Minimized Triple-Band Eight-Element Antenna Array for 5G Metal-frame Smartphone Applications

A multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array for triple-band 5G metal-frame smartphone applications is proposed in this paper. Each single antenna element consists of an S-shaped feeding strip and an L-shaped radiation strip on the metal frame. The dimension of the antenna element is only 6.5 mm × 7 mm (0.076 λ0 × 0.082 λ0, λ0 is the free-space wavelength at the frequency of 3.5 GHz). The −6 dB impedance bandwidth of the proposed eight-antenna array can cover 3.3–3.8 GHz, 4.8–5 GHz, and 5.15–5.925 GHz. The evolution design and the analysis of the optimal parameters for a single antenna element are derived to investigate the principle of the antenna. The measured total efficiency is larger than 70%. The measured isolation is better than 13 dB. The measurements of the prototype agree well with the simulation results.

A comparison between stereophotogrammetry and smartphone structured light technology for three-dimensional face scanning

ABSTRACT Objectives To compare three-dimensional facial scans obtained by stereophotogrammetry with two different applications for smartphone supporting the TrueDepth system, a structured light technology. Materials and Methods Facial scans of 40 different subjects were acquired with three different systems. The 3dMDtrio Stereophotogrammetry System (3dMD, Atlanta, Ga) was compared with a smartphone (iPhone Xs; Apple, Cupertino, Calif) equipped with the Bellus3D Face Application (version 1.6.11; Bellus3D Inc, Campbell, Calif) or Capture (version 1.2.5; Standard Cyborg Inc, San Francisco, Calif). Times of image acquisition and elaboration were recorded. The surface-to-surface deviation and the distance between 18 landmarks from 3dMD reference images to those acquired with Bellus3D or Capture were measured. Results Capturing and processing times with the smartphone applications were considerably longer than with the 3dMD system. The surface-to-surface deviation analysis between the Bellus3D and 3dMD showed an overlap percentage of 80.01% ± 5.92% and 56.62% ± 7.65% within the ranges of 1 mm and 0.5 mm discrepancy, respectively. Images from Capture showed an overlap percentage of 81.40% ± 9.59% and 56.45% ± 11.62% within the ranges of 1 mm and 0.5 mm, respectively. Conclusions The face image acquisition with the 3dMD device is fast and accurate, but bulky and expensive. The new smartphone applications combined with the TrueDepth sensors show promising results. They need more accuracy from the operator and more compliance from the patient because of the increased acquisition time. Their greatest advantages are related to cost and portability.

Study on the Reliability and Accuracy of Scolioscope, a New Digital Scoliometer

Early detection of scoliosis with school screening and quick, easy, and reliable assessment of its progress are of paramount importance in the management of patients. There have been several tools described, with the most common being the analog scoliometer. Most recently, smartphone applications have entered this area with and without the use of sleeves for the device. There is no research that has evaluated the accuracy of measurements both left and right in either digital or analog devices. In this study, we evaluated the reliability and validity of a new digital scoliometer called the Scolioscope. Thirty subjects were included for the intra-rater reliability study. ICC values >0.9 were calculated both for same-day and between-day measurements. The device was highly accurate with an average difference from the ones set on the sine bar of 0.03° for right-side measurements and 0.18° for the left. These measurements suggest a highly accurate and reliable tool.

FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF A HALAL APP IN A SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATE (SIDS). A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK.

The fourth technological revolution is here, tailgated by stratospheric advances in emerging technologies meant to improve the daily lives of individuals which come with various functionalities, uses and varieties. We are talking of smartphone applications or Apps and they are a rage nowadays given the unrivaled degree of informativeness, convenience, connectivity and networking opportunities they offer, and have been developed to address the needs of consumers in various sectors namely, banking, shopping, travel, fitness and health, food delivery, mapping, news and education, just to name a few. At the same time, the growing demand for Halal consumption fueled by the boom in the global Halal industry and ethical consumerism, consumers are in dire need of a one-stop medium where information about Halal products is available within reach so as to safely maintain their religious commitments and dieting requirements. Therefore, given the uniqueness of Halal-based Apps and more so the peculiar requirements of Halal consumers, it has become imperative to have studies which investigate the factors which influence Muslims to adopt Halal-based Apps, and the literature clearly lacks in terms of such assessments. Hence, the present research is one of the very first to come up with a conceptual framework which can be used to study the predominant factors which would motivate users to adopt Halal-based App. This research has taken the case of a Halal-based App, named HalaalMoris in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) like Mauritius.

Digital Contact Tracing and COVID-19: Design, Deployment, and Current Use in Italy

The technological innovation of digital contact tracing (DCT) has certainly characterized the COVID-19 pandemic, as compared to the previous ones. Based on the first studies, considerable support was expected from smartphone applications (“apps”) for DCT. This commentary focuses on digital contact tracing. Its contributions are threefold: (a) Recall the initial expectations of these technologies and the state of diffusion. (b) Deal with the introduction of the app “Immuni” in Italy, while also highlighting the initiatives undertaken at the government level. (c) Report the state of diffusion and use of this App. The commentary ends by proposing some reflections on the continuation of this investigation in Italy.

Evaluation of Smartphone’s Embedded Sensors Through Applications: A Case Study of Gyroscope and Accelerometer

Smartphones are used for many daily activities like tele-communication, gaming, web browsing, fitness and health monitoring and traditional office working. Smartphones are equipped with built-in sensors to be able to perform these activities. It is well known that the sensors affect the resolution of the smartphone applications which is very vital in life critical applications (LCA). In this paper, two main sensors, the gyroscope and accelerometer have been studied. All commercial smartphones contain these two sensors and support functions related to them. These two sensors have direct link with the physical measurements which feed the fitness and health applications. A fitness application has been selected and ran under Android and iOS operating systems in two different popular smartphones: Samsung Note5 and iPhone7s smartphones. Statistical methodology has been applied to analysis the data and evaluate the performance of the sensors. The results show that commercial smartphones are not reliable devices for motion-related measurements and they can only be used for general purpose monitoring but not in life critical applications.

Usability Barriers for Elderly Users in Smartphone App Usage: An Analytical Hierarchical Process-Based Prioritization

With the latest technology, smartphone's profound impact may be valuable for the users in different age groups, but the elders always face difficulties while adopting the technology. The usability of a smartphone application is essential when the target audience is elderly users, as the designer did not satisfy the specific requirements. The importance of smartphone application and the issues that the elders are facing in using smartphones have motivated us to provide a list of barriers that could negatively impact the usability of smartphone applications in elderly people. This research focused on identifying the barriers that affect the usability of smartphones, especially among elders. A systematic literature review (SLR) was used to identify and validate the barriers. After that, we apply the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) on identified barriers of all barriers’ groups to find out their relative importance. A total of fifteen barriers were identified through the SLR approach, and the barriers were then classified and assigned to one of the five categories. It is expected that the barriers that have been recognized will help the designers of smartphone applications in the early stages of designing applications. The result of the study will help in dealing with the issues related to the elder community and will make the designers develop smartphone applications accordingly.

Preventing data leakage by securing chat session with randomized session ID

Messaging applications have become one of the largest and most popular smartphone applications. It includes the capacity for the users to communicate between themselves via text messages, photos and files. It is necessary to safeguard all messages. Privacy is one of the biggest issues which most individuals in the world of instant messaging ignore. Although several instant messaging applications offer varying security for users, the weaknesses and danger of data assault are increasing. Not just business discussions, our data must also be safeguarded during everyday discussions since data is very sensitive for everybody, and data protection is very crucial to prevent undesired loss of information. To address these types of weaknesses and hazards associated with data attacks, we require an encrypted messaging protocol and also hide IP address method for a safe interaction. This paper's goal is to protect conversations from targeted attacker by securing the communication between user and hide IP address from unauthorized access.

The Reliability of the Microsoft Kinect and Ambulatory Sensor-Based Motion Tracking Devices to Measure Shoulder Range-of-Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Advancements in motion sensing technology can potentially allow clinicians to make more accurate range-of-motion (ROM) measurements and informed decisions regarding patient management. The aim of this study was to systematically review and appraise the literature on the reliability of the Kinect, inertial sensors, smartphone applications and digital inclinometers/goniometers to measure shoulder ROM. Eleven databases were screened (MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, CINAHL, SPORTSDiscus, Compendex, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, Proquest Science and Technology, Scopus, and PubMed). The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the consensus-based standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. Reliability assessment used intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the criteria from Swinkels et al. (2005). Thirty-two studies were included. A total of 24 studies scored “adequate” and 2 scored “very good” for the reliability standards. Only one study scored “very good” and just over half of the studies (18/32) scored “adequate” for the measurement error standards. Good intra-rater reliability (ICC > 0.85) and inter-rater reliability (ICC > 0.80) was demonstrated with the Kinect, smartphone applications and digital inclinometers. Overall, the Kinect and ambulatory sensor-based human motion tracking devices demonstrate moderate–good levels of intra- and inter-rater reliability to measure shoulder ROM. Future reliability studies should focus on improving study design with larger sample sizes and recommended time intervals between repeated measurements.