scholarly journals From Symptom Tracking to Contact Tracing: A Framework to Explore and Assess COVID-19 Apps

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abinaya Megan Ramakrishnan ◽  
Aparna Nicole Ramakrishnan ◽  
Sarah Lagan ◽  
John Torous
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation System ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
End Users ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Health Applications ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Smartphone applications related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to emerge and evolve, but despite a wide variety of different app functions, there has yet to be a comprehensive study of what the most prevalent publicly available apps provide, and there exists no standardized evaluation system for end users to determine the safety and efficacy of an app before they download it. Furthermore, limited oversight means that the rapidly growing space creates challenges for end users trying to find a relevant app. We adapted the M-Health Index and Navigation Database (MIND) from apps.digitalpsych.org that previously has been used to evaluate mental health applications to guide the assessment of COVID apps. Using this framework, we conducted a thorough analysis of the top-100 returned coronavirus apps on two separate dates a month apart to understand the clinical utility and features of COVID-19 apps and how these change in a short period of time. We ultimately identified a significant turnover rate, as well as privacy concerns around lack of privacy policies and disclosure of personal information. Our research offers insight into the current status of COVID-19 apps and provides a comprehensive and adaptable framework to help individuals assess the growing number of such digital tools in the wake of the pandemic.

Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Biosynthesised Silver and Gold Nanoparticles for Medical Applications: Mechanism of Action, Toxicity and Current Status

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sundos Suleman Ismail Abdalla ◽  
Haliza Katas ◽  
Fazren Azmi ◽  
Mohd Fauzi Mh Busra
Keyword(s):  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Silver And Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Physical And Chemical Characterization ◽  
Biosynthesized Agnps ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Bio Synthesis

Fast progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology has contributed to the way in which people diagnose, combat, and overcome various diseases differently from the conventional methods. Metal nanoparticles, mainly silver and gold nanoparticles (AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively), are currently developed for many applications in the medical and pharmaceutical area including as antibacterial, antibiofilm as well as anti-leshmanial agents, drug delivery systems, diagnostics tools, as well as being included in personal care products and cosmetics. In this review, the preparation of AgNPs and AuNPs using different methods is discussed, particularly the green or bio- synthesis method as well as common methods used for their physical and chemical characterization. In addition, the mechanisms of the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity of AgNPs and AuNPs are discussed, along with the toxicity of both nanoparticles. The review will provide insight into the potential of biosynthesized AgNPs and AuNPs as antimicrobial nanomaterial agents for future use.

Upcoming Drifts In Bio-Similars

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geeta Aggarwal ◽  
Manju Nagpal ◽  
Ameya Sharma ◽  
Vivek Puri ◽  
Gitika Arora Dhingra
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
The Past ◽  
Biologic Activity ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
Food Drug Administration ◽  
Insight Into

Background: Biopharmaceuticals such as Biologic medicinal products have been in clinical use over the past three decades and have benefited towards the therapy of degenerative and critical metabolic diseases. It is forecasted that market of biologics will be going to increase at a rate of 20% per year, and by 2025, more than ˃ 50% of new drug approvals may be biological products. The increasing utilization of the biologics necessitates for cost control, especially for innovators products that have enjoyed a lengthy period of exclusive use. As the first wave of biopharmaceuticals is expired or set to expire, it has led to various opportunities for the expansion of bio-similars i.e. copied versions of original biologics with same biologic activity. Development of biosimilars is expected to promote market competition, meet worldwide demand, sustain the healthcare systems and maintain the incentives for innovation. Methods: Appraisal of published articles from peer reviewed journals, PubMed literature, latest news and guidelines from European Medicine Agency, US Food Drug Administration (FDA) and India are used to identify data for review. Results: Main insight into the quality requirements concerning biologics, current status of regulation of biosimilars and upcoming challenges lying ahead for the upgrading of marketing authorization of bio-similars has been incorporated. Compiled literature on therapeutic status, regulatory guidelines and the emerging trends and opportunities of biosimilars has been thoroughly stated. Conclusion: Updates on biosimilars will support to investigate the possible impact of bio-similars on healthcare market.

scholarly journals Clinical Candidates Targeting the ATR–CHK1–WEE1 Axis in Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 795
Author(s):  
Lukas Gorecki ◽  
Martin Andrs ◽  
Jan Korabecny
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Phase Ii Trials ◽  
Anticancer Treatment ◽  
Positive Outlook ◽  
Insight Into

Selective killing of cancer cells while sparing healthy ones is the principle of the perfect cancer treatment and the primary aim of many oncologists, molecular biologists, and medicinal chemists. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms that distinguish cancer cells from healthy ones. Accordingly, several clinical candidates that use particular mutations in cell-cycle progressions have been developed to kill cancer cells. As the majority of cancer cells have defects in G1 control, targeting the subsequent intra‑S or G2/M checkpoints has also been extensively pursued. This review focuses on clinical candidates that target the kinases involved in intra‑S and G2/M checkpoints, namely, ATR, CHK1, and WEE1 inhibitors. It provides insight into their current status and future perspectives for anticancer treatment. Overall, even though CHK1 inhibitors are still far from clinical establishment, promising accomplishments with ATR and WEE1 inhibitors in phase II trials present a positive outlook for patient survival.

scholarly journals Digital Contact Tracing Applications during COVID-19: A Scoping Review about Public Acceptance

Informatics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
My Villius Zetterholm ◽  
Yanqing Lin ◽  
Päivi Jokela
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Public Acceptance ◽  
National Cultures ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Ethical Justification ◽  
Performance Expectancy ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged

Digital contact tracing applications (CTAs) have been one of the most widely discussed technical methods of controlling the COVID-19 outbreak. The effectiveness of this technology and its ethical justification depend highly on public acceptance and adoption. This study aims to describe the current knowledge about public acceptance of CTAs and identify individual perspectives, which are essential to consider concerning CTA acceptance and adoption. In this scoping review, 25 studies from four continents across the globe are compiled, and critical topics are identified and discussed. The results show that public acceptance varies across national cultures and sociodemographic strata. Lower acceptance among people who are mistrusting, socially disadvantaged, or those with low technical skills suggest a risk that CTAs may amplify existing inequities. Regarding determinants of acceptance, eight themes emerged, covering both attitudes and behavioral perspectives that can influence acceptance, including trust, privacy concerns, social responsibility, perceived health threat, experience of and access to technologies, performance expectancy and perceived benefits, and understanding. Furthermore, widespread misconceptions about the CTA function are a topic in need of immediate attention to ensure the safe use of CTAs. The intention-action gap is another topic in need of more research.

scholarly journals What do users think of the UK’s three COVID-19 contact-tracing apps? A comparative analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. e100320
Author(s):  
Vahid Garousi ◽  
David Cutting
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
End Users ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
User Reviews ◽  
The Public ◽  
Engineering Teams ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Right

ObjectivesOur goal was to gain insights into the user reviews of the three COVID-19 contact-tracing mobile apps, developed for the different regions of the UK: ‘NHS COVID-19’ for England and Wales, ‘StopCOVID NI’ for Northern Ireland and ‘Protect Scotland’ for Scotland. Our two research questions are (1) what are the users’ experience and satisfaction levels with the three apps? and (2) what are the main issues (problems) that users have reported about the apps?MethodsWe assess the popularity of the apps and end users’ perceptions based on user reviews in app stores. We conduct three types of analysis (data mining, sentiment analysis and topic modelling) to derive insights from the combined set of 25 583 user reviews of the aforementioned three apps (submitted by users until the end of 2020).ResultsResults show that end users have been generally dissatisfied with the apps under study, except the Scottish app. Some of the major issues that users have reported are high battery drainage and doubts on whether apps are really working.DiscussionTowards the end of 2020, the much-awaited COVID-19 vaccines started to be available, but still, analysing the users’ feedback and technical issues of these apps, in retrospective, is valuable to learn the right lessons to be ready for similar circumstances in future.ConclusionOur results show that more work is needed by the stakeholders behind the apps (eg, apps’ software engineering teams, public-health experts and decision makers) to improve the software quality and, as a result, the public adoption of these apps. For example, they should be designed to be as simple as possible to operate (need for usability).

From IMS and six sigma toward TQM: an empirical study from Serbia

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidosav Majstorovic ◽  
Tatjana V. Sibalija
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Quality Engineering ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dmaic Method ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the current status of a quality management practice in Serbia, in terms of the development and application of integrated managements systems (IMS), and research and implementation of Six Sigma and the related techniques. Design/methodology/approach – Two main aspects of total quality management (TQM) have been considered: institutional (organisational or strategic) aspect that corresponds to standardised management systems and their integration, and technical (quality engineering) aspect whose main contributor is Six Sigma. The findings of a comprehensive study on IMS implementation in Serbia have been presented, based on the results of a questionnaire that was sent to 54 organisations during 2013. Also, the significant technical improvements and tangible benefits of a recently conducted Six Sigma project were shown, including the application of the advanced quality engineering techniques within DMAIC method. Findings – Good QM practice in Serbia is improving, both in terms of the organisational (IMS) and technical (Six Sigma) aspect, that server as a good basis for the adoption of TQM in manufacturing companies from various sectors. It could be anticipated that these results will facilitate the adoption of an overall TQM culture in Serbia and leverage its future sustainability. Originality/value – This paper offers key insights into IMS and Six Sigma implementation in Serbia. This could encourage manufacturing organisations in developing countries to adopt IMS and Six Sigma, in order to boost the overall TQM culture and gain a competitive advantage.

Understanding the disclosure of personal data online

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather J. Parker ◽  
Stephen Flowerday
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Information Disclosure ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Violation ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Social media has created a new level of interconnected communication. However, the use of online platforms brings about various ways in which a user’s personal data can be put at risk. This study aims to investigate what drives the disclosure of personal information online and whether an increase in awareness of the value of personal information motivates users to safeguard their information. Design/methodology/approach Fourteen university students participated in a mixed-methods experiment, where responses to Likert-type scale items were combined with responses to interview questions to provide insight into the cost–benefit analysis users conduct when disclosing information online. Findings Overall, the findings indicate that users are able to disregard their concerns due to a resigned and apathetic attitude towards privacy. Furthermore, subjective norms enhanced by fear of missing out (FOMO) further allows users to overlook potential risks to their information in order to avoid social isolation and sanction. Alternatively, an increased awareness of the personal value of information and having experienced a previous privacy violation encourage the protection of information and limited disclosure. Originality/value This study provides insight into privacy and information disclosure on social media in South Africa. To the knowledge of the researchers, this is the first study to include a combination of the theory of planned behaviour and the privacy calculus model, together with the antecedent factors of personal valuation of information, trust in the social media provider, FOMO.

The complication of cyber manhunt: How cyber manhunt further complicated the ethical conflict between breaching the confidentiality and endangering the society in face of the COVID-19 pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Chang Chen ◽  
Yen-Yuan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Online Activity ◽  
Contact Investigation ◽  
The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED While health care and public health workers are working on measures to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an unprecedentedly large number of people spending much more time indoors, and relying heavily on the Internet as their lifeline. What has been overlooked is the influence of the increasing online activities on public health issues. In this article, we pointed out how a large-scale online activity called cyber manhunt may threaten to offset the efficacy of contact tracing investigation, a public health intervention considered highly effective in limiting further transmission in the early stage of a highly contagious disease outbreak such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first section, we presented a case to show how personal information obtained from contact investigation and disclosed in part on the media provoked a vehement cyber manhunt. We then discussed the possible reasons why netizens collaborate to reveal anonymized personal information about contact investigation, and specify, from the perspective of public health and public health ethics, four problems of cyber manhunt, including the lack of legitimate public health goals, the concerns about privacy breach, the impact of misinformation, and social inequality. Based on our analysis, we concluded that more moral weight may be given to protecting one's confidentiality, especially in an era with the rapid advance of digital and information technologies.

AI and privacy concerns: a smart meter case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian Carmody ◽  
Samir Shringarpure ◽  
Gerhard Van de Venter
Keyword(s):  
Private Information ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Consumer Information ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Smart Meter ◽  
Smart Meters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Privacy Legislation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate privacy concerns arising from the rapidly increasing advancements and use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and the challenges of existing privacy regimes to ensure the on-going protection of an individual’s sensitive private information. The authors illustrate this through a case study of energy smart meters and suggest a novel combination of four solutions to strengthen privacy protection. Design/methodology/approach The authors illustrate how, through smart meter obtained energy data, home energy providers can use AI to reveal private consumer information such as households’ electrical appliances, their time and frequency of usage, including number and model of appliance. The authors show how this data can further be combined with other data to infer sensitive personal information such as lifestyle and household income due to advances in AI technologies. Findings The authors highlight data protection and privacy concerns which are not immediately obvious to consumers due to the capabilities of advanced AI technology and its ability to extract sensitive personal information when applied to large overlapping granular data sets. Social implications The authors question the adequacy of existing privacy legislation to protect sensitive inferred consumer data from AI-driven technology. To address this, the authors suggest alternative solutions. Originality/value The original value of this paper is that it illustrates new privacy issues brought about by advances in AI, failings in current privacy legislation and implementation and opens the dialog between stakeholders to protect vulnerable consumers.

scholarly journals Information Privacy Concerns Among Instagram Users: The Case of Indonesian College Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Eko Wahyu Tyas Darmaningrat ◽  
Hanim Maria Astuti ◽  
Fadhila Alfi
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Information Privacy ◽  
Risk Awareness ◽  
User Privacy ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Information Privacy Concerns ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Teenagers in Indonesia have an open nature and satisfy their desire to exist by uploading photos or videos and writing posts on Instagram. The habit of uploading photos, videos, or writings containing their personal information can be dangerous and potentially cause user privacy problems. Several criminal cases caused by information misuse have occurred in Indonesia.Objective: This paper investigates information privacy concerns among Instagram users in Indonesia, more specifically amongst college students, the largest user group of Instagram in Indonesia.Methods: This study referred to the Internet Users' Information Privacy Concerns (IUIPC) method by collecting data through the distribution of online questionnaires and analyzed the data by using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).Results: The research finding showed that even though students are mindful of the potential danger of information misuse in Instagram, it does not affect their intention to use Instagram. Other factors that influence Indonesian college students' trust are Instagram's reputation, the number of users who use Instagram, the ease of using Instagram, the skills and knowledge of Indonesian students about Instagram, and the privacy settings that Instagram has.Conclusion: The awareness and concern of Indonesian college students for information privacy will significantly influence the increased risk awareness of information privacy. However, the increase in risk awareness does not directly affect Indonesian college students' behavior to post their private information on Instagram.

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