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Informatics, Volume 12, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 5 articles

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15 pages, 1072 KB

Open AccessArticle

Balancing Layout Space and Risk Comprehension in Health Communication: A Comparison of Separated and Integrated Icon Arrays

by Li-Jen Wang and Meng-Cong Zheng

Informatics 2025, 12(4), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics12040105 - 30 Sep 2025

Abstract

This study investigated how icon array layouts influence comprehension of medical risk information, particularly in relation to users’ cognitive abilities. In a within-subjects experiment (N = 121), participants reviewed clinical scenarios with treatment-related risks and side effect risks displayed in either separated or integrated icon arrays. Comprehension was significantly higher for separated treatment-related risk layouts (p < 0.001), while side effect layout showed no effect. Numeracy and graph literacy significantly predicted comprehension. Crucially, individuals with lower numeracy showed marked gains when viewing separated formats, whereas those with higher numeracy performed well regardless of layout. Despite this, participants preferred hybrid formats—separated treatment-related risk with integrated side effect risks—revealing a critical preference–performance gap. By demonstrating how visual layout interacts with user abilities, this study provides actionable guidance for patient decision aid design. The findings show that comprehension accuracy must take precedence over layout compactness and user preference, with separated layouts recommended for treatment-related risks—especially for individuals with lower numeracy—and greater flexibility allowed for side effect risks when space is limited. Full article

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26 pages, 6045 KB

Open AccessArticle

Democratization of Virtual Production: Usability Analysis of Three Solutions with Different Levels of Complexity: Professional, Educational and Cloud-Based

by Roi Méndez-Fernández, Rocío del Pilar Sosa-Fernández, Fátima Fernández-Ledo and Enrique Castelló-Mayo

Informatics 2025, 12(4), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics12040104 - 30 Sep 2025

Abstract

The technical and technological advances of recent years in the field of real-time photorealistic rendering have enabled enormous development in virtual production. However, the democratization of this technology faces two main obstacles: the high economic cost of implementation and the high complexity of the necessary software. This paper studies three virtual production software solutions that represent different stages in the democratization process of the technology, ranging from the professional software InfinitySet, to the more generalist and educational environment Edison, and to the cloud version of this same software, Edison OnCloud. To this end, an analysis of their functionalities and interfaces is conducted, the SUS questionnaire is applied, and the three systems are evaluated from the perspective of Nielsen’s usability principles. These tests demonstrate the complexity of the professional software InfinitySet, making it unapproachable for non-expert users without extensive previous training. On the other hand, both Edison and Edison OnCloud show significant usability improvements through limiting and reducing functionalities, which also results in a reduction in implementation costs, making the use of the technology feasible in non-professional environments, such as in education or for streamers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Human-Computer Interaction)

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31 pages, 2218 KB

Open AccessArticle

OntoCaimer: An Ontology Designed to Support Alzheimer’s Patient Care Systems

by Laura Daniela Lasso-Arcinegas, César Jesús Pardo-Calvache and Mauro Callejas-Cuervo

Informatics 2025, 12(4), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics12040103 - 25 Sep 2025

Abstract

Caring for Alzheimer’s patients presents significant global challenges due to complex symptoms and the constant demand for care, which are further complicated by fragmented information and a lack of explicit integration between physical and computational worlds in existing support systems. This article details the construction and validation of OntoCaimer, an ontology designed to support Alzheimer’s patient care systems by acting as a comprehensive knowledge base that integrates disease recommendations with concepts from the physical world (sensors and actuators). Utilizing METHONTOLOGY and REFSENO formalisms, OntoCaimer was built as a modular ontology. Its validation through the FOCA method demonstrated a high quality score

(\hat{μ} = 0.99)

, confirming its robustness and suitability. Case studies showcased its functionality in automating recommendations, such as managing patient locations or environmental conditions, to provide proactive support. The main contribution of this work is OntoCaimer, a novel ontology that formally integrates clinical recommendations for Alzheimer’s care with concepts from cyber-physical systems (sensors and actuators). Its scientific novelty lies in bridging the gap between virtual knowledge and physical action, enabling direct and automated interventions in the patient’s environment. This approach significantly advances patient care systems beyond traditional monitoring and alerts, offering a tangible path to reducing caregiver burden. Full article

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14 pages, 2125 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Self-Configurable IoT-Based Monitoring Approach for Environmental Variables in Rotational Grazing Systems

by Rodrigo Garcia, Mario Macea, Samir Castaño and Pedro Guevara

Informatics 2025, 12(4), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics12040102 - 24 Sep 2025

Viewed by 70

Abstract

Shaded resting zones in rotational grazing systems are prone to thermal stress due to limited ventilation and the congregation of animals during peak heat periods. Addressing these challenges requires sensing solutions that are not only accurate but also capable of adapting to dynamic environmental conditions and energy constraints. In this context, we present the development and simulation-based validation of a self-configurable IoT protocol for adaptive environmental monitoring. The approach integrates embedded machine learning, specifically a Random Forest classifier, to detect critical conditions using synthetic data of temperature, humidity, and CO₂. The model achieved an accuracy of 98%, with a precision of 98%, recall of 85%, and F1-score of 91% in identifying critical states. These results demonstrate the feasibility of embedding adaptive intelligence into IoT-based monitoring solutions. The protocol is conceived as a foundation for integration into physical devices and subsequent evaluation in farm environments such as rotational grazing systems. Full article

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24 pages, 5836 KB

Open AccessArticle

Methodology for Digitalizing Railway Vehicle Maintenance Training Using Augmented Reality

by Hwi-Jin Kwon, Ji-Hun Song, Kyung-Suk Kim and Chul-Su Kim

Informatics 2025, 12(4), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics12040101 - 23 Sep 2025

Viewed by 167

Abstract

The axle box of a railway vehicle is a critical component, and its maintenance involves complex procedures that are difficult to convey with traditional, document-based manuals. To address these challenges, augmented reality (AR)-based educational content was developed to digitize maintenance training and enhance its effectiveness. The content’s implementation was guided by a systematic storyboard, which was based on interviews with skilled staff. It also utilized specialized algorithms to improve the accuracy of mechanical measurement work and the efficiency of User Interface (UI) generation. The user experience of the developed content was comprehensively evaluated using a combination of two methods: a formative evaluation through direct observation of work performance and a post-survey administered to 40 participants. As a result of the evaluation, the mean work success rate was 62.5%, demonstrating the content’s high efficiency as a training tool. The overall mean score from the post-survey was 4.11, indicating high user satisfaction and perceived usefulness. A one-way ANOVA was performed and revealed a statistically significant difference in post-survey scores among the four age groups. The developed content was found to be more effective for younger participants. The results confirm the high potential of AR as a digital educational method for complex maintenance work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Real-World Applications and Prototyping of Information Systems for Extended Reality (VR, AR, and MR))

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