Mobile Information Communication Technologies Research Articles

An Infrastructure of Battery Swapping and Charging Stations in Smart Cities to “Disrupt” the Current Ecosystem of Battery Usage: A Schematic Design

This article proposes a quintessential, down-to-earth schematic design of battery swapping and charging stations (BSCSs) typically in smart cities together with their necessary battery standardization, supportive information systems and data communication network for the implementation of a citywide and even worldwide infrastructure of BSCSs. At such BSCSs, users of mobile information communication technology (ICT) equipment like mobile phones, tablet computers, lap-tops, etc. and electric vehicles can swap and trade their standardized battery modules whenever depleted for fully charged ones almost in no time virtually anytime and everywhere without ever worrying about battery depletion of the equipment and the extended time and specialized chargers for recharging. Harnessing earlier technologies of the author, this design could be a game-changer to “disrupt” the current battery usage ecosystem consisting of an excessively large number of, sometimes costly, infrastructures and chargers to recharge individuals’ equipment, the cumbersome practice to recharge with specialized chargers at designated locations over extended time periods, and bulky secondary power banks being hand-carried. The key is that in this schema, disparity of battery modules’ estimated remnant energy storage capacities can be offset by monetary payments.

Inconsistent Benefits From Mobile Information Communication Technology in Adults With Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Quality of evidence regarding telemedicine in adults with peripheral arterial disease has not been systematically appraised. To explore benefits and harms from mobile information communication technology devices and applications in peripheral arterial disease. Systematic rapid evidence review and appraisal with the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation working group approach. Sixteen randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) examined various self-monitoring devices, telemedicine platforms, and individualized telephone counseling. Low-quality evidence suggested that the odds of treatment failure (pooled Peto odds ratio 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-1.7; 5 RCTs), adverse effects (pooled Peto odds ratio 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5-1.5; 2 RCTs), and physical performance (standardized mean difference in 6-minute walking test 0.2; 95% CI, -0.3-0.7; 4 RCTs) did not differ between mobile interventions and usual care. Single RCTs suggested large but inconsistent improvement in the quality of life: EuroQol5D standardized mean difference = 5.0 (95% CI, 4.4-5.7; 1 RCT) after telehealth program for promoting patient self-management and standardized mean difference = 1.4 (95% CI, 0.4-2.3; 1 RCT) after structured rehabilitation with mobile self-monitoring. Inconsistent reporting of patient-centered outcomes and small sample sizes hampered the quality of evidence. Improved quality of life after specific mobile applications should be confirmed in powered RCTs and large postmarketing studies.

Challenges in the adoption of mobile information communication technology (M-ICT) in the construction phase of infrastructure projects in the UK

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges faced with mobile information communication technology (M-ICT), more specifically tablet software, in the construction phase of UK infrastructure projects. Quality assurance in the context of passive fire protection is scrutinised, where M-ICT use is prevalent, to provide an industry perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe research design is founded on exploratory multiple case study approach. Specific themes are developed, based on a critical review of previous ICT studies. The themes identified are used to inform a qualitative interview protocol for investigating three large UK infrastructure projects. Each project is at different stages in the construction phase, with varying examples of M-ICT implementation in use. Participants are interviewed regarding their experiences of the implementation of M-ICT on each project.FindingsFindings identify diverse experiences across each project. Single and multiple M-ICT platforms are currently being used, with individual stakeholders using ICT in isolation, and in some instances, multiple project stakeholders are using it together. Complete replacement of paper-based processes is evident in one case study, but more commonly, digital technology is being used in parallel to traditional paper-based processes. The challenges, although varied across each case study, can be categorised under the themes of Technology (IT support, ICT infrastructure, IT security, contractual, software), People (social aspects, user competency, safety), Technical Compliance (technical compliance evidence) and Process (conventional processes).Originality/valueIt is recommended that each theme be reviewed at project commencement, with all key stakeholders, to ensure key aspects are considered prior to M-ICT deployment. This will ensure avoidance of challenges reported and maximise the opportunities that are available through M-ICT in a multi-stakeholder infrastructure project.

Can mobile information communication technologies (ICTs) promote the development of renewables?-evidence from seven countries

The development of renewables has attracted abundant attentions. However, existing studies have not recognized the potential impetus of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on renewables. In this study, we explore the impact of mobile ICTs on renewable energy generations in seven countries including USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Poland. As revealed by static and dynamic empirical analyses of 19-year data, there exists significantly positive relationship between the renewables and ICTs at the macro-level. One percent increase of ICTs would lead to 0.2/1.1% increase for renewables in the long/short terms. Thus, ICTs can promote the development of renewables, and policy makers should consider full integration strategies between renewables and ICTs. Besides ICTs, factors positively affecting renewables include economic developments (long/short term), primary energy consumptions and carbon reductions (short term), and population growth (long term). Interestingly, natural gas competes with renewables in the short term, while it compliments renewables in the long term.

Farmers’ Preferences for Modern Information Communication Technologies in Trinidad

In the island nation of Trinidad, farmers have access to public extension services provided through the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries but still struggle to get the information they need in a timely manner. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) offer opportunities to improve the relationship between Extension and farmers. This study, guided by the Uses and Gratification (U&G) theory, sought to assess Trinidadian farmers’ preferences for mobile ICTs. From a convenience sample of 200 farmers in Trinidad, results showed almost all farmers used text messaging, and most used multimedia messaging and WhatsApp. Farmers were deliberate in their selection of medium for receiving different types of information. Findings suggest two-way ICTs are contextually appropriate for communicating with Trinidadian farmers. This study highlights the importance of understanding the information needs and preferences of farmers to ensure effective extension service delivery. While many ICT mediums are available, communicators must seek to utilize those mediums that are widely accessible and adopted by the target audience. The U&G theory provided an appropriate framework to investigate farmers’ preference for ICTs and allowed a critical discussion on the suitability of ICTs in Trinidad’s extension system. Keywords: Information Communication Technologies (ICT); preferences; mediums; information; extension

Power to the People? Emotional Components of Media Power, Mobile ICTs, and Their Potential to Alter Individual-Media Dependency Relations

Within the individual-media dependency relation (IMDR), individuals are at a disadvantage. Because media control the information resources individuals require, media typically have more power. However, with the proliferation of mobile information communication technologies (ICTs), that power is being challenged. ICTs allow individuals more control over their interactions with media-provided information. To see if ICTs altered IMDR, media power was conceptualized as changes in emotional response to media access for informational goal achievement. An experiment using an active imagery task was conducted and emotional responses to accessing information via ICTs and traditional media were obtained, along with media use measures. Emotional responses were measured along three factors: valence, arousal, and most importantly, dominance, or control. Results showed that ICT use did not have the predicted impacts on emotional responses. When ICT use was a significant factor, it was related to decreases in all three emotion factors. Ball-Rokeach's (1998) conceptualization of power was supported. Implications and limitations of the findings are also presented.

Mobile health platform for pressure ulcer monitoring with electronic health record integration

Pressure ulcers frequently occur in patients with limited mobility, for example, people with advanced age and patients wearing casts or prostheses. Mobile information communication technologies can help implement ulcer care protocols and the monitoring of patients with high risk, thus preventing or improving these conditions. This article presents a mobile pressure ulcer monitoring platform (mULCER), which helps control a patient's ulcer status during all stages of treatment. Beside its stand-alone version, it can be integrated with electronic health record systems as mULCER synchronizes ulcer data with any electronic health record system using HL7 standards. It serves as a tool to integrate nursing care among hospital departments and institutions. mULCER was experimented with in different mobile devices such as LG Optimus One P500, Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC Magic, Samsung Galaxy S, and Samsung Galaxy i5700, taking into account the user's experience of different screen sizes and processing characteristics.

Research Article Measuring Mobile ICT Literacy: Short-Message Performance Assessment in Emergency Response Settings

Research problem: A construct mediated in digital environments, information communication technology (ICT) literacy is operationally defined as the ability of individuals to participate effectively in transactions that invoke illocutionary action. This study investigates ICT literacy through a simulation designed to capture that construct, to deploy the construct model to measure participant improvement of ICT literacy under experimental conditions, and to estimate the potential for expanded model development. Research questions: How might a multidisciplinary literature review inform a model for ICT literacy? How might a simulation be designed that enables sufficient construct representation for modeling? How might prepost testing simulation be designed to investigate the potential for improved command of ICT literacy? How might a regression model account for variance within the model by the addition of affective elements to a cognitive model? Literature review: Existing conceptualizations of the ICT communication environment demonstrate the need for a new communication model that is sensitive to short text messaging demands in crisis communication settings. As a result of this prefect storm of limits requiring the communicator to rely on critical thinking, awareness of context, and information integration, we designed a cognitive-affective model informed by genre theory to capture the ICT construct: A sociocognitive ability that, at its most effective, facilitates illocutionary action-to confirm and warn, to advise and ask, and to thank and request-for specific audiences of emergency responders. Methodology: A prepost design with practitioner subjects (N=50) allowed investigation of performance improvement on tasks demanding illocutionary action after training on tasks of high, moderate, and low demand. Through a model based on the independent variables character count, wordcount, and decreased time on task (X) as related to the dependent variable of an overall episode score (Y), we were able to examine the internal construct strength with and without the addition of affective independent variables. Results and discussion: Of the three prepost models used to study the impact of training, participants demonstrated statistically significant improvement on episodes of high demand on all cognitive model variables. The addition of affective variables, such as attitudes toward text messaging, allowed increased model strength on tasks of high and moderate complexity. These findings suggest that an empirical basis for the construct of ICT literacy is possible and that, under simulation conditions, practitioner improvement may be demonstrated. Practically, it appears that it is possible to train emergency responders to improve their command of ICT literacy so that those most in need of humanitarian response during a crisis may receive it. Future research focusing on communication in digital environments will undoubtedly extend these finding in terms of construct validation and deployment in crisis settings.

A Review of Methods for Assessing Socio-economic Development Projects using Mobile ICT Applications and Services

Technology is widely professed as being one of the key enablers for facilitating development throughout the world. Mobile-enabled development initiatives are getting into development world by initiating various projects targeting rural populations who are in the profession of agriculture, fisheries and allied areas. The projects’ efficiency and effectiveness are measured not with rate of return on investment of project, but on satisfaction of consumer needs. In this paper, looking at the global level frameworks at country level, we tried to customise at project level to measure the effectiveness and then rank them to see the results. A review of methodologies to measure the development effectiveness is looked at from the methods, which are applied to rank the nations in their Information Communication Technology (ICT) indexes. The implementation of such methods in the Indian context on mobile ICT-based projects working in agriculture domain to rank them can be taken as a topic for future research work.

Mobile technology at the frontlines of patient care: Understanding fit and human drives in utilization decisions and performance

Mobile information communication technologies (MICTs) have considerable promise in patient care settings. But that promise can only be realized if the MICT applications are used by the medical staff. This paper reports on a study examining nurses' decisions to utilize MICTs. A mixed-methods approach is used, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative elements, that reveals and empirically tests the significance of novel constellations of fit (i.e., identification, information, patient interaction, physical, time criticality, user comfort, and workflow fit) and individual characteristics, presented as basic human drives (i.e., drive to acquire, bond, defend, and learn). Findings indicate that fit is a multi-faceted construct and that archetypical human drives have an influence on these various notions, which in turn, impact technology adoption in the healthcare context.

What’s so different about mobile information communication technologies (MICTs) for clinical work practices? A review of selected pilot studies

This article seeks to highlight some distinctive issues involved in the use of mobile information and communication technologies (MICTs) in the healthcare context. A three-layered framework for analysing cases of MICT-in-use is developed from the literature and employed to analyse evidence from a number of healthcare MICT pilot studies. These indicate that MICTs create new implementation challenges, and that developers and implementers appear to pay little attention to the particular workflow modalities of mobility and their relationship with the type of MICT. In terms of effects on clinical work practices, MICTs seemed to make access to information easier but not necessarily faster. Better integration of MICTs with other hospital systems and use of wireless networks were seen as necessary to achieve greater uptake. Areas for further research that might support the implementation of MICTs in healthcare are identified.