Use Of Devices Research Articles

The efficacy of intermittent scanning continuous glucose monitoring in the elderly: A case-control study.

The efficacy of intermittently scanning continuous glucose monitoring (is-CGM) technology among elderly people with diabetes mellitus (DM) has been understudied. We investigated if the initiation of is-CGM results in improved glycemic control among this population. Retrospective, observational case-control study. Cases were selected randomly from the DM outpatient clinic of the University Medical Center Groningen between 2015 and 2022 if they had type 1 or type 2 DM, were registered users of is-CGM devices and were aged 60 or older at initiation of those devices. They were matched to randomly selected controls with no CGM usage based on age, gender, DM type and treatment type (insulin-pen or pump). Data were collected at baseline, 6 months prior and 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months after initiation. Linear mixed-effects regression was performed to assess the effects of is-CGM usage on HbA1c. Three hundred and fifty-three participants were analysed (142 cases, 211 controls). Median HbA1c at baseline for is-CGM users was 8.00% [7.20%-9.10%] and for controls 7.90% [7.10%-8.70%]. Unadjusted analysis showed significant reductions of HbA1c 3 months after initialization (cases vs. controls, -0.50% vs. -0.02%, p = 0.016), persisting throughout the study. Adjusting for confounders, is-CGM initiation resulted in significant HbA1c reductions after 6 months (-0.29%, p = 0.006) up until 24 months (-0.39%, p = 0.033). The rate of sensor discontinuation was 2.8%. The use of is-CGM improves glycemic control in elderly (≥60 years old) persons with DM after 3 months, and this persists for at least 24 months. The number of discontinuations is low. This data emphasizes the positive impact of is-CGM on the elderly population with DM.

Best Practices in Implementing Azure Entra Conditional Access for Multi-Tenant Environments

Azure Entra Conditional Access is a first-class security product that enforces identity and access management policies in multi-tenant environments to implement secure access to the most important resources. Azure Entra lets businesses manage user IDs, enhance the protections, and reduce risks on a hybrid cloud infrastructure through integration with Azure Active Directory. This article discusses the main features, practices, and benefits of Azure Entra Conditional Access that enable the application of granular security policies based on criteria, including user role, device compliance, location, and risk assessment. It describes Conditional Access as a means to increase regulatory compliance across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and government, to name a few, so that organizations can follow each of these standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. The article also brings up real-time monitoring, incident response workflows, and AI-based adaptive access policies in securing Enterprise environments. The article illustrates how to ensure operational efficiency by safeguarding resources with Azure Entra through case studies and practical recommendations. With the growing popularity of digital transformation, Azure Entra Conditional Access will be a leading force in securing access to cloud and on-premise resources to ensure that businesses can continue to meet the requirements of modern IT security while reducing risk.

At-home validation of a non-contact, radar-based breathing monitor for long-term care of patients with respiratory diseases: A proof-of-concept study.

Long-term monitoring of respiratory rate (RR) is an important component in the management of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Specifically, predicting acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is of significant scientific and clinical interest. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term validity of a novel contactless sleep monitor (CSM) in the home environment of CRD patients receiving ventilatory support. Additionally, we assessed patient acceptance, device usability, and RR fluctuations associated with AECOPD to establish a robust foundation for future research.In this prospective proof-of-concept study, nineteen patients requiring non-invasive ventilation (NIV) were provided with the CSM in their home environment for six months and seven patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for one month. The primary indication for NIV therapy was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).The CSM was validated under real-life conditions by comparing its nocturnal RR values with software data from both types of ventilators. Acceptability and usability of the sensor were assessed using a questionnaire. Additionally, COPD exacerbations occurring during the study period were analyzed for potential RR fluctuations preceding these events.Mean absolute error (MAE) of median RR between the NIV device and the CSM, based on 2326 nights, was 0.78 (SD: 1.96) breaths per minute (brpm). MAE between the IMV device and the CSM was 0.12 brpm (SD: 0.52) for 215 nights. The non-contact device was accepted by the patients and proved to be easy in use. In some of the overall only 13 cases of AECOPD, RR time courses showed variations of increased nocturnal respiratory activity a few days before the occurrence of such events.The present CSM is suitable for valid long-term monitoring of nocturnal RR in patients' home environment and is well accepted by the patients. The exploratory findings related to AECOPD events may serve as a starting point for larger studies aimed at developing robust prediction rules.

Enhancing paediatric care: insights from healthcare professionals on the quality and usability of digital devices in a participatory workshop in Korea

Enhancing paediatric care: insights from healthcare professionals on the quality and usability of digital devices in a participatory workshop in Korea

Smart Charging System Using RFID For Secure and Controlled Power Access

Abstract—In an age where electronic device usage is ubiquitous, public and shared charging stations have become essential infrastructure. However, uncontrolled access to these resources often leads to misuse, energy wastage, and maintenance issues. This project responds to these societal needs by developing an RFID-based secure charging system that allows only authorized users to access wired charging ports. The system employs an RFID reader integrated with a microcontroller to authenticate users before activating power supply to the charging outlet. Upon successful verification of an RFID tag, the circuit enables current flow to the device, ensuring a safe, regulated, and user-specific charging experience. This design enhances the utility of wired charging setups in environments like libraries, offices, schools, and public kiosks, where energy control and user accountability are increasingly important. The system emphasizes security, cost-effectiveness, and practical implementation, making it a strong candidate for real-time deployment in modern infrastructure. Keywords—RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Wired Charging, Microcontroller, Authentication, Relay Control, Power Management, Security System, Access Control,, Embedded System

Enhancing Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Augmented Reality: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard treatment for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, patient adherence to CPAP therapy remains a critical challenge, with many individuals finding it difficult to maintain consistent use due to discomfort, lack of understanding, or perceived inconvenience. Augmented reality (AR) offers a novel approach to overcoming these barriers by providing interactive real-time guidance to users, potentially enhancing adherence rates. This clinical trial aims to examine the feasibility of AR implementation and the effect of AR on improving CPAP adherence in patients with OSA. A randomized controlled trial with a parallel assignment will be conducted. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving AR-guided CPAP therapy or a control group receiving standard care. The study will span 6 months, with assessments at baseline (T0), and with follow-ups at 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months (T3) post intervention. The primary outcome measure is CPAP adherence, defined as using the CPAP device for more than 70% of sleep time, with a minimum of 4 hours per night. Secondary outcomes will evaluate the common adverse effects associated with CPAP therapy, device usability, and time required for CPAP machine use education. This study is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (August 2023 to July 2026) and was registered in August 2024 (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06520592). Participant recruitment is scheduled to begin in April 2025, and by September 2025, we expect to have enrolled 40 participants (50% of the target sample of 80). Preliminary analyses of CPAP adherence at 1 month and usability data are currently underway. Final data collection is anticipated to be completed by December 2025, with results expected to be published by Fall 2026. Anticipated findings suggest that AR-guided CPAP therapy may significantly enhance patient adherence by improving mask fitting and providing effective, interactive education. If validated, this innovative approach could pave the way for more personalized technology-driven interventions in OSA management and other chronic conditions requiring long-term therapy adherence. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06520592; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06520592. PRR1-10.2196/69757.

Media Pipe Based Virtual Fitness Assistance

In this modern world, almost every service is expected in online mode. Fitness Service is one among them. To satisfy the demand, many mobile and web applications were developed and deployed for public access. All the applications give the information on exercises, but do not verify whether user is performing them or not. Along with providing information about various exercises, this project introduces a novel approach of using pre-trained human pose estimation model named “Pose” of Google’s Media Pipe library, integrated with a web application, to capture live video feed from the user device, estimate user pose and perform numerical computations to find angle between joints selected as per exercise chosen, determining whether user is really performing exercise or not.

Enhancing the Usability of Patient Monitoring Devices in Intensive Care Units: Usability Engineering Processes for Early Warning System (EWS) Evaluation and Design.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to enhance the usability of patient monitoring systems by integrating the Early Warning Score (EWS) function and improving user interface elements. The EWS function is expected to enable the early detection of acute deterioration and prompt medical intervention, while the optimized design supports rapid decision-making by nursing staff. Methods: Two formative usability evaluations were conducted to identify user requirements and improve the device design. A simulated usability test involved five ICU medical staff members, followed by a user preference survey with 72 ICU staff members in a real clinical setting. After incorporating feedback, a summative usability test with 23 ICU nurses was performed to evaluate the revised device. Results: Issues related to unfamiliar parameter terminology and alarm message positioning were identified, and the need for the EWS function was emphasized. The summative evaluation showed an increase in task success rate from 86% to 90% and a significant improvement in user satisfaction from 74.85 (SD: 0.88) to 89.55 (SD: 0.75) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The integration of the EWS function and interface improvements significantly enhanced the usability of patient monitoring system. These advancements are expected to enable rapid detection of patient deterioration and support timely clinical decision-making by ICU staff.

Long-term outcomes of tympanoplasty with persistent air-bone gap in adults with chronic otitis media: hearing, health care utilization and quality of life.

To evaluate long-term hearing outcomes, healthcare utilization, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with chronic otitis media (COM) who underwent primary tympanoplasty (PT) but were left with a significant air-bone gap (25-30 dB). A retrospective medical chart review was conducted to assess the standard of care for COM patients across three European countries, analyzing hearing data, healthcare utilization, and demographics. Additionally, HRQoL and hearing disability were assessed prospectively using questionnaires. Sixty-nine adults diagnosed with COM who underwent PT between 2010 and 2016 were included. Average hearing outcomes showed minimal to no improvement, with a substantial number of patients experiencing moderate to severe hearing loss post-PT. Many continued to rely on rehabilitative technologies, with bone conduction hearing device (BCHD) users reporting higher consistent use compared to conventional hearing aid users. Participants required an average of 7.6 healthcare visits with a mean follow-up time of 7.64 years after PT, underscoring the ongoing burden on healthcare systems. Impaired hearing negatively impacted both general and disease-specific HRQoL. Managing COM remains challenging due to the variability in surgical outcomes, particularly regarding hearing restoration. The high post-PT healthcare utilization and persistent HRQoL impairments caused by impaired hearing highlight the need for more effective rehabilitative strategies such as conventional hearing aids and BCHD.

Participant Engagement and Data Quality: Lessons Learned from a Mental Wellness Crowdsensing Study

Mental health is a growing concern, especially among young adults, but gathering data from this demographic presents distinct challenges. Crowdsensing is a research approach that has become increasingly popular due to its ability to collect data from many individuals continuously and at scale. However, it is equally important to ensure that the data collected is of high quality, as it depends on many factors. In this paper, we discuss the data quality issues encountered during our crowdsensing study conducted from October 2022 to August 2023, which aimed at collecting data to study college students' emotions and mental wellness. We present our findings on data quality issues related to participant recruitment, device usability, data quantity, compliance, consistency, privacy concerns, and incentive mechanisms. We discuss the strategies to address these challenges and plans for future improvements. Our results and discussion highlight the effectiveness of crowdsensing in data collection for this demographic. Additionally, we identified positive and negative emotional drivers and potential stressors affecting this group's mental wellness. The insights from this work can aid the design of future crowdsensing applications and studies.

Development and Validation in Porcine and Human Models of a Bioimpedance Spectroscopy System for the Objective Assessment of Kidney Graft Viability.

This work presents an innovative bioimpedance spectroscopy device, developed as a support tool for decision-making during the evaluation of kidney viability for renal transplantation. Given the increasing demand for organs and the need to optimize donation criteria, the precise and objective assessment of renal graft functionality has become crucial. The device, based on a modular design and adapted to the surgical environment, uses a novel Cole model with a frequency-dependent membrane capacitance, which improves measurement accuracy and repeatability compared to conventional models. Adapting the device for operating room usege involved overcoming significant challenges, such as the need for sterilization and a visual, tactile and acoustic user interface that facilitates device usability. Optimizing the sensing stage has minimized the influence of measurement artifacts, which is crucial for obtaining accurate and representative measurements of renal tissue bioelectrical properties. In addition, a rigorous electrode sterilization protocol was designed, ensuring asepsis during the procedure. The results of tests on porcine renal models demonstrated the device's ability to monitor pathophysiological changes associated with renal ischemia, with a notable improvement against measurement repeatability.

Design Guidelines for Smart Nursing Homes in the Context of Aging

With global aging accelerating, improving the efficiency and quality of elderly care is increasingly critical. This study proposes smart nursing home design guidelines to enhance care through smart device integration. The guidelines include two parts: smart device selection criteria, based on next-generation elderly needs identified via Japanese public surveys, and smart nursing home model templates, built upon existing Japanese housing standards. These guidelines provide practical recommendations on device usage, placement, and spatial optimization to improve accessibility and nursing efficiency. The study concludes by validating the effectiveness of the guidelines in addressing the requirements of the next generation of elderly people through a case study, which shows that although construction costs have increased by an average of 18.35%, the guidelines have ensured a safer, more comfortable, and technologically advanced nursing home environment.

SecDS: A security-aware DAG task scheduling strategy for edge computing

SecDS: A security-aware DAG task scheduling strategy for edge computing

Effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults: An observational cross-sectional study

Background: Good sleep quality is associated with a wide range of positive outcomes, including better health, reduced daytime sleepiness, enhanced well-being, and improved psychological functioning. Over the past decade, the availability and usage of electronic devices have increased sharply, making them an integral part of young adults’ lives. Blue light radiation emitted from electronic devices is known to suppress the production of melatonin – a hormone essential for sleep initiation – thereby worsening sleep quality. Aims and Objectives: To assess the effect of screen time on sleep quality among young adults and determine which component of sleep quality is most affected. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted after obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A total of 437 participants aged 18–25 years participated in an online survey. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using SPSS 27. Results: The average PSQI score was 5.94 (PSQI ≥5 indicates poor sleep quality). A significant association was observed between longer screen time and higher PSQI scores. Sleep latency was the most significantly affected component in our study. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of young adults in our study experience poor sleep quality, which is strongly associated with increased screen time. Since sleep latency is the most affected component, limiting electronic device usage before bedtime could help improve sleep quality.

A recurrent network technique for energy optimization in 6G networks with dynamic device-to-device communication

Energy efficiency has become a paramount concern in the design and deployment of 6G networks, driven by the exponential growth of connected devices and increasing traffic demands. For domain experts grappling with dynamic device-to-device (D2D) communication scenarios, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining reliable connectivity poses a significant challenge. To address this issue, we propose a novel recurrent network technique that dynamically configures D2D communication patterns, adaptively allocating temporary base stations among network nodes to enable efficient data transmission while minimizing energy expenditure. Our simulations demonstrate substantial energy savings, extended node lifetimes, and reliable performance, with a 37% reduction in overall network energy consumption and a 65% increase in average node lifetime compared to traditional cellular communication scenarios. In conclusion, this innovative approach paves the way for sustainable and energy efficient 6G communication systems, benefiting society by reducing operational costs, minimizing environmental impact, and prolonging the usability of mobile devices.

Understanding college students’ cross-device learning behavior in the wild: Device ecologies, physical configurations, usage patterns, and attention issues

Understanding college students’ cross-device learning behavior in the wild: Device ecologies, physical configurations, usage patterns, and attention issues

Risk Factors for Postpartum Hemorrhage Following Vaginal Deliveries in China: A Case-Control Study of Second Births After IUD Removal.

This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) following vaginal delivery, with a special focus on the impact of intrauterine device (IUD) usage in the context of recent policy changes allowing more childbirths in China. A total of 6879 women who underwent vaginal deliveries from January 2021 to December 2023 in the Lianyungang regional maternal care system and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. A case-control design was employed, comprising 524 women with PPH (blood loss ≥500 mL) 24h after giving birth and an equal number of controls (blood loss <500 mL) matched on a 1:1 ratio. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, alongside ROC curve analysis, were conducted to identify risk factors for PPH. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in age (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.35-2.57, P < 0.01), number of miscarriages (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.46-2.65, P < 0.001), gestational week, number of fetuses, weight of the second child (OR = 10.78, 95% CI: 7.88-14.75, P < 0.001), placental adhesion, and uterine atony (OR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.60-3.61, P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed regarding occupation, educational level, mode of first delivery, IUD use and duration, and presence of gestational diabetes or hypertension (P > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified age, number of miscarriages, weight of the second child, and uterine atony as independent risk factors for PPH (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined predictive value of these factors was superior, with an AUC of 0.805 for the combined predictive model. PPH is influenced by advanced maternal age, multiple miscarriages, high birth weight, and uterine atony. IUD use may not independently impact the likelihood of PPH under the conditions studied.

Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Home vs Non-home Medical Care Physicians in Japan.

Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Home vs Non-home Medical Care Physicians in Japan.

Chronic blue light exposure induced spatial anxiety in an adolescent mouse model: Per2 upregulation and altered brain resting-state functional activity.

Chronic blue light exposure induced spatial anxiety in an adolescent mouse model: Per2 upregulation and altered brain resting-state functional activity.

Phubbing in parent-child relations as a factor of digital behavior development in adolescents

Problem and aim. The family plays an important role in the digital socialization of adolescents, which raises questions about the role of child-parent relationships in the formation of digital behavior of schoolchildren. The study of new phenomena in these relationships caused by the digital transformation of the family environment becomes especially significant. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the characteristics of adolescents' use of digital technologies, their perception of parental phubbing and parental mediation. Materials and methods. The study sample consisted of 432 adolescents studying in grades 6-11, aged 11 to 18 years (mean age – 14.96 years, standard deviation – 1.56, 56.3% – girls, 42.36% – high school students). To solve the tasks of the study, a methodological complex was compiled, including a questionnaire of mobile device usage patterns, the Russian-language adaptation of the E. Karadağ phubbing scale, the parental mediation questionnaire and a modified technoference scale by B. T. McDaniel and S. M. Coyne for adolescents to assess their perception of child-parent relationships. Methods of mathematical statistics included analysis of descriptive statistics, comparative, correlation, factor and path analyses KEYWORDS Results. The study showed that adolescents use gadgets mainly for communication and entertainment. At the same time, gender differences were revealed, manifested in greater use of technology for communication (U=16896; p&lt;0.001) and study (U=17101; p&lt;0.001), and less tendency to engage in risky digital behavior (U=13978; p&lt;0.001) in girls. Girls perceived parental mediation as more comfortable (U=17476; p&lt;0.001). A permissive stance in parental mediation was reported more by girls (U=17476; p&lt;0.001) and older adolescents (U=18455; p&lt;0.001). Two path models were obtained to characterize the relationship of parental phubbing and mediation of adolescents' use of gadgets, characterizing the formation of problematic (χ2=17.72; df=7; χ2/df=2.53 (CI 90%: 0.025-0.095)) and constructive (χ2=9.14; df=6 (CI 90%: 0.000-0.077)) digital behaviors of schoolchildren. Conclusion. The results obtained emphasize the importance of the parental role in the formation of adolescents' digital behavior. Parental phubbing negatively affects child-parent relations and contributes to the development of problematic digital behavior in adolescents. The study showed that joint activities of parent and child in mastering digital technologies contribute to harmonious digital socialization of adolescents.