Exploring the dimensions of eco-feedback in the wild

Worldwide reports about energy usage have noted the importance of the domestic energy consumption sector in the worldwide scenario. This fact motivated and supported the birth and spread of the so-called eco-feedback devices. Such devices provide information about individual or group energy consumption behavior with the goal of reducing the impact in the environment. Motivated by the body of work which questions the long term effectiveness of eco-feedback systems, this thesis focus on evaluating in-the-wild the long term usage of eco-feedback systems. We have conducted five long term studies with different eco-feedback systems designed to evaluate different dimensions in the design of eco-feedback plus two more focused short term studies aimed at studying concrete approaches. Our summary reports on the fact that the there is a novelty effect associated with ecofeedback systems in which the usage of these devices declines significantly after a month. We did not found evidence that the novelty effect is related to location or the type of information represented, nor that the decrease in the eco-feedback usage could lead to the consumption relapsing to values previous to the introduction of the eco-feedback. Our work has also generated other contributions related to the positioning of the feedback, using metaphors for representing the consumption and presenting information about the source of the energy in the feedback.

Motivação no trabalho voluntário: expectativas e motivos na Pastoral da Criança

The present study has proposed a structural model to identify the reasons why individuals become voluntary, keep and exit this type of work. The empirical space was the Pastoral da Criança - social action agency of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) - community-based institution that has its work based on solidarity and the sharing of knowledge. The theoretical framework has the context in which are volunteering studies in Brazilian and world level. Then discuss the various concepts of volunteering and presented the theoretical models of volunteer motivation. Studies of Mostyn (1983) and studies conducted by the BEPEGE-Base for Studies and Research in Management Policies and Strategies - in their line of research GERQUAL - Human Resource Management and Organizational Quality - of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte as Carvalho e Souza(2006), Souza, Medeiros e Fernandes (2006), Souza et al (2009, 2010), Cavalcante et al (2011a, 2011b, 2011c, 2011d) were the main theoretical references for the construction of the model that was tested. Data collection was done through a survey with 71 indicators, in 2 visits to cities from the Diocese of Pesqueira, Pernambuco. The first data collection occurred in the period between May 30 and June 3, 2011, in Buique/PE and the second collection happened in Pesqueira/PE, in St. Joseph Seminary, in the period between July 6-8, 2011. 720 questionnaires were collected. The sample was divided into two parts. Exploratory Factor Analysis was applied in first part and Confirmatory Factor Analysis - structural equation modeling - in the second half. The examination of the results achieved by the expectations, reasons for entry, reasons for staying and exit reasons showed that all hypotheses were accepted. So the motivation of voluntary Pastoral da Criança can be explained by a set of interactions between these five constructs: Altruistic, Affectionate, Amiable, Adjusted and Astute

Percepções das relações entre trabalho remunerado e trabalho voluntário: um estudo com voluntários da pastoral da criança

O trabalho é uma atividade de fundamental importância na vida do homem porque é uma condição essencial para sua existência social. Ao longo do tempo o trabalho teve diversas definições e significados, mas na atualidade pode-se dizer que ele sintetiza e satisfaz três necessidades essenciais da natureza humana, a necessidade de subsistir (função econômica), a de criar (função psicológica) e a de colaborar (função social). Nesse contexto a presente pesquisa objetivou compreender as relações estabelecidas entre os trabalhos remunerado e voluntário, na perspectiva de identificar os aspectos convergentes e divergentes dessas atividades, que possam explicar a permanência dos sujeitos nas duas dimensões laborais e ao mesmo tempo entender qual a importância e reflexo que ambas as atividades têm na vida dos entrevistados. Como instrumento de coleta de dados foi utilizado a entrevista semi-estruturada do tipo focalizada. Foram entrevistados nove líderes da Pastoral da Criança no mês de dezembro de 2009 na cidade de Natal/RN. Os dados foram interpretados à luz da análise de conteúdo, proposta por Bardin. Os principais resultados encontrados quanto aos aspectos convergentes do trabalho remunerado foram a importância do salário para prover a sobrevivência, convivência com as pessoas e troca de experiência além do valor do trabalho para manter a dignidade do homem. Os pontos divergentes enquadraram: trabalho como obrigação, competitividade no ambiente laboral e baixa remuneração. Quanto ao trabalho voluntário, os aspectos convergentes emergidos foram a realização pessoal, a solidariedade, o envolvimento com a causa da Pastoral, valorização das coisas que possui diante de outras realidades mais difíceis, reconhecimento e prestígio dos voluntários pelas famílias assistidas, e por fim a visão do trabalho voluntário como complementação da vida. Com relação aos pontos divergentes foram citados a falta de comprometimento de alguns voluntários, bem como a necessidade de adesão de novas pessoas à este tipo de trabalho, limitação de querer fazer mais e não poder, exigências do público assistido e imagem distorcida da missão da Pastoral da Criança por parte das famílias, além da constatação dos níveis de pobreza e injustiça social que geram desigualdades as mais diversas. Sobre os aspectos marcantes para a permanência dos sujeitos nas duas esferas de trabalho, o amor, a dedicação, a realização pessoal foram os motivos mais apontados. Nas relações entre os dois trabalhos, as transferências de valores aparecem como recíprocas e naturais, sendo aproveitados para estabelecê-las o que cada atividade laboral apresenta de melhor. Conclui-se que o altruísmo, a solidariedade, a generosidade, o acolhimento, a paz espiritual, o bem-estar e sobretudo o amor, são sentimentos que sustentam e confortam o homem, cujas relações aparecem de forma expressiva nas falas dos entrevistados e permeando todo o decorrer da pesquisa.

O Evangelho segundo a Pastoral da Criança :por uma pedagogia da sobrevivência

This work aims to analyze social and educational actions at Pastoral da Criança, using education as a survival tool. This was done at Parque dos Coqueiros, a neighborhood in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The methodology for data collection was composed of comprehensive interview (Jean Kaufmann), participant observation (Robert Bogdan) and documental analysis (Le Goff); all os which bring reflections related to concepts such as strategies, tatics and know how (Michel de Certeau), configuration (Nobert Elias), and control technology (Michel de Foucault), care ethics (Leonardo Boff) and etno-theories (Natália Ramos). Pastoral da Criança is a social action organism that belongs to the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, originated at Florestópolis, Londrina (Paraná), in the year of 1983. These actions have been an expression of a new logic of actions of the Catholic Church. It values the participation of laymen in the activities of the Pastoral. Thus, the parish is seen as a nucleus that irradiates the Church s Social Doctrine. At Rio Grande do Norte this institution has guided poverty stricken families on issues related to children s health as well as working with laymen for volunteer work. This is considered devotion, that is firmed by an individual and group mystique. The social and educational actions are done in three axes: 1) Monthly home visits, where there is mother-child support; 2) Life Celebration Day, where they weigh children and promote nutritional surveillance; 3) Meeting for Evaluation and Reflection, that aims to articulate community leaders to think about problems attached to the social actions they realize. This action tripod , as it is called by the Pastoral Agents are the types of actions that fundament survival education for poor children ranging from 0 to 6 years old. The families learn to deal with prevention, the essential, the alternative and probabilities of survival tactics due to exclusion matters or even social extermination. The Pastoral da Criança aims to recover childhood emotions in poverty stricken areas. It also has influence in the diminishing of malnutrition and mother and child mortality. This education for survival is the base on the art of teaching and learning of poverty stricken children. It is a social educational action, non assistencialist, but considered a shy action in order to promote mobilization of the communities that are accompanied for the emancipation and change of social conditions

Microbial populations and the activity of the soil under agricultural and agricultural-pastoral systems

The effects of agricultural-pastoral and tillage practices on soil microbial populations and activities have not been systematically investigated. The effect of no-tillage (NT), no-tillage agricultural-pastoral integrated systems (NT-I) and conventional tillage (CT) at soil depths of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm on the microbial populations (bacteria and fungi), biomass-C, potential nitrification, urease and protease activities, total organic matter and total N contents were investigated. The crops used were soybean (in NT, NT-I and CT systems), corn (in NT and NT-I systems) and Tanner grass (Brachiaria sp.) (in NT-I system); a forest system was used as a control. Urease and protease activities, biomass-C and the content of organic matter and total N were higher (p < 0.05) in the forest soil than the other soils. Potential nitrification was significantly higher in the NT-I system in comparison with the other systems. Bacteria numbers were similar in all systems. Fungi counts were similar in the CT and forest, but both were higher than in NT. All of these variables were dependent on the organic matter content and decreased (p < 0.05) from the upper soil layer to the deeper soil layers. These results indicate that the no-tillage agricultural-pasture-integrated systems may be useful for soil conservation.

Venous tone and cardiac function in the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus: mean circulatory filling pressure during adrenergic stimulation in anaesthetised and fully recovered animals

The effects of adrenergic stimulation on mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP), central venous pressure (P-CV) and stroke volume (Vs), as well as the effects of altered MCFP through changes of blood volume were investigated in rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus). MCFP is an estimate of the upstream pressure driving blood towards the heart and is determined by blood volume and the activity of the smooth muscle cells in the veins (venous tone). MCFP can be determined as the plateau in P-CV during a total occlusion of blood flow from the heart.Vs decreased significantly when MCFP was lowered by reducing blood volume in anaesthetised snakes, whereas increased MCFP through infusion of blood (up to 3 ml kg(-1)) only led to a small rise in Vs. Thus, it seems that end-diastolic volume is not affected by an elevated MCFP in rattlesnakes. To investigate adrenergic regulation on venous tone, adrenaline as well as phenylephrine and isoproterenol (alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists, respectively) were infused as bolus injections (2 and 10 mu g kg(-1)). Adrenaline and phenylephrine caused large increases in MCFP and P-CV, whereas isoproterenol decreased both parameters. This was also the case in fully recovered snakes. Therefore, adrenaline affects venous tone through both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors, but the alpha-adrenergic receptor dominates at the dosages used in the present study. Injection of the nitric oxide donor SNP caused a significant decrease in P-CV and MCFP. Thus, nitric oxide seems to affect venous tone.

Production of fibrolytic enzymes by Aspergillus japonicus C03 using agro-industrial residues with potential application as additives in animal feed

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fabricação de eco-composito com a fibra de lã canina

The Sustainability has been evidence in the world today; organizations have sought to be more and more into this philosophy in their processes, whether products or attendance. In the present work were manufactured eco-composites with animal fiber (dog wool) that is currently discarded into the environment without any use. The fibers were characterized and made matting (non-woven). The phases of the project were consisted to develop methods and to convert these fibers (booster) blended with polyester resin (matrix) in different proportions (10%, 20% and 30%) at the composite. Were studied fiber characteristics, mechanical properties of the composites, water absorption and scanning electron microscopy. Initially, the fibers were treated with solution of sodium hydroxide of 0.05 mols, and then taken to matting preparing at the textile engineering laboratory - UFRN. The composites were made by compression molding, using an orthophthalic polyester resin as matrix and 1% MEK (methyl ethyl ketone peroxide) as initiator (catalyst). To evaluate the mechanical tests (tensile and flexural) and water absorption were made twelve specimens with dimensions 150x25x3 mm were cut randomly. According to the standard method, tensile tests (ASTM 3039) bending tests (ASTM D790) were performed at the mechanical testing of metals at laboratory UFRN. The results of these tests showed that the composite reinforced with 30% had a better behavior when exposed to tension charge; while on the three points bending test showed that the composite reinforced with 10% had a better behavior. In the water absorption test it was possible to see that the highest absorption happened on the composite reinforced with 30%. In the micrographs, it was possible to see the regions of rupture and behavior of the composite (booster / matrix)

Avaliação do potencial tóxico de águas oriundas de irrigação agrícola no Baixo-Açu/RN: um problema socioambiental

For many decades the problematic raised about the indiscriminate use of pesticides in modern agriculture has incited the interest of many researchers to discover the effects caused by such products in the environment and consequently in the life of the ones which use that products (farmers) and those people who live in places next to the agricultural areas. Facing these facts, this research had the intention of comprehend the environmental perception of habitants of the Distrito Irrigado do Baixo-Açu (DIBA), located in the semiarid of Rio Grande do Norte, by using agro toxics and its possible environmental effects, as well as evaluate the levels of toxicity of waters from agricultural runoff in this region by using eco-toxicological exams with Ceriodaphnia silvestii. Were done 86 interviews with dwellers and farmers from DIBA. With the results reached in the evaluation of the interviews it was possible to identify that one of major problems is the inappropriate discard of empty packs of the pesticides used at that place. The samples collected for eco-toxicological evaluation showed a variation in its toxicity, once that the point of collect which receives waters from different cultures presented in four out of five samples toxicity for the tested species. Therefore, it concludes that the indiscriminate use of pesticides agricultural practice presented a potential to pollute to the irrigation waters, and the absence of elucidation by the farmers about the manipulation of these products contribute to the risk of environmental contamination and the possible decrease of the quality of life of the dwellers of the region

Road-killed wild animals: a preservation problem useful for eco-epidemiological studies of pathogens

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Molecular approaches for eco-epidemiological studies of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pectinase production by Penicillium viridicatum RFC3 by solid state fermentation using agricultural wastes and agro-industrial by-products

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pectinase production by fungal strains in solid-state fermentation using agro-industrial bioproduct

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

An experimental assessment of landscape configuration effects on frog and toad abundance and diversity in tropical agro-savannah landscapes of southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)