Uptake Of New Technologies Research Articles

Mainstreaming sustainable practices without losing conviviality? An assessment framework based on cycling

Conceptualizations of scaling sustainable practices tend to focus on the uptake of new technologies and practices, whereas the scaling or maintaining of convival practices with a long history has received less attention. In this article, we explore mainstreaming of cycling along three contemporary paths: the spread of e-bikes, bike sharing, and bike kitchens. We develop an analytical framework for assessing mainstreaming of sustainable practices and its impacts on conviviality – exploring which new groups are reached and new forms of usage opened up, as well as the impacts on accessibility, adaptability, and socio-ecological relations. Our analysis shows that the spread of e-bikes and bike sharing are associated with a certain loss of conviviality, while bike kitchens explicitly aim to maintain conviviality. The mainstreaming paths also widen and deepen the practice and notion of cycling. We conclude by reflecting on policy implications and how strategies for more convivial mainstreaming can be organized.

Adoption of precision livestock farming technologies has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from beef production

To meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C, significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions will be needed across all sectors. This includes agriculture which accounts for a significant proportion of global GHG emissions. There is therefore a pressing need for the uptake of new technologies on farms to reduce GHG emissions and move towards current policy targets. Recently, precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies have been highlighted as a promising GHG mitigation strategy to indirectly reduce GHG emissions through increasing production efficiencies. Using Scotland as a case study, average data from the Scottish Cattle Tracing System (CTS) was used to create two baseline beef production scenarios (one grazing and one housed system) and emission estimates were calculated using the Agrecalc carbon footprinting tool. The effects of adopting various PLF technologies on whole farm and product emissions were then modelled. Scenarios included adoption of automatic weigh platforms, accelerometer-based sensors for oestrus detection (fertility sensors) and accelerometer-based sensors for early disease detection (health sensors). Model assumptions were based on validated technologies, direct experience from farms and expert opinion. Adoption of all three PLF technologies reduced total emissions (kg CO2e) and product emissions (kg CO2e/kg deadweight) in both the grazing and housed systems. In general, adoption of PLF technologies had a larger impact in the housed system than in the grazing system. For example, while health sensors reduced total emissions by 6.1% in the housed system, their impact was slightly lower in the grazing system at 4.4%. The largest reduction in total emissions was seen following the adoption of an automatic weight platform which reduced the age at slaughter by 3 months in the grazing system (6.8%) and sensors for health monitoring in the housed system (6.1%). Health sensors also resulted in the largest reduction in product emissions for both the housed (12.0%) and grazing systems (10.5%). These findings suggest PLF could be an effective GHG mitigation strategy for beef systems in Scotland. Although this study utilised data from beef farms in Scotland, comparable emission reductions are likely attainable in other European countries with similar farming systems.

Bundling of inputs and services for sustainable smallholder agriculture: the concepts, theoretical arguments and bundle designs using conjoint analysis

ABSTRACT Product bundling is receiving increasing attention in sustainable agricultural development as a means to ensure access to and enhance the uptake of, agricultural technologies by smallholders. Yet, the how and why of bundling for smallholders are not well-understood. The current paper, therefore, brings bundling theory from the marketing literature to the smallholder context. We use a conjoint experiment, a proven marketing technique for designing new products, services and bundles, to design agricultural input and service bundles for soybean-producing smallholders in rural Ethiopia. The empirical findings from 252 smallholders suggest that product bundling enhances smallholders’ preferences and hence intentions to adopt technologies but that bundles must be designed carefully following a smallholder-centric approach. Drawing on our findings and the literature, we delineate the different steps that need to be taken to develop bundles for the successful uptake of new technologies by smallholders.

Recording antimicrobial use on Irish dairy farms: Barriers and facilitators to using technology and sharing data

Antimicrobial use (AMU) data are essential to monitor the impact of AMU reduction strategies in animal health. The use of technology and herd recording software to record AMU will be vital to scale the collation of these data in the future. The aim of this study was to determine the barriers and facilitators to Irish dairy farmers recording their AMU using a herd recording software and sharing AMU data. Thirty-three Irish dairy farmers involved in a study on AMU monitoring were asked to record their AMU using a herd recording software over a 12-mo period. At the end of the 12-mo period, 10 of these farmers were selected to take part in semi-structured interviews exploring their opinions on recording AMU, the use of herd recording software, and sharing AMU data. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Several barriers and facilitators to farmers recording their AMU using a herd recording software and sharing AMU data were identified. Barriers included the age and generation of the farmer, farm infrastructure, a lack of training and education, a lack of knowledge around the benefits of digital data, a lack of incentive to digitalise records, and a fear of repercussions. Facilitators identified by the farmers included the benefits of having instantly available data for making herd management decisions, reduced paperwork, increased organization for inspections, and a potential positive impact on the image of the dairy industry. To increase the uptake of new technology to record AMU at farm-level, farmers will need support in terms of education and training around the software available to them and reassurance around the perceived risks of repercussions with sharing data in a digital format.

The Impact of the Russian War against Ukraine on the German Hydrogen Discourse

This contribution delves into the transformative effects of the Russian–Ukrainian war on the discourse surrounding German hydrogen. Employing structural topical modeling (STM) on a vast dataset of 2192 newspaper articles spanning from 2019 to 2022, it aims to uncover thematic shifts attributed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The onset of the war in February 2022 triggered a significant pivot in the discourse, shifting it from sustainability and climate-change mitigation to the securing of energy supplies through new partnerships, particularly in response to Russia’s unreliability. Germany started exploring alternative energy trading partners like Canada and Australia, emphasizing green hydrogen development. The study illustrates how external shocks can expedite the uptake of new technologies. The adoption of the “H2 readiness” concept for LNG terminals contributes to the successful implementation of green hydrogen. In summary, the Russian–Ukrainian war profoundly impacted the German hydrogen discourse, shifting the focus from sustainability to energy supply security, underscoring the interconnectedness of energy security and sustainability in Germany’s hydrogen policy.

An extended approach to impact assessment in the Horizon 2020 digital manufacturing domain.

This paper presents an extended approach to Impact Assessment (IA) within European Union funded large-scale projects within the manufacturing domain, which may offer value to other research projects and SME organisations seeking to develop detailed organizational reporting. It details the six-phase process that forms the framework for this extended approach, demonstrating how project Outcome Indictors and impact assessment criterion can be aligned through an extensive review and integration of existing impact domains, objectives, measures and evidence sources with project documentation to provide the detailed individual impact assessment criteria for this extended IA approach. It also reports on the application of the approach in the EC-funded digital manufacturing project, European Connected Factory Platform for Agile Manufacturing (EFPF), finding that 24 of the 27 IA criteria were met or exceed, suggesting that the project made an important contribution to the EU Industry4.0 ecosystem through furthering the key priorities of Industrial Leadership, Data Integration, Uptake of New Technologies, Open Science, the Circulation of Knowledge, and a minor contribution to Climate Change Mitigation.

Beyond the Middle Classes, Beyond New Media: The Politics of Islamic Consumerism in Indonesia

ABSTRACT This introduction considers two developments that have hitherto occupied separate realms of scholarship: the increasing visibility of pious consumption, and the proliferation in Indonesia of Muslim authorities and the associated fragmentation of Muslim publics. We identify three significant themes that connect these developments. First, the borders that separate religion and consumerism have become increasingly porous. Indonesian Muslims’ uptake of new technologies and non-religious cultural forms has broadened the range of possibilities for practice and faith, which in turn has facilitated the emergence of new figures of Islamic authority. Second, online platforms for Islamic experience and participation have intensified religious identity politics. Visibility is needed for success in the world of social media, and claimants to authority in online spaces frequently exploit differences in religious and intra-religious segments to achieve this. Third, the concept of the ‘middle class’ has been useful for understanding the adoption of new technologies and media forms by Muslims, yet we suggest that Islamic consumerism should be decoupled from the concept of the Muslim middle class. We conclude by suggesting that the debate about consumerism would be enhanced by a renewed focus on materiality and its social meanings in Islamic practice.

Digital Technology Use and Future Expectations

Problem, research strategy, and findings The implications of digital technologies for planning practice are receiving renewed interest in the wake of ever-improving capabilities in Big Data and artificial intelligence, as well as the rapid uptake of new technologies that allowed planners to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this interest, there has been little cross-country comparative research regarding the adoption of technology within the planning profession and even less that addresses planners’ expectations and desires for future digital tools. We undertook a multinational online survey of planners in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to gain a comprehensive understanding of current and expected future use of data and software in planning practice. Although the current use of data-intensive digital tools was limited, we found widespread expectations of change across the planning profession. Remarkable similarities were observed across the countries surveyed. The biggest differences in tech use were among planners undertaking strategic, specialist, and regulatory roles. Takeaway for practice Planning organizations around the world should prepare for a new wave of digital change as many technical obstacles that previously hindered the rapid exchange and analysis of vast amounts of data have now been overcome. Continued development of digital skills among planners is important but should be paired with career pathways for digital specialists within the profession. Planners should not complacently assume that adopting digital technologies will automatically lead to more effective and equitable planning outcomes. They should use digital processes to actively address biases in the underlying planning system.

Recurring patterns: An ethnographic study on the adoption of AI music tools by practitioners of electroacoustic, contemporary and popular musics

The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and art has been a topic of great interest in recent times. Driven by greater visibility of accessible AI applications within mainstream media, artists have increased their uptake of such tools as means of exploring and expanding their creative expressions. With the music industry also displaying similar levels of curiosity for AI tools, practitioners and audiences voice diverging opinions on the topics of artistic authenticity, creative labour and the threats posed by thinking machines on the future of musicians’ careers. This article aims to explore these topics through an ethnographic study conducted through interviews with five composers active in the areas of electroacoustic music, contemporary composition and experimental electronic music. The discussions reveal some of the software and methodologies currently popular among composers, the challenges faced and avenues presented when adopting AI tools, as well as the attitudes and discourse that permeate the niche circles of AI-generated music. The findings point towards the swift uptake of new technologies by curious artists and the slow development of trust in AI applications by traditionalist makers and listeners, suggesting a continuation of the patterns of behaviour evident since the emergence of music technology.

Exploring the Opportunities of Haptic Technology in the Practice of Visually Impaired and Blind Sound Creatives

Visually impaired and blind (VIB) people as a community face several access barriers when using technology. For users of specialist technology, such as digital audio workstations (DAWs), these access barriers become increasingly complex—often stemming from a vision-centric approach to user interface design. Haptic technologies may present opportunities to leverage the sense of touch to address these access barriers. In this article, we describe a participant study involving interviews with twenty VIB sound creatives who work with DAWs. Through a combination of semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis of the interview data, we identify key issues relating to haptic audio and accessibility from the perspective of VIB sound creatives. We introduce the technical and practical barriers that VIB sound creatives encounter, which haptic technology may be capable of addressing. We also discuss the social and cultural aspects contributing to VIB people’s uptake of new technology and access to the music technology industry.

Managing Aotearoa New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions from aviation

ABSTRACT Prior to COVID, the global aviation industry was growing rapidly. Growth has now resumed and is predicted to continue for at least the next three decades. Aotearoa New Zealand has particularly high aviation emissions and has been on a very rapid growth path that is incompatible with the Paris Agreement on climate change. Government, intergovernmental, nongovernmental, academic and industry sources have proposed technological innovations to address aviation emissions. These include sustainable aviation fuels, electric and hydrogen powered aircraft, and increases in efficiency. We review these and assess that none of them will lead to a significant reduction in emissions in the short to medium term. In addition, we demonstrate that even very aggressive uptake of new technology results in the New Zealand aviation sector exceeding its share of the carbon budget as determined by the Paris Agreement. Therefore, we examine the fundamental drivers of growth in aviation: the tourism and airport industries, emissions pricing and substitutes, and the distribution of air travel. Governance of this sector is challenging, but it is changing rapidly. We conclude that a national aviation action plan needs to be developed and implemented based on the ‘Avoid/Shift/Improve’ framework in use in other areas of transportation planning.

Emerging drugs for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus: a review of phase 2 clinical trials

ABSTRACT Introduction Despite therapeutic advances in the field of diabetes management since the discovery of insulin 100 years ago, there are still unmet clinical needs for people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Areas covered Genetic testing and islet autoantibodies testing allow researchers to design prevention studies. This review discusses the emerging therapy for prevention of T1DM, disease modification therapy in early course of T1DM, and therapies and technologies for established T1DM. We focus on phase 2 clinical trials with promising results, thus avoiding the exhausted list of every new therapy for T1DM. Expert opinion Teplizumab has demonstrated potential as a preventative agent for individuals at risk prior to the onset of overt dysglycemia. However, these agents are not without side effects, and there are uncertainties on long-term safety. Technological advances have led a substantial influence on quality of life of people suffering from T1DM. There remains variation in uptake of new technologies across the globe. Novel insulins (ultra-long acting), oral insulin, and inhaled insulin attempt to narrow the gap of unmet needs. Islet cell transplant is another exciting field, and stem cell therapy might have potential to provide unlimited supply of islet cells.

Energy Network Innovation for Green Transition: Economic Issues and Regulatory Options

In this age of low-cost capital and stimulus packages, is it the best time to heavily invest in tomorrow’s energy networks and research infrastructure? In the academic literature it is widely acknowledged that innovation is key to decarbonise the energy sector and foster sustainable development. However, post liberalisation has been struggling to promote R&D and innovation. Is this the case of business, regulatory, or policy failure, or are there other factors involved? In this paper, we discuss the reasons for slow uptake of new technologies in energy networks and propose some remedies for the European context, where innovation in the area of energy networks is crucial for the implementation of the Green Transition. The solutions to address this shortfall need to be considered in an overarching manner. The specific points raised here are based on incentive regulation, the establishment of competitive funding models like Ofgem’s Low Carbon Network Fund and a large European collaborative research hub.

Is there a multinational consensus of tobramycin prescribing and monitoring for cystic fibrosis? Survey of current therapeutic drug monitoring practices in USA/Canada, UK/Ireland, and Australia/New Zealand

ObjectivesSophisticated scientific methods have facilitated dose individualisation with substantial advancements in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) practice. It is unclear whether these methods have translated to the clinical setting. This study...

'Is the technology essential or emerging?' Ways to keep radiation therapy curriculum agile amid rapidly advancing technology.

Advancing technology in radiation therapy can significantly influence clinical practice and improvement of patient outcomes. In the process, innovations in technology require that changes to clinical practice are adopted within education settings. This commentary aims to describe the uptake of new technology and ways that academics provide an up-to-date curriculum when today's innovation is tomorrow's contemporary practice.

Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) Readiness Among Industry Players: A Systematic Literature Review

The service sector is a key focus of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), a digital revolution that affects all industries. A key component of IR4.0 is the introduction and uptake of new technologies by organizations, including artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, augmented reality, simulation, cybersecurity, systems integration, additive manufacturing, and robotics and autonomous systems. According to research, 59% of businesses with expertise in big data and IoT also employ AI technologies. Through the development, adoption, and integration of technology solutions into the workforce and industries, industry participants’ readiness and their use of these technologies will be able to increase productivity growth. According to a survey of the literature, Malaysia in particular still has a low to medium degree of industry readiness for IR4.0. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review in order to comprehend the IR4.0 readiness models that have been discussed in the literature, the driving and impeding forces behind IR4.0 readiness, and the use of self-evaluation tools by industry participants to gauge their own IR4.0 readiness level. Six prominent internet databases, including Scopus, Emerald Insight, IEEE, Springer, Web of Science, and Science Direct, were used in the review. Finally, 55 out of the initially searched 10,428 articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria set for the study after rigorous methods of screening the papers. According to the research, readiness models are frequently addressed and framed around a variety of theories and their theoretical constructs, including success models, information systems, acceptance theory, and pertinent maturity and readiness theories. The following factors frequently play a dual role, acting as both a driving and an inhibiting influence. These factors include funding, infrastructure, regulatory, skills and competency, technology, and commitment. This study suggests the IR4.0 Readiness and Implementation Framework for industry based on the synthesized literature. The framework seeks to help industry participants deploy IR4.0 in stages and gradually increase their IR4.0 readiness levels.

Regulating Digital Platforms: the European Experience with Financial Return Crowdfunding

Abstract 854 Despite a pandemic, crowdfunding continues to be a growing source of finance for small businesses across the EU. This article discusses nature and business typology of digital platforms that raise funds from the crowd. In the effort to support the ongoing uptake of new technologies in financial services, the first harmonised regime for the intermediation of financial instruments and loans to businesses via digital crowdfunding platforms has recently entered into application and promises to change the landscape of this financial service in the years to come. The new policy framework creates a robust EU-wide license, with requirements that support integration with social media, as well as the progressive creation of pan-European one-stop-shop platforms that offer multiple funding tools. Moreover, the regime also tests new boundaries in investor protection and behavioural finance, with the introduction of a system of warnings, targeted transparency on multiple levels and a conflict-of-interest framework to ensure that the platform acts as a risk neutral gatekeeper. The jury is still out and there are a number of unknowns, as this new framework will have to face the reality of well-established legal and supervisory national obstacles in its implementation.

Bridging the Maritime-Hydrogen Cost-Gap: Real options analysis of policy alternatives

• A real option model is used to analyze investment in maritime hydrogen. • Scenarios are developed to account for fuel price differentials and policy measures. • A tax of at least 28% of fuel price is needed for a hydrogen-fueled ferry in 2025. • Favorable regulation increases the value of the option to invest now. • Taxation should be high to as soon as possible to avoid postponing investment. Alternative, and especially renewable, marine fuels are needed to reduce the environmental and climate impacts of the shipping sector. This paper investigates the business case for hydrogen as an alternative fuel in a new-built vessel utilizing fuel cells and liquefied hydrogen. A real option approach is used to model the optimal time and costs for investment, as well as the value of deferring an investment as a result of uncertainty. This model is then used to assess the impact of a carbon tax on a ship owner’s investment decision. A low carbon tax results in ship owners deferring investments, which then slows the uptake of the technology. We recommend that policymakers set a high carbon tax at an early stage in order to help hydrogen compete with fossil fuels. A clear and timely policy design promotes further investments and accelerates the uptake of new technologies that can fulfill decarbonization targets.

Rethinking chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity assessment for agrochemicals project (ReCAAP): A reporting framework to support a weight of evidence safety assessment without long-term rodent bioassays

Rodent cancer bioassays have been long-required studies for regulatory assessment of human cancer hazard and risk. These studies use hundreds of animals, are resource intensive, and certain aspects of these studies have limited human relevance. The past 10 years have seen an exponential growth of new technologies with the potential to effectively evaluate human cancer hazard and risk while reducing, refining, or replacing animal use. To streamline and facilitate uptake of new technologies, a workgroup comprised of scientists from government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry stakeholders developed a framework for waiver rationales of rodent cancer bioassays for consideration in agrochemical safety assessment. The workgroup used an iterative approach, incorporating regulatory agency feedback, and identifying critical information to be considered in a risk assessment-based weight of evidence determination of the need for rodent cancer bioassays. The reporting framework described herein was developed to support a chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity study waiver rationale, which includes information on use pattern(s), exposure scenario(s), pesticidal mode-of-action, physicochemical properties, metabolism, toxicokinetics, toxicological data including mechanistic data, and chemical read-across from similar registered pesticides. The framework could also be applied to endpoints other than chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity, and for chemicals other than agrochemicals.

Diagnostic Modalities of Tuberculosis- Then and Now

Tuberculosis is one of the most ancient diseases known to affect humans and according to WHO remains major cause of death after HIV/AIDS. It remains a global public health problem due to increasing number of undiagnosed and drug resistant cases. Early diagnosis and immediate initiation of treatment is crucial to prevent the extensive spread of this deadly disease. Nowadays advancements in molecular based test imparted better and rapid diagnosis of TB. Several commonly used methods to screen and diagnose TB are clinical, immunological, microscopy, radiography, and bacterial culture. Molecular diagnostic methods including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), line probe assays (LPA), GeneXpert, whole genome sequencing (WGS) etc have been employed to diagnose and characterize TB. Here, we reviewed use of these currently available and other future promising diagnostic methods along with their sensitivity, specificity, advantage and disadvantage of each method. Although new diagnostic methods have been developed, they require extensive amount of studies to validate their confirmatory role in the diagnosis of TB. There is increased requirement for biomarker discovery, validation and translation into clinical tools. High-burden countries will need to improve their efficiency of health care delivery and ensure better uptake of new technologies.