Feature Papers in Computers 2024

A special issue of Computers (ISSN 2073-431X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 2121

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Applied Mathematics, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: human–computer interface; robot programming; sustainable software engineering; assisted living; data mining and machine learning; smart learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This is a Special Issue that includes high-quality papers in Open Access form by Editorial Board Members, or those invited by the Editorial Office and the Editor-in-Chief in Computers.

Prof. Dr. Robertas Damaševičius
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Computers is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • human–computer interface
  • robot programming
  • sustainable software engineering
  • assisted living
  • data mining and machine learning
  • smart learning
  • IoT
  • blockchain
  • cyber security

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

19 pages, 434 KiB  
Article
Applying Bounding Techniques on Grammatical Evolution
by Ioannis G. Tsoulos, Alexandros Tzallas and Evangelos Karvounis
Computers 2024, 13(5), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/computers13050111 - 23 Apr 2024
Viewed by 206
Abstract
The Grammatical Evolution technique has been successfully applied to some datasets from various scientific fields. However, in Grammatical Evolution, the chromosomes can be initialized at wide value intervals, which can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the underlying technique. In this [...] Read more.
The Grammatical Evolution technique has been successfully applied to some datasets from various scientific fields. However, in Grammatical Evolution, the chromosomes can be initialized at wide value intervals, which can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the underlying technique. In this paper, a technique for discovering appropriate intervals for the initialization of chromosomes is proposed using partition rules guided by a genetic algorithm. This method has been applied to feature construction techniques used in a variety of scientific papers. After successfully finding a promising interval, the feature construction technique is applied and the chromosomes are initialized within that interval. This technique was applied to a number of known problems in the relevant literature, and the results are extremely promising. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Computers 2024)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1359 KiB  
Article
A Holistic Approach to Use Educational Robots for Supporting Computer Science Courses
by Zhumaniyaz Mamatnabiyev, Christos Chronis, Iraklis Varlamis, Yassine Himeur and Meirambek Zhaparov
Computers 2024, 13(4), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/computers13040102 - 17 Apr 2024
Viewed by 348
Abstract
Robots are intelligent machines that are capable of autonomously performing intricate sequences of actions, with their functionality being primarily driven by computer programs and machine learning models. Educational robots are specifically designed and used for teaching and learning purposes and attain the interest [...] Read more.
Robots are intelligent machines that are capable of autonomously performing intricate sequences of actions, with their functionality being primarily driven by computer programs and machine learning models. Educational robots are specifically designed and used for teaching and learning purposes and attain the interest of learners in gaining knowledge about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Educational robots are widely applied in different fields of primary and secondary education, but their usage in teaching higher education subjects is limited. Even when educational robots are used in tertiary education, the use is sporadic, targets specific courses or subjects, and employs robots with narrow applicability. In this work, we propose a holistic approach to the use of educational robots in tertiary education. We demonstrate how an open source educational robot can be used by colleges, and universities in teaching multiple courses of a computer science curriculum, fostering computational and creative thinking in practice. We rely on an open-source and open design educational robot, called FOSSBot, which contains various IoT technologies for measuring data, processing it, and interacting with the physical world. Grace to its open nature, FOSSBot can be used in preparing the content and supporting learning activities for different subjects such as electronics, computer networks, artificial intelligence, computer vision, etc. To support our claim, we describe a computer science curriculum containing a wide range of computer science courses and explain how each course can be supported by providing indicative activities. The proposed one-year curriculum can be delivered at the postgraduate level, allowing computer science graduates to delve deep into Computer Science subjects. After examining related works that propose the use of robots in academic curricula we detect the gap that still exists for a curriculum that is linked to an educational robot and we present in detail each proposed course, the software libraries that can be employed for each course and the possible extensions to the open robot that will allow to further extend the curriculum with more topics or enhance it with activities. With our work, we show that by incorporating educational robots in higher education we can address this gap and provide a new ledger for boosting tertiary education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Computers 2024)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1649 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Acceptance of Cyborg Technology with a Hedonic Technology Acceptance Model
by Jorge de Andrés-Sánchez, Mario Arias-Oliva, Mar Souto-Romero and Jaume Gené-Albesa
Computers 2024, 13(3), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/computers13030082 - 20 Mar 2024
Viewed by 881
Abstract
Medical implantable technologies, such as cochlear implants or joint prostheses, have been commonly used since the late 20th century. By contrast, the market for this type of technology is expanding when the purpose is not medical, even though it is more marginal. This [...] Read more.
Medical implantable technologies, such as cochlear implants or joint prostheses, have been commonly used since the late 20th century. By contrast, the market for this type of technology is expanding when the purpose is not medical, even though it is more marginal. This study tests a technology acceptance model for the latter type of insideable technology based on an extension of the technology acceptance models TAM and TAM2 proposed for hedonic technologies by van del Heijden. So, the behavioral intention of insertables is explained by the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, as well as social influence, as proposed in the TAM2 by Venkatesh and Davis. Additionally, the perceived enjoyment, included in the extension by Van der Heijden, is added as an explanatory factor. We applied structural equation modeling to the theoretical scheme provided by the modified TAM and performed a necessary condition analysis. Statistical analysis showed that all variables considered in the model have a significantly positive influence on behavioral intention. Likewise, the model has good properties both from the point of view of the fit obtained, since it predicts 70% of behavioral intention, and from the predictive point of view. The necessary condition analysis allows us to analyze whether the presence of some of the latent variables postulated to explain the attitude toward implantables is necessary to produce the said acceptance. Therefore, its absence is a critical aspect of expansion. We observed that perceived usefulness manifests itself as a necessary condition for behavioral intention with a medium size. Perceived ease of use and enjoyment also present a significant necessity effect size, but their strength is smaller. By contrast, the subjective norm does not have the status of a necessary variable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Computers 2024)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

13 pages, 662 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Use of Integrated Multichannel Records in Learning Studies in Higher Education: A Systematic Review of the Last 10 Years
by Irene González-Díez, Carmen Varela and María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares
Computers 2024, 13(4), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/computers13040096 - 10 Apr 2024
Viewed by 368
Abstract
Neurophysiological measures have been used in the field of education to improve our knowledge about the cognitive processes underlying learning. Furthermore, the combined use of different neuropsychological measures has deepened our understanding of these processes. The main objective of this systematic review is [...] Read more.
Neurophysiological measures have been used in the field of education to improve our knowledge about the cognitive processes underlying learning. Furthermore, the combined use of different neuropsychological measures has deepened our understanding of these processes. The main objective of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive picture of the use of integrated multichannel records in higher education. The bibliographic sources for the review were Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Psicodoc databases. After a screening process by two independent reviewers, 10 articles were included according to prespecified inclusion criteria. In general, integrated recording of eye tracking and electroencephalograms were the most commonly used metrics, followed by integrated recording of eye tracking and electrodermal activity. Cognitive load was the most widely investigated learning-related cognitive process using integrated multichannel records. To date, most research has focused only on one neurophysiological measure. Furthermore, to our knowledge, no study has systematically investigated the use of integrated multichannel records in higher education. This systematic review provides a comprehensive picture of the current use of integrated multichannel records in higher education. Its findings may help design innovative educational programs, particularly in the online context. The findings provide a basis for future research and decision making regarding the use of integrated multichannel records in higher education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Computers 2024)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop