Design-inclusive UX research: design as a part of doing user experience research

Since the third wave in human–computer interaction (HCI), research on user experience (UX) has gained momentum within the HCI community. The focus has shifted from systematic usability requirements and measures towards guidance on designing for experiences. This is a big change, since design has traditionally not played a large role in HCI research. Yet, the literature addressing this shift in focus is very limited. We believe that the field of UX research can learn from a field where design and experiential aspects have always been important: design research. In this article, we discuss why design is needed in UX research and how research that includes design as a part of research can support and advance UX design practice. We do this by investigating types of design-inclusive UX research and by learning from real-life cases of UX-related design research. We report the results of an interview study with 41 researchers in three academic research units where design research meets UX research. Based on our interview findings, and building on existing literature, we describe the different roles design can play in research projects. We also report how design research results can inform designing for experience methodologically or by providing new knowledge on UX. The results are presented in a structured palette that can help UX researchers reflect and focus more on design in their research projects, thereby tackling experience design challenges in their own research.     

The effect of La2O3 on dynamic OSC over the Pd/OSC/Al2O3-based catalysts

In this study, fresh and aged Pd/(OSC–Al₂O₃) and Pd/(Al₂O₃–OSC–La₂O₃) metallic monoliths (OSC material Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂) were used to find out the effect of La₂O₃ on the catalyst behaviour in dynamic oxygen storage capacity (OSC) measurements. In addition, the interaction of CO, NO and O₂ reaction compounds over the studied catalysts was investigated in order to understand the effect of La₂O₃ in the oxidation and reduction reactions in lean automotive exhaust gas conditions. A FT-IR gas analyser was used to analyse the product gas composition. The presence of La₂O₃ on fresh and aged catalysts had negative effect on both the dynamic OSC and the activity of the catalyst. The reason for this is the different washcoat compositions between the studied catalysts which could explain the differences in BET surface areas.     

An empirical investigation of mobile ticketing service adoption in public transportation

In this paper, we present results from a study of mobile ticketing service adoption in public transportation. The theoretical background of the study is based on technology adoption and trust theories, which are augmented with concepts of mobile use context and mobility. Our empirical findings from analyses of a survey data suggest that compatibility of the mobile ticketing service with consumer behavior is a major determinant of adoption. Mobility and contextual factors, including budget constraints, availability of other alternatives, and time pressure in the service use situation were also found to have a strong effect on the adoption decision. Our findings suggest that contextual and mobile service-specific features are important determinants of mobile service adoption and should thus be integrated into the traditional adoption models.     

Interactions between Saos-2 cells and microtextured amorphous diamond or amorphous diamond hybrid coated surfaces with different wettability properties

Amorphous diamond (AD) has been shown to be a potential coating material for biomedical devices, such as hip prostheses. In the current study, we have investigated the adhesion and contact guidance of human primary osteogenic sarcoma cells (Saos-2) on AD, AD-titanium-hybrid (AD-Ti-h) and AD-polydimethylsiloxane-hybrid (AD-PDMS-h) with different water contact angles i.e. 72.4°, 81.9° and 100.0°. Microtextured arrays were fabricated onto silicon wafers by using ultraviolet lithography and ultra short pulsed laser deposition (USPLD) of AD coatings. The surface energy parameters were calculated in order to understand the influence of Ti or PDMS on wettability of AD. Saos-2 cells were cultured on the arrays for 24 and 48 h. Environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy and MTT assays were used to analyze cell attachment. The results suggest that AD and its hybrids are good coating material candidates with respect to their interactions with osteoblast-like cells. The efficiency of microtexturing in contact guidance was also demonstrated. MTT staining revealed that AD-PDMS-h had the lowest proliferation rate of osteoblast-like cells compared to AD (p < 0.01) or AD-Ti-h (p < 0.05). Pure AD evoked the highest proliferation rate of cells, though it was not significantly different from AD-Ti-h coating.     

What happened in Finland to increase home hemodialysis?

Finland is geographically a rather large country with a relatively sparse population (5.3 million). Home hemodialysis (HHD) was started in Helsinki 40 years ago and in the early years it was only used in selected patients. However, by the late 1980s HHD almost disappeared owing to the advent of CAPD and new HD centers. Towards the end of the 1990s, it became evident that PD had limitations and new ways had to be found to individualize HD, improve the outcome, increase capacity, and limit the growth of costs of HD. After careful planning, HHD was reinstituted at the Helsinki University Hospital in 1998 and since then the program has grown steadily. By December 31, 2007, altogether 163 patients had started at home. This has required changes in the predialysis program where the "home first" policy was adopted. Other important features include close cooperation with other nephrological centers as well as centralized HHD training that also supports more remote hospitals. Since then this therapy has been started in several other academic and in some smaller hospitals, and at the end of last year about 4% of all Finnish dialysis patients (n=1.600) were on HHD (prevalence 11.8/million). In the Helsinki metropolitan area this treatment is the most economical modality (estimated annual global costs euro37.000), comparable to self-care satellite HD and CAPD. A successful HHD program requires a well-organized predialysis program, a highly motivated multidisciplinary team, and well-developed training networks.     

Seasonal Dynamics of Amorphous Silica in Vantaa River Estuary

In order to understand the importance of amorphous silica (ASi) in transport of bio-reactive Si from catchment areas to the seas in northern anthropogenically influenced catchments, we investigated the seasonal evolution of ASi concentrations and load patterns together with environmental variables along the Vantaa River estuary in southern Finland during one year. A clear seasonal variation was observed in the ASi dynamics of the river with highest loads during spring, when 79% of the yearly ASi load was discharged. The main reason for this appeared to be the high discharge of the river and concomitant high load of ASi. About 38% of the annual bio-reactive Si load of the river consisted of ASi. The ASi concentration in the river varied from 11 to 192  $\upmu $ mol L. About 3% of the ASi load accumulated in the sediments of the estuary. The role of ASi in the riverine transport of bio-reactive can be very important in northern agricultural catchments and phytoliths probably play a significant role in the transport of ASi from catchment areas to the sea.     

Improved adherence and spreading of Saos-2 cells on polypropylene surfaces achieved by surface texturing and carbon nitride coating

The adhesion and contact guidance of human primary osteogenic sarcoma cells (Saos-2) were characterized on smooth, microstructured (MST) and micro- and nano-structured (MNST) polypropylene (PP) and on the same samples with a silicon-doped carbon nitride (C₃N₄-Si) coating. Injection molding was used to pattern the PP surfaces and the coating was obtained by using ultra-short pulsed laser deposition (USPLD). Surfaces were characterized using atomic force microscopy and surface energy components were calculated according to the Owens-Wendt model. The results showed C₃N₄-Si coated surfaces to be significantly more hydrophilic than uncoated ones. In addition, there were 86% more cells in the smooth C₃N₄-Si coated PP compared to smooth uncoated PP and 551%/476% more cells with MST/MNST C₃N₄-Si coated PP than could be obtained with MST/MNST uncoated PP. Thus the adhesion, spreading and contact guidance of osteoblast-like cells was effectively improved by combining surface texturing and deposition of osteocompatible C₃N₄-Si coating.     

The integrative role of the project management office in the front end of innovation

This research addresses management control in the front end of innovation projects. We conceptualize and analyze PMOs more broadly than just as a specialized project-focused organizational unit. Building on theories of management control, organization design, and innovation front end literature, we assess the role of PMO as an integrative arrangement. The empirical material is derived from four companies. The results show a variety of management control mechanisms that can be considered as integrative organizational arrangements. Such organizational arrangements can be considered as an alternative to a non-existent PMO, or to complement a (non-existent) PMO's tasks. The paper also contrasts prior literature by emphasizing the desirability of a highly organic or embedded matrix structure in the organization. Finally, we propose that the development path of the management approach proceeds by first emphasizing diagnostic and boundary systems (with mechanistic management approaches) followed by intensive use of interactive and belief systems (with value-based management approaches). The major contribution of this paper is in the organizational and managerial mechanisms of a firm that is managing multiple innovation projects. This research also expands upon the existing PMO research to include a broader management control approach for managing projects in companies.     

Adverse consequences of access to individuals’ information: an analysis of perceptions and the scope of organisational influence

Organisations are highly interested in collecting and analysing customer data to enhance their service offerings and customer interaction. However, individuals increasingly fear how such practices may negatively affect them. Although previous studies have investigated individuals’ concerns about information privacy practices, the adverse consequences people associate with external actors accessing their personal information remain unclear. To mitigate customers’ fears, organisations need to know which adverse consequences individuals are afraid of and how to address those negative perceptions. To investigate this topic, we conducted 22 focus groups with 119 participants. We developed a comprehensive conceptualisation and categorisation of individuals’ perceived adverse consequences of access to their information that includes seven types of consequences: psychological, social, career-related, physical, resource-related, prosecution-related, and freedom-related. Although individuals may limit their interactions with an organisation owing to consequences they associate with both the organisation and other actors, organisations can apply preventive and corrective mechanisms to mitigate some of these negative perceptions. However, organisations’ scope of influence is limited and some fears may be mitigated only by individuals themselves or government regulation, if at all.     

Integrated Water Resources Management along the Senegal River: Introducing an Analytical Framework

Integrated water resources management has become a trendy paradigm, although the issue is anything but new. In West Africa the past few decades have been rich with such attempts. Along the Senegal River their success has been very limited. The situation has instead polarized strongly across the dilemma of whether to prioritize a few macro-scale development goals or to develop the livelihood of the poor along the river. One of the crucial steps to move on is to develop a clear and transparent formulation of the problem. An approach that uses Bayesian networks is presented and applied in this study.