana reached 79% efficacy, followed by Lecanicillium lecanii with 67%. Both treatments yielded 92 and 90 kg, respectively, representing the highest productive yield and resulting in favorable economic benefits, with a gross income of $70.00 and a net profit of $34.15. Conclusion: Entomopathogenic fungi are an effective and environmentally efficient tool for the integrated management of B. tabaci in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation, being fundamental to reducing the use of chemical insecticide and promoting agricultural sustainability. General Area of Study: Agricultural Sciences. Specific area of study: Agricultural Entomology and Integrated Pest Management (Plant Health). Type of study: Original article.

Introduction: Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine capable of solving symbolic and numerical mathematical problems, generating graphs, and demonstrating step-by-step procedures, integrating the potential of computational algebra systems into the teaching of university algebra. Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of the use of Wolfram Alpha on the conceptual understanding of mathematical content in university students of the online basic education career. Methodology: The work was based on a quasi-experimental methodology, where it was decided to work with two fourth-level parallels: a control group (n = 24), which received traditional teaching, and an experimental group (n = 19), which used Wolfram Alpha during a 60-minute class, applying pre-test and post-test tests of 10 minutes each. Data analysis was performed in SPSS (version 27) using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: The results show three main findings: (i) significant improvement in both groups from pre- to post-test (η² = 0.57), validating the training process; (ii) higher overall performance in the experimental group (η² = 0.31), confirming the effectiveness of Wolfram Alpha; and (iii) a content-differentiated effect (η² = 0.16), with a greater impact on equations and inequalities. Likewise, the interaction × group time (η² = 0.29) revealed that the tool amplified learning gains, especially in the most abstract contents. Conclusions: It is concluded that Wolfram Alpha is an effective pedagogical strategy to strengthen the conceptual understanding of mathematics in virtual university environments. General area of study: experimental sciences. Specific area of study: university mathematics. Type of item: original.

Introduction: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is cultivated across extensive altitudinal gradients in the Andean region of Ecuador, where environmental conditions and the crop's phenology influence the dynamics of the associated insect communities. However, in Ecuador, there is still limited research that comprehensively examines the combined effects of altitude and phenology on the structure of these communities within organic farming systems. Objective: to analyze how the altitudinal gradient and the phenological stages of quinoa affect the abundance, diversity, and functional composition of insects in the Chimborazo province. Methodology: twenty-two sites were sampled, distributed across three altitudinal zones (3156 to 3526 meters above sea level) over four phenological stages of the crop. Patterns of abundance, species richness, and functional roles were assessed, and community composition similarities were analyzed using cluster analysis and a heatmap based on the dominant insect families. Results: a total of 4041 individuals from various orders and families were collected, categorized according to their functional roles. The intermediate zone concentrated on the highest abundance and exhibited the greatest diversity values, while the high-altitude zone had less diverse communities with greater relative dominance. Throughout the crop cycle, the flowering and physiological maturity stages showed the highest levels of abundance and functional diversity, with notable coexistence of phytophagous insects and natural enemies. In contrast, the milky grain stage displayed a temporary decline in entomological activity. Conclusion: these results demonstrate that altitude and phenology serve as key structural factors in the insect community and provide ecological insights for designing integrated pest management strategies tailored to each altitudinal zone and crop stage. General Area of Study: Agriculture. Specific area of study: Plant Health. Type of study: Original articles.

Introduction: concrete carbonation is one of the main degradation mechanisms in reinforced concrete structures, especially in urban environments. Although extensively studied, this phenomenon still lacks integrative approaches that consider health, sustainability, and urban planning perspectives. Objective: to analyze the state of the art on concrete carbonation, including its mechanisms, structural effects, associated environmental variables, and research gaps, through a bibliometric and systematic review of indexed scientific literature. Methodology: bibliographic review with a quantitative-bibliometric approach. The R software and Bibliometrix package were used to identify trends, leading authors, countries, keywords, and thematic gaps in scientific publications related to concrete carbonation. Results: most research focuses on the physicochemical aspects of the phenomenon, with limited integration of urban variables, local regulations, public health concerns, and sustainability. Opportunities for interdisciplinary research were identified. Conclusion: concrete carbonation remains an active research topic. However, its study in real urban contexts and its connection with public policies, structural design, and urban resilience remains insufficient, revealing a relevant niche for future studies. General Area of Study: Engineering. Specific area of study: Construction materials / Structural pathology. Type of study: Review article.

Introduction. The integration of digital technologies in education generated the need to strengthen students’ digital competencies from the initial stages of learning. In this context, the development of skills related to the use of office tools has become a key element for improving learning processes and enhancing academic performance in basic education. Objective. To evaluate the effect of a didactic strategy aimed at strengthening digital competencies in office tools among basic education students. Methodology. The research followed a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental pretest–post test design applied to a group of students from a public educational institution in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. Data was collected through a digital competence assessment instrument administered before and after the pedagogical intervention. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. The results showed a significant improvement in students’ performance levels in the use of office tools, reflected in the increase in posttest scores compared to the pretest results. Conclusion. It is concluded that the implementation of teaching strategies based on practical and collaborative activities promotes the development of digital competencies and strengthens the teaching–learning process in basic education. General area of study: Education
Specific area of study: Digital education and digital competencies
Type of study: Original article.