Smartphone Software Application Research Articles

Augmented Reality as a Tool for Enhancing Metacognitive Knowledge in Chemistry

This study developed a Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) with Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance the students’ metacognitive knowledge, namely declarative, procedural, and conditional knowledge in General Chemistry. The developed TLM has three components: the printed learning material that contains the AR trackers; a database of tactile 3D objects and animations that served as metacognitive scaffolds; and a dedicated smartphone software application specifically created for the retrieval, display and control of AR objects. The design-based research paradigm was used in the development of the Teaching and Learning Material with Augmented Reality, while the pre-experimental single group research design was employed in the assessment of the effect of scaffolds using AR on the students’ metacognitive knowledge. A Metacognitive Knowledge Test (MKT) was administered to the student participants before and after using the AR learning material system. Using the Hake factor test, the study found that the student participants achieved high learning gains for declarative and procedural metacognitive knowledge as signified by g values of 0.73 and 0.79, respectively. In terms of conditional metacognitive knowledge, the students registered a medium learning gain given by g = 0.68. It is recommended that teachers use innovative teaching and learning materials embedded with AR to enhance students’ learning attributes like metacognitive knowledge.

Exploring perceptions and operational considerations for use of a smartphone application to self-monitor blood pressure in pregnancy in Lombok, Indonesia: protocol for a qualitative study

IntroductionHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a leading cause of maternal deaths globally and require close monitoring of blood pressure (BP) to mitigate potential adverse effects. Despite the recognised need...

Smartphone application with 3D-printed needle guide for faster and more accurate CT-guided interventions in a phantom.

This study is to determine whether a needle guidance device combining a 3D-printed component with a smartphone would decrease the number of passes and time required to perform a standard CT-guided needle procedure in a phantom study. A 3D-printed mechanical guide with built-in apertures for various needle sizes was designed and printed. It was mounted on a smartphone and used to direct commercially available spring-loaded biopsy devices. A smartphone software application was developed to use the phone's sensors to provide the real-time location of a lesion in space, based on parameters derived from preprocedural CT images. The physical linkage of the guide, smartphone, and needle allowed the operator to manipulate the assembly as a single unit, with real-time graphical representation of the lesion shown on the smartphone display. Two radiology trainees and 3 staff radiologists targeted 5 lesions with and without the device (50 total procedures). The number of passes and time taken to reach each lesion were determined. Use of the smartphone needle guide decreased the mean number of passes (with guide, 1.8; without guide, 3.4; P < 0.001) and mean time taken (with guide, 1.6 min; without guide, 2.7 min; P = 0.005) to perform a standard CT-guided procedure. On average, the decreases in number of passes and procedure time were more pronounced among trainees (P < 0.001). The combination of a mechanical guide and smartphone can reduce the number of needle passes and the amount of time needed to reach a lesion in a phantom for both trainees and experienced radiologists.

Accuracy of a Smartphone Software Application Compared With a Handheld Goniometer for Measuring Shoulder Range of Motion in Asymptomatic Adults.

Typically, shoulder range of motion (ROM) measurements are performed in a clinic setting, where physicians, physical therapists (PTs), and occupational therapists make use of a goniometer. To determine the accuracy of a smartphone-based ROM software application (app) in assessing active shoulder ROM and compare the measurements with traditional goniometry as measured by a PT. Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. This prospective, nonblinded study was conducted at a single institution with adult asymptomatic participants with full active ROM of both shoulders. Participants were enrolled between June 1 and 15, 2021. Each participant self-assessed their active shoulder ROM using the PeerWell smartphone app. A single PT concurrently measured each participant's active shoulder ROM using a handheld universal goniometer. Bilateral shoulder ROM (forward flexion, abduction [AB], external rotation, internal rotation [IR], and extension) was measured 2 times for each participant. Interrater reliability between the smartphone app and PT measurements as well as intrarater reliability for each method of measurement were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and limits of agreement were analyzed for the difference in measurement methods. Data were analyzed for 60 shoulders (30 right, 30 left) from 30 participants (mean age, 31.4 ± 11.7 years; 73% female). The interrater reliability between the 2 methods was excellent for all movements (ICCs, 0.90-0.96). For all movements except shoulder AB, the mean difference in the measurements between the 2 methods was <1.3°; the mean difference in AB ROM was 2.08°. For all movements except IR, both PTs and the app showed excellent intrarater reliability (ICCs >0.90); for IR, good intrarater reliability (ICC ≥0.75) was observed. The PeerWell smartphone app provided measurements comparable with manual measurements taken by a PT using a goniometer. These data provide evidence that the smartphone app is a reliable and valid tool for measuring shoulder ROM and show promise for measuring and monitoring patient ROM remotely.

Reliability of Two Newly Designed Pelvic Inclinometer for Measurement of Pelvic Inclination in Sagittal Plane

Context: The use of a pelvic inclinometer in medical practice to evaluate pelvic inclination angle is speedy, noninvasive, and easy to use. There is currently no goniometer available for objective measurement of innominate bone inclination in standing. In clinical assessment, it is necessary to employ portable, reliable, low-cost, and safe measurement apparatus for the measurement of pelvic inclination. Aims: To assess the inter- and intra-tester reliability of a tripod-mounted pelvic inclinometer and a hand-held inclinometer with smartphone application for measuring the angle of pelvic inclination in the sagittal plane. Study Setting and Design: Design of assessing and measuring reliability of pelvic inclinometer in India. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 individuals aged between 18 and 30 years volunteered to participate in the study. Pelvic inclination angle was measured on both sides using two newly developed pelvic inclinometers in the sagittal plane. One was tripod-mounted wooden arm inclinometer and the other was hand-held inclinometer with smartphone software application. Reliability was assessed for the tripod-mounted pelvic inclinometer apparatus that is based on the idea of measuring pelvic tilts with caliper. Further, reliability was also assessed for hand-held pelvic inclinometer with software application in a mobile cell device. Statistical Analysis Used: Cronbach's alpha (C-alpha) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to test reliability. Results: The intratester reliability of the tripod-mounted wooden arm inclinometer on both left (C-alpha - 0.98; ICC - 0.94) and right sides (C alpha - 0.97; ICC - 0.93) was high. Similar findings were noted with the hand-held inclinometer with smartphone software application, with intrarater reliability being high on both right (C-alpha - 0.98; ICC - 0.95) and left sides (C-alpha - 0.98; ICC - 0.96). Conclusion: Both the newly designed pelvic inclinometers, i.e., tripod-mounted wooden arm inclinometer and hand-held inclinometer with smartphone software application, are reliable and consistent for measuring pelvic inclination in the sagittal plane.

Skin-interfaced microfluidic system with personalized sweating rate and sweat chloride analytics for sports science applications.

Advanced capabilities in noninvasive, in situ monitoring of sweating rate and sweat electrolyte losses could enable real-time personalized fluid-electrolyte intake recommendations. Established sweat analysis techniques using absorbent patches require post-collection harvesting and benchtop analysis of sweat and are thus impractical for ambulatory use. Here, we introduce a skin-interfaced wearable microfluidic device and smartphone image processing platform that enable analysis of regional sweating rate and sweat chloride concentration ([Cl-]). Systematic studies (n = 312 athletes) establish significant correlations for regional sweating rate and sweat [Cl-] in a controlled environment and during competitive sports under varying environmental conditions. The regional sweating rate and sweat [Cl-] results serve as inputs to algorithms implemented on a smartphone software application that predicts whole-body sweating rate and sweat [Cl-]. This low-cost wearable sensing approach could improve the accessibility of physiological insights available to sports scientists, practitioners, and athletes to inform hydration strategies in real-world ambulatory settings.

Augmented reality visualization for craniosynostosis surgery

ABSTRACT Current approaches for surgical correction of craniosynostosis are highly dependent on the experience of the surgeon and inaccuracies during cranial vault remodelling can compromise the surgical outcome. The objective of this study is the evaluation of a novel augmented reality system to guide surgeons during fronto-orbital advancement procedures. A smartphone software application was developed to overlay virtual models on the surgical field using augmented reality technology. Intraoperative markers and 3D photography are used to ensure accurate alignment between the virtual data and patient anatomy. The system was evaluated through simulations on patient-specific phantoms and the workflow was tested on two real surgeries. Results of this study demonstrate the accuracy of the AR visualisation to guide osteotomy and remodelling during fronto-orbital advancement. Feedback from 9 surgeons supports the integration of this technology on the surgical workflow for the treatment of craniosynostosis to accurately translate the virtual plan into the operating room.

Application of Cardio-Forecasting for Evaluation of Human-Operator Performance.

The paper presents the results of the development of the cardio-forecasting technology, which introduces a new method to monitor the state of human-operator, which is characteristic for the given production conditions and for individual operators, to predict the moment of exhaustion of his/her working capacity. The work aims to demonstrate the unique, distinctive features of the cardio-forecasting technology for predicting an individual limit of his/her working capacity for each person. A unique methodology for predicting individually for each person the moment when he/she reaches the limit of his/her working capacity is based on a spectral analysis of a human phonocardiogram in order to isolate the frequency component located at the heart contraction frequency. The trend of the amplitude of this component is approximated by its model; consequently, the coefficients of the trend model are determined. They include the operator’s operating time until his/her working capacity is exhausted. A methodology for predicting the moment when he/she reaches the limit of his/her working capacity for each person individually and assessment based on this degree of criticality of their condition will be realized as a software application for smartphones using the Android operating system.

Application of Light Sensors Amplifier and Wireless Networking Sensor for Ambient Light Data to the Android Platform

Modern technologies of growing different plants types in greenhouses envisage automated systems use for monitoring climatic parameters, on which the ripening of fruits and yields depend. At the development and application of such automated systems, the focus is on measuring the accuracy of temperature and humidity soil, whereas to determine the level of illumination used sensors, that measure the total illumination or Photosynthetic Active Radiation (400-700 nm) with error up to 20%. Under conditions of insufficient photon flux density, even at the optimal moisture level and temperature in the greenhouse, fruiting and crop yields may not achieve high performance. This article proposes a greenhouse lighting control system in which the LI-200R Pyranometer and LI-190R-BL Quantum Sensor measure not only total illumination from the wavelength of 400–1000 nm, but also PPFD from a wavelength of 400–700 nm. Light Sensor Amplifier provides an increase in the source signal of the measuring sensors and reduces their measurement error to 1%. The applied SMART Connectivity Platform ESP8266 Version ESP 07 is more robust to interference and ensures the transfer of measured data to the server. Created software application for smartphones with Android OS, ensures remote user access to the database via the Internet for remote control and analysis of climatic indicators in the greenhouse. The proposed illumination control system in the greenhouse contributes to the improvement of precision farming.

Advances in the Real-time Documentation of Psychosis and Suicidal Ideation

Clinical interviews are typically used in the assessment psychosis and related clinical symptoms. However, these measures are limited by recall bias and averaging, and thus important information is lost. Ambulatory real-time monitoring devices have the advantage of providing detailed and sensitive information about symptoms. This can provide valuable information about change and fluctuations in symptoms across time. Suicide represents a substantial problem in psychiatry, but little is known about the immediate triggers of suicidal ideation. Psychological theory suggests that the instability, in addition to the intensity, of depressed mood may be an important risk factor for the development of suicidal ideation. Mobile phone-based assessments may allow for a more accurate measure of suicidality and mood across time. In this presentation, a new smart phone software application (ClinTouch) for the assessment of psychotic and related symptoms will be described. Research investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and limitations of mobile-phone based assessment will be discussed in relation to people with psychosis. Mobile phone-based research investigating the short-term predictors of thoughts about self-injury will also be considered. The talk will finish with an outline of how mobile-based assessments could be applied in clinical settings.

Feasibility of using a mobile application for the monitoring and management of stroke-associated risk factors.

Background and PurposeRecent advances in information technology have created opportunities for advances in the management of stroke. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of using a smartphone software application (app) for the management of vascular risk factors in patients with stroke.MethodsThis prospective clinical trial developed a smartphone app, the 'Korea University Health Monitoring System for Stroke: KUHMS2,' for use by patients with stroke. During a 6-month follow-up period, its feasibility was assessed by measuring the changes in their vascular risk-factor profiles and the number of days per patient with data registration into the app. The effect of the app on the achievement rate of risk-factor targets was assessed by classifying subjects into compliant and noncompliant groups.ResultsAt the end of the trial, data on 48 patients were analyzed. The number of days on which data were registered into the app was 60.42±50.17 (mean±standard deviation). Among predefined vascular risk factors, the target achievement rate for blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) improved significantly from baseline to the final measurement. The serial changes in achievement rates for risk-factor targets did not differ between the compliant and noncompliant groups.ConclusionsMany challenges must be overcome before mobile apps can be used for patients with stroke. Nevertheless, the app tested in this study induced a shift in the risk profiles in a favorable direction among the included stroke patients.

Intracranial ventricular catheter placement with a smartphone assisted instrument.

Mobile technology has recently been introduced for blood pressure measurements or glucose level controls. In surgical disciplines the use of smartphone applications is mostly restricted as training tools or knowledge resources. Simple surgical procedures which are performed often in certain disciplines may be performed with limited accuracy since routine and overwork of medical staff lead to less awareness to possible mistakes. In these cases simple and effective means are necessary to achieve better patient safety.In this context, a surgical instrument for ventricular catheter placement in neurosurgical patients was designed which is assisted by measurements undertaken in a smartphone software application specifically visualizing the use of this instrument and achieving better accuracy for catheter positioning. On theoretical ground, the angulation of the catheter trajectory towards the surface of the skull in a coronal reconstructed CT or MR image is determined as the simplified but the most relevant individual parameter for correct ventricular catheter placement. Transfer of a CT/MRI image onto the smartphone can be performed via mail as anonymous file. Using this image, the trajectory measurement can be performed individually in a few steps by calibration of the image size, definition of the frontal entry point, and virtual placement of the instrument on the surface of the skull. Then the angulation can be adjusted and measured to place the catheter's trajectory towards the ipsilateral ventricle and the catheter length is determined. The parameters are now given by the app and visualized on the image in order to be applied to the surgical site of the patient.The tool represents a widely available and cost-effective solution as navigation technique which is simple to apply in order to achieve better accuracy in ventricular catheter placement for higher safety in a large cohort of neurosurgical patients.

Association between Noise Meter and Specialized Software Application for Smartphones in the Measurement of Vocal Intensity

Association between Noise Meter and Specialized Software Application for Smartphones in the Measurement of Vocal Intensity

Internet and smartphone delivery of core trunk exercises for a randomised clinical trial: protocol

Background: Lumbopelvic stability exercises are commonly prescribed for athletes to prevent sportsinjury; however, there is limited evidence that exercises are effective. Exercise trials are timeconsuming and costly to implement when teaching exercises or providing feedback directly toparticipants. Delivery of exercise programs using mobile technology potentially overcomes thesedifficulties.Aims: To evaluate the qualitative clinical changes and quantitative movement pattern changes onlumbopelvic stability and injury in recreational athletes following exercise. It is hypothesised thatathletes who complete the stability training program will improve their clinical rating of lumbopelvicstability, quantitatively improve their movement patterns and have fewer injuries compared to thosewho complete the stretching program.Methods: One hundred and fifty recreational athletes will be recruited for the trial. Direct contactwith researchers will be limited to three movement test sessions at baseline, 12 weeks and 12 monthsafter baseline. Videoed performance of the tests will be accessed from an internet data storage site byresearchers for clinical evaluation of lumbopelvic stability. Those without good stability at baselinewill be randomly allocated to one of two exercise groups. The exercise programs will be delivered viathe internet. Feedback on correct performance of the exercises will be provided using a smartphonesoftware application. Injury will be monitored weekly for 12 months using text messages.Conclusion: The trial protocol will establish if an exercise training program improves lumbopelvicstability and reduces injury. Improvement in lumbopelvic stability following an exercise programdelivered with mobile technology will enable the provision of exercise programs to other athleteswho may be geographically remote from their exercise provider and establish a method forresearchers and health professions to use for exercise programs for individuals with other healthconditions.Trial Registration: ACTRN12614000095662

Development of Mobile Radiation Monitoring System Utilizing Smartphone and Its Field Tests in Fukushima

We developed a series of inexpensive but accurate and mobile radiation detectors, which we named Pocket Geiger (POKEGA), to address the desire of ordinary people to own a radiation detector following the March 2011 Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accidents in Fukushima, Japan. To reduce costs while maintaining accuracy and flexibility, we used a combination of a p-i-n photodiode detector connected to a smartphone via a microphone cable. The detector circuit design is optimized for simplicity and low cost, whereas the smartphone software application is tasked with handling the complex processing required. Furthermore, the device also used the GPS and networking capabilities of the smartphone for logging and data sharing. The 137Cs measurement range for a POKEGA-equipped smartphone is approximately from 0.05 to 10 mSv/h, which covers most radiation levels measured in Japan. Approximately 12000 POKEGA units were shipped in the six months following its release, and 2000 users have joined a Facebook community where they report measurement results and discuss hardware and software improvements. In parallel, we have addressed practical problems for POKEGA, such as vibration noise, energy consumption, and operating temperature, by conducting field tests in the Fukushima evacuation zone. The POKEGA series has been improved by solving such issues. This article reports on a new style of pragmatic sensor networking methodology, from the aspects of emergency response engineering, open-sourced development, and consumer-generated measurements.

A Smartphone Design Approach to User Communication Interface for Administering Storage System Network

This paper investigates the feasibility and potential of using a mobile smartphone as a user administration control for storage system network. It includes the design and implementation of a mobile smartphone software system that can be used to perform system administration activities on the storage system without the need of using a laptop or desktop system. In the paper the design of some effective metaphors to present the storage system on the limited display area of a mobile smartphone device and the set of system features chosen for implementation are presented. Current storage system administration is limited to using storage controller console or Microsoft Windows Clients. The solution described in this paper provides an alternative smart interface to the storage system. This research effort is focused on investigating the potential of using mobile smartphone software application as a smart user interface protocol to communicate with the storage system network.

The feasibility and validity of ambulatory self-report of psychotic symptoms using a smartphone software application

BackgroundSemi-structured interview scales for psychosis are the gold standard approach to assessing psychotic and other symptoms. However, such assessments have limitations such as recall bias, averaging, insensitivity to change and variable interrater reliability. Ambulant, real-time self-report assessment devices may hold advantages over interview measures, but it needs to be shown that the data thus collected are valid, and the collection method is acceptable, feasible and safe. We report on a monitoring system for the assessment of psychosis using smartphone technology. The primary aims were to: i) assess validity through correlations of item responses with those on widely accepted interview assessments of psychosis, and ii) examine compliance to the procedure in individuals with psychosis of varying severity.MethodsA total of 44 participants (acute or remitted DSM-4 schizophrenia and related disorders, and prodromal) completed 14 branching self-report items concerning key psychotic symptoms on a touch-screen mobile phone when prompted by an alarm at six pseudo-random times, each day, for one week. Face to face PANSS and CDS interviews were conducted before and after the assessment period blind to the ambulant data.ResultsCompliance as defined by completion of at least 33% of all possible data-points over seven days was 82%. In the 36 compliant participants, 5 items (delusions, hallucinations, suspiciousness, anxiety, hopelessness) showed moderate to strong (rho 0.6-0.8) associations with corresponding items from interview rating scales. Four items showed no significant correlation with rating scales: each was an item based on observable behaviour. Ambulant ratings showed excellent test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change.ConclusionsAmbulatory monitoring of symptoms several times daily using smartphone software applications represents a feasible and valid way of assessing psychotic phenomena for research and clinical management purposes. Further evaluation required over longer assessment periods, in clinical trials and service settings.