Submitted by Lara Oliveira (lara@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-02-16T16:22:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JúlioJA_TESE.pdf: 1730499 bytes, checksum: a0c711b1299ec9f724ad42d24c86a033 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-03-21T14:41:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 JúlioJA_TESE.pdf: 1730499 bytes, checksum: a0c711b1299ec9f724ad42d24c86a033 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-03-21T14:44:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 JúlioJA_TESE.pdf: 1730499 bytes, checksum: a0c711b1299ec9f724ad42d24c86a033 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-21T14:49:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JúlioJA_TESE.pdf: 1730499 bytes, checksum: a0c711b1299ec9f724ad42d24c86a033 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The suitability of an irrigation system depends on the availability and quality of the water, the chemical, physical and physical-water characteristics of the soil, the agronomic requirements of the plants and the local atmospheric conditions. The present study aims to develop irrigation systems technologies in the organic production of 'Pacovan' banana in the Açu-RN Valley region and determine the infiltration of water into the soil in different management systems, seeking technical, social and environmental viability , In addition to providing the interaction between education, Research and Extension. The experimental design was randomized blocks with sub-divided plots and with eight replications, the blocks being represented by four irrigation systems: sprinkler, drip and micro-sprinkler alternative and alternative. The sample space was 32 plots and each plot occupied an area of 144 m2, including 24 clumps of banana trees in the spacing 4 x 2 x 2 m. The planting was carried out during the month of December 2010, the harvest began in January 2012, having already harvested all production of plants mothers, daughters and grandchildren. The productivity parameters of banana fruits and the speed of infiltration of water in the soil were evaluated. It was verified that the sprinkler irrigation system presented the best relative yield in the average weight of the bunches with 14.78 kg, average length of the fruits with 15.46 cm and yield of 24.63 megagrams ha-1. The best infiltration rate was 9.27 cm and the water infiltration velocity in the soil was 2.01 cm h-1 in an area with native forest / A adequação de um sistema de irrigação depende da disponibilidade e qualidade da água, das características químicas, físicas e físico-hídricas do solo, das exigências agronômicas das plantas e das condições atmosféricas do local. O presente estudo tem como objetivo desenvolver tecnologias de sistemas de irrigação na produção orgânica de bananeira ‘Pacovan’ na região do Vale do Açu-RN e determinar a infiltração de água no solo em diferentes sistemas de manejo, buscando a viabilidade técnica, social e ambiental, além de proporcionar a interação entre Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com parcelas sub-divididas e com oito repetições, sendo os blocos representados por quatro sistemas de irrigação: aspersão, gotejamento, microaspersão e alternativo. O espaço amostral foi de 32 parcelas e cada parcela ocupou uma área de 144 m2, comportando 24 touceiras de bananeiras no espaçamento 4 x 2 x 2 m. O plantio foi realizado durante o mês de dezembro 2010, a colheita iniciou-se em janeiro de 2012, tendo já colhido toda produção das plantas mães, filhas e netas. Foram avaliados os parâmetros de produtividade de frutos de bananeiras e a velocidade de infiltração de água no solo. Verificou-se que o sistema de irrigação por aspersão, foi o que apresentou melhor rendimento relativo no peso médio dos cachos com 14,78 kg, comprimento médio dos frutos com 15,46 cm e produtividade de 24,63 megagramas ha-1. A melhor taxa de infiltração foi de 9,27 cm e a velocidade de infiltração de água no solo foi de 2,01 cm h-1 em área com mata nativa / 2017-02-16

A mortalidade neonatal, em vários países do mundo, corresponde ao componente mais expressivo da mortalidade infantil. No Brasil, esta mortalidade mantém-se em patamares elevados e com acentuadas desigualdades regionais em sua distribuição. Este estudo teve como objetivos, analisar a tendência temporal e fatores associados à mortalidade neonatal, identificar padrões na sua distribuição espacial e a relação desta com as condições de vida além de analisar a evolução das desigualdades sociais no risco de morte neonatal e suas relações com características maternas, condições de nascimento, atenção à saúde e de condições de vida em Salvador, Bahia, no período de 1980 a 2006. No primeiro artigo que compõe esta tese, construiu-se uma série temporal dos óbitos neonatais de 1980 a 2006, enquanto nos segundo e terceiro artigos, correspondentes a estudos de agregados espaciais referentes a 2000-2006, Zonas de Informação (ZI) compuseram as unidades de análise. Estas foram agregadas em estratos de elevada, intermediária, baixa e muito baixa condição de vida, com base em um Índice de Condições de Vida. Análise de Componentes Principais, Correlação de Spearman, Regressão Linear ordinal e espacial e Qui-Quadrado de tendência foram métodos empregados na análise dos dados, além do Teste I de Moran (Global e Local) para avaliar dependência espacial, e Risco Relativo, para avaliar as desigualdades sociais. Os resultados demonstraram tendência de estabilização dos óbitos neonatais a partir de 1992 e as três principais causas são redutíveis por adequada atenção à gestação, ao parto e ao recém-nascido. Evidenciou-se autocorrelação espacial entre as taxas (I=0,1717; p=0,0100). O padrão espacial detectado teve a proporção de nascidos vivos (NV) com baixo peso como seu principal fator explicativo e definiu os maiores riscos para esta mortalidade (> 9,0/1000 NV) concentrados em áreas do centro e subúrbio, e os mais baixos (3,2 a 5,5/1000NV) ao sul e leste da cidade. Demonstrou-se associação da mortalidade neonatal com as condições de vida, confirmada pelo gradiente linear e crescente do risco nesta mortalidade do estrato de melhor para o de pior condição de vida, indicando a influência da desigualdade social nesta mortalidade. Há indícios de redução desta desigualdade, devido ao decréscimo ocorrido no estrato de intermediária condição de vida (β= -0,93; 0,039), aliada à reduzida variação no risco de morte neonatal do estrato de elevada condição de vida. São necessárias novas estratégias para a redução da mortalidade neonatal que contemplem maior qualificação e reestruturação da atenção à saúde materno-infantil, bem como outras que promovam melhorias nas condições de vida da população, sob o risco de comprometer a velocidade de decréscimo da mortalidade infantil no município. / Neonatal mortality in several countries of the world corresponds to the major component of infant mortality. In Brazil, this mortality remains at high levels and with marked regional differences in its distribution. This study aimed to analyze the trend and factors associated with neonatal mortality, identify patterns in their spatial distribution and the relationship between living conditions and to analyzing the evolution of social inequalities in risk of neonatal mortality and its relationship to maternal characteristics, conditions of birth, health care and living conditions in Salvador, Bahia, from 1980 to 2006. In the first article that makes up this thesis, we constructed a series of neonatal deaths from 1980 to 2006, whereas in the second and third articles, corresponding to spatial aggregation studies concerning the 2000-2006 period, Information Zones (IZ) were the units analysis. These were aggregated into strata of high, intermediate, low and very low standard of living based on an index of Living Conditions. Principal Component Analysis, Spearman correlation, linear regression, and chi-square test were used in data analysis, besides Moran’s Test I (Global and Local) in order to evaluate spatial dependence, and relative risk for social inequalities evaluation. The results showed a trend towards stabilization of neonatal deaths from 1992 and the three main causes are reducible by adequate attention to pregnancy, labor and the newborn. It was observed autocorrelation between the rates (I = 0.1717, p = 0.0100). The proportion of low birth weight as the main determinant of the spatial pattern detected and defined the greatest risk for infant mortality (>9.0/1000NV) concentrated in the downtown areas and suburbs, and the lowest (3.2 to 5.5/1000NV) to the south and east of the city. It was observed an association between neonatal mortality and living conditions, confirmed by the linear and increasing gradient of mortality risk as we go from the best stratum of living conditions to the worst one, indicating the influence social inequality on neonatal mortality. There is evidence that reducing inequality, due to the decrease occurred in the stratum living conditions (β = -0.93, 0.039), combined with reduced variation in the risk of neonatal death of the stratum living conditions. We need new strategies to reduce neonatal mortality, covering more advanced training and restructuring of attention to maternal and child health, as well as others that promote improvements in living conditions of population at risk of compromising the rate of decrease in infant mortality municipality.

La thèse constitue une analyse physique, sociale et économique du paysage de deux villages himalayens de l’Inde (Uttarakhand) : Darkot et Sharmoli, par rapport au bourg voisin de Munsiyari qui jouit de fonctions administratives, commerciales et touristiques. Sharmoli est plus proche de Munsiyari, tandis que Darkot est distant de 7 km, et à une altitude plus basse. 173 ménages furent enquêtés. Les villages sont peuplés de Bhotias (classés Scheduled Tribes mais hindous de haute caste), Thakurs (haute caste) et ex-intouchables (Scheduled Castes). Les Bhotias pratiquaient le commerce avec le Tibet, et les autres castes étaient en position de dominés, mais à partir de 1962, avec l’arrêt du commerce et le transfert des terres des Bhotias aux Thakurs leurs anciens métayers, nombre de changements sont apparus dans la vie physique, sociale et économique des deux villages. Darkot est un village très ancien où les structures de caste, de religion et les hiérarchies demeurent très visibles dans les espaces publics comme privés, tandis que Sharmoli, construit il y a 4 ou 5 décennies, est moins marqué. Les habitants des deux villages adoptent de nouveaux types de maisons, avec de nouveaux matériaux de construction et un changement d’utilisation des pièces. Mais l’utilisation du sol à Sharmoli est marquée par le tourisme, au contraire de Darkot. L’agriculture dépasse le seuil de subsistance dans les deux cas. La majorité des hommes des deux villages est engagée dans les services (commerce) mais très peu comme fonctionnaires. L’âge moyen des actifs dans les villages dépasse 40 ans, ce qui signale l’émigration des jeunes vers les villes et la présence d’un grand nombre de retraités, notamment à Darkot. Le revenu par tête dépasse le seuil de pauvreté (3 $ par jour), mais pourrait être supérieur si les qualifications étaient supérieures et les opportunités dans les villages plus abondantes. Les femmes, notamment Bhotia, travaillent souvent dans l’artisanat, et les chambres d’hôte sont devenues une bonne source de revenu pour des ménages de Sharmoli. Globalement, le système clientéliste entre les Bhotias et les deux autres castes a disparu. Mais le paysage social de Darkot témoigne de plus d’orthodoxie dans l’espace public, puisque la religion, le temple, la caste jouent un rôle important en comparaison avec Sharmoli où dominent des fêtes modernes et profanes. La situation des femmes n’est pas très bonne dans aucun des villages, et des factions existent, notamment entre Bhotias et Thakurs. Au final, Darkot comme Sharmoli montrent les caractéristiques de la tradition et de la modernité, à travers l’analyse socio-économique des espaces privés et publics. / The thesis revolves around the physical, social and economic analysis of the landscape of two Himalayan villages in Uttarakhand, India: of Darkot and Sharmoli with respect to the core Munsiyari which exhibits administrative, market and tourism functions. Sharmoli is located near the core while Darkot is situated at a distance of 7 kms. and at a lower height than Sharmoli. The villages are inhabited by Bhotias (scheduled tribe as well as high-caste Hindus), Thakurs (high-caste Hindus) and lower-caste (scheduled castes) people. Around 173 families belonging to different castes are surveyed in the two villages. Bhotias used to practice trade with Tibet and the other two castes were their subordinates, but after 1962 with the stoppage of trade and transfer of Bhotias’ land to the tiller Thakurs, a lot of changes have come about in the physical, social and economic life of both the villages. The analysis of the landscape of Darkot and Sharmoli shows that Darkot is a very old village with the presence of elements of caste, religion, hierarchy etc. in its settlement pattern of private and public spaces, while Sharmoli has been constructed in the last 4-5 decades with a lower degree of influence of social and physical factors. The inhabitants of both the villages are adopting modern-design and new types of houses with contemporary construction materials while the uses of rooms are changing as per need. Land in the Sharmoli is used more for tourism-related activities which are absent in case of Darkot, while agriculture is far from subsistence level in both the villages. Majority of the male inhabitants of both the villages are engaged in service sector activities such as labour, business, private jobs etc. while very few are in government services. The average age of the earner in both the villages is beyond 40 years which shows the out-migration of young people to the towns and cities along with the presence of a large number of pensioners, esp. in Darkot. Though the villagers are not poor with regard to per-capita income, yet their earnings are lower (i.e. around $3 per day) because of poor educational qualifications and skills, along with lack of good opportunities in the villages. Women (esp. of Bhotia caste) are engaged in handicrafts while home-stays have come up as a new and good source of income for the families in Sharmoli. Overall, the patron-client relationship between Bhotias and the other two castes in economic terms has been loosened. The social landscape of Darkot depicts more orthodoxy in public space as religion, temple, caste play an important role in Darkot in comparison to Sharmoli where modern cultural and secular festivals dominate the landscape. The situation of women is not very good in both the villages while the caste factions (esp. among Bhotias and Thakurs) are clearly visible. Hence, both Darkot and Sharmoli depict characteristics of tradition and modernity depending upon the social and economic analysis of private and public spaces.

This thesis explores the production of Bangladeshi domestic workers' legal status in Hong Kong. Bangladeshi domestic workers started entering Hong Kong in 2013 and they were expected to gradually become one of the major national groups of domestic workers. But within the first two years, 50 to 60% of them left formal employment. In the migration industry, that phenomenon was referred to as the "runaway crisis". While the runaway crisis took place between 2013 and 2015, some Bangladeshi domestic workers still run away. I would like to reflect upon the migration experiences of Bangladeshi women recruited by two employment agencies and one small association of employment agencies and identify forces impacting their decision-making over their legal status. In doing that, I build upon feminist geography of domestic work and migration studies, Foucault's work on governmentality and Ahmed's affective economies which I extend by elaborating on her understanding of lovability with which I engage to argue for a performative view of legality. The main methodology of the research is feminist ethnography where data were collected during 2-year long field work in Bangladeshi training centers and Hong Kong agencies. The research suggests that domestic workers' legal status is produced in a multi-layered process which includes social structures and power dynamics and affects in migration industry institutions.

xii, 150 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Environmental regulations are increasingly subjected to benefit-cost analysis as an aid to decision-making in policy. Economic benefits are most appropriately measured by the tradeoffs of other goods and services that people are willing to make to obtain reductions in risks to their lives and health. The measure of willingness to pay ( WTP ) allows for this comparison. These benefits from risk reductions are likely to vary systematically by characteristics of the individual, including the number and ages of children present in the household, and by the type of health threat under consideration. In chapter one of this dissertation, I write a brief introduction. In the second chapter, I examine an important methodological issue--the extent of "scenario adjustment" in a Stated Preference ( SP ) conjoint choice experiment in the context of a household survey concerning health risk reductions. Scenario adjustment occurs when respondents assume that a substantive alternative in a choice set, in their own particular case, will be different than the survey instrument describes. This is a potential source of bias in SP research similar to scenario rejection, but harder to detect. I analyze the impact of scenario adjustment on WTP and suggest a possible correction. In the third chapter, I address the empirical question of patterns in adults' WTP for health risk reductions. I find that demand is influenced by the presence of children, the numbers of children in different age brackets currently in the household, and, for health risks with latency periods, by the prospect of children still being present when a parent's ill health begins or death occurs. In chapter four, I find systematic differences in WTP for health risk reductions across different types of major health threats, such as Alzheimer's disease versus heart attacks. I also look for evidence of a cancer premium due to the dread factor associated with the prospect of cancer. The health threats considered include chronic heart disease, sudden heart attacks, five types of cancers, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and traffic accidents. In chapter five, I conclude. This dissertation includes previously unpublished co-authored material. / Committee in charge: Trudy Cameron, Chairperson, Economics; William Harbaugh, Member, Economics; Robin McKnight, Member, Economics; Ronald Mitchell, Outside Member, Political Science

This study aimed to develop a causal chain that illustrates the path through which a variety of factors influence consumer financial vulnerability. In order to achieve the stated aim, it was necessary to firstly identify the factors that gave rise to consumers being financially vulnerable. Secondly, the nature of the causal chain between the identified factors was determined. Thirdly, the causes of consumer financial vulnerability according to key informants in the financial services industry were determined. Finally, based on the results of the first three stages, possible explanations for consumer financial vulnerability were provided. Before the construction of the causal chain could be explored, a theoretical framework regarding household financial position as well as financial attitudes and behaviours was provided. The theoretical framework was supported by a description of the linkages through which consumers function and transact in an economy by applying chain reasoning. The chain reasoning was extended by providing financial statements reflecting the results of consumers’ interactions in the macroeconomy with an extract from the national accounts of South Africa presenting the income statements, balance sheets and relevant financial ratios of consumers for the period in which the research was conducted (2008 to 2009). For this study, the explanatory sequential mixed methods design was deemed appropriate to achieve the proposed research objectives. The research process firstly consisted of a quantitative strand where the possible causes for consumer financial vulnerability were identified after which the results were validated with data obtained in the second phase by means of four focus group discussions. To determine the factors giving rise to and establish the causal chain of overall consumer financial vulnerability, regression analysis was conducted. Based on the results of the regression analysis, it became evident that the financial vulnerability chain is not a singular linear process but rather a non-linear process (with contemporaneous and singular linkages) with a variety of factors influencing financial vulnerability, but also influencing each other over time. / Management Accounting / D. Accounting Science

The main objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the strategies employed by the City of Harare in household solid waste management. To achieve these, structured questionnaires, interviews, observations and focus group discussions were employed in data gathering together with secondary data. The study was conducted in Harare’s low, medium and high density income suburbs. Findings revealed that organic solid waste constituted the largest proportion of waste generated in Harare and other forms are also generated yet their collection is very minimal. Residents resort to illegal night dumping, resulting in the proliferation of associated diseases. In light of these findings, it was recommended that waste collection entities be capacitated, people be educated on waste recycling, reduction and reusing. A commission was to be put in place to ensure proper enforcement of waste legislation, effective and sustainable day in running of household solid waste management in the city / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Instituição fundamental à monarquia lusitana, a Casa Real portuguesa abrangia, em seu espaço, centenas de criados, homens e mulheres das mais diversas origens. Com a transferência da Corte para o Rio de Janeiro, em 1808, o príncipe regente d. João reestruturou o seu universo doméstico, estabelecendo aqui, e à semelhança de Portugal, todos os departamentos imperativos à correta execução das tarefas cotidianas da sua Casa: cavalariça, cozinha, serviço de copa, câmara, aquisição de gêneros alimentícios, etc. Esta tese tem como objeto a conformação da Casa Real portuguesa no Rio de Janeiro, entre os anos de 1808 e 1821. Serão analisados aqui a estrutura organizacional da Casa Real; os conflitos suscitados entre os recém-emigrados agentes do espaço doméstico régio e os súditos fluminenses; os mecanismos de remuneração peculiares ao universo doméstico joanino; as formas de acesso à Casa Real; e, finalmente, a estrutura financeira da Casa Real portuguesa. Num quadro mais amplo, procurou-se relacionar a Casa do Rei aos outros poderes instituídos na cidade, agora Corte, do Rio de Janeiro, de forma a demonstrar que o espaço doméstico da monarquia era, também, uma instituição relevante na montagem da administração joanina na América e, conseqüentemente, na transformação de um espaço historicamente colonial em centro do império português. / Lusitanian monarchy's fundamental institution, the portuguese Royal Household covered in it's space hundreds of servants, men and women from different social backgrounds. After the transfer of the portuguese court to Rio de Janeiro, prince regent d. João restructured his domestic universe, setting here, the same way as in Portugal, all the required departments for the correct execution of everyday tasks of his House: stable, kitchen, pantry service, câmara, purchase of food articles, etc. This thesis intends to analyze the conformation of the portuguese Royal Household in Rio de Janeiro, between the years of 1808 and 1821. Will be analyzed here the Royal Household's organizacional structure; the disputes among the recent immigrants domestic servants and the Rio de Janeiro's inhabitants; the peculiar paying mechanisms of the royal domestic world; the forms of access to the Royal Household; and the financial structure of the portuguese Royal Household. Within a broader framework, we tried to relate the King's House to the others established powers on the court of Rio de Janeiro, in order to demonstrate that the monarchy's domestic space was also a relevant institution on the assembling of the royal administration in America and, consequently, on the transformation of an historically colonial area in the center of the portuguese empire.

Nas últimas décadas, a disposição final de lixo tornou-se um sério problema a ser enfrentado por todos os países, em função da escassez crescente de terrenos disponíveis para aterros sanitários e distância cada vez maior dos centros geradores e a disposição final, assim como do aumento substancial da geração per capita. A acumulação de lixo nos grandes centros populacionais estimula a proliferação de macro e microvetores (ratos, baratas, moscas, vírus, bactérias, parasitos) e conseqüentemente, a disseminação de doenças. Em particular, com relação ao lixo gerado em ilhas e comunidades isoladas, é de alta relevância estratégias baseadas na descentralização do tratamento da fração orgânica de lixo domiciliar, com fim do transporte através de barcas para o continente, gerando mau cheiro e riscos de poluição ambiental. O presente projeto teve por objetivo: Testar o mesmo reator de compostagem descentralizada sob condições do verão sueco, alimentando-o com resíduos de restaurantes da cidade costeira Kalmar e sob condições brasileiras, alimentando-o com resíduos de cozinha da escola municipal de Abraão-Ilha Grande, RJ; propor modificações mecânicas e/ou operacionais para otimização dos processos; avaliar a qualidade e o grau de maturação do composto de diferentes fases através do método respirométrico Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR)o método respirométrico NBR 14283 da ABNT. Em resumo, concluiu-se que a composição do lixo e pH inicial do material estruturante adicionado são fatores determinantes do tempo requerido para degradação dos ácidos orgânicos gerados e subseqüente elevação do pH; dependendo das características dos resíduos orgânicos, é necessária a inclusão de inoculante (ex: composto) para melhor desenvolvimento de bactérias e fungos e, conseqüentemente, otimização do processo; as análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas confirmaram que o processo de degradação aeróbia ocorre no interior do corpo principal do reator e que a qualidade do composto gerado é satisfatória; entretanto, melhorias consideráveis no sistema de trituração e alimentação são requeridas para que o reator testado possa se usado em sua capacidade plena. Os testes respirométrico atráves do Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate(SOUR) e da norma NBR 14283 da ABNT mostraram-se ambos eficazes na identificação do grau de maturação do composto e do avanço do processo de compostagem. Uma vez removidos os problemas mecânicos de trituração e alimentação, o reator testado poderá ser utilizado como uma tecnologia inovadora do tratamento de lixo orgânico in situ para pequenos e médios geradores de lixo orgânico domiciliar. / In recent decades, the disposal of biodegradable solid waste has become a serious problem to be faced by all countries, due to the increasing scarcity of available land for landfills and increasing distance from generation centers, as well as the substantial increase in total solid waste generated per capita. The accumulation of solid waste in highly populated areas stimulates the dissemination of vectors (rates, cucarachas, flies, virus, bacteria, and parasites) and, consequently spreading of diseases. Regarding the solid waste generated in islands and isolated communities, decentralized strategies for treatment of organic fraction, reducing transportation and impacts related to that is very convenient. This study had the following main objectives: to test the same reactor for decentralized composting during the Swedish summer using organic waste from restaurants at the coast, in Kalmar, Sweden, and under Brazilian conditions, using organic waste from the kitchen of the municipal primary school at Abraão, Ilha Grande, RJ; to evaluate and propose mechanical and operational changes in the reactor for process optimization; to assess the quality and degree of maturation of the compost at different stages of composting through two respirometry methods, the Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR) and the ABNT norm NBR 14283. In short, it was concluded that the solid waste composition and initial pH of the material used as amendment are important factors to determine the time required for degradation of the organic acids produced and subsequent pH increase; depending on the organic waste characteristics, it is necessary to use material for augmentation (ex: compost) to improve the development of microorganisms and consequently, optimization of the process; the physic-chemical and microbiological analyses confirmed that the aerobic degradation occurred inside the reactor and that the quality of the produced compost is satisfactory; however, considerable improvements in the shredding and feeding system is required in order to test the reactors performance in its full-capacity. The respirometric tests carried out using the specific oxygen uptake ra(SOUR) method and the NBR 14283 norm, were effective in indicating the maturity of the compost and the degree of progress in the composting process. Once the mechanical problems in the shredding and feeding system are solved, the reactor might be useful as an innovative technology for treatment of organic waste in situ for small and medium generators.

abstract: Social determinants of health present significant barriers to utilization of maternal health services in transitional countries. This dissertation study examined associations between household autonomy and utilization of prenatal services among women of reproductive age in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Using nationally representative survey data, this study explored if household autonomy of women positively influenced the timing of the first prenatal visit, the number of prenatal care visits, and the content of care during visits. Results showed that household autonomy was positively associated with the timing of the first visit for prenatal care and the number of prenatal care visits. The content of care was negatively associated with the autonomy of women. Findings also pointed to an endogenous influence of a woman's position in the household structure. Additionally, this study analyzed associations between women's reproductive history and utilization, and economic disparities in utilization of prenatal care. The findings demonstrated that a history of complications during pregnancy and stillbirths were positively associated with utilization of prenatal care. Economic disparities in utilization of care were identified. Future interventions to increase utilization of maternal health services should account for traditional household structures in transitional countries. Women from poor families should receive support from social assistance and the health sector in accessing services pertaining to their health and well-being. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Social Work 2015