Using R Software Research Articles

Research into the world of Cloud-Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality technology has not been able to penetrate the mainstream consumer market due to restrictions on hardware and content. With the advancement of cloud computing technologies, Virtual Reality hardware and technology applications may now be supported strongly. The metaverse, cloud VR gaming, and cloud VR stimulator are just a few of the real-world applications that are now employing cloud computing in Virtual Reality. We can lower the cost of Virtual Reality technology which would begin a new era of many users to apply cloud-based technologies. With the aid of technology, it will be possible to operate from anywhere without having to transport a lot of equipment. The performance, usability, and compatibility of Virtual Reality software and hardware can be improved by cloud computing on the level of hardware and content. The VR dataset is made available for public collaboration through the Internet using a VR-Cloud server. The digital asset that represents the layout of our pedestrian bridge comprises images of all the streets, buildings, trees, and other urban amenities. In the virtual environment of the metropolitan area, where they run and stroll according to predetermined behaviour scenarios, the cars and people are created and entered. By employing cloud communication software to analyse simulations of vehicles and pedestrian crowds and to debate design ideas, users share the VR reality by connecting to the VR Cloud servers from remote devices. This research demonstrates how VR-cloud may be combined with Neuralink and NFT in the virtual world for future enhancement. This paper is a research note on cloud computing and its application using the Virtual Reality (VR) platform for the modern world with futuristic innovations. Keywords: Cloud Computing, Metaverse, Neuralink, Virtual Reality, VR-Cloud.)

Развитие CAE системы численного моделирования НДС SIGMA GT

The paper presents the directions and results of developing the Sigma GT software suite designed for numerical modeling of the stress-and-strain state of a rock mass using the finite element method. It describes the process of computational module optimization to ensure the possibility of refined simulation in subareas of the original model. The process of storing coarse grid matrices is upgraded, which optimizes the use of computational resources when calculating the stress-and-strain state of large-scale models. The trial-and-error procedure has been improved up to the system of hierarchical interrelation of different scale models, which allows to actualize the boundary conditions of individual block models when modifying the field model configuration. An extensible library of local models is presented, which makes it possible to quickly generate models of mining system elements with adequate boundary conditions. The expandable functionality of the software product is demonstrated, which allows to accelerate the process of finite element model creation. This tool allows the software user to generate local models of various configurations, minimizing time consumption and possible errors in preparation of the finite element mesh. Application and functionality of tools for post-processing of modeling results, both in 2D and 3D form, are described. Export of stress isolines allows saving the calculation data in the format used at the mining enterprise and combining them with the maps of mine working. 3D visualization of the calculated data contributes to a comprehensive assessment of the stress-and-strain state vector field and identification of the areas with critical stress and strain concentrations under a certain mining development option.

A Study on the Use and Effectiveness of Accounting Software Systems in Enhancing the Business Performance in Mumbai

Accounting software is used by organisations to record their day-to-day financial transactions, which include fixed assets management, expense management, revenue management, accounts receivables, accounts payable, etc. The major problem faced by the users is misperception in using the software for their day-to-day accounting and business needs. The biggest problem for accounting software users is unsuitable accounting packages and apps which has inadequate and unauthorised data. Many firms and organisations do not take correct decisions based on fundamentals due to a lack of information and use of the right accounting software. The question arises of how to select the right accounting software for the business and what are the factors influencing the decision-making process for business performance. We collected data from accounting software users from different firms/organisations and found that accounting software is used majorly in the age group of 20–40 years. SAP, Tally and Algol are the prime software used for recording purposes. Reliability, data quality and ease of use are considered while selecting the software. As per the survey, accounting software helps in increasing profitability, improves productivity and helps in reducing costs.

Differences in Software Usability Level Based on User Background

The development of software must consider usability as one of its key success indicators. Relatively few studies discuss the factors influencing usability, including users’ backgrounds. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of user background, specifically gender, class (year of college admission), and frequency of use on the rating of usability. This research utilized a descriptive quantitative method with instruments: the usability matrix of the Computer System Usability Questionnaire (CSUQ), the System Usability Scale (SUS), the Usability Metric for User Experience (UMUX), and the Net Promoter Score (NPS). The research object was the Learning Management System (LMS) of two state universities in Yogyakarta. Two sets of questionnaire responses were obtained: 305 men and 442 women answered the first time, and 280 men and 584 women answered the second time. Our result shows that the mean value of usability level from CSUQ, SUS, UMUX, and NPS is mostly higher in female than male respondents, in junior to more senior students, and in respondents who use the system more frequently than those who use it less. This trend was consistent, even though the sequence of questionnaire choice order was reversed between the first and second data collection at the two universities. This research hence concluded that, based on gender, women tend to offer a higher rating of usability than men; based on class, the younger generation tends to provide higher ratings of usability than the older generation, and users who use the system more frequently tend to give higher usability rating than those who less use it.

Mobile Security Operation Centre (mSOC)

Attacks on the internet are becoming increasingly threatening. For naïve home users, who are poorly protected, there is always an imminent danger of getting cyber attacked. 
 This paper is aimed to design and build an IoT-based Network Security device that would run as an access point for users to connect to the Internet in a home setting. The paper discusses a standalone perimeter security solution with Incident Response (IR) life cycle management and controls through an IoT device – Raspberry PI. Enterprise-level features such as Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS), Domain Control for Ad/Spam blocking, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) for Log Co-ran System on Chip (SoC), which can be installed anywhere and carried for mobile operations. Hence, the name, Mobile Security Operation Centre (mSOC).
 This solution intends to protect the user when browsing the internet and blocking or providing visibility to the malicious connections made to or from users. The mSOC can filter domains based on whitelist/blacklist and Regex Pattern. It can also identify the domains that are blocked or allowed. It also provides visibility to traffic, application statistics, and IP reputation. IP reputation and Malicious Domains then can act as input to the iptables for L3/L4 blocking. A Software User Interface is developed to integrate and manage multiple Open-Sourced applications like dnsmasq/ elk/ graylog/ SQlite3/ Iptables/ adminlte as a single product that could serve as a complete security solution for a home or Small Medium Business (SMB). Thus, the proposed solution secures naïve users from security exploitations.

Investigating the Usability of the Integrated Research Automation System (SYAT): A Heuristic Evaluation

Objectives: Today, many hardware and software products, including office automation software, and web-based websites are used by employees, including professors and employees of different departments in offices. Websites are considered one of the main competitive advantages in any organization. This study aims to investigate the usability of the Integrated Research Automation System (SYAT): A Heuristic Evaluation.
 Methods: The present study was a descriptive- cross- sectional study with a heuristic evaluation performed on the integrated research system software (SYAT) by 3 evaluators. They then evaluated the intensity of each of the ten options and scored from 0 to 4. After each problem was classified as one of the 10 branches of Nielsen's evaluation by the evaluators, similar problems were eliminated and the average scores and the severity of the deterioration of the problems were calculated.
 Results: A total of 92 usability problems were identified in evaluating the usability of the web-based software (system) using the components provided by Nielsen. The majority of the issues were related to the detection instead of reminder with 16 problems (17.32%). The lowest number of problems was related to both compatibilities between the system and the real world, and the clarity of the system status with 6 cases (6.52%).
 Conclusion: The usability assessment method is inexpensive and simple and the problems caused by websites and applications can be evaluated as feedback to improve them. The more accurate the needs of SYAT system users are, the more effective the system will be and the more satisfied the users will be.

Online foreign language learning at the tertiary level: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a recourse to online teaching in many parts of the world, and for several disciplines, including foreign language learning. Although quite an amount of research has been conducted on Online Foreign Language Learning (OFLL), issues relating to OFLL in philology programs have received relatively little attention. Furthermore, differences in students’ experiences according to the foreign language of study remain under-researched. The current paper addresses this gap using both quantitative and qualitative methods. A survey was conducted among one thousand, one hundred and five [1,105] (former) students of an African university. The researchers examined the new methods applied in the teaching of Arabic, Chinese, French, Kiswahili, Russian, and Spanish as foreign languages at the research setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigated the challenges encountered by participants, participants’ perceptions of OFLL, and its impact on their performance. The findings showed that challenges encountered by participants included issues such as inadequate physical interaction in the foreign language and problems with internet connectivity. However, the findings also suggest that OFLL has certain advantages such as the reduction of anxiety and the increase of foreign language enjoyment among learners. These findings suggest that OFLL has some benefits which foreign language institutions should make good use of even beyond times of crisis. Measures to achieve this include the usage of efficient online learning management software and the provision of digital training programs for students and teachers.

Analisis User Experience pada Website Dinas Pemberdayaan Masyrakat dan Desa Kabupaten Sumabawa dengan Heuristic Evaluation

This research is about software usability or what is often called a usability evaluation which analyzes or tests the ease of use of the PMD (Community and Village Empowerment Service) Sumbawa Regency website. Usability is a technique for testing or measuring software applications that are considered from five aspects, namely branding, usability, functionality, and content against the ten principles of Heuristic Evaluation (HE) and System Usability Scale (SUS). Data collection in this research used the interview method with 50 respondents with 34 questions in the questionnaire, then the data was processed using validation tests and reliability tests on SPSS tools. The usability aspects tested in this research are evaluation of user experience based on visibility of system status of 86%, level of match between system and reality (match between system and the real world) of 85%, level of user control and freedom (user control and freedom) of 80%, level of consistency and standards (consistency and standards) of 84%, level of error prevention (error prevention) of 80%, level of discovery (Recognition rather than recall) of 77%, level of flexibility and efficiency of use (flexibility and efficiency of use) of 82.5%, level of aesthetic and minimalist design (aesthetic and minimalist design) of 81%, level of help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors (help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors) of 85%, level of help and documentation (help and documentation) of 80%.

A Comparative Study on the Ethical Responsibilities of Key Role Players in Software Development

Background: Issues of lack of consideration for professional responsibility by software engineers (SEs) present major challenges and concerns to software users. Previous studies on the subject of ethical responsibility in software development assessed whether software development key stakeholders should take ethical responsibility for their actions in software development. However, such studies focused on assessing responses from a particular grouping in software development. Objective: Based on the revelation, this study seeks to evaluate the perceived ethical responsibilities in software development by juxtaposing the perceptions of students, educators and industry-based software practitioners on the ethical responsibility of software development key stakeholders in South Africa. Methods: To meet this objective, the study collected data using a survey, which was shared on an online platform. A total of 561 (44 from computing academics; 103 from industry-based software practitioners and 414 from software development students) responses were received. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and variance statistical analysis approaches. Results: The study found that there is no significant statistical difference in how students, educators and software practitioners perceive the ethical responsibility of software development key stakeholders. Conclusions: This finding of the study shows that the prevailing view is that various software development key stakeholders should be held ethically responsible for their contribution to software development. Furthermore, the organisation of ethical responsibilities used in this study provides a useful framework to guide future studies on this subject.

Usability Metric Framework in Mobile-Based Waste Management Applications

Measuring usability is an essential task to ensure that an application is accurate, has adequate speed, and also to ensure compliance with user needs. The usability of software plays a primary role in the quality perceived by its users. However, various definitions and related attributes indicate that there is still no standard in this regard. The main objective of this paper is to present the results of a literature review, aiming to showcase all relevant definitions of usability and related attributes introduced to date. This comprehensive view, depicted through a knowledge map based on time, provides an understanding of the observed evolution on one hand, and also serves as a guide for usability measurement attributes on the other hand, to address some non-functional requirements.

A Systematic Literature Review of Design Thinking Approach for User Interface Design

User interface is an influential element in software applications. A well-designed user interface will potentially increase the usability of software applications. Therefore, user interface designers should have a deliberate thought when considering which approach and method they would implement for designing user interface. Design thinking is currently one of the widely followed approach in user interface design practices. Hence, this study was aimed to explore research trend and current practices of design thinking approach for user interface design. This study was conducted by employing a systematic literature review following Kitchenham method. This study found 39 articles that were deemed relevant to the design thinking approach. In general, our study found five common stages broadly mentioned in the articles i.e.empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. The most widely practiced method during each of those five stages is interview, user persona, brainstorming, user interface, and usability testing. However, there is no consensus on what kind of stage(s) and which particular method(s) that should be employed when following design thinking approach for user interface design. Therefore, it will depend on the decision of the designer in choosing which stage(s) and their relatedmethod(s) that will be employed.

The Need to Use Translation Software in the Classroom: Perception of Chinese International Engineering College Students in Language Learning

This study aims to analyze students' perception and usage of translation software for language learning. A survey questionnaire was administered to International Engineering College students to gather data on their attitudes, reasons, and experiences related to using translation software. The findings reveal that a significant number of students agree to strongly agree with the use of translation software in various language learning contexts, such as translating simple sentences, long paragraphs, unfamiliar words, and during English classes. The majority of students perceive translation software as a valuable tool for improving language skills and facilitating communication with foreign teachers. However, some students also express dissenting opinions, suggesting that translation software may not be the optimal method for learning and improving English proficiency. The discussion highlights the benefits and limitations of translation software, as well as the need for a balanced approach to its usage. While translation software can be a helpful resource in specific language learning tasks, it should not replace authentic language input and independent learning. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating translation software into language learning curricula and providing guidance to students on effective and critical use. This study contributes to the understanding of students' perceptions of translation software and provides insights for educators and learners on maximizing its potential for language learning.

Challenges of BIM Software Implementation in Quantity Surveying Consultancy Firms: The Difference Between Large Firms and Small-and-Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Inefficiencies and ineffectiveness in delivering construction projects had negatively impacted the industry for decades. However, the emergence of building information modeling (BIM) technology had influenced the construction process with its many benefits toward project success. BIM benefits included reduced project time and cost, improved team collaboration and communication, and improved project quality and performance. Consequently, BIM applications were claimed to provide more reliable working practices for quantity surveyors (QS), especially in establishing their cost estimates. Despite the well-known benefits that spurred BIM employment around the world, the usage of BIM software in Malaysia was still in its infancy, requiring greater deployment by the QS. Furthermore, the literature was scarce in comparing the use of BIM software by large organizations and Small-and-Medium Enterprises (SMEs). As a result, the primary goal of this study was to identify the numerous challenges associated with the adoption of BIM software in both large and SME quantity surveying consultancy firms. Apart from that, this paper identified the availability of BIM software in the construction sector as well as the use of BIM software in those consultancy businesses. A quantitative technique was used, with 393 questionnaire survey forms issued to Malaysian QUANTITY SURVEYING consultant businesses. The data was then analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate a reliable and valid result. According to the findings, Cubicost software was the most popular software used by QS specialists. Notably, the results revealed that SMEs face greater challenges than large organizations, particularly those connected to professional help, finance, and time, as well as technical issues. Because large corporations and SMEs differed in nature, this study could provide new insights to policymakers in aiding companies of various sizes in their BIM transformation process. The findings called for more policymakers to work together to improve practitioners' understanding of BIM-based technology. The difficulties of SMEs must be recognized, and policymakers must bridge the gap between large and SMEs to bring Malaysia's construction industry one step closer to a new era of digitalization.

Methods for computer learning in high school

In the digital era, computer technology has become a fundamental skill, not only for individuals pursuing technical careers, but also for professionals in various fields. Learning computer information technology during the high school stage is a promising choice, and the current status and importance of computer education for high school students have become increasingly significant in both social and career development contexts. Many high school campuses still lack comprehensive computer education, often focusing on basic operations and office software usage while lacking in-depth understanding of computer science and programming. Many high school students show a strong interest in computer science, often bridging the educational gaps in school through self-study and online resources. This article shares methods for computer learning at the high school stage.

How to engage patients in computerized cognitive training: a cognitive rehabilitation expert’s perspective

Purpose The relationship between a patient and their therapist plays a crucial role in patient engagement. While Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) may assist in preserving cognitive skills in cases of aging, dementia or acquired brain injuries, its effectiveness has not been definitively proven. Improving user engagement, acceptance, and software usability could aid in addressing this issue. The present study aims to identify potential obstacles and facilitators by examining the perspectives of rehabilitation professionals on the current usage of CCT software. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 rehabilitation professionals, familiar with a CCT software. The data were transcribed and followed by an independent iterative thematic analysis. Results Two major themes were identified: (1) facilitating factors and (2) difficulties related to use. The main obstacles were difficulties related to the computerized nature of the exercises, technology use, understanding the software and general learning difficulties. The main facilitators were the ecological and novel nature of the exercises, and the adaptability of the difficulty levels. Conclusion The complexity of the CCT presents challenges for its usage by rehabilitation professionals, which in turn can impede patient utilization as well. To address this issue and promote sustainable use of the software, providing instruction delivery to facilitate learning and understanding of the CCT is essential. Additionally, creating a standardized foundation that therapists can refer to for guidance may also aid in optimizing the software’s usage. It is recommended to utilize a model for CCT acceptability and acceptance in developing these solutions to enhance patient engagement.

A toolbox of machine learning software to support microbiome analysis

The human microbiome has become an area of intense research due to its potential impact on human health. However, the analysis and interpretation of this data have proven to be challenging due to its complexity and high dimensionality. Machine learning (ML) algorithms can process vast amounts of data to uncover informative patterns and relationships within the data, even with limited prior knowledge. Therefore, there has been a rapid growth in the development of software specifically designed for the analysis and interpretation of microbiome data using ML techniques. These software incorporate a wide range of ML algorithms for clustering, classification, regression, or feature selection, to identify microbial patterns and relationships within the data and generate predictive models. This rapid development with a constant need for new developments and integration of new features require efforts into compile, catalog and classify these tools to create infrastructures and services with easy, transparent, and trustable standards. Here we review the state-of-the-art for ML tools applied in human microbiome studies, performed as part of the COST Action ML4Microbiome activities. This scoping review focuses on ML based software and framework resources currently available for the analysis of microbiome data in humans. The aim is to support microbiologists and biomedical scientists to go deeper into specialized resources that integrate ML techniques and facilitate future benchmarking to create standards for the analysis of microbiome data. The software resources are organized based on the type of analysis they were developed for and the ML techniques they implement. A description of each software with examples of usage is provided including comments about pitfalls and lacks in the usage of software based on ML methods in relation to microbiome data that need to be considered by developers and users. This review represents an extensive compilation to date, offering valuable insights and guidance for researchers interested in leveraging ML approaches for microbiome analysis.

NEP+: A Human-Centered Framework for Inclusive Human-Machine Interaction Development.

This article presents the Network Empower and Prototyping Platform (NEP+), a flexible framework purposefully crafted to simplify the process of interactive application development, catering to both technical and non-technical users. The name "NEP+" encapsulates the platform's dual mission: to empower the network-related capabilities of ZeroMQ and to provide software tools and interfaces for prototyping and integration. NEP+ accomplishes this through a comprehensive quality model and an integrated software ecosystem encompassing middleware, user-friendly graphical interfaces, a command-line tool, and an accessible end-user programming interface. This article primarily focuses on presenting the proposed quality model and software architecture, illustrating how they can empower developers to craft cross-platform, accessible, and user-friendly interfaces for various applications, with a particular emphasis on robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT). Additionally, we provide practical insights into the applicability of NEP+ by briefly presenting real-world user cases where human-centered projects have successfully utilized NEP+ to develop robotics systems. To further emphasize the suitability of NEP+ tools and interfaces for developer use, we conduct a pilot study that delves into usability and workload assessment. The outcomes of this study highlight the user-friendly features of NEP+ tools, along with their ease of adoption and cross-platform capabilities. The novelty of NEP+ fundamentally lies in its holistic approach, acting as a bridge across diverse user groups, fostering inclusivity, and promoting collaboration.

Pencegahan Stunting dengan Inovasi Teknologi berupa Modifikasi Timbangan Digital Terkoneksi Android

Stunting is a problem that has a negative impact on society and can last for a long time. This community service program aims to increase the knowledge and skills of partner communities in preventing stunting by using innovative technology called the "Tas Stunting Kit." This activity involves creating appropriate technology, training health cadres, and evaluating technological innovation. The digital scale is modified to connect to an Android tablet via Bluetooth and is packaged in a bag. This community service program was attended by 29 participants, all of whom were health cadres, with the implementing team consisting of the chief proposer, additional proposers, and a second team consisting of lecturers and students. This technological innovation was evaluated with the Software Usability Scale (SUS) as a series of modifications to digital scales and Android applications, with the results having an acceptable acceptability range. The subsequent follow-up is developing a more integrated data collection system as a basis for the village government to make data-based decisions.

Concept to Reality: An Integrated Approach to Testing Software User Interfaces

This paper delves into the complex task of evaluating a website user interface (UI) and user experience (UX), a process complicated by gaps in research. To bridge this, we introduced an innovative human–computer interaction (HCI) framework that synergizes expert cognitive walkthroughs and user surveys for a comprehensive view. We transformed user responses into three key domains—control, engagement, and goal. Our work also generalized an extract of four context-level data metrics for a robust evaluation. The numerical evidence, such as a C1 score of 4.1, surpassing the expert usability benchmark, indicated our framework’s effectiveness. Our research not only addresses an essential gap by integrating assessments from both users and experts, but also offers actionable insights for UI/UX design. The findings extend beyond this specific context, providing a potent evaluation tool for website usability across various websites. Lastly, the research underscores the importance of prioritizing users’ needs and expert recommendations in design principles, significantly contributing to the broader domain of website usability and user experience.

Retracted articles use less free and open-source software and cite it worse

Abstract As an essential mechanism of scientific self-correction, articles are retracted for many reasons, including errors in processing data and computation of results. In today’s data-driven science, the validity of research data and results significantly depends on the software employed. We investigate the relationship between software usage and research validity, eventually leading to article retraction, by analyzing software mentioned across 1,924 retraction notices and 3,271 retracted articles. We systematically compare software mentions and related information with control articles sampled by coarsened exact matching by recognizing publication year, scientific domain, and journal rank. We identify article retractions caused by software errors or misuse and find that retracted articles use less free and open-source software, hampering reproducible research and quality control. Moreover, such differences are also present concerning software citation, where retracted articles less frequently follow software citation guidelines regarding free and open-source software.