Facultad de Ingenierías
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Item type:Publication, Enhancing Simulation Accuracy in Radioactive Decay Models: Comparative Analysis of Euler and RK2 Methods for Interactive SystemsThe modeling of radioactive decay processes has long been essential in fields such as nuclear physics, embedded systems, and educational simulations. Traditionally, the Euler method has been used to numerically solve the differential equations governing these phenomena. However, Euler’s method exhibits significant limitations in terms of accuracyAccuracy and stability, particularly in coupled systems or stiff mathematical configurations. To address this issue, this study presents a detailed comparison between the Euler method and the second-order Runge-Kutta method (RK2), aiming to evaluate their performance in terms of error accumulation, temporal fidelity, and the ability to preserve system dynamics. The goal is to determine which method is more suitable for simulations that demand high precision and computational efficiency. Numerical simulations were conducted for dual decay, cyclic decay, and thermistor cooling models using normalized time steps (Δt = 0.01 and 0.05). The results were compared against analytical solutions and analyzed through logarithmic error plots. RK2 consistently outperformed the Euler method, reducing absolute error by up to 80%. For instance, in the dual decay model, Euler’s error reached 3.41 units, while RK2 kept it below 0.62. Moreover, RK2 preserved the oscillatory dynamics in cyclic models and accurately predicted thermal thresholds in thermistor simulations. RK2 proves to be significantly more suitable for dynamic simulations where numerical precision and stability are critical. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.15 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Study of the Influence of Anthropogenic Sources on the Water Quality of the Ambato River, Tungurahua - Ecuador. A Growing Environmental Problem(2022) ;Pérez Aldas L.V. ;Guachamin Zambrano S.N. ;Acurio Arcos L.P. ;Robalino Martínez D.Fuentes E.M.The objective of this research was to establish the effect of anthropogenic sources on the degree of contamination in five points of the middle and lower basin of the Ambato River, in the province of Tungurahua (Ecuador), by determining ten physicochemical parameters following the Manual of Standard Methods for Water and Wastewater Analysis and Determination of Water Quality Index (WQI) from the National Sanitation Foundation NSF. The tests were structured in a replicated double division design, taking a sample for each sampling point, dividing them into two subsamples, which later are going to be four times replicated, 20 water samples were collected along the middle and lower basin of the river in two sampling campaigns. Of all the parameters tested, at least four parameters are within the permissible limit, temperature, turbidity, biological oxygen demand, and dissolved solids; while dissolved oxygen, suspended and total solids, hydrogen potential, chemical oxygen demand, and surfactants surpassed the permissible limits under the Ecuadorian law present at the “Environmental Quality and Water Resource Discharge Standard Book VI Annex 1” (TULSMA), according to the WQI, it was fair and foul along the river regarding the water quality. The results showed that untreated industrial wastewater and domestic waste discharged into the river are the main causes of environmental risk. Also, they affect the populations near the river since they use this water as a source for irrigation of their crops, becoming a health risk for consumers of the grown products irrigated with this water along the riverside. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.15 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, User Experience in Virtual Reality (VR) Applications for Elderly People with Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Scoping Review(2024); ; Guillermo Palacios-NavarroBackground: In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to improve the well-being and functional capabilities of older adults. Although VR applications have shown positive results, their impact on user experience and therapeutic outcomes still needs to be evaluated. Objective: This scoping review aims to analyze existing studies on VR use in older adults with neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on the factors that influence usability, satisfaction, and immersion, as well as the effects on emotional and cognitive well-being. Materials and Methods: Empirical studies in English were included on VR applications applied to older adults with cognitive impairment without study design restrictions. The search was conducted in IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, identifying a total of 650 initial results. After screening, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Immersive VR tends to generate a greater sense of presence, which contributes to improving emotional well-being and reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as apathy and depression. However, its impact on cognitive functions, including memory and executive skills, varied depending on the level of immersion and participant characteristics. Despite these positive findings, significant heterogeneity was evident in study designs, measurement instruments, and user experience indicators. Conclusion: Virtual environments have great potential as a therapeutic tool for older adults, but their success depends on the personalization of applications and the adaptation of technology to the specific needs of this population. Future research should focus on developing standardized protocols, incorporating adaptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, and evaluating the long-term effects of VR to maximize its benefits and minimize its risks. This review was registered in Open Science Framework (OSF). Registration Number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/PNU3635 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Ethical Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Among Ecuadorian University Students(2025); ;Ángel Ramón Sabando-García ;Bosco Javier Sabando-GarcíaArtificial intelligence has transformed educational environments by facilitating processes such as information retrieval, assisted writing, automated feedback, and personalized tutoring. Within university settings, the adoption of technologies capable of autonomously generating content has increased rapidly, becoming a common academic resource for students. However, this accelerated integration poses ethical challenges, particularly when such tools are used without a clear understanding of their implications. This study aimed to examine how students’ emotional attitudes (affective), understanding (cognitive), and practical use (behavioral) of AI relate to their ethical engagement with these technologies. A structured questionnaire was administered to 833 university students in Ecuador. The instrument showed excellent internal consistency (α = 0.992; Ω = 0.992), and the validity analyses confirmed that the dimensions measured distinct but related constructs. ChatGPT was reported as the most used tool (62.2%), followed by Gemini and Siri. The structural model indicated that emotional and cognitive dimensions substantially influenced ethical behavior (β = 0.413 and β = 0.567, respectively), whereas frequent use alone exhibited no significant effect (β = −0.128; p = 0.058). These results suggest that ethical engagement with AI is primarily driven by reflection and knowledge rather than habit. This study contributes to the literature by modeling how different learning dimensions shape ethical behavior in AI use and underscores the relevance of aligning academic practices with socially responsible uses of emerging technologies.28 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Academic Performance and Inequality: Can Generative AI Widen the Digital Divide in Higher Education?Higher educationHigher education has undergone a rapid transformation driven by digitalization and the rise of generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligence tools, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer and Copilot. While these technologies offer significant opportunities to support learning processes, they also risk deepening existing inequalities if not implemented under equitable conditions. Many students, particularly those in rural areas or with limited resources, continue to face barriers related to device availability, Internet connectivity, and digital training, which restricts the effective use of generative AIArtificial intelligence and negatively affects academic performance. To analyze this gap and identify possible solutions, a critical narrative review of eighteen academic and technical sources published between 2022 and 2024 was conducted. The review focused on five key areas: access, digital literacy, academic impact, structural inequality, and inclusive strategies. The findings reveal sharp disparities: only 27% of rural students have access to devices compatible with generative AI, compared to 70% in urban settings, and students with strong digital competencies obtain up to 60% greater academic benefit from these tools. These results underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to avoid exacerbating the digital divide. In response, the study proposes five strategies: ensuring equitable institutional access, strengthening critical digital literacyCritical digital literacy, adopting hybrid pedagogical models, designing inclusive curricula, and promoting dedicated research lines on public policy. The conclusion is that although generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligence holds considerable educational potential, its benefits will only be realized if embedded in inclusive ecosystems that guarantee equal conditions, teacher support, and the ethical development of learning. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.8 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Design of a load elevator as a measure to reduce ergonomic risks(2024); ; ; ;Joel MoralesVecquer LeónManual handling of loads in work environments poses significant ergonomic risks, leading to musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. To address this, mechanical solutions are essential to optimize processes and ensure employees’ health and well-being. In this study utilized four methodologies: the Ergonomic Checklist, NIOSH Equation, Snook and Cirello Tables, and the INSHT Technical Guide. These tools evaluated the physical load and risks of manual lifting. Concurrently, a load lifter was developed, utilizing a tractor system powered by an electric motor and a chain hoist, all automated by a PLC. The evaluations highlighted the high risks of manual load handling. After implementation it reduced unacceptable risk to acceptable as well as the distance workers needed to manually move loads was reduced from 8 meters to 2 meters with the automatic lift, a 75% decrease and increasing process efficiency. The designed hoist has a 500 kg capacity, streamlining the product reception and storage process. The introduction of the freight elevator, as an ergonomic solution, is pivotal in reducing workplace risks and enhancing safety and efficiency. This research underscores the need to embrace advanced technologies to tackle ergonomic issues in work settings.21 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF AUTHORS OF MUSICAL WORKS AND THEIR COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT IN ECUADOR AND SPAIN(2022) ;Tocoronte, E.M.This article deals with the essential elements that intervene with the ability to understand, from the different text typologies in the teaching-learning process of the Castilian language, based on theory, as well as Colombian normative documents, which as a whole and based on the Political Constitution of 1991, must guarantee an inclusive education, where the social and cultural environment of the individuals must be taken into account in order to develop a meaningful and contextualized pedago-gical practice. Throughout the writing, the teaching-learning process is related with the formation of the ability to understand, from different text typologies, as a dynamic element of this process in the third grade students of Basic Primary Education. © 2022, University of Cienfuegos, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez. All rights reserved.20 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Analysis of Urban Transport User Satisfaction in Ambato: Segmented Results from a Target Population(2025); ;William Avila-Armijos; ; Fernando Vladimir JuntaUrban public transportation plays a crucial role in the daily mobility of citizens, especially in medium-sized cities like Ambato, Ecuador. This study aims to evaluate user satisfaction levels with different urban transport cooperatives through a data-driven approach. A total of 123 responses were collected via a digitally distributed survey using QR codes, with a methodological focus on individuals aged 20 to 40 due to their higher digital literacy. The questionnaire included dimensions such as comfort and safety, risk perception, and punctuality. The analysis, conducted through Power BI, revealed differentiated levels of satisfaction across service dimensions. Comfort and safety received a mean rating of 41.5%, while risk perception reached 53.8%. Punctuality, evaluated through a single item, showed a favorable perception from 66.7% of users. These findings indicate specific areas of concern, such as perceptions of security and cleanliness, which require attention from transport providers and local authorities. The results provide a scalable model for user satisfaction assessment that can be replicated in other urban contexts. Moreover, the integration of business intelligence tools facilitates evidencebased decision-making and supports future initiatives to enhance urban mobility systems in Ecuador and Latin America. © 2025 IEEE.13 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Interfaces and Usability in Digital Flight Logs: Applied Design in the Aeronautical Context(2026)In Ecuador, the management of flight logs is still predominantly conducted in physical format, representing a significant barrier to operational efficiency and aviation safety. This situation highlights an important gap in the availability of digital solutions specifically designed for the local context and validated with real users. This study seeks to address that gap by designing and validating a user interface focused on user experience (UX) principles, aimed at optimizing the flight logging process and improving information quality. The research adopts a qualitative approach with elements of applied research, structured into four phases: requirements gathering through semi-structured interviews, iterative prototyping using Figma, usability testing with the “think aloud” technique, and heuristic evaluation by UX experts. The sample was intentionally selected and included 12 Ecuadorian civilian pilots (6 in training and 6 professionals), all with experience in using physical logbooks and basic familiarity with digital devices. The results show substantial improvements in process efficiency: a 40% reduction in average data entry time, an average of only 1.2 errors per session, and an average System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 89 out of 100, classified as “excellent usability”. 91% of participants expressed high satisfaction with the developed interface, highlighting its intuitive navigation, visual clarity, and offline usability—an essential factor in contexts with limited connectivity. These findings confirm that applying user-centered design principles can produce highly effective and well-accepted digital solutions, even in technical and regulated sectors such as aviation. The study lays the groundwork for future institutional implementations, emphasizing the importance of integrating co-creation processes with end users and planning progressive training and adoption strategies to ensure successful and sustainable technological change. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.4 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Learning Through Play: Implementing an Educational Escape Room for Teaching Traditions and Culture(2025); ; ; ;Luis Aguirre-MoralesSandra Sanchez-GordonThis 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.21
