Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Communication and Culture. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-136). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR19704

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Australian National University, 2003.

Thesis (M.A.)--Central Connecticut State University, 2000. / Thesis advisor: Bradley Waite. " ... in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in [Psychology]." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-37).

This research represents an investigation into user acceptance of computer systems. It starts with the premise that existing systems do not fully meet user requirements, and are therefore rejected as 'difficult to use'. Various problems and influences affecting user acceptance are identified, and improvements are suggested. Although a broad range of factors affecting user acceptance are discussed, emphasis is given to the impact of actual computer software. Initially, both general and specific user interface software influences are examined, and it is shown how these needs can be met using new software technology. A new Intelligent Interface architecture model is presented, and comparisons are made to existing interface design approaches. Secondly, the role of empirical work within the field of Human Computer Interaction is highlighted. An investigation into the usability and user. acceptance of a large working library database system is described, and the results discussed. The role of Systems Analysis and Design and its effect upon user acceptance is also explored. It is argued that despite improvements in interface technology and related software engineering techniques, a software application is also a product of the Systems Analysis and Design process. Traditional Systems Design approaches are examined, and suitable improvements suggested based upon experience with emerging separable software architectures. Thirdly, the research proceeds to examine the potential of Quantitative User Modelling, and describes the implementation of an example object oriented Quantitative User Model. This is then evaluated in order to determine new knowledge, concerning the major issues surrounding the potential application of user modelling to interface design. Finally, attention is given to the concept of interface and application separation. An object oriented User Interface Management System is presented, and its implementation in the Smalltalk 80 programming language discussed. The proposed User Interface Management System utilises a new software architecture which provides explicit user interface separation, using the concept of a Pluggable View Controller. It also incorporates an integrated design Tool-set for Direct Manipulation interfaces. The proposed User Interface Management System and software architecture represents the major contribution of this project to the growing body of Human Computer Interaction research. In particular, the importance of explicit interface separation is established, and the proposed software architecture is critically evaluated to determine new knowledge concerning the requirements, constraints, and potential of proper user interface separation. The implementation of an object oriented Part Hierarchy mechanism is also presented. This mechanism is related to the proposed User Interface Management System, and is critically evaluated in order to add to the body of knowledge concerning object oriented systems.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: To assess the number of patients referred to ASHLine during the health screenings performed by University of Arizona College of Pharmacy students; and to identify the comfort level of students who asked patients about their smoking status. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was sent via electronic mail to evaluate students’ comfort levels in implementing a smoking cessation referral program and subject demographics. Chart reviews quantified the number of patients referred to a smoking cessation program. Main Results: A total of 1,147 patients were screened for smoking cessation, 85 of which said they still smoked. Of the 85 who smoked, only 2 (0.17%) were referred to ASHLine. There was no significant increase in the comfort level of students (based on three domains) who participated in a smoking cessation training program or students in different years of their professional education. It was found that more students were comfortable with completing the required smoking cessation paperwork if they attended three or more health fairs (P=0.014). Conclusions: The comfort level of students with smoking cessation education is independent of the number of patients referred to a local smoking cessation program.

Background and Objectives: High-cost health care users (HCU) represent a minority of patients who consume a large proportion of health care resources. Due to their high burden on the healthcare system and internal heterogeneity, a better understanding of various segments of the HCU population is needed. The general objective was to advance our understanding of incident senior HCUs in the Canadian context so that we can advise health policy makers on potential strategies to prevent seniors transitioning to HCU and to identify priorities for further investigation. Methods: A retrospective population-based matched cohort study was conducted using province-wide linked administrative data. The research employed a spectrum of advanced methods to accomplish the general objective, including the method of recycled predictions, random intercept two-part multi-level models, and stratified logistic regression. Results: Total costs attributable to incident senior HCU status accounted for almost one-tenth of the provincial healthcare budget, with prolonged hospitalizations making a major contribution. Unplanned first (index) hospitalizations (IHs) in the incident year were considerably more common among HCUs, with ten conditions accounting for one third of their total costs. A lower risk of IH among HCUs was associated with residence in long-term care (LTC), attachment to a primary care provider, and recent consultation by a geriatrician. Although there was little variation in costs incurred by Ontario seniors for healthcare services they receive, access to the healthcare services varied greatly. The traditional drivers of costs and mortality (e.g., age, sex, health status) played little role in driving the observed variation in HCUs’ outcomes. Conclusions: By answering research questions, this thesis advances our knowledge of the HCU population in Canada. Further exploration of the nature and quality of care that may be associated with HCU conversion and investigation of the regional variation in accessing specific healthcare services is warranted. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / A small group of patients that use the most of healthcare resources are called high-cost users (HCU). HCUs are often seniors. Policy makers need a better understanding of new senior HCUs to be able to prevent seniors from becoming HCU. This study used administrative data and advanced statistical methods. We found that almost one-tenth of the 2013 provincial healthcare budget was spent on new senior HCUs, mainly because of lengthy unplanned hospitalizations. Patients who lived in long-term care, had a primary care provider, or recently visited a geriatrician were less likely to have an unplanned hospitalization. Overall, healthcare costs were distributed equally to Ontario seniors, but access to healthcare services varied greatly. This variation could not be explained by differences in age, sex, or health status. This thesis advances our knowledge of HCUs in Canada. Additional research is needed into care associated with becoming HCU and provincial variation in accessing healthcare.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Apr. 8, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 128-150). Also issued in print.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Northcentral University, 2006. / Title from screen (viewed on July 22, 2009). Department of Psychology, Northcentral University. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-71).

Many of us have encountered the discussion about which interface is better for working with Git, command-line or graphical. This thesis is an attempt to find out which user interface new Git users prefer for Git and what experienced Git users prefer. We aimed to find out if there’s anything significant which can be gained from using either of the interfaces in comparison to each other. Lastly we looked at what factors influences git users choice of user interface and how?. We have collected data through three interviews and a survey, which yielded approximately 370 responses. Based on our results we’ve found that the command-line interface is the more popular user interface, in general, amongst Git users. We’ve also found that most users stop using graphical user inter- faces, as their primary user interface, as they get more experience with Git. They usually change their primary user interface to a command- line interface or start using both the graphical user interface and the command-line interface together. The results from our study regard- ing why, is presented in this thesis.

Aim: The aim of this master thesis was to explore contexts of initiation of substance use and to describe the social, physical and mental health situation of women injecting drug users (WIDU) in Tunisia. Relevance: In North Africa, people who inject drugs are an important risk group in the HIV epidemic. There is evidence that WIDU are even more vulnerable. However, in Arabic Muslim societies, rehabilitation, treatment for this subpopulation and research on this issue are scarce. Method: A qualitative study was conducted. Six in-depth interviews with WIDU in Tunis were recorded, transcribed and inductivelyanalyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Four themes were identified. The first theme describes situation of women before dependence. Women were brought up within patriarchal cultural norms where they were victimized. The second theme is related to the circumstances of initiation of drug use characterized by the wish for escape and pursue of pleasures. The third theme describes the dependence, withdrawal and consequences on everyday life. Final and fourth theme is related to the way out of addiction. Conclusion and recommendations: The socio-ecological model and the gender relational theory helped to interpret the findings.WIDU in Tunisia suffer from marginalization and from social and health inequalities due to their gender and to their dependence. This puts them at a higher risk of violence, abuse, health hazards and blood-borne and HIV infections. Thus, awareness and policies should be designed in order to alleviate the stigma and bring services closer to this subpopulation.