1. GlucoCalcIOSApplication
Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of
the Senior Project in Digital Cultures and
Technologies
January
23, 2015
Created By,
Nicholas R. Natale
Majors
BA, Digital Cultures and Technologies
BA, Communications/Journalism
Graduation Date
May, 2015
Nicholas R Natale | All Rights Reserved

2. Project Overview
Application development is growing exponentially creating an intense
competition for presence on the app store. According to Statista, Apple has the
second largest app stores raking in roughly 1.2 million applications falling right
behind Androids 1.3 million.
My goal is to create a IOS application which would calculate and log the
amount of insulin a Type-1 diabetic would need after a given meal. The app would
look at factors such as previous blood glucose levels and carbohydrates consumed.
The multipage application would have different accounts for each user, for the math
could vary for each participant. First and foremost, there would be a setup page; this
is where the user would create their account and input their mathematics. (The
mathematics will be based on the insulin to carbohydrate ratio which is standard
knowledge for any type-1 diabetic.) Once set up the user could easily calculate inulin
required with the glucocalc tool.
Insulin ratios are calculated with three variables, carbohydrates consumed, pre-
glucose levels, and the individuals I/C ratio. The I/C ratio is typically calculated by
an endocrinologist, but can be created by looking at an individuals weight, age, and
average insulin use. The objective would be to then take this complicated equation
and make it a clear, user friendly, fun experience.
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3. Personal Background
I am a self taught UI designer who has a love for the digital world and a
passion to positively influence the diabetic community around me. My journey started
in 2008 when I was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes at the age of 16. Over the years,
I have learned how to effectively manage the decease maintaining a hemoglobin
A1C below 7 HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography). Hemoglobin A1C
also known as glycated hemoglobin is the measurement of the average blood glucose
level over a time period of two to three months. I have proven proficiencies in
managing my own diabetes, now I hope to leverage my knowledge to help others
strive for better A1C levels.
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Glycated hemoglobin is a form of
hemoglobin that is measured
primarily to identify the average
plasma glucose concentration over
prolonged periods of time. It is
formed in a non-enzymatic
glycation pathway by hemoglobin's
exposure to plasma glucose.
Source: Wikipedia
Glycated Hemoglobin

4. My background knowledge of code will help produce a complete IOS application. I
have competed an array of information technology courses throughout my undergrad
career at St. John fisher College. These courses will prove significance when it comes
to creating an application from concept to completion. My course evaluation is as
follows:
Advanced Web Design
Students study methods of creating complex visual designs for the traditional Web
while simultaneously designing for mobile devices. Students also learn to design
interactivity with Javascript and jQuery, access social media APIs, and create dynamic
sites using PHP and MySQL.
Video Game Design I
This course acts as an introduction to the basics of game design. Students will develop
a theoretically grounded understanding of the game design process, including
developing a theme, understanding genre conventions, and designing for an audience.
The course will culminate with the development of a simple digital game.
Intro to Media Computing
Students will explore the creative possibilities of code and gain a working knowledge
of variables, conditionals, loops, functions and objects as they learn the fundamentals
of procedural thought. This course focuses on the design and creation of computer
graphics and other media-related applications.
Emergent Media & Web Culture
Interactivity, collaboration, and content creation by formerly passive audiences are
leading to profound changes in the experience of media and the nature of human
communication. In this course, students examine how media industries have altered
their economic strategies and their means of reaching audiences, with some emphasis
on the growing significance of gaming in both recreational and professional settings.
Students also study the effects of emerging media technologies on governments,
political movements and practices in K-16 education. Finally, the class explores
sociological and psychological issues surrounding online identity, redefinitions of
gender and race in virtual environments, cyborg theories, and new definitions of
private and public spaces.
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5. While I do not have any formal training with Swift or Objective-C (Apple’s
programming language) I do have background in Apple software and products. I
worked in Apple retail for 3 years where I provided training and support for Apple
software and devices. In this time I became proficient at Final Cut Pro X, Aperture,
and Xcode amongst other software.
Over the past month of January, 2015 I have acquired a license to both Lynda
and Treehouse, both of which are online learning tools for todays programs,
software, and codes. Practicing in Xcode’s playground, I have learned the basic
functions in IOS application development. Much of the code uses familiar techniques
such as arrays, variables, constants, and mathematical equations which can be found
in previous courses and projects I have completed. Below is an example of app I
created in Xcode that generates random facts.
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6. Materials Required
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Free
$99
$107.76
$699
Adobe Photoshop is a necessary component in creating a unified
application layout. All the buttons, backgrounds, and other unique items
will be created from scratch. The design plays an important roll in user
experience. The design has to bring forth a clear call to action.
X-Code is an integrated development environment (IDE) created by
Apple for developers. This is the environment in which I would write
Swift code and test my applications.
Treehouse is an online based community where instructors hold video
tutorials on topics such as IOS development, UX & UI, Website
development, and more. This software will be a crucial part in my
learning experience.
Godaddy is a private domain registry and web hosting service. Any
hosting space needed to store a database can be formed through my
Godaddy account.
Total $905.76

7. Timeline
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January
February
March
April
•Subscribe to Treehouse & Learn Swift Basics
•Create a beginner app using Swift
•Meet with an endocrinologist
•Generate Project proposal based on knowledge
•Create wireframe and design for glucocalc app
•Develop basic calculator application
•Develop basic database application
•Start glucocalc
•Test and run application errors
•Get diabetic feedback
•Edit Design and function
•Present and publish application

8. Mentors
Professor, Jeremy H. Sarachan
Associate Professor and Program Director, Digital Cultures and Technologies
TBD
Professor, Wendi Sierra
Specialties: Hardware, Databases, Networks, Computer Architecture, Internet Programming
*Professor Sierra has a strong background knowledge in visual rhetoric, code, and video
game design. Her skills offer the necessary components for mentorship from design to
execution in the world of mobile application. The background in video game design and
visual rhetoric will ultimately help me create the best user experience for Glucocalc.
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9. Bibliography
Funnell, M. (2004). Life with diabetes (3rd ed.). Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes
Association.
Mark, D., & Nutting, J. (2014). Beginning iPhone Development with Swift Exploring the iOS
SDK. Berkeley, CA: Apress.
Number of apps available in leading app stores 2014 | Statistic. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20,
2015, from http://www.statista.com/statistics/276623/number-of-apps-available-in-
leading-app-stores
Trecroci, D. (2005). Insulin Calculating. Diabetes Health, 14(4), 22.
Scheiner, G. (n.d.). Insulin-to-Carb Ratios Made Easy. <i>Health Central</i>. Retrieved January
17, 2015, from http://integrateddiabetes.com/Articles/insu/carb ratio article for
mendosa.pdf
Statistics About Diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2015, from http://www.diabetes.org/
diabetes-basics/statistics/
Zamfiroiu, A. (2014). Factors Influencing the Quality of Mobile Applications. Informatica
Economica, 18(1), 131-138. doi:10.12948/issn14531305/18.1.2014.12
Nicholas Natale | DIGC Proposal | 8

10. What is Glucocalc
Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2010
according to the American Diabetes Association. These deaths are the result of
hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia or from consequences of those factors such as
hypertension and stroke. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are also known as high
and low blood sugars, can be achieved by either taking too much insulin, in which the
person would generate hypoglycemia, or not taking enough insulin brining forth
hyperglycemia. The key to diabetes management is to take artificial insulin in the right
doses to keep blood glucose levels as normal and stable as possible.
In order to achieve a normal blood glucose
range we first have to establish the users I/C or insulin
to carbohydrate ratio. This ratio is typically given to a
patient by their endocrinologist. A very generic way to
calculate this ratio is by an individuals weight. For
example, if a type-1 diabetic weighed 180lbs they
would fall into the 1:10 bracket. Thus, if they were to
eat 10 carbohydrates they would then need 1 unit of
bolus (a fast acting insulin).
As reported by the American Diabetes Association, in 2012, 9.3% or 29.1
million Americans has diabetes, rising from 25.8 million in 2010. The unexplained
growth of diabetes in America creates an overwhelming need for better diabetes
management. The glucocalc is an smartphone application which allows the user to
easily enter their previous blood glucose level and carbs consumed which would
generate a recommended amount of insulin needed. It is difficult enough to calculate
how many carbohydrates in every meal consumed, let alone calculate how much
insulin to give after that particular meal. The glucocalc would eliminate the need for
unnecessary guesses and provided the most accurate insulin prediction to date.
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11. Code would calculate the insulin measurement using if/then statements based
on a data chart. The chart would vary for each bracket (1:12, 1:10, ex). The chart
below is based on an individual with a 1:10 ratio.
For example, IF the user consumed 60 - 70 carbohydrates and their previous
blood sugar was 221, THEN they would need 8 units of bolus to bring their blood
glucose level back to a healthy range.
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12. Rendition of application
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Natale