Individualized Time-Series Segmentation for Mining Mobile Phone User Behavior

The million dollar question

In spite of rapid worldwide increase in mobile phone use and public concerns about associated potential health effects, little is known about patterns of mobile phone ownership and use in the general population and among children. In April 2005, we conducted a survey of mobile phone ownership and use among fourth grade school children in three Hungarian cities. From 24 schools, 1301 student filled out a short, self-administered questionnaire on basic demographics, mobile phone ownership, pattern of mobile phone use, and after-school activities. Overall, 989 students (76%) owned a mobile phone. Three hundred thirteen students (24%) used a mobile phone daily to make phone calls, and an additional 427 students (33%) used mobile phones for phone calls at least several times per week. Sixty-six students (5%) sent text messages daily and an additional 308 students (24%) sent text messages at least several times per week. Girls, children with no siblings, children who were members of a sport club, and children who played computer games daily were more likely to own and use mobile phones regularly. A higher number of socially disadvantaged children in a class predicted lower likelihood of regular mobile phone use among children. Our results suggest that mobile phone ownership and regular use is highly prevalent among school children in Hungary. Due to rapid changes in ownership patterns follow up surveys will be required to obtain information on temporal trends and changes in mobile phone ownership and pattern of use among school children.

BackgroundThere is a 60% survival gap between children diagnosed with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and those in high-income countries. Low caregiver knowledge about childhood cancer and its treatment results in presentation delays and subsequent treatment abandonment in LMICs. However, in-person education to improve caregiver knowledge can be challenging due to health worker shortages and inadequate training. Due to the rapid expansion of mobile phone use worldwide, mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer an alternative to delivering in-person education.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assess patterns of mobile phone ownership and use among Tanzanian caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer as well as their acceptability of an mHealth intervention for cancer education, patient communication, and care coordination.MethodsIn July 2017, caregivers of children <18 years diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) were surveyed to determine mobile phone ownership, use patterns, technology literacy, and acceptability of mobile phone use for cancer education, patient communication, and care coordination. Descriptive statistics were generated from the survey data by using mean and SD values for continuous variables and percentages for binary or categorical variables.ResultsAll eligible caregivers consented to participate and completed the survey. Of the 40 caregivers who enrolled in the study, most used a mobile phone (n=34, 85%) and expressed high acceptability in using these devices to communicate with a health care provider regarding treatment support (n=39, 98%), receiving laboratory results (n=37, 93%), receiving reminders for upcoming appointments (n=38, 95%), and receiving educational information on cancer (n=35, 88%). Although only 9% (3/34) of mobile phone owners owned phones with smartphone capabilities, about 74% (25/34) self-reported they could view and read SMS text messages.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to assess patterns of mobile phone ownership and use among caregivers of children with cancer in Tanzania. The high rate of mobile phone ownership and caregiver acceptability for a mobile phone–based education and communication strategy suggests that a mobile phone–based intervention, particularly one that utilizes SMS technology, could be feasible in this setting.

The use of mobile phones and the risk of brain tumors among children and adolescents

BackgroundMobile phones are potential digital technologies for accessing family planning self-care interventions. However, their utilization could be possible if women of reproductive age have positive attitudes towards the use of this technology for healthcare purposes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between attitudes towards the use of mobile phones and access to family planning self-care interventions among female market vendors of reproductive age in northern Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was used. Two hundred and five randomly selected female vendors from the Gulu city main market participated. A structured researcher-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and standard multiple regression were performed, and the data were analysed using SPSS software version 15.ResultsOf the 205 participants, 112 (54.6%) reported using smartphones, and 147 (71.7%) were aware of family planning self-care interventions. Participants had moderate attitudes towards access to family planning self-care interventions (mean = 3.18), positive attitudes towards ease of use (mean = 3.31) and usefulness of mobile phones (mean = 3.30), strong positive attitudes towards privacy (mean = 4.04), and skills associated with using mobile phones (mean = 4.04). Furthermore, significant positive relationships existed between ease of use (p value = 0.000), skills (p value = 0.001), privacy (p value = 0.002) and access to family planning self-care interventions. There was, however, an insignificant positive relationship between mobile phone usefulness and access to family planning self-care interventions (p value = 0.189).ConclusionsParticipants’ positive attitudes towards the use of mobile phones could lead to access to FP self-care interventions, although uncertainty about the usefulness of the use of mobile phones for accessing FP self-care interventions exists. It is therefore important for healthcare practitioners, health development partners and the government to encourage and integrate the use of mHealth into regular FP self-care services and promotional activities while targeting underserved communities in Uganda.

The emergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has led to an increased adoption and use of mobile phones, even by rural farmers, for agribusinesses. Scanty studies, however, have focused on the use and influence of mobile phones for agribusiness in Nigeria. Therefore, this study investigated how farmers in Southwest Nigeria use mobile phones for agribusiness, the benefits of the use of mobile phones, and the challenges the farmers face using the device. Driven by theory of Information and Communication Technology for Development, this study adopted Survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methods. While Stratified, Simple Random, Purposive and Convenience sampling techniques were employed to select the sample, questionnaire and FGD guide were used to collect data. For agribusiness, the mostly used mobile phone feature by farmers is radio (75.9%) while the mostly deployed phone service is voice call (83.4%). Mobile phone use contributed to increase in farmers’ income, reduction in transaction and transportation costs, and increase in farm productivity. However, epileptic electricity supply hinders the effective use of mobile phones for agribusiness. Infrastructural facilities, especially electricity, should be provided in the rural areas to enable farmers use mobile phones effectively for agribusiness activities and ensure sustainable agricultural development.

The effects of radiofrequency exposure on cognition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of human observational studies

Although a review of the recent literature found that the evidence for a causal association between mobile phone use while driving and crash related injuries was not clear cut, with...

We previously conducted a case-control study of acoustic neuroma. Subjects of both genders aged 20–80 years, diagnosed during 1997–2003 in parts of Sweden, were included, and the results were published. We have since made a further study for the time period 2007–2009 including both men and women aged 18–75 years selected from throughout the country. These new results for acoustic neuroma have not been published to date. Similar methods were used for both study periods. In each, one population-based control, matched on gender and age (within five years), was identified from the Swedish Population Registry. Exposures were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire supplemented by a phone interview. Since the number of acoustic neuroma cases in the new study was low we now present pooled results from both study periods based on 316 participating cases and 3,530 controls. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, gender, year of diagnosis and socio-economic index (SEI). Use of mobile phones of the analogue type gave odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0–4.3, increasing with >20 years latency (time since first exposure) to OR = 7.7, 95% CI = 2.8–21. Digital 2G mobile phone use gave OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.1, increasing with latency >15 years to an OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.8–4.2. The results for cordless phone use were OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.1, and, for latency of >20 years, OR = 6.5, 95% CI = 1.7–26. Digital type wireless phones (2G and 3G mobile phones and cordless phones) gave OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.0 increasing to OR = 8.1, 95% CI = 2.0–32 with latency >20 years. For total wireless phone use, the highest risk was calculated for the longest latency time >20 years: OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 2.2–9.0. Several of the calculations in the long latency category were based on low numbers of exposed cases. Ipsilateral use resulted in a higher risk than contralateral for both mobile and cordless phones. OR increased per 100 h cumulative use and per year of latency for mobile phones and cordless phones, though the increase was not statistically significant for cordless phones. The percentage tumour volume increased per year of latency and per 100 h of cumulative use, statistically significant for analogue phones. This study confirmed previous results demonstrating an association between mobile and cordless phone use and acoustic neuroma.

PurposeThis study uncovers interdependent mechanisms triggered by excessive use of mobile phones which lower the performance of individuals in business organizations. The quantum of cognitive and attentional fluctuations caused by Nomophobia-induced impulsive use of mobile phone that degrades job performance is the focus of this study for suggesting realistic regulatory measures. Similarly, the threshold of allowable smartphone use was determined as a foundation to strike balance between adverse psycho-behavioral implications of blanket ban policy and the cognitive overload of unregulated mobile phone usage.Design/methodology/approachAdopting the quasi-experimental design, a sample of 159 individuals working in six different organizations was tested under dissimilar conditions using a variety of experimental interventions. Participants were subjected to different intensity of planned interruptions inciting responses through sets of short message services (SMS), messages on Whatsapp, X (formerly twitter), Instagram and emails. The main data obtained from the experiment comprised 636 test performances and 5,724 reactive responses on smartphones along with 642 video recordings as supplementary evidence.FindingsThe analysis of data revealed five underlying inter-related mechanisms impacting performance of individuals, i.e. slow-down of cognitive processing, increased temptation for peripheral activities/side scrolling, widened lag between focus and refocus, depletion of short-term working memory and reduced attention span. The strength of relationships between the mechanisms and intensity of Nomophobia significantly varied with the experimental interventions. Based on the identified mechanisms, organizations were suggested certain regulatory measures to minimize negative effects of Nomophobia-induced impulsive mobile phone usage.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on a comparatively smaller sample size (total 159, 27 from each of the six organizations). Though sufficient, yet, the sample size could have been a little larger.Practical implicationsThe blanket ban policy adopted by organizations for regulating use of mobile phone has been found to adversely affect performance more than the excessive use of mobile phone. Using mobile phone thrice an hour (1–2 min each) was found to have negligible effects on job performance. Allowing use of mobile phones at workplace (except in highly hazardous areas) can reduce stress, anxiety and depression caused by Nomophobia.Social implicationsTo meeting social need, workers may not be denied the facility of mobile phone at workplace, except highly hazardous areas to allow them to remain connected and accessible. This study suggests viable measures to regulate use of mobile phones without depriving them of this vital facility.Originality/valueThe study is unique as it is based on experimental data, contrary to most of the studies relying on self-report methods of data collection. The mechanisms which degrade performance of workers due to excessive use of mobile phones (induced by Nomophobia) have not been explored and how the impact is propagated to the performance of workers is not known. This study has identified the five mechanisms and based on the mechanisms has suggested measures for the organizations to regulate the use of mobile phones in the organizations. This study has found that use of mobile phone thrice in an hour (1–2 min each) affects performance of individuals negligibly. Organizations adopting a blanket ban policy on use of mobile phone increase stress of workers (Nomophobia) that is more harmful for job performance.

The relationship between neuroticism and mobile phone use is a hot research topic in the academic community. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of self-emotional assessment and love status in the mechanism through which college students’ neuroticism influences mobile phone use.We construct a moderated mediation model, and taking 869 Chinese college students as the research object and testing the mediating role of self-emotional assessment and the moderating role of love status. The results show that: (1) neuroticism was significantly positively related to mobile phone use and significantly negatively related to self-emotional assessment; self-emotional assessment was significantly positively related to mobile phone use; (2) self-emotional assessment had a masking effect on the relationship between neuroticism and mobile phone use; (3) love status not only moderated the relationship between self-emotional assessment and mobile phone use but also moderated the process through which self-emotional assessment masked the effect of neuroticism on mobile phone use. Our research expands the literature on the mechanisms underlying the effects of neuroticism on mobile phone use, enriches the understanding of the pertinent boundary conditions, and provides a better explanatory basis for the mobile phone use of college students.

Are Drivers Who Use Cell Phones Inherently Less Safe?

Travel behavior plays a crucial role in urban planning and epidemic control. Extensive researches concerning mobile phone data have been performed with the increasing widespread use of mobile phones. However, data sparsity and localization noise pose a great challenge to further studies. In this research, mobile phone call record data (CRD) of 60 days obtained from Shenzhen, China has been put into use. By identifying the home and work location for users, location information for every timeslot was labeled. First, mobility topic was extracted by latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model. Then, affinity propagation (AP) was used to analyze users’ mobility patterns from mobility topic distribution. The results revealed that clustering on the level of mobility topic outperformed directly clustering location sequence information. This method could effectively mitigate the adverse impact brought by missing information. Finally, 25 and 17 patterns are found in weekday and weekend, respectively. Representative features were captured from each pattern. By measuring the accuracy of the representative feature, it can be concluded that mobility feature after clustering is capable of describing the main mobility patterns.

The study was sought to determine the impact of mobile phone use on students’ moral and learning behaviour. The study was descriptive in nature. Nineteen principals, 113 subject specialist and 114 secondary school teachers serving in 19 Government Higher Secondary School constituted the population of the study. Out of the total population 19 principals, 100 subject specialist and 76 secondary school teachers were randomly selected as a sample of the study. A closed ended questionnaire was developed containing 30 items with based on Likert scale related to the objectives of the study. The data were organized, analyzed, and interpreted by using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. To test the hypotheses, chi-square technique was used. Findings of the study revealed that mobile phone use did not promote morality among students. Students using mobile phone did not give respect to teachers. Mobile phone use did not inculcate optimism in students’ thoughts. Students using mobile phone are not punctual. students having mobile phone are not obedient. Students using mobile phone are impatient. students using mobile phone did not follow classroom rules. students use mobile phone for whole day and night. students using mobile phone are not careful. using mobile phone did not give time to his brothers and sisters. mobile phone use badly affects students’ dignity. students using mobile phone develop the habit of cheating in exam. students using mobile phone are not taking interest in their classes. Students’ using mobile phone never complete their assignment on time. students using mobile phone did not take active part in classroom activities. students’ having mobile phone did not take good grades in internal exams. students’ having mobile phone often failed in external exams. It was recommended that measures may be taken to prohibit bringing mobile phones in the premises of school. A request may also be made to the parents to have a strong check on it at home. mobile phone may completely be banned on students

CONTEXT: In this part of Maharashtra, usually children get their first mobile phone after completing their schooling. Two years of education in junior college are crucial in everyone's life as career is decided during this phase of life. Till date, very few studies have been conducted in India about the pattern of mobile use. This study was planned with a view to identifying a pattern of the use and overuse of mobile phone by junior college students. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Study design: Cross-sectional. Study-area: Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Corporation area. Study-population: Junior college students from study area. Study subjects: 11th standard junior college students. Sample size and sampling techniques: Six hundred and nineteen, double cluster. Study tool: Pretested Questionnaire. Study duration: Six months. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Percentages, prevalence, Chi-square test. RESULTS: Of 619 students, 429 (68.98%) had mobile. Significantly, high number of male students (60.13%) had mobile sets than females (39.86%). Mobiles were used commonly for calling, messaging, Internet, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Internet, chatting, Facebook, and WhatsApp use was significantly common in boys. Two-thirds of the students used mobile phones for playing games. Twenty-one percent students used mobile phones in the classroom. Totally 37.3% students felt restless when they do not have their mobile phones with them. There were 33.33% students having high score indicating excess use of mobile and it was significantly associated with age and stream of education. CONCLUSIONS: Excess use of mobile phones (18–33 score) was seen in one-third of students, and it was significantly associated with age and stream of education. More than one-third students reported restlessness in the absence of mobile phones. Majority students felt there schooling, sleep, and daily chores is getting hampered by mobile phone use. Therefore, monitoring of adolescents mobile phone use by parents is required to identify any deviation from normal judicious use.