Centro de investigación en Mecatrónica y Sistemas Interactivos
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Item type:Publication, Interdisciplinary Perspectives on FinTech and Blockchain in Cryptocurrency Platforms: A Systematic Literature Review on Accessibility, Usability, and Digital Inclusion(Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026); ;Luis-Chinchilla, Jose; Calle-Jimenez, TaniaAccording to recent studies, the application of agile methodologies in the development of cryptocurrency platforms can increase efficiency in improving accessibility and usability in digital financial systems by up to 35%. This study conducts a systematic literature review on the integration of FinTech and blockchain technologies, with a particular focus on accessibility and usability in digital platforms. Based on the PRISMA 2020 framework, indexed publications from the Scopus database published between 2021 and 2025 were analyzed. The results reveal a sustained growth in scientific output, especially during the period 2023–2025, with a notable concentration of publications from countries such as Malaysia, Spain, and Ukraine. The main contributing fields include business, computer science, and economics, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the topic. Furthermore, the findings highlight the role of FinTech and blockchain in modernizing financial services, improving transactional efficiency, and supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to environmental sustainability and digital inclusion. Finally, the study recommends expanding future research to include multiple databases and additional keywords in order to generalize the findings and deepen the understanding of the impact of these emerging technologies. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Real-Time Industrial Risk Mitigation through an IIoT-Based Acoustic Alert System with Embedded Edge Processing and Remote Monitoring(Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026) ;Vargas-Bustamante, Miguel ;Álvarez-Tello, Jorge ;Cevallos-Sornoza, AngieEnvironmental monitoring schemes have been transformed by the incorporation of IoT technologies in industrial environments, enabling a shift toward continuous monitoring models and immediate response to risk situations. However, many available solutions rely on highly complex and costly SCADA infrastructures, which limits their adoption in facilities with budgetary constraints. In this context, the present research posed as its central question whether it is possible to design and implement a low-cost IoT system, based on open-source technologies, capable of providing real-time environmental monitoring with immediate acoustic alerts and reliable remote notifications. To address this question, an experimental architecture was developed based on Arduino and ESP32 platforms, integrating temperature and gas sensors, a DFPlayer Mini module for customized acoustic feedback, and a wireless transmission scheme to a remote platform. The system was validated through controlled tests involving the exceedance of critical thresholds, evaluating detection accuracy, alert activation latency, and communication stability during continuous operation. The results showed a correct detection rate above 95%, an average alert activation time below 1.5 s, and remote transmission stability greater than 97%. In addition, an approximate 40% reduction in operator response time was observed compared to traditional manual schemes. Consequently, the study demonstrates that an open and scalable IoT architecture can achieve adequate performance levels for industrial safety, contributing a robust human–computer interaction approach and establishing a solid foundation for future extensions toward predictive and interoperable capabilities. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, J-DEAS: A Jamming-Driven Exponential Adaptive Sleeping Technique for Energy-Aware Mitigation in LoRa Networks(MDPI AG, 2026-07-02) ;Del-Valle-Soto, Carolina ;Mex-Perera, Carlos ;Velazquez, Eduard; Valdivia, Leonardo J.Low-Power Wide-Area Networks based on LoRa are widely deployed in smart city, agricultural, and environmental monitoring, where their constrained energy budget makes them vulnerable to radio-frequency jamming. (1) Background: a node that keeps transmitting into a jammed channel wastes energy on undeliverable packets, yet detection and energy management are usually treated separately. (2) Methods: we present J-DEAS, a Jamming-Driven Exponential Adaptive Sleeping technique that couples a lightweight, threshold-based detector with an exponential sleep back-off scheduler. The detector uses only the RSSI and SNR reported by commodity transceivers, and a single exponentially weighted confidence variable drives the sleep interval; we analyze the decision boundary, confidence dynamics, steady-state duty cycle, and latency–energy trade-off in closed form. (3) Results: on a measurement dataset the detector reaches an AUC of 0.985 and an F1 of 0.969; under sustained jamming, J-DEAS cuts the duty cycle from 100% to 5.5% and wasted transmissions from 94.3% to 8.3%, with a single-slot median latency and a sub-2% false-sleep rate on clean channels. (4) Conclusions: the technique needs no training and no extra hardware, making it suitable for resource-constrained end devices. © 2026 by the authors. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Bridging Two Worlds: Sensor Technologies and AI for Fruit Detection in Latin America and Beyond—A Scoping Review(MDPI AG, 2026-08-10) ;Parrales-Bravo, Franklin ;Gracia-Chinga, Joan; ;Vasquez-Cevallos, LeonelCevallos-Torres, LorenzoThis scoping review synthesizes 35 studies on sensor technologies and artificial intelligence for fruit detection, classification, and quality assessment, contrasting Latin American and international research traditions. The analysis suggests notable differences in technological approaches between the included Latin American and international studies: Latin American research tends to emphasize in developing accessible, practical solutions using classical computer vision and low-cost hardware, while international studies more frequently employ through deep learning architectures, multi-modal sensing, and complete robotic automation systems. Across the included studies, relatively limited attention was given to AI-assisted decision support for agricultural practitioners, insufficient consideration of inclusivity, and the scarce integration of environmental sustainability into intelligent sensing system design. The review identifies that only 8 of 35 studies originate from Latin America, suggesting an uneven geographical distribution of the available evidence. The included studies generally reported high accuracy values, yet these findings must be interpreted with caution given the reliance on curated datasets that may not represent real-world variability. The reviewed evidence suggests that future research may benefit not from one approach dominating the other, but from a thoughtful integration of complementary strategies, including knowledge transfer, edge computing democratization, and human-centered design. Overall, this review suggests that the ultimate goal extends beyond accuracy metrics to the transformation of agricultural practices that enhance food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability across the global agricultural landscape. It is important to note that this work does not propose or validate a new fruit detection algorithm but rather synthesizes and critically evaluates existing scientific evidence regarding sensor technologies and artificial intelligence applied to fruit detection and quality assessment. © 2026 by the authors. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Multipath Routing Protocol: For Wireless Ad-hoc Networks Based on FibonacciA WANET, which stands for Wireless Ad hoc Network, is a temporary network in which nodes are connected to each other via wireless links and there is no central management. Due to its adaptive structure, WANET is very useful in situations when quick communication link setup is necessary. On the other hand, Channel Contention (CC), degrades the performance of WANET and is a major contributor to packet drops. To solve the CC problem, this paper proposes a routing protocol called Multipath Channel Contention Based Routing (MCCBR). Using MCCBR, several paths are discovered for data transmission that have minimal contention between the source and destination. Then the packets are distributed over the discovered routes based on the Fibonacci sequence. The process of searching for new paths for transmission is initiated when the number of found paths becomes less than 50%. The proposed routing protocol was tested and verified using NS2 simulator. The performance of MCCBR was evaluated against the Ad hoc On Demand Distance Vector (AODV) and Channel Contention Based Routing (CCBR) protocols. MCCBR outperformed AODV and CCBR in terms of Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), End-to-End (E2E) delay, and normalized Media Access Control (MAC) overhead. © 2026, Zarka Private University. All rights reserved. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, IoT Architecture Prototype for Real-Time Monitoring and Control in a Simulated Automation Environment(Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026) ;Chuchico, Cristian P. ;Semanate, Clinton; Pilatásig, MarcoThe Internet of Things (IoT) has become a fundamental element for digital transformation in industry, boosting efficiency, security, and innovation. This paper presents an IoT architecture designed for real-time monitoring and control of a virtual level station, addressing critical challenges in industrial automation. The level process is simulated using Factory IO and regulated by a control algorithm developed in TIA Portal V16, executed via PLC Sim Advanced. Data is acquired by Node-RED from the PLC and transmitted to an MQTT broker, while a dashboard hosted on Ubidots enables remote access. Historical data of key parameters is recorded to facilitate detailed analysis of process behavior. Its flexible design allows the simulated process to be easily replaced or expanded with additional sensors and parallel processes, providing significant scalability for future applications. Results show a 55ms response time, data transmission with less than 100ms latency (PLC to cloud), and system integrity during network failures. Based on the Industrial Internet Reference Architecture (IIRA), this system provides a replicable framework for Industry 4.0 implementations, particularly in: Digital twin development, safe operator training, and cost-effective modernization of existing systems. © 2026, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. All rights reserved. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Designing the UI/UX of a Gamified Platform to Raise Awareness About Water Conservation Using the User-Centered Design Method(Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026); ; ; ;Sanchez-Gordon, SandraAcosta-Vargas, PatriciaWater conservation and responsible usage are critical to ensuring the sustainability of life on Earth. Raising awareness about these practices is essential to fostering behavioral changes in everyday life. This study aimed to design a gamified environment, integrating both digital and physical mediums, to promote awareness of water conservation. The proposed solutions included digital games, board games, interactive maps, and card games, blending entertainment with education. The research employed the Game Thinking methodology, involving ten master’s students specializing in user experience design. The process adhered to the principles of user-centered design across all phases. Initially, the problem of water scarcity was explained to participants, who subsequently proposed design concepts tailored to this issue. These concepts were developed into prototypes and tested with users representative of the intended age groups. Preliminary results from the first usability tests revealed areas for improvement. Feedback from peer reviews highlighted the need to enhance narrative elements, interface design, usability, and accessibility. Iterative refinements based on this feedback significantly improved the prototypes’ alignment with the project’s educational objectives. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the potential of gamification as a powerful tool for promoting water conservation awareness. Future work will focus on completing functional prototypes and evaluating their impact in real-world settings to measure their effectiveness in instilling responsible water usage behaviors - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, The hierarchical scaffolding model of executive functioning in university students: a self-reported explanatory approach(Frontiers Media SA, 2026-07-29) ;Díaz-Guerra, Diego D. ;Hernández-Lugo, Marena de la C.; ;Broche-Pérez, YunierIntroduction Executive functions are cognitive processes that are fundamental to academic success among university students. However, most explanatory models have been developed using laboratory-based tasks, which limits their ecological validity. Self-report measures offer a complementary approach by capturing perceived executive functioning in real academic contexts. Objective To construct and validate an explanatory model of executive functioning in Cuban university student Methods A cross-sectional sample of 1,233 students was analyzed (mean age = 20.08 years, SD = ±1.02; 59.3% women). The Cuban adaptation of the UEF-1 was administered. Analyses combined decision trees using the CHAID method to identify predictors and structural equation modeling (SEM) to confirm the relationships among variables and construct a unified model. Results The final model showed satisfactory fit (CFI = 0.915, RMSEA = 0.048, SRMR = 0.045). Executive functions were organized into four hierarchical levels: (1) Metacognitive Evaluation and Supervision, comprising Conscious Monitoring of Responsibilities and Behavioral Verification for Learning; (2) Emotional and Behavioral Regulation, comprising Conscious Regulation of Emotions and Conscious Regulation of Behavior; (3) the Operational Attentional System; and (4) Goal-Directed Action and Task Resolution, comprising Decision-Making and Management of Elements to Solve Tasks. Conclusion The proposed model constitutes the first unified explanatory framework of executive functioning in Cuban university students, specifically as assessed through self-report measures. Its four-level hierarchical structure provides an empirically grounded guide for future research and interventions, capturing the subjective dimension of executive performance as a complementary and ecologically relevant level of analysis closely tied to academic adaptation and self-regulation. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, FLAG: Fatty Liver Awareness Game for Liver Health Literacy in Last-Semester Software Engineering Students(MDPI AG, 2026-05-01) ;Parrales-Bravo, Franklin ;Borbor-Albay, José; Vasquez-Cevallos, LeonelNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects approximately thirty percent of the global population, yet public awareness remains dangerously low among young adults facing occupational risk factors. This study introduces the Fatty Liver Awareness Game (FLAG), an educational serious game designed to improve liver health literacy among software engineering students at the University of Guayaquil. While evaluated with this specific sample, FLAG is intended for the broader target population of young adults in developing nations who face occupational sedentary risk and limited access to preventive health education. Through a controlled experiment with fifty participants randomly assigned to game-based or traditional lecture instruction, the game demonstrated superior effectiveness, with a twenty-percentage-point advantage in post-test scores and a seventy-two percent reduction in incorrect responses compared to fifty percent in the lecture group. The large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.43) and reduced performance variability among game participants indicate that interactive, feedback-rich learning environments can outperform passive instruction for this population and content domain. While the present design does not isolate the contribution of individual game elements—such as narrative framing, explanatory feedback, or mini-game interleaving—the results establish FLAG as a replicable model for digital health interventions targeting underserved populations at critical developmental junctures. Future component analyses are needed to determine which specific design features drive the observed advantages. © 2026 by the authors. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Experimental and data-driven evaluation of transport-layer and application-layer security for MQTT-based IoT networks(Elsevier BV, 2026-12) ;Del-Valle-Soto, Carolina ;Alvarez-Garcia, Maria Fernanda ;Valdivia, Leonardo J. ;Del-Puerto-Flores, José A.The rapid expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) deployments has intensified the need for secure and efficient communication mechanisms tailored to resource-constrained devices. Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is widely adopted due to its lightweight design; however, it lacks native security support, requiring external protection mechanisms that may significantly affect system performance. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and data-driven evaluation of two security paradigms for MQTT-based IoT networks implemented on ESP32 microcontrollers: transport-layer security using TLS and application-layer encryption based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) for key exchange combined with AES symmetric encryption. The analysis jointly evaluates memory utilization, end-to-end latency, energy consumption, and resistance to passive traffic interception under identical experimental conditions. In addition to conventional metric-based comparisons, multivariate statistical analysis and unsupervised learning techniques are employed as exploratory tools to characterize the system-level behavior induced by each security scheme. Results show that Transport Layer Security (TLS) offers stronger confidentiality guarantees at the cost of higher memory overhead, while the ECC–(Advanced Encryption Standard) AES approach significantly reduces memory footprint with moderate latency penalties and comparable energy consumption. Multivariate analysis further reveals that each security mechanism induces a distinct performance regime, providing a compact joint characterization of the security–performance trade-offs across the evaluated configurations.
