The connected consumer‎: A theoretical framework of consumer adoption/consequences of the Internet of Things and smart connected objects

Over the last decade, technological and Internet innovations have increasingly invaded the consumer market (N’Goala, 2016). The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a common platform, and disrupts relationships between consumers and companies (Bohli et al., 2009); in essence, this is a timely research. The major goal of this thesis is to deepen the understanding of the acceptance and the adoption processes of the IoT and smart connected technologies, as well as the related consequences on perceived well-being. To do this, four contexts of study have been explored: smart connected objects, smart sleep applications, smart homes, and smart stores. First, we performed qualitative exploratory studies, and secondly we conducted quantitative studies to build conceptual models according to our qualitative findings and the literature. The results show that technology benefits are the first factors that enable technology acceptance through perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use; subsequently, self-improvement, through perceived social image and well-being benefits, are the main reasons to continue using the IoT and smart connected technologies. The acceptance and the adoption of these technologies also depend on users’ personality traits while perceived risks and fears on the use of the personal data are the main barriers. In turn, the IoT and smart connected technologies influence perceived well-being according to the experience of use, personality traits, and the technology.Le résumé en français n'a pas été communiqué par l'auteur

The connected consumer‎: A theoretical framework of consumer adoption/consequences of the Internet of Things and smart connected objects

Over the last decade, technological and Internet innovations have increasingly invaded the consumer market (N’Goala, 2016). The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a common platform, and disrupts relationships between consumers and companies (Bohli et al., 2009); in essence, this is a timely research. The major goal of this thesis is to deepen the understanding of the acceptance and the adoption processes of the IoT and smart connected technologies, as well as the related consequences on perceived well-being. To do this, four contexts of study have been explored: smart connected objects, smart sleep applications, smart homes, and smart stores. First, we performed qualitative exploratory studies, and secondly we conducted quantitative studies to build conceptual models according to our qualitative findings and the literature. The results show that technology benefits are the first factors that enable technology acceptance through perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use; subsequently, self-improvement, through perceived social image and well-being benefits, are the main reasons to continue using the IoT and smart connected technologies. The acceptance and the adoption of these technologies also depend on users’ personality traits while perceived risks and fears on the use of the personal data are the main barriers. In turn, the IoT and smart connected technologies influence perceived well-being according to the experience of use, personality traits, and the technology.Le résumé en français n'a pas été communiqué par l'auteur

How Do You Sleep ? The Impact of Sleep Apps on Generation Z's Well-Being

Mobile health (mHealth) apps have fundamentally changed the usage of smartphones in people's daily lives. In this context, sleep apps, the most popular mHealth apps, can track and enhance user well-being. Understanding the antecedents of the usage of sleep apps is of timely research interest. This study focuses on whether and how sleep apps influence Generation Z users’ well-being (as this generation represents a promising market segment for smart devices). More precisely, the authors enhance the technology acceptance model with the uses and gratifications theory, and they test the perceptions of a sleep app before and after use. Structural equation modeling shows that the sleep app positively influences perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, intention to use, real usage, and perceived well-being. Consumers rate higher levels of well-being and usefulness regarding the sleep app before use than after use. Perceived usefulness can enhance usage and, in turn, well-being. Privacy concerns and personality traits moderate the direct effects on well-being. Health app managers should understand the importance of the utilitarian benefits of disruptive technologies, which can be enhanced through empowerment (i.e., self-tracking, self-knowledge, and self-management) and well-being benefits. However, privacy concerns remain the primary reason for consumers’ reluctance toward mHealth apps

Bi-allelic variations in CRB2, encoding the crumbs cell polarity complex component 2, lead to non-communicating hydrocephalus due to atresia of the aqueduct of sylvius and central canal of the medulla

International audienceAbstract Congenital hydrocephalus is a common condition caused by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricular system. Four major genes are currently known to be causally involved in hydrocephalus, either isolated or as a common clinical feature: L1CAM , AP1S2 , MPDZ and CCDC88C. Here, we report 3 cases from 2 families with congenital hydrocephalus due to bi-allelic variations in CRB2, a gene previously reported to cause nephrotic syndrome, variably associated with hydrocephalus. While 2 cases presented with renal cysts, one case presented with isolated hydrocephalus. Neurohistopathological analysis allowed us to demonstrate that, contrary to what was previously proposed, the pathological mechanisms underlying hydrocephalus secondary to CRB2 variations are not due to stenosis but to atresia of both Sylvius Aqueduct and central medullar canal. While CRB2 has been largely shown crucial for apico-basal polarity, immunolabelling experiments in our fetal cases showed normal localization and level of PAR complex components (PKCι and PKCζ) as well as of tight (ZO-1) and adherens (β-catenin and N-Cadherin) junction molecules indicating a priori normal apicobasal polarity and cell–cell adhesion of the ventricular epithelium suggesting another pathological mechanism. Interestingly, atresia but not stenosis of Sylvius aqueduct was also described in cases with variations in MPDZ and CCDC88C encoding proteins previously linked functionally to the Crumbs (CRB) polarity complex, and all 3 being more recently involved in apical constriction, a process crucial for the formation of the central medullar canal. Overall, our findings argue for a common mechanism of CRB2 , MPDZ and CCDC88C variations that might lead to abnormal apical constriction of the ventricular cells of the neural tube that will form the ependymal cells lining the definitive central canal of the medulla. Our study thus highlights that hydrocephalus related to CRB2 , MPDZ and CCDC88C constitutes a separate pathogenic group of congenital non-communicating hydrocephalus with atresia of both Sylvius aqueduct and central canal of the medulla

NFIB haploinsufficiency is associated with intellectual disability and macrocephaly

The nuclear factor I (NFI) family of transcription factors play an important role in normal development of multiple organs. Three NFI family members are highly expressed in the brain, and deletions or sequence variants in two of these, NFIA and NFIX, have been associated with intellectual disability (ID) and brain malformations. NFIB, however, has not previously been implicated in human disease. Here, we present a cohort of 18 individuals with mild ID and behavioral issues who are haploinsufficient for NFIB. Ten individuals harbored overlapping microdeletions of the chromosomal 9p23-p22.2 region, ranging in size from 225 kb to 4.3 Mb. Five additional subjects had point sequence variations creating a premature termination codon, and three subjects harbored single-nucleotide variations resulting in an inactive protein as determined using an in vitro reporter assay. All individuals presented with additional variable neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including muscular hypotonia, motor and speech delay, attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and behavioral abnormalities. While structural brain anomalies, including dysgenesis of corpus callosum, were variable, individuals most frequently presented with macrocephaly. To determine whether macrocephaly could be a functional consequence of NFIB disruption, we analyzed a cortex-specific Nfib conditional knockout mouse model, which is postnatally viable. Utilizing magnetic resonance imaging and histology, we demonstrate that Nfib conditional knockout mice have enlargement of the cerebral cortex but preservation of overall brain structure and interhemispheric connectivity. Based on our findings, we propose that haploinsufficiency of NFIB causes ID with macrocephaly

Prenatal exome sequencing in 65 fetuses with abnormality of the corpus callosum: contribution to further diagnostic delineation

International audiencePurpose: Abnormality of the corpus callosum (AbnCC) is etiologically a heterogeneous condition and the prognosis in prenatally diagnosed cases is difficult to predict. The purpose of our research was to establish the diagnostic yield using chromosomal microarray (CMA) and exome sequencing (ES) in cases with prenatally diagnosed isolated (iAbnCC) and nonisolated AbnCC (niAbnCC).Methods: CMA and prenatal trio ES (pES) were done on 65 fetuses with iAbnCC and niAbnCC. Only pathogenic gene variants known to be associated with AbnCC and/or intellectual disability were considered.Results: pES results were available within a median of 21.5 days (9-53 days). A pathogenic single-nucleotide variant (SNV) was identified in 12 cases (18%) and a pathogenic CNV was identified in 3 cases (4.5%). Thus, the genetic etiology was determined in 23% of cases. In all diagnosed cases, the results provided sufficient information regarding the neurodevelopmental prognosis and helped the parents to make an informed decision regarding the outcome of the pregnancy.Conclusion: Our results show the significant diagnostic and prognostic contribution of CMA and pES in cases with prenatally diagnosed AbnCC. Further prospective cohort studies with long-term follow-up of the born children will be needed to provide accurate prenatal counseling after a negative pES result

NFIB Haploinsufficiency Is Associated with Intellectual Disability and Macrocephaly

International audienceThe nuclear factor I (NFI) family of transcription factors play an important role in normal development of multiple organs. Three NFI family members are highly expressed in the brain, and deletions or sequence variants in two of these, NFIA and NFIX, have been associated with intellectual disability (ID) and brain malformations. NFIB, however, has not previously been implicated in human disease. Here, we present a cohort of 18 individuals with mild ID and behavioral issues who are haploinsufficient for NFIB. Ten individuals harbored overlapping microdeletions of the chromosomal 9p23-p22.2 region, ranging in size from 225 kb to 4.3 Mb. Five additional subjects had point sequence variations creating a premature termination codon, and three subjects harbored single-nucleotide variations resulting in an inactive protein as determined using an in vitro reporter assay. All individuals presented with additional variable neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including muscular hypotonia, motor and speech delay, attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and behavioral abnormalities. While structural brain anomalies, including dysgenesis of corpus callosum, were variable, individuals most frequently presented with macrocephaly. To determine whether macrocephaly could be a functional consequence of NFIB disruption, we analyzed a cortex-specific Nfib conditional knockout mouse model, which is postnatally viable. Utilizing magnetic resonance imaging and histology, we demonstrate that Nfib conditional knockout mice have enlargement of the cerebral cortex but preservation of overall brain structure and interhemispheric connectivity. Based on our findings, we propose that haploinsufficiency of NFIB causes ID with macrocephaly