Affordable Technology Research Articles

Wearable Smartphone-Based Multisensory Feedback System for Torso Posture Correction: Iterative Design and Within-Subjects Study.

The prevalence of stroke is high in both males and females, and it rises with age. Stroke often leads to sensor and motor issues, such as hemiparesis affecting one side of the body. Poststroke patients require torso stabilization exercises, but maintaining proper posture can be challenging due to their condition. Our goal was to develop the Postural SmartVest, an affordable wearable technology that leverages a smartphone's built-in accelerometer to monitor sagittal and frontal plane changes while providing visual, tactile, and auditory feedback to guide patients in achieving their best-at-the-time posture during rehabilitation. To design the Postural SmartVest, we conducted brainstorming sessions, therapist interviews, gathered requirements, and developed the first prototype. We used this initial prototype in a feasibility study with individuals without hemiparesis (n=40, average age 28.4). They used the prototype during 1-hour seated sessions. Their feedback led to a second prototype, which we used in a pilot study with a poststroke patient. After adjustments and a kinematic assessment using the Vicon Gait Plug-in system, the third version became the Postural SmartVest. We assessed the Postural SmartVest in a within-subject experiment with poststroke patients (n=40, average age 57.1) and therapists (n=20, average age 31.3) during rehabilitation sessions. Participants engaged in daily activities, including walking and upper limb exercises, without and with app feedback. The Postural SmartVest comprises a modified off-the-shelf athletic lightweight compression tank top with a transparent pocket designed to hold a smartphone running a customizable Android app securely. This app continuously monitors sagittal and frontal plane changes using the built-in accelerometer sensor, providing multisensory feedback through audio, vibration, and color changes. Patients reported high ratings for weight, comfort, dimensions, effectiveness, ease of use, stability, durability, and ease of adjustment. Therapists noted a positive impact on rehabilitation sessions and expressed their willingness to recommend it. A 2-tailed t-test showed a significant difference (P<.001) between the number of the best-at-the-time posture positions patients could maintain in 2 stages, without feedback (mean 13.1, SD 7.12) and with feedback (mean 4.2, SD 3.97), demonstrating the effectiveness of the solution in improving posture awareness. The Postural SmartVest aids therapists during poststroke rehabilitation sessions and assists patients in improving their posture during these sessions.

Exploring the Accessibility of Community-Based Telerehabilitation for Children with Disabilities from Low-Income Households

Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is a rights-based approach that aims to provide equitable health services and participation opportunities for people with disabilities. Telerehabilitation has emerged as a potential methodology for delivering health care within the CBR framework. However, the accessibility of telerehabilitation presents unique challenges for children with disabilities (CWD) in communities with low socioeconomic status. This phenomenological qualitative study explores the barriers and facilitators that influence the participation of families of CWD in telerehabilitation as a method of CBR in urban poor communities. Nine focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted involving 75 primary caregivers of CWD. Inductive thematic analysis using NVivo software was employed to analyze the collected data, revealing four themes that impact participation in Telerehabilitation: Economic and Social Resources, Self-Competency Affecting Transition, Flexible Service Delivery Mechanism, and Safety and Security as a Threat to Participation. The findings emphasize the intricate interplay of factors influencing the accessibility of telerehabilitation services for CWD from low-income households. Actionable strategies to address these challenges include providing affordable technology and internet access, offering training and support to families, developing culturally sensitive resources, establishing safety protocols, and advocating for inclusive policies and funding mechanisms. Collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and families is essential in building a resilient and equitable healthcare system that prioritizes the needs of CWD living in poverty. The insights gained from this study can inform the development of targeted interventions and support systems to ensure that no child is left behind in accessing quality care despite the digital and socioeconomic divides.

Countering Misinformation in Private Messaging Groups: Insights From a Fact-checking Chatbot

Misinformation on private messaging platforms like WhatsApp and LINE is a global concern. However, research has primarily focused on combating misinformation on public social media. Misinformation in private messaging platforms is difficult to challenge due to social norms, interpersonal relationships, and technological affordances. This study investigates Auntie Meiyu, a fact-checking chatbot integrated into LINE, a popular private messaging service in Taiwan. We interviewed 27 users who adopted Auntie Meiyu in their messaging groups to understand their motivations and perceptions of the chatbot, and to assess its influence on interpersonal interactions. Participants indicated that they primarily adopted the chatbot to protect close family members from misleading news. Nevertheless, they experienced mixed feelings due to the chatbot's robotic style and errors in detecting misinformation. We conclude that conversational agents present a promising approach for tackling misinformation, particularly when conversational participants disagree, and offer design recommendations for leveraging AI-enabled conversational agents in countering misinformation.

Impact of Magneto-Mechanical Actuation on Cell Differentiation: A Study Using Wireless, 3D-Printed Device and a Porous Ferrogel.

Cells perceive external and internally generated forces of different kinds, significantly impacting their cellular biology. In the relatively nascent field of mechanobiology, the impact of such forces is studied and further utilized to broaden the knowledge of cellular developmental pathways, disease progression, tissue engineering, and developing novel regenerative strategies. However, extensive considerations of mechanotransduction pathways for biomedical applications are still broadly limited due to a lack of affordable technologies in terms of devices and simple magnetic actuatable materials. Herein, synthesizing a monophasic, macroporous, in situ-fabricated gelatin-based ferrogel is reported using polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated-iron oxide (magnetite) particles with high magnetization. Developing a 3D printed, compact, and wireless device capable of providing a wide range of magneto-mechanical actuation using magnetic field susceptible materials in a noncontact manner is reported. Using the device and ferrogel, C2C12 myoblast differentiation is studied under magnetic field actuation, and significant differences in the myogenin, a differentiation marker, expression behavior are observed. Due to careful design considerations, robust component selection, and easy availability oflow-cost precursor for magnetic responsive material fabrication, the device-ferrogel combination can be easily adapted to routine biological studies, thereby helping mechanobiology to be utilized for developing exciting new biomedical strategies.

Beneficial or troublesome? Revealing the double-edged effects of tourism live streaming affordances on viewers’ engagement

ABSTRACT Tourism live streaming (TLS) empowers streamers to act with destinations, viewers, and products, namely TLS affordance. Underpinning the technology affordance theory, this study unravels the impact of the TLS affordances on TLS engagement of viewers by conducting an online survey. The results show that (1) TLS affordances have double-edged effects on destination brand engagement and viewer engagement; (2) product involvement moderates the Inverted U-shaped (U-shaped) effects of product visibility (guidance shopping) on memorable experiences (consumer skepticism). This study provides theoretical and practical implications for destination managers, live streamers, and product manufacturers in optimizing the efficiency of TLS affordances.

The Potential of Low-Tech Tools and Artificial Intelligence for Monitoring Blue Carbon in Greenland’s Deep Sea

Arctic environments are changing rapidly. To assess climate change impacts and guide conservation, there is a need to effectively monitor areas of high biodiversity that are difficult to access, such as the deep sea. Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat), like many remote countries with large deep-sea exclusive economic zones (EEZs), lacks consistent access to the funding and logistics required to maintain advanced and expensive technologies for seafloor exploration. To fill this need, video and camera imaging technologies have been adapted to suit the unique requirements of Arctic environments and the social and economic needs of Greenland. Since 2015, a benthic monitoring program carried out by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR) has provided the only large-scale, comprehensive survey in this region, including collection and analysis of photos and GoPro video footage recorded as deep as 1,600 m (Blicher, and Arboe, 2021). In line with the “collect once, use many times” principle, GINR is exploring the versatility of these data, which were originally designated for monitoring and evidence-based management. A potential research avenue for these data is polar blue carbon—the carbon stored and sequestered in ocean habitats—including benthic communities that either live on the seafloor (such as corals and sponges) or are transported there by ocean currents (such as algal detritus). This paper outlines Greenland’s affordable deep-sea technology, based on a towed camera system (Yesson, 2023), and its potential application to rapid, standardized artificial intelligence (AI)-based analysis.

Oscillation Between Resist and to Not? Users’ Folk Theories and Resistance to Algorithmic Curation on Douyin

An increasing number of users are aware of algorithmically driven content curation. Yet, while numerous studies have examined how people understand algorithmic power, there are insufficient numbers of studies about how people respond to and resist algorithmic curation in different sociocultural contexts. This article adopts a walk-through method and a diary-interview approach with 31 participants to investigate user resistance to algorithmic curation in different sociocultural circumstances. Drawing on the theoretical framework of folk theories and user resistance to algorithms, this study reveals a paradox in users’ algorithmic awareness and resistance behaviors: although respondents said they expressed annoyance with algorithmic simplification, commercial exploitation, and political agenda-setting, they often behaved in ways that contradict those claims with oscillated resistance to algorithmic curation. This study found that this paradox of resistance not only reflects users’ efforts to reconcile sociocultural needs with digital irritations caused by algorithmic mismatches but also arises from a sense of digital resignation in response to the platform’s strict regulations and censorship. Thus, this article argues that although people espouse folk theories as resources to resist algorithmic curation in different sociocultural contexts, most of their resistance behaviors remain constrained within the dominant use of technological affordances, which largely functions as a process of continuous negotiation rather than a subversive force capable of disrupting the ideological power relations embedded in algorithm-driven platforms.

Evolving “affordances” and “constraints” in mobile payment use: a study of Indian micro-enterprises’ UPI adoption process

PurposeThis research aims to uncover how the adoption process of a mobile payment solution unfolds in its local use. We examined micro-enterprises’ adoption of UPI-based payment system in India.Design/methodology/approachWe employed an ethnographic approach to study the micro-entrepreneurs’ daily practice and adopted a relational ontology to conduct an “in-practice” enquiry of the UPI payment adoption process.FindingsApplying the practice perspective of Technology Affordances and Constraints Theory, we found that UPI adoption was shaped through a dynamic interplay of emerging affordances and constraints. New features, such as All-in-one QR, enabled actions like cross-platform money transfer but also introduced challenges like fraud. Advancements in the technology addressed previous challenges but also created new hurdles. This cycle of evolving affordances and constraints within the contextual use of UPI payment technology shaped its adoption process.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings contribute to the existing body of mobile payment literature by elucidating the role of localized and ongoing enactment of affordances and constraints. Unlike existing adoption theories, using relational concepts of affordances and constraints revealed how the integration of mobile payment into practice leads to emergent use patterns and widespread adoption.Practical implicationsWe emphasize the need for solutions that address localized challenges and contextual needs. The study advises policymakers to consider technology’s benefits and limitations in interventions.Originality/valueThe study offers a unique view on mobile payment adoption, highlighting the role of technological materiality and temporality. It reveals how the changing materiality of technology shapes the adoption process through localized affordances and constraints.

Augmenting Security of Smart Homes

The development of new technology and people's propensity to rely on it more and more each year have led to enormous advancements in human technology. The idea of the Internet of Things (IOT) and later "Smart Homes" was one such enormous step. The surge in the smart home sector is due to the introduction of extremely practical and affordable technologies. However, the expanded use has also created a new set of security and privacy risks for those who rely on smart home technology. This article covers the basic idea of smart homes and IOT devices, as well as any current risks and any previous countermeasures that have been suggested.

PERAN APLIKASI MOBILE BANKING DALAM KEMUDAHAN TRANSAKSI HARIAN

Mobile banking applications have become an integral part of modern society's daily lives, facilitating financial transactions in a more efficient and practical manner. This research investigates the role of mobile banking applications in facilitating daily transactions and their impact on economic aspects. By using a quantitative approach and active user respondents in Indonesia, this research reveals that the use of this application not only reduces transaction costs and increases time efficiency, but also expands access to financial services, especially in remote areas. The research results show that mobile banking applications have the potential to increase financial inclusion and financial system stability, as well as contribute to inclusive economic growth. The implications of this research highlight the importance of developing safe and affordable digital financial technology to support sustainable economic development in the future. Keywords: Mobile Banking Application, Financial Transactions

Addressing the Challenges of Economic Water Scarcity in Kenya: Multi-Barrier and Multilateral Integrated Approach Systems for Sustainable Access to Safe Drinking Water A Review

Accessibility to clean drinking water is essential to the quality of life of all humans. Water is also important in national development of a country. Kenya is faced with both physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity. Physical water scarcity is due to increased water demand, limited supply of water and low rainfall whereas economic water scarcity is due to lack of sufficient financial capability to support water infrastructure. Depending on the water use, there are various techniques available for removal of harmful bacteria, water softening and removing organic particulates and other contaminants from drinking water. They range from simple to sophisticated technologies. This review focused on the economic water scarcity in Kenya which is a developing country. Aspects reviewed included: water poverty index and effects of economic water scarcity. The review methodology tool used was the water poverty index assessment tool (WPI) at which elemental parameters related to water were identified and discussed. The outcome of this research was expected to contribute in the development of affordable and sustainable purification technologies and policies that can be used to deliver safe and clean drinking water. The assessment using the Water Poverty Index (WPI) found Kenya&amp;rsquo;s WPI to be low in the range of 38-45 %, which is characterised as being severe in regard to the global water stress. Kenya&amp;rsquo;s safe yield of surface water resources and ground water was estimated to be 7.4 BCM per annum and 1.0 BCM per annum respectively. Water abstractions is estimated at 1.6 BCM per annum representing 13-19% of the available water. Challenges identified include: undeveloped water resources, low financial and institutional capacity, limited access and increased demand of water in agricultural activities such as irrigation with a declining total annual renewable water per capita in the last 50 years. Recommendations proposed as solutions that can be adopted to address economic water scarcity and consequently water stress in Kenya, include exploring sustainable low-cost purification technologies, adopting multi-barrier integrated approach system and the use of multilateral economic groups support to address economic water scarcity.

Integration of ICT in Agricultural Extension Services: A Review

The integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into agricultural extension services is transforming the way knowledge and resources are disseminated to farmers, addressing longstanding challenges of reach, efficiency, and inclusivity. Traditional extension systems, constrained by limited resources, outdated methodologies, and poor scalability, often fail to meet the dynamic and diverse needs of modern agriculture. ICT tools, such as mobile phones, internet platforms, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones, and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain, have revolutionized extension services by providing real-time, location-specific, and cost-effective solutions. This review synthesizes evidence on the role of ICT in enhancing agricultural extension systems, highlighting case studies such as India’s mKisan platform, Africa’s e-Agriculture initiatives, and the global Digital Green project. These examples demonstrate significant improvements in farmer access to timely information on weather, pests, markets, and best practices, leading to increased productivity and resilience.Despite these successes, several barriers impede the widespread adoption of ICT in agricultural extension. A pronounced digital divide, characterized by limited access to smartphones, internet connectivity, and electricity in rural areas, particularly in developing countries, restricts the reach of these innovations. Gender and socioeconomic disparities exacerbate these challenges, with women and marginalized groups often excluded from ICT-enabled benefits. Gaps in digital literacy among farmers and extension workers, inadequate infrastructure, and weak policy support hinder the scalability and sustainability of ICT interventions. Addressing these barriers requires strategic investments in rural connectivity, affordable technology, and capacity-building programs. Policies promoting public-private partnerships, funding for ICT-based innovations, and farmer-centric participatory approaches are critical for long-term success. ICT in agricultural extension include leveraging AI and machine learning for predictive analytics, expanding blockchain use for supply chain transparency, and adopting augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for immersive farmer training. The integration of ICT into climate-smart agricultural practices and fostering global collaborations for technology transfer will be pivotal. By addressing challenges and seizing emerging opportunities, ICT can enable equitable, efficient, and sustainable agricultural development, ensuring food security in a rapidly changing world.

Analyzing the Impact of the Digital Divide on Individuals, Families, and Society: A Technological Perspective

The digital divide, a global issue shaped by disparities in access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), has far-reaching implications for individuals, societies, and economies. This paper explores the roots and impacts of the digital divide, emphasizing the economic, social, and cultural inequalities it perpetuates between developed and developing nations and within different demographic groups. Key areas of concern include the imbalance in digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and affordability, which hinder equitable access to education, employment, and democratic participation. The paper also examines the role of digital hegemony, economic polarization, and the Matthew Effect in widening this gap while highlighting the societal and cultural challenges, such as linguistic and ethnic divides. To address these challenges, the paper proposes strategies focusing on infrastructure development, affordable technology, digital literacy promotion, and robust ICT regulations. Bridging the digital divide offers significant opportunities for fostering socioeconomic development, reducing global inequalities, and enhancing democratic engagement. This study underscores the need for collaborative efforts from governments, private enterprises, and international organizations to create a more inclusive and equitable digital future.

Sales innovation and synergy strategy of Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises in the context of digital transformation: A perspective from the affordance theory

In the rapidly evolving landscape of China’s pharmaceutical industry, this study investigates how pharmaceutical enterprises can achieve profitable sales innovation amid the process of digital transformation. Grounded in the Affordance theory, it posits that the positive impact of digital transformation on sales innovation is driven by the affordance afforded by digital technology and ubiquity. The research focuses on A-share pharmaceutical companies in China, utilizing data from 2012 to 2022 and employing multiple regression analysis to examine the influence of digital transformation on corporate sales innovation. The results demonstrate a significant positive effect of digital transformation on sales innovation. The study further categorizes digital transformation into technological affordance and ubiquity affordance, separately validating their roles in promoting sales innovation. Moreover, by considering synergistic effects, the research unveils the intricate relationship between digital transformation and corporate innovation performance. The findings provide a fresh perspective on understanding how digital technology propels sales innovation and offer concrete guidance for the digital transformation practices in the pharmaceutical industry.

Big Data and AI in Cloud Computing: The Ideal Partnership for Scalable Solutions

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and Cloud Computing are coming together to drive huge changes in how businesses build scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient solutions. The paper identifies how these technologies work in unison to unlock real-time analysis of data and predictive insight, hence enabling better-informed decisions and operational effectiveness. Big Data analytics can process large data sets much faster with the help of vast computational power and storage facilities of cloud platforms, and AI algorithms extract intelligence from them. The combined framework empowers organizations to create better resource utilization, enhance customer experiences, and gain competitive advantages in dynamically changing markets. This research paper has also highlighted actual applications across various industries: how this transformational trio engenders innovation, scalability, and resilience. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, scalable solutions, Predictive Insights, real-time data analysis, Business Optimization, decision-making, Affordable Technologies, Operational Efficiency.

Affordance of Internet of Things for educational resources management for E-learning domain

The Internet of Things (IoT) offers dual dimensions of affordance for educational resources management (ERM), particularly in a Comprehensive open distance e-learning institution in South Africa. The affordance of IoT for educational resources management is not well articulated in a CODEL institution. The study aimed to establish the role of IoT in the administration and management of educational resources. Technology affordance theory is used to establish the role, perceptions, and causality of IoT affordance in ERM. The research opted for the qualitative approach to establish the role and causality of the IoT affordance of ERM. The study found that the CODEL institution is IoT-driven when handling ERM. The main contribution relates to two propositions such as South African higher education institutions, including the CODEL institution, require the articulation and realignment of an IoT-driven business enterprise system for the implementation of OER in tuition; and in an IoT-driven context such as CODEL, where OER are implemented, there is a motive for academics and institutions to develop an Artificial Intelligence or interactive robot for creating and locating OER. It suggests that CODEL should realign its business enterprise system with IoT-driven infrastructure and adopt artificial intelligence practices for OER advancement. Future research should investigate the availability of IoT in all South African higher education institutions.

Technological affordances and applications of chatbots for conversational skill interventions in autism: A scoping review

Technological affordances and applications of chatbots for conversational skill interventions in autism: A scoping review

The interaction of technological affordances and user preferences: A corpus-based study of graphic features across Twitter and Discord

This paper investigates the influence of communication device on linguistic variation across two levels of scale. Drawing on the notion of affordances (Hutchby, 2001), it explores how technological differences between the computer and smartphone may shape, without ultimately determining, the use of graphic features. To do so, the empirical study uses the methodological approach of ‘scaling down’ the analysis of two features across device types: first letter capitalisation and emoji. The first step of analysis is purely quantitative, focusing on linguistic variation in a corpus of a million messages from Twitter (now X). The second step of analysis uses quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the same features within several thousand messages, by two known participants, across the platforms Twitter and Discord. Thus, the study integrates initial results from a large, anonymous corpus with a much smaller but more detailed one. Overall, device affordances are found to influence feature use; however, statistical tendencies regarding variation across device type do not necessarily hold true for each dimension of context or individual. The combination of different scales thus leads to a more thorough understanding of the influence of technology on linguistic variationand its limits in favour of contextual factors and individual preferences.

Cancer research in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.

Cancer is a major global health threat, with 35 million new cases projected by 2050, predominantly in low-income and middle-income-countries. Within South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, a notable gap in cancer research investment and output compared with high-income countries highlights the need to strengthen research capacity. The rising cancer incidence across SAARC countries is not being matched by local research, particularly in clinical trials in molecular biology, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and cancer vaccines. This paucity of research is problematic as guidelines and therapies developed in high-income countries might not be directly applicable to low-income and middle-income countries due to distinct regional sociocultural, genetic, and environmental factors and are often impractical in these countries due to cost and implementation challenges. This Series paper examines the cancer research landscape within SAARC countries, focusing on Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Maldives. We analyse PubMed publication rates and examine available infrastructure, current research (including clinical trials), and limitations and disparities among SAARC countries in terms of cancer research. Key challenges include disparities in health-care access, cultural and economic barriers, and little funding and infrastructure. Strengthening cancer research in SAARC countries requires building collaborative networks, improving research facilities and training, focusing on local epidemiological studies, and developing affordable technologies and treatments. Effective policy and stakeholder engagement could greatly advance cancer care in the region.

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss; Meliaceae) as the source for plant-based pesticides as an effective and sustainable biocontrol alternative

The neem tree has strengths such as effective and environmentally friendly active compounds, as well as the ability to improve the quality and productivity of plants organically. However, the use of botanical pesticides has several challenges, such as potentially lower effectiveness compared to chemical insecticides, high production costs, and requiring specific knowledge in formulation and application. Botanical pesticides are readily available tools for insect pest management and are eco-friendly. The research results show that a neem formula at a concentration of 20 ml.l-1 water can cause mortality of brown planthopper is 48.75 - 70%, while mortality in the synthetic insecticide (positive control) at a concentration of 2 ml.l-1 water (as recommended) resulted in 45% mortality. It is obvious that there is a need to develop biological control as alternatives for eco-friendly and sustainable for pests’ control in insect’s pest management strategies. This research study has both qualitative and quantitative approach, data collection strategies were desk review of information and will be based on empirical data and literature. For the desk study, relevant internet web pages were browsed to have an overview of the key concepts of the research issue, problem of pests and diseases control and benefit of neem tree as botanical pesticides. Nevertheless, the use of botanical pesticides can provide long-term benefits to the environment and human health and support more sustainable agriculture. There is a great opportunity for the development of more effective and affordable technology for botanical pesticide production for farmers, but there are also threats such as strong competition from synthetic pesticides. The objective this study aims to determine the potential of neem (Azadirachta indica A.Juss) as a plant producing botanical pesticides as an effective and sustainable biological control alternative.