System Usability Research Articles

RingGesture: A Ring-Based Mid-Air Gesture Typing System Powered by a Deep-Learning Word Prediction Framework.

Text entry is a critical capability for any modern computing experience, with lightweight augmented reality (AR) glasses being no exception. Designed for all-day wearability, a limitation of lightweight AR glass is the restriction to the inclusion of multiple cameras for extensive field of view in hand tracking. This constraint underscores the need for an additional input device. We propose a system to address this gap: a ring-based mid-air gesture typing technique, RingGesture, utilizing electrodes to mark the start and end of gesture trajectories and inertial measurement units (IMU) sensors for hand tracking. This method offers an intuitive experience similar to raycast-based mid-air gesture typing found in VR headsets, allowing for a seamless translation of hand movements into cursor navigation. To enhance both accuracy and input speed, we propose a novel deep-learning word prediction framework, Score Fusion, comprised of three key components: a) a word-gesture decoding model, b) a spatial spelling correction model, and c) a lightweight contextual language model. In contrast, this framework fuses the scores from the three models to predict the most likely words with higher precision. We conduct comparative and longitudinal studies to demonstrate two key findings: firstly, the overall effectiveness of RingGesture, which achieves an average text entry speed of 27.3 words per minute (WPM) and a peak performance of 47.9 WPM. Secondly, we highlight the superior performance of the Score Fusion framework, which offers a 28.2% improvement in uncorrected Character Error Rate over a conventional word prediction framework, Naive Correction, leading to a 55.2% improvement in text entry speed for RingGesture. Additionally, RingGesture received a System Usability Score of 83 signifying its excellent usability.

Home-Based, Low-Intensity, Gamification-Based, Interactive Physical-Cognitive Training for Older Adults Using the ADDIE Model: Design, Development, and Evaluation of User Experience.

Declines in physical and cognitive function are natural biological processes, leading to an increased risk of falls. Promising evidence suggests that combined physical-cognitive exercise has beneficial effects in improving both physical and cognitive health. Although moderate-to-high exercise intensity is commonly recommended, it might be impractical for older adults facing physical limitations or contraindications. Thus, low-intensity exercise is a viable option. The main barriers to engaging in exercise in older adults include transportation, time, motivation, and enjoyment. To overcome these challenges, a home-based, gamification-based training system may provide an effective approach to enhance exercise adherence. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the usability of a low-intensity, gamification-based, interactive physical-cognitive exercise for older adults in a home-based setting. The prototype of a game-based physical-cognitive exercise was created following the ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) and assessed for user experience in older adults. A total of 15 older adults engaged in the game-based physical-cognitive exercise at home for 60 minutes per day, 3 days per week, for 4 weeks. The usability of the game-based training system was evaluated using the system usability scale (SUS) after completion of a 4-week training program. As for satisfaction, the 8-item Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) questionnaire was used to assess participants' enjoyment level after 1 week and 4 weeks of training. Descriptive statistics were used to illustrate the SUS score. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the PACES scores between the first week and the end of the 4-week period, with significance set at P<.05. As for experts' consensus, the game-based training consisted of 3 games: Ocean Diver, Road Runner, and Moving and Memorizing. The games had 3 levels of difficulty: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. A computer vision-based system was selected as the delivery platform for a home setting. The total SUS score for all participants was mean 87.22 (SD 5.76), indicating the user's perception of the usability of a system ranging from good to excellent. At the end of the 4-week training, the total PACES score was significantly greater than the first week, suggesting an improvement in enjoyment (first week: mean 44.93, SD 3.99 vs fourth week: mean 50.53, SD 4.70; P=.001). The prototype of low-intensity, gamification-based, interactive physical-cognitive training was designed and developed using the ADDIE model, which included both experts and end users in the process. The findings showed that the exergame prototype was a usable and practical approach for a home-based setting, enhancing older adults' enjoyment and motivation. Further research is warranted to determine the effectiveness of such gamification-based training in promoting physical and cognitive functions.

Virtual reality in specialized dentistry: employing virtual reality for the alleviation of pain and anxiety in hereditary angioedema patients.

Following an episode of hereditary angioedema (HAE), dental anxiety commonly arises, and many patients find it challenging to access proper care. While the use of virtual reality (VR) for pain and anxiety management in dentistry is on the rise, its application in individuals with angioedema remains largely unexplored. In a case series conducted at a specialized dental clinic, three patients with a history of acute angioedema attacks and dental anxiety engaged with 360° VR videos while seated in the dental chair, utilizing a virtual reality device. Three patients with hereditary angioedema were treated by subjecting them to virtual immersion using VR glasses. Intraoperative reactions were analyzed using VAS scales in order to report the patients' level of anxiety and pain. The outcomes, evaluated through a standard observation tool, surveys, and interviews, encompass the assessment of patient anxiety and pain, responses to VR, and the evaluation of system usability along with its impact on the dental team's workflow Three individuals underwent examination, from which three reliable questionnaires were obtained, demonstrating a success rate of 99.9%. The group included one male and two females, with their ages spanning from 6 to 58 years. The findings revealed an average anxiety score of 1.80 with a standard deviation of 0.6 points, and an average pain score of 1.98 with a standard deviation of 0.3, thus validating full immersion in distraction. Statistical analysis using independent-sample t-tests and ANOVA indicated no significant differences in anxiety levels among the patients based on gender. Both patients wore the VR device throughout the procedure, expressing that it was comfortable, diverting, and held the potential to alleviate anxiety and pain. The dentist noted a positive influence on patient anxiety levels and procedure completion times, expressing an intention to continue employing VR with other angioedema patients and across diverse clinical populations. Virtual reality can be an excellent distraction tool in patients with hereditary angioedema who present at least one acute attack per year.

Usability of an AI-based independent pedestrian navigation device designed for blind people

Abstract Background 2.2 billion people live with visual impairment (VI) worldwide and face orientation and mobility challenges in various aspects of their lives. Despite technological advancements, the most used mobility solutions for VI are still the walking cane and the guide dog. The objective of this research is to assess the system usability of an AI-based independent pedestrian navigation device (.lumen glasses), designed for blind people. Methods During 31st of October and 2nd of November 2023, 27 visually impaired people living in Bucharest, Romania, tested the .lumen glasses for 1-3 hours during an outdoor navigation task. The glasses use AI to recognize the user’s environment and haptic and audio feedback to guide them. The System Usability Scale (SUS), a 10-item instrument, was used to evaluate the level of usability the participants ascribe to the .lumen glasses. Qualitative feedback was collected as part of the post-test survey and analyzed using thematic analysis. Data were triangulated to identify usability issues. Results The mean age of the participants was 30.3 years old (SD = 12.07, min=21 max =56, range: 48), 55.6% (N = 15) of the participants were male, 96,3% (N = 26) were completely blind, and 81.5% were using a white cane for orientation and mobility. Our findings reveal a mean SUS score of 83.65 (SD = 15.23, range 47.5, min=52.5, max=100) indicating high usability. The thematic analysis revealed 5 themes: (1) auditive and (2) haptic feedback in navigation, (3) hardware (adjustment system &amp; buttons), (4) tutorial &amp; presentation of how the device works and (5) other aspects (usage in combination with other assistive technologies etc.). The participants declared that the glasses are intuitive to use and promote the feeling of safety and independence. Conclusions Data suggest that the .lumen glasses area promising assistive technology for the mobility of VI. Findings are currently used to steer the development and implementation of the AI-based system. Key messages • According to participants’ feedback, .lumen glasses are a scalable AI-based mobility solution that can make navigation and orientation easier for visually impaired individuals. • .lumen glasses designed for the visually impaired individuals are one of the current and limited assistive technology improving the mobility and orientation.

Development and implementation of a guideline-based decision support system for etiological diagnosis of Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (SMVT)

Abstract Background Guideline (GL)-based decision support systems (DSSs) play a significant role in supporting physicians in their decision-making processes by providing structured clinical guidance. While these systems have shown significant success in enhancing practitioner performance and patient outcomes in general practice, their application in the context of ventricular arrhythmias remains limited. Moreover, the clinical etiological diagnosis of ventricular arrhythmias presents various challenges for healthcare professionals, such as adherence to updated diagnostic criteria and understanding of complex arrhythmia mechanisms. Purpose In this study, we aim to design, implement, and evaluate a guideline-based decision support systems for etiological diagnosis of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT), which could potentially address critical challenges associated with the disease diagnosis and management. Methods To comprehensively capture the semantics embedded in clinical guidelines, we first developed a dedicated knowledge graph tailored to the clinical decision-making. This involved extracting entities and relationships pertinent to key decision procedures from ESC guidelines for ventricular arrhythmias, clinical textbooks or literatures. Subsequently, we translated instances within the knowledge graph into archetypes within openEHR, amplifying the interoperability of clinical information. To enhance the interpretability of the DSS, we established executable diagnostic and treatment processes to offer visual representation of clinical steps in diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately, we constructed a decision support engine to implement the GL-DSS, and its effectiveness was evaluated with anonymous real-world data. Results The proposed GL-DSS was found to be quite feasible and could provide etiological diagnosis for SMVT. The knowledge base for the constructed GL-DDS included more than 2000 entities and relations, which played a vital role in representing disease pathogenesis. The proposed system can map the clinical entities to a set of openEHR archetypes, thus mitigate the interoperability issues of the hospital information systems and CDSS data integration. Also, this module improved system usability and ensured that guidelines could be easily translated and updated into decision support tools. Real-word medical records from 20 patient were collected for model evaluation, the results showed that the GL-DSS covered most of the entities and relations between diseases and diagnostic evidence recorded in clinical texts and achieved a diagnosis accuracy of 80%. Conclusions The results demonstrated that our proposed GL-DSS could completely and accurately capture the diagnostic information under the concrete EHR data. Thus, the implement decision support system could have the potential to improve clinical decision-making, patient care, and outcomes in this specialized medical domain.

Brief report: Aging adult utilization of an mHealth intervention for problem drinking

Alcohol consumption among aging adults is a growing concern due to its potential to exacerbate age-related health conditions. Developing accessible interventions for this demographic is imperative. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer a promising avenue, but their effectiveness and engagement among aging adults remain uncertain. This study is a secondary analysis that aimed to compare the utilization and outcomes of an mHealth intervention between aging (50+) and younger adults in a clinical trial of an mHealth intervention (Step Away) for reduced drinking. At the three-month follow-up, both age groups exhibited significant reductions in alcohol consumption and increased readiness for change. Furthermore, aging adults utilized the mHealth intervention significantly more, expressed a higher likelihood of continued use, and rated the intervention higher on the System Usability Scale (SUS). These findings suggest that mHealth interventions for alcohol-related issues can be equally effective for aging adults and that they readily engage with such tools and find them acceptable. This study underscores the potential of mHealth interventions as a viable solution for addressing alcohol-related concerns among aging adults. Further research targeting mHealth interventions tailored specifically to this demographic is warranted.Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04447794, Identifier [NCT04447794].

Feasibility and end-user perceptions of a novel digital care assistant and support program for people after stroke or transient ischemic attack (CAPS)

Abstract Background The Care Assistant and support Program for people after Stroke (CAPS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a clinician-led program designed to improve the secondary prevention of stroke. The program combines person-centred goal setting and risk-factor monitoring through a web-based clinician portal, SMS goal-aligned messages, a mobile application (app), and a wearable device. We aimed to determine the feasibility of CAPS among people living with stroke or TIA, and clinicians who would deliver the program in future. Methods Open label single group pre-posttest mixed-methods evaluation of the 12-week program. Eligible lived-experience participants were recruited through the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry. Eligibility: diagnosis of stroke or TIA in preceding 6 months - 3 years, ≥18 years old, smartphone/tablet ownership, living in the community. Following surveys and interviews of lived-experience participants, ten clinicians experienced in stroke care were invited to participate in focus groups to discuss the program. We used descriptive statistics to evaluate feasibility outcomes, i.e. participant perceptions of usability, acceptability and satisfaction, and clinician perceptions on program design and delivery. Results From 600 invitations, 34 eligible participants commenced the program (27% female, 33% TIA, median 1.7 years from index event; one withdrew). Usability of the CAPS app was rated as ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’ (System Usability Scale), with moderate sustained usage by study conclusion (&amp;gt;60%). Participants frequently reviewed their health data within the app (average twice a day/participant over 12 weeks), and entered their health measurements an average 73 times/participant. The majority (≥90%) of participants thought the program fitted well into their daily lives or helped engage them in self-monitoring, with 76% indicating they would use the program, if publicly available. Clinician participants included three nurses, three allied health professionals, two neurologists, a stroke consultant, and a general practitioner (GP) in focus groups. Overall, eight had positive perceptions of the CAPS program. Three clinicians indicated the measurements collected in the app captured "vital information", and five saw the value of CAPS to improve secondary prevention. Recommended modifications to the program included tracking atrial fibrillation and blood cholesterol. Seven believed participants would receive the most benefit from the program if delivered within three months post-discharge. Six indicated that GP-led multidisciplinary care was the best model to deliver CAPS. Conclusions The CAPS program was feasible to deliver and acceptable to people living with stroke or TIA. Clinicians saw the value of CAPS for secondary prevention, with feedback prompting further focus groups with GPs to develop the potential model of care. Findings have informed the design of a Phase II randomised feasibility trial.

Exploring Faculty Members’ Experiences with Virtual Classroom Platforms and Their Perceived Usability during the COVID-19

This two-phase mixed-method study examined faculty experiences with Virtual Communication Platforms (VCPs) and their usability in distance education during the COVID-19 epidemic. A stratified random sample of 913 faculty members from 167 universities was selected to participate in an online questionnaire that included the System Usability Scale, demographic information, and open-ended questions. Twenty-five of the faculty members who had completed the online questionnaire were then interviewed in semi-structured interviews. The quantitative analysis results indicate that Zoom was the most favored platform, obtaining a ‘Good’ usability score together with Google Meet and Adobe Connect. In contrast, Perculus and Microsoft Teams were evaluated as having ‘Poor’ usability. Results also revealed the significant effect of gender on Perculus, distance education experience on Zoom, and age and academic status on Zoom and Google Meet usability perceptions. Furthermore, the qualitative analysis results revealed usability challenges (e.g., technical challenges, functionality issues, usability concerns), positive aspects (e.g., usability and effectiveness, support and issue resolution, performance and accessibility), and suggestions for improvement (e.g., instruction and support, exploration and optimization, format and assessment enhancement). The study offers valuable insights for institutions to make informed decisions about adopting VCP, investing in targeted training programs, and ultimately fostering a more effective and inclusive distance education environment.

Study on the Design of a Non-Contact Interaction System Using Gestures: Framework and Case Study

The interaction patterns are constantly changing as the rapid development in technology. The non-contact interaction system using gestures is becoming important in human-computer interaction nowadays. This paper illustrates a design framework of a non-contact interaction system using gestures, which fully considers the approach to fit non-contact gestures into the system. The corresponding user requirements were investigated by surveys, and the universal design guide of non-contact gestures was summarized by statistical analysis. A case study was illustrated for key points of the developed design framework. The scheme, including interaction architecture, gesture definition, and user interface design, was described. The rapid prototyping was built. Evaluations, including eye-tracking measurements and tests of system usability, were implemented and analyzed by statistical methods to present suggestions of iterative design. The feasibility of the developed framework was verified. By statistical methods, the relationship between the interaction usability and the user’s perception for information was discussed, and the user’s perception for the display of dynamic and static gestures was analyzed. The results provide a clear approach to satisfy user’s preferences and improve the interaction quality for non-contact interaction systems using gestures, and furnish empirical grounding for sustainably devising similar interaction systems.

Role of Bar and Restaurant Management System: Case of London Lounge, Ubungo Dar-es-Salaam

This study aims at revealing the role played by Bar and Restaurant Management System (BRMS) in Tanzania, by studying its functionalities and user perceptions and later providing recommendations that will improve the Food and Beverage (F&amp;B) services. London Lounge was selected as a case study to represent the middle-class bar within the country that makes use of BRMSs. The literature shows that the common design of BRMS include functionalities for accounting, inventory and employee management where the system users had positive perception on the advantages of system usage except for the inexperienced users. Focus group discussion was used as the method for data collection where the study team identified that the appropriate system users are Counter Attendants, Supervisors, Managers and the Director. The findings revealed that the system had enough functionality to exhaust the principal duties for each system user based on their job positions and hence played a big role in managing their operations. The study highlighted some system weaknesses hence provided the recommendations to improve the functionalities of the system and attract more users towards system usage. Future research on design and development of BRMS integrated with other systems to manage multiple businesses under the same ownership is highly recommended in this study.

Usability in human-robot collaborative workspaces

AbstractThis study explores the usability of human-robot collaboration in the previously under-researched field of forestry and agroforestry. The robotic platforms used were Boston Dynamics Spot and the Agile X Bunker, the latter equipped with a movable arm. The research was conducted in an experimental robotic test park, simulating real-world scenarios relevant to forestry and agriculture. The focus of this study is on the use of these robots as collaborative robots (cobots). Usability, as a central characteristic in human-computer interaction, was evaluated using the well-established System Usability Scale (SUS). The results demonstrate the potential of these robotic systems to enhance productivity and safety, while also underscoring the importance of user-centered design in the development of collaborative tools. A key finding of this work is that successful integration of AI-driven technologies in sectors such as forestry and agriculture requires a focus on human-centered AI which includes good usability, and accessibility, emphasizing the importance of the concept of universal access.

Hey Building! Novel Interfaces for Parametric Design Manipulations in Virtual Reality

Parametric Design enables designers to formulate and explore new ideas through parameters, typically by manipulating numerical values. However, visualising and exploring the design space of an established parametric design solution is natively difficult through desktop displays for designers due to screen space constraints and requiring familiarity with visual-language programming interfaces. Thus, we sought to explore Virtual Reality (VR), inspired by Natural User Interfaces (NUI), to develop and explore new interfaces departing from traditional programming interfaces, that could complement the spatial and embodied affordances of contemporary VR devices. Informed by two industry-led focus groups with architects we developed and examined the usability of three different interfaces: 1) Paramaxes , an axes-based interface that allows designers to distribute and manipulate parameter visualisations around them in physical space; 2) ParamUtter , a Voice-based User Interface (VUI) that allows designers to manipulate parameter visualisations through natural languages; 3) Control Panel , which presents the parameters as sliders in a scrollable pane and acts as baseline comparison. We ran an exploratory study with experts and found that the Control Panel was ultimately the preferred interface for a design manipulation task. However, participants commented favorably towards qualities in the unconventional interfaces, with ParamUtter scoring highest in System Usability Scores (SUS), and participants valuing the potential of using physical space to explore design spaces with Paramaxes .

Designing Multi-axis Compliant Mechanisms with Lockable Decoupled Inputs: A Tip-tilt Case Study

Abstract This research is about designing multi-degree-of-freedom compliant mechanisms with decoupled inputs that can be independently locked/unlocked using bistable switches to achieve different combinations of Degrees Of Freedom (DOFs). A case study mechanism achieving two decoupled rotational DOFs (tip, tilt) is designed, fabricated, and characterized. It can be triggered using two pairs of bistable switches, achieving drastically different states of torsional stiffness for each DOF in four sets of DOF combinations — no DOFs, a tip DOF, a tilt DOF, and both tip, tilt DOFs. Bistability and stiffness cancellation principles are exploited to achieve the desired changes in stiffness. Two flexure elements can be identified – the switch providing a negative stiffness, and the Cross-Axis-Flexural-Pivot (CAFP) producing a positive stiffness. The mechanism is tuned to achieve static balancing, reaching a near-zero stiffness over much of its range. The pseudo-rigid-body-model and 2-dimensional (2D) Finite-Element-Model (FEM) are combined defining a fast method to dimension the system. The 3D FEM is simulated to validate obtained results. For each DOF, the system is tested in two configurations (stiff, compliant) for three cycles over a ±10° rotation, achieving a stiffness reduction of around 99%. Comparable stiffness values were measured after triggering the switches more than once, repetitively reaching the required two states of stiffness, confirming the system's usability in practical applications. The positive stiffness provided by the CAFP is measured and compared to the device's overall stiffness, highlighting the stiffness cancellation concept.

Paperless libraries: The trending way to go in the fifth industrial revolution

The idea that spurred the author’s interest in carrying out this study results from understanding a cashless society, where users of banking systems only move around with their ATM cards. With their ATM cards, they can access their money anywhere globally. This approach could resonate in libraries, where we now have a paperless society, having cost-benefit analysis in the era of the fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR). The 5IR has to do with humans interacting between technology or machines either to solve individual and organizational societal problems from a general or specific perspective. The interaction between humans and technology would assist in recognizing the synergistic in addressing the support for task accomplishment. The methodology applied is in two stages, first, a systematic literature review and second, interpretive content analysis of literature harvested from the database of Scopus. Findings revealed that technological advancements have enabled paperless libraries such that on-screen reading is increasingly prevalent, rapid development support through mobile computing, software, and internet/connections/Wi-Fi, multifarious electronic information retrieval among others. Furthermore, other findings were anchored on the relevance of paperless libraries in the 5IR, the functionality of paperless library systems, enhanced accessibility, and inclusivity, collaboration and connectivity, and environmental impact. Meanwhile, certain challenges and mitigation strategies were proffered. The study concludes that as we navigate this transformative era, the emergence of paperless libraries stands as a testament to the harmonious integration of technological prowess and human aspirations. Therefore, envision human-machine interactions be encouraged to bring about paperless libraries, considering the significance of AI and human-centric innovation.

Usability of a digital tool to support long-lasting insecticide net distribution in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan.

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been a widely used malaria prevention method for decades. In South Sudan, LLINs are typically distributed by volunteers who use paper-based systems to collect distribution data. Paper-based systems are simple to use but have a higher occurrence of data inaccuracies and can hinder the timely use of data for decision-making. In 2022, a digital tool was introduced to collect data during the LLIN campaign in Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG). The tool aimed to improve the accuracy of data entry and enable data to be used in real-time for decision making during the campaign. The digital tool was developed with offline functionality and interoperability with DHIS2 tracker version 2.8 in DHIS2 version 2.38. This study assessed the usability of the tool according to user perspectives. A questionnaire containing open- and closed-ended questions was conducted with users of the digital tool, supervisors and other key stakeholders in five counties of NBeG. The questionnaire was administered using Malaria Consortium's Projects Results System Android mobile application. Usability was determined through a modified and validated System Usability Scale (SUS) approach. A total of 93 participants responded to the usability questionnaire. The mean (± standard deviation) usability score across 10 SUS-scoring items was60.91 (12.87), indicating a modest level of usability. The majority of users agreed the tool was useful for managing the LLIN distribution workflow, was easy to use, reduced workload, and supported stock management and real-time campaign monitoring. There was no significant difference in the usability scores across genders, roles, and counties. Respondents with experience of both paper-based and the digital tool tended to express a preference for the digital tool over paper-based systems. The majority of respondents also reported they would recommend the digital tool to colleagues. Digital tools are perceived to improve data collection during LLIN campaigns, even in remote areas where network coverage is challenging. Additional improvements can be implemented to overcome operational challenges and improve usability of the tool. Further study is needed to assess the impact of the digital tool on data quality and real-time data use.

Exploring the Impact of Environmental Conditions and Bioreactors on Microalgae Growth and Applications

Microalgae and their bioproducts have diverse applications, including wastewater remediation, CO2 fixation, and the synthesis of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels. However, the production of these organisms heavily relies upon environmental conditions, which can significantly impact growth. Furthermore, microalgae cultivation itself can be a source of economic and environmental concerns. Thus, microalgae growth systems have become a critical consideration for both research and industry, to bolster microalgae cultivation and address its accompanying issues. Both open and closed systems, such as raceway ponds and photobioreactors, respectively, are commonly used during the growth process but have their own advantages and drawbacks. However, for microalgae growth, photobioreactors may address most concerns as the system’s design lowers the risk of contamination and provides the ability to control the delivery of desired growth factors. To determine the appropriate system for targeted microalgae cultivation, it is crucial to determine factors such as the scale of cultivation and growth and productivity targets. Additionally, efficient usage of these growth systems and carefully selected incubation factors can aid in addressing some of the economic and environmental issues associated with microalgae production. This review will summarize the current applications of bioreactors in both research and industrial capacities and summarize growth and incubation factors for microalgae.

Application of Delon and Mclean Model to Assess the Effectiveness of SIPPISKO: Case Study in the Ministry of Health RI

This research evaluates the effectiveness of the Risk-Based Planning and Monitoring Information System (SIPPISKO) used by all units within the Ministry of Health. Using the Delone and McLean Information Systems Success Model, the study employs PLS-SEM analysis to assess six key dimensions: system quality, information quality, service quality, use, user satisfaction, and net benefits. Data were gathered from auditors and Ministry of Health units through questionnaires. The analysis reveals that system quality significantly impacts user satisfaction but not use, while information and service quality significantly influence both use and user satisfaction. Although use does not substantially affect user satisfaction, system use significantly impacts perceived net benefits. These findings suggest that enhancing the quality of SIPPISKO's system and services could improve user satisfaction and overall system effectiveness. The results offer strategic insights for the Ministry of Health to strengthen its information systems, leading to more effective risk management and oversight. Keywords: DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model, Evaluation of The Effectiveness, Information System, PLS Structural Equation Modeling analysis, SIPPISKO

Paper-and-Pencil vs. Electronic Patient Records: Analyzing Time Efficiency, Personnel Requirements, and Usability Impacts on Healthcare Administration.

Background: This study investigates the impact of transitioning from paper and pencil (P&P) methods to electronic patient records (EPR) on workflow and usability in surgical ward rounds. Methods: Surgical ward rounds were audited by two independent observers to evaluate the effects of transitioning from P&P to EPR. Key observations included the number of medical personnel and five critical workflow aspects before and after EPR implementation. Additionally, usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ). Results: A total of 192 P&P and 160 EPR observations were analyzed. Physicians experienced increased administrative workload with EPR, while nurses adapted more easily. Ward teams typically consisted of two physicians and three or four nurses. Usability scores rated the system as "Not Acceptable" across all professional groups. Conclusions: The EPR system introduced usability challenges, particularly for physicians, despite potential benefits like improved data access. Usability flaws hindered system acceptance, highlighting the need for better workflow integration. Addressing these issues could improve efficiency and reduce administrative strain. As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into clinical practice, healthcare professionals must critically assess AI-driven tools to ensure safe and effective patient care.

Smith Chart-Based Design of High-Frequency Broadband Power Amplifiers

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the design and performance of a high-power amplifier (PA) covering a broad frequency band from 0.1 to 4.8 GHz. Leveraging a 10 W GaN device, the amplifier achieves output power levels surpassing 10 W across the entire frequency band. Furthermore, the power-added efficiency (PAE) of the amplifier ranges from 47% to 59%, indicating its energy-efficient operation. With consistent gain characteristics varying between 7 and 15 dB, the design ensures reliable signal amplification for diverse applications. Notably, the approach introduces a simplified output matching network based on an LC network, prioritizing practicality without sacrificing performance. Additionally, comprehensive guidance is provided on utilizing the Smith chart for streamlined amplifier design, enabling engineers with an accessible methodology. Through a meticulous analysis, this work contributes to advancing the field of high-power amplification, offering enhanced performance and usability for next-generation wireless communication systems.

Electronic Health Record User Dashboard for Optimization of Surgical Resident Procedural Reporting.

Background While necessary and educationally beneficial, administrative tasks such as case and patient tracking may carry additional burden for surgical trainees. Automated systems targeting these tasks are scarce, leading to manual and inefficient workflows. Methods We created an electronic health record (EHR)-based, user-specific dashboard for surgical residents to compile resident-specific data: bedside procedures performed, operative cases performed or participated in, and notes written by the resident as a surrogate for patients cared for. Usability testing was performed with resident volunteers, and residents were also surveyed post-implementation to assess for efficacy and satisfaction. Access log data from the EHR was used to assess dashboard usage over time. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Results The dashboard was implemented on a population of approximately 175 surgical residents in 5 different departments (General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Otolaryngology) at a single academic medical center. 6 resident volunteers participating in usability testing completed an average of 96% of preset tasks independently. Average responses to five questions extracted from the System Usability Scale (SUS) questions ranged from 4.0 to 4.67 out of 5. Post-implementation surveys indicated high resident satisfaction (4.39 out of 5) and moderate rates of use, with 46.4% of residents using the dashboard at least monthly. Daily use of the dashboard has increased over time, especially after making the dashboard a default for surgical residents. Conclusion An EHR-based dashboard compiling resident-specific data can improve the efficiency of administrative tasks and supplement longitudinal education.