Maskana

Impact of international trade on the Colombia-China relationship: An analysis of academic publications and bibliometric review (2014-2024)

Harold Anderson Bustamante Matoma, Jorge Yesid Vargas Gonzalez — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

International trade is essential for the development and prosperity of countries’ economies, boosting their growth and strengthening their position in the global arena. This study analyzed trends in research production focused on relations and cooperation agreements between Colombia and China during the period 2014-2024. A qualitative approach was employed through a bibliometric review using the SCOPUS database. Exclusion criteria were established to avoid bias, resulting in a sample of 69 documents. The results revealed a growing interest in this topic, evidenced by an increase in citations worldwide. It was concluded that there is a need to enhance future research on the impact of international trade on the development of both economies.

Psychometric Properties of the Zung Self-Applied Anxiety Scale

Lorena Delgado, Eva Karina Peña Contreras, Denise Cali, Paúl Arias — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Zung Anxiety Scale, originally known as the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and developed by Zung in 1965, was designed in 1971. In the following study, the psychometric properties of the Zung Self-Applied Anxiety Scale were evaluated in health care personnel in Ecuador. A total of 1104 individuals participated, all employed in public health services in the province of Azuay. The sample included nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, administrative staff, administrative assistants, and other areas (age range ranged from 22 to 66 years, x̅ = 38.3 years and σ= 9). In analyzing the literature, 7 models were found and evaluated for the factor structure of the scale by exploratory analysis and confirmatory analysis. When examining the goodness-of-fit, the best-fitting model presented a trifactorial structure.

Social management and participatory research: a comparative case study

Verónica Orellana, Fernando Tenorio, Andrés Abad — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

El estudio tuvo por objetivo analizar, desde la gestión social, proyectos de investigación desarrollados por universidades ecuatorianas y su aporte al proceso de innovación social. Se llevó a cabo un estudio comparativo de dos casos de proyectos de investigación vinculados a la comunidad local. La metodología aplicada partió de un enfoque etnográfico en el que se incluyeron entrevistas, grupos focales, observación participante y no participante, así como el análisis de documentos y publicaciones académicas sobre los proyectos y las universidades en cuestión. Entre los hallazgos del estudio se identificó que ambas universidades contribuyen a la innovación social a través de proyectos que integran la participación de actores locales, saberes tradicionales y enfoques técnicos. En conclusión, las investigaciones participativas analizadas aportan de forma significativa en la sostenibilidad y el bienestar común de los actores involucrados.

The Digital Footprint: A Systematic Review of the Impact of 3D Printing in Art Education

Mariana Daniela González Zamar, Emilio Abad Segura, Kristyna Malikova — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The use of 3D printing has the potential to contribute positively to art and education. This systematic review has been conducted to identify previous studies that address the benefits and challenges in the use of 3D printers in artistic education. The period of analysis of publications reviewed was between 2017 and 2024 to ensure the relevance and timeliness of the study. The initial results of the review yielded 220 results from which a second screening resulted in 113 records that were reviewed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. This third screening resulted in 10 articles that were analysed and compared. It is concluded that 3D printing serves as an effective pedagogical tool with certain challenges to overcome and at the same time it is identified that the use of printers of this type in the field of arts education is not yet sufficiently widespread and well known.

Innovation in Education: A Transformative and Socially-Committed Approach

Laura Farré-Riera, Enrique-Javier Díez-Gutiérrez, Núria Simó-Gil — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines how the concept of educational innovation is understood in different academic contexts, exploring whether it aligns with a transformative and socially-committed approach for schools or is merely used to justify various types of novel practices. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, analyzing 99 open-access articles published between 2011 and 2022 in Scopus, Dialnet, Web of Science, and Scielo. Through an inductive content analysis, the articles have been organized around four perspectives of educational innovation: techno-digital, techno-didactic, classroom and center innovation, and critical. The conducted analysis suggests that the extent of educational improvements in schools is directly related to the approach to innovation underlying this study. Our findings highlight the fact that transformative innovation remains a minority and is primarily linked to collective improvement proposals that foster participation, democratic engagement, and collaborative reflection among all stakeholders in the educational community.

Stigma toward mental disorders in university students of health sciences

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Stigma towards mental disorders is a problem that has a very negative impact on the lives of those who suffer from psychological problems, especially when it comes from healthcare professionals. Objective: To determine the main variables associated with stigma in future healthcare professionals. Methodology: 1,125 university students from different healthcare degrees at the University of Granada participated and voluntarily completed the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-27) by Corrigan et al. (2003).
Results: Variables such as direct experience with mental illness (contact with people with mental disorders and suffering from a mental disorder), receiving training on the subject and interest in this specialization, are related to more positive attitudes towards mental disorders. Women presented less stigmatizing attitudes than men.
Conclusions: These data support measures such as promoting direct contact of health students with patients with mental health problems to foster less stigmatizing attitudes.

Ethical Research in Autism: An Integrative Review of Autistic Perspectives in Overcoming Pathological Paradigms

Angélica Silva Ríos — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Autism is recognized as a variation of neurodevelopment characterized by some degree of difficulty in communication and social interaction. The emergence of the neurodiversity paradigm has motivated research that enables a more constructive practice in contrast to the prevailing pathological paradigm. The tensions between these paradigms have opened necessary discussions that must be examined prior to initiating research processes. Objective: To explore the ethical tensions described in the literature and the proposed prevention strategies. Methodology: An integrative literature review was conducted. The keywords “ethical” AND “autism” AND “research” and their combinations were used, resulting in 14 selected articles after screening. Findings highlight the importance of ethical frameworks that value autistic identity, community participation, and contextually grounded well-being approaches. Conclusion: It is crucial to adopt an inclusive approach that values the voices and perspectives of autistic individuals throughout the research process. Critical theory and the concept of neurocosmopolitanism are proposed as tools to reconfigure research and ensure inclusive, respectful practices centered on the experiences of autistic people.

Parental Psychological Control and Gender: Adolescents’ Perceptions in Cuenca

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Parental psychological control negatively affects the social and emotional development of adolescents, limiting their autonomy and adaptation. This study analyzed parental psychological control based on the role of parents and the gender of 513 high school adolescents from public and private high schools in Cuenca, Ecuador. The study used a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and descriptive approach, applying the Psychological Control Scale Oriented to Dependency and Achievement. The results reveal greater parental control towards sons and significant differences in achievement-oriented control, with fathers tending to exert greater pressure than mothers. The conclusions highlight the importance of researching gender-sensitive upbringing to promote more equitable parenting practices.

Integrating Sustainability into Business Practices: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends and Structures

Cristian Sáenz De Viteri — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the academic literature (2020-2025) on the intersection of sustainability and circular economy in business practices. Employing a robust dataset of 1,922 articles from Scopus, the research utilizes VOSviewer and Bibliometrix to map the field’s intellectual structure. Findings reveal an exponential growth in research, concentrated geographically in the UK, China, and Italy. The intellectual core is anchored by “circular economy,” connecting key thematic clusters such as operational implementation, strategic innovation (including Industry 4.0), and governance. Notably, gender emerges as a motor theme, signaling a growing focus on social equity. The analysis identifies a critical research gap concerning innovative financing mechanisms needed to scale circular transitions. This data-driven map provides a crucial guide for researchers and practitioners, highlighting consolidated knowledge, key actors, and strategic directions for future inquiry in this vital domain of sustainable business.

Knowledge, citizenship, and education for the 21st century

Carlos Minchala — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this article is to describe the forms of citizenship knowledge developed by secondary school students in the district of San Martín, Buenos Aires. It is argued that young people attending these schools acquire knowledge that enables them to integrate as citizens into a society increasingly marked by exclusion and the denial of rights.We employed qualitative research techniques, including in-depth interviews with students conducted between 2021 and 2023. The results show that young people value school as a space where they learn how to be someone in life, how to act, and how to coexist in step with contemporary society. From the students’ perspective, the social significance of knowledge lies in the fact that what is learned at school serves as a foundation for affirming themselves as citizens, exercising their rights, and integrating into society.

Optimization of gas and nutrient concentrations in the photobioreactor system

Edmundo Recalde Posso, Luis Roca Pérez, María Rosa Mosquera Lozada — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Microalgae research provides technological solutions for capturing greenhouse gases by converting industrial CO₂ emissions into commercially valuable microalgal biomass, such as agricultural biostimulants. This process simultaneously combines environmental benefits through emission reduction with the production of industrially relevant bioproducts. To optimize their growth in photobioreactors, determining optimal nutrient levels and CO₂ concentration is critical. In pilot tests, a nitrogen dosage of 100 ppm maximized yield (2.95 g m⁻²d⁻¹ at harvest 5). Additionally, three CO₂ concentrations (500, 1000, and 1500 ppm) were evaluated, supplied via diesel-generated combustion gases, with no significant differences in biomass production observed. The microalga Scenedesmus, enriched with Nitrofoska (1 ml L⁻¹), demonstrated that high CO₂ concentrations did not impair its performance. Thus, captured gases are converted into microalgal biomass, suitable as a biostimulant, proving a sustainable solution for industrial emissions.

Mental health in pregnant ecuadorian indigenous women during the covid-19 pandemic. Approaches from critical feminism

Maria Gisela Escobar Dominguez, Maria Del Carmen Gangotena — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study aimed to analyze the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth in indigenous women during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were seven women from the community of San Francisco de Huarcay. Data collection involved focus groups and participatory interviews, framed within larger community intervention action research carried out during the first half of 2024. The narratives were subsequently analyzed through content analysis and made it possible to identify and interpret: a) negative experiences encountered by women in their interactions with health services, characterized as obstetric violence; b) emotional responses due confinement and family separation during obstetric procedures; and c) a subjective sense of well-being in some women, connected to family support and cultural practices. It is argued that the determinants of mental health are intersectional and underpinned by processes of inequity, which are exacerbated in extreme situations.

Indonesian Action Film Posters in the Early 1990s: Representation of Women

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The film poster aims explicitly to promote the film by highlighting its content. Films use posters to interact with the public with the persuasive aim of increasing interest in visiting the cinema. Action film posters depict the action performed by the actors. This article examines the portrayal of women in Indonesian action film posters from the 1990s, which were produced and released in Indonesia. Action film posters are studied and defined descriptively. The data presented and obtained consist of words and visual facts from documents. The presentation of the data starts from the initial issue that is suitable for describing the poster. The results of this research show that in the early 1990s, action film posters presented the representation of women not only as strong and wielding weapons and involved in fights, but also still selling sex appeal. This is because men mostly watched action films, so women were used as the main attraction.

Psychological First Aid for Children: Perceptions of Professionals in Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador

Henry Andres, Luis Lindao — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this article is to describe frontline professionals’ perceptions regarding the implementation of Psychological First Aid (PFA) directed at children in contexts of violence in two Ecuadorian cities. The central hypothesis to be developed is that the recognition of PFA as an essential tool for emotional containment and for mitigating the impact of acute trauma is strained by structural and training-related barriers that undermine the effectiveness of interventions. To this end, a mixed-methods design was employed, involving surveys (n=60) and semi-structured interviews with professionals from psychological care centers, clinics, hospitals, and educational institutions working with children in Quito and Guayaquil. The findings indicate that professionals possess a strong theoretical understanding of acute trauma, although training in psychological first aid is perceived as insufficient. Furthermore, participants emphasize that the absence of clear protocols exacerbates the re-victimization of individuals who have experienced violence.

EFL Students’ Voices: Preferences and Perceptions on Teacher-provided Written Corrective Feedback

Jorge Villavicencio — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Written Corrective Feedback (WCF) is a common teachers’ practice to develop EFL writing skills in students; however, research in this field remains scant within and beyond Latin America. This context-specific study analyzed B1 EFL students’ perceptions on the targets, strategies, and scope of teacher WCF through a mixed-methods approach adopting a convergent design with a Likert-type questionnaire variant. The Perceptions of WCF Questionnaire (α = .67) was administered to 189 Ecuadorian university students. Quantitative and qualitative analyses showed a preference for direct feedback and indirect feedback accompanied by corrective information as they guided error revision clearly and promoted autonomous learning. Furthermore, the participants valued WCF on linguistic and content elements and expressed interest in receiving comprehensive correction of their errors. Nevertheless, they showed limited understanding of idea-focused feedback. Pedagogical implications and study limitations are discussed.

Information technology management and its impact on organizational innovation in Latin American universities: a narrative review

Alejandro Aldás Alarcón, Efraín Naranjo Borja, Andrés Abad — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study offers a bibliographic review of theoretical frameworks in Information Technology (IT) management, focusing particularly on their relationship with organizational innovation within the specific context of student administration in Latin American Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Using a narrative review methodology, relevant conceptual models are examined. These provide robust mechanisms to standardize operations, optimize administrative processes, and drive innovation. However, their implementation in Latin America is uneven due to budgetary constraints, insufficient technological infrastructure, and organizational resistance to change. The findings highlight that contextualized adaptation, comprehensive technological governance, and an interdisciplinary strategic approach are essential to maximize benefits in terms of innovation. This analysis emphasizes that the successful integration of IT management frameworks must consider cultural, institutional, and technological factors, proposing a comprehensive approach to guide future implementations.

The inclusion of interculturality in teacher education: a perception of Higher Education Students

Fausto Fabricio Quichimbo Saquichagua, Patricia Pérez Morales — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper analyses the perception of university students on the integration of interculturality in teacher training programmes at the National University of Education (UNAE) in Ecuador. A mixed methodology was used, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches through a structured questionnaire applied to 589 students. The instrument evaluated the perception of the knowledge imparted by teachers in terms of the construction of the intercultural concept and practices. The answers given by the participants were analysed through Pearson’s Correlation and grounded theory. The results show a positive correlation between the understanding of cultural diversity and student practices with a value of 0.706. Furthermore, when correlating the specific concepts of interculturality as a space for the exchange of knowledge and the multiplicity of cultures, questions P5 and P6 showed values of 0.608 and 0.635. In conclusion, teacher training in interculturality is relevant in the training of students, allowing them to broaden their knowledge of cultural diversity and the creation of spaces for inclusion through respect and tolerance.

Fifteen years of Maskana journal

Monserrath Jerves — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000