In view of the high recognition error rate and long scanning time in the existing hospital scanning technology, a new hospital operating room scanning system is designed based on personal digital assistant (PDA). The PDA scanning device adopts PIC16F877A microcontroller of 8 bit for wireless transmission through RFID and bluetooth technology, the code scanning efficiency is greatly improved. In addition, in order to improve the accuracy of image analysis, this study also adopts the energy driven sampling classification algorithm (EDS-CA) to properly preprocess the medical data information received through PDA scanning, then constructs a function classifier, and improves the image processing efficiency according to the EDS-CA reduction process. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of the code scanning system designed in this study is 95%, which proves that PDA code scanning has good performance.
Algorithms ; Computers, Handheld ; Hospitals ; Operating Rooms ; Technology

Introduction: Digital device helps children enhance academic, cognitive and psychomotor skills. However, prolonged use causes physical inactivity, poor interpersonal skills and communication problems. Information on digital device use among young children in Malaysia is currently limited. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of digital device utilisation among preschool children in Kota Setar District, Kedah. Methods: A cross-sectional study at government preschools in Kota Setar District was conducted from February to April 2020. Selection of preschools and students was done using multistage simple randomisation. A self-administered questionnaire containing demographic and digital device use details was filled by parents. Results: The prevalence of digital device use among preschool children was 95.9% and mostly used smartphones (94.2%). Most children (95%) did not own the device, and usage was under supervision (95.7%). The reason for supervision was to prevent exposure to inappropriate content (70.5%). The common reasons for allowing digital device use were for educational (37.4%) and entertainment purposes (36%) through videos (30.9%) and games (30.2%). Approximately 21.5% and 50.3% of the children spent more than 1 and 2 hours on digital devices during weekdays and weekends, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of digital device use among the preschool children in Kota Setar District was very high. Most of them used digital devices for educational and entertainment purposes under parental supervision. However, some exceeded the recommended screen time on weekends. These findings could promote awareness of digital device use among young children and help design public health awareness programmes and future policies.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Prevalence ; Smartphone ; Screen time

BACKGROUND: To combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have used contact tracing apps, including Japan's voluntary-use contact-confirming application (COCOA). The current study aimed to identify industry and workplace characteristics associated with the downloading of this COVID-19 contact tracing app. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of full-time workers used an online survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of industry and workplace characteristics with contact tracing app use. RESULTS: Of the 27,036 participants, 25.1% had downloaded the COCOA. Workers in the public service (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.45) and information technology (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.20-1.58) industries were more likely to use the app than were those in the manufacturing industry. In contrast, app usage was less common among workers in the retail and wholesale (aOR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99) and food/beverage (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94) industries, but further adjustment for company size attenuated these associations. Workers at larger companies were more likely to use the app. Compared with permanent employees, the odds of using the app were higher for managers and civil servants but lower for those who were self-employed. CONCLUSIONS Downloading of COCOA among Japanese workers was insufficient; thus, the mitigating effect of COCOA on the COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be limited. One possible reason for the under-implementation of the contact tracing app in the retail and wholesale and food/beverage industries is small company size, as suggested by the fully adjusted model results. An awareness campaign should be conducted to promote the widespread use of the contact tracing app in these industries.
Adult ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Contact Tracing/methods* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Industry/classification* ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mobile Applications/statistics & numerical data* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smartphone ; Workplace/statistics & numerical data*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a smartphone overdependence prevention program for college students based on the self-determination theory (SDT) and evaluate its effectiveness.METHODS: A non-equivalent control group repeated measures design was used for the study. Participants were 64 university freshmen (experimental group: 29, control group: 35). The developed program consists of eight sessions conducted twice a week. The program was designed to promote autonomy, competence, and relatedness the three elements of the basic psychological needs of self-determination theory. The participants were assessed before the program, immediately after, and 1 and 3 months after the program. Data were collected from April 23 to September 14, 2018 and analyzed by performing a Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 23.0.RESULTS: This study showed improvement in the basic psychological needs (F=3.90, p =.010) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Specifically, competence (F=2.93, p =.035), relatedness (F=2.89, p =.045), and self-regulatory ability (F=3.11, p =.028) improved significantly.CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate thatthe smartphone overdependence prevention program based on the Self-determination theory could be an effective intervention for improving basic psychological needs and self-regulation ability. Therefore, this program could be an efficient strategy for smartphone overdependence prevention in university students.
Humans ; Mental Competency ; Personal Autonomy ; Self-Control ; Smartphone

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a smartphone application-based exercise program on self-efficacy expectations (SEE) and outcome expectations regarding exercise (OEE), physical fitness, activity level, physiological indices, and health-related quality of life in a sample of hemodialysis patients.METHODS: A quasi-experimental control group pre-test post-test design was used. Subjects were recruited from two university hospitals in G city. The subjects were assigned randomly by coin toss: 33 participants to the experimental group and 30 to the control group. A literature review and the self-efficacy theory were used to develop the smartphone program. Experts designed and verified the program to be userfriendly and in consideration of user interaction. Data were collected through a self-report pre-test post-test questionnaire and online medical records.RESULTS: In the experimental group, the levels of physical fitness and physical activity were significantly improved post-test, but the scores on health-related quality of life and the physical indices did not improve. In the experimental group, the SEE and OEE post-test scores were also significantly higher than the pre-test scores, but the control group's scores did not change.CONCLUSION: The smartphone application-based exercise program based on self-efficacy theory significantly improved the level of physical fitness and activity, SEE, and OEE for hemodialysis patients. The use of this application-based exercise program for hemodialysis patients might be an effective nursing intervention tool for improving SEE, OEE, level of physical fitness, and physical activity.
Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Motor Activity ; Numismatics ; Nursing ; Physical Fitness ; Quality of Life ; Renal Dialysis ; Self Efficacy ; Smartphone

PURPOSE: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of smartphone-based mobile learning for nurses and nursing students. METHODS: Electronic literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science, ProQuest Central, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC) was conducted. Two authors independently reviewed empirical studies for inclusion and extracted the design, sample size, intervention method, outcome variables, and statistical values of them. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane collaboration risk of bias tool. To estimate the effect size, meta-analysis was performed using R meta program. RESULTS: Authors identified 11 randomized or nonrandomized controlled trials of a total of 3,419 studies. Overall effect sizes by random-effects model was large [Hedges'g (g) = 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72−1.52], with learning attitude (g = 1.69), skills (g = 1.41), knowledge (g = 1.47), and confidence in performance (g = 1.54). For heterogeneity, subgroup analyses using meta-analysis of variance were performed, but no significant difference was found. Finally, a funnel plot and Egger's regression test along with trim-and-fill analysis and fail-safe N were conducted to check for publication bias, but no significant bias was detected. CONCLUSION: Smartphone-based mobile learning had significantly positive influence on nursing students' knowledge, skills, confidence in performance, and learning attitude. Smartphone-based mobile learning may be an alternative or supportive method for better education in nursing fields.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cooperative Behavior ; Education ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Information Centers ; Learning ; Methods ; Nursing ; Population Characteristics ; Publication Bias ; Sample Size ; Smartphone ; Students, Nursing

Mobile computing devices (MCDs), such as smartphones and tablets, are revolutionizing medical practice. These devices are almost universally available and offer a multitude of capabilities, including online features, streaming capabilities, high-quality cameras, and numerous applications. Within the surgical field, MCDs are increasingly being used for simulations. Microsurgery is an expanding field of surgery that presents unique challenges to both trainees and trainers. Simulation-based training and assessment in microsurgery currently play an integral role in the preparation of trainee surgeons in a safe and informative environment. MCDs address these challenges in a novel way by providing valuable adjuncts to microsurgical training, assessment, and clinical practice through low-cost, effective, and widely accessible solutions. Herein, we present a review of the capabilities, accessibility, and relevance of MCDs for technical skills acquisition, training, and clinical microsurgery practice, and consider the possibility of their wider use in the future of microsurgical training and education.
Education ; Education, Medical, Continuing ; Microsurgery ; Rivers ; Smartphone ; Surgeons ; Tablets

Technological advances of mankind, through the development of electrical and communication technologies, have resulted in the exposure to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF). Technological growth is expected to continue; as such, the amount of EMF exposure will continue to increase steadily. In particular, the use-time of smart phones, that have become a necessity for modern people, is steadily increasing. Social concerns and interest in the impact on the cranial nervous system are increased when considering the area where the mobile phone is used. However, before discussing possible effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the human body, several factors must be investigated about the influence of EMFs at the level of research using in vitro or animal models. Scientific studies on the mechanism of biological effects are also required. It has been found that RF-EMF can induce changes in central nervous system nerve cells, including neuronal cell apoptosis, changes in the function of the nerve myelin and ion channels; furthermore, RF-EMF act as a stress source in living creatures. The possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure have not yet been proven, and there are insufficient data on biological hazards to provide a clear answer to possible health risks. Therefore, it is necessary to study the biological response to RF-EMF in consideration of the comprehensive exposure with regard to the use of various devices by individuals. In this review, we summarize the possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure.
Apoptosis ; Brain ; Cell Phones ; Central Nervous System ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Human Body ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ion Channels ; Magnets ; Models, Animal ; Myelin Sheath ; Nervous System ; Neurons ; Smartphone

PURPOSE: This study investigated differences in the relationships of factors including emotional problems, self-perception, parental behavior, and peer attachment with smartphone dependency (SD) among middle school, high school, and college students in South Korea. METHODS: This study used data from a nationwide sample of 1,882 middle school, 1,821 high school, and 1,346 college students who owned smartphones. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were conducted to investigate the predictors of SD based on school level. RESULTS: SD scores significantly differed across school levels. Female gender, more aggressive behavior, less ego-identity, and less monitoring parental behavior were linked to higher SD at all school levels. Less self-esteem and intrusive parental behavior were linked to SD in middle school students. In high school students, additional factors related to higher levels of SD were resilience, intrusive / inconsistent parental behavior, peer trust and alienation, and depression. Additionally, resilience, over-expectant parental behavior, and peer trust were linked to higher SD in college students. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into SD and predictors of SD among middle school, high school, and college students. Based on these findings, SD prevention programs should be developed according to the developmental stages of adolescents and young adults.
Adolescent ; Child ; Depression ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Parents ; Self Concept ; Smartphone ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of diaper dermatitis (DD), knowledge of DD prevention and treatment, and diaper hygiene practices among mothers with diaper-wearing children. METHODS: The participants were 176 mothers who presented to an outpatient clinic at a children's hospital with diaper-wearing children. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The percent of correct answer for knowledge about DD was 59.7%. Almost half of the participants' children had experienced at least 1 episode of DD during the last 6 months. Inappropriate diaper hygiene practices, such as using talcum powder on DD and rubbing with a dry towel after cleansing, were reported. Moreover, only 37% of mothers used the recommended skin barrier to prevent DD. Although many children suffer from DD, levels of educational experience and perceived need for education on this topic were low. Almost 70% of mothers obtained DD-related information through internet sites. CONCLUSION: Educating parents about the etiology of DD and evidence-based diaper hygiene practices is an important aspect of effective DD prevention and treatment. Internet sites or smartphone apps may be effective methods for education on DD prevention and treatment considering parents' preferences for ways to obtain health information.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Child ; Dermatitis ; Diaper Rash ; Education ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Infant ; Internet ; Mothers ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Skin ; Smartphone ; Talc