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This thesis investigates embedded databases and graphical interfaces for the MicroBaseJ project. The project aim is the development of an integrated database and GUI user interface for a typical 3G, or 2.5G, mobile phone with Java MIDP2 capability. This includes methods for data acquisition, mobile data and information communication, data management, and remote user interface. Support of phone delivered informatics will require integrated server and networking infrastructure research and development to support effective and timely delivery of data for incorporation in mobile device-based informatics applications. A key research and development (R&D) challenge is to support effective and timely delivery of data for incorporation in mobile device-based informatics applications. Another important aspect of the project is determining how to develop efficient graphics for the small mobile screen. The research investigates and analyses the architecture of a mobile monitoring system. The project developed a generic solution that can be implemented in a number of commercial sectors, such as horticulture, building management and pollution/water management. The developed concept is tested using data relevant to the horticultural area of application. The system also addresses the main issues related to mobile monitoring, including real-time response, data integrity, solution cost, graphical presentation, and persistent storage capabilities of modern mobile devices. Four embedded databases based on J2ME have been investigated. Two of the four have been evaluated and analysed. The Insert function, Sequence Search, and Random Search of Perst List and RMS (Record Management System) databases have been tested. The size of the processed data was limited to 20,000 records when using the wireless toolkit simulator, and 11,000 records when using a mobile phone. Perst Lite reflects good performance and has out-performed RMS in all tests. User interface software such as J2ME Polish for mobile phones has been investigated. Custom J2ME class for graphical interface is developed. This provides the graphical presentation of the data collected from the sensors; including temperature, wind speed, wind direction, moisture, and leaf wetness. The graphical interface, bar charts, and line charts with trace ball for collected data have been designed and implemented. The embedded database performance and project performance have been investigated and analysed. The performances of Perst Lite and RMS are evaluated in terms of the insert, sequence search, and random search functions based on simulation and real devices. The record numbers vary from 1,000 to 20,000. The project performance contains data receiving and storage, and data presentation and configuration. The performance of data storage and configuration can be negated due to the running mode and the response time. Thus, data presenting performance is the key focus in this project. This performance was divided into the categories of initial, data search, data selection, and charting. The initial performance includes the initialisation of the project parameters, and the reaching of the welcome interface. Data search performance refers to the retrieval of the specified data from the embedded database, measured on 48 data points, which only can be presented on the mobile screen from the retrieved data. These four performance types are measured in thousands of record numbers, varying from 1,000 to 18,000 record numbers, with the retrieved data range varying from 1 day to 30 days.

The explosive adoption rate of cell phones over the past few years has increased the desire for advertising agencies to explore mobile as an advertising channel. Over 90% of Americans own a cell phone, which opens a new channel for advertising agencies to reach consumers. The traditional advertising channels include print, television, radio, and most recently, the Internet. This professional report explores the importance and utilization of mobile as an advertising channel in advertising agencies media plans for their clients. / text

This thesis investigates embedded databases and graphical interfaces for the MicroBaseJ project. The project aim is the development of an integrated database and GUI user interface for a typical 3G, or 2.5G, mobile phone with Java MIDP2 capability. This includes methods for data acquisition, mobile data and information communication, data management, and remote user interface. Support of phone delivered informatics will require integrated server and networking infrastructure research and development to support effective and timely delivery of data for incorporation in mobile device-based informatics applications. A key research and development (R&D) challenge is to support effective and timely delivery of data for incorporation in mobile device-based informatics applications. Another important aspect of the project is determining how to develop efficient graphics for the small mobile screen. The research investigates and analyses the architecture of a mobile monitoring system. The project developed a generic solution that can be implemented in a number of commercial sectors, such as horticulture, building management and pollution/water management. The developed concept is tested using data relevant to the horticultural area of application. The system also addresses the main issues related to mobile monitoring, including real-time response, data integrity, solution cost, graphical presentation, and persistent storage capabilities of modern mobile devices. Four embedded databases based on J2ME have been investigated. Two of the four have been evaluated and analysed. The Insert function, Sequence Search, and Random Search of Perst List and RMS (Record Management System) databases have been tested. The size of the processed data was limited to 20,000 records when using the wireless toolkit simulator, and 11,000 records when using a mobile phone. Perst Lite reflects good performance and has out-performed RMS in all tests. User interface software such as J2ME Polish for mobile phones has been investigated. Custom J2ME class for graphical interface is developed. This provides the graphical presentation of the data collected from the sensors; including temperature, wind speed, wind direction, moisture, and leaf wetness. The graphical interface, bar charts, and line charts with trace ball for collected data have been designed and implemented. The embedded database performance and project performance have been investigated and analysed. The performances of Perst Lite and RMS are evaluated in terms of the insert, sequence search, and random search functions based on simulation and real devices. The record numbers vary from 1,000 to 20,000. The project performance contains data receiving and storage, and data presentation and configuration. The performance of data storage and configuration can be negated due to the running mode and the response time. Thus, data presenting performance is the key focus in this project. This performance was divided into the categories of initial, data search, data selection, and charting. The initial performance includes the initialisation of the project parameters, and the reaching of the welcome interface. Data search performance refers to the retrieval of the specified data from the embedded database, measured on 48 data points, which only can be presented on the mobile screen from the retrieved data. These four performance types are measured in thousands of record numbers, varying from 1,000 to 18,000 record numbers, with the retrieved data range varying from 1 day to 30 days.

As dimensões continentais de alguns países e a distribuição heterogênea da rede hospitalar dificultam o acesso ao atendimento inicial adequado ao trauma de face principalmente aos pacientes residentes em regiões mais remotas. Um modelo de atendimento por telemedicina pode ser uma opção ao atendimento especializado presencial. Os objetivos deste trabalho são apresentar um modelo de atendimento por especialistas à distância, por meio de videoconferência utilizando-se smartphone, e analisar a concordância deste atendimento por telemedicina com o atendimento presencial, considerado padrão ouro. Cinquenta pacientes com trauma de face e suspeita de fratura de face (n=50) foram atendidos, por duas equipes independentes, uma presencialmente e outra por telemedicina. A equipe presencial, que era formada pela equipe de plantão de cirurgia plástica na unidade de emergência, prestou o atendimento à beira do leito (história, exame físico e análise de imagens por tomografia computadorizada). A equipe telemedicina, composta por um médico generalista atendendo à beira do leito, prestou atendimento em conjunto com um cirurgião plástico à distância através de videoconferência com um smartphone. Após cada atendimento as duas equipes responderam a um questionário, com informações sobre dados epidemiológicos, dados do exame físico, sobre indicações de tomografia computadorizada, achados radiológicos da tomografia e conduta. Os dados foram analisados e comparados quanto à concordância das respostas através da análise estatística kappa, cálculo de acurácia, especificidade e sensibilidade. A amostra estudada foi representativa e concordante com a literatura, com predomínio de homens jovens. Acidentes de trânsito e violência interpessoal foram os principais mecanismos causadores do trauma. A concordância das respostas para os achados de exame físico foi considerada substancial (kappa=0,720), para a indicação da tomografia computadorizada foi quase perfeita (kappa=0,957), para os achados na tomografia foi quase perfeita (kappa=0,899) e para definir a conduta também foi quase perfeita (kappa=0,891). A alta concordância dos achados radiológicos nas tomografias computadorizadas de face também foi observada ao se calcular os valores preditivo positivo (VPP=89,9%), preditivo negativo (VPN=99,3%), sensibilidade (94,2%), especificidade (98,8%) e acurácia (98,3%). O estudo concluiu que o modelo de atendimento ao trauma de face à distância por videoconferência via smartphone é factível, encontrando altos índices de concordância quando comparados ao atendimento padrão ouro presencial, sendo uma opção ao atendimento para a triagem de pacientes vítimas de trauma de face em áreas remotas que não têm à disposição o atendimento especializado presencial / The continental size of some countries and heterogeneous distributed hospital network prevent many patients who live in remote areas from getting adequate initial assessment of facial trauma. The author presents a model for trauma assessment through telemedicine, which may be an alternative to face-to-face specialized attending. The goals of this study are presenting a model for non-attending specialized assessment through video conference via smartphones, and analyzing a comparison between telemedicine and face-to-face management, the latter currently being the gold standard. Fifty patients with either a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of facial trauma (n=50) were evaluated by two teams of physicians, one face-to-face and the other one telemedicine-based. The face-to-face team, which was made up by the attending plastic surgery team in the emergency unit, attended the patients at the bedside (physical examination and CT-scan analysis). The telemedicine team was made up by an in-house general practitioner working together with an on-call plastic surgeon through videoconference via smartphones. After each evaluation, both teams answered a similar questionnaire, which contained data concerning the patient\'s epidemiology, physical examination, CT-scan indications and findings, and the treatment option to be followed. The data were analyzed and compared regarding the similarity of answers, with the use of kappa statistics and analysis of data accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The sample studied was representative and consistent with the literature, showing a predominance of young males. Traffic accidents and personal violence were the main causes of trauma. The agreement of answers for physical examination findings was considered substantial (kappa=0.720). For CT-scan indications, it was considered almost perfect (kappa=0.957); for CT-scan findings, it was almost perfect (kappa=0.899); and for defining the treatment option, it was also almost perfect (kappa=0.891). High concurrency of face CT-scan findings was also observed after we calculated the positive predictive value (PPV=89.9%), negative predictive value (NPV=99.3%), sensitivity (94.2%), specificity (98.8%) and accuracy (98.3%). The study concluded that the model for non-attending assessment of facial trauma through video conference via smartphones is feasible, showing high concurrence rates when compared to gold-standard in-house assessment, thus being an option for first assessment of facial trauma patients who live in remote areas, where specialized medical teams are not available

This dissertation is an empirical study of the scientific literacy of 28 young adults (aged 18-26 years) in the context of their decision making about the health risks of mobile phones. The issue of possible health effects is one of a number of socioscientific issues now confronting adults in the 'knowledge/risk' society where scientific knowledge plays an increasingly significant role in people's lives. The focus of interest is the young people's responses to the uncertain science of 'science in the making' (Latour, 1987) and their positioning of this scientific knowledge in their risk assessments. The study is based on an interactive model of the public understanding of science and applies a critical realist and moderate social constructionist methodology. Data construction included focus groups and semi-structured individual interviews. The stimulus for discussion in the focus groups was a recent television news report presenting contradictory scientific research findings about whether mobile phones pose significant health risks. In the individual interviews understanding of the nature of science and risk judgments were explored. Data analysis involved a coding of the discourse in terms of themes and issues and interpretation of these in terms of the theoretical framework of the thesis. A major finding was that these young people interpreted the uncertainty of the scientific knowledge mainly in social terms and with limited understanding of the role of theory in interpreting data. They talked spontaneously of risk but did not draw on scientific knowledge or risk estimates in their judgment about mobile phone safety. Findings have important implications for science education and suggest a broadened conception of scientific literacy which includes critical dimensions and risk literacy. It is argued that this functional scientific literacy is essential for effective citizenship in contemporary society.

As dimensões continentais de alguns países e a distribuição heterogênea da rede hospitalar dificultam o acesso ao atendimento inicial adequado ao trauma de face principalmente aos pacientes residentes em regiões mais remotas. Um modelo de atendimento por telemedicina pode ser uma opção ao atendimento especializado presencial. Os objetivos deste trabalho são apresentar um modelo de atendimento por especialistas à distância, por meio de videoconferência utilizando-se smartphone, e analisar a concordância deste atendimento por telemedicina com o atendimento presencial, considerado padrão ouro. Cinquenta pacientes com trauma de face e suspeita de fratura de face (n=50) foram atendidos, por duas equipes independentes, uma presencialmente e outra por telemedicina. A equipe presencial, que era formada pela equipe de plantão de cirurgia plástica na unidade de emergência, prestou o atendimento à beira do leito (história, exame físico e análise de imagens por tomografia computadorizada). A equipe telemedicina, composta por um médico generalista atendendo à beira do leito, prestou atendimento em conjunto com um cirurgião plástico à distância através de videoconferência com um smartphone. Após cada atendimento as duas equipes responderam a um questionário, com informações sobre dados epidemiológicos, dados do exame físico, sobre indicações de tomografia computadorizada, achados radiológicos da tomografia e conduta. Os dados foram analisados e comparados quanto à concordância das respostas através da análise estatística kappa, cálculo de acurácia, especificidade e sensibilidade. A amostra estudada foi representativa e concordante com a literatura, com predomínio de homens jovens. Acidentes de trânsito e violência interpessoal foram os principais mecanismos causadores do trauma. A concordância das respostas para os achados de exame físico foi considerada substancial (kappa=0,720), para a indicação da tomografia computadorizada foi quase perfeita (kappa=0,957), para os achados na tomografia foi quase perfeita (kappa=0,899) e para definir a conduta também foi quase perfeita (kappa=0,891). A alta concordância dos achados radiológicos nas tomografias computadorizadas de face também foi observada ao se calcular os valores preditivo positivo (VPP=89,9%), preditivo negativo (VPN=99,3%), sensibilidade (94,2%), especificidade (98,8%) e acurácia (98,3%). O estudo concluiu que o modelo de atendimento ao trauma de face à distância por videoconferência via smartphone é factível, encontrando altos índices de concordância quando comparados ao atendimento padrão ouro presencial, sendo uma opção ao atendimento para a triagem de pacientes vítimas de trauma de face em áreas remotas que não têm à disposição o atendimento especializado presencial / The continental size of some countries and heterogeneous distributed hospital network prevent many patients who live in remote areas from getting adequate initial assessment of facial trauma. The author presents a model for trauma assessment through telemedicine, which may be an alternative to face-to-face specialized attending. The goals of this study are presenting a model for non-attending specialized assessment through video conference via smartphones, and analyzing a comparison between telemedicine and face-to-face management, the latter currently being the gold standard. Fifty patients with either a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of facial trauma (n=50) were evaluated by two teams of physicians, one face-to-face and the other one telemedicine-based. The face-to-face team, which was made up by the attending plastic surgery team in the emergency unit, attended the patients at the bedside (physical examination and CT-scan analysis). The telemedicine team was made up by an in-house general practitioner working together with an on-call plastic surgeon through videoconference via smartphones. After each evaluation, both teams answered a similar questionnaire, which contained data concerning the patient\'s epidemiology, physical examination, CT-scan indications and findings, and the treatment option to be followed. The data were analyzed and compared regarding the similarity of answers, with the use of kappa statistics and analysis of data accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The sample studied was representative and consistent with the literature, showing a predominance of young males. Traffic accidents and personal violence were the main causes of trauma. The agreement of answers for physical examination findings was considered substantial (kappa=0.720). For CT-scan indications, it was considered almost perfect (kappa=0.957); for CT-scan findings, it was almost perfect (kappa=0.899); and for defining the treatment option, it was also almost perfect (kappa=0.891). High concurrency of face CT-scan findings was also observed after we calculated the positive predictive value (PPV=89.9%), negative predictive value (NPV=99.3%), sensitivity (94.2%), specificity (98.8%) and accuracy (98.3%). The study concluded that the model for non-attending assessment of facial trauma through video conference via smartphones is feasible, showing high concurrence rates when compared to gold-standard in-house assessment, thus being an option for first assessment of facial trauma patients who live in remote areas, where specialized medical teams are not available

1 online resource (viii, 155 leaves) / This study explores the ways in which female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa use their cellular phones, as well as their interests and needs in using this technology. The findings in this study are therefore crucial to the body of knowledge on programmes that seek to uplift women's lives through the deployment of ICTs, since current policies do not make full provision for the use of mobile phones in female entrepreneurship. Information on female entrepreneurs and cellular phones was collected in the literature review. The scrutiny of various literature sources and the analysis of the responses from the interviews with the female entrepreneurs were carried out to arrive at answers to the following research questions: 1. Can telecommunications (specifically, cellular phones) increase the participation of women in the economy? 2. What are the consumer habits of female entrepreneur cellular phone users in Zambia and South Africa? 3. Are the communication needs of business women in Zambia and South Africa adequately met? 4. What are the obstacles that female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa face in the use of cellular phones? 5. What are the similarities and differences in the consumer habits of female entrepreneur cellular phone users in Zambia and South Africa? In order to gather information on the consumer habits of female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa, a survey was conducted of 100 female entrepreneurs. The female entrepreneurs identified in this survey consist of female business owners with no more than 50 employees each, from Gauteng Province in South Africa, and Lusaka Province in Zambia. The female entrepreneurs were identified through the accidental sampling technique, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect information from them. The findings of the investigation reveal that cellular phones have the potential to increase the participation of women in mainstream economic activity, since they are a useful means of communication that allow women from diverse backgrounds to communicate easily for both business and social purposes. Accordingly, national policy-makers in South Africa and Zambia need to investigate further the potential of using cellular phone or similar technology to empower small-scale businesswomen. The investigation also shows that the cellular phone consumer habits of female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa differ when it comes to using cellular phones for business and social communication purposes. More Zambian women indicated that they use their cellular phones in business operations, while South African women showed a tendency to use their phones more for social purposes. The results of this investigation further illustrate that despite the importance in value which the mobile phone has for women entrepreneurs in both Zambia and South Africa, the communication needs of women's entrepreneurship are not adequately met. The main obstacles in meeting the communication needs of female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa are inadequate network coverage and high prices. The study shows that a number of women (52,2%) indicated that they are inhibited from effective communication services and therefore resort to borrowing other people's mobile phones. The lack of empirical studies on the use of telecommunications by female entrepreneurs in both Zambia and South Africa attests to the fact that women's entrepreneurship is still an area that requires in-depth investigation. If various development efforts are to meet their targets, clearly the area of women's entrepreneurship and how various ICTs such as cellular phones are used therein needs urgent investigation. / Communication Sciences / M. A. (International Communication)

1 online resource (viii, 155 leaves) / This study explores the ways in which female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa use their cellular phones, as well as their interests and needs in using this technology. The findings in this study are therefore crucial to the body of knowledge on programmes that seek to uplift women's lives through the deployment of ICTs, since current policies do not make full provision for the use of mobile phones in female entrepreneurship. Information on female entrepreneurs and cellular phones was collected in the literature review. The scrutiny of various literature sources and the analysis of the responses from the interviews with the female entrepreneurs were carried out to arrive at answers to the following research questions: 1. Can telecommunications (specifically, cellular phones) increase the participation of women in the economy? 2. What are the consumer habits of female entrepreneur cellular phone users in Zambia and South Africa? 3. Are the communication needs of business women in Zambia and South Africa adequately met? 4. What are the obstacles that female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa face in the use of cellular phones? 5. What are the similarities and differences in the consumer habits of female entrepreneur cellular phone users in Zambia and South Africa? In order to gather information on the consumer habits of female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa, a survey was conducted of 100 female entrepreneurs. The female entrepreneurs identified in this survey consist of female business owners with no more than 50 employees each, from Gauteng Province in South Africa, and Lusaka Province in Zambia. The female entrepreneurs were identified through the accidental sampling technique, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect information from them. The findings of the investigation reveal that cellular phones have the potential to increase the participation of women in mainstream economic activity, since they are a useful means of communication that allow women from diverse backgrounds to communicate easily for both business and social purposes. Accordingly, national policy-makers in South Africa and Zambia need to investigate further the potential of using cellular phone or similar technology to empower small-scale businesswomen. The investigation also shows that the cellular phone consumer habits of female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa differ when it comes to using cellular phones for business and social communication purposes. More Zambian women indicated that they use their cellular phones in business operations, while South African women showed a tendency to use their phones more for social purposes. The results of this investigation further illustrate that despite the importance in value which the mobile phone has for women entrepreneurs in both Zambia and South Africa, the communication needs of women's entrepreneurship are not adequately met. The main obstacles in meeting the communication needs of female entrepreneurs in Zambia and South Africa are inadequate network coverage and high prices. The study shows that a number of women (52,2%) indicated that they are inhibited from effective communication services and therefore resort to borrowing other people's mobile phones. The lack of empirical studies on the use of telecommunications by female entrepreneurs in both Zambia and South Africa attests to the fact that women's entrepreneurship is still an area that requires in-depth investigation. If various development efforts are to meet their targets, clearly the area of women's entrepreneurship and how various ICTs such as cellular phones are used therein needs urgent investigation. / Communication Sciences / M. A. (International Communication)

No description available.