Complex Technology Research Articles

REVOLUTIONIZING HEALTHCARE THROUGH AUGMENTED REALITY INTEGRATION IN MEDICAL TRAINING

Through the transformation of conventional anatomy education techniques, the incorporation of augmented reality (AR) into medical training is revolutionising healthcare education. This creative method uses augmented reality (AR) tools, such as Microsoft® HoloLens II, to improve anatomy lab courses and give students a more engaging and dynamic learning environment. Medical schools can simplify anatomy instruction by using holograms to replicate human dissection. This allows students to study intricate anatomical structures in a step-by-step three-dimensional presentation. In addition to optimising the amount of time spent on dissection, this move towards AR-based learning creates new opportunities for remote and independent learning that meet the needs and preferences of a wide range of learners. Furthermore, the challenges that traditional cadaver-based anatomy instruction faces are addressed by integrating AR into medical education. AR offers a thorough and captivating learning environment because it can present anatomical material in different sequences, from superficial to deep structures, or by creating functional body units. Clinical correlations can be easily incorporated into lessons to improve students' comprehension and memorization of anatomy. The future of augmented reality (AR) in medical education appears bright, with potential breakthroughs in pathology, histology, and surgical applications, despite obstacles like realism constraints and technological complexity. Key Words: Augmented Reality (AR), Medical Training, Healthcare Education, Microsoft HoloLens, Anatomy Education, Validation Process

E-Business and Digital Marketing: Integrating Management Information Systems for Competitive Advantage

This article discusses the integration of e-business and digital marketing with Management Information Systems (MIS) to gain competitive advantage. Using qualitative methods, literature studies and library research, this article analyzes various literature and case studies regarding the application of SIM in e-business and digital marketing strategies. This research found that integration between e-business, digital marketing, and MIS can increase operational efficiency, strengthen relationships with customers, and optimize data-based decision making. Additionally, this article identifies several challenges companies face in implementing this integration, such as technological complexity, the need for employee training, and adaptation to rapid market changes. The results of this research highlight the importance of utilizing digital technology and SIM in building responsive and innovative business strategies. These findings also show that companies that successfully integrate e-business and digital marketing with MIS tend to have a higher competitive advantage compared to those that do not. This article provides valuable insights for practitioners and historians on how to integrate MIS into e-business and digital marketing to achieve corporate strategic goals. Finally, this research contributes to the growing literature on the importance of information technology in supporting modern business strategy.

Technologies of the future agro-industrial complex in the aspect of complexity theory

The article is devoted to the problem area of the Russian agro-industrial complex – the complexity of the emerging set of technologies. The focus is on complexity theory, implemented within the framework of synergetics. The range of issues discussed are includes: prerequisites for the formation of complexity theory in agricultural science; creation of a generalized concept of the agricultural technologies complexity; architecture of the complexity of production, processing and food technologies as a whole; features of the mathematical apparatus for modeling agro-industrial complex technological complexes; an emergent effect that arises from the interaction of heterogeneous technologies that have a common goal; designing the complexity of connected technologies; the pace of the combined technologies development; technological requirements for the output parameters of processes throughout the entire technological chain; features of the design of complex technologies with a quantitative assessment of their level of complexity; consideration of a complex technological system as an object of synergetics. Particular attention was paid to the dialectical development of complexes of modern innovative technologies as the theoretical basis for the entry of the Russian agro-industrial complex into the Sixth technological order.

ACCEPTANCE OF m-HEALTH AND ITS COMPLEXITY FOR THE PROVISION OF QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES

Objectives: To identify the factors affecting the adoption of mobile health, assess the perception of the role of mobile health in health care service, and compare the technology acceptability and complexity trend among Community Health Workers. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was done using a two-stage sampling technique to collect the required sample from 308 Community Health Workers (CHWs) comprising 258 Lady health workers (LHW), 21 Community midwives (CMWs), 18 Lady health visitors (LHVs) and 11 Family welfare workers /councilors (FWWs/FWCs) of district Peshawar. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The majority of CHWs agree that mobile phones are useful in communication with fellow health professionals, diagnostic and treatment support, and medical data collection. The majority of CHWs were, willing to adopt mHealth technology. CHWs believed that mHealth adoption could make their job easier and improve access to healthcare services. mHealth can also enhance disease prevention and awareness. Affordability, result orientation, and easy usage are the significant factors in the adoption of mHealth. Conclusion: mHealth usefulness and acceptance role for awareness, and disease prevention are the most agreed factors in the view of community health workers. Highest PCA score recordings for “m-health make it more accessible, affordable for the general population". Key Words: Community Health Workers, Unified Theory of Acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), mHealth.

Preparation of light fraction silicate filer after the mining for the base layers’ road construction

The article main objective was eco-innovation in the field of utilization and creation of a complex waste-free technology for the separation of components during ore extraction with subsequent processing, recovery of mine tailings in combination with available energy. The article deals with the topic of production and preparation of base layers for road construction in the form of silicate filer after separation of ore mining. The chemical and mineralogical composition on the fine fraction of the separated tailings was carried out by XRD analysis, filer particle size followed up by Laser Granulometry and other comprehensive measurements and the development of basic parameters by individual standard tests. The results determined on the functional sample demonstrated that it is possible to create an almost completely waste-free technology in the field of separation of components during ore extraction and its subsequent processing and use for the base layers of linear road construction.

Exploring the Feasibility of Deploying Technology Enhanced School-Based Teacher Continuous Professional Development in Internet-Limited Environments in Tanzania

In low-income countries, the use of technology to enhance teacher continuous professional development (TCPD) activities has been increasing significantly. However, most technology initiatives related to TCPD require the installation of complex information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in schools or availability of reliable Internet connectivity. While installation of ICT infrastructure is costly, the cost of the Internet is unaffordable to most teachers in low-income countries. This study explored the feasibility of deploying Raspberry Pi computers and tablets as micro-servers to facilitate school-based TCPD activities via a learning management system (LMS) without Internet connectivity. Teachers in eight schools in Dar es Salaam and Lindi accessed a TCPD sample module with Raspberry Pi and tablets providing hotspotting and treated as offline local servers hosting a LMS. After the trial, data was collected through focus group discussion, observation, and LMS logs involving 69 teachers. The findings showed that both Raspberry Pi and tablets could be used as micro-servers to provide access to learning resources in offline environments, but Raspberry Pi fared more favorably. Raspberry Pi was easy to set up and connected more devices than did the tablet. However, Raspberry Pi required careful handling as it is a delicate device. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in terms of the performance and cost of the two micro-servers. This study provided further evidence that both Raspberry Pi and tablets could be cost-effective approaches to deliver TCPD activities without installing complex ICT infrastructure or in areas with limited Internet connectivity.

Is innovation failure just a dead end?

This paper explores whether failures in innovation projects at the firm level contribute to strengthening firms’ innovative activities and the odds of future innovation. Building on the literature on NK fitness landscapes, our paper focuses on technological complexity as a key factor that influences the response to innovation failures, guiding whether to discontinue the current path or, alternatively, to leverage the failure as a foundation for future innovation success. We then test the hypothesis derived from our model using a panel data set constituted by ten waves of the Community Innovation Survey held in the Netherlands from 1996 to 2014. Our findings show the fundamental relevance of the different forms of learning that are available to the firm. In particular, we highlight the positive role of learning after a previous innovation project has been abandoned. Previous failure in innovating produces some forms of learning inside the firms, and this learning positively contributes to subsequent successful innovation. Moreover, by differentiating between radical and incremental innovation, and between complex and less-complex innovation landscapes, we highlight the role of incremental innovation over the whole spectrum of landscape complexity, while the role of radical innovation appears to be more limited to less turbulent technological landscapes.

Maximizing user experience with LLMOps-driven personalized recommendation systems

The integration of LLMOps into personalized recommendation systems marks a significant advancement in managing LLM-driven applications. This innovation presents both opportunities and challenges for enterprises, requiring specialized teams to navigate the complexity of engineering technology while prioritizing data security and model interpretability. By leveraging LLMOps, enterprises can enhance the efficiency and reliability of large-scale machine learning models, driving personalized recommendations aligned with user preferences. Despite ethical considerations, LLMOps is poised for widespread adoption, promising more efficient and secure machine learning services that elevate user experience and shape the future of personalized recommendation systems.

Suitability of the Current Health Technology Assessment of Innovative Artificial Intelligence-Based Medical Devices: Scoping Literature Review.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based medical devices have garnered attention due to their ability to revolutionize medicine. Their health technology assessment framework is lacking. This study aims to analyze the suitability of each health technology assessment (HTA) domain for the assessment of AI-based medical devices. We conducted a scoping literature review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. We searched databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library), gray literature, and HTA agency websites. A total of 10.1% (78/775) of the references were included. Data quality and integration are vital aspects to consider when describing and assessing the technical characteristics of AI-based medical devices during an HTA process. When it comes to implementing specialized HTA for AI-based medical devices, several practical challenges and potential barriers could be highlighted and should be taken into account (AI technological evolution timeline, data requirements, complexity and transparency, clinical validation and safety requirements, regulatory and ethical considerations, and economic evaluation). The adaptation of the HTA process through a methodological framework for AI-based medical devices enhances the comparability of results across different evaluations and jurisdictions. By defining the necessary expertise, the framework supports the development of a skilled workforce capable of conducting robust and reliable HTAs of AI-based medical devices. A comprehensive adapted HTA framework for AI-based medical devices can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and societal impact of AI-based medical devices, guiding their responsible implementation and maximizing their benefits for patients and health care systems.

Me, us and IT

The adoption and pedagogical use of technologies such as virtual worlds to support teaching and learning, and research in higher education involves a complex interplay of technical, organisational and personal factors. In this paper, eighteen educators and researchers provide an overview of how they perceive a virtual world can be used in education from the perspective of themselves as individuals ‘me’, their educational organisations and as members of the Australian and New Zealand Virtual Worlds Working Group (VWWG) community of practice ‘us’, as well as the complex technology that underpins this learning environment ‘IT’. Drawing on Linstone’s (1981, 1984) Technical, Organisational and Personal (TOP) multiple perspective concept as the framework for analysis, the authors discuss their perspectives of how the personal, organisational and technical aspects of teaching through the use of virtual worlds have impacted on their teaching and research in higher education. The potential of employing the TOP framework to inform future research into the use of technologies such as virtual worlds in teaching and learning is explored.

Therapeutic effects of rehabilitation technologies in patients with functional asthenia

Abstract. Post-traumatic stress disorder is widespread in the young patient population and tends to increase. Studying the therapeutic effects of a complex of rehabilitation technologies in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder is an urgent scientific and practical task. Purpose of the study: to determine the therapeutic effects of a complex of rehabilitation technologies in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Material and methods. 71 patients aged 33 (20–49) years with post-traumatic stress disorder (ICD–X code F43.1) were studied. The patients were prescribed a set of physical exercises, a course of audiovisual polysensory relaxation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, chromotherapy, hydrobalneotherapy, climatotherapy, therapeutic nutrition and psychotherapy. The total duration of the course is 20 days. Clinical, instrumental, psychophysical, and integral methods of assessing the condition of patients were used. Results. A significant improvement in clinical and psychological status, an increase in adaptive potential, the level of physical health, a significant increase in physical performance, and an improvement in autonomic regulation were revealed. Conclusion. The complex of restorative technologies of medical and psychological rehabilitation produces pronounced actoprotective and psychocorrective therapeutic effects in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Overview of petroleum hydrocarbon pollution and bioremediation technologies

An exceptional rise in population, urbanization and human activities associated with modernization has increased pollutants to critical levels. These pollutants are in different shades across different sectors however, petroleum hydrocarbon is one of the most significant. This is because it comprises of thousands of various chemicals with structural and behavioral differences causing widespread distribution into the environment, bioaccumulation in biological systems, harmful effects on living organisms and resistance to biodegradation. Hydrocarbon pollution is mainly attributed to anthropogenic activities from crude oil refineries, sabotage of pipelines, petroleum industries and other sources and consequently negatively impacts all environmental compartments: air, water, land, sediments and sometimes groundwater causing deleterious effects. By extension, petroleum hydrocarbon pollution also contributes to public health risks which all supports the need for an effective remediation option. Bioremediation has been considered a highly functional option with other selective advantages such as: sustainability, cost-effectiveness, less complex technology and eco-friendly attributes compared to other invasive methods. There are different approaches to bioremediation and more recently the use of biosurfactants and immobilized cells have been introduced as more effective alternatives. Regardless, it is important to understand the mechanisms and factors that supports biodegradation and the choice of bioremediation technique depends on them. This review therefore describes the composition and behavior of petroleum hydrocarbons in different environment and also highlights the different bioremediation approaches and the factors that supports their activity.

A collaborative approach to manage continuous service innovation

In dynamic market environments, companies look beyond organizational boundaries to pursue competitive advantages. When they collaborate, organizations might develop innovative service offerings and stay relevant in the market over time, enabled by advances in technologies. However, the collaborative dynamics underpinning strategies for continuous service innovation remain underexplored, such that extant research predominantly adopts an organization-centric perspective and fails to offer a comprehensive view of collaborative innovation initiatives that integrate consecutive projects across technology life cycles. To bridge these gaps, the current research applies an action research approach to the supply chain of organizations dedicated to complex technology delivery and maintenance in the maritime industry. The findings specify not just collaborative strategies for continuous service innovation but also the influential factors and operational service attributes crucial to their success. Therefore, this study proposes collaborative strategies for continuous service innovation, with the assertion that collaboration opportunities are integral to developing and managing novel services. Furthermore, this article introduces a technology life cycle perspective to the management of continuous innovation systems, which demand a collective approach to accommodate multiple technology frequencies (e.g., upkeep, update, upgrade), particularly in multi-technology contexts.

Quantum-enhanced hybrid feature engineering in thoracic CT image analysis for state-of-the-art nodule classification: an advanced lung cancer assessment

The intricate nature of lung cancer treatment poses considerable challenges upon diagnosis. Early detection plays a pivotal role in mitigating its escalating global mortality rates. Consequently, there are pressing demands for robust and dependable early detection and diagnostic systems. However, the technological limitations and complexity of the disease make it challenging to implement an efficient lung cancer screening system. AI-based CT image analysis techniques are showing significant contributions to the development of computer-assisted detection (CAD) systems for lung cancer screening. Various existing research groups are working on implementing CT image analysis systems for assessing and classifying lung cancer. However, the complexity of different structures inside the CT image is high and comprehension of significant information inherited by them is more complex even after applying advanced feature extraction and feature selection techniques. Traditional and classical feature selection techniques may struggle to capture complex interdependencies between features. They may get stuck in local optima and sometimes require additional exploration strategies. Traditional techniques may also struggle with combinatorial optimization problems when applied to a prominent feature space. This paper proposed a methodology to overcome the existing challenges by applying feature extraction using Vision Transformer (FexViT) and Feature selection using the Quantum Computing based Quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QC-FSelQUBO) technique. This algorithm shows better performance when compared with other existing techniques. The proposed methodology showed better performance as compared to other existing techniques when evaluated by applying necessary output measures, such as accuracy, Area under roc (receiver operating characteristics) curve, precision, sensitivity, and specificity, obtained as 94.28%, 99.10%, 96.17%, 90.16% and 97.46%. The further advancement of CAD systems is essential to meet the demand for more reliable detection and diagnosis of cancer, which can be addressed by leading the proposed quantum computation and growing AI-based technology ahead.

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis in biomass and waste valorisation: Insights into the life-cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA)

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) has been perceived as a promising technology for biomass and waste conversion due to its distinctive features, including fast, even, and precise heating. This results in higher energy efficiency when compared to conventional pyrolysis via thermal heating. However, the scaling up of MAP of biomass and waste poses challenges, with investigations ongoing to uncover not only the technological aspect, but also both the environmental impacts and economic feasibility associated with this process/technology. The possible environmental impacts associated with MAP processes can be analyzed through systematic life-cycle assessment (LCA), while the economic feasibility can be evaluated via techno-economic analysis (TEA). This paper presents an overview of the current research trend in MAP and the products produced, as well as the LCA and TEA of the pyrolysis technologies. The LCA study reported a 2.5 folds reduction in energy consumption and up to 62% reduction in global warming potential. TEA study revealed that conventional pyrolysis has a greater profit for long-term assessment due to a higher maturity and less complexity technology; however, MAP may be more economically feasible in the future owing to the increased maturity and more established technology. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives for LCA and TEA in MAP are elucidated.

Feasibility of teaching and assessing medical students in the metaverse: design and features for its learning efficiency

The metaverse is known as the hypothetical iteration of the Internet as a single, connected, universal and immersive virtual world that can be accessed via immersive technology devices. One approach to this concept can be achieved through the use of multi-user immersive virtual reality applications.Immersive virtual reality (IVR), which uses gadgets that allow the user to visualize and interact in an enveloping way, is a very attractive technology for teaching purposes. There are many references in the scientific literature about its use for this purpose, including encouraging results in the field of medicine. However, there have not been enough studies assessing how much this type of technology really contributes to learning medicine.This work investigates the feasibility of using the metaverse as an educational tool in medicine. We propose a multi-user immersive virtual reality application for implementing a scene of the metaverse in which medical students are taught. Our work considers that in order to ensure this type of technology is useful in the education of medical students, the technology itself (multi-user IVR) must be designed and implemented for a medical student profile. They usually spend too much time for adapting themselves to use and manage this kind of technology when they are exposed to it for learning. The technology should not be a barrier to acquiring, or disseminating the academic contents themselves. It should act as a catalyst that enhances the speed and capacity for learning medical educational topics. Thus, we present design and user experience specifications that we implemented in an anatomical dissection room in the metaverse, and with which we conducted experiments with 114 sixth-grade medical students. Our results indicate that, based on the design and user experience characteristics that we propose in this paper, the metaverse can indeed serve as a useful and effective educational resource whose technological complexity is no barrier to medical teaching.

Impact of Technological Advancements on Human Existence

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to examine the impact of technological advancements on human existence. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to impact of technological advancements on human existence. Preliminary empirical review revealed that technology exerted a dual influence on society, both enhancing and detracting from human well-being. Empirical findings revealed that while innovations like smartphones and social media platforms offered unprecedented connectivity, they also posed risks to mental health and social relationships. Similarly, workplace automation and AI integration improved productivity but raised concerns about job displacement. Furthermore, the study emphasized the importance of considering socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors in understanding technology's impact. Overall, the findings underscored the need for a balanced approach to technological innovation that prioritizes human well-being, equity, and sustainability, suggesting initiatives such as promoting digital literacy and fostering inclusive technological development. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Technological Determinism, Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) and Actor-Network Theory (ANT) may be used to anchor future studies on technological advancements on human existence. The study provided recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy. It suggested further exploration of interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks to understand technology's complex dynamics, advocated for proactive strategies in organizations to mitigate negative impacts, and called for regulatory frameworks balancing innovation with societal values. These recommendations aimed to foster digital literacy, ethical innovation, and equitable access to technology, guiding stakeholders in navigating the complexities of technology's influence on society. Keywords: Technological Advancements, Human Existence, Interdisciplinary, Digital Literacy, Ethical Innovation, Regulation, Equity, Innovation, Societal Values, Technology's Influence

The importance of non-technical skills in robot-assisted surgery in gynaecology.

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in gynaecology has undergone exponential growth in recent decades, with utility in treating both benign and malignant gynaecological conditions. The technological complexities and amended theatre dynamics that RAS demands mean that effective non-technical skills (NTS) are vitally important to overcome these unique challenges. However, NTS have been neglected in RAS-training programmes with focus placed instead on the exclusive acquisition of technical skills (TS). NTS include teamwork, communication, leadership, situational awareness, decision-making and stress management. Communication is the most frequently cited NTS impacted during RAS, as the physical limitations imposed by the robotic hardware make communication exchange difficult. The full immersion that RAS enables can contribute to situational awareness deficits. However, RAS can complement communication and teamwork when multidisciplinary (MDT) surgeries (such as complex endometriosis excisions) are undertaken; dual-console capabilities facilitate the involvement of specialties such as general surgery and urology. The development of NTS in RAS cannot be achieved with in-situ experience alone, and current training is poorly standardised. RAS-training programmes and curricula for gynaecology do exist, however the integration of NTS remain limited. Simulation is a viable tool to facilitate enhanced-NTS integration, yet cost implications form a barrier to its wider implementation. However, given that RAS will continue to occupy a greater proportion of the gynaecological caseload, integration of NTS within gynaecological RAS training curricula is necessary. Patients undergoing gynaecological RAS would benefit from the improved safety standards and enhanced surgical outcomes that would result.

A bionic mimosa soft robot based on a multi-responsive PNIPAM-PEGDA hydrogel composition.

Deformation plays a vital role in the survival of natural organisms. One example is that plants deform themselves to face the sun for sufficient sunlight exposure, which allows them to produce nutrients through photosynthesis. Drawing inspiration from nature, researchers have been exploring the development of 3D deformable materials. However, the traditional approach to manufacturing deformable hydrogels relies on complex technology, which limits their potential applications. In this study, we simulate the stress variations observed in the plant tissue to create a 3D structure from a 2D material. Using UV curing technology, we create a single-layer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel sheet with microchannels that exhibit distinct swelling rates when subjected to stimulation. After a two-step curing process, we produce a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-polyethylene glycol diacrylatedouble-layer structure that can be manipulated to change its shape by controlling the light and solvent content. Based on the double-layer structure, we fabricate a dual-response driven bionic mimosa robot that can perform a variety of functions. This soft robot can not only reversibly change its shape but also maintain a specific shape without continuous stimulation. Its capacity for reversible deformation, resulting from internal stress, presents promising application prospects in the biomedical and soft robotics domain. This study delivers an insightful framework for the development of programmable soft materials.

A critical evaluation of DC microgrid implementation in Indonesia: opportunities and challenges

This study thoroughly investigates the potential of direct current (DC) microgrids to enhance electricity access in rural and remote areas of Indonesia that continue to face significant obstacles despite ongoing national electrification efforts. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research comprehensively evaluates socio-economic and technical factors that influence the adoption of DC microgrids. The results indicate that DC microgrids offer significant potential for enhancing energy access, reliability, and sustainability, particularly when combined with renewable energy sources. This aligns with Indonesia’s move towards renewable energy. Nevertheless, the analysis identifies significant obstacles, such as the substantial initial investment, the requirement for complete regulatory frameworks, and the technological complexities that need to be conquered. In conclusion, DC microgrids present a promising solution for rural electrification. However, the implementation requires a strategy that emphasizes strategic investments, policy innovation, and capacity-building initiatives. This research significantly contributes to the study of sustainable energy by evaluating the criticality of integrating policies and technology for implementing DC microgrids as a key factor in achieving sustainable energy access in Indonesia.