Mobile Phone Research Articles

Intelligent Screening of Prostate Cancer Individuals Using an Enzyme-Assisted Multicolor Visualization Platform.

Rapid and intelligent identification of prostate cancer (PCa) is critical for early diagnosis. Herein, a convenient, reliable, and intelligent strategy is proposed to screen PCa individuals through indirectly quantifying sarcosine (Sar), an early indicator of PCa, in clinical urine samples. Success is achieved by integrating sarcosine oxidase (SOX) as a specific recognition unit; nanozyme-assisted multicolor intelligent visualization platform as a signal reporter. With the Fe-MOFs and peroxidase, the synergetic action of SOX and response gold nanorods (Au NRs) is controlled etched to exhibit a multicolored signal. The sensor exhibits excellent linearity with Sar within 1-60 × 10-6 m, boasting a remarkable detection limit of 0.12 × 10-6 m. The RGB value of the display color can be directly extracted using a mobile phone camera. PCa diagnosis can be swiftly made (within 15 min) and directly by identifying two RGB colors (R < 175 or B > 135). The enzyme-assisted multicolor intelligent visualization platform is adept at detecting minute differences in Sar concentration in urine samples between PCa patients and healthy individuals. The concept of enzyme-assisted multicolor sensing can be further expanded by modifying the type of immobilized enzymes, providing a valuable guideline for the rational design of multiple probes to measure specific biomarkers in biological samples.

Information Communication Technology and Financial Sector in West Africa

Globally, information and communication technology play a pivotal role in driving the financial sector. This study examines the relationship between information communication technology and the financial sector in West Africa from 2012 to 2022. The study is essential because studies focusing on ICT and financial depth are scarce in West African nations. The data for the study comes from the World Bank database and uses the GMM system. The financial depth indicator is the ratio of bank assets to GDP while the indicators of ICT are internet subscription, mobile subscription and fixed broadband subscription. Mobile phone subscription significantly and statistically enhances financial depth of banks in West Africa by 423.82 % during the period under review. Internet subscription increases financial sector size by 11 % and the result is statistically significant. The fixed broadband positively influences the financial depth in West Africa by 341 %, and the result is statistically significant. Policymakers must invest heavily on ICT and adopt financial technology to promote financial depth.

Travel self-containment of new towns in a polycentric city: insights from Shanghai with mobile phone data

ABSTRACT Travel self-containment has been a main issue in new town planning since the mid-twentieth century, but its assessment has long been a challenge, especially in a polycentric city where networked structure complicates travel behavior. Traditional methods, such as census investigations can hardly trace multidirectional commuting patterns of large samples nor disclose non-commuting patterns. This paper fills the void by using billions of passive mobile phone data by which the interval of stay in a particular location and its spatiotemporal regularity can be identified to capture phone users’ travel routes. Shanghai, a polycentric city that evolved under the longstanding development of the ‘One City, Nine Towns’ polycentric urban spatial plan, is selected to assess various types of travel. The results disclose the disparity of the inward, intra, lateral and reverse journeys of commuting and non-commuting routes and reveal how the specificity of new towns, e.g. distance to the central city and metro lines, matters for such disparity.

A Case Study: An Android Security

Software security has made great progress; code analysis tools perform extensive checks for code defects, it is useful to have a basic understanding of the different warnings and emphasize the bug. However, this is beyond the state of the art for many types of application security flaws. Thus, such tools frequently serve for an analyst to help them zero in on security relevant portions of code so they can find flaws more efficiently, rather than a tool that simply finds flaws automatically. In cooperation with a security expert, we carried out a case study with the mobile phone platform Android, and employed the reverse engineering tool-suite Bauhaus for this security assessment. During the investigation we found some inconsistencies in the implementation of the Android security concepts. Based on the lessons learned from the case study, we propose several research topics in the area of reverse engineering that would support a security analyst during security assessments.

Modeling ICT adoption and electricity consumption in emerging digital economies: Insights from the West African Region

This study investigates the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on electricity consumption in West Africa, employing a dynamic panel data model. The results show a significant long-term positive effect of ICT adoption on electricity consumption. Notably, internet connections increase the demand for electricity, with estimates ranging from 13.4 % to 19.3 %. While mobile phone subscriptions demonstrate modest positive effect of 6.85 %, personal computer ownership appears to have a negligible impact.The study contributes to the existing literature by offering a detailed examination of the distinct effects of different ICT components on electricity consumption, incorporating a novel estimation approach and sensitivity analyses that account for the COVID-19 pandemic and the Anglo-French linguistic divide. What's more, the analysis constitutes an initial effort in the examining both short-term and long-term dynamics of the ICT-electricity relationship in West African region.

Digital revolution and the gender divide: factors affecting mobile phone use in India

ABSTRACT As the world digitises, being able to access and use a mobile phone is important in order to be able to participate fully in day-to-day life, accessing digital services and online information. While mobile phone handsets and cheap data plans are now ubiquitous in India, women’s access to and use of mobile phones is significantly more limited than that of men. The availability of the technology is therefore not the only factor affecting women’s access and use of mobile phones. This paper proposes a novel framework operating at three levels – individual, family and community levels, to understand the factors that affect women’s access to and use of mobile phones, and provides a snapshot of mobile phone access and use of low-income women in India based on 60 structured interviews across six states. We find that women’s mobile phone use is often constrained, based on personal factors – confidence to use a phone or adequate digital literacy; family-level factors – permission to use the phone, monitoring of phone use and community-level factors – socio-cultural norms around appropriate type and place of use. This paper contributes to a significant gap in the literature on digitisation and women’s access and use of mobile phones in India. It highlights that while the digital revolution holds great promise, the use of mobile phones is often constrained for women.

Promoting WLED‐Excited High Temperature Long Afterglow by Orthogonally Anchoring Chromophores into 0D Metal‐Organic Cages

AbstractAfterglow materials have garnered significant interest due to distinct photophysical characteristics. However, it is still difficult to achieve long afterglow phosphorescence from organic molecules due to aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) and energy dissipation. In addition, most materials reported so far have long afterglow emission only at room or even low temperatures, and mainly use UV light as an excitation source. In this work, we report a strategy to achieve high temperature long afterglow emission through the assembly of isolated 0D metal‐organic cages (MOCs). In which, both ACQ and phosphorescence quenching effects are effectively mitigated by altering the stacking mode of organic chromophores through orthogonally anchoring into the edges of cubic MOCs. Furthermore, improvement in molecular rigidity, promotion of spin‐orbit coupling and broadening of the absorption range are achieved through the MOC‐engineering strategy. As a result, we successfully synthesized MOCs that can produce afterglow emission even after excitation by WLEDs at high temperatures (380 K). Moreover, the MOCs are capable of generating afterglow emissions when excited by mobile phone flashlight at room temperature. Given these features, the potential applications of MOCs in the visual identification of explosives, information encryption and multicolor display are explored.

An Exploration of Mobile Phone Policies and Associated Leadership Implications for School Leaders: A Systematic Review and Document Analysis

ABSTRACT The increasing prevalence of students bringing mobile phones (MPs) to schools has led to increasing pressure on school leaders to implement effective MP policies. Although the effects of MP use have been studied, there has been no systematic review of the MP management research and policies. The aim of this study is to report on challenges and approaches to address the arising implications of MP policies in schools. Using a systematic review of international research and a document analysis of national (Australian) policy documents, this study broadens the understanding of elements contributing to the effectiveness of MP policies at schools.

Assessment of Screen Time with its Effect on Health among Secondary School Students

Background: Secondary school students are more and more immersed in a world dominated by screens in the modern digital era. Screens, ranging from laptops to tablets, televisions to smartphones, have embedded themselves into daily life and significantly impact how youngsters communicate, learn, and pass the time. Objective: The study's objective was to find out the assessment of screen time and its effect on health among rural secondary school students in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive type of study was carried out in Govt. Jalma Chakrakhali Secondary School in Batiaghata Upazilla under Khulna district. A total of 460 students were selected using a convenient sampling technique from a selected school in Khulna district. Face-to-face interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire were used to collect data. Data were analyzed following the study's objectives. Before data collection, informed consent was taken, and ethical concerns were addressed at different stages of the study. Results: Among 460 respondents, a large number 52% (241) were between 14-16 years of age group. Only 38% had a personal mobile phone, while where a maximum (72%) used their parents' phones. Male students (76%) had a greater tendency to operate mobile phones in comparison to females (64%). Among the parents, most of them (82%) had a smartphone. Most of the respondents [395 (86%)] had a TV at their house and 304 (66%) watched TV regularly. Almost half of the respondents [223(48%)] suffered from various health issues, where headaches and blurring of vision were the main features. Conclusion: This study painted a clear picture of the effect of screen time on Bangladeshi rural school-going youngsters, and it may be able to assist the relevant authorities in developing policies and formulating plans to address the issue. Mediscope 2024;11(2): 82-86

Low-Cost and Contactless Survey Technique for Rapid Pavement Texture Assessment Using Mobile Phone Imagery

Collecting pavement texture information is crucial to understand the characteristics of a road surface and to have essential data to support road maintenance. Traditional texture assessment techniques often require expensive equipment and complex operations. To ensure cost sustainability and reduce traffic closure times, this study proposes a rapid, cost-effective, and non-invasive surface texture assessment technique. This technology consists of capturing a set of images of a road surface with a mobile phone; then, the images are used to reconstruct the 3D surface with photogrammetric processing and derive the roughness parameters to assess the pavement texture. The results indicate that pavement images taken by a mobile phone can reconstruct the 3D surface and extract texture features with accuracy, meeting the requirements of a time-effective documentation. To validate the effectiveness of this technique, the surface structure of the pavement was analyzed in situ using a 3D structured light projection scanner and rigorous photogrammetry with a high-end reflex camera. The results demonstrated that increasing the point cloud density can enhance the detail level of the real surface 3D representation, but it leads to variations in road surface roughness parameters. Therefore, appropriate density should be chosen when performing three-dimensional reconstruction using mobile phone images. Mobile phone photogrammetry technology performs well in detecting shallow road surface textures but has certain limitations in capturing deeper textures. The texture parameters and the Abbott curve obtained using all three methods are comparable and fall within the same range of acceptability. This finding demonstrates the feasibility of using a mobile phone for pavement texture assessments with appropriate settings.

The effect of textual and textual-pictorial glosses on incidental vocabulary learning in mobile-assisted listening

Abstract This study investigated how multimedia glossing affects incidental vocabulary learning from a listening task on mobile devices. A total of 118 English language learners were asked to listen to a story with 25 glossed target words on their mobile phones. In order to examine the effects of different types of glossing, participants were divided into four groups with access to four glosses during their listening: L1 textual, L2 textual, L1 textual and pictorial, and L2 textual and pictorial. Two vocabulary tests (i.e. definition-supply test and meaning-recognition test) were administrated immediately after treatment and two weeks later to measure vocabulary gain for target words. The results indicated that participants who had access to L1 textual and pictorial glosses had significantly higher vocabulary gains than other conditions, especially in meaning-recall word knowledge. Finally, a detailed discussion of the findings was provided to explain the results based on the theoretical framework of the study.

Empowerment through technology: domestic violence acceptance among Iraqi women in an intersectional context

BackgroundAcceptance of domestic violence against women refers to the belief that violence can be justified. Women’s attitudes towards domestic violence shape societal acceptance, victimization, disclosure, and help-seeking behaviors. This study explored the role of gender, socio-economic status, regional disparities, and empowerment in domestic violence acceptance among Iraqi women.MethodsUsing data from the 2018 Iraq Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 6) with 19,443 married Iraqi women, this cross-sectional study employed logistic regression analyses to investigate individual, interpersonal, community, and societal determinants of domestic violence acceptance.Results48.4% of married Iraqi women accepted domestic violence, with higher acceptance in South/Central regions (62–73%). Factors associated with higher acceptance included lower education (aOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.35–0.45 for upper secondary education compared to preprimary or non), functional difficulties (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.40–1.83), marriage to blood-related spouses (aOR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.36–1.54), and rural residence (aOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.15–1.33). Conversely, owning a mobile phone (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.44–0.50) and using a computer/tablet (aOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.30–0.38) were associated with lower acceptance.ConclusionThese findings, given the lack of research on domestic violence among Iraqi women, highlight the urgent need for policy discussions supporting Sustainable Development Goals on gender equity and well-being. Enhanced access to technology could help women have better access to resources, support systems, and information, which would lower acceptance for domestic violence.

Preliminary study on the impact of 900 MHz radiation on human sperm: An in vitro molecular approach

The use of technologies that produce and emit electromagnetic fields (EMF) is growing exponentially worldwide. The biological effects of EMF-emitting equipment, such as mobile phones and other wireless devices, have been studied in the last decade using in vitro and in vivo methods. Infertility is a growing health problem, and nearly half of cases are because of male-factor. This study investigated the direct in vitro effects of 900 MHz radiation exposure on sperm parameters, genetic status, apoptotic markers, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in healthy normozoospermic men. Semen samples were divided into four groups, two control (30 min and 1 h) and two EMF exposure (30 min and 1 h). Sperm parameters (motility, progressive motility, acrosomal index, morphology), genetic status (DNA fragmentation and chromatin integrity), apoptotic markers (cytokine-c and caspase-3 expression) and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway (phosphoinoitide 3-kinase-PI3K- and phosphorylated AKT- p-AKT-) were analysed. Sperm motility were significantly reduced in 30 min EMF exposure while a significant increase in the expression of p-AKT were observed in 1 h EMF exposure group. An increased vacuolisation, acrosomal defect, extension of subacrosomal space, uncondensed chromatin structure, apoptotic signs and disrupted axoneme were observed in both EMF groups which were not observed in the control group. Other sperm parameters (morphology and acrosomal index), genetic status, apoptotic markers and the PI3K expression rates had no significant change.

MHealth-Based Self-Management Program for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that gradually limits physical function and decreases quality of life (QOL). We evaluated an mHealth-based self-management program to help patients with RA improve their physical and psychological health, self-efficacy, physical activity, and QOL. The sample included 73 experimental and 69 control participants. A pilot randomized controlled design was employed to identify the effectiveness of an 8-week mHealth-based self-management program, which comprised educational modules regarding disease management and exercise, cognitive training, and motivational support through mobile messages and periodic phone calls. Knowledge of the health effects of RA, disease activity, perceived health, depression, self-efficacy for controlling symptoms, physical activity, and QOL were evaluated pre- and postintervention and after the 4-week follow-up period. This pilot study indicates that the mHealth-based program for people with RA is feasible. The mHealth self-management program improved patients' knowledge of RA, depression, self-efficacy for controlling symptoms, physical activity, and perceived health; however, disease activity and QOL did not significantly change. This pilot study demonstrates the potential of mHealth intervention as an effective program for strengthening self-management capacities in patients with RA. Trial Registration: KCT0007523.

Contribution of Mobile Phone Services to Rural Livelihood Assets in Atiba Local Government of Oyo State, Nigeria

Contribution of Mobile Phone Services to Rural Livelihood Assets in Atiba Local Government of Oyo State, Nigeria

Supported Technology on STEM-Based Science Learning: A Systematic Literature Review

This research aims to understand (1) the diversity of supported technology in STEM-based science education, (2) the application of supported technology in STEM-based science education, and (3) the advantages and disadvantages of supported technology in STEM-based science education. Supported technology refers to the tools and media used in education. This research is a qualitative systematic review using PSALSAR (Protocol, Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, Analysis, Report) method. The objects of this study are articles from Google Scholar, ERIC, and Scopus published between 2019 and 2023, referencing Yang Baldwin (2020). The selection of articles followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) method. A total of 21 academic articles were examined. Validation was conducted by academic supervisors. The research findings revealed that the variety of supported technology is vast but has not been optimally utilized in Indonesia. The most commonly used media are e-modules and Google apps, which require mobile phones. Supported technology can create an engaging and non-monotonous classroom atmosphere, but if not controlled, it can foster individualism among students. Supported technology significantly assists educational activities, but still requires collaboration between schools, governments, and students.

The Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and FDI on South African Economic Growth

Information, communication, technology (ICT) and foreign direct investment plays a substantial role in various spheres of social and economic development. Therefore, changes in these variables can significantly impact a country's economy. The current study aims to assess the implication of information and communication technology (ICT) and FDI on South African economic growth. To achieve this objective, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and Error Correction Model (ECM) were applied to time series data over the period 1991 to 2021. Findings obtained from econometric modelling and analysis indicate that besides the positive effect of FDI on South African economic growth, all the analysed components of ICT namely mobile phone subscriptions, fixed phones, and internet subscriptions are drivers of economic growth in South Africa. Based on the findings, from the policy perspective, it was suggested that South African economic authorities increase and improve investment in the ICT infrastructure while also attracting more foreign investors. Additionally, to benefit from FDI and ICT's drivers of economics, policymakers should endorse policies and strategies that enhance economic openness and the ICT's resource allocation.

Willingness to Pay for Improved Groundwater due to BMPs in PEI.

This study uses stated preference techniques to evaluate the willingness to pay for improved groundwater in PEI, which allows us to estimate the social cost of nitrogen in this region. 'Beneficial Management Practices' (BMPs) are often employed in PEI's agricultural sector, to improve crop yields but also reduce adverse environmental effects such as nitrogen leaching that can affect ground and surface waters. PEI residents were surveyed to estimate a dollar value of improved water quality due to reduced nitrogen leaching due to BMPs. From the responses to a double-bounded dichotomous choice survey, models using maximum likelihood estimation showed that residents of PEI were willing to pay roughly $230 per year to see a reduction in nitrogen of either 20% or 50%, which translated to $5-13 per kg of nitrogen reduced. However, excluding 'yeah-sayers' and protest votes suggests that WTP is lower for the 20% reduction and increases as nitrogen reduction increases. Thus, a social cost of $13/kg should be considered an upper bound in PEI. WTP values, as well as estimates of the social cost of nitrogen are similar to values in previous literature. We find that variables such as cell phone usage, belief that farmers should pay for BMPs, and spending on water filtration have a statistically significant impact on WTP. Other variables are significant in some model specifications, however many demographic variables such as employment status and education do not affect WTP.

Developing a Model to Study Walking and Public Transport to Attractive Green Spaces for Equitable Access to Health and Socializing Opportunities as a Response to Climate Change: Testing the Model in Pu’er City, China

Green space is not always equitably located in cities, and the attractiveness of green space varies, leaving some residents with easy access to high-quality parks and others with little or no access or access to under-maintained parks. To remedy these inequities, this study identified attractive and well-utilized recreational green spaces and developed a model to measure the likelihood of using these recreational green spaces (PSG). The goal was to reduce the travel time and cost of walking or using public transportation to get to green spaces and to design all green spaces to be attractive. The data come from the perspective of the city’s public transportation system and residents’ personal choices. First, the attractiveness of recreational green spaces was calculated from big data on the geolocation of cell phones, measuring the level of provision of recreational green spaces and the trip rates of urban residents. After that, the travel cost to reach recreational green space in residential areas was calculated according to residents’ travel habits. Finally, the probability of all recreational green spaces in the city being used was calculated by combining the population size of residential areas. Taking Pu’er City in China as an example, the attractiveness and utilization rates of recreational green spaces were calculated by PSG, and the results of the study showed that the probability of residents choosing to use the recreational green spaces that are closer to the residential area, with a larger population capacity, and with a higher attractiveness is the highest. The results of the study help promote equitable access to health and socialization opportunities for individuals and communities, thereby promoting environmental justice to help mitigate and respond to climate change.

Determinants of Mobile Phone Usage Among Young Adults in Zanzibar

Mobile phones have become a ubiquitous communication tool, particularly among young adults. What was once a simple technological device has now transformed into a social tool, deeply embedded in the daily lives of these individuals. This paper explores mobile phone usage among young adults in Zanzibar from behavioral, economic, and psychological perspectives. Data was collected from 375 participants, consisting of Zanzibar youth aged 16 to 40, residing in both rural and urban areas, through semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that young adults utilize mobile phones for various purposes, including communication with family and friends, browsing the internet, consuming media, and playing games. The study also delved into the extent of mobile phone dependency, as well as the positive and negative attitudes surrounding its use. It was found that many young adults spend excessive time and money on mobile phones, sometimes prioritizing airtime and data bundles over basic necessities. The paper concludes with recommendations aimed at fostering balanced mobile phone usage among the younger generation