Software Design Research Articles

Unlocking inclusive education: A quality assessment of software design in applications for children with autism

Digital technologies are an essential resource for maximizing education opportunities, yet the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed learning inequities, particularly among underrepresented groups such as children with autism. In this study, we have evaluated the quality of a distinctive dataset of multiplatform software applications, encompassing both assistive and mainstream software, first-hand acquired from special education professionals and families of children with autism. Through a heuristic evaluation based on a system indicators, and an in-depth analysis, we aimed to (1) assess the quality and effectiveness of assistive technologies in supporting the education of children with autism; (2) determine the adaptability of mainstream applications to the unique educational needs of children with autism; and (3) explore the features and constraints of applications targeting children with ASD, categorized according to the needs they cover. The resulting quality ranking, organized by cognitive domains, provides insights into the engagement and effectiveness of applications supporting the learning of children with autism. Furthermore, the findings delineating the functionalities and limitations of these applications contribute to the identification of necessary software engineering best practices. These practices align with user-centered design principles and drive the development of accessible software, thereby fostering high-quality inclusive education for children with autism.

Classification of water quality based on dissolved solids and turbidity parameters with the utilization of total dissolved solids sensor and turbidity sensor

Clean water quality is essential for public health, but its scarcity is increasing amid population growth and industrialization. Monitoring turbidity and total dissolved solids (TDS) is essential to determine the quality of clean water. This study addresses the urgent need for accurate and reliable water quality monitoring to test the applicability of TDS and turbidity sensors in taking measurements, aiming to develop efficient monitoring solutions for public health and sustainable water management. The TDS sensor operates according to the principle of electrical conductivity, with a range of 0 to 1000 ppm and an accuracy of ±10%. The turbidity sensor detects water turbidity by determining the level of turbidity particles. The ESP32 microcontroller integrates Wi-Fi and USB capabilities. The hardware and software design ensures accurate sensor readings, which are critical to successful water quality measurement and monitoring. The test results show satisfactory accuracy of the TDS sensor with an average error of 0.09% and good accuracy of the turbidity sensor with an average error of about 1.536%. Concerning the above two parameters, in this study, among 15 water samples, seven were clean, meeting the standard, while eight water samples were dirty, exceeding the limit, making them unsafe for human consumption.

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SMALL PIECES MADE BY RAPID PROTOTYPING

Rapid Prototyping is the rapid fabrication of a part, model, or physical assembly that was designed using any design software (Autodesk Inventor Professional in this case), which is a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) application that helps in the creation of a digital prototype. The creation of the part, model, or assembly is usually completed using the manufacture of additives or more commonly known as 3D printing. The paper presents a 3D design, 3D printing, and verifying the actual dimensions of the printed „washer”. The purpose of this paper is to verify that printing errors are controllable and can be reduced. The paper contains and explains all the mandatory steps required to do this experiment and the laboratory equipment that was used to do this.

Scalability through Pulverisation: Declarative deployment reconfiguration at runtime

In recent years, the infrastructure supporting the execution of situated distributed computations evolved at a fast pace. Modern collective adaptive applications – as found in the Internet of Things, swarm robotics, and social computing – are designed to be executed on very diverse devices and to be deployed on infrastructures composed of devices ranging from cloud servers to wearable devices, constituting together a cloud–edge continuum. The availability of such an infrastructure opens to better resource utilisation and performance but, at the same time, introduces new challenges to software designers, as applications must be conceived to be able to adapt to changing deployment domains and conditions. In this paper, we introduce a practical framework for the development of systems based on the concept of pulverisation, meant to neatly separate business logic and deployment concerns, allowing applications to be defined independently of the infrastructure they will execute upon, thus supporting scalability. The framework is based on a domain-specific language capturing, in a declarative fashion: pulverised application components, device capabilities, resource allocation, and (runtime re-) configuration policies. The framework, implemented in Kotlin multiplatform and available as open source, is then evaluated in a small-scale real-world demo and in a city-scale simulated scenario, demonstrating the feasibility of the approach and its potential benefits in achieving better trade-offs between performance and resource utilisation.

An experimentation of hand–arm tremor control using low-g area-changed capacitive micro-accelerometer

This paper aims to measure the human hand tremor caused by handheld device using a low-g micro-accelerometer. A novel low-g area-changed differential capacitive micro-accelerometer is designed and analyzed using microproduct design software INTELLISUITE 8.6. Thermo-electro-mechanical analysis is conducted for applied acceleration within the low-g range spans between 0 and 10 g. Existing design performances such as displacement and sensitivity are compared with new proposed design. The sensitivity of micro-accelerometer is improved by using U-shaped spring. The designed micro-accelerometer is used to find vibration that exists while using handheld device. Experimentation is done to measure vibration under dissimilar surfaces. The workers are made to drill three different surface blocks namely paver block, solid cement block, and black stone, and vibrations produced are recorded. These accelerations are intended to calculate exposure action value (EAV) and exposure limit value (ELV) for 8 hours of a working day so that worker can halt the work as soon as ELV is accomplished.

Power versus morality: uncovering the underlying mechanisms of consumer response to perceived visual sustainability in package design

Purpose Visual sustainability has gained significant relevance for both firms and consumers. While the importance of perceived sustainability in package design is well researched, there is a research gap regarding divergent responses of consumers to perceived visual sustainability. This research aims to close this gap by providing deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms of perceived visual sustainability in package design. As a boundary condition, this work also investigates gender differences in response to a design’s visual sustainability. Design/methodology/approach To explore the mediating influences of cognitive (i.e. a product’s gentleness and power) versus emotional (i.e. moral satisfaction) attributes as well as the role of consumer gender in the perceived visual sustainability–purchase intention relationship, the authors extend previous research through three experiments. Findings Study 1 provides initial evidence supporting the main effect of perceived visual sustainability on purchase intention. Findings of Study 2 show that moral satisfaction serves as a significant driver of purchase intention for females, while power-related attributes are more influential for males. Study 3 provides additional evidence for the main effect, the interaction effect with consumer gender and underlying mechanisms. Practical implications These findings have important implications for marketers and designers aiming to design packages that appeal to different consumer groups based on their (gender-specific) values regarding visual sustainability. Originality/value This work extends the literature on green behavior by highlighting the importance of perceived visual sustainability as a factor that influences purchase intention and the role of cognitive versus affective mechanisms in shaping consumer responses to design sustainability.

Implementasi Smart Brankas Berbasis Internet Of Things Pada PT. Umbi Teknologi Indonesia

The IoT-based smart safe represents a cutting-edge innovation in secure valuables storage. The aim of this research is to develop, implement and evaluate an intelligent and secure system connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). The development method involves the integration of hardware and software design with sensor technology and network connectivity. Implementation is achieved by deploying the smart safe within home or office environments connected to the internet. System evaluation is conducted through a series of tests focusing on security, functionality, and reliability. The research findings demonstrate that IoT-based smart safes offer enhanced security access, real-time monitoring, and user convenience through mobile applications. These findings have significant implications for improving secure storage across various contexts, from households to businesses

Design of a Real-Time Monitoring System for Electroencephalogram and Electromyography Signals in Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation via Wearable Devices

Cerebral palsy is a disorder of central motor and postural development, resulting in limited mobility. Cerebral palsy is often accompanied by cognitive impairment and abnormal behavior, significantly impacting individuals and society. Time, energy, and economic investment in the rehabilitation process is substantial, yet the rehabilitation outcomes often remain unsatisfactory. Additionally, some patients have limited sensory perception during rehabilitation training, making it challenging to effectively regulate exercise intensity. Traditional evaluation methods are mostly based on recovery performance, lack guidance at the neurophysiological level, and have an unequal distribution of medical rehabilitation resources, which pose great challenges to the rehabilitation of patients. Based on the issues mentioned above, this paper proposes a real-time cerebral signal monitoring system based on wearable devices. This system can monitor and store blood oxygen, heart rate, myoelectric, and EEG signals during cerebral palsy rehabilitation, and it can track and monitor signals during the rehabilitation treatment process. The system includes two parts: hardware design and software design. The hardware design includes a data signal acquisition module, a main control chip (ESP32), a muscle electrical sensor module, a brain electrical sensor module, a blood/heart rate acquisition module, etc. It is primarily for real-time signal data acquisition, processing, and uploading to the cloud server. The software design includes functions such as data receiving, data processing, data storage, network configuration, and remote communication and enables the visual monitoring of data signals. The system can achieve real-time monitoring of electromyography, electroencephalography, and blood oxygen levels, as well as the heart rate of patients with cerebral palsy, and adjust rehabilitation training in real-time during the rehabilitation process. At the same time, based on the real-time storage of the original electromyography and electroencephalography data, it can provide auxiliary guidance for later rehabilitation evaluation and effective data support for the entire rehabilitation treatment process.

Effects of Light on Visual Function, Alertness, and Cognitive Performance: A Computerized Test Assessment

Background: Three computerized tests were designed to evaluate visual function, alertness, and visuocognitive integration under three different lighting conditions (white, red, and blue lighting). Methods: Three computerized tests were designed and programmed using the experimental design software PsychoPy version 2023.2.2. Test 1 evaluated visual acuity (VA), Test 2 assessed contrast sensitivity, and Test 3 measured alertness. This study was conducted on 53 young subjects who performed three computerized tests after adapting to each of the three different lighting conditions. A baseline aberrometric measurement was taken before and after the tests for each lighting condition. Measurements of accuracy and reaction time were taken for each test, along with total, high-, and low-order aberration values for each situation. Results: Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found among the different lighting conditions across the three tests, with white lighting yielding better performance in Test 1 and Test 3. Additionally, the aberrometric analysis revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05), with the baseline measurement being more myopic. Conclusions: White lighting produced the best VA results and faster reaction times, whereas red lighting had poorer VA effects. These findings suggest that different lighting conditions induce changes in vision and alertness, although further research is needed to understand the underlying causes.

A Deep Neural Network Approach towards Performance Prediction of Bituminous Mixtures Produced Using Secondary Raw Materials

With the progressive reduction in virgin material availability and the growing global concern for sustainability, civil engineering researchers worldwide are shifting their attention toward exploring alternative and mechanically sound technological solutions. The feasibility of preparing both cold and hot asphalt mixtures (AMs) for road pavement binder layers with construction and demolition wastes (C&DWs) and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) partially replacing virgin materials like limestone aggregates and filler has already been proven. The technical suitability and compliance with technical specifications for road paving materials involved the evaluation of mechanical and volumetric aspects by means of indirect tensile strength tests and saturated surface dry voids, respectively. Thus, the main goal of the present study is to train, validate, and test selected machine learning algorithms based on data obtained from the previous experimental campaign with the aim of predicting the volumetric properties and the mechanical performance of the investigated mixtures. A comparison between the predictions made by ridge and lasso regression techniques and both shallow (SNN) and deep neural network (DNN) models showed that the latter achieved better predictive capabilities, highlighted by fully satisfactory performance metrics. DNN performance can be summarized by R2 values equal to 0.8990 in terms of saturated surface dry void predictions, as well as 0.9954 in terms of indirect tensile strength predictions. Predicted observations can be thus implemented within the traditional mix design software. This would reduce the need to carry out additional expensive and time-consuming experimental campaigns.

Design of parallel 𝛽-sheet nanofibrils using Monte Carlo search, coarse-grained simulations, and experimental testing.

Peptide self-assembly into amyloid fibrils provides numerous applications in drug delivery and biomedical engineering applications. We augment our previously-established computational screening technique along with experimental biophysical characterization to discover 7-mer peptides that self-assemble into "parallel β-sheets", that is, β-sheets with N-terminus-to-C-terminus 𝛽-strand vectors oriented in parallel. To accomplish the desired β-strand organization, we applied the PepAD amino acid sequence design software to the Class-1 cross-β spine defined by Sawaya et al. This molecular configuration includes two layers of parallel β-sheets stacked such that N-terminus-to-C-terminus vectors are oriented antiparallel for molecules on adjacent β-sheets. The first cohort of PepAD identified peptides were examined for their fibrillation behavior in DMD/PRIME20 simulations, and the top performing sequence was selected as a prototype for a subsequent round of sequence refinement. The two rounds of design resulted in a library of eight 7-mer peptides. In DMD/PRIME20 simulations, five of these peptides spontaneously formed fibril-like structures with a predominantly parallel 𝛽-sheet arrangement, two formed fibril-like structure with <50% in parallel 𝛽-sheet arrangement and one remained a random coil. Among the eight candidate peptides produced by PepAD and DMD/PRIME20, five were synthesized and purified. All five assembled into amyloid fibrils composed of parallel β-sheets based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, electron microscopy, and thioflavin-T fluorescence spectroscopy measurements.

Tailored detection efficiency for linear variable filter-based sensors: applying simulation models of spectral characteristics in optical design

To accurately model the specific detection characteristics of spectral sensors based on linear variable filters (LVFs) within an optical design tool, it is essential to consider crucial position-variable spectral properties, such as peak transmittance, central wavelength, half width, or slope steepness. In this context, we propose a straightforward approach, integrating a dynamic link library (DLL) containing all position-dependent spectral properties of the LVF into a commercial optical design software. Exemplary investigations are conducted for an LVF with a detection range of 450–850 nm. For ease of use, the measured position-, wavelength-, and angle-dependent transmission properties of the LVF have been described through a simple yet highly accurate model system. Moreover, to highlight the essential value of this simulation for specific applications, an efficiency-enhancing spectral module is simulated, which is an LVF-mirror arrangement characterized by a multiple-reflected beam path. The introduced optical design tool demonstrates its particular strength by enabling the optimization of the highest detection efficiency for either the short- or long-wavelength range.

Population toxicokinetics of carbamazepine and its metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide in adults

ABSTRACT Background Carbamazepine is one of the most commonly used antiseizure medications. Although carbamazepine pharmacokinetics in epileptic patients is well described, much less is known about these processes in the patients who experienced self-poisoning episode by this drug. Therefore, the aim of our investigation was to perform population toxicokinetics of carbamazepine and its metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide in adults. Research design and methods Software program NONMEM and the ADVAN2 TRANS2 subroutine were used for establishing a population toxicokinetic model for the estimation of clearance and volume of distribution based on of the sum values of carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide concentrations. Results Our results indicated that the adult patients’ ability to eliminate carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide following acute carbamazepine self-poisoning was strongly associated with the high levels of CRP and ASP, as well as by the treatment with sedation. Conclusions Our study should provide better understanding of the toxicokinetics of carbamazepine taken in overdose and better management of patient population admitted to hospital.

Blood Cancer Network Ireland (BCNI) and National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) collaboration: challenges and utility of an Enhanced Blood Cancer Outcomes Registry (EBCOR) pilot.

The Blood Cancer Network Ireland and National Cancer Registry Ireland worked to create an Enhanced Blood Cancer Outcomes Registry (EBCOR). Enhanced data in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) included an extensive data dictionary, bespoke software and longitudinal follow-up. To demonstrate the utility of the database, we applied the data to examine a clinically relevant question: Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) usefulness in predicting AML patients' survival. A software designer and consultant haematologists in Cork University Hospital worked together to standardise a data dictionary, train registrars and populate a database. One hundred and forty-one AML patients underwent enhanced data registration. Comorbidities identified by chart review were used to examine the capability of the CCI and age at diagnosis to predict mortality using Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox regression and receiver operating characteristic curves. In regression analysis, a dose-response relationship was observed; patients in the highest CCI tertile displayed a greater risk (HR = 4.90; 95% CI 2.79-8.63) of mortality compared to subjects in tertile 2 (HR = 2.74; 95% CI 1.64-4.57) and tertile 1 (reference). This relationship was attenuated in an analysis which adjusted for age at diagnosis. The area under the curve (AUC) for the CCI was 0.76 (95% CI 0.68-0.84) while the AUC for age at diagnosis was 0.84 (95% CI 0.78-0.90). Results suggest that the CCI provides no additional prognostic information beyond that obtained from age alone at AML diagnosis and that an EBCOR can provide a rich database for cancer outcomes research, including predictive models and resource allocation.

Design of a sustainable biorefinery for the valorization of waste from the baker’s yeast industry through process simulation: A case study for the production of animal feed, fertilizers, and biofuels from vinasse

The present work deals with the biotechnological valorization of the vinasse through a sustainable biorefinery. The aim was to design and analyze, through process simulation, a biorefinery for the valorization of vinasse in products such as organo-mineral fertilizers, supplements for animal feed, and biogas. For this purpose, the SuperPro Designer software was used, and a modified hierarchical decomposition method was applied. One base case and three scenarios were techno-economically assessed, and the net present value was used as a selection criterion. The technological configuration with the best techno-economic criterion was analyzed socially and environmentally. The results suggest that the best configuration of the biorefinery corresponded to scenario 3, with a net present value of USD$73,364,000, a number of direct employees of 38, and a blue water footprint of 16.16 m3/h. These findings highlight the potential of the design of biorefineries to address the valorization of vinasses in Colombia and worldwide.

Design, development, and testing of active valve piezo-hydraulic pump

Valves play a major role in rectifying the fluid flow through piezo-hydraulic pumps, which may be active or passive. Passive valves operate due to changes in the fluid pressure whereas active valves are operated through control signals. This paper presents a novel design of an active valve chamber assembly for a piezo-hydraulic pump. It is a novel design since none of the research publications has addressed the application of a Flexurally amplified piezoelectric actuator (FAPA) for valve actuation in active valve chamber assembly. The piezo-hydraulic pump design is done using solid edge design software. FAPA’s are used for pumping and valve actuation. Structural analysis with experimental verification for the valve chamber component is presented. The valve opening and the pumping displacement are mathematically modeled in MATLAB Simulink software. Also, mathematical simulations for pump flow rates at different actuation frequencies and voltage are discussed. The piezo-hydraulic pump components are fabricated and assembled with the actuators. Experimental investigations on the flow rate performance of the active valve piezo-hydraulic pump are carried out with changing frequency and voltage amplitude of actuators. The interpretation of results is done by comparing the experimental and simulation results. During experiments, the pump delivered a maximum flow rate of 4.5 ml min−1 at 140 V when actuated at 0.25 Hz actuation frequency.

Design of Novel Filtenna for Wireless Applications

In this paper, a novel design based on a dual-mode ring resonator, the filtering balun, feeding the printed dipole antenna, the filter balun antenna (FBA), is presented. One port on the structure allows the signals to be phase-shifted 180 degrees from one unbalanced port to two balanced signals. The suggested designs use a single dual-mode ring resonator to operate as both a filter and a balun at the same time. Compact designs are achieved by applying feeding to the second layer. Another unique characteristic of the filtering balun is its ability to alter, based on perturbation size, the phase error and magnitude imbalance of the two balanced signals. With the use of the Advanced Design System (ADS) software, numerous structures have been developed, modeled, and evaluated. To achieve the highest performance, every section of the design is assessed and optimized. Because the substrate is a lossy type (FR4), the realized transmission coefficients, which are poorer than expected ideal values, make the suggested design a strong contender for narrow-band wireless applications. For S2,1 and S3,1, the signal is routed through two viasand fed into a dipole antenna in the opposite phase by employing the zero iteration for filtering the balun in the first layer to condense with the second layers. The antenna structure is a printed dipole antenna operating at 2.4 GHz

Construction Cost Optimization of Prefabricated Buildings Based on BIM Technology

Prefabricated assemblies are popular in the construction industry due to their minimal carbon footprint, enhanced safety, and reliability. A combination of software, including Revit, Navisworks, and Practical Structural Design and Construction (PKPM) software, is used to reduce costs by refining the specifications and dimensions of components, streamlining the variety of molds, enhancing design performance through rigorous component collision inspections and structural optimization, and ensuring cost-effectiveness. The integration of building integration modeling (BIM) visualization significantly diminishes errors attributable to information asymmetry and minimized material wastage stemming from production inaccuracies. The implementation of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) information exchange platform enables real-time component tracking, provides insights into the transportation dynamics of these components, and facilitates cost optimization during the transportation phase. Moreover, simulations conducted using Fuzor software preemptively identify potential construction site issues. There is a substantial cost savings of 710,000 yuan.

Digital-assisted multidisciplinary treatment for complex occlusal rehabilitation: an 18-month follow-up case report

BackgroundThis case report highlights the importance of standardized and fully digital sequential treatment in complex occlusal rehabilitation cases. To fully resolve the patient’s dental needs, such cases often require multidisciplinary interventions including periodontal therapy, endodontic treatment, anterior esthetics, implant restoration, and prosthetic rehabilitation. A fully digital workflow (including facial scanners, intraoral scanners, jaw motion tracking systems, virtual articulators, and computer-aided design software) streamlined the complex treatment, enhancing workflow simplicity, efficiency, visibility, and precision.Case presentationThe patient presented with decreased chewing efficiency of the upper and lower prostheses, along with unsatisfactory esthetic appearance of the anterior teeth. After physical examination and radiological assessment, this complex occlusal rehabilitation case required periodontal therapy, anterior esthetic enhancement, implant restoration, and fixed prosthetic rehabilitation. Therefore, a fully digital workflow was adopted. Full-crown prostheses were placed on teeth 13, 23, and 34; a fixed bridge encompassed positions 32 to 42, and single implant crowns were placed on teeth 35 and 36. Implant-supported fixed bridges were constructed for teeth 12 to 22 and 44 to 46, anchored by implants at teeth 12, 22, 44, and 46. All definitive prostheses were fabricated from zirconia ceramics, chosen for their durability and esthetic characteristics. Finally, restorations with satisfactory esthetic and functional characteristics were seated, preserving the tooth and its supporting structures. During treatment and follow-up, the T-scan occlusal analysis system was utilized to continuously monitor and guide the adjustment of occlusal distribution across the patient’s dental arches. After 18 months, the patient remains satisfied with the definitive restorations.ConclusionsThis report is intended to help dentists understand and implement standardized and fully digital workflows during the management of complex occlusal rehabilitation cases; it may also facilitate harmonious integration of esthetic and functional characteristics.

An Interview with Martin Robillard - 2024 SIGSOFT Awardee

Martin Robillard received the 2024 SIGSOFT Influential Educator Award for his significant contributions to hands-on software design education, including a textbook (Introduction to Software Design with Java) and a learner-focused software modeling tool (JetUML). He is currently a Professor in the School of Computer Science at McGill University, Montréal, Canada, he is a Distinguished Member of the ACM and a Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia. His research interests fall within the area of software engineering, focussing on human-centred software development. He was awarded six ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Paper Awards for his work on recommendation systems, software traceability, and software documentation. Recently, he has been working on software documentation generation, test suite quality, and information privacy.