User Perceptions of Neuromorphic and Flat User Interface Designs: A Comparative Study

Viral-bacterial codetection is common and may increase clinical severity, but evidence in the Peruvian pediatric population is limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and seasonal characteristics associated with viral-bacterial codetection in children hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). Cross-sectional secondary database study from a private hospital in Lima, Peru. We included patients < 13 years hospitalized for LRTIs with RT-qPCR results for respiratory viruses and/or bacteria. Viral-bacterial codetection was compared against other detection patterns using Poisson regression for binary outcomes and linear regression for continuous outcomes, with false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple comparisons. A total of 548 patients were included (median age 2.0 years; 50.5% female). Viral-bacterial codetection was identified in 21.5% of patients (n = 118), with RSV + Haemophilus influenzae being the most frequent combination. Compared with other detection patterns, viral-bacterial codetection was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of crackles (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.08-1.57), lower oxygen saturation at admission (β: -0.57; 95% CI: -1.04 to - 0.10), higher platelet counts (β: 30,452; 95% CI: 5,113-55,792), higher hemoglobin levels (β: 0.29g/dL; 95% CI: 0.03-0.56), and longer hospital stay (β: 0.66 days; 95% CI: 0.02-1.29). However, after FDR correction for multiple comparisons, none of these associations reached statistical significance (q-values: 0.056-0.113). No difference was detected according to seasonality. Viral-bacterial codetection was common and was associated with crackles, lower oxygen saturation, longer hospital stay, and higher platelet counts; however, after FDR correction, none of these associations remained statistically significant, underscoring the exploratory nature of these findings and the need for larger, confirmatory studies.

Abstract. This study examined the external factors of education and training on TAM with three research models, namely the relationship of education and training to perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use; the relationship perceived ease of use towards perceived usefulness; and the relationship perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness to behavioral intention. The research sample was students who took the SAP Finance in semester 20182019 as many as 163. The research model was analyzed using Structural Equation Model variant base with SmartPLS 2.0. The results of the study stated that education and training had a significant effect on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, perceived ease of use had a significant effect on perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use had a significant effect on behavioral intention. Only the perceived usefulness does not significantly effect on the behavioral intention to use ERP system. This might be due to the respondents being students who do not have experience in the world of work so that they are less aware of the benefits to the system that is used in real terms.Keywords. Behavioral Intention; Education and Training; Tecnology Acceptance Model (TAM).Abstrak. Penelitian ini menguji faktor eksternal pendidikan dan pelatihan terhadap TAM dengan tiga model penelitian, yaitu hubungan pendidikan dan pelatihan terhadap perceived usefulness dan perceived ease of use; hubungan perceived ease of use terhadap perceived usefulness; dan hubungan perceived ease of use dan perceived usefulness terhadap behavioral intention. Sampel peneitian ini adalah mahasiswa yang mengambil matakuliah SAP Keuangan semester ganjil 20182019 sebanyak 163. Model penelitian dianalisis menggunakan Struktural Equation Model berbasis varian (SEM) dengan SmartPLS 2.0. Hasil penelitian menyatakan bahwa pendidikan dan pelatihan berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap perceived usefulness dan perceived ease of use, perceived ease of use memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap perceived usefulness, dan perceived ease of use memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap behavioral intention. Hanya perceived usefulness yang mempengaruhi tidak signifikan terhadap behavioral intention sistem ERP. Hal ini mungkin disebabkan responden adalah mahasiswa yang belum memiliki pengalaman di duni kerja sehingga kurang merasankan manfaat terhadap sistem yang digunakan secara nyata.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Perceived Usefulness on Behavioral Intention, to analyze the effect of Perceived Ease of Use on Behavioral Intention and to analyze the effect of Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use together on Behavioral Intention. The scope of this study focuses on perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, as independent variables, and behavioral intention as the dependent variable. Henceforth, these variables will be analyzed to what extent these variables affect the process stage of consumer behavioral intention (the dependent variable) in PayTren application users. This research was conducted on 100 Paytren application users in the Greater Jakarta area. This research was conducted by providing questionnaires in the form of online questionnaires using Google Doc media and data collection was carried out over a period of two months from March to May 2022. Based on the research that has been done and the results obtained, the conclusions that can be drawn in research regarding the analysis of the use of the PayTren payment system in fostering consumer behavioral intention, it can be concluded as follows, the variable perceived usefulness has a partially significant effect on behavioral intention. The perceived ease of use variable has a partially significant effect on behavioral intention. The variable perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use simultaneously has a significant influence simultaneously on behavioral intention.

Nurses’ behavioral intention in using virtual clinical simulation training: By structural equation modeling

This study aims to examine the effect of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention to actually use accounting software. Therefore, the variables of this study consist of 4 (four) independent variables, they are perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, intervening variable is behavioral intention and dependent variable is actual system use. The population of this study is the owner of the MSMEs food and beverages in Mataram city. Samples were taken using the solvin formula. Data obtained by distributing questionnaires to 50 respondents. Questionnaires are returned and can be used as many is 46 questionnaries. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS) with SmartPLS 3.0 software. The results indicate that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use doesn't affect significantly to the actual system use, instead of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use has a significant effect on the behavioral intention. Behavioral intention has a significant effect on the actual system use, perceived usefulness has a significant effect on the actual system use through behavioral intention, perceived ease of use doesn't affect significantly to the actual system use through behavioral intention.

Dyslexia research in China is crucial because of limited awareness, lack of tools, and insufficient support. These issues seriously hinder students' academic success. To address this gap, this study examines how history-related short videos on social media platforms influence the learning behavior of students with dyslexia. This study introduces dyslexia as a moderating variable within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework for the first time, addressing a significant gap in understanding how learning differences influence technology adoption in educational contexts. History poses special challenges for learners with dyslexia because it requires extensive reading and complex texts. Short videos may offer a more accessible and engaging alternative. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 university students in Hebei province, China using a self-administered questionnaire. Several scales were used in the survey: Quality of Content (CQ), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), Behavioral Intention (BI), Dyslexia Scale, and Learning Behavior (LB). Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were performed. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. The results show positive correlations among key variables. Content quality was positively correlated with perceived usefulness (r=0.369), perceived ease of use (r=0.329), and behavioral intention (r=0.203), all p<0.01. Ease of use is also associated with usefulness (r=0.323), and usefulness with intention (r=0.249). Learning intention further predicts behavior (r=0.359). However, the direct link between ease of use and behavioral intention is not significant (p=0.17). Dyslexia significantly moderates the relationship between PEOU and PU (p<0.001). However, it does not significantly affect the relationships between (1) PEOU and BI or (2) PU and BI, though these effects approach marginal significance. Students with dyslexia show different levels of learning intention depending on content quality, ease of use, and usefulness. Dyslexia significantly moderates some of these relationships. The findings suggest that history-related short videos can be effective educational tools, especially when they emphasize usability and usefulness.

Synaptic loss is a primary pathology in Alzheimer’s disease and correlates best with cognitive impairment as found in post-mortem studies. Previously, we observed in vivo reductions of synaptic density with [11C]UCB-J PET (radiotracer for synaptic vesicle protein 2A) throughout the neocortex and medial temporal brain regions in early Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we applied independent component analysis to synaptic vesicle protein 2A-PET data to identify brain networks associated with cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease in a blinded data-driven manner. [11C]UCB-J binding to synaptic vesicle protein 2A was measured in 38 Alzheimer’s disease (24 mild Alzheimer’s disease dementia and 14 mild cognitive impairment) and 19 cognitively normal participants. [11C]UCB-J distribution volume ratio values were calculated with a whole cerebellum reference region. Principal components analysis was first used to extract 18 independent components to which independent component analysis was then applied. Subject loading weights per pattern were compared between groups using Kruskal–Wallis tests. Spearman’s rank correlations were used to assess relationships between loading weights and measures of cognitive and functional performance: Logical Memory II, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test—long delay, Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes and Mini-Mental State Examination. We observed significant differences in loading weights among cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer’s disease dementia groups in 5 of the 18 independent components, as determined by Kruskal–Wallis tests. Only Patterns 1 and 2 demonstrated significant differences in group loading weights after correction for multiple comparisons. Excluding the cognitively normal group, we observed significant correlations between the loading weights for Pattern 1 (left temporal cortex and the cingulate gyrus) and Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes (r = −0.54, P = 0.0019), Mini-Mental State Examination (r = 0.48, P = 0.0055) and Logical Memory II score (r = 0.44, P = 0.013). For Pattern 2 (temporal cortices), significant associations were demonstrated between its loading weights and Logical Memory II score (r = 0.34, P = 0.0384). Following false discovery rate correction, only the relationship between the Pattern 1 loading weights with Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes (r = −0.54, P = 0.0019) and Mini-Mental State Examination (r = 0.48, P = 0.0055) remained statistically significant. We demonstrated that independent component analysis could define coherent spatial patterns of synaptic density. Furthermore, commonly used measures of cognitive performance correlated significantly with loading weights for two patterns within only the mild cognitive impairment/mild Alzheimer’s disease dementia group. This study leverages data-centric approaches to augment the conventional region-of-interest–based methods, revealing distinct patterns that differentiate between mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer’s disease dementia, marking a significant advancement in the field.

Aims: Sleep dysfunction is common in the prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Several thalamic nuclei are implicated in promoting and maintaining sleep. We investigated the relationship between thalamic nuclei volumes and sleep in people without dementia with respect to dementia family history (FHD) and apolipoprotein e4 allele (APOE4) carriership.Methods: 700 participants aged 40–59 years were recruited into the PREVENT Dementia study. 645 participants underwent T1-weighted 3T MRI scans. The thalamus was segmented into six regions; 1) anterior, 2) lateral, 3) ventral, 4)intralaminar, 5) medial and 6) posterior using Freesurfer 7.1.0 and underwent ComBAT harmonisation. Subjective sleep data was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, which quantifies sleep using seven components and a total score. 586 participants were included for analysis with respect to FHD and 590 for APOE4 carriership. Logistic regression or robust linear regression with age, sex, total intracranial volume and depression as covariates and false discovery rate correction (FDR) for multiple comparisons was used.Results: Smaller volumes of the whole thalamus (p=0.0391), posterior region (pFDR=0.042), and within the posterior region the lateral geniculate (pFDR=0.019), and pulvinar anterior (pFDR=0.019) and medial nuclei (pFDR=0.019), were associated with worse perceived quality of sleep in the FHD positive group. Smaller volumes of the thalamus (p=0.041) in the FHD positive group were associated with greater sleep disturbances. We did not find any relationship between thalamic volumes and FHD in predicting total scores, sleep duration, latency, efficiency, use of medications to aid sleep or daytime dysfunction.However, larger thalamic volumes were associated with a significantly lower total Pittsburgh score, indicating less overall sleep dysfunction (p=0.014) in non-carriers. A similar trend was seen with the lateral, ventral and intralaminar subregions, but they did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. We did not find any association between thalamic volumes and APOE4 carriership in predicting sleep quality, duration, latency, efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medications or daytime dysfunction.Conclusion: Our results suggest some early sleep changes related to thalamic volume, particularly in individuals with dementia family history. It is possible the thalamus and nuclei within the posterior thalamus may exert beneficial effects in preserving the quality of sleep in this group.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the Caucasian population and is associated with increased incidence and unfavorable outcome of many diseases, including various types of cancer, infectious, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases. Individual factors that predispose for a person's vitamin D status, such as skin type, have been identified, but limited data exist on genetic determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration. We have tested the hypothesis that variants of genes (single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) involved in skin pigmentation are predictive of serum 25(OH)D levels. Serum 25(OH)D and SNPs (n = 960) related to genes with relevance for skin pigmentation (tyrosinase [TYR], TYR-related protein 1 [TYRP1], dopachrome tautomerase [DCT], oculocutaneous albinism II [OCA2], two pore segment channel 2 [TPCN2], solute carrier family 24 A4 [SLC24A4], solute carrier family 45 A2 [SLC45A2], agouti signalling peptide [ASIP], cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor [ATF1], microphthalmia-associated transcription factor [MITF], proopiomelanocortin [POMC], cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit beta [PRKACB], cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit gamma [PRKACG], cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I-alpha regulatory subunit [PRKAR1A], cAMP-dependent protein kinase type II-alpha regulatory subunit [PRKAR2A], cAMP-dependent protein kinase type II-beta regulatory subunit [PRKAR2B], tubulin beta-3 chain/melanocortin receptor 1 [TUBB3/MC1R], Cadherin-1 [CDH1], catenin beta 1 [CTNNB1], Endothelin 1 [EDN1], endothelin 3 [EDN3], endothelin receptor type B [EDNRB], fibroblast growth factor 2 [FGF2], KIT, KIT ligand [KITLG], nerve growth factor [NGF], interferon regulatory factor 4 [IRF4], exocyst complex component 2 [EXOC2], and tumor protein 53 [TP53]) were analyzed in a cohort of participants of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 2970). A total of 46 SNPs were associated (P <.05) with lower or higher serum 25(OH)D levels as compared with the total cohort (median, 15.5 ng/mL). Although 1 SNP in the EXOC2 gene reached the aimed significance level after correction for multiple comparisons (false discovery rate) and was associated with a Δ25(OH)D value more than 5.00 ng/mL, 11 SNPs located in the TYR (n = 4), PRKACG (n = 1), EDN1 (n = 3), TYRP1 (n = 1), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (n = 2) genes reached the aimed significance level after false discovery rate correction but were not associated with Δ25(OH)D value more than 5.00 ng/mL. We conclude that variants of genes involved in skin pigmentation are predictive of serum 25(OH)D levels in the Caucasian population. Our data indicate that out of the variants in 29 different genes analyzed, variants of 11 genes, including EXOC2, TYR, and TYRP1, have the highest impact on vitamin D status. Our results have a fundamental importance to understand the role of sunlight, skin pigmentation, and vitamin D for the human evolution.

The study aims to assess the prospect of using recombinant collagen-like protein (RCLP) from producers’ point of view. Using cross-sectional data from a survey, the study attempts to validate the proposed hypothesis within Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by using the Partial Least Square (PLS) path modeling approach (a variance-based SEM technique). Results show a direct positive and significant relations between ‘perceive ease of use’ and ‘attitude toward’, ‘perceived ease of use’ and ‘perceived usefulness’, ‘attitude toward’ and ‘behavioural intention’, and ‘perceived usefulness’ and ‘behavioural intention’ of producing collagen products sourced from recombinant collagen-like protein among firms. The results imply the high potential end collagen products to be marketed using this alternative source of collagen which is environmentally friendly and promotes sustainable development.

BackgroundTeaching engineering at a high school level has been a subject of substantial concern during recent curriculum reforms. Many countries are increasingly including engineering-focused subjects in their technology curriculum guidelines. However, technology teachers face challenges regarding the optimal implementation of an engineering-focused curriculum. It is essential to understand technology teachers’ perceptions of and behavior in classroom practices when teaching an engineering-focused curriculum. To explore the factors influencing the effective implementation of the curriculum, this study aimed to explore the association between technology teachers’ perceptions regarding curriculum guidelines (i.e., perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and beliefs) and their behavioral intentions. In addition, this study explored how these perceptions change for teachers who participated in a professional development program (PDP) for teaching an engineering-focused curriculum compared with those who did not participate in the program (NoPDP).ResultsIn this study, structural equation modeling was used to investigate factors potentially influencing teachers’ behavioral intentions, including subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. The results showed that technology teachers’ behavioral intentions were influenced by their perceptions of the curriculum's usefulness. Subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were also significant determinants of behavioral intentions. Moreover, the results differed between the two groups. Perceived usefulness had direct and indirect effects on the behavioral intentions of the PDP and NoPDP groups, respectively.ConclusionsWe constructed a model of technology teachers’ behavioral intentions to implement an engineering-focused curriculum and identified factors influencing technology teachers’ behavioral intentions to implement an engineering-focused curriculum. Our conclusions are as follows: (1) the model was adequate for determining the factors influencing technology teachers’ behavioral intentions; (2) in the PDP group, perceived usefulness, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were significantly associated with behavioral intentions; and (3) in the NoPDP group, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were associated with behavioral intentions and self-reported behavior only via the mediating factor of beliefs. The above influencing factors should be taken into account when planning professional development programs for pre- and in-service teachers, as these programs will have implications regarding the successful implementation of an engineering-focused curriculum.

An online train ticketing system, called KAI Access, has been introduced by Indonesian Railways despite some other online platforms introduced earlier by private service providers. While the older generation may still have difficulty in using the online platform, the millennial generation, mostly university students, are faster in mastering the platform, including the online ticketing system. The purposes of this study are (1) to determine university students’ perception of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) variable and (2) to measure the effect of Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and Attitude towards Usage variables on Behavioral Intention. Questionnaires were distributed to university students who have used KAI Access. From 350 data collected, 335 data were valid for further analysis. Variance-based SEM PLS was used to determine the relationship between variables. The results show that Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness have a direct positive and significant effect on Behavioral Intention, while Attitude towards Usage has no significant influence on Behavioral Intention. The implication for management is to provide a better ticketing system which can create users’ positive attitude to use it. Further research may compare several online ticketing service systems and involve other variables to predict consumers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions.

This study examines the intention to adopt digital banking in Saudi Arabia by integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). It includes Perceived Web Security (PWS) and Age as moderators, addressing trust and security perceptions across user segments in emerging markets. Data were collected from 353 digital banking users in Saudi Arabia using a cross-sectional quantitative design. The model was tested via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), assessing measurement validity, path significance, moderation, and mediation effects. Predictive accuracy was evaluated with in-sample (R²) and out-of-sample (Q², PLS-Predict) indicators. The results confirmed the significance of core TAM variables—Perceived Ease of Use (PEU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), and Attitude Toward Use (ATU)—on Behavioral Intention (BI). Attitude was a strong predictor of BI, but Subjective Norms (SN) and Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) were not significant. PWS moderated the ATU–BI relationship, enhancing intention under high security perception, but Age's dual-moderation effect was unsupported. Sequential mediation analysis validated that PEU and PU influence BI indirectly via ATU. This study enhances digital adoption research through a validated dual-level moderation model combining security perception and age. It refines TAM-TPB integration and offers practical insights for creating secure, user-centered digital banking systems tailored to specific cultures.

In recent years, the increasing integration of digital financial services has prompted interest in understanding the factors that influence e-wallet adoption, especially among students in higher education. This study aimed to assess the readiness of graduate students for e-wallet adoption and behavioral intentions at a local university in the Philippines. Specifically, it examined respondents’ readiness along six key factors: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived security, and perceived trust, and their relationship to behavioral intention toward online payments. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, and a validated survey questionnaire was administered to a total of 195 respondents, selected from a population of 285 graduate students enrolled in the second semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, with statistical significance set at 0.05. Findings revealed that the respondents strongly agreed with most indicators of adoption readiness, particularly in terms of perceived ease of use and usefulness. The study also found a firm behavioral intention to use e-wallets, especially for university-related financial transactions. Among socio-demographic variables, only educational attainment showed a significant difference in perceived usefulness. Moreover, all six factors of adoption readiness were significantly and positively correlated with behavioral intention, with perceived usefulness, ease of use, and facilitating conditions emerging as the strongest predictors. The study concludes that higher education students are generally ready and willing to adopt e-wallets, influenced primarily by how helpful and easy these systems are to use, as well as the support available to facilitate their adoption. These results suggest that institutions and service providers should enhance their security measures, digital infrastructure, and awareness campaigns to improve adoption further and sustain usage. The findings also support the application of the UTAUT framework in local e-wallet adoption contexts.

We examined the effect of HLA class I haplotypes on HIV-1 seroconversion and disease progression in the Pumwani sex worker cohort. This study included 595 HIV-1 positive patients and 176 HIV negative individuals. HLA-A, -B, and -C were typed to 4-digit resolution using sequence-based typing method. HLA class I haplotype frequencies were estimated using PyPop 32-0.6.0. The influence of haplotypes on time to seroconversion and CD4+ T cell decline to <200 cells/mm3 were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis using SPSS 13.0. Before corrections for multiple comparisons, three 2-loci haplotypes were significantly associated with faster seroconversion, including A*23∶01-C*02∶02 (p = 0.014, log rank(LR) = 6.06, false-discovery rate (FDR) = 0.056), B*42∶01-C*17∶01 (p = 0.01, LR = 6.60, FDR = 0.08) and B*07∶02-C*07∶02 (p = 0.013, LR = 6.14, FDR = 0.069). Two A*74∶01 containing haplotypes, A*74∶01-B*15∶03 (p = 0.047, LR = 3.942, FDR = 0.068) and A*74∶01-B*15∶03-C*02∶02 (p = 0.045, LR = 4.01, FDR = 0.072) and B*14∶02-C*08∶02 (p = 0.021, LR = 5.36, FDR = 0.056) were associated with slower disease progression. Five haplotypes, including A*30∶02-B*45∶01 (p = 0.0008, LR = 11.183, FDR = 0.013), A*30∶02-C*16∶01 (p = 0.015, LR = 5.97, FDR = 0.048), B*53∶01-C*04∶01 (p = 0.010, LR = 6.61, FDR = 0.08), B*15∶10-C*03∶04 (p = 0.031, LR = 4.65, FDR = 0.062), and B*58∶01-C*03∶02 (p = 0.037, LR = 4.35, FDR = 0.066) were associated with faster progression to AIDS. After FDR corrections, only the associations of A*30∶02-B*45∶01 and A*30∶02-C*16∶01 with faster disease progression remained significant. Cox regression and deconstructed Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the associations of haplotypes of A*23∶01-C*02∶02, B*07∶02-C*07∶02, A*74∶01-B*15∶03, A*74∶01-B*15∶03-C*02∶02, B*14∶02-C*08∶02 and B*58∶01-C*03∶02 with differential seroconversion or disease progression are due to the dominant effect of a single allele within the haplotypes. The true haplotype effect was observed with A*30∶02-B*45∶01, A*30∶02-C*16∶02, B*53∶01-C*04∶01 B*15∶10-C*03∶04, and B*42∶01-C*17∶01. In these cases, the presence of both alleles accelerated the disease progression or seroconversion than any of the single allele within the haplotypes. Our study showed that the true effects of HLA class I haplotypes on HIV seroconversion and disease progression exist and the associations of HLA class I haplotype can also be due to the dominant effect of a single allele within the haplotype.