IoT is a technology where different devices are equipped with internet connection which makes it possible to control them and exchange data over internet. IoT can be thought of as an umbrella term covering a broad and ever-growing range of services and technologies. One of the segments within IoT is the smart home ecosystem. The tremendous development the last decade within smartphones, wearable devices and broadband has created new ways to connect individual devices in the home (Qasim and Abu-Shanab, 2016; Jeong et al, 2016; Wilson et al, 2017; Hubert et al, 2017). This creates a synergy effect; by connecting multiple devices to a system new value is created. Energy, home controls, security, communication and entertainment services are all included in the smart home (Miller, 2015; Wilson et al, 2017). Even though the concept of smart homes has a large potential it seems like it has not reached its full potential and the diffusion of the innovation among the consumers is still at an early stage (Balta-Ozkan et.al, 2013; Yang et.al 2017). So far, many studies have been performed on the technical aspects of IoT and smart home ecosystems but less attention has been paid on the consumer point of view and what determinants that play a role in the intention to adopt the technology (Yang, Lee, and Zo. 2017). In addition, previous studies have mainly focused of one single device and has not considered the entire ecosystem (Yang, Lee, and Zo. 2017). Therefore, the purpose with this thesis is to study what are the key determinants for the intention to adopt smart homes from an ecosystem point of view. To fulfill the purpose known theoretical models regarding intention to adopt technology have been used to develop a research model. The basis to establish the research model has been the theory of innovation adoption, TRA, TPB, TAM, VAM and UTAUT. Based on the literature four determinants were selected to be included in the model; these were cost, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and individualization. The first three are all included in the mentioned theoretical models and have previously been proven to be important for intention to adopt. The last one, individualization is derived from the field of product differentiation. In the literature it is mentioned that the possibility to refine, adjust and modify may be crucial for the user (Dodgson et.al. 2008). With this background it was interested to include individualization as a determinant in the research model and study how it impacts intention to adopt. In addition to the determinants one moderator was included; the composition of the household. In order to collect the empirical data a survey was conducted using the snowball sampling approach via Facebook and LinkedIn. The survey consisted of two sections where the first section aimed to collect background information about the respondent and the second section consisted of questions regarding the determinants. In the second section the respondents were asked to respond according to a 5-point Likert scale. The used questions in the survey was predefined in the literature. Study results show that consumers’ use intention is shaped by individualization, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Cost was found not to be statistically significant. Neither was the composition of the household.

abstract: The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae), a small burrowing lagomorph that occupies the high alpine grassland ecosystems of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in western China, remains a controversial subject among policymakers and researchers. One line of evidence points to pikas being a pest, which has led to massive attempts to eradicate pika populations. Another point of view is that pikas are a keystone species and an ecosystem engineer in the grassland ecosystem of the QTP. The pika eradication program raises a difficult ethical and religious dilemma for local pastoralists, and is criticized for not being supported by scientific evidence. Complex interactions between pikas, livestock, and habitat condition are poorly understood. My dissertation research examines underpinning justifications of the pika poisoning program leading to these controversies. I investigated responses of pikas to habitat conditions with field experimental manipulations, and mechanisms of pika population recovery following pika removal. I present policy recommendations based on an environmental ethics framework and findings from the field experiments. After five years of a livestock grazing exclusion experiment and four years of pika monitoring, I found that grazing exclusion resulted in a decline of pika habitat use, which suggests that habitat conditions determine pika population density. I also found that pikas recolonized vacant burrow systems following removal of residents, but that distances travelled by dispersing pikas were extremely short (~50 m). Thus, current pika eradication programs, if allowed to continue, could potentially compromise local populations as well as biodiversity conservation on the QTP. Lethal management of pikas is a narrowly anthropocentric-based form of ecosystem management that has excluded value-pluralism, such as consideration of the intrinsic value of species and the important ecological role played by pikas. These conflicting approaches have led to controversies and policy gridlock. In response, I suggest that the on-going large-scale pika eradication program needs reconsideration. Moderation of stocking rates is required in degraded pika habitats, and Integrated Pest Management may be required when high stocking rate and high pika density coexist. A moderate level of livestock and pika density can be consistent with maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the QTP alpine steppe ecosystem. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biology 2016

Os manguezais são ecossistemas complexos tipicamente encontrados na interface entre a terra e o mar. Apesar de sua grande importância ecológica estes ambientes estão em risco, devido à proximidade de áreas com elevada exposição a poluentes, como hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) liberados em derramantos de petróleo. Em nosso trabalho nós exploramos a diversidade e abundância taxonômica e funcional de bactérias em três manguezais localizados sob diferentes estágios de preservação no Estado de São Paulo. Os resultados mostraram que a concentração total de HPAs nos sedimentos foram diferentes entre todos os pontos de amostragem, com o sedimento de manguezal apresentando as concentrações mais elevadas. Genes <font face=\"Symbol\">a-ARHDs foram encontrados em todos os locais de amostragem, revelando a presença de enzimas envolvidas no metabolismo do bifenilo, naftaleno, dibenzofurano, 3-fenilpropanoato e benzeno. A PCR em tempo real demonstrou um maior número de cópias do gene <font face=\"Symbol\">a-ARHD e 16S rRNA nas áreas contaminadas. A análise das seqüências obtidas pelo sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA mostrou estruturas de comunidades distintas para todas as amostras. O filo mais frequente foi Proteobacteria e o número de Unidades Taxonômicas Operacionais (OTUs) detectadas nas amostras da área preservada foi superior às daárea contaminada. A análise das seqüências obtidas para o pirosequenciamento do gene bph indicou um maior número de Famílias Proteicas Operacionais (FPOs) no ambiente com atividade antrópica. Em conclusão, os resultados permitiram acessar e identificar uma extensa diversidade de bactérias, incluindo os genes ARHD, 16S rRNA e bph. Tais dados podem oferecer novas abordagens para melhorar a recuperação de tais ambientes. / Mangroves are complex ecosystems typically found at the interface between land and sea. Despite its great ecological importance, these environments are at risk due to the proximity of areas with high exposure to pollutants such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) released by oil spill. In our work we explore the diversity and taxonomic and functional abundance of bacteria in three mangroves under different stages of preservation located in the state of São Paulo. The results showed that the total concentration of PAHs in sediments were different between all the sampling sites, with mangrove sediment having the higher concentrations. <font face=\"Symbol\">a-ARHDs genes were found in all the sampling sites, revealing the presence of enzymes involved in the metabolism of biphenyl, naphthalene, dibenzofuran, 3-phenylpropanoate and benzene. The real-time PCR demonstrated an increased number of copies of the <font face=\"Symbol\">a-ARHD and 16S rRNA genes in the contaminated areas. The analysis of the sequences obtained by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene showed distinct communities structures for all samples. The phylum Proteobacteria was more frequent and the number of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) detected in pristine samples area was higher than contaminated area. The analysis of the sequences obtained for pyrosequencing of bph gene indicated a greater number of Operational Protein Families (OPFs) in the environment with human activity. In conclusion, the results allow to access and identify a wide variety of bacteria, including ARHD genes, 16S rRNA and bph. Such data may provide new approaches for improving the recovery of such environments.

Generally, works of public interest, such as the construction of hydroelectric power plants cause changes in ecosystems. Compensation for damage shall be notified by the entrepreneur, through ecological restoration of degraded ecosystem. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the evolution of areas in restoration process for a forest remnant more preserved, as well as evaluating methods and potential species, capable of maintaining the functionality of ecosystems. The State Park Quarta Colônia is full protection unit of 1847 hectares, located in the municipality of Agudo and Ibarama, Rio Grande do Sul, established in 2005, as a compensatory measure to the work of the hydroelectric dam of Dona Francisca, Rio Grande do Sul. The work was developed in chapters, where initially, held the definition and characterization of the reference area, establishing parameters for comparison with the areas in process of restoration. The reference area is located near 555.82 m of reclaimed areas, and 615.33 m of another, is composed of secondary forest in middle to advanced stage of succession. The vegetation of the reference area was recorded using 10 x 20 m 12 plots (200 m²) on tracks 100 m apart between sí, and 20 m between plots distributed systematically by topography gradient, being held at the circumference measurement of height peiro (CAP) of all individuals and arboreal with CAP ≥ 15 cm arbustivos. The regeneration was measured in circular sub-plots with radius of 1.78 m (10 m2) in the center of the parcels, and individuals with height ≥ 30 cm and CAP<15 cm. Data analysis was performed by means of the structure and diversity of vegetation and floristic groups, in addition to a canonical correspondence analysis between vegetation and environmental variables, where there was the formation of two groups floristic located according to the excerpts from land use and chemical characteristics. The second chapter deals with two areas in process of restoring deployed for seven years, styling-if A1, an area with restoration model based on successional species, and A2 the same criterion, but with wider spacing. To check the evolution of the process of restoration of the areas were considered attributes of floristic composition and vegetation structure structure, as well as environmental variables involved in ecological processes. The areas A1 and A2 were sampled by 18 plots, 10 x 20 m (200 m2), in each one, where he was observing the diameter, height and canopy coverage of individuals. The natural regeneration has been studied in sub-plots of 2 x 2 m (4 m2), retrieving the collar diameter and height (0.10 to 1.0 m). The environmental variables represented by the enzyme activity in soil, was observed through the collection of 10 samples of soil, in layers of 5 cm and 0 to 5 to 20 cm, in each area. The results showed that, in addition to the floristic composition and vegetation structure, the enzyme activity is a potential sign of the quality of the site, which indicates that the two areas restored retook the succession process, however A1 presents environmental conditions more favourable to development, enabling infer about the need for management, for the development of areas in recovery. The third chapter search information for deploying a restoration model for low-cost conservation unit and surroundings, where was rated a planting model composed of native forest species functionally divided into Group of fill (Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Schinus terebinthifolius Parapiptadenia rigida, Inga, vera, Luehea divaricata, Psidium cattleyanum) and diversity Group (Eugenia uniflora, Allophylus edulis, Cedrela fissilis, Prunus myrtifolia, Jacaranda micrantha, Cupania vernalis Cabralea canjerana,) and, associated with that, there was the influence of the staging area for subsoiling and seeding with legumes Vicia sativa. The experiment was deployed on delineation of blocks blocks in 2 x 2 x 4 trifatorial (method of staging area x Vicia sativa x time). The treatments consisted of: T1-cova planting tree species (fill-GP group and diversity-GD); T2-cova planting tree species (GP and GD) Vicia sativa; T3-subsoiling planting tree species (GP and GD); and T4-subsoiling planting tree species (GP and GD) Vicia sativa. The observed variables (mortality, collar diameter, height and diameter of the Cup) were subjected to analysis of variance and determination of the significance of the main effects of factors and interactions. The comparison of the species was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and the comparison of averages by Dunn's Test. It was noted that the use of subsoiling was the best method, indifferent to the use of Vicia sativa due its competitiveness with diversity group seedlings. Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Schinus terebinthifolius and Inga vera are indicated to compose the group, while filling, species diversity group, in the circumstance of the experiment, should be introduced after partial coverage of the canopy. Considering the results of this study it was not possible to conclude that the ecological restoration strategies must ensure that pioneering species, secondary and climax are present in abundance and appropriate distribution, but the diversity group deployment should occur with the canopy formed. The areas A1 and A2 are in continuous process of restoration, although it is necessary for handling your position to keep a successional trajectories close to the original ecosystem. / Geralmente, obras de interesse público, como a construção de usinas hidrelétricas, causam alterações nos ecossistemas. A reparação dos danos deve ser realizada pelo empreendedor, através da restauração ecológica do ecossistema degradado. Assim, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a evolução de áreas em processo de restauração em relação a um remanescente florestal mais preservado, além de avaliar métodos e espécies potenciais, capazes de manter a funcionalidade dos ecossistemas. O Parque Estadual Quarta Colônia é uma unidade de proteção integral de 1847 hectares, localizada no município de Agudo e Ibarama, RS, e criada em 2005 como medida compensatória à obra da usina hidrelétrica de Dona Francisca. Esta tese foi desenvolvida em capítulos, sendo que, inicialmente, são apresentadas definições básicas para o entendimento do texto e, posteriormente, são apresentados três capítulos na forma de artigo. O capítulo I apresenta um estudo de remanescente de floresta secundária (área de referência), localizada a aproximadamente 560 m de uma das áreas recuperadas e a 620 m de outra, é composta por floresta secundária em estádio de sucessão médio a avançado, e correlações com variáveis ambientais. A vegetação da área de referência foi inventariada utilizando-se 12 parcelas de 10 x 20 m (200 m²), em faixas distantes 100 m uma da outra e 20 m distantes entre parcelas distribuidas sistematicamente em gradiente de topografia, através da medição da circunferência à altura do peito (CAP) de todos os indivíduos arbóreos e arbustivos com CAP≥15 cm. A regeneração foi calculada em subparcelas circulares com raio de 1,78 m (10 m²) no centro das parcelas, medindo-se os indivíduos com altura≥30 cm e CAP<15 cm. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio das características estruturais da vegetação e florística, verificando-se a existência de agrupamentos florestais. Além disso, realizou-se análise de correspondência canônica entre a vegetação e as variáveis ambientais, sendo que se observou a formação de dois grupos florísticos, localizados de acordo com os trechos de uso do solo e as características químicas. Os resultados confirmaram o estágio médio a avançado de sucessão, uma vez que foram encontrados trechos com espécies de grupos sucessionais iniciais e trechos com predominância de espécies tardias e de sub-bosque. Dessa forma, a indicação de espécies para restauração de áreas desprovidas de vegetação depende de estudos de áreas de referência em estágios inicias de sucessão. No segundo capítulo, são avaliadas duas áreas em processo de restauração de sete anos, denominando-se A1, área cujo modelo de restauração foi baseado no processo natural de sucessão, e A2, que, apesar de ter sido baseada no mesmo modelo, foi implantada com espaçamento mais amplo. Para verificar o desenvolvimento do processo de restauração das áreas, foram avaliados atributos da composição florística e da estrutura da vegetação, assim como variáveis ambientais envolvidas em processos ecológicos. As áreas A1 e A2 foram amostradas através de 18 parcelas de 10 x 20 m (200 m²) cada uma, de modo que se observou o diâmetro, a altura e a cobertura de copa dos indivíduos. A regeneração natural foi estudada em subparcelas de 2 x 2 m (4 m²), através da obtenção do diâmetro do coleto e da altura (0,10 a 1,0 m). As variáveis ambientais representadas pela atividade enzimática no solo foram observadas por meio da coleta de 10 amostras de solo, nas camadas de 0 a 5 cm e de 5 a 20 cm, em cada área. Os resultados evidenciaram que, além da composição florística e estrutura da vegetação, a atividade enzimática é um indicativo potencial da qualidade do ecossistema, sendo que as duas áreas restauradas, embora com valores inferiores à floresta natural utilizada como área de referência, retomaram o processo de sucessão. O terceiro capítulo busca obter informações para implantação de um modelo de restauração de baixo custo para a unidade de conservação e seu entorno. Para tanto, foi avaliado um modelo de plantio composto por espécies florestais nativas, funcionalmente divididas em grupo de preenchimento (Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Schinus terebinthifolius, Parapiptadenia rigida, Inga vera, Luehea divaricata, Psidium cattleyanum) e grupo de diversidade (Eugenia uniflora, Allophylus edulis, Cedrela fissilis, Prunus myrtifolia, Jacaranda micrantha, Cupania vernalis, Cabralea canjerana). Além disso, verificou-se a influência do preparo da área por subsolagem e semeadura com a leguminosa Vicia sativa. O experimento foi implantado em delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema trifatorial 2 x 2 x 4 (método de preparo da área x Vicia sativa x tempo). Os tratamentos consistiram em: T1 - cova + plantio de espécies arbóreas (grupo de preenchimento-GP e de diversidade-GD); T2 - cova + plantio de espécies arbóreas (GP e GD) + Vicia sativa; T3 - subsolagem + plantio de espécies arbóreas (GP e GD); e T4 -subsolagem + plantio de espécies arbóreas (GP e GD) + Vicia sativa. As variáveis observadas (mortalidade, altura, diâmetro do coleto e diâmetro da copa) foram submetidas à análise de variância e determinação da significância dos efeitos principais dos fatores e das interações. A comparação das espécies foi analisada pelo Teste de Kruskal-Wallis e a comparação das médias pelo Teste de Dunn. Constatou-se que o uso de subsolagem foi o melhor método, indiferente ao uso de Vicia sativa devido à sua competitividade com as mudas do grupo de diversidade. Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Schinus terebinthifolius e Inga vera são indicadas para compor o grupo de preenchimento, enquanto que as espécies do grupo de diversidade, na circunstância do experimento, são indicadas para serem introduzidas após a cobertura parcial do dossel. Considerando os resultados deste estudo, foi possível concluir que as estratégias de restauração ecológica devem garantir que espécies pioneiras, secundárias e clímax estejam presentes em abundância e distribuição adequadas, e que a implantação do grupo de diversidade deverá ocorrer com o dossel formado. As áreas A1 e A2 estão em contínuo processo de restauração, embora seja necessário seu manejo para que tenham condições de manter uma trajetória sucessional próxima ao ecossitema original.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:53:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:58:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares-IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:35:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:03:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:03:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:33:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:06:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Submitted by Claudinei Pracidelli (cpracide@ipen.br) on 2016-06-22T14:21:17Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-22T14:21:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:02:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LucasGR_DISSERT.pdf: 1784310 bytes, checksum: 2efe93de1baceeb9caac55298c03a73e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-26 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / In Brazilian semiarid region, the majority of water bodies are temporary and the biodiversity in these ecosystems is poorly known. The goal of this study was to describe the temporal variation of benthic macroinvertebrates in an intermittent stream in the Brazilian semiarid region. From March to July of 2009, surveys of benthic macroinvertebrates and water physiochemical parameters were done in a first order stream located at Piranhas-A?u River basin. 25 macroinvertebrates families were found, 21 belonging to Insecta class. The chironomids were the most abundant group during all study period and were represented by 19 genus. The largest densities and taxonomic richness were seen in the drying phase of the stream while the smallest values were found in the period with the heaviest rainfalls ( wet phase ). Only the families Chironomidae and Ceratopogonidae were found during all study period, suggesting that these groups have better adaptations to support floods and droughts. Furthermore, these two groups seemed to be pioneering in this stream. Among the chironomids, Paratendipes dominated the period of floods while Tanytarsus were more abundant in the drying phase . This study showed that hydrological fluctuation is the main force influencing the macroinvertebrate community in this stream, therefore, efforts seeking the conservation and management of Brazilian semiarid water bodies should consider this high natural variability in flow regime / O semi?rido brasileiro possui grande parte de seus corpos de ?gua com car?ter tempor?rio e pouco se conhece sobre a biodiversidade destes ambientes e os fatores que influenciam esta diversidade. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a varia??o temporal dos macroinvertebrados bent?nicos de um riacho intermitente da regi?o do semi?rido brasileiro. Foram feitas 11 amostragens da fauna de macroinvertebrados bent?nicos e de par?metros f?sico-qu?micos da ?gua em um riacho de primeira ordem da bacia hidrogr?fica do rio Piranhas-A?u durante o per?odo de mar?o a julho de 2009. Foram encontradas 25 fam?lias de organismos sendo 21 destes da classe Insecta. A fam?lia Chironomidae foi a mais abundante em todo per?odo amostral e foi representada por 19 g?neros. As maiores densidades de organismos e riqueza taxon?mica ocorreram no per?odo em que o riacho estava secando e as menores no per?odo das maiores precipita??es. Apenas as fam?lias de Diptera, Chironomidae e Ceratopogonidae, ocorreram durante todo per?odo amostral, sugerindo que estes organismos possuem melhores mecanismos de adapta??es frente ?s cheias e secas. Al?m disso, estes dois grupos pareceram ser os colonizadores prim?rios neste ambiente. Entre os quironom?deos, o g?nero Paratendipes dominou o per?odo de cheias enquanto Tanytarsus foi mais abundante no per?odo secando do riacho. Nosso estudo demonstrou que as flutua??es hidrol?gicas foram os fatores que mais influenciaram a comunidade dos macroinvertebrados bent?nicos no riacho, e assim, estrat?gias visando a conserva??o e gest?o destes ambientes devem considerar estas flutua??es