ABSTRACT Age of onset has been reported as a crucial predictor for alcohol consumption in adolescence. However, several authors have warned against it as an unreliable artefact accounted by the tendency to delay age of onset as respondents’ age increases (forward telescoping). This study aims to test whether age of onset is either a proxy for age or a predictor of alcohol consumption of its own. A hierarchical regression model and Process Macro for SPSS were used to test the effect of age of onset (controlling for age) on alcohol consumption and the mediating/moderator role of age of onset, parental control, and sex on alcohol consumption, respectively. Results support the role of age of onset as a significant predictor of alcohol consumption in Ecuadorian adolescents, rather than an artefact. Furthermore, age of onset completely mediated the effect of age on alcohol consumption, often moderated by sex. Practical implications are further discussed.

RESUMEN La edad de inicio se ha señalado como un predictor crucial del consumo de alcohol en la adolescencia. Sin embargo, varios autores han advertido que se trata de un artefacto poco fiable que se explica por la tendencia a retrasar la edad de inicio a medida que aumenta la edad de los encuestados (forward telescoping o sesgo de memoria). Este estudio pretende comprobar si la edad de inicio es una medida aproximativa de la edad o un predictor del consumo de alcohol por sí mismo. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión jerárquica y la Macro Process para SPSS para probar el efecto de la edad de inicio (controlando la edad) en el consumo de alcohol y el papel mediador/moderador de la edad de inicio, el control parental y el sexo en el consumo de alcohol, respectivamente. Los resultados confirman el papel de la edad de inicio como predictor significativo del consumo de alcohol en los adolescentes ecuatorianos en lugar de artefacto. Además, la edad de inicio medió completamente el efecto de la edad en el consumo de alcohol, con frecuencia moderado por el sexo. Se discuten posteriormente las implicaciones prácticas.

In this work the influence of pre-treatment cleaning processes in the adhesion of TiN films deposited by the plasma based ion implantation and deposition (PBII&D) process over plasma nitrided AISI 316L stainless steel was investigated, varying the gas composition, the duration of the sputtering process and the temperature in the same deposition chamber. The TiN film morphology was scrutinized with scanning electron microscopy on the surface complemented with focus ion beam for the cross section. The film microstructure was characterized with X ray diffraction. The adhesion of the coatings was studied using the Scratch Test with constant load at different values and the Rockwell C indentation method as well. It was found that only with the sputtering carried out in a H2 - Ar gas mixing at 300 ºC temperature used as pre-treatment was successful to prepare the nitrided surface for the subsequent TiN deposition by the PBII&D process.

Abstract Based on the analysis of the current state of the digital content industry, and the regulatory and legal environment of Ecuador -mainly related to Internet security issues and intellectual property rights- and through a market research that identifies needs of users, and seizes opportunities and challenges of online education, a digital content production model for online education is recommended. This model is based on a collaborative and intelligent ecosystem scheme, and a set of public policies for the promotion of the digital content industry in Ecuador.

Resumen A partir de un análisis del estado actual de la industria de contenidos digitales y del entorno normativo y legal del Ecuador, referido principalmente a temas de seguridad en internet y derechos de propiedad intelectual; y a través de una investigación de mercado, para identificar las necesidades de los usuarios y aprovechar las oportunidades y retos que presenta la educación en línea; se recomienda un modelo de producción de contenidos digitales para la educación en línea, basado en un esquema colaborativo y de ecosistema inteligente, y en un conjunto de políticas públicas para el fomento de la industria de contenidos digitales en el Ecuador.

Objective: Alcohol consumption is one of the main health and social problems in Ecuador. The aim of this study was to explore gender differences in the prevalence and psychosocial profile of problematic consumers among university students. Method: We surveyed 3,232 students by using the AUDIT and psychosocial scales. To discriminate the explanatory value of each variable, a CHAID segmentation analysis was used. Results: The prevalence of alcohol consumption was 92.24% in men and 82.86% in women. In total, 49.73% of men and 23.80% of women reported problematic consumption. In men, the profile of problematic consumption was defined by higher scores in anxiety and depression, especially if they showed higher levels of psychological stress and lower life engagement. In women, problematic consumption showed a tendency towards psychological inflexibility, especially in those with lower life engagement. Conclusion: There is a need to prioritise attention to alcohol consumption in university students and to design different interventions for men and women.

Objetivo: El consumo de alcohol constituye un problema de salud pública en Ecuador. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la prevalencia y el perfil de consumo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios. Método: Se encuestó a 3232 estudiantes a través del AUDIT y escalas psicosociales. Para discriminar el valor explicativo de estas sobre el consumo se utilizó un análisis CHAID. Resultados: La prevalencia total de consumo fue del 92,24% en los hombres y del 82,86% en las mujeres. En total, el 49,73% de los hombres y el 23,80% de las mujeres reportaron un consumo problemático. En los hombres, el perfil de consumo problemático se caracterizó por síntomas de ansiedad y depresión, especialmente si existía mayor nivel de estrés y menor compromiso vital. En las mujeres, el consumo problemático se caracterizó por mayor inflexibilidad psicológica y menor compromiso vital. Conclusión: El consumo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios requiere atención y el diseño de intervenciones específicas según el sexo.

Objective: Alcohol consumption is one of the main health and social problems in Ecuador. The aim of this study was to explore gender differences in the prevalence and psychosocial profile of problematic consumers among university students. Method: We surveyed 3,232 students by using the AUDIT and psychosocial scales. To discriminate the explanatory value of each variable, a CHAID segmentation analysis was used. Results: The prevalence of alcohol consumption was 92.24% in men and 82.86% in women. In total, 49.73% of men and 23.80% of women reported problematic consumption. In men, the profile of problematic consumption was defined by higher scores in anxiety and depression, especially if they showed higher levels of psychological stress and lower life engagement. In women, problematic consumption showed a tendency towards psychological inflexibility, especially in those with lower life engagement. Conclusion: There is a need to prioritise attention to alcohol consumption in university students and to design different interventions for men and women.

Objetivo: El consumo de alcohol constituye un problema de salud pública en Ecuador. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la prevalencia y el perfil de consumo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios. Método: Se encuestó a 3232 estudiantes a través del AUDIT y escalas psicosociales. Para discriminar el valor explicativo de estas sobre el consumo se utilizó un análisis CHAID. Resultados: La prevalencia total de consumo fue del 92,24% en los hombres y del 82,86% en las mujeres. En total, el 49,73% de los hombres y el 23,80% de las mujeres reportaron un consumo problemático. En los hombres, el perfil de consumo problemático se caracterizó por síntomas de ansiedad y depresión, especialmente si existía mayor nivel de estrés y menor compromiso vital. En las mujeres, el consumo problemático se caracterizó por mayor inflexibilidad psicológica y menor compromiso vital. Conclusión: El consumo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios requiere atención y el diseño de intervenciones específicas según el sexo.

ResumoEste trabalho apresenta a implementação e início de validação do questionário “Conhecendo o seu filho, sua filha”, destinado a pais de crianças com 9-10 anos como um meio para identificar crianças com altas capacidades. O estudo é não experimental e transverso. Trabalhou-se com a técnica de análise fatorial para a validade de construto. A amostra foi composta por 239 crianças da cidade de Loja (Equador). O questionário (apêndice) foi desenvolvido como uma ferramenta para a nomeação dos pais, inicialmente com 45 itens. Após a análise de validação, 11 itens foram eliminados, deixando a versão final com 36 itens, divididos em 10 dimensões. O índice Alfa Cronbach é 0,89. Cada dimensão obtida pela análise fatorial tem confiabilidade e validade satisfatórias, apoiada por referenciais teóricos e empíricos. Consequentemente, considera-se que este questionário pode ser utilizado na fase de screening, após a realização da análise fatorial confirmatória.

AbstractThe present study examines ongoing research into the implementation and validation of the questionnaire survey “Knowing your child,” which is aimed at the parents of children aged between 9 and 10 years. The questionnaire seeks to identify children with high intellectual abilities. The research design includes a non-experimental, cross-sectional study, and its primary aim is to confirm construct validity through factor analysis. The sample comprised 239 children from the city of Loja in Ecuador. The questionnaire (appendix) was developed as a nomination protocol for parents, initially constructed with 45 items. After the questionnaire was analyzed for construct validity, 11 items were eliminated. The final version included 36 items that were divided into 10 dimensions. Each dimension, obtained by factor analysis, has acceptable levels of reliability and validity, supported by theoretical and empirical referents. The Cronbach Alpha index derived was 0.89. Nevertheless, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is required.

ResumenEste trabajo se centra en la aplicación y en el inicio de validación del cuestionario “Conociendo a tu hijo, tu hija”, dirigido a madres y padres de niños y niñas (9-10 años), como medio de identificación de altas capacidades. La investigación es no experimental transversal. Se aplicó el análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE), para comprobar la validez de constructo. La muestra la constituyen 239 niños y niñas de la ciudad de Loja (Ecuador). El cuestionario (anexo) es de nominación para madres y padres, construido inicialmente con 45 ítems. Tras los análisis de validación, se eliminaron 11 ítems, quedando la versión final con 36, distribuidos en 10 dimensiones. El índice Alfa de Cronbach alcanzado es de 0,89. Cada dimensión, obtenida mediante análisis factorial, presenta una fiabilidad y validez aceptables, respaldadas por referentes teóricos y empíricos. En consecuencia, puede ser utilizado, en fase de screening, aunque previamente se requiere un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC).