Universidad Indoamérica
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Quito
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INDOAMÉRICA es una Institución de educación superior con más de tres décadas al servicio de la ciencia y la formación de profesionales de excelencia. Nuestros orígenes se remontan a los años ochenta, cuando fue constituido el Centro de Estudios de Computación “Servisistemas Informáticos Indoamérica”. Su nombre, INDOAMÉRICA, expresa un profundo sentido de pertenencia a la cultura latinoamericana, lo cual constituye la base fundamental de nuestra identidad.

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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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Video Analytics in Business Marketing for Shopping Malls in Ecuador

2024 , Pazmiño Guevara, L , Álvarez-Tello J. , Galarraga Carvajal, Mercedes , Pazmiño-Guevara C. , Maldonado-Pazmiño A.

Introduction: Video analytics has become an important tool for improving business performance, personnel management, and security in different environments, including shopping centres. However, its use also poses a threat to users’ privacy. Aim: In this context the aim of the article is to determine the architecture of video analytics in shopping malls as a business marketing strategy and the vulnerability of users’ privacy. Method: A descriptive methodology with a qualitative approach was used to design a prototype focused on the optimisation of customer business processes and decision making in shopping centres in Ecuador, from problem identification and information requirements management to prototype design, implementation, and training of the model with accurate data. Results: The technological solution is based on the OMIA platform, which generates relevant Key Performance Index (KPI) based on the automatic processing of images from video surveillance systems. Conclusion: It is important that the implementation of the model is trained, supervised, optimised, and regulated to guarantee the privacy and security of information and users under the Organic Law on Data Protection in Ecuador. © 2024, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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EVIDENCE IN ALIMONY TRIALS DIRECT

2023 , Lascano Díaz P.A. , García Erazo, Erika

The objective of this article is to analyze the principle of the best interest of the child against the practice of the test that is carried out in the processes of fixing alimony; based on what is established by the doctrine and the national and international legal system, it is sought to know if there is a violation of the rights of the feeders under a regulatory framework that allows establishing a food quota based on a sectoral table that may or may not respond to your economic reality. The research is developed from the analytical and inductive methodology as it allows to describe and understand the variables presented from a qualitative approach. The research questions that have given the guideline for the realization of this work are: What are the scope of the principle of the best interest of the child within the processes of fixing alimony? And what are the protection mechanisms of the fundamental rights of the obligors against these processes? From the analysis carried out, it has been possible to determine that the practice of direct evidence in these cases does not guarantee 100% the exercise of the rights of people based on the realities in which they find themselves. © 2023, University of Cienfuegos, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

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Analysis of Musculoskeletal Disorders in University Administrative Staff: A Necessary Ergonomic Assessment

2024 , Cruz-Salazar R. , Buele, Jorge

Musculoskeletal disorders in work environments with repetitive tasks and long-period forced postures are common. A university’s administrative staff presented a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, lower back, shoulder, and wrist. Preventive measures should be taken to improve ergonomic conditions and minimize the risk of chronic injuries. The evaluation using the RULA method, and the Nordic Questionnaire revealed a medium to a high incidence of musculoskeletal discomfort in administrative staff. The position adopted by users strongly influences this situation, and it is recommended to follow ergonomic recommendations to minimize ergonomic risks. Forced postures in specific body areas, such as the neck, shoulder, and wrist, should be corrected with changes in the task and study, even redesigning them. The Nordic Questionnaire found that 100% of the participants feel neck, lower back, and elbow discomfort and 87.5% in the shoulder and hand/wrist. The discomfort lasts over three months, forcing 87.5% of people to change jobs. The intensity of the discomfort is moderate, and its origin has been mainly forced postures in the neck and lower back and repetitive movements in the hand/wrist. This shows the need to take preventive measures to improve ergonomic conditions and reduce the risk of injuries and chronic discomfort in employees. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

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Thermal limits along tropical elevational gradients: Poison frog tadpoles show plasticity but maintain divergence across elevation

2024 , Páez-Vacas, Mónica , Funk W.C.

Temperature is arguably one of the most critical environmental factors impacting organisms at molecular, organismal, and ecological levels. Temperature variation across elevation may cause divergent selection in physiological critical thermal limits (CTMAX and CTMIN). Generally, high elevation populations are predicted to withstand lower environmental temperatures than low elevation populations. Organisms can also exhibit phenotypic plasticity when temperature varies, although theory and empirical evidence suggest that tropical ectotherms have relatively limited ability to acclimate. To study the effect of temperature variation along elevational transects on thermal limits, we measured CTMAX and CTMIN of 934 tadpoles of a poison frog species, Epipedobates anthonyi, along two elevational gradients (200–1700 m asl) in southwestern Ecuador to investigate their thermal tolerance across elevation. We also tested if tadpoles could plastically shift their critical thermal limits in response to exposure to different temperatures representing the range of temperatures they experience in nature (20 °C, 24 °C, and 28 °C). Overall, we found that CTMAX did not change across elevation. In contrast, CTMIN was lower at higher elevations, suggesting that elevational variation in temperature influences this thermal trait. Moreover, all populations shifted their CTMAX and CTMIN according to treatment temperatures, demonstrating an acclimation response. Overall, trends in CTMIN among high, mid, and low elevation populations were maintained despite plastic responses to treatment temperature. These results demonstrate that, for tadpoles of E. anthonyi across tropical elevational gradients, temperature acts as a selective force for CTMIN, even when populations show acclimation abilities in both, CTMAX and CTMIN. Our findings advance our understanding on how environmental variation affects organisms’ evolutionary trajectories and their abilities to persist in a changing climate in a tropical biodiversity hotspot. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

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Intrusion detection system in commands sequences applying one versus rest methodology [Sistema de Detección de Intrusos en secuencia de comandos aplicando la metodología One versus Rest]

2018 , Guevara C.B. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio

The main objective of this work is to develop an intrusion detection algorithm in commands sequences. These sequences are based on user behavior applying in several classification techniques. This algorithm allows obtaining a precision in the identification of fraudulent activities. To develop this algorithm, we have worked with a public database called Unix Commands. In addition, the model applies multiple machine learning techniques such as decision tree C4.5, UCS, and Multilayer Neural Network. In this paper we use two forms for data classification, the first form will be to use the entire dataset with the 7 users, but the difference is that the model applies 5 commands or 16 commands. The model identifies the information of a user and the labeled as normal, otherwise, the user is labeled as an intruder (5 commands - 2 classes, 16 commands - 2 classes). The second form uses the dataset by sequential discrimination (discrimination in form of a decision tree). This methodology is used in the multiclass classification called one versus rest (OVR) (5 commands-OVR, 16 commands-OVR). The algorithm has obtained optimal results in the classification and a low false positive rate. © 2018 AISTI.

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In vitro and in silico analysis of galanthine from Zephyranthes carinata as an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase

2022 , Sierra, K. , de Andrade, J.P. , R. Tallini, L. , Osorio, E.H. , Yañéz, O. , Osorio, M.I. , Oleas Gallo, Nora Helena , García-Beltrán, O. , de S. Borges, W. , Bastida, J. , Osorio, E. , Cortes, N.

Zephyranthes carinata Herb., a specie of the Amaryllidoideae subfamily, has been reported to have inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase. However, scientific evidence related to their bioactive alkaloids has been lacking. Thus, this study describes the isolation of the alkaloids of this plant, and their inhibition of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (eeAChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (eqBuChE), being galanthine the main component. Additionally, haemanthamine, hamayne, lycoramine, lycorine, tazettine, trisphaeridine and vittatine/crinine were also isolated. The results showed that galanthine has significant activity at low micromolar concentrations for eeAChE (IC50 = 1.96 μg/mL). The in-silico study allowed to establish at a molecular level the high affinity and the way galanthine interacts with the active site of the TcAChE enzyme, information that corroborates the result of the experimental IC50. However, according to molecular dynamics (MD) analysis, it is also suggested that galanthine presents a different inhibition mode that the one observed for galanthamine, by presenting interaction with peripheral anionic binding site of the enzyme, which prevents the entrance and exit of molecules from the active site. Thus, in vitro screening assays plus rapid computer development play an essential role in the search for new cholinesterase inhibitors by identifying unknown bio-interactions between bioactive compounds and biological targets. © 2022 The Authors

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Inverse kinematics of a redundant manipulator robot using constrained optimization

2020 , Varela Aldas, José , Ayala-Chauvin, Manuel Ignacio , Andaluz, V.H. , Santamaría, M.

Redundant manipulative robots are characterized by greater manipulability improving performance but complicating inverse kinematics, on the other hand, optimization techniques allow solving complex problems in robotics applications with greater efficiency. This paper presents the inverse kinematics of a redundant manipulative robot with four degrees of freedom to track a desired trajectory, and considering constraint in manipulability. The optimization problem is proposed using the quadratic position errors of the operative end and the constraint is established by a manipulability index, for this the kinematic model of the robot is determined. The results show the points of singularity of the robot and the performance of the proposal implemented, observing the positional errors and the manipulability for each point of the trajectory. In addition, the optimization is evaluated for two desired manipulability values. Finally, it is concluded that the implemented method optimizes the inverse kinematics to track the desired path while constraining the manipulability. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

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Virtual learning environments as an alternative in the teaching of critical medicine

2022 , Dillon F. , Jara F. , Rojas, David , Freire Muñoz, Irina

The general objective of this research work was to determine the feasibility of incorporating EVA as a didactic alternative in the teaching of critical medicine in postgraduate students. The research paradigm was of a propositive critical type with a mixed descriptive, explanatory, and correlational approach. The study population was selected through an intentional sampling for convenience and was made up of 90 students and 23 teachers of the postgraduate degree in Critical Medicine from two private universities in Ecuador. The research instruments used were two multiple-choice surveys with a single response on a Likert scale that, prior to their application, were validated and are reliable. The results obtained made it possible to determine the feasibility of incorporating EVAs in the academic training of critical medicine postgraduate students, thus also allowing the reduction of hospital absence times due to the academic training received virtually. © 2022, Associacao Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao. All rights reserved.

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Arboviruses in Mammals in the Neotropics: A Systematic Review to Strengthen Epidemiological Monitoring Strategies and Conservation Medicine

2023 , García-Romero C. , Carrillo Bilbao G.A. , Navarro J.-C. , Martin-Solano S. , Saegerman C.

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are a diverse group of ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, with the exception of African swine fever virus, that are transmitted by hematophagous arthropods to a vertebrate host. They are the important cause of many diseases due to their ability to spread in different environments and their diversity of vectors. Currently, there is no information on the geographical distribution of the diseases because the routes of transmission and the mammals (wild or domestic) that act as potential hosts are poorly documented or unknown. We conducted a systematic review from 1967 to 2021 to identify the diversity of arboviruses, the areas, and taxonomic groups that have been monitored, the prevalence of positive records, and the associated risk factors. We identified forty-three arboviruses in nine mammalian orders distributed in eleven countries. In Brazil, the order primates harbor the highest number of arbovirus records. The three most recorded arboviruses were Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus. Serum is the most used sample to obtain arbovirus records. Deforestation is identified as the main risk factor for arbovirus transmission between different species and environments (an odds ratio of 1.46 with a 95% confidence interval: 1.34–1.59). The results show an increase in the sampling effort over the years in the neotropical region. Despite the importance of arboviruses for public health, little is known about the interaction of arboviruses, their hosts, and vectors, as some countries and mammalian orders have not yet been monitored. Long-term and constant monitoring allows focusing research on the analysis of the interrelationships and characteristics of each component animal, human, and their environment to understand the dynamics of the diseases and guide epidemiological surveillance and vector control programs. The biodiversity of the Neotropics should be considered to support epidemiological monitoring strategies. © 2023 by the authors.

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