• Is proctoring in robotic surgery truly helpful? Evaluating general surgeons’ perspectives

  Infante Altamirano, Martin; Lujan, Henry J. (Springer Nature, 2026-12-01)

  Proctoring is a well-established teaching method in minimally invasive surgery, shown to enhance surgical safety and reduce operative time while facilitating faster skill acquisition. With the growing adoption of robotic platforms across multiple specialties, and the increasing interest among surgeons in integrating robotics into their practice, proctoring has re-emerged as an important training technique. While its benefits in laparoscopy are well documented, evidence regarding its role in robotic surgery-particularly from surgeons’ perspectives-remains limited. We conducted an online survey among general surgeons who had received proctoring sessions during their surgical careers. The aim was to assess their perceptions of proctoring in robotic surgery, focusing on its impact on their learning process, operative times, and integration into daily practice. Respondents were also invited to provide qualitative feedback on specific benefits of proctoring and areas for improvement. Of the 97 proctored surgeons invited to participate, 32 (33%) completed the survey. The majority were male, with a median of 15 years of professional experience. Most surgeons reported receiving proctoring for 2–4 cases, with credentialing cited as the most common reason. A statistically significant association was observed between the number of proctored cases and the perceived reduction in the learning curve (p = 0.0019). Surgeons also reported greater confidence in managing complex cases after proctoring (p = 0.0051) and increased adoption of robotics in their daily practice (p = 0.015). Proctoring appears to be a valuable educational tool for general surgeons incorporating robotic surgery. It helps shorten the learning curve, builds confidence in managing complex cases, and supports the integration of robotics into routine practice. In addition, proctoring connects trainees with experienced surgeons, enabling personalized guidance and meaningful knowledge exchange. Constructive feedback between proctor and trainee is essential to maximize the effectiveness of this training approach.
• A Whisper and BETO-Bert Based Web Application for Classification of Emergency Calls

  Rojas, Anthony; Calcin, Kevin; Castaneda, Pedro (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025-01-01)

  This study presents a comprehensive web-based solution for the classification of emergency calls using state-of-the-art deep learning models, aimed at enhancing the accuracy and speed of emergency response systems. The primary aim is to categorize emergencies more effectively, particularly those related to safety, enabling rapid identification and response in call centers. The methodology is structured into key phases: first, the transcription phase employs the Whisper model for precise speech-to-text conversion; then, data preprocessing ensures the removal of irrelevant characters, numerical data, and common phrases to refine the input. In the translation phase, careful attention is given to maintaining linguistic consistency between English and Spanish. During the segmentation phase, tokenization and attention masking are applied to enhance text structure. Finally, the classification phase utilizes the BETO model-a BERT variant fine-tuned for Spanish-to classify calls into specific emergency types, including 'Accident,' 'Crime,' and 'Violence.' The proposed solution achieved a classification accuracy of 95.7%, supported by a learning rate optimization process.
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  Labour skills and cultural competence in the hotel sector in peru: insights from frontline employees

  Gelacio-Macedo, Katty Antonela; Orozco-Sibille, Fiorella Amelia; Cordova-Buiza, Franklin; Medina-Viruel, Miguel Jesús (Editura Universitatii din Oradea, 2025-01-01)

  This study explores the job competencies required of front-line employees in four-star hotels in Lima, Peru, situating these skills within the cultural dynamics of hospitality work. In global tourism contexts, hotel service involves not only operational efficiency, but also the fulfilment of social expectations, emotional management and the demonstration of culturally appropriate behaviours. Through a qualitative approach, based on in-depth interviews with human resource managers, the research analyses the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences that define effective performance in hotel operations. The results show that employees must possess not only technical knowledge, but also key interpersonal competencies such as advanced English proficiency, teamwork, autonomy, leadership and adaptability. Likewise, knowledge associated with the use of hotel technologies, management systems, customer service and conflict resolution are identified as relevant. These competencies are not only functional, but also represent expressions of internalised cultural values, such as empathy, charisma and service-mindedness, which shape the symbolic relationships between employees and guests. The research shows that structural changes following the pandemic have reshaped job profiles, requiring greater versatility, role rotation and flexible planning. These transformations reinforce the need for culturally sensitive competencies, able to adjust to global institutional standards and local interaction practices. In this sense, the training of workers acquires a double dimension: technical and symbolic, where service not only satisfies functional needs, but also cultural expectations deeply rooted in the tourist experience. In conclusion, this study contributes to cultural studies applied to tourism by showing that labour competencies in the urban hotel sector not only respond to organisational demands, but also act as vehicles of cultural significance. The work of contact employees becomes a form of symbolic mediation that transmits values, norms and aesthetics of local service in internationalised contexts. The findings offer strategic orientations for human talent management and open up lines of future research on the crossover between labour competencies and cultural representations in the tourism industry.

  Acceso abierto
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  Effect of coping strategies on psychological disorders: An SEM Analysis

  Merma Paricahua, Mauro; Jara Sánchez, Diego Masías; Injante Mendoza, Raul; Lázaro Illatopa, Wilder Iván (Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, 2025-01-01)

  Objective: to know the explanatory potential of coping strategies on the symptoms of psychological disorders in Peruvian university students in the context of COVID-19. Methodology: quantitative with a structural equation model. The multidimensional coping strategies inventory COPE and the self-report questionnaire of symptoms of mental disorders SRQ were applied to 699 university students. Results: Three explanatory models were developed; the second model was considered because it obtained better goodness-of-fit indices. This model reflects that symptoms of psychological disorders are explained by avoidance strategies, as they are risk factors. Coping strategies are protective of psychological disorders, being moderately linked with strategies oriented to social and emotional well-being.

  Acceso abierto
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  The student as a customer in higher education: a systematic review (2000–2022)

  Goyzueta Mejía, Zarela; Consolación - Segura, Carolina; Barredo Ibáñez, Daniel (Cogent OA, 2025-01-01)

  The metaphor of the student as customer has long generated controversy among authors due to its commercial background based on the payment that students make for their education. This situation positions them as customers of the university and as consumers of their education. Despite numerous investigations, no studies have yet conducted a systematic review of the literature based on the antagonistic positions (negative and positive). The aim of this study lies precisely in filling this gap by investigating works written from 2000 to 2022, to retrospectively analyze the arguments both for and against the metaphor. To achieve this, a systematic review was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science databases following the procedures of the Prisma Statement. After applying the selection criteria, 83 studies were identified. The findings revealed that the proposed thematic axes correspond to the two main stances presented by the researchers, allowing for a two-dimensional categorization based on negative and positive perspectives on the subject. In addition, it was evidenced that the authors develop their arguments across various contexts. This study aims to set aside conventional paradigms and contribute to broadening the knowledge of the problem, transparently channeling the critical analysis of the subject.

  Acceso abierto
• Software Testing: A Tertiary Survey of the Literature

  Cobeñas, Rosa; Quispe, Julio; Dávila, Abraham (Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025-01-01)

  The continuous evolution software emphasizes the importance of testing to ensure the quality of the product being developed. However, the dispersion of secondary studies hinders the understanding of the testing domain. The objective of this paper is to organize and synthesize the secondary studies available in the literature on software testing. To achieve this, a tertiary literature survey was conducted following systematic mapping guidelines. A total of 900 articles were sourced from four relevant databases. Of these, 102 secondary studies were selected for analysis. These studies revealed that the most extensively researched topics are test techniques and test processes. Additionally, the publication rate has consistently averaged over 10 secondary studies per year over the past nine years.
• European Union interregionalism in the Andean Community integration process: a political, economic, and cultural analysis

  Jimenez Soto, Andree Juvenal; Fernandez Lerzundi, Andy Roli; Moscoso Cuaresma, Julio Ricardo (Routledge, 2025-01-01)

  In recent years, European Union (EU) interregionalism has attracted considerable academic attention in the fields of international relations and economics. However, in-depth academic studies that shed light on its authentic and significant contributions to integrating the Andean Community (CAN) are still lacking. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the influence of EU interregionalism on the CAN integration process. The geo-influence model was used and adapted to determine the political, economic, and cultural correlations between the EU and CAN. The results show that European interregionalism has had significant political, economic, and cultural impacts over the past 33 years. However, a clear need for further research arises, preferably quantitative and qualitative, to assess the influence or relationship of European interregionalism, as opposed to the emergence of other integration processes, such as those led by China and the United States, in political, economic, commercial, and cultural dimensions.
• Process Optimization through the Implementation of SLP, Kanban, Poka-Yoke and TPM to Improve Efficiency in a Metalworking SME

  Contreras-Rios, Valerie; Cortavarría-Cruz, Mauricio; León-Chavarri, Claudia; Alvarez, José C.; Lepore, Robert (Seventh Sense Research Group, 2025-06-01)

  Currently, the metal-mechanic sub-sector faces several challenges in its production processes, such as long lead times, order delays and decreased product quality. These problems have a negative impact on operational efficiency, leading to non-compliance in delivery times and, as a consequence, economic penalties. To address this situation, an exhaustive analysis of historical order records, a time study of each stage of the process, the development of a cause-effect diagram and the application of the Pareto principle (80/20) to identify the most relevant root causes are carried out. Based on this diagnosis, a model i s developed that delves into applying Lean Manufacturing tools adapted to medium-sized companies. The tools used in this study include Line Balancing (LB), Poka-Yoke, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Systematic Layout Planning (SLP). The validation of the model is done through a pilot, prototyping and simulations, achieving an increase of 14.7% in the efficiency of the production process. In summary, this model can be implemented in similar environments, requiring only minimal adjustments for its adaptation.
• Platform for Detection of Depression in Medical Students with Improvement Monitoring using Dialogflow

  Abad, Alessandra; Farfan, Gonzalo; Subauste, Daniel (International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics, 2025-01-01)

  Depression is a problem frequently found in university students, and even more common in medical students. According to the study ''Prevalence of Depression, Depressive Symptoms, and Suicidal Ideation Among Medical Students'' carried out globally, 27 of medical students have depression. This untreated disorder can have disastrous results in life. of these students, either for being undiagnosed, or for not going to professionals due to time or money issues. Universities, as professional training centers, must ensure the well-being of their students, and provide them with the necessary support against any obstacle that may arise. Thus, we have proposed the Sequitur platform, made up of a mobile and web application, where universities will be able to subscribe and provide interactive help to all their students, through a mobile application with a chatbot which by Using Machine Learning and Data Analytics, it will detect the percentage of depression they may have, and will put them in contact with their respective psychological area, in addition to providing recommendations and facilitating self-monitoring. This paper details the process that was carried out to create this platform, and the respective validations with experts.
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  Numerical simulation of the internal flow in the mixing chamber of a 150MW combined cycle thermal power plant

  Gonzalez, K.; Briones, P.; Ronceros, J.; Zapata, G.; Raymundo, C. (Institute of Physics, 2025-01-01)

  This study examines the internal flow dynamics within the mixing chamber of a combined cycle thermoelectric plant (steam-gas), with a particular focus on the distribution of key parameters such as temperature, pressure, and density. Both the continuity and energy equations were subjected to analytical and numerical simulations for validation purposes. In the numerical simulation, a three-dimensional tetrahedral mesh was constructed using Ansys Meshing software, and the resulting data was processed using Ansys Fluent. The turbulence model employed was the k-epsilon model, and the energy equation was also utilized. The results demonstrated the effective transfer of energy and the uniform distribution of temperature and pressure throughout the mixing chamber. This study makes a significant contribution to the field of thermal engineering and provides a robust foundation for future research in the optimization of combined cycle systems. Furthermore, critical areas for design improvement were identified, emphasizing the importance of precise control of operating parameters. The results of the numerical simulations were validated by comparisons with experimental data and previous theoretical studies, thus providing a comprehensive understanding of the internal flow dynamics and their impact on the operating efficiency of the thermal power plant.

  Acceso abierto
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  Design of a Hydraulic Turbine Based in a Pressure Swirl Chamber using Ansys CFD

  Calzada, D.; Uribe, A.; Ronceros, J.; Namay, W.; Zapata, G.; Raymundo, C. (Institute of Physics, 2025-01-01)

  This study presents the simulation of internal flow of a hydraulic turbine using CFD based on pressure-swirl atomizer technology, typically used in combustion chambers of rocket engines. The proposed model is equipped with a swirl chamber with stabilizer included, dual manifold system and a rotor, each of these elements will be simulated to validate its functionality, prior to implementation and subsequent experimental testing. The results show that it is possible to produce the spray output jet even if there are interferences within the swirl chamber such as the rotor itself and the stabilizer. In addition, due to the tangential speeds produced within the atomizer may be viable to place a rotor to produce mechanical power. This study serves as a starting point to carry out future experimental tests to validate the generated power and efficiency of the proposed system. The results presented in the document were validated using mathematical equations and numerical simulations using the Ansys Fluent software.

  Acceso abierto
• Harmonic forms in displacement response spectra and a novel definition of duration in pulse-type strong motion

  Morales, César A. (SAGE Publications Inc., 2025-01-01)

  Neat sine (cosine) shapes have been observed in peaks of high-resolution deformation response spectra corresponding to real earthquake records. Theoretically, these smooth and special spectral forms should appear only when the excitation is a mathematical shock or pulse. Some seismic records, especially near-fault, are considered pulses and more generally, earthquake excitation can be considered as a large action applied over a short time, which is shock excitation; therefore, there is an explanation to the observation or discovery of those harmonic forms. Now, an explanation on why these sinusoidal peaks had not been observed or studied before can lie in that most research has been done on acceleration response spectra, rather than on displacement ones; moreover, previous publications on the latter have been with a very-low resolution. A main objective here is, first, to demonstrate that the shapes in actual response spectra are indeed harmonic, this by means of fitting. Then and additionally, an application to Earthquake Engineering, and Seismology, of these revealed sine forms is presented, which is to the subfield of strong motion duration; in particular, a new procedure is proposed to estimate earthquake duration in the case of pulse-type excitation, which is associated to the near field.
• Design Of A Circular Express Route With Limited Stops Derived From A Conventional Route For The BRS System

  Carpio, Juan; Peña, Sally; Castro, Fernando (Avestia Publishing, 2025-01-01)

  Urban public transport congestion reduces user quality of life and system efficiency, posing a major challenge for growing cities. This study designs an express route in a Bus Rapid Service (BRS) system using TransCAD macro-simulation. A model based on origin-destination (OD) data reflects current conditions. The proposal introduces a mid-route turn to optimize West-East trips, where demand is higher, and distance is shorter. Simulation results show a 13.98% reduction in West-East travel time and a 20.19% reduction in East-West travel time. Express routes supported by advanced tools can improve operational efficiency and user experience in public transport.

  Acceso abierto
• Discussion of the Conceptual Model of Debris Flow and Flexible Dikes in the Carachacra Creek

  Gutiérrez, Rubén Esaú Mogrovejo; Pro, William Albert Gómez; Mosquera, Julio Cesar Villafranca (Avestia Publishing, 2025-01-01)

  In this paper, the first analysis of the conceptual model of this non-Newtonian flow, poses the first challenge of proposing an initial discussion of the geometric, kinematic and dynamic characteristics of this flow that each water cycle converges in the Carachacra stream in Peru, it has been identified in the field that this mixture reaches a sedimentation bank greater than 6 m, and as support to validate and compare the Flo-2d computational tool was used, which has allowed us to obtain not only the maximum draft but also the velocity and the resulting impact forces. Therefore, by means of the previous results, we projected the imperative need to contemplate flexible dikes in three strategic zones, such as Agua Salada Creek, Antioquia Creek and the lower part of Carachacra Creek. After the discussion of the conceptual flow model and the technical characteristics of the flexible levees, it was suggested the implementation of the UX 120-H6 model with a height of 6.8m, a fill length between 42 to 70 m, and a variable width between 24 to 42m, this geometry would be adequate to contain the volume of this mixture for a 500-year event, obtaining a height of 4.5m, velocity 2m/s and impact force of 63KN/m.

  Acceso abierto
• BIM Methodology and Montecarlo Analysis as Mitigation Tools of Construction Cost Overrun

  Meza, Gonzalo; Paredes, Daniel; Nuñez, Karina (Avestia Publishing, 2025-01-01)

  Construction project management frequently encounters significant cost control challenges, with cost overruns being among the most persistent and critical issues. This paper proposes a risk management method for multifamily housing projects that integrates BIM methodology with Monte Carlo analysis. This combination enables a detailed visual and quantitative assessment, facilitating risk identification and quantification, and providing precise cost control. Through comprehensive analysis, including literature reviews, case studies, and surveys of construction experts-the primary risk factors contributing to cost overruns were identified, such as design errors and cost estimation issues. Results indicate that the combined use of BIM and Monte Carlo enhances resource planning and minimizes cost overruns. Validation surveys demonstrate considerable acceptance of this method among professionals, who recognize its effectiveness and applicability in risk management for multifamily projects.

  Acceso abierto
• Effect of the Replacement of Cement by Fly Ash and Calcined Clay on the Mechanical-Physical Properties of Conventional Mortar

  Saravia, Aracelly; Vela, Gladys; Lopez, Karla (Avestia Publishing, 2025-01-01)

  This article explored the effects of replacing Portland cement with fly ash and calcined clay on the strength and durability of conventional mortar, focusing on improving its mechanical properties and reducing the carbon footprint generated by the construction industry. Tests were conducted on samples with 20% and 55% cement replacements ratios, evaluating parameters such as compressive strength, flexural strength, and porosity. The results indicated that mortars with cement replacements outperformed the control mortar in terms of strength and compaction. At 28 days, the mortar with a 20% replacement achieved a compressive strength of 24.67 MPa, surpassing the standard design. Lower porosity was also observed in mortars with replacements, contributing to greater durability and resistance to water absorption. This study concluded that using fly ash and calcined clay as a partial replacement for cement was viable for structural applications, particularly in seismic zones, due to improved cohesion and reduced formation of voids in the mix, enhancing its mechanical performance and reducing its environmental impact. ©

  Acceso abierto
• Comparison of the Influence of Different Soil-Structure Interaction Models in a Five-Story Building on Soft Soil

  Izarra, Luis; Loza, Gustavo; Rivas, Gram (Avestia Publishing, 2025-01-01)

  A comparative analysis will be carried out on the influence that four soil-structure interaction models have on the seismic performance of a five-story dual building composed of frames, reinforced concrete walls and isolated footings type foundations, whose initial premise states that these foundations are completely embedded in the ground. The methodologies selected for the comparison will be the D. D. Barkan - O. A. Savinov model, the A. E. Sargsian model, the model proposed by the Russian Standard SNIP 2.02.05-87 and the model proposed by the FEMA P-2091 manual in its sixth chapter. The data obtained from different measurement indicators will be compared, such as structural drifts, fundamental period, base shear, axial forces acting on a critical column and moments in a critical beam. At the end of the analysis, it was concluded that the SSI model that provides results that are most in line with Peruvian reality without the need to exaggerate the results is the one proposed by the FEMA manual, which represents a good precedent in favor of including the phenomenon in the Peruvian regulations.

  Acceso abierto
• Influence of Recycled PET Particle Size on the Improvement of Sandy Subgrades for Flexible Pavements

  Barboza, Giovanni; Carrion, Leidy (Avestia Publishing, 2025-01-01)

  This study evaluates the influence of recycled PET particle size on enhancing sandy subgrades for flexible pavements. A soil classified as poorly graded sand with silt and gravel (SP-SM) was treated with crushed PET in proportions of 2%, 5%, and 7% to examine its impact on load-bearing capacity. Modified Proctor and CBR tests were conducted to analyze changes in the soil's mechanical properties, revealing that adding 5% PET increased the CBR Index to 15.2% at 95% MDS, an 83.1% improvement compared to natural soil. However, with a 7% PET addition, the CBR was 9.6% at 95% MDS and 15.8% at 100% MDS, showing a decrease in load-bearing capacity likely due to excessive particle interference within the soil matrix. These findings highlight that both PET dosage and particle size are critical for optimizing subgrade performance. This research provides an innovative and sustainable solution for reinforcing granular soils in pavement structures, supporting the reuse of plastic materials in civil engineering applications.

  Acceso abierto
• Mitigating Technical Risks in School Construction Projects through a Risk Notification and Impact Estimation System

  Del Castillo, Valeria; Barraza, Giuliana (Avestia Publishing, 2025-01-01)

  The construction of schools faces technical risks that, if not managed properly, can generate delays and cost overruns, negatively impacting beneficiary communities. Previous studies highlight that early and proactive management of these risks, combined with appropriate strategies, can improve project efficiency and results. However, the lack of systematic approaches and advanced tools remains a major obstacle. In this context, this article proposes a potential risk notification system based on the principles of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide and the latest version of the New Engineering Contract (NEC4) to facilitate the early identification of said risks, the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of their impact, and better communication and collaboration between those involved in the project. The contribution of the system lies in its ability to structure technical risk management in a precise and collaborative manner to mitigate its possible impacts on project deadlines and costs.

  Acceso abierto
• An Initial Discussion of the Persistence and Movement of Water within Fractured Massifs, Case of Drainage Galleries in the Landslide

  Gutiérrez, Rubén Esaú Mogrovejo (Avestia Publishing, 2025-01-01)

  In the last 30 to 50 years, the planet has been accumulating and experiencing changes in the regional water cycle. This variation makes us all, especially in the Andes Mountain range, ask ourselves what is the current state of the persistence and movement of water from a regional to a local approach. We all know that nature is highly complex, even more so when we want to understand the elements that constitute one or more geological masses that make up, for example, a landslide. The physical stability of these is very important for civil works operations, so it is important to understand today more than before not only their properties but also the interaction with the flow of water over time. We invest high costs in indirect investigations and even more so in direct ones, with the desire to know that vertical column of the materials or natural aggregates present in these geological masses, not only understanding it is necessary, but also monitoring over time is essential with the support of hydraulic instrumentation. Given these climatic changes, the central zone of Peru is not immune to an increase in the average rainfall rates that converge in the investigated area, but now we must not only create predictive scenarios, but also expand the expectations that we used to have in the initial monitoring, adding models with high performance in modeling the flow in domains of fractured rocks. The initial results suggest an RMSE below 5%, which is an acceptable value for this initial discussion, which has allowed us to validate the filtration flows that were obtained with a range of 7 m3/hr to 18m3/hr, comparing them with the flows measured during the construction of these galleries in fractured rocks.

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