Promising Technological Innovations Research Articles

The mediating effect of BIM application on the link between organizational support and BIM user satisfaction

ABSTRACT Building information modeling (BIM) is considered to be the most promising technological innovation in the construction industry, and its widespread application is an inevitable trend. The satisfaction level of employees using BIM serves as a crucial indicator of the success of BIM implementation. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance users’ satisfaction. While some researchers have explored the impact of organizational support, there has been a dearth of in-depth studies on the specific mechanisms underlying its influence. Previous research has identified both emotional and instrumental dimensions of organizational support, however, the specific mechanisms through which these two forms of support affect BIM user satisfaction have not been thoroughly explored. This study investigates the effects of organizational support on BIM user satisfaction in construction companies and proposes the mediating role of exploitative and exploratory applications in their relationship from the perspective of dual innovation theory. Drawing data from 151 valid questionnaires, regression analysis is conducted to examine the relationship between organizational support and user satisfaction. Additionally, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) is established to verify the mediating role of explorative and exploitive applications. The findings show that: (1) instrumental support and emotional support both increase BIM user satisfaction; (2) both exploitative and exploratory applications mediate the effect of emotional support on BIM user satisfaction; (3) only exploratory application mediates between instrumental support and BIM user satisfaction. These findings explain the mechanism through which organizational support influences BIM user satisfaction and offer insight for managers to improve the satisfaction level.

The Role of Blockchain Technology in Increasing Economic Transparency and Public Trust

Blockchain technology has become one of the most promising technological innovations in recent years. The main advantages of blockchain technology are high transparency, security, and data integrity. Therefore, this technology has attracted attention in various sectors, including the economy. This research aims to examine the role of blockchain technology in enhancing economic transparency and public trust. This study is a literature review that adopts a qualitative method, which means it will analyse and interpret data by utilising information and texts derived from various sources. The results of the study show that blockchain technology has proven itself to be a highly effective tool for achieving this goal. In an increasingly connected and data-dependent society, economic transparency and public trust are key factors in sustainable economic growth and social stability.

Thoracic Diseases: Technique and Applications of Dual-Energy CT.

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is one of the most promising technological innovations made in the field of imaging in recent years. Thanks to its ability to provide quantitative and reproducible data, and to improve radiologists' confidence, especially in the less experienced, its applications are increasing in number and variety. In thoracic diseases, DECT is able to provide well-known benefits, although many recent articles have sought to investigate new perspectives. This narrative review aims to provide the reader with an overview of the applications and advantages of DECT in thoracic diseases, focusing on the most recent innovations. The research process was conducted on the databases of Pubmed and Cochrane. The article is organized according to the anatomical district: the review will focus on pleural, lung parenchymal, breast, mediastinal, lymph nodes, vascular and skeletal applications of DECT. In conclusion, considering the new potential applications and the evidence reported in the latest papers, DECT is progressively entering the daily practice of radiologists, and by reading this simple narrative review, every radiologist will know the state of the art of DECT in thoracic diseases.

Digital Technologies as an Important Factor of the Restaurant Business Development

Topicality. The restaurant business success is determined by the high level of service and efficient work of the staff. The combination of quality and speed of service, first of all, became real due to the possibilities of information technologies implementation in the work of restaurants. The relevance of the study grounds on the fact that the use of information technologies in restaurant service can allow to quickly and efficiently solve many management tasks, improve service quality, and, consequently, increase business revenue. The aim of the article. The aim of this study is to analyze the current state and to identify key aspects of modern digital technologies implementation and usage in order to improve the efficiency of restaurant business enterprises. Research methods. When conducting research, the following general scientific methods were applied: analysis, abstraction, induction, deduction, synthesis, inference, generalization, comparison. Results. The article considered the main tendencies in the restaurant market development in the digital economy period. Special attention was paid to the analysis of digital technologies use in the activity of restaurant business enterprises. The main directions and tools of the restaurant business digitalization were studied. Promising information and technological innovations for business protection during the coronavirus pandemic were outlined. Conclusions and discussion. It was determined that the information support of the restaurant business and the use of digital technologies are a strategic resource that helps to attract as many customers as possible, to achieve maximum sales and attendance, to gain the trust of guests, as well as to form a positive image of the enterprise. The scientific novelty of the study is to substantiate peculiarities of the use of modern information technologies in the management of restaurant business enterprises in order to ensure their effective functioning. Promising areas for further digitization that require tracking and the proper strategy choosing are based on more sophisticated solutions, including the Internet of Things technology, big data analytics, robotics, and mobile technologies.

Sex tech entrepreneurs: Governing intimate data in start-up culture

Sextech is currently experiencing a golden age, promising technological innovation to improve sexual health and well-being. However, the privacy and security vulnerabilities of smart sex toys have been the subject of media attention. Dating apps, menstrual trackers and sex toy companies have paid millions in compensation for non-consensually collecting or sharing intimate data. In this article, we share findings from a research workshop with prospective sextech industry professionals about how they approach data governance. The conversations reveal disconnections between the emancipatory, collective and rights-based possibilities offered by feminist and queer tech cultures, broader public interest in data commons and the technosolutionist narratives of start-up cultures. We conclude that there is a need for collaborations between industry, community and researchers to develop approaches to governance that reorganise, redistribute and decentralise the data economy of sex tech.

Sustainable and smart: the paradoxes of urban mobility innovations

Innovation is how cities can instigate systemic change. However, there are many success factors characterising highly innovative cities. Through direct engagement and qualitative interviews with 40 cities worldwide, the UITP Urban Mobility Innovation Index (UMii) showcases the latest innovations, as well as the gaps where cities could improve their focus towards reaching their longer-term societal goals. This paper defines the concept of innovation together with its different types and purposes and briefly presents the UMii framework and the data collection process. The results of the study reveal that highly innovative cities a) setclear long term goals b) consult closely with citizens and stakeholders c) break down regulatory and financial barriers d) ensuring that promising technological innovations are assessed for their wider impact on people and the environment.

New tricks and emerging applications from contemporary azobenzene research

Azobenzenes have many faces. They are well-known as dyes, but most of all, azobenzenes are versatile photoswitchable molecules with powerful photochemical properties. Azobenzene photochemistry has been extensively studied for decades, but only relatively recently research has taken a steer towards applications, ranging from photonics and robotics to photobiology. In this perspective, after an overview of the recent trends in the molecular design of azobenzenes, we highlight three research areas where the azobenzene photoswitches may bring about promising technological innovations: chemical sensing, organic transistors, and cell signaling. Ingenious molecular designs have enabled versatile control of azobenzene photochemical properties, which has in turn facilitated the development of chemical sensors and photoswitchable organic transistors. Finally, the power of azobenzenes in biology is exemplified by vision restoration and photactivation of neural signaling. Although the selected examples reveal only some of the faces of azobenzenes, we expect the fields presented to develop rapidly in the near future, and that azobenzenes will play a central role in this development.

Determination of Insecticide Residues in the Air at the Breathing Zone While Exposure the Long Lasting Insecticidal Net Using Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry - (GC-MS/MS)

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) are highly effective tools for preventing malaria infection and reducing associated morbidity and mortality [1]. Vector management chiefly through the usage of insecticide inside recurring spraying (IRS) as well as durable insecticidal nets (LLINs). The concept of utilizing insecticide-treated bed nets came during World War II, when Germans, Russian, and US armies began dealing with their combat uniforms of theirs as well as bed nets to safeguard them against vector-borne problems, primarily malaria as well as leishmaniasis [2]. There are many kinds of nets accessible. They differ by size, material, or therapy. The majority of nets are produced from polyester but nets can also be obtainable in cotton, polyethylene, or maybe polypropylene [3,4]. These insecticides are proven to pose really low health consequences to other mammals and humans, but are extremely poisonous to insects and knock them down, while at really low doses [5]. Mosquitoes drawn towards the LLIN due to the attraction of host (Personnel sleeping down the net), on landing the Insecticide present on the nets knockdown and kill the mosquitoes [6]. The health consequences from the LLINs themselves haven't been properly investigated as well as reported in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. A scientifically rigorous, objective, and also a transparent examination of the risks related to LLINs is necessary to give risk-benefit considerations from this promising technological innovation. Pyrethroids present in the air even they are semi-volatile organic compounds. The pesticide inhalation exposures from the bed net were estimated based on indoor Bomann study [7] The level of breathing zone pesticide was estimated this experiment and determined the concentration of active ingredient present in the breathing zone while using the Deltamethrin 1.52 g/kg coated onto filaments Polyester Long Lasting insecticidal Net. The possible daily systemic dose likely to prevail at the breathing zone due to the inhalation of insecticide while sleeping under the treated net is determined. The experiment was conducted in a chamber of size 10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft (L x B x H). The net sample was fixed in the room following the routine usage pattern. The indoor air was sampled at an interval of 0 hr (5 minutes after experiment initiation), 2 hr, 4 hr, 9 hr, 10 hr, 11 hr, 12 hr and 14 hr. The air sampling was done at a constant flow rate of 5 L/min for 5 minutes (25 L of air). At each sampling occasion the air was suctioned through silica cartridges from four pre-determined locations of the room using suction pump assembly having air rotameters. The experiment was repeated for three days. The residue of Deltamethrin in air was determined for a period of 14 hours in static conditions (no air exchange in the experimental chamber) and dynamic condition at an air exchange rate 0.5 AER/h.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based wireless manufacturing systems, a review

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is one of the most promising technological innovations in order to track and trace products as well as material flow in manufacturing systems. High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID systems can track a wide range of products in the part production process via radio waves with level of accuracy and reliability. As a result, quality and transparency of data across the supply chain can be accurately obtained in order to decrease time and cost of part production. Also, process planning and part production scheduling can be modified using the advanced RFID systems in part manufacturing process. Moreover, to decrease the cost of produced parts, material handling systems in the advanced assembly lines can be analyzed and developed by using the RFID. Smart storage systems can increase efficiency in part production systems by providing accurate information from the stored raw materials and products for the production planning systems. To increase efficiency of energy consumption in production processes, energy management systems can be developed by using the RFID-sensor networks. Therefore, smart factories and intelligent manufacturing systems as industry 4.0 can be introduced by using the developed RFID systems in order to provide new generation of part production systems. In this paper, a review of RFID based wireless manufacturing systems is presented and future research works are also suggested. It has been observed that the research filed can be moved forward by reviewing and analyzing recent achievements in the published papers.

MR-Guided Radiotherapy for Liver Malignancies.

MR guided radiotherapy represents one of the most promising recent technological innovations in the field. The possibility to better visualize therapy volumes, coupled with the innovative online adaptive radiotherapy and motion management approaches, paves the way to more efficient treatment delivery and may be translated in better clinical outcomes both in terms of response and reduced toxicity. The aim of this review is to present the existing evidence about MRgRT applications for liver malignancies, discussing the potential clinical advantages and the current pitfalls of this new technology.

Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of social robots for older adults and people with dementia: a scoping review protocol

BackgroundPsychosocial health issues such as depression and social isolation are an important cause of morbidity and premature mortality for older adults and people with dementia. Social robots are promising technological innovations to deliver effective psychosocial interventions to promote psychosocial wellbeing. Studies have reported positive findings regarding this technology on the psychosocial health of older adults and people with dementia. However, despite positive findings of the effects of social robots for older adults and people with dementia, little is known about factors affecting their implementation in practice.MethodsThis study follows Arksey and O’Malley’s approach and methodological enhancement by Levac et al. Relevant articles will be identified by searching electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, Compendex and PubMed. A two-phase screening process will be undertaken by two independent reviewers to determine articles’ inclusion. Findings will be summarised and reported thematically based on domains in the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR) and presented narratively. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will guide the reporting of findings.DiscussionReporting the protocol in advance of conducting the review will ensure that rigorous and transparent methodological approach is undertaken. The outcomes of the review include identifying variants in terminologies used to describe implementation, identifying the scope of the literature regarding the barriers and facilitators affecting the implementation of social robots and identifying research gaps to guide further empirical research in this field. This evidence synthesis constitutes part of a bigger project aimed to develop implementation guidelines for social robotics for older adults with dementia. Since the methodological process consists of reviewing and collecting data from publicly available data, this study does not require approval from a research ethics board.Scoping review registrationOur protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/2x3y9/) as an open access article, under the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC-4.0) license, which allows others to distribute, remix, adapt and build on this work on a non-commercial basis, and license their derivative work using different terms, on the basis that the original basis is properly cited and the use is non-commercial (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

A great technology that failed: Barriers to radical process innovation

Improving a firm’s technological capabilities through implementing sustaining innovations (to maintain ‘business as usual’) is a pre-requisite for maintaining the firm’s value. Yet, this path of exploiting the current capabilities is unlikely to stimulate shareholder wealth creation through growth in firm market capitalization. To achieve growth, established companies must capitalize on the successful introduction of radical innovations. While a radical innovation can be embedded in new products or new processes of production, so far, most studies have concentrated predominantly on the product aspect. We know relatively little about challenges for successful implementation of radical process innovation projects. This study addresses this gap using a critical case study of an established company in a process-oriented industry (oil sector), which was not able to commercialize a promising radical technological innovation (technical feasibility coupled with substantive cost savings potential). We identify and describe the challenges that the company faced, classifying them in four major groups: (1) resource mobilization dynamics shortcomings, (2) piloting strategy failure, (3) innovation leadership failure, and (4) shareholders’ expectations management failure. The lessons learned from the case study extend the scholarly and practical understanding of radical process innovation.

Game-changing trends and forces for agricultural financing in sub-Saharan Africa toward 2055: Verification and prioritization through the real-time Delphi method

This article reports on a research effort that looked at the future of agricultural financing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) toward 2055. The real-time Delphi method was used to verify key megatrends that should define the future of agriculture and agricultural development in the region. The implications of these trends for agricultural financing, together with potential game-changing forces with regard to the future delivery of financial services to agricultural producers, were also prioritized. The real-time Delphi method was employed to check both the future importance and probability of occurrence of the identified trends and corresponding disruptive technologies, business models, innovations in value-chain financing, market configurations, and institutional innovations. In addition, the method was also used to investigate the future perspectives of experts and to identify any specific, promising technological areas, innovations, and business models. Key elements of a desired future for agricultural financing in SSA were also confirmed.

Infused ice can multiply IceCube\u2019s sensitivity

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is the world’s largest neutrino detector with a cubic-kilometer instrumented volume at the South Pole. It is preparing for a major upgrade that will significantly increase its sensitivity. A promising technological innovation investigated for this upgrade is wavelength shifting optics. Augmenting sensors with such optics could increase the photo-collection area of IceCube’s digital optical modules, and shift the incoming photons’ wavelength to where these modules are the most sensitive. Here we investigate the use of IceCube’s drill holes as wavelength shifting optics. We calculate the sensitivity enhancement due to increasing the ice’s refractive index in the holes, and infusing wavelength-shifting substrate into the ice. We find that, with adequate wavelength-shifter infusion, every ~0.05 increase in the ice’s refractive index will increase IceCube’s photon sensitivity by 100%, opening the possibility for the substantial, cost-effective expansion of IceCube’s reach.

Aligning Digital Video Technology with Game Pedagogy in Physical Education

The rapid development of digital technology has expanded the prospects and promises for its application in physical education programs. Physical educators are becoming increasingly interested in technology but often remain inadequately equipped to effectively integrate these technological resources in their daily practice, and/or lack the practical knowledge about the potential of these digital resources. For example, various commercial digital applications (apps) for games-based teaching are available to support instruction and feedback, such as video analysis apps. But these promising technological innovations are sometimes applied incorrectly or may even overtake the teaching focus at the expense of the pedagogical and didactical aims. The purpose of this article is to describe the process of innovating, introducing and developing a digital tagging application for teaching tactical awareness in sport games. This case study illustrates how physical educators implemented a video analysis app to provide feedback and develop students' tactical awareness in games. It demonstrates how innovative digital resources can be implemented in physical education, while supporting the central tenets of games-based approaches to teaching games.

Beyond Adoption: A New Framework for Theorizing and Evaluating Nonadoption, Abandonment, and Challenges to the Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability of Health and Care Technologies.

BackgroundMany promising technological innovations in health and social care are characterized by nonadoption or abandonment by individuals or by failed attempts to scale up locally, spread distantly, or sustain the innovation long term at the organization or system level.ObjectiveOur objective was to produce an evidence-based, theory-informed, and pragmatic framework to help predict and evaluate the success of a technology-supported health or social care program.MethodsThe study had 2 parallel components: (1) secondary research (hermeneutic systematic review) to identify key domains, and (2) empirical case studies of technology implementation to explore, test, and refine these domains. We studied 6 technology-supported programs—video outpatient consultations, global positioning system tracking for cognitive impairment, pendant alarm services, remote biomarker monitoring for heart failure, care organizing software, and integrated case management via data sharing—using longitudinal ethnography and action research for up to 3 years across more than 20 organizations. Data were collected at micro level (individual technology users), meso level (organizational processes and systems), and macro level (national policy and wider context). Analysis and synthesis was aided by sociotechnically informed theories of individual, organizational, and system change. The draft framework was shared with colleagues who were introducing or evaluating other technology-supported health or care programs and refined in response to feedback.ResultsThe literature review identified 28 previous technology implementation frameworks, of which 14 had taken a dynamic systems approach (including 2 integrative reviews of previous work). Our empirical dataset consisted of over 400 hours of ethnographic observation, 165 semistructured interviews, and 200 documents. The final nonadoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, and sustainability (NASSS) framework included questions in 7 domains: the condition or illness, the technology, the value proposition, the adopter system (comprising professional staff, patient, and lay caregivers), the organization(s), the wider (institutional and societal) context, and the interaction and mutual adaptation between all these domains over time. Our empirical case studies raised a variety of challenges across all 7 domains, each classified as simple (straightforward, predictable, few components), complicated (multiple interacting components or issues), or complex (dynamic, unpredictable, not easily disaggregated into constituent components). Programs characterized by complicatedness proved difficult but not impossible to implement. Those characterized by complexity in multiple NASSS domains rarely, if ever, became mainstreamed. The framework showed promise when applied (both prospectively and retrospectively) to other programs.ConclusionsSubject to further empirical testing, NASSS could be applied across a range of technological innovations in health and social care. It has several potential uses: (1) to inform the design of a new technology; (2) to identify technological solutions that (perhaps despite policy or industry enthusiasm) have a limited chance of achieving large-scale, sustained adoption; (3) to plan the implementation, scale-up, or rollout of a technology program; and (4) to explain and learn from program failures.

Magnetic anchoring guidance system in video-assisted thoracic surgery.

The magnetic anchoring guidance system (MAGS) is one of the most promising technological innovations in minimally invasive surgery and consists in two magnetic elements matched through the abdominal or thoracic wall. The internal magnet can be inserted into the abdominal or chest cavity through a small single incision and then moved into position by manipulating the external component. In addition to a video camera system, the inner magnetic platform can house remotely controlled surgical tools thus reducing instruments fencing, a serious inconvenience of the uniportal access. The latest prototypes are equipped with self-light-emitting diode (LED) illumination and a wireless antenna for signal transmission and device controlling, which allows bypassing the obstacle of wires crossing the field of view (FOV). Despite being originally designed for laparoscopic surgery, the MAGS seems to suit optimally the characteristics of the chest wall and might meet the specific demands of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) surgery in terms of ergonomics, visualization and surgical performance; moreover, it involves less risks for the patients and an improved aesthetic outcome.

Aedes aegypti control strategies: a review

to describe the main strategies to control Aedes aegypti, with emphasis on promising technological innovations for use in Brazil. this study is a non-systematic review of the literature. several technologies have been developed as alternatives in the control of Ae. aegypti, using different mechanisms of action, such as selective monitoring of the infestation, social interventions, dispersing insecticides, new biological control agents and molecular techniques for population control of mosquitoes, also considering the combination between them. Evolving technologies require evaluation of the effectiveness, feasibility and costs of implementation strategies as complementary to the actions already recommended by the National Program for Dengue Control. the integration of different compatible and effective vector control strategies, considering the available technologies and regional characteristics, appears to be a viable method to try to reduce the infestation of mosquitoes and the incidence of arbovirus transmitted by them.

RFID in textile and clothing manufacturing: technology and challenges

AbstractIn the field of textile and clothing, radio frequency identification (RFID), which is one of the most promising technological innovations, is used in manufacturing, inventory control, warehousing, distribution, logistics, automatic object tracking and supply chain management. Various retailers and manufacturers (of clothing as well as consumer goods) such as CVS, Tesco, Prada, Benetten, Wal-mart and Procter & Gamble, are now implementing the technology and exploring the impact of the technology on their business. RFID technologies may improve the potential benefits of supply chain management through reduction of inventory losses, increase of the efficiency and speed of processes and improvement of information accuracy. The basic of success lies in understanding the technology and other features to minimize the potential problems. Although the technology existed for several years, the technological challenges and cost issues are the major hurdles for the widespread use of RFID. In this paper, the authors have addressed the technology of RFID and various applications related to inventory management, production control, retail management, brand segregation etc. in textile and clothing industry. In addition, the disadvantages, challenges and future directions of RFID technology have also been highlighted.

Exploring mobile banking services for user behavior in intention adoption: using new hybrid MADM model

Mobile banking services are one of the most promising recent technological innovations. In this study, we developed a conceptual model to explore mobile banking services for user behavior in the financial banking industry in intention adoption. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of user behavior and guidance on the mobile banking services intention adoption structure model among customers based on decomposed theory of planned behavior and trust-related behaviors based on the knowledge of experts. In this study, we use a new hybrid model, the multiple attribute decision making (MADM) model, which combines decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) for building an influential network relationship map (INRM), DANP (DEMATEL-based ANP) for determining the influential weights of criteria, and the VIKOR method using the influential weights to evaluate and integrate the criteria in the gaps and reduce the gaps to satisfy the users’ behavior needs based on INRM. An empirical case of Taiwan’s financial banking industry is used as an example to demonstrate the application of the proposed hybrid MADM model and its efficiency. In the results, we find that the proposed user behavior framework can offer a deeper understanding of the variables/criteria that influence the interrelationship for the intention adoption of mobile banking services by DEMATEL technique. We can also combine the influential weights of DANP with weighting gaps using the VIKOR method to evaluate how to reduce these gaps and provide the best improvement strategies to satisfy the mobile banking services for users’ behavior needs.