Personal Communication Devices Research Articles

Smartphones' impact on nursing performances: a cross-sectional multicenter study.

In recent years, the technology world has significantly shaped society. This study aims to survey the views of registered nurses with hospital working experience regarding the personal communication devices use impact in hospital units. The secondary outcome of this study was to identify differences in mobile device use based on demographic and organizational factors. Cross-sectional study by survey. The questionnaire comprises 22 items divided into four sections. Overall 778 questionnaires were included in the study, 329 questionnaires were collected on pen-and-paper, whereas 449 by an online survey. Findings showed that smartphones have a different impact on performance, utilization and impact scale according to gender, age and educational attainment. Generally males using more frequently personal communication devices for non-workrelated activities affected negatively their working performance by respect to females. Moreover, younger nurses report being more distracted by using smartphones for non-work-related activities than older nurses. At the same time, younger nurses believe that smartphones may lead to an improvement in patient care skills. Nurses with fewer years of service (1 month - 10 years) report being more distracted by non-work-related activities on their smartphones than nurses with more years of service (>20 years). The smartphone is a potential distraction source. The most exposed groups are the younger nurses' and those with little work experience, and both groups (young age, less experience) can be considered factors for potential distraction.

Examining the Knowledge, Attitude, and Performance of Operating Room Personnel about the Use of Personal Communication Devices

Introduction: There is a growing concern about the impact of personal electronic devices (PEDs), including mobile phones, on healthcare, particularly in the operating room, as they can lead to distractions and reduced focus, compromising patient safety. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 127 healthcare personnel and anesthesiologists working in teaching hospitals affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. The study aimed to investigate their awareness, attitude, and performance regarding the use of PEDs. Questionnaires were administered, and data analysis was carried out using statistical tests. Results: All participants used mobile phones as their personal communication devices in the operating room. Most participants used their devices for various purposes, such as making calls, sending messages, and emails, playing games, and internet browsing. The mean attitude score was 65.34 ± 38.9, the mean performance score was 33.30 ± 32.4, and the mean awareness score was 88.5 ± 77.29. Factors like age, gender, field of study, educational level, and work experience did not significantly affect attitude, performance, or awareness scores. Conclusion: It is essential for healthcare professionals to strike a balance between using personal electronic devices to enhance patient care and managing potential distractions. These findings can inform strategies to prevent distractions caused by mobile phone use and ensure patient safety in healthcare settings. Further research is needed in this area to provide effective solutions and mitigate risks associated with PED use in healthcare.

The impact of network social presence on live streaming viewers’ social support willingness: a moderated mediation model

With the accelerating development of social networks and the popularization of intelligent personal communication devices, live streaming has provided fluid experiences in time and space for the Chinese people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Live streaming has enabled the real-time communication and interaction between viewer and live host, and has created a range of live hosts and new forms of business models due to the affordance of virtual currencies and gift reward mechanisms featured on live streaming platforms. Based on a questionnaire survey of 515 live viewers, this study examines the impact of the viewers’ network social presence on social support willingness and analyzes the roles of parasocial interaction and emotional response. The study reveals that network social presence has a direct positive impact on emotional, instrumental, and economic support willingness. Additionally, parasocial interaction plays a mediating role in the impact of network social presence on emotional, instrumental, and economic support willingness. Furthermore, the higher the degree of emotional response, the stronger the mediating effect of parasocial interaction on the relationship between network social presence and instrumental support willingness. Findings shed light on the potential intermediate mechanism and the boundary conditions of the influence of network social presence on the social support willingness of viewers, providing new insights on promoting the relationships between live hosts and viewers on live broadcast platforms.

CPW Fractal Antenna with Third Iteration of Pentagonal Sierpinski Gasket Island for 3.5 GHz WiMAX and 5.2 GHz WLAN Applications

Nowadays, the compact and multiband antennas are typically required for personal communication devices in the continuously developing wireless communication industry. The fractal antenna with the third iteration of the pentagonal Sierpinski gasket island for WiMAX and WLAN applications is presented in this work. It starts with the fundamental design of the square patch (Antenna A1) and pentagonal patch (Antenna A2). This simulation work is done using CST Microwave Studio simulation studio by applying the concept of the zero, first, second and third fractal iteration. Then, it goes on to use the fractal geometry concept of the Sierpinski gasket island structure with three designs step. The designs consist of the first iteration (Antenna B1), second iteration (Antenna B2) and third iteration (Antenna B3) of fractal geometry. The simulation work of Antenna B3 is compared with the fabrication work of the same design. After that, the measurement of the Antenna B3 is done in laboratory with - 29.55 dB at 3.41 GHz and - 20.40 dB at 5.28 GHz for its operating frequencies with bandwidth of 3.52 GHz and 5.48 GHz, respectively. At targeting 3.5 GHz WiMAX, 5.2 GHz WLAN application and 7.24 GHz of Antenna B3, the antenna shows the – 17.78 dB, - 29.63 dB and – 22.73 dB, respectively, and this value is feasible for WiMAX and WLAN operation.

Surgeon Burnout and Usage of Personal Communication Devices: Examining the Technology “Empowerment/Enslavement Paradox”

IntroductionAccess to patients’ electronic medical records (EMRs) on personal communication devices (PCDs) is beneficial but can negatively impact surgeons. In a recent op-ed, Cohen et al. explored this technology “empowerment/enslavement paradox” and its potential effect on surgeon burnout. We examined if there is a relationship between accessing EMRs on PCDs and surgeon burnout. MethodsThis was a cohort study with retrospective and prospective arms. Trainees and attendings with a background in general surgery completed the Maslach Burnout Index for Medical Personnel, a validated survey scored on three areas of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment). Data on login frequency to EMRs on PCDs over the previous 6 mo were obtained. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine if burnout and login frequency were associated. ResultsThere were 52 participants included. Residents were 61.5% (n = 32) of participants. The mean login frequency over 6 mo was 431.0 ± 323.9. The mean scores (out of 6) for emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment were 2.3 ± 1.1, 1.9 ± 1.2, and 4.9 ± 0.8, respectively. There was no correlation between burnout and logins. Residents had higher median depersonalization scores (2.3 versus 1.2, P = 0.03) and total logins (417.5 versus 210.0, P < 0.001) than attendings. Participants who overestimated logins had higher median emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores than those who underestimated (2.6 versus 1.4, P = 0.03, and 2.4 versus 0.8, P = 0.003, respectively). ConclusionsUsing EMRs on PCDs is common, but frequency of logins did not correlate with burnout scores in this study. However, perception of increased workload may contribute to experiencing burnout.

The use of electronical devices and relative levels of Nomophobia within a group of Italian nurses: an Observational Study

&#x0D; Background: In healthcare, the use of smartphones and other electronical devices are becoming important tools among health professionals. Thanks to these devices, there are new methods of assistance. However, if used incorrectly, they may cause distraction during clinical practice. The excessive use of such devices has generated a new form of addiction in the workplace named nomophobia, a phobia still little explored in literature. We reported an analysis of the frequency and method of use of these electronical devices. The primary aim of the research was to investigate the level of dependence on electronic devices (nomophobia) and the digital habits of nurses. Secondary aim of the study was to evaluate the possible association between nomophobia and distraction in the workplace.&#x0D; Methods: A transversal multicenter study was conducted on a sample of Italian nurses, using the Nurses’ Use of Personal Communication Devices Questionnaire and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q).&#x0D; Results: 34.1% of the sample (n=184) declared that they used smartphones and other electronical devices a moderately during working hours. 20.2 % (n=109) used them frequently and 8.9% (n=48) uses devices during working hours constantly. However, 44.0% (n=222) never uses health apps for patient medical assistance, the 32.9% (n=166) never uses learning apps or apps for professional development. 16.6% (n=87) admit that the use of these devices negatively affected their working performance (mean 80.5; SD 40.1). Study participants showed moderated levels of nomophobia (media=50.34; SD=29.0).&#x0D; Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate the scares use of such electronical tools to implement adequate care among Italian nurses. Nomophobia can have significant impact on the risk of making mistakes. Future studies should examine not only nurses but also other help professionals and support staff, to bring out an underestimated dimension.&#x0D;

The main trends of cybercrime in the quarantine period and counteraction to it

The article analyzes the latest trends in cybercrime during the introduction and implementation of quarantine measures in connection with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world and the consequences of this type of crime. Such trends include: a significant increase in the number of cybercrimes in the world and in Ukraine; «exploitation» by criminals of people's concerns about the situation with the coronary crisis and its negative consequences, as a result of which the whole array of these crimes somehow correlates with the pandemic; expanding the objects of cyberattacks and shifting the emphasis on how to «more effectively» interfere in the work of information and communication devices; the emergence of the so-called pandemic offender; creating a serious threat from cybercriminals to the health sector, etc. The whole array of cybercrimes is divided into offenses, in the «scenario» of which the coronavirus theme is decisive, and «traditional» cybercrimes, the committing of which is not directly conditioned by this event, although the number of such crimes (increasing) correlates with special pandemic conditions. The article presents the reasons that led to the emergence of a new phenomenon in the criminal world – a pandemic criminal, whose illegal behavior is manifested primarily in the information space. The danger of cybercrime for the lens of critical infrastructure is emphasized, with special emphasis on medical facilities. The conceptual idea of ​​counteracting cybercrime is revealed, which consists in changing the strategy of counteracting cyber threats from «traditional» offensive to defensive, in which the priority should be given to the protection of information from possible threats. This is due to many factors, including the modern format of communication, the nature of production processes and business, blurring the boundaries between corporate and personal information and communication devices, the dependence of information security on the human factor, the need to find additional sources for information security. The content of the defense strategy of counteraction will determine the strategic directions of this counteraction. The main directions of the defense strategy are: 1) development and implementation of information security policy as individual subjects of the information space, and society, the state as a whole; 2) information education on topics that are most often exploited by criminals during epidemics, pandemics and other natural and social cataclysms, and specific information security measures; 3) development of the market of information security outsourcing services; 4) formation of skills of observance of information hygiene of ordinary citizens in cyberspace; 5) constant monitoring and research of problems of digitalization of society; etc.

From systematic literature review to a conceptual framework for consumer disposal behavior towards personal communication devices

AbstractPersonal communication devices have made their way into each and every household. The complex nature of e‐waste, and its generation at an amplified pace calls for serious attention of policy makers, managers, educators and researchers. The paper presents a structured literature review of peer‐reviewed journal publications in the research area of disposal behavior of consumers with respect to their personal electronics. Also, it discusses the concepts and theoretical underpinnings to understand consumer disposal behavior based on extensive literature review. These theoretical foundations further help in framing the hypothesis and proposing the conceptual model. The proposed model is based on Theory of Planned Behavior. It studies the relationship between the core constructs: attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, and includes awareness of consequences derived from the Value‐Belief‐Norm Theory. The model will also prove useful in understanding the impact of environmentally responsible disposal intention of personal electronics and its relationship with actual behavior. The role of external influences in the form of moderators is also taken into consideration while developing the model. It is expected that the research will help provide useful insights to literature on environmentally responsible disposal.

Design and SAR computation of two different internal antennas for mobile terminals

Low profile antennas are promising candidates in miniaturization-driven applications like mobile and personal communication devices due to their compactness and robustness. However human exposure to radiation in presence of the human body is also an important parameter that needs to be analysed as these devices are now an indispensable part of our day-to-day life. The paper attempts to compute and compare the radiation characteristics and specific absorption rate of two commonly used antennas in mobile terminals – a PIFA and a shorted patch antenna. The two antennas presented in the paper are specifically designed to work in the ISM 2.4 GHz band. The Specific absorption rate values of these antennas are also computed and compared along with other antenna parameters to understand their interaction pattern in the presence of the human body. All simulations presented in the paper are performed using CST Microwave Studio.

Personal Communication Devices Among Surgeons—Exploring the Empowerment/Enslavement Paradox

This Viewpoint examines the relationship that surgeons have with their personal communication device through the discussion of potential benefits, harms, considerations for burnout, and opportunities to improve the system.

Transforming Health Care through Digital Revolutions.

The Internet, which has spanned several networks in a broad range of domains, is having a significant impact on every aspect of our lives. The next generation of networks will utilize a wide variety of resources with significant sensing capabilities. Such networks will extend beyond physically linked computers to include multimodal-information from biological, cognitive, semantic, and social networks. This paradigm shift will involve symbiotic networks of smart medical devices, and smart phones or mobile personal computing and communication devices. These devices—and the network—will be constantly sensing, monitoring, and interpreting the environment; this is sometimes referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT). We are also witnessing considerable interest in the “Omics” paradigm, which can be viewed as the study of a domain in a massive scale, at different levels of abstraction, in an integrative manner. The IoT revolution, combined with the Omics revolution (genomics and socio-omics or social networks) and artificial intelligence resurgence, will have significant implications for the way health care is delivered in the United States. After discussing a vision for health care in the future, we introduce the P9 health care concept, followed by a discussion of a framework for smart health care. Then, we present a case study and research directions, followed by examples of ongoing work at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

A Comparison of Speech Amplification and Personal Communication Devices for Hypophonia.

Purpose This study compared the performance of three amplification devices hypothesized to improve speech communication in individuals with hypophonia (HP), as well as to identify individuals' device preferences. Method Twenty-two individuals with HP and their primary communication partners participated in a cross-over design study comparing three different speech amplification devices: a wired portable amplifier (Device A), a wireless stationary amplifier (Device B), and a one-way personal communication system (Device C). Participants attended one laboratory visit followed by 1-week trial periods with each device. At the first visit, HP participants completed speech tasks with and without the devices, in quiet and in noise. Following the in-laboratory test period, participants trialed each device at home for approximately 1 week per device. Following completion of the study, participants indicated whether or not they would like to continue using a device. Results Overall, in the presence of noise, all three devices demonstrated significant improvements in speech-to-noise levels and speech intelligibility compared to no device. A clear device hierarchy emerged such that the personal communication device (Device C) was associated with significantly better speech outcomes compared to the other two devices. The majority of participants elected to continue using a device at the completion of the study. Device preferences, however, did not clearly reflect the objective device hierarchy that was found for the objective speech measures. Each of the three devices was selected as a preferred device by at least three participants at the completion of the study. Conclusion Results from this study demonstrated clear differences in device performance in three distinct forms of amplification devices for individuals with HP. Findings suggest that amplification device use may be beneficial for this clinical population and underscore the potential to improve device availability and device selection criteria in future research. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12735875.

Unauthorized Broadcasting Identification: A Deep LSTM Recurrent Learning Approach

Radio broadcasting plays an important role in our daily life. Meanwhile, with the development of wireless communications, the application of software-defined radio platforms gives rise to cheap and easy design of illegal broadcasting stations. These unauthorized broadcasting stations sometimes illegally occupy licensed frequency band, especially associated with amateur radios and unlicensed personal communication devices and services. These unauthorized broadcasting stations may severely interfere with the authorized broadcasting and further disrupt the management of spectrum resource in civil applications, such as emergency services and air traffic control. However, it still remains a challenging task to automatically and effectively identify the unauthorized broadcasting in complicated electromagnetic environments. Aiming at developing an intelligent and efficient unauthorized broadcasting identification system, in this article, a novel identification approach is proposed based on long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network (RNN), and LabVIEW software. In our approach, first, a series of LabVIEW applications are developed to drive USRP 2930s for the acquisition of broadcasting signals. Then, the LSTM identification network is proposed to recognize unauthorized broadcasting. Through the special gate structure inside, the proposed LSTM framework can effectively extract the distinguishing features, such as channel state information and RF device fingerprinting. Simulation results show that the proposed LSTM-based approach perform better than other contrastive methods, especially in identification accuracy. Implementation results also demonstrate that the proposed method has an outstanding unauthorized broadcasting identification performance with a high accuracy, i.e., identify the unauthorized broadcasting signals with 99.83% accuracy at the licensed frequency of 107.8 MHz, in realistic electromagnetic environments.

Use of Personal Communication Devices in Clinical Settings: Perception of Staff Nurses.

This survey study describes how nurses use personal communication devices while providing direct patient care and identifies generational differences. Personal communication devices enhance and distract from patient care. Generational differences exist and these should be included in workplace policies. A study-specific survey was developed. Data were collected from 335 qualified participants and descriptively analyzed in total, then by generational specific study groups. The perception of these participants is that personal communication devices do not pose a serious work distraction nor have a negative effect on patient care. Yet generational differences exist related to the presence of these devices in providing patient care. Access to personal communication devices, while at work, is an expectation. The reasons for accessing these devices, and the perception that these devices have a negative impact on work performance, should be included when developing workplace policies.

The deepfake threat to face biometrics

For better or worse, the world is going fully digital. Our indispensable personal communication devices have become all-important gateways to innumerable information sources and services, and we simply can't get enough of it. Our connected devices are even seen more like companions than pieces of hardware 1 , and are affecting our very physiology. Ready access to all types of information has literally begun to change how we think and what we do, appearing to have only just started to fundamentally impact our lives forever 2 .

Nurses' Perceptions of Personal Communication Devices in the Perioperative Environment.

Personal communication devices (PCDs) support reliable information sharing between clinical personnel to ease workflow processes. Perioperative leaders at a major medical center conducted a long-term quality improvement project evaluating perioperative nurse perceptions regarding PCDs. Perioperative nurses completed two surveys and the investigators conducted an independent group t test (2-tailed) to test for differences in RN perceptions of PCDs from initial use during a pilot study and after the nurses had used the technology for four years. The authors also used qualitative content analysis to assess the qualitative items on the survey. The RNs noted that the PCDs were particularly beneficial when contacting team members for assistance and that response times improved. Overhead pages decreased from 125 per six-hour period to an average of less than one per six-hour period. The perioperative nurses' perceptions of the PCDs have improved four years after implementation.

Listen to your heart

listen to your heart

Nurses distracted by smartphone use during clinical practice: Italian validation of the “Nurses' use of Personal Communication Devices (PCD) questionnaire”

Nurses distracted by smartphone use during clinical practice: Italian validation of the “Nurses' use of Personal Communication Devices (PCD) questionnaire”

Emissions From Smart Meters and Other Residential Radiofrequency Sources.

The advent of the Internet of things comes with a huge increase in wirelessly communicating devices in our environment. For example, smart energy-consumption meters are being widely deployed in residences from which they communicate their state using radiofrequency networks. Accurate characterization of the radiofrequency emissions from emerging residential wireless solutions is important to inform the public about the potential impact on their exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. A new measurement procedure to determine the exposure from residential radiofrequency devices is proposed by assessing the peak emitted fields at various distances and the proportion of time they transmit (duty cycle). Radiofrequency emissions from 55 residential devices were measured in 10 residences (Belgium and France) and compared to environmental levels, emissions from 41 mobile phones, and international standards. Overall, residential levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure are low. In addition to the continuous environmental exposure, wireless access points (due to frequent use) and especially mobile phones and other personal communication devices (due to their use close to the body) continue to represent the bulk of the radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in the smart home. However, some residential devices can significantly increase the exposure if their duty cycles are high enough (>10%), especially when held or used close to the body. Individual smart meters, on the other hand, will contribute only little in general, despite emissions of up to 20 V m at 50 cm, due to their low duty cycles (maximum 1%) and locations.

Decentralized Iot Edge Nanoservice Architecture for Future Gadget-Free Computing

In the envisioned ubiquitous world, services will follow users as they move across smart surroundings. Services are instantiated to users through the environment, appearing and disappearing as they move, which reduces the need for personal communication devices such as smartphones or tablets. To facilitate this development, service architectures need to support virtualized, on-demand service composition based on the hardware and software resources available at the current user location. The technical context for this type of user interaction with digital services through smart surroundings is called Internet of Everything (IoE). Today's service architectures will be too inflexible in this highly decentralized and dynamic environment. Hence, in this article we propose a novel service model called nanoEdge, where nodes collaboratively provide needed functions for virtual services that need to be deployed locally due to performance, efficiency or reliability requirements, for example. The main contributions of this article are the nanoEdge conceptual model and its proof-of-concept (PoC) implementation to show that the model is feasible with regard to performance and resource-efficiency. The successful demonstration of PoC implementation exemplifies future IoE service scenarios with today's hardware components.