Exploring user experience and technology acceptance for a fall prevention system: results from a randomized clinical trial and a living lab

Background: Falls are common in older adults and can result in serious injuries. Due to demographic changes, falls and related healthcare costs are likely to increase over the next years. Participation and motivation of older adults in fall prevention measures remain a challenge. The iStoppFalls project developed an information and communication technology (ICT)-based system for older adults to use at home in order to reduce common fall risk factors such as impaired balance and muscle weakness. The system aims at increasing older adults’ motivation to participate in ICT-based fall prevention measures. This article reports on usability, user-experience and user-acceptance aspects affecting the use of the iStoppFalls system by older adults. Methods: In the course of a 16-week international multicenter study, 153 community-dwelling older adults aged 65+ participated in the iStoppFalls randomized controlled trial, of which half used the system in their home to exercise and assess their risk of falling. During the study, 60 participants completed questionnaires regarding the usability, user experience and user acceptance of the iStoppFalls system. Usability was measured with the System Usability Scale (SUS). For user experience the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) was applied. User acceptance was assessed with the Dynamic Acceptance Model for the Re-evaluation of Technologies (DART). To collect more detailed data on usability, user experience and user acceptance, additional qualitative interviews and observations were conducted with participants. Results: Participants evaluated the usability of the system with an overall score of 62 (Standard Deviation, SD 15.58) out of 100, which suggests good usability. Most users enjoyed the iStoppFalls games and assessments, as shown by the overall PACES score of 31 (SD 8.03). With a score of 0.87 (SD 0.26), user acceptance results showed that participants accepted the iStoppFalls system for use in their own home. Interview data suggested that certain factors such as motivation, complexity or graphical design were different for gender and age. Conclusions: The results suggest that the iStoppFalls system has good usability, user experience and user acceptance. It will be important to take these along with factors such as motivation, gender and age into consideration when designing and further developing ICT-based fall prevention systems

On fair, effective and efficient REDD mechanism design

The issues surrounding 'Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation' (REDD) have become a major component of continuing negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This paper aims to address two key requirements of any potential REDD mechanism: first, the generation of measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV) REDD credits; and secondly, the sustainable and efficient provision of emission reductions under a robust financing regime

Robot deployment in long-term care: a case study of a mobile robot in physical therapy

Background. Healthcare systems in industrialised countries are challenged to provide care for a growing number of older adults. Information technology holds the promise of facilitating this process by providing support for care staff, and improving wellbeing of older adults through a variety of support systems. Goal. Little is known about the challenges that arise from the deployment of technology in care settings; yet, the integration of technology into care is one of the core determinants of successful support. In this paper, we discuss challenges and opportunities associated with technology integration in care using the example of a mobile robot to support physical therapy among older adults with cognitive impairment in the European project STRANDS. Results and discussion. We report on technical challenges along with perspectives of physical therapists, and provide an overview of lessons learned which we hope will help inform the work of researchers and practitioners wishing to integrate robotic aids in the caregiving process

Newly discovered seed dispersal system of Juniperus cedrus questions the pristine nature of the high elevation scrub of El Teide (Tenerife, Canary Islands)

As a working hypothesis, we examined evidence for the former presence of a climacic woodland of Juniperus cedrus above the pine forest in the high elevation area of Tenerife (Canary Islands), which would indicate that the current dominant vegetation (endemic Spartocytisus supranubius scrub) may not be pristine. The main causes of the great regression of this woodland were caused by human activities (timber harvesting, herbivory by goats, and fires). The main support for this hypothesis is the survival of a presumably relict seed dispersal system of the endangered endemic J. cedrus, which relies mainly on the wintering thrush Turdus torquatus. The fact that genetic factors are directly involved in the control of bird migration routes strongly supports the idea that this interaction could be remnant of an older system, probably more widespread in the past. To test this hypothesis, we propose that a paleoecological approach could reconstruct the vegetation dynamics in the Teide National Park (Tenerife) and the past presence of this seed disperser migratory thrush. The analysis of plant microfossils in sediments (e.g., pollen, spores, phytoliths, coprolites, and charcoal) would allow us to evaluate whether the current vegetation is the same as that which naturally existed in the past, and assess the impact of the anthropogenic and natural factors to which it has been subjected during history. The results of these analyses will be useful for future management policies and practices aimed at restoring the pristine landscape and biotic interactions of the Teide National Park. To our knowledge, the case presented in this contribution, based on the high dependence of the seed dispersal of an endemic tree (J. cedrus) on a migratory bird, is the only reported in the context of oceanic islands.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónGobierno de las Islas CanariasOrganismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionale

Sampling, isolating and identifying microplastics ingested by fish and invertebrates

Microplastic debris (<5 mm) is a prolific environmental pollutant, found worldwide in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Interactions between biota and microplastics are prevalent, and there is growing evidence that microplastics can incite significant health effects in exposed organisms. To date, the methods used to quantify such interactions have varied greatly between studies. Here, we critically review methods for sampling, isolating and identifying microplastics ingested by environmentally and laboratory exposed fish and invertebrates. We aim to draw attention to the strengths and weaknesses of the suite of published microplastic extraction and enumeration techniques. Firstly, we highlight the risk of microplastic losses and accumulation during biotic sampling and storage, and suggest protocols for mitigating contamination in the field and laboratory. We evaluate a suite of methods for extracting microplastics ingested by biota, including dissection, depuration, digestion and density separation. Lastly, we consider the applicability of visual identification and chemical analyses in categorising microplastics. We discuss the urgent need for the standardisation of protocols to promote consistency in data collection and analysis. Harmonized methods will allow for more accurate assessment of the impacts and risks microplastics pose to biota and increase comparability between studies

Jerusalem artichoke as a source of valuable raw material, especially for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a native plant to North America. Its tubers were adopted as a source of food and inulin [3]. The substances obtained from tuber, shoots and flowers can be used in medicine, cosmetics or food industry as a valuable food additive. Inulin is extracted from jerusalem artichokes. It is a white, odorless, soluble powder with a slightly sweet taste and no aftertaste. It contains a mixture of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides which are composed of fructose units connected by β (2-1) links (Fig. 1). Almost every molecule is terminated by a glucose unit. The typical total number of fructose and glucose units in inulin is 30-35. The potential of jerusalem artichoke as a source for inulin, a natural polymer that may provide dietary health benefits for obesity, diabetes, increased calcium and magnesium absorption [41–43], while promoting the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and several other health issues and the possible use of the crop for biofuels [17], pharmacy and cosmetics and plastics manufacturers is drawing recent interest. The health benefits of inulin provide numerous opportunities to develop functional foods in various sectors such as dairy, bakery, beverage, cereals and cereal bars, supplements, confectionary, ice cream, infant formulas, fat spreads. Inulin cannot be digested by the digestive enzymes nor broken down by the gastric acids in the human digestive system. Therefore, these non-digestible carbohydrates function as insoluble fibers. However, dietary fibers influence the consistency of stomach and bowel content, the rate of discharge from the stomach and intestines and thus the rate at which nutrients and other desirable undesirable substances are absorbed. Furthermore they have an intensive effect on human bowel movements. This makes dietary fibers an essential part of our daily menu. Several methods for inulin extraction from Jerusalem artichoke tubers have been described in this paper [7, 11, 14]. For instance, ultrafiltration can reduce the purification procedure due to convenience and rapidity (fewer steps), thus showing a promising prospect for industrial purposes [24, 29, 31]

Koncepcja sterowania bombą kierowaną typu JSOW za pomocą BAL

W artykule rozważana jest możliwość wykorzystania bezzałogowego aparatu latającego z samonaprowadzaną półaktywnie bombą typu JSOW do atakowania celów nieruchomych ukrytych i silnie bronionych przez artylerię przeciwlotniczą. Koncepcja polega na doprowadzeniu BAL lotem programowym w rejon rozlokowania celu o znanych współrzędnych geograficznych, oświetleniu go promieniem lasera i zaatakowaniu bombą JSOW.This paper discusses the possibilities of employing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with half-active launch and leave JSOW bomb to attack non-moving targets concealed and strongly defended by antiaircraft artillery. The concept is based on delivering a UAV by programmed flight to the area of the target location whose geographical coordinates are known, illuminating it with a laser ray and engaging it with a JSOW bomb

A concept for using UAV to control JSOW bombs

W artykule rozważana jest możliwość wykorzystania bezzałogowego aparatu latającego z samonaprowadzaną półaktywnie bombą typu JSOW do atakowania celów nieruchomych ukrytych i silnie bronionych przez artylerię przeciwlotniczą. Koncepcja polega na doprowadzeniu BAL lotem programowym w rejon rozlokowania celu o znanych współrzędnych geograficznych, oświetleniu go promieniem lasera i zaatakowaniu bombą JSOW.This paper discusses the possibilities of employing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with half-active launch and leave JSOW bomb to attack non-moving targets concealed and strongly defended by antiaircraft artillery. The concept is based on delivering a UAV by programmed flight to the area of the target location whose geographical coordinates are known, illuminating it with a laser ray and engaging it with a JSOW bomb

Hair conditioning foams formulations

W pracy otrzymano 7 piankowych preparatów kondycjonujących i stylizujących. Dla otrzymanych preparatów przeprowadzono badania właściwości użytkowych (trwałości skrętu, zdolności elektryzowania się włosów, czasu gaśnięcia pianek, oraz pH i gęstości nastawów) i porównano je z preparatami handlowymi. Przy zastosowaniu skaningowego mikroskopu elektronowego pokazano, że mechanizm kondycjonowania włosów przez hydrolizaty keratyny (o małym stopniu hydrolizy) polega na wytworzeniu ochronnego filmu zamykającego odsłonięte łuski włosa.Seven conditioning foams with styling properties were prepared. Their physicochemical and functional properties such, as pH, foam density, total solid content, curl retention, antistatic properties and drain time were determined. Moreover, the hair structure was analyzed by SEM microscopy. It was found that the mechanism of the hair conditioning by keratin hydrolyzates of low degree of hydrolysis relies on formation of a protective film on the hair surface