User-centered Approach Research Articles

TalkTrek: Journeying Through the Terrain of Text-based Speech Synthesis

Abstract: This research paper delves into the development and evaluation of TextTalker, an innovative voice-enabled education chatbot designed to enhance learning experiences. TextTalker integrates advanced natural language processing capabilities with voice recognition technology to facilitate seamless interactions between users and educational content. Furthermore, it incorporates a unique feature allowing users to access relevant YouTube videos directly within the chat interface, fostering a multi-modal learning environment. The system's architecture and design are meticulously crafted to ensure user engagement, accessibility, and effectiveness in delivering educational materials. Through a series of usability studies and user feedback analysis, this research evaluates the efficacy of TextTalker in supporting learning objectives and enhancing user satisfaction. The findings reveal promising results, indicating high levels of user engagement and satisfaction with the platform's intuitive interface and diverse learning resources. Moreover, incorporating feedback mechanisms empowers users to contribute to the refinement and enhancement of TextTalker's functionalities, fostering a collaborative learning ecosystem. Overall, TextTalker represents a significant advancement in educational technology, offering a user-centric approach to interactive learning through voice-enabled chatbots integrated with multimedia content delivery and feedback mechanisms

Augmented reality integration in Jordanian fast-food apps: Enhancing brand identity and customer interaction amidst digital transformation

This study looked at how adding augmented reality (AR) to Jordanian fast-food apps during the pandemic impacts brand identity, consumer views, and interactions. It wanted to see if AR strengthens brand connections or leads to brand dilution concerns in the industry. The research utilized a qualitative approach, employing semi-structured interviews with 52 marketing managers from diverse fast-food establishments across Jordan. The study highlighted how mobile apps, especially AR, changed brand interactions in Jordan’s fast-food market. They boosted convenience and engagement but raised worries about food quality and brand dilution due to heavy app use. It stressed the need to balance tech innovation, preserve brand identity, offer personalized experiences, understand user behavior, and tackle app development challenges for better brand loyalty. The research offers practical implications for stakeholders, recommending strategic AR integration, a user-centric approach, cultural sensitivity in tech adoption, and the preservation of emotional connections. It emphasizes the significance of maintaining a delicate balance between leveraging technological advancements and safeguarding the distinctiveness of individual brand identities within an increasingly app-centric landscape. This study uncovers AR’s influence in Jordan’s fast-food scene, highlighting its transformative power and possible drawbacks. It offers practical advice for industry players, guiding them on how to navigate the digital shift without compromising brand integrity or customer connections.

VOICE CONTROL CAR USING MACHINE LEARNING

The "Voice-Controlled Car Using Machine Learning" project aims to create an innovative and user- friendly vehicle control system by integrating machine learning technology. This system provides a hands-free driving experience, making it safer and more convenient for drivers. The project involves developing a smart car prototype equipped with various sensors and microcontrollers. Machine learning algorithms are implemented to recognize voice commands and translate them into specific actions for the vehicle, such as accelerating, braking, turning, and even parking. The core components of the system include a speech recognition module, a control interface, and a real-time data processing unit. The project not only demonstrates the potential of machine learning in the automotive industry but also promotes a more accessible and user-centric approach to vehicular control. Keywords: “Speech Recognition”, command interpretation”, audio processing”, Wake word Detection”.

Enhancing image sentiment analysis: A user-centered approach through user emotions and visual features

To bridge the gap between user understanding of emotions and image representation, this paper amalgamated a variety of user features to formulate an image sentiment analysis model. Through controlled user experiments, participants were engaged in discerning sentiment from abstract painting images. User visual features were derived from eye-tracking data collected during the experiment. This paper employed the FFM (Five Factor Model) and POMS (Profile of Mood States) methodologies to gather personality and mood data, which were utilized as user emotional features. Additionally, fundamental components of abstract painting were captured as basic image features. By synergizing features across these three dimensions, the study introduced the "User-Feature-Enhanced-Image-Sentiment-Model" (UFE-ISM) for image sentiment recognition. The research findings underscore the model's superior performance in sentiment classification on abstract painting. Notably, both basic image features and user visual features exhibited significant contributions to the image sentiment classification model.

Empowering healthcare professionals in West Africa-A feasibility study and qualitative assessment of a dietary screening tool to identify adults at high risk of hypertension.

Dietary risks significantly contribute to hypertension in West Africa. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) can provide valuable dietary assessment but require rigorous validation and careful design to facilitate usability. This study assessed the feasibility and interest of a dietary screening tool for identifying adults at high risk of hypertension in Nigeria. Fifty-eight (58) consenting adult patients with hypertension and their caregivers and 35 healthcare professionals from a single-centre Nigerian hospital were recruited to complete a 27-item FFQ at two-time points and three 24-hour recalls for comparison in a mixed method study employing both quantitative questionnaires and qualitative techniques to elicit free form text. Data analyses were conducted using R software version 4.3.1 and NVivo version 14. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05973760. The mean age of patients was 42.6 ± 11.9 years, with an average SBP of 140.3 ± 29.8 mmHg and a BMI of 29.5 ± 7.1 Kg/m2. The adherence rate was 87.9%, and the mean completion time was 7:37 minutes. 96.6% of patients found the FFQ easy to complete, comprehensive, and valuable. A minority reported difficulty (3.4%), discomfort (10.3%), and proposed additional foods (6.9%). Healthcare professionals considered the dietary screening tool very important (82.9%) and expressed a willingness to adopt the tool, with some suggestions for clarification. Patients and healthcare professionals found the screening tool favourable for dietary counselling in hypertension care. The tailored dietary screening tool (FFQ) demonstrated promising feasibility for integration into clinical care as assessed by patients and healthcare professionals. Successful implementation may benefit from proactive time management and addressing training needs. This user-centred approach provided key insights to refine FFQ and set the foundation for ongoing validity testing and evaluation in clinical practice.

КОНЦЕПЦІЯ МОБІЛЬНОГО ЗАСТОСУНКУ ДЛЯ ПОКРАЩЕННЯ МЕНТАЛЬНОГО ЗДОРОВ’Я УКРАЇНЦІВ

The development of a mobile application to support the mental health of Ukrainians is a crucial task in the modern world, given the increasing challenges in this area. This paper explores the strategies and methods for planning the development of such an application, focusing on the analysis of user needs, defining key functional requirements, selecting technological solutions, and developing methods for evaluating effectiveness and user impact. The study emphasizes the importance of a user-centered approach, ensuring that the application meets the specific needs and challenges faced by Ukrainians regarding mental health. By carefully planning each stage of development and considering the cultural and social context of Ukraine, it is possible to create an effective tool to improve the mental well-being of the Ukrainian population.

Fit Verse - An Application to Bolster Fitness Virtually

In a society where maintaining optimal health is often overshadowed by the demands of everyday life, our project emerges as a beacon of holistic wellness. Our website serves as a digital oasis, offering a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to support users on their journey toward improved fitness and nutrition. From personalized workout plans tailored to individual goals and preferences to an innovative diet recommendation system that considers dietary restrictions and taste preferences, our platform aims to revolutionize the way people approach their well-being. Embracing the power of community and technology, our website goes beyond mere fitness tracking to foster genuine connections and support networks. Through social media integration, users can engage with like- minded individuals, share their progress, and find inspiration to stay motivated. By combining cutting-edge algorithms with a user-centric approach, our project seeks to empower individuals to take ownership of their health, unlocking their full potential for vitality and happiness.

Security and Ownership in User-Defined Data Meshes

Data meshes are an approach to data architecture and organization that treats data as a product and focuses on decentralizing data ownership and access. It has recently emerged as a field that presents quite a few challenges related to data ownership, governance, security, monitoring, and observability. To address these challenges, this paper introduces an innovative algorithmic framework leveraging data blueprints to enable the dynamic creation of data meshes and data products in response to user requests, ensuring that stakeholders have access to specific portions of the data mesh as needed. Ownership and governance concerns are addressed through a unique mechanism involving Blockchain and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). This facilitates the secure and transparent transfer of data ownership, with the ability to mint time-based NFTs. By combining these advancements with the fundamental tenets of data meshes, this research offers a comprehensive solution to the challenges surrounding data ownership and governance. It empowers stakeholders to navigate the complexities of data management within a decentralized architecture, ensuring a secure, efficient, and user-centric approach to data utilization. The proposed framework is demonstrated using real-world data from a poultry meat production factory.

Customizing ICU patient monitoring: a user-centered approach informed by nurse profiles

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses are burdened by excessive number of false and irrelevant alarms generated by patient monitoring systems. Nurses rely on these patient monitoring systems for timely and relevant medical information concerning patients. However, the systems currently in place are not sensitive to the perceptual and cognitive abilities of nurses and thus fail to communicate information efficiently. An efficient communication and an effective collaboration between patient monitoring systems and ICU nurses is only possible by designing systems sensitive to the abilities and preferences of nurses. In order to design these sensitive systems, we need to gain in-depth understanding of the user group through revealing their latent individual characteristics. To this end, we conducted a survey on individual characteristics involving nurses from two IC units. Our results shed light on the personality and other characteristics of ICU nurses. Subsequently, we performed hierarchical cluster analysis to develop data-driven nurse profiles. We suggest design recommendations tailored to four distinct user profiles to address their unique needs. By optimizing the system interactions to match the natural tendencies of nurses, we aspire to alleviate the cognitive burden induced by system use to ensure that healthcare providers receive relevant information, ultimately improving patient safety.

Assessing community awareness for flood disasters in the UAE through human-centered design

The methodology of human-centered design (HCD) is used in this paper to examine community knowledge of flood disasters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the region's floods becoming more frequent and severe, evaluating and improving the community's preparedness and response procedures is critical. HCD provides a user-centered approach that combines community perspectives and needs, ensuring effective strategies and interventions are created. This paper will use an HCD framework to assess the present awareness levels of the UAE community, identify existing issues in dealing with flooding disasters, and provide first-hand data related to community resilience.

Developing a Multiprofessional Mobile App to Enhance Health Habits in Older Adults: User-Centered Approach.

Although comprehensive lifestyle habits are crucial for healthy aging, their adherence tends to decline as individuals grow older. Sustaining a healthy life over time poses a motivational challenge. Some digital tools, such as smartphone apps aimed at promoting healthy habits, have been used to counteract this decline. However, a more profound investigation is necessary into the diverse experiences of users, particularly when it concerns older adults or those who are unfamiliar with information and communications technologies. We aimed to develop a mobile app focused on promoting the health of older adults based on the principles of software engineering and a user-centered design. The project respected all ethical guidelines and involved the participation of older adults at various stages of the development of the app. This study used a mixed methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methodologies for data collection. The study was conducted in Ribeirão Prêto, São Paulo, Brazil, and involved 20 older adults of both genders who were aged ≥60 years and enrolled in the Physical Education Program for the Elderly at the University of São Paulo. The research unfolded in multiple phases, encompassing the development and refinement of the app with active engagement from the participants. A total of 20 participants used a mobile health app with an average age of 64.8 (SD 2.7) years. Most participants had a high school education, middle-class status, and varying health literacy (mean score 73.55, SD 26.70). Overall, 90% (18/20) of the participants owned smartphones. However, 20% (4/20) of the participants faced installation challenges and 30% (6/20) struggled with web-based searches. The focus groups assessed app usability and satisfaction. Adjustments increased satisfaction scores significantly (Suitability Assessment of Materials: 34.89% to 70.65%; System Usability Scale: 71.23 to 87.14). Participant feedback emphasized font size, navigation, visual feedback, and personalization, and suggestions included health device integration, social interaction, and in-app communication support. This study contributes to the development of health care technologies tailored to the older adult population, considering their specific needs. It is anticipated that the resulting app will serve as a valuable tool for promoting healthy habits and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.

Navigating virtual spaces: Understanding user adaptation in online meetings during the pandemic

The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizations worldwide to switch to remote work paradigms. This paper examines how users adapted to online meeting environments, specifically in the context of official council meetings at a Brazilian university. Transitioning from traditional in-person to virtual meeting platforms required re-evaluating participation dynamics, including how council members and the public interact in these spaces. We interviewed 19 council members who were used to participating in in-person deliberative public meetings, aiming to delve into their adaptation process, examining how individuals adjusted to the virtual meeting format and related challenges. Our findings show that online meetings broadened attendance and engagement but also introduced complexities with meeting protocols and personal attention. We discuss how participants navigated the nuances of online meeting formats, from managing technical issues to redefining public and private meeting boundaries. Our analysis suggests that user adaptation is multifaceted, encompassing the adoption of new technologies and modifications in communication strategies and meeting etiquette. Through this lens, we reflect on the essential role of user-centric approaches in designing and facilitating online meetings to enhance collaborative outcomes and mitigate the potential for breakdowns. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the resilience and flexibility of meeting cultures in response to unforeseen global changes.

Smart Tattoo Sensors 2.0: A Ten-Year Progress Report through a Narrative Review.

The increased interest in sensing tattoos reflects a shift in wearable technology, emphasizing their flexible, skin-adherent nature. These devices, driven by advancements in nanotechnology and materials science, offer highly sensitive and customizable sensors. The growing body of research in this area indicates a rising curiosity in their design and applications, with potential uses ranging from vital sign monitoring to biomarker detection. Sensing tattoos present a promising avenue in wearable healthcare technology, attracting attention from researchers, clinicians, and technology enthusiasts. The objective of this study is to analyze the development, application, and integration of the sensing tattoos in the health domain. A review was conducted on PubMed and Scopus, applying a standard checklist and a qualification process. The outcome reported 37 studies. Sensing tattoos hold transformative potential in health monitoring and physiological sensing, driven by their focus on affordability, user-friendly design, and versatile sensorization solutions. Despite their promise, ongoing refinement is essential, addressing limitations in adhesion, signal quality, biocompatibility, and regulatory complexities. Identified opportunities, including non-invasive health monitoring, multiplexed detection, and cost-effective fabrication methods, open avenues for personalized healthcare applications. However, bridging gaps in medical device standards, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance is imperative for seamless integration. A key theme calls for a holistic, user-centric approach, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Balancing innovation with practicality, prioritizing ethics, and fostering collaboration are crucial for the evolution of these technologies. The dynamic state of the field is evident, with active exploration of new frontiers. This overview also provides a roadmap, urging scholars, industry players, and regulators to collectively contribute to the responsible integration of sensing tattoos into daily life.

StepsBooster-S: A Culturally Tailored Step-Based Persuasive Application for Promoting Physical Activity

An inactive lifestyle is associated with an increased risk of health problems. The combination of mobile step-trackers and persuasive strategies can be considered useful tools for encouraging physical activity. This paper presents the design, development, and evaluation of a culturally tailored persuasive app to motivate physical activity. For this research, we developed a step-tracking app, StepsBooster-S, that is tailored to be culturally appropriate for Saudi adults using the user-centred design approach. A 10-day in-the-wild study was conducted with 30 participants to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the app using a mixed-methods approach. Results showed that StepsBooster-S is generally effective; however, it led to a highly significant increase in physical activity among the Saudis compared to Canadians. Our results also showed that the Saudi audience engaged more with the app, reported more positive experience from using the app, and enjoyed the collectivists-oriented features such as cooperation more than the Canadian audience. We conclude that persuasive health apps, especially those that are targeted at physical activity, are more effective if they are tailored to be culturally appropriate for the target audience. These findings reinforce the importance of cultural factors for designing technologies that motivate behaviour change.

Action researchers as “orchestrators” of co-innovation: a theoretical and methodological framework

BackgroundWith the increasing complexity of health care services, more comprehensive and integrated services need to be designed. Action researchers are encouraged to facilitate multiactor participation and user-centered approaches to initiate service development. However, “orchestrating” co-innovation, in which actors have diverse attitudes, agendas, positions of power, and horizons of understanding, is challenging, and a framework that supports action researchers in co-innovation studies lack. The purpose of this article was to explore how action researchers can facilitate multiactor engagement and handle possible challenges and stimulate creativity among diverse stakeholders.MethodsWe have studied and discussed two Scandinavian cases of rehabilitation innovation (for cancer patients and persons with acquired brain injury) where two research teams with action research approaches have acted in an orchestrating role to create co-innovation.ResultsWe identified four themes that are essential for action researchers to facilitate collaborative and creative co-innovation processes: (1) relational power reflexibility, (2) resource integration, (3) joint understanding, and (4) the facilitation of creativity. These mutually dependent themes constitute a theoretical and methodological framework for of co-innovation.ConclusionsThis paper offers a contribution that supports action researchers in orchestrating diverse actors and their contributions in co-innovation processes.

USER CENTRIC APPROACH TO IDENTITY MANAGEMENT IN CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT: AN EMPIRICALLY TESTED FRAMEWORK

Most of the commercial identity management models have focused on the perspective of service providers and given a preference to the challenges faced by the service providers. However, with the growing number of concerns, an identity management system with strong focus on the user’s concerns is required. A User Centric Approach for Identity Management (UCAId) for Cloud Computing in SaaS Environment has been presented in this paper. The proposed UCAId model considers user at the central position to improve their experience and increase adaptability of the cloud. Comprehensive literature review has been carried out to identify the most important parameters of the User Centric Identity management. Provisioning, privacy, security, scalability and trust have been identified as the five most parameters and further the model presents these parameters built-up on the strength of eight components each, individually. The model has been empirically tested to see its user adoption on a set Indian users with varied demographics. Data has been collected using a structured questionnaire and Principal Component Analysis has been used to analyze this primary data.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Academic Libraries

This article presents a literature review on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in academic libraries, focusing on the transformative impact of AI-based tools and services on library management, resource utilisation, and research experience. While AI offers promising solutions to increase efficiency and effectiveness, the review identifies several challenges and concerns that need to be addressed, such as ethical and privacy considerations, staff training and development, and a user-centered approach. To integrate AI successfully, libraries must collaborate with professionals, researchers, and policymakers and adopt a continuing education approach to AI. Overcoming resistance to technological change, communicating efforts, and engaging staff are essential for libraries to leverage AI’s potential benefits and enhance their services and operations.

Globe glider

Globe glider Tours and Travels aims to revolutionize the travel industry by offering a comprehensive platform that integrates seamless booking experiences, personalized trip planning, and cutting-edge travel recommendations. With an emphasis on leveraging advanced AI algorithms and machine learning techniques, Globe glider seeks to redefine the way travelers discover, plan, and embark on their journeys. Our platform will provide users with a holistic travel solution, from browsing destinations to booking accommodations, transportation, and activities, all tailored to their preferences and interests. Globe glider’s mission is the commitment to enhancing the traveler's experience through innovative technology and curated content. By harnessing vast datasets and employing sophisticated algorithms, our platform will deliver personalized recommendations for destinations, activities, and experiences based on each user's unique profile and past travel behavior. Additionally, Globeglider will offer real-time assistance and support throughout the travel journey, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience from start to finish. In an ever-evolving travel landscape, Globe glider stands poised to empower travelers with the tools and resources needed to make informed decisions and create unforgettable experiences. With a focus on user-centric design, technological innovation, and unparalleled customer service, Globeglider aspires to become the go-to platform for travelers worldwide, facilitating seamless exploration, discovery, and adventure across the globe. Globeglider sets itself apart by prioritizing sustainability and responsible tourism practices. In an era where environmental conservation and ethical travel are paramount concerns, our platform will actively promote eco-friendly travel options, support local communities, and advocate for the preservation of cultural heritage sites. Through partnerships with eco-conscious suppliers and community-based tourism initiatives, we aspire to minimize the carbon footprint of travel while maximizing positive socio-economic impacts on host destinations. At the heart of GlobeGlider is a commitment to fostering a sense of exploration and connection among travelers. The application incorporates a user-centric approach, allowing individuals to customize their journeys based on preferences, interests, and travel goals. GlobeGlider not only streamlines the logistics of travel but also enhances the overall experience by offering curated suggestions, insider tips, and interactive maps. By combining convenience with a touch of adventure, GlobeGlider aims to empower users to embark on journeys that are not just destinations but transformative moments in their lives.

Ekalusugan: An Intelligent health observation system using Internet of Things

- In today's technological landscape, the Internet of Things (IoT) has ushered in a multitude of applications, with wearable technology and smart healthcare standing out as paramount. Amidst this backdrop, we present "eKalusugan," an innovative intelligent health monitoring system harnessed by IoT. Traditional health observation systems often fall short in catering to the needs of sick patients, a concern this study addresses through an insightful exploration of challenges and innovative remedies. Our work also delves into the evaluation of a prototype observation system, gauging user acceptance based on its novel features. Employing a mixed-methods approach, encompassing both a comprehensive questionnaire and in-depth interviews, we engaged five (5) medical experts, thirty (30) healthcare providers, and eighty (80) patients from diverse locales. This collaborative effort yielded invaluable insights into the existing gaps, such as inadequate sickness monitoring, role ambiguity, and the struggle to maintain comprehensive medical histories under the conventional model. To surmount these limitations, our proposed solution boasts two pivotal facets. First, we advocate for leveraging IoT's capabilities to streamline the creation of an intelligent health observation system. Second, we emphasize the necessity of a user-centric approach, rendering the system significantly more intuitive for medical professionals and patients alike, in stark contrast to conventional methods. Our findings underscore the potency of the eKalusugan system, with respondents lauding its functionality (rated 4.62), reliability (rated 4.52), usability (rated 4.68), and performance (rated 4.70) as either excellent or good (with an average rating of 4.59). Encouragingly, our study indicates that the envisaged system could potentially gain traction at the behest of governmental health agencies, paving the way for its integration in monitoring the well-being of sick individuals. In this era where the confluence of IoT and healthcare beckons transformative progress, eKalusugan shines as a testament to the possibilities that emerge when cutting-edge technology aligns with human well-being

SecureLaw Portal: Empowering Citizens with Transparent Legal Records via Blockchain and Cloud eVault

In the digital age, where data integrity is essential, the management of legal data requires innovative solutions. SecureLaw is a new project that combines the immutable power of blockchain, the flexibility of Cloud. The agility of the Cloud, Express.js, React.js, Node .js suite. This integration forms the backbone of the transformation of data protection laws, providing unparalleled security, transparency and easy access. Highlights of this project: SecureLaw is instrumental in redefining information law in India. Traditional systems often face security breaches and lack of transparency, undermining the integrity of the legal process. SecureLaw solves these problems by integrating blockchain technology, which provides immutable data that ensures legal documents are not tampered with and ensure their authenticity. The introduction of smart contracts automates the process, controls permissions and makes data immutable, thus increasing efficiency and reducing errors. Leveraging Cloud services such as S3 for storage, API gateways for seamless communications, Lambda for serverless computing, and DynamoDB for scalable databases provides a powerful, scalable, and cost-effective infrastructure. Scalability is important to accommodate legal system growth, and Cloud’s Dynamic Services provide a solution. The AERN group (AWS, Express.js, React.js, Node.js) strengthens the foundation of the project. Express.js is a simple and easy backend framework that seamlessly integrates for efficient data processing and processing. React.js is a front-end library with many features that make it user responsive and intuitive. Node.js is known for its performance that enables dynamic recovery and makes data fast and recoverable. SecureLaw's user centric approach includes managing access to personal and legal personal details. Personal auditors, regional directors, directors (DGs), judges, etc. It deals with many user roles, personal control panels, and access rights. This change promotes cooperation, transparency and communication in the legal system. Features of a self-explanatory legal system encourage people to understand the legal process, fostering transparency, trust, and collaborative knowledge. Keywords: Blockchain, Application Programming Interface (API), Cloud , Express.js, React.js, Node.js