As the technology of Internet of Things (IoT) becomes popular, the number of sensor nodes also increases. The network coverage, extensibility, and reliability are also the key points of technical development. To address the challenge of environmental restriction and deployment cost, most sensor nodes are powered by batteries. Therefore, the low-power consumption becomes an important issue because of the finite value of battery capacity. In addition, significant interference occurs in the environment, thereby complicating reliable wireless communication. This study proposes a fuzzy-based adaptive data rate for the transmission power control in wireless sensor networks to balance the communication quality and power consumption. The error count and error interval perform the inputs of a fuzzy system and the corresponding fuzzy system output is guard that is utilized for limiting the upper bounds of data rate and transmission power. The long-term experimental results are introduced to demonstrate that the control algorithm can overcome environmental interference and obtain low-power performance. The sensor nodes have reliable communication under an ultra-low-power consumption. The experimental results show that the total power consumption of the proposed approach has been improved 73% compared with the system without executing the algorithm and also indicate the Packet Error Rate (PER) is close to 1%. Therefore, the proposed method is suitable for the battery supply IoT system.

Gamification is not simply a temporary trend but would result in huge changes in life, education and marketing. Under the trend, design researchers should focus on the importance of gamification and apply gamification in the improvement of effective communication. This study aims to apply gamification to website design for facilitating effective communication. Two experimental websites, including a gamification incorporated website and a no-gamification incorporated website, are constructed. Users are recruited to use individual websites. After the website experience, task questions, system usability scale, online questionnaire and retrospective thinking aloud are applied to collect user feedback. The data analyses reveal that ‘gamification incorporated website’ could not promote the usability of websites, while learnability, pleasure, engagement and satisfaction are enhanced. Overall speaking, applying gamification to websites could actually enhance communication efficiency. The gamification design guidelines are eventually proposed to assist future designers in constructing meaningful gamification design with communication efficiency.

This study proposes a hypothetical model combining the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) with self-determination theory (SDT) to explore design professionals’ behavioral intentions to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Moreover, it incorporates job replacement (JR) as a moderating role. Chinese-speaking design professionals in regions influenced by Confucian culture were surveyed. An analysis of 565 valid cases with AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structures) supported the structural model hypothesis. The model explains 52.1% of the variance in behavioral intention to use (BIU), proving its effectiveness in explaining these variances. The results further validate the importance of performance expectancy (PE) over effort expectancy (EE) in influencing BIU. Additionally, it has been shown that the impact on intrinsic motivation (IM) and extrinsic motivation (EM) can be either amplified or diminished by anxiety about JR. For individuals experiencing higher levels of JR anxiety, there is a marked increase in IM. They may perceive adopting AI tools as an opportunity to enhance their skills and job security. Conversely, this anxiety also significantly boosts EM, as the potential for improved efficiency and productivity with AI use becomes a compelling incentive. These findings suggest new paths for academic researchers to explore the psychological impacts of AI on design professionals’ roles. For practitioners, especially in human resources and organizational development, understanding these dynamics can guide the creation of training programs that address job replacement anxiety.

This research is conducted to identify the scientific conceptual cognition of ecosystem and the corresponding alternative conceptions by lower-secondary school students in Taiwan. Concept mapping, interviewing, and two-tier diagnostic test cannot make explicit reasoning pathways that students may use. Therefore, its purpose is to develop, validate, and utilize a three-tier multiple-choice diagnostic instrument for the ecosystem concept (TDIEC). The instrument can assist teachers in analyzing their students’ reasoning. This does not only distinguish alternative conceptions from lack of knowledge but also determines the percentages of false positives and false negatives. One hundred and six students were tested with this instrument in Taiwan. The data analysis reveals common alternative conceptions shared by students, indicating that 35.59% of the samples had inaccurate conceptualizations of ecosystems. Common alternative conceptions of ecosystems include the following: (i) Only biological components constitute an ecosystem; (ii) The Venus flytrap and pitcher plants are preys; (iii) Competition is synonymous to predation; (iv) Ecological balance refers to the sustainable circulation of energy and matter in the environment; and (v) The simpler the species, the more stable the ecosystem. It concludes with the interpretation of the results, suggestions for the application of the TDIEC, and correct alternative conceptions in Ecology classes. Keywords: Three-Tier Diagnostic Instrument, ecosystem concepts, alternative conceptions, lower-secondary students