Benefits Of Technology Research Articles

Laser land leveling technology for paddy production in Vietnam: impact on efficient irrigation and water conservation.

This research investigates the empirical effects of the laser land leveling (LLL) adoption on irrigation water and water efficiency in paddy production in the Mekong Delta region (MDR), using the randomized controlled trial (RCT) approach incorporated into input demand function models. The descriptive analysis highlights the potential for water reuse through farmers' drainage practices. However, the dependence on experiential methods for applying technology in paddy production poses challenges that could compromise long-term sustainability. The regression results indicate that the LLL treatment leads to savings of 1975 m3ha-1 and 1299.35 m3ha-1 in irrigation water and net water use in paddy production, respectively, compared to the control. These savings account for 20.52% of total irrigation water use and 28.64% of net water use. The projected savings on average are 375.51 and 247.05 million m3, respectively, for irrigation water and net water use with 5% implementation of the technology in the MDR. The research highlights the environmental benefits of the LLL technology and underscores the need for its promotion to achieve water conservation in paddy production, offering policymakers insights to enhance sustainable agriculture amid climate change and water scarcity. The study addresses significant gaps in the existing literature by providing an in-depth analysis of LLL technology's impact on irrigation water and efficiency by extending the drainage performance within the paddy mono-cropping context and employing RCT methodology combined with input demand function models to comprehensively evaluate its impact on irrigation water usage.

Optimising Physical Training in DanceSport by Using HIIT Training and Smart Devices for Monitoring Physical Activity

<p dir="ltr"><span>This study investigates the effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), specifically for Tabata, combined with smart monitoring devices on adult dancesport practitioners' physical fitness and performance. The primary objective was to assess the impact of these interventions on key physical parameters and overall performance. Forty participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group (n=20) that engaged in Tabata training three times a week while using smart devices to monitor their activity, and a control group (n=20) that continued with their regular training routines. The experimental group showed significant improvements in aerobic and anaerobic capacity, agility, and overall motor performance throughout the study. These enhancements were measured using standardized physical assessments and the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test, confirming statistically significant progress in the experimental group compared to the control group. Integrating smart devices was crucial in maintaining and enhancing participant motivation, providing real-time feedback, facilitating goal-setting, and allowing for progress tracking, contributing to increased responsibility and engagement in physical activity. Participant feedback highlighted the motivational benefits of smart technology, consistent with existing literature. The immediate performance data and synchronization with fitness apps enhanced the training experience, promoting continuous improvement and long-term commitment. The findings indicate that combining Tabata training with smart monitoring devices effectively improves the physical and technical performance of adult dancesport practitioners. This dual approach enhances physical conditioning and also ensures training relevance to the specific demands of dancesport, maintaining both aesthetic and functional performance aspects. In conclusion, using HIIT, specifically Tabata, alongside smart devices, offers a powerful methodology for optimizing dancers' physical preparation. Future research should investigate the long-term impacts of these training programs, integrate different forms of HIIT, and include a broader participant demographic to validate and expand these findings.</span></p><div><span><br /></span></div>

Bacterial biofilm inactivation by plasma activated nanobubble water

This research developed novel plasma activated nanobubble water (PANBW) by integrating atmospheric cold plasma and nanobubble water (NBW) technologies. Mixing of plasma reactive species with NBW to generate the PANBW makes it an effective solution for microbial biofilm inactivation and water treatment, possibly by leveraging the benefits of both technologies. Selected properties of PANBW, including the concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) were characterized, and the stability of RONS during storage for 7 days were evaluated. The combination of argon and air as feed gases was used to determine the influence of feed gas type on RONS production and the effect of the generated PANBW on biofilm reduction. The effectiveness of PANBW in inactivating mixed-species bacterial biofilms was assessed against NBW, plasma activated water (PAW), and their combinations. This comparison involved treating biofilms of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium ATCC 13311 and Aeromonas australiensis, that were grown on stainless steel coupons by these solutions. The PANBW treatment was most effective in the inactivation of the tested mixed species biofilms with a reduction of >2 log CFU/cm2 in the biofilm population. The confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis was consistent with the bacterial inactivation results. This study highlights the potential of atmospheric cold plasma when combined with nanobubble technology, as a novel and efficient method for biofilm control and food safety applications.

How do cyclists experience a context-aware prototype warning system? Assessing perceived safety, perception and riding behaviour changes through a field study

The number of bicycle crashes is increasing in many European countries. In the Netherlands, a country well-known for its high-quality cycling infrastructure and cycling culture, bicycle crashes are also increasing, especially for e-bike users. Smart bicycle technologies, such as safety warning support systems, could contribute to reducing crash risk for cyclists. However, perceived safety and trust in these technologies are determinant factors in accepting and using such technologies. This study investigated users’ perceived safety, perceived trust, and perceived performance with a context-aware prototype warning system to support cyclists in the real world. In addition, it investigated users’ riding behaviour changes when receiving warnings in high crash risk locations by collecting GPS data. The above were evaluated through a field trial experiment using three rides per participant, with the first one serving as a control ride and a follow-up questionnaire after each ride conducted in Enschede, the Netherlands, between April and May 2024, with a sample of 46 participants. Results show that participants’ perceived safety and trust increased after they tried out the prototype warning system. In addition, it was found that warning systems positively influence participants’ riding behaviour, since they reduced their speed. This study proves the potential benefits of smart bicycle technologies in improving cyclists’ safety.

Blockchain’s Role in Finance beyond Cryptocurrency

The rapid emergence of blockchain technology outside of cryptocurrency in financial applications. Blockchain, mostly known as the underlying technology backing decentralized currencies such as Bitcoin, is today being tapped for a range of other financial services by its underlying features: decentralization, transparency, and security. The research explores blockchain's role in advancing transaction processing, auditability, andinnovations such as decentralized finance and smart contracts that are changing traditional financial systems. The paper elaborates on how this technology benefits from efficiency relating to points of asset management, trade finance, and financing in the supply chain. It further goes into blockchain security and privacy challenges associated with these new technologies being adopted in areas such as these. This survey synthesizes recent insights to identify crucial opportunities and challenges for blockchains in the financial sector in bringing systemic change across global markets

Exploring the multimedia piano group class for early childhood education majors in universities

The multimedia piano group class for early childhood education majors in universities represents an innovative teaching model that integrates digital pianos, multimedia teaching devices, and live-streaming technology, bringing significant transformation to piano instruction. This model not only enriches teaching resources and enhances instructional efficiency but also strengthens teacher-student interaction and students' practical abilities. By leveraging the accurate sound reproduction and weighted key touch of digital pianos, students can improve their techniques in an experience closely resembling traditional piano performance. The multimedia teaching device supports the presentation of musical scores and demonstration videos, assisting students in gaining a deeper understanding of musical works and improving their artistic appreciation. Additionally, the use of live-streaming technology enhances classroom interactivity, allowing students to observe the teacher’s demonstrations clearly and learn through precise imitation. However, the implementation of this teaching model faces challenges, including technical difficulties, limited teaching resources, significant student variability, and a shortage of qualified instructors. This study examines the advantages of the multimedia piano group class, such as fostering teacher-student interaction, improving teaching efficiency, and enabling personalized instruction. It also explores the applications and benefits of multimedia technology for both instructors and students. Furthermore, this research proposes measures to address existing challenges, including enhancing teacher training, enriching teaching resources, optimizing instructional strategies, and expanding the teaching workforce. The aim is to further optimize piano teaching for early childhood education majors in universities, improving teaching quality and the overall student learning experience.

Application of Drug-Eluting Stent With Drug-Coated Balloon Strategy for the Endovascular Treatment of Long-Segment Femoropopliteal Artery Disease.

Endovascular therapy (EVT) has emerged as a primary approach for managing femoropopliteal artery (FPA) lesions, leveraging drug-eluting stents (DESs), and drug-coated balloons (DCBs), to enhance clinical outcomes. Although a full DES coverage strategy is effective in treating complex lesions, concerns over long-term complications prompt the exploration of alternative strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical result of combination therapy of DES with DCB and compare them with full DES implantation. This retrospective, single-center study analyzed 131 patients with occlusive FPA lesions treated at our institution between 2019 and 2022. Patients with Rutherford classification stages 2 to 5 who underwent successful EVT were included. The study compared the outcomes of the drug-within-drug (DWD) strategy, ie, combining DES for failed vessel preparation segments and DCB for successful ones, with those of full DES implantation. The primary outcomes were the primary patency rates, and the secondary outcomes included clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) rates, restenosis patterns, and survival outcomes. Of the 131 patients initially considered, 118 met the inclusion criteria, with 45 in the DWD group and 73 in the full metal jacket (FMJ) stent group. The DWD group demonstrated equivalent 1-year primary patency rates (85.3%) to the FMJ group (87.9%, p=0.239). Similarly, no significant differences in CD-TLR rates were found between the 2 groups. The restenosis patterns and subsequent treatment strategies were not significantly different. The DWD strategy offers a viable alternative to full DES coverage in treating long-segment FPA lesions, with comparable restenosis and target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates. This approach may mitigate risks associated with full-length stenting, such as thrombosis, and challenges in repeat revascularizations by tailoring treatment to lesion characteristics. The DWD strategy represents a promising approach for complex FPA lesions, providing a balanced solution that potentially reduces long-term complications while maintaining effective patency and revascularization rates. The efficacy of drug-eluting stents (DES) in treating femoropopliteal artery (FPA) lesions has been well demonstrated. However, concerns remain regarding complications such as thrombotic occlusion and aneurysmal degeneration, especially when full stemt coverage of whole lesions is performed. The "Drug-with-Drug" (DWD) strategy, which involves implanting DES only at sites with severe dissection or residual stenosis after pre-balloon dilation and using drug coated balloons (DCB) for segments successfully prepared without stenting, has shown comparable outcomes to full stent coverage. Unlike traditional bailout stenting or spot stenting, the DWD approach maximizes the benefits of drug technology and presents a valuable option for treating long-segment FPA lesions.

Superhydrophobic sand mulch and date palm biochar boost growth of Moringa oleifera in sandy soils via enhanced irrigation and nutrient use efficiency

IntroductionIt is desirable to rehabilitate desert ecosystems with a selection of native plant species that render ecosystem services and yield natural products for creating a high-value industry, e.g., pharmaceuticals or cosmetics. However, plant growth under arid and hyper-arid conditions, such as in the Arabian Peninsula, is constrained by heat, freshwater scarcity, and alkaline sandy soils with low nutrient and water holding capacity. Therefore, it is imperative to develop nature-based sustainable technologies to improve arid soil conditions, as well as increase irrigation and nutrient-use eficiency.MethodsHere, we report on a study evaluating the effects of two complementary soil amendment technologies, namely Superhydrophobic sand (SHS) mulch and engineered biochar (EB) on the growth of Moringa oleifera plants. Effects of SHS (1cm-thick), EB (2% w/w), and SHS+EB treatments were tracked in greenhouse plants under normal (N, 100% field capacity) and reduced (R, 50% of N) irrigation scenarios for over 150 days, where EB treatments were pre-loaded with nutrients and remaining treatments received traditional NPK fertilizer.ResultsSignificant benefits of the SHS, EB, and SHS+EB treatments were found in terms of increased plant height, trunk diameter, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content index, stomatal conductance, and shoot and root biomass in comparison with the controls. Evaporation water savings due to SHS mulching significantly enhanced transpiration under N and R scenarios. Similarly, EB and SHS+EB treated plants experienced higher transpiration than in the control plants under N and R conditions (p< 0.05). In response to water stress due to excessive evaporation, metabolomics analysis showed a higher accumulation of amino acids in control plants than other treatments under both irrigation regimes. Meanwhile, a higher abundance of sugars (i.e., D-Mannose, D-Fructose, glucose) and organic acid (i.e., malic acid) was observed in SHS and EB-treatments for Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) scores >1.0 (i.e., the scores considered of significance in contributing to the differences between treatment groups).DiscussionThe results show the synergistic benefits of SHS and EB technologies for addressing the challenges of water scarcity and nutrient limitation in arid regions, which couldcontribute to the success and sustainability of agriculture and greening efforts in such regions.

A UTILIZAÇÃO DA TECNOLOGIA DA INFORMAÇÃO COMO FERRAMENTA DE APOIO NA GESTÃO CONTÁBIL

This work aims to examine how information technology (IT) can be used as a strategic tool to support and improve accounting management. With technological advancement and the growing need for efficiency in business activities, IT has become fundamental in automating repetitive tasks, optimizing data accuracy and integrating accounting systems. The study investigates the application of technological tools, such as management systems, advanced data analysis and cloud storage, to ensure efficiency in decision-making, information security and regulatory compliance. Through a literature review, this work highlights the benefits of technology in reducing failures and expenses, as well as facilitating the production of real-time reports and ensuring compliance. The data indicates that IT not only transforms the way accounting is carried out, but also increases the competitiveness of organizations by enabling faster, more reliable and efficient accounting management. In summary, this study provides a structured view of the role of information technology in modernizing accounting and improving financial management processes.

Strategi Inovatif Dalam Pelatihan Analisis Pekerjaan: Mengatasi Tantangan, Memaksimalkan Sumber Daya, dan Mengadaptasi Tren Global di Era Digital

In the digital era, training for job analysis faces various complex challenges, such as limited technological infrastructure, resistance to change, lack of digital competence, and budget constraints. This study explores these challenges while offering strategic solutions to enhance the effectiveness of training in job analysis. Proposed solutions include adopting technologies such as Learning Management Systems (LMS), gamification-based training, and collaboration with professional training providers. Additionally, change management focused on educating employees about the importance of digital training is highlighted as a critical factor. This study emphasizes the transformation of training methods from traditional to digital, the benefits of technology in training, and practical strategies to overcome implementation barriers. By leveraging technology-driven approaches, organizations can improve the quality of job analysis while fostering a more adaptive workforce in the digital era.

Cloud and IoT Technologies Revolutionizing Precision Agriculture

Integrating Cloud Computing and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is revolutionizing the agricultural sector by enabling precision farming practices and data-driven decision-making. This comprehensive article explores the transformation of traditional farming through smart agriculture technologies, examining the technological infrastructure, key applications, and measurable benefits. The article discusses how IoT sensor networks, cloud-based analytics, and automated systems enhance resource optimization, environmental sustainability, and operational efficiency. The article demonstrates that these technological implementations significantly impact water conservation, crop health monitoring, field mapping, equipment management, and environmental protection while delivering substantial economic benefits through improved yields and reduced operational costs. The article provides insights into the current state of smart agriculture adoption and its implications for future farming practices.

Examining the Use of Pearson Activeteach and Myenglishlab in Teaching English for General Purposes (EGP): A Classroom Action Research

This classroom action research study aims to delve into the experiences of students in learning English for General Purposes (EGP) by utilizing Pearson MyEnglishLab and ActiveTeach, two online teaching and learning tools developed by Pearson Education. Through a mixed-method approach that combines quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study investigates the effects of these tools on student engagement and learning outcomes. Over the course of one semester, the researchers observed the learning process, conducted interviews with students, and administered questionnaires to gather comprehensive data. The analysis of the collected data reveals that teaching EGP with ActiveTeach and Pearson MyEnglishLab yields significantly more engaging and impressive outcomes in comparison to traditional teaching methods. These online tools offer various benefits, including the consolidation of teaching materials within a single application. Students appreciate the convenience and accessibility of having reading passages, listening audio, and assessments readily available in one platform, thereby streamlining their learning experience. Overall, this study underscores the positive impact of online tools, specifically Pearson MyEnglishLab and ActiveTeach, on EGP classrooms. The findings highlight the potential of these tools to enhance student experiences, foster engagement, and promote effective language learning. By embracing digital platforms, educators can harness the benefits of technology to optimize the teaching and learning process in EGP contexts.

Climatological Trends and Effects of Aerosols and Clouds on Large Solar Parks: Application Examples in Benban (Egypt) and Al Dhafrah (UAE)

Solar energy production is vastly affected by climatological factors. This study examines the impact of two primary climatological factors, aerosols and clouds, on solar energy production at two of the world’s largest solar parks, Benban and Al Dhafrah Solar Parks, by using Earth observation data. Cloud microphysics were obtained from EUMETSAT, and aerosol data were obtained from the CAMS and assimilated with MODIS data for higher accuracy. The impact of both factors was analysed by computing their trends over the past 20 years. These climatological trends indicated the variations in the change in each of the factors and their resulting impact over the years. The trends were quantified into the actualised drop in energy production (Wh/m2/year) in order to obtain the impact of each factor. Aerosols displayed a falling trend of −17.78 Wh/m2/year for Benban and −44.88 Wh/m2/year for Al Dhafrah. Similarly, clouds also portrayed a largely falling trend for both stations, −36.29 Wh/m2/year (Benban) and −70.27 Wh/m2/year (Al Dhafrah). The aerosol and cloud trends were also observed on a monthly basis to study their seasonal variation. The trends were further translated into net increases/decreases in the energy produced and the resulting emissions released. The analysis was extended to quantify the economic impact of the trends. Owing to the falling aerosol and cloud trends, the annual production was foreseen to increase by nearly 1 GWh/year (Benban) and 1.65 GWh/year (Al Dhafrah). These increases in annual production estimated reductions in emission released of 705.2 tonne/year (Benban) and 1153.7 tonne/year (Al Dhafrah). Following these estimations, the projected revenue was foreseen to increase by 62,000 USD/year (Benban) and 100,000 USD/year (Al Dhafrah). Considering the geographical location of both stations, aerosols evidently imparted a larger impact compared with clouds. Severe dust storm events were also analysed at both stations to examine the worst-case scenario of aerosol impact. The results show that the realized losses during these events amounted to 2.86 GWh for Benban and 5.91 GWh for Al Dhafrah. Thus, this study showcases the benefits of Earth observation technology and offers key insights into climatological trends for solar energy planning purposes.

First field application of functionalized nanoparticles-based nanofluids in thermal enhanced oil recovery: From laboratory experiments to cyclic steam stimulation process

The increasing global demand for fossil fuels and the depletion of light crude oil reserves have driven the petroleum industry to focus on exploiting heavy crude oils, which present significant challenges in recovery and processing. To address these challenges, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies are being developed, with a strong emphasis on advances in catalysis and nanomaterials science. This research significantly contributes to developing new technologies for petroleum exploitation by introducing a novel nanofluid designed to facilitate in-situ upgrading of heavy oil, improving its quality for downstream refining and fuel production. The nanofluid, engineered to enhance the productivity of a heavy oil reservoir under cyclic steam stimulation, targets improvements in oil recovery and fuel-quality indicators such as API gravity and viscosity. Laboratory tests demonstrated the nanofluid’s capability to reduce oil viscosity, improve oil mobility, and selectively interact with heavy oil fractions like resins and asphaltenes. Displacement tests simulating steam injection conditions showed an improvement in oil recovery, increasing from 56 % to 76 % after nanofluid application. The treatment also led to a notable increase in API gravity, from 11.6° to 29.2°, and a significant reduction in viscosity, from 39,987 cP to 104 cP, indicating enhanced crude oil quality, critical for refining and fuel production. Field trials in two wells in Colombia demonstrated the nanofluid’s practical effectiveness, with production increases averaging 97 % and incremental yields of 11,966 barrels in well A and 3213 barrels in well B. Post-treatment, the crude oil exhibited sustained improvements in quality, with API gravity increasing from 11.6° to 13.4° and viscosity decreasing from 39,987 cP to 11,734 cP. These results confirm the long-term durability of the nanofluid’s effects and its potential to enhance fuel production from heavy oil reservoirs. Additionally, the field trial indicated a 48 % reduction in operational costs, primarily due to decreased steam generation and lower CO2 emissions, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of nanofluid technology for petroleum exploitation.

Effects of longitudinal bending stiffness and midsole foam on running energetics

Advanced footwear technology has become commonplace in the competitive running world. However, a systematic exploration of the effects of each of the primary components has not yet been presented. Our goal was to quantify running economy and step parameters in four different shoe conditions: PEBA shoes with plate, PEBA shoes without plate, EVA shoes with plate and EVA shoes without plate. Participants ran at 14 km/h (n = 8 males) or 12 km/h (n = 6 females) on a treadmill. The shoe order was randomly assigned for the four shoe conditions, where the participants wore each shoe twice in a mirrored order. There was a significant reduction in metabolic power (1.0%) associated with the presence of a plate, as well as a similar reduction based on foam type (1.0%). However, there was no significant interaction between presence of plate and foam type. Adding a plate significantly reduced metabolic power for EVA by 1.3% but not for PEBA. PEBA foam significantly reduced metabolic power by 1.3% in shoes without a plate, but not for the shoes with a plate. Step frequency and contact time were similar between shoes and not correlated to running economy improvements. Starting from a baseline condition with traditional foam without a plate, either adding a plate or using PEBA foam improved running economy with a similar amount (1.3%). Adding the alternate second feature non-significantly improved running economy with an additional 0.6%. The benefit of both technologies combined (1.9%) was smaller than the sum of its parts (1.3% each).

Integrating artificial intelligence into psychoanalysis: studying the impact of interaction with smart systems on psychological health and behavior modification

This study aims to explore the impact of interaction with artificial intelligence systems on individuals' mental health and behavior modification. Using a mixedmethod approach combining quantitative and qualitative data, information was collected from employees across various sectors to analyze levels of anxiety and psychological stress associated with the use of these systems. The findings revealed a significant relationship between interaction with intelligent systems and increased psychological anxiety, highlighting the need for designing AI systems that consider users' psychological aspects. The research provides practical recommendations, including enhancing training programs and psychological support for employees, to achieve a better balance between technological benefits and mental well-being in the workplace.

Insights into Plant Leaf Disease Detection: A Short Review

In this review, we are diving deep into helping farmers keep their crops healthy. We are using software to detect and fight plant leaf diseases automatically. Since the early days of automation, software has been a trusty sidekick, making our lives easier by simplifying complex tasks. Our aim? To catch those pesky diseases before they wreak havoc on crop yields. Agriculture has not fully reaped the benefits of technology like other industries have. Shockingly, nearly half of all crop losses are due to plant leaf diseases. But fear not! We are on a mission to change that. By using fancy image processing tricks like preprocessing, segmentation, and feature extraction we are teaching computers to spot disease symptoms in plant photos. This means faster detection and quicker action to save crops. Ultimately, we are hoping to make farming more sustainable and secure our food supply for the future.

Trends in the international development of legal support of economic law relations in the field of application of blockchain technology

The article considers the influence of international experience, in particular FATF recommendations, European legislation on the regulation of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies in Ukraine. Special attention is paid to the experience of the United Kingdom, EU and Switzerland, which successfully conducted test transactions in accordance with FATF requirements. The article emphasizes the difficulty of complying with international standards in blockchain operations due to the long terms of their implementation and the amount of necessary legal changes. The article defines the need for a scientific analysis of trends in the development of regulation of crypto-assets, with the aim of scientific forecasting of their further development, separation from existing legal institutions. The decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which confirms the payment function of cryptocurrencies, which makes them similar to fiat money, is analyzed. However, Ukrainian legislation does not yet recognize cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, which complicates their regulation. The article also highlights the benefits of blockchain technology for government and business, including transparency, immutability of data once recorded, and independence from participants. Positive changes in Ukrainian legislation, in particular the implementation of the EU Regulation on crypto-asset markets, should accelerate the development of the national economy and its integration with the European market. The article analyzes the close connection between the implementation of blockchain technologies and the financial and banking sectors of the economy, while analyzing the difference in development and the key characteristics of the use of blockchain when making payments, documentary transactions, and financing export-import agreements. Identified trends in the development of legal support, namely, the connection with the financial and economic (commercial) sector, the need to implement verification, identification and authentication of subjects for the legality of transactions – transactions carried out using blockchain technology, separation of blockchain technology from the cryptocurrency market, in the sense that cryptocurrencies are one of the possibilities of blockchain technology, and not blockchain technology is a service, auxiliary mechanism of the cryptocurrency market.

Impact of technology bundling on rice productivity: Insights from participatory on-farm trials in the Philippines

ContextWhile the individual benefits of technologies like alternate wetting and drying (AWD), site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), mechanical transplanting, laser-guided land leveling (LLL), and herbicide application are well-documented, limited information exists on their combined effects on rice productivity and profitability. ObjectivesThis study hypothesized that integrating resource-use efficient technologies could offer compounded benefits in yields and reduced production costs. The study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness and grain yields of bundled technologies for rice, evaluating whether bundling could enhance yields, reduce production costs, and improve gross margin under farmers' field conditions. MethodsOn-farm participatory field trials were conducted over two dry seasons in the Philippines. Technology combinations were grouped as treatments (T) to reflect increasing bundling levels: T1 (farmers' practice (FP) with continuous flooding or CF), T2 (CF with mechanical transplanting, SSNM, and pre-emergence herbicide or PH), T3 (T2 with LLL), T4 (FP with AWD), T5 (AWD, mechanical transplanting, SSNM, and PH), and T6 (T5 with LLL). ResultsBundles involving LLL (T3) significantly increased the unit cost of production (P < 0.05) but did not result in proportional yield or gross margin increases. The outcome was attributed to exposure to less fertile soil after cut-and-fill operations and the high rental fee of LLL. However, the AWD in T6 with LLL mitigated these effects, resulting in no significant impact on yield. T5 balanced production costs and yield, offering a more economically viable approach than T3. The variability in yields and gross margins across treatments suggests that the expected benefits of higher yields and reduced costs from bundling technologies were inconsistent, with some treatments showing no advantages over farmers’ practices. ConclusionThe bundles combining AWD, SSNM, mechanical transplanting, and pre-emergence herbicide offered a balanced approach to cost-efficiency and productivity. Bundles involving LLL have increased production costs without corresponding yield or gross margin gains. Implications of the studyThe results underscore the complexity of bundled agricultural technologies, particularly in the context of smallholder systems. Benefits vary significantly depending on the technology combination, environmental conditions, and management practices, emphasizing the need for site-specific approaches when introducing new technologies. The findings provide valuable insights for bundling rice farming technologies with similar agroecosystems like the study site to enhance resource use management.

Legal and economic assessment of Neuralink: Between today's challenges and future aspirations analytical descriptive study

This research explores the legal and economic challenges associated with Neuralink’s innovative technology that merges artificial intelligence with the human brain. This technology allows individuals to control devices with their thoughts and addresses neurological disorders, thereby enhancing human capabilities. Legal concerns focus on privacy issues arising from brain data collection, necessitating new laws to protect individual rights. Questions of liability for damages also arise, determining whether responsibility lies with Neuralink or the users. Additionally, the ethical implications of enhancing human abilities and their effects on identity are examined. Economically, Neuralink could drive innovation, increase productivity, and create specialized jobs while transforming the labor market. It holds promise for improving healthcare and education, thus enhancing overall quality of life. It highlights that protecting rights is vital for innovation and meeting societal needs. It emphasizes safeguarding individual rights to promote innovation and ensure technology benefits society.