vol. 13 núm. 23 (2017)

Introduction: This article derives from the research “Technological development of post-harvest treatment and production of fruit flours from the Monte Nativo in Santiago del Estero (pilot scale)”, which was conducted by the School of Agronomy and Agro-industries at the Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero during 2015. The objective of the study was to analyze the current and potential use of wood and non-wood forest products from native forests by the inhabitants of Santiago del Estero and their willingness to pay for them. Methodology: A data collection instrument was designed based on a survey that was applied to 609 real and potential consumers of products related to wild fruits and by-products such as flours, sweets and drinks. Results: The most consumed fruit is carob bean, followed by mistol, and chañar. As for by-products such as syrups and flours, carob beans also prevail. A high number of individuals stated that they would try and use products enriched with native fruits. There is willingness to pay extra for products with flours of wild fruits in 63 % of respondents. Conclusion: The inhabitants of urban areas in the province of Santiago del Estero consume non-wood forest products, especially fruits and flours derived therefrom, coming from the native forests of the province.

Introduction: This article derives from the research project on the “state of the art of serious games on Android mobile platform for learning software modeling”, conducted by the software development incubator at the Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano between 2015 and 2017. The objective of the research was to look for serious games on Android for learning software modeling. Methodology: A search was made in digital databases, such as Scopus, ebsco, Elsevier, ieee Xplore, Digital Library, among others. The search was focused on the development of serious games on Android for learning software modeling. Results: Fifty-two articles were found that met the research guidelines, but not its objective. In addition, great benefits of using mobile devices as a tool in education were identified. Conclusion: It was found that serious games are a very important tool in the learning process, but as their use is not massive or, for now, they have not been implemented in all fields of knowledge, the teacher must be committed to assisting students as they adapt to their use.

Introduction: This review article was prepared as part of a graduate thesis at Universidad del Cauca in 2017. It sought to find the most appropriate methods for detecting voice fundamental frequency to be implemented in real environments. This is part of a solution to improve the communication of people with hearing disabilities and include them in society, since most of the proposals only aim to improve the communication channel in which the hearing-impaired individual is the transmitter. Methodology: An updated review of the literature was carried out, based mainly on scientific articles published in the last five years.  For the inclusion of articles, a systematic mapping was performed on the different methods for detecting voice fundamental frequency. Results: the phenomena considered by the various algorithms to define the environment range from noise and interference to reverberation; the performance of the algorithm depends on the quality of the recorded audio, which is observed in the variations obtained which depend on the database used; up to two different fundamental frequencies can be detected. Conclusions: Novel methods have been implemented to make the detection of voice fundamental frequency more efficient; however, there is still much work to be done in this area.

Introduction: This article derives from the research into big data applications, conducted at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas in 2017, which seeks to solve the problem of compatibility between the information generated by sensors in equipment and machines, and the platforms that support such information. A proposed architecture that can be adopted by supply chains immersed in Industry 4.0 is shown. The elements, authors, and stakeholders that interact in the architecture were identified. Methodology: a) the importance of Industry 4.0 is argued; b) it is stated that organizations must adapt to the new industrial revolution; c) the research literature is reviewed. These findings are methodically analyzed for proposals, advances, methodology, future research, results and conclusions; d) an architecture is proposed; e) a mobile application is created to evaluate the interconnection of the sensor layer with the application layer proposed by the architecture; f) the usability of the application is checked; and g) the advantages and limitations of the architecture are explained. Results: The application has a 91 % usability allowing real-time connection between the sensor layer and the application layer. Conclusions: This research presents tools that provide the supply chain with guidelines to be included in Industry 4.0 and to obtain competitive advantages.

Introduction: This article derives from the research “Integrity management in onshore facilities with 3D high definition survey (hds) technology” by the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, conducted during 2016 and 2017. Methodology: We started from a documentary review of ScienceDirect, Proquest, ebsco, and dialnet; the general factors of an SGI were established; the validation of 3dhds, and its incorporation into the integrity and benefit management system are presented. Results: A technology integration methodology based on the laser modeling of the actual status of assets in “as-built” or “as-is” phases is introduced in order to have a more real vision of the state, presenting the case study of the methodology used by Inspectra srl (Bolivia). Conclusion: Despite the little use of this technology in facilities, we could observe its capacity to produce integrity results such as reverse engineering support, in-service inspections, aptitude for service, and as a tool to control management of change (moc), among others, and thus make decisions on how to manage them using location data, and real dimensions.

Introduction: This article shows the results of the applied research project “Improved design of the manufacturing process of wooden pallets through tools for increasing productivity. Case: Wood industry”, conducted at the Fundación Universitaria Tecnológico Comfenalco Cartagena during 2014. The objective of the research was to create and apply improvement actions to the productive process of the company studied based on industrial engineering tools that would allow a better use of available resources. Methodology: Methods and methodologies were applied to increase productivity, such as the methods-time measurement and the 5S methodology, a guide to implement a cleaner production (cp) program and to calculate the yield of raw materials. Results: The production process was standardized and improved based on the methods-time measurement and 5S. A reasonable production standard was established for the company and its workers. A methodology to calculate wood yields was assessed. A proposal was prepared to implement a cp program, whose guidelines improved the operating practices. Conclusion: Not measuring a process is as serious as measuring it wrongly, since it can lead to the implementation of non-compliant or very lax standards, as well as to a work environment with low levels of productivity due to employee dissatisfaction with inadequate demands, or to the relaxation of employees. Therefore, work study today is highly valid and applicable.

Introduction: This article derives from the research “Innovation, complexity, and management in socio-technical systems”. It was conducted between 2014 and 2017 at the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The systems for processing, distributing, and transporting digital information currently have a great impact on the operation of the healthcare industry, creating opportunities to improve its services and coverage and seeking to streamline health information processes of an administrative, clinical and operational nature. A perspective of electronic health or digital health (e-health) from the science of complexity can extract new findings towards the understanding of the e-health ecosystem at the local, regional and national levels, increasing its effectiveness as a potential enabler of social welfare. Methodology: This article turns to the science of complexity as a methodological basis to develop a frame of reference, considering the interactions between agents of the ecosystem and the characteristics of the context where e-health programs and interventions will be implemented. Results: A frame of reference is presented to address e-health programs, projects and interventions from a comprehensive perspective taking into account the role played by the interactions between predominant agents of the system and the characteristics of the context that will be intervened. As an example of application of the proposed frame of reference, the project “Tele-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases” being carried out by our research group is briefly described. Conclusions: The proposed frame of reference provides a platform for analysis and management that seeks to take advantage of the potential of e-health to become an effective vehicle for solidarity and social development.

Introduction: This article, prepared in 2017 at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, identifies some of the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of organizational structures that seek to increase the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Methodology: a) it is argued that business organizations are information processing systems; b) it is shown that organizational structures can be understood as information circulating networks; c) the research literature published in the 2010-2016 period is reviewed; it was methodically and exhaustively analyzed for trends, advances, methodology, future research, results, and conclusions in the twenty main journals of the Business, Management and Accounting category of Scimago; and d) research challenges and problems not yet overcome are set out. Results: The characteristics, advantages, and limitations of organizational structures other than hierarchical control are identified. Future research projects in the design of organizational structures that increase the ability of the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions are planned. Conclusions: The ability to adapt linked to the processing of high volumes of information is a challenge faced daily by organizations which could be satisfactorily addressed by implementing flexible structures.

Introduction: This review article was written during the second half of 2016 and the first of 2017 at the School of Environmental Engineering, Universidad Santo Tomás. Photovoltaic solar energy has acquired an important role in the global context due to the use of renewable sources and the reduction of environmental impacts, as well as for being an influential participant in meeting the current energy demand. However, it has limitations such as dependence on the availability of radiation and the use of silicon as a raw material for solar cells. Methodology: We prepared a state of the art of different databases searched, mostly Science Direct and Scopus, on the different alternative materials and current trends and their perspective of operation and implementation. Results: The solar cells that are using different materials are presented, among which the Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar cells stand out for their low cost and considerable efficiencies. Conclusion: Copper, indium, gallium, selenium/sulfur (cigs) cells are characterized mainly by their high adsorption coefficient; however, the great challenge to overcome is to implement them in an industrial environment. Organic solar cells are highly efficient and low-cost for their potential use in the Colombian context.

Engineering is a discipline based on the use of scientific knowledge, and its close relationship with other areas, such as research, design, development, construction and production, among others. It enhances the transformation of ideas into actions, which entail the creation of solutions that contribute to problem solving in any sector of a given country.

Introduction: This article derives from the research “Multilevel Control for Microgrids Dispatch Considering Stability Issues through mpc -based Frequency Regulation” conducted at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia during 2016 and the first half of 2017. It presents the study and analysis of a frequency regulation control scheme implemented in a power system that integrates renewable energy sources (res). The objective is to improve the reliability and stability of the grid against typical disturbances of renewable energies. Methodology: Initially, the dynamic response of the power system to sudden disturbances and continuous change was simulated to observe frequency deviations. The control block was also implemented in the additional power loop to emulate inertia and, thus, slow down the response of the system. Subsequently, the control parameters were optimized through heuristic optimization algorithms to minimize the frequency signal error. Results: Using the heuristic optimization of proportional integral (pi) control parameters, it was verified that there is a reduction of more than 79 % in the maximum error of frequency deviation in relation to the open loop response, and more than 43 % with respect to pi control with referential gains. Conclusion: In implementing the additional power loop with pi control, a decrease in the frequency deviation error was found in relation to the open loop simulations, due to the additional power loop.