OAR@UM Collection:https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/477352024-03-28T20:19:58Z2024-03-28T20:19:58ZElimination of travel reservation fraud using the Ethereum blockchainhttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/479282020-04-24T09:08:55Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Elimination of travel reservation fraud using the Ethereum blockchain
Abstract: The travelling industry has become one of the largest and most influential international service organisations in the modern world. It is inevitable to note that it has experienced innovation over time, but malicious fraudsters have also disrupted the industry. The evolving technology has been a powerful tool in stamping out such concerns currently in the spotlight.
The Ethereum Blockchain has been used to develop a system that can be implemented by both local and online travel agents. It provides for users to be registered and verified, and together with the PKI infrastructure, the system demonstrates authenticity through utilising uniquely identified keys for digital signatures confirming the user’s identity. Payment processing is rendered secure by both requiring the user to be logged on and also by holding funds in an escrow account before being released to the travel agency. The commission portion is processed to the travel agent once all parties sign and authorise the release. Thus non-repudiation is also addressed.
Feedback from local travel agencies was deemed an essential part of the project since real experiences were discussed, and the main concerns were identified. Through implementing a test version of the system, a positive response was gathered as stakeholders have confirmed that the developed process could substantially reduce or possibly eliminate fraud.
Description: B.SC.SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT2019-01-01T00:00:00ZUsability study of animated and static ads on a mobile news websitehttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/479272020-04-24T09:03:07Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Usability study of animated and static ads on a mobile news website
Abstract: News Websites are a great way to deliver information to the user. From breaking news to the latest trends, news websites have proven to be a very efficient way to relay information quickly with the push of a button. When news websites found an additional medium to deliver their content, it became even easier to relay that information as many users carry a mobile phone. This makes a good opportunity for marketers to advertise their products through these news websites, but advertisements on a mobile device can be particularly challenging due to its size limitations compared to desktop interfaces.
In this Final Year Project, we will be conducting multiple usability tests to see how advertisements can influence the usability of a mobile news website when conducting common day tasks like reading and form filling. This thesis will consist of a news website design with articles containing no adverts, articles containing static adverts and articles containing animated adverts. We will be utilizing this website to observe the effects of adverts on a mobile news website.
Description: B.SC.SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT2019-01-01T00:00:00ZIncreasing the usability of spoken dialogue systems using machine learning : a study of use by older users in retirement homeshttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/479262020-04-24T09:06:46Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Increasing the usability of spoken dialogue systems using machine learning : a study of use by older users in retirement homes
Abstract: With a rapidly increasing ageing population, more older people are choosing to be referred to retirement homes. Consequently, this is placing a larger workload on the carers, nurses and allied professionals of said retirement homes. To combat this, many robots and Spoken Dialogue Systems have been designed, however, generally, these are not always used. Studies have shown that older users must make a greater effort to use such systems, when compared to other age groups, leaving them frustrated and less likely to use such systems again.
A generic framework for this system usability problem will be designed and a system based on this generic framework will be implemented, focusing on speeding up the chain of commands uttered by the older person, through sequence prediction, over time. Therefore, the core functionalities of the proposed systems will include a voice interface and a machine learning module to learn the sequences that commands are said, over time.
It is hoped that by predicting the user’s spoken commands, this system will speed up the process by which an older person reaches their goal, without the aid of a carer, nurse or allied professional. The framework will be tested using elderly users, taking careful note of the time it takes to complete a task, or a set of related tasks, before and after the system learns a sequence of commands. Furthermore, the implemented Spoken Dialogue System will be evaluated for its efficiency and usefulness in retirement homes.
Description: B.SC.SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT2019-01-01T00:00:00ZUsing assistive technologies to increase social interaction of residents with limited mobility in a care environmenthttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/479182020-04-24T09:05:02Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Using assistive technologies to increase social interaction of residents with limited mobility in a care environment
Abstract: Long term residents suffering from limited mobility living within communities or institutions such as homes for the elderly, specialised hospitals and care facilities are subject to lack of social interactions due to their physical state. Such residents often depend on members of staff, family members, guardians and/or other physically able residents to move location and/or interact with other residents. However, these people are not always available and this leaves the immobile residents feeling isolated from the rest of the community.
This project was aimed at reducing social isolation through a social network with a dedicated multimodal user interface and the use of assistive technologies. The chosen interfaces were a voice interface and a touchscreen interface designed to be user friendly specifically to such residents. The core features of the system were designed to assist residents in communicating socially as well as to help set up and manage meetings between each other.
The secondary function of the system was to collect data in the background related to the use of the system. This data was primarily concerned with the interactions occurring as a result of the system. This allows members of staff of the institute in question and guardians of the residents to monitor interaction rates and query this data. Several other functionalities to assist staff members have also been included.
A web application along with assistive technologies were used to implement the system. Google’s application programming interfaces (APIs) played key roles in implementing important functionality. The system was designed to be easily integrated with the functionality of an automated transport mechanism which would allow a resident with limited mobility to independently travel around the institution. The solution was tested against a number of criteria to ensure correct functionality with regards to the gathered requirements. The overall evaluation of the system was carried out by workers of a care environment, considered to be knowledgeable in the field, as well as elderly persons suffering from limited mobility.
Description: B.SC.SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT2019-01-01T00:00:00Z