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  • Educational Innovation and Adaptability in Engineering (july 2025)
    Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025)

    Dear Reader, the Scientific Journal “EASI: Engineering and Applied Sciences in Industry” is pleased to publish the new issue entitled “Educational Innovation and Adaptability in Engineering (July 2025)”. Thus, we present a brief summary of the papers published in this new issue.

    Vera, V., Vera-Ortega, R., & Vanegas, G. (2025) show a flexible approach to Annual Operational Planning (AOP), the aim of this work focuses on presenting an improvement in the adaptation of Ecuadorian SMEs in contexts of crisis and uncertainty; this review of literature and good practices, identifies six key strategies, being: dynamic strategic diagnosis, prioritization of critical objectives, scenario planning, adaptive KPIs, resource optimization and adaptive organizational culture. Estrada, R. F., & Mora, C. (2025) analyze the impact of school closure throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (in 2022) on student performance in engineering physics, using educational videos, after evaluating 69 fourth-semester students through mathematical exercises, it was found that there was an unexpected positive effect on educational equity, despite the lack of generalized progress. Vega Granda, R., et al (2025) provide a qualitative study that analyzes the impact of digital tools (management software, sensors, CRM, social networks) in an Ecuadorian chocolate company, within the framework of Industry 4.0. Flores Zhamungui, M., et al (2025) describe an experimental study where drag force and lift were analyzed in an aerodynamic body (NACA profile), using a wind tunnel; the study varied the air speed by different percentages of fan rotation and 50 data per test of drag force, kinematic viscosity, temperature and air speed were recorded. Castro Castillo, M. R.et al. (2025) evaluate mortars (simple and reinforced with steel fiber in percentages of 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) to improve the resistance of vulnerable informal housing.

    EASI appreciates the valuable contributions of the authors and invites the scientific community that allocates its efforts to make new and innovative contributions in industry, engineering and applied sciences.

    Franklin Samaniego, Ph. D.

    Editor

  • [Special issue] CIIA 2025 - International Conference of Applied Industrial Engineering: Intelligent Models and Data Engineering
    Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025)

    The International Conference on Applied Industrial Engineering aims to be a reference point for national and international innovation and collaboration. This year's edition focused on “Intelligent Models and Data Engineering.” Experts and researchers explored the transformative potential of these technologies, fostering academic exchange in a natural environment that promotes a sustainable approach.

    Espitia-Cubillos, A. et al. (2025) reviews documents on smart forklifts to identify advances and knowledge gaps. Using the PRISMA 2020 guide and bibliometric analysis tools. Research conducted by Tigua-Villaprado, Y. projects energy consumption in Ecuador's tertiary sector through 2040 using the LEAP model, highlighting that most energy use is concentrated in three activities and depends on electricity for 76% of its needs, underscoring the need for sustainability strategies (2025). Banguera, L. et al. (2025) analyzes the recycling habits of millennials in Guayaquil, noting that a high percentage consume water in plastic bottles and that there are major barriers such as lack of infrastructure and lack of awareness. Loor-Alcívar, B. et al. (2025) applied a simulation to a plastic pipe processing plant, where a bottleneck was identified and it was demonstrated that increasing the number of mills could increase installed capacity by 22%. Espitia-Cubillos, A. et al. (2025) present an artificial intelligence algorithm based on neural networks to identify and classify labels and colors of liquid products through a camera. The system, tested in a virtual environment, achieved 100% accuracy with very fast processing times, demonstrating its robustness even with little data or low-quality images. Finally, Ortiz-Mosquera, N. et al. (2025) proposes a prototype for detecting forest fires using a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera and a Jetson Nano unit. The system uses convolutional neural networks to identify smoke and flames in real time.

  • Technological solutions for sustainability (Issue August-December)
    Vol. 3 No. 2 (2024)

    EASI: Engineering and Applied Sciences in Industry presents a diverse range of innovative technological solutions addressing current industrial and societal challenges in this issue. Here is a summary of each article:

    Chico et al. (2024): This study goes into the supercritical water gasification of cellulose, a promising process for converting biomass into high-value products such as hydrogen and lactic acid. The authors determined the optimal conditions for maximizing the production of these compounds and established a kinetic model to describe the process. De la Cruz-Tapia and Figueroa (2024) presented an ingenious solution for the equitable distribution of water in rural communities in Ecuador; by implementing an automated control system to optimize the use of this scarce resource. Moreover, Ortiz-Rodríguez et al. (2024) developed a remote-control module for solar dryers, enabling precise monitoring and control of drying conditions. This innovation contributes to improving energy efficiency and the quality of products obtained in drying processes. Barboza et al. (2024) introduce a novel web platform designed for remote patient monitoring, with specific applications in occupational health and safety. This platform could revolutionize the way remote healthcare is managed, particularly for the elderly, and has significant potential to improve workplace safety outcomes. Next contribution is presented by Vera-Ortega and Yong (2024). Authors analyze the barriers faced by microentrepreneurs in Guayaquil in adopting digital payment platforms. The authors propose strategies to foster adoption, such as educational campaigns and financial incentives, aiming to promote financial inclusion and enhance the competitiveness of small businesses. Torres et al. (2024) compare the pyrolysis performance of different types of plastics to produce liquid hydrocarbons. The results show that polystyrene is the most suitable material for this process, due to its high yield and the quality of the product obtained. Navarro et al. (2024) highlight the potential of pyrolysis, specifically of polystyrene, as a method for waste-to-energy conversion. Their findings, combined with those of Torres et al. (2024), underscore the significance of thermal processes in transforming waste into energy.

    The articles selected for this issue of EASI exemplify the power of technology to address complex challenges and foster sustainable solutions. We anticipate that these works will be of great interest to researchers, engineers, industry professionals, and students involved in developing technologies for a more sustainable future.

    EASI thanks the authors for their valuable contributions and looks forward to continuing to publish cutting-edge research in the fields of engineering and applied sciences.

    Y. González

    Editor

  • Maintenance and sustainability enhancing industrial efficiency (January-June Issue)
    Vol. 3 No. 1 (2024)

    This EASI issue takes readers on an engaging journey to the forefront of engineering and applied sciences, with a particular focus on optimizing industrial processes and promoting sustainability. The featured articles delve into critical topics ranging from climate variable modeling for enhanced energy efficiency (Vanegas Zabala et al., 2024) to implementing reliability-centered maintenance practices to reduce costs and boost productivity (Aguilera-Órdenes & Amador-Cáceres, 2024).

    Furthermore, the journal explores the intersection of industry and society, analyzing how initiatives like forest landscape restoration (Bautista-Espinoza et al., 2024) can yield environmental, social, and economic benefits. Additionally, Reyes-Aliaga et al. (2024) provide an updated perspective on industrial market segmentation, a highly relevant topic for businesses seeking differentiation and growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. Finally, Fajardo-Pruna et al. (2024) showed how technology can improve safety in adverse work environments. Their mechatronic device offers a practical solution to protect worker health.

    Collectively, the articles in this issue demonstrate the diversity and dynamism of industrial engineering research, offering valuable tools and insights to address current and future industrial challenges. Readers are invited to delve into these articles and share their comments and perspectives.

  • Technology and sustainability in process management (July-December Issue)
    Vol. 2 No. 3 (2023)

    This issue delves into process management topics, drawing upon varied applications of machine learning, sustainability, occupational health, and market analysis for industrial and societal applications. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Acosta-Guzmán, I. et al. (2023) developed a Natural Language Processing (NLP) prototype in Python to analyze the experiences of infected individuals in Ecuador, highlighting common symptoms and presenting a highly effective preliminary multi-label classification model. In the energy sector, Valcárcel, A. et al. (2023) address the transition to renewable energy sources with a focus on lightning protection in photovoltaic parks, proposing comprehensive solutions. Haro, A. et al. (2023) focus on the efficiency of nitrogen utilization in ruminant animals, proposing physical and chemical treatments to improve ruminal protein degradation. Reyes-Aliaga, C. et al. (2023) examine aspects of B2B industrial market segmentation, emphasizing the need for a continuous approach in service companies. Another paper by Amador, B. et al. (2023) reveals how in-house maintenance management in aquaculture results in more efficient and cost-effective management compared to outsourcing services. Finally, Rodríguez, M. et al. (2023) investigate the impact of ergonomic noise on the health of workers in educational centers, highlighting the relationship between noise exposure and various diseases, underscoring the need to address this issue in the occupational realm. These works represent a significant step towards healthy and sustainable management practices.

  • Energy efficiency and Sustainability (Special Issue, December)
    Vol. 2 No. 2 (2023)

    This special issue of EASI: Engineering and Applied Sciences in Industry is a compilation of papers presented in a webinar on Energy efficiency and Sustainability. The webinar was organized by COMSOC-IEEE Section Ecuador (Guayaquil) and the Faculty of Industrial Engineering of the University of Guayaquil. Leiva, A. & Rivas, G. (2023) analyze an innovative off-grid solar system that reduces minimum energy demand and investment compared to traditional systems. Rodríguez-Gómez, B. (2023) explores the importance of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to address social and economic challenges. This analysis promotes circularity in the economy and provides a comprehensive assessment of energy systems. Morocho, L. (2023) also discusses the potential of biogas and biomethane as clean energy sources, highlighting their historical origin and current use as vital alternatives. Quiroga-Pérez, W., et al. (2023) highlights hydroesterification to obtain biodiesel, achieving high conversions with an efficient experimental design. On the other hand, Casteleiro-Roca, José-Luis et al. (2023) address the concept of gasification, presenting different types of gasifiers and practical examples, while Jove, E., et al. (2023) present a topology for designing power systems for modular and mobile installations, responsible for monitoring water quality. Finally, Agulia-León, J. & Lucero-Tenorio, M. (2023) review the importance of bio-inspired controllers in renewable energy converters and solutions for the design of power systems in mobile installations for water quality monitoring. These works represent significant advances in the transition to a sustainable future, addressing various critical areas in the energy and environmental field.

  • portada

    Applications in Education and Sustainability Management in Industry 4.0 (January-June Issue)
    Vol. 2 No. 1 (2023)

    The papers published in this issue bring together applications aimed at society, from the perspective of Education 4.0 and sustainable process management, integrating advanced Industry 4.0 technologies. The issue opens with the work of Fajardo-Pruna et al. (2023), who present a cyber-physical model of an IoT-based cutting machine, with the aim of optimizing manufacturing processes in the industry from a holistic perspective. Continuing with applications in the industry, Enríquez, F. et al. (2023) discuss the relevance of the architectural design pattern in the development processes of programs on the security, interoperability, and usability of computational systems. The aspects on which this analysis is based are essential to drive the digital transformation in industry and society. A very simple proof of this is the modular systems on which some applications are based that respond to the theory of business intelligence and educational applications. Suquisupa, A. et al. (2023) analyze the strategies implemented for waste management in industrial plants, from the perspective of collaborative management and the circular economy as a business model. Next, Andrade, G. et al. (2023) characterize milk production in indigenous populations of Ecuador, based on the study of marketing channels as an economic factor and the vulnerability of this sector of the population as a main social factor.

    Other works complement this issue from a social perspective. Santana, C. et al. (2023) analyze the factors that cause traffic accidents by applying a deductive statistical analysis, to mitigate accidents in urban cities. Pule, V. et al. (2023) who determine the causes of tobacco use, as well as the perception of the consequences of consumption in student communities, and finally, Mejía, C. et al. (2023) analyze with a descriptive approach, the factors that influence the decision to study engineering careers by women. The analysis includes the perception of gender stereotypes as one of the main factors.

  • portada

    Production and operation management: social problem solving (July-December Issue)
    Vol. 1 No. 2 (2022)

    The current EASI collection brings contributions applying concepts of industrial processes management to provide solutions for society’s demands; ranging from modeling and simulation of administration and management processes to the focused actions for driving power business to guarantee the quality of services to communities, based on supply chain sustainability.

    The research conducted by Guerrero, B., Pizarro, L., & Duarte, V. (2022) applied digital innovation to streamline administrative procedures in the basic healthcare network of Chile. The idea deals with the implementation of learning algorithms for ordering data to enhance medical appointment assignments. Another interesting application came from Fernández, J., Alfonso, A. & Ramos, R. (2022), who proposed an adaptive model for demand forecasting; the equations include trend and seasonality parameters. Subsequently, Pilacuán,L., Salmón, B. & Gallegos, D. (2022) presented a macro predictive model to evaluate the infectious disease control policies in countries of South America, based on indicators describing the infection evolution.

    Hidalgo-Crespo, J., Bautista-Espinosa, H. & Oviedo, J. (2022) revised the plan to enhance the business system of the electric power company to provide service, and preventive and corrective actions to finally meet the needs of most isolated communities in Peru, from the viability, sustainability, and scalability perspective. Similarly, Rosabal-Palma, B. & Medel-González, F. (2022) gathered data and techniques to improve the quality and time management of the model printing process in Graphic Arts companies in Cuba, based on advanced analytics to improve performance and outcomes.

  • portada

    Internet of Things and Communication Technologies: solutions for Business and Society (January-June Issue)
    Vol. 1 No. 1 (2022)

    This issue bring together applications of ICTs and IIoT in the business and social context, this research area is still having a crowd of ongoing research projects. In this opportiunity, researchs allows students to pursue their interests and be part of mixed disciplinary research groups.

    In post-pandemic times, numerous environmental factors  affect the health and well-being of employees. Palacios et al. (2022) shows a low-cost sensor network to monitor environmental conditions
    in indoor environments. Ronquillo et al. (2022)  describes a smart architecture that makes trash collection easier. Meanwhile, Cruz, Parrales & Zambrano (2022) discuss about factors leading digital technology supporting HRM in businesses and organizations, and the benefits of work-related communication technology use.

    Suppoting social applications, readers can find the strategy proposed by Ávila, J., Pilacuán, L. & Valenzuela, K. (2022) to map the virus spreads across local regions to control future epidemic outbreaks, and finally, Quinto et al. (2022) contribute with a voting solution to minimize threats within e-voting protocols.