Interest In New Technologies Research Articles

The use of mobile devices for physical activity tracking in older adults' everyday life.

ObjectiveThe tracking of one’s own physical activity with mobile devices is a way of monitoring and motivating oneself to remain healthy. Older adults’ general use of mobile devices for physical activity tracking has not yet been examined systematically. The study aimed to describe the use of physical activity trackers, smartwatches and smartphones, or tablets for tracking physical activity and to examine the reasons for the use of these technologies.MethodsParticipants aged ≥50 years (N = 1013) living in Switzerland were interviewed in a telephone survey. To address the research questions, we calculated descriptive frequency distributions, tested for differences between groups, and performed logistic regression analyses.ResultsDescriptive and multivariate analyses showed that (a) 20.5% of participants used mobile devices for physical activity tracking; (b) men, younger individuals, those with a strong interest in new technology, and those who frequently exercised had a higher likelihood of using mobile devices for physical activity tracking; and (c) participants more often agreed with reasons for use relating to tracking physical activity and motivating oneself to remain healthy than they did with reasons relating to social factors.ConclusionsThe study presented representative data about the actual use of mobile tracking technology in persons over 50 years of age. Today, mainly active and younger elderly (mostly men) with a high interest in technology are using tracking technologies. Results indicate a need for further studies on motivational and usability aspects regarding the use of mobile health tracking devices by older adults.

Phenotyping of plants in competitive but controlled environments: a study of drought response in transgenic wheat.

In recent years, the interest in new technologies for wheat improvement has increased greatly. To screen genetically modified germplasm in conditions more realistic for a field situation we developed a phenotyping platform where transgenic wheat and barley are grown in competition. In this study, we used the platform to (1) test selected promoter and gene combinations for their capacity to increase drought tolerance, (2) test the function and power of our platform to screen the performance of transgenic plants growing in competition, and (3) develop and test an imaging and analysis process as a means of obtaining additional, non-destructive data on plant growth throughout the whole growth cycle instead of relying solely on destructive sampling at the end of the season. The results showed that several transgenic lines under well watered conditions had higher biomass and/or grain weight than the wild-type control but the advantage was significant in one case only. None of the transgenics seemed to show any grain weight advantage under drought stress and only two lines had a substantially but not significantly higher biomass weight than the wild type. However, their evaluation under drought stress was disadvantaged by their delayed flowering date, which increased the drought stress they experienced in comparison to the wild type. Continuous imaging during the season provided additional and non-destructive phenotyping information on the canopy development of mini-plots in our phenotyping platform. A correlation analysis of daily canopy coverage data with harvest metrics showed that the best predictive value from canopy coverage data for harvest metrics was achieved with observations from around heading/flowering to early ripening whereas early season observations had only a limited diagnostic value. The result that the biomass/leaf development in the early growth phase has little correlation with biomass or grain yield data questions imaging approaches concentrating only on the early development stage.

Tuberculosis Diagnostics: State of the Art and Future Directions.

Rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical for timely initiation of anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment, but many people with TB (or TB symptoms) do not have access to adequate initial diagnosis. In many countries, TB diagnosis is still reliant on sputum microscopy, a test with known limitations. However, new diagnostics are starting to change the landscape. Stimulated, in part, by the success and rollout of Xpert MTB/RIF, an automated, molecular test, there is now considerable interest in new technologies. The landscape looks promising with a pipeline of new tools, particularly molecular diagnostics, and well over 50 companies actively engaged in product development, and many tests have been reviewed by WHO for policy endorsement. However, new diagnostics are yet to reach scale, and there needs to be greater convergence between diagnostics development and the development of shorter TB drug regimens. Another concern is the relative absence of non-sputum-based diagnostics in the pipeline for children, and of biomarker tests for triage, cure, and latent TB progression. Increased investments are necessary to support biomarker discovery, validation, and translation into clinical tools. While transformative tools are being developed, high-burden countries will need to improve the efficiency of their health care delivery systems, ensure better uptake of new technologies, and achieve greater linkages across the TB and HIV care continuum. While we wait for next-generation technologies, national TB programs must scale up the best diagnostics currently available, and use implementation science to get the maximum impact.

Utilização didático-pedagógica da lousa digital interativa: capacitando professores do ensino fundamental e promovendo a inclusão digital de estudantes

DOI : 10.12957/interag.2015.15861 The use of digital technologies in elementary schools opens new teaching-learning opportunities and can contribute to the transformation of the educational process. Dynamic, interactive and shared environments, enabled by interactive technologies, allow the implementation of innovative educational practices, contributing to the formation of young people better prepared for the professional world and social life. This paper presents the development of a pilot project that aimed at training elementary school teachers for the didactic and pedagogical use of the digital interactive whiteboard. Through guided practice in a collaborative learning environment it was possible to train teachers from state education school in Sao Joao del-Rei/MG for the didactic and pedagogical use of the equipment. In addition to training teachers, the school was also contemplated with a digital interactive whiteboard and additional devices for continuous use with their students. The results obtained through the analysis of satisfaction and self-assessment of teachers demonstrate that the proposed workshops were suitable for their learning. At the end of the project, 35 teachers were trained in the use of the digital interactive whiteboard, showing the interest in new technologies for use in classroom.

The Status of the US High-Temperature Gas Reactors

In 2005, the US passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandating the construction and operation of a high-temperature gas reactor (HTGR) by 2021. This law was passed after a multiyear study by national experts on what future nuclear technologies should be developed. As a result of the Act, the US Congress chose to develop the so-called Next-Generation Nuclear Plant, which was to be an HTGR designed to produce process heat for hydrogen production. Despite high hopes and expectations, the current status is that high temperature reactors have been relegated to completing research programs on advanced fuels, graphite and materials with no plans to build a demonstration plant as required by the US Congress in 2005. There are many reasons behind this diminution of HTGR development, including but not limited to insufficient government funding requirements for research, unrealistically high temperature requirements for the reactor, the delay in the need for a “hydrogen” economy, competition from light water small modular light water reactors, little utility interest in new technologies, very low natural gas prices in the US, and a challenging licensing process in the US for non-water reactors.

Utilization of sulphidic tailings from gold mine as a raw material in geopolymerization

The mining industry produces a large quantity of sulphidic mine tailings, which cause several environmental issues during waste management. Currently, there is increasing interest in new technologies to recycle and utilize mine tailings more effectively in the future. In this present study, the geopolymerization of mine tailings has been studied. Sulphidic mine tailings from a gold mining site were activated with a NaOH solution and commercial ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) was used as a co-binder. Characterization of the mine tailings and the mechanical strength of the specimens produced were investigated. In addition, the effects of different NaOH concentrations and the amount of co-binder materials on a matrix were tested. The porosity of the specimens produced was evaluated using water absorption tests, the microstructure of the fractures was analyzed with field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and the crystalline phases were identified by X-ray diffraction. The results show that the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the specimens produced from pure mine tailings was in the range of 1.3–3.5MPa. The UCS increased and water permeability decreased with 5% GGBFS content in the mixture. By optimizing the NaOH concentration and GGBFS content, the UCS of the specimens varied from 1.8MPa to 25MPa. The alkali-activation of mine tailings allows binders to be made with sufficient compressive strength, which can be used as a backfill in mining sites or raw material in the construction industry.

It could be a 'Golden Goose': a qualitative study of views in primary care on an emergency admission risk prediction tool prior to implementation.

BackgroundRising demand for health care has prompted interest in new technologies to support a shift of care from hospital to community and primary care, which may require clinicians to undertake new working practices. A predictive risk stratification tool (Prism) was developed for use in primary care to estimate patients’ risk of an emergency hospital admission. As part of an evaluation of Prism, we aimed to understand what might be needed to bring Prism into effective use by exploring clinicians and practice managers’ attitudes and expectations about using it. We were informed by Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) which examines the work needed to bring an innovation into use.MethodsWe conducted 4 focus groups and 10 interviews with a total of 43 primary care doctors and colleagues from 32 general practices. All were recorded and transcribed. Analysis focussed in particular on the construct of ‘coherence’ within NPT, which examines how people understand an innovation and its purpose.ResultsRespondents were in agreement that Prism was a technological formalisation of existing practice, and that it would function as a support to clinical judgment, rather than replacing it. There was broad consensus about the role it might have in delivering new models of care based on active management, but there were doubts about the scope for making a difference to some patients and about whether Prism could identify at-risk patients not already known to the clinical team. Respondents did not expect using the tool to be onerous, but were concerned about the work which might follow in delivering care. Any potential value would not be of the tool in isolation, but would depend on the availability of support services.ConclusionsPolicy imperatives and the pressure of rising demand meant respondents were open to trying out Prism, despite underlying uncertainty about what difference it could make.Trial registrationControlled Clinical Trials no. ISRCTN55538212.

A Case Study for Redesigning Tobacco Cessation Services

While many smokers are aware of the dangers of smoking and want to quit, the use of evidence-based cessation services remains low. At the same time, interest in new technologies to support quitting is increasing. This case study presents an initiative that sought to understand the needs of current and former smokers in Minnesota, United States, as part of an effort to redesign tobacco cessation services and engage more smokers in the quitting process. Current and former smokers were recruited to participate in a two-phase formative research study. Phase 1 ( n = 37) used an online bulletin board and a mail-in work group. Phase 2 ( n = 26) used traditional focus groups. Five major themes emerged from the research: (1) smoking is a significant part of a smoker’s identity, (2) a smoker’s readiness to quit varies, (3) many smokers need help in tipping the scale toward quitting, (4) smokers have differences in quitting styles, and (5) smokers seek barrier-free services. These research findings provide key insights that can be used to redesign cessation services to better meet the needs of smokers. Cessation services and promotional messaging should acknowledge the significant role that smoking plays in the identity of smokers, recognize the importance of a smoker’s readiness to quit, and respect differences in quitting styles. Guidelines for redesigning services based on this exploratory research are offered.

POSITIONING THE WATCH HAND: ʿULAMAʾ AND THE PRACTICE OF MECHANICAL TIMEKEEPING IN CAIRO, 1737–1874

AbstractThis article explores the role of the ʿulamaʾ in shaping the use of mechanical timepieces in Cairo in the 18th and 19th centuries. Ottoman interest in new technologies in this period is often understood in relation to the emergence of modernization projects and new scientifically trained actors, with a corresponding decline in the status of the ʿulamaʾ. However, the vogue of mechanical timepieces in Cairo allowed ʿulamaʾ trained in the very old tradition ofmīqāt(astronomical timekeeping) to make their knowledge speak in new ways to new audiences. Based on several manuals and tables that such scholars wrote “on the position of the watch hand,” this article shows how ʿulamaʾ not only facilitated distinctively Ottoman timekeeping conventions, but also furthered an understanding of watches as instruments of precision. The article builds on a growing literature on Ottoman temporality, while expanding our historical view of ʿulamaʾ and their authority, of the material culture of Cairo, and of science and technology in an Islamic context.

Predictors of students' self-reported adoption of a smartphone application for medical education in general practice.

BackgroundSmartphones and related applications are increasingly gaining relevance in the healthcare domain. We previously assessed the demands and preferences of medical students towards an application accompanying them during a course on general practice. The current study aims to elucidate the factors associated with adoption of such a technology. Therefore we provided students with a prototype of an application specifically related to their studies in general practice.MethodsA total estimation among students participating in a general practice examination at the Leipzig Medical School was conducted in May 2014. Students were asked to answer a structured self-designed questionnaire. Univariable comparisons were made to identify significant differences between those students who reported to have used the application frequently and those who did not. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to reveal independent predictors of frequent application usage.ResultsThe response rate was 99.3 % (n = 305/307). The majority (59 %, n = 180/305) were female students. The mean age was 24.5 years and 79.9 % (n = 243/304) owned a smartphone or tablet computer. Regarding the usage of the provided application, 2.3 % (n = 7/303) did not use the app while 68.0 % (n = 206/303) replied to have used it more than five times. Frequent users significantly differed from non-frequent users with regard to being female rather than male, higher mobile device ownership, more frequent exchange about obtaining the course certificate, higher personal interest in new technologies, larger enjoyment of the technology, lower intention to not use smartphone applications in the future, better opinion towards smartphone applications for the profession of a doctor, higher perceived importance of medical applications on the job, higher compatibility of smartphone applications with personal work style, higher perceived relevance of university support and personal benefit of use. Multivariable analysis revealed a set of four variables independently predicting frequent usage: being female, a higher perceived benefit of the supplied application, a higher personal interest in new technologies, and a higher perceived impact of previous experiences on smartphone adoption (Pseudo-R2Nagelkerke = 0.245).ConclusionsUnderstanding medical students’ adoption of smartphone applications used for educational purposes may provide useful information to guide the implementation process as well as the design of respective applications.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12909-015-0377-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

WMU journal of marine affairs special issue

This special issue consists of selected papers presented at the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME) conference in Norfolk, Virginia, 15–18 July 2014. They cover issues of considerable importance in the maritime industry and reflect new developments in the industry of interest to shipping lines, the ports that serve them and governments seeking to bring policy in line with modern shipping practice. More specifically, the first four papers discuss the environmental aspects ranging from environmentally-friendly technologies in shipping and designing for emissions allocation in container shipping to the use of LNG-fueled vessels in China and the development of LNG bunkering facilities in North European ports. These four papers indicate the significant interest in new technologies, emissions calculations, and the greening of the industry and are particularly relevant for readers interested in what the future may hold. Those developing new technologies have long considered how to improve technology uptake and ensure that technologies become more widely adopted, eventually becoming mainstream. The first paper titled Towards understanding the stepwise dissemination of shipping technologies suggests that adoption does not follow a logical and incremental path but rather a stepwise one where shifts in adoption are significant and abrupt. It provides food for thought to those seeking to understand the conditions by which technologies are adopted, and the concerns that face those with new technologies and hoping for their adoption. There are many in the industry that believe that the impacts should be obvious and that the uptake of new concepts will be logical and predictable. This paper, by arguing for an alternative adoption trajectory, provides insights into what is more likely to happen. It suggests that those with new technologies in development might consider building a program that enhances the probability of WMU J Marit Affairs (2015) 14:1–5 DOI 10.1007/s13437-015-0087-z

Tuberculosis diagnostics in 2015: landscape, priorities, needs, and prospects.

In 2015, tuberculosis remains a major global health problem, and drug-resistant tuberculosis is a growing threat. Although tuberculosis diagnosis in many countries is still reliant on older tools, new diagnostics are changing the landscape. Stimulated, in part, by the success and roll out of Xpert MTB/RIF, there is now considerable interest in new technologies. The landscape looks promising, with a robust pipeline of new tools, particularly molecular diagnostics, and well over 50 companies actively engaged in product development. However, new diagnostics are yet to reach scale, and there needs to be greater convergence between diagnostics development and development of shorter-duration tuberculosis drug regimens. Another concern is the relative absence of non-sputum-based diagnostics in the pipeline for children and of biomarker tests for triage, cure, and progression of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Several initiatives, described in this supplement, have been launched to further stimulate product development and policy, including assessment of needs and priorities, development of target product profiles, compilation of data on resistance-associated mutations, and assessment of market size and potential for new diagnostics. Advocacy is needed to increase funding for tuberculosis research and development, and governments in high-burden countries must invest more in tuberculosis control to meet post-2015 targets for care, control, and prevention.

Third-agers on the Internet: Impacts on Word-of-Mouth and Online Purchase Intentions

Scientific development and technological advances have allowed for a considerable increase in human longevity. Elderly people, or “third-agers”, have come to make up an increasing percentage of the population in both developed countries and developing ones like Brazil. A major challenge for the elderly in this context is their adaptation to the demands of the modern world, especially in relation to Internet use. Nowadays these people have started to show a greater interest in new technologies. According to a study conducted in Brazil (CGI, 2009), usage frequency among older consumers who access the Internet is as follows: 47% daily, 29% at least once a week, 17% at least once a month and 7% less than once a month. These data confirm the promising market represented by elderly people. Given the change in population structure, combined with the considerable technological development resulting from the growth of Internet use in day-to-day life, it is important to understand Internet usage among elderly consumers. To analyze this, it is important that future studies concern themselves with the purpose of use, frequency of access and the future impacts that the Internet may have upon such customers. This theoretical article is organized with such questions in mind. Based on the literature, we have constructed a model to be tested in a subsequent study to help identify the relationships between the several variables surrounding this consumer behavior and the use of the Internet.

Sales Forecast of Electric Vehicles

Sales Forecast of Electric Vehicles Antonio Naranjo Redondo, Alberto Pérez Cagigas Abstract The present research presents the sales forecast of electric vehicles in Spain until the year 2040, all of these under the conditions of different technological generations and scenarios. Although the market structure isn’t clear yet, goverments and car makers recognize that is an important strategical factor to know the sales forecast to mid and long term; so both could design the most suitable strategy. The evolution of the transition between ICE and EV is conditioned by objective factors (Fuels prices, autonomy range and government grants) and subjective factors (Post-materialist values related with ecology and the interest in new technologies). The present research uses a developed versión of the Bass Model (1969), known as BB-04X (P. Bass & Frank, 2004), which allows to contemplate different generations of the product as well as the leapfrogging phenomenon. A preference model is used to calculate the number of potencialdrivers, this contemplates that the switch can be based in the drivers preferences only when the EV has a certain amount of features, independently of the entry barriers and the forced adoptions. All the data used has been obtained form the survey developed by IPSOS-TRT company in different countries of the European Union in 2012. The present research presents the sales forecast of electric vehicles in Spain until the year 2040, all of these under the conditions of different technological generations and scenarios. It uses a developed versión of the Bass Model (1969), known as BB-04X (P. Bass & Frank, 2004), which allows to contemplate different generations of the product as well as the leap-frogging phenomenon. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jea.v3n1a8

Genomics

Use of genetic testing as an adjunct to traditional selection methods is becoming increasingly common. Today, the ratio of female-to-male genotyped Holstein cattle in the USDA Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding dairy genetic evaluation is 5 to 1. Producers are using this information to inform mating, heifer culling, and allocation of advanced reproductive technologies such as sexed semen, embryo transfer, and in vitro fertilization. The motivation to do so is not merely interest in new technology, but the impact that genomic data can have on the efficacy of genetic selection strategies, ultimately improving the rate of genetic progress and profitability. Veterinarians have an opportunity to be a part of this discussion, particularly because they actively manage so many ofthe non-genetic elements that influence the ability to design, implement, and benefit from genomically-enhanced selection. Importantly, the discussion around genomic technologies need not be complex. Sufficient context and understanding can be gained with just a few key concepts including common strategies, the impact of reliability on selection, and the logistics of dairy genetic evaluation systems.

Digital, Social and Financial Exclusion Among Elderly People. Demographic Problems of Europe Polish Example

Over the past two decades, there has been particular interest in new technologies that may have the potential to enable environmentally sustainable economy, in the context of an aging world population, without requiring an end to growth.The number of seniors is growing around the world mainly because of the post-World War II baby boom, and increases in the provision and standards of health care. At the same time, the Internet has changed the way people work, sell or/and buy goods and services, create and share information, etc. Many more technological innovations and enabling capabilities such as payments platforms are likely to emerge. There it is crucial not to let seniors be digitally excluded. In this paper we discuss the problem’s possible impacts for the European economy. The first part is an analysis of correlation between technology revolution and globalization processes. The second part examines relation between digital divide, social exclusion, financial exclusion. The next part examines difficulties observed in the Internet use among elderly in Poland, that corresponds to the qualitative research done with the Computer Course for Seniors at the Technical University of Gdansk. In conclusions we try to formulate general indications which may stimulate growth of the on-line services markets targeted for the elderly. We show that their growth requires taking greater care with the factors valuable to seniors, of which very important seems to be simplicity, friendliness and focusing on informative and communicative services. Dynamic growth of these markets can have a positive influence in many economic aspects: easier labor market reentering among elderly, increasing demand for electronic markets as well as promotion of an active and positive aging among European elderly and prevention from long lasting stress as a result of digital, social and financial exclusion.

Commentary: Innovations in programming for HIV among adolescents: towards an AIDS-free generation.

Ultimately achieving an AIDS-free generation might rely more than we thought on developing adolescent leaders as agents of change -- not simply behavior change but societal and legal change. Innovative programming may be expanding adolescents’ social networks and engagement increasing their HIV-specific knowledge and increasing demand for HIV testing and treatment; but what is to meet this demand; and how will the effects of these programs be rigorously measured? Technology companies and mobile host sites are not clinicians or experts in evaluation. Even dizzying advances in technology are useless if adolescents have no access to them or are not able to access health promoting information services or networks. Moving forward technology and social innovators -- young and old -- must task themselves with removing barriers to testing and treatment that will reduce the sheer numbers of HIV infections and AIDS deaths in this population. Innovations must support adolescents’ access to a wider array of confidential testing options available in the community and through the health sector link them to biomedical and other prevention services of proven efficacy such as antiretroviral therapy medical male circumcision and to specific harm reduction interventions. In the years to come it is network disruption -- of entrenched social mores stigma attitudes and discriminatory practices -- that will constitute true innovation. (Excerpts)

Edublogs musicales en el tercer ciclo de educación primaria: perspectiva de alumnos y profesores

The aim of the present work is to analyse the use of blogs as educational resources in the process of teaching-learning in the music class in the third cycle of primary education in Spain. Participants are 6 teachers and 178 students of several schools that use blogs to develop the music class. Students responded an online questionnaire in order to describe motivation, attitudes and expectations regarding the blog and to study its relationship with characteristics such as gender, age, love for music and grades in music. Regarding to teachers, a structured interview was conducted asking them about their opinions, expectations and suggestions with respect to the use of the tool. The results reveal a high valuation of the blog in both cohorts. Association between variables, by the chi-squares test, shows: the more time using the blog, the more interest in new technologies (x2 = 23,43; gl = 4; p<0.05), the more Internet use (x2 = 23,43; gl = 4; p<0.05) and the better grades in music (x2 = 17,74; gl = 8; p<0.05). On the other hand, the results of Mann-Whitney test indicate no significant differences in the valuation of the blog according to gender or age, but there are differences according to experience with the blog use and love for music, being high the mean valuation in the groups with more experience and more love for music. Finally the response of teachers were analysed according to the following categories: arguments offered for the creation of the blog, methodology, advantages and disadvantages, participation, and potential improvements of the blog.

Heart valve stenosis in laser spotlights: insights into a complex disease.

Degenerative heart valve disease is a life-threatening disease affecting about 3% of the population over 65 years. Up to date, cardiac surgery with heart valve replacement is the only available therapy. The disease is characterized by degenerative disorganization of the heart valve structure and alterations in the residing cell populations. Causes and mechanisms of disease genesis are still not fully understood and until now pharmacological therapies are not available. Thus there is enormous interest in new technologies that enable a better characterization of structure and composition of diseased valves. Currently most research techniques demand for extensive processing of extracted valve material. We present a novel approach combining coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, endogenous two-photon excited fluorescence and second harmonic generation. Cusp constituents can be examined simultaneously, three-dimensionally and without extensive manipulation of the sample enabling impressive insights into a complex disease.

Molecular markers: Implementation in crop plant breeding for identification, introgression and gene pyramiding

Over the past decades, wide theoretical and practical experience has been obtained in the application of DNA markers for the investigation of plant genetic diversity, the construction of molecular genetic maps, the mapping of genes and quantitative trait loci, and the employment of molecular marker technologies in the development of commercial cultivars and breeding of crop lines. To date, the main practical application of molecular markers is related to germplasm characterization, introgression and the pyramiding of genome fragments associated with agronomically important traits controlled by major genes. The contribution of new technologies to the selection of traits with multigenic inheritance is still insignificant. Despite considerable progress in plant molecular genetics and genomics methods and great interest in new technologies among breeders, there are a large number of constraints affecting the implementation of new technologies in breeding practice. This article considers the potential application of DNA markers in the breeding of crop plants and the benefits and limitations of the use of marker-assisted technologies in comparison with conventional plant breeding methods.