Use Of Portable Electronic Devices Research Articles

In-Class Use of Portable Electronic Devices (Peds)-Faculty and Student Perspectives

Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) such as laptops, smart phones, tablets etc. have become an integral part of almost every higher education student’s learning toolbox. In this study, the faculty and student perspectives on the effectiveness of the use of PEDs during classes are collected and compared using surveys done at Southern Polytechnic State University. Faculty openness and reservations, policies, student temptations and complaints are discussed. While the PEDs can be a source of distraction, they, if used carefully, can also provide an opportunity for engaging students.

Medical privacy breaches rising

Privacy concerns influence where and when patients seek care, as well how much personal information they disclose to their caregivers, and it appears people have good reason to be worried. The use of portable electronic devices, many of which lack encryption, is increasing in hospitals and that,

The use and risk of portable electronic devices while cycling among different age groups

Introduction: In the Netherlands, a survey was set up to monitor the extent of the use of portable, electronic devices while cycling amongst different age groups of cyclists and to estimate the possible consequences for safety. Method: The main research questions concerned age differences in the self-reported use of electronic devices while cycling, self-reported crash involvement and risk, and self-reported compensatory behaviour. Teen cyclists (12–17years) and young adult cyclists (18–34years) were more frequent users, and also more indiscriminate users of portable devices while cycling than middle-aged and older adult cyclists (35–49years; 50+ years). Results: After statistical correction for influences on crash risk of urbanization level, weekly time spent cycling, and cycling in more demanding traffic situations, the odds of being involved in a bicycle crash were estimated to be higher for teen cyclists and young adult cyclists who used electronic devices on every trip compared to same age groups cyclists who never used these devices. For middle-aged and older adult cyclists, the use of portable electronic devices was not a significant predictor of bicycle crashes, but frequency of cycling in demanding traffic situations was. Possible implications for education or legal measures are discussed. Impact on Industry: Results may inform researchers, policy makers, and cyclists themselves. Educational campaigns may use risk information to warn young cyclists about risk of device use while cycling.

Hybrid Subthreshold and Nearthreshold Design Methodology for Energy Minimization

With the rapid growth in the use of portable electronic devices, more emphasis has recently been placed on low-energy circuit design. Digital subthreshold and nearthreshold CMOS circuit designs offer significant energy savings by operating at a reduced power supply voltage. However, these energy savings come at a critical cost to performance, restricting their use to severely energy-constrained applications. This paper presents a hybrid methodology that integrates characterized nearthreshold and subthreshold standard cells into high-performance functional modules. Within these functional modules, energy minimization is achieved while satisfying performance constraints by replacing non-critical path logic with nearthreshold and subthreshold logic cells. Specifically, the critical path method is used to bind the timing and energy constraints of the design. The design methodology was verified and tested with several benchmarks, including a cryptographic hash function, Skein. An average energy savings of 41.15% was observed at a circuit performance degradation factor of 10. The energy overhead of the level shifters accounted for at least 8.5% of the optimized circuit energy, with an average energy overhead of 26.76%. A heuristic approach for estimating the energy savings of the optimized design is also presented.

Variations in the rates of passenger usage of portable Technology on intercity buses, trains and planes: Implications for transportation planning

The use of portable electronic devices by passengers on intercity transportation services has apparently risen markedly in recent years. To support the use of such devices, carriers have installed Wi-Fi systems, power outlets, and cell-phone signal boosters for passenger use. To gain perspective on the effects of portable electronic technology on intercity travel behavior, this study evaluates newly collected data for 9,005 passengers on bus, train, and air trips. Field researchers conducted visual surveys to measure the use of devices with audio capability, such as music players and cell phones, and those with visual or audiovisual capacity, such as laptop computers and DVD players. The data collection involved field observations in 14 states as well as the District of Columbia and in Canada. Usage between transportation modes differs in a manner consistent not only with the mix of passengers they serve but also their relative attractiveness to technology use. The highest usage was observed on high-speed trains, which offer spacious seating configurations, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. During peak periods, 47.8% of passengers on Amtrak’s Acela Express were using technology at randomly selected points. This compares to 39.4% and 35.8% of passengers on “curbside buses” and Amtrak trains using some form of technology—more than twice the share of conventional bus services and commercial flights. Rail travelers are much more likely to use visual devices than bus and air passengers. Usage tends to be higher on the East Coast than in Midwest states, California, and Canada. Interpreted broadly, the research suggests that the ability to use portable electronics may be a factor offsetting the longer travel times associated with certain bus and train trips. Portable technology appears to be providing a new incentive for travelers to use surface-transportation modes operating to and from the downtown areas of major cities.

Portable Electronic Devices as Memory and Organizational Aids After Traumatic Brain Injury

To ascertain consumer experiences and attitudes regarding the use of portable electronic devices as memory and organizational aids after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Survey study. Post-acute TBI rehabilitation programs, research registries. Eighty persons with moderate to severe TBI interviewed a median of 3.7 years postinjury. Survey administered in structured interview format, analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Two thirds of participants reported regular use of computers, but fewer than one third had experience with hand-held computers or similar devices. Interest in using portable devices for everyday memory and organizational tasks was higher than the expressed need for improvement in participants' current strategies. Respondents expressed reliable preferences for key device features, including simplicity of use, technical support, and long-lasting battery power. Preferred functions included keeping track of money spent, remembering things to do, and remembering what other people say. Portable electronic devices are acceptable or desirable by consumers with moderate to severe TBI for use as compensatory aids.