High User Satisfaction Research Articles

User preferences in ride-sharing mathematical models for enhanced matching

Ride-sharing services have attracted significant interest due to overcrowding, limited energy resources, and environmental concerns. This study proposes a mathematical programming model that integrates user preferences into the ride-sharing problem with transfer. Passenger transfer in ride-sharing problems addresses the limitations of the matching process, especially in less-populated areas. It allows passengers to be dropped off at meeting points and continue with another driver. Moreover, considering user preferences in ride-sharing systems is crucial for enhancing efficiency and user satisfaction. Accordingly, we propose a Preference-Driven Matching Algorithm for the matching process. Our proposed algorithm captures user preferences and provides potential matches. In addition, we introduce an Iterative Enhance-and-Optimize Algorithm capable of producing high-quality solutions within short computational times. We evaluate the efficiency of these approaches across various instances, focusing on real-scale scenarios. Based on the results, the model with preferences demonstrates effective performance compared to other methods. Our findings underscore the importance of user preferences in optimizing ride-sharing problems and highlight the trade-off between efficiency and user satisfaction. By incorporating user preferences, our approach results in higher user satisfaction, a more responsive and efficient system with reduced response times, and increased demand and revenue by servicing more users.

Integration of renewable energy-powered cold storage solutions for reducing post-harvest food waste in rural agricultural areas

Post-harvest food loss remains a critical challenge in rural agricultural areas, exacerbated by inadequate storage facilities and unreliable energy access. This study develops and optimizes an advanced renewable energy-powered cold storage system tailored for rural settings, integrating solar and wind energy with phase change materials (PCMs) for efficient energy storage. The system incorporates Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensors and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven energy management to maintain optimal storage conditions and enhance energy efficiency. Field trials conducted in Lincolnshire, UK, and Appalachian regions of the US demonstrated significant reductions in post-harvest food loss by an average of 43.5%, extensions in produce shelf-life by up to 300%, and increased income for smallholder farmers by approximately 43%. The system also achieved an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered systems. Economic analyses revealed a shorter payback period and higher return on investment, confirming the system's viability. High user satisfaction and adoption rates indicate the system's practicality and potential for widespread implementation. The findings suggest that integrating renewable energy with smart technologies in cold storage solutions offers a scalable and sustainable approach to enhancing food security, promoting economic growth in rural areas, and supporting environmental objectives globally.

A Technology-Supported Psychoeducational Intervention for Older Adults and Their Families to Improve Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Intergenerational Connectedness-A Randomized Controlled Study.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) provide digital tools to support and facilitate social engagement. However, the extent to which new ICTs, such as instant messaging, and training on its use, enhance intergenerational family interactions and reduce social isolation and loneliness needs further exploration. In the present study, we developed a brief psychoeducational intervention to promote older adults and their family members (N = 64) to use new technologies to increase communication with each other. With a randomized controlled trial design, we evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention in changing primarily participants' intergenerational interactions, perceived social isolation, and loneliness. Through repeated-measures analysis of variance, an overall condition by time effect was found in younger family members such that contact frequency improved in the intervention condition compared with the waitlist control condition. Using a dyadic framework, we further investigated the role of the intervention in fostering interactions among family members. Dyadic analyses showed a partner effect with contact frequency in younger adults at pre-assessment predicting contact frequency of older adults at post-assessment. This suggests that support and encouragement from younger family members could increase intergenerational interactions and technology adoption among older adults. Moreover, online phone calls served as a promising tool to enhance intergenerational communication; higher user satisfaction was associated with increased ICT use, perceived usefulness, and fewer barriers to technology. This study provides preliminary findings on the effectiveness of ICT-based interventions for engaging older adults and their family members in the use of newer technologies to promote intergenerational interactions and reduce social isolation.

Pilot Clinical Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of a Topical 3% Tranexamic Acid Cream and Serum Protocol for Managing Facial Hyperpigmentation in Caucasian Patients

Facial hyperpigmentation is a highly prevalent dermatological condition, characterized by dark spots on the skin resulting from excess melanin production. Hyperpigmentation significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and self-esteem. Current treatments often present disadvantages linked to poor product tolerability. A topical cosmetic approach combining three lightening active ingredients (tranexamic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C) offers a new option for treating dark spots on the skin. The present in-use test under dermatological control evaluated the clinical safety and efficacy of a cream and serum containing these three ingredients, formulated with hyaluronic acid for enhanced delivery, stability, and efficacy. A total of 22 Caucasian patients with facial hyperpigmentation, both male and female, aged between 45 and 67 years, applied the cream and serum for 8 weeks. Clinical assessments, colorimetric evaluations, standardized photography, and self-assessment questionnaires were used to measure outcomes. No serious adverse effects were recorded, and the incidence of local adverse effects was low, highlighting good tolerability of the investigated test items. In most participants, significant improvements in hyperpigmented areas were recorded. Clinical scoring by the dermatologist investigator indicated a statistically significant 13% reduction in color intensity and a 6% reduction in the size of dark spots after 8 weeks of treatment. Colorimetric evaluation showed a statistically significant 1% increase in luminosity (L* parameter) and an 8% improvement in the Individual Typological Angle (ITA°) in endpoint, indicating lighter skin spots. Subjective assessments reflected high user satisfaction, with 95% of participants noting improvements in skin hydration and luminosity, and 77% reporting a reduced appearance of dark spots. Overall, the present work supports the use of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C as an effective and well-tolerated combined topical management option for hyperpigmentation. This combination offers a viable alternative to classical whiteners for individuals seeking to reduce facial skin coloration imbalance and improve skin tone.

Lessons from Covid-19 and the potential benefit of the implementation of Axon’s personal electronic health records (PEHR) into aesthetic care, plastic and reconstructive surgery

BackgroundCovid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for implementing Personal Electronic Health Records (PEHR) for patients’ data management. Furthermore, this pandemic underscored the relevance for integrated and interoperable Electronic Health Records (EHR) to support disease surveillance, hospital capacity planning and resource management (Peek N, Sujan M, Scott P (2020) Digital health and care in pandemic times: impact of COVID-19. BMJ Health Care Inf 27(1):e100166. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjhci-2020-100166). Due to the lack of comprehensive patients’ record in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, Axon’s myHealth app offers a break-through patient-centric design allowing patients to be in control of their records and updating them in real-time for their plastic and aesthetic care providers to have a clearer understanding of patients’ history and progress from pre-op to post-op.MethodsThe Axon Dublin survey took place during Covid-19 pandemic in two phases: Phase 1 aimed to assess the feasibility of patients integrating the Axon myHealth application into their clinical visits. Testing occurred in a clinical environment, where patients were encouraged to download and use the Axon system with a health practitioner (HP) present. Phase 2 focused on home testing, evaluating patients’ willingness to manage their health remotely with HP assistance. This phase included self-testing activities such as performing rapid Covid-19 antigen tests, recording medical history, and measuring blood pressure at home.ResultsThe Axon Dublin Study aimed to assess patient engagement, clinical impact, and cost-effectiveness of the Axon myHealth application. Over 85% of patients showed interest in owning a Personal Electronic Health Record. Notably, 36% continuously monitored chronic conditions. Clinical decisions, informed by patient data, saw 61.9% compliance. Noteworthy, 23% of hypertensive participants required immediate medication changes. Patient self-capture of data reduced consultation time. Public health implications were significant, with 39% vaccinated and 31% reporting complications. High user satisfaction (97%) demonstrated the app’s effectiveness in infection control and chronic care.ConclusionsOffering patients the ability to update and control their data is a growing interest, with a clear need in plastic and aesthetic surgery to have a better understanding of a patient’s medical past and progress throughout the surgical process and period. This platform, which is time and cost efficient, can only facilitate personalised care and improve outcomes while maintaining patient’s confidentiality.Level of evidenceNot gradable.

The Effect of Dynamic Effects and Color Transparency of AR-HUD Navigation Graphics on Driving Behavior Regarding Inattentional Blindness

In-vehicle Augmented Reality Head-Up Displays (AR-HUDs) offer drivers integrated navigation and vehicle status information, thereby improving the driving experience. Many studies explored the effects of AR-HUD navigation design and information presentation on driving performance; however, these studies neglected the occurrence of inattentional blindness, which may lead to potential safety hazards. This study used a two-factor within-subjects design to investigate how dynamic effects (pulsation, blinking, movement) and color transparency levels (T1, T0.75, T0.5, T0.35) of AR-HUD navigation graphics influence inattentional blindness and user experience. The results indicated that color transparency significantly affects the drivers’ inattentional blindness behavior and user experience. Specifically, T0.75 resulted in the lowest inattentional blindness, while T0.5 was associated with the shortest reaction time (without blindness) and highest user satisfaction. Dynamic effects did not significantly impact inattentional blindness, but blinking reduced reaction time (without blindness). This study provides design insights for vehicle AR-HUD navigation interfaces.

Efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral digital therapeutic on psychosocial outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: randomized controlled trial

Cognitive behavioral therapy improves psychosocial outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but access is limited. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral digital therapeutic, reclarit, on psychosocial outcomes in adult RA patients with impaired health-related quality of life. Participants were randomized to reclarit plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus educational and informational material (active control). The primary outcome was SF-36 mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summary scores at 3 months, with additional assessments at 6 months. reclarit significantly improved SF-36 MCS scores compared to control (mean difference 3.3 [95% CI 0.7, 5.9]; p = 0.014), with high user satisfaction and sustained improvements at 6 months. Depression, anxiety, fatigue, and social/work functioning also improved significantly, while SF-36 PCS, pain, and disability scores did not differ. In conclusion, reclarit offers immediate, effective, evidence-based and personalized psychological support for RA patients.

Utilization of telemedicine services of institute of national importance in the western region of INDIA: A mixed-method study.

Telemedicine has emerged as a crucial healthcare tool, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering risk-free contactless communication between physicians and patients. In India, the introduction of official guidelines in 2019 and initiatives like the "e-Sanjeevani" national teleconsultation portal have accelerated telemedicine's adoption. However, the utilization and satisfaction levels of telemedicine services in Institutes of National Importance (INI) remain underexplored. This mixed-method study aims to describe the utilization of telemedicine services at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rajkot, an INI in western India, and assess patients' satisfaction with these services. Data was collected from patients availing telemedicine services through the e-Sanjeevani portal at AIIMS Rajkot between February and December 2022. Quantitative analysis included patient demographics, specialty attended, location, call duration, and wrong call rates. Qualitative analysis involved interviews with patients to assess their experiences and satisfaction levels. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for quantitative data and Atlas Ti for qualitative data. A total of 12,442 doctor-to-doctor and 7,876 patient-to-doctor consultations were recorded, with a diverse age distribution (21-40 years, 45.4%). Most patients were from medical specialties, with general medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and Dermatology being the highest. The data revealed a wide geographic distribution, with over 70% of cases from more than 200 kilometers away. Despite some challenges, including a 38.2% wrong call rate, the telemedicine services were well-received, with 96% of respondents reporting overall satisfaction. Telemedicine services at AIIMS Rajkot have shown high user satisfaction and accessibility, highlighting their potential in improving healthcare delivery and access, particularly in remote areas. However, efforts to enhance digital literacy and address challenges are necessary for further optimization of telemedicine services.

QuickPic AAC: An AI-Based Application to Enable Just-in-Time Generation of Topic-Specific Displays for Persons Who Are Minimally Speaking.

As artificial intelligence (AI) makes significant headway in various arenas, the field of speech-language pathology is at the precipice of experiencing a transformative shift towards automation. This study introduces QuickPic AAC, an AI-driven application designed to generate topic-specific displays from photographs in a "just-in-time" manner. Using QuickPic AAC, this study aimed to (a) determine which of two AI algorithms (NLG-AAC and GPT-3.5) results in greater specificity of vocabulary (i.e., percentage of vocabulary kept/deleted by clinician relative to vocabulary generated by QuickPic AAC; percentage of vocabulary modified); and to (b) evaluate perceived usability of QuickPic AAC among practicing speech-language pathologists. Results revealed that the GPT-3.5 algorithm consistently resulted in greater specificity of vocabulary and that speech-language pathologists expressed high user satisfaction for the QuickPic AAC application. These results support continued study of the implementation of QuickPic AAC in clinical practice and demonstrate the possibility of utilizing topic-specific displays as just-in-time supports.

Direct Multi-Target Teaching Interface for Autonomous Handling of Multi-Stack Logistics in a Warehouse.

This study presents a framework for enabling autonomous pick-place operations, addressing the need for efficiency in complex logistics environments using a direct multi-target teaching interface. First, tag and segmentation information were combined to recognize products in a complex warehouse, and a camera was installed on the rack to allow workers to remotely see the work environment, allowing workers to view the work environment in real time through a tablet. Workers can access the camera view showing the rack containing the target product through a swiping action and select the target product through direct teaching action. When the target product is finally selected, an optimal path is created through task planning, and an autonomous pick-place operation is performed based on the generated path. As a result of conducting a usability evaluation using the SUS (System Usability Scale) with six users on the interface that enables these tasks, it was confirmed that high user satisfaction was achieved with an average of 77.5 points. In conclusion, the proposed interface enhances operational efficiency and provides a user-friendly solution for complex warehouse tasks.

Interoceptive training with real-time haptic versus visual heartbeat feedback.

The perception of signals from within the body, known as interoception, is increasingly recognized as a prerequisite for physical and mental health. This study is dedicated to the development of effective technological approaches for enhancing interoceptive abilities. We provide evidence of the effectiveness and practical feasibility of a novel real-time haptic heartbeat supplementation technology combining principles of biofeedback and sensory augmentation. In a randomized controlled study, we applied the developed naturalistic haptic feedback on a group of 30 adults, while another group of 30 adults received more traditional real-time visual heartbeat feedback. A single session of haptic, but not visual heartbeat feedback resulted in increased interoceptive accuracy and confidence, as measured by the heart rate discrimination task, and in a shift of attention toward the body. Participants rated the developed technology as more helpful and pleasant than the visual feedback, thus indicating high user satisfaction. The study highlights the importance of matching sensory characteristics of the feedback provided to the natural bodily prototype. Our work suggests that real-time haptic feedback might be a superior approach for strengthening the mind-body connection in interventions for physical and mental health.

Outstanding user reported satisfaction for light emitting diodes under-eye rejuvenation.

The under-eye region is an area of significant cosmetic concern. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as an effective, safe, inexpensive, and convenient treatment for skin rejuvenation. Herein, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a LED under-eye device for under-eye rejuvenation, as measured by objective and patient reported outcomes. Eleven participants self-administered treatment using a commercially available LED device emitting red (633nm) and near infrared (830nm) light for six weeks. Standardized photographs and questionnaires were administered at baseline and six weeks. Photographic digital analysis indicated an improvement in under-eye wrinkles at six weeks compared to baseline, with a reduction in wrinkle score from 20.05 to 19.72. However, this finding was not statistically significant. Participants self-reported consistent improvements in under-eye wrinkles, texture, dark circles, bags, pigmentation, and erythema. All participants reported a high degree of comfortability, ease of use, and satisfaction with the eye device. The participants noted no moderate or severe adverse events and few reports of transient expected outcomes such as mild erythema. The participants' self-reported improvementsand high user satisfaction, and the device'sfavorable safety profile, highlights the benefits of at-home LED devices for under-eye rejuvenation. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes could further establish the safety and efficacy of at-home LED under-eye treatments.

Efficacy and Tolerance Evaluation of pbserum smartker Equilibrium Professional

Introduction. Skin acts as a complete barrier protecting against external aggressions and keeps the body’s internal balance. The loss of its firmness and elasticity is a complex process associated with cutaneous aging, which implies intrinsic and extrinsic factors that promote changes in the dermis, epidermis, and abnormal pigmentation. In recent years, treatments for improving skin health and beauty have advanced significantly, which has raised great interest in the related technology. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of pbserum smartker Equilibrium Professional in terms of skin firmness and tone improvement, wrinkle reduction, and visible signs of skin aging. Materials and Methods. A non - controlled study was carried out on 22 subjects aged 24 to 70 years old. They had normal and mixed skin with minor imperfections, excluding those with relevant dermatologic pathologies or under specific treatments. Measurements were made by subjective dermatologic evaluation, high - definition photography with the VISIA® device, and non - comedogenicity evaluation. Subjects applied the product once a week for four weeks, and the product was well tolerated with no reported adverse effects. Results. An average improvement of 27 % was observed regarding the unification of skin tone and imperfections after 28 days of use; 77 % of the patients were satisfied, and 63 % were willing to buy the product. The dermatologic evaluation did not find evidence of comedogenicity, high user satisfaction and good product tolerability. Conclusions. A significant improvement was shown in tone unification and skin imperfections, with high satisfaction from the users and a good tolerability of the product.

Assessing E-Government Effectiveness

In this study, we address the pressing need to improve e-government services by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of document management practices within the Ministry of Higher Education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Employing structural equation modeling and regression modeling techniques, we assess the effectiveness of key variables using the six factors (digitalization, utility, reliability, efficiency, user satisfaction, and accessibility) under the e-government assessment model. Our findings reveal that user satisfaction and ease of access are pivotal for the success of e-government services, with digitization and efficiency significantly impacting operational effectiveness. Furthermore, it also concerns that without improving the overall user satisfaction, the level of acceptance and use of e-government remains low. High user satisfaction can make a lot of difference in overall engagement besides improving service delivery among organizations. Through insights specific to the Kurdistan Region, we underscore the importance of balancing technical infrastructure with user experience. Our proposed six-factor model offers valuable guidance for policymakers and practitioners globally, aiming to enhance e-government services.

Usability of a Mobile Health Technology for HIV Testing Among Sexual Minorities.

In the United States, young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgender women (YTGW) are disproportionality affected by HIV. To overcome this public health problem, we created and tested the mLab application (app), a novel mobile health (mHealth) that offers HIV prevention information and an imaging algorithm for interpreting the at-home HIV test. This study assessed the mLab app usability for HIV testing and its relation to users' education and health literacy. The results showed high user satisfaction and perceived usability of mLab to provide accessible HIV testing solutions for YMSM and YTGW. Findings suggest that the rigorous user-centered design of the mLab app supported a usable app independent of education and health literacy levels.

Assessing Patient Perspectives and the Health Equity of a Digital Cancer Symptom Remote Monitoring and Management System.

People with cancer experience poorly controlled symptoms that persist between treatment visits. Automated digital technology can remotely monitor and facilitate symptom management at home. Essential to digital interventions is patient engagement, user satisfaction, and intervention benefits that are distributed across patient populations so as not to perpetuate inequities. We evaluated Symptom Care at Home (SCH), an automated digital platform, to determine patient engagement, satisfaction, and whether intervention subgroups gained similar symptom reduction benefits. 358 patients with cancer receiving a course of chemotherapy were randomly assigned to SCH or usual care (UC). Both groups reported daily on 11 symptoms and completed the SF36 (Short Form Health Survey) monthly. SCH participants received immediate automated self-care coaching on reported symptoms. As needed, nurse practitioners followed up for poorly controlled symptoms. The average participant was White (83%), female (75%), and urban-dwelling (78.6%). Daily call adherence was 90% of expected days. Participants reported high user satisfaction. SCH participants had lower symptom burden than UC in all subgroups: age, sex, race, income, residence type, diagnosis, and stage (all P < .001 effect size 0.33-0.65), except for stages I and II cancers. Non-White and lower-income SCH participants gained a higher magnitude of symptom reduction than White participants and higher-income participants. Additionally, SCH men gained higher SF36 mental health (MH) benefit. There were no differences on other SF36 indices. Participants were highly satisfied and consistently engaged the SCH platform. SCH men gained large MH improvements, perhaps from increased comfort in sharing concerns through automated interactions. Although all intervention subgroups benefited, non-White participants and those with lower income gained higher symptom reduction benefit, suggesting that systematic care through digital tools can overcome existing disparities in symptom care outcomes.

Utilizing IOT and Geospatial Analytics for Sustainable Fisheries Management

This study developed a software application that integrates Internet of Things (IoT) devices and weather data to visualize prime fishing locations using advanced spatial data techniques. The application features a dashboard that processes and displays real-time data, providing insights into fishing trends, fisherman activities, boat locations, and environmental conditions. The application uses the Graham scan method to generate a GIS grid heatmap for visualizing fish populations and trends, enhancing fisheries management capabilities. Comprehensive testing and refinement ensured the application's usability and adaptability. The results demonstrated high user satisfaction, with a 91% rating in usability and accuracy. The Graham Scan method successfully mapped fishing zones, achieving a 97.96% overlap in spatial-temporal data analysis, proving essential for data-driven decision-making in sustainable fisheries management.

Nollywood Movie Sequences Summarization Dataset for Machine Learning Applications

Summarization in recent times has become one of the most exploited areas of natural language processing tasks, due to significant increase in data volume, which is more than terabytes and petabytes. In this article, we present a custom dataset for Nollywood movie sequences, an extensive collection of 13 Nollywood movies representing various genres, including drama, comedy and action. This custom dataset was impendent into pre-train benchmark dataset TVSum following the same file format, frame size and others in order to suit our purpose. Fast Forward Moving Picture Expert Group (FFMPEG) was used for video encoding during pre-processing and final skimming. The proposed framework is effective for creating movie summaries with a high user satisfaction rate and having reasonably low computing requirements.

Management information platform based on Internet of Things

In order to study the financial management mode and innovation of electric power enterprises under the current situation, a research method of electric power financial management innovation in the era of Internet of Things is proposed. According to the network topology of the system and the analysis of the Android system, the client of the financial management system, the main functional modules of the system and the data warehouse are designed. The client of the financial management system will divide the client into an information interaction unit and a data calculation unit according to the actual needs of the client; the main functional modules of the system are divided into account management unit, salary management unit, project management unit, system management unit, and fixed asset management unit. Unit, revenue and expenditure management unit and report management unit, the sub-units of each unit are divided into brief analysis, and the outpatient registration fee management module and inpatient fee management module of the revenue and expenditure management unit are introduced in detail; in the hospital financial data warehouse, in the application layer An interactive platform is built between it and the data warehouse, and the module is integrated into the existing data warehouse to realize the processing, storage and operation of massive data. The proposed system has a large operating safety factor, high user satisfaction, and an average system flexibility factor of 0.94. The power financial management information platform based on the Internet of Things has a very good performance in the application. Therefore, the method in this paper can enhance the work efficiency of electric power enterprises and enhance the core competitiveness of electric power enterprises.

Developing Android-based Disabled Data Information System to List Students with Disabilities (SIDABEL)

Manually registering the disabled population in riverbank areas is time-consuming and error-prone. This research aimed to develop an Android-based application for efficient and effective data collection of the disabled population. Using the ADDIE design within the Research and Development (RD) framework, participants included six teachers from Paramita Graha B/C Special School, ten teachers from Public Special School 3 Banjarmasin, twelve teachers from Harapan Bunda Special School, and ten Banua Anyar sub-district officers. Data collection involved interviews, questionnaires, and documentation, analyzed through both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study identified the needs of teachers and sub-district officers, guiding the development of the Disabled Data Information System (SIDABEL) application. The application’s feasibility was validated with average scores of 3.71 from material experts and 3.63 from media experts, indicating it was appropriate with revisions. Teacher assessments rated the application 3.81, 3.94, and 3.63 from Paramita Graha, Public Special School 3 Banjarmasin, and Harapan Bunda, respectively, categorizing it as good with some suggestions for improvement. After revisions, sub-district officers tested the application, resulting in a final score of 4.55 in the very good category. The SIDABEL application addresses inefficiencies and errors in manual data collection, leading to high user satisfaction and effectiveness in its final iteration. Further research should explore broader implementations and continuous improvements. The Android-based SIDABEL application significantly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of data collection for the disabled population in riverbank areas.