Understanding users' motivation for wearable activity tracker use

Personal monitoring devices such as activity and sports trackers are becoming increasingly popular. This could be explained by the increasing versatility of the sensors used in wrist wear trackers, smart wristwatch and smartphones (monitoring with increasing parameters and higher precision) and their associated software applications. However, while there is growing interest, recent research has indicated that the use of such devices and applications does not necessarily sustain in the long term. This thesis presents a study of users’ experiences of some users of these devices. Taking a qualitative inquiry, this thesis presents an understanding of the use of these devices, and the psychological needs they satisfy. Grounded on insights from this qualitative inquiry, we derive ideas for the design of physical and sports trackers with the intention of sustaining long-term engagement.Os dispositivos de monitorização pessoais, tipo activity trackers ou sports trackers estão se tornando cada vez mais populares. Isso pode ser explicado pela crescente versatilidade dos sensores usados em trackers de pulso, relógios de pulso inteligentes e smartphones (monitorização com parâmetros crescentes e maior precisão) e seus aplicativos de software associados. No entanto, embora haja um interesse crescente, pesquisas recentes indicaram que o uso de tais dispositivos e aplicativos não se mantém a longo prazo. Esta tese apresenta um estudo das experiências de alguns utilizadores desses dispositivos. Fazendo uma consulta qualitativa, esta tese apresenta uma compreensão sobre o uso desses dispositivos e as necessidades psicológicas que eles satisfazem. Baseado em ideias desse inquérito qualitativo, derivamos ideias para o design de activity trackers e sports trackers com a intenção de manter o envolvimento a longo prazo

Computer-Simulated Environments in the Commercial Sector: Enhancing Customer Experience through 3D Spherical Image Technology

This build and test study investigated the use of immersive environments in the commercial sector, focusing on 3D Spherical Image Technology to enhance the customer experience and explored user engagement in virtual reality experiences, in the context of integrated marketing communication (IMC). A 3D immersive shop was developed and tested on seven people with marketing experience to determine customer satisfaction. Seven themes emerged from the interview data: Pandemic challenges, design challenges, design improvement, safety during the pandemic, accessibility, business growth and efficiency. Four themes emerged for further research: Effectiveness and Impact of immersive marketing, technical considerations, business strategies and adaptation, and social media and consumer behavior

O lugar da obra : uma investigação sobre arte e natureza

This investigation theoretically addresses the artist's concerns in action and presence in the places he travels in close proximity to the natural and rural environment. Through this research, I tried to find the reasons for the ways of living the places that emerged during the research and that are recurrent nowadays, namely, immobility, inaction, distraction, and their beneficial consequences. This dissertation addresses issues related to ecology, individual behaviour in the connection with the natural environment and existential issues related to the artist's inaction. One of the challenges of this investigation was to understand which forms or methods of creation that allowed me the relationship between creation and experience, that is, being in a place, in contemplation, experiencing everything that involves me, what are the ways that allowed me to create without jeopardizing the experience. It is in response to this challenge that photography appears, being one of the ways to capture and record images with which I felt most comfortable

ERP in the production area: user's opinions about needs being met

The study verified the production area's key user opinions about needs being met by ERP through a survey conducted within industries from the State of São Paulo. The survey instrument is composed of 28 activities related to the production area, using the literature review on production management and ERP as a basis. Also, four dimensions for production activities were defined: Inventory Management Policies, Forecasts, MRP and MRP II. Activities were evaluated according to five different criteria: Needs Being Met, Ease of Use, Parameterization, Customization and Training. The questionnaire was answered by managers from 46 industries, composing a non-probabilistic sample with an accessibility criterion. The research is exploratory. The analysis of the obtained data broadly showed that ERPs meet the expectations of production managers. However, its most noteworthy aspect is the high number of activities that are not used by companies. It was noted that the higher the number of used activities, the higher the level of perception of needs being met

Chironomus riparius proteome responses to spinosad exposure

The potential of proteome responses as early-warning indicators of insecticide exposure was evaluated using the non-biting midge Chironomus riparius (Meigen) as the model organism. Chironomus riparius larvae were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of the neurotoxic pesticide spinosad to uncover molecular events that may provide insights on the long-term individual and population level consequences. The iTRAQ labeling method was performed to quantify protein abundance changes between exposed and non-exposed organisms. Data analysis revealed a general dose-dependent decrease in the abundance of globin proteins as a result of spinosad exposure. Additionally, the downregulation of actin and a larval cuticle protein was also observed after spinosad exposure, which may be related to previously determined C. riparius life-history traits impairment and biochemical responses. Present results suggest that protein profile changes can be used as early warning biomarkers of pesticide exposure and may provide a better mechanistic interpretation of the toxic response of organisms, aiding in the assessment of the ecological effects of environmental contamination. This work also contributes to the understanding of the sublethal effects of insecticides in invertebrates and their molecular targets.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Brief characterisation of Fe chlorosis in chia (Salvia hispanica L.) plants grown in nutrient solution

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) plant is a well-known plant due to the nutraceutical value of its seeds. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the response of Chia plants to Fe deficiency. Chia plants were grown for 12 days in Hoagland's nutrient solutions without Fe (Fe0) and with Fe (Fe10-10 mu M Fe). Biomass parameters and root ferric chelate-reductase activity (FC-R; EC 1.16.1.17) were determined at the end of the experiment. Chlorophyll estimations (expressed as SPAD readings) decreased progressively, showing the typical symptoms of iron chlorosis. In addition, iron-deficient chia plants exhibit smaller biomass (number of leaves, root, and shoot growth reduction) compared to control plants. These plants also showed morphological changes in roots. Furthermore, root FC-R activity was significantly lower in Fe0 plants.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio