Enabling Technologies Research Articles

Improving Collaborative Management of Multiple Mental and Physical Health Conditions: A Qualitative Inquiry into Designing Technology-Enabled Services for Eliciting Patients' Values

People with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) face challenges planning health care collaboratively with primary care clinicians, particularly when their priorities conflict. These challenges intensify with symptoms of anxiety or depression. Elicitation of patients' values is promoted as a means to aligning patient and clinician priorities in primary care, and as a component of psychotherapy for anxiety and depression. But, these approaches remain siloed. We conducted a qualitative interview study to understand patients' preferences for Technology Enabled Services (TESs) to coordinate values elicitation across primary and mental health care settings. Many participants preferred face-to-face elicitation by a mental health clinician; some preferred elicitation via telehealth and some preferred self-directed elicitation. Participants' preferences were influenced by: 1) how they perceived the rationale and benefits of values elicitation; 2) how they perceived the training and credibility of people facilitating elicitation; and 3) how they perceived their own capacity to engage in values elicitation. Participants also shared numerous concerns about values elicitation that warrant critical examination of TESs to support it.

Demand response optimization for smart grid integrated buildings: Review of technology enablers landscape and innovation challenges

Demand response optimization for smart grid integrated buildings: Review of technology enablers landscape and innovation challenges

Guest Editorial Enabling Technologies and Systems for Industry 5.0: From Foundation Models to Foundation Intelligence

Guest Editorial Enabling Technologies and Systems for Industry 5.0: From Foundation Models to Foundation Intelligence

Key Enabling Technologies for Beyond 5G Networks

The world of wireless communication is on the cusp of a revolution [...]

Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Blended Learning in a Technology–Enabled Education Environment

Technology integration in education has led to blended learning, a pedagogical approach combining traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning components. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and empirical research, this investigation examines the impact of blended learning on both students and educators. It delves into this approach's diverse range of technologies, including Learning Management Systems, video conferencing tools, and digital content platforms. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, the research identifies the opportunities that arise from adopting blended learning. It investigates the advantages of increased student flexibility, personalised learning experiences, and enhanced access to educational resources. The study explores how interactive content and virtual collaboration tools can boost student engagement and motivation. However, the study also uncovers educators' and students' challenges when implementing blended learning. These obstacles include technology access and proficiency issues, consistent communication, and addressing individual learning needs. The study addresses potential resistance to change from traditional teaching methods and the importance of teacher training and support. It compares students' achievements in blended learning environments with those in traditional classrooms and analyses the role of technology in influencing these outcomes. Based on the findings, the research concludes by providing insights into the future implications of blended learning in technology-enabled education environments. Keywords: Blended Learning; Learning Management System; Technology-enabled learning

From Food Industry 4.0 to Food Industry 5.0: Identifying technological enablers and potential future applications in the food sector.

Although several food-related fields have yet to fully grasp the speed and breadth of the fourth industrial revolution (also known as Industry 4.0), growing literature from other sectors shows that Industry 5.0 (referring to the fifth industrial revolution) is already underway. Food Industry 4.0 has been characterized by the fusion of physical, digital, and biological advances in food science and technology, whereas future Food Industry 5.0 could be seen as a more holistic, multidisciplinary, and multidimensional approach. This review will focus on identifying potential enabling technologies of Industry 5.0 that could be harnessed to shape the future of food in the coming years. We will review the state-of-the-art studies on the use of innovative technologies in various food and agriculture applications over the last 5 years. In addition, opportunities and challenges will be highlighted, and future directions and conclusions will be drawn. Preliminary evidence suggests that Industry 5.0 is the outcome of an evolutionary process and not of a revolution, as is often claimed. Our results show that regenerative and/or conversational artificial intelligence, the Internet of Everything, miniaturized and nanosensors, 4D printing and beyond, cobots and advanced drones, edge computing, redactable blockchain, metaverse and immersive techniques, cyber-physical systems, digital twins, and sixth-generation wireless and beyond are likely to be among the main driving technologies of Food Industry 5.0. Although the framework, vision, and value of Industry 5.0 are becoming popular research topics in various academic and industrial fields, the agri-food sector has just started to embrace some aspects and dimensions of Industry 5.0.

Investigation on Understanding the Numeracy Capacity of Intellectual Disabled Students using Enabling Technology Tools: Web Application, AR and UI/UX

The population of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) is increasing, necessitating assistance with a wide range of daily activities. Acquiring and assessing numeracy and communication skills are critical for this demographic, requiring tools and techniques tailored to their specific needs. Effective educational tools must employ multi-modal and multi-sensory approaches to cater to diverse learning styles and incorporate assistive technological solutions. Despite the availability of numerous tools, there is a need to enhance their utility and effectiveness. This study aims to identify and refine the requirements for an innovative educational tool that employs Two-dimensional (2D) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. To achieve this, we conducted semi-structured interviews and surveys with teachers working with students with ID, gaining insights into the current solutions, advantages, and limitations. Additionally, we used physical props as design probes in a co-design methodology to better understand and elicit the true needs of individuals with ID. The findings from this research will inform the development of a 2D/AR tool designed to make learning mathematics more engaging and effective for individuals with ID, contributing to the advancement of inclusive education practices. Enabling Technology plays a significant role in the numeracy ability among people with ID. Generative AI and Explainable AI shall further improve learning ability in the years to come.

Technology Enabled Ready-Made Garments Supply Chain Management: a Literature Review

Technology Enabled Ready-Made Garments Supply Chain Management: a Literature Review

Regulating the ‘AI Leviathan’: A Framework for AI Surveillance Disclosure Reporting

In an era marked by the ubiquity of digital surveillance, the role of AI algorithm companies has gained unparalleled prominence, especially as governments around the globe grapple with crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. In this evolving landscape, AI algorithm companies and governmental agencies collaboratively forge an AI-surveillance ecosystem, which could be termed an ‘AI Leviathan’. Within this system, the government operates in a multifaceted role while the AI companies act as key technological enablers. Despite recent regulatory efforts like the EU AI Act, which introduces a risk-based approach to AI regulation, extant legal frameworks still fall short of addressing the full spectrum of challenges that arise, including but not limited to privacy issues and algorithmic discrimination. Furthermore, the academic discourse has primarily centred on the state’s involvement in surveillance, frequently overlooking the pivotal role that AI algorithm companies play in influencing this extensive system. This article seeks to address this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of the contribution of AI algorithm companies in facilitating governmentdriven surveillance, particularly emphasizing the Chinese scenario. Additionally, it proposes a comply-or-explain framework for AI Surveillance Disclosure Reporting, specifically designed for these companies, aiming to amplify their transparency and accountability.

New paradigms shift in buildings: experimental application of Digital Twin for safety and well-being

Abstract Enhancing durability and service life of buildings and components is pivotal for sustainable development. It constitutes an opportunity to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions and life cycle impact of buildings in a climate neutral perspective. Issues strongly introduced and set as priorities by EU policies that highlight the urgent need to tackle them also through deeply heritage renovation and digital transformation in the building sector. Digitalization is a cornerstone of this transformation, instrumental in facilitating and enabling it sustainably. The Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) are directly associated with new technological potential and emerging technologies. Digital Twin (DT) approach appears alongside these. Its experimentation and widespread application are gaining prominence in innovating Life Cycle Management (LCM) and sustainability practices of buildings. In this scenario the paper explores the role and potentialities of DT approach presenting the experimental application of the DT4SEM. A digital infrastructure that, by integrating Internet of Things (IoT), synchronizes a physical building with its virtual counterpart. The two realities (physical and virtual) remain interconnected through the mutual exchange of data, both in real-time and asynchronously enabling proactive monitoring and analysis of seismic behaviour. The experimental setup involves simultaneously Big Data analytics, simulation tools and deploying sensors within the sample building. Data is then fed into the virtual DT model, allowing for continuous comparison and analysis to detect anomalies and predict potential risks. This approach facilitates enhanced decision-making, performance optimization and sustainability improvements across the building’s lifecycle: a new vision for built environment management that evolves from a process resulting in a sequence of operative phases into a complex digital infrastructure. The design of the DT4SEM and the current application for seismic monitoring in buildings, results from a collaborative effort involving the academic spinoff BIG srl, the startup Sysdev, the company Berna Engineering srl, and ACCA Software spa.

Electromechanics of stretchable hybrid response pressure sensors based on porous nanocomposites

Stretchable pressure sensors are a key enabler of human-mimetic e-skin technology, with promising applications in soft robotics, prosthetics, biomimetics, and biosensors. Stretchable hybrid response pressure sensor (SHRPS) is an emerging type of soft pressure sensor that employs hybrid piezoresistive and piezocapacitive responses. A unique feature of SHRPS based on barely conductive porous nanocomposite (PNC) is its exceptional pressure sensitivity which trivializes its sensitivity to lateral stretch or shear. In this work, we experimentally characterize the electromechanical responses of SHRPS under various loading conditions and provide theoretical explanations through an equivalent circuit model. The capacitance and resistance of the PNC are described by a parallel mixing law and Archie’s law, respectively. Our model can reasonably predict the responses of SHRPS. Our findings reveal that SHRPS exhibits minimal sensitivity to stretch and shear because the hybrid response mechanism is activated only under compression. The effects of PNC-electrode contact impedance and fringe effects are discussed.

Research on the Impact Mechanism of Green Innovation in Marine Science and Technology Enabling Dual Economic Circulations

Research on the Impact Mechanism of Green Innovation in Marine Science and Technology Enabling Dual Economic Circulations

Energy Hub and Micro-Energy Hub Architecture in Integrated Local Energy Communities: Enabling Technologies and Energy Planning Tools

Energy Hub and Micro-Energy Hub Architecture in Integrated Local Energy Communities: Enabling Technologies and Energy Planning Tools

Research on the Mechanism and Realization Path of Digital Technology Enabling High-quality Integration between Urban and Rural Areas

Urban and rural integration is the only way to solve the main social contradictions and achieve high-quality economic development. The booming digital technology, as the core of new quality productivity, provides new momentum for urban and rural integration. This paper takes the equalization of urban and rural basic services as a proxy variable for high-quality urban-rural integration, and empirically examines the enabling effect of digital technology on high-quality urban-rural integration based on the data of 282 prefecture-level cities nationwide from 2011 to 2021. The research shows that digital technology can effectively enable high-quality urban-rural integration; The development of digital technology promotes the high-quality integration of urban and rural areas by promoting industrial transformation and upgrading.

Using Spectral Flow Cytometry for CAR T-Cell Clinical Trials: Game Changing Technologies Enabling Novel Therapies

Monitoring chimeric antigen redirected (CAR) T-cells post-infusion in clinical trials is a specialized application of flow cytometry. Unlike the CAR T-cell monitoring for individual patients conducted in clinical laboratories, the data generated during a clinical trial will be used not only to monitor the therapeutic response of a single patient, but determine the success of the therapy itself, or even of an entire class of therapeutic compounds. The data, typically acquired at multiple testing laboratories, will be compiled into a single database. The data may also be used for mathematical modeling of cellular kinetics or to identify predictive biomarkers. With the expanded context of use, a robust, standardized assay is mandatory in order to generate a valuable and reliable data set. Hence, the requirements for assay validation, traceable calibration, technology transfer, cross-instrument standardization and regulatory compliance are high.

The Process of Ecosystem Emergence for an Enabling Technology: The 5G Case

This study aims to investigate how the process of ecosystem emergence occurs with the advent of 5G technology, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the enterprise market. For this purpose, an exploratory and qualitative multiple-case study was conducted, involving key players in the Italian 5G industry. The research analyses the roles and interactions necessary for creating a 5G ecosystem, emphasising the importance of cooperation among numerous stakeholders due to the complexity and specificity of 5G applications. The results indicate that 5G can be defined as an Enabling Technology (ET), However, it is still lacking the pervasiveness in terms of wide applicability associated with General-Purpose Technologies (GPTs). The successful development of a 5G ecosystem requires dual co-orchestrators: MNOs and intermediaries. MNOs alone are unable to properly manage the ecosystem due to the diverse and specific nature of 5G applications. Intermediaries by their side, provide essential technical and business expertise, supporting MNOs in creating value across various sectors. The study provides insights into the evolution of business models for companies leveraging 5G technology. It emphasises the need for strategic collaboration among stakeholders to maximise the potential of 5G, offering guidance for businesses on how to adapt and thrive in this emerging ecosystem. The originality of this study lies in its integration of two literature streams, the ecosystem one and the enabling technologies one. This research contributes to both literature streams by highlighting the co-orchestration model necessary for 5G. It underscores the challenges and characteristics of orchestrating an ecosystem driven by enabling technology, offering valuable perspectives for both academia and industry practitioners.

Spacecraft formation flying orbital control for earth observation mission

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors have gained much attention for multiple civil use cases, where NewSpace startups have launched and planning to launch sensors to orbit to harvest the unique capabilities of SAR for the Earth Observation (EO) market. Unlike optical, SAR can capture images in all lighting conditions and penetrate cloud cover, generating exceptional use cases, which makes SAR the most reliable sensor. For example, monitoring soil deformation with millimeter accuracy, oil spills, crop lodging, and typical EO use cases of optical sensors that are unable to penetrate the clouds or see at night. However, SAR is still limited in civil use cases because it is tough to interpret. In addition, unlike government users who can consume the SAR data directly, most civil end-users need analytics on top of the data. To unlock the potential civil use cases, many experts believe that optical EO data should be fused with SAR at the EO upstream, thus suggesting optical and SAR sensors fly in formation. Spacecraft Formation Flying (SFF) is one of the key technology enablers for space exploration and EO space missions. This paper presents an SFF EO mission (SAR and Optical) design considering orbit requirements to maximize user objectives inspired by OptiSAR™ Constellation.

Emotional intelligence as an antecedent of employees’ job outcomes through knowledge sharing in IT-ITeS firms

PurposeJob performance literature has evolved to address the aspects of performance thinking where knowledge sharing (KS) and emotions on the job are considered important. This study evaluates the influence of emotional intelligence (EI), mediated through KS, on job outcomes measured as job performance (JP) and job satisfaction (JS).Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling methods are used to investigate the degree of influence of EI on job outcomes through KS. The data for analysis has been collected from 227 project managers at Information Technology-Information Technology Enabled Services (IT-ITeS) firms.FindingsThe findings suggest that the EI has a positive and significant effect on KS. This implies that employees with high EI scores are more involved in the KS behavior. Furthermore, the findings suggest that KS partially mediates the relationship between EI and JP, and it fully mediates the relationship between EI and JS.Research limitations/implicationsFor KS, the answer lies in the recruitment and retention of emotionally intelligent persons rather than investing only in information technology. The study enhances the literature on knowledge management, sharing and EI.Practical implicationsThe proposed research model suggests a successful infusion of KS within IT-ITeS firms. Knowing the EI of employees and, accordingly, changing their behavior towards sharing knowledge is probably a distinctive, most efficacious and essential strategy for augmenting job outcomes.Originality/valueThe study establishes the role of KS in translating the impact of EI on JP and JS. Furthermore, it contributes a novel framework of KS behavior.

From Fax to Secure File Transfer Protocol: The 25-Year Evolution of Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance in England.

The purpose of syndromic surveillance is to provide early warning of public health incidents, real-time situational awareness during incidents and emergencies, and reassurance of the lack of impact on the population, particularly during mass gatherings. The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) currently coordinates a real-time syndromic surveillance service that encompasses 6 national syndromic surveillance systems reporting on daily health care usage across England. Each working day, UKHSA analyzes syndromic data from over 200,000 daily patient encounters with the National Health Service, monitoring over 140 unique syndromic indicators, risk assessing over 50 daily statistical exceedances, and taking and recommending public health action on these daily. This English syndromic surveillance service had its origins as a small exploratory pilot in a single region of England in 1999 involving a new pilot telehealth service, initially reporting only on "cold or flu" calls. This pilot showed the value of syndromic surveillance in England, providing advanced warning of the start of seasonal influenza activity over existing laboratory-based surveillance systems. Since this initial pilot, a program of real-time syndromic surveillance has evolved from the single-system, -region, -indicator pilot (using manual data transfer methods) to an all-hazard, multisystem, automated national service. The suite of systems now monitors a wide range of syndromes, from acute respiratory illness to diarrhea to cardiac conditions, and is widely used in routine public health surveillance and for monitoring seasonal respiratory disease and incidents such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we describe the 25-year evolution of the English syndromic surveillance system, focusing on the expansion and improvements in data sources and data management, the technological and digital enablers, and novel methods of data analytics and visualization.

Decoupled High-Mobility Graphene on Cu(111)/Sapphire via Chemical Vapor Deposition.

The growth of high-quality graphene on flat and rigid templates, such as metal thin films on insulating wafers, is regarded as a key enabler for technologies based on 2D materials. In this work, the growth of decoupled graphene is introduced via non-reducing low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) on crystalline Cu(111) films deposited on sapphire. The resulting film is atomically flat, with no detectable cracks or ripples, and lies atop of a thin Cu2O layer, as confirmed by microscopy, diffraction, and spectroscopy analyses. Post-growth treatment of the partially decoupled graphene enables full and uniform oxidation of the interface, greatly simplifying subsequent transfer processes, particularly dry-pick up - a task that proves challenging when dealing with graphene directly synthesized on metallic Cu(111). Electrical transport measurements reveal high carrier mobility at room temperature, exceeding 104cm2V-1s-1 on SiO2/Si and 105cm2V-1s-1 upon encapsulation in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). The demonstrated growth approach yields exceptional material quality, in line with micro-mechanically exfoliated graphene flakes, and thus paves the way toward large-scale production of pristine graphene suitable for high-performance next-generation applications.