Mobile Handheld Devices Research Articles

Walkability: a review of trends

ABSTRACT Walkability has emerged as not only a set of indexes and metrics but a normative discourse. This review of walkability studies draws on English, Spanish and Portuguese literatures, as well as case studies evaluating pedestrian walking in cities. In recent literature reviews, a pattern emerges of studies agreeing on relatively consistent factors while identifying problems with metrics. However, these studies continue to operate on an aggregate level, often without differentiating pedestrians by gender, age, and ability. The lack of higher-order socioeconomic and affective factors such as social norms and comfort reflects a lack of attention to diversity. The ubiquitous importance of hand-held mobile devices, although undercut by the lack of a single mobile platform, suggests the possibility of crowd-sourced assessments. GIS and GPS tools allow emerging professional practices focused on walkability audits.

Musical Control Gestures in Mobile Handheld Devices: Design Guidelines Informed by Daily User Experience

Mobile handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have become some of the most prominent ubiquitous terminals within the information and communication technology landscape. Their transformative power within the digital music domain changed the music ecosystem from production to distribution and consumption. Of interest here is the ever-expanding number of mobile music applications. Despite their growing popularity, their design in terms of interaction perception and control is highly arbitrary. It remains poorly addressed in related literature and lacks a clear, systematized approach. In this context, our paper aims to provide the first steps towards defining guidelines for optimal sonic interaction design practices in mobile music applications. Our design approach is informed by user data in appropriating mobile handheld devices. We conducted an experiment to learn links between control gestures and musical parameters, such as pitch, duration, and amplitude. A twofold action—reflection protocol and tool-set for evaluating the aforementioned links—are also proposed. The results collected from the experiment show statistically significant trends in pitch and duration control gesture mappings. On the other hand, amplitude appears to elicit a more diverse mapping approach, showing no definitive trend in this experiment.

Effectiveness of the Wearable Sensor-based Ambient Intelligent Geriatric Management (AmbIGeM) System in Preventing Falls in Older People in Hospitals.

BackgroundThe Ambient Intelligent Geriatric Management (AmbIGeM) system augments best practice and involves a novel wearable sensor (accelerometer and gyroscope) worn by patients where the data captured by the sensor are interpreted by algorithms to trigger alerts on clinician handheld mobile devices when risk movements are detected.MethodsA 3-cluster stepped-wedge pragmatic trial investigating the effect on the primary outcome of falls rate and secondary outcome of injurious fall and proportion of fallers. Three wards across 2 states were included. Patients aged ≥65 years were eligible. Patients requiring palliative care were excluded. The trial was registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials registry, number 12617000981325.ResultsA total of 4924 older patients were admitted to the study wards with 1076 excluded and 3240 (1995 control, 1245 intervention) enrolled. The median proportion of study duration with valid readings per patient was 49% ((interquartile range [IQR] 25%-67%)). There was no significant difference between intervention and control relating to the falls rate (adjusted rate ratio = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [0.85, 2.34]; p = .192), proportion of fallers (odds ratio = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [0.91, 2.61]; p = .105), and injurious falls rate (adjusted rate ratio = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [0.38, 2.14]; p = .807). In a post hoc analysis, falls and injurious falls rate were reduced in the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit wards when the intervention period was compared to the control period.ConclusionsThe AmbIGeM system did not reduce the rate of falls, rate of injurious falls, or proportion of fallers. There remains a case for further exploration and refinement of this technology given the post hoc analysis findings with the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit wards. Clinical Trials Registration Number: 12617000981325

Mobile Augmented Reality Technologies for Autism Spectrum Disorder Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review

Over the past decade, enhanced computing capabilities and mobile technologies have begotten the upsurge of innovative mobile health (mHealth) solutions, and many research efforts have occurred recently in the area of technology-based interventions (TBI) for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Mobile augmented reality (MAR) refers to AR systems that use the handheld mobile device medium (mobile phones, tablets or smart glasses). This article reports the results of a systematic review undertaken on the use of MAR for ASD-related skills learning from the year 2010. It aims to provide an insight into the current state of research on MAR interventions and to provide guidance to relevant designers and researchers. We searched seven databases and retrieved 625 articles initially. After exclusion and screening, 36 articles were reviewed reporting on using MAR to improve various skills of children and adolescents with ASD, and 10 research questions related to PICO (P: Population, I: Intervention, C: Comparison, O: Outcomes) were addressed. This study identifies challenges that still exist in the research efforts towards the development of applications exploiting the MAR for ASD interventions: technology issues, research design consideration, subjective assessment etc. The studies examined suggest researchers should focus on users and improve the quality of the MAR app. In addition, more effective research methods and evaluation methods could be involved in future studies to facilitate the development of MAR intervention applications.

Perceptions of teachers on teaching and learning with mobile devices in higher education classrooms in Oman: A pilot study

Mobile learning is a new educational paradigm. The use of mobile technology is popular on a global scale among students of higher learning. Mobile handheld devices have emerged as a learning tool for teachers and students in higher education classrooms. Nevertheless, the impact of mobile technology on learners has been an area of concern to teachers and administrators. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the perceptions of teachers on the use of mobile devices such as smart phones, iPads, notes and tablets in higher education classrooms. In this pilot study, in-depth one-to-one face-to-face interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires. Limitations included the relatively small number of participants and restriction to only one of the many higher education institutions in Oman. The findings of this pilot study indicated that these technological tools can be potentially beneficial to the educational sector in the future and that more research should be conducted in the future in which a greater number of interviewees are sampled from more education institutions in Oman.Keywords: mobile devices; mobile learning; mobile technologiesPart of the Special Issue Technology enhanced learning in the MENA region <https://doi.org/10.21428/8c225f6e.1fd869f8>

A Context Aware Job Information Real-Time Delivery Framework for Pervasive Environment

Context-aware systems are getting rapid popularity towards enabling a pervasive computing environment over hand-held mobile devices, wearable devices, and Tablets. These systems deliver services tailored to the specific needs and user’s context. The context-aware system services can utilize information about the user’s context to adapt services based on the user’s location. The prime aim of this research paper is to investigate and analyse the critical issues and challenges while delivering the job information to the job seekers when they migrate from one place to another in search of jobs. In addition, the research also tries to investigate the challenges faced by employers/ job providers when they search and recruit the right person for the right jobs. In this paper the issues and challenges investigated and analysed were timeliness of information dissemination, opportunity missing, fake/genuine information, anywhere, anytime accessibility over small handheld devices. After rigorous analysis of the investigated issues and challenges in the existing state of art employment/job information dissemination systems, a real-time context-aware employment information delivery system framework for the pervasive environment is proposed. The research parameters considered are Preference of Job seekers, Location of Jobs, Context, Qualification, CGPA, Experience, everywhere access at any time, and Identity. The paper used both the quantitative and qualitative approaches for proposing a research-based applied solution. Survey of job seekers, Interview of recruiters, and technical observation of the researcher are used for collecting the relevant facts to check the researchability of the issues and challenges. Protégé version 4.3 is used for modelling, Edraw-Max for designing the framework, Google Form for Survey, and Justin mind tool for Prototype design and testing. The framework and its Prototype was examined using a user acceptance test. The acceptance test indicated that 84.6% of target stakeholders accepted the proposed system framework as a new knowledge solution for the aforementioned issues and challenges in the employment sectors

Optimization of Remote Public Medical Emergency Management System with Low Delay Based on Internet of Things.

Due to the limitation of economic geography condition, the existing health resources distribution is uneven, the emergence of remote medical disciplines perfectly solved this difficult problem, using computer and network communication network on audio video information transmissions, querying, display, storage, and backup and realizing the network of outpatient service, remote consultation, health advice, and other functions. Telemedicine enables the limited available medical resources to be shared and fully utilized and also enables many economically underdeveloped provinces to enjoy a higher level of medical sharing services. Public health emergency management system on the overall design of the low latency according to system function will be based on the Internet of things. The remote public health emergency management system is divided into three subsystems low latency modules, basic subsystems of platform, application platform, and specific application subsystems, and designs the structure of the various modules. The implementation process is given. In the realization of the system, this paper describes in detail how to realize the functions of the public medical low delay emergency management system, and, in the end, the realization process of the system is reasonably summarized. The application of Internet of things technology in regional emergency rescue can realize the identification and real-time positioning of material personnel, the collection and transmission of the wounded's physiological information, real-time information transmission, and interaction based on mobile handheld devices, as well as the integration of emergency rescue resources, information integration, and command decision-making, so as to assist rescue operations and improve rescue efficiency.

Design and Implementation of Memory Assistant Based on Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

In view of the single stereotype of memorizing knowledge points with the help of traditional books and easy to distract attention in the process of memorizing with the help of mobile phones and computers, a mobile handheld device, memory assistant, is designed and developed based on Ebbinghaus forgetting law curve, embedded software and hardware development technology, and memory list cycle pushing intelligent algorithm designed by forgetting curve law as the core. The experiment shows that the device is convenient and flexible like electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers, and also has the characteristics of high efficiency and concentration of book memorizing, at the same time, scientific and reasonable learning plan can effectively improve the efficiency of users’ Recitation and memory.

A comprehensive mobile application tool for disease surveillance, workforce management and supply chain management for Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project

BackgroundHealth care technologies are now offering accountability, quality, robustness, and accuracy in disease surveillance and health care delivery programmes. With the advent of mobile hand-held devices, these technologies have become more accessible and adaptable for use by field staff working in remote areas. The Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project started collection of data and conduct of routine operations using paper-based reporting systems. Observing the need for a robust and quality digital mobile application, a comprehensive mobile application tool was developed that allowed the project to conduct disease surveillance, workforce management and supply chain management.MethodsIn June 2017, the project conceptualized a comprehensive mobile application tool in the local language (Hindi) for disease surveillance, human resources management, and supply chain management. The tool is also available in English. Solution for Community Health-workers (SOCH) mobile app is an android native application developed using android SDK and web-based tool using MVC.net framework. Construction of the application started in November 2017 and rolled out its pilot in April 2018, followed by pan-district roll out in July 2018. The application uses self-validation tools to ensure high level of data quality and integrity.ResultsThe software is available in android based hand-held devices and web-screens with built-in data analytical capabilities. Using SOCH, the project has now successfully digitized its routine surveillance, attendance, tour plans, supply chain management components. The project has documented a reduction in 91% indigenous cases in the district, 60% improvement in stock accountability, and 99.6% accuracy in data collected through the mobile application.ConclusionSOCH is an excellent and user-friendly tool, which can be customized for any public health management programme. The system ensures accountability and data robustness, which is needed for malaria elimination efforts throughout the country. The mobile application can be adapted for English or any other Indian or international language for use for malaria or any other disease surveillance and control programme. Another expansion feature of this mobile application is incorporation of indicators for Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), and minor engineering by the residents of community under surveillance. The authors believe that it would be highly desirable and appropriate for an international organization, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), to conduct an independent comparison of all available mobile e-surveillance tools, so that a high-performing and globally suitable system can be selected for use in malaria elimination programmes. The Foundation of Disease Elimination and Controlof India has decided to make the SOCH mobile application available to anyone who would like to use it for disease surveillance and health care programmes.

Low-Light Image Restoration With Short- and Long-Exposure Raw Pairs

Low-light imaging with handheld mobile devices is a challenging issue. Limited by the existing models and training data, most existing methods cannot be effectively applied in real scenarios. In this paper, we propose a new low-light image restoration method by using the complementary information of short- and long-exposure images. We first propose a novel data generation method to synthesize realistic short- and long-exposure raw images by simulating the imaging pipeline in low-light environment. Then, we design a new long-short-exposure fusion network (LSFNet) to deal with the problems of low-light image fusion, including high noise, motion blur, color distortion and misalignment. The proposed LSFNet takes pairs of short- and long-exposure raw images as input, and outputs a clear RGB image. Using our data generation method and the proposed LSFNet, we can recover the details and color of the original scene, and improve the low-light image quality effectively. Experiments demonstrate that our method can outperform the state-of-the-art methods.

Exploring the effective use of mobile devices by previously disadvantaged English language student educators the Constructivist way

The use of smartphones and tablet computers is at the leading edge of technology and studying. The majority of students who study English in previously disadvantaged institutions (PDIs) possess handheld mobile devices, and this augurs well for the effective use of these devices. The use of handheld mobile devices can revolutionise the learning and teaching of English language among the students, who usually queue to use desktop computers. The use of handheld mobile devices could also foster collaborative and independent learning. The aim of this paper is to discuss the responses of English language student educators to a questionnaire on the use of handheld mobile devices at a PDI in South Africa.

Realization of IoT Integration System of LED Based on Particle Swarm Optimization

The purpose of this research is to design an intelligent LED lighting control system with wireless remote control. Since the designed system is mainly based on Android applications, it controls wireless lighting modules through a sever by means of a smartphone, tablet computer, or another handheld mobile device, and the values displayed on the handheld device are used to monitor the establishment and design of the electricity state and multiple-LED light control scenarios in real time. The server is connected with a touch human-machine interface, digital meter, wireless lighting controller, infrared learning module, and other devices through RS-232 and RS-485 serial communication ports, and the controller and receiver of the wireless lighting module use ZigBee as a communication protocol. The touch human-machine interface can read the measured value from the server and receive user input commands to control the wireless light control module and infrared learning module. Through the Wi-Fi, the user can operate the proposed system by using a handheld mobile device. This paper also analyzes the measured data using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, analyzing the electricity consumption based on the concepts of PSO speed and location updating and judging how to save electricity when using a light source in order to establish an intelligent LED lighting control system, facilitate mastering of electricity consumption, and realize control of other related electronic equipment during the operation process. The proposed intelligent LED lighting control system can be used in integrating applications of digital life and green energy saving.

Performance Analysis of DEBT Routing Protocols for Pocket Switch Networks

Pocket Switched Networks (PSN) represent a particular remittent network for direct communication between the handheld mobile devices. Compared to traditional networks, there is no stable topology structure for PSN where the nodes observe the mobility model of human society. It is a kind of Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) that gives a description to circulate information among the network nodes by the way of taking the benefit of transferring nodes from one area to another. Considering its inception, there are several schemes for message routing in the infrastructure-less environment in which human mobility is only the best manner to exchange information. For routing messages, PSN uses different techniques such as Distributed Expectation-Based Spatio-Temporal (DEBT) Epidemic (DEBTE), DEBT Cluster (DEBTC), and DEBT Tree (DEBTT). Understanding on how the network environment is affected for these routing strategies are the main motivation of this research. In this paper, we have investigated the impact of network nodes, the message copies per transmission, and the overall carrying out of these routing protocols. ONE simulator was used to analyze those techniques on the basis of delivery, overhead, and latency. The result of this task demonstrates that for a particular simulation setting, DEBTE is the best PSN routing technique among all, against DEBTC and DEBTT.

Pre-launch AI matcher for distributed intelligent photo surveying

In this paper it is proposed to solve a problem of stream processing of photo images of electric meters taken by patrol personnel in the process of devices’ visual status monitoring using mobile hand-held devices. This problem refers to the area of distributed intelligent photo surveying and requires a new approach to provide high accuracy and efficiency. The proposed solution is based on multi-agent technology and image recognition using neural networks. In order to improve the quality and performance of image recognition there was designed a distributed architecture. Additional “pre-launch matcher” is supplemented to scope out various objects and assigns them to the most corresponding AI modules. The solution of a recognition module implements distributed architecture. The results of implementation, testing and practical use illustrate the benefits of autonomous pre-processing of photo images by an intelligent mobile application.

Research Problems in Recommender systems

With continuous growth of web applications around the globe, it is a challenge to find the suitable information needed for the user in a limited time.Number of handheld mobile devices is increasing and most of the business revolves around the correct search of the data. Without a proper recommender system it is very difficult to get required information from the web applications. Web applications use recommender systems to provide suitable data to users based on their choices and interests. For different kinds of needs different types of recommender systems have been proposed. Two most basic types of recommender systems are collaborative filtering recommender system and content based recommender system. Sometimes these two recommender systems are combined to increase the efficiency of a recommender system The generated new recommender system is known as hybrid recommender system.The purpose of this paper is to help readers understand the basics of recommender systems. This paper identifies key areas of research openly available for new researchers. After reading this paper new researchers can understand basic problems of recommender systems which need improvement and hence they can make those problems their area of research.

Integration of Sub-6-GHz and mm-Wave Bands With a Large Frequency Ratio for Future 5G MIMO Applications

The integration of sub-6-GHz and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) bands has become an important issue for future fifth generation (5G) wireless communications owing to their large frequency ratios. This paper proposes a compact-size dual-function antenna operating at 3.5 GHz and the mm-wave band (28 GHz) for 5G mobile applications using a frequency reconfigurability technique. The proposed antenna comprises a microstrip patch linked with a meandered radiating structure through a radio frequency PIN diode to achieve frequency reconfigurability between the two bands. A significant size reduction up to 15.3 mm × 7.2 mm × 0.508 mm for the proposed antenna was achieved using a meandered line structure and truncated ground plane. To enhance the functionality, 8 × 8 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) with possible long- and short-edge antenna placement configurations were demonstrated. The system exhibited satisfactory MIMO characteristics with wide decoupling -10 dB bandwidths of 7.4% and 4.8% at the low- and high-frequency bands, respectively, without utilizing any external decoupling structure. The simulated results were validated using fabricated prototypes, and good agreement was observed. Additionally, a safety analysis based on the specific absorption rate and power density at the prescribed frequency bands was conducted using a realistic human model, and the results were found to be in accordance with the safety guidelines. Owing to the integration of sub-6-GHz and mm-wave bands in a single compact structure with a large frequency ratio and good MIMO performance, the proposed antenna system is suitable for future 5G mobile handheld devices.

MIFF

Human Mobility Extraction with cellular Signaling Data (SD) is essential for human mobility understanding, epidemic control, and wireless network planning. SD log the detailed interactions between cellphones and cellular towers, but suffer from a spatio-temporal uncertainty problem due to cellular network tower-level load rebalancing (switching users between towers) and cellphone usage activities. To date, most models focus on utilizing better data like RSSI or GPS, do not directly address uncertainty. To address the SD uncertainty issue, we utilize two insights based on (i) individuals' regular mobility patterns and (ii) common co-movement mobility patterns between cellphone users as suggested by fundamental human mobility nature. Accordingly, we design a Multi-Information Fusion Framework (MIFF) to assist in extracting road-level human mobility based on cell-tower level traces. To evaluate the effectiveness of MIFF, we conduct experiments on one-month SD obtained from a cellular service operator, and SD manually collected by handheld mobile devices in two cities in China. Four transportation modes, namely railways, cars, buses, and bikes are evaluated. Experimental results show that with MIFF, our road-level trajectory extraction accuracy can be improved by 5.0% on Point correct matching index and 68.5% on Geographic Error on average.

Facile optical quantification of mercury ion concentration using graphene quantum dot coated filter paper disks

There is a high demand for facile on-site mercury ion quantification methods in water due to mercury's serious toxicity. Graphene quantum dot (GQD), fluorescent under ultra-violet (UV) light, can be easily synthesized and used as a mercury ion detection probe because the brightness of GQD's fluorescence decreases with the increase of the number of mercury ions. We developed a facile mercury (II) ion quantification method using GQD coated filter paper disks in a 3D-printed well array. Changes of GQD's fluorescent brightness dependent on mercury ion concentration were measured via optical microscopy image processing. We also observed the dependency of mercury ion detection sensitivity on the amount of GQD and type of GQDs. Our approach may be easily adapted for hand-held mobile mercury ion quantification devices in the future due to its simplicity and small sample size.

Mobile media uses and circumstances in which parents offer these devices to children: a cross sectional study in North India

Background: To look into circumstances in which parents offer mobile media to their children in an urban, low-middle income community from North India.Methods: Cross sectional study, enrolled 354 children from 6 months to 12 years coming for a well visit or immunization, at a tertiary care hospital from August 2016 to July 2017. A study questionnaire adopted from zero to eight common sense media nationwide survey 2013, USA used to assess the circumstances in which parents offer mobile media to their children.Results: A total of 354 children were enrolled in the study; 56.5% were male and 43.5% female. All of study population had access to handheld mobile devices (75% to smart phones, and 25% to ordinary mobile phones). The most common reason for offering mobile phone to children in all age groups was to console them while crying (73.7%). Other reasons were making them calm while travelling (42.9%), feeding the child (31.6%), and household chores (22.0%). YouTube was the most frequently used app in all age groups.Conclusions: Reasons for offering mobile media devices by parents to their children seen in this study were actually avoidable. It is the ease of parents and lack of awareness regarding optimal media uses which leads to these circumstances.

StimuliApp: Psychophysical tests on mobile devices

Psychophysical tests are commonly carried out using software applications running on desktop or laptop computers, but running the software on mobile handheld devices such as smartphones or tablets could have advantages in some situations. Here, we present StimuliApp, an open-source application in which the user can create psychophysical tests on the iPad and the iPhone by means of a system of menus. A wide number of templates for creating stimuli are available including patches, gradients, gratings, checkerboards, random-dots, texts, tones or auditory noise. Images, videos and audios stored in files could also be presented. The application was developed natively for iPadOS and iOS using the low-level interface Metal for accessing the graphics processing unit, which results in high timing performance.