Hands-free Kits Research Articles

Smartphone Use and Its Addiction among Adolescents in the Age Group of 16-19 Years.

Background:Smartphone use is escalating among adolescents, thereby increasing the risk of its addiction among them.Objective:The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of smartphone use and its addiction among adolescents in 16–19 years of age group.Materials and Methods:An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 496 students in the age group of 16–19 years. Relevant information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and the Smartphone Addiction (SA) Scale. Chi-square test and logistic regression were applied to study the association between independent and dependent variables.Results:Smartphone use was found to be 83.9%. It was associated with age, area of residence, discipline, use of hands-free kit, and parents' education and income. The smartphone addiction rate was reported to be 37%. It was found to be associated with age, area of residence, place of education, duration of smartphone use, daily hours of use, perception that cellphone use is harmful to health, and parents' education and income.Conclusion:A high rate of SA among adolescents warrants effective strategies at local, state, and national level to address this growing health problem in this population.

National correlates of self-reported traffic violations across 41 countries

Less developed countries are overrepresented in traffic accidents, but knowledge on national differences in aberrant driving behaviours is scarce. This study investigated relationships between traffic violations measured with a 7-item Driver Behaviour Questionnaire and traffic accident involvement for an international crowdsourced sample. At the level of respondents (N=6006), self-reported violations correlated moderately with self-reported accidents (Spearman ρ=.26). At the national level (N=41), self-reported non-speeding violations (a composite consisting of three types of aggressive violations, tailgating, and using a mobile phone without a hands-free kit) correlated strongly with road traffic death rate per population (ρ=.77) and with developmental status (ρ=−.79), whereas self-reported speeding violations (a composite of speeding on a motorway and on a residential road) did not (ρ=−.08 and .22, respectively). Moreover, self-reported non-speeding violations correlated strongly with mean annual temperature (ρ=.58), while self-reported speeding violations did not (ρ=−.16). These cross-national correlates of traffic violations can be explained by developmental factors that lead to violation-provoking traffic situations or by the effect of temperature on aggression.

Effect of Magnetic Field From Mobile Phone on Brain

Human exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) comes from many different sources and occurs in various situations in everyday life. Man-made static fields are mainly found in occupational settings, such as close to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, although DC high-voltage overhead transmission lines are being constructed, which are expected to expose larger parts of the population to static electric and magnetic fields.Today, for power regulation most modern electrical equipment uses electronics instead of transformers. Examples include the switched power supplies to laptops, drilling tools, chargers of mobile phones and similar devices. As a consequence, the frequency content of the daily magnetic field exposure has changed mainly by adding odd harmonics (150 Hz, 250 Hz, 750 Hz, etc.). In particular, the third harmonic (150 Hz) has become another dominating frequency in our environment.In particular for brain tissues, the mobile phone used at the ear remains the main source of exposure. However, since the first generation of mobile telephony, the technology aimed at reducing the emitted power of mobile handsets. In particular, for Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) already the introduction of dynamic power control reduced the average output power to about 50% of its rated value during calls, whereas the use of discontinuous transmission during voice calls gave a further 30% reduction in average emitted power. Adaptive power control became faster and more effective in the third-generation (3G) of mobile telephony systems leading to a further reduction (by about two orders of magnitude) in the specific absorption Specific energy Absorption Rate (SAR) compared to GSM phones. In addition, hands-free kits reduce the energy absorbed by the head drastically. Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) phones are another source of everyday exposure.

The pattern of the electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones in motor vehicle driving simulators

The paper reports the results of the determinations of UMTS EMF distributions in the driver’s cab of motor vehicle simulators. The results will serve as the basis for future research on the influence of EMF emitted by mobile phones on driver physiology. Two motor vehicle driving simulators were monitored, while an EMF source was placed at the driver's head or on the dashboard of the motor vehicle driving simulator. For every applied configuration, the maximal electric field strength was measured, as were the values at 16 points corresponding to chosen locations on a driver's or passenger's body. When the power was set for the maximum (49 mW), a value of 27 V/m was measured in the vicinity of the driver's head when the phone was close to the head. With the same power, when the phone was placed on the dashboard, the measured maximum was 15.2 V/m in the vicinity of the driver's foot. Similar results were obtained for the passenger. Significant perturbations in EMF distribution and an increase in electric field strength values in the mo-tor vehicle driving simulator were also observed in comparison to free space measurements, and the electric field strength was up to 3 times higher inside the simulator. This study can act as the basis of future studies concerning the influence of the EMF emitted by mobile phones on the physiology of the driver. Additionally, the authors postulate that it is advisable to keep mobile phones at a distance from the head, i.e. use, whenever possible, hands-free kits to reduce EMF exposure, both for drivers and passengers.

Challenging cell phone impact on reproduction: A Review

The radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) produced by cell phones can enhance the excitability of the brain and has recently been classified as carcinogenic. The suggested use of hands-free kits lowers the exposure to the brain, but it might theoretically increase exposure to the reproductive organs. This report summarizes the potential effects of RF-EMR on reproductive potentials in both males and females. A critical review of the literature pertaining to the impact of cell phone RF-EMR on reproduction in male and female animals and humans was performed, with a focus on gonad metabolism, apoptosis of reproductive cells, fertility status, and serum reproductive hormones. While some animal and human studies revealed alterations in reproductive physiology in both males and females, others did not report any association. The in vitro and in vivo studies to date are highly diverse, very inconsistent in conduct and, in many cases, report different primary outcomes. The increasing use of cell phone warrants well-designed studies to ascertain the effect of their RF-EMR on reproduction.

Effects of Hands-Free Device Conversation and Operation on Driving Performance

The aim of this study was to examine impacts of cell phone conversation and operation on the driving performance. Ten male students participated in following two experiments: one is to examine the effect of cell phone conversation on driving performance, and the other is to examine the effect of cell phone operation while driving. In the former experiment, the subjects performed No-task and conversation (cognitive tasks) with hands-free (HF) and hand-held (HH) cell phone while driving in city traffic in which the maximum speed limit is 40 km/h. In the latter experiment, they were instructed to operate (dialing or talking) HH and HF such as touch screen, earphone, and voice recognition while driving. We measured driving performance, heart rate, eye tracking, and NASA-TLX. The results were as follows: (1) Regardless of phone type, cell phone conversation while driving increased the drivers' psychophysiological stress and also had negative impacts on the driving performance. (2) Break reaction time in response to pop-up event was significantly slower in operation of both HH and all hands-free kits than in No-task. The results suggest that using all hands-free cell phone while driving is not safer than hand-held cell phone or driving without a cell phone; inattentional blindness itself may be a risk factor for traffic accidents.

Mobile phone use while driving: An investigation of the beliefs influencing drivers’ hands-free and hand-held mobile phone use

This study explored the psychological influences of hands-free and hand-held mobile phone use while driving. Participants were 796 Australian drivers aged 17-76 years who owned mobile phones. A cross-sectional survey assessed frequency of calling and text messaging while driving (overall, hands-free, hand-held) as well as drivers' behavioural, normative, and control beliefs relating to mobile phone use while driving. Irrespective of handset type, 43% of drivers reported answering calls while driving on a daily basis, followed by making calls (36%), reading text messages (27%), and sending text messages (18%). In total, 63.9% of drivers did not own hands-free kits and, of the drivers that owned hand-free kits, 32% did not use it most or all of the time. Significant differences were found in the behavioural, normative, and control beliefs of frequent and infrequent users of both types of handset while driving. As expected, frequent users reported more advantages of, more approval from others for, and fewer barriers that would prevent them from, using either a hands-free or a hand-held mobile phone while driving than infrequent users. Campaigns to reduce mobile phone use while driving should attempt to minimise the perceived benefits of the behaviour and highlight the risks of this unsafe driving practice.

Assessment of the radio-frequency electromagnetic fields induced in the human body from mobile phones used with hands-free kits

In this study, the radiation emission from mobile phones when used with wireless and wired hands-free kits (HFK) was evaluated to determine the necessity for a dedicated compliance procedure and the extent to which the use of wired and wireless HFK can reduce human exposure. The specific absorption rates (SAR) from wireless HFK were determined experimentally. Wired HFK were evaluated dosimetrically while connected to mobile phones (GSM900/1800, UMTS1950) under maximized current coupling onto the HFK cable and various wire routing configurations. In addition, experimentally validated simulations of a wired HFK and a mobile phone operating on anatomical whole-body models were performed. The maximum spatial peak SAR in the head when using wired HFK was more than five times lower than ICNIRP limits. The SAR in the head depends on the output power of the mobile phone, the coupling between the antenna and cable, external attenuation and potential cable specific attenuation. In general, a wired HFK considerably reduces the exposure of the entire head region compared to mobile phones operated at the head, even under unlikely worst-case coupling scenarios. However, wired HFK may cause a localized increase of the exposure in the region of the ear inside the head under worst-case conditions. Wireless HFK exhibit a low but constant exposure.

There is currently enough evidence and technology available to warrant taking immediate steps to reduce exposure of consumers to cell‐phone‐related electromagnetic radiation

There is currently enough evidence and technology available to warrant taking immediate steps to reduce exposure of consumers to cell‐phone‐related electromagnetic radiation

Evaluation of the SAR induced in a multilayer biological structure and comparison with SAR in homogeneous tissues

Wireless systems usage has evolved, for instance, with the recent increase in the use of a hands-free kit, the mobile phone is used more and more in a body-worn position. Therefore, to check the compliance to the international limits, new methods have to be developed. In this study, we analyze the relevance of using the equivalent head liquid for the biological structure of organs that are different from that of the head. This paper compares the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values assessed using simulations in a flat phantom filled with the liquid used to test the compliance of mobile phone close to the head to those values obtained using a multilayer model representing the tissues of the trunk. The multilayer structures are derived from the anatomical analysis of the visible human model and corresponding to reasonable positions of a handset in a body-worn configuration. The employed sources are half-wavelength dipoles placed at different distances from those structures and operating at frequencies between 300 MHz and 6 GHz.

Apparatus for synthesizing speech sounds of a short message in a hands free kit for a mobile phone

Synthesizing speech sounds to express a short message received from a caller in a handset coupled to a hands free kit, includes handset circuitry for transferring an alarm signal to the hands free kit to generate an alarm to inform the user of the receipt of the short message, and for transferring the short message to the hands free kit when receiving a short message calling signal from the hands free kit. The short message calling signal is generated upon the detection of a predetermined voice command by the user indicating a desire to hear the short message. The hands free kit includes circuitry for synthesizing the speech sounds according to the short message received from the handset.

Mobile phones and health: A literature overview

The rapidly evolving mobile phone technology raised public concern about the possibility of associated adverse health effects. The current body of evidence is summarized addressing epidemiological studies, studies investigating adverse biological effects, other biological effects, basic mechanisms and indirect effects. Currently, the balance of evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that there is no association between mobile phone radiation and cancer. This finding is consistent with experimental results. There is some evidence for biological effects, which, however, are not necessarily hazardous for humans. No basic mechanisms of biological effects have been consistently identified yet. Using a mobile phone while driving a car is significantly associated with a higher risk of vehicle collisions, independently of the use of hands-free kits. Medical equipment or implanted pacemakers may be affected by mobile phone radiation under very specific conditions. Current studies, however are affected by several limitations and do not generally exclude any increased health risk. Further high-quality research is therefore necessary. Furthermore, it is important that the results of scientific research are communicated to the public in a transparent and differentiated way.

Risk Perceptions of Mobile Phone Use While Driving

Numerous governments have introduced regulations governing the use of mobile (cellular) telephones while driving. Despite significant research into the "objective" risks, there is relatively little research into risk perceptions either in relation to other in-car distractions or with respect to the factors underlying such perceptions. The current article reports on two studies addressing these issues. Study 1 (N= 199) found that whereas the use of hand-held sets is seen as one of the riskiest activities to perform while driving, the risks of using a hands-free kit are perceived to be relatively small. Study 2 (N= 1,320) found that nearly half of all drivers in the sample with a mobile phone reported having used it while driving and that, overall, the probability of having an accident was perceived to be less for oneself than for one's peers, indicating an optimistic bias. Two factors underpinned risk perceptions, "impact" including perceived severity and equitability, and "controllability" including immediacy, detectability, and probability. While higher "impact" scores were associated with increased preferences for restrictions on the use of hand-held mobiles while driving, the "controllability" scores moderated this relationship such that when perceived "controllability" was low, restriction preferences were high irrespective of perceived "impact." However, when "controllability" was high, restriction preferences remained high when "impact" was high but were low when "impact" was low. Given the growing number of in-car technological innovations, it is suggested that regulators act strategically, rather than finding themselves developing a series of "hazard-specific" regulations, which may ultimately lack coherence.