Investigation of mobile devices usage and mobile augmented reality applications among older people

Mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones have allow users to communicate, entertainment, access information and perform productivity. However, older people are having issues to utilise mobile devices that may affect their quality of life and wellbeing. There are some potentials of mobile Augmented Reality (AR) applications to increase older users mobile usage by enhancing their experience and learning. The study aims to investigate mobile devices potential barriers and influence factors in using mobile devices. It also seeks to understand older people issues in using AR applications

ACARORUM CATALOGUS IX. Acariformes, Acaridida, Schizoglyphoidea (Schizoglyphidae), Histiostomatoidea (Histiostomatidae, Guanolichidae), Canestrinioidea (Canestriniidae, Chetochelacaridae, Lophonotacaridae, Heterocoptidae), Hemisarcoptoidea (Chaetodactylidae, Hyadesiidae, Algophagidae, Hemisarcoptidae, Carpoglyphidae, Winterschmidtiidae)

The 9th volume of the series Acarorum Catalogus contains lists of mites of 13 families, 225 genera and 1268 species of the superfamilies Schizoglyphoidea, Histiostomatoidea, Canestrinioidea and Hemisarcoptoidea. Most of these mites live on insects or other animals (as parasites, phoretic or commensals), some inhabit rotten plant material, dung or fungi. Mites of the families Chetochelacaridae and Lophonotacaridae are specialised to live with Myriapods (Diplopoda). The peculiar aquatic or intertidal mites of the families Hyadesidae and Algophagidae are also included.Publishe

Emerging Technologies

This monograph investigates a multitude of emerging technologies including 3D printing, 5G, blockchain, and many more to assess their potential for use to further humanity’s shared goal of sustainable development. Through case studies detailing how these technologies are already being used at companies worldwide, author Sinan Küfeoğlu explores how emerging technologies can be used to enhance progress toward each of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to guarantee economic growth even in the face of challenges such as climate change. To assemble this book, the author explored the business models of 650 companies in order to demonstrate how innovations can be converted into value to support sustainable development. To ensure practical application, only technologies currently on the market and in use actual companies were investigated. This volume will be of great use to academics, policymakers, innovators at the forefront of green business, and anyone else who is interested in novel and innovative business models and how they could help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This is an open access book

Understanding Trichoderma bio-inoculants in the root ecosystem of Pinus radiata

Oral presentation on understanding Trichoderma bio-inoculants in the root ecosystem of Pinus radiat

The Development of Synthetic Gene Biomarkers for the Field-Based Forensic Detection of Body Fluids and Sex Determination

Body fluid and sex determination at the crime scene are important forensic questions where information can be obtained using various approaches. The standard techniques involved are well established and often utilise cheap, rapid tests to presumptively detect the presence of characteristic proteins and chemicals. However, the relatively poor accuracies of these tests compared to laboratory-based techniques that analyse nucleic acids limits their effectiveness and can lead to inefficient sample triage. This presents a need for novel field-based biomarker detection techniques that are both sensitive and specific. Toehold switches are de novo designed RNA/DNA sequences that contain the genetic motifs necessary for coupled transcription-translation of a reporter gene. Gene expression is repressed in the absence of a specific complementary target “trigger” sequence due to switch hairpin formation. Hybridisation of the trigger to the switch initiates hairpin unwinding and enables downstream gene expression. This specific and sensitive approach has led to toehold switches becoming an emerging platform for bio-detection, primarily in the field of viral RNA detection. This thesis identifies a lack of such applications to forensic science alongside a need for novel field-based DNA detection tools amongst forensic end-users with a market research study. To address these issues, a set of toehold switches were designed in-house for the detection of mRNA sequences specific to blood, saliva, semen, and the sex marker amelogenin. A contemporary qPCR assay was internally validated to act as a performance benchmark. To facilitate in vitro expression of toehold switches without expensive commercial cell-free protein synthesis systems, an Escherichia coli cell lysate was developed and optimised in-house. Gene expression from control plasmids was comparable to a commercial equivalent at 37°C and exceeded it at 29°C, with a shelf-life of approximately 6 – 8 months at -80°C. Toehold switches circuit function was unsuccessful with either system, which suggested an issue with toehold switch design. A screening framework utilising a combined melting curve and in silico thermodynamic analysis approach was devised to highlight high-performance toehold switches. This framework was able to predict the performances of six novel toehold switch designs and recommended designs to be discarded or studied further, but further characterisation is required to assess prediction accuracy. Results throughout are discussed in relation to the needs of forensic scientists and the capabilities of toehold switches as bio-detection tools compared to existing techniques

Immunogenetics

This open access book explores techniques for working in the field of immunogenetics, i.e. fundamental and translational research into the adaptive immune receptor repertoire. Many chapters are dedicated to lab protocols, bioinformatics, and immunoinformatics analysis of high-resolution immunome analysis, exemplified by numerous applications. Additionally, the newest technological variations on these protocols are discussed, including non-amplicon, single-cell, and cell-free strategies. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Immunogenetics: Methods and Protocols covers a broad spectrum of methodologies for applications in research and clinical diagnostics to illustrate the impact that immunogenetics has achieved and will further expand in all fields of medicine, from infection and (auto)immunity, to vaccination, to lymphoid malignancy and tumor immunity

Living in the Plastic Age: Perspectives from Humanities, Social Sciences and Environmental Sciences

Plastikmüll ist überall auf unserem Planeten zu finden. Er hinterlässt einen augenscheinlichen Fußabdruck des menschlichen Konsumverhaltens und der Massenproduktion. Unser ungebremster Plastikkonsum und dessen Auswirkungen prägen die gesellschaftlichen Naturverhältnisse in einer so tiefgreifenden Weise, dass wir vom Plastikzeitalter sprechen. Um Ansätze für einen Umgang mit diesem Problem zu entwickeln, müssen wir das Phänomen umfassend verstehen: Die Autor:innen beleuchten es aus interdisziplinärer Perspektive. Sie zeigen, welche Rolle Kunststoffe in unserer Gesellschaft spielen und welche Auswirkungen sie auf die Umwelt und die menschliche Gesundheit haben