Implementation Of New Technologies Research Articles

Barriers and the potential for changes and benefits from the implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions in enterprises

Abstract The implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions in Polish enterprises entails both certain barriers and significant potential for changes and numerous benefits. These barriers may result from the costs of implementation of new technologies, the need to adapt employees to new skills and concerns about data security. However, by overcoming these difficulties, companies can benefit from the enormous potential for changes such as increasing production efficiency, optimizing logistics processes or improving product quality. Moreover, the use of Industry 4.0 technologies can contribute to increased innovation, increased competitiveness on the global market and the creation of new jobs. As a result, the benefits of implementing these solutions support Polish enterprises to actively engage in digital transformation, despite the barriers they encounter. The objective of this article is to confront the benefits and potential for changes resulting from the implementation of modern technologies with the barriers that limit this process. The statistical assessment of the differences between the barrier assessment values and the assessment of benefits from the use of technology, as well as between the barrier assessment values and the assessment of the potential for changes, was based on the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. The study covered representatives of 236 enterprises who mainly held managerial positions at various levels of management staff or persons designated by them who were responsible for research and development activities in the surveyed entities. As a result, it was indicated that the level of involvement in technological transformation among Polish enterprises is moderate. Almost 67% of all the surveyed entrepreneurs can characterize specific Industry 4.0 solutions. Among them, only approximately 6% can be defined as highly digital companies that already have partially digitized operational processes. Moreover, enterprises see more potential benefits and potential changes from the introduction of Industry 4.0 solutions than barriers to their implementation. This study is dedicated to both authors dealing with Industry 4.0 issues and entrepreneurs implementing modern technologies in their companies.

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, whereas 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 (i) strengthening regional and global cooperation, (ii) capacity building for rapid implementation of new technologies, (iii) effective clean seed systems that can act quickly to replace seed lost in disasters, (iv) resilient biosecurity infrastructure and risk assessment ready for rapid implementation, and (v) decision support systems that can adapt rapidly to unexpected scenarios. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

#3003 Increased focus on peritoneal dialysis gives patients improved quality of life and saves millions for the region

Abstract Background and Aims Is it possible to improve PD patients' quality of life and everyday life in combination with the challenge of mastering large geographical distances and at the same time a desire to make healthcare more patient safe and enable patients to be co-creators in their dialysis care? With an area of 48,935 km2, which corresponds to 12% of Sweden's area and larger than the whole of Denmark, Östersund Hospital is the only hospital in a region that takes care of 132,670 inhabitants. In 2018, 85% of patients were dialyzed with hemodialysis at Östersund Hospital. Several of the patients had to travel 200-300 km one way, three to four times a week to receive their dialysis treatment. In addition to high medical travel costs for the region, this also contributed to a low quality of life for the patients. Patients of working age found it difficult to maintain their jobs due to long journeys to the hospital. In a study by (Van Bulck et al, 2018), he shows that patients on dialysis have low participation in their care compared to other patient groups. Method A first step towards a change to provide an increased quality of life for the patients was to invest in self-care with peritoneal dialysis. Several studies describe peritoneal dialysis as a treatment with increased freedom that offers the patient independence with the opportunity to continue working if they are of working age (IIkka et al, AJKD 2012). In addition, several studies show several medical benefits, such as preserving the patient's residual function, which indirectly associates with better patient survival (Van de Luijtgaarden et al, NDT 2011). To continue its work, the dialysis clinic needed approval from the region to start using a night machine connected to a cloud service. After a long wait, the dialysis clinic received approval to use the new technology. Results Since the digital platform was introduced, remote dialysis treatment has increased in the Jämtland Härjedalen region. Digitalization gives healthcare professionals the opportunity to follow the patient's treatment results daily and optimize dialysis treatments without the patient needing to visit the hospital. Today, work is more proactive and provides the conditions to prevent problems before they arise. Five years ago, 85% of dialysis treatments were performed at the hospital. Today, as many as 60% of dialysis treatments with peritoneal dialysis take place in the patient's home. Already in the first year of increased self-care, the region saved SEK 6 million on reduced patient travel. Success factors for a successful result and our way of working today: Conclusion With a patient centric approach, a clear goal focuses and collaboration between several different professional categories. Östersund Hospital has managed to increase the proportion of patients with home treatment from 15% to 60%. Through the implementation of new technology in the form of a digital platform tied to a dialysis machine, the patient's treatment can be evaluated and adjusted remotely. From previously working reactively and solving problems when they arise, now working proactively and planning care for the patient. Emergency hospitalizations can be avoided. In addition to reducing the patient's suffering and providing a better quality of life with fewer hospital visits, it also promotes the hospital's finances. By having the courage to dare to try when others say impossible, learn from their mistakes instead of seeing it as a failure, the clinic's work has improved self-care and participation for this patient group.

Communication Aspect of National Testing Digitalization: Investigating Key Stakeholders’ Satisfaction

Research Question: The paper deals with the analysis of the elements of the communication system in the process of digitalization of the national testing process in the Republic of Serbia. Motivation: National testing represents an important segment of education in most countries. Considering that it involves a large number of stakeholders and activities, innovations based on the implementation of new technologies are complex and require significant efforts and resources for their implementation. The digitalization of national testing in Serbia, in addition to the development of software and organizational solutions, is accompanied by the development and implementation of a communication system aimed at facilitating the acceptance of innovations by all participants. This paper addresses the analysis of the efficiency of the elements of the communication system and satisfaction of stakeholders with them, at the final exam at the end of primary education in the Republic of Serbia. Idea: The paper aims to describe a successful communication system implemented to support the process of national testing digitalization. Effective communication is essential due to the large number of participants involved in the process and should ensure national testing effectiveness and transparency. Data: For the analysis of the satisfaction of two stakeholder groups with the highest interest and influence in the process of conducting the final exam, data obtained from surveys conducted in 2021, 2022, and 2023 were used. Each year, the questionnaire was completed by over 900 primary school principals and over 8,000 parents of final-grade pupils. Tools: In the research, a questionnaire specifically designed for two stakeholder groups - primary school principals and parents of final-grade pupils was used. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were employed. Findings: The research has found that high satisfaction among key stakeholders (primary school principals and parents) is achieved through a carefully designed and implemented communication system, which includes an internet portal, written and video instructions, as well as direct support from trained and expert individuals. The communication system element that has the greatest impact on principals' satisfaction is the administrative portal, while for parents, it comprises all instructions prepared for carrying out activities. Contribution: This paper expands on existing research related to the digitalization of national testing and highlights the key elements of the communication system to enhance participant satisfaction in the process.

Evolution of information systems and technologies in the hospitality and tourism sector: a historical perspective

The article examines the influence of information systems on the growth of the tourism industry. Historically, these technologies have enhanced service in the hotel and restaurant sectors. Tourism is characterised by a high volume of diverse information flows that require constant updating and rapid exchange operations. For instance, the implementation of new technologies involves automating numerous hotel processes, including electronic reservation systems, which can contribute to improving service quality. The text provides data on the use of information technologies and automated management systems in hotels and restaurants in Ukraine and worldwide, highlighting significant prospects in this direction. Additionally, it mentions programs initially developed by Ukrainian companies. When selecting a system, factors such as price and reliability are crucial as many systems share similar functional characteristics. This article outlines the history, development, and widespread adoption of computer reservation systems (CRS). CRS has expanded the range of services and reduced the cost of electronic booking and reservation services. The expansion of tourism activities has occurred in all areas of the industry, including accommodation and entertainment. The research provides information on global reservation systems such as Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, and Worldspan (Travelport), as well as Ukrainian reservation systems in tourism. The development opportunities of the tourism industry are closely linked to the capabilities of the Internet in modern conditions. Thousands of tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, and airlines operate successfully online, along with ten reservation systems for tourism services. The network provides reliable information support and an additional electronic channel for implementing tourism services.

Integrating management systems in the energy sector: the case of the electricity industry in New Zealand

The New Zealand Electricity Engineers Association (EEA) asked for advice about development of a guide for a public safety management system (PSMS) for electricity distribution networks based on ISO45001 Occupational health and safety management systems. This would help eliminate overlap between legislation and standards while maintaining compliance with legal requirements. At Victoria University of Wellington we have been working on such an integrated approach and this article reports on the project and suggests how the results can be extended to include other areas of management while retaining the ability for appropriate elements to be audited and certified in accordance with systems required by legislation. The project reviewed an earlier report and literature review on PSMS for the Electricity Networks Association. Development of the legal requirements for a PSMS were reviewed and use of the International Standards Organization (ISO) framework for all management system standards proposed to encompass ISO45001 and similar standards. Relevant management content was incorporated in the high-level structure and key stakeholders contributed technical content. Use of the ISO Annex SL as a template enabled development of an integrated management system incorporating other management system standards, that would still support legal compliance while enabling elimination of duplication and clutter, and waste of resources at a time of technology change. The work was carried out in New Zealand (NZ) and may not apply in other countries with different legal requirements. Auditors may resist integrated management systems although this may not be a limitation if documentation is appropriately written. The electricity networks businesses in NZ may move to implementation of the PSMS guide but this will be an internal decision and results may take some years to declutter documentation and reduce overlapping audits under management system standards. Over the next decade the context of the New Zealand electricity industry will undergo major shifts with the need to adapt to increasing expectations for occupational health and safety and public safety, adaptation to climate change and accelerated implementation of new technologies. The electricity industry will need to apply its resources to those changes while avoiding duplicated efforts to implement multiple management systems. Developing an integrated management system that incorporates several management systems and public safety may aid protection of non-workers who cannot otherwise be “controlled” by a business.

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.

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.

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 .

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.