Access Technologies Research Articles

The impact of welfare technology on care ethics: a qualitative analysis of healthcare professionals and managers’ experiences with welfare technologies

BackgroundProviding healthcare for the elderly population is challenging due to a shortage of staff. The challenge is addressed by increased use of technology. The article explores the impact of welfare technology on healthcare personnel’s care ethical considerations in Norway’s primary healthcare sector. Through a qualitative study of how healthcare professionals, managers, and technology suppliers understand and perceive welfare technology in healthcare, we examine whether instrumental values displace care-ethical values in primary healthcare practices.MethodsThe study is based on a qualitative analysis of interviews with healthcare workers, healthcare managers and technology suppliers in primary healthcare in Norway. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers and quality developers at the municipal administrative level and healthcare managers and staff in healthcare units. Interviews with suppliers/manufacturers of welfare technology (GPS, pill dispensers and robotics) were also conducted. We combined an inductive approach with theoretical exploration as we alternated between the empirical data, a thematic approach, and theories of technology and care ethics.ResultsIn the analysis of the empirical material, we identified two overarching themes that were related to our research question: 1) demands and solutions and 2) two sides of autonomy. The informants generally highlighted the benefits of welfare technology, but the informants were also ambiguous about the use of welfare technology. Autonomy was seen as an important value but was attached with ambivalence.ConclusionCare ethical considerations are significantly present within healthcare professionals’ understandings of technology even though managers and technology suppliers were advocating for welfare technology in a more instrumental sense. Despite extensive acclaim for user autonomy, healthcare personnel make decisions about care and technology use independently of the resource situation. They hold onto a professional room of freedom in between the patient’s needs, available resources, and suitable technology. They are sceptical about applying technological solutions if they suspect it will lead to potentially adverse consequences, such as loneliness or increased insecurity due to technological illiteracy. By engaging a relational autonomy approach in their care practices, healthcare professionals control technology rather than submit to technology and we see that rather than being displaced by technical-economic reasoning, care ethical reasoning also accommodates technology.

Multimodal Interaction, Interfaces, and Communication: A Survey

Multimodal interaction is a transformative human-computer interaction (HCI) approach that allows users to interact with systems through various communication channels such as speech, gesture, touch, and gaze. With advancements in sensor technology and machine learning (ML), multimodal systems are becoming increasingly important in various applications, including virtual assistants, intelligent environments, healthcare, and accessibility technologies. This survey concisely overviews recent advancements in multimodal interaction, interfaces, and communication. It delves into integrating different input and output modalities, focusing on critical technologies and essential considerations in multimodal fusion, including temporal synchronization and decision-level integration. Furthermore, the survey explores the challenges of developing context-aware, adaptive systems that provide seamless and intuitive user experiences. Lastly, by examining current methodologies and trends, this study underscores the potential of multimodal systems and sheds light on future research directions.

Access in all areas? A roundup of developments in market access and health technology assessment: part 6.

In this update, we discuss an article covering the implementation challenges of the upcoming European Union Health Technology Assessment regulation, particularly focusing on the complexity of population, intervention, comparator and outcomes requirements across member states; a user guide to applying generalized cost-effectiveness analysis for broader value assessment and finally highlight an ongoing debate surrounding National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's severity modifier implementation.

The synergistic effects of microcredit access and agricultural technology adoption on maize farmer’s income in Kenya

Addressing global food security demands urgent improvement in agricultural productivity, particularly in developing economies where market imperfections are perverse and resource constraints prevail. While microcredit is widely acknowledged as a tool for economic empowerment, its role in facilitating agricultural technology adoption and improving agricultural incomes remains underexplored. This study examines the synergistic effects of microcredit access and agricultural technology adoption on the incomes of maize farmers in Kenya. Using household-level data, we employ an endogenous switching regression framework to control possible endogeneity in access to microcredit. Our findings shows that microcredit access positively influences the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies. Key determinants, including marital status, use of fertilizer application, access to extension services, and cooperative membership, are identified as significant determinants of microcredit access. Notably, the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) indicates a 40.52% increase in income among farmers who access microcredit, mainly driven by the timely adoption of high-quality seeds, improved agricultural technologies, and enhanced inputs. These results highlight microcredit’s role in promoting allocative efficiency and enhancing Total Factor Productivity (TFP) within agricultural systems. Robustness checks, including propensity score matching and sensitivity analyses, corroborate these findings. The study recommends the implementation of targeted financial policies and educational initiatives meant to promote credit access, encourage savings, and enhancing financial literacy, particularly for credit-constrained households. Integrating these measures could strengthen rural financial markets and drive sustainable agricultural development across the regions.

Review on Cloud Echo Vision

Abstract: Cloud Echo Vision is an advanced assistive device designed to enhance mobility and independence for visually impaired individuals. Equipped with ultrasonic sensors, it detects obstacles in the user’s surroundings. This data is transmitted to an ESP32 microcontroller, which processes the information and generates real-time audio feedback using an I2C audio amplifier and text-to-speech technology. The device integrates with cloud computing, allowing it to access and update databases for personalized and continually improving user experiences. By leveraging this connectivity, the system adapts to individual needs, ensuring accurate and reliable guidance. The auditory feedback provides users with essential information about their environment, enabling safe and confident navigation. Cloud Echo Vision bridges the gap between accessibility and advanced technology, empowering visually impaired individuals to lead more independent lives while significantly improving their quality of life. This cutting-edge solution redefines assistive technology through innovation and practical functionality.

Raspberry Pi-based Facial Recognition for Vehicle Access Control

The integration of advanced biometric security systems in modern vehicles has become crucial to enhance safety and user convenience. This paper presents the design and implementation of a Raspberry Pi-based facial recognition system for vehicle access control, utilizing the power of computer vision and machine learning to provide secure, keyless vehicle entry. The system employs a Raspberry Pi microcontroller, coupled with a camera module, to capture and analyze the driver's facial features. OpenCV, a widely-used computer vision library, is integrated with a pre-trained deep learning model to perform facial detection and recognition in real-time. The system compares the captured facial data with pre-registered user profiles stored in a secure database. Upon a successful match, the Raspberry Pi sends a signal to unlock the vehicle, ensuring seamless and secure access. The necessity of adopting facial recognition technology for vehicle access lies in its non-invasive, hands-free nature, providing a more convenient and secure alternative to traditional key-based systems. Moreover, it adds an additional layer of security, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access through stolen keys or fob duplication. Experimental results demonstrate that the facial recognition system achieves a high accuracy rate of 95% under various lighting conditions and user angles. The average processing time for facial recognition is less than 1 second, ensuring swift vehicle access. Additionally, the system exhibits robust performance even with multiple registered users, confirming its scalability and practicality for real-world applications. This research highlights the potential of Raspberry Pi as a cost-effective, efficient platform for implementing facial recognition systems in vehicles, paving the way for further innovations in automotive security. Key Words: Raspberry Pi, Webcam, Image processing, the Main module

The Effectiveness of Telemedicine Technology in Supporting Health Access in Remote Areas Post-Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for effective healthcare delivery systems, especially in remote areas with limited access to medical services. Telemedicine technology emerged as a transformative tool during this period, enabling healthcare providers to continue offering essential services despite physical distancing measures. This paper investigates the effectiveness of telemedicine in supporting healthcare access in remote areas post-pandemic. Using a qualitative approach, the study conducts a comprehensive literature review, analyzing academic articles, reports, and case studies from the last five years to evaluate the impact of telemedicine on healthcare delivery in underserved regions. The research identifies key benefits such as increased accessibility to healthcare services, reduced healthcare costs, and the ability to offer specialized care remotely. However, it also highlights challenges such as technological barriers, digital literacy, and concerns related to patient privacy and data security. The findings suggest that while telemedicine has proven to be effective in improving healthcare access, its success is contingent on addressing these challenges through adequate infrastructure, digital literacy programs, and regulatory frameworks. This study concludes by offering recommendations for policymakers and healthcare providers to enhance telemedicine adoption, ensuring that its potential to support health access in remote areas is fully realized. The paper emphasizes the importance of integrating telemedicine into broader healthcare systems to foster long-term sustainability and inclusivity in healthcare delivery.

A Throughput Analysis Using a Non-Saturated Markov Chain Model for LTE-LAA and WLAN Coexistence

To address the severe spectrum shortage in mobile networks, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardized Long Term Evolution (LTE)-License Assisted Access (LAA) technology. The LTE-LAA system ensures efficient coexistence with other existing unlicensed systems by incorporating listen-before-talk functionality and conducting random backoff operations similar to those in the IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function. In this paper, we propose an analytical model to calculate the throughput of each system in a scenario where a single LTE-LAA system shares an unlicensed channel with multiple wireless local area network (WLAN) systems. The LTE-LAA system is utilized for supplementary downlink transmission from the LTE-LAA eNodeB (eNB) to LTE-LAA devices. Our proposed analytical model uses a Markov chain to represent the random backoff operations of the LTE-LAA eNB and WLAN nodes under non-saturated traffic conditions and to calculate the impact of the clear channel assessment (CCA) performed by the LTE-LAA eNB. Through numerical results, we demonstrate how the throughput of both the LTE-LAA and WLAN systems is determined by the contention window size and CCA threshold of the LTE-LAA eNB.

Government Services and Channel Choice: An Empirical Investigation of the Factors Influencing Channel Choice in the Southern Metropolitan Cities of India

India is a diverse country with varying demographic characteristics, different people tend to choose different channels to avail government services. With the varying preferences among the public multi-channel management thus has become one of the critical aspects of public service delivery. The channels such as traditional, electronic, and mobile government (MG) services are mainly used in delivering the services. In this direction, the study analysed the critical determinants impacting channel use and channel satisfaction for which primary data has been collected using a questionnaire survey (391 responses). The results of ordinal logistic regression indicated the significance of demographic factors viz. gender, education and income on channel use and satisfaction. Further age was found to have a critical influence on MG use. Further, the attitudinal dimensions (ease of use, usefulness), transparency, internet access and new technology acceptance were having a significant influence on both indicators of channel choice (use and satisfaction) especially stronger towards MG services. The discussions and implications both from theoretical and managerial perspectives are laid down accordingly based on the results in the paper.

Alternative clean approaches to accessing subglacial Lake Vostok

A study of the subglacial Lake Vostok requires clean accessing and sampling technologies. The paper presents four potential options — three types of hot-points and a hot-water drilling system — which can be considered as environmental-friendly technologies and could be used in the cold ice of East Antarctica. The description contains only general ideas and a brief estimation of the main parameters of the technologies suggested and does not include any detailed analysis. All the methods proposed have their own advantages and disadvantages. The final decision about a method’s applicability should be made following careful development and engineering work, including theoretical studies, modelling, laboratory testing, taking into account the available funds and logistics opportunities.

The Role of Consumer Empowerment and Its Comparison in Financial Inclusion in the Global South

This research examines the role of consumer empowerment in advancing financial inclusion across the Global South, focusing on Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The study aims to understand how empowering consumers through economic literacy, protection, and equitable access facilitates meaningful participation in formal financial systems. It employs a qualitative analysis of case studies from Kenya, Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa, Liberia and India, combined with a review of relevant policy frameworks and innovations in digital financial services. Findings reveal that consumer empowerment significantly enhances financial inclusion by building trust, fostering financial capability, and enabling access to tailored products. Case studies highlight the transformative impact of mobile platforms like M-Pesa and bKash, Liberia linking the informal financial sector to the formal financial sector pilot project and regulatory measures such as Brazil’s consumer protection laws and India’s responsible lending guidelines. However, barriers such as limited infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and socio-cultural norms continue to impede progress. The study concludes that bridging these gaps requires collaborative efforts to strengthen consumer protection, expand literacy programs, and leverage technology for equitable financial access. By addressing these challenges, stakeholders can create inclusive and resilient financial ecosystems that drive sustainable economic growth in the Global South.

Telehealth Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Recommendations for Rural Older Adults Living with HIV in the United States

ABSTRACT Over one million people in the United States (U.S.) are living with HIV. People living with HIV in the rural South experience delayed HIV treatment and increased mortality risks. Access challenges and HIV stigma exacerbate care disengagement for rural people living with HIV (PLH). This study examines the applicability and feasibility of telehealth to provide HIV care for older adults in the rural U.S. South. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 key informants with expertise in HIV care and community engagement in high rural HIV burden states. Results indicate that telehealth challenges exist for older rural PLH to receive HIV care, such as lack of internet access and low technology literacy. Phone calls can be a simple and effective telehealth option for older rural PLH, as they align with their care preferences, mitigate care barriers, and show promise increasing care engagement. When warranted, complex telehealth options for older rural PLH require tailored approaches, such as portable medical instruments allowing real-time data sharing during home visits or tablet distribution from the clinic. Findings suggest that policy makers and providers support the reimbursement and use of audio-only telehealth services, expand broadband infrastructure and affordability in rural areas, and implement tailored telehealth interventions.

Interleaving based SCMA Codebook Design Using Arnold’s Cat Chaotic Map

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology is a significant topic of the present 5G investigation. A possible NOMA approach is Sparse Code Multiple Access (SCMA), increasing next-generation communication's ability to handle multiple users. In SCMA, codebook designing and optimization are crucial components that define the performance of multiple access systems. In this work, the complete design procedure of the SCMA codebook based on interleaving is explained and simulated. Furthermore, a chaotic interleaving based onArnold’sCat map is proposed to reduce the computational complexity. The performance of the SCMA codebook based on interleaving is evaluated through comparison with selected codebooks for SCMA multiplexing. The measures used for performance evaluation include Bit Error rate (BER), Peak to Average Power Ratio(PAPR), and minimum EuclidianDistance(MED). The results show that the proposed codebook with chaotic interleaving achieves comparable performance to the traditional codebook based on interleaving and less MED and higher BER compared to computer-generated and 16-star QAM codebook design methods but with reduced complexity.

Enhanced performance of secondary surveillance radar system in dense UAV environments using CDMA techniques

AbstractIn future battlefield scenarios, the high density of platforms often leads to multiple responses from existing secondary surveillance radar (SSR) systems, causing collision interference of response signals in the time domain. The frame slotted ALOHA (FSA) algorithm originally used by the system cannot ensure a high identification probability and has a long identification time. In response to these problems, this paper explores the problems of current SSR systems under the urgent need for precise multi‐target identification in dense environments. It investigates how to integrate code division multiple access (CDMA) technology with the ALOHA algorithm to enhance the system's target identification probability. The authors propose an improved workflow and signal transceiver principles for the SSR system and validate the excellent performance of the SSR system in multi‐target identification within dense environments through simulation experiments based on the proposed composite anti‐collision algorithm.

Detangling experiences of agency in welfare technology use by home care recipients and their staff

Welfare technology (WT), defined as digital technology enabling individuals to live securely, actively and independently at home, is often viewed as a solution to care resource shortages. This solution discourse has increasingly been problematised, and ethical issues specifically connected to WT have emerged, e.g., regarding quality of care. The existing array of WT is developed with limited user involvement; primary user perspectives are thus inadequately voiced in research. This study aimed to disentangle how older adults and their homecare staff experience and influence WT use in homecare situations. The qualitative approach encompassed individual semi-structured interviews with homecare staff (n = 26) and older adults (n = 26) receiving homecare as well as utilising WT. Interviews were conducted in five Swedish municipalities, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Three main themes were developed: (1) Lack of agency in WT obtainment, in which a lack of influence in the receiving of WT is illustrated. (2) Contradictory user perspectives regarding WT and agency, in which staffs’ perceptions of specific WT are contrasted to older adults’, highlighting how WT perceived positively by staff often detract from older adults’ agency. (3) Agency and WT use inextricably linked with time, in which it is illustrated how influence over time is intricately connected to experienced agency in WT use. Our findings demonstrate a problematic lack of agency in WT use. Further improvements to current WT, aided by stronger user involvement, as well as certain municipal routines, are necessary if user agency is to be strengthened in relation to WT use.

It is a matter of convenience: why welfare technologies have become domesticated in Swedish eldercare

BackgroundThe use of welfare technology is gaining ground in municipal eldercare and is increasingly being integrated into everyday routines. However, the meanings that eldercare personnel attach to welfare technology in the care of older recipients, and thus the domestication of welfare technology, remain largely underexplored. This study explores how eldercare personnel understand and ascribe meanings to welfare technologies in their daily work, with the aim of understanding their domestication.MethodsThe empirical material comprised 181 photographs, each paired with corresponding text, from 61 participants across four municipalities in southern Sweden. The empirical material was thematically analysed, focusing on different categories of welfare technologies and their ascribed meanings. In our coding “convenience” and at times “inconvenience” were interpreted as recurrent patterns. Their repeated presence across various contexts and the meanings ascribed to different welfare technologies prompted deeper interpretive engagement, leading us to adopt it as a key theme. In the final step, the codes were synthesised through the lens of “convenience” to better understand the meanings participants attached to welfare technology in eldercare work.ResultsThe participants ascribed meanings to welfare technology that resonate with broader societal and cultural understandings of technological solutionism, while aligning with national policies promoting welfare technology as a means of supporting safety, activity and independence for older adults. Welfare technology was often understood as both convenient and an act of care. Our analysis uncovered different dimensions of “convenience”, which we labelled as: “remote surveillance convenience”, “logistics convenience”, “communication convenience”, “safety convenience”, “comforting convenience” and “activation convenience”. Yet, in some cases, welfare technology was also seen as a hindrance to care, being inconvenient due to its inflexibility, technical difficulties and the tendency to create duplicate tasks.ConclusionThis paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the domestication of welfare technology in eldercare. Our study found that eldercare personnel engage with and interpret welfare technologies by ascribing meanings related to perceived convenience — a concept not widely explored in this context. Welfare technologies were often seen as convenient substitutes for physical proximity and relational care, such as “remote surveillance convenience” through cameras and “comforting convenience” via robotic pets. However, convenience, while central to the participants’ experiences, should not be understood as inherently “good” or positive but as part of the domestication process, shaped by socio-technical contexts and the political economy of eldercare, which prioritises effectiveness and efficiency. By shedding light on these dynamics, our study examines how the domestication of welfare technology is shaped by and reinforces broader discourses of technological solutionism, raising questions about its long-term impact on care practices.

Values of welfare technologies: a qualitative study of how employees in Swedish care for older adults understand and justify the use of new technology

BackgroundIn Swedish care for older adults, the use of welfare technology − for example, medicine-dispensing robots and GPS alarms − stimulates ongoing evaluations and negotiations. National policy documents, as well as previous research, indicate that these technologies are expected to improve the quality and efficiency of care but also involve potential or experienced challenges in providing high-quality care and the conditions for care workers − often portrayed as a conflict between political and caring organizational values. More research is thus needed on how the use of welfare technology is justified at central and municipal government levels as well as within care-providing organizations. This article aims to identify how the introduction and use of welfare technology is justified by employees and in policy documents pertaining to welfare technology in Swedish care for older people.MethodsQualitative interview data involving 37 individuals were collected in municipalities in southern Sweden. The interviewees were managers, administrative staff, and licensed practical nurses working in home care services or special housing for older adults, offering care 24/7. Policy documents and agreements of significance for Swedish welfare technology policy were analysed. The analysis focused on values promoted as significant for the provision of care and related to the use of welfare technology. Justifications and values were analysed as belonging to different ‘worlds of worth’, as either shared or conflicting, and contextually situated.ResultsThe documents reflect values regarding, for instance, efficiency, independence, good working conditions, optimised use of human resources, and time to tend to relationships. The employees justified the use of welfare technologies with reference to optimisation and efficiency, activation and participation, dignity and freedom, social relationships, and good working conditions. These values represent three different worlds of worth − the industrial world, the civic world, and the domestic world − and are situated in employees’ everyday work practices.ConclusionsValues presented by employees and in policy documents are shared rather than conflicting. However, employees emphasise values associated with the domestic world, downplaying industrial values. We argue that politicians and civil servants should consider the situated judgements made by employees and develop more bottom-up strategies. This requires an acknowledgement of the existing values hierarchy, where values of optimisation and efficiency are held in high esteem but to accommodate higher values rather than as end goals.

Interference Mitigation in B5G Network Architecture for MIMO and CDMA: State of the Art, Issues, and Future Research Directions

The emergence of Beyond 5G (B5G) networks introduces novel challenges related to interference management, particularly within the context of Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technologies. In this comprehensive review paper, we delve into the intricacies of interference mitigation techniques within the B5G framework, with a specific focus on MIMO and CDMA systems. Firstly, we provide a brief overview of MIMO and CDMA principles, emphasizing their significance in B5G networks. MIMO leverages spatial diversity by employing multiple antennas in both the transmitter and the receiver, thereby enhancing capacity and reliability. CDMA, on the other hand, enables multiple users to share the same frequency band by assigning unique codes to each user. Next, we categorize the various types of interference encountered in MIMO and CDMA systems. These include co-channel interference, adjacent-channel interference, and multiuser interference. Understanding these interference sources is crucial for designing effective mitigation strategies. Our exploration of interference mitigation techniques covers state-of-the-art approaches tailored for MIMO and CDMA scenarios. Lastly, we discuss future research directions in interference mitigation for B5G networks. This review paper provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and network designers seeking to enhance the robustness and efficiency of B5G communication systems by effectively mitigating interference in MIMO and CDMA contexts.

SMART TOURISM PRACTICES IN SIKKIM: INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Sikkim is at the forefront of adopting smart tourism practices to enhance visitor experiences, improve transportation efficiency, and promote sustainable development. This research explores the integration of technology across various sectors, including smart destinations, transportation, accommodations, local community engagement, and facilities. Utilizing secondary data, personal observations, and interactions with stakeholders, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the smart tourism initiatives implemented in Sikkim. By assessing factors such as smart destinations, smart accessibility, smart accommodations, smart amenities, tourist experience, smart governance, and local community technologies, the research evaluates how ICT tools enhance the overall travel experience and contribute to sustainable tourism development. The findings demonstrate that smart tourism practices significantly enhance visitor satisfaction, optimize resource use, and minimize environmental impact. This study highlights the transformative potential of smart tourism in creating a more efficient and sustainable tourism environment in Sikkim.

Research on Distributed Access Simulation of Large-Scale Multi-Source Terminals for 5G

Large-scale machine communication scenarios are faced with the characteristics of a large number of terminal devices, small communication packets and frequent transmissions. Traditional multiple access technology can’t fully apply to these characteristics, so it needs to be improved and designed. In order to further improve the effect of distributed access strategy formulation of large-scale multi-source terminal for 5G, this paper proposes a distributed access technology for large-scale multi-source terminals for 5G. For distributed access scenarios, antenna units in the distributed system are scattered in the system, and each antenna unit keeps communication with the surrounding terminal equipment, which can expand the number of terminal devices randomly accessed in the same time slot. Then, taking advantage of this inherent advantage and the advantage of time-shifted pilot, this paper proposes a distributed random access scheme based on time-shifted pilot. Finally, through analysis and simulation, this paper proves that this scheme can effectively reduce the pilot collision probability of each antenna element and the average access delay in the system, which provides a technical reference for the subsequent distributed access of large-scale multi-source terminals.