Smartphone Application Research Articles

Smartphone apps pertaining to aquaculture sector in Bangladesh: Current status and future potentials

In recent years, the aquaculture sector in Bangladesh has experienced significant technological advancements, notably the adoption of smartphone applications. This empirical study evaluates the current status of smartphone apps available in the aquaculture industry of the country using data obtained from the internet and field surveys. The study identified 41 smartphone apps currently used in the sector, where 58.53 % are related to pond-based aquaculture, 14.63 % are designed for biofloc system, 4.87 % pertain to cage aquaculture and 4.87 % marketing-aided corporate-related apps, 9.75 % focus on disease and treatment-related, and 7.31 % fall into miscellaneous categories. The “Poultry Animals and Aqua Index (PAAI)" app, which addresses aquaculture pharmaceutical inputs and fish disease treatment guidelines, emerged as the most downloaded app in this domain. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that app size or user ratings did not influence app downloads. The study also found that approximately 57.66 % of fish farmers are aware of these smartphone apps. Private fisheries professionals were the main driving forces behind the use of these apps, accounting for 52 % of the information spread. Despite mixed levels of satisfaction among farmers, about 25 % expressed a positive experience. Most of the farmers (57.66 %) acknowledged the awareness and beneficial impacts of using these apps in aquaculture. This study enhances the understanding of smartphone apps usage in Bangladesh to promote the aquaculture industry, highlighting its potential to promote industry growth, alleviate poverty, and contribute to economic development.

Distress and inflammation are independently associated with cancer-related symptom severity

ObjectiveTo evaluate longitudinal associations of distress and inflammation with somatic and depressive symptom severity in breast cancer patients, from before to six months after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We also explored feasibility and effects of an early mindfulness-based intervention for preventing or reducing somatic and depressive symptoms. MethodsLongitudinal pilot study with a randomized waitlist-controlled intervention design. Women with breast cancer were randomized to receive access to a smartphone application offering meditation exercises, either immediately after baseline testing (intervention group) or after study completion (control group) in a 1:1 ratio. Assessments (self-report questionnaires and a blood draw when feasible) were completed before, halfway through, immediately after, and 6 months after completing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. ResultsFifty evaluable women were enrolled. Somatic symptom severity increased during chemotherapy, whereas depressive symptom severity was at its peak before treatment and declined gradually thereafter. Distress was positively associated with depressive symptom severity. Only Distress Thermometer-results were positively associated with somatic symptom severity. Inflammation was positively associated with both types of symptoms, and distress did not moderate the associations between inflammation and symptom severity. Intervention adherence was low and no intervention effect on symptom experience was observed. ConclusionInflammation and distress are independently associated with somatic and depressive symptoms experienced during breast cancer treatment.

Impact of Digital Health Interventions on Birth Equity: A Review.

The rise in smartphone utilization and technology uptake has popularized digital health interventions as a means of supporting healthy pregnancies and optimizing maternal and child health. Digital health interventions include several modalities, such as telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, smartphone applications, web-based interventions, wearables, and health information technology. However, the impact of these interventions on improving maternal and infant health outcomes by race and socioeconomic status to achieve birth equity is unknown. This review summarizes current literature on the impact of digital health interventions on the outcomes of communities of color and lower socioeconomic status in the United States. We demonstrate there is emerging evidence of the impact of digital health interventions on maternal health outcomes, particularly for telemedicine, but evidence specifically focused on assessing outcomes by race and ethnicity and for other modalities, like mHealth apps or wearables, is limited. Digital health interventions may play a part in birth equity initiatives, but should not be considered a standalone solution, and instead should be integrated into other existing efforts to achieve birth equity, like diversifying the clinician workforce, expanding access to high-quality prenatal and postpartum care, or delivering respectful maternity care.

Development of a robotic wheel door opener system assistive device

Physical disabilities significantly impact individuals' ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), leading to reduced autonomy and difficulty to accomplish daily living tasks. One such barrier is the difficulty or inability to open doors, preventing access to different rooms in their residence (bathroom, bedroom, etc.), rooms at work, or shopping areas. Existing solutions, such as robotic arms on wheelchairs and door openers mounted at the top of doors, remain expensive, complex to install, and relatively difficult for the target population to use. Addressing this challenge, this study introduces a Robotic Wheel Door Opener System (RWDOS) designed to facilitate the opening and closing of the door. The RWDOS is installed at the bottom of a door and is controlled remotely through a smartphone application. The paper presents the mechanical design and control system along with a cost analysis. It concludes with initial results and outlines the future directions for the project.

Integrative Empowerment Of Health Cadres In Efforts To Monitor Stunting Risk Through The Use Of Smartphone-Based Electronic Child Card Applications In Ngiliran Village, Panekan District, Magetan Regency

ABSTRACT The Community Engagement activity, conducted from May to August 2024, aimed to empower various stakeholders, such as early childhood integrated health service cadres, prospective brides and grooms, pregnant women, and mothers of young children, in their endeavors to monitor early stunting effectively. It addressed the pressing issue of stunting prevalence in Ngiliran Village, which had reached an alarming 18.6%, surpassing the national target set for 2024, which is 14%. Partners, including integrated health service cadres, prospective brides and grooms, pregnant women, and mothers, faced challenges like limited knowledge in measuring children's nutritional status, inconsistent monitoring, and inadequate stunting prevention education. To address these issues, the activity utilized the Electronic Child Card (KARANEL) smartphone application. KARANEL accurately measured children's height and weight, stored data electronically, presented nutritional status visually, and offered guidance. It empowered partners to identify, prevent, and manage stunting effectively. The results demonstrated that KARANEL enhanced the knowledge, skills, and motivation of integrated health service cadres and partners. Conclusion: the smartphone-based KARANEL application proved highly beneficial for early stunting monitoring in Ngiliran Village, providing a practical solution to combat stunting

‘Watkins’ & ‘Watkins2.0’: Smart phone applications (Apps) for gait-assessment in normal pressure hydrocephalus and decompensated long-standing overt ventriculomegaly

ObjectiveGait disturbance is one of the features of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and decompensated long-standing overt ventriculomegaly (LOVA). The timed-up-and-go (TUG) test and the timed-10-m-walking test (10MWT) are frequently used assessments tools for gait and balance disturbances in NPH and LOVA, as well as several other disorders. We aimed to make smart-phone apps which perform both the 10MWT and the TUG-test and record the results for individual patients, thus making it possible for patients to have an objective assessment of their progress. Patients with a suitable smart phone can perform repeat assessments in their home environment, providing a measure of progress for them and for their clinical team.Methods10MWT and TUG-test were performed by 50 healthy adults, 67 NPH and 10 LOVA patients, as well as 5 elderly patients as part of falls risk assessment using the Watkins2.0 app. The 10MWT was assessed with timed slow-pace and fast-pace. Statistical analysis used SPSS (version 25.0, IBM) by paired t-test, comparing the healthy and the NPH cohorts. Level of precision of the app as compared to a clinical observer using a stopwatch was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics curve.ResultsAs compared to a clinical observer using a stopwatch, in 10MWT the app showed 100% accuracy in the measure of time taken to cover distance in whole seconds, 95% accuracy in the number of steps taken with an error ± 1–3 steps, and 97% accuracy in the measure of total distance covered with error of ± 0.25–0.50 m. The TUG test has 100% accuracy in time taken to complete the test in whole seconds, 97% accuracy in the number of steps with an error of ± 1–2 steps and 87.5% accuracy in the distance covered with error of ± 0.50 m. In the measure of time, the app was found to have equal sensitivity as an observer. In measure of number of steps and distance, the app demonstrated high sensitivity and precision (AUC > 0.9). The app also showed significant level of discrimination between healthy and gait-impaired individuals.Conclusion‘Watkins’ and ‘Watkins2.0’ are efficient apps for objective performance of 10MWT and the TUG-test in NPH and LOVA patients and has application in several other pathologies characterised by gait and balance disturbance.

A web-based and mobile randomised controlled trial providing complementary feeding guidelines to first-time parents in France to promote responsive parental feeding practices, healthy children’s eating behaviour and optimal body mass index: the NutrienT trial study protocol

BackgroundChildhood obesity is a crucial public health issue. Early childhood is a critical time to foster the establishment of healthy eating behaviours and growth, which are partly shaped by parental feeding practices. To inform French parents of the recently updated national complementary feeding guidelines for 0–3 years (in terms of nutrition and responsive feeding as a mean to encourage infant appetite control skills and promote healthy growth), an official printed brochure was developed and nationally disseminated in 2021 by the French public health agency, Santé publique France. This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether the provision of guidelines through digital (smartphone application) and printed (brochure) tools (vs. the printed brochure alone, usual service) results in healthier parental feeding practices, infant eating behaviours and weight status.MethodsThis double-blinded monocentric 2-arm trial is currently conducted among first-time parents living in the area of Dijon (France) and recruited in a maternity ward. From child age 3 to 36 months (mo), an app provides a range of 106 age-adapted messages, including dietary recommendations, educational advice, recipes, and tips (intervention group only). Additionally, parents of both groups are provided with 48 messages related to child general development and the printed brochure at child age 2.7 mo. The primary outcome is the body mass index (BMI) z-score at child age 36 mo. Secondary outcome measures include a combination of online parents’ reports and behavioural assessments (experimental meals) of parental feeding practices and infant eating behaviours from inclusion to 36 months of age. Analyses of covariance on these outcomes will assess the effect of the intervention, adjusted for relevant confounders. Complementary mediation and moderation analyses will be conducted. Sample size was determined to be n = 118 in each arm of the trial, plus 20% to compensate for potential attrition.DiscussionThis is the first public eHealth randomised control trial in France to assess the effect of a web-based and mobile intervention targeted to first-time parents to improve child feeding practices and child growth.Trial registrationThis trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05285761 (March 18, 2022).

RegulEm, an unified protocol based-app for the treatment of emotional disorders: a parallel mixed methods usability and quality study

BackgroundInterest in mental health smartphone applications has grown in recent years. Despite their effectiveness and advantages, special attention needs to be paid to two aspects to ensure app engagement: to include patients and professionals in their design and to guarantee their usability. The aim of this study was to analyse the perceived usability and quality of the preliminary version of RegulEm, an app based in the Unified Protocol, as part of the second stage of the app development.MethodsA parallel mixed methods study was used with 7 professionals and 4 users who were previously involved in the first stage of the development of the app. MARS, uMARS and SUS scales were used, and two focus groups were conducted. Descriptive statistical analysis and a thematic content analysis were performed in order to gather as much information as possible on RegulEm’s usability and quality as well as suggestions for improvement.ResultsRegulEm’s usability was perceived through the SUS scale scores as good by users (75 points) and excellent by professionals (84.64 points), while its quality was perceived through the uMARS and MARS scales as good by both groups, with 4 and 4.14 points out of 5. Different areas regarding RegulEm’s usability and suggestions for improvement were identified in both focus groups and 20% of the suggestions proposed were implemented in the refined version of RegulEm.ConclusionRegulEm’s usability and quality were perceived as good by users and professionals and different identified areas have contributed to its refinement. This study provides a more complete picture of RegulEm’s usability and quality prior analysing its effectiveness, implementation and cost-effectiveness in Spanish public mental health units.

Custom Smartphone Application to Guide Locomotor-Respiratory Coupling in the Field Using Step-Adaptive Breathing Sounds.

While running is amongst the most popular activities for competition and leisure, an estimated 20-40% of runners may suffer from respiratory limitations. Some of these runners may benefit from breathing techniques to improve performance or alleviate respiratory discomfort. One such technique is locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC), a frequency and phase synchronization of breath to step. Studies have demonstrated that LRC may benefit ventilatory efficiency via "step-driven flows," and some experts have argued it could be used for pacing exercise or increasing positive emotional states. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to perform without coaching or guidance. Here we propose RunRhythm, a custom smartphone application to deliver step-synchronized sound guidance for LRC. This concept builds on previous evidence that sound guidance can be effective and integrates features to maximize adherence and individualization. Preliminary results show that this application is a promising and efficacious method suitable for research on LRC in field exercise. Recommendations for use and further development are discussed to further develop this concept for the benefit of a wider population.

A Smartphone Resource for Just-in-Time Medical Student Teaching by Emergency Medicine Residents.

Objectives Previous studies have shown that residents play an important role in the education of medical students in the clinical setting, but the busy environment of the emergency department (ED) poses a challenge to the effective teaching of medical students by emergency medicine (EM) residents. Tocombat this, this study relies on just-in-time teaching, which refers to the application of teaching efforts specific to a particular moment, in this case, a clinical case or procedure. Building on studies showing that just-in-time teaching can improve education despite time constraints, as well as data showing that practitioners and trainees increasingly use apps for diagnosis and education, the objective of this project was to determine whether a free open-access medical education (FOAM) smartphone application (app) is feasible and improves the quality and frequency of resident teaching of medical students in the emergency department. Methods We created a smartphone app-based teaching resource that was available to residents and students on shift. We taught residents and medical students how to integrate the app into their workflow. We performed an observational pre/post-studydesign by surveying residents' and students' pre- and post-teaching app introduction to determine self- and student-reported teaching frequency and quality. Outcome measures were self-reported teaching frequency and quality of teaching. Results Ten of 17 residents (59%) reported using the app at least once per shift. Among them, six of 10 (60%) reported that it increased their teaching frequency, and eight of 10 (80%) reported that it increased the quality of their teaching. There was an increase in the number of residents with positive perceptions of the availability of evidence-based teaching resources on the shift from pre-intervention (five residents) to post-intervention (14 residents, p = 0.01); however, we were otherwise unable to identify any significant differences in residents' or students' perceptions of teaching after implementation of our intervention. Conclusion Just-in-time teaching of medical students by residents using a smartphone app is feasible, as evidenced by the majority of resident respondents reporting that they used the teaching app at least once per shift. Residents reported an improvement in teaching frequency and quality. The study is limited by a small sample size and a single-site design with a pre/post design. Further studies with a focus on qualitative feedback and objective measures of learning are needed to assess whether there is an impact on medical student instruction by residents when using this app-based teaching resource.

Neuroanatomical photogrammetric models using smartphones: a comparison of apps

ObjectivesA deep knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the target area is mandatory for a successful operative procedure. For this purpose, over the years, many teaching and learning methods have been described, from the most ancient cadaveric dissection to the most recent virtual reality, each with their respective pros and cons. Photogrammetry, an emergent technique, allows for the creation of three-dimensional (3D) models and reconstructions. Thanks to the spreading of photogrammetry nowadays it is possible to generate these models using professional software or even smartphone apps. This study aims to compare the neuroanatomical photogrammetric models generated by the two most utilized smartphone applications in this domain, Metascan and 3D-Scanner, through quantitative analysis.MethodsTwo human head specimens (four sides) were examined. Anatomical dissection was segmented into five stages to systematically expose well-defined structures. After each stage, a photogrammetric model was generated using two prominent smartphone applications. These models were then subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis, with a specific focus on comparing the mesh density as a measure of model resolution and accuracy. Appropriate consent was obtained for the publication of the cadaver's image.ResultsThe quantitative analysis revealed that the models generated by Metascan app consistently demonstrated superior mesh density compared to those from 3D-Scanner, indicating a higher level of detail and potential for precise anatomical representation.ConclusionEnabling depth perception, capturing high-quality images, offering flexibility in viewpoints: photogrammetry provides researchers with unprecedented opportunities to explore and understand the intricate and magnificent structure of the brain. However, it is of paramount importance to develop and apply rigorous quality control systems to ensure data integrity and reliability of findings in neurological research. This study has demonstrated the superiority of Metascan in processing photogrammetric models for neuroanatomical studies.

The Impact of Data Privacy on Users' Smartphone App Adoption Decisions

Rich user information is gained through user tracking and power mobile smartphone applications. Apps thereby become aware of the user and their context, enabling intelligent and adaptive applications. However, such data poses severe privacy risks. Although users are only partially aware of them, awareness increases with the proliferation of privacy-enhancing technologies. How privacy literacy and raising privacy concerns affect app adoption is unclear; however, we hypothesize that it leads to a lower adoption rate of data-heavy smartphone apps, as non-usage often is the user's only option to protect themselves. We conducted a survey (N=100) to investigate the relationship between privacy-relevant app- and publisher characteristics with the users' intention to install and use it. We found that users are especially critical of contentful data types and apps with rights to perform actions on their behalf. On the other hand, the expectation of a productive benefit induced by the app can increase the app-adoption intention. Our findings show which aspects designers of privacy-enhancing technologies should focus on to meet the demand for more user-centered privacy.

Reliability of a workplace-based assessment for the United States general surgical trainees’ intraoperative performance using multivariate generalizability theory: a psychometric study

The System for Improving and Measuring Procedure Learning (SIMPL), a smartphone-based operative assessment application, was developed to assess the intraoperative performance of surgical residents. This study aims to examine the reliability of the SIMPL assessment and determine the optimal number of procedures for a reliable assessment. In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed data collected between 2015 and 2023 from 4,616 residents across 94 General Surgery Residency programs in the United States that utilized the SIMPL smartphone application. We employed multivariate generalizability theory and initially conducted generalizability studies to estimate the variance components associated with procedures. We then performed decision studies to estimate the reliability coefficient and the minimum number of procedures required for a reproducible assessment. We estimated that the reliability of the assessment of surgical trainees' intraoperative autonomy and performance using SIMPL exceeded 0.70. Additionally, the optimal number of procedures required for a reproducible assessment was 10, 17, 15, and 17 for postgraduate year (PGY) 2, PGY 3, PGY 4, and PGY 5, respectively. Notably, the study highlighted that the assessment of residents in their senior years necessitated a larger number of procedures compared to those in their junior years. The study demonstrated that the SIMPL assessment is reliably effective for evaluating the intraoperative performance of surgical trainees. Adjusting the number of procedures based on the trainees' training stage enhances the assessment process's accuracy and effectiveness.

Efficacy of digital brief behavioural treatment for insomnia using a smartphone application in conjunction with light therapy in university students with insomnia symptoms with late chronotypes: A pilot randomized-controlled trial.

The efficacy of digital brief behavioural treatment for insomnia using a smartphone application in conjunction with light therapy was investigated in university students who had insomnia symptoms with late chronotypes. In this two-arm parallel randomized-controlled trial, participants with insomnia symptoms and late chronotypes were recruited between October and November 2023. The duration of the intervention program was 4 weeks. The smartphone application provides digital brief behavioural treatment for insomnia, including programs for advanced phases. The intervention group used blue-light-emitting diode glasses in the morning after waking up for 2-4 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in the Insomnia Severity Index during the study period. The Insomnia Severity Index was obtained weekly using a web questionnaire. Of the 28 students, 14 each were assigned to the intervention and control groups. The mean Insomnia Severity Index scores at baseline were 12.2 and 12.5; after 4 weeks, they declined to 7.2 and 10.6 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Primary analysis using a linear mixed model showed a significant improvement in the temporal trends of the Insomnia Severity Index in the intervention group (p < 0.001). The scores on the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (p = 0.008) and RU-SATED (p = 0.005) significantly improved in the intervention group relative to the control group following the intervention. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the digital brief behavioural treatment for insomnia with light therapy in participants with both insomnia symptoms and late chronotypes.

An eco-friendly smartphone based HPTLC method versus conventional densitometric one for determination of Naltrexone and Bupropion

The rapid uprising technologies of smartphone applications and software introduced a new era for analytical detection techniques. It has transformed bench-top laboratory methods into simpler ones depending on cost-effective, portable, and widely accessible devices. In this work, two high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) methods were developed based on smartphone’s camera detection and either ImageJ desktop software or Color-Picker smartphone’s application as alternative techniques to conventional densitometric detection. A mixture of Naltrexone hydrochloride (NAL) and Bupropion hydrochloride (BUP) was chromatographed on HPTLC- plates using ethyl acetate, methanol, acetone, and glacial acetic acid (3:6:1:0.5, by volume) as a developing system. The developed plates were scanned at 203 nm for the densitometric analysis, then visualized by modified Dragendorff’s reagent and shot by a smartphone’s camera. The captured images were uploaded to either ImageJ software or Color-Picker application to detect the separated spots. The results derived from the three detection methods were compared over the concentration range of 0.4–24 & 0.6–18 µg/band for the densitometric method, 0.4–24 & 2–24 µg/band for ImageJ built method and 0.8–20 & 5–20 µg/band for Color Picker built method for NAL and BUP, respectively. The methods were found to be appropriate for assaying both active drug substances in pure forms and combined in marketed pharmaceutical formulations. The excellent sustainability of densitometric and ImageJ-based methods enabled also the assessment of their dosage form content uniformity. The greenness and sustainability of the methods were assessed by three metric tools, namely Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), Analytical GREEnness Metric Approach (AGREE), and White Analytical Chemistry (WAC). The assessments results confirmed the sustainability and superiority of the proposed methods in terms of sample treatment, waste mount, energy consumption, cost, and number of analyzed samples per an hour.

Lidocaine-Loaded Iontophoresis-Driven Fiber-Based Microneedle Patch for Controllable and Long-Lasting Transdermal Local Analgesia

AbstractThe acute pain induced by clinical procedures, such as venipuncture, dental operations, and dermatological treatments, as well as postoperative pain, drives the advancement of anesthetic techniques aimed at alleviating discomfort. This situation underscores the ongoing significance of effective pain management strategies within the field of anesthesia. This paper presents an integrated iontophoresis (ITP)-driven fiber-based microneedle patch (IFMP) regulated by a smartphone for controllable, long-lasting lidocaine transdermal delivery. The IFMP integrates pure cotton fiber canvas-based dissolving microneedles (MNs) with ITP into a patch, with the MNs tips and gel layers significantly increasing the drug-loading capacity, achieving a one-step drug administration strategy of “dissolution, diffusion, and ITP.” Lidocaine is released via the microchannels of MNs by passive diffusion. Additionally, an electric current initiates active ITP for lidocaine delivery, creating synergy. User-requirement-based drug release by precisely modulating electrical signals in rat pain models is described herein. A smartphone application enables precise dosage control. It offers three different delivery modes: single-dose, pulse delivery, and sustained-release, ensuring rapid onset, and long-lasting pain relief. This versatility makes the system suitable for various pain conditions. The IFMP represents a promising system for patient-controlled local analgesia treatment, enabling active and long-term local self-controlled pain management in a safe and regulated manner. Graphical Abstract The iontophoresis-driven fiber-based microneedle patch combines fiber-based dissolving microneedles with iontophoresis, facilitating controlled lidocaine release through diffusion and electrical activation for enhanced effect. Precise modulation of electrical signals allows user-requirement-based drug release in rat pain models. A smart application supports precise dosing in single-dose, pulse, or sustained-release modes, ensuring efficient and prolonged pain management.

Violent Extremism: Work Stories of Women Police Officers in a Mobile Force Company in Eastern Philippines

This study delved into the work experiences of women police officers assigned in mobile force companies in the entirety of Samar. Criticized for its underperforming economy due to insurgent threats, this district provided a backdrop for exploring the role of women police officers in counter-insurgency programs. The research employed a phenomenological, qualitative approach to uncover deeper insights.This study used phenomenological research design. Ten (10) women police officers from various areas in Samar, including Allen, Pambujan, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Dolores and Quinapondan were chosen as informants. These officers, with a minimum of two years of experience, were selected from the Samar provincial police records.Interviews were conducted and recorded using a smartphone application, ensuring detailed and accurate transcriptions. Most responses were in English, with a small portion in the local dialect, which was translated for clarity.The study identified nine emergent themes: Community Engagement and Trust, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Community Resilience and Peacebuilding, Mental Health and Resilience, Gender Dynamics and Cultural Sensitivity, Operational Challenges and Adaptation, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Strategic and Tactical Innovation and Women's Leadership and Empowerment . These themes highlighted the importance of of the role of women police officers between the police and community, acknowledged the risks in implementing counter-insurgency programs, and noted the challenges of funding and aligning with government initiatives. The officers expressed continuous effort and aspiration in their roles, emphasizing the need for recognition in the role of women police officers.

Abstract B022: Smoking cessation interventions for Hispanic/Latinx adults in the United States: Results from a systematic review

Abstract Significance: Smoking rates have declined in the U.S. over the last several decades but vary by population subgroup. Hispanic adults generally have lower smoking rates than Non-Hispanic White individuals, but this varies greatly by country of origin, with some Hispanic subgroups, such as Puerto Ricans, reaching smoking prevalence rates up to 28%. Hispanic smokers have lower success rates in cessation attempts and are less likely to receive assistance in quitting, highlighting their unique cessation needs. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the quantity and range of smoking cessation interventions targeted to Hispanic adults. Methods: A systematic literature search, following PRISMA guidelines, was conducted across seven databases, trial registries, and grey literature published until April 2024. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility using Covidence. Study characteristics (e.g., intervention modality, language availability, cultural specificity) and outcomes were narratively summarized, and quality assessment was conducted. A meta-analysis is planned to evaluate the efficacy of smoking cessation interventions tested in RCTs, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The association between intervention type/modality and efficacy will be assessed via subgroup analyses. Results: A total of 8,844 records were identified and screened by reviewers. Of these, 456 studies were assessed for full-text eligibility, 49 studies with targeted interventions were identified for inclusion, of which 10 met criteria for meta- analysis. Of the 49 interventions identified, 44 interventions were offered in Spanish, 26 were culturally specific, and 34 had a majority Hispanic sample. Many interventions utilized multiple intervention modalities and included adjunct components. Types of interventions included behavioral counseling (n=26): in person (n=22) or over the phone (n=4), written self-help (n=6), text messaging (n=5), mass media campaigns (n=3), web-site applications or social media (n=3), pharmacotherapy with a behavioral adjunct (n=3), group counseling (n=2), and one smartphone application (n=1). Cessation rates ranged from 8% to 55%. No studies disaggregated smoking outcomes by Hispanic sub-group. Among the RCTs to be included in the planned meta-analysis, 5 out of 10 studies were culturally specific. Methodological quality for these studies ranged from weak (60%) to strong (10%). Conclusions: This systematic review summarizes the quantity and types of smoking cessation interventions for Hispanic smokers. Existing interventions vary in modality and are frequently offered in Spanish. However, few studies were tailored to values of Hispanic culture, and none addressed differences in smoking behavior among Hispanics by country of origin. Among the RCTs, most trials were rated as methodologically weak based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results from this review may inform the development of future interventions, specifically guiding the design of rigorous randomized cessation trials for Hispanics. Citation Format: Honor M. Woodward, Ranjita Poudel, Helen Yates, Ursula Martinez, Mary-Katherine Haver, Jennifer I. Vidrine, Youngchul Kim, Thomas H. Brandon, Vani N. Simmons. Smoking cessation interventions for Hispanic/Latinx adults in the United States: Results from a systematic review [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B022.

Estimation of isoniazid by digital image colorimetry: an integration of green chemistry and smartphone technology

BackgroundThis study proposes a simple digital image colorimetric method using a smartphone for the quantitative analysis of isoniazid in pharmaceutical medications. The analytical methodology employed in this study involved the utilization of the reaction between isoniazid and FC reagent under alkaline conditions. The chemical reaction led to the creation of a complex with a blue-gray color, exhibiting a peak absorption at a wavelength of 760 nm. An Android application was employed to perform a smartphone-based determination based on separating the captured color into different color channels such as red, blue, green, etc. The experimental procedure involved the utilization of three smartphones for the determination, which was subsequently followed by a comparative analysis of the results obtained from these devices using spectrophotometric measurements.ResultsThe B channel had the highest level of optimization in terms of analytical parameters. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.586, 2.478, and 1.396 µg/ml for S1, S2, and S3, respectively, and for the spectrophotometer, it was found to be 0.416 µg/ml. Similarly, LOQs were determined as 1.673, 7.511, 4.232, and 1.302 µg/ml. A %RSD of 1.3 for precision and an LOD of 0.013 g dm−3 were obtained for the spectroscopic method. The % recovery in the accuracy study was found to be 99.69, 101.804, 109.28, and 100.13 for S1, S2, S3, and spectrophotometer, respectively.ConclusionThe colorimetric results from smartphone application are similar to those from spectrophotometric analyses.

Combining Signals for EEG-Free Arousal Detection during Home Sleep Testing: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Accurately detecting arousal events during sleep is essential for evaluating sleep quality and diagnosing sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. While the American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines associate arousal events with electroencephalogram (EEG) signal variations, EEGs are often not recorded during home sleep testing (HST) using wearable devices or smartphone applications. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to explore the potential of alternatively relying on combinations of easily measurable physiological signals during HST for arousal detection where EEGs are not recorded. Methods: We conducted a data-driven retrospective study following an incremental device-agnostic analysis approach, where we simulated a limited-channel setting using polysomnography data and used deep learning to automate the detection task. During the analysis, we tested multiple signal combinations to evaluate their potential effectiveness. We trained and evaluated the model on the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis dataset. Results: The results demonstrated that combining multiple signals significantly improved performance compared with single-input signal models. Notably, combining thoracic effort, heart rate, and a wake/sleep indicator signal achieved competitive performance compared with the state-of-the-art DeepCAD model using electrocardiogram as input with an average precision of 61.59% and an average recall of 56.46% across the test records. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the potential of combining easy-to-record HST signals to characterize the autonomic markers of arousal better. It provides valuable insights to HST device designers on signals that improve EEG-free arousal detection.