Implementation Of New Technologies Research Articles

Disaster plant pathology: Smart solutions for threats to global plant health from natural and human-driven disasters.

Disaster plant pathology addresses how natural and human-driven disasters impact plant diseases, and the requirements for smart management solutions. Local to global drivers of plant disease change in response to disasters, often creating environments more conducive to plant disease. Most disasters have indirect effects on plant health through factors such as disrupted supply chains and damaged infrastructure. There is also the potential for direct effects from disasters, such as pathogen or vector dispersal due to floods, hurricanes, and human migration driven by war. Pulse stressors such as hurricanes and war require rapid responses, while press stressors such as climate change leave more time for management adaptation but may ultimately cause broader challenges. Smart solutions for the effects of disasters can be deployed through digital agriculture and decision support systems supporting disaster preparedness and optimized humanitarian aid across scales. Here we use the disaster plant pathology framework to synthesize the effects of disasters in plant pathology and outline solutions to maintain food security and plant health in catastrophic scenarios. We recommend actions for improving food security before and following disasters, including (1) strengthening regional and global cooperation, (2) capacity building for rapid implementation of new technologies, (3) effective clean seed systems that can act quickly to replace seed lost in disasters, (4) resilient biosecurity infrastructure and risk assessment ready for rapid implementation, and (5) decision support systems that can adapt rapidly to unexpected scenarios.

Implementation of new technologies designed to improve cervical cancer screening and completion of care in low-resource settings: a case study from the Proyecto Precancer

BackgroundThis case study details the experience of the Proyecto Precancer in applying the Integrative Systems Praxis for Implementation Research (INSPIRE) methodology to guide the co-development, planning, implementation, adoption, and sustainment of new technologies and screening practices in a cervical cancer screening and management (CCSM) program in the Peruvian Amazon. We briefly describe the theoretical grounding of the INSPIRE framework, the phases of the INSPIRE process, the activities within each phase, and the RE-AIM outcomes used to evaluate program outcomes.MethodsProyecto Precancer iteratively engaged over 90 stakeholders in the Micro Red Iquitos Sur (MRIS) health network in the Amazonian region of Loreto, Perú, through the INSPIRE phases. INSPIRE is an integrative research methodology grounded in systems thinking, participatory action research, and implementation science frameworks such as the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. An interrupted time-series design with a mixed-methods RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) evaluation framework was used to examine the adoption of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing (including self-sampling), with direct treatment after visual inspection with portable thermal ablation, at the primary level.ResultsThis approach, blending participatory action research, implementation science, and systems-thinking, led to rapid adoption and successful implementation of the new cervical cancer screening and management program within 6 months, using an HPV-based screen-and-treat strategy across 17 health facilities in one of the largest public health networks of the Peruvian Amazon. Monitoring and evaluation data revealed that, within 6 months, the MRIS had surpassed their monthly screening goals, tripling their original screening rate, with approximately 70% of HPV-positive women reaching a completion of care endpoint, compared with around 30% prior to the new CCSM strategy.ConclusionsProyecto Precancer facilitated the adoption and sustainment of HPV testing with subsequent treatment of HPV-positive women (after visual inspection) using portable thermal ablation at the primary level. This was accompanied by the de-implementation of existing visual inspection-based screening strategies and colposcopy for routine precancer triage at the hospital level. This case study highlights how implementation science approaches were used to guide the sustained adoption of a new screen-and-treat strategy in the Peruvian Amazon, while facilitating de-implementation of older screening practices.

Journey to 1 Million Steps: A Retrospective Case Series Analyzing the Implementation of Robotic-Assisted Gait Training Into an Outpatient Pediatric Clinic.

To describe the implementation of an exoskeleton program in a rehabilitation setting using a Design Thinking framework. This is a retrospective case series of 3 randomly selected children who participated in skilled physical therapy using a pediatric exoskeleton that occurred on our journey to walking 1 000 000 steps in the exoskeleton devices. Participants ranged in age from 3 to 5 years, and all had neurologic disorders. All participants improved toward achieving their therapy goals, tolerated the exoskeleton well, and had an increased number of steps taken over time. The implementation of new technology into pediatric care and an established outpatient therapy clinic is described. The Design Thinking process applies to health care professionals and improves clinical care. Exoskeletons are effective tools for use in pediatric physical therapy.

The Swiss Sleep House Bern—A New Approach to Sleep Medicine

Sleep is essential for health, well-being, creativity, and productivity. Sleep loss and sleep–wake circadian disorders (SWCDs) affect at least one in three individuals but are underdiagnosed and undertreated for different reasons: First, the importance of sleep health and, second, the burden of sleep loss and SWCDs are underestimated. Third, education in sleep medicine is insufficient and health care-related sleep research is underdeveloped. Fourth, the validation and implementation of tele-sleep medicine approaches and novel devices to monitor SWCDs are still insufficient. Fifth, the reimbursement of sleep medicine in most countries is inadequate and the availability of specialized care is limited to a few centers. The Swiss Sleep House Bern (SSHB) was founded in 2022 to address these challenges and eventually promote better care for patients with SWCDs and improve sleep health for the broader population. The interdisciplinary and interprofessional team of the SSHB, which is integrated in the Bernese Interdisciplinary Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy Center, links sleep specialists with primary care providers to offer a rapid and accessible triage and first-level management of sleep complaints and SWCDs. The SSHB also promotes awareness and offers educational programs on sleep health and SWCDs, performs health care research, and fosters the implementation of new technologies, data science, and telemedicine into clinical routine.

O17: ‘I had to do something’: A qualitative study of patients and healthcare professionals engagement in an interventional diabetic foot ulcer trial

Abstract Background Development of interventions to improve diabetic foot ulcer(DFU) healing is vital, however trials typically under-recruit and translation of effective interventions is limited. This study explores patient and clinician perceptions of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy(ESWT) and the SOLEFUL Trial(randomised control trial of ESWT for DFU). Methods Maximum variable sampling technique was used to recruit participants from one tertiary centre and clinicians nationally. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in four participant groups (participants, dropouts, decliners, and clinicians). Data were analysed with an inductive exploratory approach using reflexive thematic analysis. Results 18 participants, 1 dropout, 3 decliners and 10 clinicians took part. Drivers for participation included desperation for healing and curiosity in a new intervention. Participants perceived the trial offered holistic healthcare, referencing quality-of-life questionnaires and telephone follow-ups. ESWT was viewed as hassle-free and painless, compared to alternatives. Barriers to participation included impact of competing comorbidities and belief care cannot be improved. In contrast, clinicians discussed mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and implementation of new technologies. Conclusion This study highlighted key drivers for trial engagement/disengagement in patients with DFUs and their clinicians. These factors must be respected in trial design and delivery to aid successful development of new DFU interventions.

Energy Poverty Impact on Sustainable Development of Water Resources in China: The Study of an Entropy Recycling Dynamic Two-Stage SBM Model

Water scarcity is increasingly being recognized as a global concern. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) was established by the United Nations to address water resource governance within its sustainable development framework. This study employs the entropy weight method and a two-stage cyclical dynamic slacks-based measure (SBM) model to scientifically evaluate water resource utilization and governance across various regions in China. The findings reveal notable disparities in both the production and governance efficiency of water resources. Recognizing governance efficiency is crucial for promoting sustainable water resource utilization and socioeconomic development. The eastern, central, and western regions encounter unique challenges in attaining sustainability. The eastern region exhibits minimal potential for enhancing technical efficiency, necessitating interventions in management strategies and resource allocation. Conversely, the challenges in the central and western regions are more pronounced, demanding immediate implementation of new technologies and equipment. The data analysis in this study yields conclusions that offer targeted improvement recommendations to address disparities across China’s eastern, central, and western regions, and this is achieved by considering various developmental stages and regional contexts. These recommendations cover areas such as technical support, financial investment, and policy incentives, with the aim of enhancing the sustainable utilization of water resources in the country.

Is new tech a pain in the neck? The impact of introducing new technologies in home-care on neck pain: a prospective study

BackgroundHome healthcare services are increasingly utilizing novel technologies to enhance quality and efficiency of caregiving, to reduce workloads and compensate for expected labor shortages in the future due to ageing populations. However, rapid, ongoing implementation of new technologies may demand considerable adaptation for employees. The objective of this study was to prospectively examine associations of newly introduced work technologies with neck pain complaints.MethodsWith a nationally representative prospective sample of home-care workers in Norway (N = 887), we estimated effects of 1) introducing new technologies and 2) the appraised quality of training during implementation on neck pain eight months after.ResultsA majority of employees reported new technologies having been introduced the previous 12 months (73.8%). This was not by itself associated with neck pain. However, perceived high quality of training was associated with less subsequent neck pain, also after adjustment for job demands and job control. The strongest effect was seen for “very good” versus “very poor” quality training (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17,0.71, in the fully adjusted model). Cross-lagged path analyses ruled out potential reverse causation stemming from the influence of pain on needs for or appraisals of training.ConclusionThe present findings suggest the introduction of new work technologies has a significant impact on home-care workers’ health, depending on the quality of training during implementation. This highlights the need to include training programs in risk assessments when implementing new technologies.

Frontiers in Operations: Waiting Experience in Open-Shop Service Networks: Improvements via Flow Analytics and Automation

Problem definition: We study open-shop service networks where customers go through multiple services. We were motivated by a partnering health screening clinic, where customers are routed by a dispatcher and operational performance is measured at two levels: micro-level, via waits for individual services, and macro-level, via overall wait. Both measures reflect customer experience and could support its management. Our analysis revealed that waits were long and increased along the service process. Such long waits give rise to negative waiting experience and the increasing shape is detrimental as it is known to create perceived waits that are even longer. Our goal is hence to analyze strategies that shape and improve customers’ perceived experience. Methodology/results: Analytically, we use a stylized two-station open-shop network to show that prioritizing advanced customers, jointly with pooling (virtual) queues, can improve both macro- and micro-level performance. We validate these findings with a simulation model, calibrated with our clinic’s data. Practically, we find that an automated routing system (ARS), recently implemented in the clinic, had a negligible impact on overall wait—It simply redistributed waiting among wait-for-routing and wait-for-service. However, ARS renders applicable sophisticated priority and routing policies (that were infeasible under the manual routing practice), specifically the ones arising from the present research. Managerial implications: Our study amplifies performance benefits of accounting for individual customers’ system status in addition to station-level load information. We offer insights into the implementation of new technologies: Firms better plan for fundamental changes in their operation rather than harness new technology to their existing operation, which may be suboptimal due to past technical limitations. History: This paper has been accepted in the Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Frontiers in Operations Initiative. Funding: M. Chen acknowledges the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72301280]. O. Baron acknowledges the support from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada. J. Wang acknowledges the support from the City University of Hong Kong [Grant 11505421]. A. Mandelbaum is partially supported by the Israel Science Foundation [Grant 491/22]. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0590 .

Effective factors for the adoption of IoT applications in nursing care: A theoretical framework for smart healthcare

The utilization of the Internet of Things (IoT) presents a promising opportunity for the healthcare industry which is continuously expanding and persistently aspiring to enhance the quality of medical services and reduce its operational costs through the implementation of new technologies. Despite the proven benefits of utilizing IoT-based technologies, its integration in the healthcare sector is minimal, particularly in nursing care. The purpose of this study is to establish a conceptual model to guide program designers and implementation leaders in evaluating the adoption of IoT products and services in nursing care, from the perspective of nurses. The study employed an empirical quantitative research design utilizing a structured online questionnaire to collect data from a convenience sample of nursing staff gathered data were subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Structural Equation Modeling Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS). Data analysis led to the establishment of a framework to identify factors influencing the integration of IoT and barriers that may impede its adoption in nursing care. The study makes a valuable contribution to academia by addressing a gap in the existing literature relating to the adoption of IoT in medical services, particularly in nursing care, and providing a novel theoretical framework that encompasses effective factors for the integration of IoT in medical care. This model provides deep insight and guidance to healthcare industry leaders, system developers, and nursing professionals to improve program design and implementation of IoT applications in healthcare. In addition, the model guides building engineering in the planning and design of medical facilities aligned with the IoT technologies and its physical environment. Finally, the study paved the way for further research exploring the implementation of IoT-based technologies and expanding the model to other stakeholders and functions within medical departments as well as other industries.

Innovative methods of drying wood to minimize waste and improve recycling efficiency in the Baikal region

The study is dedicated to the analysis of innovative wood drying methods in the Baikal region with the aim of minimizing waste and enhancing processing efficiency. It examines microwave and vacuum drying methods, their impact on wood quality, and economic efficiency. The work includes experimental research and analysis of the potential economic and ecological impact of the proposed methods. Recommendations for the implementation of new technologies in regional enterprises are presented, as well as prospects for further research in this area.

Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalised Medicine: a position paper on innovation and digitalization in Personalized Medicine

BackgroundThe advent of Personalized Medicine (PM) holds significant promise in revolutionizing healthcare by tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their data. However, its successful implementation requires the seamless integration of innovative technologies and presents formidable challenges in terms of sustainability. To tackle these challenges head-on, the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine (ICPerMed) was established, and the IC2PerMed project, as part of this consortium, seeks to foster collaboration between the European Union (EU) and China in the field of Personalized Medicine. Based on the results collected by the project, the objective of this study is to discern the key priorities for the implementation of Personalised Medicine concerning Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Big Data and digital solutions, with a particular emphasis on data management and protection.MethodsA Delphi survey was conducted to gather expert’s consensus on the main priorities for actions on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Big Data and digital solutions in the field of Personalized Medicine.ResultsThe survey identified seven priorities in the area of Big Data and digital solutions, including data interoperability, standards, security measures, and international partnerships. Additionally, twelve priorities were identified for the innovation-to-market process, emphasizing cost-effectiveness, need assessment, and value definition in resource allocation.ConclusionsThe effective implementation of new technologies in Personalized Medicine research and practice is essential for the advancement of healthcare systems in both the European and Chinese contexts. The identified priorities play a pivotal role in promoting the sustainability of health systems and driving innovation in the implementation of Personalized Medicine. Addressing challenges related to data interoperability, standards, security, international collaboration, cost-effectiveness, and value assessment is of utmost importance in order to propel the progress of Personalized Medicine in healthcare systems.

Innovation Diffusion Across 13 Specialties and Associated Clinician Characteristics.

Diffusion of innovations, defined as the adoption and implementation of new ideas, processes, products, or services in health care, is both particularly important and especially challenging. One known problem with adoption and implementation of new technologies is that, while organizations often make innovations immediately available, organizational actors are more wary about adopting new technologies because these may impact not only patients and practices but also reimbursement. As a result, innovations may remain underutilized, and organizations may miss opportunities to improve and advance. As innovation adoption is vital to achieving success and remaining competitive, it is important to measure and understand factors that impact innovation diffusion. Building on a survey of a national sample of 654 clinicians, our study measures the extent of diffusion of value-enhancing care delivery innovations (i.e., technologies that not only improve quality of care but has potential to reduce care cost by diminishing waste, Faems et al., 2010) for 13 clinical specialties and identifies healthcare-specific individual characteristics such as: professional purview, supervisory responsibility, financial incentive, and clinical tenure associated with innovation diffusion. We also examine the association of innovation diffusion with perceived value of one type of care delivery innovation - artificial intelligence (AI) - for assisting clinicians in their clinical work. Responses indicate that less than two-thirds of clinicians were knowledgeable about and aware of relevant value-enhancing care delivery innovations. Clinicians with broader professional purview, more supervisory responsibility, and stronger financial incentives had higher innovation diffusion scores, indicating greater knowledge and awareness of value-enhancing, care delivery innovations. Higher levels of knowledge of the innovations and awareness of their implementation were associated with higher perceptions of the value of AI-based technology. Our study contributes to our knowledge of diffusion of innovation in healthcare delivery and highlights potential mechanisms for speeding innovation diffusion.

Pilot study: Insights into the validity of Opencap to assess knee kinematics during the back squat

Introduction
 Advancements in technology have revolutionized the field of sports science, enabling researchers to gain deeper insights into the biomechanics of athletes' movements (Baca et al., 2022). Among these technological advancements, OpenCap has emerged as a powerful tool for biomechanical analysis (Uhlrich et al., 2023).  Integrating OpenCap with other innovative technologies, such as motion capture systems and data analytics, further enhances the understanding of human movement. However, the effective implementation of new technologies requires rigorous scientific validation and a nuanced approach to their comparison with already established techniques. The primary goal of this research is to establish basic characteristics for comparing biomechanical analysis results obtained from OpenCap and VICON.
 Methods
 A total of 3 healthy 23-29-year-old women with a minimum of one year of experience in strength training were recruited for the study. For OpenCap (opensimModel: LaiArnoldModified2017_poly_withArms_weldHand, posemodel: openpose, augmentermodel: v0.2), the system paired cameras of two iOS devices with a web app running on a standard laptop recording videos at 60Hz. A VICON system consisting of 10 cameras (200 Hz, Oxford Metrics Group, Oxford UK) was used for 3D motion analysis. The Plug-In Gait marker set (from the VICON system), comprising 42 markers with a diameter of 16mm, was employed along with two manual markers for tracking the barbell position. Ground reaction forces were measured using two force plates (1000 Hz, Kistler AG, Winterthur, CH). The collected data served as reference data for scaling the models and running OpenSim simulations. Barbell loads were adjusted based on body weight, with loads of 25% or 50% for the free-weight back squat. Each exercise consisted of three cycles of five repetitions, enabling subsequent calculation of average values for further analysis and evaluation.
 Results
 The analysis incorporated 22 valid squats. Statistical mapping revealed significant discrepancies in knee angles between Opencap and the OpenSim model throughout most of the back squat cycle, except from 10 to 35%. The average difference was 16.9 degrees (SD = 18.3 degrees). An RMSE of 24.9 and an ICC 3.1 of 0.503 (p = 0.006076) suggest moderate agreement between the models.
 Discussion/Conclusion
 Ongoing technological advancements are pushing the frontiers of sport biomechanics through groundbreaking innovations. To achieve a comprehensive assessment and comparison of new technologies, it is vital to perform correlation analyses on identical parameters produced by diverse models (Jing et al., 2023). The ICC results indicated a moderate agreement between the models, with the OpenCap model significantly underestimating knee angles. This lesser agreement, as compared to existing literature (Lima et al., 2023), may be attributed to the potential misinterpretation of the barbell by the model. Pending updates from the forthcoming augmenter model v0.3, we advise cautious application of Opencap technology in practical scenarios. However, we believe that with further technological advancement and continued refinement, it has the potential to greatly benefit the field of sports biomechanics.
 References
 Baca, A., Dabnichki, P., Hu, C. W., Kornfeind, P., & Exel, J. (2022). Ubiquitous computing in sports and physical activity—Recent trends and developments. Sensors, 22(21), Article 8370. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/21/8370
 Jing, Z., Han, J., & Zhang, J. (2023). Comparison of biomechanical analysis results using different musculoskeletal models for children with cerebral palsy. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, Article 1217918. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1217918
 Lima, Y., Collings, T., Hall, M., Bourne, M., Diamond, L. (2023). Assessing lower-limb kinematics via OpenCap during dynamic tasks relevant to anterior cruciate ligament injury: A validity study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 26(Suppl2), S105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.08.123
 Uhlrich, S. D., Falisse, A., Kidziński, Ł., Muccini, J., Ko, M., Chaudhari, A. S., Hicks, J. L., & Delp, S. L. (2023). OpenCap: Human movement dynamics from smartphone videos. PLoS Computational Biology, 19(10), Article e1011462. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011462
 Acknowledgement
 This study was funded by the Swiss National Foundation (192289).

A Framework for Sustainable Manufacturing: Integrating Industry 4.0 Technologies with Industry 5.0 Values

The limitations imposed by resource scarcity and the imperative to mitigate adverse environmental and societal impacts have intensified the urgency of developing more sustainable manufacturing systems. Simultaneously, the rapid development and implementation of new technologies is exacerbating the digital divide among vulnerable workers. Concomitantly, the enabling technologies stemming from Industry 4.0 offer significant potential to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturing systems. However, the impact of these enabling technologies on achieving sustainable manufacturing remains uncertain. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration to address this knowledge gap. Initially, it assesses the suitability of each enabling technology within Industry 4.0 across the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Subsequently, the needs of the production process are studied to characterize its sustainable performance. For this, the ASTM E3012-22 standard is introduced. Building upon this foundation, the incorporation of Industry 5.0 is introduced to guide the selection of enabling technologies for sustainability based on its core values, encompassing sustainability, human-centricity, and resilience. The integration of new technologies guided by these values can help bridge the technological divide among vulnerable workers. Finally, a theoretical framework is proposed to enable the design of sustainable manufacturing systems guided by Industry 5.0 values. This framework enables the seamless integration of enabling technologies, machinery, and human expertise throughout the system life cycle.

Innovative Predictive Approach towards a Personalized Oxygen Dosing System.

Despite the large impact chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that has on the population, the implementation of new technologies for diagnosis and treatment remains limited. Current practices in ambulatory oxygen therapy used in COPD rely on fixed doses overlooking the diverse activities which patients engage in. To address this challenge, we propose a software architecture aimed at delivering patient-personalized edge-based artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted models that are built upon data collected from patients' previous experiences along with an evaluation function. The main objectives reside in proactively administering precise oxygen dosages in real time to the patient (the edge), leveraging individual patient data, previous experiences, and actual activity levels, thereby representing a substantial advancement over conventional oxygen dosing. Through a pilot test using vital sign data from a cohort of five patients, the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach are demonstrated, thus highlighting the need for personalized treatment strategies. This study underscores the importance of adopting advanced technological approaches for ambulatory oxygen therapy.

Cooperation and Collective Action as Strategies for The Development of Haitian Agriculture

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the beliefs of Haitian citizens about collective action and cooperativism to assist in the economic development of Haiti through family farming, using Mancur Olson's Collective Action Theory as an analytical theoretical framework.   Theoretical framework: The study is based on the "Collective Action Theory", as developed by economist Mancur Olson in his work "The Logic of Collective Action". The theory proposes a model for the construction of collective actions based on the understanding of group needs and the ability to achieve challenging goals.   Method: The study is characterized by a qualitative case study, conducted in the interior of "Cayes Jacmel," Haiti, using intentional sampling for interviews with forty Haitian farmers.   Results and conclusion: The study observed that family farming depends on the implementation of new technologies and a credit system to boost agricultural practices. The study concluded that cooperativism and collective action in the Haitian context have the potential to boost the development of family farming and promote economic, political, and social progress.   Research implications: The study provides critical insights into Haitians' perceptions of collective action and its role in economic development. It underscores the importance of cooperation, challenges political structures, and highlights the need for international aid aligned with sustainable agriculture.   Originality/value: The study's originality lies in its focus on collective action as a driver of economic progress, aligning with the scope of the RGSA. The study's value extends to its potential to shape socio-environmental practices within Haitian society.

Biotechnological Valorization of Waste Glycerol into Gaseous Biofuels—A Review

The supply of waste glycerol is rising steadily, partially due to the increased global production of biodiesel. Global biodiesel production totals about 47.1 billion liters and is a process that involves the co-production of waste glycerol, which accounts for over 12% of total esters produced. Waste glycerol is also generated during bioethanol production and is estimated to account for 10% of the total sugar consumed on average. Therefore, there is a real need to seek new technologies for reusing and neutralizing glycerol waste, as well as refining the existing ones. Biotechnological means of valorizing waste glycerol include converting it into gas biofuels via anaerobic fermentation processes. Glycerol-to-bioenergy conversion can be improved through the implementation of new technologies, the use of carefully selected or genetically modified microbial strains, the improvement of their metabolic efficiency, and the synthesis of new enzymes. The present study aimed to describe the mechanisms of microbial and anaerobic glycerol-to-biogas valorization processes (including methane, hydrogen, and biohythane) and assess their efficiency, as well as examine the progress of research and implementation work on the subject and present future avenues of research.

Artificial intelligence in healthcare: why not apply the medico-legal method starting with the Collingridge dilemma?

Technology has greatly influenced and radically changed human life, from communication to creativity and from productivity to entertainment. The authors, starting from considerations concerning the implementation of new technologies with a strong impact on people's everyday lives, take up Collingridge's dilemma and relate it to the application of AI in healthcare. Collingridge's dilemma is an ethical and epistemological problem concerning the relationship between technology and society which involves two approaches. The proactive approach and socio-technological experimentation taken into account in the dilemma are discussed, the former taking health technology assessment (HTA) processes as a reference and the latter the AI studies conducted so far. As a possible prevention of the critical issues raised, the use of the medico-legal method is proposed, which classically lies between the prevention of possible adverse events and the reconstruction of how these occurred.The authors believe that this methodology, adopted as a European guideline in the medico-legal field for the assessment of medical liability, can be adapted to AI applied to the healthcare scenario and used for the assessment of liability issues. The topic deserves further investigation and will certainly be taken into consideration as a possible key to future scenarios.

2D temperature field analysis of asphalt pavements with three different types of subgrade structures

To explore the temperature distribution in width and depth of asphalt pavements with three different subgrade types, a numerical model is established. Based on actual meteorological data, the lateral temperature differences (LTDs) along the depth direction of pavement layers were analyzed under diurnal periodic thermal boundary conditions. Results reveal that the maximum LTD on the surface of a part-cut part-fill subgrade roadbed structure, as represented by a mountainous road, can reach 6.3 °C and 10.8 °C during winter and summer, respectively. The LTDs vary periodically with the boundary conditions. The LTDs on the road surface with high solar radiation in summer are 2.6–7.6 °C higher than those in winter. The influence ranges of the LTDs along the width direction of the road in winter and summer are 0–300 mm and 0–350 mm, respectively. This study provides a more precise method for studying the temperature field of road structures, which is helpful in analysing the pavement damage caused by thermal stress, etc. It also provides the necessary reference for the practical implementation of new technologies in the fields of asphalt pavement thermal energy storage systems and asphalt pavement temperature difference power generation.

Technological Developments as a New Challenge for Modern Legislation

Aim: The aim of the article is to present the legal aspects of the use of new technologies. Accelerating the progress of civilization through the rapid development of technology is a challenge for both the legislator and entities who, when applying the law, interpret imperfect regulations or have to deal with the lack of regulations on a daily basis. In this publication, the author discusses legal aspects related to the development and implementation of new technologies and answers the question whether the applicable regulations combine the intentions of the creators of the regulations with social and economic needs. Introduction: The essence of all development is the improvement and expansion of human and technological capabilities and potential. Civilizational development is a system of interconnected vessels based on mutual social, cultural and technological interdependencies, and all these spheres of public life are inextricably linked with legal regulations. Without elementary knowledge of regulations, it would be difficult to make rational decisions regarding everyday life, therefore legal standards should include solutions adequate to the needs of citizens and the economy. In case of new technologies, which are subject to continuous and dynamic changes, the traditional norm-setting model known as hard law does not fully achieve its goals, and what is more, the applicable law does not keep up with the development of new technologies. Methodology: he article describes the current state of knowledge in the field of selected aspects of new technology law. The work uses theoretical research methods, including the analysis of applicable regulations and the literature and views of the doctrine, as well as the results of the research work of the author of the publication. Conclusions: Current legal regulations do not keep up with new technologies. The legislative process itself is complicated and very long. The introduction of new regulations and legislative changes requires, among others, inter-ministerial and social arrangements, work in Sejm and Senate committees, voting in Parliament, and finally the signature of the President of the Republic of Poland. The above-mentioned legal activities take time, and new technologies mean variability and dynamism – a constant fight against time. The development of technology is certainly a new challenge for legislators, for whom cooperation with the scientific community and representatives of various technological industries is an opportunity to create regulations that support rather than limit the development of 21st century technologies. Keywords: law of new technologies, technological revolution, security, implementation of innovations