Free Mobile Application Research Articles

Mobile Applications: Breaking Barriers to Early Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection in Underserved Communities.

Although potentially curable with early detection and timely treatment, breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC) remain leading causes of death for Colombian women. Lack of education, complicated administrative processes, and geographic limitations hinder early cancer detection. Today, technological tools permeate the society and could assess user risk, deliver customized information, and provide care coordination. We evaluated the effectiveness of a free mobile application (mApp) to reach women, understand misconceptions, identify users at risk for BC and/or CC, and coordinate screening tests in Cali, Colombia. The mApp was developed and advertised in four healthcare facility waiting rooms. It used educational, evaluative, and risk factor questions followed by brief explanations to assess the population's knowledge, educate on BC and/or CC, and identify users in need of screening test(s). Women who required screening were navigated and enrolled in the national cancer program. From August 2017 to August 2019, 1,043 women downloaded the mApp. BC misconceptions included beliefs that BC can be prevented (87%), obesity does not increase the risk of BC (49%), and deodorant causes BC (17%). CC misconceptions included that pap smears should not be performed while sexually active (64%), vaginal pain is an early sign of CC (44%), and only women contract human papilloma virus (33%). Overall, 29% (303) were identified as at risk and needed a screening test, with 32% (98) successfully screened. mApps can identify women at risk for BC and/or CC, detect barriers to early cancer detection, and help coordinate screening test(s). This technology has widespread applications and may be useful in other underserved communities.

A Review of Mobile Applications Available in the App and Google Play Stores Used During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

PurposeThe objective of this paper was to review the functionalities and effectiveness of the free mobile health applications available in the Google Play and App stores used in Saudi Arabia, Italy, Singapore, the United Kingdom, USA, and India during the COVID-19 outbreak.MethodsThis study adopted a systematic search strategy to identify the free mobile applications available in the App and Google Play stores related to the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the PRISMA flowchart of the search, only 12 applications met the inclusion criterion.ResultsThe 12 mobile applications that met the inclusion criterion were: Mawid, Tabaud, Tawakkalna, Sehha, Aarogya setu, TraceTogether, COVID safe, Immuni, COVID symptom study, COVID watch, NHS COVID-19, and PathCheck. The following features and functionalities of the apps were described: app overview (price, ratings, android, iOS, developer/owner, country, status), health tools (user status-risk assessment, self-assessment, E-pass integration, test results reporting, online consultation, contact tracing), learning options (personalized notes, educational resources, COVID-19 information), communication tools (query resolution, appointments, social network, notifications), app design (data visualization, program plan), networking tools (location mapping – GPS, connectivity with other devices), and safety and security options (alerts, data protection). Also, the effectiveness of the apps was analyzed.ConclusionThe analysis revealed that various applications have been developed for different functions like contact tracing, awareness building, appointment booking, online consultation, etc. However, only a few applications have integrated various functions and features such as self-assessment, consultation, support and access to information. Also, most of the apps are focused on contact tracing, while very few are dedicated to raising awareness and sharing information about the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, the majority of applications rely on GPS and Bluetooth technologies for relevant functions. No apps were identified that had built-in social media features. It is suggested to design and develop an integrated mobile health application with most of the features and functionalities analyzed in this study.

Gamanak – The Travel Planner with Social Media Mobile Application

Travelling is an immensely popular hobby for most people nowadays since it allows them to be relieved of their stress and enjoy various activities among friends and family. It is a form of adventure which allows them to discover new places, meet people of various ethnicities, learn new languages and relish the beauty of the world. While all these make traveling sound amazing, planning such a journey can turn out to be a very tiresome task which requires a lot of time and effort. The modern world has many solutions for this and out of them, digital solutions come out on top. Most mobile applications developed to overcome this issue require partial or full subscription payments while the free applications are inefficient. The main purpose of this research was to provide a solution to the aforementioned problem by developing a free mobile application facilitated with electronical word of mouth, digital references, predefined mechanisms of selection and added features such as reminders. Interviews and questionnaires were used as the main research methodology to gather information from the targeted users. The findings of the study indicated that a majority of the target population would prefer to use an application which uses social media and electronic word of mouth to convey travel details. Overall, it will promote the tourist industry in the country especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learning Algebra using Augmented Reality: A Preliminary Investigation on the Application of Photomath for Lower Secondary Education

This study aims to determine the effect of Photomath mobile application on the achievement and attitude of learning algebraic equations for lower secondary school students in Malaysia. Photomath is a free mobile application, for both ios and android platforms, which uses computer vision and image understanding technology to scan math equations using the mobile camera to subsequently provide worked solutions. The application recognises equations of both printed and handwritten in nature and provides step-by-step calculations and graphical solutions. In this study, data were collected from 33 lower secondary students through pre and post-test and questionnaire. Data from pre-test and post-test were used to investigate the performance of students after the application of Photomath, whereas the questionnaire was used to identify the attitude of students towards the application of Photomath in learning algebraic equations, regarding belief and readiness aspects. Different mean scores for pre-test and post-test were tested, and hypothesis testing using a t-test was used. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics. This study has found that the application of Photomath significantly enhances the learning of algebraic equations among Form Two students. However, the participants’ belief and readiness towards Photomath are still at a moderate level.

Where Comics and Cultural Heritage Meet: A Conversation with Damien Sueur and Yannis Koikas on BDnF: The Comics Factory

The Bibliotheque nationale de France (BnF; French National Library) recently launched a free comics creation desktop and mobile application, “BDnF”. Designed and produced by the BnF, BDnF is a digital creation tool for making comics and other multimedia stories, mixing illustration and text. BDnF allows users to engage creatively in specific aspects of comics (narrative construction, temporality, space, text/drawing/synergy, etc.). A key feature of the application is its integration of a wide variety of educational and iconographic resources, and in particular of the digital collections of the BnF. Initially launched in French, the English language option was launched in May 2020. This article introduces the application to an English-speaking audience through a conversation with Damien Sueur, Digital Production Manager at the Digital Publishing Department, and Yannis Koikas, Head of the Digital Publishing Department at the Bibliotheque nationale de France.

Increasing engagement in pharmacology and pharmacogenetics education using games and online resources: The PharmacoloGenius mobile app.

Mobile applications represent useful instruments to convey information and engage the users even during traveling, thanks to the wide diffusion of smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and similar devices. As such, they have high potential as learning tools that can act complementary to traditional teaching approaches. In the field of pharmacology, mobile applications are increasingly being used to improve adherence of patients or to help them report suspect adverse drug reactions. However, they have been scarcely applied to pharmacology education. In this article, we present PharmacoloGenius, a free Android mobile application integrating resources useful for students as well as healthcare professionals or researchers to expand knowledge on pharmacological topics. We gave particular emphasis to pharmacogenetics, as it is a fundamental tool to achieve personalized treatment. The application offers original games such as pharmacological trivia based on textbooks or special "journal club" trivia based on research articles conveying the state of the art on specific topics. Additionally, the app offers a curated list of online resources to study pharmacology and pharmacogenetics (e.g., free online courses, videos, and databases) as well as updated news on conferences, grants, and opportunities for pharmacologists. In conclusion, PharmacoloGenius aims to be a useful instrument for people interested in expanding their knowledge on pharmacology in an engaging way.

STONE Pietre Egizie: a Free Mobile Application for Promoting the Scientific Research on Ornamental Stones of Museo Egizio of Torino, Italy

A free mobile application was realized to offer to a wide audience an alternative key to unravel the collection displayed at the Egyptian Museum of Torino, strengthening the link between classical and scientific knowledge. Many of the exhibits are carved in various types of stones, exploited at different locations. Indeed, Egypt is an extremely rich country in terms of ornamental stones, which are very durable and widely used by ancient Egyptians to represent their aspiration to eternity. STONE Pietre Egizie is an application focusing on 50 exhibits arranged in 11 halls, chosen depending on their historical and artistic importance but, importantly, also selected on the basis of the stone material adopted for their workmanship. Within STONE Pietre Egizie, the selected finds are part of thematic itineraries through which the user can discover the museum from the cultural and archaeological point of view and, at the same time, learn geological details about the used stone materials. The visitor will be driven through twenty-one different types of rocks, each of them characterized by the petrographic macro- and microscopic description, the picture, the quarrying district of the material, and the geology of the source area. The application is free and accessible to everyone from the App Store and Google Play for Apple and Android devices, respectively.

Enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy prescribing: A validation study of ChemoPalRx.

e19161 Background: ChemoPalRx is a free iOS mobile application developed for chemotherapy referencing and prescribing. Providers can readily download and use ChemoPalRx to generate and print chemotherapy formatted prescriptions. In the absence of a computerized chemotherapy order entry system, institutions may adopt ChemoPalRx for chemotherapy prescribing in place of traditional methods such as handwritten prescriptions. However, effectiveness of ChemoPalRx in the real-world practices has not been established. Methods: With our aim to determine the effectiveness of ChemoPalRx, we conducted a cross sectional study at an academic institution. Our study primary predictor was the method of generating a chemotherapy order, dichotomized as “handwritten” or “ChemoPalRx”. Primary outcome was corrected order, dichotomized as “corrected” or “satisfactory” order. Corrections were defined as any correction made to an order (e.g. illegible handwriting, modifications in drug dosing, missing chemotherapy or patient’s information). Covariates included fellowship training year (first, second, or third) and complexity of order (“simple” = 2 drugs or less; “complex” = 3 drugs or more). Correction rate (CR) was defined as the proportion of corrected orders. Chi Square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: From October 2019 to December 2019, 288 chemotherapy orders were examined, of which, 226 were handwritten (78.5%) and 62 were ChemoPalRx (21.5%). Of the 226 handwritten orders, 184 (81%) were satisfactory, 42 (19%) were corrected. Of the 62 ChemoPalRx orders, 57 (92%) were satisfactory, 5 (8%) were corrected. CR was significantly reduced by ChemoPalRx compared to handwritten (p = 0.034). Subgroup analysis found that first-year fellows tend to make more corrections on complex orders (CR: 19%) compared to second- and third-year fellows (CR: 6%) (p = 0.19), while second- and third- year fellows made more corrections on simple orders (CR: 22%) compared to first-year fellows (CR: 9%) (p = 0.013). Conclusions: ChemoPalRx significantly enhanced prescription accuracy compared to handwritten chemotherapy orders. Implementation of ChemoPalRx in real-world practices is validly feasible and effective. While ChemoPalRx may support less experienced providers on more complex orders, it may help to catch overlooked simple details for the experienced providers. In the evolving digital era in oncology, ChemoPalRx may be a promising alternative to handwritten prescriptions that can be readily available at one’s fingertips.

Mobile apps: Breaking barriers to early cancer detection in underserved communities.

2065 Background: Despite being potentially curable with early detection and timely treatment, breast (BC) and cervical cancers (CC) remain leading causes of death for Colombian women. Lack of cancer screening education, tedious administrative processes, and geographical limitations hinder early cancer detection. Today, technological tools permeate all levels of society and could gather data for user risk stratification, deliver clear and customized information, and help with care coordination, tracking, and addressing communication, transportation, and financial barriers. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a free mobile application (mApp) to reach women, understand misconceptions about cancer screening, identify users at risk for BC and CC, and coordinate screening tests in Cali, Colombia. Methods: The mApp, Ámate, was developed over 4 months and advertised to women (≥14 years) in waiting rooms of 4 healthcare facilities in Cali, Colombia for 23 months. Ámate used educational, evaluative, and risk factor questions followed by brief explanations to assess the population’s knowledge, educate users on BC and CC, and identify users in need of BC and/or CC screenings. Correct answers yielded points redeemable for cellular data. Women who required screening were subsequently navigated to a healthcare provider and enrolled in the national cancer program. Results: From August 2017-August 2019, 1,043 women from Cali downloaded Ámate and answered all questions. Misconceptions about BC included beliefs that BC can be prevented (87%), obesity does not increase the risk of BC (49%), deodorant causes BC (17%), and only women with a relative with BC can get BC (16%). For CC, misconceptions included that pap smears should not be performed while sexually active (64%), vaginal pain is an early sign of CC (44%), and only women contract HPV (33%). Overall, 31.5% (329) were identified as at-risk and needed a mammogram and/or pap smear. So far, 30% (98) were successfully navigated and completed their recommended screening test(s). Barriers to enrollment in these programs included patient unwillingness, using fake contact information, limited available appointments, and denied access due to healthcare coverage. Conclusions: Ámate is an accessible tool that identifies women at-risk for breast and cervical cancer and detects barriers to early cancer detection. Administrative obstacles exist and must be addressed to improve early cancer detection/screening. Ámate is currently being tested in other areas of Colombia and may be useful in other underserved countries.

The quality of diagnosis and triage advice provided by free online symptom checkers and apps in Australia.

To investigate the quality of diagnostic and triage advice provided by free website and mobile application symptom checkers (SCs) accessible in Australia. 36 SCs providing medical diagnosis or triage advice were tested with 48 medical condition vignettes (1170 diagnosis vignette tests, 688 triage vignette tests). Correct diagnosis advice (provided in first, the top three or top ten diagnosis results); correct triage advice (appropriate triage category recommended). The 27 diagnostic SCs listed the correct diagnosis first in 421 of 1170 SC vignette tests (36%; 95% CI, 31-42%), among the top three results in 606 tests (52%; 95% CI, 47-59%), and among the top ten results in 681 tests (58%; 95% CI, 53-65%). SCs using artificial intelligence algorithms listed the correct diagnosis first in 46% of tests (95% CI, 40-57%), compared with 32% (95% CI, 26-38%) for other SCs. The mean rate of first correct results for individual SCs ranged between 12% and 61%. The 19 triage SCs provided correct advice for 338 of 688 vignette tests (49%; 95% CI, 44-54%). Appropriate triage advice was more frequent for emergency care (63%; 95% CI, 52-71%) and urgent care vignette tests (56%; 95% CI, 52-75%) than for non-urgent care (30%; 95% CI, 11-39%) and self-care tests (40%; 95% CI, 26-49%). The quality of diagnostic advice varied between SCs, and triage advice was generally risk-averse, often recommending more urgent care than appropriate.

Construct validity and test-retest reliability of a free mobile application for spatio-temporal gait analysis in Parkinson’s disease patients

BackgroundMobile applications may be used to assess gait pattern deviation through mobile smartphones in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, few studies have investigated their psychometrics properties. Research questionTo study the construct validity and test-retest reliability of the RUNZI® free mobile application in people with mild to moderate PD. MethodsThirty individuals were evaluated with the RUNZI® app and with the 10-meter walking test (10 MW), simultaneously. In addition, the Timed Up & Go test (TUG), Tinetti scale, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to study the construct validity. Also, test-retest reliability of the mobile for spatio-temporal gait parameters was explored. ResultsThe correlation indices of the 10 MW test with the RUNZI® app at fast speeds was moderate to excellent (r = .588–.957). At a comfortable speed, the correlation was excellent for walking speed (r = 0.944), moderate for steps (r = 0.780) and stride length (r = 0.760), and poor for cadence (r = .424). Results showed significant correlations between TUG and spatio-temporal gait parameters at fast and comfortable speeds. There were no significant correlations or consistent associations between Tinetti and BBS and RUNZI®. The test-retest reliability was good to excellent for parameters measured with the RUNZI®. SignificanceOur findings highlight specific opportunities for a free smartphone-based spatio-temporal gait analysis to serve as a complement to conventional gait analysis methods in clinical practice with a moderate to excellent construct validity with the 10 MW test and good to excellent test-retest reliability in PD patients.

LipoDDx: a mobile application for identification of rare lipodystrophy syndromes

BackgroundLipodystrophy syndromes are a group of disorders characterized by a loss of adipose tissue once other situations of nutritional deprivation or exacerbated catabolism have been ruled out. With the exception of the HIV-associated lipodystrophy, they have a very low prevalence, which together with their large phenotypic heterogeneity makes their identification difficult, even for endocrinologists and pediatricians. This leads to significant delays in diagnosis or even to misdiagnosis.Our group has developed an algorithm that identifies the more than 40 rare lipodystrophy subtypes described to date. This algorithm has been implemented in a free mobile application, LipoDDx®. Our aim was to establish the effectiveness of LipoDDx®.Forty clinical records of patients with a diagnosis of certainty of most lipodystrophy subtypes were analyzed, including subjects without lipodystrophy. The medical records, blinded for diagnosis, were evaluated by 13 physicians, 1 biochemist and 1 dentist. Each evaluator first gave his/her results based on his/her own criteria. Then, a second diagnosis was given using LipoDDx®. The results were analysed based on a score table according to the complexity of each case and the prevalence of the disease.ResultsLipoDDx® provides a user-friendly environment, based on usually dichotomous questions or choice of clinical signs from drop-down menus. The final result provided by this app for a particular case can be a low/high probability of suffering a particular lipodystrophy subtype. Without using LipoDDx® the success rate was 17 ± 20%, while with LipoDDx® the success rate was 79 ± 20% (p < 0.01).ConclusionsLipoDDx® is a free app that enables the identification of subtypes of rare lipodystrophies, which in this small cohort has around 80% effectiveness, which will be of help to doctors who are not experts in this field. However, it will be necessary to analyze more cases in order to obtain a more accurate efficiency value.

Review of mobile applications for the detection and management of atrial fibrillation.

BackgroundFree mobile applications (apps) that use photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms may extend atrial fibrillation (AF) detection to underserved populations, but they have not been rigorously evaluated.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to systematically review and evaluate the quality, functionality, and adherence to self-management behaviors of existing mobile apps for AF.MethodsWe systematically searched 3 app stores for apps that were free, available in English, and intended for use by patients to detect and manage AF. A minimum of 2 reviewers evaluated (1) app quality, using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS); (2) functionality using published criteria; and (3) features that support 4 self-management behaviors (including PPG waveform monitoring) identified using evidence-based guidelines. Interrater reliability between the reviewers was calculated.ResultsOf 12 included apps, 5 (42%) scored above average for quality (MARS score ≥3.0). App quality was highest for their ease of use, navigation, layout, and visual appeal (eg, functionality and aesthetics) and lowest for their behavioral change support and subjective impressions of quality. The most common app functionalities were capturing and graphically displaying user-entered data (n = 9 [75%]). Nearly all apps (n = 11 [92%]) supported PPG waveform monitoring, but only 2 (17%) supported all 4 self-management behaviors. Interrater reliability was high (0.75–0.83).ConclusionThe reviewed apps had wide variability in quality, functionality, and adherence to self-management behaviors. Given the accessibility of these apps to underserved populations and the tremendous potential they hold for improving AF detection and management, high priority should be given to improving app quality and functionality.

Semiotics, memory and augmented reality: History education with learner‐generated augmentation

AbstractThis study describes an approach to history education which leverages augmented reality (AR). Currently, most learning interventions with AR are designed from the paradigm of an expert‐led model of teaching, where the AR artefact is created by a domain expert; under such a paradigm, the learner has limited ownership of the process of artefact production. The project reported in this paper aimed to broaden the application of AR in education, specifically to history education, by exploring the affordances of such technology in mediating student‐led learning activities, using an approach known as learner‐generated augmentation. The current Singapore Secondary History syllabus adopts an inquiry‐based approach. The need to memorize key facts is still an important part in formulating historical arguments. The study involved the design of a learning activity to help students memorize historical information more effectively by building upon the established memory technique of Memory Palace/method of loci. In this activity, students used a free AR mobile application—Just a Line—to sketch out memory palaces of key information from a prose passage. This activity was trialled on student‐teachers who are majoring in History at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. After they had sketched their memory palaces in three dimensions, they were interviewed on their experience. Samples of their learning artefacts (their sketches) and analyses of their comments, are reported. No claim is made with respect to the absolute efficacy of the approach, given the limited number of participants in the study. The intent of this paper is instead to invite exploration and debate around the wider affordances of AR for learning. Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic So far, initiatives which use augmented reality (AR) in learning have been designed from the paradigm of an expert‐led, rather than student‐centred, model of teaching. The learner‐generated augmentation approach offers a possible way of designing student‐centred learning interventions with AR technology. One of the known challenges of learning history is the accurate recall of historical facts. Memory palace/method of loci is one strategy that can be used to aid memorization, but it suffers from certain limitations. What this paper adds The study described in this paper aims to address the challenges of accurately recalling historical facts, through the use of freely‐available cross‐platform AR software for smartphones. The study takes advantage of the affordances of AR to improve the memory palace/method of loci strategy by providing ways for learners to represent their tacit imaginations of the memory palace more explicitly. Learners can be encouraged to understand that their everyday environments are actually potential contexts for more authentic learning. Implications for practice and/or policy This study demonstrates the possibility of using AR technologies as part of student‐centred learning. This study demonstrates the feasibility of applying the Learner‐Generated Augmentation approach to subject disciplines such as the Social Sciences, which emphasize the socially‐constructed interpretation of events. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using AR technology to build upon the memory palace/method of loci strategy, so that the effectiveness of the latter is less dependent on the abilities of the learner for abstract imagination, thereby making the subject discipline more accessible to a wider cohort of learners. The study suggests that the memory palaces which result from the approach may be used by learners and their peers/teachers as part of Assessment for Learning. As this is the second application of the approach of Learner‐Generated Augmentation to a subject discipline (the original application being in Chemistry) the study suggests that the approach may be translated beyond its original application in the Natural Sciences to the Social Sciences as well.

Study protocol for an evaluation of ASDetect - a Mobile application for the early detection of autism

BackgroundAutism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) can be reliably diagnosed by 24 months of age. However, despite the well-known benefits of early intervention, there is still a research-practice gap in the timely identification of ASC, particularly in low-resourced settings. The Social Attention and Communication Surveillance (SACS) tool, which assesses behavioural markers of autism between 12 to 24 months of age, has been implemented in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) settings, with excellent psychometric properties. ASDetect is a free mobile application based on the SACS, which is designed to meet the need for an effective, evidence-based tool for parents, to learn about children’s early social-communication development and assess their child’s ‘likelihood’ for ASC.Study aimsThe primary aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of ASDetect in the early detection of children with ASC. A secondary aim is to assess ASDetect’s acceptability and parental user experience with the application.MethodsFamilies are recruited to download the application and participate in the study via social media, health professionals (e.g., MCH nurses, paediatricians) and word of mouth. All participating caregivers complete a demographic questionnaire, survey regarding their user experience, and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2), an autism screening questionnaire; they are also invited to participate in focus groups. Children identified at ‘high likelihood’ for ASC based on the ASDetect results, the SRS-2 or parental and/or professional concerns undergo a formal, gold-standard, diagnostic assessment. Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses will be used to assess psychometric properties of ASDetect. Thematic analyses will be used to explore themes arising in the focus groups to provide insights regarding user experiences with the app. Multiple regression analyses will be carried out to determine the extent to which demographic factors, parental stress and beliefs on health surveillance and child results on ASDetect are associated with the parental user-experience of the application.DiscussionWith a strong evidence-base and global access, ASDetect has the potential to empower parents by providing them with knowledge of their child’s social-communication development, validating and reassuring any parental concerns, and supporting them in communicating with other health professionals, ultimately enhancing child and family outcomes and well-being.

Preference-Based Privacy Markets

In the modern era of the mobile apps (the era of surveillance capitalism - as termed by Shoshana Zuboff) huge quantities of surveillance data about consumers and their activities offer a wave of opportunities for economic and societal value creation. ln-app advertising - a multi-billion dollar industry, is an essential part of the current digital ecosystem driven by free mobile applications, where the ecosystem entities usually comprise consumer apps, their clients (consumers), ad-networks, and advertisers. Sensitive consumer information is often being sold downstream in this ecosystem without the knowledge of consumers, and in many cases to their annoyance. While this practice, in cases, may result in long-term benefits for the consumers, it can result in serious information privacy breaches of very significant impact (e.g., breach of genetic data) in the short term. The question we raise through this paper is: Is it economically feasible to trade consumer personal information with their formal consent (permission) and in return provide them incentives (monetary or otherwise)?. In view of (a) the behavioral assumption that humans are `compromising' beings and have privacy preferences, (b) privacy as a good not having strict boundaries, and (c) the practical inevitability of inappropriate data leakage by data holders downstream in the data-release supply-chain, we propose a design of regulated efficient/bounded inefficient economic mechanisms for oligopoly data trading markets using a novel preference function bidding approach on a simplified sellers-broker market. Our methodology preserves the heterogeneous privacy preservation constraints (at a grouped consumer, i.e., app, level) upto certain compromise levels, and at the same time satisfies information demand (via the broker) of agencies (e.g., advertising organizations) that collect client data for the purpose of targeted behavioral advertising.

TERAPIA DŹWIĘKIEM SZUMÓW USZNYCH PRZY UŻYCIU APLIKACJI MOBILNEJ – STUDIUM PRZYPADKU

BackgroundEvery year more people suffer from tinnitus. Therapy for the condition requires a comprehensive approach to the patient. Despite the existence of many treatment methods, none is 100% effective. After a physician has excluded organic diseases, it is standard practice to try sound therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sound therapy by means of a free mobile application ReSound Tinnitus Relief in a patient with very troublesome tinnitus.Case studyThe patient, a 34-year-old woman, reported very troublesome tinnitus, described as a constant, non-pulsating ringing sound felt “inside the head”. The patient was offered sound therapy using a widely available application installed on a mobile phone. Progress of the therapy and changes in tinnitus perception were evaluated using two standardized questionnaires: the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and the Tinnitus Functional Index. Results from both questionnaires showed that overall tinnitus annoyance decreased after 3 and 6 months of useConclusionsThe data demonstrate that the use of sound therapy on a mobile app can provide satisfactory results, at least in this patient. However, it is not possible to say that such sound therapy will bring relief to all patients. Nevertheless, it is an option that a doctor can offer to their patient. A further study is needed on a large group of people to confirm whether it is possible to replace conventional sound generators with mobile solutions.

Platform heterogeneity, platform governance and complementors\u2019 product performance: an empirical study of the mobile application industry

The platform economy is becoming an important engine for industrial innovation and economic growth. However, empirical research on how platform governance affects product performance through network externalities remains limited. Leveraging the perspective of platform ecosystems, this paper intends to empirically investigate the impact of platform governance on the product performance of complementors in the mobile application industry, based on firstly released apps on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Our study shows that complementors of free mobile applications on the weakly regulated platform, Google Play, perform much better than those on the strictly regulated platform, Apple’s App Store, due to the larger size of the installed base. However, complementors on the strictly regulated platform, Apple’s App Store, can take advantage of highly valued end-users on the demand side and higher degrees of product differentiation on the supply side to enhance their product performance. This is likely due to higher entry barriers for complementors, and better user communities for end-users. We suggest that higher competition efficiency and performance levels are linked to the platforms associated with strict governance.

Mobile Application for Adaptive Threshold Hunting in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is expanding with many studies applying adaptive threshold hunting to determine a motor threshold (MT). In addition to being a measure of corticospinal excitability, the MT is used as a baseline stimulation intensity (SI) to which following investigative or modulatory SIs are referenced to. Currently available tools for determining MTs include system-integrated tools and third-party stand-alone software. System-integrated MT-tools are still rarely available and the stand-alone software usually demand a separate computer, and hence possess additional space-requirements. I introduce and validate a free Android-based mobile application ("ATH-tool") for adaptive threshold hunting of the MT. The objective is to allow for a simple and validated recording of MTs with sharing capabilities for logs. For comparison, I applied Motor Threshold Assessment Tool 2.0, to compare the MT-values determined with the new application, as it applies closely the same routine. Computational validation with known true threshold values confirmed that the new application captured the true MT at high precision (error ≤ 0.9%). Previously published data on motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were used to simulate realistic response occurrence by considering experimental data from 15 healthy subjects at different stimulation intensities. The MTs of the different methods agreed well (ICC ≥ 0.971, ). There was no significant difference between the MTs determined with the different methods ( p ≥ 0.151 ). The novel mobile application should make it easier for researchers and clinicians to determine MTs and log the results.

Mobile Apps for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental disorder that is caused by exposure to traumatic stress and not being able to recover from it. PTSD often results in a severe reduction of the quality of life, and is significantly associated with the risk of suicide. This paper identifies the current list of free mobile applications (apps) available in Android platform for smartphone users with PTSD. This paper also assesses the functionalities of the apps selected. The result of this study may assist PTSD apps seekers for self-support, and serve as a reference for researchers and developers, who intend proposing stress management apps.