Trust beyond Technology Algorithms: A Theoretical Exploration of Consumer Trust and Behavior in Technological Consumption and AI Projects

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), establishing customer confidence is crucial for the integration and acceptance of AI technologies. This interdisciplinary study examines factors influencing customer trust in AI systems through a mixed-methods approach, blending quantitative analysis with qualitative insights to create a comprehensive conceptual framework. Quantitatively, the study analyzes responses from 1248 participants using structural equation modeling (SEM), exploring interactions between technological factors like perceived usefulness and transparency, psychological factors including perceived risk and domain expertise, and organizational factors such as leadership support and ethical accountability. The results confirm the model, showing significant impacts of these factors on consumer trust and AI adoption attitudes. Qualitatively, the study includes 35 semi-structured interviews and five case studies, providing deeper insight into the dynamics shaping trust. Key themes identified include the necessity of explainability, domain competence, corporate culture, and stakeholder engagement in fostering trust. The qualitative findings complement the quantitative data, highlighting the complex interplay between technology capabilities, human perceptions, and organizational practices in establishing trust in AI. By integrating these findings, the study proposes a novel conceptual model that elucidates how various elements collectively influence consumer trust in AI. This model not only advances theoretical understanding but also offers practical implications for businesses and policymakers. The research contributes to the discourse on trust creation and decision-making in technology, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary efforts to address societal challenges associated with technological advancements. It lays the groundwork for future research, including longitudinal, cross-cultural, and industry-specific studies, to further explore consumer trust in AI.

Joint Motion Control of a Powered Lower Limb Orthosis for Rehabilitation

Many patients with spinal injures are confined to wheelchairs, leading to a sedentary lifestyle with secondary pathologies and increased dependence on a carer. Increasing evidence has shown that locomotor training reduces the incidence of these secondary pathologies, but the physical effort involved in this training is such that there is poor compliance. This paper reports on the design and control of a new ＂human friendly＂ orthosis （exoskeleton）, powered by high power pneumatic Muscle Actuators （pMAs）. The combination of a highly compliant actuation system, with an intelligent embedded control mechanism which senses hip, knee, and ankle positions, velocity, acceleration and force, produces powerful yet inherently safe operation for paraplegic patients. This paper analyzes the motion of ankle, knee, and hip joints under zero loading, and loads which simulate human limb mass, showing that the use of ＂soft＂ actuators can provide a smooth user friendly motion. The application of this technology will greatly improve the rehabilitative protocols for paraplegic patients.

A systematic literature review of blockchain cyber security

Since the publication of Satoshi Nakamoto's white paper on Bitcoin in 2008,blockchain has(slowly)become one of the most frequently discussed methods for securing data storage and transfer through decentralized,trustless,peer-to-peer systems.This research identifies peer-reviewed literature that seeks to utilize blockchain for cyber security purposes and presents a systematic analysis of the most frequently adopted blockchain security applications.Our findings show that the Internet of Things(IoT)lends itself well to novel blockchain applications,as do networks and machine visualization,public-key cryptography,web applications,certification schemes and the secure storage of Personally Identifiable Information(PII).This timely systematic review also sheds light on future directions of research,education and practices in the blockchain and cyber security space,such as security of blockchain in IoT,security of blockchain for AI data,and sidechain security.

Evaluating the Risk of Disclosure and Utility in a Synthetic Dataset

The advancement of information technology has improved the delivery of nancial services by the introduction of Financial Technology(FinTech).To enhance their customer satisfaction,Fintech companies leverage articial intelligence(AI)to collect ne-grained data about individuals,which enables them to provide more intelligent and customized services.However,although visions thereof promise to make customers’lives easier,they also raise major security and privacy concerns for their users.Differential privacy(DP)is a common privacy-preserving data publishing technique that is proved to ensure a high level of privacy preservation.However,an important concern arises from the trade-off between the data utility the risk of data disclosure(RoD),which has not been well investigated.In this paper,to address this challenge,we propose data-dependent approaches for evaluating whether the sufcient privacy is guaranteed in differentially private data release.At the same time,by taking into account the utility of the differentially private synthetic dataset,we present a data-dependent algorithm that,through a curve tting technique,measures the error of the statistical result imposed to the original dataset due to the injection of random noise.Moreover,we also propose a method that ensures a proper privacy budget,i.e.,will be chosen so as to maintain the trade-off between the privacy and utility.Our comprehensive experimental analysis proves both the efciency and estimation accuracy of the proposed algorithms.

Causes of Change Orders in the Jordanian Construction Industry

Change orders are common and clearly noticeable in Jordanian construction industry. Several studies have identified change orders as significant problem in Jordanian construction projects, and they mainly cause delay and cost overrun. This situation spurs the researchers for investigating the significant causes of change orders in construction projects. Thus, this paper aims to determine the main causes of change orders in the Jordanian construction private sector which responsible for significant cost overrun. Both qualitative and quantitative methods, i.e. interview and questionnaire techniques, were used to achieve this aim. Interviews were conducted as the first stage of data collection, and the results formed the basis of the questionnaire, which was distributed across the Jordanian construction sector. Content analysis was used to analyse the interview responses, while factor analysis, correlation and the Severity Index (SI) were used to analyse the questionnaire results. The findings identified three main categories of causes of change orders in private sector, namely engineering causes, causes related to the client, and circumstances of the project, with sub-causes in each category which are related to each other in significant ways and which affect each other.

The Usage of Social Media and E-Reputation System in Global Supply Chain: Comparative Cases from Diamond &Automotive Industries

The last decade witnesses a heave use of social media-based information systems in different fields of business such as logistics, procurement, and supply chain management. Managing these types of information systems, could help companies to outsource their supply chain functions in a global scale and enhance their competitive advantages. However, the digital performance of these activities inherent risks of inappropriate supplier selection, lack of trust, bounded rationality and uncertainty about the supply conditions (e.g., pricing, shipping and timing). To address such challenges, this research explains how companies use e-reputation systems and social media to select their global trusted suppliers. Based on two-case evidence from British Diamond and Egyptian Automotive companies, the researchers conducted 20 interviews with purchasing and supply chain professionals. Chen & Lin’s reputation system model has been adopted to explain the process of selecting and evaluating a trusted supplier and to inform our data analysis. Our findings referred to the lack of experience among diamond professionals on how to use e-reputation systems and their lack of understanding to the role of social media-based ratings or referrals during the stages of selection suppliers’ discovery and approval. Though, automotive professionals find e-reputation system a strong tool to build goodwill, tacit credibility, competence and predictable trust. Ironically, both cases confirm that supply chain professional use these systems to re-evaluate and reselect their existing suppliers than to extend new supply networks.

Monitoring dynamics of defects and single Fe atoms in N-functionalized few-layer graphene by in situ temperature programmed scanning transmission electron microscopy

In this study,we aim to contribute an understanding of the pathway of formation of Fe species during top-down synthesis of dispersed Fe on N-functionalized few layer graphene,widely used in electrocatalysis.We use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to determine the electronic structure and coordination geometry of the Fe species and in situ high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with atomic resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy to localize these,identify their chemical configuration and monitor their dynamics during thermal annealing.We show the high mobility of peripheral Fe atoms,first diffusing rapidly at the trims of the graphene layers and at temperatures as high as 573 K,diffusing from the edge planes towards in-plane locations of the graphene layers forming three-,four-coordinated metal sites and more complexes polynuclear Fe species.This process occurs via bond C-C breaking which partially reduces the extension of the graphene domains.However,the vast majority of Fe is segregated as a metal phase.This dynamic interconversion depends on the structural details of the surrounding graphitic environment in which these are formed as well as the Fe loading.N species appear stabilizing isolated and polynuclear Fe species even at temperatures as high as 873 K.The significance of our results lies on the fact that single Fe atoms in graphene are highly mobile and therefore a structural description of the electroactive sites as such is insufficient and more complex species might be more relevant,especially in the case of multielectron transfer reactions.Here we provide the experimental evidence of the formation of these polynuclear Fe-N sites and their structural characteristics.

Regulation of the cell fate by DNA damage and hypoxia

In order to provide the means for the design of novel rational anti-cancer drug therapies research efforts are concentrated on unravelling the molecular circuits which induce programmed cell death and block proliferation of cancer cells.Modern therapeutic strategies are based on the understanding of the complexity of physiological functions such as differentiation,development,immune responses,cell-cycle arrest,DNA damage repair,apoptosis,autophagy,energy metabolism,and senescence.It has become evident that this knowledge will provide the means to target the components of the pathways involved in these processes in a specific and selective manner thus paving the way for the development of effective and personalised anti-cancer therapies.Transcription is a crucial cellular process that regulates a multitude of physiological functions,which are essential in disease progression and cellular response to therapy.Transcription factors such as the p53 tumor suppressor and the hypoxia-inducible factor-α(HIF-α) are key players in carcinogenesis and cellular response to cancer therapies.Both of these transcription factors regulate gene expression of genes involved in cell death and proliferation,in some cases cooperating towards producing the same outcome and in some others mediating opposing effects.It is thus apparent that fine tuning of the activity of these transcription factors is essential to determine the cellular response to therapeutic regimens,in other words whether tumor cells will commit to apoptosis or evade engagement with the anti-proliferative effects of drugs leading to drug resistance.Our observations support the notion that the functional crosstalk between HIF-1α and p53 pathways and thus the fine tuning of their transcriptional activity is mediated by cofactors shared between the two transcription factors such as components of the p300 co-activator multiprotein complex.In particular,there is evidence to suggest that differential composition of the co-modulatory protein complexes associated with p53 and HIF-la under diverse types of stress conditions differentially regulate the expression of distinct subsets of p53 and HIF-la target genes involved in processes such as cell cycle arrest,apoptosis,chronic inflammation,and cellular energy metabolism thereby determining the cellular fate under particular types of microenvironmental stress.

Corrigendum to“Monitoring dynamics of defects and single Fe atoms in N-functionalized few-layer graphene by in situ temperature programmed scanning transmission electron microscopy”[JECHEM 64(2022)520-530]

The authors regret that the word“trim/trims”has been wrongly used in the overall text,and instead the correct word“edge/edges”should have been used.The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Indoor Air Quality(IAQ)Evaluation of Higher Education Learning Environments

2022 Indoor Air Quality(IAQ),particularly in educational facilities,is gaining considerable interest and is a synonymous indicator towards evaluating human comfort.Factors such as CO_(2) concentration,temperature,and humidity play crucial parts in determining an acceptable level of IAQ.Many studies have also demonstrated that the indoor air quality of classrooms affects students’concentration and performance.Today with the threat of a global pandemic,the demand of clean&fresh indoor air quality in education buildings is extremely intensive.This study focuses on investigating IAQ situations and changes in different typical functional spaces of a higher education building in the UK.CO_(2),temperature,and humidity data in various learning environment were monitored via data loggers during the winter.Associated with data monitoring,a set of questionnaires surveys were carried out to evaluate the user’s experience.The results of this study show that temperature and CO_(2) concentration in the classrooms was constantly higher than the government guidance on a daily basis.The analysis also shows that temperature and humidity increased with CO_(2) levels,but at a much lower rate.This study has revealed poor and concerning IAQ in higher education buildings in the UK,particularly in larger rooms with high occupancy.Along with the findings,this paper also identifies possible impact or factors and proposes solutions to overcome these issues.

A Clinical Investigation to Evaluate the Safety and Performance of a Novel Self-Administered Treatment Kit for Ingrowing Toenail

Background: Ingrown toenail often results in a painful cycle of infection and inflammation and can affect the ability to go about everyday activities. In the UK and Europe, there are limited ways to prevent the development of ingrowing toenail without specialist intervention. Treatments are often invasive and may require periods of time off work. This prospective, single-site, non-comparative clinical study evaluates the performance, safety and convenience of a treatment kit that can be applied at home at the earliest signs of ingrowing toenail. Methods: Patients (n = 36) with mild ingrowing toenail used the Scholl Ingrowing Toenail Treatment kit for 6 weeks, with assessments by study investigators at Days 0, 21 and 42. The kit comprised a set of toenail clips and a spray, correct use of which was monitored at site visits and through patient diaries. Results: All patients enrolled in the study completed the 42-day treatment period. Severity of ingrowing toenail was significantly reduced in 88.9% (95% CI: 78.62, 99.15) of patients at the end of the study. Twenty-two patients (61.1%) exhibited full resolution of ingrowing toenail at Day 42 and none showed an increase in severity. Reduction in pain and severity of ingrowing toenail from baseline was significant at Days 21 and 42 (p Conclusions: The ingrowing toenail treatment kit was convenient and easy for patients to use at home and resulted in reduced pain and severity of ingrowing toenail at early stages of the condition.

Enhanced Nature Inspired-Support Vector Machine for Glaucoma Detection

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that can lead to blindness if left untreated.Early detection is crucial to prevent vision loss,but current manual scanning methods are expensive,time-consuming,and require specialized expertise.This study presents a novel approach to Glaucoma detection using the Enhanced Grey Wolf Optimized Support Vector Machine(EGWO-SVM)method.The proposed method involves preprocessing steps such as removing image noise using the adaptive median filter(AMF)and feature extraction using the previously processed speeded-up robust feature(SURF),histogram of oriented gradients(HOG),and Global features.The enhanced Grey Wolf Optimization(GWO)technique is then employed with SVM for classification.To evaluate the proposed method,we used the online retinal images for glaucoma analysis(ORIGA)database,and it achieved high accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity rates of 94%,92%,and 92%,respectively.The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other current algorithms in detecting the presence or absence of Glaucoma.This study provides a novel and effective approach to Glaucoma detection that can potentially improve the detection process and outcomes.

Effect of metal fractions on rice grain metal uptake and biological parameters in mica mines waste contaminated soils

Heavy metals from mica waste not only deteriorate the soil quality but also results in the uptake of metals in the crop.The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of different fractions of metals on the uptake in rice,soil microbial and biochemical properties in mica waste-contaminated soils of Jharkhand,India.From each active mine,soil samples were randomly collected at distances of<50 m(zone 1),50–100 m(zone 2),and>100 m(zone 3).Sequential metal extraction was used to determine the fractions of different metals(nickel(Ni),cadmium(Cd),chromium(Cr)and lead(Pb))including water-soluble(Ws)and exchangeable metals(Ex),carbonate-bound metals(CBD),Fe/Mn oxide(OXD)bound metals,organically bound metals(ORG),and residues(RS).The Ni,Cr,Cd and Pb in rice grain were 0.83±0.41,0.41±0.19,0.21±0.14 and 0.17±0.08 mg/kg respectively.From the variable importance plot of the random forest(RF)algorithm,the Ws fraction of Ni,Cr and Cd and Ex fraction of Pb was the most important predictor for rice grain metal content.Further,the partial dependence plots(PDP)give us an insight into the role of the two most important metal fractions on rice grain metal content.The microbial and enzyme activity was significantly and negatively correlated with Ws and Ex metal fractions,indicating that water-soluble and exchangeable fractions exert a strong inhibitory effect on the soil microbiological parameters and enzyme activities.

中国中部寄生虫病的景观控制(英文)

多房棘球绦虫(Echinococcus multilocularis)的幼虫期导致罕见而致命的肝病即人类的泡型包虫病(HAE)。绦虫在狐狸(或狗类)与一些小型哺乳类动物之间以寄生虫-寄主的方式进行循环传播。中国中部一些地区的人类泡型包虫病属于地方流行病,在部分乡村的发生概率达到15%。本文研究如何利用遥感数据并基于地区景观特性获取该流行病清晰地空间危害分布图。遥感数据分析的结果显示,人类居住地附近的草地或灌木是HAE传播的一个主要危险区域,从空间分布上看,这些区域是小型哺乳动物等中间寄主的聚集处。

生物对流纳米流体流动的von Kármán分解法模拟（英文）

本研究分析了纳米流体从旋转圆盘中流过时的三维黏性时变旋流生物对流。圆盘的变形沿径向进行,同时考虑Stefan吹气,通过对Buongiorno纳米流体模型的分析,发现布朗运动和热泳动在纳米尺度上起着主导作用。在适当的壁面(圆盘表面)和自由流边界条件下,建立了原始质量守恒方程、径向动量、切向动量和轴向动量、热量、纳米粒子浓度和微生物密度函数。将这个高度非线性、强耦合的非定常偏微分方程系统用经典的von Kármán和其他变换进行归一化,从而将边值问题转化为一个常微分系统。产生的11阶系统包括多种无量纲流动参数,即生物对流Lewis数、不稳定参数、普通Lewis数、Prandtl数、质量对流Biot数、Peclet数、Stefan吹气参数。利用先进的半解析方法得到了系统的解,即Adomian分解法。利用Runge-Kutta拍摄技术计算的早期文献对上述问题进行了验证。

多孔介质中垂直圆柱内Casson流体热对流的瞬态分析:熵产和热能转移可视化（英文）

随着多孔介质在过滤系统、多孔轴承、多孔隔热层、生物力学、地质力学等方面的应用日益广泛,多孔介质中的热传输引起了工程科学领域的广泛兴趣。基于上述应用,本文就熵产对Casson黏塑性流体在多孔介质中均匀加热垂直圆柱上的分层不可压缩边界层流动中传热和动量传递的影响进行了数值研究。采用Darcy定律模拟了各向同性均质多孔介质在低Reynolds数时的体阻力效应,并进行热线可视化。利用适当的变换变量,推导了数学模型并进行归一化。利用隐式有限差分法求解了具有相关边界条件的非线性时变耦合控制方程,该方法有效且无条件稳定。结果表明,随着Darcy数、Casson流体参数、群参数和Grashof数的增大,熵产和Bejan数均增大。除了流线和等温线外,绘制热线为分析二维区域内的传热过程提供了一种很好的方法。结果表明,随着Darcy数的增加,热壁之间的传热线偏差减小。

Natures Buildings as Trees: Biologically Inspired Glass as an Energy System

The adaptive capacity in creating intelligent glass surfaces will be investigated using the principles of solar absorbance and active fluidic conductivity management as an energy system. To act as a thermal adsorption layer by applying bio-logically inspired engineering aims, of capture in enabling thermal transfer and control to regulate material composition. The creation of an adaptive cooling layer, by responsive measures to mirror our eco-systems through the employment of programmable self-awareness measures to regulate solar adsorption. These strategies for adaptation could enable the transformation of tall buildings, from mere material entities to mimic the intelligent surfaces of trees. Nature’s eco-systems are living multi-functional mechanical information systems of chemical composition forming hierarchical structures. They have the ability to learn and adapt to changing climatic circumstance by self-regulation of solar adsorption, to achieve material thermal management. These programmable controls of adaptive material performance change in relationship to solar capture. Could this be harnessed to exploit the functionalities and behavior of materials on the surfaces of buildings to act as an energy system, by the application of bio-logically inspired engineering aims: 1) Material absorbency: thermal conductivity adsorption of solar irradiance. 2) Adaptive real-time performance: material autonomy.