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 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.
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.
This review aims to comprehensively chronicle the biosynthesis, classification, properties, and applications of bacteriocins produced by Weissella genus strains, particularly emphasizing their ...potential benefits in food preservation, human health, and animal productivity. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are a class of microorganisms well-known for their beneficial role in food fermentation, probiotics, and human health. A notable property of LAB is that they can synthesize antimicrobial peptides known as bacteriocins that exhibit antimicrobial action against both closely related and other bacteria as well. Bacteriocins produced by Weissella spp. are known to exhibit antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic bacteria including food spoilage species, making them highly invaluable for potential application in food preservation and food safety. Importantly, they provide significant health benefits to humans, including combating infections, reducing inflammation, and modulating the gut microbiota. In addition to their applications in food fermentation and probiotics, Weissella bacteriocins show promising prospects in poultry production, processing, and improving animal productivity. Future research should explore the utilization of Weissella bacteriocins in innovative food safety measures and medical applications, emphasizing their potential to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens, enhance gut microbiota composition and function, and synergize with existing antimicrobial therapies.
Postbiotics, which are bioactive substances derived from the metabolic processes of beneficial microbes, have received considerable attention in the field of microbiome science in recent years, ...presenting a promising path for exploration and innovation. This comprehensive analysis looks into the multidimensional terrain of postbiotic production, including an extensive examination of diverse postbiotic classes, revealing their sophisticated mechanisms of action and highlighting future applications that might significantly affect human health. The authors thoroughly investigate the various mechanisms that support postbiotic production, ranging from conventional fermentation procedures to cutting-edge enzyme conversion and synthetic biology approaches. The review, as an acknowledgment of the field's developing nature, not only highlights current achievements but also navigates through the problems inherent in postbiotic production. In order to successfully include postbiotics in therapeutic interventions and the production of functional food ingredients, emphasis is given to critical elements, including improving yields, bolstering stability, and assuring safety. The knowledge presented herein sheds light on the expanding field of postbiotics and their potential to revolutionize the development of novel therapeutics and functional food ingredients.
Orthopedic clinics are becoming strained with clinical volume outpacing resources and personnel. Patient engagement platforms can help bridge the communication and engagement gaps between patients ...and their healthcare teams as total hip and knee arthroplasty transitions to the outpatient setting. These platforms provide a digital infrastructure that allows patients to participate in their healthcare journey while alleviating the burdens on clinic staff. Multiple forms of patient engagement platforms exist but typically fall into one of 3 groups: patient portals, mobile health applications, and chatbots. They all play an important role in enhancing postoperative rehabilitation, patient engagement, and patient care overall. This article explores the spectrum of available patient engagement platforms and examines their advantages, limitations, and documented benefits on clinical outcomes.
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