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Effects of a dual intervention (motor and virtual reality-based cognitive) on cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

2024 , Buele, Jorge , Avilés-Castillo, Fátima , Carolina Del-Valle-Soto , Varela Aldas, José , Guillermo Palacios-Navarro

Abstract Background The increase in cases of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) underlines the urgency of finding effective methods to slow its progression. Given the limited effectiveness of current pharmacological options to prevent or treat the early stages of this deterioration, non-pharmacological alternatives are especially relevant. Objective To assess the effectiveness of a cognitive-motor intervention based on immersive virtual reality (VR) that simulates an activity of daily living (ADL) on cognitive functions and its impact on depression and the ability to perform such activities in patients with MCI. Methods Thirty-four older adults (men, women) with MCI were randomized to the experimental group (n = 17; 75.41 ± 5.76) or control (n = 17; 77.35 ± 6.75) group. Both groups received motor training, through aerobic, balance and resistance activities in group. Subsequently, the experimental group received cognitive training based on VR, while the control group received traditional cognitive training. Cognitive functions, depression, and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) were assessed using the Spanish versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-S), the Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-S), and the of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL-S) before and after 6-week intervention (a total of twelve 40-minutes sessions). Results Between groups comparison did not reveal significant differences in either cognitive function or geriatric depression. The intragroup effect of cognitive function and geriatric depression was significant in both groups (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes. There was no statistically significant improvement in any of the groups when evaluating their performance in ADLs (control, p = 0.28; experimental, p = 0.46) as expected. The completion rate in the experimental group was higher (82.35%) compared to the control group (70.59%). Likewise, participants in the experimental group reached a higher level of difficulty in the application and needed less time to complete the task at each level. Conclusions The application of a dual intervention, through motor training prior to a cognitive task based on Immersive VR was shown to be a beneficial non-pharmacological strategy to improve cognitive functions and reduce depression in patients with MCI. Similarly, the control group benefited from such dual intervention with statistically significant improvements. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06313931; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06313931.

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Efeco scale for assessing executive functions in self-report format [La escala efec'o para valorar funciones ejecutivas en formato de auto-reporte]

2019 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Bolanos-Pasquel M. , Garcia-Gomez A. , Siiarez P.M. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio

EFEC'O questionnaire is an instrument that allows assessing executive functions from an ecological perspective because it is based on a day-by-day behavioral report of an individual. The aim was to validate EFEC'O questionnaire in a self-report format. Participants were 250 Ecuadorian adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years (3/a?e=16.23. SD=\.Ti). As results, there was found a significant internal consistency (a=.64-.95), correlation among items (r=.32-.62), correlation among sub-scales (r=.40-76). confirmatory factor analysis of two factors (x2=3S.S7, CFI=98, RMSEA=. 065 [035-094], SRMR=027) and discriminant capacity in monitoring, cognitive flexibility. organization of material, initiative, working memory and planning of adolescents with differences on academic performance. In the discussion part, results are presented in relation to previous findings and taking on account the importance of having an instrument with an ecological validity to assess executive functions. © 2019 AIDEP. All rights reserved.

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Green bottle flies (Calliphoridae, Luciliinae) of Ecuador: geographic distribution, checklist and DNA barcodes

2020 , Moreno E.A. , Amat E. , Meneses P.E. , Donoso D.A. , Barragán Á.R.

Green bottle flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Luciliinae) comprise a diverse and cosmopolitan taxon, known from at least 1,500 species. They have become crucial elements in forensic investigations, as they spend part of their life cycle in decaying remains. Here, we review the distribution of eleven Luciliinae species in Ecuador: the monotypic Blepharicnema and ten Lucilia species. We identified specimens using morphological characters. Additionally, we DNA barcoded 43 specimens from three species using 658bp segments of the standard Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial gen. Molecular and morphological identifications presented high correspondence, suggesting COI barcodes are an efficient tool for the identification of these three green bottle flies species. Geographical records are biased towards the northern Andean region, particularly near to large urban settlements. We remark the value to applied forensic research of continuous sampling of necrophagous flies under a variety of habitats and crime conditions. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

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Robotic cane for the visually impaired

2020 , Varela Aldas, José , Guamán J. , Paredes B. , Chicaiza F.A.

Currently, there is a growing public interest in improving the quality of life of people with disabilities, being the visual limitation one of them, where different research projects have been developed. Assistance robotics is a branch dedicated to the support in mobility and rehabilitation of people with visual disabilities and other limitations. This work describes the construction and use of a robotic cane to assist people with visual problems. The robot structure is generated by 3D printing, and the electronic system has been designed based on Arduino technology. The robot features include a sensor distance to detect possible collisions, a GPS to track its movements, and two DC motors in caterpillar-like configuration for cane mobility. In addition, the robot has connectivity with mobile devices through Bluetooth communication, where the mobile application coordinates the movements of the robot in two ways, manual and autonomous, allowing to reach the desired location and sending the user’s location to the web. This proposal is tested in a structured environment so that patients cast their perspective through a usability test and their characteristics are examined through the analysis of an expert. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

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Vibrotactile stimulus duration threshold for perception of pulse to vibration transition

2025 , Remache Vinueza, Byron , Andrés Trujillo-León , Fernando Vidal-Verdú

This study investigates the minimum stimulus duration required to perceive the transition from pulse to vibration sensations, a critical parameter for optimizing information transmission via haptic interfaces such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, game consoles, and sensory substitution systems. Efficient transmission relies on minimizing stimulus duration, enabling more information to be conveyed in less time. A preliminary experiment established intensity perception thresholds—the minimum vibration intensities detectable—at 40, 80, 150, 250, 300, and 590 Hz, frequencies primarily activating the Pacinian (Rapid Adapting II) psychophysical channel. Subsequently, 35 participants determined the minimum durations needed to perceive the transition from pulse to vibration sensations across this frequency range. Results revealed a consistent minimum duration of approximately 30 ms, contrasting with findings in audition, where shorter durations suffice at higher frequencies, but aligning with prior studies in tactile perception.

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Gamification: From Motivation and Challenges to Improving Academic Performance in Learning Mathematics

2024 , Núñez Naranjo, Aracelly , Sinailin-Peralta J. , Morales-Urrutia E.

Gamification is a didactic strategy that motivates and improves teaching processes, for this reason the present study has been proposed in which a methodological proposal is structured that seeks to improve academic performance using gamification as a strategy for teaching operations with applied polynomials. Students of the first year of high school of an educational institution in the city of Quito, the methodology is addressed from a descriptive and correlational level given the exploratory approach that has been carried out, for the development of the proposal the principles of gamification that relate to motivation with learning challenges, we worked with 28 students in scheduled class meetings, a pre-test and a post-test were applied to them, obtaining the following average course results: initial pre-test evaluation 4.93 and post-test -test, a value of 8.61 was obtained, evidencing an increase in the total average, with these data it is concluded that the gamification of activities and assessments if it improves the academic performance of students. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

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Virtual System for Industrial Processes: Distillation Towers

2021 , Jacome E.M. , Toaquiza J.F. , Mullo G.M. , Andaluz V.H. , Varela Aldas, José

In this paper a realistic and intuitive virtual environment of a distillation tower system is developed. The three-dimensional model of the system is based on a real system, which is replicated in Blender software to be later implemented in Unity, in order to simulate its behavior. By showing the evolution of the system, control and monitoring maneuvers are implemented, so that the virtual animation is similar to a real process. The application developed is intended to provide support in the learning process of an operator in the work area. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Etiology of brain damage: A neuropsychological contribution in its theoretical construction (First part) [Etiología del Daño Cerebral: Un Aporte Neuropsicológico en su Construcción Teórica (Primera Parte)]

2021 , Silva-Barragán M. , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

The brain is the organ responsible for all the brilliant activities that human beings perform, such as thinking, acting, speaking, solving problems, making decisions, regulating emotions and other fascinating mental abilities. Any of these brain functions can be damaged at the least expected moment, generating cognitive and behavioral problems in the patient who suffers from acquired brain damage. This article proposes a theoretical review of various etiological factors of brain damage: (a) the most frequent of them, traumatic brain injury (TBI), a condition that causes a range of cognitive and behavioral deficiencies, in addition to being the main cause of prolonged dysfunction in industrialized countries; (b) brain tumors are also an important etiological factor, since any area of the Central Nervous System (CNS) can be affected and the effects are very varied according to the location of the tumor, its level of severity, its nature and whether or not surgery was performed; (c) thirdly, epilepsy is presented as a neurological disease present in 50 million people around the world and whose consequences on the CNS are related to seizures and anti-seizure drugs; finally, (d) the neurobiology of child abuse is exposed, which can generate alterations in the brain configuration of a minor. In each of these factors, its definition, classification, associated risk factors and, finally, what is its effect on the brain and the nature of the damage will be presente d. © 2021 Fundacion para la difusion neurologica en Ecuador - FUNDINE. All rights reserved.

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House fly larvae harvest yield using three different rations of wheat brand and pig manure as larval development media [Rendimentos de larvas de moscas em diferentes colheitas com três proporções de farelo de trigo e esterco suíno]

2023 , Cosío E.C. , Reyes R.R. , del Villar Labastida A.S. , Sánchez A.Á. , Morales R.P.

The aim of the research was to compare the yields of house fly larvae using different proportions of wheat bran and swine feces as larval development medium, in a randomized block experimental design with five replications: A-100 % wheat bran; B- 50% wheat bran and 50% swine feces; C- 100% swine feces. Measurements of the temperature of the substrates, as well as the temperature and relative humidity of the place where the flies were developing were made every 24 hours. The larval yield per m2 and kg of substrate, (including the water used to moisten the larval media) were also registered. The wheat bran substrate presented the highest temperature values (36.78 oC), with values above the ambient temperature. The relative humidity varied between 44 and 68%. The amount of water used per square meter was 28.75; 27.72 and 28.87 L for A, B and C treatments, respectively. The highest yield for all substrates was obtained during the first harvest after six days with the highest values for treatment B with 2869.11 g m2-1 and 181.16 g kg-1, respectively. The transformation of the crude protein of the substrates by the fly larvae was between 28.0 and 41.0%, with the highest value for treatment B with 2869,11 g m2 - 1 and 181,16 g kg2-1 . No presence of pathogenic agents was observed in the harvested larvae. © 2023 Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul. All rights reserved.

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF AUTHORS OF MUSICAL WORKS AND THEIR COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT IN ECUADOR AND SPAIN

2022 , Tocoronte, E.M. , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana

This article deals with the essential elements that intervene with the ability to understand, from the different text typologies in the teaching-learning process of the Castilian language, based on theory, as well as Colombian normative documents, which as a whole and based on the Political Constitution of 1991, must guarantee an inclusive education, where the social and cultural environment of the individuals must be taken into account in order to develop a meaningful and contextualized pedago-gical practice. Throughout the writing, the teaching-learning process is related with the formation of the ability to understand, from different text typologies, as a dynamic element of this process in the third grade students of Basic Primary Education. © 2022, University of Cienfuegos, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez. All rights reserved.