The present study aims to evaluate five clay samples from different pits in the Teruel province, Spain. While these clays are primarily utilized as raw materials in ceramics, their potential ...applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic domains, notably in sun protection and thermal mud products, are under investigation. Characterization of these clays entailed X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, pH measurement, analysis of technological properties, rheological assessment, and thermal property evaluation. Furthermore, given the predominant composition of kaolin in most of the samples, their Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in suspensions and physical stability were assessed. The studied samples exhibited varied mineralogical compositions, primarily consisting of kaolinite (70% to 15%), quartz (75% to 5%), and illite (26% to 7%). The pH values of these dispersions closely matched the skin's pH, exhibiting anti-thixotropic behavior at 50% w/w and demonstrating suitable viscosity for skin application. Based on their composition and rheological properties, the samples exhibited potential for use as therapeutic thermal muds. Analyses of cooling kinetics were performed to validate this potential. Results showed that the dispersions systems attained temperatures between 33.89 °C and 34.62 °C within 20 min (the common application time for thermal muds) and reached 32 °C (skin temperature) in 24.3 to 26.22 min, confirming their appropriateness as therapeutic muds. The SPF values of the dispersions varied from 7.46 to 16.65, with the majority of samples showing significant stability during 45 h. Consequently, it can be inferred that most of the studied samples show advantageous characteristics for inclusion in topical formulations, especially in sun protection and thermal mud products.
•Evaluated Teruel clays for cosmetics; focus on sun protection, thermal muds.•Used X-ray diffraction, microscopy, pH, rheology, thermal analysis.•Checked kaolin content, SPF, stability in suspensions.•Found kaolinite, quartz, illite; skin-compatible pH, viscosity.•Confirmed suitability for thermal muds via cooling kinetics.
Consumer/user resistance is considered a key factor responsible for the failure of digital innovations. Yet, existing scholarship has not given it due attention while examining user responses to ...e-health innovations. The present study addressed this need by consolidating the existing findings to provide a platform to motivate future research. We used a systematic literature review (SLR) approach to identify and analyze the relevant literature. To execute the SLR, we first specified a stringent search protocol with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify relevant studies. Thereafter, we undertook an in-depth analysis of 72 congruent studies, thus presenting a comprehensive structure of findings, gaps, and opportunities for future research. Specifically, we mapped the relevant literature to elucidate the nature and causes of resistance offered by three key constituent groups of the healthcare ecosystem—patients, healthcare organizational actors, and other stakeholders. Finally, based on the understanding acquired through our critical synthesis, we formulated a conceptual framework, classifying user resistance into micro, meso, and macro barriers which provide context to the interventions and strategies required to counter resistance and motivate adoption, continued usage, and positive recommendation intent. Being the first SLR in the area to present a multi-stakeholder perspective, our study offers fine-grained insights for hospital management, policymakers, and community leaders to develop an effective plan of action to overcome barriers that impede the diffusion of e-health innovations.
Mobile health applications are increasingly numerous and varied. However, despite high expectations and large budgets involved in their development they are often rejected by potential users, and ...little is known on why this happens. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the determinants of technology acceptance and its moderators. Aligned with the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, we examined the moderating roles of age, gender, and smartphone experience in the relationship between technology acceptance determinants (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions) and the intention to use mobile health applications (
= 394, 18-65 years). A stepwise multiple linear regression was conducted. Results showed that the intention to use mobile health applications was determined by performance expectancy moderated by age and smartphone experience, and that the role of the other determinants depended on age and gender (e.g., more intention to use in older men if less effort, and in younger men if better facilitating conditions). These findings show that user characteristics are relevant moderators and should be considered when targeting specific populations to use mobile health applications.
The potential of mobile health applications to improve healthcare outcomes and accessibility, particularly among older individuals, is significant. However, challenges such as small fonts, complex ...navigation, and unintuitive design hinder their effective use by older adults. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring equitable access to healthcare. This study aims to identify the unique difficulties older people face with mobile health apps and explore innovative ways to enhance usability and accessibility. Through design analysis and user testing, the research seeks to address these obstacles and propose solutions. The study examines usability issues and suggests a practical framework that integrates assistive technology and dynamic procurement processes to ensure the availability of user-friendly apps. Emphasizing the importance of user testing with older adults, the research offers actionable insights for improving the overall experience of seniors using mobile health apps. The framework provides practical solutions for resolving these problems, ultimately improving seniors' overall experience utilizing the system.
In many terrestrial ecosystems, the Apis mellifera species played an essential role, being one of the most beneficial insects worldwide. Bee venom (BV) has the role of protecting the bee colony from ...predators. Among the pharmacological activities of BV are: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimutagenic, radioprotective and even antiviral activity. The manifestation of the therapeutic potential is due to the bioactive compounds of BV, the main ones being melittin, phospholipase A2 and apamin, but hyaluronidase, mast cell degranulation peptide and secapin are also relevant for bioactivity. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the biotechnological potential, but also the applicability in the medical field as alternative methods to the use of antibiotics.
Voice disorders, such as dysphonia, are common among the general population. These pathologies often remain untreated until they reach a high level of severity. Assisting the detection of voice ...disorders could facilitate early diagnosis and subsequent treatment. In this study, we address the practical aspects of automatic voice disorders detection (AVDD). In real-world scenarios, data annotated for voice disorders is usually scarce due to various challenges involved in the collection and annotation of such data. However, some relatively large datasets are available for a reduced number of domains. In this context, we propose the use of a combination of out-of-domain and in-domain data for training a deep neural network-based AVDD system, and offer guidance on the minimum amount of in-domain data required to achieve acceptable performance. Further, we propose the use of a cost-based metric, the normalized expected cost (EC), to evaluate performance of AVDD systems in a way that closely reflects the needs of the application. As an added benefit, optimal decisions for the EC can be made in a principled way given by Bayes decision theory. Finally, we argue that for medical applications like AVDD, the categorical decisions need to be accompanied by interpretable scores that reflect the confidence of the system. Even very accurate models often produce scores that are not suited for interpretation. Here, we show that such models can be easily improved by adding a calibration stage-trained with just a few minutes of in-domain data. The outputs of the resulting calibrated system can then better support practitioners in their decision-making process.
•Mobile health applications can address health disparities in prenatal care.•Medicaid-insured pregnant people frequently use mobile health applications for health-related tasks.•Further research is ...needed to understand how to decrease barriers to using mobile health applications in prenatal care.
Mobile health applications can address health disparities in prenatal care due to adverse social determinants of health. We assessed the uptake and use of, preferences for, and barriers to mobile health applications among Medicaid-insured pregnant and postpartum individuals enrolled in prenatal care from March to May 2021. Medicaid-insured pregnant and postpartum individuals frequently used (56 %) and were potentially interested in using (90 %) mobile health applications for health-related tasks and had reliable internet access to do so (94 %). Over two fifths (44 %) reported barriers to using mobile health applications. Further research is needed to understand whether using mobile health applications to address social needs in the peripartum period can affect prenatal care utilization and decrease health disparities.
The European population is ageing, and there is a need for health solutions that keep older adults independent longer. With increasing access to mobile technology, such as smartphones and ...smartwatches, the development and use of mobile health applications is rapidly growing. To meet the societal challenge of changing demography, mobile health solutions are warranted that support older adults to stay healthy and active and that can prevent or delay functional decline. This paper reviews the literature on mobile technology, in particular wearable technology, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and wristbands, presenting new ideas on how this technology can be used to encourage an active lifestyle, and discusses the way forward in order further to advance development and practice in the field of mobile technology for active, healthy ageing.
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