Mobile banking is a feature bringing customer transactions to the doorstep of mobile users by sitting at home. As the demand for mobile payment applications has increased, numerous payment applications are developed throughout the world. Every payment gateway must have certain customer acceptable conditions, usability is one such condition wherein every mobile payment application must fulfill the condition of user friendly with easily understandable features to the customer. Usability is guided by certain well-defined principles, for the optimum benefit of the user. Many researchers have worked on mobile payment applications but there are limited studies on usability comparison of payment gateways. Hence, an attempt is made in the present study to understand the two applications in two different socio-cultural contexts of Indian and Swedish societies, viz., Google Pay and PayPal respectively, on usability principles. The present study is designed with the objectives to analyze and compare satisfaction on Nielsen’s heuristic principles of PayPal and Google Pay payment users, and to the understanding association between satisfaction on Nielsen’s heuristic principles and various independent variables. A survey questionnaire, called “Personal Attitude Inventory for Measurement of satisfaction on Heuristic Principles” was developed to measure the satisfaction of users on heuristic principles of Nielsen of PayPal and Google Pay users. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire are established. The questionnaire is administered to 36 subjects, 18 subjects who are using Google Pay are drawn from India, and the other 18 subjects, using PayPal, are drawn from Sweden. Student t-tests and chi-squared tests are used to analyze the data. Significant differences are not found between PayPal and Google Pay users on the overall heuristic principles of Nielsen, and also on each of the 10 heuristic principles of Nielsen. It is inferred that both PayPal and Google Pay users are comparable on all heuristic principles. Majority of the users of these payment gateways have more satisfaction on all 10 heuristic principles. Results of the study further revealed no association between socio-demographic independent variables like age, gender, and different types of users of PayPal and Google Pay and satisfaction on heuristic principles. These two payment gateways have more or less equivalent features, facilitating similar perceptions and satisfaction levels on heuristic usability principles of Swedish and Indian samples. Several views are put forth for further research.

The study aims to identify the role of artificial intelligence and big data that can help us to confront the COVID-19. The study adopted the literature review methodology by reading and analyzing academic studies. This study was divided into two parts: a theoretical part that deals with the basic concepts of artificial intelligence and big data, and an analytical section that deals with reviewing and analyzing artificial intelligence and big data applications to confront COVID-19, including Contact Tracing Apps, then find the weaknesses and develop a recommendation list. The paper concludes that artificial intelligence and big data applications and apps could help to confrontCOVID-19 to some extent. However, artificial intelligence and big data are in the first steps. Moreover, they have not yet had a significant impact on controlling the COVID-19 since some issues and challenges hamper the use of these technologies like accuracy and public trust, etc. Hard work from governments is required in order to overcome these challenges in the first place. It is doubtful that these challenges will be addressed during the COVID-19. However, it is a great learning experience and an opportunity to develop our technologies to overcome future pandemics.

The purpose of this review of literature was to understand the role of mobile device applications in health related conditions and to analyze their effects on health outcomes related to the management of chronic illnesses. Implications for future use of applications in client-centered care and interpretation of the data by health care providers was also explored. Peer-reviewed, English-language research articles published from 2008 to present were included for synthesis. Study results revealed positive outcomes when health-related mobile applications were used in practice and support clinicians' use of mobile applications as a tool for monitoring symptoms and communicating with individuals. The literature indicated nurses play a significant role in providing feedback, which reinforces self-care strategies and adherence, with the potential for improving outcomes. Additional research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of applications on patient outcomes, nurses' perspectives, and feasibility of implementation into practice.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (1999, 2011) recommends no screen time for children under two years and limited screen time for three- and four-year-olds. Despite these recommendations, most young children have easy access to various types of screens. In particular, children*s use of mobile media, including tablets and other touch screen devices, is increasing (Common Sense Media, 2013). Even though scholars have highlighted positive uses for mobile media (Christakis, 2014; Radesky, Schumacher, & Zuckerman, 2015) and there are recommendations in place for using mobile media with young children in active, open-ended ways (NAEYC & Fred Rogers Center, 2012), there has been very limited research conducted on the impact of mobile media on young children*s development. What is more, as early childhood professionals are beginning to incorporate mobile media into their classrooms, they are struggling with the ability to use these devices in developmentally appropriate ways (Marklund, 2015; Nuttall, Edwards, Mantilla, Grieshaber, & Wood, 2015). The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of using different types of mobile media apps to increase the receptive and expressive vocabulary development of preschool children living in economically disadvantaged communities. Children and teachers in four Head Start classrooms participated in the quasi-experimental study, which included an eight-week intervention in which the children interacted with one of two types of apps: one classroom used direct instruction vocabulary apps (n = 16) and one classroom used open-ended vocabulary apps (n = 15). Two classrooms served as control groups (n = 18; n = 14) which used apps that were chosen by the Head Start program with no specific instructional method. Children*s vocabulary was assessed pre- and post-intervention. To assess receptive vocabulary, the PPVT-4 (Dunn & Dunn, 2007) and an iPad Receptive Vocabulary Assessment (Vatalaro, 2015a) were used. To assess expressive vocabulary, the EVT-2 (Williams, 2007) and an iPad Expressive Vocabulary Assessment (Vatalaro, 2015b) were used. Using a repeated measures analysis of variance with split plot analysis, children who used direct instruction apps performed statistically significantly higher on the PPVT-4 than children who used open-ended apps. Children in the direct instruction app group also performed statistically significantly higher than both control groups on the iPad Receptive Vocabulary Assessment. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for receptive vocabulary as measured by the EVT-2. However, when children were credited for describing a function instead of the iPad vocabulary word, the analysis of the iPad Expressive Vocabulary Assessment revealed that the children using direct instruction apps performed statistically significantly higher than children using open-ended apps and the children in one of the control groups. A secondary purpose of the present study was to examine the use of apps in mobile media by Head Start teachers. The teachers in the two intervention classrooms participated in weekly meetings with the primary researcher for support in using mobile media in their classrooms in order to ensure that the child intervention was carried out with fidelity. After analyzing data from teachers* self-report daily logs across the eight-week intervention, it was determined that the children received instruction on the assigned apps in both intervention classrooms. Although caution is given to the findings due to some limitations such as the quasi-experimental choice of a research design and the number of participants, the present study contributed to the early childhood research literature with the findings that interactive, animated apps which provide the meanings of vocabulary words in a direct instruction manner may have the ability to increase a child*s receptive vocabulary, and to increase a child*s descriptive definitions of iPad functions. This information increases the chance that teachers in Head Start will begin using direct instruction apps, in the hope of increasing a child*s vocabulary knowledge.

The web browser has become one of the most recognizable software applications on consumer desktops. Yet its utilization and capabilities are often misunderstood. Recent innovations in the web have evolved the Internet into a network of sophisticated applications that defy historical uses of the “browser”; a term that itself has become somewhat of a misnomer. This research studies the evolving set of user expectations for the browser as an application platform and challenges certain anachronistic features, specifically the “back” button, that are unnecessary and confusing given the new environment that browsers are used in. Because of this shift, implicit new user requirements arise around the browser’s user interface. The back button, like other elements in the browser have already demonstrated, should be de-emphasized in modern iterations of web browsers. The study is qualified by an analysis of user behavior within a popular, modern, web application. NOTE: This master's thesis has been removed at request of the author due to it containing experimentation data referencing a branded software application for which the author no longer has permission to share.

The aim of the study is to explore three healthcare apps, Numa, Ella, and Leia Health, and their affordances in digital healthcare. By applying discourse analysis and discursive interface analysis as primary methods, the study investigates reward and motivation features within these apps, aiming to uncover the norms and assumptions embedded in their interfaces. Theoretical concepts such as motivation affordance, technology affordances, and sociomaterialism are used as frameworks to understand and analyze the results. The interface analysis provides insights into how various affordances, such as functional, cognitive, sensory, and collaborative, shape the user experience in healthcare apps. The results offer an overview and understanding of how user behaviors are influenced by the structure, design, and features of health apps through their digital interfaces, illustrating how the apps provide users with support and information.

AIM: To review and characterize dental mobile apps in the peer-reviewed literature and two popular mobile app stores, and assess their quality. METHODS: A scoping review methodology was used to identify different types of mobile dental apps in seven medical and technical databases. The data of the identified research studies on dental apps were extracted (coded) by two researchers in a systematic process and the results were analyzed. Dental apps’ characteristics, publication pattern, development methodology, efficacy, and usability were reported. Then, a systematic review was conducted in Google Play and iOS app stores to identify patient-facing dental apps. Popular keywords were identified from multiple sources such as using Google Trends. Two researchers extracted the information of the identified dental apps and descriptive, and correlation analyses were conducted. Apps were evaluated for the presence of behavior change techniques (BCTs), evidence-based guidelines, technological features, privacy and security, credibility and health literacy. Lastly, a quality assessment using MARS scale was conducted for a selected sample of dental patient-facing apps from the published literature and the popular app stores. RESULTS: The search resulted in 38 studies on dental apps. The identified dental apps (37) targeted multiple users and the common topic was oral pathology such as dental caries. The majority of dental apps was developed for diagnostics and screening purposes (40.5%). Apps included varied features and educational strategies. Only two papers used theories for developing dental apps, and five studies followed user-centered design principles. Fourteen papers only reported the use of clinical guidelines for developing dental apps (36.8%). Mobile app search resulted in 52 patient-facing dental apps (37 Android apps, and 15 iOS apps). The majority of apps focused on Oral Hygiene Behavior (31%). Apps targeted multiple users and contained varied features and BCTs including instructions (80.8%) and credible source (67.3%). Eleven apps were identified for the third project and the highest total MARS score was Philips Sonicare. The app contained the largest number of features compared to other apps (24). CONCLUSION: The dissertation will warrant the selection and prescription of high-quality dental apps, and will advance the research work in mobile apps in dentistry.

No description available.

This thesis brings period tracking apps into the discourse of menstruation. How we speak of and communicate around periods contribute into building the idea of the menstruation and, by extension, the female body and femaleness. This is also true for visual communication, which is why this thesis analyses the form, function and representation of three of the most popular period tracking apps. The questions posed are: What are the most important characteristics of the general visual appearance? How are the apps meant to be used? In what ways can form and function be placed into a cultural historical context with focus being on symbolic representation? To answer these questions a method of semiotic analysis paired with case studies are used. Previous research has shown that period tracking apps in some ways play into the idea of menstruation as a taboo. This essay shows that the notion of menstruation as something to be kept and handled in private is present in the design of the apps.

Background: The endeavour for more effective and personalised health care requires exploration and implementation of new methods. Digital technology solutions may offer increased accessibility and efficiency and have already been proven to be both time- and cost-effective. Increased knowledge of the use and experience of e-health tools among physiotherapists may lay the ground for further development. Objective: To explore and describe the usage and experiences among Swedish physiotherapists' regarding e-health tools and evaluate which are the most used technologies. Method: A digital survey translated with cross-cultural adaptation was sent out to physiotherapists in Sweden invited to participate through digital platforms. Data were descriptively analysed and presented in tables, box diagrams, and statistical analysis was performed in Jamovi with Fisher's exact test. Results: 111 physiotherapists responded to the digital survey, but only 72 completed all of it because of a technical error. One of the most common digital tools to use was technological communication where 70% used it for their patients. The attitudes towards digital tools were generally positive among the respondents, but about 20% was however neutral in their attitude. No significant relationship was found between the variables dependent on digital tools and professional experience (p = 0.61) or to workplace (p = 0.11), respectively. Conclusion: Swedish physiotherapists in this pilot study have a positive attitude towards digital health tools. However, different tools are used to different extents, and many physiotherapists do not consider themselves dependent on them in their professional life. Further investigation is needed about opinions and experiences in the field of e-health, as well as regarding advantages and disadvantages of digital tools for further development and implementation in the clinics. / Bakgrund: Strävan efter mer effektiv och personcentrerad sjukvård kräver kartläggning och implementering av nya metoder. Digitala lösningar kan erbjuda ökad tillgänglighet och effektivitet och har redan visat sig vara både tids- och kostnadseffektiva. Ökad kunskap om användning och erfarenhet av e- hälsoverktyg bland fysioterapeuter kan lägga grunden för vidare utveckling. Syfte: Att utforska och beskriva användning och erfarenheter av e-hälsoverktyg bland svenska fysioterapeuter, och vilka de mest använda verktygen är. Metod: En digital enkät översatt och med tillämpad kulturell anpassning skickades ut till fysioterapeuter i Sverige genom digitala plattformar. Data analyserades och presenterades i tabeller, stapeldiagram och statistisk analys utfördes i Jamovi version 1.6.23.0 med Fishers exakta test. Resultat: 111 fysioterapeuter besvarade den digitala enkäten, men endast 72 genomförde hela pga ett tekniskt fel. Ett av de mest använda digitala verktygen var teknologisk kommunikation, där 70 % använde den till sina patienter. Attityderna till digitala verktyg var generellt positiva bland respondenterna i undersökningen, men ett ungefär 20% var neutrala inom ämnet. Inget signifikant samband hittades mellan variablerna beroende av digitala verktyg och arbetslivserfarenhet (p = 0,61) eller arbetsplats (p = 0,11). Slutsats: Svenska fysioterapeuter i denna pilotstudie har en positiv inställning till digitala verktyg. Olika verktyg används dock i olika utsträckning och många anser inte sig vara beroende av dem i sitt verksamma yrkesliv. Fortsatt forskning behöver göras om åsikter och erfarenheter inom området e-hälsa, samt vad som är fördelar och nackdelar med digitala verktyg. Detta för att möjliggöra att de kan utvecklas vidare och bli mer implementerade i det kliniska arbetet.