scholarly journals Policy interventions for eradication of SARS-CoV-2 by mobile-phone contact-tracing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Tang
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Phone Contact ◽  
High Degree

With the recent announcement that Apple and Google will introduce a contact-tracing API to iOS and Android, and later add contact tracing functionality directly to their OS's, it seems increasingly likely that contact tracing via a smart phone will form an important part of the effort to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent resurgences of the disease after an initial outbreak.However, contact-tracing models have shown that there remains a high degree of uncertainty over whether contact tracing alone will be enough to control the virus. Here, we suggest complementary policies that could be used as part of a responsive policy to increase the effectiveness of smart phone contact tracing in the event that a resurgence looks imminent.

scholarly journals Increasing efficacy of contact-tracing applications by user referrals and stricter quarantining

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Ann Goldberg ◽  
Joost Jorritsma ◽  
Júlia Komjáthy ◽  
John Lapinskas
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Random Graphs ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Epidemiological Models ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Inhomogeneous Random Graphs ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Geometric Space ◽  
Phone Contact

AbstractWe study the effects of two mechanisms which increase the efficacy of contact-tracing applications (CTAs) such as the mobile phone contact-tracing applications that have been used during the COVID-19 epidemic. The first mechanism is the introduction of user referrals. We compare four scenarios for the uptake of CTAs — (1) the p% of individuals that use the CTA are chosen randomly, (2) a smaller initial set of randomly-chosen users each refer a contact to use the CTA, achieving p% in total, (3) a small initial set of randomly-chosen users each refer around half of their contacts to use the CTA, achieving p% in total, and (4) for comparison, an idealised scenario in which the p% of the population that uses the CTA is the p% with the most contacts. Using agent-based epidemiological models incorporating a geometric space, we find that, even when the uptake percentage p% is small, CTAs are an effective tool for mitigating the spread of the epidemic in all scenarios. Moreover, user referrals significantly improve efficacy. In addition, it turns out that user referrals reduce the yearly quarantine load. The second mechanism for increasing the efficacy of CTAs is tuning the severity of quarantine measures. Our modelling shows that using CTAs with mild quarantine measures is effective in reducing the maximum hospital load and the number of people who become ill, but leads to a relatively high quarantine load, which may cause economic disruption. Fortunately, under stricter quarantine measures, the advantages are maintained but the quarantine load is reduced. Our models incorporate geometric inhomogeneous random graphs to study the effects of the presence of super-spreaders and of the absence of long-distant contacts (e.g., through travel restrictions) on our conclusions.

scholarly journals Increasing efficacy of contact-tracing applications by user referrals and stricter quarantining

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0250435
Author(s):  
Leslie Ann Goldberg ◽  
Joost Jorritsma ◽  
Júlia Komjáthy ◽  
John Lapinskas
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Random Graphs ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Epidemiological Models ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Inhomogeneous Random Graphs ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Geometric Space ◽  
Phone Contact

We study the effects of two mechanisms which increase the efficacy of contact-tracing applications (CTAs) such as the mobile phone contact-tracing applications that have been used during the COVID-19 epidemic. The first mechanism is the introduction of user referrals. We compare four scenarios for the uptake of CTAs—(1) the p% of individuals that use the CTA are chosen randomly, (2) a smaller initial set of randomly-chosen users each refer a contact to use the CTA, achieving p% in total, (3) a small initial set of randomly-chosen users each refer around half of their contacts to use the CTA, achieving p% in total, and (4) for comparison, an idealised scenario in which the p% of the population that uses the CTA is the p% with the most contacts. Using agent-based epidemiological models incorporating a geometric space, we find that, even when the uptake percentage p% is small, CTAs are an effective tool for mitigating the spread of the epidemic in all scenarios. Moreover, user referrals significantly improve efficacy. In addition, it turns out that user referrals reduce the quarantine load. The second mechanism for increasing the efficacy of CTAs is tuning the severity of quarantine measures. Our modelling shows that using CTAs with mild quarantine measures is effective in reducing the maximum hospital load and the number of people who become ill, but leads to a relatively high quarantine load, which may cause economic disruption. Fortunately, under stricter quarantine measures, the advantages are maintained but the quarantine load is reduced. Our models incorporate geometric inhomogeneous random graphs to study the effects of the presence of super-spreaders and of the absence of long-distant contacts (e.g., through travel restrictions) on our conclusions.

scholarly journals Phone-Based Restaurant Recommendation System by Using Position Information and Association Rules

2012 ◽  
Vol 6-7 ◽  
pp. 783-789
Author(s):  
Jian Feng Dong ◽  
Tian Yang Dong ◽  
Jia Jie Yao ◽  
Ling Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Association Rules ◽  
Recommendation System ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Smart Phones ◽  
Location Information ◽  
Position Information ◽  
The Real

With the rapid development of smart-phone applications, how to make the ordering process via smart-phones more convenient and intelligent has become a hotspot. This paper puts forward a method of restaurant dish recommendation relying on position information and association rules. In addition, this paper has designed and developed a restaurant recommendation system based on mobile phone. The system would fetch the real-time location information via smart-phones, and provide customers personalized restaurant and dish recommendation service. According to the related applications, this system can successfully recommend the related restaurants and food information to customers.

scholarly journals The Necessity of Mobile Phone Technologies for Public Health Surveillance in Benin

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaovi M. G. Hounmanou ◽  
Murielle S. S. Agonsanou ◽  
Victorien Dougnon ◽  
Mahougnon H. B. Vodougnon ◽  
Ephraim M. Achoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Phone Calls

A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2016 to assess the need of mobile phone technologies for health surveillance and interventions in Benin. Questionnaires were administered to 130 individuals comprising 25 medical professionals, 33 veterinarians, and 72 respondents from the public. All respondents possess cell phones and 75%, 84%, and 100% of the public, medical professionals, and veterinarians, respectively, generally use them for medical purposes. 75% of respondents including 68% of medics, 84.8% of veterinarians, and 72.2% of the public acknowledged that the current surveillance systems are ineffective and do not capture and share real-time information. More than 92% of the all respondents confirmed that mobile phones have the potential to improve health surveillance in the country. All respondents reported adhering to a nascent project of mobile phone-based health surveillance and confirmed that there is no existing similar approach in the country. The most preferred methods by all respondents for effective implementation of such platform are phone calls (96.92%) followed by SMS (49.23%) and smart phone digital forms (41.53%). This study revealed urgent needs of mobile phone technologies for health surveillance and interventions in Benin for real-time surveillance and efficient disease prevention.

scholarly journals Research on the Development Law of Smart Phone Screen based on User Experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 04006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei Xuesheng ◽  
Wang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Optimal Size ◽  
Screen Size ◽  
Electronic Products ◽  
Exchange Information ◽  
Reliable Basis

Modern electronic products are changing with each passing day, and the most prominent one is the smart phone. Screen is the key part for people to extract and exchange information through mobile phones, and its development is very rapid. This article summarize the development laws of screen size, screen occupation ratio, resolution and shape from the perspective of user experience, and analyze the reasons for its development law. According to the research, the optimal size of the mobile phone screen suitable for the users is summed up and verified through the questionnaire, which provides a reliable basis for the developer of mobile phone to design smart phone screen and improve the satisfaction of the user experience.

scholarly journals Challenges in Contact Tracing by Mining Mobile Phone Location Data for COVID-19: Implications for Public Governance in South Africa

10.28945/4736 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 101-124
Author(s):  
Paul Kariuki ◽  
Lizzy O Ofusori ◽  
Prabhakar Rontala Subramanniam ◽  
Moses Okpeku ◽  
Maria L Goyayi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public Governance ◽  
The Public ◽  
Location Data ◽  
Pertinent Data ◽  
Privacy And Confidentiality

Aim/Purpose: The paper’s objective is to examine the challenges of using the mobile phone to mine location data for effective contact tracing of symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals and the implications of this technology for public health governance. Background: The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented need for contact tracing across South Africa, requiring thousands of people to be traced and their details captured in government health databases as part of public health efforts aimed at breaking the chains of transmission. Contact tracing for COVID-19 requires the identification of persons who may have been exposed to the virus and following them up daily for 14 days from the last point of exposure. Mining mobile phone location data can play a critical role in locating people from the time they were identified as contacts to the time they access medical assistance. In this case, it aids data flow to various databases designated for COVID-19 work. Methodology: The researchers conducted a review of the available literature on this subject drawing from academic articles published in peer-reviewed journals, research reports, and other relevant national and international government documents reporting on public health and COVID-19. Document analysis was used as the primary research method, drawing on the case studies. Contribution: Contact tracing remains a critical strategy in curbing the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa and elsewhere in the world. However, given increasing concern regarding its invasive nature and possible infringement of individual liberties, it is imperative to interrogate the challenges related to its implementation to ensure a balance with public governance. The research findings can thus be used to inform policies and practices associated with contact tracing in South Africa. Findings: The study found that contact tracing using mobile phone location data mining can be used to enforce quarantine measures such as lockdowns aimed at mitigating a public health emergency such as COVID-19. However, the use of technology can expose the public to criminal activities by exposing their locations. From a public governance point of view, any exposure of the public to social ills is highly undesirable. Recommendations for Practitioners: In using contact tracing apps to provide pertinent data location caution needs to be exercised to ensure that sensitive private information is not made public to the extent that it compromises citizens’ safety and security. The study recommends the development and implementation of data use protocols to support the use of this technology, in order to mitigate against infringement of individual privacy and other civil liberties. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should explore ways of improving digital applications in order to improve the acceptability of the use of contact tracing technology to manage pandemics such as COVID-19, paying attention to ethical considerations. Impact on Society: Since contact tracing has implications for privacy and confidentiality it must be conducted with caution. This research highlights the challenges that the authorities must address to ensure that the right to privacy and confidentiality is upheld. Future Research: Future research could focus on collecting primary data to provide insight on contact tracing through mining mobile phone location data. Research could also be conducted on how app-based technology can enhance the effectiveness of contact tracing in order to optimize testing and tracing coverage. This has the potential to minimize transmission whilst also minimizing tracing delays. Moreover, it is important to develop contact tracing apps that are universally inter-operable and privacy-preserving.

scholarly journals A Descriptive Study to Assess the Prevalence of Nomophobia and Knowledge and Effect of Using Smart Phone among College Students in Selected Colleges of Fatehabad, Haryana, with a View to Develop an Information Booklet

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (13) ◽  
pp. 796-800
Author(s):  
Vaishali Vaishali ◽  
Loyd Melwyn Mandonca ◽  
Seikhoo Bishnoi
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Information Booklet ◽  
Knowledge Questionnaire ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Smartphone Use ◽  
Structured Knowledge

BACKGROUND Nomophobia an abbreviation for “no-mobile phone phobia” is a fear of being out of mobile phone contact. We wanted to assess the prevalence of nomophobia, knowledge regarding smartphone use, and effect of using smart phones among college students. METHODS A descriptive study was conducted among 250 college students who were perceiving bachelor’s degree in arts in selected colleges of district Fatehabad, Haryana. Nomophobia scale, structured knowledge questionnaire, and checklist were used to collect data. The collected data was statistically analysed by using SPSS Ver. 23. RESULTS The study findings reveal that majority, 140 (56.0 %) of samples have moderate levels of nomophobia. 203 (81.2 %) samples have good knowledge level regarding smartphone. Majority, 188 (75.2 %) of samples had moderate level of effect on their life due to smartphone use. There is significant association between level of nomophobia of samples with years of using mobile phone and frequent reason of using mobile phone. There is significant association between level of knowledge of samples with their age and their education level. There is positive correlation between level of nomophobia and effects of using smart phone among college students. There is negative correlation between level of knowledge and effects of using smart phone. CONCLUSIONS The study findings provide statistical evidence which clearly indicates that there is prevalence of nomophobia and adverse effects of using smartphone on their life. KEYWORDS Nomophobia, Knowledge, Prevalence, Adverse Effect, Smartphone

scholarly journals Estimation and prevention of text neck syndrome among smart phone users

Biomedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-376
Author(s):  
M. Kamalakannan ◽  
R. Rakshana ◽  
R. Padma priya
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Musculoskeletal Problem ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
The People ◽  
Musculoskeletal Problems ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Introduction and Aim: Text neck syndrome has become a global musculoskeletal problem in relation to all the ages who uses the mobile phone. The aim of the study was to investigate the neck posture, self-report of pain and disability in smart phone users, and to identify the preventive measures of text neck syndrome. Materials and methods: 253 students were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were assessed by measuring the resting head posture using a ruler’s method and A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all subjects. The data obtained was tabulated and statistically analysed. Results: Results were statistically analysed using Chi-square test. Questionnaire includes totally 10 domains. Each question is given with three to five options. Conclusion: Frome the study it was concluded that most of the people are using phone in the non- ergonomic way. 90% of the people were affected by neck related musculoskeletal problems. Prevention is the only key to avoid text neck syndrome. Keywords: Mobile phone; neck posture; cervical spine; text neck syndrome; hazards; preventive measures.

scholarly journals Explaining Support for COVID-19 Cell Phone Contact Tracing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludovic Rheault ◽  
Andreea Musulan
Keyword(s):  
Media Coverage ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Policy Instrument ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
News Item ◽  
Fast Pace ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Phone Contact ◽  
Pre Treatment

COVID-19 contact tracing applications have been deployed at a fast pace around the world and may be a key policy instrument to contain future waves in Canada. This study aims to explain public opinion toward cell phone contact tracing using a survey experiment conducted with a representative sample of Canadian respondents. We build upon an established theory in evolutionary psychology—disease avoidance—to predict how media coverage of the pandemic affects public support for containment measures. We report three key findings. First, exposure to a news item that shows people ignoring social distancing rules causes an increase in support for cell phone contact tracing. Second, pre-treatment covariates such as anxiety and a belief that other people are not following the rules rank among the strongest predictors of support for COVID-19 apps. And third, while a majority of respondents approve the reliance on cell phone contact tracing, many of them hold ambivalent thoughts about the technology. Our analysis of answers to an open-ended question on the topic suggests that concerns for rights and freedoms remain a salient preoccupation.

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