Communities in PRCR
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- Colecciones de la Albizu University
- Colecciones digitales de Atenas College
- Colecciones de los Centros Sor Isolina Ferré
- Materiales utilizados para la certificación.
Recent Submissions
Design and Feasibility Evaluation of a Prototype Automated Kiosk for Hospital Pre-Check-In and Preliminary Vital Sign Capture
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2026) Cruz Vélez, Juan A.; Rondón Contreras, Jairo J
This article presents the design and feasibility evaluation of a prototype hospital pre-check-in kiosk that combines NFC-based patient identification, questionnaire intake, staged vital-sign capture, workflow handling, and vendor-neutral export. Evidence was drawn from the implemented system rather than from a clinical deployment. By May 4, 2026, the prototype had generated 25 intake records, 21 workflow records, 59 audit log entries, and 16 normalized records for descriptive analysis. Within that analyzed set, 6 cases required manual fallback, 5 reflected sensor failure or missing measurements, and 8 remained incomplete but were still preserved through the workflow. These results show that the platform can continue generating structured records even when device capture is incomplete. The prototype, therefore, supports technical and workflow feasibility in a controlled environment while also showing that hardware reliability, complete timing coverage, and real user validation remain future requirements. Keywords — Feasibility Study, Hospital Pre-Check-In, Self-Service Kiosk, Vital Sign Capture.
Integrated Decision Support System for Diabetic Retinopathy Grading Using Explainable AI and Uncertainty Quantification
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2026) Marrero Ortiz, Juan A.; Valera Márquez, Juan
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide, yet screening coverage remains critically low due to a shortage of trained ophthalmologists and other primary eye care professionals [1] [2]. This article presents an Integrated Decision Support System (IDSS) for ocular health that employs a fine-tuned EfficientNet-B3 convolutional neural network, trained on the APTOS 2019 Blindness Detection dataset (3,662 fundus images), to perform five-class DR grading. The model achieved a maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.9858 and a maximum Quadratic Weighted Kappa (QWK) of 0.8789 after 30 training epochs. The system incorporates Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping++ (Grad-CAM++) for spatial attribution and Monte Carlo Dropout for predictive uncertainty quantification, integrated into a Streamlit clinical interface with structured risk stratification. A multi-task extension simultaneously learns DR grading and glaucoma risk scoring, achieving AUC values of 0.9841 and 0.9849, respectively. The complete system demonstrates that a functional, explainable AI prototype can be developed within a one-month engineering timeline using open-source tools. Keywords — Clinical Decision Support, Convolutional Neural Network, Diabetic Retinopathy, Explainable Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Uncertainty Quantification.
Design of an Integrated Biomonitoring System for IVA/EVA Suits Using the Patient Assessment System (PAS)
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2026) Raimundi Rivera, Roberto C.; Nieves Castro, Rafael A.
Advancing human spaceflight toward exploration-class missions requires autonomous health monitoring systems that operate without real time support from Earth. This article presents the design and validation of an integrated hardware platform for biomonitoring in IVA/EVA suits. The system is based on the Patient Assessment System framework and integrates sensors for heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and temperature. A centralized embedded
microcontroller performs local acquisition, signal processing, storage, and alert generation. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate acceptable accuracy, real-time response, and improved signal quality after motion compensation. The proposed design supports autonomous physiological assessment in constrained environments and provides a scalable foundation for future wearable biomedical systems for space and remote operations. Keywords — Biomonitoring, Embedded Systems, EVA Suits, Wearable Systems.
Development and Characterization of a Citric Acid-crosslinked Cassava Starch Hydrogel Functionalized with Aloe Vera for Potential Tissue Repair Applications
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2026) Gutiérrez Reyes, Yvvonna; Rondón Contreras, Jairo J
This study presents the development and characterization of a bio-based hydrogel synthesized from cassava starch and citric acid through a green approach and functionalized with Aloe vera. The material was prepared using a two-stage thermal curing process (110 °C for 1 h followed by 140 °C for 30 min) and evaluated for physicochemical, electrical, and antibacterial properties. FTIR-ATR analysis indicated the formation of ester linkages associated with starch–citric acid crosslinking. Swelling analysis revealed limited aqueous stability, with several formulations showing mass loss rather than consistent swelling. Surface pH values ranged from 2.02 to 3.55, indicating a strongly acidic profile associated with residual citric acid. Electrical characterization showed a formulation-dependent response related to ionic transport within the hydrogel matrix. A qualitative reduction in Escherichia coli growth was observed; however, quantitative antibacterial analysis was not performed. Overall, the results demonstrate the influence of formulation composition on hydrogel behavior and highlight the need for further optimization and biological validation. Keywords ⎯ Aloe Vera, Cassava Starch, Citric Acid, Impedance Spectroscopy.
Potable Water Tank Management and Risk Mitigation for a Federal Healthcare Facility
(Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2026) Irizarry Vega, Julio Angel; Cruzado Vélez, Héctor J.
A federal healthcare facility depends on a reliable potable water system to support patient care, sanitation, and daily operations. This project developed a structured engineering management approach for inspecting, monitoring, and maintaining a potable water tank. The methodology integrated laboratory testing, structural inspection, risk evaluation, maintenance verification, and operational planning to improve regulatory compliance and system reliability. Results demonstrated that organized inspection workflows and preventive maintenance activities can reduce operational risks and improve long-term maintenance planning. Key Terms ⎯ Engineering Management, Potable Water Tank, Risk Mitigation, Water Quality Monitoring