vol. 4 núm. 2 (2024)

From the theoretical and experimental comparative analysis between the human hand, the prototype to be developed and models already built in reference sources. The low-cost design of a robotic hand prosthesis that replicates functional characteristics for patients with upper limb amputation is presented. With the SolidWorks CAD program, a joint simulation is performed from five development phases (2D model, 3D model, assembly, simulation, and construction), with the aim of determining the appropriate assembly. The project is in the testing and construction phase in order to evaluate the functionality and design improvements. It is also necessary to make a list of costs and in future research an additional phase of programming and adaptation of the patient to the device.

This paper aims to publicize the results of a tourism research that was carried out through the application of a descriptive methodology with a qualitative approach, which consisted of recognizing the natural resources and different tourist attractions that exist in the Municipality of Zaragoza, Antioquia through the referencing and analysis of the relevance of a tourist inventory proposed by the Vice Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia. Other aspects that this research sought to work on was to promote and strengthen community tourism, empowering communities by reinterpreting their natural, cultural and heritage wealth in an alternative of social transformation for development through sustainable tourism. Work was done on establishing a propositional, articulating and planned tourist offer that allows to boost this activity in the territory of Zaragoza, tending to generate a diversification of the local economy through the generation of employment as an alternative for progress in the municipality. In the research, the peasant, Afro- descendant and indigenous communities that inhabit the territory approached the citizen awareness, regarding the care of their environmental and cultural heritage and to keep alive that cultural wealth that characterizes the subregion, especially the municipality of Zaragoza. Through this research exercise, it is intended to expose an inclusive local tourism proposal, which from its projection grants respect for the sociocultural authenticity of the communities, preserves their cultural and architectural assets, values their traditions contributing to intercultural understanding and tolerance; and propose actions aimed at meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

This article addresses research on effective communication and its relationship with assertiveness, focusing on students of the Paramedicine Technology Career of the American College University Institute. The focus of the study is pre-experimental and uses quantitative methods that allowed determining the prevalence of assertiveness in the 200 students of the study sample; the applied psychometric reagent is called the Rathus Assertiveness Test (R.A.S). Before carrying out the research, the objectives and theoretical-methodological foundations were established through the analysis of clinical, epidemiological, and statistical studies. The results presented in the study are relevant since they highlight the importance of implementing tools and techniques to improve assertiveness in future professionals, especially considering the high stress load they face in their training in the health area. These findings invite us to reflect on the need to strengthen effective communication and assertiveness to improve the performance and wellbeing of the student body, both in the personal and work spheres.

Tropical Dry Forests (BST) are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the country, with only 0.4% of their remnants found within the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP). In the vicinity of the experimental farm of the Popular University of Cesar, there is a relic of BST, which is threatened by anthropic activities and especially by the extractive mining of clay for brick. Therefore, the identification of environmental aspects, goods and services is carried out, it is evaluated by two techniques –preference method– by contingent valuation and – market prices– according to the carbon prices established by the World Bank. For this, a forest inventory was carried out and calculations were carried out in order to meet the objectives of the research, as well as surveys and interviews with residents.

The research aimed to enhance the theoretical-practical understanding of photosynthesis through the creation of an agroecological classroom facilitated by a virtual learning environment, guided by project-based learning and the ASSURE instructional design, among ninth-grade students. The chosen methodology was a quasi-experimental research design for data collection, utilizing pre and post-tests validated by experts. The data were analyzed using three statistical models implemented in specialized software programs. The results indicated an effectiveness of T = -2.24, p = 0.038, suggesting that the use of the virtual learning environment, coupled with hands-on practice in the agroecological classroom, influences a holistic understanding of the concept.

This research aims to answer the question, what impact does the use of video games have on the learning of young university students? To account for the above, the qualitative method with phenomenological design is used, allowing to understand reality as a social construction. This was achieved through the application of a semi-structured interview, where the chosen population were four university students, aged between 18 and 28 years old, who were linked to higher education institutions in the city of Medellin, being frequent users of video games. It was identified that depending on the type of game and the use given to it, the consumer can enhance different skills in the social, motor and cognitive spheres. It was also found that, by not having control over the frequency and time of use, these could bring consequences such as addiction, sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep hygiene, among others. It is concluded that video games, with pedagogical and consensual use, can be an innovative and motivating complement for learning in university classrooms.

The purpose of this research is to inquire about the existing theoretical perspectives in Latin America regarding female bodies and their relationship with social approval and cosmetic surgery. The hermeneutic method is implemented, focusing on the observation of the information and its interpretation. The conclusive results show that the female body is configured from the referent of social approval and for this purpose it is imperative to access plastic surgery, a category in which after reviewing the databases and scientific documents the law does not express itself in a concrete and specific way, thus creating a regulatory gap that needs to be addressed in order to provide clarity.

Editor

Alzheimer is a neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people worldwide. This article addresses the early detection of the disease through the analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images and the use of machine learning techniques. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on previous research in this field, which identified the current challenges and limitations in Alzheimer's detection using MRI. In particular, existing methods were found to be costly, time-consuming, and not accurate enough. Consequently, three machine learning models (SVM, decision trees, and neural networks) were trained and tested for Alzheimer's detection using MRI images. Their ability to classify images as belonging to an Alzheimer's patient or a healthy one was evaluated. The results showed that all three models achieve high accuracy in Alzheimer's detection, with the neural network offering the best performance. Moreover, the selection of relevant features was found to be crucial for improving the models' performance. The use of machine learning techniques for the early detection of Alzheimer's through MRI images is a valuable tool. The proposed models in this article demonstrate a high degree of accuracy and speed, making them effective alternatives to conventional methods.

Modern digital setups have made it feasible to create new fictional objects to create various kinds of narratives that respond to human experiences in spaces laden with many spatial dimensions (physical, digital, and symbolic), in short periods of time. Certain narratives come from personal fictions, while others come from social fictions. Others transcend the social dimension, while some are developed in each person's physical structure. To manage the energy of the universe that enables humanity to feed and recreate itself in harmony with nature, every narrative is ultimately a symbolic construction that navigates between the real and the imagined, analog and digital, personal and social dimensions. A literature review is presented to identify connections between digital configurations and hybrid cultures that, when articulated with some of Charles Sanders Peirce's semiotics (1974) and with the assistance of the artificial intelligence model GPT-3.5 of OpenAI (2023), structure a means of communicating the Digital Closeness model of the Digital University Institution of Antioquia (2023). When perceived as a human tissue supported by affection, digital closeness suggests that people transit between different cultures and geographies in order to grow and express a common spirit. A spirit willing to listen to those who think differently to favor close encounters. A shared spirit that is fostered at the public digital university with the goal of encouraging peace and citizenship.

The article presents the results of a study aimed at understanding the social representations built on the practice of abortion in women students of the Tecnológico de Antioquia, which is an Institution Public University of Medellin, Colombia. The study had a qualitative approach, which was approached from a phenomenological perspective; This was done through focus groups and semi-structured interviews; in which close encounters with the students were developed, which allowed them to express themselves freely. The information was processed using the descriptive matrix technique, starting from the transcription of the collection techniques, then the information was triangulated, finally inductive categories were developed and, it was obtained as results that, the phenomenon of abortion is seen as a topic that it is still taboo in society, which in the religious field is an act of sin, it arises, the need to work on the phenomenon, in a professional way with psychological counseling and institutional welfare policies, to promote timely care and prevent Physical and psychological effects on women who consider having an abortion, as well as working on programs focused on the prevention and promotion of sexual health and reproductive rights.