Impact Assessment Of Technologies Research Articles

Technology Impact Assessment of Coexistence Technology in MR on Edutainment Field: using Word Cloud

Technology Impact Assessment of Coexistence Technology in MR on Edutainment Field: using Word Cloud

Constitutional democracy and technology in the age of artificial intelligence.

Given the foreseeable pervasiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern societies, it is legitimate and necessary to ask the question how this new technology must be shaped to support the maintenance and strengthening of constitutional democracy. This paper first describes the four core elements of today's digital power concentration, which need to be seen in cumulation and which, seen together, are both a threat to democracy and to functioning markets. It then recalls the experience with the lawless Internet and the relationship between technology and the law as it has developed in the Internet economy and the experience with GDPR before it moves on to the key question for AI in democracy, namely which of the challenges of AI can be safely and with good conscience left to ethics, and which challenges of AI need to be addressed by rules which are enforceable and encompass the legitimacy of democratic process, thus laws. The paper closes with a call for a new culture of incorporating the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights by design in AI and a three-level technological impact assessment for new technologies like AI as a practical way forward for this purpose.This article is part of a theme issue 'Governing artificial intelligence: ethical, legal, and technical opportunities and challenges'.

Economic and Environmental Impact Assessment of Tractor Guidance Technology

Core Ideas Tractor guidance (TG) technology allows for spatially precise input applications. A decision‐support tool was developed to quantify environmental and economic impacts of TG. Greatest C equivalent emission reductions and cost savings occurred with Cotton‐Only scenario. TG was profitable for operations evaluated and led to C equivalent emissions reductions. This tool may improve agricultural sustainability and enhance technology adoption. Tractor guidance technology allows for more spatially precise input applications, which leads to efficiency gains that are difficult to quantify at the systems level. A decision‐support tool, Tractor Guidance Analysis (TGA), was developed to quantify carbon equivalent (CE) emission reductions associated with this technology for three scenarios (500 ha each): (i) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), (ii) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and (iii) cotton and soybean mixed. Carbon equivalent emission reductions for cotton, soybean, and mixed enterprises were 27.5, 5.6, and 16.5 kg ha−1, with attendant increases in farm profitability ($68,700, $16,900, and, $42,900, respectively). Tractor guidance led to total farm CE emission reductions of 15.7, 3.5, and 9.6 Mg for cotton, soybean, and mixed operations, respectively. These results highlight that CE reductions are (i) crop specific, (ii) scale dependent, and (iii) equipment and input‐use specific. Consequently, TGA can improve agricultural sustainability by informing users of economic and environmental repercussions of tractor guidance and may thereby enhance technology adoption.

Constitutional Democracy and Technology in the age of Artificial Intelligence

Given the foreseeable pervasiveness of Artificial Intelligence in modern societies, it is legitimate and necessary to ask the question how this new technology must be shaped to support the maintenance and strengthening of constitutional democracy. This paper first describes the four core elements of today's digital power concentration, which need to be seen in cumulation and which, seen together, are both a threat to democracy and to functioning markets. It then recalls the experience with the lawless internet and the relationship between technology and the law as it has developed in the internet economy and the experience with GDPR before it moves on to the key question for AI in democracy, namely which of the challenges of AI can be safely and with good conscience left to ethics, and which challenges of AI need to be addressed by rules which are enforceable and encompass the legitimacy of democratic process, thus laws. The paper closes with a call for a new culture of incorporating the principles of Democracy, Rule of law and Human Rights by design in AI and a three level technological impact assessment for new technologies like AI as a practical way forward for this purpose.

기술규제 규제영향분석의 적절성에 대한 연구: 기술규제영향평가 차원에서

The purpose of this study is to examine the appropriateness of Regulatory Impact Analysis(RIA) in terms of the technological regulation impact assessment in order to confirm whether the current RIA process reflects the important characteristics of technological regulation. This paper develops a logical framework for analysis of technological regulation and evaluates the appropriateness of the RIA statements submitted by the government departments. From the viewpoint of [technological feasibility of regulation], [synthesis of domestic technological norms], [synthesis of international technological norms], as a result of evaluating the contents of the actual RIA statement on the basis of objective facts, feasibility of alternative analysis, and expert judgment, only 23.4% of the RIA statements were judged appropriate, and there were no particular differences among the government. As a result of reviewing the appropriateness of RIA statements according to regulatory attributes, the appropriateness of RIA statements on technological regulation with social regulatory and indirect regulatory attributes was rather high. In sum, the level of Korean RIA statements is insufficient to carry out the practical meaning of technological regulation impact assessment. That is, as each government department adopts technological regulation, the understanding of the technological properties of the regulation may not be complete. The RIA statement that does not adequately reflect the technological rationale, hinders the careful review of other regulatory alternatives by exaggerating the feasibility of the technology regulation, at the same time leads to the serious problems that impede the acquisition of competitiveness of companies and the public in the global competition system.

Innovation assessment: governing through periods of disruptive technological change

ABSTRACTCurrent regulatory approaches are ill-equipped to address the challenges of governing through periods of disruptive technological change. This article hones in on the use of assessment regimes at the level of the European Union, particularly in the work of the Commission, to argue for a missing middle between technology assessment and impact assessment. Technology assessment focuses on the upstream governance of science and technology, while impact assessment focuses on the downstream governance of the impacts of specific policy options. What is missing is a form of midstream governance, which I label innovation assessment, to steer polities through periods of disruptive technological change, during which innovations have taken concrete forms and are beginning to diffuse, but still exhibit much scope for rapid, unexpected change and alternative trajectories of development. By juxtaposing these three forms of assessment regimes, I define the main dimensions along which they vary.

Increased N2O emission by inhibited plant growth in the CO2 leaked soil environment: Simulation of CO2 leakage from carbon capture and storage (CCS) site

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations is continuing to increase due to anthropogenic activity, and geological CO2 storage via carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology can be an effective way to mitigate global warming due to CO2 emission. However, the possibility of CO2 leakage from reservoirs and pipelines exists, and such leakage could negatively affect organisms in the soil environment. Therefore, to determine the impacts of geological CO2 leakage on plant and soil processes, we conducted a greenhouse study in which plants and soils were exposed to high levels of soil CO2. Cabbage, which has been reported to be vulnerable to high soil CO2, was grown under BI (no injection), NI (99.99% N2 injection), and CI (99.99% CO2 injection). Mean soil CO2 concentration for CI was 66.8–76.9% and the mean O2 concentrations in NI and CI were 6.6–12.7%, which could be observed in the CO2 leaked soil from the pipelines connected to the CCS sites. The soil N2O emission was increased by 286% in the CI, where NO3−-N concentration was 160% higher compared to that in the control. This indicates that higher N2O emission from CO2 leakage could be due to enhanced nitrification process. Higher NO3−-N content in soil was related to inhibited plant metabolism. In the CI treatment, chlorophyll content decreased and chlorosis appeared after 8th day of injection. Due to the inhibited root growth, leaf water and nitrogen contents were consistently lowered by 15% under CI treatment. Our results imply that N2O emission could be increased by the secondary effects of CO2 leakage on plant metabolism. Hence, monitoring the environmental changes in rhizosphere would be very useful for impact assessment of CCS technology.

Life cycle environmental and economic impact assessment of alternative transport fuels and power-train technologies

Assessment of the sustainability of alternative transport fuels is essential for directing the development while reducing their impacts. The aim of this paper is to assess the environmental and economic life cycle impacts of alternative transport fuels and compare with conventional fuels. The sustainability assessment was performed for selected fuels, including diesel, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, fuel cell and electricity, using SimaPro 8.05 life cycle assessment software and Recipe methodology. The study revealed the highest environmental impacts for ethanol flexi fuel technology, followed by biodiesel at close to 80% to the ethanol impacts, liquefied petroleum gas at 45%, gasoline at 30%, diesel at 25%, electricity at 15%, compressed natural gas at 5%, and the minimum for hydrogen technology with only 3% of environmental impacts comparing to ethanol. The total economic costs (including capital costs and operating costs) on per km basis are the highest for battery electric vehicles (electricity fuel) followed by ethanol based flexi fuel vehicles, biodiesel, diesel, gasoline, compressed natural gas, hydrogen (fuel cell) and the minimum for liquefied petroleum gas. The combined environmental and economic impacts revealed hydrogen fuel cell is the best performing fuel technology with only 3% of the impacts of ethanol.

Impact of ICT Usage in Primary-School Students' Learning in The Case of Thailand

The utilization of ICT as a teaching–learning tool continues to be very popular in Thai primary schools. However, technology impact assessments are not always properly carried out, and the benefits of using ICT in primary education are not always clear. The aim of this paper is to assess whether the use of ICT has an impact on student performance compared to when such technology is not used. In the results from the two experimental units, the researchers find no significant effects of ICT usage on student performance either in classroom behaviors or in improvement scores. On further inspection of influential factors for ICT adoption, the results show that only subjective norm has a significant effect on the students' classroom behaviors. In contrast to the previous literature and conventional beliefs, the researchers found that ICT is not always an effective teaching–learning tool regardless of the educational level of students.

Adoption and impact assessment of weed management technologies in wheat and greengram under conservation agriculture system in central India

Rice-wheat is the major cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plains and is also practiced on considerable area in Madhya Pradesh. Rice-wheat production system under conventional practices involves tedious and time-consuming methods of field preparation and weed management; increases cost of production, deteriorates soil fertility, and do not offer desired benefits for increasing the grain yields. In conventional agriculture, burning of crop leftover residue has become a major challenge that leads to loss of precious plant nutrients and deteriorates environmental quality. In order to mitigate these problems, technically-feasible, economically-viable and ecologically-permissible technologies need to be essentially adopted. A technology is required to facilitate timely sowing in standing stubbles, minimize weed infestation, lower cost of production, improve fertilizer/water-use efficiency and improve soil health. To reap the benefits of conservation agriculture (CA), studies were conducted at farmers ’fields in rice-wheat-greengram cropping system in black-cotton soils in Madhya Pradesh for consecutive five years. Sowing was done with Happy Seeder. Emergence of weeds from upper soil surface was effectively controlled by herbicides. Results showed that the benefits of CA can well be harnessed in black-cotton soils with rice-wheat-greengram cropping system. Retention of crop residues on soil surface provided an effective mulch cover for nutrient and moisture conservation, temperature moderation and weed control.

Integrated assessment of renewable energy potential: Approach and application in rural South Africa

This paper presents the development and application of the Integrated Renewable Energy Potential Assessment (IREPA), employing a three-pronged approach: (i) literature review of renewable energy potential assessment methodologies, renewable energy technology (RET) selection factors and impact assessment methods; (ii) discussions with academic peers from natural and social sciences, and the private energy engineering sector; (iii) evaluation of the IREPA methodology through case-study research in a rural community in South Africa. Locally relevant social, institutional, environmental and techno-economic factors were explored through mutual knowledge exchange with smallholders and subsequently applied for appropriate RET selection. Three barriers to participatory decision-making were revealed: i) lack of knowledge ofrenewable energy among smallholders; ii) insufficient practical information dissemination in IREPA; iii) abstract nature of the analytical hierarchy process. The adaptions recommended by this research would render IREPA a suitable bottom-up approach for the assessment and effective implementation of RET, stimulating socio-economic development in rural areas.

Impact assessment of plant protection technologies validated/ demonstrated by KVK, Angul (Odisha) during 2002-2009

A good number of agro technologies have been assessed and demonstrated in the farmers’ field by KVK, Angul during 2002-2009. Impactassessment of plant protection technologies revealed that the technologies are being adopted by the farmers at variable rate over time. Highest adoption rate (65%) was observed with application of Acephate 75 per cent SC twice @ 0.2 per cent at 15 days interval for management of aphid in mustard with horizontal expansion to 382 ha area. On the other hand lower adoption rate (6%) was observed for the technology of release of bio-agent Chrysoperla cornea for management of this insect pest. The IPM technology consisting of removal of affected fruits and shoots followed by alternate spraying of Triazophos@ 0.2 per cent and neem oil @ 0.5 per cent with teepol at 15 days interval for management of shoot and fruit borer was found to be adopted by 52 per cent participants with horizontal spread to 264 ha of additional area. Non-availability of inputs and seeds of high yielding variety of crops, delay in input availability, non-availability of resistant variety, inadequate supply of inputs and poor quality of inputs, non-availability of skilled labours ,high cost of labour and lack of credit facility are the major constraints for low adoption of these technologies. These constraints need to be addressed systematically to improve the adoption percentage of these technologies. How to view point the article : Das, Niranjan and Mishra, R.P. (2016). Impact assessment of plant protection technologies validated/demonstrated by KVK, Angul (Odisha) during 20022009. Internat. J. Plant Protec., 9(1) : 252-255.

Economic analysis and impact assessment of production technology of paddy of Western Maharashtra region

Economic analysis and impact assessment of production technology of paddy of Western Maharashtra region

Economic analysis and impact assessment of production technology of paddy of Konkan region in Maharashtra

Economic analysis and impact assessment of production technology of paddy of Konkan region in Maharashtra

Assessing the impacts of ICT deployment in teaching and learning in higher education

Purpose– Deployment of ICT facilities for teaching and learning in higher education is no longer a new trend, however, assessing the impacts of these deployment on lecturers and students requires more effort. The purpose of this paper is to employ a mixed method design consisting qualitative and quantitative procedures to examine the impact of ICT deployment in teaching and learning at a University in Nigeria. The survey data were drawn from 593 respondents (students and lecturers) and was analyzed using linear regression. For the qualitative part, one-on-one and focus group interviews were conducted among seven students and eight lecturers to seek their varying opinion on ICT impact on teaching and learning. Lecture-room observations were conducted across three classes to see how ICT is integrated. These multiple means findings were triangulated, compared and contrasted to validate the study. Predictors of ICT impact were found to be perception, integration, motivation and challenges. The qualitative interview and observation findings generated four similar themes as the quantitative result which was conceptualized as a model that serves as a framework for researchers on ICT impact assessment.Design/methodology/approach– This study employed a mixed method design consisting qualitative and quantitative procedures to examine the impact of ICT deployment in teaching and learning at a University in Nigeria. The survey data were drawn from 593 respondents (students and lecturers) and was analyzed using linear regression. For the qualitative part, one-on-one and focus group interviews were conducted among seven students and eight lecturers to seek their varying opinion on ICT impact on teaching and learning. Lecture-room observations were conducted across three classes to see how ICT is integrated. These multiple means findings were triangulated, compared and contrasted to validate the study.Findings– Predictors of ICT impact were found to be perception, integration, motivation and challenges. The qualitative interview and observation findings generated four similar themes as the quantitative result which was conceptualized as a model that serves as a framework for researchers on ICT impact assessment.Practical implications– The use of multiple research designs to get rich and diverse view of participants incorporated in this study help to generate solid findings on the impact assessment of technology in education. The conceptual model (Adedokun-Shittu 2011 ICT impact assessment model) generated through a mixed method research design has four components which are substitutable to CIPP and Kirkpatrick models. It also fills a crucial gap left by both models.Originality/value– This study produces a model that is conceived as a conceptual framework for researchers on impact assessment and is made up of the generated themes and named ICT Impact Assessment Model comprising Positive effect, Integration, Incentives and Challenges. This model is represented in a cyclic form because the assessment process can start from any stage and the assessment could be done individually or holistically. This makes it useful for both formative and summative assessment of ICT integration in teaching and learning (Adedokun-Shittuet al.S, 2012). The mixed method approach (survey, interviews and observations) used in the study that generated this model also supports its usefulness in any kind of evaluation (formative or summative).

Incineration as an Object for Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecological Expertise

Incineration and landfill of solid domestic waste (SDW) are compared from the viewpoint of heir effect on the environment. This comparison is considered as the example of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of a new technology. The EIA envelopes the territory of Moscow and Moscow oblast and includes the effect on air including the transportation, surface waters, soil waters, waste removal, and economy. In the article procedures of the Ministry of Nature, information on IN-50 incinerators, incineration plant no. 3 (Moscow), Pyatigorsk incineration plant and best available technologies of the European Union were used. Our analysis showed that no information necessary for objective conclusions, firstly the data on landfill gas and content of incomplete combustion products in furnace gas, is contained in generally accessible sources.

An impact assessment of sustainable technologies for the Chinese urban residential sector at provincial level

Recently, energy use in the urban residential sector of China has drastically increased due to higher incomes and urbanization. The fossil fuels dominant energy supply has since worsened the air quality, especially in urban areas. In this study we estimate the future energy service demands in Chinese urban residential areas, and then use an AIM/Enduse model to evaluate the emission reduction potential of CO2, SO2, NOx and PM. Considering the climate diversity and its impact on household energy service demands, our analysis is down-scaled to the provincial-level. The results show that in most of the regions, penetration of efficient technologies will bring CO2 emission reductions of over 20% compared to the baseline by the year 2030. Deployment of energy efficient technologies also co-benefits GHG emission reduction. However, efficient technology selection appears to differ across provinces due to climatic variation and economic disparity. For instance, geothermal heating technology is effective for the cold Northern areas while biomass technology contributes to emission reduction the most in the warm Southern areas.

Economic analysis and impact assessment of production technology of paddy of Marathwada region in Maharashtra

Economic analysis and impact assessment of production technology of paddy of Marathwada region in Maharashtra

Impact assessment of rice production technology recommended by Assam Agricultural University in terms of structural changes and cropping intensity in Assam

A study was conducted in the districts of Karimganj, Lakhimpur and Jorhat of Assam to assess the impact of AAU recommended rice production technology in terms of structural changes occurring in farmer fields in Assam. A purposive sampling technique was followed and statistical methods such as percentage, frequency, mean and ranking was used for analysing the data. Data were collected through personal interview method during the period from late 2009 to early 2010. A total of 360 respondents were interviewed with the help of the structured schedule. About 12.50 per cent sample farmers had Kutcha irrigation channels throughout the three years covered under the study. In terms of farm machinery, 67.50 per cent respondents had sprayers and 48.61 per cent had weeders. Also, 36.67 per cent respondents had tube wells while 19.72 per cent and 3.33 per cent respondents had pump sets and dusters, respectively. About 1.39 per cent respondents also had threshers. Among the sampled respondents 4.17 per cent had power tillers and 0.28 per cent had tractors. Moreover, 93.61 per cent respondents possessed improved mud boundaries. It was seen that the total average cropping intensity in relation to rice in the study area was 108.90 per cent. Among the three districts covered under the study Lakhimpur had the highest average cropping intensity in relation to rice (120.82%) followed by Karimganj (106.58%) and Jorhat (99.30%).

Quality of service, safety and protection of privacy in hospital: a method for impact assessment of RFId technology in healthcare

Background: Radio Frequency Identification (RFId) technology is rapidly integrating into hospital practices to track assets, identify patients and manage personnel; it is important to assess its impact on privacy, safety and quality of health services. Objective: This paper describes the methodological approach adopted and the tools used by the authors to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of applications and systems using RFId technology in health care facilities to solve problems due to lack of traceability. Methods: To analyse the actual and/or potential effects of this technology, the method adopted is taken from the multidisciplinary approach of Health Technology Assessment (HTA), with particular reference to the assessment of quality of services provided, of safety and of protection of personal and sensitive data. Tools developed during the research include survey, verbal questioning and interviews involving hospital staff members (Management, Technical, Clinical&Service Implementation), and audit in Italian healthcare facilities. Results: We identified the current applications and technical characteristics of RFId technology and we calculated priority levels to determine impact health indicators. Results were used for evaluate the diffusion, the applications and the characteristics of RFId technology and also for calculate its impact on healthcare processes. Conclusions: Using the tools described in this paper, health managers can evaluate the impact of the RFId-based applications in their healthcare structure.