User Groups Research Articles

Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Autonomous Cashier Systems: A Study on Functional Schema Design and Its Impact on Supermarket Operations

This integrative literature review (ILR) explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in optimizing in-store logistics, a crucial aspect for retail environments striving to meet growing consumer demands for convenience and quick product availability. It aims to provide retail managers and logistics specialists with actionable insights on AI-driven tools that enhance competitiveness by improving inventory management and space utilization in retail settings. The conceptual framework is framed by functional schema design, user acceptance and experience, operational efficiency, data security and privacy, and equitable access, emphasizing the ethical and inclusive implementation of technology. Key findings suggest that AI improves demand accuracy, reduces inventory mismatches, and enables adaptable store layouts that respond dynamically to real-time consumer behavior, creating a more efficient, responsive, and customer-centered retail environment. Additionally, this study examines the adoption of AI in cashier systems as a response to evolving consumer expectations for efficient digital shopping experiences, revealing that AI-enabled cashier systems significantly reduce wait times and operational costs while providing personalized experiences through real-time analytics. However, challenges such as robust data security protocols, inclusive design for diverse user groups, and employee reskilling remain critical as automation progresses. Recommendations focus on privacy-enhancing data practices, user-friendly interfaces, and hybrid solutions combining human support with automation to foster inclusivity and consumer trust. Future research should address the long-term impacts of AI in retail, cultural adaptability, customer engagement, and secure data handling to support a balanced, customer-centered approach to automation in the retail sector.

Human Factors, Human-Centered Design, and Usability of Sensor-Based Digital Health Technologies: Scoping Review.

Increasing adoption of sensor-based digital health technologies (sDHTs) in recent years has cast light on the many challenges in implementing these tools into clinical trials and patient care at scale across diverse patient populations; however, the methodological approaches taken toward sDHT usability evaluation have varied markedly. This review aims to explore the current landscape of studies reporting data related to sDHT human factors, human-centered design, and usability, to inform our concurrent work on developing an evaluation framework for sDHT usability. We conducted a scoping review of studies published between 2013 and 2023 and indexed in PubMed, in which data related to sDHT human factors, human-centered design, and usability were reported. Following a systematic screening process, we extracted the study design, participant sample, the sDHT or sDHTs used, the methods of data capture, and the types of usability-related data captured. Our literature search returned 442 papers, of which 85 papers were found to be eligible and 83 papers were available for data extraction and not under embargo. In total, 164 sDHTs were evaluated; 141 (86%) sDHTs were wearable tools while the remaining 23 (14%) sDHTs were ambient tools. The majority of studies (55/83, 66%) reported summative evaluations of final-design sDHTs. Almost all studies (82/83, 99%) captured data from targeted end users, but only 18 (22%) out of 83 studies captured data from additional users such as care partners or clinicians. User satisfaction and ease of use were evaluated for 83% (136/164) and 91% (150/164) of sDHTs, respectively; however, learnability, efficiency, and memorability were reported for only 11 (7%), 4 (2%), and 2 (1%) out of 164 sDHTs, respectively. A total of 14 (9%) out of 164 sDHTs were evaluated according to the extent to which users were able to understand the clinical data or other information presented to them (understandability) or the actions or tasks they should complete in response (actionability). Notable gaps in reporting included the absence of a sample size rationale (reported for 21/83, 25% of all studies and 17/55, 31% of summative studies) and incomplete sociodemographic descriptive data (complete age, sex/gender, and race/ethnicity reported for 14/83, 17% of studies). Based on our findings, we suggest four actionable recommendations for future studies that will help to advance the implementation of sDHTs: (1) consider an in-depth assessment of technology usability beyond user satisfaction and ease of use, (2) expand recruitment to include important user groups such as clinicians and care partners, (3) report the rationale for key study design considerations including the sample size, and (4) provide rich descriptive statistics regarding the study sample to allow a complete understanding of generalizability to other patient populations and contexts of use.

Patterns matter? A cross-sectional study on social and usage patterns of smartphone internet service and self-perceived addiction in Taiwan

ABSTRACT The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the level of smartphone online usage patterns and self-perceived addiction in Taiwan. In this study, we argued that differential frequency of online usage patterns gave rise to significant differences between two groups of users in terms of their perception of smartphone addiction. Based on a sample of 1,012 smartphone users aged 12 or above in the nationwide survey of Taiwan’s National Development Council in 2018, we examined the relations between background characteristics, internet-related factors and 10 types of smartphone online usage patterns. The results of multiple logistic regression indicated that social media use can predict the self-perception of smartphone online addiction. Differences between participants of different education levels, age groups and gender in binary smartphone addiction variables were also revealed.

Clarifying the Concepts of Personalization and Tailoring of eHealth Technologies: Multimethod Qualitative Study.

Although personalization and tailoring have been identified as alternatives to a "one-size-fits-all" approach for eHealth technologies, there is no common understanding of these two concepts and how they should be applied. This study aims to describe (1) how tailoring and personalization are defined in the literature and by eHealth experts, and what the differences and similarities are; (2) what type of variables can be used to segment eHealth users into more homogeneous groups or at the individual level; (3) what elements of eHealth technologies are adapted to these segments; and (4) how the segments are matched with eHealth adaptations. We used a multimethod qualitative study design. To gain insights into the definitions of personalization and tailoring, definitions were collected from the literature and through interviews with eHealth experts. In addition, the interviews included questions about how users can be segmented and how eHealth can be adapted accordingly, and responses to 3 vignettes of examples of eHealth technologies, varying in personalization and tailoring strategies to elicit responses about views from stakeholders on how the two components were applied and matched in different contexts. A total of 28 unique definitions of tailoring and 16 unique definitions of personalization were collected from the literature and interviews. The definitions of tailoring and personalization varied in their components, namely adaptation, individuals, user groups, preferences, symptoms, characteristics, context, behavior, content, identification, feedback, channel, design, computerization, and outcomes. During the interviews, participants mentioned 9 types of variables that can be used to segment eHealth users, namely demographics, preferences, health variables, psychological variables, behavioral variables, individual determinants, environmental information, intervention interaction, and technology variables. In total, 5 elements were mentioned that can be adapted to those segments, namely channeling, content, graphical, functionalities, and behavior change strategy. Participants mentioned substantiation methods and variable levels as two components for matching the segmentations with adaptations. Tailoring and personalization are multidimensional concepts, and variability and technology affordances seem to determine whether and how personalization and tailoring should be applied to eHealth technologies. On the basis of our findings, tailoring and personalization can be differentiated by the way that segmentations and adaptations are matched. Tailoring matches segmentations and adaptations based on general group characteristics using if-then algorithms, whereas personalization involves the direct insertion of user information (such as name) or adaptations based on individual-level inferences. We argue that future research should focus on how inferences can be made at the individual level to further develop the field of personalized eHealth.

Assessing creative outcomes in studio-based learning: a comparative assessment of analytical rubrics

ABSTRACT This research investigates the level of agreement between instructors and their students regarding analytical rubrics within a creative design context. Current literature reports some tension and balance between users’ perspectives regarding key characteristics of rubrics which affects the learning process. Therefore, this paper compares instructors’ and students’ views regarding a) usability, b) design, and c) management of rubrics in three design programs. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires, results were presented as mean scores and relative importance rates (RII%), then ranked and compared. Findings showed more disagreement than agreement between the two user groups in several aspects regarding rubrics’ 1) perceived comprehension, 2) effectiveness, and 3) support of creative design learning. A noticeable gap was found in views about the functions of a rubric; while instructors recognized its evaluative role, students appreciated its reflective role in supporting meta-cognitive learning. Assessing design creativity held contradicting views, while more areas of agreement were found in terms of the rubrics’ design and perceived comprehension. Finally, this research highlights several pedagogical approaches to reduce perception gaps and create a shared understanding of the rubrics’ roles in supporting studio-based design learning, hence, optimizing its educational value to effectively assess creative design outcomes.

Transmission of Spatial Experience in the Context of Sustainability of Urban Memory

Urban memory involves the re-creation of a city’s physical, historical, social, and cultural elements in the memories of its inhabitants. However, urban transformation and commercial tourism-oriented projects may threaten the continuity of this memory. This study aims to provide an understanding of the relationship between urban memory and spatial experience while exploring how urban memory elements convey meanings to daily users and local inhabitants of a touristic settlement. The research focuses on Misi Village in Bursa, Turkey, a settlement with a 2000-year history known for its traditional architecture and natural beauty. Over the past two decades, local authorities have pursued extensive restoration projects to rebrand Misi Village as an Art and Tourism Village. The research employs the oral history method, focusing on two user groups: tourists and locals. The findings reveal that while tourists appreciate Misi Village for its natural beauty and recreational activities, they lack a deeper understanding of its history and the transformation of its identity. Instead, they mostly focus on commerce-oriented spatial experiences. In contrast, local residents emphasize daily life and traditional practices as they strive to sustain their livelihoods. By highlighting this difference, strategic planning is proposed to preserve Misi Village’s unique urban memory and promote sustainable, culturally centered tourism.

Evaluating small-scale eucalyptus growers’ experience of the EVO mobile application: a comparative analysis of quantitative and qualitative assessment techniques

ABSTRACT Mobile applications (apps) have become widely available as decision support tools in agriculture and forestry worldwide. Owing to the above-mentioned development trend, identifying testing methods that can be easily implemented for evaluating mobile app development targeting rural livelihood-related topics is urgently required. This study examined user experiences with a previously launched and published mobile app (EVO) that small-scale eucalyptus growers can utilize to estimate their gross income and net profit from timber sales. The survey incorporated three user experience assessment methods. The study involved two rounds of data collection regarding the mobile app: the first round concerned version 1.0, whereas the second round referred to version 2.0. The aim was to identify the user experience of the EVO app for guiding further software development to improve its suitability among potential user groups, as well as to estimate the feasibility and usability of survey methods for evaluating mobile apps among smallholders and related stakeholders. The results indicated a remarkable improvement in user satisfaction between the two rounds. Using a combination of system usability scale, user acceptance testing, and quality questions is recommended for collecting valuable and useful feedback for the development of mobile apps.

The NHGRI-EBI GWAS Catalog: standards for reusability, sustainability and diversity.

The NHGRI-EBI GWAS Catalog serves as a vital resource for the genetic research community, providing access to the most comprehensive database of human GWAS results. Currently, it contains close to 7000 publications for >15000 traits, from which more than 625000 lead associations have been curated. Additionally, 85 000 full genome-wide summary statistics datasets-containing association data for all variants in the analysis-are available for downstream analyses such as meta-analysis, fine-mapping, Mendelian randomisation or development of polygenic risk scores. As a centralised repository for GWAS results, the GWAS Catalog sets and implements standards for data submission and harmonisation, and encourages the use of consistent descriptors for traits, samples and methodologies. We share processes and vocabulary with the PGS Catalog, improving interoperability for a growing user group. Here, we describe the latest changes in data content, improvements in our user interface, and the implementation of the GWAS-SSF standard format for summary statistics. We address the challenges of handling the rapid increase in large-scale molecular quantitative trait GWAS and the need for sensitivity in the use of population and cohort descriptors while maintaining data interoperability and reusability.

Towards maximizing geospatial data usage in north eastern India using open-source scalable user-centric applications

Abstract. The north eastern region of India is characterized by limited physical connectivity and challenging terrain, that requires innovative approaches for effective developmental planning and monitoring using geospatial data and user-centric applications. This paper focuses on leveraging space-based data and applications to address these challenges and enhance decision-making processes in governance. A unified framework for interoperable spatial data sharing has been developed, ensuring that data is easily discoverable, searchable, and consumable through metadata standards and OGC interoperable data services. A dedicated spatial data repository has been established, offering real-time access to over 1400 geospatial datasets and facilitating better decision-making and geo-analytics among diverse user groups. The repository operates on an open-source platform with integrated map viewers and geo-analytics tools, allowing for interactive exploration and visualization of geospatial data. Additionally, 35 user-centric geospatial applications have been operationalized, all developed using open-source geospatial tools and standards. Capacity building programs have been conducted to increase awareness and maximize the utilization of geospatial data services and applications across the region. The platform has boosted utilization of geospatial data services and applications in the region for overall planning and developmental activities for smart governance and societal benefits.

A Novel Web App for Dietary Weight Management: Development, Implementation, and Usability Study.

Online weight loss programs have ambiguous efficacy. There is a growing body of evidence that weight loss programs when combined with apps have better outcomes; however, many apps lack an evidence-based approach to dietary changes for weight loss and do not rely on a theoretical framework for behavior change. This study aimed to describe the development and the preliminary usability and acceptability testing of a web app that uses behavior change techniques (BCTs) to support users of a comprehensive online weight loss program. The weight loss program intervention components were nutrient and weight tracking charts that needed a remotely accessible and online format. The app was designed by nutrition researchers and developers in a collaborative effort. A review of BCTs in weight loss and web apps was performed as well as an assessment of user needs to inform the initial prototype. A preliminary app prototype, version 1.0, was provided to participants of a weight loss trial (N=30) to assess for feasibility of its use. A full app prototype, version 2.0, was feasibility and acceptability tested by trial participants (n=11) with formal feedback by Likert-scale survey and open-ended questions. In the final round of testing, a user group of scientists and developers (n=11) was selected to provide a structured 3-month review through which the group met weekly for collective feedback sessions. The process resulted in a fully developed web app, MealPlot, by the Applied Research Institute, for meal planning and weight tracking that can be used by weight loss users and health professionals to track their patients. MealPlot includes a weight chart, a protein-fiber chart, and a chat feature. In addition, MealPlot has 2 distinct platforms, 1 for weight loss users and 1 for health professionals. Selected BCTs for incorporation into the app were goal setting, feedback, problem-solving, self-monitoring, and social support. Version 1.0 was used successfully to provide a functioning, online weight chart over the course of a 1-year trial. Version 2.0 provided a functional weight chart and meal planning page, but 8 out of 11 participants indicated MealPlot was difficult to use. Version 3.0 was developed based on feedback and strategies provided from user group testing. The web app, MealPlot, was developed to improve outcomes and functionality of an online weight loss program by providing a remote method of tracking weight, food intake, and connecting users to health professionals for consistent guidance that is not otherwise available in a traditional in-person health care setting. The final version 3.0 of the web app will be refined based on findings of a review study gathering feedback from health professionals and from actual weight loss users who are part of a clinical weight loss trial.

Applying the volunteer process model to understand the lived experience of habitual volunteers: during COVID-19

This article identifies the volunteer process model (VPM) as a useful umbrella term to situate and understand the lived experience of volunteering of a small sample of habitual volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We use a methodological approach based on interpretive phenomenological analysis to offer granular analysis of lived experiences of committed volunteers. Our analysis suggests, first, that the sample of committed volunteers lived experiences allow critical insights into how a particular user group can establish value and meaning and how these can be interpreted. Second, that the use of the VPM as a unifying concept allows a critical reflection on volunteering as an experiential activity that is wholly humanistic, and that contributes towards an understanding of volunteer engagement beyond the ‘black box’. This article provides an empirical basis for these arguments, offering a framework that can take forward this limited research as useful to provide explanatory rationales and expanded ways of organising and managing volunteer engagement.

Reasons for disengagement in first-episode psychosis - perspectives from service users and their caregivers.

The efforts of early psychosis intervention programmes can be impeded by difficulties in maintaining the engagement of service users. As disengagement is often an autonomous decision made by service users, the main aim of this study was to gain insight into the reasons for service user disengagement through qualitative interviews with the service users themselves, and caregivers as proxies or secondary informants. Participants recruited for the study were enrolled in the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme in Singapore for at least a year, aged 21 and above, able to communicate in English, and had disengaged for at least three months. The recruitment and interview processes were conducted independently for service user and caregiver participants. Potential participants were invited to a face-to-face semi-structured interview over video call or in-person. Each interview spanned one to two hours, and comprised five phases - icebreaker, exploration of the participant's experience with EPIP before deciding to disengage, discussion of reasons for disengagement, exploration of the post-disengagement experience, and feedback and suggestions for EPIP. Recruitment aimed to conclude after 10-15 participants were interviewed for both service user and caregiver groups, with the expectation that data sufficiency would be reached with no new themes being generated. Ultimately, 12 service user and 12 caregiver participants were recruited. There were six pairs of service user and caregiver dyads, where the caregivers interviewed were caring for service users also enrolled in the study. Valuable qualitative insights were gathered, including the type of disengagement, medication compliance during disengagement, the decision-making process behind disengaging, and circumstances surrounding re-engagement. A total of five categories each with subthemes were identified from the reasons for service user disengagement - individual factors, stigma, progression, treatment factors, and external factors. There is a need to narrow down urgent areas of attention, aligning the study themes with established risk factors so that feasible solutions can be developed and appropriate care models can be adopted, to minimise adverse outcomes related to disengagement. It is important to keep an open mind to understand what personal recovery means to the individual service user, so that treatment goals can be better harmonised.

Impact of Collaborative Nursing Care on Health Outcomes of Mental Health Day Hospital Users: A Mixed Methods Study.

Given that recovery-oriented care focuses on empowering individuals with mental health challenges, collaborative care can be an effective tool for nurses in mental health day hospitals. To deepen knowledge about the impact of collaborative nursing care for improving health outcomes of mental health day hospital users. A sequential and transformative mixed methods study was designed. In the first phase of this mixed methods study, quantitative data were collected from 144 users of mental health day hospitals. In phase two, a group of users underwent an intervention based on collaborative nursing care, through participatory action research, and qualitative data were collected. Finally, quantitative data were again collected from all users. The users who participated in the intervention group improved quantitatively in terms of the quality of the therapeutic relationship. They also improved at different stages of the recovery process, thus the qualitative results confirmed that collaborative nursing care was an essential component in their recovery process. The findings highlight the critical role of collaborative nursing care in health outcomes. The therapeutic relationship was identified as a key factor in facilitating patient empowerment. The study supports implementing collaborative nursing care models in mental health settings to enhance patient outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04814576.

DIGITAL PLATFORMS AS A CONDITION FOR INCREASING INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE EU

The purpose of the study is to consider the potential of digital platforms as an environment for the formation of new types of relationships to promote the development of innovation and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the EU. The main goal of digitalization, as defined in the normative documents of the European Commission, is to improve the use of the potential of information and communication technologies to promote innovation, support economic development and stimulate scientific and technological progress in general, and ultimately contribute to the formation of “smart”, sustainable and inclusive growth of the region’s economy A set of important measures is already being implemented and developed. Among them, the creation of a single digital market, which is considered as a primary goal of the European Commission strategy to ensure guaranteed access to online activities for citizens and businesses in a fair competitive environmen. Measures are being taken to reduce the cost of intercountry shipping of goods purchased online, the prices of which are 3-5 times higher than those for transactions carried out within individual countries. In order to enable the digital transformation of European industry and services, particular attention will be paid to the development of cross-sector, integrated digital platforms and large-scale pilot platforms for experimentation and co-creation with users. We define a digital platform as an organisation that offers digital services facilitating interactions between two or more different but interdependent groups of users (suppliers and individuals) via the Internet and that generate network effects. The following are characteristics of a systemically important digital platform: operating in a majority of EU countries; having significant influence on the internal market, namely the annual turnover of a group of companies; the ability to connect a large number of users with a large number of suppliers of goods (services), namely more than 45 million monthly active users located in the EU, or more than 10,000 commercial users located in the EU in the last financial year); having established economic power and stable income from intermediary services provided in the EU. In the presence of indirect network effects, the volume of demand for the platform's services will depend, among other things, on the price level and the economic model of the ecosystem. Also, when developing the EU draft law on digital markets, the European Commission, while formulating the characteristics of digital ecosystems (large digital platforms), noted the importance of having a plurality of digital services. The concept of a digital ecosystem should not include digital platforms with a single service. The digital nature of the ecosystem allows it to quickly introduce new functions and integrate data across multiple unrelated business lines and markets. These factors allow the ecosystem to avoid the traditional costs associated with rapid business expansion, both vertically (by using its services in new markets) and horizontally (by expanding the “range” of services). The digital platform uses information about the sales of suppliers on its platform to research the market and develop its own line of competing products. In this regard, the company can be accused of promoting its own products in this way. These features of the functioning of digital platforms determine the need to revise the criteria for compliance with the principles of competition. As a result of processing the user habits of citizens, the ecosystem issues a personalized offer. The consequence of this may be price discrimination, when some customers are offered more expensive goods than others, depending on their purchasing power. In this regard, it is proposed to oblige platforms to disclose the principles of such pricing. Disclosure requirements and pricing transparency are effective mechanisms for regulating the existing problem, since they increase consumer awareness, facilitate price comparison and prevent consumers from being misled. However, experts note that disclosure of pricing rules can weaken competition in the market and increase the overall price level. This measure can also lead to a lag in the development of recommendation services in the global market, a violation of commercial secrets, additional costs and a slowdown in the development of digital platforms.

A novel injection device to administer repository corticotropin injection for inflammatory disease treatment: findings from a market research study.

Aim: The goal of this market research study was to determine the usability of a single-dose prefilled injector (SelfJect™) for administration of Acthar® Gel (manufactured by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, UK) in patients with inflammatory diseases by obtaining feedback from patient and practitioner user groups in the US. Materials & methods: Patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) representing relevant therapeutic areas were enrolled in the study between February and March 2021. SelfJect was mailed to patients and HCPs prior to 90-minvirtual video-recorded focus group sessions and 60-min1:1 virtual interviews, respectively. Patients completed an online assignment prior to the group session, which included instructions on how to use SelfJect and questions about their initial reaction while handling the device. HCPs were instructed to not open the package until the interview. Feedback from patients and HCPs were captured by open-ended questions and ranking scales. Results: Twelve patients and 42 HCPs participated in the study. Most patients (9/12 [75%]) and HCPs (38/42 [90%]) had experience with injectable medications, and 7/12 (58%) and 30/42 [71%] had experience with Acthar injections, respectively. Most patients and HCPs reported that key benefits of SelfJect were accurate dose delivery and ease of use, including the ergonomic handle and elimination of drawing Acthar from a vial into a syringe. Patients expressed some concerns about storage and disposal, but the need to store SelfJect would not deter them from using it. Most patients (9/12 [75%]) felt prepared to inject Acthar after reviewing the instructions. HCPs anticipated that 75% to 100% of patients would benefit switching from the vial to SelfJect. Conclusion: All participants expressed positive perceptions for SelfJect including easy use, few preparation steps and potential reduced anxiety due to needle phobia. These attributes may help treatment adherence for patients and caregivers.

Behavioral Modeling of Drivers near Speed Control Cameras: A Dual Perspective from Micro and Macro Data

The present study investigates the efficacy of speed cameras in managing vehicle speeds and their influence on various driver demographics within the operational context of the cameras. The research, conducted as a case study in Iran, comprises both macroscopic and detailed analyses, quantifying vehicle speeds at different spatial points relative to the speed camera location—upstream, adjacent to, and downstream of the camera—using a manual laser speedometer. Furthermore, the study examines diverse driver behavior metrics, including vehicle type, speeds at different locations, lane changes, braking actions, and measures such as obscuring license plates. Statistical analyses show that speed cameras effectively reduce speeds across different user groups and lead to increased braking and lane-changing behaviors, particularly among light vehicle categories. Moreover, the study reveals distinct behavioral patterns between indigenous and non-indigenous drivers. In addition, a multi-layer perceptron neural network model successfully approximates user speed selection behaviors within the operational range of speed cameras. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of speed cameras and their impact on diverse driver demographics, contributing to a deeper understanding of advanced speed control mechanisms.

"Mirror, mirror in the call": Exploring the Ambivalent Nature of the Self-view in Video Meeting Systems with Self-Reported & Eye-Tracking Data

Video meeting systems offer great potential for work and life, but they can also have negative effects. One reason is the presence of technical stimuli that do not exist in the physical world. A prominent example is the self-view feature, a mirrored image of oneself shown during the video meeting. The self-view feature comes with a trade-off between the advantage of enhancing control and the disadvantage of increasing cognitive load of its users. So far, research is scarce when it comes to understanding this ambivalent nature and studies mostly relied on self-reported data without considering the actual interaction with the self-view. To address this gap, we conducted an experimental study with 57 participants and two design variants (with/without self-view), analyzed user perceptions through surveys and interviews, and explored gaze patterns using eye-tracking technology. Results reveal varying perceptions of cognitive load and control among self-view users and between the design variants, highlighting its ambivalent nature. We see differences in how participants interact with the self-view. In a cluster analysis, we identify three user groups (Benefiting Users, Cognitively Challenged Users, Control Losing Users). These groups also show differences in visual behavior, especially median fixation duration, and user characteristics. Based on our findings, we outline design recommendations for more flexible and intelligent design solutions by considering user groups and their individual differences.

Art and design workshops at a residential care facility – social care professionals’ experiences of co-creation and participation in designing the physical environment

BackgroundCo-creation and participation among different user groups have been highlighted as pivotal for improving residential care facilities for older persons. However, more knowledge is needed on methods aiming to overcome challenges in constructing inclusive co-creation and participation processes. In particular, there is a need for knowledge concerning how art and design workshops could contribute to co-creation and participation of social care professionals designing the physical environment in residential care facilities. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how art and design workshops can contribute to co-creation and participation in designing the physical environment with residential care facility professionals.MethodsA qualitative method was used to investigate social care professionals’ experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured group interviews and analysed with inspiration from Corbin and Strauss’s analysis method.ResultsThis study concludes that art and design workshops could serve as deliberating and developing practices. First, the art and design workshop as a deliberating practice involves conditions that create a communication arena and space supporting professionals in sharing experiences and voicing different perspectives. Second, the art and design workshop, as a developing practice, supports shared agency through dialogue focusing on designing the physical environment in residential care facilities, using photographs, materials, and fabrics.ConclusionsThis research contributes to the understanding of the relevance of art and design workshops and co-creation between artists and social care professionals in designing the physical environment in residential care facilities. The study can be valuable in identifying important mechanisms that facilitate co-creation and participation among social care professionals, as well as the development of art and design as a tool for improving environments in residential care facilities. The research focuses on how art and design workshops could influence co-creation and participation through art and design from the perspective of social care professionals.

Sounds Good? Fast and Secure Contact Exchange in Groups

Trustworthy digital communication requires the secure exchange of contact information, but current approaches lack usability and scalability for larger groups of users. We evaluate the usability of two secure contact exchange systems: the current state of the art, SafeSlinger, and our newly designed protocol, PairSonic, which extends trust from physical encounters to spontaneous online communication. Our lab study (N=45) demonstrates PairSonic's superior usability, automating the tedious verification tasks from previous approaches via an acoustic out-of-band channel. Although participants significantly preferred our system, minimizing user effort surprisingly decreased the perceived security for some users, who associated security with complexity. We discuss user perceptions of the different protocol components and identify remaining usability barriers for CSCW application scenarios.

Exploring the effect of walking patterns on pathway design in landscape architecture using gait analysis

This study investigates the impact of pathway design on human walking patterns using advanced gait analysis techniques to inform landscape architecture. By analyzing key gait parameters such as stride length, cadence, walking speed, step width, and foot placement angles, this research seeks to identify how various pathway features—such as surface material, slope, curvature, and width—influence walking behaviour. Data is collected through motion capture systems and wearable sensors from diverse participants, including individuals of different ages and physical abilities. Statistical methods, including Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), are applied to determine significant differences in walking patterns across pathway types, while ML techniques, such as k-means clustering, classify participants based on their walking strategies. The results offer data-driven insights into how different pathway designs affect walking efficiency and comfort. For example, pathways with a slope of 10% reduced WS by 14% compared to flat pathways, while surfaces like gravel increased Foot Placement Angles by 18% compared to concrete, impacting stability. The study provides practical recommendations for creating pathways that support natural human movement, such as ensuring step width and stride length remain consistent across varied surface types by designing smooth transitions between different materials. The study emphasizes the importance of designing inclusive, accessible pathways that accommodate the needs of diverse user groups. For instance, individuals with mobility challenges exhibited a 12% increase in step width on sloped surfaces, suggesting that gentler inclines and smoother textures are essential for accessibility. The findings contribute to LA by offering evidence-based guidelines that optimize pathways’ functionality and user experience in outdoor environments. These guidelines include maintaining a pathway slope below 5% for universal accessibility and using surface materials like concrete or permeable pavers that balance durability and comfort, promoting sustainability and user-centred design.