Now showing 1 - 10 of 117
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Development of video games to improve the learning of data structures

2020 , Salvador-Ullauri L. , Salvador-Acosta B. , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Vargas P.

Computer engineering students have little interest in striving to understand the fundamentals of developing data structures at the origins of computing. In order to improve the learning of the Data Structure course, a strategy has been established for students to develop a simple video game in which the implementation of AVL trees, queues, and stacks shows the importance of using data structures during the development of computational applications. This work suggests a method to stimulate the learning of the essential elements of the software through the development of video games to emphasize the importance of the use of Data Structures. The students involved in this practice used graphic tools to represent the insertion and deletion operations that are performed on three types of Data Structures: AVL Tree, queue and stack. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

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A review of consumer-to-consumer digital information and knowledge sharing

2025 , Cruz Cárdenas, Jorge , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Mónica Giménez-Baldazo , Palacio Fierro, Andrés

This study undertook a systematic literature review of consumers’ information and knowledge sharing (I&KS) in digital scenarios, as it is an expanding thematic area that differs from other consumer behavior and has been underexplored.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the PRISMA philosophy, we identified I&KS-related studies in the Scopus database based on a search term chain determined through an exploratory study. Additional inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and studies were manually filtered. An input–process–output type model was used to manually review and systematize the literature. Then, a second content analysis was conducted using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.FindingsBased on 51 relevant articles, this study characterized the I&KS research field as multidisciplinary through quantitative methods. Based on an input–process–output consumer behavior model and content analysis, this study systematized existing knowledge and revealed that most knowledge encompassed the influence of personal and psychological consumer characteristics. Additionally, based on AI tools applied to the full texts of the relevant articles, five thematic clusters emerged, largely coinciding with the input–process–output model used. Finally, future research avenues and recommendations for business and organizational practices were identified. This study fills the gap in consumer studies by systematically reviewing I&KS, a developing field, as no prior research has addressed this topic systematically.

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The role of inhibitory control in the ability to solve problems of university students

2020 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas P. , Ortiz-Granja D. , Lepe-Martínez N. , Valle M.D. , Ramos V. , Bolaños-Pasquel, Mónica

The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of inhibitory control in the ability to solve problems of university students. The sample consisted of 90 young people with typical development (Mage= 20.58, SD= 1.27), 39 females (43.33%) and 51 males (56.7%). The Stroop and the Anillas' Test tasks were applied as instruments. As results, it was found a directly proportional and predictive relationship between inhibitory control and problem-solving of university students (correlation between: r= .34 and .47, p= <.01; prediction: r2= .14, F(1,88)= 13.88, p= <.01). It concludes by reflecting on the contribution of conscious control to solve problems faced by the university student on a day-to-day basis in an efficient way and invites future research in order to train inhibitory control. © 2020 Fundacion para la difusion neurologica en Ecuador - FUNDINE. All rights reserved.

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Hedonic and Utilitarian Motivations in Predicting the Buy Intention of Technological Products: A Study in Developing and Emerging Countries

2021 , Cruz Cárdenas, Jorge , Zabelina E. , Deyneka O. , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

An area of great interest for business is establishing the factors that determine consumer intentions to purchase new technological products. The present study seeks to contribute to this field of research by establishing how the consumer’s hedonic and utilitarian motivations help explain their purchase intentions. The present study consisted of a survey completed by 725 people in Ecuador (a developing country) and 376 in Russia (an emerging country). The data obtained were analyzed with a multiple regression, with the purchase intentions of five technological products being the variable to be predicted and the two motivations for the use of technologies as the predictor variables. Various demographic variables were introduced as control variables. The results obtained point to a secondary role for demographic variables. On the other hand, and in a consistent manner, hedonic and utilitarian motivations were significant predictors positively associated with purchase intentions in both countries. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Cognitive and emotional predictors of self-regulated learning: a structural model based on executive functions, learning strategies, and sense of coherence

2025 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Jennifer Obregón , Nancy Lepe-Martínez , Milenko Del Valle , Brenda Guerrero-Tates , Cruz Cárdenas, Jorge

Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) is a complex process that enables university students to consciously manage their learning and achieve strong academic performance throughout their academic career. This process is influenced by various factors, particularly within the cognitive and emotional domains. Specifically, SRL is shaped by variables such as Executive Functions, Sense of Coherence, and Learning Management Strategies. In this study, we hypothesized that Conscious Monitoring of Responsibilities, Supervisory Attentional System, Deliberate Emotion Regulation, Manageability, Meaningfulness, and Conscious Motivational Strategies contribute significantly to the variance observed in SRL. Two explanatory models were proposed to represent the dynamic relationships among these variables. The study involved a sample of 1316 university students from two Latin American countries: Chile (n = 631, Mage=20.18, SD=2.06) and Ecuador (n = 685, Mage=20.71, SD=1.99). Three scales were used to assess the variables included in the models, each demonstrating acceptable to strong internal consistency (α=0.70 to 0.85). The results revealed moderate to strong correlations among the variables (r = 0.27 to 0.64). The explained variance of SRL was 24% for the emotional and 30% for the cognitive dimensions. Both proposed models demonstrated adequate fit indices (CFI=0.96, RMSEA=0.05, SRMR=0.04), supporting the structural validity of the models. These findings suggest that SRL is the result of a complex interaction between cognitive and emotional factors. The models proposed in this study offer a valuable foundation for the development of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing SRL in university students and, consequently, improving their academic performance

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The resurgence of Ecuadorian neuroscience: Revista Ecuatoriana de neurología [El Resurgir de la neurociencia Ecuatoriana: La revista Ecuatoriana de neurología]

2017 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

[No abstract available]

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Artificial Intelligence and Tomorrow’s Education

2021 , Cóndor-Herrera, Omar , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

Nowadays, there is a rapid technological progress around the world that has enabled realities long ago unimaginable. We live in a technological era that represents new possibilities and challenges for society, and for the educational models in each country [1]. Research on smart education, which has forced the educational community to rethink on new ways of learning and teaching has been developed globally. Due to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), the educational model for both, teachers and students will change. Nevertheless, to transform educational systems, it is necessary to update and train students, educators, and administrators effectively [2]. This research aims to describe the possible applications of AI in education from: 1) the automation of administrative tasks; 2) collection and analysis of information [3] to create smart content; 3) the implementation of virtual assistants in the teaching-learning process; 4) the potential delivery of lectures by humanoid robots with AI. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Advancements in Assistive Robotics: A Systematic Review of Inclusive Technologies for People With Disabilities

2025 , Zapata, Mireya , Diego Guevara , Jennifer Obregón , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , 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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The role of executive functions in academic performance and behaviour of university students

2020 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas P. , Bolaños-Pasquel, Mónica , Lepe-Martínez N.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is fourfold: first, to analyse the relationship between executive functions and academic performance; second, to identify the level of prediction executive functions have on academic performance; third, to determine the correlation between executive functions and academic performance; and fourth, to compare executive functions based on the level of academic performance. Design/methodology/approach: The sample composed of 175 university students aged between 18 and 36 years (M=21.49, SD=3.22). The EFECO scale, the average student grade and a scale based on the diagnostic criteria for ADHD were used as measurement instruments. Findings: Difficulties in executive functions: Difficulties in working memory (r=−0.30, p=<0.01) and difficulties in conscious supervision of behaviour (r=−0.29, p⩽0.01) have an inversely proportional relationship to academic performance (the greater the deficit of executive functions, the lower the academic performance). The regression analysis showed that executive functions explain 31 per cent of the variance of academic performance (χ2(25)=43.81, p <0.001). The study found that there is a relationship between all the executive functions and students’ behaviour in a medium to large magnitude. Research limitations/implications: A limitation of this study was the size of the sample as it is not representative of the country. Nevertheless, the correlation among the variables studied here has the necessary magnitude for the proposed correlations to be found. Nonetheless, it is necessary that we perform a study with a larger number of participants in order to achieve adequate extrapolation of the results. Practical implications: Data found in this study suggest that low academic performance of university students is related to a lower functionality of their executive functions. Originality/value: The originality of the research lies in relating specific concepts of neuropsychology to explain the academic performance of university students. The research findings allow us to project new studies to improve the executive functions for the benefit of the university student. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

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Executive Functions in University Students

2024 , Emily Coello-Zambrano , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

Introduction: Executive functions are delegated to monitor and stop conscious behaviors in the face of various stimuli of daily life. Objective: Analyze the role of Executive Functions in university students through a quantitative correlational study. Method: The research consisted of 238 participants aged 18 to 38 years (Mage=22.35, SD=2.34). As an evaluation instrument, the Clinical Observation Scale was used to Assessthe Third Functional Unit of Luria Theory: EOCL-1. Results: A significant global correlation was obtained between the variables, such as verification with attentional control r=.48, p=.001 inhibitory control r=.44, p=.001, internal regulatory language r=.24, p=.001 and supervision and monitoring r=.36, p=.001 Conclusions: Executive functions are mental skills of high level and greater complexity in the human being, they determine different contexts in which it develops as the university academic.