Mobile-based Apps Research Articles

Comparing the Effects of Healthy Lifestyle Education Through Peer Group and mHealth App on Self-esteem in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus has become a global public health challenge in recent decades. However, disease-related complications can be minimized through innovative educational programs. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of healthy lifestyle education delivered via peer group and the mHealth app on self-esteem in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This three-group randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2022. A total of 135 patients living with T2DM were recruited using purposive sampling from two hospitals in Kermanshah Province, Iran, and then divided into three groups: Peer education, virtual education, and control groups, via replacement randomization. Peer patients with T2DM, previously trained by the researchers, provided education to those in the peer education group in four 35-minute sessions over two days. Simultaneously, patients in the virtual education group were trained by the researchers using the mHealth app, specifically designed for this purpose, in three 1-hour sessions over three days. Data were collected using the Patient Profile Form and the self-reported Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software, employing paired-sample t-tests, chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for comparisons. Results: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences in the self-esteem mean scores between the study groups (P = 0.665). However, post-intervention, the self-esteem scores differed significantly between all groups (P = 0.002). The self-esteem mean scores of patients in the peer education group (100.36 ± 15.9 vs. 106.87 ± 9.08, P = 0.011) and the virtual education group (100.80 ± 24.72 vs. 116.91 ± 10.67, P = 0.018) significantly increased after the intervention, while no significant difference was observed in the control group (106.87 ± 9.08 vs. 105.60 ± 10.84, P = 0.134). Virtual education via the mHealth app was more effective than peer education in improving self-esteem in patients with T2DM. Conclusions: The healthy lifestyle education program delivered through virtual education via the mHealth mobile app led to higher self-esteem among patients with T2DM compared to peer education. It is suggested that future studies investigate the impact of virtual education using mobile-based apps and artificial intelligence capabilities on self-esteem in other patient populations. These results can serve as guidelines for the optimal use of distance education and educational apps for patients with chronic diseases.

Design and Psychometric Evaluation of Nurses' Mobile Health Device Acceptance Scale (NMHDA-Scale): Application of the Expectation-Confirmation Theory.

The use of mobile tools in nursing care is indispensable. Given the importance of nurses' acceptance of these tools in delivering effective care, this issue requires greater attention. This study aims to design the Mobile Health Tool Acceptance Scale for Nurses based on the Expectation-Confirmation Theory and to evaluate it psychometrically. Using a Waltz-based approach grounded in existing tools and the constructs of the Expectation-Confirmation Theory, the initial version of the scale was designed and evaluated for face and content validity. Construct validity was examined through exploratory factor analysis, concurrent validity, and known-group comparison. Reliability was assessed using measures of internal consistency and stability. The initial version of the scale consisted of 33 items. During the qualitative and quantitative content validity stage, 1 item was added and 1 item was removed. Exploratory factor analysis, retaining 33 items, identified 5 factors that explained 70.53% of the variance. A significant positive correlation was found between the scores of the designed tool and nurses' attitudes toward using mobile-based apps in nursing care (r=0.655, P<.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient, Cronbach α, and ω coefficient were 0.938, 0.953, and 0.907, respectively. The 33-item scale developed is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring nurses' acceptance of mobile health tools.

Design And Build A Mobile-Based Calligraphy And Inscription Order Customize Application With The Waterfall Method Using Fabric JS

Mobile-based apps have become one of the most important aspects of daily life and even for spiritual and aesthetic purposes such as ordering calligraphy and inscriptions. This also had an impact on the Inscription Blessing Shop. In recent years, the demand for personalized calligraphy and inscriptions has increased significantly. However, this store experienced problems in the ordering process. The process of ordering calligraphy and inscriptions is often still done conventionally, where consumers have to come to the store to place an order which may take a long time and is inefficient. To overcome these obstacles, an effective and efficient system is needed by designing and building a mobile-based booking application. This application will be designed using the waterfall development method by utilizing Fabric JS technology as an interface design. The results of this study were obtained that a mobile-based application called the Blessing Inscription Application was formed which can order inscriptions and other carvings anywhere and anytime. The app can allow users to select different types of calligraphy fonts, set layouts, and add decorative elements. This research is expected to make a significant contribution in facilitating users' creativity and enriching their experience in designing and sharing calligraphy works and digital inscriptions.

Investigating the effects of speaking tasks in clubhouse on EFL learners’ speaking and foreign language speaking anxiety

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of speaking tasks on EFL learners’ speaking skills and Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety (FLSA) using a mobile application conducted outside the classroom. A total of sixty Iranian upper-intermediate level EFL students were divided into experimental and control groups to compare the effectiveness of speaking tasks using the Clubhouse application. Data were collected using the FLSA scale and the speaking pre-and post-test scores of the participants. The speaking proficiency of the participants was assessed based on the IELTS band descriptor, which included fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Utilizing one-way ANCOVA and Mann-Whitney U test, it was concluded that participation of the experimental group in speaking tasks at the Clubhouse improved their speaking proficiency and reduced their anxiety when speaking in the target language compared to traditional classes. The findings of the study call for the integration of synchronous mobile-based apps such as Clubhouse for out-of-class speaking tasks to improve EFL learners’ speaking skills and reduce their FLSA levels.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among Ghanaians: A comparison of the risk assessment tools.

ObjectivesRisk stratification is a cornerstone for preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Ghana has yet to develop a locally derived and validated ASCVD risk model. A critical first step towards this goal is assessing how the commonly available risk models perform in the Ghanaian population. This study compares the agreement and correlation between four ASCVD risk assessment models commonly used in Ghana. MethodsThe Ghana Heart Study collected data from four regions in Ghana (Ashanti, Greater Accra, Northern, and Central regions) and excluded people with a self-declared history of ASCVD. The 10-year fatal/non-fatal ASCVD risk of participants aged 40–74 was calculated using mobile-based apps for Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE), laboratory-based WHO/ISH CVD risk, laboratory-based Framingham risk (FRS), and Globorisk, categorizing them as low, intermediate, or high risk. The risk categories were compared using the Kappa statistic and Spearman correlation. ResultsA total of 615 participants were included in this analysis (median age 55 [Inter quartile range 46, 64]) years with 365 (59.3 %) females. The WHO/ISH risk score categorized 504 (82.0 %), 58 (9.4 %), and 53 (8.6 %) as low-, intermediate-, and high-risk, respectively. The PCE categorized 345 (56.1 %), 181 (29.4 %), and 89 (14.5 %) as low-, intermediate- and high-risk, respectively. The Globorisk categorized 236 (38.4 %), 273 (44.4 %), and 106 (17.2 %) as low-, intermediate-, and high-risk, respectively. Significant differences in the risk categorization by region of residence and age group were noted. There was substantial agreement between the PCE vs FRS (Kappa = 0.8, 95 % CI 0.7 – 0.8), PCE vs Globorisk (Kappa = 0.6; 95 % CI 0.6 – 0.7), and FRS vs Globorisk (Kappa = 0.6; 95 % CI 0.6 – 0.7). However, there was only fair agreement between the WHO vs Globorisk (Kappa = 0.3; 95 % CI 0.3–0.4) and moderate agreement between the WHO vs PCE and WHO vs FRS. ConclusionThere are significant differences in the ASCVD risk prediction tools in the Ghanaian population, posing a threat to primary prevention. Therefore, there is a need for locally derived and validated tools.

Screen distractions and vocabulary gains in Memrise mobile-assisted vocabulary learning (MAVL) setting

Despite the significance of investigating the impact of screen distractions on mobile-assisted vocabulary learning (MAVL), research in this area is limited. This experimental study investigated the impact of screen distractions on participants’ Memrise MAVL experience. It employed an exploratory case study design in an EFL flipped classroom setting and examined the impact of a two-week Memrise MAVL experience on participants' vocabulary gains, time spent on the process, engagement with screen activities, and the effect of screen distractions. The results showed no significant differences in the completion of target units between the control and experimental groups. However, there was a significant difference in the total amount of screen distractions among individuals in both groups. The study also found significant correlations between participants’ total finished target words and other dependent variables. The linear regression test indicated a strong correlation between total screen distractions and participants' finished target words. Although screen distractions did not significantly affect individual performance on vocabulary gains, they did contribute to the total time spent on the process. Overall, this study highlights the potential of mobile-based apps in self-directed and independent vocabulary learning within the flipped classroom setting.

Examining Advantages, Reasons, and Issues of Ordering Online Food through Mobile Application

Abstract: Online Food delivery refers to the process when different restaurants, cafes, and food outlets deliver food or drinks to the customers according to their order placed by any mode to meet the exact demand and provide customer satisfaction and service of the best quality. Most people use their mobile phones to do the process; However, there are many advantages of ordering food through mobile-based apps; what are the reasons behind it, and what possible issues do customers face while ordering food online? This paper will provide information on those factors and discuss the most significant reasons, how those issues can be solved, what advantages customers get which motivate them to go online Food ordering instead of going out, and how Covid-19 impacted the online food ordering Industry. In the times of Covid-19, Online food ordering helped in different ways when people were not in a condition to cook food on their own and could not go out of the house to protect everyone.

Acquisition of Field Data through Mobile-based Apps Dedicated to Soil Health Protection

Mobile applications dedicated to soil resource protection are increasingly common among users worldwide. What makes them popular among them is the possibility they offer in the acquisition, respectively saving and storing data from the field. Regarding the possibility of acquiring soil resource data, we propose to make an analysis, to emphasize the malleable nature of specific mobile applications with what software development platforms allow; for the present paper, we examined an application created through the MIT App Inventor® platform. As a result of the research, three ways of data acquisition were determined - through the interface, internal sensors, and external sensors. The obtained results showed that the acquisition of soil-related data depends to a large extent on the specifics of mobile devices (especially the presence and access of sensors), but also on the implemented functionalities that the user wants to have access to at that time. Consequently, any application created through platforms such as MIT App Inventor® can and must have at least one of the data acquisition methods presented in the paper; the dynamics and specificity of the application must agree with the user requirements and the requirements imposed by the research context.

Insights Into Needs and Preferences for Mental Health Support on Social Media and Through Mobile Apps Among Black Male University Students: Exploratory Qualitative Study.

BackgroundBlack college-aged men are less likely than their peers to use formal, therapeutic in-person services for mental health concerns. As the use of mobile technologies and social media platforms is steadily increasing, it is important to conduct work that examines the future utility of digital tools and technologies to improve access to and uptake of mental health services for Black men and Black men in college.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify and understand college-attending Black men’s needs and preferences for using digital health technologies and social media for stress and mental health symptom management.MethodsInterviews were conducted with Black male students (N=11) from 2 racially diverse universities in the Midwestern United States. Participants were asked questions related to their current mental health needs and interest in using social media platforms and mobile-based apps for their mental health concerns. A thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsFour themes emerged from the data: current stress relief strategies, technology-based support needs and preferences (subthemes: mobile-based support and social media–based support), resource information dissemination considerations (subthemes: information-learning expectations and preferences and information-sharing preferences and behaviors), and technology-based mental health support design considerations (subtheme: relatability and representation). Participants were interested in using social media and digital technologies for their mental health concerns and needs, for example, phone notifications and visual-based mental health advertisements that promote awareness. Relatability in the context of representation was emphasized as a key factor for participants interested in using digital mental health tools. Examples of methods for increasing relatability included having tools disseminated by minority-serving organizations and including components explicitly portraying Black men engaging in mental health support strategies. The men also discussed wanting to receive recommendations for stress relief that have been proven successful, particularly for Black men.ConclusionsThe findings from this study provide insights into design and dissemination considerations for future work geared toward developing mental health messaging and digital interventions for young Black men.

Quantification of Digital Body Maps for Pain: Development and Application of an Algorithm for Generating Pain Frequency Maps.

BackgroundPain is an unpleasant sensation that signals potential or actual bodily injury. The locations of bodily pain can be communicated and recorded by freehand drawing on 2D or 3D (manikin) surface maps. Freehand pain drawings are often part of validated pain questionnaires (eg, the Brief Pain Inventory) and use 2D templates with undemarcated body outlines. The simultaneous analysis of drawings allows the generation of pain frequency maps that are clinically useful for identifying areas of common pain in a disease. The grid-based approach (dividing a template into cells) allows easy generation of pain frequency maps, but the grid’s granularity influences data capture accuracy and end-user usability. The grid-free templates circumvent the problem related to grid creation and selection and provide an unbiased basis for drawings that most resemble paper drawings. However, the precise capture of drawn areas poses considerable challenges in producing pain frequency maps. While web-based applications and mobile-based apps for freehand digital drawings are widely available, tools for generating pain frequency maps from grid-free drawings are lacking.ObjectiveWe sought to provide an algorithm that can process any number of freehand drawings on any grid-free 2D body template to generate a pain frequency map. We envisage the use of the algorithm in clinical or research settings to facilitate fine-grain comparisons of human pain anatomy between disease diagnosis or disorders or as an outcome metric to guide monitoring or discovery of treatments.MethodsWe designed a web-based tool to capture freehand pain drawings using a grid-free 2D body template. Each drawing consisted of overlapping rectangles (Scalable Vector Graphics <rect> elements) created by scribbling in the same area of the body template. An algorithm was developed and implemented in Python to compute the overlap of rectangles and generate a pain frequency map. The utility of the algorithm was demonstrated on drawings obtained from 2 clinical data sets, one of which was a clinical drug trial (ISRCTN68734605). We also used simulated data sets of overlapping rectangles to evaluate the performance of the algorithm.ResultsThe algorithm produced nonoverlapping rectangles representing unique locations on the body template. Each rectangle carries an overlap frequency that denotes the number of participants with pain at that location. When transformed into an HTML file, the output is feasibly rendered as a pain frequency map on web browsers. The layout (vertical-horizontal) of the output rectangles can be specified based on the dimensions of the body regions. The output can also be exported to a CSV file for further analysis.ConclusionsAlthough further validation in much larger clinical data sets is required, the algorithm in its current form allows for the generation of pain frequency maps from any number of freehand drawings on any 2D body template.

Developing a Realistic Learning Approach on Mobile-based Apps: An Ethnomathematics Tedhak Siten

Realistic mathematics learning by utilizing culture as well as integrating technology can be used as an ideal starting point for learning. This study was intended to develop a mobile learning-based mathematics device with a realistic learning approach in the context of the Tedhak Siten ceremony to improve students' critical thinking skills. This type of research was development research that refers to the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation). The study used the mobile learning application, the pretest, and post-test questions, in accordance with the expert validation questionnaire, the media expert validation questionnaire (3 experts), and the student response questionnaire from 32 students. The results revealed that the validity aspect obtained a good category from the media and material expert validator. It obtained a good category from the media expert validators and material experts. It turned out that the media expert's score was 58 and the material expert's 192. Both scores were in a Good category, thus the application was declared valid to be used. Furthermore, the practical aspect of students as users obtained a total score of 2055 and was included in the good category. The effectiveness aspect obtained a significant increase in pretest to posttest scores. It was obtained that the increase in the results of the pretest to the results of the posttest was 24.46. Since there is an increase in testing, it can be concluded that the mobile learning developed is effectively used for learning mathematics. Based on the results, mobile learning has met all the product quality criteria, namely valid, practical, and effective. Therefore, mobile learning with a realistic approach to mathematics using the Tedhak Siten ceremony can improve students' critical thinking skills and can be used for learning.

Analyzing the Patient Behavior for Improving the Medical Treatment Using Smart Healthcare and IoT-Based Deep Belief Network.

Patient behavioral analysis is a critical component in treating patients with a variety of issues, with head trauma, neurological disease, and mental illness. The analysis of the patient's behavior aids in establishing the disease's core cause. Patient behavioral analysis has a number of contests that are much more problematic in traditional healthcare. With the advancement of smart healthcare, patient behavior may be simply analyzed. A new generation of information technologies, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT), is being utilized to transform the traditional healthcare system in a variety of ways. The Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare is a crucial role in offering improved medical facilities to people as well as assisting doctors and hospitals. The proposed system comprises of a variety of medical equipment, such as mobile-based apps and sensors, which is useful in collecting and monitoring the medical information and health data of patient and interact to the doctor via network connected devices. This research may provide key information on the impact of smart healthcare and the Internet of Things in patient beavior and treatment. Patient data are exchanged via the Internet, where it is viewed and analyzed using machine learning algorithms. The deep belief neural network evaluates the patient's particulars from health data in order to determine the patient's exact health state. The developed system proved the average error rate of about 0.04 and ensured accuracy about 99% in analyzing the patient behavior.

A federated approach to Android malware classification through Perm-Maps

In the last decades, mobile-based apps have been increasingly used in several application fields for many purposes involving a high number of human activities. Unfortunately, in addition to this, the number of cyber-attacks related to mobile platforms is increasing day-by-day. However, although advances in Artificial Intelligence science have allowed addressing many aspects of the problem, malware classification tasks are still challenging. For this reason, the following paper aims to propose new special features, called permission maps (Perm-Maps), which combine information related to the Android permissions and their corresponding severity levels. Such features have proven to be very effective in classifying different malware families through the usage of a convolutional neural network. Also, the advantages introduced by the Perm-Maps have been enhanced by a training process based on a federated logic. Experimental results show that the proposed approach achieves up to a 3% improvement in average accuracy with respect to J48 trees and Naive Bayes classifier, and up to 16% compared to multi-layer perceptron classifier. Furthermore, the combined use of Perm-Maps and federated logic allows dealing with unbalanced training datasets with low computational efforts.

Effectiveness, User Engagement and Experience, and Safety of a Mobile App (Lumi Nova) Delivering Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Strategies to Manage Anxiety in Children via Immersive Gaming Technology: Preliminary Evaluation Study.

BackgroundChildhood anxiety disorders are a prevalent mental health problem that can be treated effectively with cognitive behavioral therapy, in which exposure is a key component; however, access to treatment is poor. Mobile-based apps on smartphones or tablets may facilitate the delivery of evidence-based therapy for child anxiety, thereby overcoming the access and engagement barriers of traditional treatment. Apps that deliver therapeutic content via immersive gaming technology could offer an effective, highly engaging, and flexible treatment proposition.ObjectiveIn this paper, we aim to describe a preliminary multi-method evaluation of Lumi Nova, a mobile app intervention targeting mild to moderate anxiety problems in children aged 7-12 years using exposure therapy delivered via an immersive game. The primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness, user engagement and experience, and safety of the beta version of Lumi Nova.MethodsLumi Nova was co-designed with children, parents, teachers, clinicians, game industry experts, and academic partnerships. In total, 120 community-based children with mild to moderate anxiety and their guardians were enrolled to participate in an 8-week pilot study. The outcome measures captured the app’s effectiveness (anxiety symptoms, child-identified goal-based outcomes, and functional impairment), user engagement (game play data and ease-of-use ratings), and safety (mood ratings and adverse events). The outcome measures before and after the intervention were available for 30 children (age: mean 9.8, SD 1.7 years; girls: 18/30, 60%; White: 24/30, 80%). Additional game play data were automatically generated for 67 children (age: mean 9.6, SD 1.53 years; girls: 35/67, 52%; White: 42/67, 63%). Postintervention open-response data from 53% (16/30) of guardians relating to the primary objectives were also examined.ResultsPlaying Lumi Nova was effective in reducing anxiety symptom severity over the 8-week period of game play (t29=2.79; P=.009; Cohen d=0.35) and making progress toward treatment goals (z=2.43; P=.02), but there were no improvements in relation to functional impairment. Children found it easy to play the game and engaged safely with therapeutic content. However, the positive effects were small, and there were limitations to the game play data.ConclusionsThis preliminary study provides initial evidence that an immersive mobile game app may safely benefit children experiencing mild to moderate anxiety. It also demonstrates the value of the rigorous evaluation of digital interventions during the development process to rapidly improve readiness for full market launch.

Potential of Mobile-Based Apps Online Platforms in Fast-Tracking Access of Agriculture Information

Objectives: This paper report the potential of online mobile phone-based platforms in fast-tracking access of agricultural information to farmers, with a case study of Arusha, Tanzania. Method: We used the questionnaire-based and focus group discussion methods and a total of 156 respondents were randomly selected for data collection. Findings: The results showed that 77.6% of respondents possess smartphones and 32.7% of them use internetbased platforms to search for agriculture information which usually is not applicable or specific in their local Arusha context. Such finding raised a need for developing internet-based platform for accessing agricultural information by farmers for use in their local context. Thus, the same respondents were assessed for their readiness to use a mobile-based agricultural app if developed. The results indicated that 80% of the respondents were willing and would use the app. Novelty: The paper demonstrated how mobile phonebased apps can be used to quicken accessibility of agricultural information in a local-based, context-specific location. Keywords: Mobile Apps; Agriculture Information; Online Platform; Smartphones; Information Access

Vital Signs During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Retrospective Analysis of 19,960 Participants in Wuhan and Four Nearby Capital Cities in China.

Background:The implications of city lockdown on vital signs during the COVID-19 outbreak are unknown.Objective:We longitudinally tracked vital signs using data from wearable sensors and determined associations with anxiety and depression.Methods:We selected all participants in the HUAWEI Heart Study from Wuhan and four nearby large provincial capital cities (Guangzhou, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou) and extracted all data from 26 December 2019 (one month before city lockdown) to 21 February 2020. Sleep duration and quality, daily steps, oxygen saturation and heart rate were collected on a daily basis. We compared the vital signs before and after the lockdown using segmented regression analysis of the interrupted time series. The depression and anxiety cases were defined as scores ≥8 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression and anxiety subscales [HADS-D and HADS-A] in 727 participants who finished the survey.Results:We included 19,960 participants (mean age 36 yrs, 90% men). Compared with pre-lockdown, resting heart rate dropped immediately by 1.1 bpm after city lockdown (95% confidence interval [CI]: –1.8, –0.4). Sleep duration increased by 0.5 hour (95% CI: 0.3, 0.8) but deep sleep ratio decreased by 0.9% (95% CI: –1.2, –0.6). Daily steps decreased by 3352 steps (95% CI: –4333, –2370). Anxiety and depression existed in 26% and 17% among 727 available participants, respectively, and associated with longer sleep duration (0.2 and 0.1 hour, both p < 0.001).Conclusions:Lockdown of Wuhan in China was associated with an adverse vital signs profile (reduced physical activity, heart rate, and sleep quality, but increased sleep duration). Wearable devices in combination with mobile-based apps may be useful to monitor both physical and mental health.Clinical trial registration:The trial is registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) website (ChiCTR-OOC-17014138).

Systematic Review of Smartphone Apps as a mHealth Intervention to Address Substance Abuse in Adolescents and Adults.

Substance abuse represents a foremost national concern for adolescents and adults; investigators have implemented a variety of interventions, delivered with both in-person and mobile-based apps' modalities. The electronic techniques could be more effective because they avoid the cost, privacy, and accessibility issues associated with in-person intervention. To address this issue, a systematic review of the scientific evidence relative to the efficacy of app-based interventions delivered by mobile devices (smartphones) to reduce substance abuse in adolescents and adults was carried out. To identify relevant studies published from 2005 to 2019, a comprehensive search was conducted. Databases that were searched include CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Keywords and relevant controlled vocabulary terms related to substance abuse and technology were included. Studies were included if they had examined reductions in substance abuse and problem behaviors as a primary outcome with app-based interventions delivered to adolescents and adults. The initial search yielded 21,641 articles, duplicates were removed, and 14,797 citations remained; title/abstract screening yielded 190 full-text articles. One hundred seventy-three were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria, leaving 17 final articles to be analyzed in this review. Use of app-based interventions showed some evidence of effectiveness in reducing substance abuse in the adolescent adult population. Most intervention studies analyzed focused on alcohol reduction. Further research is needed on diverse substance abuse utilizing larger sample sizes, longitudinal studies, and theoretical foundations on the practice of delivering interventions using mobile-based apps.

Development of mobile-based apps towards smart farming technology in Agro Innovation Park (Tagrinov) Management

As an effort to optimize the use of smart farming technology aimed at increasing efficiency in agriculture, a study was carried out at Agro-Innovation Park (Tagrinov), a place for education and learning of innovative home yard utilization concept. The smart farming applied in Tagrinov were irrigation control systems, pH and nutrition control systems of hydroponic plant, and temperature and humidity control in aeroponic systems. Those three monitoring and controlling systems were integrated in the mobile apps called Tagrinov 4.0. The deployment of control mechanism involved some systems, namely communication testing of android application using firebase server for irrigation; the Arduino Mega 2560 for pH level and nutrition control of hydroponic plant, and the Arduino Uno, DHT22 and DS18B20 sensors for temperature and humidity control of the aeroponic system. The test results showed some advantages of smart farming application in Tagrinov. Irrigation control system using internet network can be easily carried out by users. Arduino makes the system automatic, the pH sensor works as pH meter, the nutrients turn on and off when the pH value and nutrients are appropriate. The aeroponic sensor system read the temperature and humidity in the parent seed nursery, to activate the sprayer and makes the water become mist. All smart farming technologies were operated through mobile apps making these systems more efficient.

Usefulness of mobile apps for communication of genetic test results to at-risk family members in a U.S. integrated health system: A qualitative approach from user-testing

Objective: To assess the usefulness a mobile based application to send genetic test results to at-risk family members in a U.S. integrated health system.Methods: We conducted semi-structured in-person interviews with members of Kaiser Permanente Washington who had enrolled in a prospective study and received genetic test results. Participants were given the task to use the app and comment on the experience. The moderator asked participants to share perspectives on the usefulness of a mobile based app and their lived experiences of sharing their test results with family members.Results: Fourteen study participants who had undergone genetic testing were interviewed. Four primary themes emerged as relevant to the use of mobile-based apps as a tool for communicating genetic test results to at-risk family members: (i) Participants felt a sense of obligation to share positive test results with relatives; (ii) Participants felt that the advantages of using email were similar to those of the app; (iii) Participants felt that younger individuals would be more comfortable with an app; and, (iv) Participants felt they could use the app independently and in their own time.Conclusion: A mobile based app could be used as a tool to improve cascade screening for pathogenic/likely pathogenic test results. The benefits of such a tool are likely greatest among relatives still at the stage of family planning, as well as among family members with strained relationships. There would be minimal burden on the system to offer a mobile based app as a tool.Public interest summary: It is important that when an individual receives genetic testing they inform their family members of the results so that their relatives may also benefit. However, this is not commonly done. We created a mobile app that would help facilitate this communication between family members. In this study, we talked with patients about how they felt about the mobile app and if they would use it for sending their genetic test results to any family members. We found that most patients would use a mobile app for their younger relatives, such as nieces or nephews, or with family members with whom they have little contact. While a mobile app might not be the best option in all circumstances, we show that it could be offered as an additional tool to help increase the number of relatives who are informed about their need for genetic testing.

Using technology to ameliorate the effects of healthcare staff shortages during pandemics

ABSTRACT Although technologies facilitate the provision of quality patient monitoring and management solutions, limited information is available on how technology can be deployed in the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients for addressing the health care workforce shortages. In this study, the author assessed the existing evidence to determine how technologies could be used to solve the issue of workforce shortages in the management of COVID-19 patients. The researcher utilized a quantitative analysis approach. Data were extracted from a total of 11 studies. The use of technologies such as mobile-based apps; telephone service; and video, virtual, and electronic intensive care units (ICU) alleviates the challenge of shortages in the workforce. However, financing and legal challenges impede the full implementation of technology in the management of COVID-19. According to the findings, managers need to adopt suitable ways of addressing the highlighted challenges to effectively use technology to address challenges associated with workforce shortages in the inpatient setting, such as in the emergency department and ICU and home-based care.