Use Of Devices Research Articles

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance of Proteus mirabilis in a Brazilian hospital.

This study analyzes the resistance and virulence profiles of Proteus mirabilis isolates obtained from patients admitted to the University Hospital of Londrina, Paraná, between 2019 and 2022. We evaluated the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, genes associated with resistance, biofilm formation through a phenotypic assay, and the presence of specific virulence genes. When comparing the "pre-pandemic" (2019) and "pandemic" (2020-2022) periods, we observed an increase in resistance rates to all tested antimicrobials. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) phenotypes were isolated in both periods, but their occurrence was significantly higher during the pandemic. We also observed an increase in the frequency of nearly all studied resistance genes. The virulence profiles remained largely unchanged. Analysis of patients' clinical and demographic data revealed that those hospitalized during the pandemic were older, required longer hospital stays, and had a higher usage of invasive devices. These findings suggest that the recent COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the antimicrobial resistance of P. mirabilis, a bacterium of significant clinical interest associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Status in using wearable devices as surveillance tools in public health research among people with disabilities: preliminary analysis of 2017 BRFSS

Purpose: The study aims to examine the association between disability status and willingness to share wearable devices and mobile apps data for public health research using the 2017 Behavioral risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) through secondary data analysis. Materials and Methods: Current wearable device and mobile apps users at the time of the 2017 BRFSS survey administration from eight states were included in the analysis. Descriptive, chi-square analysis, and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine the associations. Subsample analyses were also conducted for individuals with disabilities and different types of disability, including visual impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive disability, independent living disability, self-care disability, and mobility disability on their willingness to share wearable device and mobile app data. Results: Among the 1575 wearable device and mobile app users, 17.8% (95% CI [14.6, 22.0]) were participants with disabilities. Less than half of the participants (43.8%, 95% CI [38.0, 50.0]) were willing to share their data for public health research with no significant differences between those with and without disabilities or among specific disability types. Conclusion: The findings underscore a general reluctance to share information for public health research. To address this reluctance, it is crucial to enhance public awareness of the potential benefits and educate users on how sharing data could contribute to understanding health behaviors and identifying public health needs.

The Role of Aesthetics in Medical Device Design

This paper examines the importance of aesthetics in the design of medical devices, examining how aesthetic considerations contribute to improved usability, patient acceptance, and emotional well-being. Medical device manufacturers have increasingly integrated aesthetic elements that go beyond functionality to foster a personal connection between devices and users. The incorporation of aesthetic design promotes psychological comfort, enhances trust, and facilitates a sense of satisfaction, particularly in devices intended for long-term use. By analyzing various case studies and examining current methods of quantifying aesthetic factors in medical devices, this study reveals the implications of aesthetics on device effectiveness and user compliance. The paper argues that while aesthetic value in medical devices is subjective, its impact on user experience and operational success is substantial. Finally, challenges related to regulatory standards, cultural diversity, and the balance between form and function are discussed, underscoring the need for an interdisciplinary approach to creating aesthetically mindful medical devices. Keywords: Aesthetic Design, Medical Device Usability, Patient Compliance, Emotional Well-being, User Experience, Product Acceptance.

Does Frequent Use of Advanced Energy Devices Improve Hysterectomy Outcomes?

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the efficient use of advanced energy devices by examining the impact of their usage frequency on surgical outcomes of total laparoscopic hysterectomies. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between 2020 and 2023 by a single surgeon. The patients’ medical records and surgical videos were reviewed. Cases were categorized into three groups based on the frequency of usage of advanced energy devices: Group 1 (≤10 uses), Group 2 (11–20 uses), and Group 3 (≥21 uses). The differences in blood loss, surgery time, and surgical outcomes among these groups were analyzed. This study was conducted as a single-center retrospective analysis. It included 126 patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy and provided informed consent for video recording. To evaluate the usage of advanced energy devices, anonymized surgical videos were reviewed, and outcomes were analyzed based on the frequency of usage of advanced energy devices. Results: The time required for surgery differed significantly among the three groups (p = 0.006). However, no significant differences were observed in the changes in hemoglobin levels or estimated blood loss (p = 0.255 and 0.053, respectively). Additionally, the application of hemostatic agents, the need for intraoperative or postoperative transfusions, and the use of intravenous hemostatic agents postoperatively showed no notable variation. Complication rates, including rates of hematoma, urinary tract injury, gastrointestinal injury, and infections necessitating reoperation, were also comparable. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the prudent and strategic use of advanced energy devices, rather than their frequent application, may improve surgical efficiency without increasing the risk of complications.

Enhancement of liner materials based on nanomaterials to promote sustainability in noise intercourse

Daily usage of devices has had a major influence on lives and existence, which would be unimaginable without them. Due to this, recent gadget dependability concerns need particular attention. PCs, hand mobile phones, and other computerized household gadgets need integrated circuits (ICs). Individual components must work together to accomplish their tasks and make the circuit operate. Hot carrier effect, oxide breakdown, and other system-level problems result from accommodating several devices in a planar IC. Vertical linking active components in one IC to another IC is a common method of three-dimensional IC integration (3D-IC). The main issue with 3D-IC adoption is electrical interference to neighboring through silicon via (TSV) and active transistors, which substantially reduces system performance. The electrical TSV (ETSV) model, which employs solely electrical signal carrying TSV, and the thermal TSV (TTSV) model, which incorporates thermal TSV during simulation, are used in this research to reduce electrical interference. The electrical signal transporting TSV to the substrate and other TSV was investigated for interference. With other models, this study also shows higher frequency regimes up to 1 THz. We found that the suggested methodology improves 3D-IC development by more than 30% by reducing electrical interference from signal-carrying TSV to other TSV.

Wearable in Systemic Sclerosis: A Pilot Study of the Apollo Wearable Demonstrates Improvement in Fatigue, Raynaud Phenomenon and Quality-of-Life in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.

In systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, fatigue is the highest ranked symptom affecting quality of life (QoL), followed by Raynaud phenomenon (RP). We report results from a pilot study (NCT04854850) of the Apollo wearable device in SSc patients. Twenty-five adult participants with SSc, moderate fatigue and RP were enrolled. Participants completed a 4-week intervention, during which they wore the Apollo device daily for a minimum of 15 minutes. The primary outcome was change on the PROMIS-Fatigue 13a (PROMIS-Fatigue) scale at 4 weeks. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04854850) RESULTS: After 4 weeks of using the Apollo wearable, participants reported less fatigue on the PROMIS-Fatigue (p <0.001) scale. The average daily number of RP attacks declined (p < 0.01), as did the Raynaud condition score (p<0.001) after 4 weeks of use. Average device usage (2.87 hours per day) far exceeded the requested time, and no adverse events occurred. The PROMIS-29 sub scores assessment demonstrated quality of life (QoL) improvement in physical function (p <0.01), sleep disturbance (p = 0.001), and ability to participate in social roles and activities (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also noted for depression (p < 0.01) and disability (p < 0.05) measures. Use of the Apollo wearable for four weeks was associated with improvement in fatigue and RP symptom in SSc patients, with improved QoL measures and lower depression scores. Future studies should further test the efficacy of the Apollo wearable in these domains and SSc patient QoL.

Android malware detection using the random forest algorithm

The rapid growth in Android device usage has resulted in a significant increase in malware targeting this platform, posing serious threats to user security and privacy. This research tackles the challenge of Android malware detection by leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, with a particular emphasis on the random forest (RF) algorithm. Our primary objective is to accurately identify and classify malicious applications to enhance the security of Android devices. In this study, we employed the RF algorithm to analyze a comprehensive dataset of Android applications, where the classification of each application as either malware or benign is known. The method was rigorously tested, yielding impressive results: an average accuracy of 98.47%, a sensitivity of 98.60%, and an F-score of 98.60%. These metrics underscore the effectiveness of our approach. Moreover, we conducted a comparative analysis of the RF algorithm against other malware detection methods. The results demonstrate that the RF algorithm outperforms these alternative methods, offering superior detection capabilities and contributing to more robust Android security measures.

A new approach based on genetic algorithm for computation off-loading optimization in multi-access edge computing networks

The proliferation of smart devices and the increasing demand for resource- intensive applications present significant challenges in terms of computational efficiency, leading to surge in data traffic. While cloud computing offers partial solutions, its centralized architecture raises concerns about latency. Multi-access edge computing (MEC) emerges as promising alternative by deploying servers at the network edge to bring computations closer to user devices. However, op- timizing computation offloading in the dynamic MEC environment remains a complex challenge. This paper introduces novel genetic algorithm-based ap- proach for efficient computation offloading in MEC, considering processing and transmission delays, user preferences, and system constraints. The pro- posed approach integrates computation offloading and resource allocation al- gorithm based on evolutionary principles, combined with a greedy strategy to maximize overall system performance. By utilizing genetic algorithms, the pro- posed method enables dynamic adaptation to changing conditions, eliminating the need for intricate mathematical models and providing an appealing solution to the complexities inherent in MEC. The urgency of this research arises from the critical need to enhance mobile application performance. Simulation re- sults demonstrate the robustness and efficacy of our approach in achieving near- optimal solutions while efficiently balancing computation offloading, minimiz- ing latency, and maximizing resource utilization. Our approach offers flexibility and adaptability, contributing to advancement of MEC networks and addressing the requirements of latency-sensitive applications.

Improving university students awareness of cookies used by web technologies

Web technologies are developing rapidly and although the advantages provided by these technologies are quite numerous, they also bring with them problems related to the security of personal data. Especially, the fact that personal data is obtained by using cookies on websites requires web users to be made aware of this issue. While cookies have important advantages in terms of providing fast and easy access to websites, they also have the ability to record and process what web users read, location information, IP addresses, user device information, e-mail addresses, usernames and passwords. It is not legal to record this data without the explicit consent of the person. However, this situation is generally unknown to users or users who have incomplete information. The aim of this study is to raise awareness of university students who frequently use web technologies about cookies so that they can ensure their personal data security with their own efforts. In line with this purpose, a mixed method study was implemented. 25 university students participated in this study. Participants were determined using the convenience sampling method. Online interactive training consisting of 12 lesson hours was organized for the participants. Since quantitative and qualitative data from the participants were collected simultaneously and support each other, a concurrent mixed method model was applied. Quantitative data were collected with awareness pre-test and post-test, and qualitative data were collected with the interview form. Test scores obtained by a single group at different times were analyzed with the Paired Samples t-Test. Qualitative data were also analyzed by content analysis method. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the participants' awareness levels about cookies increased significantly. In addition, the participants' knowledge about risks, advantages and working principles of cookies increased.

Analysis of the Relationship between Digital Literacy Program Development and Lecturer Productivity in Higher Education

The rapid development of digitalization and technology forces the awareness of digital literacy to be in a strategic and vital position as a tool to enhance the academic productivity of lecturers. This study analyzes the relationship between digital literacy and academic productivity among lecturers at Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Tangerang Raya. Digital literacy encompasses access, processing, and utilization of information technology to support academic tasks. This research employs biometric analysis methods to gather data on lecturers’ digital behaviour, including the frequency of digital device usage and access to online academic resources. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation, where lecturers who frequently use digital devices experience a 25% increase in academic productivity in scientific publications. Additionally, the study highlights that active participation in webinars and online courses contributes to improvements in the quality and quantity of research output. Recommendations for institutions include the importance of providing comprehensive training programs focused on data analysis software, reference management, and online academic writing to enhance research efficiency. Furthermore, improving access to online academic resources and providing adequate digital devices will strengthen academic performance. Increasing digital literacy focused on technological capabilities not only significantly enhances the academic productivity of lecturers but also serves as an effective solution for improving other competencies, such as research productivity and scientific collaboration, to achieve more optimal institutional outcomes.

Obstetrics and gynecology devices designed for low- andmiddle-income countries: A narrative review.

There are many barriers contributing to poor health outcomes for women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), one of which is the lack of necessary medical devices. Presently, the development of various kinds of devices intended to improve women's health outcomes specifically in LMICs remains underrepresented in the literature; therefore, we performed a narrative review to understand this current state of literature. A literature search was conducted in Scopus and Overton between December 2023 to February 2024, and PubMed in October 2024 to broadly explore peer-reviewed publications focusing on understanding the development of devices used specifically in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) care in LMICs. The initial search identified 132 published manuscripts: 114 non-duplicates from 1993 to 2024. After a two-research team member independent review, 22 manuscripts from 2011 to 2023 were included, and 18 devices identified. Nine devices focus on postpartum hemorrhage, four on general obstetrics, one on fetal monitoring, one on vaginal deliveries, one on gynecology hemorrhage, one on gynecology screening, and one on OBGYN anesthesia. This review provides recommendations for areas of improvement of key gaps affecting the development and implementation of OBGYN devices for use in LMICs. Recommendations are provided for various stages of the development to early commercialization phases. We believe future incorporation of these recommendations can aid in equitable and implementable medical device design for OBGYN care in LMICs.

Research on Non-Intrusive Load Disaggregation Technology Based on VMD–Nyströmformer–BiTCN

Non-intrusive load disaggregation is a technique that monitors the total electrical load of an entire building or household. It uses a single power metering device to measure the total load. Then, it employs algorithms to break it down into the individual usage of different electrical devices. To address issues in load disaggregation models such as long training times, feature interference caused by the activation of other loads, and accuracy deficiencies caused by behavioral interference from users’ electricity usage habits, this paper proposes a VMD–Nyströmformer–BiTCN network architecture. The variational mode decomposition (VMD) filters the raw power data, reducing errors caused by noise and enhancing the accuracy of decomposing the load. A deep learning network utilizes a modified attention model, Nyströmformer, to reduce feature entanglement and accuracy degradation caused by habitual behavior interference during load disaggregation, while ensuring precise accuracy and improving network operational speed. The training network uses a bidirectional temporal convolutional network (BiTCN) and incorporates a residual network to expand the receptive field, allowing it to receive longer load sequence data and acquire more effective load information, thereby improving the disaggregation effectiveness for target appliances.

Graphene-infused terracotta acoustic sound amplifiers

This work introduces a novel approach for enhancing mobile audio performance by incorporating graphene-infused terracotta as an acoustic amplifier. Leveraging the high thermal conductivity and mechanical strength of graphene, this study demonstrates the design, fabrication, and acoustic characterization of terracotta amplifiers. We demonstrate the significant impact of graphene-infused terracotta amplifiers on improving sound amplification in addition to mechanical strength. A graphene-based dispersion is prepared for incorporation in clay to make the amplifier. Testing is carried out on normal and graphene-dispersion-incorporated terracotta amplifiers. The experimental results illustrate a substantial improvement in audio quality with increased volume compared to conventional terracotta-based mobile speakers. The frequency-dependent variation of the output signal, SNR, and the influence of submerging in water have also been studied. This work contributes to the field of acoustic materials and offers new possibilities for augmenting the auditory experience of mobile device users while also presenting sustainable and aesthetically appealing acoustic accessories.

Parental perspectives following the implementation of advanced hybrid closed-loop therapy in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and elevated glycaemia.

To identify from a parental perspective facilitators and barriers of effective implementation of advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) therapy in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with elevated glycaemia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of participants while in a post-trial extension phase of the CO-PILOT randomized controlled trial. The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour Model and Theoretical Domain Framework informed the interviews and framework analysis. Eleven parents of 9 children and adolescents were interviewed. The median age of their children and adolescents was 14.2 years (IQR 13.3-14.7) with median HbA1c 78 mmol/mol (IQR 75-86) (9.3% IQR 9-10) before starting AHCL. Facilitators of implementing AHCL therapy included the following: (1) knowledge acquired from training, (2) establishing routines and action plans, (3) remote glucose monitoring, (4) achievement of glycaemic goals through automation, (5) children/adolescents' capability to use AHCL independently, (6) improved outcomes incentivized continued AHCL, (7) optimism about sustained improvements and (8) social support from healthcare providers, school staff, peers and parents. Barriers to AHCL implementation included the following: (1) challenges with device usability, (2) need for technical support, (3) forgotten knowledge and skills, (4) non-adherence to best practices, (5) negative social influences, (6) physical and psychosocial burden and (7) negative emotions. This study provides comprehensive insights into parental perspectives of influences on implementing AHCL therapy in children and adolescents with elevated glycaemia. As parents remain key partners in diabetes care, these findings inform successful implementation of AHCL and development of future diabetes technology.

Optimizing Care: The Impact of Medical Devices on Healthcare Staff Performance and Well-Being – A Comprehensive Review

Medical devices have become integral to modern healthcare, transforming clinical workflows and influencing the performance and well-being of healthcare staff. This review examines the dual impacts of medical devices on medical personnel, including improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and patient care, alongside challenges such as increased workload, stress, and ergonomic concerns. By synthesizing recent literature, the study identifies key trends, explores implications for clinical practice, and proposes strategies to optimize the integration of medical devices into healthcare environments. Emphasis is placed on enhancing device usability, supporting staff adaptation, and ensuring holistic well-being to foster sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.

Accessible Commercial Airline Travel for Mobility Device Users: A Focus Group Study with Veterans

This study aimed to identify the needs of mobility device users (MDUs) to pursue accessible airline travel at every stage of the journey, from trip planning to departure to arrival at the destination airport. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with MDUs ( n = 13) and their caregivers ( n = 7). Descriptive statistics were used for demographic information, and a qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the transcribed interviews and extract themes. Three overarching themes were identified: service, accessibility, and safety. Sub-themes related to service encompassed booking concerns, disconnected services, untrained airport staff, and damaged mobility devices. Accessibility sub-themes included the in-cabin aisle, in-cabin toilet, and airport infrastructure. Safety sub-themes encompassed aisle chairs and passenger seats. This study has uncovered challenges, particularly in relation to booking concerns, disconnected services, untrained airport staff, and airport infrastructure. To address these challenges, potential solutions are suggested, including staff education, installation of in-cabin accessible toilets and versatile seats, modification of wheelchairs and aisle chairs, and improvements to accessible airport infrastructure. We anticipate that the findings will provide insights into the redesign of aircraft, airports, wheelchairs, and aisle chairs as well as inform the development of legislation and guidelines.

Evaluation of uterocervical angle in intrauterine device displacement cases.

Intrauterine device is one of the most preferred birth control method in the world. Being able to predict that the intrauterine device will not dislocate is very important in terms of preventing unwanted pregnancies. Here, we evaluated the role of uterocervical angle in displacement of intrauterine device and to determine whether it has a discriminative role for displacement. This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a university-affiliated training and research hospital. A total of 108 patients between June 2021 and September 2021 were included. While 36 patients in the case group had intrauterine device displacement, 72 patients in the control group had normal intracavitary intrauterine device detected under transvaginal ultrasound. Demographic characteristics, parameters related to intrauterine device and uterus were recorded. Uterocervical angle was measured in all the patients. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of sociodemographic features, parameters related to uterus size and intrauterine device. The median uterocervical angle was significantly higher in intrauterine device displacement group as compared to controls [159.5 (90-177) vs 146 (118-169) degrees, p < 0.001)]. Uterocervical angle > 156 degree discriminates intrauterine device displacement with 66.67% sensitivity and 80.56% specificity (AUC = 0.763). A larger uterocervical angle may suggest an increased likelihood of intrauterine device displacement. Thus, uterocervical angle seems to have a potential to play a crucial role in the monitoring and management of intrauterine device users even in patients with similar sized uterus.

Pre-market health systems barriers and enablers to infectious diseases point-of-care diagnostics in Australia: qualitative interviews with key informants.

There exist multiple regulatory layers for point-of-care (POC) testing to be implemented within Australia. This qualitative analysis sought to understand the pre-market barriers and facilitators to scale-up infectious diseases POC testing in primary care settings at the national level. Key informant interviews were undertaken with people (n = 30) working in high- level positions relevant to infectious diseases POC testing in Australia. Participants were recruited from federal and state health departments, industry, and nongovernment national peak bodies. The Unitaid scalability framework informed this analysis to understand barriers and enablers to creating access conditions and establishing country readiness for market access of POC tests. Participants identified regulatory frameworks as significant barriers to market access. National strategies and advocacy were viewed as potential enablers to establishing country readiness. It was recommended that the national system for universal health care should fund infectious disease POC tests to ensure financial sustainability, though the existing pathology infrastructure was regarded as a likely inhibitor. Current regulatory frameworks inhibit market access for infectious disease POC testing devices for use in the primary care setting. National advocacy is urgently needed to gain government support and align national policies with regulatory frameworks.

Wearable Devices Usages and Older Adults: Their Real Needs, Preferences, and Expectations

Older adults have become potential users of smart wearable devices. However, existing wearable devices mainly target young people. To clarify the needs of older users and highlight ways to improve applications, services, and experiences for this target demographic, we conducted an exploratory study. We recruited 39 adults aged 50 years and older for participatory research with semi-structured interviews examining their lifestyles, preferences for various wearable device features and interaction styles, and expectations for future devices. The results indicate that older adults expect wearable devices to be seamlessly integrated into their daily lives, providing accurate monitoring data and further assisting in enhancing physical abilities. Additionally, wearable devices for older adults should be designed according to the context of use, with products providing appropriate activities, guidance, and practical recommendations. These research findings provide knowledge that designers can apply to future improved wearable devices that enhance older adults’ user experiences and quality of life.

SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT IN THE DIGITALIZATION OF CHILDHOOD

Digital device usage among children is increasing every year (Scott, ). Preschoolers are regularly interacting with gadgets daily (Konca, ). This raises concerns about how digital experiences impact on the child school readiness and adaptation to school educational environment. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the gadget usage frequency among fi rst-grade students and their level of school adjustment. The fi nal sample consisted of  fi rst-grade students from Moscow (M = . months, SD = .). A semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant to determine their gadget usage time (in hours). Simultaneously, the study employed the school adjustment scale for teachers:  statements regarding child’s cognitive problem-solving, self-regulation, communication, and emotional comfort to diagnose the school adaptation level. Additionally, teachers provided information on each student’s academic profi ciency in mathematics, Russian language, and reading. Analyzing the obtained data using One-Way ANOVA, it was found that there are signifi cant differences in the school adjustment level among children who use gadgets with different frequencies (F = ., p = .). The study also revealed that the more hours a child spends using gadgets during the day, the lower their integral school adjustment score is (r = -., p = .). Signifi cant differences were mainly obtained for statements from the school adjustment scale related to cognitive and self-regulation components of adjustment, but not for the social-emotional component. No correlation was found with the academic profi ciency. Therefore, it can be inferred that self-regulation and cognitive components of a fi rst-grader’s school adjustment may be hindered in children who use gadgets for more than - hours per day, compared to their peers who use gadgets for about  hour per day. It is necessary to retest these fi ndings on a larger sample in a future research.