Customer Interface Research Articles

Enhancing Social Skills in Children with Autism through a User-Centered Digital Art Therapy Tool

Social skill deficits are a core challenge for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in China. Digital art therapy tools offer a promising approach to enhance social skills, but often lack a user-centered design that considers the unique needs and preferences of this population. This paper proposes a user-centered digital art therapy tool designed to facilitate social interaction and communication among children with ASD in China. The proposed tool incorporates collaborative drawing activities, a reward system, and a customizable user interface based on insights from user research with children, parents, and therapists. A hypothetical 4-week intervention plan is presented to evaluate the tool’s effectiveness in enhancing social initiation, response, and engagement. The expected findings aim to contribute to the growing body of research on digital interventions for children with ASD and inform the design of culturally appropriate and accessible tools. The paper discusses the potential implications, limitations, and future directions for research and practice in the field of digital art therapy for children with ASD in China.

ATLAS-MAP: An Automated Test Station for Gated Electronic Transport Measurements.

The diversification of electronic materials in devices provides a strong incentive for methods to rapidly correlate device performance with fabrication decisions. In this work, we present a low-cost automated test station for gated electronic transport measurements of field-effect transistors. Utilizing open-source PyMeasure libraries for transparent instrument control, the "ATLAS-MAP" system serves as a customizable interface between sourcemeters and samples under test and is programmed to conduct transfer curve and van der Pauw methods with static and sweeping gate voltages. Zinc oxide transistors of variable thickness (5, 10, and 20 nm) and channel size (50 μm to 3 mm, of equal length and width) were fabricated to validate the design. Standardization of testing procedures and raw data formatting enabled automated data analysis. A detailed list of parts and code files for the system are provided.

Design and Development of institutional Repository Using D-Space Digital Library Software at Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Kumulur,TNAU-A Study

The case study focuses on the design and development of an institutional repository at the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Kumulur, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, using the DSpace digital library software. The current work discusses the University Research Project (URP) carried out at the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Kumulur, TNAU, India, which involved the establishment of an institutional repository. The initiative aims to expand the Institute's research output's exposure and accessibility, which will improve researcher collaboration and information sharing. The paper outlines the steps involved in the development process, including selecting the appropriate hardware and software, configuring the system, creating metadata schemas, and establishing access controls. The study also discusses the challenges encountered during the development process and the solutions that were implemented to overcome them. The study highlights the benefits of using DSpace to preserve and disseminate digital content, such as research articles and theses, and provides full-text search and retrieval capabilities. They also highlights the benefits of using DSpace for institutional repositories, including the ability to accommodate different types of digital content and support interoperability with other systems. Overall, this case study provides insights into the successful implementation of DSpace for institutional repositories and also highlights the problems faced during customization of metadata, interface and workflow as per the requirements of the institution. The study can serve as a useful reference for other institutions planning similar projects. Keywords: DSpace, Institutional Repository, Open Access, Scholarly Communications, Digital Preservation, Digital Library.

Personalized UI Layout Generation using Deep Learning: An Adaptive Interface Design Approach for Enhanced User Experience

This study presents a new approach to personalized UI design using deep learning techniques to improve user experience through interface customization. We propose a hybrid VAE-GAN architecture combining variational autoencoders and generative adversarial networks to create coherent and user-specific UI layouts. The system includes user-friendly electronic models that capture personal preferences and behaviors, enabling real-time personalization of interactions. Our methodology leverages large-scale UI design datasets, and user interaction logs to train and evaluate the model. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in layout quality, personalization accuracy, and user satisfaction compared to existing approaches. A customer research study with 200 participants from different cultures proves the effectiveness of the personalization model in real situations. The system achieves a personalization accuracy of 0.89 ± 0.03 and a transfer speed of 1.2s ± 0.1s, the most efficient state-of-the-art UI personalization system. In addition, we discuss the theoretical implications of our approach to UI/UX design principles, potential business applications, and ethical considerations around AI-driven identity. This research contributes to advancing adaptive interface design and opens up new ways to integrate deep learning with UI/UX processes.

InclusiveWeb : A Smart Browser Approach to Enhancing Web Accessibility for Users with Diverse Disabilities

This article presents InclusiveWeb, an innovative accessibility-focused web browser designed to enhance digital inclusion for users with diverse disabilities. The browser addresses the persistent challenge of widespread non-compliance with web accessibility standards by implementing real-time content adaptation mechanisms, disability-specific tools, and a highly customizable user interface. InclusiveWeb's architecture incorporates advanced machine learning algorithms to dynamically modify web content, offering tailored solutions for users with visual impairments, dyslexia, language disorders, cognitive disabilities, and ADHD. The article details the browser's design principles, technical considerations, and user experience features, supported by a comprehensive evaluation methodology involving user studies with various disability groups. Results demonstrate significant improvements in task completion rates, user satisfaction, and overall accessibility compared to standard browsers. While acknowledging limitations and areas for future research, this article highlights InclusiveWeb's potential to revolutionize web accessibility, shifting the paradigm from reliance on content creators' compliance to browser-level adaptations. The implications of this approach for web accessibility standards, digital inclusion, and future technological developments are discussed, emphasizing the browser's role in creating a more equitable digital landscape.

Pattern-based Remote Switch for Domestic and Technological Operations

Abstract: This research explores the development of a remote-control system for domestic appliances using user-drawn patterns on a grid, aiming to provide an intuitive and accessible control method. The system is designed around a 3x3 grid of infrared (IR) LEDs and receivers that detect patterns drawn by the user with a finger or stylus. Each grid coordinate is mapped to a specific action, such as turning lights on or off or adjusting the speed of a fan. The detected patterns are transmitted to a NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller, which decodes the patterns and activates the corresponding appliance through Wi-Fi commands and relays. The innovative aspects of this system include its simple and intuitive interaction method, allowing users to define custom patterns for various actions, which enhances personalized control. The pattern-based interaction is particularly beneficial for individuals with limited dexterity or mobility, offering an accessible alternative to traditional remote controls. This project demonstrates the potential of combining hardware components, such as IR LEDs and receivers, with embedded C programming to create a user-friendly and efficient home automation solution. The proposed system not only simplifies the user experience but also provides a flexible and customizable interface for controlling domestic appliances.

On the design and fabrication of nanoliter-volume hanging drop networks

Hanging drop cultures provide a favorable environment for the gentle, gel-free formation of highly uniform three-dimensional cell cultures often used in drug screening applications. Initial cell numbers can be limited, as with primary cells provided by minimally invasive biopsies. Therefore, it can be beneficial to divide cells into miniaturized arrays of hanging drops to supply a larger number of samples. Here, we present a framework for the miniaturization of hanging drop networks to nanoliter volumes. The principles of a single hanging drop are described and used to construct the fundamental equations for a microfluidic system composed of multiple connected drops. Constitutive equations for the hanging drop as a nonlinear capacitive element are derived for application in the electronic-hydraulic analogy, forming the basis for more complex, time-dependent numerical modeling of hanging drop networks. This is supplemented by traditional computational fluid dynamics simulation to provide further information about flow conditions within the wells. A fabrication protocol is presented and demonstrated for creating transparent, microscale arrays of pinned hanging drops. A custom interface, pressure-based fluidic system, and environmental chamber have been developed to support the device. Finally, fluid flow on the chip is demonstrated to align with expected behavior based on the principles derived for hanging drop networks. Challenges with the system and potential areas for improvement are discussed. This paper expands on the limited body of hanging drop network literature and provides a framework for designing, fabricating, and operating these systems at the microscale.

Combating Counterfeit Products with Blockchain Technology to Enhance Trust and Authenticity in Consumer Markets

Objectives: Counterfeit products are becoming a global problem where consumers are fooled into buying fake goods without being able to verify their authenticity. By taking advantage of the secure and transparent nature of blockchain, this work aims to establish a system for consumers to verify the authenticity of products. Methods: Recently, blockchain has become more popular because it fosters trust between untrusted participants. A blockchain is a decentralized, distributed, and digital ledger that records transactions by means of blocks. It is a security technology that does not allow anyone to change or hack the block. Using blockchain technology, customers do not have to rely on third parties to confirm product originality. Findings: This work will show the effectiveness of blockchain. Blockchain creates a more secure and transparent system for product authentication. It helps in identifying counterfeit products entering the market and increases consumer confidence during purchase. The comparison of the transaction send rate and the average latency for each type of transaction is elaborated. The CPU consumption for each transaction type Add, Query, and Query-all are 1.81%, 1.11% and 1.27% respectively. The memory consumption by add, Query and Query all are respectively 53MB, 45MB and 92 MB. Novelty: Blockchain technology helps manufacturers to add real product serial numbers into the ledgers. The serial number stored in the ledger is protected from tampering. The stored serial number helps consumers check the authenticity of a product before buying it. To verify that a manufacturer or trader is genuine, consumers may also submit reviews of the products they purchase. The deeper integration of consumer reviews within the system offers a novel approach to enhancing trust and transparency in the verification process. We have also developed a user-friendly interface for manufacturers, sellers, and customers, enhancing the novelty of our solution. Keywords: Counterfeit product, Blockchain, Supply chain, Product Authenticity, Trust

Enteropathway: the metabolic pathway database for the human gut microbiota.

The human gut microbiota produces diverse, extensive metabolites that have the potential to affect host physiology. Despite significant efforts to identify metabolic pathways for producing these microbial metabolites, a comprehensive metabolic pathway database for the human gut microbiota is still lacking. Here, we present Enteropathway, a metabolic pathway database that integrates 3269 compounds, 3677 reactions, and 876 modules that were obtained from 1012 manually curated scientific literature. Notably, 698 modules of these modules are new entries and cannot be found in any other databases. The database is accessible from a web application (https://enteropathway.org) that offers a metabolic diagram for graphical visualization of metabolic pathways, a customization interface, and an enrichment analysis feature for highlighting enriched modules on the metabolic diagram. Overall, Enteropathway is a comprehensive reference database that can complement widely used databases, and a tool for visual and statistical analysis in human gut microbiota studies and was designed to help researchers pinpoint new insights into the complex interplay between microbiota and host metabolism.

Lumina Eventix: OPTIMIZING EVENT MANAGEMENT THROUGH DIGITAL PLATFORMS

The proposed project is a comprehensive web-based Event Management System (EMS) designed to streamline the organization and management of various events, including conferences, workshops, concerts, weddings, and other ceremonies. This platform aims to provide a user-friendly interface for both event organizers and customers, facilitating the entire event planning process from inception to execution. Customers will be able to specify their event requirements, such as sound systems, food management, and other services. The system will then provide an estimated budget and suggest cost-effective ways to allocate their resources. Additionally, EMS will recommend the best event organizers based on the customer's budget and specific needs, enhancing the planning process with tailored suggestions. The platform will integrate secure payment gateways to handle transactions efficiently, ensuring a smooth process for both organizers and customers. The platform will offer robust registration management capabilities, allowing organizers to track attendee registrations, manage waitlists, and generate comprehensive reports. Embedded communication tools will enable organizers to send updates and reminders to attendees via email and SMS, ensuring seamless communication throughout the event lifecycle. Security and data privacy will be prioritized, with measures in place to protect user data and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The platform will be built with scalability in mind, capable of handling events of varying sizes and complexities. In summary, this Event Management System aims to simplify the complexities associated with event organization, providing a one-stop solution that enhances efficiency, improves attendee engagement, and ultimately contributes to the success of any event. Key Words: Event Management System (EMS), Event planning, User-friendly interface, Registration management, Payment gateways, Communication tools, Scalability

Design and Construction of a Portable IoT Station.

This paper discusses the design and implementation of a portable IoT station. Communication and data synchronization issues in several installations are addressed here, making possible a detailed analysis of the entire system during its operation. The system operator requires a synchronized data stream, combining multiple communication protocols into one single time stamp. The hardware selected for the portable IoT station complies with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) industrial standards. A short discussion regarding interface customization shows how easily the hardware can be modified so that it is integrated with almost any system. A programmable logic controller enables the Node-RED to be utilized. This open-source middleware defines operations for each global variable nominated in the Modbus register. Two applications are presented and discussed in this paper; each application has a distinct methodology utilized to publish and visualize the acquired data. The portable IoT station is highly customizable, consisting of a modular structure and providing the best platform for future research and development of dedicated algorithms. This paper also demonstrates how the portable IoT station can be implemented in systems where time-based data synchronization is essential while introducing a seamless implementation and operation.

MolDy: molecular dynamics simulation made easy.

Molecular dynamics (MD) is a computational experiment that is crucial for understanding the structure of biological macro and micro molecules, their folding, and the inter-molecular interactions. Accurate knowledge of these structural features is the cornerstone in drug development and elucidating macromolecules functions. The open-source GROMACS biomolecular MD simulation program is recognized as a reliable and frequently used simulation program for its precision. However, the user requires expertise, and scripting skills to carrying out MD simulations. We have developed an end-to-end interactive MD simulation application, MolDy for Gromacs. This front-end application provides a customizable user interface integrated with the Python and Perl-based logical backend connecting the Linux shell and Gromacs software. The tool performs analysis and provides the user with simulation trajectories and graphical representations of relevant biophysical parameters. The advantages of MolDy are (i) user-friendly, does not requiring the researcher to have prior knowledge of Linux; (ii) easy installation by a single command; (iii) freely available for academic research; (iv) can run with minimum configuration of operating systems; (v) has valid default prefilled parameters for beginners, and at the same time provides scope for modifications for expert users. MolDy is available freely as compressed source code files with user manual for installation and operation on GitHub: https://github.com/AIBResearchMolDy/Moldyv01.git and on https://aibresearch.com/innovations.

Electromagnetic transient simulation of power system based on PSCAD calling ADPSS

Abstract As the power system gradually expands into a massive scale, time-varying complex system, the requirements for simulation analysis software are constantly improving, and electromagnetic transient analysis plays a crucial role in the power system. Therefore, to solve the possible limitations of this traditional simulation method, this paper proposes an electromagnetic transient simulation of power systems using PSCAD, called ADPSS. Firstly, according to the basic overview and advantages of the electromagnetic transient analysis program PSCAD/EMTDC and the mathematical model software package ADPSS, the interconnection principle and implementation method between PSCAD/EMTDC and ADPSS are studied, and a simple power system power supply model is established in PSCAD. Then, the principle of PSCAD-ADPSS interface technology is studied. The electromagnetic transient simulation is carried out in the interface environment, and the interface custom components are designed. Finally, by conducting a comparative analysis of the simulation outcomes, it is found that the simulation waveforms obtained in the two simulation environments are almost the same, which shows the effectiveness of PSCAD-ADPSS interface simulation technology in electromagnetic transient analysis and has the potential to enhance the precision and dependability of electromagnetic transient simulation.

Prognostic clinical decision support for pneumonia in the emergency department: A randomized trial.

Hospitalization rates for childhood pneumonia vary widely. Risk-based clinical decision support (CDS) interventions may reduce unwarranted variation. We conducted a pragmatic randomized trial in two US pediatric emergency departments(EDs) comparing electronic health record (EHR)-integrated prognostic CDS versus usual care for promoting appropriate ED disposition in children (<18 years) with pneumonia. Encounters were randomized 1:1 to usual care versus custom CDS featuring a validated pneumonia severity score predicting risk for severe in-hospital outcomes. Clinicians retained full decision-making authority. The primary outcome was inappropriate ED disposition, defined as early transition to lower- or higher-level care. Safety and implementation outcomes were also evaluated. The study enrolled 536 encounters (269 usual care and 267 CDS). Baseline characteristics were similar across arms. Inappropriate disposition occurred in 3% of usual care encounters and 2% of CDS encounters (adjusted odds ratio: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: [0.32, 2.95]). Length of stay was also similar and adverse safety outcomes were uncommon in both arms. The tool's custom user interface and content were viewed as strengths by surveyed clinicians (>70% satisfied). Implementation barriers include intrinsic (e.g., reaching the right person at the right time) and extrinsic factors (i.e., global pandemic). EHR-based prognostic CDS did not improve ED disposition decisions for children with pneumonia. Although the intervention's content was favorably received, low subject accrual and workflow integration problems likely limited effectiveness.Clinical Trials Registration: NCT06033079.

Mart Billing System

The Mart Billing System for Mega Project is a comprehensive software solution designed to streamline and automate the billing process for large-scale mart operations. In the contemporary retail landscape, efficient billing systems are indispensable for managing transactions, inventory, and customer interactions seamlessly. This project addresses the complexities of managing billing operations in mega marts by integrating advanced features and technologies. Key features of the Mart Billing System include a user-friendly interface for both cashiers and customers, robust inventory management capabilities, real-time transaction processing, and secure payment options. The system is designed to handle high volumes of transactions efficiently, ensuring minimal wait times for customers during peak hours. Moreover, the Mart Billing System incorporates advanced reporting and analytics tools, enabling mart managers to gain valuable insights into sales trends, inventory turnover rates, and customer preferences. These insights empower decision-makers to optimize pricing strategies, stock levels, and promotional campaigns for enhanced profitability and customer satisfaction.

Towards high performance wood composites through interface customization with cellulose-based adhesive

How to efficiently produce high performance plywood is of particular interest, while its sensitivity to moisture is overcome. This paper presents a simple and scalable strategy for the preparation of high-performance plywood based on the chemical bonding theory; a wood interfacial functionalized platform (WIFP) based on (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) was established. Interestingly, the APTES-enhanced dialdehyde cellulose-based adhesive (DAC-APTES) was able to effectively establish chemically active adhesive interfaces; the dry/wet shear strength of WIFP/DAC-APTES adhesive was 3.15/1.31 MPa, which was much higher than 0.7 MPa (GB/T 9846–2015). The prepared plywood showed excellent wood-polymer interface adhesion, which exceeded the force that the wood itself could withstand. In addition, the DAC-APTES adhesive exhibits moisture evaporation-induced curing behavior at room temperature and can easily support the weight of an adult weighing 65.7 Kg. This research provides a novel approach for functionalized interface design of wood products, an effective means to prepare high-performance plywood.

Mechatronic Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition for Closed‐Loop and Customizable Process Control

AbstractA customized atmospheric‐pressure spatial atomic layer deposition (AP‐SALD) system is designed and implemented, which enables mechatronic control of key process parameters, including gap size and parallel alignment. A showerhead depositor delivers precursors to the substrate while linear actuators and capacitance probe sensors actively maintain gap size and parallel alignment through multiple‐axis tilt and closed‐loop feedback control. Digital control of geometric process variables with active monitoring is facilitated with a custom software control package and user interface. AP‐SALD of TiO2 is performed to validate self‐limiting deposition with the system. A novel multi‐axis printing methodology is introduced using x‐y position control to define a customized motion path, which enables an improvement in the thickness uniformity by reducing variations from 8% to 2%. In the future, this mechatronic system will enable experimental tuning of parameters that can inform multi‐physics modeling to gain a deeper understanding of AP‐SALD process tolerances, enabling new pathways for non‐traditional SALD processing that can push the technology towards large‐scale manufacturing.

The Influence of Internet Technology on the Aviation Industry: Existing Tactics and Future Advancements

This paper focuses on the customer interface effects that Internet technologies are having on airline firms; the examination centres on many airline businesses that have been utilizing Internet technology for their own profit. It is demonstrated how airline operators are utilizing the Internet to provide their consumers cutting-edge transaction structures and exchange methods. Customers' expectations of what and how these businesses supply products and services are growing as the Internet becomes more widely used. In reality, the Internet has become critical to the strategic development of the airline corporations under consideration. The use of Internet technology at the user interface has made the limits and extent of the aviation sector less obvious. The availability of a diverse variety of products and services is driving industry convergence, which has significant consequences for business strategy formation. The use of the Internet at the consumer interface has become a critical driver in the development of the airline business. Further exploitation of the Internet will result in increased levels of complexity, which will raise customer expectations about what and how these firms supply products and services.

Let Us Build a MQTT Pub-Sub Client In C# For IoT Research

Purpose: MQTT stands for Message Queuing Telemetry Transport. It is a lightweight protocol specifically designed for IoT applications. Nowadays, most IoT projects exchange sensor data over the MQTT protocol. It is simple to integrate and can run on low hardware resources. To test MQTT, the researcher needs MQTT publisher subscriber client software. There are several free and paid software available on the web. But sometimes, researchers need some custom interface or functionality not available in the free version. The paid version demands vast amounts of money for customization. Occasionally, they want to avoid customization for specific projects. Here, we provide a procedure to create our MQTT pub-sub client software interface, which the researcher can easily customize. The project is available to download. Methodology/Approach: We installed Microsoft Visual Studio in our working system. Using C# language, we create a GUI (graphical user interface). Inside the GUI, we segregate the info into two. The left is for publishing clients, and the right is for subscribing clients. We installed the M2MQTT package using the NuGet package manager to communicate with the MQTT broker. Findings/Result: Using our built application, we test to exchange the sensor data between two clients. We found the data exchanged in almost real-time. In a couple of scenarios, we observed that the data propagation could have been faster when we set the update interval below 500 milliseconds. There may be a network delay, or the MQTT broker we used is a free service. It may be the limited capacity of the accessible mode of the server we used. If the application is not time-critical, we can utilize this communication route to exchange the sensor data. Originality/Value: Every day, new researchers are introduced to the IoT field and integrate MQTT into their projects. They feel one customizable software they can use according to their project requirements. So, using this project, the researcher can fulfill their need. The code is freely available on the web. And scope to customize. This project provides value to them. Type of Paper: Experimental-based Research.

The impact of the metaverse on e-commerce business models – A delphi-based scenario study

Despite the current buzz for the metaverse, its evolution has yet to be determined, and there is still a great deal of ambiguity, resulting in difficulties to forecast future opportunities. A deeper comprehension of the metaverse ecosystem is crucial to facilitate long-term planning and the dynamic adaptation of business models in the closely related e-commerce sector. Consequently, the main objective of this paper is to explore how the metaverse impacts e-commerce business models. A two-round Delphi-based scenario study (time horizon 2035) was conducted with 26 participating experts to achieve the objective. Based on the expert responses, twenty projections were clustered into three possible future scenarios: (1) immersive and emotional commerce, (2) altered digital landscape, and (3) game changer. The scenarios indicate that the metaverse development will strongly influence e-commerce business models at the customer interface and core strategy. New business models will emerge, and existing business models will adopt the metaverse as an additional channel. As purely digital products gain increased importance, the digital landscape will be altered to fulfill new customer requests. Although improbable by 2035, the game-changing scenario entails a complete transition to digital products and the replacement of present e-commerce with metaverse commerce.