Wireless technology and clinical influences in healthcare setting: an Indian case study

This chapter argues that current techniques used in the domain of Information Systems is not adequate for establishing determinants of wireless technology in a clinical setting. Using data collected from India, this chapter conducted a first order regrssion modeling (factor analysis) and then a second order regression modeling (SEM) to establish the determinants of clinical influences as a result of using wireless technology in healthcare settings. As information systems professionals, the authors conducted a qualitative data collection to understand the domain prior to employing a quantitative technique, thus providing rigour as well as personal relevance. The outcomes of this study has clearly established that there are a number of influences such as the organisational factors in determining the technology acceptance and provides evidence that trivial factors such as perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are no longer acceptable as the factors of technology acceptance

A qualitative inquiry of ICT based socio-economic development in developing countries: the case of Pakistan.

The role of information communication technologies (ICT) growth in citizens’ political participation, socio-economic development, and poverty alleviation is an active area of study within information systems (IS) research in developing countries. This dissertation contributes in (1) developing an historical perspective of ICT growth, (2) identifying antecedents of ICT growth, (3) proposing extensions in ‘design-actuality gaps framework’ (for ICT policy analysis), (4) extending dimensions of ICT based socio-economic development, and (5) in integrating relationship between ICT growth and socio-economic development. The data collection was done in three phases from December 2006 to January 2009 in Pakistan. A total of 54 officials who made or influenced government’s ICT policies and 46 citizens participated. The qualitative analysis shows that government’s policies play an important role in ICT growth. However, political instability and lack of citizens’ involvement in policy design leads to inconsistent policies which can impede realization of the benefits of ICT growth. The findings have practical implications for government’s ICT policy design and evaluation, understanding of the antecedents of ICT growth, and ICT based socio-economic development. The recommendations for ICT policy design in this research can potentially benefit governments in increasing citizens’ quality of life, socio-economic development, and poverty alleviation

Study to investigate factors influencing adoption of mobile devices in the healthcare environment

In this research project, modified graphene was employed as filler to enhance the electrical conductivity and to reinforce mechanical properties of natural rubber (NR). The defect sites in the graphene sheets were investigated for further modification. The latex mixing and mechanical mixing methods to load functional graphene sheets into the NR matrix, improved the mechanical and electrical properties of the composite material. Graphene was prepared by a chemical oxidation-reduction approach to fill the NR matrix. The oxidation approaches were employed in progress, which will induce various defects in the final product. It is known that these defects decrease the properties of the graphene and graphene/natural rubber composites, which are prepared by traditional method as well. However, these defects could cause improvements in performance of the graphene composites with re-designed methods, the main focus of this thesis. Before loading into NR matrix, the defect information of graphene oxide (GO) prepared using Hummers method was examined through positron testing, which is known to be highly effective in the study of the defects in graphite and its derivatives. The different types of defects were detectable, which revealed that the vacancy clusters and vacancy-oxygen group complexes were present on the GO sheets. No large open-volume hole was detected in GO. The reduction of GO by potassium carbonate (K2CO3) as a green noble preparation approach was developed, and the oxygen groups dispersion status in the GO sheet was further investigated. K2CO3 was used as a reusable reduction agent to convert GO to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in two steps, based on the conversion of the different types of oxygen groups detected. Carbon dioxide was the only by-product of this process, which was absorbed by K2CO3. In addition, the study further elucidates the structure of GO sheets. The oxygen groups on the GO sheets not only aligned but also randomly dispersed in different areas. Antistatic NR nanocomposites with partly interconnected graphene architectures offer significant enhancement in various properties. RGO/NR composites were prepared using latex mixing and in-situ reduction process. The oxygen groups on the GO played a key role in attaching GO sheets to the surface of NR particles. Segregated current transfer routes were partly constructed in an NR matrix with an electrical conductivity of 0.1 S/m and reinforcing the tensile strength and elongation-at-break as well. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were used to decorate GO, which further increased the electrical conductivity of NR nanocomposites. Electrically conductive AgNPs/RGO filled NR with well-organized three-dimensional (3D) microstructures were prepared through electrostatic self-assembly integrated latex mixing. The oxygen groups in GO acted as an anchor for AgNPs growth, resulting in the electrical conductivity of 31000 S/m for the AgNPs/RGO. A honeycomb-like AgNPs/RGO 3D network was constructed in the NR matrix after freeze-drying and hot compression moulding. The AgNPs/RGO/NR nanocomposites show a percolation threshold of 0.63 vol.% and electrical conductivity of 196 S/m at AgNPs/RGO content of 4.03 vol.%. The oxygen groups can not only be used to improve the electrical conductivity of NR but also used to reinforce mechanical properties. The effect of functionalized GO on the mechanical properties of NR was investigated through two strategies. In the first strategy, one layer of silica particles were attached to the GO surface through hydrogen bonds. The strength were reinforced because of well-dispersed SiO2/GO in the NR matrix. GO acted as a surfactant dispersed by silica into the NR matrix to reinforce the mechanical properties using latex mixing. Oxygen groups on the graphene sheets banded with silica to achieve the target. In the second strategy, the strength reinforcement of NR nanocomposites was achieved by construction of an interpenetrating network between the NR molecules and porous graphene. In this project, porous graphene loaded NR nanocomposites were prepared through an ultrasonically assisted latex mixing and in-situ reduction process. The oxygen groups showed chemo-selectivity etched by potassium permanganate (KMnO4), forming pores possessing suitable dimensions in graphene sheets. Porous graphene/NR nanocomposites show strong interactions between the NR molecules and porous graphene than RGO/NR, which contributed to an increase in tensile strength compared to the RGO/NR nanocomposites. Furthermore, the scorch time compared to RGO/NR was decreased, and density of cross-linking was increased, which demonstrate the pores on the graphene sheets formed a mass transfer route, indicating an interpenetrating network was constructed

Rethinking the digital divide : emerging challenges in new global economy

ICT and wellbeing are fundamental concerns in information systems science but seem to have an uncertain place in policy and academic groups. Recently, a considerable deal of literature has emerged around the theme of the digital divide; admittedly, weaving an intricate web of hypothetical assumptions about the nature of the problem. In spite of the six decades of critical research that has been conducted on the digital divide, misconceptions about the phenomenon still abound, even within prominent research groups, as witnessed by inconsistent definitions of the term. While the shrinkage in prices of basic ICT equipment has enabled ICT access to masses, the trend of the digital divide has wandered into another direction: a constellation of divides based on skills, type and quality of ICT tools. Simultaneously, a new form of the digital divide related to elderly people is actively raising its head globally, which has been labelled as the grey digital divide in the literature. To remedy these limitations, this research assigns itself a mandate to rethink the phenomenon of the digital divide critically and arrive at a solution. The prime narrative constructed throughout the body of this dissertation centres on the solution to the long awaited problem of the digital divide. To understand this multilevel phenomenon, Finland and Pakistan were taken as reference countries to represent ICT situation in one developed and one developing country. Holistic research design was best suited to address the nature of research questions raised in the research design. The World Bank was a major source of data, in addition to systematic literature review on the digital divide. To bridge further gaps in existent literature, an ongoing literature review which was actively conducted throughout the dissertation writing process continually provided new insights into the topic. Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine large chunks of World Bank data from 191 countries. Results indicate that the digital divide is a much more complex phenomenon than previously understood. Although developed countries have overpassed developing countries in terms of ICT penetration and infrastructure, there are considerable digital divides in developed regions. Results of empirical investigation clarified the quite confused debate between socio-economic indicators and ICT relationships worldwide. Based on analysis of findings and literature, a systematic solution to minimize the digital divide in Pakistan has been proposed. It is premature to conclude that the digital divide can ever be fully bridged. It is an enduring phenomenon that will continue in various forms. However, multilevel efforts can be directed to minimise it as much as possible. Role of ICT in healthcare and social welfare should be a key practical agenda worldwide. Future work on this topic must continue globally and procedures to form a universal assessment mechanism for the digital divide should begin in earnest.Tietotekniikka ja hyvinvointi ovat keskeisiä kiinnostuksenkohteita tietojärjestelmätieteessä, mutta niiden asema politiikassa ja akateemisissa piireissä vaikuttaa vakiintumattomalta. Viime aikoina merkittävä määrä kirjallisuutta on kasvanut ”digitaalisen jaon” teeman ympärille, mikä on luonut kompleksisia hypoteettisia oletuksia ongelman luonteen ympärille. Huolimatta runsaasta määrästä digitaalista jakoa koskevasta kriittisestä tutkimuksesta, jota on tehty kuuden vuosikymmenen ajan, ilmiöstä on edelleen havaittavissa runsaasti väärinkäsityksiä, jopa merkittävissä tutkimusryhmissä, kuten termin yhtäpitämättömät määritelmät osoittavat. Samaan aikaan kun tietotekniikan hintojen lasku on mahdollistanut tietotekniikan saatavuuden massoille, digitaalisen jaon kehitys on mennyt toiseen suuntaan: on olemassa joukko jakoja, jotka perustuvat tietotekniikkatyökalujen taitoihin, tyyppeihin ja laatuun. Samanaikaisesti digitaalisen jaon uusi muoto ”harmaa digitaalinen jako”, joka liittyy ikäihmisiin, on aktiivisessa kasvussa maailmanlaajuisesti. Nämä rajoitukset ja haasteet silmällä pitäen, tämä tutkimus arvioi kriittisesti ja ratkaisukeskeisesti digitaalisen jaon ilmiötä. Tämä tutkielma keskittyy ensisijaisesti pitkään odotettuun digitaalisen jaon ongelman ratkaisuun. Jotta olisi mahdollista ymmärtää tätä monitasoista ilmiötä, Suomea ja Pakistania käytettiin vertailumaina edustamaan tietotekniikan tilannetta kehittyneessä ja kehittyvässä maassa. Kokonaisvaltainen tutkimus oli sopivin tapa käsitellä tutkimuskysymyksiä. Tutkimus perustuu Maailmanpankin tietoihin sekä systemaattiseen kirjallisuuskatsaukseen digitaalisesta jaosta. Koko väitöskirjaprosessin jatkunut kirjallisuuskatsaus lisäsi jatkuvasti ymmärrystä aiheesta pyrkien täyttämään aukkoja olemassa olevassa kirjallisuudessa sekä antamaan uusia näkemyksiä teemaan liittyen. Monimuuttujaregressioanalyysiä käytettiin tilastollisena menetelmänä Maailmanpankin 191 maata kattavavan suuren tietoaineiston analysoinnissa. Tulokset osoittavat, että digitaalinen jako on paljon monimutkaisempi ilmiö kuin mitä aiemmin on ymmärretty. Vaikka kehittyneet maat ovat kehittyviä maita edellä tietotekniikan levinneisyyden ja infrastruktuurin suhteen, kehittyneillä alueilla on huomattavia digitaalisia jakoja. Empiirisen tutkimuksen tulokset selkeyttivät hyvin sekaantunutta väittelyä yhteiskunnallis-taloudellisten indikaattoreiden sekä tietotekniikan suhteesta maailmanlaajuisesti. Analyysiin ja kirjallisuuteen perustuen ehdotetaan systemaattista ratkaisua minimoimaan digitaalista jakoa Pakistanissa. On ennenaikaista päätellä, että digitaalista jakoa voi koskaan täysin poistaa. Se on ikuinen ilmiö, joka jatkuu eri muodoissaan. Kuitenkin monella tasolla voidaan ryhtyä toimiin sen minimoimiseksi. Tietotekniikan roolin terveydenhoidossa ja sosiaalihuollossa pitäisi olla käytännössä pääosassa keskusteluissa globaalisti. Aihetta koskevan tutkimuksen on syytä jatkua maailmanlaajuisesti. Erityisesti pitäisi aloittaa toimenpiteet, joilla pystyttäisiin arvioimaan digitaalista jakoa kansainvälisesti

Secure and robust machine learning for healthcare: A survey

Recent years have witnessed widespread adoption of machine learning (ML)/deep learning (DL) techniques due to their superior performance for a variety of healthcare applications ranging from the prediction of cardiac arrest from one-dimensional heart signals to computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) using multi-dimensional medical images. Notwithstanding the impressive performance of ML/DL, there are still lingering doubts regarding the robustness of ML/DL in healthcare settings (which is traditionally considered quite challenging due to the myriad security and privacy issues involved), especially in light of recent results that have shown that ML/DL are vulnerable to adversarial attacks. In this paper, we present an overview of various application areas in healthcare that leverage such techniques from security and privacy point of view and present associated challenges. In addition, we present potential methods to ensure secure and privacy-preserving ML for healthcare applications. Finally, we provide insight into the current research challenges and promising directions for future research

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationTreatment adherence remains a major challenge in tuberculosis (TB) control. Mobile phone text messaging is a promising tool to support TB treatment adherence. The purpose of this study was to develop a text messaging intervention to promote TB treatment adherence, assess feasibility and acceptability, and to explore initial efficacy. A collaborative team of clinicians, administrators and patients in treatment developed the intervention. Content analysis, based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model, guided educational message selection. To identify considerations for a larger trial a socio-technical evaluation model adapted from Conford, and Barber and associates was applied. The intervention was implemented as a mixed-method, randomized controlled pilot-study at a public pulmonary-specialized hospital in Argentina. Patients newly diagnosed with TB who were18 or older, without drug resistance or HIV, and had access to a mobile phone were recruited. Participants were randomized to usual care plus either medication calendar (n=19) or text messaging intervention (n=18) for the first 2 months of treatment. Data were obtained through interviews, field notes, self-reported adherence, sputum microscopy, and treatment outcomes. Most potential participants had access to mobile phones and knew how to send a text, supporting feasibility of the intervention. The majority of the participants (60%) indicated not being adequately informed about disease or treatment. Participants identified themes of feeling cared for, responsible for their treatment and valued the option to ask questions and receive quick answers. Texting group participants reported adherence 77% of the days (SD 23.5, range 22-100), whereas only 53% in the control group returned calendars. Sputum conversion and treatment outcomes were similar in both groups. Considerations for conducting a larger trial included reducing cost, improving the automated features, and strengthening capacity to return patients to treatment. A collaborative approach and application of the IMB model to guide development was supported. Overall the texting intervention was well accepted and feasible, daily reporting was superior, and adherence was monitored in real time. Although there was not clear evidence that the texting intervention was more efficacious, feasibility and acceptability results suggest that there is value in assessing this interactive intervention in a larger-scale study

Do Women in Nepal Like Playing a Mobile Game? MANTRA: A Mobile Gamified App for Improving Healthcare Seeking Behavior in Rural Nepal

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