Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals is critical for improving access to safe surgery in low- and middle-income countries. Patient safety precautions in surgical training include restricting the number of trainees present in the operating room, imposing limitations on how many surgeons can be trained simultaneously. The use of head-mounted cameras is suggested as a means to enhance and make surgical training more accessible by enabling remote viewing of surgical procedures from the surgeon's point-of-view. This research explores healthcare professionals' acceptance of incorporating a head-mounted smart camera as a complementary tool in surgical training. The case study, conducted during three surgical training workshops in Kenya and Ethiopia, utilized a modified UTAUT model. Questionnaires and five semi-structured interviews were employed, revealing a high level of technology acceptance. While some drawbacks were noted, overall positivity was expressed. The smart camera did in many ways align well with the needs of surgeons and anesthesiologists. Challenges mainly revolved around facilitating conditions such as poor connectivity and costs. Although the smart camera in many aspects enhanced the efficiency of surgical training, the findings highlight its inability to fully replace direct observation in the operating room.

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Thesis(M.Com. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the use of mobile technology in SMEs for the improvement of the supply chain. The study uses the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology Readiness Index (TRI) as theories. This study has four objectives: (1) To identify the determinants of the use of mobile technology in supply chains of SMEs, (2) To determine the level of adoption of mobile technology in the supply chain of SMEs, (3)To determine the relationships between determinants of the use of mobile technology and the adoption of mobile technology in the supply chain of SMEs, and (4) To determine the relationship between mobile technology adoption and supply chain performance. The study uses a quantitative approach. Exploratory and correlation research is used to determine the determinants of adoption of mobile technology. The study population are SMEs in Polokwane Local Municipality. A sample of 122 is used and aself administered questionnaire is used to collect primary data. Data analysis is carried out utilising SPSS version 27. A Cronbach alpha test is carried out to measure the internal reliability of the research instrument. The results show that there are positive relationships between determinants of the use of mobile technology and the adoption of mobile technology in the supply chain of SMEs and that there is a positive relationship between mobile technology adoption and supply chain performance. It is recommended to businesses to take into consideration the determinants of mobile technology adoptionin attempting to improve their supply chain performance and to adopt the mobile technology to enhance productivity and the processes of supply chain for those who have not adopted it. The research contributes to the knowledge about the factors influencing the use of mobile technology in SMEs for the improvement of supply chains / Service SETA

Wearable technology has made a positive impact in the consumer industry with its focus on adult fitness. Devices and applications are pervasive, inexpensive and are in high demand. Our nation struggles with obesity and health concerns related to poor fitness. However, the research on such technology has been more focused on adults. Therefore, the need to investigate wearable technology for fitness improvement with children is essential. Children lead increasingly sedentary lifestyles through TV watching, technology-use and a reduction in physical activities. Further, our society is exposed to quick food loaded with calories. These factors contribute to the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. The need to educate students early, on their ability to monitor their fitness, is the focus of this research. This dissertation investigated the impact of an integrated technology-enhanced physical education model with 127 fifth grade students over an 11-week period. A detailed analysis, looking at theoretical perspectives across multiple data collections was conducted. This study answered the questions, 1. To what extent can students improve their performance with technology-enhanced physical education? 2. To what extent can students learn to self-monitor their performance levels? How do affective components impact teaching and learning with a technology-enhanced physical education model? Results showed that technology-enhanced physical education does improve performance measures, does improve students' ability to self-regulate and positively impacts student and teachers' affective states. However long term results were inconclusive, stimulating multiple, potential opportunities for continued research.

In this research, we aimed to develop thin-film devices on a polymer substrate and an alternative 3D-printed device with macroelectrodes for treating gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. First, the fabrication of thin-film devices was demonstrated on a softening thiol-ene/acrylate polymer utilizing titanium nitride (TiN) as electrode material. This was achieved by utilizing cleanroom fabrication processes such as photolithography, wet and dry etching. The functionality of the device was shown by performing electrochemical characterization tests, mainly cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and voltage transient. We synthesized a novel thiol-ene/acrylate polymer based on 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (TATATO), trimethylolpropanetris (3-mercaptopropionate) (TMTMP), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). We show that this stretchable shape memory polymer substrate is well suited for cleanroom processes. Finally, for the high throughput of the wearable devices with electrodes size 10 mm in diameter, we implemented single electrode fabrication using printed circuit boards (PCBs) and depositing gold (Au) and TiN on the plated side of PCBs utilizing the sputtering tool. This step was followed by the assembly of those single electrodes on the flexible 3D printed device. We showed that the TiN electrode material performed better in terms of charge storage capacity and charge injection capacity than the widely used stainless steel electrode material for wearables.

Low back pain (LBP) remains the most prevalent and costly work-related disability worldwide and is directly associated with "physical" risk factors prevalent in manual material handling (MMH) tasks. Back-support exoskeletons (BSEs) are a promising ergonomic intervention to mitigate LBP risk, by reducing muscular exertion and spine loading. The purpose of this work was to help better understand both the "intended" and "unintended" consequences of BSE use on physical risk factors for LBP, as an essential prerequisite for the safe and effective implementation of this technology in actual workplaces. The first study assessed the effects of using two BSEs on objective and subjective responses during repetitive lifting involving symmetric and asymmetric postures. Wearing both BSEs significantly reduced peak levels of trunk extensor muscle activity and reduced energy expenditure. Such reductions, though, were more pronounced in the symmetric conditions and differed between the two BSEs tested. The second study quantified the assistive torque profiles of two passive BSEs using a computerized dynamometer, with both human subjects and a mannequin. Clear differences in torque magnitudes were evident between the BSEs, though both generated more assistive torques during flexion than extension. The third study estimated the effects of BSE use on lumbosacral compressive and shear forces during repetitive lifting using an optimization-based model. Using both BSEs reduced peak compression and anteroposterior shear forces, but these effects differed between tasks and BSE designs. Reductions in composite measures of trunk muscle activity did not correspond consistently with changes in spine forces when using a BSE. The fourth study quantified the effects of two passive BSEs on trunk stability and movement coordination during repetitive lifting. Some adverse effects on stability were evident for pelvis and thorax movements and coupling of these body segments, suggesting that caution is needed in selecting a BSE for a given MMH task. Overall, we found that the efficacy of BSEs is design- and task-specific. Important safety features of the exoskeletons were also identified, providing insights on their performance boundaries. Overall, the BSEs tested were more effective and safer in tasks closer to the mid-sagittal plane and with moderate degrees of trunk flexion. / Doctor of Philosophy / Low back pain (LBP) remains the most prevalent and costly work-related disability worldwide, and the risk of LBP is related to "physical" risk factors common in manual material handling (MMH) tasks. Back-support exoskeletons (BSEs) are a new ergonomic intervention that may reduce the risk of occupational LBP, by reducing muscular efforts and loads on the spine. For the safe use of BSEs, though, it is critical to better understand both the "intended" and "unintended" consequences of this emerging technology. In this dissertation, such consequences of BSE use were evaluated in the context of repetitive lifting tasks. The first study assessed the efficacy of two BSEs in terms of physical demands during repetitive lifting tasks involving a range of torso bending and twisting. Wearing both BSEs reduced the physical demands on back muscles and decreased energy consumption. Larger reductions, though, were observed in forward bending and such reductions differed between the two BSEs tested. The second study measured the amount of support provided by two BSEs using a new measurement method, which was examined for both human subjects and a mannequin. Clear differences in the BSE support were evident between the BSEs, and both devices generated more support during torso forward bending than returning upright. The third study estimated the effects of BSE use on low back loadings during repetitive lifting using a computational model. Using both BSEs reduced loads on the low back region, though such reductions were task-specific and depended on the BSE design. The fourth study quantified the effects of the BSE use on torso stability and movement patterns during repetitive lifting. Some adverse effects on stability were evident for lower and upper torso, suggesting that caution is needed in selecting a BSE for a given MMH task. Findings from this work show the potential benefits of BSEs for use in MMH tasks, yet such benefits can depend on the BSE design and the MMH task they are used for. Further, BSE use can lead to adverse effects, especially with tasks involving extreme working postures.