Robocalypse? Yes, Please! The Role of Robot Autonomy in the Development of Ambivalent Attitudes Towards Robots

Attitudes towards robots are not always unequivocally positive or negative: when attitudes encompass both strong positive and strong negative evaluations about an attitude object, people experience an unpleasant state of evaluative conflict, called ambivalence. To shed light on ambivalence towards robots, we conducted a mixed-methods experiment with N = 163 German university students that investigated the influence of robot autonomy on robot-related attitudes. With technological progress, robots become increasingly autonomous. We hypothesized that high levels of robot autonomy would increase both positive and negative robot-related evaluations, resulting in more attitudinal ambivalence. We experimentally manipulated robot autonomy through text vignettes and assessed objective ambivalence (i.e., the amount of reported conflicting thoughts and feelings) and subjective ambivalence (i.e., self-reported experienced conflict) towards the robot ‘VIVA’ using qualitative and quantitative measures. Autonomy did not impact objective ambivalence. However, subjective ambivalence was higher towards the robot high versus low in autonomy. Interestingly, this effect turned non-significant when controlling for individual differences in technology commitment. Qualitative results were categorized by two independent raters into assets (e.g., assistance, companionship) and risks (e.g., privacy/data security, social isolation). Taken together, the present research demonstrated that attitudes towards robots are indeed ambivalent and that this ambivalence might influence behavioral intentions towards robots. Moreover, the findings highlight the important role of technology commitment. Finally, qualitative results shed light on potential users’ concerns and aspirations. This way, these data provide useful insights into factors that facilitate human–robot research.

Continual rehabilitation motivation of patients with postparalytic facial nerve syndrome

Purpose To evaluate the continued rehabilitation motivation in patients with postparalytic facial synkinesis (PFS). Methods In this single-center cross-sectional survey, the multidimensional patient questionnaire for assessment of rehabilitation motivation (PAREMO-20) was used to assess the rehabilitation motivation. Associations Sunnybrook and Stennert index grading, Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) survey, general quality of life (SF-36), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, technology commitment and affinity, and interest in further therapy were analyzed. Results 69 adults with PFS (73% women; median age: 54 years) answered the survey. In comparison to prior treatment forms, there was a significant higher future interest in computer-based home facial training (p < 0.0001). For PAREMO Psychological burden subscore, SF36 Emotional role was the highest negative correlative factor (p < 0.0001). For PAREMO Physical burden subscore, SF-36 General health was the highest negative correlative factor (p = 0.018). Working (p = 0.033) and permanent relationship (p = 0.029) were the only independent factors correlated to PAREMO Social Support Subscore. Higher positive impacts of technology affinity was inversely correlated to PAREMO Knowledge subscore (p = 0.017). Lower SF-36 Role physical subscore p = 0.045) and a lower SF-36 General health (p = 0.013) were correlated to a higher PAREMO Skepticism subscore. Conclusions Patients with PFS seem to have a high facial motor and non-motor psychosocial impairment even after several facial therapies. Rehabilitation-related motivation increases with both, higher facial motor and non-motor dysfunction. Social and emotional dysfunction are drivers to be interested in innovative digital therapy forms.

Implementing Videoconference CBT for Depression in Routine Outpatient Care: Outcome, Working Alliance, and Influence of Patients’ Technology Commitment

<b><i>Background:</i></b> While videoconference cognitive behavioral therapy (V-CBT) has shown promising results in controlled studies, data from routine care are rare. We examined (1) changes in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction during V-CBT in German routine outpatient care for patients with depressive disorders, (2) the quality of the established working alliance, and (3) the influence of working alliance and the patients’ technology commitment on outcomes. <b><i>Patients and Methods:</i></b> Patients with primary diagnoses of depressive disorders were treated with V-CBT and concurrent internet-guided self-help via the MindDoc program, which operates within the regulations of the German health care system. The patients completed the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms, an item on life satisfaction before and after treatment, the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), and the Technology Commitment questionnaire for beliefs about handling technology. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Fifty-nine patients (71.2% female) with a mean age of 44.46 years (SD = 12.86) were included in the analyses. Longitudinal multilevel mixed models revealed improvements in depressive symptoms (Cohen’s <i>d</i> = 1.27) and life satisfaction (<i>d</i> = 0.80). The working alliance was good and showed a positive association with outcome, while technology commitment did not. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> V-CBT seems effective in reducing depressive symptoms, increasing life satisfaction, and establishing a good working alliance in routine care.

Digitization of neuropsychological diagnostics: a pilot study to compare three paper-based and digitized cognitive assessments

Background and objective The number of people suffering from dementia is increasing worldwide and so is the need for reliable and economical diagnostic instruments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the processing times of the neuropsychological tests Trail Making Tests A and B (TMT-A/B) and Color-Word Interference Test (CWIT), which were performed in both digital and paper versions. Methods The pilot study was conducted among 50 healthy participants (age 65–83 years) using a randomized crossover design. The correlations and differences in the individual processing times of the two test versions were statistically analyzed. Further research questions concerned the influence of the individual usage of technology and the technology commitment of participants as well as the influence of the assessed usability on participants’ performance. Results Between the two versions (paper-based vs. digital) statistically significant correlations were found in all tests, e.g., TMT-A r(48) = 0.63, p < 0.01; TMT-B rs(48) = 0.77, p < 0.001). The mean value comparison showed statistically significant differences, e.g., interference table (CWIT) t(49) = 11.24, p < 0.01). Correlations with medium effect were found between the differences in processing times and the individual usage of computer (e.g., rs(48) = − 0.31) and smartphone (rs(48) = − 0.29) and between the processing times of the TMT-B and the usability (rs(48) = 0.29). Conclusions The high correlations between the test procedures appear promising. However, the differences found in the processing times of the two test versions require validation and standardization of digitized test procedures before they can be used in practice.

Under Pressure—Users’ Perception of Range Stress in the Context of Charging and Traditional Refueling

Although electric drives can locally reduce the environmental impact of traffic, the penetration rates of battery electric vehicles (BEV) are far below expectations, not least because the charging infrastructure network is still considered insufficient by potential users. Therefore, the planning of charging infrastructure that considers both needs and user requirements is essential to remove an important barrier to widespread adaptation of e-vehicles, but it is also a challenge. A better understanding of the charging behavior and the underlying usage motivation is therefore needed. A frequently mentioned factor is the so-called range stress. While there are many studies on this subject with new BEV users, there is a lack of approaches that also include experienced e-vehicle users and at the same time allow a comparison with drivers of cars with internal combustion engines (ICE). In this paper, this is realized with the help of a questionnaire study ( n = 204 ). The results show that ICE and BEV users at different experience levels hardly differ regarding the perceived range stress; BEV users even perceive less stress. BEV users also showed more trust in the vehicle and in the tank/battery indicators, while this trust depends only marginally on the type of information provided by the car. Furthermore, there is a correlation between users’ technology commitment and risk-taking, on the one hand, and range stress, on the other. However, for the prediction of range stress, gender, experience with e-cars, and the question of whether cars are privately owned, or car-sharing is used, are more relevant.

International quality improvement initiatives

Across the globe, the implementation of quality improvement science and collaborative learning has positively affected the care and outcomes for children born with CHD. These efforts have advanced the collective expertise and performance of inter-professional healthcare teams. In this review, we highlight selected quality improvement initiatives and strategies impacting the field of cardiovascular care and describe implications for future practice and research. The continued leveraging of technology, commitment to data transparency, focus on team-based practice, and recognition of cultural norms and preferences ensure the success of sustainable models of global collaboration.

MODEL OF HUMAN RESOURCES PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT AT PORT OPERATOR UNIT (UPP) CLASS III JEPARA, PATI AND REMBANG THROUGH KNOWLEDGE SHARING, QUALITY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMITMENT AS INTERVENING VARIABLE

This study aimed to examine the effect of knowledge sharing and quality of information technology on performance. In addition, this study used commitment as intervening variable to test the correlation between knowledge sharing and quality of information technology on performance. This research was conducted with survey method bydistributing questionnaires to 100 employees of the Port Operator Unit (UPP) Class III Jepara, Pati and Rembang. The Sampling was done by using simple random sampling technique for the Port Operator Unit (UPP) Class III Jepara, Pati and Rembang. Furthermore, the commitment as an intervening variable is able to mediatethe correlation on the effect of knowledge sharing and quality of information technology on performance.Keywords: Knowledge Sharing, Quality Information Technology, Commitment, Performance