Buele, Jorge
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Buele, Jorge
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Ambato
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jorgebuele@uti.edu.ec
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57200380202

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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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Maintenance Plan Based on TPM for Turbine Recovery Machinery

2021 , Lozada-Cepeda J.A. , Lara-Calle R. , Buele, Jorge

The maintenance and repair of the components of hydroelectric turbines require the use of specialized equipment. To keep these teams operational, it is proposed to design a master plan in order to develop a TPM philosophy for a vertical turning lathe. This project develops five of the twelve steps established by JIPM for the TPM implementation. This paper also provides the necessary documentation for 5S and autonomous maintenance applications. Also, some safety, health and environmental suggestions are provided. PM activities are chosen based on RCM techniques like CA and FMEA. And predictive maintenance activities are established following ISO 3655, 2006. All these activities including automotive maintenance ones are organized and scheduled. Finally, OEE rate is applied to the lathe to identify the principal losses on the machine. After applying this proposal there is an increase of 27.84% and 39.71% in availability and performance respectively. The OEE calculation has increased by 29.97%, thereby motivating readers to implement this methodology in other industries. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.

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Structural design of a telemetry and video surveillance system implemented in a UAV [Diseño estructural de un sistema de telemetría y videovigilancia implementado en un UAV]

2020 , Moscoso M.E. , Yánez-Arcos E. , Enríquez V. , Cuji J. , Naranjo-ávalos H. , Salazar F.W. , Buele, Jorge

Exploration and monitoring in areas of great extension, where illegal activities could be carried out is a problem that affect to Latin American air forces. Therefore, this research paper describes the structural design of a telemetry system to develop surveillance missions in a small-range UAV prototype. The appropriate elements that are part of the unmanned aerial system (UAS) are determined based on an aerodynamic analysis, determine the best technology, at a reduced cost. The equipment is installed and conditioned maintaining the specific conditions of the aircraft, for stable flights and reliable communication links. The validation of this proposal is carried out through a set of tests that confirm its high reliability, despite being a prototype system. © 2020, Associacao Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao. 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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Predicting Academic Performance in Mathematics Using Machine Learning Algorithms

2022 , Espinosa Pinos, Carlos Alberto , Ayala-Chauvin, Manuel Ignacio , Buele, Jorge

Several factors, directly and indirectly, influence students’ performance in their various activities. Children and adolescents in the education process generate enormous data that could be analyzed to promote changes in current educational models. Therefore, this study proposes using machine learning algorithms to evaluate the variables influencing mathematics achievement. Three models were developed to identify behavioral patterns such as passing or failing achievement. On the one hand, numerical variables such as grades in exams of other subjects or entrance to higher education and categorical variables such as institution financing, student’s ethnicity, and gender, among others, are analyzed. The methodology applied was based on CRISP-DM, starting with the debugging of the database with the support of the Python library, Sklearn. The algorithms used are Decision Tree (DT), Naive Bayes (NB), and Random Forest (RF), the last one being the best, with 92% accuracy, 98% recall, and 97% recovery. As mentioned above, the attributes that best contribute to the model are the entrance exam score for higher education, grade exam, and achievement scores in linguistic, scientific, and social studies domains. This confirms the existence of data that help to develop models that can be used to improve curricula and regional education regulations. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Augmented Reality Application with Multimedia Content to Support Primary Education

2023 , Buele, Jorge , Espinoza J. , Ruales, María Belén , Camino-Morejón V.M. , Ayala-Chauvin, Manuel Ignacio

Education is continually reinventing itself to meet the growing needs of learners. In the context of an emergency, confinement and mobilization difficulties have necessitated the adoption of online education. This new offer brings technological means to conventional processes, but its main disadvantage is the limited access in some places. This has motivated the present study, which proposes the development of a mobile application using augmented reality (AR) to complement primary education. This application aims to disseminate multimedia content without needing a stable internet connection. A high-performance computer is required for the design and a mid-range smartphone for its execution. Four scripts are generated in c# programming language using Visual Studio. The environment and the three-dimensional objects are developed using Unity software and the packages ARFoundation, Unity MARS, and Vuforia. Two groups of 13 children each participated in the experimental testing. The experimental group used the application for two weeks to complement the virtual classes in the subjects of language, natural sciences, and mathematics. The analysis with SPSS software shows a statistically significant increase in the average grades compared to the control group. This research shows that the use of technology can contribute to improving the current teaching-learning processes. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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3D Object Reconstruction Using Concatenated Matrices with MS Kinect: A Contribution to Interiors Architecture

2020 , Buele, Jorge , Varela Aldas, José , Castellanos E.X. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Barberán J.

Interior architecture is part of the individual, social and business life of the human being; it allows structuring the spaces to inhabit, study or work. This document presents the design and implementation of a system that allows the three-dimensional reconstruction of objects with a reduced economic investment. The image acquisition process and treatment of the information with mathematical support that it entails are described. The system involves an MS Kinect as a tool to create a radar that operates with the structured light principle to capture objects at a distance of less than 2 meters. The development of the scripts is done in the MATLAB software and in the same way the graphical interface that is presented to the user. As part of the initial tests of this prototype, the digitization of geometric shape structures has been performed with an accuracy of over 98%. This validates its efficient operation, which serves as the basis for the development of modeling in interior architecture for future work. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Exploring the Landscape of Data Analysis: A Review of Its Application and Impact in Ecuador

2023 , Ayala-Chauvin, Manuel Ignacio , Avilés-Castillo F. , Buele, Jorge

Latin America has shown increased big data adoption since 2012; Ecuador is now entering this transformative field. Science and engineering in Ecuador have benefited most from data analysis, with untapped potential in health and services sectors. Big data is shaping sectors in Ecuador, including disaster prediction, agriculture, smart city development, and electoral data analysis. Despite public sector inefficiencies, residential ICT adoption provides opportunities for Ecuador’s smart city advancements. Despite some data underutilization, big data’s transformative potential is evident in Ecuador’s healthcare and education advancements. Highlights: Data analysis is increasingly critical in aiding decision-making within public and private institutions. This paper scrutinizes the status quo of big data and data analysis and its applications within Ecuador, focusing on its societal, educational, and industrial impact. A detailed literature review was conducted from academic databases such as SpringerLink, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and ACM, incorporating research from inception until May 2023. The search process adhered to the PRISMA statement, employing specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The analysis revealed that data implementation in Ecuador, while recent, has found noteworthy applications in six principal areas, classified using ISCED: education, science, engineering, health, social, and services. In the scientific and engineering sectors, big data has notably contributed to disaster mitigation and optimizing resource allocation in smart cities. Its application in the social sector has fortified cybersecurity and election data integrity, while in services, it has enhanced residential ICT adoption and urban planning. Health sector applications are emerging, particularly in disease prediction and patient monitoring. Educational applications predominantly involve student performance analysis and curricular evaluation. This review emphasizes that while big data’s potential is being gradually realized in Ecuador, further research, data security measures, and institutional interoperability are required to fully leverage its benefits. © 2023 by the authors.

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Monitoring System for Physical Water Quality Parameters and Automatic Control for Chlorine Dosing in a Aerator Treatment Plant

2021 , Balarezo J.C. , Buele, Jorge , Naranjo-Avalos H. , Castillo F. , Vargas W.G. , Salazar F.W.

This work proposes the development and creation of an automatic monitoring and control system for the dosage of chlorine in the water treatment plant, purifying the vital liquid and avoiding the distribution and consumption of water contaminated by microorganisms. This is achieved by monitoring the physical parameters through the data sent by wireless sensors, acquiring them in a database, sending the data in real time to a web server, where they can be visible to the public, and generating automatic control in Based on the data obtained, this occurs in a water treatment pools. For this, a Raspberry Pi board is used, it acts as a data store, two Arduino Mega, acting as control nodes, a LAN server, and a PID control for the automatic control of chlorine dosage, thus achieving precautionary that the water is disinfected from any microorganism present. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.

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Virtual Reality applications based on activities of daily living (ADL) for cognitive diagnosis and rehabilitation

2022 , Buele, Jorge , Varela Aldas, José , Palacios-Navarro G.

Traditionally, screening tools are available to help diagnose a person's cognitive problem. Therefore, rehabilitation techniques are lab exercises that lack adequate ecological validity. In this paper, we propose to establish the projection of a methodology for the development of serious games based on activities of daily living (ADL). Both for real and immersive environments, to assess what provides better results when applied in healthy patients at first, but with a focus on those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It is expected that when this research is completed, precedents will be established for the development of new proposals based on virtual environments. © 2022 IEEE.

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