Development of the Smart Tools Proneness Questionnaire (STP-Q): an instrument to assess the individual propensity to use smart tools

Humans have developed a prolonged and special relationship with their tools, which themselves exhibit the propensity to become ever more intelligent across the years. A 'smart tool' is defined as to representing any entity, machine, or device that can complete an informational, mechanical, or electronic work. This work explains the development of the Smart Tool Proneness Questionnaire (STP-Q), which is designed to measure an individual's propensity to use smart tools. Data collection was designed to (1) identify the psychological dimensions underlying smart tool use (2) establish the questionnaire's reliability (3) validity, (4) propose a normalisation, and (5) provide an English translation of the French original. The work therefore implements a reliable and valid questionnaire, sensitive to inter-individual differences regarding the propensity to use smart tools. Statistical analysis reveals that the individual self-reported propensity for smart tool use rests on three factors (1) utilitarian use, (2) hedonic and social use, and (3) proneness to delegate. From a theoretical perspective, this individual propensity to use smart tools might be considered key to our species development. In practical terms, measuring an individual's propensity to use smart tools can be of considerable benefit to the design of future smart tools in both professional and non-professional settings. Practitioner summary: The STP-Q, a self-reported measure of an individual's propensity to use smart tools, was developed. STP-Q offers practitioners a measure of individual propensity to use smart tools along three dimensions: utilitarian use, hedonic and social use, and proneness to task delegate. Individual results can easily be interpreted from normalizations that STP-Q provides. Abbreviations: CFI: comparative fit index; GFI: goodness of fit index; IFI: incremental fit index; ISO: International Standardization Organization; IRB: institutional review board of the university of central Florida; IT: information technology; MATB: multi-attribute task battery; NMP-Q: no more phone phobia; RMSEA: root mean square error of approximation; STP-Q: smart tools proneness questionnaire; TAM: technology acceptance model; TRI: technology readiness index; UTAUT: unified theory of acceptance and use of technology; WAIS IV: Wechsler adult intelligence scale.

Smart Cutting Tools Used in the Processing of Aluminum Alloys

The processing of aluminum alloys in optimal conditions is a problem that has not yet been fully resolved. The research carried out so far has proposed various intelligent tools, but which cannot be used in the presence of cooling-lubricating fluids. The objective of the research carried out in the paper was to design intelligent tools that would allow a control of the vibrations of the tool tip and to determine a better roughness of the processed surfaces. The designed intelligent tools can be used successfully in the processing of aluminum alloys, not being sensitive to coolants-lubricants. In the research, the processing by longitudinal turning of a semi-finished product with a diameter Ø = 55 mm of aluminum alloy A2024-T3510 was considered. Two constructive variants of smart tools were designed, realized, and used, and the obtained results were compared with those registered for the tools in the classic constructive variant. The analysis of vibrations that occur during the cutting process was performed using the following methods: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT); Short-Time Fourier-Transformation (STFT); the analysis of signal of vibrations. A vibration analysis was also performed by modeling using the Finite Element Method (FEM). In the last part of the research, an analysis of the roughness of the processed surfaces, was carried out and a series of diagrams were drawn regarding curved profiles; filtered profiles; Abbott-Firestone curve. Research has shown that the use of smart tools in the proposed construction variants is a solution that can be used in very good conditions for processing aluminum alloys, in the presence of cooling-lubrication fluids.

Stimuli-Responsive Zinc (II) Coordination Polymers: A Novel Platform for Supramolecular Chromic Smart Tools

The unique role of the zinc (II) cation prompted us to cut a cross-section of the large and complex topic of the stimuli-responsive coordination polymers (CPs). Due to its flexible coordination environment and geometries, easiness of coordination-decoordination equilibria, "optically innocent" ability to "clip" the ligands in emissive architectures, non-toxicity and sustainability, the zinc (II) cation is a good candidate for building supramolecular smart tools. The review summarizes the recent achievements of zinc-based CPs as stimuli-responsive materials able to provide a chromic response. An overview of the past five years has been organised, encompassing 1, 2 and 3D responsive zinc-based CPs; specifically zinc-based metallorganic frameworks and zinc-based nanosized polymeric probes. The most relevant examples were collected following a consequential and progressive approach, referring to the structure-responsiveness relationship, the sensing mechanisms, the analytes and/or parameters detected. Finally, applications of highly bioengineered Zn-CPs for advanced imaging technique have been discussed.

The impact of built environment on diabetic patients: the case of Eastern Province, KIngdom of Saudi Arabia

At present, Diabetes mellitus is considered as one of the main threats to the human health in the 21st century. It may lead to severe conditions such as blindness, end-stage of renal disease, limb amputation and a variety of debilitating neuropathies. Previous researches indicated that diabetes is caused by a complex interaction of patient's genetics, life-style and environmental factors. They also highlighted that providing quality and healthy built environment to citizens including diabetic patients would prevent poor and unhealthy condition. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of top ten countries in the prevalence of diabetes. Little researches though were conducted in KSA in regards to the effect of environmental conditions of the built environment. In 2011, the present researchers have carried out a pilot survey on a number of diabetic patients to find out the possible impact of built environment settings on the patient's lifestyle. The research explored whether diabetic patients use smart tools in their daily life to overcome the daily life's difficulties and perform their life as normal as possible. The results showed a close link between a poor home and environmental settings, the patient's lifestyle, and the patient's health status. It also highlighted the absence of smart tools and systems use. The paper argues that certain changes to the built environment must be done and to provide a healthy and safe environment for diabetic patients. This would help these patients to abandon their bad habits and adopt healthier lifestyle.