Small Font Size Research Articles

Exploring the Influence of Software Evolution on Mobile App Accessibility: Insights from User Reviews

Software systems constantly evolve to accommodate stakeholders' and environments' requirements that change over time. In this process, the frequent modifications can increase software complexity and negatively impact its global quality when conducted in an unstructured way. The evolutive nature of mobile environments led researchers to investigate how mobile app evolution impacts complexity, security, resource consumption, maintainability, usability, and accessibility. In particular, there has been limited research on the impact of app updates on mobile accessibility: most studies focused on tracking the number of accessibility violations found by automated tools across successive versions of a small set of applications. In a previous work, we made a contribution to this field by identifying accessibility reviews associated with app updates and prompting ChatGPT-4 to provide an overview of the main accessibility issues and enhancements perceived by users in the new releases of a mobile app. In this manuscript, we extend our previous work by adopting manual content analysis to delve deeper into our research questions and by adding new research questions associated with the identification of reviews linked to app updates, user characteristics, WCAG principles and guidelines, and user demands reported in accessibility reviews. Our results show that the accessibility barriers reported by users are mostly linked to the WCAG 2.2 Perceivable principle, and the Distinguishable and Adaptable guidelines, which includes poor color scheme, small font size, unlabeled elements, and lack of customization options. Accordingly, the consequences of the lack of accessibility is mainly connected to the difficult users experience to perceive elements of the interface (e.g. difficult to read and distinguish content, watch videos) and to use screen readers, in addition to feel discriminated against. The most common demand developers and organizations receive is to bring back some accessible feature or to fix accessibility bugs.

Viewing distance, font size and symptoms of eyestrain in non-presbyopic and presbyopic smartphone users.

Smartphones are the most frequently used digital devices globally with ~6.80 billion users. Despite the ubiquitous use of smartphones, limited information is known on the preferred viewing distance and font size of smartphone users. This study investigated viewing distance, font sizeand symptoms of eyestrain in non-presbyopic and presbyopic smartphone users. In this quantitative research study, viewing distance and font size were measured in a group of non-presbyopes (n = 107) and presbyopes (n = 53), whilst participants viewed a text message and a web page on their own smartphone. Subjects also responded to a verbal questionnaire related to the characteristics of their smartphone and the computer vision syndrome questionnaire to assess symptoms of eyestrain. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. For the total sample, the mean viewing distance for a text message was 37.13 ± 8.82 cm (median 36.00 cm), and for a web page was 36.11 ± 7.98 cm (median 36.00 cm). Presbyopes had longer median viewing distances compared with non-presbyopes for a text message (41 cm vs. 34 cm, p < 0.001) and web page (40 cm vs. 34 cm, p < 0.001). The font size for non-presbyopes were <1.0 M whilst for presbyopes were >1.2 M. More than twice the percentage of non-presbyopes were classified with digital eyestrain (DES) compared with presbyopes. Non-presbyopes used shorter viewing distances, smaller font sizes and were more predisposed to DES than presbyopes. The viewing distances adopted by presbyopes were similar to the conventional near-working distance of 40 cm. Eye care practitioners should consider viewing distances when assessing near-visual functions and prescribing a near refractive correction, particularly in non-presbyopes. There should be greater awareness of the importance of adopting appropriate viewing distances when using smartphones.

Computer Vision Syndrome and Ergonomic Practices among Students and Professionals

Purpose: To investigate the frequency of Computer vision syndrome (CVS) and its association with ergonomic practices among students and professionals. Study Design: Cross sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Online survey. Methods: This study involved a pre-tested self-designed structured questionnaire distributed through Google Forms to gather responses from students and professionals regarding symptoms of CVS. The form was shared with approximately 2500 individuals, the response rate was 10.04%, resulting in 251 responses. After careful review, 237 responses were deemed suitable for inclusion in the study. The chi-square test was used and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The relationship between symptoms of CVS (headache, body fatigue or tiredness, burning sensation, blurred vision, and dry eyes) and various ergonomic practices (screen time, longest uninterrupted time, breaks during screen use, screen size, type of screen, font size, refresh rate, and screen resolution) was seen in 237 subjects. The study revealed increased frequency of CVS symptoms when using screens. There was a statistically significant effect of prolonged screen time (p&lt;0.05), smaller screen sizes (p&lt;0.05), lower refresh rates (p&lt;0.05), small font size (p&lt;0.05) and lower screen resolutions (p&lt;0.05) on the severity of CVS symptoms. Conclusion: These findings enhance our understanding of the complex relationship between ergonomics and visual discomfort, and they will guide future interventions aimed at improving visual comfort and ergonomics in screen-based environments.

Patient information leaflets and package inserts of ibuprofen provided in the UK and Thailand: a comparative assessment.

Written medicine information (WMI) is important for ensuring patients understand and use their medicines optimally, but relatively little research has assessed the quality of available WMI. This study assessed the quality of WMI using a sample of leaflets for ibuprofen in the UK and Thailand. Leaflets were obtained by purchasing a product from retail outlets or community pharmacies, 18 from each country. In the UK, these were patient information leaflets (PILs); in Thailand, they were package inserts PIs not specifically designed for patients. Leaflets were assessed for content, layout, and readability using standard methods and compared to relevant guidelines. The UK PILs were uniform and conformed to EU regulatory requirements for content, whereas Thai PIs varied considerably, many failing to include important information required by Thai regulations. Several forms of Thai PIs were found, including some very short leaflets, containing minimal information. The readability of both was rated as poor, all used small font size and had less than desirable white space. Fewer Thai PIs than UK PILs met the Keystone Criteria for ibuprofen. The extent of variation in format and content of Thai WMI could potentially cause confusion and reduce willingness to read it. PILs, conforming to Thai regulatory guidelines, should be provided with medicines instead. Leaflets in both countries would benefit from improved readability and layout.

Factors affecting on Consumers Use of food labels in Benghazi/Libya

Food labels found to be very important public health tools that are assist people who are on special diet or with nutrition related health problems and diseases. The current study aims to identify various factors influencing in using of food label. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at supermarkets and malls in Benghazi city. Study included four hundred participants, data were collected by questionnaires. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics. Chi-Square test used to examine the significant differences in the sample. The majority of consumers reported to use of the food label information in making purchasing decisions, the expiration date was the most used food label information, while the fat and calorie/energy were the most used nutrition label components. The present study revealed that price of food products as a most motivating factor to use and read food label. Unfamiliar language and small font sizes of food label were mentioned as difficulties and circumstances encountered in using food label information. Findings from this study will facilitate future public education efforts to promote the use of food labels.

Enacting Chinese-ness on Arab Land: A Case Study of the Linguistic Landscape of an (Emerging) Chinatown in Multilingual and Multicultural Dubai

Abstract An urban space’s linguistic landscape represents a multimodal and multilingual discourse, indexing the historical, socio-political, cultural, and ethnolinguistic aspects of the locale. Contributing to sociolinguistic research in our global cities, this study zooms in on an unexpected Chinese ethnic enclave, or Chinatown, in Dubai, a superdiverse urban space and multilingual contact zone in post-colonial UAE. Drawing on a corpus of authentic LL data taken from Dubai’s emerging ‘Chinatown’, the study shows that a multilingual triad involving Arabic, English and Chinese is a pervasive sight in this area, deviating from the taken-for-granted and ‘choreographed’ bilingual LL in Dubai overall featuring Arabic and English. Notably, Chinese, as an index of ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identity and marker of boundary, is the most prominent and informative, whereas Dubai’s official language Arabic often appears in small font size and is rendered inconspicuous. This gives rise to a scenario I call ‘small-print multilingualism’ – a conscious attempt for small-business owners to include Arabic reluctantly only to get the ‘job’ done and conform to relevant rules and regulations. Theoretically, this article argues for the relevance of Bakhtin’s concepts of centripetal and centrifugal forces in helping shed light on the dynamic and negotiated relationship between official top-down regulations and bottom-up linguistic practices on the ground in ethnic enclaves. Ultimately, this study adds to our understandings of language and multilingualism in (super)diverse global cities

Understanding Medical Education

&lt;p&gt;The content of this book is comprehensive and complete in only one book which allows the reader to understand step-by-step medical education, or simply to look for a certain point of information because in this book each section is divided into chapters and is supported by appendix pages which make it easier to find the study material. Readers' understanding is easier to obtain with this book because the English used is easy to understand, but the small font size may be quite tiring for some readers. Reviewers recommend this book as a reliable and easy-to-understand reference, especially for preclinical and clinical medical educators.&lt;/p&gt;

The effect of visibility of country of origin labelling on consumers' fresh meat preferences

PurposeThe intent of displaying country of origin (COO) detail on food packaging is to inform consumers' purchase decisions. Of interest is whether how the COO information is displayed is important to consumers. This study examines the importance of attributes associated with the visibility of COO labelling in the context of packaged fresh meat.Design/methodology/approachBest–worst Scaling (BWS) is used to investigate consumers' preferences for label attributes. Treatments involved two countries (New Zealand and Australia), four font sizes and two placement positionings of COO information on the packaging.FindingsFirst, the study indicated consumers' preference for domestic than imported meat. This finding supports the intent of COO labelling, which is to inform product selection. Second, the authors ascertained that how COO information is displayed in terms of visibility is important also. Consumers indicated a preference for larger than smaller font size. However, where the COO detail is located on the packaging is of less importance.Originality/valueWhile regulations increasingly apply to provision of COO labelling of fresh foods, surprisingly little research has considered consumers' preferences for labelling practice. The study’s findings have implications for public policy decisions and contribute guidelines for retail practice.

Middle English Romances: Authoritative Texs, Sources and Backgrounds, Criticism, selected and ed. by Stephen H. A. Shepherd. 2nd ed. A Norton Critical Edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2023 (orig. 1995), xxix, 825 pp.

The second edition of this hefty tome in paperback is a good indicator that research and teaching of Middle English literature have gone through profound changes, moving well beyond the ‘classical’ canon of Langland, Chaucer and Hoccleve. Late medieval English romances receive increasing attention, and this for good reasons. In contrast to many other similar anthologies, Stephen H. A. Shepherd, Professor of English at Loyola Marymount University, presents only complete works, based on a critical edition of the relevant manuscript version. This makes the present edition also highly useful for research, although the primary purpose of this book and the entire series aims to make this literature more accessible for student readers. This is demonstrated through the heavy glossing on the side of the text, offering practical translations, and an extensive apparatus at the bottom. The first note always gives the source of the respective text, such as in the case of Havelok, Bodleian Library MS Laud Misc. 108, fols. 204r–219v. Subsequent notes offer textual interpretations. Unfortunately, those notes are in a very small font size and barely readable. This minimalization comes as a result of the editor’s effort to provide a maximum of romances and explanations. The 1995 edition contained seven complete romances, to which now are added eight more. Those are altogether (* marks those in the previous version): Havelok (*), Ywain and Gawain (*), Of Kyng Robert of Cisyle, Hou Pride dude Him Begyle, Sir Orfeo (*), Sir Launfal (*), Athelston, The Awntyrs off Arthure at the Terne Wathelyne (*), The Weddyng of Syr Gawen and Dame Ragnell for Helpyng of Kyng Arthoure (*), The Grene Knight, The Sege off Melayne (*), and The Taill of Rauf Coilyear, How He Harbreit King Charlis.

Learning-free, divide and conquer text-line extraction algorithm for printed Arabic text with diacritics

The extraction of text lines from document images is a critical step in optical character recognition. It is still considered an open document analysis problem. The presence of numerous font variations, diacritics, overlapping, and touching text-lines presents a challenge to algorithms designed for machine-printed text. In this paper, we present a simple and robust text-line extraction algorithm for printed Arabic text. The presented method is divided into two stages: preprocessing and text-line extraction. It extracts text-lines efficiently, even in small font sizes, by utilizing baselines, projection profiles, and a top-down divide and conquer technique. The presented method is fast and efficient when dealing with non-uniform inter-line spacing and the text-line overlapping problem.A set of experiments were conducted on the collected dataset. The experiments revealed that the proposed method outperforms two baseline approaches, with an average error rate of 3% on Arabic text without diacritics and 11% on Arabic text with diacritics. Furthermore, the experiments demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has a simple computational running time, with an average running time of 0.087 s per document image.

Do Beliefs About Font Size Affect Retrospective Metamemory Judgments in Addition to Prospective Judgments?

Beliefs about how memory works explain several effects on prospective metamemory judgments (e.g., the effect of font size on judgments of learning; JOLs). Less is known about the effect of beliefs on retrospective judgments (i.e., confidence). Here, we tested whether font size also affects confidence ratings and whether beliefs play a similar role in confidence than in JOLs. In two experiments, participants studied words in small and large size, rated JOLs, and completed a font-size test in which they indicated the font size at study and a standard old/new recognition test. The results confirmed that font size affected both JOLs and confidence ratings. The presentation of the counter-belief that memory is better for words in small font size in Experiment 2 and the analyses of confidence for participants who did not believe that large fonts improved memory suggested that the effect of font size on confidence was based on beliefs. This research shows that the debate on theory-based and experience-based factors should not be limited to prospective metamemory judgments but also encompass retrospective judgments.

Nudge versus sludge in gambling warning labels: How the effectiveness of a consumer protection measure can be undermined

Legal gambling is a large industry in many countries. One way some governments try to protect people from losing more than they can afford is by requiring warning labels on gambling machines and their online equivalents. Prominent labels that make the odds of winning clear serve as nudges: They promote a beneficial behavior (such as deciding that the risk of losing money is too high) without interfering with choice (such as by restricting the availability of gambling). However, if gambling operators use labels that are difficult to understand, find, or read, those messages instead hamper decision-making and thus become sludge. In this article, we report on new research into whether gambling labels in the world's largest regulated online gambling market (the United Kingdom) are more consistent with nudge or sludge. We found that gambling operators overwhelmingly used sludge strategies when posting required gambling warning labels: For instance, they framed the message using a confusing format, applied a small font size to the text, and placed the warning on obscure help screens. We therefore propose that public policy officials throughout the world establish requirements for the wording and presentation of gambling warning labels to ensure that gamblers are well-informed about the odds they face.

Do the Small Thai Font Sizes on Drug Labels and Documentation Facilitate Thai Readers? A Practical Review

Do the Small Thai Font Sizes on Drug Labels and Documentation Facilitate Thai Readers? A Practical Review

Prevention of childhood obesity through appropriate food labeling.

The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased across the globe and millions of the school children are either obese or overweight. This has happened due to rapid nutritional transition over the past few decades. As childhood obesity is multi-factorial in origin and unhealthy foods, packaged foods, high calorie foods are considered as important behavioral risk factors. The aim of this article is to opine whether appropriate food labeling is one of the preventable methods in prevention of childhood obesity. A thorough literature search on childhood obesity articles on well-known search engines like Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar and Embase electronic data base was done to reach an opinion and derive a conclusion. Among many interventions to prevent NCDs, it is evident that effective FPL can reduce the burden of NCDs, including childhood obesity. Additionally, it was found that during purchasing any food items, consumer knowledge/information plays a crucial role for food purchasing which is commonly recognized by food labels. The problems with the existing food labels are-these are misleading/not completely understandable/not clearly visible to the consumers due to multiple reasons like low literacy levels, diverse languages, small font size and many more. Globally, there exists multiple food labeling system which are consumer friendly. It is the right time for us to join other countries in experimenting with creative food labelling systems. The Chilean system being the gold standard in this regard. It is evident that good food labeling can effectively reduce the burden of non-communicable disease/childhood obesity (indirect evidence) by empowering customers to buy the right/healthy foods. In a country like India, where literacy among consumers is competitively high and languages are diverse, the same approach should be replicated in order to prevent or halt the rising trend of childhood obesity.

On the pervasive effect of word frequency in metamemory.

Predictions of one's future memory performance-judgements of learning (JOLs)-are based on the cues that learners regard as diagnostic of memory performance. One of these cues is word frequency or how often words are experienced in the language. It is not clear, however, whether word frequency would affect JOLs when other cues are also available. The current study aims to close this gap by testing whether objective and subjective word frequency affect JOLs in the presence of font size as an additional cue. Across three experiments, participants studied words that varied in word frequency (Experiment 1: high and low objective frequency; Experiment 2: a whole continuum from high to low objective frequency; Experiment 3: high and low subjective and objective frequency) and were presented in a large (48pt) or a small (18pt) font size, made JOLs, and completed a free recall test. Results showed that people based their JOLs on both word frequency and font size. We conclude that word frequency is an important cue that affects metamemory even in multiple-cue situations.

EFL Teachers' Evaluation on “Skillful-Teaching Writing and Reading 02”

In case that many reforms in learning and teaching English in Vietnam were implemented, exploring the effectiveness of different coursebooks was raised to be a sufficient need. This research is more qualitative than quantitative in its nature, aiming to investigate EFL teachers’ evaluation of the coursebook Skillful – Reading &amp; Writing 02 in a specific educational institution in the Mekong Delta. Thirteen teacher participants using the books were invited to participate in this study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by using two instruments, questionnaires and semi-interviews. The study provided a new checklist for evaluating materials in teaching and learning reading and writing. The findings showed that (1) the merits of the coursebook Skillful – Reading &amp; Writing 02: e.g. colorful illustrations, numerous online learning resources accompanying online accounts, suggestive topics, updated contents, and impressive study skills component; and (2) demerits of the book in terms of writing section which does not match the general objectives of the program. Likewise, (3) the cons are regarding quite small font size and long listening activities of the coursebook. Additionally, some implications were suggested in this study to enhance the effectiveness of using sufficient materials for higher educational institutions.

Consumer awareness on pre-packaged food labelling information towards the purchase of the pre-packaged food products

This study determined the level of awareness on pre-packaged food labelling information among consumers. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather information from respondents. Purposively sampling method was used to select the TFDA registered supermarkets, provision shops and other pre-packaged food corner outlets. A systematic randomly sampling was used to interview respondents from the main outlets of the shops. A questionnaire with both close and open ended questions was used to collect information from 150 consumers who were found in the supermarket, provision shops and other pre-packaged food outlets purchasing pre-packaged food products. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square tests of significance were employed to determine the association between variables. The findings revealed that consumers were moderately aware on the use of pre-packaged food labelling information. The findings further revealed some difficulties encountered by consumers while reading food labels include technical language used, small font size when reading food label, unfamiliar language as well as incomplete labelling information. Circumstances in which consumers purchase pre-packaged food without consulting the respective labels include time constraint and purchase of routine food products. The findings revealed that respondents level of education was significantly associated with respondents awareness on the use of pre-packaged food labelling information. The findings further revealed that respondent level of education and their occupation were significantly associated with the importance of using pre-packaged food labelling information. Due to public health concern on human being, it is therefore recommended that deliberate efforts should be taken to use educational activities in order to raise consumer awareness on reading and using of pre-packaged food labelling information prior to purchase.

A social semiotic multimodal analysis of ateji translation in manga

ABSTRACT Ateji (当て字) pertains to one of the unique uses of language in the manga that is constructed with two types of Japanese scripts. Its one-of-a-kind structure presents challenges in translation, but feasible solutions have hardly been explored. Drawing on ateji categories, social semiotic multimodal approach and translation procedures, this study performs qualitative content analysis to identify practical ways to reconstruct the closest meaning of ateji. It finds that most of the adopted translation procedures reflect partial meaning transformations because of the target language’s lack of semiotic resources that can be used to convey ateji’s complex meanings. Nevertheless, translations published in the 2010s have shown that a smaller font size – the semiotic resource of the typography mode – is used in glosses to produce the closest meaning transformation of ateji into the target text. This finding has also revealed that writing and typography are effective modes of ateji translation.

Effects of the Font Size and Line Spacing of Simplified Chinese Characters on Smartphone Readability

Abstract In this study, we explored the effects that the font size and line spacing of simplified Chinese characters had on their readability on smartphones. One hundred and fifteen participants were recruited to complete Chinese text comprehension tasks and provide user preferences on a 5.9-inch smartphone. Nine test conditions were studied, consisting of three font sizes (10-, 12- and 14-point) and three line spacing variations (1.25-F, 1.5-F and 2-F). The results showed that both font size and line spacing significantly affect reading time, but only font size significantly affects reading accuracy; font size, line spacing and the interaction between them have significant effects on the difficulty of reading and the degree of visual fatigue. Medium and large font sizes are more comfortable to read with large line spacing, while small and medium font sizes are more attractive with large line spacing. The results provide useful information for mobile text interface design.

Perceptions, Attitudes and Use of Pharmacy Customers to Medicine Labels

Background. The safe use of medicines largely relies on consumers reading the labeling and packaging carefully and accurately, and being able to comprehend and act on the information presented. We aimed to conduct local study on consumers’ perceptions, attitudes and use of written drug information. Methods. A survey included 200 adults of the public in 13 community pharmacies and one main hospital (the University Hospital) in Tripoli city of Libya, using a structured interview technique. Results. The results showed that 73% of participants read drug labels with variation from always (39.72 %) to rarely (10.95%). About 42.46% of pharmacy customers read the Patients Package Inserts (PPIs) routinely, however; 53.42% of them faced difficulties in understanding the labelling. Foreign languages and small font sizes of written information were the most barriers to participants` comprehensibility (44.69 %, 34%) respectively. The findings indicated that 59 % of the respondents were used to obtain information from pharmacists. Despite the relatively high rate of reading to drug labels among pharmacy customers; more than half of them were unable to interpret information correctly. Conclusion. The study demonstrated the need for the implementation of educational and awareness programs for patients by pharmacists to improve the health literacy of medication labels. Steps must be taken to ensure that medicines in Libyan market are supplied with bilingual and non-technical language labels.