Usability evaluation of a virtual museum interface

The Augmented Representation of Cultural Objects (ARCO) system provides software and interface tools to museum curators to develop virtual museum exhibitions, as well as a virtual environment for museum visitors over the World Wide Web or in informative kiosks. The main purpose of the system is to offer an enhanced educative and entertaining experience to virtual museum visitors. In order to assess the usability of the system, two approaches have been employed: a questionnaire based survey and a Cognitive Walkthrough session. Both approaches employed expert evaluators, such as domain experts and usability experts. The result of this study shows a fair performance of the followed approach, as regards the consumed time, financial and other resources, as a great deal of usability problems has been uncovered and many aspects of the system have been investigated. The knowledge gathered aims at creating a conceptual framework for diagnose usability problems in systems in the area of Virtual Cultural Heritage

Измерение потенциала протеста и социальной напряженности: применение методических подходов Лайкерта и Терстоуна для конструирования интегральных количественных показателей

Lack of socio-political stability is one of the main problems in transitional society. The most important characteristics of social stability are protest attitudes and their destabilization potential – social tension. Monitoring and comparative analysis of these characteristics should be based on reliable and valid tools of empirical assessment. The article presents some approaches to asseissment of social protest potential based on using the five-step Likert summative scale and Thurstone principles of expert evaluation with eleven-points scale of equal intervals. The author has defined a system of empirical indicators of protest attitudes and social tension. Que to the approaches, the summative and integrative indexes of protest potential and social tension were calculated according to polling and expert survey empirical data

Statistical survey of the pathology, diagnosis and rehabilitation of ETICS in walls

This paper presents a statistical survey on the pathology, diagnosis and rehabilitation of ETICS (external thermal insulation composite system) in walls. The development of an expert-knowledge inspection and diagnosis system for this type of cladding implied the creation of classification lists of anomalies, most probable causes, diagnosis methods and repair/maintenance techniques. The collection of data through field work where the tools developed within the proposed system were applied was the basis for this statistical survey. The field work consisted of the visual inspection of 146 façades with ETICS cladding located in various areas in Portugal and aged from 3 to 22 years. The data obtained enable anomalies to be related to their causes and so conclusions can be drawn on the best way to minimize the development of the former and eliminate the latter, at the design and application stages. The study further revealed the main sensitive issues of the cladding system during its service life, highlighting the importance of a correct maintenance plan

Development of Small and Medium-Sized Regional Enterprises: Creation of Priority Areas (the Case of Sverdlovsk Region)

This article presents the results of the research which deals with the current level of development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sverdlovsk region. The study analyses the statistics of entrepreneurship development as well as Russian and international experience in this sphere. It also includes a sociological survey of entrepreneurs’ satisfaction with the business climate in the region. The research was aimed at elaborating guidelines for the long-term development of a regional entrepreneurship support system. This system seeks to facilitate the implementation of the ‘Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in Sverdlovsk Region before 2030’. As a result, an amalgam of strategic responses for the development of SMEs is presented. The completed response comprises measures intended to address the problems entrepreneurs face by developing SME support tools; to solve the endemic problems of the sector by improving the system of regional SME support; and to promote the realization of concrete priority areas for entrepreneurship development.The research work was carried out in collaboration with the Ural Federal University n.a. the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin and OOO “Analytical Centre Expert-Ural’” at the request of Sverdlovsk Regional Entrepreneurship Support Fund. The research was conducted in the period of September-November 2014. The state programme of Sverdlovsk region ‘Development of Industry and Science in Sverdlovsk Region Before 2020’ (approved by the Order of Sverdlovsk government of 24 October 2013 № 1293-ПП)

University brand: factors, tools and main tendencies of development information about authors

Trends towards transformation of the system of higher education create the need for universities to adapt to the dynamically changing conditions of the external competitive environment. In this connection, university branding as a specific distinguishing characteristic from competitors is an integral part of the development strategy of a modern university, and the effectiveness of marketing activities to form a brand of an educational organization depends largely on the influence of internal and external factors and a set of tools applied. However, in the scientific literature, these aspects have come into common use mainly in relation to commercial organizations, giving short shrift to the institutions of higher education, which determines the goal setting of the study, which is to identify the main directions of the development of a university’s brand under present-day conditions of functioning. To achieve this goal, the authors used methods of synthesis, systematization, logical-structural, comparative and cause-and-effect analysis of the literature which highlights the theoretical and practical issues of university branding. The directions of brand formation identified as a result of the study are based on the method of an expert survey conducted in May 2021. Overall, the systematization of university branding factors has been carried out; a set of tools for creating a brand of a higher educational institution in the context of the transformation of the education system has been proposed; and the main directions for the development of the university brand from an expert survey have been identified.The authors have found that the most promising areas of university branding are corporate, educational and reputational aspects of activities

Tax revenues and balanced budgets

The balance of the budget system, as well as the reality of economy development planning contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of the state. By achieving a balanced budget system is a guarantee of the financial stability of the state. In this context, the search for a mechanism and tools to ensure the balance of the budget system confirms the relevance of the present study. The article analyzes the financial state of the budgets of the Russian Federation regions, and the ways of achieving balance of regional budgets and tax policy as a tool for its implementation through the analysis of data of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the Federal Tax Service, as well as foreign and domestic scientific literature. In consequence of the expert survey, the conclusions are drawn about the ways of reforming tax legislation and tightening fiscal management, which include changing the mechanism of establishing tax benefits, as well as reforming the taxation of individuals and small businesses.peer-reviewe

Development of an Evidence-Based Tool to Assess the Relative Vulnerability of Different Communities to Tuberculosis

Identifying specific tuberculosis (TB) vulnerabilities in populations based on their geographical, demographic, and epidemiological characteristics is an essential yet challenging requirement to help reduce and eliminate TB. Assessment tools that can accurately quantify the risks associated with key factors could be used to measure TB vulnerability efficiently and indicate the most appropriate range of interventions. This study aimed to develop TB vulnerability assessment tools based on a TB vulnerability assessment conceptual framework developed with Leximancer. Three steps to produce the tools were facet analysis, interpreting the facet to create a list of questions, and expert judgment to confirm the suitability of the questionnaire. The “everything is data” principle was used to identify the data sources and build the tools. The data came from multiple primary data sources, with a questionnaire survey and observational form, and secondary data from various governmental statistical departments in Indonesia to collect data related to demography, health indicators, climate, temperature, and air quality. These tools will be optimized at scale next year to evaluate their utility for prioritizing and prescribing health system responses to TB in different communities in Central Java Province

Ebinformatics: Ebola fuzzy informatics systems on the diagnosis, prediction and recommendation of appropriate treatments for Ebola virus disease (EVD)

AbstractEbola Virus Disease (EVD) also known as the Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a very deadly infectious disease to humankind. Therefore, a safer and complementary method of diagnosis is to employ the use of an expert system in order to initiate a platform for pre-clinical treatments, thus acting as a precursor to comprehensive medical diagnosis and treatments. This work presents a design and implementation of informatics software and a knowledge-based expert system for the diagnosis, and provision of recommendations on the appropriate type of recommended treatment to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).In this research an Ebola fuzzy informatics system was developed for the purpose of diagnosing and providing useful recommendations to the management of the EVD in West Africa and other affected regions of the world. It also acts as a supplementary resource in providing medical advice to individuals in Ebola – ravaged countries. This aim was achieved through the following objectives: (i) gathering of facts through the conduct of a comprehensive continental survey to determine the knowledge and perception level of the public about factors responsible for the transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease (ii) develop an informatics software based on information collated from health institutions on basic diagnosis of the Ebola Virus Disease-related symptoms (iii) adopting and marrying the knowledge of fuzzy logic and expert systems in developing the informatics software. Necessary requirements were collated from the review of existing expert systems, consultation of journals and articles, and internet sources. Online survey was conducted to determine the level at which individuals are aware of the factors responsible for the transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The expert system developed, was designed to use fuzzy logic as its inference mechanism along with a set of rules. A knowledge base was created to help provide diagnosis on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The Root Sum Square (RSS) was adopted as a fuzzy inference method. The degree of participation of each input parameter was shown using the triangular membership function and the defuzzification technique used is the Center of Gravity (CoG).The resulting software produced a user-friendly desktop-based, Windows-based, application and the tools used were explained in the results section in three (3) separate phases. First, a comprehensive online survey was conducted over a period of about 3–9 months. 100 Participants participated in the survey on the perception and knowledge analysis of different individuals about Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) transmission factors. 31% of the participants didn't know that there is presently no cure for Ebola. 28% believed that there is presently a cure for Ebola. 43% agreed that Ebola is both air-borne and water-borne, while 33% disagreed, 24% do not know. 23% believed that insects and mosquitoes can help in transmitting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), while 30% were completely ignorant. We noticed that ignorance was a major limiting factor among some participants.Second, a test was conducted among 45 people. Results from a comprehensive testing of the Ebinformatics software by allowing users to operate and use the software, revealed that 60% of them were satisfied, while 16% were not satisfied with the software, while 24% were indifferent. 69% of the users were in agreement that Ebinformatics was supportive, 20% disagreed, while 11% were indifferent. 67% found the software easy to use, 13% disagreed, while 20% were indifferent. Third, the output of the software, showing the various diagnosis and recommendations interfaces were presented. Recommendations were also given with respect to how the system can be extended, and further improved upon

An expert system for supporting Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis and treatment

Portugal has recently become one the few European countries to fully acknowledge Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); this substantial paradigm shift calls for novel tools for TCM practitioners, students and patients alike. This paper describes an Expert System for supporting the TCM consultation process – both in terms of gathering and managing the patients’ personal and symptomatic data, and of obtaining accurate diagnoses and treatments under regulated and reviewed protocols. The proposed tool was designed and is being developed with the support of two TCM therapists, which act as experts and provide aid to the processes of building the knowledge base and the automatic diagnosis system. In terms of architecture, the current version of the framework includes a mobile client application for the Android platform, integrated with an online spreadsheet. A survey was conducted in order to assess some of the needs of the community of TCM practitioners, and allowed gathering information on their needs

Interactive, Holistic, and Experiential Criminal Justice Online Learning Environment

The study is designed to test the effectiveness of specific experiential e-learning strategies for criminal justice students, this study seeks to determine how a comprehensive series of videos that includes a criminal trial and interviews of the judge, defense counsel, prosecution, investigators and court director discussing their roles enhanced course and learning outcomes. The second study purpose is to test the effectiveness of a comprehensive and interactive criminal justice computer model that allows the students to work within the multifaceted and complex system and explore descriptions, concepts, theories, relationships, and sequences in order to enhance learning outcomes regarding the system(s) of justice, its challenges, and opportunities. The study will be a mixed methods study concentrating on both focus groups and a survey instrument for evaluation of effectiveness variables. The analysis will help to discern the quality and effectiveness of the digital learning tools both from the student perspective and the field expert perspective.https://fuse.franklin.edu/ss2014/1025/thumbnail.jp