Visual Programming Research Articles

Management information system, a strategic tool to enhance decision making in micro and small businesses

Background Nowadays, companies face continuous changes, which force them to be more versatile by managing large volumes of data, which do not always become relevant information for decision making. Therefore, the objective of this research is to implement a management information system to improve administrative management in micro and small businesses. Method it was developed under the approach of the agile methodology “SCRUM” following its 5 phases; In addition, the visual basic programming language in ASP.NET was used for the development of the source code and Microsoft SQL Server 2019 and its extensions: Ma-nagement Studio for data processing, “Integration Services” for the migration to the new dimensional model, Reporting Services for reports and Looker Studio for dashboards. Results The implementation of a management information system based on a dashboard allowed managers to obtain relevant information quickly and easily, optimizing decision-making times. In addition, the system allowed for homogeneous comparisons by level, which made it easier to identify deviations in commercial goals and the implementation of corrective actions such as adjustments in goals, changes in productivity, among others. Another result was the visualization of the monthly behavior of the financial system, which helped management structure short, medium and long-term strategies; in addition to the export of reports for “offline” analysis, which facilitates the work of employees in the field. Conclusions This allows reducing the time invested in generating reports, improving the efficiency and precision of the analysis. In addition, it has facilitated the identification of opportunities for improvement in administrative and commercial management, specifically in average productivity and the weighted average rate per advisor.

Spatio-temporal analysis of river flow master recession curve characteristics over Ardabil province rivers

The Master Recession Curve (MRC) is a crucial tool for evaluating, managing, and utilizing rivers, particularly under low-flow conditions. Analyzing changes in the MRC of river flow is useful for water resource planning, surface water utilization, and estimating and allocating environmental flow. This study utilized daily flow data from rivers in Ardabil province, Iran over a 48-year statistical period (1970–2015). The Visual Basic program was utilized to estimate the equations and coefficients of recession curves. The trends of the constant and slope coefficients of the MRC equations were determined using the Mann-Kendall test and linear regression. Higher constant coefficient values were attributed to main rivers with higher discharge (e.g., Borran, Mashiran, and Samian, having 17.98, 13.79, and 5.64 cms, respectively. The slope of the MRC in most of the rivers in the central part of the study area exhibited a decreasing trend (p-value<0.05), which attributed to climate change, alterations in precipitation patterns, reduced rainfall/snowmelt, and water abstraction leading to less water input during non-flood periods. Additionally, most rivers in different climatic regions and areas of the study region exhibited an increasing trend (p-value<0.05) in the MRC constants, indicating reduced groundwater recharge or increased groundwater abstraction, as a common issue in the Ardabil province. Moreover, human water use and reservoir regulation (Yamci, Sabalan, Saghezchi, Givi, and small regulating reservoirs) can influence river flow patterns during non-flood periods. The occurrence of droughts and intensified surface water use by farmers, as well as unauthorized extraction of water from wells, have exacerbated this trend.

Bond-Graph model based stepper motor output characteristics simulation implemented in LabVIEW environment

In the industry, simulations are of great importance. They enable measurements to be made in different conditions about a virtual device, which are highly comparable to measurements made in a real life scenarios. Because of their wide range of usage in lower power drive systems, where precision and simplicity is a must, the subject of study is a permanent magnet stepper motor. For precise positioning purposes, it is essential to know the positioning behaviour of these devices. The model construction process involved an intermediate step, which consisted of creating the Bond-Graph of the motor based on pre-defined models available in the literature in this field. In the next step, the Bond-Graph model was converted to a block diagram of the motor. This permitted the direct implementation of the motor model in LabVIEW visual programming environment. The preliminary steps allows us to check and confirm the functionality and correctness of the model. This article covers in detail the model conversion and implementation steps of the simulation. At the end, the functionality of the simulation was tested.

The role of momentary emotions in promoting error learning orientation among lower secondary school students: An intervention study embedded in a short visual programming course.

Students make many errors in visual programming. In order to learn from these, it is important that students regulate their emotions and view errors as learning opportunities. This study aimed to explore to what extent momentary emotions, specifically enjoyment, anxiety and boredom, as well as the error learning orientation of students, interacted during a 1-day course on visual programming in an out-of-school learning environment. The sample consisted of 269 lower secondary school students (grades 7-9). The data were collected in an intervention study, with questionnaires applied directly before and after the course, and with four measurements of state emotions during the course. The results showed that error learning orientation had an expected effect on the students' emotions at the beginning of the course. The emotions changed positively over the course of the workshop, while the error learning orientation remained stable. No differences in error learning orientation were found between the control and intervention groups. An expected, reciprocal effect of students' emotions on their error learning orientation at the end of the course day could not be found. Changes in error learning orientation are difficult to achieve during 1-day courses. Nevertheless, through targeted, pedagogical approaches, which aim to minimize the influence of unfavourable emotions that occur in problem-oriented learning situations, teachers could help students develop a positive error learning orientation in the long term, whereby errors are viewed as an opportunity for learning.

Automated Generation and Internal Force Visualization for Box Culvert Based on Building Information Modeling

Box culverts, as a commonly employed structural form for culverts, play a critical role in traversing topographic barriers, ensuring the safety and smooth operation of transportation means such as roads and railways. However, traditional design methodologies are often time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies, failing to achieve the efficiency and precision required by modern engineering construction. To address these challenges, using the Revit 2021 and Midas Civil 2021 software platforms, we developed a Building Information Modeling (BIM) parametric modeling method for box culverts using Dynamo’s visual programming capabilities. This method enables the rapid and accurate automated generation of box culvert BIM models. Furthermore, this study proposes an effective strategy for conversion between box culvert BIM models and Midas Civil finite element models, as well as internal force visualization within a BIM project. A case study involving a box culvert underpass beneath an expressway in an urban setting was modeled parametrically and structurally validated, demonstrating that the approach not only significantly enhances modeling efficiency but also strengthens computational capabilities through bidirectional data exchange between BIM and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software. This research has effectively advanced the application and practical implementation of BIM technology in box culvert engineering.

CONSERVATION OF A PAINTED WOODEN COFFIN AT DAHSHUR ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA

This paper aims to document the conservation processes of a polychrome wooden coffin in the Dahshur archaeological area dating back to the late period. The exterior part of the coffin is decorated with a painted layer. Visual observation, 2D Program, and Optical Microscopy (OM) were used. wood identification. The coffin was in a bad condition. It was covered with a thick layer of dust, losing parts of the painted and gesso layers, as well as other parts of these layers, were lost. Some parts were missing from the head area of the lid coffin. The conservation processes of the wooden coffin included mechanical and chemical cleaning, reattachment of the separated parts of the ground layer and painted layers, filling the edge of the painted layer, and consolidating the painted layer. The conservation process included mechanical cleaning using soft brushes, chemical cleaning using ethyl alcohol and distilled water for painting, stabilization of the separated gesso layer using Paraloid B72, filling cracks of the gesso layers using glass microballoon with Paraloid B72 and consolidating the painted layer with calcium oxide nanoparticles with Klucel G (hydroxypropyl cellulose) 0. 5%

Visualization Program Design for Complex Piping Systems in Marine Engine Simulation Systems

This study is dedicated to the development of an advanced ship piping network programming tool to address the challenges faced by traditional text-based design and computation methods when dealing with complex and large-data-volume piping systems, such as burdensome programming tasks, high error rates, and difficulty in troubleshooting faults. Leveraging Microsoft’s WPF technology and the C# language, combined with Excel as a data input platform, this tool provides an intuitive graphical user interface, allowing users to intuitively build and analyze ship piping network models by dragging and dropping controls. The tool not only simplifies the design process of complex piping systems but also significantly improves efficiency and accuracy through automated data processing and calculations. It supports user customization of key pipeline characteristics, such as maximum flow and direction, further enhancing the applicability and accuracy of the piping network model. In addition, with optimized interaction design and data management methods, the tool significantly reduces the learning difficulty for users, while improving the reliability of design and efficiency of troubleshooting. The results of this study show the tool not only technically outperforms traditional methods but also provides a new efficient, intuitive, and user-friendly tool for the teaching and engineering applications of ship piping networks, paving a new path for the design and optimization of ship piping network systems, with significant practical application value and theoretical significance. Looking forward, this tool is expected to play a broader role in the instruction and industrial practices associated with ship piping networks, moving the field toward more efficient and intelligent development.

FlɛX: a computer vision program to evaluate strain in flexible crystals.

The program FlɛX (flexural ɛ for xtals) has been developed for a quick, easy and accurate evaluation of the maximum deformation reached in flexible crystals from a simple optical microscope picture. The program takes advantage of computer vision libraries to find the contours of a bent crystal and fit these to semicircles. It can then calculate the theoretical maximum deformation along its long axis using equations from the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory.

A Study of Deployable Structures Based on Nature Inspired Curved-Crease Folding.

Fascinating 3D shapes arise when a thin planar sheet is folded without stretching, tearing or cutting. The elegance amplifies when the fold/crease is changed from a straight line to a curve, due to the association of plastic deformation via folding and elastic deformation via bending. This results in the curved crease working as a hinge support providing deployability to the surface which is of significant interest in industrial engineering and architectural design. Consequently, finding a stable form of curved crease becomes pivotal in the development of deployable structures. This work proposes a novel way to evaluate such curves by taking inspiration from biomimicry. For this purpose, growth mechanism in plants was observed and an analogous model was developed to create a discrete curve of fold. A parametric model was developed for digital construction of the folded models. Test cases were formulated to compare the behavior of different folded models under various loading conditions. A simplified way to visualize the obtained results is proposed using visual programming tools. The models were further translated into physical prototypes with the aid of 3D printing, hybrid and cured-composite systems, where different mechanisms were adopted to achieve the folds. The prototypes were further tested under constrained boundary and compressive loading conditions, with results validating the analytical model.

Innovative Learning Strategies:Project-Based Learning Model for Excelling in Visual Programming

Modern education demands innovative approaches to engage students effectively and enhance learning outcomes. This article explores the implementation of an innovative pedagogical approach, namely Project-Based Learning (PjBL), in the context of the Visual Programming course. The study aims to investigate the impact of this approach on students’ participation and learning achievements. Using a Classroom Action Research (CAR) design, the research was conducted in two cycles. The participants were 30 students enrolled in the Educational Technology Informatics program at Universitas Negeri Padang. The study used a descriptive comparative method to assess the outcomes, comparing pre-cycle to Cycle II results. The findings reveal remarkable improvements in student’s cognitive growth (53.33%), affective development (46.66%), and psychomotor skills (56.66%) following the application of the PjBL approach. Furthermore, there was a noticeable increase of 43.44% in the active participation of students during the learning process after incorporating the PjBL approach. In conclusion, this study underscores the effectiveness of PjBL in fostering active participation and elevating learning achievements in the Visual Programming course. The article contributes to the discourse on innovative pedagogical strategies. It highlights the potential of PjBL to revolutionize traditional educational methods, equipping students with skills engagingly and effectively.

Android-Based Mobile Learning Application Using App Inventor on Computer Operating System Material: The Development and Validity Study

Mobile learning apps are widely acknowledged for their effectiveness in enhancing learning results. This study aims to develop and validate an Android-based mobile learning app for computer operating system principles. Using the user-friendly App Inventor platform known for visual programming, it integrates interactive modules and multimedia for diverse learning styles. The study adopted a Research and Development approach following the ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation). The research was conducted at Universitas Negeri Padang and Universitas Muhammadiyah Muara Bungo and involved 10 participants. The analysis of questionnaire-based data conducted by media and material experts categorized the Android-based learning media as "Appropriate", achieving an over-all average of 82.51% and 82.29%, respectively. Meanwhile, student evaluations rated this media as "Feasible" with a score of 82.72%. In conclusion, the development of this Android-based mobile learning application for computer operating system material demonstrates significant potential as an innovative educational tool. The validation process highlighted its potential effectiveness and offered valuable recommendations to enhance its educational value. These findings make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing discourse surrounding the integration of technology-driven learning approaches into traditional education, benefiting educators and developers seeking to create impactful mobile learning experiences.

Eco-Innovative Construction: Integrating Green Roofs Design within the BIM Framework

This research delves into the integration of green roofs elements and parameters with Building Information Modeling (BIM), a pivotal advancement in sustainable urban construction. Aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11, this study explores how this integration can address global challenges like climate change and resource depletion. Using the Dynamo Visual Programming Language within Autodesk Revit, this research develops a computational modeling approach for green roofs, focusing on their thermal and structural characteristics under varied environmental conditions. Key findings demonstrate the significant influence of substrate and drainage material combinations on green roofs’ thermal performance, highlighting the need for tailored designs based on climatic conditions. This study also emphasizes the importance of considering structural performance in both dry and saturated conditions for overall building integrity. This research identifies gaps in current practices, such as limited focus on specific green roof materials and reliance on certain software tools, suggesting the need for broader material selection and software adaptability. Future research directions include expanding material selections, exploring diverse environmental conditions, and integrating green roofs elements and parameters with various BIM software platforms. This study’s implications extend to stakeholders in the construction industry, offering a framework for architects, urban planners, and policymakers to design and implement green roofs aligned with environmental goals. This work contributes to the field by proposing a novel approach to sustainable construction, integrating ecological design with digital technology, and setting a new benchmark in the integration of green roofs design with BIM. By addressing these aspects, this research paves the way for future developments in sustainable urban construction, enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of urban communities in line with global sustainability objectives.

Information System Inventory Of Office Writing Equipment At PT Lion Super Indo Majapahit Semarang Branch

A computerized system is the use of a computer as a tool in data processing activities that are carried out manually. Inventory is all kinds of company goods that are available to be processed in the production process or sold. PT LION SUPER INDO is a company operating in the trading sector. PT LION SUPER INDO has 151 branches, one of which is PT Lion Super Indo Majapahit branch. The problem that often arises is the management of office stationery, the availability of which is not maintained, because there are obstacles in the process of using office stationery activities which are recorded manually. This can result in excess, shortage, or running out of Office Stationery. The method used is through the process of observation and interviews, namely by observing the management of office stationery supplies and obtaining the data the author needs in implementing the system. Implementation takes the form of the final result achieved, namely the formation of an information system based on visual basic programming, because by using this system you will be able to process data quickly and accurately. From this research it can be concluded that with the design of an office stationery supply information system at PT LION SUPER INDO Majapahit Branch based on Visual Basic, it can provide accurate information services. If there is an order transaction, the office stationery data can also be added to the store warehouse data automatically. Likewise, if there is a usage transaction, it will automatically reduce the stock in the store's warehouse data, so that the office stationery data will match the physical goods. And makes it easier for leaders to make office stationery decisions in ordering in each period.

KEMITRAAN PRODI DKV DAN SEKOLAH UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KOMUNIKASI VISUAL DALAM MENCIPTAKAN BAHAN AJAR

Collaboration between the Visual Communication Design Study Program (DKV) and school educational institutions has become an interesting subject. This collaboration was carried out in an effort to improve the quality of teaching materials through improving visual communication. This research aims to explore and analyze collaboration between the DKV Study Program and schools in creating teaching materials that are more visually effective. This research method uses a qualitative method using a library research approach. The research results show the form of method steps in the collaboration process between the Visual Communication Design Study Program and schools. Then create a process flow in the collaborative activities that will be carried out later. Joint involvement in this development creates teaching materials, collaborative workshops and training for teachers on understanding visual design principles with learning needs in the school environment. This research campaigns for the importance of cross-sector collaboration in education to improve visual communication. An important implication of these results is the potential to have a better understanding of the process of developing more visually effective teaching materials through collaboration between DKV and schools, as well as providing a basis for further program development in improving the quality of education.

The Effects of Artificial Intelligence Chatbots on Women's Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of artificial intelligence chatbot interventions on health outcomes in women. Ten relevant studies published between 2019 and 2023 were extracted from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, and RISS databases in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. This review focused on experimental studies concerning chatbot interventions in women's health. The literature was assessed using the ROB 2 quality appraisal checklist, and the results were visualized with a risk-of-bias visualization program. This review encompassed seven randomized controlled trials and three single-group experimental studies. Chatbots were effective in addressing anxiety, depression, distress, healthy relationships, cancer self-care behavior, preconception intentions, risk perception in eating disorders, and gender attitudes. Chatbot users experienced benefits in terms of internalization, acceptability, feasibility, and interaction. A meta-analysis of three studies revealed significant effects in reducing anxiety (I2 = 0%, Q = 8.10, p < 0.017), with an effect size of -0.30 (95% CI, -0.42 to -0.18). Artificial intelligence chatbot interventions had positive effects on physical, physiological, and cognitive health outcomes. Using chatbots may represent pivotal nursing interventions for female populations to improve health status and support women socially as a form of digital therapy.

Effects on visual basic programming instructional delivery using web-based tools for students’ interest and academic achievement in universities, Nigeria

AbstractThis research work ascertained the effect of Visual Basic (VBasic) Programming Instructional Delivery using Web-Based Tools on Students’ Interest and Academic Achievement in Universities in Nigeria. The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of Visual Basic (VBasic) Programming Instructional Delivery using Web-Based Tools on Students’ Interest and Academic Achievement in Universities in Nigeria. The study embraced a quasi-experimental research design. The respondent for this study comprised 74 students in year two of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndu-ufu Alike and Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. For the fact that the population is small and manageable, the entire population were studied. Researchers used VBasic Programming Achievement Test (VBPAT) instrument developed to collect data. Visual Basic Achievement Test contained 50-item questions with letter A to D options for each interest scale were used for data collection. The reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha. To ensure consistency and integrity, lecturers in the study area. The researchers trained the lecturers on how to distribute the instrument for both the experiment and control groups in order to ensure homogeneous instruction. The lecturers taught the experimental group using the utilization of a web-based approach and the control group using the conventional approach. Scores generated from the experimental test using Visual Basic programming Achievement Test (V + B + PAT), were analysed using mean and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for answering research questions and to test hypotheses respectively at 0.5 level of significance with the aid of statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20. The outcome of this study on research question on influence of location on the students’ academic achievement mean gain in Vbasic programming language when taught using web-based tool, showed that with the use of web-based tool in the instructional delivery of VBasic programming language brought about better improvement in students’ academic achievement. Furthermore, the outcomes of hypothesis tested showed that location is significant source of different in mean achievement scores for students taught with Visual Basic Programming language using web-based approach and visual basic programming using conventional approach. This study has implications for facilitators, learners, curriculum planners, ministries in Education among others. This study found out among others that the facilitators use web-based tools in distance education for quiz, assessment, examinations, and instructional delivery of Vbasic programming language to a less extent in Nigerian Universities. It was concluded therefore, that conventional method is less effective than web-based approach in improving student’s achievement in Visual Basic Programming. Hence Nigerian Universities should adopt the use of web-based approach in computer programming lecturers.

Dismantling Quantity Estimation for Nuclear Power Plant: Scan-to-BIM versus Conventional Method

This paper presents a case study of using Scan-to-BIM technology for evaluating the quantity and cost of a nuclear power plant during the decommissioning process. The study proposes a process for applying Scan-to-BIM in the dismantling stage and develops a BIM-based VPL (Visual Programming Language) to acquire accurate as-is databases that are crucial for nuclear power plants handling radioactive materials. The proposed process and system were applied to K-1 NPP (Nuclear Power Plant), the first nuclear power plant in Korea, and the results were compared to those obtained using the conventional method. The study found that errors in quantity evaluation using the conventional method ranged from around 10% to over 10 times, and were attributed to various causes such as outdated as-is drawings and limitations in expressing information in drawings. By using the Scan-to-BIM process and system, errors in quantity evaluation were significantly reduced, and the conventional method was found to have underestimated the dismantling cost by 20%. The findings of this study provide important insights for the efficient and accurate decommissioning of nuclear power plants, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and system for evaluating the quantity and cost of a nuclear power plant during the decommissioning process.

Design and Development of a Digital Personalized Learning Track: Bridging the Gap Between Textual and Visual Programming

Due to swift technological changes in society, programming tasks are proliferating in formal and informal education around the globe. However, challenges arise regarding the acquisition of programming skills. Many students are unequipped to develop programming skills due to limited instruction or background and therefore feel insecure when encountering programming in higher education. Some after-school initiatives focus on teaching younger students programming skills, however, not all students have the opportunity to attend. It can also be very challenging for teachers to teach programming—even more so due to significant differences in students’ knowledge and interests. To alleviate these challenges, we designed and developed a digital personalized learning (DPL) track for programming in the first grade of secondary education (12–14 year-old students) with a threefold purpose: (a) to encourage students bridging the gap between visual and more general-purpose textual programming languages (b) to meet differences in students’ programming knowledge by challenging them, albeit on their own pace, and subsequently (c) to support teachers in the delivery of programming education with relevant supportive learning materials. The design was tested by students and teachers, both of varying technical abilities. Assessments of the DPL-track were positive, with students identifying the tasks as challenging and the tools as motivating. Teachers praised the adaptivity, as well as the gradual transition from visual to textual programming. We present several suggestions for design improvement and dilemmas while reflecting on our design case.

A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH FOR AN AUGMENTED HBIM EXPERIENCE THE ARCHITECTURAL THRESHOLDS OF THE MOSTRA D'OLTREMARE

Abstract. Digital survey and parametric-semantic modeling of historical or conventional building artifacts are becoming progressively more oriented toward HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modelling) to XR (Extended Reality) digital fruition projects. This encompasses a wide range of applications, from technical management to historical-scientific popularization of the architectural heritage. In this sense, the research explores the potential of BIM-to-XR virtualization systems concerning the systematization of historiographic documentation and interaction between different types of datasets for managing and disseminating the heritage. In particular, the research presents a prototypal experience conducted on Mostra d'Oltremare in Naples, Italy, a mid-20th-century exhibition center. In particular, the northwest access area had a rationalist layout, while the current configuration strongly differs from the monumental, exedra-shaped one built on a project by Arch. Stefania Filo Speziale, which was largely destroyed by World War II bombing. Thus, to document and facilitate the analysis of the original configurations, the original archival sources have been digitized and cataloged; moreover, reality-based integrated digital survey campaigns have been performed for the acquisition of metric-morphological data of the complex and the segmentation of the characteristic chromatic features of the residual decorative apparatuses. This has enabled the development of a BIM-oriented multi-scale information repository to enrich the real environment with digital content, thus creating an augmented reality experience. The latter has been introduced to create a virtual tool for querying and manipulating BIM databases, using the potential of visual programming languages and traditional scripts to create a two-way flow of data between BIM and AR.

A SCALABLE APPROACH FOR AUTOMATING SCAN-TO-BIM PROCESSES IN THE HERITAGE FIELD

Abstract. In recent years, the demand for flexible and sustainable strategies in digitization processes has represented a significant challenge for the heritage documentation research community. In particular, the tasks of parametric modelling and AI-based semantic enrichment operations, necessary but traditionally time-consuming, is extremely onerous from a user-oriented perspective. Many efforts of the research community have been dedicated to enhancing efficiency through automation, and one of the possible solutions is represented by the employment of machine learning strategies. This study introduces an innovative methodology that integrates Visual Programming Language platforms and 3D Python libraries, thereby implementing the Scan-to-BIM approach. Two case studies - characterized by varying scales, resolutions, and accuracies - have been analysed to validate the proposed pipeline, demonstrating its flexibility and scalability across architectural objects and archaeological assets belonging to museum collections. The workflow involves several steps, starting from classified 3D and 2D data segmented using machine learning techniques with the aim of managing semantically enriched reality-based data in BIM/HBIM environment without scarifying accuracy criteria. Results highlight the methodology's efficiency and adaptability in diverse contexts, offering a compelling alternative to labour-intensive Scan-to-BIM processes. Ultimately, this methodology contributes to the automation in cultural heritage digitisation, underlining the need for comprehensive standards and protocols in this dynamic domain.