Physecology: A Conceptual Framework to Describe Data Physicalizations in their Real-World Context

The standard definition for “physicalizations” is “a physical artifact whose geometry or material properties encode data” [ 47 ]. While this working definition provides the fundamental groundwork for conceptualizing physicalization, in practice many physicalization systems go beyond the scope of this definition as they consist of distributed physical and digital elements that involve complex interaction mechanisms. In this article, we examine how “physicalization” is part of a broader ecology—the “physecology”—with properties that go beyond the scope of the working definition. Through analyzing 60 representative physicalization papers, we derived six design dimensions of a physecology: (i) represented data type, (ii) way of information communication, (iii) interaction mechanisms, (iv) spatial input–output coupling, (v) physical setup, and (vi) audiences involved. Our contribution is the extension of the definition of physicalization to the broader concept of “physecology,” to provide conceptual clarity on the design of physicalizations for future work.

Fish Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for Improved Information and Communication Technologies During COVID-19: A Case of Ibadan, Nigeria

Coronavirus has disrupted aquaculture activities at all levels. The pandemic has had effect on farmer’s input, output, market, revenue, and contact with Extension officers. To reduce the growing effect of the pandemic, the use of Information Communication Technologies has become necessary as farmers can get easy access to extension agents and monitor farm activities while reducing exposure to the virus. Hence, this research was conducted to determine fish farmer’s willingness to pay for improved Information Communication Technologies in bridging the gap caused by the Coronavirus outbreak. The study used cross-sectional survey with data collected from Ibadan, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 40 farmers. Primary data was analysed using StataSE13.0 and the results revealed that; 80% of farmers were affected by Coronavirus and acknowledged that Information Communication Technologies play a role in their activities (55%). The probit regression revealed that the scale of operation, age of farmer, household size, status in the household, and usage of Information Communication Technologiess were found to be statistically significant determinants of farmer’s willingness to pay. These points to the fact that improved Information Communication Technologies are relevant to sustain aquaculture output in the face of Coronavirus. The study recommends that the government, the ministry for aquaculture, and stakeholders in aquaculture should support small-scale in the form of training, credit and provision of support systems to help them acquire and use improved ICTs.

Perception on the Usage of Information Communication Technology for Ecotourism Development in Nigeria

This study aimed to assess the perception of tourists on the usage of information and communication technology at Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana by using structured questionnaire directed at 384 tourists randomly; 20 tourists at Old Oyo National Park, 150 tourists at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and 214 tourists at Lacampagne Tropicana. Data was analyzed and presented descriptively using tables and inferentially using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results indicated that the tourists mostly made use of internet and social media at the sites. The tourists also perceived that the use of Information Communication Technology would be an innovative approach to solving some of the problems of sustainable tourism development and that use of Information Communication Technology has made work easier and faster. Furthermore, the study indicated significant differences in some socio-demographic characteristics as well as perception on the usage of ICT at the sites (P<0.05). Management of ecotourism sites should therefore create more awareness on the usage of other forms of information communication technology at their sites so as to further enhance tourists’ satisfaction.

Factors contributing to physicians’ current use and satisfaction of electronic health records (EHRs) in Kuwait’s public health care: A cross- sectional study. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is the backbone of the integration of information to help physicians in making effective decisions in patient care. The adoption of E-health care system, Health Information Communication Technologies (HICT) and EHR is raising in Kuwait OBJECTIVE This study aims to (i) identify the factors associated with physician’s current use, satisfaction, and prevalence with EHRs (ii) assess the factors’ relative importance in terms of predicting current use, satisfaction and prevalence with EHRs. METHODS This study took place at a public hospital in 2019. Using an anonymous self-administered paper-based survey, two hundred and ninety-five physicians were recruited. The survey contained 35 statements and the Technology Acceptance Model was used as the theoretical framework to guide the survey development. The dependent variables were “Physicians' current use of EHR" and “Physicians’ Satisfaction with EHR.” The independent variables were the demographics factors, Length of use of EHR, training quality, perceptions of barriers toward using EHR, the EHR effect on physicians’ Work, and level of ease of EHR function. Descriptive analysis, followed by bivariate, and multivariate linear regression adjusted for demographics were conducted. RESULTS Among the 295 research participants, 75% indicated that they are currently using the EHR system. The effect that the EHR use had on physician’s work was the most significant predictor of physician’s satisfaction using EHR (β=.377, p=0.000), followed by the level of ease of EHR function and (β=.341, p=.00) and barriers to using EHR (β=.170, p=0.000). Regarding the prediction of the current use of EHR it was found that the perceptions of barriers to using EHR was the most significant predictor (β= .145, p=0.000) followed by the effect on physician’s work (β=.645, p=0.01) and length of EHR (β= .111, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS In the promotion of EHR current use and related satisfaction, enhancing and promoting the positive effect of EHR use on the physicians’work while making the implementation of the EHR system as easy as possible by removing barriers seem to be key factors. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable .

The Optimization Analysis of Phishing Email Filtering in Network Fraud based on Improved Bayesian Algorithm

Mail transmission was not only the main function of information system, but also the main way of network virus and Trojan horse transmission, which has a key impact on the running state of information. In order to deal with the threats of network viruses and Trojans and improve the level of e-mail management, this paper studies the filtering of information system, and proposes a phishing e-mail filtering method based on Improved Bayesian model. MATLAB simulation results show that the consistency p between the amount of data sent by e-mail and the amount received is good, the consistency rate reached 92.3%. the data security level is 95%, encryption proportion / data proportion ratio under Bayesian optimization are higher than those of unfiltered method，which up to 97.2%. Therefore, the Bayesian optimization model constructed in this paper can meet the needs of phishing email filtering in information communication at this stage.

THE IMPACT OF EMERGING INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE PORT: INCREASING UTILITIES RENDERING TO SHARED VERDICTS

Today, transportation quantities on roadways have increased to the point where alternate forms of transportation are required. Sea Routes Transportation (SRT) is one option that has the potential to assist relieve traffic congestion on roadways. Most SRT systems employ vessels in which cargo is rolled on and off by a ramp with relatively limited capacity, often less than 500 TEU, however with increased cargo flow, it is unclear if such alternatives will be economical. The dilemma for ports participating in SRT to face this new massive change is to make suitable expenditures and analysis software. Transition is not just a current trend, as well as a structured process. That modification could not be avoided by excluding ports. A transformation project has begun in order to modify their operating structure as well as the services they provide. Artificial intelligence and data-driven services expand the landscape of services far beyond conventional models now in use. The purpose of this study is to examine and assess the new potential for Telecommunications/Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies at port facilities. These prospects are a first step in transforming ports for the long term. The research’s important component is the application of technology science approaches in the area of strategy and planning connected to the construction of components systems (e.g., interrelations among ships and materiel) with managing equipment selections. KEYWORDS: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Port, Sea Routes Transportation (SRT)

Impact of Information Communication Technology Strategies on Learning Effectiveness

Transnational higher education is a multinational growth strategy requiring a foreign direct investment to establish a university or a campus in a new country and, if possible, to use articulation agreements with credible partners to increase domestic enrolment. Due to the potential international student learning style differences, we hypothesized there may be difficulties teaching Information Communication Technology (ICT) courses in transnational strategies due to the student origin or domestic campus location. The purpose of this study was to examine if student learning was effective within ICT graduate courses at an accredited sub-Saharan Africa-based university implementing the transnational education strategy. We found student learning was effective, but paradoxically, some factors indicated unusual results. Learning impact was higher when students disregarded the learning objectives, which we were able to explain theoretically. Conversely, learning impact was higher for many students who avoided tutoring, which we also rationalized.

Health Literacy From a Pediatrician's Perspective

Health literacy describes individual's skills to understand and use the information on health issues, compliance to the prescribed therapeutic regimen, prevention of disease and accidents, filtering the information, and making good judgments to maintain a healthy life. Low school education and fundamental education and poverty are barriers to gain health literacy. If TV broadcasts are used optimally for training in health issues, they may reach many people. The density of the active physicians, nurses and midwives, national health coverage, and training activities of the civil associations for chronic disease contribute to health literacy. Controversy exists about the benefits and risks of social media and mass media to health literacy due to information pollution. Self-diagnosis and marketing of under-the-counter drugs are problems of the digital age. Some projects aiming to improve digital health literacy skills will help people to reach reliable health-related information. Communication skills of healthcare professionals are also important.