Now showing 1 - 10 of 31
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    Item type:Publication,
    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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    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
      9
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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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    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.
      11
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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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    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.
      13
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    Advancements in Assistive Robotics: A Systematic Review of Inclusive Technologies for People With Disabilities
    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
      29
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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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    Valencia, K.
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    Vargas, V.
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    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.
      33
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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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    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.
      19
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    Sensory Substitution in Music: Enhancing Deaf Perception Through Vibrotactile Feedback
    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.
      24
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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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    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.
      20
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    Design and evaluation of a heuristic optimization tool based on evolutionary grammars using PSoCs
    (2020)
    Vallejo Mancero B.
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    Topón-Visarrea L.
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    Malagón P.
    Currently, the evolutionary computing techniques are increasingly used in different fields, such as optimization, machine learning, and others. The starting point of the investigation is a set of optimization tools based on these techniques and one of them is called evolutionary grammar [1]. It is a evolutionary technique derived from genetic algorithms and used to generate programs automatically in any type of language. The present work is focused on the design and evaluation of hardware acceleration technique through PSoC, for the execution of evolutionary grammar. For this, a ZYNQ development platform is used, in which the logical part is used to implement factory modules and independents hardware blocks made up of a soft-processor, memory BRAM, and a CORDIC module developed to perform arithmetic operations. The processing part is used for the execution of the algorithm. Throughout the development, the procedures and techniques used for hardware and software design are specified, and the viability of the implementation is analyzed considering the comparison of the algorithm execution times in Java versus the execution times in Hardware. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.
      23
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    MobileTestPro: Testing Framework for Mobile Application
    (2025)
    Jorge Romero-Collaguazo
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    Danilo Martinez
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    Xavier Ferre
    In the last decade, both the mobile market and app development have seen exponential growth, with millions of apps in online stores and billions of downloads recorded. Several development processes are used for app development, with agile approaches being the best fit for the market model. However, there is a weakness in testing activities and tasks. To provide a tool to improve software quality, we present a proposal for a framework for software testing in apps. Our proposal combines a series of tools used to evaluate an application in key areas such as consistency, security, compatibility, stress, among others, the development activities that provide a deliverable, and Mobile Ilities. To evaluate the feasibility of using the proposal, a toy app was used. The results reflect situations where the app’s behavior is not desired and its relationship with mobile ilities. The main contribution of the paper is to guide app developers in evaluating apps and contributing to improving app quality.
      6