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Automotive Crankcase Design Using Biodegradable Materials

2022 , Cruz J. , Topon Visarrea, Blanca , Caceres L.

The automotive industry is innovating new materials to replace environmentally harmful products with new technologies. An alternative is the use of polymeric compounds derived from biological sources from natural fibers, which generate a low carbon footprint, limiting environmental pollution and waste management problems. The components forming part of a vehicle must meet strict requirements, and the appropriate selection of materials that withstand extreme conditions is therefore necessary. An important element within a vehicle is the crankcase of a motor, which is located at the bottom and aims to provide protection and rigidity to the engine, in addition to housing the oil and the mechanical components thereof. That is why this research proposes the design of an automotive crankcase based on biodegradable materials made of polyester and cabuya fiber. In order to verify the functionalities, a simulation was carried out in SolidWorks, identifying that it complies with similar characteristics to those of a commercial crankcase in terms of efforts and workloads. The engineered crankcase weighs 3.26 kg, is low-corrosion, has 45.42 psi of maximum effort and a strain of 2,024 e-3 in., plus 44% less cost than a commercial crankcase. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Can artificial intelligence replace journalists? A theoretical approach

2025 , Londoño Proaño, Cristián , Buele, Jorge

In the digital age, journalism is facing significant transformations due to the impact of artificial intelligence, a technology that optimizes processes, but also poses ethical and technical dilemmas. This study addresses whether AI can replace journalists or whether it should be considered as a complementary tool that enhances their capabilities. The problem lies in the increasing automation of journalistic tasks and its impact on the quality, ethics and professional identity of the sector. The research justifies its relevance due to the need to understand the scope and limitations of this technology to guarantee ethical and contextualized journalism. The methodology adopted is qualitative and based on documentary analysis. Academic studies, technical reports, and case studies were reviewed to evaluate the use of AI in newsrooms, highlighting its capabilities in automation, personalization, and data analysis, along with its ethical and operational limitations. Among the main results, it is identified that artificial intelligence is effective for tasks such as automated news generation and massive data analysis, but its inability to perform critical analysis and ethical decisions limits it as a complete substitute for the journalist. Likewise, their dependence on trained data perpetuates biases that can compromise the credibility of information. This study highlights that artificial intelligence should be conceived as a support for the journalist, enhancing creativity and analytical depth without compromising the essential values of the profession. It also underscores the importance of a synergistic collaboration between technology and journalists, including regulation and training to take advantage of it ethically and effectively.

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Performance and Real-World Variability of Predictive Maintenance Models for Vehicle Fleets

2024 , Avilés-Castillo, Fátima , Dayanara Yánez-Arcos , Ayala-Chauvin, Manuel Ignacio , Elena Blanco-Romero

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of predictive maintenance models for vehicle fleets, detailing a sequence of systematic steps to ensure model performance and address real-world variability. The process begins with database creation and data preprocessing, where relevant maintenance records are filtered, and datetime columns are converted to facilitate time-based calculations. Grouping and aggregation techniques are then applied to count occurrences of specific maintenance activities and identify common failure types. For model training, we define a neural network architecture comprising dense and dropout layers to mitigate overfitting, compile the model with suitable loss functions and optimizers, and train it using the prepared data. The trained model, along with the scaler and encoder, is saved for future use. To augment the dataset, synthetic data is generated using the Faker library and random distributions, with added noise to mimic real-world variability. Preprocessing steps are reapplied to this synthetic data to ensure consistency. By implementing this neural network, we achieved a sensitivity of 0.93 and an ROC of 0.71. Following these detailed steps, we develop a robust predictive maintenance model that effectively identifies failures and non-failures, ultimately enhancing the reliability and efficiency of vehicle fleet management.

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Efficiency Analysis Between Free and Paid Hardware and Software in a Pneumatic Press

2019 , Espejo P. , Hallo V. , Gordón A. , Velasco N. , Mendoza D. , Gallo V. , Saa, Fernando

The present work proposes the automation of a pneumatic press, based on free software and hardware. The project analyzes the behavior of free software versus proprietary technology. The project is based on creating a prototype of a distribution system. The proprietary technology consists in a Siemens S7-1200 programmable logic controller, which monitors the system with an OPC server and a (Human Machine Interface) user interface based on LabVIEW, M. In the other hand, the free technology consists of an M-DUINO controller based on Arduino monitors the system with a LAMP server, and hosts a website programmed in PHP; reducing implementation costs in control processes, without affecting the performance and quality in the industrial process. Research is done to determine the reliability of free software. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Body Composition Evaluation using Bioelectrical Impedance and its Impact on Academic Performance of Nursing Students

2023 , Romero Riaño, Paola , Camaño Carball, Lilian , Yánez-Rueda H. , Buele, Jorge

In the past, nutritional assessment relied on manual measurements that did not allow for the differentiation of body composition components. With technological advancements, the introduction of bioelectrical impedance has provided a more specific approach to obtaining results. This study aims to utilize this innovative method to assess the connection between body composition and academic performance in nursing students. The research focused on a representative sample of 89 participants, utilizing bioelectrical impedance to measure the primary bioelements of the human body. Strong and significant correlations were observed between height and weight, height and muscle mass, and muscle mass and weight. A moderate correlation was found between weight and fat, as well as significant weak correlations between age and fat, and between fat and body mass index. Additionally, a significant weak negative correlation was observed between height and fat. Of the participants, 42.2% of women and 48% of men were classified as overweight. However, the statistical analysis did not reveal significant correlations between academic performance and variables such as weight, muscle mass, fat, and body mass index. Based on this information, it was concluded that most students had a body mass index within the normal range, and no direct relationship between body composition and academic performance was identified. Continuous monitoring of overweight students using this technology is recommended to promote healthy nutritional practices. © 2023 IEEE.

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Virtual Environments to Fuzzy Control Applied to Nonlinear Autoclave Reactor

2022 , Chimbana L.I. , Villagómez J.A. , Moya A.P. , Moreno A.M. , Mosquera E.A. , Ruales B. , Andaluz, V

This paper presents the design and implementation of a control algorithm based on fuzzy logic oriented to the area of teaching–learning processes in the chemical industry, more specifically of a nonlinear autoclave reactor. In order to evaluate the dynamic behavior against fuzzy control, an integration of software (MATLAB and Unity 3D) was developed, connected through DLL shared memories. The first software houses the fuzzy logic controller based on fuzzy sets and previously established linguistic variables; on the other hand, Unity 3D houses the dynamic model of the autoclave in order to simulate its real behavior. The latter software allows a more realistic conception of the chosen process, which is why we chose to design an immersive and interactive virtual environment with the virtual implementation of different elements of industrial instrumentation such as transmitters, valves, signaling, etc., animation of valves, control panels and a SCADA system. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Evaluating a User Interface for M-Commerce Shoe Sales

2024 , Castillo Ledesma, Franklin Adrian , Varela Aldas, José , José Oleas-Orozco , Jonathan Toapanta

Interface engineering maximizes user experience by defining the form, function, and interfaces utility. Current interfaces have not optimized user-system interaction. This study aimed to develop a compatible and user-friendly interface to improve user efficiency. Android Studio was used to create a simple and functional interface. The commands combination was designed to prioritize simplicity, reducing user stress. Continuous evaluations support to identify areas for improvement and optimize the interface's performance. The results exposed the application developed was well-received, providing a simple and effective interface. Users reported better interaction and superior satisfaction with the system, confirming the proposed design effectiveness. The user interface developed, currently maximizes the experience, with a user rating of 75% indicating that design is simple and functional. Continuous evaluation and improvement guarantee that application will evolve to fulfill more complex future needs, contributing to user well-being and efficiency.

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Mapping Monophonic MIDI Tracks to Vibrotactile Stimuli Using Tactile Illusions

2022 , Remache Vinueza, Byron , Trujillo-León A. , Clim M.-A. , Sarmiento-Ortiz F. , Topon-Visarrea L. , Jensenius A.R. , Vidal-Verdú F.

In this project, we propose an algorithm to convert musical features and structures extracted from monophonic MIDI files to tactile illusions. Mapping music to vibrotactile stimuli is a challenging process since the perceptible frequency range of the skin is lower than that of the auditory system, which may cause the loss of some musical features. Moreover, current proposed models do not warrant the correspondence between the emotional response to music and the vibrotactile version of it. We propose to use tactile illusions as an additional resource to convey more meaningful vibrotactile stimuli. Tactile illusions enable us to add dynamics to vibrotactile stimuli in the form of movement, changes of direction, and localization. The suggested algorithm converts monophonic MIDI files into arrangements of two tactile illusions: “phantom motion” and “funneling”. The validation of the rendered material consisted of presenting the audio rendered from MIDI files to participants and then adding the vibrotactile component to it. The arrangement of tactile illusions was also evaluated alone. Results suggest that the arrangement of tactile illusions evokes more positive emotions than negative ones. This arrangement was also perceived as more agreeable and stimulating than the original audio. Although musical features such as rhythm, tempo, and melody were mostly recognized in the arrangement of tactile illusions, it provoked a different emotional response from that of the original audio. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Evaluation of Accessibility on the PAR Platform from the Perspective of Physicians

2024 , Patricia Acosta-Vargas , Gloria Acosta-Vargas , Marco Santórum , Mayra Carrión-Toro , Ayala-Chauvin, Manuel Ignacio , Verónica Maldonado-Garcés , Mario Gonzalez-Rodriguez

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Software and Methods Applied in the Standardization of the Grinding Process for Automobile Engines as a Business Solution

2024 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Suárez del Villar, Alexis

When the research addresses the problem of empirical engine rectification based exclusively on the experience of the workers, which results in nonconformities on the part of the customers due to delays in delivery times. To solve this, it was proposed to standardize the operation cycles using the Stop and Observe Method. Through techniques such as direct observation, time studies and process diagrams, the grinding process was analyzed in detail. The data collected were compared with the Crystal Ball program, demonstrating consistency with 95% confidence. It was determined that the time required to rectify an engine was 27.23 days, with supplements affecting 4.8 h of an 8-h workday. The investigation proposed improvements, including the implementation of a hydraulic scissor table to reduce the physical strain on the operators and the introduction of hearing protection. This resulted in a noise reduction from 30 dB to 15 dB, exceeding the regulations of Executive Decree 2393. With these measures, the total grinding time was reduced to 26 days, representing an efficiency gain of 639.15 min or 10.65 h. This standardization not only improves the efficiency of the process, but also allows for more accurate communication with the customer on delivery times, increasing customer satisfaction.