Zapata, Mireya

Preferred name

Zapata, Mireya

Main Affiliation

Centro de investigación en Mecatrónica y Sistemas Interactivos

Quito

mireyazapata@uti.edu.ec

ORCID

0000-0003-3382-2724

Scopus Author ID

56818703100

Now showing 1 - 10 of 31

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Planning and Management of Fiber Optic Networks Based on a Geographic Information System: A Case in Ecuador
(2025)
Miguel Vargas-Bustamante
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Zapata, Mireya
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Jorge Álvarez-Tello
Lean management contributes to pursuit the quality, accessibility and efficiency of healthcare institutions. Its importance of the implementation of lean management in the healthcare sector using different strategies to improve services like: the supply chain in hospitals. In this review was used the model proposed by seuring and gold based on the analyze a sample of articles indexed in Scopus, web of science and also the simulation tool was used to in order to illustrate the approach. After implementation of lean thinking in different hospital in some countries improves the structure, process and outcome of care and management actions and management in healthcare promotes advantages in terms of quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare in hospitals
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Learning Through Play: Implementing an Educational Escape Room for Teaching Traditions and Culture
(2025)
Valencia-Aragón, Kevin
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Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio
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Zapata, Mireya
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Luis Aguirre-Morales
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Sandra Sanchez-Gordon
This study explores the implementation of an educational Escape Room as a pedagogical strategy to teach tangible cultural heritage to students in Ecuador. This Escape Room was designed using the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) and integrated into the basic education curriculum for Ecuadorian schools. The primary objective was to enhance students’ engagement and understanding of Ecuador’s cultural heritage through an interactive and gamified learning experience. The Escape Room was structured around five missions, each focusing on different aspects of the cultural heritage of five parishes in Ecuador. Students were required to solve puzzles, answer questions, and complete challenges to progress through the game. The results of the implementation, evaluated through observation and student feedback, indicated a high level of student engagement, improved problem-solving skills, and a deeper appreciation for Ecuador’s cultural heritage. The study concludes that Escape Rooms can be an effective tool for teaching cultural heritage, fostering teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking among students. This innovative approach not only makes learning more dynamic and enjoyable but also aligns with modern educational trends that emphasize active and experiential learning.
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Low-Cost Non-Wearable Fall Detection System Implemented on a Single Board Computer for People in Need of Care
(2024)
Vanessa Vargas
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Pablo Ramos
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Edwin A. Orbe
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Zapata, Mireya
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Valencia-Aragón, Kevin
This work aims at proposing an affordable, non-wearable system to detect falls of people in need of care. The proposal uses artificial vision based on deep learning techniques implemented on a Raspberry Pi4 4GB RAM with a High-Definition IR-CUT camera. The CNN architecture classifies detected people into five classes: fallen, crouching, sitting, standing, and lying down. When a fall is detected, the system sends an alert notification to mobile devices through the Telegram instant messaging platform. The system was evaluated considering real daily indoor activities under different conditions: outfit, lightning, and distance from camera. Results show a good trade-off between performance and cost of the system. Obtained performance metrics are: precision of 96.4%, specificity of 96.6%, accuracy of 94.8%, and sensitivity of 93.1%. Regarding privacy concerns, even though this system uses a camera, the video is not recorded or monitored by anyone, and pictures are only sent in case of fall detection. This work can contribute to reducing the fatal consequences of falls in people in need of care by providing them with prompt attention. Such a low-cost solution would be desirable, particularly in developing countries with limited or no medical alert systems and few resources.
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Real-time execution of SNN models with synaptic plasticity for handwritten digit recognition on SIMD hardware
(2024)
Bernardo Vallejo-Mancero
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Jordi Madrenas
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Zapata, Mireya
Recent advancements in neuromorphic computing have led to the development of hardware architectures inspired by Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) to emulate the efficiency and parallel processing capabilities of the human brain. This work focuses on testing the HEENS architecture, specifically designed for high parallel processing and biological realism in SNN emulation, implemented on a ZYNQ family FPGA. The study applies this architecture to the classification of digits using the well-known MNIST database. The image resolutions were adjusted to match HEENS' processing capacity. Results were compared with existing work, demonstrating HEENS' performance comparable to other solutions. This study highlights the importance of balancing accuracy and efficiency in the execution of applications. HEENS offers a flexible solution for SNN emulation, allowing for the implementation of programmable neural and synaptic models. It encourages the exploration of novel algorithms and network architectures, providing an alternative for real-time processing with efficient energy consumption.
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Low-Cost Human–Machine Interface for Computer Control with Facial Landmark Detection and Voice Commands
(2022)
Ramos, P.
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Zapata, Mireya
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Valencia, K.
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Vargas, V.
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Ramos Galarza, Carlos
Nowadays, daily life involves the extensive use of computers, since human beings are immersed in a technological society. Therefore, it is mandatory to interact with computers, which represents a true disadvantage for people with upper limb disabilities. In this context, this work aims to develop an interface for emulating mouse and keyboard functions (EMKEY) by applying concepts of artificial vision and voice recognition to replace the use of hands. Pointer control is achieved by head movement, whereas voice recognition is used to perform interface functionalities, including speech-to-text transcription. To evaluate the interface’s usability and usefulness, two studies were carried out. The first study was performed with 30 participants without physical disabilities. Throughout this study, there were significant correlations found between the emulator’s usability and aspects such as adaptability, execution time, and the participant’s age. In the second study, the use of the emulator was analyzed by four participants with motor disabilities. It was found that the interface was best used by the participant with cerebral palsy, followed by the participants with upper limb paralysis, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy. In general, the results show that the proposed interface is easy to use, practical, fairly accurate, and works on a wide range of computers. © 2022 by the authors.
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Real-Time Adaptive Physical Sensor Processing with SNN Hardware
(2023)
Madrenas J.
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Vallejo-Mancero B.
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Oltra-Oltra J.À.
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Zapata, Mireya
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Cosp-Vilella J.
Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) offer bioinspired computation based on local adaptation and plasticity as well as close biological compatibility. In this work, after reviewing the Hardware Emulator of Evolving Neural Systems (HEENS) architecture and its Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) design flow, a spiking implementation of an adaptive physical sensor input scheme based on time-rate Band-Pass Filter (BPF) is proposed for real-time execution of large dynamic range sensory edge processing nodes. Simulation and experimental results of the SNN operating in real-time with an adaptive-range accelerometer input example are shown. This work opens the path to compute with SNNs multiple physical sensor information for perception applications. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
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Sensory Substitution in Music: Enhancing Deaf Perception Through Vibrotactile Feedback
(2024)
Johann Jadán
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Zapata, Mireya
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Remache Vinueza, Byron
Music experienced through vibrotactile interfaces is a method of perceiving musical elements through the sense of touch, often involving vibrations. This technology functions by converting audio signals into physical sensations that can be sensed through the skin, typically via a wearable device like a wristband. Beginning with an initial audio file devoid of tactile feedback, the procedure entails altering it through sinusoidal modeling and, if necessary, implementing a Space-Fixed Audio transformation by utilizing the Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF). In this study, we successfully transformed sound files into tactile stereo vibrations using specialized hardware. This process was rigorously tested and validated through experimentation involving ten individuals. Our findings confirm that psychophysical sensations can indeed be perceptible. Notably, the most consistent responses were observed when applying the Vibrato and Tremolo effect, following an HRTF transformation. The Space-Fixed Audio transformation primarily introduced variations in azimuth, covering 360∘ in a clockwise direction. Consequently, this processing led to significant spectral changes, effectively rescaling and compressing the audio’s frequencies into lower equivalents. These modified spectral characteristics were subsequently transmitted through vibrotactile actuators, thereby transforming the essence of sound into a tactile experience. This innovative system creates a sensory replacement approach based on the psychophysical sensations perceived on the skin. It has proven to be exceptionally beneficial, particularly for individuals with hearing impairments who may not perceive music in the same way as individuals with typical hearing abilities.
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Optimizing Agriculture with LoRaWAN and HCI: A Smart Approach to Sustainable Farming
(2025)
Valencia-Aragón, Kevin
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Zapata, Mireya
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Cristopher Toapanta
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Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio
Modern agriculture faces challenges including water scarcity, excessive fertilizer use, and limited connectivity in rural areas, all exacerbated by climate change. This paper presents a smart agriculture system leveraging LoRaWAN technology and human-computer interfaces (HCI) to address these issues. The proposed system integrates low-cost sensors, a LoRaWAN-based network, and a user-friendly dashboard for real-time monitoring of critical variables such as soil moisture, ambient humidity and temperature. A proof-of-concept implementation demonstrates the system’s effectiveness in optimizing water and fertilizer use while maintaining scalability for large agricultural operations. The system operates reliably within rural environments without relying on traditional internet infrastructure, offering an affordable and sustainable solution. Field tests validate the system’s performance, highlighting its potential to enhance decision-making and resource efficiency in floriculture and beyond. Future work aims to expand the system’s capabilities with additional sensors, artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, and automated control mechanisms, further supporting sustainable farming practices.
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Advancements in Assistive Robotics: A Systematic Review of Inclusive Technologies for People With Disabilities
(2025)
Zapata, Mireya
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Diego Guevara
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Jennifer Obregón
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Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio
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Ramos Galarza, Carlos
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 16% of the global population lives with some form of disability, be it physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychosocial. Individuals with disabilities face numerous challenges related to mobility, communication, access to education, and other essential aspects of daily life. In this context, robotic technologies have emerged as innovative solutions aimed at improving autonomy, rehabilitation, and social inclusion. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesize the scientific evidence on robotic technologies developed to support people with disabilities. More specifically, the review sought to analyze the temporal and geographical distribution of research, classify the types of robotic technologies and their applications, examine methodological characteristics and participant demographics, and highlight the key contributions and gaps reported in the included studies. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore. From an initial pool of 6,290 articles, 89 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The results were categorized into five main themes: publication trends, types of robotic technologies and applications, methodological characteristics, participant demographics, and key contributions. The findings reveal a strong concentration of research on articulated robots for physical disabilities, alongside limited exploration of intellectual, sensory, and psychosocial contexts. While robotic interventions demonstrate significant potential for rehabilitation and daily assistance, challenges remain regarding sample sizes, diversity of disabilities addressed, and long-term validation studies. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of the state of the art in assistive robotics and identifies future research directions to enhance inclusion, accessibility, and clinical integration
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Digital Marketing Strategy for B2B Metalworking Industry: A Case Study for Ecuador
(2025)
Cruz Cusme-Palma
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Jorge Alvarez-Tello
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Zapata, Mireya
In a global environment where digitalization is key to competitiveness, B2B companies in the metalworking sector face challenges in adopting digital tools. In Ecuador, the low digital presence of small and medium-sized enterprises limits their ability to attract clients and expand. This study analyzes the case of Manufacturas ESCA Cía. Ltda., an Ecuadorian company with no digital presence, which requires a digital marketing strategy to improve its visibility and market positioning. The research follows a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods within a non-experimental, descriptive design. Strategic analysis tools such as SWOT, PESTEL, and CANVAS were applied, along with digital audits and keyword research using Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, and Tubular. Additionally, SEO, SEM, social media, and email marketing strategies were integrated into a comprehensive digital marketing plan. The projected results indicate that the strategy will help increase website traffic to 7,000 annual visits, generate 1,200 leads, and achieve an estimated revenue of $183,814.16 in the first year, with a positive return on investment. It is concluded that implementing digital strategies not only enhances visibility and customer acquisition but also strengthens the competitiveness and sustainability of industrial companies in emerging digital markets. Digital transformation is a strategic necessity for B2B companies aiming to optimize their positioning and growth in the digital era.
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Zapata, Mireya

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