Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is not frequently cropped in water limited environments, however it is cultivated in several drought-prone regions, where soil water is gradually depleted on an annual cycle. In regions where cacao is subjected to long periods without precipitation, the physiological responses under field conditions may differ between cacao clones. Evaluation of these responses are required to select potential clones that could be used for breeding programs in the context of future climatic scenarios. In order to identify physiological and yield responses to drought of 10 Ecuadorian cacao clones, relative leaf water content (RWC), CO2 assimilation rate (A), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), relative quantum yield of photosystems II (ΦPSII), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), leaf nutrient content (N, P K, Ca, and Mg) and yield were assessed during the dry (DS) and rainy seasons (RS). On average, A and E decreased by 33 and 22 %, respectively under drought, whereas WUE was higher during RS. Clones exhibited an increase in NPQ during DS, suggesting greater energy dissipation. Clones showed differences in macronutrient content and in most cases drought caused a reduction in Ca and Mg content. Two groups were established according to yield: one which maintained higher yields during RS, while the other had higher yields during drought. This offers strategic alternative in order to maintain a relatively high yield throughout the year with combination of clones in the plantations.

<p><strong>Background</strong>. Maintenance pruning is an essential activity in cacao in order to maintain height, avoid intersections of branches between trees, and generate new foliar shoots. Usually, fertilization is applied at the same time as pruning, but there are little information when it should be applied to synchronize with the metabolic events triggered when pruning. The application of N, its effectiveness and the effect of different doses is very important, but there is very little known. <strong>Objective</strong>. To evaluate the effect of the fertilization of two doses of N (50 and 110 g per tree) before, during and after pruning on flushing, number of cherelles (pods smaller than 5 cm in length) and pods, fresh weight and numbers of almonds in trees which are 8 years old. <strong>Methodology</strong>. a split-plot design was established. Main plot was assigned to pruning (pruning and without pruning) and sub plots the doses of nitrogen fertilization and the time of application factor. One week after fertilization, the number of flushing emissions, cherelles and number of pods in different stages were counted weekly in 4 trees per treatment until week 20. Mature pods also were harvested and the number of almonds and fresh weight were counted. <strong>Results. </strong>Pruning affected the flushing, shortening the periods between maximum emissions. The application of N in doses of 110 g/tree one week after pruning leads to a higher and significant number of flushing number of cherelles and number of pods. <strong>Implications </strong>Pruning does not influence the production parameters, but the greater availability of N given in the higher applied dose leads to a greater number of pods and fresh weight. The greater availability of N after pruning leads to a more efficient use for the formation of new pods. greater number of almonds and greater fresh weight. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. These results show that nitrogen fertilization carried out after pruning is a feasible strategy to achieve a number of flushing, pods and production.</p>

El objetivo de este trabajo es predecir el nivel de desarrollo de una cadena de suministro manabita de clasificación agroalimentaria, cuyo producto fundamental es el agua de coco artesanal. Usando datos históricos, se aplican los métodos de Máquinas de Soporte Vectorial en Regresión y Regresión Lineal Múltiple. Como parte del trabajo se lleva a cabo un estudio de correlación para mejorar el desempeño de los métodos. Los resultados muestran que las Máquinas de Soporte Vectorial logran el mejor desempeño cuando se usa el Kernel Polinomial con una selección de parámetros apropiados.  La metodología empleada para el procesamiento de la investigación utiliza el entrenamiento de estos dos métodos lo que proporciona un modelo que se puede aplicar en otros estudios de casos.

En este trabajo se determinaron los factores que influyen en la calidad de sueño de los estudiantes de ingeniería, mediante un estudio descriptivo y trasversal. Se empleó una muestra aleatoria de 930 estudiantes de ingeniería eléctrica (124), mecánica (184), civil (281), industrial (164) y química (177). Se utilizó el cuestionario auto aplicable de Índice de Calidad de Sueño de Pittsburg que valora siete componentes hipotéticos, añadiendo al análisis algunas variables socioeconómicas. Se observó que un número importante de estudiantes duermen menos de 8 horas, además se pudo confirmar que la calidad del sueño afecta el desempeño académico ocasionando necesidades médicas, también se pudo constatar que las situaciones socioeconómicas, la carrera, el sexo, la edad y el lugar de procedencia son factores determinantes en la calidad de sueño.