Personal Mobility Research Articles

Surgically managed traumatic spinal cord injury in Singapore: a descriptive study across two level one trauma centres

Study designCase SeriesObjectivesTo provide an updated understanding of the incidence of surgically managed Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) in Singapore and to identify factors affecting discharge disposition.SettingPatients were identified from two level one trauma centres in Singapore.MethodsAll patients who underwent surgical management for acute TSCI between January 2020 to December 2021 were included. Demographics, injury details, peri-operative condition, hospital length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition were evaluated. The overall characteristics of TSCI were summarised using descriptive statistics. The difference between discharge destinations was compared using chi-square test or t test. Variables with p values < 0.3 were selected for multivariable analysis.ResultsForty-four patients were included. Median age was 65. The most common SCI aetiology was fall from standing height or less (54.6%). Accidents involving personal mobility devices, bicycles and motor vehicles made up the next largest group (20.5%). Thirty-nine cases (88.6%) involved the cervical region. There were two cases of inpatient mortality. Twenty-one patients (50%) were discharged home, 21 (50%) were discharged to a community hospital (CH) or nursing home (NH). The median LOS in an acute hospital was 41 days. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that functional independence measure (FIM) score on discharge was an independent factor that influenced discharge disposition (p = 0.037).ConclusionA public health focus on falls prevention, the development of geriatric spinal rehabilitation programs, and the consideration of a national registry are recommended for the comprehensive management of TSCI in Singapore.

The Role of Digital Technology in Supporting English Language Learners: Balancing Engagement and Access in Secondary Schools

This study explores the impact of digital technology on the engagement and learning experiences of English language learners (ELLs) in secondary classrooms. Through interviews and focus group discussions with three ELLs, the research identifies key themes in how students use technology for research, language assistance, and overall learning support. The findings suggest that digital tools such as smartphones, online dictionaries, and translation apps play a vital role in helping ELLs navigate linguistic challenges and engage with academic content. Students rely on these tools to independently clarify unfamiliar terms, conduct research, and overcome language barriers. Additionally, the study highlights that while ELLs value technology, they express a preference for balanced integration, with both traditional and digital methods supporting their learning. As schools increasingly move toward restricting personal mobile devices, the findings raise concerns about how such policies may hinder ELLs' access to essential language support tools. The study advocates for a more inclusive approach to technology integration that considers the specific needs of ELLs and leverages personal devices to foster engagement and academic success.

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

Exploring bike-commuter habits through data physicalisation engagement

ABSTRACT Engagement with real-time GPS data presents an obvious avenue towards behaviour change for sustainable mobility choices, as tracking human activity patterns becomes more ubiquitous. However, tracking data in visual form does not invite the quality of engagement that data physicalisations afford. In this blended method experiment, we study bike-commuter habits by combining data tracking, ethnographic studies and data physicalisation. We invited 12 everyday bicycle commuters to track their mobility patterns through an app, to be video shadowed on their daily commute and finally to engage in workshops with different data physicalisations based on the personal mobility data collected. We employ an analytic framework to indicate how the participant engagements match the theories of Flow State, Play Moods and Small Beginnings. The results of the study show that there is a potential for engaging local communities in reflecting on their day-to-day mobility choices through active engagement with data physicalisations. We also suggest that the framework can be used to develop facilitation practices to further enhance data physicalisation engagement and deepen insights.

Low‐cost animal tracking using Bluetooth low energy beacons on a crowd‐sourced network

Abstract Animal tracking has opened the door to address many fundamental questions in ecology and conservation. Whilst historically animals have been tracked as a means to understand their large‐scale movements, such as migration, there is now a greater focus on using tracking to study movements over smaller scales, individual variation in movement or how movements shape social network structure. With this shift in focus also comes different tracking needs, including the need to track larger numbers of individuals. Tracking studies all face some technological limitations. For example, GPS and other active tracking solutions can collect fine‐scale movement data, but have a high cost per tag, limiting the number of individuals that can be followed. They also have high low‐energy costs of data acquisition and download, limiting time periods over which data can be collected. Low‐energy passive (e.g. PIT) or active (e.g. reverse GPS) tags can overcome these limitations, but instead require animals to remain within a bounded study area or to come into close proximity to detectors. Here we describe one solution that can overcome many current limitations by employing the massive global network of personal mobile phones as gateways for tracking animals using Bluetooth low‐energy (BLE) beacons. In areas with medium to high density of people, these simple‐to‐make beacons can provide regular updates of position over long time periods (battery life 1–3 years). We describe how to use off‐the‐shelf components to produce BLE beacons that weigh c. 5–6 g and cost &lt;$7USD. Using field‐testing, we then show that beacons are capable of producing high‐frequency tracking data that can be used to build home ranges or to detect spatiotemporal co‐occurrences among individuals. BLE beacons are a low cost, low‐energy solution for studying organisms (e.g. birds, mammals and reptiles) living and moving in urban landscapes. Their low weight and small size makes them particularly well‐suited for tracking smaller species. When combined with fixed gateways, their use can also be extended to non‐urban habitats. Their high accessibility is likely to make them an attractive solution for many research projects.

An Exploration of Locomotor Syndrome among Geriatric Population – A Narrative Review

A locomotor disability in the geriatric population is a physical condition that impairs mobility and movement in older persons. It is frequently caused by age-related causes such as degenerative diseases, osteoarthritis, or neurological abnormalities. This impairment can have a substantial influence on older people's quality of life by limiting their ability to conduct daily activities independently, such as walking, standing, or climbing stairs. Addressing locomotor impairments in older persons is critical for preserving their mobility, independence, and overall well-being, ultimately improving their quality of life as they age.A comprehensive literature search was conducted, which were sourced from PubMed, google scholar, Japanese government websites, springer link, semantic scholar generated significant studies using the keywords like locomotor disability, older population, mobility, quality of life, aging. We included articles which were published from 2005–2024.Locomotive Syndrome (LS) affects a significant portion of the elderly population, with prevalence ranging from 8.4% to 50.3%, increasing with age and higher in women. It shows the correlations with osteoporosis and sarcopenia, suggesting potential shared risk factors or pathways. By this the older people tend to have lower quality of life, particularly concerning spinal alignment and trunk deformity. Exercise interventions, including locomotive training, aerobic exercise, and muscle training, are suggested for LS prevention. Vitamin D supplementation may benefit bone health and fall prevention in older individuals.Locomotor syndrome is a substantial concern, especially in ageing populations, with considerable implications for quality of life. Its prevalence, which is frequently associated with osteoporosis and sarcopenia, highlights the necessity of preventive measures including exercise and vitamin D supplementation. Recognising the impact of LS on mobility and well-being is critical for establishing focused interventions to prevent and manage its progression, thereby improving the overall health and independence of geriatric population.

How does adolescents and college students’ personal relative deprivation affect mobile phone dependence? The mediating roles of stress and fear of missing out

How does adolescents and college students’ personal relative deprivation affect mobile phone dependence? The mediating roles of stress and fear of missing out

РАЗРАБОТКА МЕТОДИКИ ОЦЕНКИ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ СРЕДСТВ ИНДИВИДУАЛЬНОЙ МОБИЛЬНОСТИ В ГОРОДСКИХ УСЛОВИЯХ

The article is devoted to the problem of increasing the number of road accidents involving personal mobility aids (SIM). A new alternative to using a personal car is the use of a variety of personal protective equipment (SIM). SIM is a new era of development in the transport field. The devices began to gain particular popularity in Russia just a few years ago, and in foreign countries they are already actively used as a replacement for a personal car, developing the design and rules of use every year, thereby increasing safety.

Flaws in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) – A Critical Study

The successful execution and overall impact of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), may face significant challenges due to various pressing issues. Among these are vague protocols surrounding private arrests, mixed terminology related to police custody, and unclear guidelines regarding community service as a penalty. Furthermore, the BNSS fails to provide clear directions for filing electronic FIRs, employing audio-visual techniques for witness examinations, and outlining the process for reimbursing witness costs. Concerns also arise from the absence of well-defined grounds for bail cancellation, inadequate enforcement of the Witness Protection Scheme, and procedural deficiencies in the collection of forensic evidence. Furthermore, the BNSS fails to address alternative dispute resolution methods and relies on insufficient resources, such as officers' personal mobile phones, for important tasks like video documentation during search and seizure operations. These flaws have the potential to undermine the intended objectives of the BNSS and pose significant operational challenges.

If EQ-5D-5L Mobility Dimension Ratings Are High, Is Life-Space Assessment a Clinically Sensible Next Step? Data from a Population Survey.

Background: Impaired health states can limit a person's mobility, often progressively for people with life-limiting illnesses. Quantifying mobility changes is crucial for individual clinical care and service planning. Objective: To explore any correlation between EQ-5D-5L's mobility dimension ratings and Life-Space Assessment (LSA) from a population sample. Methods: An online population survey of Australian adults, nationally-representative by key demographics. An analysis of variance examined each level of the EQ-5D-5L mobility dimension rating against its LSA scores; Kendall's Tau assessed correlation. Results: Participants (n = 6366) were 53% women, mean age 46.1 years (SD 18.6), and mean LSA score 78.0 (SD = 27.5; possible range 0-120). At each EQ-5D-5L mobility dimension level there was a significant difference between LSA scores (p < 0.001), and a moderate negative correlation (Kendall's tau b = -0.342) between the two measures. Conclusion: Given the relationship defined, EQ-5D-5L mobility dimension ratings may prompt clinicians to consider further evaluation with the more detailed Life-Space Assessment. .

Анализ состояния дорожно-транспортного травматизма, связанный со средствами индивидуальной мобильности в Хабаровском крае

This scientific article analyzes the situation related to road accidents occurring with personal vehicles in the Khabarovsk Territory. The analysis found that the main factors influencing the level of road accidents are speeding, violation of traffic rules and improper behavior of drivers. Most accidents occur with the participation of motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, which indicates insufficient road culture of the owners of such vehicles Purpose: to analyze the state of road traffic injuries associated with personal mobility devices in the Khabarovsk Territory. Methods: statistical analysis of data on road accidents in the Khabarovsk Territory for 2022. Results: dased on the results obtained, specific measures were proposed aimed at reducing the number of road accidents in the Khabarovsk Territory. One of the main directions of work is conducting educational work among the population about the need to comply with traffic rules and responsible behavior on the roads. Also important is the improvement of road infrastructure and the creation of safe conditions for the movement of pedestrians and cyclists. Practical importance: in general, the results of this study can be recommended to government agencies and road safety specialists when developing programs to reduce road accidents in the Khabarovsk Territory.

Feasibility of a digital palliative care intervention (Convoy-Pal) for older adults with heart failure and multiple chronic conditions and their caregivers: a waitlist randomized control trial

BackgroundAlthough older adults with heart failure (HF) and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) frequently rely on caregivers for health management, digital health systems, such as patient portals and mobile apps, are designed for individual patients and often exclude caregivers. There is a need to develop approaches that integrate caregivers into care. This study tested the feasibility of the Social Convoy Palliative Care intervention (Convoy-Pal), a 12-week digital self-management program that includes assessment tools and resources for clinical palliative care, designed for both patients and their caregivers.MethodsA randomized waitlist control feasibility trial involving patients over 65 years old with MCC who had been hospitalized two or more times for HF in the past 12 months and their caregivers. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate recruitment, retention, missing data, self-reported social functioning, positive aspects of caregiving, and the acceptability of the intervention.ResultsOf 126 potentially eligible patients, 11 were ineligible and 69 were deceased. Of the 46 eligible patients, 31 enrolled in the trial. Although 48 caregivers were identified, only 15 enrolled. The average age was 76.3 years for patients and 71.6 years for caregivers, with most participants being non-Hispanic White. Notably, 4% did not have access to a personal mobile device or computer. Retention rates were 79% for intervention patients, 57% for intervention caregivers, and 60% for control participants. Only 4.6% of survey subscales were missing, aided by robust technical support. Intervention patients reported improved social functioning (SF-36: 64.6 ± 25.8 to 73.2 ± 31.3) compared to controls (64.6 ± 27.1 to 67.5 ± 24.4). Intervention caregivers also reported increased positive perceptions of caregiving (29.5 ± 5.28 to 35.0 ± 5.35) versus control caregivers (29.4 ± 8.7 to 28.0 ± 4.4). Waitlist control participants who later joined the Convoy-Pal program showed similar improvements. The intervention was well-rated for acceptability, especially regarding the information provided (3.96 ± .57 out of 5).ConclusionsRecruiting informal caregivers proved challenging. Nonetheless, Convoy-Pal retained patients and collected meaningful self-reported outcomes, showing potential benefits for both patients and caregivers. Given the importance of a patient and caregiver approach in palliative care, further research is needed to design digital tools that cater to multiple simultaneous users.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04779931. Date of registration: March 3, 2021.

Cyberbullying and Internet Gaming Disorders in Pakistan: Strategies for Mitigation

Dear Editor,Cyberbullying and internet gaming disorders (IGDs) have emerged as significant concerns in Pakistan, particularly among adolescents. This editorial explores the prevalence, impacts, and potential interventions for these issues, drawing on recentresearch and literature. The need for a multifaceted approach involving parents, educators, communities, and government is emphasized to protect vulnerable populations and promote a healthier digital environment. The advent of widespread internet access in Pakistan has brought numerous benefits, yet it has also introduced challenges such as cyberbullying andinternet gaming disorders (IGDs). These phenomena have serious implications for the mental health and well-being of adolescents. Given the relative novelty of these issues in the local context and the paucity of research, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive understanding and effective strategies for mitigation. According to a met analysis of earlier research, Asianyouth have a high IGD prevalence 1 Defining Cyberbullying and IGDs Cyberbullying lacks a universally accepted definitiondue to its complexity. Alipan and Skues provide a useful framework, describing it as behavior that intentionally harms victims using information and communication technology, perceived as harmful by victims, and witnessed by bystanders as negative2 . IGDs are recognized in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a condition warranting further study. Vulnerability of Adolescents Adolescents are particularly susceptible to cyberbullying and IGDs due to the developmental changes they experience. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against providing personal mobile phones to children under 13 years old, highlighting their vulnerability to risky behaviors3. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision making and impulse control, is not fully developed in adolescents, making them prone to impulsive and risky behaviors, including cyberbullying and excessive gaming.

자전거 교통안전표지 시인성 개선을 위한 연구

In South Korea, personal mobility devices such as bicycles have recently gained attention due to air pollution concerns and eco-friendly policies.. However, as of 2023, bicycle paths in Seoul only account for 15% of all roads, and more than 10% of bicycle accidents in 2022 occurred while cyclists were walking or crossing the sidewalk. Since bicycles are legally prohibited from riding on sidewalks, there is an increasing need to improve bicycle traffic safety signs to ensure safe riding. This study assessed the condition of various bicycle traffic safety signs on road and surveyed bicycle users to evaluation their visibility when riding. The evaluation criteria included visibility, information usefulness, and color contrast. The findings showed that the effectiveness of signs is influenced by the use of colors and reflective materials that stand out from the surrounding environment. Based on these results, new design direactions were proposed to enhance bicycle safety. The outcomes of this study are expected to serve as foundational direaction of improvements for reducing bicycle-related accidents and promoting the use of bicycles.

Attribute annotation and bias evaluation in visual datasets for autonomous driving

This paper addresses the often overlooked issue of fairness in the autonomous driving domain, particularly in vision-based perception and prediction systems, which play a pivotal role in the overall functioning of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs). We focus our analysis on biases present in some of the most commonly used visual datasets for training person and vehicle detection systems. We introduce an annotation methodology and a specialised annotation tool, both designed to annotate protected attributes of agents in visual datasets. We validate our methodology through an inter-rater agreement analysis and provide the distribution of attributes across all datasets. These include annotations for the attributes age, sex, skin tone, group, and means of transport for more than 90K people, as well as vehicle type, colour, and car type for over 50K vehicles. Generally, diversity is very low for most attributes, with some groups, such as children, wheelchair users, or personal mobility vehicle users, being extremely underrepresented in the analysed datasets. The study contributes significantly to efforts to consider fairness in the evaluation of perception and prediction systems for AVs. This paper follows reproducibility principles. The annotation tool, scripts and the annotated attributes can be accessed publicly at https://github.com/ec-jrc/humaint_annotator.

Portable Electrochemical System and Platform with Point-of-Care Determination of Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio to Evaluate Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiorenal Syndrome.

The urine albumin (Alb)-to-creatinine (Crn) ratio (UACR) is a sensitive and early indicator of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiorenal syndrome. This study developed a portable and wireless electrochemical-sensing platform for the sensitive and accurate determination of UACR. The developed platform consists of a carbon nanotube (CNT)-2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)(ABTS)-based modified UACR sensor, a miniaturised potentiostat, a cup holder embedded with a magnetic stirrer and a smartphone app. The UACR sensing electrode is composed of two screen-printed carbon working electrodes, one screen-printed carbon counter electrode and a screen-printed AgCl reference electrode. The miniaturised potentiostat, which is controlled by the developed app, performs cyclic voltammetry and amperometry to detect Alb and Crn, respectively. Clinical trials of the proposed system by using spot urine samples from 30 diabetic patients indicate that it can accurately classify all three CKD risk statuses within 30 min. The high accuracy of our proposed sensing system exhibits satisfactory agreement with the commercial biochemical analyser TBA-25FR (Y = 0.999X, R2 = 0.995). The proposed UACR sensing system offers a convenient, reliable and affordable solution for personal mobile health monitoring and point-of-care urinalysis.

Unlocking potential: understanding mobile device use patterns among year 9–11 students for learning

ABSTRACT The study examines the nature of smartphones for learning use patterns among students in grades 9–11 and its contexts in relation to personalised learning extracting risk factors associated with less mobile device use in learning. A latent class analysis (LCA) was employed. Various covariates were used to highlight groups of students at risk for effective smartphone-supported instruction. Participants were recruited for a cross-sectional online survey within the Monitoring of digital transformation series conducted in Russia in 2020/21. We identified four distinct profile groups of mobile device use among school students. Examining profile groups through the lenses of the Personalisation–Pluralisation Quadrant (PPQ) developed by Kucirkova and Littleton and the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition (SAMR) framework of Puentedura, we show that heterogeneous guidance should be provided to help students maximise the potential of smartphones for learning. This study represents a first attempt to examine the heterogeneous structure of mobile use among school students, using a latent class analysis and can be used as a reference to better understand the use of personal mobile devices among school students for educational purposes and personalised learning. The findings also result in targeted approaches to the teachers’ instruction according to the constructivism principles.

Cognitive reserve as residual variance in cognitive performance: Latent dimensionality, correlates, and dementia prediction.

Cognitive reserve (CR) is typically operationalized as episodic memory residualized on brain health indices. The dimensionality of more generalized models of CR has rarely been examined. In a sample of N = 113 dementia-free older adults (ages 62-86 years at MRI scan; 58.4% women), the domain-specific representation of general cognition (COG) before vs. after residualization on brain indices (brain volume loss, cerebral blood flow, white matter hyperintensities) was compared (i.e., COG vs. CR). COG and CR were assessed by 15 tasks spanning five domains: processing speed, verbal memory, visuospatial memory, fluid reasoning, and vocabulary. Measurement invariance and item-construct representation were tested in a series of structural factor analyses. COG and CR were then examined in relation to 22 risk and protective factors and dementia status at time of death. Item-factor loadings differed such that CR more strongly emphasized fluid reasoning. More years of education, higher occupational class, more hobbies/interests, and fewer difficulties with personal mobility similarly predicted better COG and CR. Only the sub-domain of visuospatial memory (both before and after residualization) was associated with conversion to dementia by end-of-life (r = -.30; p = .01). Results provide tentative support for the role of fluid reasoning (intelligence) as a potential compensatory factor for age- and/or neuropathology-related reductions in processing speed and memory. Intellectually stimulating work, efforts to preserve personal mobility, and a diversity of hobbies and interests may attenuate age- and/or pathology-related reductions in cognitive functioning prior to dementia onset.

Big Data Analysis of Facial Fracture Epidemiology in South Korea From 2015 to 2020: Impacts of Aging and Personal Mobility.

The epidemiology of facial fractures is continuously evolving due to various influencing factors, including social, economic, and technological advancements. Thus, an updated analysis of facial bone fractures is necessary. This study aimed to provide an updated epidemiological analysis of facial bone fractures and assess severity using multiple factors. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent facial bone fracture surgery at 3 teaching hospitals in South Korea between January 2015 and December 2020. Data collected included patient demographics (sex and age), trauma mechanism, alcohol intoxication status, and fracture types. Trauma mechanisms were categorized into 7 groups: assault, fall, sports, occupational injury, motor vehicle crash, bicycle, and personal mobility. Severity was assessed using the modified facial injury severity scale. A total of 5953 patients (4437 males and 1516 females) were included, with ages ranging from 1 to 92 years (mean age: 36.37±18.61y). A steady decline in the number of patients was observed from 2015 to 2020. Falls were the most common cause of facial fractures (2300 cases, 39%), and nasal bone fractures were the most frequent type (3683 cases, 46%). The number of elderly patients (> 60y) and injuries caused by personal mobility devices increased steadily. Male sex and alcohol intoxication were associated with higher severity scores. Motor vehicle crashes had the highest severity scores (2.246). While the incidence of facial bone fractures has decreased in recent years, the proportion of elderly patients and injuries caused by personal mobility devices is increasing, posing a significant burden on the health care system.

Toward a personalized autonomous transportation system: Vision, challenges, and solutions

The fragmented design of Intelligent Transportation Systems creates isolated intelligent systems. Resource competition and information gaps are fierce and widespread, worsening traffic issues and degrading overall service levels. Therefore, empowered by advanced technologies, an evolution towards Autonomous Transportation System (ATS) is observed. This evolution aims to develop a collaborative and sustainable ecosystem, prompting interoperability within the cloud-edge-device continuum. It can, accordingly, dismantle internal resource barriers and achieve a systematic balance between demand and supply with less human intervention. Despite the promising vision of ATS, it encounters three key challenges: disparate data, deficient models, and conflicting interests in supporting autonomous and personalized mobility. Hence, as an innovative solution, a trustworthy, private, and equal-serving framework called TPE is designed. It seamlessly integrates Blockchain, Federated Learning, and Large-scale Model to deploy a trustworthy operating environment, process private data for globally shareable knowledge, and develop a foundation model for personalized adaptation, respectively. Consequently, ATS empowered by TPE can serve diverse user groups both privately and equally.