Water scarcity has become a serious challenge in many parts of the world due to increasing demands and the impacts of climate change. The agriculture sector globally accounts for a major portion of water consumption, yet it also holds substantial potential for water conservation. Among the most effective ways to conserve water is to cultivate low-water-demanding crops, such as medicinal plants (MPs), instead of water-demanding crops (WDC). However, the voluntary participation of farmers, largely influenced by socio-psychological drivers, is crucial for successfully implementing most water conservation programs and needs to be addressed. Therefore, the main objectives of this paper were: (1) to identify the determinants that explain farmers\' intention and behavior in cultivating MPs instead of WDC; and (2) to examine the effectiveness and performance of an extended version of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting farmers\' intention and behavior toward cultivating MPs by innovatively incorporating four new variables into the original TPB model: perceived barriers, moral norms, compatibility, and relative advantage. The applicability of the theoretical framework was evaluated in the Sojasroud Plain, Zanjan province, Iran. The results of the structural equation modeling revealed that: (1) farmers\' intention to cultivate MPs instead of WDC is significantly influenced by perceived barriers, moral norms, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control (the strongest predictor); and (2) farmers\' behavior in cultivating MPs instead of WDC is predicted by relative advantage, compatibility, and intention (the most prominent determinant). The R2 values for predicting intention and behavior were 55% and 53%, respectively. Based on the results, some practical policies were proposed to increase the cultivation of MPs in the study area.

In this study, we set out to investigate the transforming power of social media for agricultural extension delivery services in Ghana. We employed a quantitative research approach and drew insights from 374 farmers. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the data. Cocoa farmers have some level of awareness of agricultural information on social media (Overall Mean = 1.88). Farmers regard social media platforms as potential sources of agricultural information (Perception Index = 3.38). Majority of farmers own smartphones (53.74 %) and have internet access (53.74 %). About 31.86 % of farmers spend 30 min to 1 h daily time browsing social media for agricultural information. About 57.65 % use social media for accessing agricultural information and implementing farming practices. According to 89.38 % of farmers, social media information helps to improve crop yield and pest management. The main constraint facing farmers in the use of social media is high data costs (Mean = 7.30). We recommend that the government in collaboration with telecommunication companies should explore innovative pricing models to reduce the cost barrier for farmers accessing agricultural content online.

AtriAmp is a new medical device that displays a continuous real-time atrial electrogram on telemetry using temporary atrial pacing leads. Our objective was to evaluate early adoption of this device into patient care within our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This is a qualitative study using inductive analysis of semi-structured interviews to identify dominant themes. The study was conducted in a single-center, tertiary, academic 21-bed mixed PICU. The subjects were PICU multidisciplinary team members (Pediatric Cardiac Intensivists, PICU Nurse Practitioners, PICU nurses and Pediatric Cardiologists) who were early adopters of the AtriAmp (n = 14). Three prominent themes emerged: (1) Accelerated time from arrhythmia event to diagnosis and treatment; (2) Increased confidence in the accuracy of providers\' arrhythmia diagnosis; and (3) Improvement in the ability to educate providers about post-operative arrhythmias. Providers also noted some learning curves, but none compromised medical care or clinical workflow. Insights from early adopters of AtriAmp signal the need for simplicity and fidelity in new PICU technologies. Our research suggests that such technologies can be pivotal to the support and growth of multi-disciplinary teams, even among those who do not participate in early implementation. Further research is needed to understand when and why novel technology adoption becomes widespread in high-stakes settings.

This study investigated the perceptions and factors that researchers had about Open Access (OA) publishing, specifically how it affected their decision to publish or not. The Diffusion of Innovation Theory by Rogers served as the study\'s main guide, and 15 research scientists from Ghana\'s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research\'s Crop Research Institute provided qualitative data for the study through semi-structured interviews and the interpretivist research paradigm. Convenience sampling was used to choose the participants, and thematic analysis was used to analyse and present the research results in themes. The study\'s conclusions showed that all of the participants benefited from OA and that they were all aware of its application for disseminating scientific information. High Article Processing Charges (APC) and credibility issues were also mentioned in the study as significant obstacles to using OA for the dissemination of scientific information. The study suggests that in order for scientists to use Open Access (OA) for the sharing of scientific information, they must be given the means to distinguish trustworthy journals from predatory ones.

UNASSIGNED: AtriAmp is a new medical device that displays a continuous real-time atrial electrogram on telemetry using temporary atrial pacing leads. Our objective was to evaluate early adoption of this device into patient care, understand how it affected clinical workflow, and identify unforeseen benefits or limitations.
UNASSIGNED: Qualitative study using inductive analysis of semi-structured interviews to identify dominant themes.
UNASSIGNED: Single center, tertiary, academic 21-bed mixed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
UNASSIGNED: PICU multidisciplinary team members (Pediatric intensivists, PICU Nurse Practitioners, PICU nurses and Pediatric Cardiologists) who were early adopters of the AtriAmp (n=14).
UNASSIGNED: Three prominent themes emerged from qualitative analysis of the early adopters\' experiences. (1) Accelerated time from arrhythmia event to diagnosis, treatment, and determination of treatment effectiveness; (2) Increased confidence and security in the accuracy of providers\' arrhythmia diagnosis; and (3) Improvement in the ability to educate providers about post-operative arrythmias where reliance on time consuming consultation is a default. Providers also noted some learning curves with the device; none of which compromised medical care or clinical workflow.
UNASSIGNED: Insights from early adopters of AtriAmp signal the need for simplicity and fidelity in new technologies within the PICU. Further research in the qualitative and observational sphere is needed to understand how technologies, such as AtriAmp, find expanded use in the PICU environment. Our research suggests that such technologies can be pivotal to the support and growth of multi-disciplinary teams, even among those who do not participate in early implementation.

With the rapid advancement of information technology, telemedicine apps have gradually become an indispensable tool for providing patients with more convenient, efficient, and accessible healthcare services. However, the successful implementation of these apps largely depends on widespread acceptance among the public. To thoroughly investigate the factors influencing the public\'s acceptance of these apps and the relationships between these factors, this study developed a theoretical model based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory and the Theory of Perceived Value. To validate this model, we conducted a survey of 387 residents in Beijing, China, and employed structural equation modeling to analyze the collected data. The research findings indicate that attributes of innovation diffusion, including relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability, significantly and positively influence the public\'s perceived value. Particularly noteworthy is that perceived value partially mediates the relationship between innovation attributes and public acceptance, emphasizing the crucial role of perceived value in the public decision-making process. This study employed a theory-driven approach to elucidate the acceptance of telemedicine apps and offers fresh insights into the existing literature. By integrating the research paradigms of innovation diffusion and customer perceived value, we provide a coherent explanation of how individual cognitive processes lead to acceptance behavior. In summary, this research enriches the existing theoretical studies on the acceptance of telemedicine apps and holds positive implications for healthcare practice.

Massively generated crop straw can be utilized and valorized with great economic and environmental benefits. The Chinese government has adopted the pilot policy of crop straw resource utilization (CSRU) for disposing of the straw and practicing waste valorization. This work took 164 counties in the Hebei Province of China as a case study, mapped the temporal and spatial characteristics of the diffusion of the CSRU pilot policy in this province, and conducted an Event History Analysis by establishing a binary logistic regression model to identify the specific factors that determine the diffusion of the CSRU pilot policy in China from the aspects of resource availability, internal capacity, and external pressure. It indicates that: (1) the CSRU pilot policy diffuses rapidly in Hebei Province, although it is still at the early stage of this policy diffusion; (2) the model explains 95.2% of the variance in adopting a pilot county, indicating the effectiveness of this model; (3) straw resource density has a positive impact on CSRU pilot selections, and it can increase the possibility of one county being selected as a CSRU pilot by 23.2%, while population density has shown a negative effect; (3) policy support from local government is a major internal factor that determines CSRU performance, and it can increase the possibility of one county being selected as a CSRU pilot nearly tenfold; proximity pressure from neighboring counties has a positive effect on the diffusion of the CSRU policy, and it also greatly increases the possibility of being selected as a CSRU pilot.

This study contributes to the extant literature on instructional technology by investigating the relationships between the social and personal factors and behavioral intention to use virtual reality. Moreover, the current study examined the links between perceived characteristics of virtual reality and attitude and the moderating role that can be played by perceived skills readiness between those links. Inspired by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Diffusion of Innovation Theory, a set of hypotheses was formed to test the proposed relationships using structural equation modeling partial least square to a sample of 171 science teachers in Oman. The results showed that attitude, social norms and perceived behavioral control can predict behavioral Intention to use virtual reality with attitude as the strongest predictor. Furthermore, the results indicated that relative advantage could predict attitude towards using virtual reality while compatibility and observability cannot. Finally, perceived skills readiness can strengthen the relationship between the perceived characteristics of virtual reality applications (relative advantage, compatibility and observability) and attitude towards using the virtual reality in the science classroom. Thus, this study highlights the importance of focussing on science teachers\' skills readiness to use virtual reality so that they can use it confidently. Implications and future research studies are discussed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) function. To maintain business efficiency and reduce operating costs in the context of the constraints imposed by the pandemic, SMEs have been forced to embrace new digital technologies. Cloud accounting is becoming an increasingly important business operating tool for SMEs. By adopting cloud-based accounting, SMEs can become more efficient, financially organized, and flexible. This study aims to investigate the factors that have a pervasive influence on cloud accounting adoption among SMEs in Thailand, following the pandemic\'s effects. This study integrates three technology adoption theories-the Technology-Organization-Environment framework, Diffusion of Innovation theory, and Institutional Theory-and studies them alongside SMEs\' unique characteristics. The research employs a qualitative case study method and triangulated sources of evidence. The findings provide important implications for the research community, policymakers, cloud accounting vendors, and SME owners aiming to formulate better approaches to cloud accounting adoption after the pandemic. The results suggest that vendors should focus on SMEs\' particular characteristics and needs. By contrast, SMEs should determine the organizational fit of the cloud accounting platform and integrate cloud accounting with other aspects of their operations.

Background: Globally, diabetes has brought an enormous burden to public health resources, and the situation of disease burden caused by diabetes in China is especially severe. China is currently facing the dual threat of aging and diabetes, and wearable activity trackers could promote elderly diabetic patients\' physical activity levels and help them to manage blood glucose control. Therefore, examining the influencing factors of elderly patients\' adoption intention is critical as wearing adoption determines actual wearing behaviors. Objective: This study aims to explore the predicting factors of Chinese elderly type 2 diabetic patients\' adoption intention to wearable activity trackers and their actual wearing behavior, using diffusion of innovation theory as the theoretical framework. We hope to provide insights into future interventions using wearable activity trackers as tools to improve the outcome of patients. Methods: Wearable activity trackers were freely distributed to type 2 diabetic patients in Beijing, China. A questionnaire survey was conducted to examine predicting factors of adoption intention after a week\'s try-on. Actual wearing behavior for 3-month was obtained from the exclusive cloud. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling. Results: A total of 725 patients completed the questionnaire. Patients had a mean age of 60.3 ± 7.6 years old and the educational level was generally lower. The results indicated that observability was the primary influencing factor of patients\' adoption intention (β = 0.775, P < 0.001). Relative advantage (β = 0.182, P = 0.014) and perceived social image (β = 0.080, P = 0.039) also had a positive influence while perceived risk (β = -0.148, P < 0.001) exerted a negative influence. In addition, results showed that the more intention led to the better actual wearing behavior (β = 0.127, P = 0.003). Observability (β = 0.103, P = 0.005), perceived ease (β = 0.085, P = 0.004), and relative advantage (β = 0.041, P = 0.009) also indirectly influenced the wearing behavior. Conclusion: The intentions of Chinese elderly type 2 diabetic patients to wearable activity trackers directly influenced the actual wearing behavior. In addition, their adoption intention to wearable activity trackers was mainly influenced by observability, perceived ease to use, relative advantage, perceived risk, and social image.