Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-09-21T12:48:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Diogo Francisco Borba Rodrigues.pdf: 1924185 bytes, checksum: 9fc99c1e969769f5429de4703c66669d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-21T12:48:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Diogo Francisco Borba Rodrigues.pdf: 1924185 bytes, checksum: 9fc99c1e969769f5429de4703c66669d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-21 / Models and software have been developed for irrigation management, however they don’t reach small farmers due to technical and economic limitations. This study aimed to develop tools for irrigation management using mobile phone, a technology already assimilated by society. The first tool called IGmanejo sends SMS to farmers with area’s name, irrigation depth and run time. The second tool is a Java application for mobile phone (mobile IGmanejo), which support irrigation management to farmers who have irrigation evaporimeter tank and rain gauge. This paper intend support a public policy of rational use of water in the semiarid region of Brazil, since it is free to farmer and may solve the current gap in irrigation technical assistance. Training curse to be able software use, climate monitoring equipment and sensitization of farmers to adopt such technology are essential points to success on farm. This software was evaluated according to water saving to growing cabbage crop, under three different seasons. The management simulations were done on a small farm, in Pernambuco state. Irrigation depth send by SMS IGmanejo water saving in 20% compared to reference software CropWat (FAO). For mobile IGmanejo were done two simulations of irrigation, using data from gauge evaporimeter tank (Class A) and using simplified tank, and also compared with those obtained by IGmanejo SMS. The results did not present statistically significant differences, confirming that the farmer may use more economical methods to estimate evapotranspiration (like simplified tank) instead of class A tank, which has high cost. The software showed that it is able to reduce of use of water on agriculture going to remote regions to support irrigation management with simplicity and quality. / Diversos modelos e software têm sido desenvolvidos para o manejo de irrigação, no entanto eles não conseguem atingir pequenos agricultores devido a limitações técnicas e econômicas. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver ferramentas de manejo de irrigação utilizando telefone celular, uma tecnologia já assimilada pela sociedade. A primeira ferramenta chamada de IGmanejo que envia SMS com o nome da área, a lâmina e o tempo de irrigação para agricultores previamente cadastrados. A segunda ferramenta é um aplicativo Java para telefone celular (IGmanejo mobile), que orienta o manejo de irrigação para agricultores que possuam tanque evaporimétrico e pluviômetro. Este trabalho pretende auxiliar na definição de uma política pública do uso racional de água no semiárido do Brasil, uma vez que não terá custo para o agricultor e, poderá auxiliar a lacuna existente hoje na assistência técnica especializada em irrigação no nordeste. Cursos de capacitação para uso do software, dos equipamentos de monitoramento climático e de sensibilização dos agricultores em adotar tal tecnologia são essenciais para a chegada com êxito dessa ferramenta no campo. Os softwares propostos neste trabalho foram validados de acordo com a economia de água obtida durante o ciclo da cultura do repolho, onde o início do cultivo foi simulado em três diferentes épocas do ano. As simulações de manejo foram realizadas em uma área de agricultura familiar situada no município de Pesqueira-PE. A lâmina de irrigação do IGmanejo SMS obteve 20% de economia de água quando comparada com a lâmina obtida pelo software de referência CropWat da FAO. Para o aplicativo IGmanejo mobile foram realizadas duas simulações de lâminas de irrigação, uma utilizando dados de tanque classe A e outra utilizando dados do tanque alternativo (classe B), e ainda foram comparadas com as lâminas obtidas do IGmanejo SMS. Os resultados não diferiram estatisticamente entre si, ratificando o fato de que o agricultor pode recorrer a métodos mais econômicos para estimativa da evapotranspiração com auxílio de tanques alternativos ao invés do tanque classe A, que possui custo elevado. Os softwares propostos mostraram que são capazes de reduzir o desperdício de água na agricultura e levar até áreas remotas a orientação para um manejo de irrigação com simplicidade e qualidade.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-09-09T13:20:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 luizcarlosdecairesjunior.pdf: 1221822 bytes, checksum: f995937ad7d8db36ef8169850e5064e2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-09-13T14:27:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 luizcarlosdecairesjunior.pdf: 1221822 bytes, checksum: f995937ad7d8db36ef8169850e5064e2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T14:27:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 luizcarlosdecairesjunior.pdf: 1221822 bytes, checksum: f995937ad7d8db36ef8169850e5064e2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-22 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nos últimos anos, o sistema de telecomunicação móvel tem crescido significativamente, de modo que um sexto da população mundial, mais de um bilhão de pessoas, utiliza este tipo de telefone (National Radiological Protection Board, 2004; Maier, 2006). No Brasil, em 2011, já há mais de 202,9 milhões de habilitações de celulares, uma densidade de 104,68 acessos para cada 100 habitantes (Anatel, 2011). Estudos sobre os efeitos da radiação emitida por telefones celulares sobre o organismo são escassos, os resultados são contraditórios e feitos em cultura de células ou em células recém retiradas do indivíduo para posterior exposição à radiação. Desta maneira, os objetivos deste trabalho foram estabelecer um modelo animal para o estudo do efeito da radiação eletromagnética emitida por aparelhos celulares sobre a fisiologia de ratos e avaliar a ação deste tipo de radiação sobre a expressão e atividade de ERK 1 e ERK 2 e a expressão de isoforma alfa de PKC em hipófise de ratos. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar machos com 60 dias de idade. A fonte de radiação foi um aparelho celular com freqüência de 1800 MHz. Foram estabelecidos 4 grupos experimentais: 1- animais expostos por período de 1h; 2- animais expostos por 3h; 3- animais expostos por 3 dias; 4- animais expostos por 10 dias. Nos experimentos de 3 e 10 dias, a exposição foi de 25 segundos a cada 2 min. Cada grupo experimental foi acompanhado de grupo controle. Foram medidas a capacidade da radiação atravessar os ossos cranianos dos animais de experimentação e a capacidade de aquecer a água sob a calota craniana. Foram avaliados os efeitos da radiação emitida pelo aparelho celular sobre a expressão e atividade de ERK 1 e ERK 2, e a expressão da isoforma alfa de PKC em células da hipófise. A radiação atravessa a calota craniana. A 3 cm de distância ela não impõem qualquer barreira a essa passagem. Não foi observado efeito da radiação sobre a temperatura da água. Após 1 hora de exposição foi observada diminuição significativa na atividade de ERK 1 e ERK 2 dos animais expostos à radiação. Este efeito inibitório se manteve nos experimentos de 3h e 3 dias. Ao décimo dia, a atividade de ERK 1 e ERK 2 do grupo tratado e controle foi semelhante. A expressão de PKC-alfa só foi alterada nos animais expostos a 3 dias de radiação. Os resultados nos permitem concluir que a radiação emitida por telefones móveis, neste modelo, afeta vias de sinalização importantes nas células hipofisárias, o que torna necessário estudos mais detalhados sobre as conseqüências das modificações observadas. / In the last few years, the mobile telecommunication system has improved significantly, making one sixth of the world`s population to use mobile phones, which means, in numbers, that more than a billion of people are using such devices nowadays (National Radiological Protection Board, 2004; Maier, 2006). In 2011, the number of habilitations in Brazil has reached more than 202,9 millions, corresponding a density of 104,68 phones for each hundred of habitants (Anatel, 2011). Studies about the effects of radiation transmitted by mobile phones to the organism are still very few, the results are contradictories and most of them are made in cell cultures or ex vivo cells to further exposure to radiation. Thus, the objectives of this study were to establish an animal model in order to investigate the effect of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones into the physiology of rats and to evaluate the role of this type of radiation in the expression and activity of ERK 1 and ERK 2 and the expression of isoform alpha from PKC in pituitary gland. 60 days-old Wistar rats were used. The source of radiation was a mobile phone with a frequency of 1800 MHz. Four experimental groups were established: 1- animals exposed for 1 hour; 2- animals exposed for 3h; 3- animals exposed for 3 days; 4- animals exposed for 10 days. In the experiments of 3 and 10 days, the exposure was 25 seconds in every 2 minutes. Each experimental group was followed by a control group. The capacity of the radiation to cross the animal’s cranial bones, and to heat the water under the cranial region, was measured. The effect of the radiation emitted by the mobile phone on ERK 1 and ERK 2 expression and activity, and expression of isoform alpha of PKC in pituitary gland were evaluated. It was shown that the radiation is capable of crossing the cranial region. It was not observed any effect of the radiation into the water temperature. After 1 hour of exposure it were observed a significant reduction in ERK 1 and ERK 2 activity of the animals exposed to radiation. This inhibitory effect was kept in the experiments of 3 hours and 3 days as well. At the tenth day, the activity of ERK 1 and ERK 2 of control and exposed group was similar. The expression of PKC-alpha has only changed in the animals exposed to 3 days of radiation. According to these results, we conclude that radiation emitted by mobile phones, in this experimental model, affects important signaling pathways in the pituitary cells, but further studies with more details are needed to determine the consequences of the modifications observed.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-04-27T15:54:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 luizcarlosdecairesjunior.pdf: 1316351 bytes, checksum: e029591c37abc938d7247930a9c7cd15 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-12T15:50:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 luizcarlosdecairesjunior.pdf: 1316351 bytes, checksum: e029591c37abc938d7247930a9c7cd15 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T15:50:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 luizcarlosdecairesjunior.pdf: 1316351 bytes, checksum: e029591c37abc938d7247930a9c7cd15 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-22 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O sistema de telecomunicação móvel tem crescido ao longo dos anos. A comunidade científica tem demonstrado uma crescente preocupação sobre os possíveis efeitos da exposição à radiação electromagnética de radiofrequência (RFEMR) emitida por dispositivos móveis sobre a saúde dos usuários. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da RF-EMR sobre a via de MAPKs, verificando os níveis de fosforilação das enzimas MEK 1 / 2 e ERK 1 / 2, em células do hipotálamo e hipófise, sobre a secreção de catecolaminas, nível de glicose sérica, consolidação da memória de longo prazo e estabelecimento de comportamento de ansiedade. Ratos Wistar machos, com 60 dias de idade, foram expostos à radiação emitida pelos telefones celulares (1,8 GHz) em condições agudas (1 e 3 horas de exposição) e crônicas (3 e 10 noites de exposição). Os níveis de fosforilação de MEK 1 / 2 e ERK 1 / 2 foram alterados em células hipotalâmicas de animais expostos por 1 hora. Após 3 horas, 3 noites e 10 noites, foi observada alteração somente no nível de fosforilação das enzimas MEK 1 / 2, em células hipotalâmicas; e nenhuma alteração foi constatada na fosforilação das enzimas MEK 1 / 2 e ERK 1 / 2, em células hipofisárias. As exposições por períodos agudos promoveram aumento da secreção basal de catecolaminas e a glicemia foi alterada após 1 hora e 10 noites. Não foi constatado comportamento estado de ansiedade pelo teste de cruz elevada em quaisquer períodos de exposição. Porém, a exposição crônica, por 10 noites, aumentou a secreção de catecolamina, estimulada por cafeína, concomitantemente à diminuição a glicemia, podendo afetar a consolidação da memória. Os resultados sugerem que a exposição de ratos a campos electromagnéticos emitidos por celulares é capaz de alterar a via de MAPKs, mudar o perfil de secreção basal e estimulada de catecolaminas, de glicemia, além de afetar a consolidação de memória de longo prazo. / The mobile telecommunication system has grown over the years. There has been a growing concern about the possible effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted by mobile devices on the health of users. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of whole-body RF-EMR exposure on MAPK's pathway, verifying the phosphorylation levels of MEK 1 / 2 and ERK 1 / 2, in hypothalamus and pituitary cells, catecholamine secretion, serum glucose, long-term memory consolidation and anxiety-like behavior occurrence. Male Wistar rats, 60 days old, were subjected to electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones (1.8 GHz) in acute (1 and 3 hours of exposure) and chronic (3 and 10 nights of exposure) conditions. The phosphorylation levels of MEK 1 / 2 and ERK 1 / 2 changed in hypothalamus cells after 1 hour of exposure. After 3 hours, 3 nights and 10 nights, we have found changes only in phosphorylation of MEK 1 / 2 (hypothalamus); no changes were found in MEK 1 / 2 and ERK 1 / 2 from pituitary cells. The acute exposures lead to the increase of basal catecholamine secretion and the glycemia changed after 1 hour and 10 nights. On the other hand, the chronic exposure increased the catecholamine release, by caffeine stimulation, but decreased the serum glucose level, disturbing the memory consolidation. The results suggest that exposure of rats to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones is able to change the MAPK's pathway, profile of basal and stimulated secretion of catecholamines, and serum glucose level besides affecting long-term memory.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-07-07T12:01:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 camilamansomusso.pdf: 1354117 bytes, checksum: 80a41e3ea9a118d4e53ddb41bbbd54e6 (MD5) / Rejected by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br), reason: on 2017-07-07T12:39:38Z (GMT) / Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-08-11T13:30:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 camilamansomusso.pdf: 1354117 bytes, checksum: 80a41e3ea9a118d4e53ddb41bbbd54e6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-08-14T17:08:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 camilamansomusso.pdf: 1354117 bytes, checksum: 80a41e3ea9a118d4e53ddb41bbbd54e6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-14T17:08:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 camilamansomusso.pdf: 1354117 bytes, checksum: 80a41e3ea9a118d4e53ddb41bbbd54e6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-24 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / É crescente o número de usuários de telefonia móvel. Em 2013, o número total de telefones móveis habilitados no mundo atingiu 6,8 bilhões. Uma queda nas taxas de fertilidade tem sido notada em todo o mundo; embora existam muitas razões para o declínio dessas taxas, um dos principais motivos é a infertilidade masculina. Existe uma preocupação crescente no meio científico com os efeitos da exposição à radiação eletromagnética de radiofrequência (RF-EMR) emitida por telefones celulares em relação à fertilidade em homens. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade dos espermatozoides de ratos Wistar, após exposição do animal à RF-EMR. Ratos Wistar machos (Rattus notvegicus , com 90 dias de idade e 280 ± 20 g de massa corporal, foram expostos à radiofrequência emitida por telefones celulares (1,8 GHz) por períodos de 3 e 10 noites. As amostras de secreção epididimária foram extraídas da cauda do epidídimo dos animais. Foi realizado o ensaio TUNEL para a marcação dos espermatozoides com DNA fragmentado e estes foram quantificados por citometria de fluxo e a concentração de espermatozoides, morfologia e mortalidade foram também avaliadas. As amostras dos animais de ambos os grupos expostos, 3 e 10 noites, apresentaram um aumento da mortalidade e uma diminuição da concentração de espermatozoides, além de um aumento da incidência de fragmentação do DNA, o que é um indicativo de apoptose. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos na porcentagem de espermatozoides morfologicamente normais e anormais. Diante dos resultados do presente estudo, especulamos que a RF-EMR emitida por telefones móveis afeta negativamente a qualidade do sêmen e pode prejudicar a fertilidade masculina. / The mobile communication system has grown over the years. The total number of mobile phone subscriptions reached 6.8 billion in 2013. Decreasing fecundity and fertility in men have led to growing concern about the hazardous effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on reproductive organs. This study aimed to analyze the sperm quality of rats after whole-body RF-EMR exposure. Male Wistar rats, 90 days old, were exposed to radiofrequency emitted by mobile phones (1.8 GHz) for periods of 3 and 10 nights. Apoptosis was tested using TUNEL assay, sperm morphology and mortality were assessed by Shorr and Eosin stain methods respectively, and the cell count was performed. Both exposed groups showed significantly increased mortality and reduced sperm concentration along with significant increase in the apoptosis incidence compared to the respective control groups. Given the results, we speculate that RF-EMR exposure negatively affects semen quality and may impair male fertility.

Our purpose with this thesis was to find biometric methods that can be used in access control of mobile access. The access control has two parts. Firstly, to validate the identity of the caller and, secondly, to ensure the validated user is not changed during the session that follows. Any solution to the access control problem is not available today, which means that anyone can get access to the mobile phone and the Internet. Therefore we have researched after a solution that can solve this problem but also on how to secure that no one else can take over an already validated session. We began to search for biometric methods that are available today to find them that would be best suited together with a mobile phone. After we had read information about them we did choose three methods for further investigation. These methods were Fingerprint Recognition, Iris Scan and Speaker Verification. Iris Scan is the method that is best suited to solve the authentication problem. The reasons for this are many. One of them is the uniqueness and stability of the iris, not even identical twins or the pair of the same individual has the same iris minutiae. The iris is also very protected behind eyelids, cornea and the aqueous humor and therefore difficult to damage. When it comes to the method itself, is it one of the most secure methods available today. One of the reasons for this is that the equal error rate is better than one in a million. However, this rate can be even better. It all depends on the Hamming Distance, which is a value that show how different the saved and temporarily template are, and what it is set to. To solve our session authentication, which was to make sure that no one else could take over a connected mobile phone, a sensor plate is the answer. This sensor will be able to sense for touch, heat and pulse. These three sensor measurements will together secure a validated session since the mobile phone will disconnect if the sensor looses its sensor data. There are, however, technological and other challenges to be solved before our proposed solutions will become viable. We address some of these issues in our thesis.

Background: The One Drop vertical bar Mobile app supports manual and passive (via HealthKit and One Drop's glucose meter) tracking of self-care and glycated hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)). Objective: We assessed the HbA(1c) change of a sample of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) using the One Drop vertical bar Mobile app on iPhone and Apple Watch, and tested relationships between self-care tracking with the app and HbA(1c) change. Methods: In June 2017, we identified people with diabetes using the One Drop vertical bar Mobile app on iPhone and Apple Watch who entered two HbA(1c) measurements in the app 60 to 365 days apart. We assessed the relationship between using the app and HbA(1c) change. Results: Users had T1D (n=65) or T2D (n=191), were 22.7% (58/219) female, with diabetes for a mean 8.34 (SD 8.79) years, and tracked a mean 2176.35 (SD 3430.23) self-care activities between HbA(1c) entries. There was a significant 1.36% or 14.9 mmol/mol HbA(1c) reduction (F=62.60, P<.001) from the first (8.72%, 71.8 mmol/mol) to second HbA(1c) (7.36%, 56.9 mmol/mol) measurement. Tracking carbohydrates was independently associated with greater HbA(1c) improvement (all P<.01). Conclusions: Using One Drop vertical bar Mobile on iPhone and Apple Watch may favorably impact glycemic control.

The development of the mobile phone has been rapid. From being a device mainly usedfor phone calls and writing text messages the mobile phone of today, or commonlyreferred to as the smartphone, has become a multi-purpose device. Because of its size andthermal constraints there are certain limitations in areas of battery life andcomputational capabilities. Some say that cloud computing is just another buzzword, away to sell already existing technology. Others claim that it has the potential to transformthe whole IT-industry. This thesis is covering the intersection of these two fields byinvestigating if it is possible to increase the speed of mobile phones by offloadingcomputational heavy mobile phone application functions by using cloud computing. Amobile phone application was developed that conducts three computational heavy tests.The tests were run twice, by not using cloud computing offloading and by using it. Thetime taken to carry out the tests were saved and later compared to see if it is faster to usecloud computing in comparison to not use it. The results showed that it is not beneficial touse cloud computing to carry out these types of tasks; it is faster to use the mobile phone.

Le début du XXIe siècle se caractérise par l'explosion des échanges via Internet et par la multiplication des objets connectés, au premier rang desquels le Smartphone (apparu en 2007). Autant d'appareils qui permettent de recevoir et d'envoyer des informations sous des formes diverses (messages vocaux, images, vidéos, textes, etc.). Les modes de communication et les usages qui en découlent se sont multipliés et propagés. C'est désormais en milliards que se comptent les utilisateurs de Smartphones. Celte adoption en masse du Smartphone a radicalement transformé les habitudes de tout un chacun, sans distinction de génération, de sexe, de catégorie socioprofessionnelle, de culture, d'appartenance géographique, etc. Envahissant la planète et pénétrant, dans le même élan, la sphère artistique, l'appareil a su se faire adopter par les créateurs, auprès desquels il joue désormais un rôle particulier, voire plusieurs: d'abord sujet de réflexion, Je Smartphone, à la technologie complexe et aux nombreuses fonctionnalités, est devenu à la fois outil de création, lieu d'expérimentation et d'exposition, moyen de transmission et de diffusion ... Connecté et tactile, il a créé une proximité et une relation nouvelles entre les artistes et le public. Bien qu'extrêmement diverses, les pratiques artistiques et les œuvres qu'il engendre n'en forment pas moins un corpus cohérent dont les ressorts communs diffèrent de ce qui caractérise habituellement une œuvre d'art. La force du Mobile An réside dans sa capacité d'adaptation et de métamorphose. Avec lui, l'imagination déborde sans cesse la technologie pour se mettre à la portée de tous. Il est un art démocratique, désacralisé et populaire. / The outburst of exchanges via Internet and the multiplication of connected devices -number one being the Smartphone which arrived in 2007 -characterize the beginning of the XXIst century. Ali these devices enable us to receive or send different forms of information (voice messages, images, videos, texts, and so on). These new ways of communicating and their new uses have been greatly developed and diversified ever since. There are now billions of Smartphone users around the world. This massive use of the Smartphone utterly transformed everyone's habits, whatever the generation, the gender, the socio-professional category, the cultural background, the geographical area ... After flooding the plane! and then ente1ing the artistic sphere, this device has been adopted by artists and is now playing a very special part in their creative process: first mere food for thought, the Smartphone characterised by a complex technology and a lot of functions has become a tool as well as a space for experimenting and exhibiting, a means to transmit and to spread any idea, information or creative work ... It is connected, tactile and responsible for a new kind of proximity and relationship between artists and their public. The artistic practices and artworks in which the Smartphone is used, though highly diverse, nevertheless belong to a consistent corpus, the underlying motivations of which being different from what generally characterises an artwork. The power of Mobile Art lays in its ability to adapt and to transform itself. Imagination is able to continuously extend beyond technology to bring itself within everyone's reach. It is a democratic, desacralized and popular art.

The 85th percentile off-road glances while performing three tasks on an in-vehicle system while driving in a simulator was investigated. The tasks were a radio task, a telephone task and a sound settings task which were performed at three occasions each. The distribution of 85th percentile off-road glance durations for each subject and task showed that durations differed between individuals rather than between tasks. It also turned out that durations longer than 2.00 seconds were not rare and 2 of 16 subjects had durations longer than 2.00 seconds in the radio task. Even though the distribution showed small differences between tasks on an individual level, differences on a group level were found between the tasks. A tendency of a learning effect was found, which implied a decrease in 85th percentile off-road glance durations as the tasks were performed at several occasions. A tendency of a floor effect in 85th percentile off-road glance durations, when the subjects are familiarized with tasks, was also found. Performance on a computerized trail-making test, measuring ability of visual search, motor speed and mental flexibility, was found not to be related with 85th percentile off-road glance durations.

This study sought to understand factors driving repurchase intentions for consumer electronics (CE) hardware and in particular mobile phones. The outcome of the study was expected to be of interest in academia and practice because it develops upon existing literature and identifies actionable variables that could be used to optimise market offerings. Based on a literature review it was hypothesised that the intent was driven by hedonic and utilitarian factors. These included conspicuousness and visibility; product bundling; reliability; technological features, usability of the product and the buyers’ age. The study tested these hypotheses using primary data. The method was employed to confirm the postulated drivers as well as to determine the direction of the effects. Data collection was conducted through a cross sectional internet survey enumerated in August 2010. The survey reached a broad sample of 144 responders. The analysis supported two of the six hypothesised drivers. The supported drivers were conspicuousness and usability. The recommendation was therefore to encourage the CE industry to focus on creating aesthetically appealing, fashionable devices that were intuitively easy to use requiring minimal assistance or product manuals. It also recommends that less emphasis be placed on durability, advanced features, on bundling additional extras and on targeting particular age groups. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted