Showing papers on "Mobile technology published in 2020"

Recent progress, challenges, and prospects of fully integrated mobile and wearable point-of-care testing systems for self-testing

Abstract: The rapid growth of research in the areas of chemical and biochemical sensors, lab-on-a-chip, mobile technology, and wearable electronics offers an unprecedented opportunity in the development of mobile and wearable point-of-care testing (POCT) systems for self-testing. Successful implementation of such POCT technologies leads to minimal user intervention during operation to reduce user errors; user-friendly, easy-to-use and simple detection platforms; high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity; immediate clinical assessment; and low manufacturing and consumables costs. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the field of highly integrated mobile and wearable POCT systems. In particular, aspects of sample handling platforms, recognition elements and sensing methods, and new materials for signal transducers and powering devices for integration into mobile or wearable POCT systems will be highlighted. We also summarize current challenges and future prospects for providing personal healthcare with sample-in result-out mobile and wearable POCT.

5G support for Industrial IoT Applications - Challenges, Solutions, and Research gaps

Abstract: Industrial IoT has special communication requirements, including high reliability, low latency, flexibility, and security. These are instinctively provided by the 5G mobile technology, making it a successful candidate for supporting Industrial IoT (IIoT) scenarios. The aim of this paper is to identify current research challenges and solutions in relation to 5G-enabled Industrial IoT, based on the initial requirements and promises of both domains. The methodology of the paper follows the steps of surveying state-of-the art, comparing results to identify further challenges, and drawing conclusions as lessons learned for each research domain. These areas include IIoT applications and their requirements; mobile edge cloud; back-end performance tuning; network function virtualization; and security, blockchains for IIoT, Artificial Intelligence support for 5G, and private campus networks. Beside surveying the current challenges and solutions, the paper aims to provide meaningful comparisons for each of these areas (in relation to 5G-enabled IIoT) to draw conclusions on current research gaps.

Rapid implementation of mobile technology for real-time epidemiology of COVID-19

Abstract: The rapid pace of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic (COVID-19) presents challenges to the robust collection of population-scale data to address this global health crisis. We established the COronavirus Pandemic Epidemiology (COPE) consortium to bring together scientists with expertise in big data research and epidemiology to develop a COVID-19 Symptom Tracker mobile application that we launched in the UK on March 24, 2020 and the US on March 29, 2020 garnering more than 2.25 million users to date. This mobile application offers data on risk factors, herald symptoms, clinical outcomes, and geographical hot spots. This initiative offers critical proof-of-concept for the repurposing of existing approaches to enable rapidly scalable epidemiologic data collection and analysis which is critical for a data-driven response to this public health challenge.

Wearable payment: A deep learning-based dual-stage SEM-ANN analysis

Abstract: The research paper purports to assess the antecedents that affect users’ behavioral intention to use wearable payment. Specifically, this empirical research examines the roles of perceived aesthetics, technology readiness, mobile usefulness, and mobile ease of use on behavioral intention. Differing from past mobile payment studies, a newly proposed methodology that involves a dual-stage analysis and an emerging Artificial Intelligence analysis named deep learning was performed on 307 usable responses. Findings revealed that all relationships were supported except for the linkage between mobile ease of use and behavioral intention. The results of this study provide valuable insights to payment companies and smart wearable device manufacturers to come up with plans and marketing strategies to convince the potential adopters to adopt wearable payment, guiding marketers to design a more successful wearable payment solution. Theoretically, the newly integrated theoretical model that incorporates Mobile Technology Acceptance Model, Fashion Theory, and Technology Readiness Theory could help ascertain the relative significance of certain determinants, providing a clearer insight on the acceptance of wearable payment among consumers.

The Effectiveness of Self-Management of Hypertension in Adults Using Mobile Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract: Background Effective treatment of hypertension requires careful self-management. With the ongoing development of mobile technologies and the scarcity of health care resources, mobile health (mHealth)–based self-management has become a useful treatment for hypertension, and its effectiveness has been assessed in many trials. However, there is a paucity of comprehensive summaries of the studies using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

The role of mobile health technologies in allergy care: An EAACI position paper

Abstract: Mobile health (mHealth) uses mobile communication devices such as smartphones and tablet computers to support and improve health-related services, data and information flow, patient self-management, surveillance, and disease management from the moment of first diagnosis to an optimized treatment. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology created a task force to assess the state of the art and future potential of mHealth in allergology. The task force endorsed the "Be He@lthy, Be Mobile" WHO initiative and debated the quality, usability, efficiency, advantages, limitations, and risks of mobile solutions for allergic diseases. The results are summarized in this position paper, analyzing also the regulatory background with regard to the "General Data Protection Regulation" and Medical Directives of the European Community. The task force assessed the design, user engagement, content, potential of inducing behavioral change, credibility/accountability, and privacy policies of mHealth products. The perspectives of healthcare professionals and allergic patients are discussed, underlining the need of thorough investigation for an effective design of mHealth technologies as auxiliary tools to improve quality of care. Within the context of precision medicine, these could facilitate the change in perspective from clinician- to patient-centered care. The current and future potential of mHealth is then examined for specific areas of allergology, including allergic rhinitis, aerobiology, allergen immunotherapy, asthma, dermatological diseases, food allergies, anaphylaxis, insect venom, and drug allergy. The impact of mobile technologies and associated big data sets are outlined. Facts and recommendations for future mHealth initiatives within EAACI are listed.

Understanding higher education learners' acceptance and use of mobile devices for language learning: A Rasch-based path modeling approach

Abstract: The widespread use of mobile devices and the wider coverage of wireless networks offer the educational sectors various alternatives in enhancing learning and teaching. Mobile assisted language learning (MALL) emerges from this trend and draws traction from relevant stakeholders. While much research has been done on the application of mobile technologies in promoting language learning, and the educational practices that foster that learning approach, relatively little empirical evidence has been given to understand the acceptance and use of MALL by higher education learners, particularly in the context of a developing country. This study sought to fill this gap by applying the modified version of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Survey data from 293 higher education learners from Vietnam were analyzed by the Rasch-based path model. Results indicated the important roles of attitude and performance expectancy in predicting learners' behavior intention and their usage of MALL. Facilitating condition was found to have no direct effect on learners' usage of MALL, representing a departure from the literature. The findings offered implications regarding the use of the UTAUT as an appropriate model for examining MALL acceptance, the improvement of technical and organizational supports, as well as the need for more empirical studies on the instructional approaches that foster the use of MALL, particularly in the context of a developing country like Vietnam.

Comprehensive Review: Privacy Protection of User in Location-Aware Services of Mobile Cloud Computing

Abstract: One of the recent trends of networking and mobile technology is mobile cloud computing (MCC) that provides rich computational, storage resources and services in clouds to mobile users. MCC applications provide a variety of services to users and one of them is the location-based services (LBS) applications that are widely spread. By using mobile applications and LBS, mobile devices act as a thin client where the abundant data locations are collected and stored at the mobile cloud to provide corresponding services. Privacy of the user’s location has been a renewed research interest and extensively studied in recent years. However, privacy is one of the most important challenges in MCC because the user’s location on mobile devices is offloaded from mobile devices to cloud providers which can be utilized by third parties. Since protecting the privacy of the user is the key to maintain the trust on the mobile environment. LBS faces issues in protecting privacy such as, the privacy of user’s current location, which may contain private information. In case, if the user’s current location is compromised through unauthorized access, it possibly results in severe consequences. Therefore, protecting location privacy of the user while achieving precise location is still a challenge in MCC. This comprehensive research review will provide the challenge of protecting the privacy of user’s location in MCC; analyze several related works regarding the issue. In addition, it suggests possible solutions related to the issue, in lighted few shortcomings which still needs attention with few related case studies.

The Role of 5G Technologies: Challenges in Smart Cities and Intelligent Transportation Systems

Abstract: The new mobile technology, 5G, challenges the current scenario in communications by overcoming the flaws of currently working 4G. Such new technology offers to smart cities and intelligent transportation systems a new way to become fully integrated by allowing massive simultaneous connections and ubiquity of network, even under high mobility situations or dense populated areas. In this way, 5G will become a key enabler for real Internet of Things and its corresponding Internet of Vehicles. This discussion is aimed at providing, in a comprehensive manner, how 5G technology will impact on smart cities, intelligent transportation systems –including autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles– and vehicular communications, its technical, economic and legal challenges, in the following years.

Investigating the relevance of mobile technology adoption on inclusive growth in West Africa

Abstract: This paper empirically investigates the role of mobile technology adoption on inclusive growth in 15 West African countries with a view to ascertaining if the positive role of mobile technology ado...

Evaluation of MobLrN m-Learning System: Participants' Attitudes and Opinions.

Abstract: The advance of pervasive technologies such as mobile technologies and various mobile devices has brought opportunities for educators to design and perform interactive learning activities and has also enabled educationalists to access the virtual learning environment anytime and anywhere without restrictions of time or place and without too much additional effort. The m-learning system, MobLrN, has been developed by the researcher. Different from the m-learning systems developed by other researchers, the MobLrN m-learning system contains all teaching/learning components for m-learning, such as access control, user profile, learning materials, assignments, self-tests, quizzes, performance measurement, announcements, and report generation. Thus, instead of using different systems for different activities, the instructors can use the developed mobile system for all of their teaching activities. The main porpuse of the study was to identify whether the developed m-learning system is acceptable or not as a mobile learning environment. Data were collected through a questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis technique and the percentage method were used. The obtained results confirm that the MobLrN m-learning system was deemed to be useful for instructors and students for the future. The system is oriented to anyone who may have an interest in mobile technologies, and all higher education institutes. Keywords: m-learning system; m-learning environment; m-learning; evaluation; distance learning

Acceptance of mobile phone by university students for their studies: an investigation applying UTAUT2 model

Abstract: Mobile phone is increasingly widespread among University students, while different factors can affect students’ behavior towards the use and acceptance of mobile technology. One of the methods to measure these factors is the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Behavioral Intention of University students for acceptance and use of mobile phone in their studies. The study employed the extended UTAUT2 model (Venkatesh et al. 2012) which was adapted to the Greek context. The participants were 540 students of different Universities across Greece, who completed an online questionnaire. The most important predictors for students’ Behavioral Intention to use mobile phones in their studies were Habit (the strongest one), Performance Expectancy and Hedonic Motivation. The most important predictor for actual mobile phone use was Behavioral Intention. Gender, age and experience did not have any moderating effect. The findings of this study enhance the evidence on mobile phone acceptance among University students, and have implications for students’ training.

Smallholder farmers' use of mobile phone services in central Kenya

Abstract: Information and services delivered through mobile phones, ‘m-services', have transformative potential to provide rural African farmers with important agro-meteorological information. However, a gre...

A Framework for Competencies for the Use of Mobile Technologies in Psychiatry and Medicine: Scoping Review.

Abstract: Background: To ensure quality care, clinicians need skills, knowledge, and attitudes related to technology that can be measured. Objective: This paper sought out competencies for mobile technologies and/or an approach to define them. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to answer the following research question, “What skills are needed for clinicians and trainees to provide quality care via mHealth, have they been published, and how can they be made measurable and reproducible to teach and assess them?” The review was conducted in accordance with the 6-stage scoping review process starting with a keyword search in PubMed/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, APA PsycNET, Cochrane, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. The literature search focused on keywords in 4 concept areas: (1) competencies, (2) mobile technologies, (3) telemedicine mode, and (4) health. Moreover, 2 authors independently, in parallel, screened the search results for potentially relevant studies based on titles and abstracts. The authors reviewed the full-text articles for final inclusion based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were keywords used from concept area 1 (competencies) and 2 (mobile technologies) and either 3 (telemedicine mode) or 4 (health). Exclusion criteria included, but were not limited to, keywords used from a concept area in isolation, discussion of skills abstractly, outline or listing of what clinicians need without detail, and listing immeasurable behaviors. Results: From a total of 1232 results, the authors found 78 papers eligible for a full-text review and found 14 papers directly relevant to the 4 key concepts. Although few studies specifically discussed skills, the majority were clinical studies, and the literature included no lists of measurable behaviors or competency sets for mobile technology. Therefore, a framework for mobile technology competencies was built according to the review, expert consensus, and recommendations of the Institute of Medicine’s Health Professions Education Summit and Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education framework. This framework borrows from existing competency framework domains in telepsychiatry and social media (patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, professionalism, and interpersonal skills and communication) and added domains of mHealth clinical decision support, device/technology assessment/selection, and information flow management across an electronic health record platform. mHealth Asynchronous components require additional traditional learning, teaching, supervisory and evaluation practices. Interactive curricula with case-, problem-, and system-based teaching may help faculty focus on decision making and shape skills and attitudes to complement clinical exposure. Conclusions: Research is needed on how to customize implementation and evaluation of mHealth competencies and to ensure skill development is linked to the quality of care. This will require the management of organizational change with technology and the creation of a positive electronic culture in a complex policy and regulatory environment.

Exploring Factors Affecting Academics' Adoption of Emerging Mobile Technologies--An Extended UTAUT Perspective.

Abstract: With the proliferation of technology and the Internet, the way education is delivered has undergone a rapid change in different educational settings. Whilst a large amount of research has investigated the implementation of mobile technologies in education, there is still a paucity of research from a teaching perspective across disciplines within higher education. For this reason, this study investigated the acceptance, preparedness and adoption of mobile technologies by academic faculties within higher education, using the context of China. Underpinned by the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) Model, a large-scale quantitative survey investigated the factors affecting academics’ behavioural intentions and use for mobile technologies, and variations between different demographic groups. Findings suggested that the most significant factors affecting academics’ behavioural intention and behaviours of use were their performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and habit. Behavioural intention also affected how the faculty staff used their mobile technologies. Moreover, gender, age, teaching experience and discipline were found to be moderating factors. This research provides further verification of the effectiveness of the UTAUT2 Model in the higher education context and the field of new technologies implementation. Findings from this study provide beneficial insights for universities, faculties, and academics in policymaking, faculty management, professional development and lecturer instruction concerning mobile technologies.

Mobile Apps for Weight Management: A Review of the Latest Evidence to Inform Practice.

Abstract: Over the last decade, mobile technology has emerged as a potentially useful platform to facilitate weight management and tackle the current obesity epidemic. Clinicians are being more frequently asked to give advice about the usefulness of mobile apps and many individuals have already integrated apps into their attempts to manage weight. Hence, it is imperative for clinicians involved in weight management to be aware of the latest developments and knowledge about available mobile apps and their usefulness in this field. A number of newly published studies have demonstrated promising results of mobile-based interventions for weight management across different populations, but the extent of their effectiveness remains widely debated. This narrative literature review synthesizes the latest evidence, primarily from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), regarding the clinical use of mobile applications for weight management, as well as highlight key limitations associated with their use and directions for future research and practice. Overall, evidence suggests that mobile applications may be useful as low-intensity approaches or adjuncts to conventional weight management strategies. However, there is insufficient evidence to support their use as stand-alone intensive approaches to weight management. Further research is needed to clarify the extent of utility of these applications, as well as the measures required to maximize their potential both as stand-alone approaches and adjuncts to more intensive programs.

Three types of integrated course designs for using mobile technologies to support creativity in higher education

Abstract: Research shows a disconnection between creativity and education. In addition, studies rarely describe how instructors in higher education make use of mobile devices to foster student creativity. In order to obtain deeper knowledge of teaching practices, instructors in higher education were interviewed and 24 courses were analyzed using the constitutive elements of integrated course designs: teaching goals, learning activities, assessments, teacher-student interaction, and integration of mobile devices. The results show that instructors do not explicitly design for student creativity. However, an in-depth analysis that applied the Creativity Facets approach illustrates three types of implicitly integrated creativity that enhance meaningful learning with mobile technologies. The three design types are (a) Design of Interlinked Places, (b) Connected Communication Design, and (c) Process Design.

Mobile Phone and Smartphone Use by People With Serious Mental Illness.

Abstract: Objective:Mobile technologies, such as smartphones, can improve health services by delivering assessments and interventions that reach people in their daily lives. There is, however, disagreement r...

Mobile money, financial inclusion and development: a review with reference to african experience

Abstract: We survey literature on mobile money and its contribution in promoting financial inclusion and development, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. We use taxonomic, descriptive and analytical methods to evaluate the state of knowledge in the area. We analyse how mobile technology in general may contribute to economic development and financial inclusion in theory and practise. We explain the mechanics of mobile money using Kenya’s M-Pesa as a canonical example; and consider whether the literature has fully established the potential economic impact of mobile money especially its contribution to financial inclusion. We also consider market structure, pricing and regulatory implications of mobile money. We conclude by highlighting issues that require further investigation: the take-up of mobile money; mobile money and financial inclusion; substitutability between mobile money and conventional finance; and regulatory structures for institutions providing mobile money services.

Secondary education teachers’ perceptions of mobile phone and tablet use in classrooms: benefits, constraints and concerns

Abstract: The use of mobile devices in secondary education schools is an emerging issue; however, empirical evidence regarding secondary education teachers’ perceptions on mobile technology and mobile learning is still limited. This study investigated Greek secondary school teachers’ perceptions of mobile phone and tablet use in classrooms, focusing on their perceived benefits, constraints and their concerns. A questionnaire with open-ended questions was administered to 64 teachers of different specializations. The primary perceived benefits were associated with students’ involvement/motivation and active participation, the interactive-enjoyable lesson, the easy access to information and students’ familiarity with technology. Teachers’ perceived barriers were mainly related to the lack of equipment and the current legislation (regarding mobile technology usage in school settings). Key concerns regarded students' abusive behavior and the difficulty in controlling them, the noise-disruption in class and students’ distraction. Implications and recommendations for teachers, students, school policy and educational policy makers are discussed.

Analysis of COVID-19 Tracking Tool in India: Case Study of Aarogya Setu Mobile Application

Abstract: COVID-19 tracking tools or contact-tracing apps are getting developed at a rapid pace by different governments in their respective countries. This study explores one such tool called Aarogya Setu, developed by the Government of India. It is a mobile application developed under the Health Ministry, as a part of the E-Governance initiative, to track and sensitize the citizens of India in a joint battle against COVID-19 spread. The study aims to understand various useful features of this tool and to present different concepts of data science applied within the application along with its importance in managing the ongoing pandemic. The App uses Bluetooth and GPS technologies to alert a user when they are nearby a COVID-19 infected person. The application uses various Data Science concepts such as Classification, Association Rule Mining, and Clustering to analyze COVID-19 spread in India. The study also shows potential upgradations in the application, which includes usage of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision to detect COVID-19 patients. The study would be useful for mobile technology professionals, data science professionals, medical practitioners, health-related frontline workers, public administrators, and government officials.