Mobile Device Applications Research Articles

Integrated Smart Farming Based on Internet of Things (Iot) System for Figs Cultivation

Fig plants are gaining popularity among farmers across Malaysia, mainly influenced by the high demands for fresh fig fruits and a fairly higher market price for the fruit. Current practices in farm fields are still based on observation and scheduling approach without any quantitative approaches which provide a precise way of determining the crucial elements such as irrigation and fertilization needs. This paper explains the design and development of smart farming system with sensing technology deployment for precision agriculture and the Internet of Things (IoT) approach to get farmers connected to their farm. Raspberry Pi 3 Model B acts as a brain of the entire system, delivering its functionality in performing monitoring and controlling tasks. Database is implemented by using ThingSpeak IoT cloud platform while for mobile application, this project is using Swift 4 programming language within Xcode IDE in implementing the iOS user interface features. The evaluation and validation result shows the microcontrollers and all embedded sensors associated to them are successfully executing their tasks in performing the surrounding humidity, irrigation and fertilization control duties. The developed system also capable in tracing the surrounding temperature and humidity, soil humidity and pH, and fertilizer EC value changes. Assistance in mobile device application implementation and ThingSpeak cloud database deployment in this project also get the farmers connected to their farm. Although this project has been completed successfully, however there are several areas which can be further improved in order to make the entire system more efficient and useful to the user.

A Non-Contact Photoplethysmography Technique for the Estimation of Heart Rate via Smartphone

This paper describes the development of an application for mobile devices under the iOS platform which has the objective of monitoring patients with alterations or affections from cardiac pathologies. The software tool developed for mobile devices provides a patient and a specialist doctor the ability to handle and treat disease remotely while monitoring through the technique of non-contact photoplethysmography (PPG). The mobile application works by processing red, green, and blue (RGB) color video images on a specific region of the face, thus obtaining the intensity of the pixels in the green channel. The results are then processed using mathematical algorithms and Fourier transform, moving from the time domain to the frequency domain to ensure proper interpretation and to obtain the pulses per minute (PPM). The results are favorable because a comparison of the results was made with respect to the application of a medical-grade pulse-oximeter, where an error rate of 3% was obtained, indicating the acceptable performance of our application. The present technological development provides an application tool with significant potential in the area of health.

Realidad aumentada en la enseñanza de hormigón reforzado: percepción de los alumnos

Para el ingeniero de estructuras, la habilidad de visualización espacial es especialmente importante para la comprensión del posicionamiento correcto de los elementos estructurales en un diseño. Así, para mejorar la habilidad de visualización espacial del alumno, en esa investigación fue propuesto el desarrollo de actividades utilizándose una aplicación para dispositivos móviles con los recursos de la Realidad Aumentada (RA). Las actividades fueron planeadas para la asignatura Hormigón Reforzado en el octavo semestre del curso de Ingeniería Civil de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Minas Gerais en Brasil. Dieciocho alumnos matriculados en esa asignatura en el primero semestre de 2019 hicieron las actividades propuestas. Fueron elaboradas cuatro actividades utilizándose los recursos de RA para la aplicación Sketchfab. El instrumento elegido para la evaluación de la percepción del estudiante fue un cuestionario basado en el modelo de aceptación de tecnología TAM (Technology Acceptation Model), que fue adaptado en este estudio. Observándose las respuestas de los alumnos sobre la utilidad y facilidad e intención de uso de los recursos, concluyese que la RA es un recurso importante para mejorar la habilidad de visualización espacial de ellos pues facilitan la visualización de los detalles de las estructuras y hacen el aprendizaje más divertido.

Mobile device applications and treatment of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness

ObjectiveThe current study was performed to assess the evidence for effects of therapeutic intervention with mobile device applications (apps) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).DesignThe main methodology of the...

Telegram App in Learning English: EFL Students’ Perceptions

The rapid growth of mobile device technology and the emergence of new mobile device applications such as Telegram have created new opportunities for EFL students. Accordingly, the current study investigated the EFL College students’ perceptions of using Telegram for English language learning. The participants of the present study were 300 EFL college students, 200 female and 100 male were selected randomly from the department of English and Translation at Tibah University in AL-Medina AL-Manwarah in Saudi Arabia. This study followed a quantitative approach in which a survey questionnaire was utilized as an instrument for data collection. The results revealed that the majority of EFL students perceived Telegram as a useful tool for English language learning, particularly in vocabulary learning. The findings of the present study may contribute to developing the process of improving learning techniques in higher education in Saudi Arabia.

Tourismexico: audio tours para propiciar un turismo seguro en la Ciudad de México

According to the size and population, Mexico City (CDMX) is one of the biggest cities in the world, making it easy to get lost and feel unsafe. This paper presents TourisMexico, a new application for mobile devices, Android, which aims to create audio tours in order to promote tourists to move at their own pace and safely. Also by using the tour creator, the app brings an opportunity to local users to monetize their creations. These tours can be downloaded, for an offline follow through, also the users have access to maps which facilitates their displacement. By using the mobile connection, the users have tips and interesting travel articles, left by others, tourists. The article explains each phase of the development process of TourisMexico based on the User-Centered Design methodology.

Mobile Device Applications for Electronic Patient Portals in Oncology.

Mobile devices provide individuals with rapid and frequent access to electronic patient portals. We investigated how oncology patients use this technology to review test results and communicate with providers. We performed a retrospective study of patients enrolled in the MyChart electronic health portal associated with the Epic electronic medical record at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center from 2012 to 2017. We recorded type of portal access according to year and patient characteristics. Associations among patient characteristics and types of portal access were tested using Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, and linear Gaussian regression models. Since the availability of a mobile device application in 2012, 2,524 patients with cancer accessed MyChart from a mobile device at least once, which accounted for 291,526 mobile log-ins. The number of patients with MyChart mobile application log-ins increased from 4% in 2012 to 13% in 2017 ( P = .004). Among these patients, the median proportion of log-ins that occurred through mobile device use increased from 22% to 72% during this time period ( P < .001). Mobile access occurred more frequently among younger ( P < .001), black ( P = .002), and Hispanic ( P = .004) patients. Since 2012, total portal log-in frequency increased approximately 110% among patients who used the mobile application compared with 25% among those who did not use the mobile application ( P < .001). Mobile access to electronic health portals has increased patient portal use, particularly among traditionally underserved populations. How this widely and immediately available technology affects patient expectations and experiences warrants additional study.

Mobile Ultrasound Systems as a Modern Tool for the Doctor

Abstract Miniaturisation of ultrasound equipment in the form of a tablet- or smartphone-sized scanner is the result of rapid development of modern medical technology. Availability of mobile ultrasound devices has changed our approach to diagnostics of many cardiovascular diseases. Mobile visualisation can be performed at the patient’s bedside and is simple in use. The information obtained from mobile visualisation, despite being incomplete, is of undoubtable value for rapid diagnosis which leads to early treatment onset. These devices possess unique characteristics: low cost, wide availability, safety, and precision. These characteristics make them usable in different clinical scenarios by operators of different specialties and expertise. Visualisation and interpretation of the images is done fast and provides useful diagnostic, prognostic and treatment data for each situation. This review devotes main attention to the regulation of application of mobile ultrasound devices, the notion of “focus cardiac ultrasound” and its differences from emergency and elective expert echocardiography protocols as well as limitations and numerous advantages related to usage of mobile ultrasound systems.

Enhancing Interaction with Augmented Reality through Mid-Air Haptic Feedback: Architecture Design and User Feedback

Nowadays, Augmented-Reality (AR) head-mounted displays (HMD) deliver a more immersive visualization of virtual contents, but the available means of interaction, mainly based on gesture and/or voice, are yet limited and obviously lack realism and expressivity when compared to traditional physical means. In this sense, the integration of haptics within AR may help to deliver an enriched experience, while facilitating the performance of specific actions, such as repositioning or resizing tasks, that are still dependent on the user’s skills. In this direction, this paper gathers the description of a flexible architecture designed to deploy haptically enabled AR applications both for mobile and wearable visualization devices. The haptic feedback may be generated through a variety of devices (e.g., wearable, graspable, or mid-air ones), and the architecture facilitates handling the specificity of each. For this reason, within the paper, it is discussed how to generate a haptic representation of a 3D digital object depending on the application and the target device. Additionally, the paper includes an analysis of practical, relevant issues that arise when setting up a system to work with specific devices like HMD (e.g., HoloLens) and mid-air haptic devices (e.g., Ultrahaptics), such as the alignment between the real world and the virtual one. The architecture applicability is demonstrated through the implementation of two applications: (a) Form Inspector and (b) Simon Game, built for HoloLens and iOS mobile phones for visualization and for UHK for mid-air haptics delivery. These applications have been used to explore with nine users the efficiency, meaningfulness, and usefulness of mid-air haptics for form perception, object resizing, and push interaction tasks. Results show that, although mobile interaction is preferred when this option is available, haptics turn out to be more meaningful in identifying shapes when compared to what users initially expect and in contributing to the execution of resizing tasks. Moreover, this preliminary user study reveals some design issues when working with haptic AR. For example, users may be expecting a tailored interface metaphor, not necessarily inspired in natural interaction. This has been the case of our proposal of virtual pressable buttons, built mimicking real buttons by using haptics, but differently interpreted by the study participants.

Effectiveness of smart phone application use as continuing medical education method in pediatric oral health care: a randomized trial

BackgroundContinuing education aims at assisting physicians to maintain competency and expose them to emerging issues in their field. Over the last decade, approaches to the delivery of educational content have changed dramatically as medical education at all levels is now benefitting from the use of web-based content and applications for mobile devices. The aim of the present study is to investigate through a randomized trial the effectiveness of a smart phone application to increase public health service physicians’ (PHS physicians) knowledge regarding pediatric oral health care.MethodFive of all seven DHCs (District Health Center) in Tehran, which were under the supervision of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Iran University of Medical Sciences, were selected for our study. Physicians of one DHC had participated in a pilot study. All PHS physicians in the other four centers were invited to the current study on a voluntary basis (n = 107). They completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitudes, practice in pediatric dentistry, and background. PHS physicians were assigned randomly to intervention and control groups; those in the intervention group, received a newly designed evidence-based smartphone application, and those in the control group received a booklet, a CME seminar, and a pamphlet. A post-intervention survey was administered 4 months later and t-test and repeated measures ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance) were performed to measure the difference in the PHS physicians’ knowledge, attitude and practice.ResultsIn both groups, the mean knowledge scores were significantly higher (p-Value < 0.001) in post-intervention data compared to those at baseline. Similar results existed in attitude and practice scores. Although the scores in knowledge in the intervention group indicating potentially greater improvement when compared to those of the control group, the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (dif: 0.84, 95% CI − 0.35 to 2.02).ConclusionIn the light of the limitations of the present study, smart phone applications could improve knowledge, attitude and practice in physicians although this method was not superior to the conventional method of CME.Trial registrationOur clinical trial had been registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration code: IRCT2016091029765N1).

A mobile device app to reduce prehospital medication errors and time to drug preparation and delivery by emergency medical services during simulated pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation: study protocol of a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundEmergency drug preparation and administration in children is both complex and time-consuming and places this population at a higher risk than adults for medication errors. Moreover, survival and a favorable neurological outcome from cardiopulmonary resuscitation are inversely correlated to drug preparation time. We developed a mobile device application (the pediatric Accurate Medication IN Emergency Situations (PedAMINES) app) as a step-by-step guide for the preparation to delivery of drugs requiring intravenous injection. In a previous multicenter randomized trial, we reported the ability of this app to significantly reduce in-hospital continuous infusion medication error rates and drug preparation time compared to conventional preparation methods during simulation-based pediatric resuscitations. This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this app during pediatric out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Methods/designWe will conduct a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial to compare the PedAMINES app with conventional calculation methods for the preparation of direct intravenously administered emergency medications during standardized, simulation-based, pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest scenarios using a high-fidelity manikin. One hundred and twenty paramedics will be randomized (1:1) in several emergency medical services located in different regions of Switzerland. Each paramedic will be asked to prepare, sequentially, four intravenously administered emergency medications using either the app or conventional methods. The primary endpoint is the medication error rates. Enrollment will start in mid-2019 and data analysis in late 2019. We anticipate that the intervention will be completed in early 2020 and study results will be submitted in late 2020 for publication (expected in early 2021).DiscussionThis clinical trial will assess the impact of an evidence-based mobile device app to reduce the rate of medication errors, time to drug preparation and time to drug delivery during prehospital pediatric resuscitation. As research in this area is scarce, the results generated from this study will be of great importance and may be sufficient to change and improve prehospital pediatric emergency care practice.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03921346. Registered on 18 April 2019.

Toward Customized Hybrid Fuel-Cell and Battery-powered Mobile Device for Individual Users

Rapidly evolving technologies and applications of mobile devices inevitably increase the power demands on the battery. However, the development of batteries can hardly keep pace with the fast-growing demands, leading to short battery life, which becomes the top complaints from customers. In this article, we investigate a novel energy supply technology, fuel cell (FC), and leverage its advantages of providing long-term energy storage to build a hybrid FC-battery power system. Therefore, mobile device operation time is dramatically extended, and users are no longer bothered by battery recharging. We examine real-world smartphone usage data and find that a naive hybrid power system cannot meet many users’ highly diversified power demands. We thus propose an OS-level power management policy that reduces the device power consumption for each power peak to solve this mismatch. This technique trades the quality-of-service (QoS) for a larger FC ratio in the system and thus much longer device operation time. We further observe that the user’s personality largely determines his/her satisfaction with the QoS degradation and the operation time extension. Thus, applying a hybrid system with fixed configuration (i.e., peak throttling level coupled with corresponding FC/battery ratio) fails to satisfy every user. We then explore customized hybrid system configuration based on each individual user’s personality to deliver the optimal satisfaction for him/her. The experimental results show that our personality-aware hybrid FC-battery solution can achieve 4× longer operation time and 25% higher satisfaction score compared to the common setting for state-of-the-art mobile devices.

Simulation and Programming of an Industrial Robot Based on Augmented Reality

This work is devoted to design, development and practical implementation of an AR application for simulation and programming of an industrial robot basic movements. The process of the AR-based application for mobile devices is briefly described to show the advantages and scalability of the proposed concept.

Development of educational game “WEB technologies”

This paper proposes a model of an educational game with a multi-level hierarchical structure. The game is designed for users with different background levels - both applicants and students. The game is implemented as an application for mobile devices based on the Android operating system and designed to increase user interest to the disciplines of the WEB technology stack, as well as to improve the effectiveness of training in general. A multi-level structure of the game is developed, containing various levels of data representation. The lower levels contain information on the HTML, CSS, and PHP languages needed to create own website. Upper level contains information regarding SEO tools, the knowledge of which allows website optimization and promotion to the visibility range of information retrieval systems. Information for the first basic level of the hierarchical structure of the game is available for applicants, which allows familiarizing the user with the basic concepts and practical aspects in the field of WEB-technologies. Students, in turn, gain access to all information. The navigation scheme of the game is presented as a UML diagram. The game is designed for users aged 16-22 and has restrictions on access to the test part of the game – only to registered users. At the preparatory stage of game development, a survey was conducted to identify the most significant indicators that affect quality. Data processing is carried out using the method of expert assessments. Among the proposed options, the most significant were: design and speed, ease of navigation, game content and the ability to pass thematic tests. Upon completion of the development of the game, questionnaire and interview methods were applied, which made it possible to evaluate the results obtained, determine the level of the developed application and the appropriateness of implementation. The survey analysis showed that the opinions of experts are consistent. The game meets the expectations of experts in general and is suitable for implementation. The developed application allows for training in a playful way and, in general, to increase the interest of users in studying the disciplines of the WEB technology stacks.

The Quest for Managing Stroke through A Mobile Device Application: A Review Study of Innovative Technologies Related to Cerebrovascular Accident

Stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the fifth leading cause of death for Americans, accounting for 140,000 lives each year (“Stroke facts,” 2017). CVA marks 1 out of every 20 deaths and nearly 75% of all strokes occur in people aged 65 years and above (Centers for disease control,” 2017). As a leading cause of long-term disability, stroke can have devastating effects on patients and their caregivers. Despite a number of emerging technologies that could potentially be helpful in the prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation of strokes, typically, such technologies are limited and only considered for millennials. Similarly, at the present time, there is not a single platform designed specifically for stroke management. This makes access to relevant CVA information for baby boomers and the elderly challenging and the potential edification process rather inefficient. The key objective of this review is to identify and discuss effective technologies that can assist baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964 in the United States, to manage CVA and further explore possible concerns of baby boomers associated with awareness and accessibility of the aforementioned technologies.

How the French Nutri-Score can impact sales of processed-foods? A complex system perspective

Abstract Background Nutri-Score (NS) is France Front-of-Pack Food Labelling System to provide at-a-glance information about the nutritional quality of pre-packaged food products. Based on the Food Standards Agency nutrient profiling system, its algorithm generates a score by taking into account the presence of both the harmful and beneficial contents in food. In this presentation, we report on our analysis of the logic model of NS and on its potential impact on the production and marketing of processed foods. Methods We reviewed the scientific and grey literature on NS to identify its potential mechanisms and loci of change. We also appraised the policy against Meadow’s leverage points for system change. Results The official adoption of the NS algorithm is instrumental in modifying both consumer food-related behaviours and food industry corporate practices. The algorithm takes 3 forms: 1) the front-of-pack logo indicating an integrated colour/letter score for the product, 2) mobile device applications which help consumers assess the nutritional value of food products even without an affixed logo, 3) nutritional parameters which influence food manufacturing decision-making in the industry. NS can trigger different drivers of corporate practice. From the current uptake trends, small and medium size food manufacturers appear more likely to welcome the NS Logo as a means to stand out against the multinational corporations presently dominating the market. As for the capacity of NS to transform the existing systems of producing and marketing processed foods, we find that it is mostly by changing the flow of information. NS presents new information, previously inaccessible to consumers, to support the population in making healthier food choices by providing a means for nuanced nutritional comparisons between food products of the same category. Conclusions We conclude on the potential evolution of Nutri-Score and how its uptake by food corporations may be fostered. Key messages Nutri-Score’s impact is through: the front-of-pack logo; nutrition apps; and as a parameter of food industry decision-making. Nutri-Score impacts the flow of information of the processed-food system.

Japanese students' interaction using smartphone apps: a study of young learners in a private high school

The widespread use of mobile devices plays a significant role in our everyday lives and has changed the way we communicate and interact. Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) offers numerous opportunities for learning inside the classroom with mobile devices no longer seen as only social and gaming devices. Research shows that mobile device applications (apps) are now valuable tools which are used for education and language learning, in particular for promoting learner collaboration and social interaction. The purpose of this study is to discover how smartphones and apps can support greater student interaction. With an increased number of educational institutions, namely private junior and senior high schools in Japan embracing mobile technology into classroom pedagogy, this study investigates which smartphone repurposed apps are useful for encouraging interaction between students. The significance of this research is beneficial for learners, teacher-educators and app developers in advancing the benefits of social interaction in second language acquisition (SLA) utilising mobile devices. Through qualitative structured observation of participants in a Tokyo high school classroom, this study explores which smartphone apps are the most successful in encouraging interaction measured by frequency counts. The quantitative data reveal which apps are the most suitable for supporting greater social interaction and collaboration between learners. The implications derived from the findings support the argument that smartphones provide increased student-student interaction and collaboration.

Computationally approximated solution for the equation for Henssge\u2019s time of death estimation

BackgroundTime of death estimation in humans for the benefit of forensic medicine has been successfully approached by Henssge, who modelled body cooling based on measurements of Marshall and Hoare. Thereby, body and ambient temperatures are measured at the death scene to estimate a time of death based on a number of assumptions, such as initial body temperature and stable ambient temperature. While so far, practical use of the method resorted to paper print outs or copies of a nomogram using a ruler, increasingly, users are interested in computer or mobile device applications. We developed a computational solution that has been available online as a web accessible PHP program since 2005. From that, we have received numerous requests not so much to detail our code but to explain how to efficiently approximate the solution to the Henssge equation.MethodsTo solve Henssge’s double exponential equation that models physical cooling of a body, it is sufficient to determine a difference term of the equation that will be close to zero for the correct time of death using a discrete set of all sensible possible solutions given that the modelled time frame has practical upper limits. Best post-mortem interval approximation yields minimal difference between equation termsResultsThe solution is approximated by solving the equation term difference for a discrete set of all possible time of death intervals that are sensibly found, and by then determining the particular time of death where equation term difference is minimal.ConclusionsThe advantage of a computational model over the nomogram is that the user is also able to model hypothermia and hyperthermia. While mathematically impossible to solve in a straightforward way, solutions to the Henssge equation can be approximated computationally.

Application of Augmented Reality, Mobile Devices, and Sensors for a Combat Entity Quantitative Assessment Supporting Decisions and Situational Awareness Development

This paper presents advances in the development of specialized mobile applications for combat decision support utilizing augmented reality technologies used for the production of contextual data delivered to any tactical smartphone. Handhelds and decision support systems have been present in military operations since the 1990s. Due to the development of hardware and software platforms, smartphones are capable of running complex algorithms for individual soldiers and low-level commander support. The utilization of tactical data (force location, composition, and tasks) in dynamic mobile networks that are accessible anywhere during a mission provides means for the development of situational awareness and decision superiority. These two elements are key factors in 21st-century military operations, as they influence the efficiency of recognition, identification, and targeting. Combat support tools and their analytical capabilities can serve as recon data hubs, but most of all they can support and simplify complex analytical tasks for commanders. These tasks mainly include topographical and tactical orientation within the battlespace. This paper documents the ideas for and construction details of mobile support tools used for supporting the specific operational activities of military personnel during combat and crisis management. The presented augmented reality-based evaluation methods formulate new capabilities for the visualization and identification of military threats, mission planning characteristics, tasks, and checkpoints, which help individuals to orientate within their current situation. The developed software platform, mobile common operational picture (mCOP), demonstrates all research findings and delivers a personalized combat-oriented distributed mobile system, supporting blue-force tracking capabilities and reconnaissance data fusion as well as threat-level evaluations for military and crisis management scenarios. The mission data are further fused with Geographic Information System (GIS) topographical and vector data, supporting terrain evaluations for mission planning and execution. The application implements algorithms for path finding, movement task scheduling, assistance, and analysis, as well as military potential evaluation, threat-level estimation, and location tracking. The features of the mCOP mobile application were designed and organized as mission-critical functions. The presented research demonstrates and proves the usefulness of deploying mobile applications for combat support, situation awareness development, and the delivery of augmented reality-based threat-level analytical data to extend the capabilities and properties of software tools applied for supporting military and border protection operations.

Mobile Devices and Investment News Apps: The Effects of Information Release, Push Notification, and the Fear of Missing Out

ABSTRACT We examine how information dissemination via mobile device applications (apps) affects nonprofessional investors' judgments. In response to the prevalence of mobile device use, the media ungroups content into smaller pieces to accommodate users, and apps use push notifications to highlight this content. These changes increase users' ability to access investment information in real time, leaving some investors feeling as if they are missing out if they are not continuously connected. We validate a scale to capture investors' fear of missing out on investment information (I-FoMO) and document that I-FoMO is distinct from traditional FoMO that occurs in social settings. Then, using an experiment, we find that receiving ungrouped content via a mobile device has a greater effect on investment allocations in the presence, rather than absence, of push notifications. Further, we find that these results hold for higher, but not for lower, I-FoMO investors. JEL Classifications: G23; M41; M48; M49. Data Availability: Contact the authors.