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Net Promoter Score (NPS) is one of the most popular customer feedback metrics (CFMs) with benefits and limitations. One limitation is that prior research has shown that NPS is not better in explaining outcome variables such as sales growth or churn than other CFMs. Most prior research, however, has not considered combinations of CFMs, CFMs related to the antecedents of customer satisfaction, and CFMs with affective components. Therefore, we argue that NPS should be supplemented with other CFMs, e.g., emotions. In an empirical investigation in the mobile phone industry, we choose Net Emotional Value (NEV) to measure of emotions. We show that a combination of NPS and NEV leads to a better explanation of two out of three outcome variables compared to using NPS only or NEV only. We also illustrate how emotional profiles and driver analyses can be used to identify the most relevant emotions of Detractors, Passives, and Promoters and conclude with limitations and potential for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commuting flows refer to the regular movement of people from their homes to workplaces. The spatial heterogeneity of commuting flows indicates the uneven spatial distribution of places of residence, employment, or job-residence connections. Understanding the characteristics of spatial heterogeneity in commuting flows is vital for effective transportation planning. However, limited by the scarcity of flow data, traditional research on commuting flows predominantly focuses on the spatial distribution of employment, residence, and job-residence connections individually, which fails to unveil the spatial heterogeneity of commuting flows. In this study, we examined the spatial heterogeneity of commuting flows in Beijing using mobile phone data. We analyzed the degree of heterogeneity and the aggregation scale of commuting flows. The results showed that (1) the degree of spatial heterogeneity varies between different regional pairs, and (2) the aggregation scale of commuting flows varies with distance; moreover, the longer the distance, the larger the aggregation scale of commuting flow distribution, and dominant heterogeneous clusters expand from the center to the periphery. These findings enhance the strategic planning of public transit. In less densely populated areas such as those outside the Fifth Ring Road, efficiency can be boosted by new bus routes. In contrast, denser areas such as those within the Third Ring Road, may benefit from an integrated approach: establishing new rail systems alongside expanded bus services to optimize commuting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sending text messages on mobile phones, students often use a special type of register, called textese. This register allows the omission of words. It is possible that a student's grammar system is influenced by textese as well as grammar rules which are often transgressed in this register. This paper aimed to find out the implication of texting on the English grammar skills of grade 7 students. Specifically, the study sought to answer the problems of how the respondents were characterized in terms of texting characteristics and its duration, their level of English grammar skills, and the significant relationship between their texting characteristics and their English Grammar as well as the significant relationship between their exposure to texting and their English Grammar skills level. The study employed a qualitative-quantitative research method. Respondents were asked to answer the English Grammar test composed of 6 parts; Sentence structure, Syntax, Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, and Abbreviation. In analyzing the data objectively, the statistical tools used included frequency and percentage, mean, and Pearson-product moment. Based on the respondents' characteristics on text messaging, the grade 7 students spent about 1-6 hours a day, incurred occasional to frequent shortcut spellings, and tended to have 50% to 75% content use of English. Second, among the different competencies in English grammar, the results revealed Spelling as the highest while Sentence Structure was their weakest performance. Third, in the correlation analysis between exposure to text messaging in English in terms of duration of texting, frequency of shortcut words, extent of texting in English, and Level of English Grammar Skills, the three variables revealed negative low correlations. Hence, after an intensive analysis of the data, the study concluded that texting has negative implications on the English grammar skills of grade 7 students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pervasive integration of digital devices into daily life has raised concerns about their potential health impacts. This study aimed to explore the causal relationships between digital device use and the risk of migraine using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: Genetic data on digital device use and migraines were sourced from large-scale genome-wide association studies conducted by the UK Biobank, the FinnGen study, and the International Headache Genetics Consortium. Univariable MR (UVMR), meta-analysis, and multivariable MR (MVMR) approaches were conducted to explore and verify the causal effects of digital device use (including mobile phone use, computer use, playing computer games, and watching television) on migraine risk. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran's Q, MR-Egger intercept test, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier, MR Radial, MR Steiger, and leave-one-out methods. Results: UVMR analyses revealed that genetically predicted mobile phone use was significantly associated with an increased risk of overall migraine (odds ratio [OR] = 2.39, p = 9.78e-5) and migraine without aura (MO) (OR = 2.25, p = 0.024). Additionally, there were significant positive associations between genetically predicted television watching and the risk of overall migraine (OR = 1.63, p = 2.12e-5) and MO (OR = 2.10, p = 4.98e-5). These results were further supported by the meta-analysis and MVMR analysis. Sensitivity analysis indicated no heterogeneity or pleiotropy. Conclusion: This comprehensive MR study provides preliminary evidence for the causal impact of mobile phone use and television watching on the risk of migraines. Further studies are needed to explore these associations across different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of mobile phone addiction (MPA) on college students' sleep quality (SQ) has received increasing attention in recent years. On this basis, the mediating roles of rumination and FOMO (fear of missing out) on MPA and SQ were examined in this study. In a cross-sectional study, preliminary data were gathered via questionnaires from 1401 college students (19.35 ± 0.81) from 5 universities in Jiangxi Province, China. Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale, Rumination Response Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale and Sleep Quality Scale were employed in the research. The mediation model was tested using SPSS 26.0, with FOMO and rumination acting as the mediating variables. Between MPA and SQ, rumination and FOMO each had their own unique mediation effect. Furthermore, rumination and FOMO function as a chain of mediators between college students' MPA and SQ. This study provided confirmation and clarification that in college students, the association between MPA and SQ was mediated by rumination and FOMO. This study improves our understanding of MPA, SQ and how MPA may affect SQ in college students. It also shows that the impact of MPA and SQ of college students should be given more consideration by educators, parents, and college students themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe proliferation of mobile technology, particularly cell phones, in educational settings has sparked substantial debate in recent years. Academic studies have extensively examined the challenges associated with student cell phone use during class time, highlighting issues such as decreased learning, achievement, and participation. Despite the negative impacts, students express a strong desire to retain the right to use their devices, underscoring the need for policies that consider student perspectives. Research suggests that involving students in the establishment of cell phone policies can lead to increased compliance and engagement. Educators play a crucial role in navigating the role of cell phones in education by fostering open communication, collaboration and empowering students to make responsible technology decisions. Strategies such as the 3Cs - construct, collaborate, and create - serve as effective means to engage students in meaningful learning activities while mitigating distractions. Additionally, research reveals that cell phones also have productive uses for conducting research, communicating, and accessing information. By embracing technology as a tool for learning and hearing students’ perspectives, educators can create inclusive and supportive learning environments that maximize the benefits of cell phones while addressing individual student needs and concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing prevalence of students bringing mobile phones (MPs) to schools has led to increasing pressure on school leaders to implement effective MP policies. Although the effects of MP use have been studied, there has been no systematic review of the MP management research and policies. The aim of this study is to report on challenges and approaches to address the arising implications of MP policies in schools. Using a systematic review of international research and a document analysis of national (Australian) policy documents, this study broadens the understanding of elements contributing to the effectiveness of MP policies at schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to explore the impact of selected psychological variables on mobile phone dependence among Chinese university students. Specifically, the study focused on the relationship between solitude and irrational beliefs on mobile phone dependence. The study included 2,888 university students from Guangdong, Southern China, and found that both irrational beliefs and solitude had significant direct effects on mobile phone dependence. The study also revealed that solitude mediated the relationship between irrational beliefs and mobile phone dependence. The results of this study indicate that psychosocial environments, including feelings of solitude and irrational beliefs, can influence mobile phone dependence among undergraduate students. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to these factors and their potential impact on student behavior, particularly when it comes to academic growth and development. Further research in this area may help identify effective strategies to address mobile phone dependence among university students and promote healthier psychosocial environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile Phone Addiction represents an emergent addictive disorder that gravely jeopardizes the physical and mental health of adolescents worldwide, necessitating exhaustive research. Current reviews of MPA are in dire need of updates and enhancements. Therefore, this review aggregates the extant research spanning the past two decades on the prevalence, pathogenesis, comorbidities, assessment, and treatment of MPA, aiming to furnish a reference for future investigations into this condition. Pathogenesis, pathophysiology, assessment and treatment of MPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of SMS messaging for education has grown in recent years, with particular attention recently during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Mobile phones often have high levels of ownership in low‐income contexts compared to computers, and lower connectivity requirements, which arguably make this a more equitable medium than data‐heavy online instruction, for example. However, given that gender can be a factor to influence mobile device access and use, it is also important to consider educational applications through a gender lens, to avoid further exacerbating digital divides. In this paper, we present an analysis of server log and evaluation data in relation to a literacy‐focused initiative for primary‐aged learners carried out in Kenya as part of the Tusome programme and through the SMS‐based M‐Shule education platform, which does not require an Internet connection or smartphone to run. The extent of engagement with the platform varies according to gender and location within the country. The data also demonstrate a positive impact on learning outcomes regardless of learners' gender and location. Furthermore, the learning gains are shown to be relatively cost‐effective in comparison with educational technology interventions in similar contexts. The findings show that this low‐connectivity adaptive model has a positive impact on learning outcomes. It is a scalable approach to support a range of learners in Kenya, providing more support to learners who need it, and leading to increased foundational learning outcomes overall. As such, the findings will also be of highly relevant to other low‐connectivity contexts. Practitioner notes What is already known about this topic Mobile phones can be used as a means to support learning, through mobile learning and SMS, particularly in low‐connectivity contexts, although there is a lack of rigorous evidence of impact upon learning outcomes. Mobile phone device ownership tends to be higher than computer or wired Internet connections in many low‐income contexts. Software applications which adapt to the learners' level have shown good potential for gender‐equitable learning outcomes in low‐income contexts; however, these often require an Internet connection in addition to computers or tablets to be run on. What this paper adds There is a lack of contextually relevant evidence of the impact of SMS‐based mobile learning applications in low‐resource and low‐connectivity contexts upon learning outcomes. Through analysis of data generated via an experimental design, this study provides evidence that literacy materials delivered through an SMS‐based educational platform—M‐Shule—can have a positive impact upon learning outcomes. Furthermore, gains are equitable in terms of learners' gender, and location, within Kenya. Implications for practice and/or policy Mobile phones can be an effective way of reaching learners to provide additional educational support as part of existing education programmes in low‐connectivity environments. Learning gains using M‐Shule are evidenced as significant and relatively cost‐effective. Existing high‐quality learning materials developed in other media can be effectively adapted to SMS to reach learners particularly who are out‐of‐school or during periods of educational disruption. What is already known about this topic Mobile phones can be used as a means to support learning, through mobile learning and SMS, particularly in low‐connectivity contexts, although there is a lack of rigorous evidence of impact upon learning outcomes. Mobile phone device ownership tends to be higher than computer or wired Internet connections in many low‐income contexts. Software applications which adapt to the learners' level have shown good potential for gender‐equitable learning outcomes in low‐income contexts; however, these often require an Internet connection in addition to computers or tablets to be run on. What this paper adds There is a lack of contextually relevant evidence of the impact of SMS‐based mobile learning applications in low‐resource and low‐connectivity contexts upon learning outcomes. Through analysis of data generated via an experimental design, this study provides evidence that literacy materials delivered through an SMS‐based educational platform—M‐Shule—can have a positive impact upon learning outcomes. Furthermore, gains are equitable in terms of learners' gender, and location, within Kenya. Implications for practice and/or policy Mobile phones can be an effective way of reaching learners to provide additional educational support as part of existing education programmes in low‐connectivity environments. Learning gains using M‐Shule are evidenced as significant and relatively cost‐effective. Existing high‐quality learning materials developed in other media can be effectively adapted to SMS to reach learners particularly who are out‐of‐school or during periods of educational disruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies showed that loneliness and psychological distress are related. However, the potential mechanisms involved in this relationship are unknown. This study examined the mediating effect of mobile phone addiction and the moderating effect of core self-evaluation on the relationship between mobile phone addiction and psychological distress. A total of 826 college students were recruited. A cross-sectional study design and an online questionnaire survey were employed to measure loneliness, mobile phone addiction, core self-evaluation, and psychological distress in college students, and used the PROCESS macro program to conduct moderated mediation analysis. Loneliness was significantly and positively associated with psychological distress, mobile phone addiction partially mediated the relation between Loneliness and college students’ psychological distress and this indirect path was moderated by core self-evaluations. Specifically, the effect of mobile phone addiction on psychological distress was stronger for college students with lower core self-evaluations than for those with higher core self-evaluations. The results are helpful to comprehend the producing mechanism of psychological distress and provide a theoretical basis for the intervention of psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study evaluates the potential mechanisms through which stress affects sleep quality and examines the mediating roles of rumination, social anxiety, emotion-focused coping strategies, and smartphone dependence in the relationship between stress and sleep quality. Methods: From October 2023 to April 2024, we conducted three surveys with 426 university students and utilized structural equation modeling to explore the mechanisms by which stress impacts sleep quality. Results: Stress not only significantly predicts sleep quality but also significantly affects sleep quality through rumination, emotion-focused coping strategies, and smartphone dependence as independent mediators. Additionally, stress influences sleep quality through both dual-mediation and triple-mediation paths. Conclusion: Stress has a significant direct and indirect impact on sleep quality. This study reveals the complex mechanisms through which stress affects sleep quality. Improving individuals' sleep quality requires not only considering the influence of real-life stressors but also examining the intersecting effects between stress and factors such as ruminative thinking, social anxiety, smartphone dependency, and emotion-focused coping strategies. The intense social competition in Chinese society exacerbates the decline in sleep quality, highlighting the need for the government to implement more policies aimed at maintaining the physical and mental health of the population to alleviate the increasingly severe sleep issues and mental health crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non Suicidal Self-injury (NSSI) and mobile phone addiction have recently garnered considerable attention, especially among adolescents and young adults. There is significant neglect regarding the impact of each phenomenon on the daily functioning of individuals; however, few studies have explored their correlation, leaving a gap in understanding the relationship between these two phenomena. Aim: To determine the level of smartphone addiction and NSSI behaviours among undergraduate healthcare professionals and to examine the extent of smartphones' influence on the emotional stability of young adults, potentially leading to selfinjurious behaviour. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at ACS Medical College and Allied Health Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India over five months, involving 448 undergraduate healthcare professionals. After applying exclusion criteria, 367 participants were included in the study. Socio-demographic details were collected using a semistructured proforma. The questionnaire included the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS). The statistical tests used were the Chi-square test for categorical variables, Spearman correlation analysis (p-value <0.05), and frequencies/ percentages for some quantitative variables. Results: The study primarily comprised first-year undergraduate students, with 206 (56.1%) female and 161 (43.9%) male participants. Social media (208, 56.7%) and making calls (195, 53.1%) were the most frequently cited reasons for smartphone usage. Among the participants, 114 (31.1%) exhibited addictive smartphone habits, with males outnumbering females. Furthermore, 50 (13.6%) reported intentional self-injury, with females constituting the majority. Common methods included hitting oneself (20, 40%), pulling one's hair (18, 36%), and cutting (16, 32%). Significant correlations were observed between certain intrapersonal and interpersonal functions of NSSI behaviour and smartphone addiction among male individuals engaged in deliberate self-harm (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: In this study, 31.1% of the participants exhibited addictive smartphone habits, and 13.6% reported intentional self-injury. These findings underscore the critical need to investigate smartphone addiction to thoroughly understand NSSI behaviour, particularly among undergraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevention of diabetic foot ulcers remains a critical challenge. This study evaluates a smart compression sock designed to address this issue by integrating temperature, plantar pressure, and blood oxygen sensors and monitoring data recorded by these sensors. The smart sock, developed with input from a certified Pedorthist, was tested on 20 healthy adult participants aged 16 to 53. It includes four temperature sensors and pressure sensors at common ulcer sites (first and fifth metatarsal heads, calcaneus, and hallux), and a blood oxygen sensor on the hallux. The sensors are monitored, and their transduced data are collected and stored through an app installed on a personal cell phone. The mobile app interface is user-friendly, providing intuitive navigation and easy access to the sensors' data. Using repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc tests, we analyzed the impact of various physical activities on physiological changes in the foot. The device effectively detected significant variations in blood oxygen, temperature, and pressure across six activities. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences based on activity type and sensor location. These results highlight the smart sock's sensitivity and accuracy, suggesting its potential to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy in a larger, more diverse population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the effectiveness of automatic speech recognition (ASR) for individuals with speech disorders, addressing the gap in performance between read and conversational ASR. We analyze the factors influencing this disparity and the effect of speech mode-specific training on ASR accuracy. Method: Recordings of read and conversational speech from 27 individuals with various speech disorders were analyzed using both (a) one speaker-independent ASR system trained and optimized for typical speech and (b) multiple ASR models that were personalized to the speech of the participants with disordered speech. Word error rates were calculated for each speech model, read versus conversational, and subject. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the impact of speech mode and disorder severity on ASR accuracy. We investigated nine variables, classified as technical, linguistic, or speech impairment factors, for their potential influence on the performance gap. Results: We found a significant performance gap between read and conversational speech in both personalized and unadapted ASR models. Speech impairment severity notably impacted recognition accuracy in unadapted models for both speech modes and in personalized models for read speech. Linguistic attributes of utterances were the most influential on accuracy, though atypical speech characteristics also played a role. Including conversational speech samples in model training notably improved recognition accuracy. Conclusions: We observed a significant performance gap in ASR accuracy between read and conversational speech for individuals with speech disorders. This gap was largely due to the linguistic complexity and unique characteristics of speech disorders in conversational speech. Training personalized ASR models using conversational speech significantly improved recognition accuracy, demonstrating the importance of domain-specific training and highlighting the need for further research into ASR systems capable of handling disordered conversational speech effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Speech Accessibility Project (SAP) intends to facilitate research and development in automatic speech recognition (ASR) and other machine learning tasks for people with speech disabilities. The purpose of this article is to introduce this project as a resource for researchers, including baseline analysis of the first released data package. Method: The project aims to facilitate ASR research by collecting, curating, and distributing transcribed U.S. English speech from people with speech and/or language disabilities. Participants record speech from their place of residence by connecting their personal computer, cell phone, and assistive devices, if needed, to the SAP web portal. All samples are manually transcribed, and 30 per participant are annotated using differential diagnostic pattern dimensions. For purposes of ASR experiments, the participants have been randomly assigned to a training set, a development set for controlled testing of a trained ASR, and a test set to evaluate ASR error rate. Results: The SAP 2023-10-05 Data Package contains the speech of 211 people with dysarthria as a correlate of Parkinson's disease, and the associated test set contains 42 additional speakers. A baseline ASR, with a word error rate of 3.4% for typical speakers, transcribes test speech with a word error rate of 36.3%. Fine-tuning reduces the word error rate to 23.7%. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that a large corpus of dysarthric and dysphonic speech has the potential to significantly improve speech technology for people with disabilities. By providing these data to researchers, the SAP intends to significantly accelerate research into accessible speech technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of registered SIM cards and active mobile phone subscribers in Zambia in 2020 surpassed the population of the country. This development and the integration of mobile phone systems with financial payment systems has not come without a cost. Cyberattackers, using various social engineering techniques have jumped onto the bandwagon to defraud unsuspecting users. Considering the aforesaid, this paper presents a high-order analytical approach towards mobile phone-based social engineering cyberattacks (phishing, SMishing, and vishing) in Zambia which seek to defraud benign victims. This paper presents a baseline study to reiterate the problem at hand. The research used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data, and adopted a hybrid descriptive research design. Furthermore, an attack model and an evaluation framework were devised to ascertain the most prevalent types of mobile phone-based cyberattacks. Based on logistic regression analysis, the findings indicate that the most prevalent type of mobile phone-based social engineering cyberattack in Zambia is SMishing. Based on the results and observed insights, recommendations to mitigate these emergent social engineering cyberattacks were suggested. This research serves as a valuable baseline for understanding and addressing the growing challenges posed by mobile phone-based cyberattacks in Zambia's evolving technological landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) has become a worldwide phenomenon with negative impacts on adolescents' daily lives. While self-control has been shown to be related to PMPU, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this association. Based on the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution model and the strength model of self-control, the current study aims to examine the association between self-control and PMPU, to identify the indirect role of craving, and to determine whether and how the two components of desire thinking exert differential moderating effects. A sample of 1424 adolescents was recruited to complete the scales of self-control, craving, desire thinking, and PMPU. The results suggested that self-control was indirectly associated with PMPU through craving. Furthermore, this indirect association was moderated by verbal perseveration, rather than imaginal prefiguration. Specifically, the indirect association was stronger for adolescents with higher verbal perseveration. The findings deepen our understanding of how self-control is related to PMPU and distinguish the effects of two components of desire thinking among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of mobile phones has generated vast quantities of cellular signaling data (CSD), covering extensive spatial areas and populations. These data, containing spatiotemporal information, can be employed to identify and analyze intercity transport modes, providing valuable insights for understanding travel distribution and behavior. However, CSD are primarily intended for communication purposes and are not directly suitable for transportation research due to issues such as low spatial precision, sparse sampling granularity, and lacking traffic semantic features. This article proposes a Hybrid model for identifying individual intercity transport modes based on CSD. Several multidimensional mobility features are proposed that extract interpretable motion characteristics from CSD. A preliminary transport mode probability judgment is made based on the mobility features. Then, the complete transport mode is confirmed considering the temporal continuity correlation of the entire trace. Experiments confirm the Hybrid model's superior precision in identifying transport modes over baseline models, with an average F1 score of 0.92, maintaining high accuracy across various trajectory lengths. This model would support further studying individual intercity travel behavior patterns, aiding transportation planning and operational management decisions using CSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photogrammetry is a technique for studying and defining objects' shape, dimension, and position in a three-dimensional space using measurements obtained from two-dimensional photographs. It has gained popularity following the development of computer graphics technologies and has been applied to various branches of medicine. In this study, the authors present a method for low-cost photorealistic documentation of corpses during autopsy using single-camera photogrammetry with a mobile phone. Besides representing the body by demonstrating the injured and non-injured body parts as control, evidencing the body parts on a 3D reconstruction allows easy explanation to nonmedical experts such as lawyers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attending health appointments is important for the paediatric population, as it allows for earlier detection of health issues and subsequent necessary treatments. It also ensures timely immunisations while also allowing patients or their parents to raise health concerns. Hence, it is crucial to take steps to ensure that such medical appointments are attended. To evaluate the effectiveness of text message reminders (TMRs) in improving paediatric patients' adherence to their appointments. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. The search spanned across eight online databases from their inception dates to January 2024. The random-effects model was utilised to conduct the meta-analysis, where risk ratio was used as the effect measure. Subgroup analyses were conducted for age, number of TMRs sent, and type of appointments attended. In total, 13 studies were included. Compared to standard care (involving non-text message reminders or no reminders), TMRs were significantly more effective in improving appointment attendance among the paediatric population. Significant subgroup differences were found in the type of appointments attended, where TMRs were more effective for medical appointments compared to vaccination appointments. No differences in adherence to appointments were found across age groups or the number of TMRs sent. Conclusion: Sending TMRs can be a potentially cost-effective way to improve the attendance rate of paediatric medical appointments, given the ease of implementation and the extensive mobile phone usage globally. Future studies should compare TMRs to other modes of automated reminders such as telephone messages or emails, to identify the most optimal method of delivery. Trial registration: PROSPERO (CRD42023464893). What is Known: •Missed medical appointments present an ongoing global issue, significantly affecting individual health and healthcare systems which leads to financial losses for healthcare providers and reduced effectiveness of treatments. •Research in healthcare phone interventions including reminders via email, telephone, and text messages, has shown a substantial reduction in non-attendance rates. What is New: • Text message reminders are more effective in improving appointment attendance than vaccination completion. • Regardless of paediatric age group, text message reminders exert a positive impact on appointment attendance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Presenting a chain mediation model to investigate whether mobile phone dependence results in a reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Chinese college students, through the mediating effect of chronotype and sleep quality. Design and Setting: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on students from a Chinese university using a validated structured questionnaire. Sample: 2014 freshmen. Measures: The study measured the students' level of mobile phone dependence using the Self-rating Questionnaire for Adolescent Problematic Mobile Phone Use. Chronotype and sleep quality were measured by the Chinese version of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. HRQoL was evaluated using the five-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), including a descriptive system and a visual analog scale (VAS). Analysis: Descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis. Results: Mobile phone dependence had a significant negative effect on HRQoL as indicated by both the EQ-5D-5L index score and EQ-VAS score (P <.001 for both). Additionally, it was found to significantly predict chronotype (MEQ score) (β = −.546, P <.001) and sleep quality (PSQI score) (β =.163, P <.001). Chronotype negatively predict sleep quality (β = −.058, P <.001), and sleep quality was a significant negative predictor of HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L index score, β = −.008, P <.001; EQ-VAS score, β = −1.576, P <.001). Conclusion: Mobile phone dependence negatively impacts students' HRQoL through chronotype and sleep quality, and there is a chain mediating effect. Students should consider making lifestyle changes to improve their HRQoL and promote health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoice involves respondents taking photographs of their environment to promote critical discussions and reflect on their experiences. Photovoice empowers marginalized communities and serves to reach policymakers. The Arizona Youth Identity Project (AZYIP) used photovoice with an innovative approach in a multisite research design with a large sample size and completely online research implementation using video conferencing, mobile phones, and video messages. We outline our process for other researchers interested in utilizing this dynamic method. We also reflect on the challenges and opportunities of engaging in this research design for future projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guidelines for conducting surveys by mobile phone calls in low- and middle-income countries suggest keeping interviews short (<20 minutes). The evidence supporting this recommendation is scant, even though limiting interview duration might reduce the amount of data generated by such surveys. We recruited nearly 2,500 mobile phone users in Malawi and randomly allocated them to 10-, 20-, or 30-minute phone interviews, all ending with questions on parental survival. Cooperation was high in all groups, and differences in completion rates were minimal. The extent of item nonresponse, age heaping, and temporal displacement of deaths in data on parental survival generally did not vary between study groups, but reports of maternal age at death were more reliable in longer interviews. Recommendations about the duration of mobile phone interviews might be too restrictive. They should not preclude additional modules, including ones on mortality, in mobile phone surveys conducted in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambulance-based telestroke may be a promising solution to improving stroke care. We assessed the technical feasibility and reliability of prehospital evaluations using commercial mobile phones with fifth-generation wireless communication technology. Six standardized patients portrayed scripted stroke scenarios during ambulance transport in an urban city and were remotely evaluated by independent raters using tablets (three neurologists and three emergency physicians) in a hospital, assisted by paramedics (trained in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] assessment) in the ambulance; commercial cellular networks were utilized for videoconferencing transmission. The primary outcomes were mean difference (MD) and correlation of NIHSS scores between the face-to-face and remote assessments. We also examined the Bland-Altman plot for itemized NIHSS components, and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare the differences in the duration of the two evaluations between neurologists and emergency physicians. We conducted 32 ambulance runs and successfully completed all NIHSS examinations. No significant difference was found between the face-to-face and remote evaluations (MD, 0.782; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.520–0.395). The correlation of NIHSS scores between the two methods was 0.994 (95% CI, 0.945–1.026), and three items exhibited the highest frequency of runs, with score differences between the two methods. There were no significant differences between neurologists and emergency physicians in the mean evaluation duration and NIHSS scores for the two methods. Prehospital evaluation using commercial mobile phones with fifth-generation wireless communication technology is feasible and reliable during ambulance transport in urban areas. Emergency physicians and neurologists performed similarly in stroke evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As services account for a huge proportion of the economies of countries especially in developing countries, it has been contended that goods are becoming commoditized and that service is able to provide for differentiation. It is therefore imperative to provide customer experience that is unforgettable in order to remain or acquire competitive grounds. The greatest changes in customer experience did not occur until mobile phone became common elements of life. This has caused an increase in demand for high quality services by buyers. Mobile service providers have come to a realization that for them to survive in the competitive environment they are in, they must deliver quality products and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the role of 'temporality' in defining functional regions. Functional regions are viewed as relatively closed in terms of selected population flows (or more generally concerning spatial interactions). They are usually defined by the daily commuting to work and are therefore commonly referred to as local labour market areas or travel-to-work areas. Using mobile phone location data, however, it is possible to work with population flows in a broader temporal and spatial context. Then we can talk about the temporality alternatives of functional regions depending on whether we base them on regular daily population flows, irregular daily population flows (which, according to the data analysis, are irregular from an individual's point of view but regular from a spatial unit's point of view between which they take place) or weekend population flows. Thus, several functional region's versions can be defined for a single regional system, where the different population movement's rhythm lengths movements limit their length and also determine their hierarchy. All functional regions' temporal alternatives according to mobile phone location data are defined based on data from the Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) via mobile phone on female family caregivers during COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach: In the experimental study, 81 female family caregivers were randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 40) and control group (n = 41). The experimental group received MBSR via mobile phone. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire - Seventh Edition were evaluated at the beginning of the study, week 3 and week 8, respectively. Findings: In both groups, anxiety decreased over time, although the decrease in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group (F = 22.912 p < 0.001). Sleep quality improved slightly in both groups over time; this improvement in the experimental group was significantly more than in the control group (F = 3.751 p = 0.035). Originality/value: The MBSR via mobile phone helps to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality in women caring for isolated patients at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale/purpose: While the International Olympic Committee has issued several guidelines and recommendations on the protection of athletes from harassment and abuse in sports, there exists very little research which documents the extent to which these recommendations are actually implemented in sports organizations across Europe and most importantly, the efficacy of such measures. Findings: Based on the results, a set of evidence-based guidelines for promoting compliance with the existing policies and measures of harassment and abuse are recommended, which include an Observatory of Harassment and Abuse in Sports, the ISO accreditation for all sports organizations, and a European Mobile phone application. Practical implications: With these findings, this study offers a standardized method of implementation of policies, which will enable future pan-European assessments of efficacy, thus narrowing the current gap in knowledge. Research contribution: This is the first study to recommend a remedy to the obstacles – identified in previous research – which hamper the implementation of Universal policies on harassment and abuse in sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the current demand for 5G smartphone antennas, this paper introduces a six-port dual-band multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna designed for 5G smartphones. Based on multimode, the antenna achieves multiple band coverage in a limited space, making it of significant practical value in 5G cell phone antenna applications. The antenna features a structure comprising a modified L-shaped patch antenna, a gun-shaped slot in the ground plane, and two small stubs extending from the metal ground. This configuration creates a multimode antenna that is excited by two coupled feed loop modes and two slot modes. The feeder strips, which have been enhanced with L-shaped slots, form tuned branches, enabling the co-excitation of multiple modes. The MIMO system can operate within the frequency range of 3.3-3.8 GHz and 4.4-7.5 GHz (S11 < -6 dB), covering the 5G communication bands including n78 (3.3-3.8 GHz)/n79 (4.4-5.0 GHz) and the LTE Band 46 (5.15-5.925 GHz). Additionally, the antenna exhibits an envelope correlation coefficient of less than 0.18, antenna efficiency ranging from 60% to 93%, and isolation between adjacent antenna elements better than 12.9 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread adoption of mobile phones (MPs) presents the possibility of creating employment and self‐employment opportunities. Although several studies have documented the impact of MPs on income, the link between MP ownership and poverty reduction channeled by income diversification has not been fully explored. This paper aims to examine this relationship using nationally representative panel data and fixed effect models to account for confounding factors and unobserved heterogeneity. Results indicate that MP ownership is associated with increased income diversification, particularly through on‐farm and off‐farm self‐employment, as well as non‐earned income. This relationship is more pronounced in households with lower levels of education and deprived areas. In addition, owning a MP is also found to decrease poverty via income diversification. Therefore, policies aimed at enhancing access to mobile technologies could create a resilient income portfolio by decreasing transaction costs and improving market efficiency, ultimately mitigating poverty in rural regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The mental health of children and adolescents in the Chilean Educational System (ChES) has become a severe post-pandemic public health problem. This cross-sectional study, which included 1,174 children and adolescents from five Chilean regions, used the DASS-21 scale, focusing on determining the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as identifying associated risk factors. The results exposed a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress (60.2%, 63.6%, and 50.2%, respectively). Risk factors for depression involve being female, having separated parents, being in high school, having a cell phone, difficulty sleeping, ruminative thoughts, and low self-esteem. For anxiety, factors included being female, being 12 years old, owning a cell phone, having sleep problems, having ruminations, having low self-esteem, and being an atheist. For stress, factors were identified as being female, owning a cell phone, sleep problems, ruminations, low self-esteem, being atheist, as well as extensive use of social networks. The research underscores the urgent need for intervention by educational authorities, given the marked deterioration in the mental health of children and adolescent students in the ChES, to prevent long-term consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell phones in the college classroom can be used to increase interaction between students and the professor; they can also distract from academic tasks and decrease academic performance. To decrease task-switching in the classroom, researchers have suggested the use of "technology breaks" (TB), in which students are provided periodic breaks to use cell phones throughout class. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of technology breaks in a college classroom (N = 21). Cell phone use was evaluated over 22 class periods. Observers recorded how many students were using cell phones every 10 s. Three experiment conditions were alternated with yoked controls in a multi-element design: (A) 1min technology breaks, (B) 2min technology break, and (C) 4min technology break. The control condition [question breaks, (QB)] provided breaks for students to ask the professor questions regarding class materials. No penalties or punishers were delivered for cell phone use under any conditions. The average rate of cellphone use in QB was 0.53 responses per min (range = 0.06-1.02), while the average rate for TB was 0.35 responses per min (range = 0.20-0.74). Overall, the study found that technology breaks were a promising way to utilize reinforcement-based strategies to reduce classroom cell phone use, though variability in the data weakened conclusions regarding the utility of technology breaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its widespread availability and spontaneity, moisture electricity generation (MEG) holds unique advantages in self‐powered systems. However, it faces challenges, including the limitations of relying on a single kind of power generation and insufficient output performance. Inspired by the mechanisms of water absorption of plants, this paper explores a light‐moisture coordinated electricity generating hydrogel (L‐MEGH) device with flexible, scalable, and highly efficient energy conversion performance, which is obtained through the UV polymerization of hydrophilic acrylamide (AAM) and phytic acid (PA) in the presence of photosensitizers. The obtained hydrogel demonstrates superior moisture absorption and remarkable electricity generation stability across a range of humidity conditions. Notably, the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of the L‐MEGH increased from 0.675 to 0.838 V after the addition of photosensitizers (Erythrosin B, E) (the significant enhancement, up to 24%), and the short‐circuit current (Isc) reaching 635.543 µA. This L‐MEGH can realize stable electrical output even under extreme temperatures, producing 0.5 V at −20 °C for 45 h. The scalable L‐MEGHs (connected on‐demand in series/parallel) can power various commercial electronics, including nighttime illumination, mobile phones, and health monitoring sensors. This work pioneers a sustainable power generation pathway capable of enhancing performance through the hybrid collection of multiple natural energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The safety of new‐generation mobile phones using 5G networks in patients with modern‐generation pacemakers has not been studied. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by a new‐generation mobile phone with 5G networks when positioned at the pacemaker pocket or the contralateral ear and assess the incidence of EMI with telemetry interrogation in patients with permanent pacemakers. Methods: We enrolled 489 patients with pacemakers from three different manufacturers. The pacemaker mode was programmed for overdrive pacing and sensing mode if an intrinsic rhythm was present. A smartphone (Samsung S21 + 5G) was placed directly over the pulse generator and right ear. The phone was tested under standby mode, 5G internet connection, and incoming and outgoing calls for each location. Real‐time electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring and patient symptoms were recorded to determine the occurrence of EMI. The possibility of EMI with interrogation telemetry was also investigated. Results: A total of 4824 tests were performed on 489 patients. Most pacemakers were dual‐chamber (82%) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐compatible systems (83%). EMI was not detected with both mobile phone positions. Interference with telemetry was demonstrated in 11.5% of patients. Almost all incidences of interference (98.2%) occurred during incoming calls. Single‐chamber pacemakers, non‐MRI‐compatible systems, older pulse generators, older leads, and unipolar settings were significantly related to a higher incidence of interference with interrogation telemetry. Conclusions: The risk of EMI between modern smartphones with 5G networks and pacemakers is low. Nevertheless, interference with the interrogation telemetry may still occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the growing issue of nomophobia, characterized by the anxiety of being without a mobile phone, in the workplace. Utilizing the broaden-and-build theory, this research examines the impact of supportive leadership, co-worker support, Human Resource Management (HRM) practices, and affective commitment on reducing nomophobia among employees. Data were collected from 393 employees across various educational organizations. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings reveal that supportive leadership significantly reduces nomophobia by enhancing HRM practices and affective commitment. However, contrary to expectations, co-worker support was found to increase nomophobia, suggesting that informal communication and social interactions via mobile devices might exacerbate smartphone dependency. HRM practices emerged as a critical factor in mitigating nomophobia, more so than affective commitment. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the complex dynamics of workplace relationships and offering practical insights for organizations aiming to reduce nomophobia and improve employee well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have suggested a significant association between mobile phone addiction (MPA) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in general adolescents. However, limited research has analyzed this relationship in clinical populations, such as those with major depressive disorder (MDD), and the potential mediation mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study analyzed data from 2343 adolescents with MDD (77.9% females; mean age = 14.99 years, SD = 1.65). Using mediation models, we explored the roles of self-esteem and depression severity (measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9) in the relationship between MPA and NSSI. Additionally, we evaluated the associations between existing school-implemented mobile phone usage policies and levels of MPA, self-esteem, depression symptoms, and NSSI. Results: MPA was significantly associated with NSSI, with low self-esteem and increased depression severity almost entirely mediating this effect (log-odds = 0.016, 95%CI = 0.02–0.013). Subdomains of MPA, including inability to control craving, feelings of anxiety, and productivity loss, followed similar mediation models, while the subdomain of withdrawal/escape had a partial effect mediated by depression severity. Additionally, enforced restrictions on mobile phone usage in schools did not show positive effects on related variables and even exacerbated MPA by increasing cravings and reducing productivity. Conclusion: Our study suggests that MPA in adolescents with MDD may be an important risk factor for NSSI occurrence, and that reducing the negative impact of mobile phone usage on self-esteem and depressive symptoms, rather than simply restricting usage, may be crucial for effective intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusion Paediatricians using instant messaging phone apps for informal medical discussions poses ethical and legal risks. We filled a gap in the research, by assessing the use of apps and the possible risks.A national, cross‐sectional, questionnaire study was conducted in Israel from 11 August to 20 November 2019. The frequency of informal discussions, clinical details and recommendations were compared to the paediatricians' expertise and work settings. The discussions included work and private phones, consultation with the parents of patients and advice to the paediatricians' friends and families.The 305 paediatricians who responded had a median age of 37 (range 27–74) years: 42% were residents and 58% were specialists. The majority (99%) had carried out informal discussions using a messaging app in the last week and 65% had used them for 1–5 discussions. Specialists were more likely to use apps for more than 10 discussions per week than residents (24% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) and recommend treatment via apps (35% vs. 22%, p < 0.001). A third failed to provide disclaimers about the risks of app‐based discussions.Using instant messaging apps for informal medical discussions was common, but ethical and legal aspects were not always fully considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between loneliness and sleep quality and its intrinsic mediating mechanism. The UCLA Loneliness Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale, Mobile Phone Addiction Index Scale, as well as the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale and Self-Rating Scale of Sleep were used to investigate 1145 college students. Results showed that: (1) Loneliness, rumination, negative affect, mobile phone addiction and sleep quality were all significantly and positively correlated with each other; (2) Five mediating pathways existed for the effect of loneliness on sleep quality: the separate mediation of negative affect; the partial mediation of rumination and negative affect, rumination and mobile phone addiction, negative affect and mobile phone addiction; the chain mediation of rumination, negative affect, and mobile phone addiction, with a total mediating effect value of 0.22, accounting for 73.33% of the total effect (direct effect of 0.08); (3) The mediating effect of loneliness on sleep quality exhibits cross-gender consistency. In conclusion, loneliness has a significant predictive effect on sleep quality, which is manifested through the mediating effects of negative affect, rumination, and mobile phone addiction, with negative affect alone mediating the greatest effect, and the study provides a new intervention perspective for improving sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of primary education, students aged 11–12 years old begin to integrate digital devices and online behaviours that are more common and widespread at the secondary level. The objective of this study is to understand the factors that determine the initial digital ecosystem of students, and to evaluate the risks that these students face at a certain threshold age. The 356 participants in the sample completed a questionnaire designed ad hoc based on the findings of other studies with the same aim. The identified correlations and the regression equations obtained indicate, fundamentally, that two out of every three students who own a smartphone use it to communicate with family and friends. Furthermore, the use of mobile phones encourages young people to join and participate in social networks at an early age. The study also reveals that at this age, students use social networks mainly for the consumption of audiovisual content and not so much to share personal information of a critical nature. Finally, students in this particular age group are considered at a threshold age because they begin using smartphones regularly, making autonomous decisions without sufficient supervision regarding digital risks, thus becoming part of the Frontier Collective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction under the influence of mobile phone addiction and sport commitment. Participants were recruited from eight universities located in six Chinese cities, naming Chongqing, Maoming, Nanjing, Suzhou, Shijiazhuang, and Zhengzhou. The sample consisted of 575 participants enrolled in Chinese universities, with 309 (53.7%) being female students. The mediation model was tested under the structural equation modeling framework using Mplus. Results showed that (1) perceived stress had a direct and negative impact on life satisfaction, and it also had indirect effects through the two mediators; (2) perceived stress positively predicted mobile phone addiction, which, in turn, negatively impacted life satisfaction; (3) perceived stress negatively predicted sport commitment, which, in turn, positively impacted life satisfaction. By emphasizing the mediating roles of mobile phone addiction and sport commitment, our findings highlight the importance of addressing these factors in interventions aimed at encouraging college students' well-being. Implications for intervention design to promoter health among university students should take into account the mediating roles of mobile phone addiction and sport commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile applications positively influence the practice of physical activity in adolescents, but the effect of this improvement on the psychological state and the addictive use of technologies in this population is unknown. For this reason, the aims of the present investigation were to establish the differences in psychological variables and problematic mobile phone use by adolescents after a 10‐week intervention with mobile apps, according to gender and the different mobile applications used. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Spain with 400 adolescents aged 12–16 years (mean age: 13.96 ± 1.21 years old) whose physical activity level, satisfaction of competence, autonomy, and relatedness, life satisfaction, and addictive use of the mobile phone were measured. Two measurements were taken, with a 10‐week intervention period in between. During the intervention, adolescents in the experimental group (EG) must use one of the selected mobile applications (Strava, Pacer, MapMyWalk, or Pokémon‐Go) a minimum of 3 times per week, covering the distance indicated for each week. The use of the mobile applications was randomized for each class group, and an explanation was given to the adolescents prior to the start of the intervention. The results showed that EG showed a significant improvement in the psychological variables (p = 0.003 − 0.036) compared to the control group and also a decreased problematic mobile phone use (p = 0.004). Specifically, females in the EG increased autonomy (p = 0.010), relatedness (p = 0.019), and life satisfaction (p = 0.020), while males improved relatedness (p = 0.021) and competence (p = 0.018). In addition, the different applications used could influence autonomy, relatedness, and problematic mobile phone use. To conclude, the use of mobile step trackers could be useful to maintain an adequate psychological state of the adolescent population without increasing the addictive or problematic use of these technologies. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04860128. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deliverymen have widely adopted smart phone apps for better delivery performance. With the development of the delivery industry and the increase of its employees, the personal safety of deliverymen in completing orders has attracted the same attention as task performance. In addition to the smartphone apps, we designed an intelligent delivery assistant (IDA) system with "multi-modal navigation" to improve the safety and efficiency of bicycle deliveries. The IDA system was equipped with a pair of driving controllers that allowed deliverymen to interact with the IDA system and get navigation information during riding. This 60-human-participant study was conducted to investigate the performance of the IDA system, including usability and safety. The participants were divided into two groups for a comparative experiment, one with the IDA system and the other with only a smartphone. Navigation was conducted in a real-world environment, in which eye movements and device interaction were recorded using an eye tracker. Results indicate that the IDA system better supports delivery usability and safety. Higher perceived usability and better situational awareness with a more significant number of hazards acknowledged were detected with the IDA system. The NASA-TLX and UEQ results demonstrated the participants reported having a better user experience with the IDA system. We further discussed the benefits and drawbacks of each condition of the IDA system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore motivations for the use and non-use of headphones while hiking. In order to understand why people bring, or don't bring, headphones while hiking we analyzed 247 written responses to the question "why do you prefer to bring (or not bring) headphones when hiking?" We study headphones, rather than other forms of interactive computing like mobile phones, because headphone use and non-use splits survey respondents nearly in half with 51.5% stating that they do prefer to bring headphones while hiking and 48.5% stating that they do not. Those who bring headphones did so to enhance their hike by listening to music or other audio and to avoid social interaction. Those who do not bring headphones do so to fully enjoy the sounds of nature, to invite social interaction and to increase safety. Our results suggest that within the context of hiking as constructed in the United States, use and non-use decisions are motivated by shaping the intended hiking experience, social factors and safety. We view these motivations for non-use not as obstacles to be overcome in the proliferation of technology into hiking, but as nuanced themes to be considered as part of understanding technology in the broader context of hiking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The positioning uncertainty of mobile phone location (MPL) data greatly influences location services and crowd behavior analysis. Although many achievements have been made in controlling its main sources (signal drift and ping‐pong effects), several problems, such as single‐oscillation patterns, insufficient position optimization, and a lack of effective evaluation, remain. In this study, a set of MPL data quality optimization methods are proposed. First, the characteristics of drift records and the oscillation patterns of ping‐pong records are discussed. The quality of the MPL data is subsequently controlled with the proposed feature‐based drift‐record detection method, complex oscillation pattern‐based ping‐pong‐record detection method, and cumulative duration weighting‐based ping‐pong‐record optimization method. These methods are applied to the MPL dataset of a major operator in Nanjing city, and the optimization effect is evaluated with GPS data collected synchronously. The results show that the proposed detection and optimization methods can effectively improve the accuracy of MPL data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphone technology is increasingly being used to conduct surveys, including in low-income countries where the timely collection of socio-economic data is of great importance. This study investigated the intention of Ugandan smallholder farmers to participate in smartphone-based data collection (SPDC). The data was collected through a cross-sectional survey of 306 smallholder farmers. The results show that the willingness of farmers to participate in SPDC is high. The intention to participate in SPDC is directly influenced by attitude, subjective norms and perceived enjoyment. Indirect influences are perceived usefulness, perceived trustworthiness and perceived cost through their effects on attitude. Similarly, perceived ease of use indirectly influences intention through its effects on perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment. Statistically significant differences were found in terms of age, gender, mobile phone ownership and education. These results show the great potential of SPDC for data collection in Uganda for researchers, policy makers, agribusinesses and stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to explore the impact of selected psychological variables on mobile phone dependence among Chinese university students. Specifically, the study focused on the relationship between solitude and irrational beliefs on mobile phone dependence. The study included 2,888 university students from Guangdong, Southern China, and found that both irrational beliefs and solitude had significant direct effects on mobile phone dependence. The study also revealed that solitude mediated the relationship between irrational beliefs and mobile phone dependence. The results of this study indicate that psychosocial environments, including feelings of solitude and irrational beliefs, can influence mobile phone dependence among undergraduate students. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to these factors and their potential impact on student behavior, particularly when it comes to academic growth and development. Further research in this area may help identify effective strategies to address mobile phone dependence among university students and promote healthier psychosocial environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, China’s branded mobile phone industry has experienced significant growth, becoming one of the largest global markets. With fierce domestic and international competition, brand trust has emerged as a crucial factor influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Consumers trust mobile phone brands that excel in product quality, service, and value. This study explores how digital marketing strategies and perceived value enhance brand trust in Chinese mobile phone brands. The study formulates a research model and designs a survey questionnaire by reviewing relevant literature on digital marketing strategy, perceived value, brand trust, and Chinese mobile phone brands. Data is collected through an online survey using SPSS software to analyze the relationship between digital marketing strategy, perceived value, and brand trust. Finally, considering the unique characteristics of the Chinese mobile phone brand market and the research findings, the study provides practical recommendations for Chinese mobile phone brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]