Mobile devices, such as smartphones and other personal devices, are increasingly used to view maps and other large datasets. Their necessarily small displays can only show a small portion of the data at one time. Researchers have developed various visual techniques that overlay icons or shapes onto the edge of the display to provide the user with hints regarding the existence and location of undisplayed points of interest. However, current techniques fail in practice on mobile devices because they are confusing, do not scale or take up too much valuable screen space. In this thesis, I describe a new technique to visualize the location of off-screen points of interest. This technique, called Wedge, addresses specific shortcomings of existing techniques. This thesis details the design and implementation of Wedge and summarizes the results of a thorough experimental evaluation. Furthermore, I present a preliminary model of user performance that I use to highlight design suggestions for practitioners using Wedge.

More North American Aboriginal women are being diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) than the general population. Despite the association of a number of health problems with GDM, there have been few evaluations of GDM prevention projects. Nor have investigators looked at Aboriginal women’s understandings of GDM in an effort to develop appropriate and effective health strategies. A qualitative investigation was therefore proposed to describe the experiences of Aboriginal women with GDM. The study began with unstructured interviews and focus groups with 25 advisors such as maternal care providers and community representatives working with Aboriginal women. Semi-structured explanatory model interviews were then conducted with 29 Aboriginal women in Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba, Canada. Fixed-response interviews were also administered and analyzed using cultural consensus analysis to determine whether or not shared cultural understandings existed among the Aboriginal women participants. Results of the consensus analysis revealed biomedical understandings were the most commonly shared. A more variable response was associated with women’s personal interpretations of GDM, leading to weak consensus overall. Thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews illustrated the fear, anxiety and frustration many participants experienced with GDM. Women discussed their emotional reactions alongside negative relationships with food and other prescribed lifestyle treatments. These perspectives, combined with results from the group of advisors, pointed to communication and cultural barriers which may limit the quality of prenatal care received. Collectively the results suggest living with GDM can be overwhelming and underscore the need for health care providers to encourage self-efficacy and emotional security towards effective management practices. Research contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of Aboriginal women’s experiences with GDM is also required, to provide further perspective for diabetes prevention and positive change.

No description available.

Mobile devices, such as smartphones and other personal devices, are increasingly used to view maps and other large datasets. Their necessarily small displays can only show a small portion of the data at one time. Researchers have developed various visual techniques that overlay icons or shapes onto the edge of the display to provide the user with hints regarding the existence and location of undisplayed points of interest. However, current techniques fail in practice on mobile devices because they are confusing, do not scale or take up too much valuable screen space. In this thesis, I describe a new technique to visualize the location of off-screen points of interest. This technique, called Wedge, addresses specific shortcomings of existing techniques. This thesis details the design and implementation of Wedge and summarizes the results of a thorough experimental evaluation. Furthermore, I present a preliminary model of user performance that I use to highlight design suggestions for practitioners using Wedge.

More North American Aboriginal women are being diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) than the general population. Despite the association of a number of health problems with GDM, there have been few evaluations of GDM prevention projects. Nor have investigators looked at Aboriginal women’s understandings of GDM in an effort to develop appropriate and effective health strategies. A qualitative investigation was therefore proposed to describe the experiences of Aboriginal women with GDM. The study began with unstructured interviews and focus groups with 25 advisors such as maternal care providers and community representatives working with Aboriginal women. Semi-structured explanatory model interviews were then conducted with 29 Aboriginal women in Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba, Canada. Fixed-response interviews were also administered and analyzed using cultural consensus analysis to determine whether or not shared cultural understandings existed among the Aboriginal women participants. Results of the consensus analysis revealed biomedical understandings were the most commonly shared. A more variable response was associated with women’s personal interpretations of GDM, leading to weak consensus overall. Thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews illustrated the fear, anxiety and frustration many participants experienced with GDM. Women discussed their emotional reactions alongside negative relationships with food and other prescribed lifestyle treatments. These perspectives, combined with results from the group of advisors, pointed to communication and cultural barriers which may limit the quality of prenatal care received. Collectively the results suggest living with GDM can be overwhelming and underscore the need for health care providers to encourage self-efficacy and emotional security towards effective management practices. Research contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of Aboriginal women’s experiences with GDM is also required, to provide further perspective for diabetes prevention and positive change.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on November 9, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Breslau.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Breslau.

Zugl.: Mannheim, Univ., Diss., 2008