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Voice assistants have become embedded in people’s private spaces and domestic lives where they gather enormous amounts of personal information which is why they evoke serious privacy concerns. The paper reports the findings from a mixed-method study with 65 digital natives, their attitudes to privacy and actual and intended behaviour in privacy-sensitive situations and contexts. It also presents their recommendations to governments or organisations with regard to protecting their data. The results show that the majority are concerned about privacy but are willing to disclose personal data if the benefits outweigh the risks. The prevailing attitude is one characterised by uncertainty about what happens with their data, powerlessness about controlling their use, mistrust in big tech companies and uneasiness about the lack of transparency. Few take steps to self-manage their privacy, but rely on the government to take measures at the political and regulatory level. The respondents, however, show scant awareness of existing or planned legislation such as the GDPR and the Digital Services Act, respectively. A few participants are anxious to defend the analogue world and limit digitalization in general which in their opinion only opens the gate to surveillance and misuse.

With the increasing proliferation of security-critical voice-based services such as voice banking, user authentication on smart speakers is becoming a vital requirement. Prior research on verifying the speaker’s identity has been taken a technical perspective predominantly, while respective user-centered research is scarce. To investigate authentication methods for smart speakers from a user’s perspective, we conducted a multi-method experiment. In a comprehensive online survey (n = 696) and a comparative lab study (n = 18) with an advanced functional prototype we studied 6 authentication methods (spoken PIN, biometrics, app with button/voice confirmation, card reader, sound authentication) regarding their perceived security and ease of use. While token-based authentication approaches (in particular an authenticator app on a smartphone) typically are perceived as more secure, they are found inferior when it comes to the ease of use. The currently most frequently used authentication method for smart speakers, the spoken PIN method, seems to represent a compromise between security and ease of use. The sophisticated sound authentication was appreciated for its ease of use, however, was rated worst regarding the perceived security.

In a cross-national project, 14 neighborhoods from Germany, Austria and Switzerland were accompanied on their way to digitally supported neighborhood work. This paper discusses general requirements, choosing a suitable digital tool, the implementation process as well as the challenges faced by the various stakeholders. The following factors have been found to play a major role in sustainable neighborhood work: good fit with overall development strategy, interplay between online neighborhood work and physical interactions, strong existing neighborhood management structures, strategic planning of digitalization activities, start-up funding for innovation activities, and above all, the presence of a committed person or team as well as interesting content to attract users. Depending on the neighborhood, self-managed and individualistic solutions are preferred to generic and/or commercial solutions. There is no 'fit-forall' path to sustainable digitally supported neighborhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the theoretical concepts, design considerations and preliminary findings from Smart Mobility, a research project currently being undertaken by the Institute with the City of St. Gallen. The project aims at designing measures to encourage the increased use of public and non-motorised transport by integrating behavioural economic principles into public policy. The extensive involvement of citizens and their participation in the design of the measures are to support their democratic legitimization and later acceptance. The paper describes the energy policies behind the project and outlines the theoretical framework for integrating behavioural insights into the design of technology and into public policy. The strategies envisaged include participatory instruments and methods, especially the use of existing social media channels, capitalizing on social norms and commitments to increase the motivation of individuals to use public transport, creating an open innovation space by means of crowdsourcing as well as the proper framing of political communication to achieve changes in mobility patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a web-based electronic health platform designed for the assistance of patience with certain chronic diseases in order to achieve behavioral change. It focuses on the semantic retrieval component and the learning of a lightweight ontology from text documents through the use of a biogically-inspired neural network. Moreover, the authors note that they had manage knowledge information resources for the enhancement of their representation to make patient-centered information systems more easily accessible to human users.

The residential lighting conditions of elders are an important but frequently neglected aspect that may directly or indirectly infl uence important health and wellbeing parameters. Within the EU-funded project Ambient Lighting Assistance for an Ageing Population (ALADIN) a new adaptive lighting device that is capable to adapt to psycho-physiological parameters of an elderly person has been developed and pilot-tested under real life conditions. The main outcome criteria of this pilot study comprise wellbeing, life quality, mental and physical fi tness as well as sleep quality. The system was installed in the habitations of twelve subjects and evaluated for three months in a fi eld-test with technological support provided on demand. Results indicated a signifi - cant increase of wellbeing, life quality and mental fi tness. However, these results may not only be attributed to the infl uence of the lighting system. Social contacts due to participation in the study and the introduction of new technologies might also be responsible for the positive outcome concerning wellbeing and life quality. Therefore, the potential of ambient assisting technologies for improving the lives of the elderly could be further developed by embedding them into social settings and facilitating social contacts rather than understanding them as technological stand-alone solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most people wish to die at home, but most people in Switzerland die in hospitals or nursing homes. Family caregivers often offer support so patients with palliative care needs can stay at home for as long as possible. However, crises and unplanned hospital admissions often occur in this setting because of family caregiver strain and symptom severity in patients. The so-called smart devices such as wearables or smartphones offer the opportunity to continuously monitor certain parameters and recording symptom deteriorations. By providing professionals with this information in a timely manner, crises in the home could be avoided. Objective: The aim of this interdisciplinary study is to explore the symptom burden of people with palliative care needs who are cared for at home and to understand the development of crises in the home care setting. On the basis of the findings from this study, we will develop an early warning system to stabilize the home care situation and to prevent critical events from happening, thereby reducing avoidable hospitalizations. Methods: A mixed method study is being conducted consisting of 4 main consecutive phases: (1) developing the monitoring system; (2) pretesting the system and adapting it to user needs; (3) conducting the study in the palliative home care setting with approximately 40 patients; and (4) distinguishing symptom patterns from the collected data specific to crisis emergence, followed by the development of an early warning system to prevent such crises. In study phase 3, each patient will receive an upper arm sensor and a symptom diary to assess symptom burden related to patients and family caregivers. A within-case analysis will be conducted for each patient's situation followed by a cross-case comparison to identify certain symptom patterns that may predict symptom deterioration (study phase 4). Results: The collaboration with the local mobile palliative care team for participant recruitment and data collection has been established. Recruitment is forthcoming. Conclusions: We expect the findings of this study to provide holistic insight into symptom burden and the well-being of patients with palliative care needs and of their family caregivers. This information will be used to develop an early warning system to avoid the occurrence of potential crises, thereby improving palliative care provision at home. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID):  PRR1-10.2196/13933 We help JMIR researchers to raise funds to pursue their research and development aimed at tackling important health and technology challenges. If you would like to show your support for this author, please donate using the button below. The funds raised will directly benefit the corresponding author of this article (minus 8% admin fees). Your donations will help this author to continue publishing open access papers in JMIR journals. Donations of over $100 may also be acknowledged in future publications. Suggested contribution levels: $20/$50/$100 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planktic foraminifera census data have been used to reconstruct past temperatures through transfer functions, as well as changes in ocean ecosystems, chemistry and circulation. Here we present new multinet, plankton net and core-top census data from 20 sites in the Subpolar North Pacific. We combine these with previous data to provide an up to date compilation of North Pacific planktic foraminifera assemblage data. Our compilation is used to define 6 faunal zones: the subpolar zone; transitional zone; upwelling zone; subtropical zone; east equatorial zone; west equatorial zone; based on the distribution of 10 major species of planktic foraminifera. Two species of planktic foraminifera Neogloboquadrina pachyderma and Globigerina bulloides provide the basis for many subpolar paleo-reconstructions. Through the analysis of new multinet and CTD data we find that G. bulloides and N. pachyderma are predominantly found within 0–50 m of the water column and coincide with high food availability. N. pachyderma also shows a strong temperature control and can thrive in food poor waters where temperatures are low. Both species bloom seasonally, particularly during the spring bloom of March to June, with G. bulloides exhibiting greater seasonal variation. We suggest that percentage abundance of N. pachyderma in paleo-assemblages can be used to assess relative changes in past temperature, with G. bulloides abundance more likely to reflect changes in food availability. By comparing our core-top and multinet data, we also find a dissolution bias of G. bulloides over N. pachyderma in the North Pacific, which may enrich assemblages in the latter species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most people wish to die at home, but most people in Switzerland die in hospitals or nursing homes. Family caregivers often offer support so patients with palliative care needs can stay at home for as long as possible. However, crises and unplanned hospital admissions often occur in this setting because of family caregiver strain and symptom severity in patients. The so-called smart devices such as wearables or smartphones offer the opportunity to continuously monitor certain parameters and recording symptom deteriorations. By providing professionals with this information in a timely manner, crises in the home could be avoided., Objective: The aim of this interdisciplinary study is to explore the symptom burden of people with palliative care needs who are cared for at home and to understand the development of crises in the home care setting. On the basis of the findings from this study, we will develop an early warning system to stabilize the home care situation and to prevent critical events from happening, thereby reducing avoidable hospitalizations., Methods: A mixed method study is being conducted consisting of 4 main consecutive phases: (1) developing the monitoring system; (2) pretesting the system and adapting it to user needs; (3) conducting the study in the palliative home care setting with approximately 40 patients; and (4) distinguishing symptom patterns from the collected data specific to crisis emergence, followed by the development of an early warning system to prevent such crises. In study phase 3, each patient will receive an upper arm sensor and a symptom diary to assess symptom burden related to patients and family caregivers. A within-case analysis will be conducted for each patient's situation followed by a cross-case comparison to identify certain symptom patterns that may predict symptom deterioration (study phase 4)., Results: The collaboration with the local mobile palliative care team for participant recruitment and data collection has been established. Recruitment is forthcoming., Conclusions: We expect the findings of this study to provide holistic insight into symptom burden and the well-being of patients with palliative care needs and of their family caregivers. This information will be used to develop an early warning system to avoid the occurrence of potential crises, thereby improving palliative care provision at home., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid):  PRR1-10.2196/13933., (©André Fringer, Eleonore Arrer, Edith Maier, Wilfried Schnepp, Tom Ulmer. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 28.11.2019.)

The journal The Lancet recently published a countdown on health and climate change. Attention was focused solely on humans. However, animals, including wildlife, livestock and pets, may also be impacted by climate change. Complementary to the high relevance of awareness rising for protecting humans against climate change, here we present a One Health approach, which aims at the simultaneous protection of humans, animals and the environment from climate change impacts (climate change adaptation). We postulate that integrated approaches save human and animal lives and reduce costs when compared to public and animal health sectors working separately. A One Health approach to climate change adaptation may significantly contribute to food security with emphasis on animal source foods, extensive livestock systems, particularly ruminant livestock, environmental sanitation, and steps towards regional and global integrated syndromic surveillance and response systems. The cost of outbreaks of emerging vector-borne zoonotic pathogens may be much lower if they are detected early in the vector or in livestock rather than later in humans. Therefore, integrated community-based surveillance of zoonoses is a promising avenue to reduce health effects of climate change.