Revista Tecnológica ESPOL - Scientific Publications
Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral
Forest Fire Detection and Alert System Based on Image Processing and AI
The objective of this work focuses on the design and implementation of a low-cost intelligent system for the early detection of forest fires, using IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies. The designed methodology involved the development and comparative evaluation of multiple algorithms, divided into two approaches: techniques based on the analysis of color spaces (RGB, YCbCr, HSI, HSV, and PJF) and AI models (CNN, YOLOv8, and Haar Cascade). From this analysis, a hybrid architecture was selected that integrates the two highest-performing methods: an object detector based on YOLOv8 (Method 9) and a chromatic algorithm that fuses the PJF, RGB, and YCbCr spaces (Method 12). This visual system is complemented by a PM2.5 particle sensor to validate the presence of smoke and GPS/4G modules to issue georeferenced alerts. As a key result, the final prototype validated under controlled conditions achieved outstanding metrics such as 99.82% accuracy, 99.64% sensitivity, and 100.00% specificity under high illumination conditions. It also demonstrated energy efficiency and thermal stability through continuous monitoring of CPU, RAM, and current consumption. The main contribution of this work consists of a validated field solution, whose hybrid architecture proves to be accurate, efficient, and adaptable, confirming its feasibility for implementation in emergency contexts.
Copyright (c) 2025 Erick Alexander Castillo Matamoros, Robert Sebastián Chalco Montalván, Santiago Renán González Martínez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Development of a Protocol Converter from SMA Data to Modbus TCP for SCADA Integration
The integration of distributed energy resources into smart microgrids frequently necessitates seamless communication between heterogeneous devices and centralized supervisory systems. However, specific power electronics equipment, such as the SMA Sunny Island inverter, relies on proprietary communication protocols that are incompatible with standard SCADA interfaces. The present work delineates the design and implementation of a protocol converter that facilitates transparent translation between SMA Data and Modbus TCP, thereby enabling native integration of the Sunny Island inverter into Modbus-based SCADA environments. The proposed converter was developed using a Raspberry Pi platform and employs a modular architecture that combines the YASDI communication library with a custom Python-based Modbus TCP server. The system retrieves operational data from the inverter, maps it to Modbus input registers, and allows configuration commands to be issued from the SCADA system and applied to the inverter in a controlled manner. The experimental validation was carried out in the Microgrid Laboratory at the University of Cuenca. In this setting, the converter demonstrated reliable performance in two specific tasks: data acquisition and parameter configuration. The response times exhibited a range of 10 to 30 seconds, contingent upon the system's state. Following power cycles and communication interruptions, the converter demonstrated complete recovery capability. The findings substantiate the viability of the proposed method as a cost-effective and resilient solution for integrating proprietary energy devices with industrial monitoring platforms. Its flexibility and resilience render it suitable for broader deployment in smart grid infrastructures and distributed energy management systems.
Copyright (c) 2025 Santiago Ismael Araujo Ochoa, Joe Fernando Tigre Quituizaca, Juan Diego Belesaca, Fabian Astudillo-Salinas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Methodology for Identifying Good Teaching Practices Through Student Comments Using Sentiment Analysis and Structural Topic Modeling
This study proposes an empirical methodology to identify the most valued dimensions of teaching practices in higher education through a mixed-method approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative analyses. Over 89,000 student comments collected during teacher evaluations at the University of Cuenca (2024–2025) were analyzed. Advanced natural language processing techniques, specifically sentiment analysis and Structural Topic Modeling (STM), were used to process an extensive textual corpus. The analysis focused on positive comments aimed at teachers recognized through a prior comprehensive evaluation, aiming to uncover recurring patterns in student perceptions. Four key dimensions of student evaluation emerged from the analysis: disciplinary knowledge, communication management, socio-emotional skills, and teaching methodology. These dimensions reflect perceived teaching strengths and exhibit significant variability across disciplinary contexts and academic levels. For example, disciplinary knowledge is prioritized in technical areas, while socio-emotional skills are more valued in social sciences and health disciplines. These findings underscore that student evaluations are an essential source of qualitative information, overcoming limitations of traditional numeric metrics by offering deeper, contextual insights. Ultimately, the proposed methodology provides higher education institutions with a practical tool to identify specific faculty strengths and design evidence-based, personalized professional development programs, thus fostering continuous and contextualized improvements in educational quality.
Copyright (c) 2025 Diego Moscoso Lozano, Jorge Maldonado-Mahauad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Enhancing SCADA System Availability: A Case Study of Microgrid Universidad de Cuenca
Ensuring the uninterrupted operation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems is critical for industrial environments that rely on continuous monitoring and control of equipment. However, in the Microgrid Laboratory at the University of Cuenca, routine maintenance procedures have revealed a significant vulnerability: the SCADA system temporarily loses communication and control capabilities when some of the devices are powered down, resulting in forced system downtime. This paper investigates practical strategies to enhance SCADA system availability by addressing this critical limitation. Three hypotheses were explored: first, an issue in network redundancy management; second, with disconnecting of a device from the fiber-optic ring network; and third, programming errors within the LabVIEW-developed SCADA application. Experimental results demonstrated that these approaches, particularly the software-level improvements in LabVIEW, successfully maintained system control and communication during maintenance. The proposed solutions offer a scalable and cost-effective pathway to increase the resilience of SCADA systems in microgrid environments.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lourdes Gutierrez-Otavalo, Claudia Padilla-Guaman, Juan Diego Belesaca, Fabian Astudillo-Salinas, Edisson Villa-Ávila https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Rock Fragmentation by Blasting in Open-Pit Mining: an AI Predictive Model
Rock fragmentation by blasting is fundamental in the mining sector. This process seeks to optimize rock size for subsequent extraction, transport, and processing. Predicting this fragmentation becomes a crucial task for improving operational efficiency; however, the application of simplified formulas lacks precision and adaptability to lithological variations. This study proposes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for the accurate estimation of the average diameter of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Based on a set of 97 real fragmentation and blasting data from around the world, the Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Regressor (SVR), and Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) algorithms were evaluated, along with the Kuz-Ram equation, widely used in the industry. The results indicate that AI models significantly outperform the conventional equation. RF offers the highest accuracy with MSE of 0.0017 and R2 of 95.38%. In contrast, SVR achieves values of 0.0064 and 83.13%, while KRR achieves 0.016 and 69.60%. The adequate performance of these algorithms has led to the development of an application that allows users to view drilling grids, set specific dimensions, and compare projections of average rock size. This tool facilitates informed decision-making, improving mining processes and promoting more reliable and sustainable results in different operational contexts.
Copyright (c) 2025 Steven Toapanta-Delgado, Byron Guerrero-Rodriguez, Christian Mejia-Escobar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Immersive digitization of the Murocomba Forest using image processing techniques
This paper presents the development of a technological solution based on image processing for the immersive digitization of the Murocomba Protected Forest, located in the province of Los Ríos, Ecuador. The proposal integrates the use of a 360° camera to capture high-quality spherical images, which were digitally processed to optimize their sharpness, correct imperfections, and facilitate their integration into an interactive virtual environment. As part of the system, an artificial intelligence model with YOLOv8 architecture was implemented, trained to detect plant species present in the forest trails. These detections were incorporated into a web application that allows users to explore the trail remotely, interact with the content, and identify the flora of the site without the need for physical presence. The project seeks to offer an alternative for the conservation of the ecosystem through digital access to its biodiversity, reducing direct human impact and promoting environmental education. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of combining immersive technologies and sensing models to represent natural environments with high ecological value in an accessible and sustainable way.
Copyright (c) 2025 Diego Intriago-Rodríguez, Mathías Ortega-Rizzo, Carlos Belezaca-Pinargote, Edison Solano-Apuntes https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Recommender System for the Assignment of Professors at the University of Cuenca
The assignment of teachers to courses in higher education represents a critical challenge for academic management, as it directly impacts the quality of the teaching-learning process. Despite their continued use, manual assignment processes face evident challenges, such as subjectivity, lack of standardization, and a high administrative workload. In response to this scenario, this study proposes a recommender system that combines sentiment analysis, using locally adapted transformer-based language models (RoBERTuito), with mathematical optimization techniques, aiming to align teachers' competencies with specific academic requirements. To achieve this, enriched teacher profiles were developed based on historical evaluations, automatically classified student comments, and institutionally defined competencies within the framework of the Competency Pentagon. Additionally, dynamic weights were incorporated to adjust the relevance of pedagogical and technical factors according to the particularities of each academic cycle. The results obtained from the recommender system demonstrate a high correlation between generated recommendations and manual assignments, particularly in technically oriented degree programs. Moreover, program directors who participated in a pilot test positively evaluated the system, noting that it not only significantly reduces the operational workload but also establishes itself as a strategic tool with high potential for scalability and replicability across diverse educational contexts.
Copyright (c) 2025 Pablo Esteban Quito Urgilés, Juan Javier Valdiviezo Armijos, Jorge Maldonado-Mahauad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Semantic Modeling of ECU911 Emergencies Using NLP and Ontologies
This study proposes a novel hybrid framework for knowledge representation in emergencies, integrating Natural Language Processing (NLP), OWL ontologies, and SWRL rules to process unstructured data from Ecuador's Integrated Security Service (ECU 911). The key contribution lies in the unique combination of advanced NLP models such as BERT for Named Entity Recognition and XLM-RoBERTa for zero-shot semantic classification, with a formally validated ontological model developed in Protégé and a parallel logical implementation in Prolog using the Object-Attribute-Value paradigm. Unlike prior works, this approach specifically addresses the challenge of transforming raw emergency call transcripts into actionable knowledge by (1) automating entity extraction (locations, persons) and semantic categorization of incidents, (2) generating interpretable decision rules via decision trees, and (3) enabling cross-paradigm interoperability through synchronized OWL/SWRL and Prolog inference engines. Experimental validation with SPARQL/SQWRL queries and the Pellet reasoner demonstrated 96.7% accuracy in inferring emergency priorities such as medical emergencies, outperforming standalone NLP or ontology-based methods. This work advances semantic AI for emergency response by bridging unstructured text analysis with formal reasoning, offering a scalable solution for real-time decision support in critical scenarios.
Copyright (c) 2025 Danny Leonardo Paltin Chica, Juan Diego Mejía Mendieta, Marcos Orellana, Jorge Luis Zambrano-Martinez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Blockchain-based Application for a Sustainable University: Systematic Review and UCE-Camp Proposal for the Academic Processes of Higher Education Institutions
This study aims to evaluate the potential of blockchain technology in higher education, with a particular focus on its benefits and challenges in academic processes. A systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing 42 key studies selected from a total of 533 academic publications over the past six years. The results indicate that blockchain applications are primarily concentrated in secure certificate issuance, the enhancement of teaching and learning environments, and the transparent management of academic credits and scholarships. The main contribution of this research is the presentation of a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of blockchain integration in the educational domain. Furthermore, it introduces the UCE-Camp model as a sustainable framework designed to improve the efficiency, transparency, and quality of academic operations. The study also identifies existing gaps and challenges, outlining future research directions for the broader adoption of blockchain in higher education.
Copyright (c) 2025 Patricia Jimbo Santana, Mario Morales Morales, Mónica Jimbo Santana, Santiago Morales Cardoso, Silvio Alejandro Toscano Vizcaíno https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Production of Morete (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) ice cream with whey addition
In the dairy industry, large quantities of whey are discarded and usually treated as waste. However, due to its nutritional content, whey is of interest as a substitute ingredient in food production. This study aims to develop an ice cream made from Morete pulp (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) by partially replacing whole milk with whey. During the experimental phase, five formulations were prepared with different concentrations of whey (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Sensory analysis was carried out with 50 panelists using a five-point hedonic scale to evaluate the color, flavor, texture, and aroma of the ice cream. The formulation with the highest sensory acceptance was the one with 75% whey, in which flavor received a score of 2, texture 4, and both color and aroma 3. Physicochemical and microbiological characterization was conducted on the formulations with the highest scores in the sensory analysis. The study supports the feasibility of using whey despite a decrease in the nutritional quality of the ice cream due to this addition. However, the inclusion of Morete pulp partially compensated for the loss of certain nutrients. Microbiological analyses showed that the ice cream met the NTE INEN 0706 2013 food safety standards, regardless of the percentage of whey used. This proposal presents a beneficial and promising alternative to reduce the environmental impact of the dairy industry by improving production efficiency through the use of a dairy by-product.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mónica Paulina Echeverría Guevara, Cristian Andres Cajahuishca Sailema, Betty Anabel Chavez Viteri, Ángel Fernando Ortega Ocaña https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Evaluation of the incidence of insect pests in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation in Nobol canton, Guayas Province, Ecuador
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most widely consumed cereals worldwide and holds high socioeconomic importance in Ecuador, making it a key crop. Insect pests represent a significant threat to rice cultivation, and their identification is essential for developing more effective management strategies. The objective of this research was to identify insect pest species and evaluate their incidence, richness and abundance in rice crop in Nobol canton, Guayas province. Seven pest species were identified: Hydrellia sp., Tagosodes orizicolus, Spodoptera frugiperda, Rupella albinella and Diatraea saccharalis, Tibraca limbativentris and Oebalus sp. The highest incidence was recorded during the vegetative stage of the crop (40 to 70 days after transplanting). The Menhinick diversity index (0.40) showed low specific richness, while the Simpson dominance index (0.23) indicated an even distribution among species, with no dominant pest present. These findings provide a basis for implementing phytosanitary monitoring and control programs tailored to the phenological dynamics of the crop.
Copyright (c) 2025 Simón Ezequiel Farah Asang, Mirlen Selena Bajaña Carpio, Pedro José Andrade Alvarado, Oscar Abel Macias Fernández, Kevin Joel Calle Rodriguez, Luís Enrique Sanchez Jaime https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Effective Practices in the Teaching of Language and Literature for Students Aged 9 to 12
The teaching of Language and Literature is essential in the education of upper elementary students, particularly during early adolescence (ages 9 to 12), a key stage for the development of communication and literary skills. However, the diversity in students’ performance levels requires the identification of pedagogical practices that effectively address learning needs. The main objective of this study was to analyze the impact of different teaching strategies used by Language and Literature teachers on students’ reading comprehension and written expression. A quantitative methodology with a descriptive design was employed through a structured survey applied to thirty teachers at a public educational institution. The results showed that the use of read-alouds, creative writing, digital tools, and intercultural activities significantly enhanced students’ motivation and critical thinking. Additionally, differences in skill development were identified among students from various socioeconomic backgrounds, highlighting the importance of inclusive pedagogical approaches. This study concludes that a combination of participatory strategies, the appropriate use of technology, and the encouragement of critical reflection through literature can significantly improve learning in this area. The research offers practical recommendations that can help strengthen the teaching of Language and Literature, promoting more equitable, meaningful, and contextualized education.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bernardo Josue Encalada Escobar, Ernesto Isaac Encalada Escobar, Sarai Daiana Gonzaga Franco https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Spatial Variation of Fecal Coliform Contamination in the Portoviejo River, Manabí Province
This study evaluates the microbiological and physicochemical quality of the Portoviejo River, located in the Manabí province (Ecuador), through the analysis of fecal coliforms and parameters such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and salinity. For this purpose, eight sampling stations were established along the main river course, from its source to its mouth, covering the cantons of Santa Ana, Portoviejo, Rocafuerte, and Sucre. A total of 48 water samples were collected in June 2023, and analyses were conducted both in situ and in the laboratory, following the Ecuadorian Technical Standard INEN 2176:2013 and Method 1060 of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The results showed fecal coliform concentrations ranging from 1,600 to 160,000 MPN/100 mL, with station averages exceeding the maximum permissible limits established by Ecuadorian regulations for recreational and agricultural uses. The most contaminated station was located in the El Comercio neighborhood (Portoviejo), with 137,333.33 ± 39,259.82 MPN/100 mL. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between stations (ANOVA, p < 0.05), and Spearman’s correlation showed a positive relationship between fecal coliform concentration and population size. Conductivity, salinity, and TDS values also reached levels that indicate restrictions for agricultural use in some sections. Higher contamination was identified in densely populated urban areas, and an action plan was proposed with strategies by canton to mitigate the observed impacts. Finally, a proposal was presented to reduce microbiological pollution.
Copyright (c) 2025 Vicente Cedeño Álava, Olga Arévalo Castro, Katthy López Escobar, Ida Álava Mieles, Vinicio Macas Espinosa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Social Justice, Human Rights, Deliberate Action: An Analytical Review of the Literature in Seven Social Justice Thematic Areas
This article presents an analytical review of contemporary social justice themes, drawing on an extensive literature survey. The review demonstrates that social justice is a central theme in many contemporary social struggles and demands for rights and justice. It further identifies key thematic issues, their normative foundations, and the principles of social justice, exploring how these are elaborated across different issue areas where social justice is a core concern. In several cases, social justice is also presented as a cross-cutting concern and conceptual approach. An overall literature survey identified 40 topical-thematic issue areas in which social justice is evoked and often thoroughly discussed. This article provides an overview of how social justice is addressed in seven of those 40 thematic topics. It presents summary analytical reviews of the literature on social justice considerations and dimensions in various arenas, including Human Rights, Decent Work, Health, Housing, the Digital Divide, Peacemaking/Small Arms Limitations, and Sustainable Development. These summaries review the connection between each topic and social justice and conclude with recommendations for how the social justice dimensions of each topic could be integrated into ongoing international policy processes, including the Global Coalition for Social Justice and the Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in November 2025, and the implementation of their outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2025 Eda Düzgün, Hiya Parul Sharma, Patrick A. Taran https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Evaluation and Comparison of Objective Metrics PSNR, SSIM, and LPIPS for Video Quality Analysis
This paper presents a tool for video quality assessment that allows the selection of quality (QP), temporal (FPS), and spatial (bitrate) scalability parameters. The proposal integrates traditional metrics such as Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), together with the perceptual metric Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS), which is based on deep neural networks. To validate its effectiveness, a two-phase subjective evaluation methodology was applied. In the first phase, participants assessed videos encoded with the same scalability parameter, showing a strong correspondence between visual perception and objective metrics. In the second phase, different configurations were compared, revealing a preference for high quality and intermediate spatial scalability. Additionally, in experiments with common distortions such as blurring and noise, LPIPS achieved a sensitivity of 73.64%, outperforming PSNR and SSIM in its alignment with human perception. The main contribution of this work is a tool that combines objective and subjective evaluations, enabling a more comprehensive analysis that closely reflects human visual perception.
Copyright (c) 2025 Carlos Flores Maza, Santiago González Martínez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Predictive Analysis and Optimized Management of the Delinquent Customer Portfolio at CNEL EP Bolívar Business Unit
Payment delinquency represents a structural barrier to the financial sustainability of public electricity distribution companies; however, unlike the financial sector, predictive models based on machine learning have not yet been adapted to this context. In particular, CNEL EP faces challenges in anticipating customer defaults, which limits the effectiveness of its commercial management. This study aims to identify the most accurate machine learning model to predict delinquency risk in the Bolívar Business Unit. A methodological approach based on Design Science Research and CRISP-DM was adopted, incorporating a systematic literature review (PRISMA), the analysis of 72,483 historical records, and the application of techniques such as PCA, SMOTE, and ensemble models (RandomForest, Gradient Boosting, AdaBoost, and VotingClassifier). Gradient Boosting and VotingClassifier achieved near-perfect performance metrics (Accuracy: 0.9982; F1 Macro: 0.9957; AUC ROC: 1.000) and (Accuracy: 0.9983; F1 Macro: 0.9959; AUC ROC: 1.000), even under stress scenarios involving noise, imbalance, and data loss. Furthermore, the integration of SHAP and LIME enabled transparent interpretation of predictions for non-technical users. The findings show that the proposed solution is robust, replicable, and applicable in practice. This study makes a significant contribution by demonstrating that machine learning models can enhance portfolio management in Ecuador's public electricity sector.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marco Vinicio Carrillo Trujillo, Pedro Stalyn Aguilar Encarnación https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Evaluation of an Adaptive Video Control Algorithm using Traditional Routing and SDN
Currently, according to the Cisco Annual Internet Report, between 80% and 85% of internet data traffic is generated by video content, making it imperative to develop methods or algorithms that enable the efficient transmission of multimedia content over the network. In this context, this article proposes an optimized algorithm for video traffic control in an SDN environment, allowing for adaptive real-time transmission. The methodology consists of the following stages: first, the video is transmitted at a minimum encoded bitrate; then, the available network bandwidth is measured, based on which the encoding rate and video quality are adjusted; and finally, the video is played on the client side. The results obtained using the control algorithm were compared with those obtained using common routing protocols such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol) and OSPF (Open Shortest Path First). The use of the control algorithm resulted in an 18.1% lower delay compared to RIP and a 94.8% lower delay compared to OSPF. Under background traffic conditions, SDN demonstrated a 27.23% lower delay than RIP and a 54.1% lower delay than OSPF. The main contribution of this work is, through the implementation of a testbed, the analysis of a mechanism that improves quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) by optimizing real-time video transmission through the selection of the best route and/or the dynamic adjustment of video bitrate according to network conditions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marlon Gomezcoello Rodríguez, Justin Picón Barros, Santiago González Martínez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Migrant Associations: Enhancing Migrant Agency and Advancing Social Justice
Migrant associations play a crucial role in enhancing migrant agency and advancing social justice by fostering social, economic, and political empowerment. This article develops a conceptual framework that integrates theories of migrant agency, social justice and migration, examining how migrants navigate structural constraints while actively shaping their own mobility and integration experiences. Drawing on existing literature and the author’s Doctoral dissertation, it also presents a state-of-the-art review of migrant associations, highlighting their functions, challenges, and impact. The study explores the multifaceted role of migrant associations in empowering migrants across different domains. Social and cultural empowerment is achieved through the preservation of cultural identity, language programs, and social integration initiatives. Economic empowerment and labor rights advocacy focus on skill development, employment support, and advocacy for fair wages and working conditions. Legal and political empowerment is facilitated through legal aid, advocacy for migrant rights, and political mobilization to influence policies affecting migrant communities. Migrant associations further contribute to social capital and community building by strengthening networks, fostering solidarity, and bridging ties between migrant groups and host societies. Additionally, these organizations play a vital role in crisis response, providing emergency relief. The findings underscore the importance of legal recognition of human and labour rights, as well as policy frameworks that support and collaborate with migrant-led organizations to ensure inclusive and just societies. Ultimately, this article argues that migrant associations are not only essential for migrant agency but also key actors in the broader struggle for social justice.
Copyright (c) 2025 Victoria Castillo Rueda https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The human development situation in Morocco in 2025 has evolved from the relative euphoria that characterized this North African country in the early 2000s. The National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), launched in 2005 by King Mohammed VI was intended to spread a social safety net under Moroccans left behind by "growth finally on track". The Fiftieth Anniversary Report took stock of the country's 50 years of independence since 1956 and indicated paths for developing its economy and transforming its society by 2025. The report assessed that the country was at a crossroads and had the means to embark on the path of national ambition shared by all, articulated around human development. This article reviews the social state as a framework for analyzing the subsequent discourse and practice of the social state in the Kingdom of Morocco. It presents two definitions of a social state, and draws on a wide range of economic and social data to examine in depth the socio-economic realities of the country's population. The analysis compares and contrasts those realities with the government's stated intentions and public policies to highlight significant gaps in obtaining social justice for a large proportion of the population. Based on comparative analysis of data referencing the definitional framework, the article demonstrates that, despite strong rhetoric promoting inclusion and human development, government plans and programs on the ground fall short of their proclaimed goals. The conclusions identify factors for the lack of progress towards a more socially just country and society.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mehdi Lahlou https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Social Justice and Sustainability of Peasant Family Farming
Peasant family farming in Ecuador is responsible for producing over two-thirds of the food required to sustain the country's nutrition and significantly contributes to agricultural exports. Despite this, rural areas in Ecuador experience the highest levels of poverty, leading to widespread undernutrition, particularly among pregnant women and infants. This stark disparity presents a social justice issue that demands urgent attention. Some analysts argue that the inefficiencies of peasant agriculture contributes these issues, labelling it as unsustainable due to its perceived low productivity and profitability. However, such assessments often overlook the sector's crucial role in food security, biodiversity preservation, and environmental balance. Family farming sustains local food supplies and promotes ecological stability through diverse, sustainable practices. Public policy orientation, particularly in support of small-scale farmers, is essential in determining these rural communities' sustainability and improved livelihoods, especially in the face of increasing pressures from modern corporate agriculture. Addressing these structural inequalities is key to ensuring that peasant family farming is economically viable, socially just, and environmentally sustainable.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ramón L. Espinel, Nayeth Solórzano https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Treating rare diseases with justice: Implications of a human rights-based approach
The importance of health for social justice has increased since the end of the 20th century, particularly following the recognition in the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration that "people are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with the environment." However, a majority of people worldwide still do not enjoy good health. Numerous efforts have been made by the international community to address this situation in line with the principles of equity and social justice. The agenda 2030 serves as a remarkable example of these efforts, positioning health at the centre of the program, acknowledging the existence of social determinants of health, and affirming the necessity to tackle the causes of health inequities and attend to the needs of disadvantaged groups. Individuals with rare diseases face specific risks and challenges primarily due to unmet health needs stemming from a lack of research and development of suitable medical technologies. In this article, we explore the reasons explaining the injustices faced by these patients, as well as ways in which a human rights-based approach to people with rare diseases can provide arguments in favour of States' action. By considering the right to science as a complementary right to the right to health, we argue that States must promote the science for treating rare diseases and render applications of science accessible and affordable, thereby contributing to the realisation of a just and equitable society.
Copyright (c) 2025 Stéphanie Dagron https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Systematic Literature Review on Energy Harvesting Mechanisms Used in Vital Signs Monitoring
Vital signs monitoring devices play a crucial role in the medical field by enabling continuous patient tracking. However, these devices rely on batteries or an electrical power supply, which can present limitations and inconveniences such as data loss and interruptions in continuous monitoring. Nevertheless, the increasing implementation of autonomous energy harvesting mechanisms may replace conventional power sources. This systematic literature review was conducted to identify the most appropriate energy harvesting mechanisms for vital signs monitoring devices in living organisms. The analysis included both environmental sources and those generated by the human body. Information was also provided on the most commonly monitored vital signs and the device's location on the body. Additionally, the energy output generated by the technologies considered in the analyzed publications was specified. The most used mechanisms were triboelectric and piezoelectric, while radiofrequency and triboelectric methods achieved higher energy production. It is worth noting that the evaluated mechanisms apply to both humans and other living beings, as they share certain similarities with domestic animals.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nataly Peñafiel-Arteaga, Marlon Navia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Addressing the Challenges of Female Migrant Workers Through the Concept of Social Justice
This study examines the experiences of female migrant workers through the lens of social justice, analyzing the systemic barriers that hinder their inclusion and equitable treatment in global labor markets. These workers are disproportionately concentrated in low-wage, insecure, and informal employment sectors, where they face intersecting challenges such as gender discrimination, economic exploitation, racial inequality, and limited access to labor rights. These structural injustices not only marginalize female migrant workers but also perpetuate cycles of exclusion and inequality. Adopting an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach, this article emphasizes the need to expand social justice frameworks beyond economic redistribution to incorporate cultural recognition and political inclusion. It argues that addressing these multidimensional inequalities requires targeted policy interventions and inclusive labor systems that reflect the lived realities of migrant women. By integrating global and local perspectives, the study highlights the importance of fostering equitable opportunities and strengthening protections for female migrant workers, and challenging broader societal hierarchies that reinforce exclusion. Ultimately, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on migration and social justice by offering actionable insights into the structural reforms needed to empower female migrant workers and reduce global inequalities. The findings advocate for a comprehensive approach that prioritizes human rights, promotes fairness and dignity, and dismantles the systemic injustices that continue to place this group at risk of exclusion.
Copyright (c) 2025 Eda Düzgün https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Project-Based Learning, an innovative educational practice in the Technical Baccalaureate
Technical Baccalaureate (BT) education in public institutions in Ecuador is based on the development of competencies through the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge. This prepares students for their insertion in the labor market, to undertake personal projects, or to continue their higher education. In this context, the objective of this article is to apply Project Based Learning (PBL) as an innovative educational practice in the teaching-learning process of the third year students of the Technical Baccalaureate of the Consumer Electronics specialty of the Guillermo Mensi Educational Unit and that contributes to the strengthening of the competencies acquired by the students. This research is based on a mixed research approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. The sample included 38 students and 7 teachers, selected through non-probabilistic sampling. Academic performance, as well as student and teacher satisfaction, were evaluated before and after the implementation of PBL. The results revealed a positive impact of PBL in the following aspects: academic performance, teaching methodology in the BT, development of competencies, and educational resources. Finally, it is concluded that the implementation of PBL as an innovative educational practice in the BT positively influenced the strengthening of the competencies acquired by the students who participated in the Microprocessed Equipment and Systems module during the 2022 - 2023 school year.
Copyright (c) 2025 Aníbal Armando Pedrosa Astudillo, Edgar Efrain Loyola Illescas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Gender Equality as Integral to Social Justice – and vice versa
The pursuit of social justice fundamentally requires gender equality, just as meaningful gender equality necessitates social justice. This means that each is integral to achieving the other. While commonly characterised as "two sides of the same coin," this paper aims to demonstrate they are, in fact, the very coin itself: a unified entity forged into an indissoluble foundation. As perceptions and definitions of social justice in different contexts demonstrate, the term "social justice" remains deceptively simple in everyday usage. Similarly, the term "gender equality" has emerged to bring together a large number of basic precepts crucial to removing sex-based discrimination in all spheres of human endeavour. While social justice arises from binding and non-binding instruments, and workplace social justice stems from the 1919 ILO Constitution and international labour standards, gender equality springs from a plethora of international treaties negotiated by States to end discrimination based on sex. This article examines the content and overlay of these concepts using a comparative law methodology, citing examples where social justice and gender equality combine. It reviews texts that give context to social justice, texts that define gender equality, and the main hard law treaties giving substance to gender equality, providing applied illustrations of implementation of gender equality. The article concludes that without these principles and rights, social justice remains illusory. If decision-makers strive to produce the composite coin itself, the two concepts melded together as a whole will lead to genuine improvements in the quality of all human life, as this paper demonstrates.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jane Aeberhard-Hodges https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
How WASH Supports Social Justice in a Changing Climate:The Importance of Water
This paper explores the relationship between social justice, the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) nexus, and the centrality of water to both, all within the context of climate change. Our changing climate has placed considerable pressure on the global hydrological system, altering traditional rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Ensuring adequate and sustainable access to fresh water for communities around the world is essential for human life and health. The human right to health is seriously compromised when sanitation and hygiene services are inadequate. It is essential that these issues are included in discussions of social justice. In conclusion, the proposed solutions to address the needs of the WASH nexus and climate adaptation overlap. Climate adaptation itself is thus seen as a human rights concern and another facet of the social justice debate.
Copyright (c) 2025 Emel Zerrouk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Social Justice for a democratic and equitable international order
This article reviews key substantive issues addressed by main ongoing global policy processes with a particular focus on the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) and the Global Coalition on Social Justice. These issues include the Right to Development as a core principle underlying social development and the realization of social justice and development in terms of international law standards. The article identifies and assesses relevant international law, policy formulations, expertise, and political processes to demonstrate their bearing on the WSSD2 and global discussion of social justice. This approach is intended to bridge academic exercise with briefing guidance for Social Justice and development actors. Core building blocks are identified: human rights codification and social responsibility; transforming the Rule of Law into the Rule of Justice; and imperatives for enforcement of United Nations Treaties, judgments and resolutions. Also, UN texts on the Right to Development and the Right to International Solidarity; the Summit of the Future and the BRICS Summit 2024; and norms and expectations of international cooperation are analysed herein. Conclusions posit that the Right to Development must be seen as juridical, justiciable and enforceable. Finally, the article recommends that the content and outcome of the WSSD2 and other global processes need to redress the paradigm by reaffirming international legal obligations and casting social justice development in terms of international law, the existing human rights treaty system, formal UN Declarations, disarmament for development.
Copyright (c) 2025 Alfred de Zayas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Technological Evolution of Photovoltaic Solar Generation: A Literature Review in the Last Decade
The constant innovation in technologies for generating electrical energy through the use of renewable resources has allowed them to become competitive with traditional technologies in recent years. This has made them a great option for large-scale systems. Currently, new photovoltaic technologies enable higher energy conversion efficiencies while reducing costs through the implementation of new materials, the latter being a key criterion for their subsequent large-scale deployment. This article presents a literature review on the technological evolution of photovoltaic solar generation, evaluating and analyzing only articles published between 2013 and 2023, using the PRISMA methodology (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). From a total of 307 articles identified in prestigious databases such as Science Direct, IEEEXplore, and Scopus, a subset of 12 scientific articles has been systematically selected and reviewed according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria defined by the researchers. The synthesis of the content of the selected articles reveals that emerging technologies, such as multi-junction cells, perovskite cells, organic solar cells, and thin-film heterojunction cells, have achieved higher efficiencies than conventional solar cells and offer more competitive prices, facilitating the expansion of photovoltaic systems in multiple applications.
Copyright (c) 2024 Richard Fernando Criollo Enríquez, Danny Paúl Guaillas Domínguez, Danny Ochoa Correa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Relationship between emotional intelligence and quality of working life in a productive company in Pelileo
The objective of the research is to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and the quality of work life in the workers of a productive company in Pelileo. The approach is quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design and correlational scope. Data collection was carried out on 150 employees with the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24) and the quality of professional life questionnaire (CVP-35). The results indicate adequate emotional intelligence in all dimensions and regular levels were found in the quality of work life, both overall and by dimensions. The results show a positive and significant correlation of attention with managerial support (coeff. = 0.203, p = 0.013) and with professional quality of life (coeff. = 0.167, p = 0.041); between emotional clarity with managerial support (coeff. = 0.259, p = 0.001), intrinsic motivation (coeff. = 0.216, p = 0.008) and quality of professional life (coeff. = 0.204, p = 0.012); and between emotional repair and managerial support (coeff. = 0.381, p < 0.001), intrinsic motivation (coeff. = 0.383, p < 0.001) and quality of professional life (coeff. = 0.345, p < 0.001).
Copyright (c) 2024 Paúl Velasco-Herrera, Dayamy Lima-Rojas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Application of Quantum Cybersecurity in the security of IoT communication ports
Quantum cryptography, grounded in principles of quantum mechanics such as superposition and quantum entanglement, represents a significant advancement in enhancing communications security. Methods like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offer encryption that is theoretically unbreakable, providing robust protection against cyber threats. However, the advent of quantum computing introduces challenges for conventional cryptographic algorithms, such as RSA and demands the development of new encryption strategies, including post-quantum methods. Integrating quantum encryption into the Internet of Things (IoT) promises to significantly enhance security levels. However, it is crucial to adapt these methods to the limitations of devices with restricted resources. As quantum computing advances, its role in data and communication protection will be crucial, though implementing these systems will face challenges related to cost and complexity. In the realm of industrial communications, selecting the appropriate protocol is essential for the efficient integration and operation of automated systems. Common industrial protocols, such as AMQP, CoAP, DDS, HTTP, MQTT, OPC, and XMPP, exhibit significant variations in aspects such as communication types, security, latency, resource usage, and reliability. Each protocol presents specific challenges, including security vulnerabilities and issues related to latency or resource usage, affecting its suitability for real-time and critical applications.
Copyright (c) 2024 Christian Vera Estrada https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0