The Fourth Industrial Revolution has prompted companies to prioritizeefficiency and cost reduction, necessitating the adoption of advanced computationallyaided techniques to enhance decision-making processes. While many firms, particularlyin developed economies, have successfully integrated machine learning into theiroperations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countriescontinue to face challenges due to resource and technical skill shortages. Thisstudy addresses this gap by presenting a successful implementation of a machinelearning prediction tool based on Random Forest in an Argentinian SME that performshydrocarbon tanks maintenance duties. Specifically, we developed a tool to forecastinspection times for hydrocarbon tank personnel, a critical task for such companies. Ouranalysis demonstrates the tool’s ability to predict inspection times with MAE = 15.8 minand MAPE = 1.2% on a held-out test set (20% of the dataset). By seamlessly integratingthis tool, our work serves as a motivational case study, inspiring similar technologicaladvancements in companies facing similar challenges.
The increasing reliance on healthcare infrastructures makes them highly vulnerable to cyber threats, requiring robust and adaptable security strategies. This study integrates the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF 2.0) with the OCTAVE methodology to assess cybersecurity risks and support the definition of mitigation strategies in the technological infrastructure of a private healthcare provider in Ecuador. Beyond the Protect function, the audit framework considers Identify, Detect, Respond, and Recover, complemented by the Governance and Supply Chain risk management functions introduced in CSF 2.0. OCTAVE facilitated the systematic identification of threats, vulnerabilities, and residual risks, while NIST CSF guided policy alignment. The analysis revealed that approximately 75% of critical assets presented vulnerabilities which, if addressed through the proposed controls, could potentially lead to modeled residual risk reductions of over 40%. While these findings are based on qualitative projections rather than implemented results, the framework establishes a structured and reproducible pathway for empirical validation and long-term cybersecurity resilience. This combined approach provides practical guidance for healthcare organizations seeking to structure cybersecurity audits and align with international standards.
The construction sector continues to grow, but it is always looking for materials that do not generate CO2 during their production. Therefore, this research evaluates the physical and mechanical properties of concrete by using fly ash (FA) as a partial substitute for cement and adding steel fiber from tires (SFT). The experimental treatments were carried out with proportions of 3, 6, 9 and 12% FA to determine the optimal percentage, which was then combined with 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% SFT of the total volume of the concrete. Physical tests revealed that workability decreased with the addition of FA, as well as with increasing SFT percentages, while temperature and unit weight remained stable. The air content increased with the use of FA and then decreased with the addition of SFT. In the mechanical tests, the optimal FA percentage was 3%, with decreasing results as the percentage increased. With the addition of SFT, the optimal percentage was 1%, followed by a decrease in results with higher percentages. The combination of 3% FA and 1% SFT improved the compressive, tensile and flexural strength by 7.98, 29.18 and 21.73%, respectively, compared to the master concrete. The elasticity modulus reached its optimum with 3% FA, improving by 8.18% in relation to the standard concrete. In conclusion, FA and SFT reduce CO2 emissions and improve concrete properties.
The consumption of large volumes of natural resources in construction has led to the depletion of its sources of supply, that´s why it has become a necessity to take advantage of the waste generated in different industrial processes. The slag obtained in the steel manufacturing process constitutes one of those sources, to which added value could be given, also reducing environmental pollution. The research studies the performance of concrete by replacing Portland cement with white granulated steel slag in proportions between 35% and 45% at ages of 7, 28 and 180 days, evaluating their physical, mechanical and durability properties, as well as the influence of the type of slag cooling in this process. It is concluded that at late ages, slag can be used to partially replace Portland cement, without significant effects on the properties of concrete, although further improvement of its rapid cooling procedures is necessary.
