abstract: This archaeological study analyses households at the Postclassic site of Calixtlahuaca (State of Mexico, Mexico), to evaluate the directness and collectiveness of local and imperial Aztec rule based on their effects on the commoner population. Scholars are divided as to whether Aztec rule was generally positive (due to opportunities for economic and cultural interaction) or negative (due to taxation and loss of autonomy). Contexts at Calixtlahuaca date to three periods, the Dongu (AD 1130-1370), Ninupi (1370-1450), and Yata (1450-1530) phases. The first two phases show the pre-Aztec trajectory, which is compared to the final period under Aztec rule to disentangle general trends toward regional integration from Aztec effects. Each phase includes six excavated households. I assess economic changes on three dimensions: foreign trade, local craft production, and household wealth. Trade is evaluated for obsidian and ceramics (INAA, petrography, type classification) and local crafting is evaluated for ceramic, lithic, textile, and molded ceramic items. Wealth is measured using all excavated artifacts, with the relative values of artifact classes based on Colonial Nahuatl wills. Prior to Aztec rule, trade was increasing and diversifying, but craft production was low. Under Aztec rule, trade reoriented toward the Basin of Mexico, craft production remained low, and household wealth stabilized. Pre-Aztec inter-household variation for all dimensions is low, before increasing during the Yata phase. Cultural changes are evaluated for ritual activities and foodways. I evaluate the degree of interhousehold variability, the overall similarity to other parts of Central Mexico, the degree of change under Aztec rule, and immigration versus emulation as potential explanations for that change. Evaluation is based on the distinction between high and low visibility objects and practices. The Dongu and Ninupi phase households at Calixtlahuaca were culturally homogeneous and regionally distinctive. During the Yata phase, the site became moderately more Aztec, but this change was unevenly distributed among households. Together, the economic and cultural patterns at Calixtlahuaca indicate that the pre-Aztec local organization of power was relatively collective, but that this was partially overlaid by relatively indirect and non-collective Aztec imperial rule, with mildly negative effects. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Anthropology 2016

Master of Science / Department of Computer Science / Doina Caragea / The goal of the project is to create a database for storing the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) data, and a user interface to query the database. Currently, the survey data is stored in excel files in the CSV format, which makes it hard to perform complex analyses over the data. Analyses of interest to transportation community include comparisons of the trips made by urban household to those made by rural household, finding the average trip time spent based on ethnicity, the total travel time of a particular household, the preferred vehicle by a specific household, average time spent per shopping trip, etc. The tool designed for the purpose of querying the NHTS database is a Python-based Web application. Django is used as the Web framework for this project and PostgreSQL is used for the back-end purpose. The user interface consists of various drop-down lists, text-boxes, buttons and other user interface components that facilitate querying the database and presenting the results in formats that allow easy interpretation. FusionCharts Django-Wrapper and FusionCharts Jquery-Plugin are used to visualize the data in the chart form. A Codebook of the NHTS dataset is also linked for the reference purpose at any point for the user. The tool built in the project allows the user to get a deeper understanding of the data, not only by plotting the data in the form of line charts, bar charts, two column graph, but also by providing the results of the queries in the CSV format for further analysis.

A poeira doméstica tem sido identificada como um importante vetor de exposição por substâncias inorgânicas e orgânicas, potencialmente tóxicas, em crianças e adultos. A composição da poeira tem uma forte influência de contaminantes provenientes de ambientes internos e externos. Durante o uso normal ou por intempéries, de uma variedade de artefatos e materiais, as substâncias químicas são desincorporadas para o meio ambiente. Uma vez liberadas, elas tendem a se acumular e enriquecer na poeira doméstica; e por meio de exposição contínua (mecanismos de inalação, ingestão e contato direto com a pele) afeta a saúde humana. Neste trabalho, foi realizada uma avaliação da contaminação por constituintes inorgânicos e ésteres ftálicos em poeira doméstica; e a correlação com as prováveis fontes antropogênicas. As amostras de poeira foram coletadas de 69 residências, nos bairros Pirituba, Freguesia do Ó, Jaraguá e Perus, da região metropolitana de São Paulo, entre 2006 e 2008. As amostras foram separadas nas frações: 850, 850-300, 300-150, 150-75, 75- 63 e <63 &mu;m. A análise por fluorescência de raios X (WDXRF) mostrou a presença de Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr e Pb. A análise por cromatografia de fase gasosa acoplada o espectrômetro de massa (GCMS) a presença de ésteres ftálicos (DEHP, DnBP, DEP, DEHA, BBP e DMP). A partir do fator de enriquecimento (FE), os elementos P, S, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn e Pb foram classificados como sendo significantemente e extremamente enriquecidos na poeira. As contribuições naturais e antropogênicas foram identificadas por meio de ferramentas estatísticas como análise de fatores (AF) e cluster (AC). Os elementos Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn e Pb foram encontrados em concentrações significativamente elevadas com relação aos valores de exposição total (ingestão, inalação e contato dérmico) e de risco. / Household dust has been identified as an important vector of exposure by inorganic and organic substances potentially toxic in children and adults. The dust composition has a strong influence of contaminants provided from internal and external environments. During the natural process of wearing or weather incidents of artifacts and materials variety, the chemical substances are released into the environment in the steam form or by leaching from final products. Once released, they can be accumulated and enriched in the dust; and by continuous exposure (inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact mechanisms), these substances are harmful to human health. In this work, a study to determine the inorganic constituents and phthalate esters concentrations in residential indoor environment dust samples, correlating them with the probable anthropogenic sources was proposed. Dust samples were collected from 69 residences in neighborhoods Pirituba, Freguesia do Ó, Jaraguá and Perus of the São Paulo metropolitan region, using a domestic vacuum cleaner, between 2006 and 2008. The samples were sieved in the fractions of 850, 850-300, 300-150, 150-75, 75-63 and <63 &mu;m. The analysis by X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) showed the presence of Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr and Pb. The presence of phthalate esters (DEHP, DnBP, DEP, DEHA, DMP and BBP) was detected, by GCMS analyses. From the enrichment factor (EF), the elements P, S, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb were classified as being significant and extremely enriched in the dust. The natural and anthropogenic contributions by statistical tools as factor analysis (AF) and cluster were identified. The elements Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb were present significantly elevated concentrations in relation to the total exposure values (ingestion, inhalation and skin contact) and to risk.

O estudo busca identificar como a expansão do mercado de crédito brasileiro pode amenizar o problema de déficit habitacional no país através da criação de mais moradias. Entre 2000 e 2010, o país adotou novas regras institucionais que permitiram um aumento da oferta de crédito. Dentre elas podemos citar a lei de alienação fiduciária e mudanças na lei de direcionamento de crédito que expandiram o volume de financiamento habitacional. Comparando os dados do Censo 2000 com o Censo 2010, também é possível perceber que houve alguma melhora no problema de déficit habitacional, uma vez que houve redução do número médio de moradores por domicílio e por dormitório. Uma maneira de verificar como a expansão do mercado de crédito esteve relacionada a essa melhora, é identificar qual o impacto do financiamento na criação de moradias. Esse estudo utilizou dados dos municípios brasileiros nos anos de 2000 e 2010 para tentar responder essa questão empiricamente. Os resultados indicam que uma expansão de 100% do volume de financiamento aumenta em cerca de 10% o número de domicílios. Esse resultado foi obtido utilizando o método de variável instrumental, pois é possível que crédito seja uma variável endógena devido a uma características locais não observadas, como o preço dos imóveis. A variável instrumental proposta foi crédito para empresas, pois existem aspectos locais que devem expandir o crédito em diversas modalidades. Para embasar a análise empírica, foi desenvolvido um modelo teórico que destacou a importância de controlar por fatores como renda e demografia. Na análise empírica, a estrutura etária da população demonstrou ter um papel relevante na demanda por moradias. Por fim, esse resultado permaneceu robusto controlando por outras fontes de heterogeneidade local. / The study seeks to identify how the expansion in Brazilian credit market can relieve the problem of housing shortage by creating more housing. Between 2000 and 2010, the country adopted new institutional rules that allowed an increase in credit supply. Among them we can mention the fiduciary law and changes in non-earmarked credit regulation that expanded the volume of mortgage. Comparing the data from the 2000 census with the 2010 census, we can see that there was some improvement in the problem of housing shortage, since there was a reduction in the average number of residents per household and per bedroom. One way to verify how the credit market expansion was related to this improvement is to identify how mortgage impacts on household formation. This study used data from municipalities for the years 2000 and 2010 to try to answer this question empirically. The results indicate that an increase of 100% in credit volume increases by 10% the number of households. The results indicate that an increase of 100% in outstanding credit increases by about 10% the number of households. This result was obtained using an instrumental variable, since it is possible that credit is an endogenous due to unobserved local characteristics, such as real estate prices. Credit for legal entities was proposed as an instrumental variable, since there are local aspects that may expand credit in general. To support the empirical analysis, it was developed a theoretical model that emphasized the importance of controlling for factors such as income and demographics. In empirical analysis, age has shown to performance a decisive role for determining housing demand. Finally, this result remained robust after controlling for other kinds of local heterogeneity.

Orientador: Alvaro de Oliveira D'Antona / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T17:53:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Craice_Carla_M.pdf: 2695429 bytes, checksum: 28403979709e709653643daf64834609 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Esta dissertação tem como objetivo refletir sobre a relação entre população e consumo de uma perspectiva conceitual mais geral no campo das Ciências Sociais, buscando identificar a contribuição da Demografia nos estudos sobre o consumo e, a partir de tal referencial, testar empiricamente a existência de relações entre características da população e o consumo de energia elétrica. O trabalho se insere no crescente interesse da demografia pelo campo de população e ambiente nas últimas décadas, o qual se afasta do viés malthusiano do debate para construir diferentes abordagens. Entender o consumo no momento atual consiste não só em observar o que se consome, mas também entender como a dinâmica populacional influencia o padrão e nível consumo. A hipótese central que orienta o trabalho é que o consumo da população é afetado por suas características sociodemográficas, tais como anos de estudo, posição na ocupação, idade dos chefes do domicílio, composição domiciliar (idade dos moradores, sexo), entre outros. O estudo se desenvolve a partir de dados coletados na área urbana de Lucas do Rio Verde-MT e de Santarém-PA, no ano de 2009, com informações de 3.767 moradores e 999 domicílios, além de dados secundários do Censo Demográfico de 2010 para a caracterização da população dos dois municípios. Os resultados dos testes de correlação apontaram a existência do efeito de algumas variáveis sociodemográficas na variação do consumo de energia elétrica. As variáveis relativas à composição etária do domicílio mostraram-se importantes para avaliação do consumo, como por exemplo, a presença de crianças no domicílio tendo o efeito negativo no consumo de energia elétrica. Também encontrou-se que o consumo de energia elétrica per capita diminui à medida que o número de moradores por domicílio ou a densidade por cômodo aumentam. Um domicílio com duas pessoas usa 30% a menos de energia elétrica per capita que o unipessoal, e aqueles com 3 moradores consomem metade desta energia. O trabalho mostra a relevância do aprofundamento do estudo do consumo da perspectiva dos estudos populacionais, indicando a importância do desenvolvimento do tema no âmbito da demografia / Abstract: This works main objective is to analyze the relationship between population and consumption from a theoretical perspective, drawing from the Social Science theoretical perspective, seeking to identify the contribution of Demographic studies on consumption and, from this framework, empirically test the existence of relations between population characteristics and electricity consumption. Such study is part of a growing interest in the field of population and environment in recent decades, attempting to move away from the Malthusian bias to build different approaches. Consumption is not understood by what is consumed, but also on how population dynamics affect the pattern and level of consumption. The central hypothesis guiding this work is that the consumption of the population is affected by sociodemographic characteristics, such as years of education, occupational position, the householder's age, household composition (age of residents, gender), among others. For this study data were collected in the urban area of Lucas do Rio Verde-MT and Santarém-PA, in 2009, with information from 3,767residents and 999 households. Secondary data were extracted from the 2010 Census in order to characterize the population of both cities. The results of the correlation tests indicated the existence of the effect of some sociodemographic variables on the variation of electricity consumption. The variables relating to the age composition of the household proved important for the assessment of consumption, such as the negative effect on electricity consumption when in the presence of children in the household. Another result was that the electricity consumption per capita decreases as the number of residents per household or density increase room. A household with two people uses 30% less energy per capita than a one-person household, and those with 3 residents consume half of this energy. Thus this work shows the importance of deepening the study of consumption from the perspective of population studies, indicating the importance of the development of the topic in the context of demographic studies / Mestrado / Demografia / Mestra em Demografia

Background: The cholera epidemic experienced in the province of KwaZulu-¬Natal between August 2000 and July 2001 resulted in 105, 000 reported cases of cholera and 220 human deaths. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to make comparison between districts with cholera and districts with no cholera in rural KwaZulu-Natal on the basis of known risk factors for cholera and diarrhoeal diseases. Comparison was made with regards to key factors such as the prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases, the provision of safe water supply, ownership and effective utilization of sanitary facilities, knowledge and practice on water purification and prevention of cholera. Methods and materials: This was a descriptive, cross- sectional, ecological and comparative study among households of KwaZulu-Natal. The communities were stratified into two groups. One group had cholera (Group 1) and the other group (Group 2) had no cholera. Thirty communities were selected by systematic random selection from each of the two groups. From each community, eligible households were selected using simple random sampling technique. Trained field workers used a pre-tested questionnaire to collect data during the months of November and December 2001. Statistical procedures such as two-sample tests on means and proportions, Pearson's chi-square tests of association, odds ratios, binary logistic regression analysis, sensitivity tests, specificity tests and ROC (receiver of characteristics) analysis were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 1420 households from both groups were included in the study. The response rate for Group 1 and Group 2 was 84%,92%. Female respondents (70%) predominated male respondents (30%). Tap water supply was less common in Group 1 (54%) than in Group 2 (72%), (p< 0.05). A higher percentage of households in Group 1 (27%) used dam or river water compared to Group 2 (20%) (p<0.05). Household knowledge on water purification by boiling was (71%) in Group 1 and (87%) (p<0.05) in Group 2.38% of households in Group 1 practiced water purification by using disinfectant JIK. The corresponding figure for Group 2 was 50% (p<0.05). Groups 1 and 2 were similar with respect to ownership of toilets (84% and 85% respectively). Groups 1 and 2 showed a marked difference with respect to utilization of toilet facilities by all family members (70% and 89% respectively). The prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases for Group 1 was higher (14.3%) (p<0.05) than the Group 2 was (11.1%). Factors found to be helpful for protection against diarrhoeal diseases were the boiling of water (OR=0.41, 95% CI, 0.19-0.90) and the use of disinfectant JIK (OR=0.45, 95% CI, 0.19-0.94). The study also showed that the use of dam or river water was significantly associated with diarrhoeal diseases (OR=2.92, 95% CI, 1.06-7.80). Conclusion: The results showed that there was significant difference between the two groups of households in regards to basic provision of safe water, knowledge and practice of good hygiene, ownership and effective utilization of sanitary facilities. Findings from this study could be useful as baseline information for future planning, monitoring and evaluation of ongoing programmes. / Dissertation (MSc(Epidemiology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / unrestricted

This thesis looks at the relationship between labour migration and socio-economic well-being of the rural households in the communities in Northeastern Thailand, and provides one of the few detailed case studies of the costs and benefits of labour mobility within Southeast Asian labour market system. This research aims to deepen our understanding of the implications of labour migration at micro-level. More specifically, the study aims to examine 'how much such labour migration and remittances do support the rural households and their family members left-behind?' by seeking a holistic assessment based on well-being perspectives with mixed-methods approach. To appreciate this question, we must first understand that there has been rapid economic development and change in Thailand over the past decades, and Thailand is now a leading economy in Southeast Asia that is evolving into a global and regional migration hub for outgoing, incoming, and transiting migrants. The rural communities in Northeastern Thailand, however, have experienced economic and environmental marginality, and as a result, have developed an institutionalised and self-sustaining migration culture after the Vietnam War in 1975. Yet existing research does not tell us much about what are the consequences of the labour migration on well-being for the households in this area. The research explores associations between remittance behaviours and gender difference using sex-disaggregated data, measures dimensions of poverty alleviating effects on the three Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty indices, and assesses economic well-being of the rural households (on the basis of differing participation in labour migration) and non-economic well-being of the family left-behind. On the evidence of this research with various levels of significance in regression analyses, international labour migration and remittances have several implications on rural households in Northeastern Thailand. Firstly, the results show that women and migrants from poorer households behave more altruistically, while men and migrants from richer households behave more contractually. These heterogeneities in remittance behaviours also linked to the asset accumulation patterns for migrants' own future well-being and related to inheritance culture of the rural Thais. Secondly, labour migration is a rational economic strategy of rural households to combat poverty and to improve economic well-being. The analysis reveals clearly that the entire income gap and most of the gap in economic well-being between households with and without migrants can be accounted by availability of remittances. However, the remittances also increase economic inequality (i.e. disparities in well-being) among households in the communities as well-known. Finally, the absence of adult children (for the elderly) or parents (for children) because of international labour migration does not create major disruptions of the non-economic well-being of the family members. The possibilities for frequent correspondence, returns, and the economic benefits of migration contribute to cushion the negative impacts of migration. Most of all, the extended family system plays a decisive role in functioning as a support mechanism.

Traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) have formed a part of rural household food security strategies for generations. In an effort understand their role in household food security, the role and production of TLVs (morogo/ miroho/imifino) were determined in three culturally and agro-ecologically diverse rural communities in South Africa. A questionnaire survey was combined with qualitative methodologies to access the indigenous knowledge associated with the utilisation and production of these crops. TLV production is a female-oriented agricultural activity, as households mainly utilise TLVs for household consumption. Marketing of mainly dried TLVs was limited and income generated from these sales was used to complement household income. The importance of the different TLVs for household consumption varies according to the specific socio-economic situation of the household at a specific time, although they are very important in the period just before other crops are harvested. Cultural beliefs and taboo’s associated with agricultural activities were reported widely. Expenditure on agricultural inputs is low in all three villages. TLVs are commonly intercropped with maize, therefore their production and management practices are linked with maize. Uncultivated TLVs are generally harvested from maize fields and fallow lands. Variations between the villages were found for seedbed preparation, pest control management, fertilisation and irrigation practices. Interactions between crops in the production system and varieties produced had an influence on production decisions made. The socio-economic conditions of households determined the growth stages at which TLVs were harvested. Villages differed with regard to the TLVs mixed into a dish, the proportions of the different TLVs and the plant parts harvested (seed, stalks, flowers, growth points and fruit). Differences in preparation methods of crops existed and were reflected in the preparation method (frying, boiling), type of dish prepared (relish, incorporated into the porridge) and additions to dishes (adding of ash, peanut flour, bicarbonate of soda, mashed pumpkin seed, exotic vegetables, flowers and immature or mature fruit). The types of TLVs dried, preservation methods utilised, storage management and length of storage varied considerably between the three villages. Most of the dried TLVs were stored for up to one year, but the bulk was used within six months. Cowpea was perceived as an ideal dried crop for drought survival strategies as the dried leaves have a long shelf life. Villagers perceived TLVs to be nutritious, but it was not promoted amoungst vulnerable groups. The loss of indigenous knowledge (IK) was identified as a possible cause for this. The decline in utilisation of TLVs found in all three villages is mainly due to poor production systems (drought, low soil fertility, loss of IK and lack of seed). Seed systems for uncultivated plants were unstructured, although the older women had very sophisticated knowledge about seed quality. Differences in the utilisation and production of TLVs were found between the three villages. The main contributing factors towards the utilisation differences are caused by the climate and degree of indigenous knowledge in a specific area. Production differences are influenced by the bio-physical and socio-economic elements in the area. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Realizing the need on the part of the general public for a better background for selection of useful household objects that combine utility and beauty of line, the author planned an exhibition in an attempt to develop a community awareness to good design in useful objects available in Wichita Falls, Texas.

An evaluation of BioSand Filters, a method of Household Water Treatment, was conducted in Posoltega, Nicaragua, with objectives of determining the long-term filtration efficiency and the rate of sustained use. Field methods included microbial and turbidity water quality testing and interviews with filter users regarding the operation, maintenance and perceptions towards the filters. Of the 234 BioSand Filters installed in 1999 and 2004, only 24 were found to still be in operation. The average filtration efficiency was found to be 98% for total coliforms, 96% for E. coli and 88% for turbidity. Statistically significant effects on filtration efficiency were detected for the source contamination, the inverse of the flow rate, and the standing depth of water over the sand. A follow-up laboratory QA/QC procedure was undertaken to validate the field methods, which consisted of membrane filtration (MF) with m coliBlue24 growth media, and SolarCult dipslides. It was found that MF with m coliBlue24 produced useful reproducible results, and is an appropriate method for conducting field water quality testing. The dipslides were found to be an appropriate tool for testing source water quality and assessing the applicability of BioSand Filters, and may be an appropriate tool for local health representatives to promote safe water practices within the community. However, the dipslides should not be used as a presence / absence test for drinking water due to the high limit of detection. The low rate of sustained use (10%) is mostly a result of the structural failure of the concrete walls of the filter, in particular for those filters from 2004. Anecdotal evidence suggests insufficient quality control during the construction. The filtered water and the stored post-filtered water did not meet the WHO guidelines for safe drinking water on account of the presence of E. coli. Also identified were improper maintenance practices and unsafe storage of post-filtered water. These problems could have been addressed through the development of a holistic water system approach, such as the World Health Organization Water Safety Plan. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate