Thesis--Cornell University. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-136).

Orientador: Adriano Luiz Tonetti / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T09:50:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cruz_LuanaMattosdeOliveira_D.pdf: 6934154 bytes, checksum: 61a0ccbf918fa03d5286b5be5d9bb7fc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Nos países em desenvolvimento, estimativas indicam que 82% das residências rurais não têm acesso a serviços sanitários. A falta de esgotamento sanitário aumenta o risco de doenças de veiculação hídrica e compromete a sustentabilidade ambiental. Por esta situação, muitos estudos são conduzidos para serem avaliados tratamentos descentralizados que são mais indicados para estas áreas com residências dispersas. Entretanto, a maioria dos estudos são feitos em escala de bancada havendo a necessidade do desenvolvimento de trabalhos em escala real sob condições de campo. Frente ao exposto, o presente trabalho visou à construção de um sistema de tratamento de esgoto doméstico descentralizado em escala real composto por um tanque séptico seguido de filtro de areia e desinfetado. O objetivo foi avaliar a sua instalação, manutenção, operação e eficiência de tratamento em condições de campo, além de verificar as condições de desinfecção para reúso em vaso sanitário. Os resultados demonstram que esta associação operou de maneira eficiente e que necessita de manutenção a cada 2 meses. O efluente final tinha concentrações superiores ao limite máximo permitido pelas legislações vigentes em termos de nitrogênio amoniacal e fósforo, entretanto há grande potencial de reúso agrícola para este produto final. Em relação à adequação ao reúso em vaso sanitário, foi necessária a desinfecção durante 45 minutos com solução de hipoclorito de cálcio em concentração de 1,15 mgL-1. Deste modo, este estudo originou uma importante contribuição para o saneamento de comunidades isoladas / Abstract: In developing countries, estimates indicate that 82% of rural residences lack sanitation services which lead to an increase in the prevalence of water-borne diseases and hinders the community's environmental sustainability. Numerous studies have been done in order to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of decentralized treatments which may be more indicated to these areas with diffuse households. However, the majority of these studies have been completed in laboratories or in pilot-scale programs, and full-scale field investigations are still lacking. Thus this investigation aimed to construct a decentralized wastewater treatment system in real scale, consisting of a septic tank, a sand filter and a disinfection essay. This study aimed to evaluate the installation, maintenance, operation and treatment efficiency of the water treatment system under field conditions, and also to define disinfection conditions required for the reuse of the effluent in the toilet. Results have shown that the implemented water treatment system was independently effective throughout a 2 - month period, after which point maintenance was requited. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in final effluent were above the levels recommended by Brazilian standards; on the other hand, even so there is a great potential effluent for crops irrigation reusing. In order to disinfect the effluent for toilet use, it was necessary a sodium hypochlorite solution with 1,15mgL-1 concentration. In all, results indicated that the decentralized wastewater treatment system implemented in this study was nearly efficient with minimal engineering requirements. Therefore this research contributed for sanitation in rural areas / Doutorado / Saneamento e Ambiente / Doutora em Engenharia Civil

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Micronutrient and trace element deficiencies are a problem affecting nearly two billion people globally. The people affected the most by these deficiencies are those living in poor and rural communities in the developing countries and thus cannot always afford the diverse diet as advocated by WHO and the FAO. Millions of these people living in the poor and developing countries die yearly, either directly or indirectly, as a result of micronutrient and trace element deficiencies. Thus, this study aimed to determine the nutrient content (Co, Cr, F, I, Se and V) of various vegetable based food items collected from the Cape Town area in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This was done to determine which vegetable crops provided the highest concentrations of essential trace elements, and how much they contribute to the daily recommended intake (DRIs) of these trace elements. It also aimed to assess the effects of the addition of the trace elements (Co, Cr, F, I, Se, Si, Sn and V) on seed germination and root growth under controlled conditions in order to calculate their phytotoxicity, and then to biofortify four vegetable crop species, grown in sand culture, with a composite treatment of the trace elements to determine how the addition of these elements will affect the vegetable crops grown under these experimental conditions. From this study, it was shown that trace element content in vegetable crops in the Western Cape Province of South Africa varied between different geographic locations and that certain trace elements were absent from several items collected from some areas. Although some crop species contained sufficient amounts of certain trace elements to satisfy our daily recommended intakes, most of the crops were found to contain insufficient amounts of many of the trace elements to satisfy our needs. Leafy vegetables and tubers were identified as the better vegetable types to biofortify with essential trace elements as they already contain higher concentrations of several of the essential trace elements and should thus be assessed for their effectiveness as crops to be biofortified. When the trace elements were applied directly to cress and lettuce seeds, it was found that all the trace elements, as well as the composite treatments, exerted phytotoxic effects on cress and/or lettuce seeds when applied at high concentrations. Lettuce was found to be more prone to the effects of these elements. Seed germination was strongly inhibited by fluoride, while several elements affected root growth. When fluoride was left out of the composite treatment, phytotoxicity only occurred at high concentrations. The addition of the trace elements at the high concentrations to already established spinach, cabbage, lettuce and turnip plants were found to affect the uptake of several essential plant nutrients, but the concentrations of the elements affected generally remained higher than the concentrations needed for adequate growth of agricultural crops. Several of the trace elements supplied to the plants were also found to be retained in the roots of the vegetable crops however, as the concentrations supplied to the plants increased, so did the concentrations found in the edible portions of the crops. Agronomic biofortification of vegetable crops with simultaneous additions of multiple trace elements, under these experimental conditions, was thus considered to be a viable option to increase the concentrations of essential mineral nutrients in the edible portions of vegetable crops. However, these modified nutrient fertilizers should only be given to established crops or without the addition of fluoride. Further research on a wider variety of seeds and vegetable crops, as well as research under field conditions is needed to determine whether these findings remain relevant under these conditions.

More than ten million American adults live with a serious mental illness (SMI). Given the deinstitutionalization of psychiatric facilities, caregivers and family members are often needed to care for these individuals. Due to SMI individuals’ extensive needs, caregivers frequently face unique challenges and experiences. Although research has been conducted on caring for individuals with SMI, less information exists about the experiences of rural caregivers of SMI individuals. The purpose of this study was to fill this gap in research by exploring the lived experiences of caregivers of SMI individuals in rural areas with the intention of understanding this population’s unique needs. The research questions focused on the experiences and stressors of caregivers of SMI individuals in a rural community. The frameworks were critical theory and Bowen’s family systems theory. A qualitative phenomenological design study was used employing semi-structured interviews with 4 participants who are caregivers of SMI individuals in a rural New York area. Data from the interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: impact on relationships, thoughts and feelings, impact on caregivers’ well-being, and rural mental health in this area. The potential impact for social change includes the dissemination of information to rural clinicians to assist caregivers with needed support and offer a framework for future curricula.

ICT policies instituted over a number of years by the South African Government have clearly failed to establish Information Communication for Development (ICT4D) initiatives amongst rural communities in South Africa. The author of this thesis argues that, for rural South African communities to reap the benefits of ICT4D initiatives, it would be necessary for the communities to empower themselves and to take ownership of initiatives to participate in the planned South African Information Society. Furthermore, the author argues that the success of the ICT4D initiatives depends very strongly on an understanding of the interaction of such initiatives with the social context at local community level. Some of the significant aspects of the social context at community level include an understanding of the roles of leadership, technology, economy, governance, social welfare, and stakeholders in these communities. Through a grounded methodology approach a theory of context was developed for the rural community in the Dr J.S. Moroka Municipality in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The elements of the framework that emerged were Leadership, Stakeholders, Governance, Social welfare, Economics and Technology (LSGSET). The resulting framework is proposed as a tool that can be used by the community members to interact with the role players who intend to implement ICT4D projects or policies that have an impact on the community. It should also assist policymakers while they develop contextualized policies and improve project managers’ understanding of the developmental impact of the implementation of ICT4D projects on communities. One of the contributions made by this thesis is to “bridge” this divide between policymakers and communities by explicitly framing the developmental discourses of the community as a framework for ICT4D engagement by policymakers and communities at local level. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Informatics / PhD / Unrestricted

How do predominantly religious rural communities influence members who are not associated with the dominant religion? Does disassociation with the majority religious affiliation impact community desirability? Current community literature has shown that religious affiliation identification can influence community sentiment (Jennings and Krannich 2013; Kan and Kim 1981; Stinner, Van Loon, Chung, and Byun 1990; Mattarita-Cascante, Stedman, and Luloff 2010) while other studies suggest the possibility of either mixed or inconclusive results (Adams 1992; Andrews 2011; Flagg and Painter II 2019; Reitz, Banerjee, Phan, and Thompson 2009). Using data from the Rural Utah Community Study in 2017, the current study will examine the association between religious affiliation and community desirability in a unique setting. I find that even when accounting for length of residence, age, and the perception of local services, religious affiliation continues to be associated with community desirability. These findings have potential implications for other communities with a majority religion.

Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in the History Department at the University of Zululand, 1998. / KwaNgema and neighbouring Driefontein were Black-owned freehold settlements in the Wakkerstroom district, Transvaal. Whereas KwaNgema had been granted officially to the community in 1904, Driefontein had been purchased in 1912. Because of their proximity to predominantly White areas, in 1965 both areas were declared by the National Party government as 'Blackspots'. Subsequently, in line with the government's homeland consolidation policy, the inhabitants of the two settlements were notified that they would be moved to the KaNgwane and KwaZulu Homelands. In terms of the Native Administration Act of 1927, the government could, at its pleasure, remove Black tribes from certain areas. But it was not until 1981 when plans to construct the Heyshope Dam were announced, that the government informed the two communities that their removal was a certainty. The new dam, to be built on the Assegai River, would flood parts of both settlements. Between 1981 and 1985, the residents of KwaNgema and Driefontein opposed resettlement on the following grounds: — They were historically and legally entitled to the land. — Relocation and the rebuilding of new homes would be a costly undertaking. — There was much uncertainty about their future security in the Homelands, in terms of landownership rights, employment, pensions, etc. — The KwaNgema people argued that the Act of 1927 did not apply to them, as they were not a tribe, but 'Umndeni' that operated on Western democratic lines. — Adjacent vacant land could be utilized for settling only those residents threatened by the dam. The government rejected all claims and counter-proposals made by the Blacks. Controversy characterised by state repression, leadership disputes and other problems ensued. The crisis was eventually resolved in August 1985 in favour of the KwaNgema and Driefontein communities. The government withdrew its resettlement plans. Only residents threatened by the dam were relocated to adjacent land. All residents retained their property rights. Factors contributing to this historic settlement were: — The unrelenting protest by the two communities arid their institution of legal action against the government. — The murder by the police of Saul Mkhize in April 1983. Mkhize was the Driefontein community leader who spearheaded the resistance. His unexpected death increased criticism of the government's forced removals policy nationally and internationally. — The refusal by Enos Mabuza, leader of KaNgwane, and Chief Buthelezi of KwaZulu to accommodate the two communities in their Homelands. — Increasing condemnation of the government's removals policy domestically and abroad. — The changing political climate in South Africa, resulting inter alia, in the review of the removals policy. The conclusion drawn from this study, is that the experience of KwaNgema and Driefontein was an outcome of a combination of forces -historical, ideological, legal, anthropological, social and economic. Another important highlight of this research is that land ownership is indeed a fundamental aspiration and right for all people which, if denied, may lead to conflict.

Excerpt: Summer gardens everywhere are kicking out crops at last. Just yesterday I pulled six cucumbers from a vine and set three more tomatoes on the kitchen windowsill. Hmmm… with balsamic and oil? Mozzarella and basil? Decisions, decisions! The Psychology Department at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is at a similar point.

Probation and parole have become increasingly popular alternatives to incarceration over the past few decades due to efforts to reduce prison overcrowding and government spending. Successful reintegration and management of offenders in the community is hindered by a combination of individual, social, economic, and logistical factors. The frequency in which offenders are re-arrested after being released from correctional settings has serious implications for both the offenders and the community in which they reside due to additional human victimization, the costly use of taxpayer-funded resources, and continued legal involvement and sanctions. Rural and urban areas differ in terms of resource availability and cultural factors, but limited research informing the prevalence and needs of offenders living in rural areas exists. We conducted a review of the available literature to investigate the differences between the needs of offenders in rural and urban areas during reentry as well as the common barriers that hinder successful reintegration. We sought to determine crucial barriers to reentry and rural-specific concerns and needs to better inform future research and policy initiatives. The literature indicates that offenders transitioning into rural communities face many of the same obstacles as those transitioning into urban settings including difficulties securing housing, finding employment, complying with supervision requirements, locating reliable and affordable transportation, and avoiding substance use, reoffending, and other maladaptive behaviors. In rural areas, however, offenders encounter even more limited housing and employment opportunities, a lack of public transportation, higher rates of poverty, difficulties avoiding antisocial peers, and greater alcohol use rates. Providing mental health treatment to offenders in rural areas is impeded by stigmatization of mental health conditions, a shortage of treatment providers, a lack of resources for specialty treatment such as detox services for substance users, and a lack of referral sources. Probation and parole officers also face substantial obstacles to successfully supervise offenders in rural areas including a greater number of caseloads, greater geographical areas to cover, and fewer referral sources. Thus, our findings reveal that offenders in rural areas have diverse experiences of re-entry compared to those in urban areas. Further discussion regarding the need for rural-specific research to inform policies and practices for rural offender management and suggestions for future directions will be included.

No description available.