Context Current care guidelines recommend that pregnant women receive advice about the important health behaviours which may influence pregnancy outcomes. These behaviours are associated with pregnancy-related and long-term health outcomes for both the mother and infant. Poor pregnancy outcomes can result in increased costs of health care delivery through longer hospital admissions and intensive care admissions. Although provision of behavioural advice to pregnant women is recommended, most educational materials provide limited and inconsistent information. There is a clear need for widespread delivery of evidence-based information and skill-development strategies to influence pregnancy health behaviours. One avenue of information is via the pregnancy health records (PHRs) provided by maternity health services that women carry for the duration of their pregnancy. Objective My research sought to develop, implement, and evaluate a handheld health record for use in pregnancy (the “Pregnancy Pocketbook”) in an urban population of women with a high proportion of disadvantaged women. Study Overview My research comprised two phases, a development phase, and an implementation and evaluation phase. I identified specific behaviours (cigarette smoking, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity) requiring intervention and reviewed evidence-based frameworks, behaviour change theories, and guidelines for the presentation of written information to support behaviour change. I developed and refined the Pregnancy Pocketbook through a number of studies. Studies 1, 2, and 3 The Pregnancy Pocketbook was refined through a qualitative evaluation of a PHR enhanced with behaviour change tools (Study 1), focus groups held with women from the target group to investigate PHR preferences (Study 2), and strategy testing of the Pregnancy Pocketbook activities with women from the target group (Study 3). The focus group results combined with those from the qualitative evaluation suggested the Pregnancy Pocketbook should be a women-held, woman-focussed resource providing essential and comprehensive information on recommended pregnancy health behaviours. It should include tools to facilitate appropriate behaviour changes and tools for women to monitor pregnancy progress and record questions and notes to facilitate communication with their health carers. Strategy testing demonstrated that the Pregnancy Pocketbook content, screening questions and activities were well received by a small sample of women, with minor changes made following testing to improve the understanding and usability of the various sections of the Pregnancy Pocketbook. The final intervention (Study 4) The final version of the Pregnancy Pocketbook was a 73-page interactive resource, designed to be used according to the 5As self-management framework (Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange), with screening tools, information, goal setting and self-monitoring activities with information for further referral for greater support when required. It was presented in an A5 plastic ring-bound folder, with dividers, labelled ‘Your health goals’, ‘Tracking your health goals’, ‘Your first antenatal visit’, ‘Pregnancy progress’, ‘Birth summary’, ‘Glossary’, and ‘Emergency contacts and general numbers’. The Pocketbook was evaluated using a quasi-experimental two-group design. Women were recruited from two antenatal clinics within the same health service district. Women received the PP during their first antenatal clinic appointment in one clinic (PP:n = 163) and women in the other clinic received usual care (UC: n = 141). Smoking, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity were assessed at baseline (service entry), 12-weeks post-service-entry and 24 weeks post-service-entry. Behaviour-specific self-efficacy was also measured during pregnancy. I also assessed the PP implementation process through adherence of the staff and organisation to planned implementation processes. Results At 12-weeks post-service-entry, a significantly greater proportion of women in the Pregnancy Pocketbook (PP) group had stopped smoking (7.6% vs 2.1%), compared with the Usual Care (UC) group, p <0.05. There was a net (non-significant) increase of 5% more women meeting physical activity guidelines (PP: 1.2% increase vs. UC: 3.5% decrease) and a net 20 minute difference in median minutes of physical activity (PP: 10 minute increase vs. UC: 10 minute decrease). Both groups increased their fruit and vegetable intake. Approximately two-thirds of women reported receiving the Pregnancy Pocketbook, many without introduction or explanation. Few women completed sections of the Pregnancy Pocketbook that required health professional assistance, suggesting minimal interaction about the resource between health staff and the women in their care. Conclusion and future recommendations There were low levels of adherence to health behaviour recommendations for pregnancy in this sample. The Pregnancy Pocketbook produced significant effects on smoking cessation, even under limited delivery conditions. A refocus of antenatal care towards primary prevention is required to more consistently provide essential health information and behaviour change tools for improved maternal and infant pregnancy health outcomes. Future studies must include process evaluations and apply the theory of dissemination to enhance uptake of the interventions.

Handheld device users want to work collaboratively on large wall-sized displays with other handheld device users. However, no software frameworks exist to support this type of collaborative activity. This thesis introduces a collaborative application framework that allows users to collaborate with each other across handheld devices and large wall displays. The framework is comprised of a data storage system and a set of generic interactive techniques that can be utilized by applications. The data synchronization system allows data to be synchronized across multiple handheld devices and wall displays. The interactive techniques enable users to create data items and to form relationships between those data items. The framework is evaluated by creating two sample applications and by conducting a set of user study interactive tasks. The data recorded from these evaluations shows that the framework is easy to extend, and that with minimal training, the generic interactive techniques are easy to learn and effective.

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As handheld computers are becoming powerful, portable and wireless, they have recently received considerable attention in education because their multi-functionality and mobility can be used for supporting learning activities in various manner. In spite of the potential in education, handheld computers have several limitations. One of the critical limitations is the small screen size. In an attempt to find factors affecting text readability on the small screen of handheld computers, this study, first, reviewed basic reading process and reading model, previous studies examining potential factors affecting text readability on a small handheld screen. This study investigated the effect of screen orientation and margin on reading performance (reading speed and comprehension) and subjective impressions (ease of reading, mental workload and satisfaction) with a handheld computer. A 2x2 within-subject factorial design was conducted with 16 participants reading texts from a PDA (Compaq iPAQ 3850). The results of this study indicated that neither screen orientation nor margin had a significant influence on objective reading performance and subjective impression. It was found that there were no prevailing preference of screen orientation and margin in reading texts from a handheld computer screen. It was also found that participants had a favorable reading experience with the handheld computers. Based on results of experiments and post-experiment questionnaire, a set of recommendations was developed to improve reading from small screens of handheld computers. / Master of Science

Due to inadequate training and an undeveloped ability to recognize dangerous scenarios, youth workers are exposed to many dangers in the agriculture and lawn care industries. With the abundance of new technologies available on the market, a project was devised to prevent youth from heat exhaustion and equipment run overs by employing sensor based technologies. Using aural temperature measurement techniques involving a thermistor and thermopile, an accurate estimation of core body temperature can be made. The measurements performed by the devices are recorded and transmitted wirelessly over a ZigBee network using XBee radiofrequency modules. Utilizing the properties of radiofrequency transmission, the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) is used to approximate the distance between devices. With accuracy comparable to GPS methods and no necessity for line of sight to sky, RSSI supplies a more than adequate estimate for proximity distance. The temperature and RSSI values are then sent to a coordinating modem where the data is displayed for the supervisor. After testing and calibrating the device, it was found that these methods are effective for the monitoring of core body temperature and proximity of workers. The temperature sensor was able to measure temperatures with less than 0.25% error and the proximity sensor was able to estimate distance within 1.25 meters at close range. / Master of Science

The purpose of the current study was to determine the efficiency of an electronic data collection method compared to a traditional paper-based method in the educational field, in terms of the accuracy of data collected and the time required to do it. In addition, data were collected to assess users' preference and system usability. The study included a sample of 20 preschool special educators from the Mailman Segal Center's Baudhuin Preschool and Autism Institute located in Davie County, Florida, who conduct daily data collection and analysis. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods to determine answers to five research questions. These were, (1) to what extent is electronic data collection faster than traditional paper-based data collection, (2) to what extent does electronic data collection aid special education teachers and paraprofessionals to collect more accurate data than traditional paper-based data collection, (3) to what extent is the use of electronic data collection result in significant time savings relative to traditional paper-based data collection during data graphing, (4) to what extent do specialists prefer either data collection method and for what reasons, and (5) to what extent do specialists rate the usability of the handheld device used for electronic data collection. Results suggested that both formats are comparable in terms of data collection time F(1, 18) = 3.53, p = .077 and accuracy, F(1, 18) = .928, p = .348 but that electronic data graphing is faster (M = 40.4, SD = 2.17) than paper-based graphing (M = 80.4, SD = 52.61). A higher percentage of participants (60%) preferred the electronic-based data collection method due to its graphing capability and better organization of data. The electronic data collection system used in this study was found to be more usable than 86.8% of all products tested using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and, therefore, could be considered a "C" or at an "acceptable" level or "good" relative to the other 200+ systems tested using the SUS by Bangor, Kortum, and Miller (2009). The electronic-based data collection system could also be considered an "A-" based on Sauro and Lewis' (2012) scale.

This research demonstrates technology for detection of pathogens and environmental monitoring using a handheld optofluidic immunosensor and CFD simulation. The current methods such as ELISA and PCR require few hours for identification which means it is unavailable for early-monitoring. The use of a near-real-time, handheld biosensor device in a real animal/human environment is the key to monitoring the spread of dangerous pathogens. A 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is needed to track the pathogens within an environment.This dissertation has four papers that demonstrate technologies for the detection and monitoring of pathogens and the miniaturization of these detection systems for in field applications with a handheld immunosensor and CFD simulation.In the first paper, an environmental prediction model was developed for optimal ventilation in a mushroom house by using sensible heat balance and 3-D CFD method. It is shown that the models can be used for farmers to predict the environmental conditions over different locations in a mushroom house.In the second paper, a field lab-on-a-chip system was constructed to detect mouse immunoglobulin G and Escherichia coli by using light scattering detection of particle immunoagglutination. Antibody-conjugated particles were able to be stored in a 4°C refrigerator for at least 4 weeks and to be lyophilized as a powder form for the storage in room temperature.In the third paper, rapid monitoring of the spreads of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) was attempted using samples collected from nasal swabs of pigs and air samplers within an experimental swine building. An optofluidic device containing liquid-core waveguides was used to detect. It is shown that the developed optofluidic device and 3-D CFD model can serve as a good model for monitoring the spread of airborne viruses within animal and human environments.In the fourth paper, a handheld optofluidic immunosensor was developed for rapid detection of H1N1/2009 virus inside a 1:10 scale mock classroom. Both miniature spectrometer and cell phone camera were used as detector. A 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to track the transport/distribution of H1N1/2009 viruses, and corresponded very well with immunosensor readings.

Background: In nursing care, the steady increase of health related information implies aneed for useful Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools that easilyprovide mobile access to accurate information. Updated information is usually available onthe Internet but personal computers are rarely available at the patients’ bedside. In Sweden,although handheld devices provide mobile access to information, they are rarely used innursing practice. Aim: This thesis aimed to explore the views of nurses and nursingstudents of using handheld devices in nursing practice. Method: Four intervention studieswere carried out during the years 2006 to 2008; a total of 30 nurses and 63 nursing studentsused handheld devices for 5-15 weeks in nursing practice, and answered questionnairesand/or participated in interviews. In 2012, a cross sectional study was undertaken with 111nurses and 287 nursing students answering a questionnaire about their views of usinghandheld devices. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics andqualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Results: The handheld device wasregarded to facilitate nursing practice and to be a useful tool with benefits for the patients,the nurses and for the nursing students. Independent of time and place, nurses and nursingstudents were able to access necessary information and also to make notes, plan their workand save time. The handheld device was regarded to improve patient safety and quality ofcare. The participants would not have to leave their patients to look up information,subsequently giving a more complete encounter. Additionally, the handheld device waspresumed to imply increased confidence, and support learning for nurses and nursingstudents. Conclusion: In order to continuously improve the safety and quality of healthcare,it is important to implement handheld devices in nursing practice. This issue is importantat all levels in the healthcare systems, from nurses to nursing management, policy makersand moreover for educators. Handheld devices adjusted for nursing, technical, statutory,cultural, and language country specific conditions, should be further developed,implemented, and evaluated in future research. / Omvårdnad är ett informationsintensivt område och sjuksköterskor hanterardagligen en omfattande mängd information. Kunskapsmassan växer stadigtoch behovet av tillgång till aktuell information ökar. Vanligen finns aktuellinformation tillgänglig via Internet men det är inte alltid som en dator finns tillhands vid patientens sängkant. Mobil informations- och kommunikationsteknik(IKT) såsom en handdator kan lätt ge tillgång till den information sombehövs. Trots att det finns flera fördelar med att använda mobil IKT som stödinom omvårdnad, framför allt avseende tillgång till information, såsombeslutsstöd och för lärandet, används det ännu i ringa omfattning i Sverige.Avhandlingens övergripande syfte var att undersöka sjuksköterskors ochsjuksköterskestudenters uppfattningar om att använda handdatorer inomomvårdnad.Fyra av avhandlingens fem studier genomfördes från 2006 till 2008. Sammanlagtanvände 30 sjuksköterskor och 63 sjuksköterskestudenter handdatorer5-15 veckor i arbete eller verksamhetsförlagd utbildning (VFU). Deltagarnabesvarade enkäter före och efter användningen, och intervjuades individuellteller i grupp. I den femte studien, som genomfördes 2012, besvarade 111sjuksköterskor och 287 sjuksköterskestudenter en enkät om sin uppfattning omhanddatorer. Kvantitativ data analyserades med beskrivande statistik ochkvalitativ data analyserades med innehållsanalys.Studierna visade att en handdator kan vara ett stöd i det dagliga arbetet och iVFU som informations-, antecknings- och planeringsverktyg, och kan enkeltge en översikt av patienters läkemedelsanvändning. Sjuksköterskorna ochsjuksköterskestudenterna ansåg att handdatorn kan bidra till ökad patientsäkerhetoch vårdkvalitet på grund av den snabba tillgången till aktuellinformation, oberoende av tid och plats. Patientmötet kan bli mer helt dåpatienterna inte behöver lämnas och samtalet inte behöver avbrytas;vårdrelationer kan bli vårdande relationer. Deltagarna ansåg att handdatornkan vara ett stöd avseende trygghet, minskad stress och kontinuerligt lärande. Iframtiden bör sjuksköterskor och sjuksköterskestudenter ges tillgång till mobilIKT som stöd i sitt arbete och VFU, och införandet bör därför prioriteras påalla nivåer inom vård och utbildning. IKT-kompetensen måste ökas ochslutanvändarna måste vara delaktiga i utvecklingen och införandet. Fortsattforskning behövs avseende avancerade mobila IKT-stöd; anpassade försjuksköterskans arbete. / Nurse Companion

This mixed-method study investigated the impact of graphing calculator use on high school calculus students' reasoning skills through calculus problems when applying to concepts of the definite integral and its applications. The study provides an investigation of the effects on reasoning when graphing calculators are used, since it is proposed that, through reasoning, conceptual understanding can be achieved. Three research questions were used to guide the study: (1) Does the use of the graphing calculator improve high school calculus students' reasoning ability in calculus problems applying the definite integral? (2) In what specific areas of reasoning does use of the graphing calculator seem to be most and least effective? and (3) To what extent can students who have used the graphing calculator demonstrate ability to solve problems using pencil and paper methods? The study included a quantitative, quasi-experimental component and a qualitative component. Results of the quantitative and qualitative analysis indicate that (1) graphing calculators had a positive impact upon students' reasoning skills (2) graphing calculators were most effective in the areas of initiating a strategy and monitoring progress (3) students' reasoning skills were most improved when graphing calculators were used together with the analytic approach during both instruction and testing and (4) students who used the graphing calculator performed equally as well in all elements of reasoning as those who used pencil and paper to solve problems.