Technological Interventions for Eating and Weight Disorders

To improve access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy in rural areas of the global south, off-grid systems using renewable generation and energy storage are often proposed. However, solution design is often technology-driven, with insufficient consideration of social and cultural contexts. This leads to a risk of unintended consequences and inappropriate systems that do not meet local needs. To address this problem, this paper describes the application of a capabilities-led approach to understanding a community’s multi-dimensional energy poverty and assessing their needs as they see them, in order to better design suitable technological interventions. Data were collected in Tlamacazapa, Mexico, through site visits and focus groups with men and women. These revealed the ways in which constrained energy services undermined essential capabilities, including relating to health, safety, relationships and earning a living, and highlighted the specific ways in which improved energy services, such as lighting, cooking and mechanical power could improve capabilities in the specific context of Tlamacazapa. Based on these findings, we propose some potential technological interventions to address these needs. The case study offers an illustration of an assessment method that could be deployed in a variety of contexts to inform the design of appropriate technological interventions.

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Recent trends in smartphone-based detection for biomedical applications: a review

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ◽

10.1007/s00216-021-03184-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 413 (9) ◽

pp. 2389-2406 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Soumyabrata Banik ◽

Sindhoora Kaniyala Melanthota ◽

Arbaaz ◽

Joel Markus Vaz ◽

Vishak Madhwaraj Kadambalithaya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomedical Applications ◽

Histopathological Examination ◽

Dark Field ◽

Portable Devices ◽

Food Technology ◽

Wide Range ◽

Technological Interventions ◽

Recent Trends ◽

Increasing Demand

AbstractSmartphone-based imaging devices (SIDs) have shown to be versatile and have a wide range of biomedical applications. With the increasing demand for high-quality medical services, technological interventions such as portable devices that can be used in remote and resource-less conditions and have an impact on quantity and quality of care. Additionally, smartphone-based devices have shown their application in the field of teleimaging, food technology, education, etc. Depending on the application and imaging capability required, the optical arrangement of the SID varies which enables them to be used in multiple setups like bright-field, fluorescence, dark-field, and multiple arrays with certain changes in their optics and illumination. This comprehensive review discusses the numerous applications and development of SIDs towards histopathological examination, detection of bacteria and viruses, food technology, and routine diagnosis. Smartphone-based devices are complemented with deep learning methods to further increase the efficiency of the devices.

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Quality of life support in advanced cancer—web and technological interventions: systematic review and narrative synthesis

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care ◽

10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002820 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bmjspcare-2020-002820

Author(s):

Kathleen Kane ◽

Fiona Kennedy ◽

Kate L Absolom ◽

Clare Harley ◽

Galina Velikova

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Life Support ◽

Well Being ◽

Narrative Synthesis ◽

Monitoring Tools ◽

Technological Interventions ◽

Cancer Trajectory ◽

Interactive Health Communication

BackgroundAs treatments continue to progress, patients with advanced cancer are living longer. However, ongoing physical side-effects and psychosocial concerns can compromise quality of life (QoL). Patients and physicians increasingly look to the internet and other technologies to address diverse supportive needs encountered across this evolving cancer trajectory.Objectives1. To examine the features and delivery of web and technological interventions supporting patients with advanced cancer. 2. To explore their efficacy relating to QoL and psychosocial well-being.MethodsRelevant studies were identified through electronic database searches (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science and ProQuest) and handsearching. Findings were collated and explored through narrative synthesis.ResultsOf 5274 identified records, 37 articles were included. Interventions were evaluated within studies targeting advanced cancer (13) or encompassing all stages (24). Five subtypes emerged: Interactive Health Communication Applications (n=12), virtual programmes of support (n=11), symptom monitoring tools (n=8), communication conduits (n=3) and information websites (n=3). Modes of delivery ranged from self-management to clinically integrated. Support largely targeted psychosocial well-being, alongside symptom management and healthy living. Most studies (78%) evidenced varying degrees of efficacy through QoL and psychosocial measures. Intervention complexity made it challenging to distinguish the most effective components. Incomplete reporting limited risk of bias assessment.ConclusionWhile complex and varied in their content, features and delivery, most interventions led to improvements in QoL or psychosocial well-being across the cancer trajectory. Ongoing development and evaluation of such innovations should specifically target patients requiring longer-term support for later-stage cancer.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018089153.

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Technological interventions in social business: Mapping current research and establishing future research agenda

Technological Forecasting and Social Change ◽

10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120818 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 169 ◽

pp. 120818

Author(s):

Gunjan Soni ◽

Sachin Kumar Mangla ◽

Pallavi Singh ◽

Bidit L. Dey ◽

Manoj Dora

Keyword(s):

Research Agenda ◽

Future Research ◽

Social Business ◽

Future Research Agenda ◽

Technological Interventions

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The Effects of Technological Interventions on Social Participation of Community-Dwelling Older Adults with and without Dementia: A Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112308 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2308

Author(s):

Pascale Heins ◽

Lizzy M. M. Boots ◽

Wei Qi Koh ◽

An Neven ◽

Frans R. J. Verhey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Social Participation ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Technological Interventions ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Social isolation in community-dwelling older adults with dementia is a growing health issue that can negatively affect health and well-being. To date, little attention has been paid to the role of technology in improving their social participation. This systematic review aims to provide a systematic overview of the effects of technological interventions that target social participation in community-dwelling older adults with and without dementia. The scientific databases Medline (PubMed), PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched and independently screened by two reviewers. Results were synthesized narratively. The methodological quality of included studies was independently assessed by two reviewers. In total, 36 studies of varying methodological quality were identified. Most studies evaluated social networking technology and ICT training programs. Three studies focused on people with dementia. Quantitative findings showed limited effects on loneliness, social isolation, and social support. Nevertheless, several benefits related to social participation were reported qualitatively. Social interaction, face-to-face contact, and intergenerational engagement were suggested to be successful elements of technological interventions in improving the social participation of community-dwelling older adults. Rigorous studies with larger sample sizes are highly needed to evaluate the long-term effects of technology on the multidimensional concept of social participation.

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