Orientador: Leda Maria Caira Gitahy / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T12:55:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Barbosa_GabrieladaRocha_D.pdf: 1636339 bytes, checksum: 82302fd4bce22098a561100b57f17d28 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O objetivo desta tese é entender o processo de transformação na cadeia produtiva da laranja no estado de São Paulo a partir da análise das mudanças tecnológicas introduzidas no setor produtor de laranja ao longo dos anos 2000. O estudo foca as mudanças tecnológicas relativas ao combate de doenças na lavoura citrícola, buscando analisar as controvérsias e as relações de poder presentes no processo de apropriação dessas tecnologias. As negociações em torno das formas de combate à doença da laranja conhecida como Huanglongbing (HLB ou greening) constituem o estudo de caso central na tese. O trabalho combinou a utilização de duas abordagens teóricas distintas: a cadeia global de mercadorias (global commodity chains) e a teoria ator-rede (actor network theory). A investigação também compreendeu a análise de dados empíricos a partir da realização de pesquisa de campo com diferentes estratos de produtores rurais de laranja e representantes institucionais da cadeia. Foi possível verificar que as políticas fitossanitárias de combate ao greening divulgadas pelos órgãos públicos e entidades representantes do setor não conseguiram conter o avanço da doença. Estes falharam em traduzir os interesses dos atores envolvidos na produção da laranja ao reduzir o controle a uma questão técnica desconsiderando o quadro de crise e de ampliação de assimetrias de poder na cadeia produtiva. Apesar da base técnica de controle de doenças adotada no setor apresentar sinais de esgotamento, medidas alternativas de controle esbarram nas exigências competitivas ditadas pelo modelo agrícola do setor e pela estrutura de governança da cadeia produtiva de laranja. Com o avanço do greening pelo estado de São Paulo desencadeia-se um processo de transformação sócio-técnica na cadeia produtiva da laranja cujas características principais são a crescente tecnificação do processo de produção e a ampliação das barreiras à permanência de produtores no setor / Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to understand the current transformation process in the orange production chain in Sao Paulo state on the basis of an analysis of technological changes in the sector over the years 2000. The study focuses on the technologies designed to combat diseases in citrus crops, trying to analyze the controversies and power relations present in the process of adoption of these technologies. Negotiations over the ways to combat the citrus disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB or greening) are the central case study in the thesis. The study combined the use of two distinct theoretical approaches: global commodity chains and actor network theory. The investigation also included the analysis of empirical data gathered through field research conducted with different strata of orange producers and institutional representatives of the productive chain. It was verified that the phytosanitary policies conducted by public entities and institutional representatives to combat the greening failed to contain the spread of the disease. These policies failed to translate the interests of the actors involved in orange production because they limited the combat of the disease to a technical issue ignoring the context of the crisis and the expansion of power asymmetries in the orange production chain. Despite the technical basis of disease control have shown signs of exhaustion, the adoption of alternative methods of control were restricted by the competitive requirements dictated by the "modern" agriculture pattern and the governance structure of the productive chain. With the spread of citrus greening disease in São Paulo state, there is the onset of a socio-technical transformation in the orange production chain, which main features are the increasing technification of the orange production process and the growing barriers to the stability of the current producers in the sector / Doutorado / Politica Cientifica e Tecnologica / Doutora em Política Científica e Tecnológica

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / This study discussed the effect of new information and communication technologies use on adolescents. The research also assessed whether gender and frequency of use of new information and communication technologies would interact to influence self-esteem and social support from family and friends. / South Africa

Orientador: Maria Conceição da Costa / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T10:51:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Spiess_MaikoRafael_D.pdf: 7162626 bytes, checksum: e20fb30667b4b094b76a74bef9e3ac60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Este trabalho trata das origens sociais e técnicas dos riscos para as doenças cardiovasculares e de sua relação com a alimentação nas sociedades contemporâneas. Em particular, analisa a trajetória histórica e os aspectos sociotécnicos do influente Framingham Heart Study, uma pesquisa epidemiológica conduzida há mais de seis décadas nos Estados Unidos, voltada para a compreensão das doenças cardiovasculares e seus fatores de risco. A partir da perspectiva da Teoria Ator-Rede, a tese demonstra o processo de determinação mútua entre o contexto social e conteúdo da ciência relacionado às doenças cardiovasculares produzida pelos pesquisadores de Framingham, desde o final da década de 1940. Metodologicamente, baseou-se em métodos de pesquisa histórica, documental e entrevistas realizadas entre os anos de 2012 e 2013, nos Estados Unidos. O primeiro capítulo apresenta uma discussão ampla sobre os riscos alimentares, as recomendações governamentais oficiais e a crescente importância do discurso científico sobre o assunto. O segundo capítulo apresenta um levantamento histórico sobre a trajetória do estudo de Framingham. O terceiro capítulo propõe um modelo de antecedentes sociotécnicos para o estudo epidemiológico em questão, apresentando as condições e elementos contextuais que possibilitaram seu surgimento e determinaram suas características. De forma complementar, o quarto capítulo descreve a construção da credibilidade do estudo e sua influência nas percepções contemporâneas sobre os fatores de risco, colesterol e doenças cardiovasculares. Dessa forma, a tese apresenta uma discussão crítica sobre as formas contemporâneas de compreensão a respeito dos temas do risco, saúde e doença, doenças cardíacas e alimentação, demonstrando o caráter intrinsecamente social do Framingham Heart Study e dos enunciados de risco produzidos pela epidemiologia / Abstract: This doctoral thesis deals with the social and technical background of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and their relation to diet in contemporary societies. In particular, it analyzes the historical trajectory and socio-technical aspects of the influential Framingham Heart Study -- an epidemiological research conducted for more than six decades in the United States with the objective of understanding cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors. From the perspective of Actor-Network Theory it demonstrates the process of mutual determination between the social context and the science related to cardiovascular diseases produced by Framingham researchers since the late 1940s. Methodologically, it was guided by historical and documentary methods, and interviews conducted between the years 2012 and 2013 in the United States. The first chapter presents an extensive discussion on health risks, official dietary guidelines and the growing importance of scientific discourse on the subject. The second chapter presents a historical review of the history of the Framingham Study. The third chapter proposes a model of socio-technical background for that epidemiological study, highlighting the conditions and contextual factors that led to its emergence and helped determining its characteristics. The fourth chapter describes the construction of the credibility of the study and its influence on contemporary perceptions about the risk factors, cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Thus, the doctoral dissertation presents a critical discussion on contemporary forms of understanding risk, health, disease, and the relation between heart disease and diet, while demonstrating the inherently social nature of the Framingham Heart Study and the risk statements produced by epidemiology / Doutorado / Politica Cientifica e Tecnologica / Doutor em Política Científica e Tecnológica

Developing countries like Tanzania experience challenges towards utilization and acceptance of ICT; calling for a need to further research on the concept. Open Source (OS) usage is a potential strategy for addressing such challenges. However, the success of this strategy strongly relies on the strength of the promotional efforts. The study, therefore aims at assessing the OS promotional efforts in relation to ICT acceptance challenges in Tanzania. This study entailed a descriptive, mixed-methods research. A literature analysis, document analysis and observations of OS community activities were conducted in order to list the ICT acceptance challenges. The results formed a basis for survey and interview questions. The findings obtained were triangulated to determine the existing OS promotional activities and assess the effectiveness of the promotional efforts in addressing ICT acceptance challenges in Tanzania. The study also makes recommendations on how OS promotional efforts should be changed to improve their effectiveness. / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

This study describes how information spread on the internet by examining diffusion, framing and source use surrounding coverage of the 2010 best-selling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. The book presented a rare opportunity to view how a story about science, discovery and race became a best-seller within weeks after its publication. Through a mixed-methods and case study approach, the author examines patterns of coverage using Google Alerts that traced the book's online coverage in the first six months of its release. The author found that online information clustered around several themes with the most prominent describing aspects of science and scientific discovery, followed by the book's characterization as a "best seller" or "good read." Another recurring theme centered on issues surrounding exploitation in human research. In addition, the study reveals that sources who "set the frame" for coverage were most likely to be media figures, including Oprah Winfrey, Alan Ball and HBO films, in addition to newspapers and individual journalists and science writers. By examining the relationship of online frames with sources, the author found that a diversity of frames is paired with key sources: that is, multiple themes co-occur with source mentions, although the themes may not have been generated by the sources themselves. Rather, sources are linked to narrative frames by others who generate online coverage. The author concludes that, while key sources initially set a message's frame, once diffused, the message may take on other qualities.

Thesis (M.A. (Media Studies) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / This study explored the uses of Facebook by youth in the Vhembe District Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is exploratory qualitative research. The research sample consisted of twenty (20) respondents both 10 males and 10 females whose ages range between 18 and 29 years who are on Facebook. Purposive sampling was adopted for the study to sample the study population members. The method used to collect data was the structured interview. The data collected from research respondents were analysed in themes and sub-themes using texts and tables. The study found that Facebook is the most preferred social media by youth from the Vhembe District. The platform connects users irrespective of their geographical boundaries and promotes the level of interaction on social and entertaining issues. Facebook also enables the Vhembe District youth to search for jobs and also helps them to discuss their academic and sometimes political issues. Most of the Vhembe District youth prefer using Facebook to share recent information and create content such as pictures and videos with their friends when they are online. The Vhembe District youth also use the platform to entertain each other. The major problems faced by the Vhembe District Facebook users are that a majority of them become exposed to pictures and videos of sexual nature, cyberattack, cyberbullying and vulgar language whereas a minority become victims of account hacking and invasion of privacy. The research respondents came up with solutions to prevent social media challenges. A majority of respondents suggested that strong passwords, an increase in privacy, social media law implementation, social media campaigns and social media education can help prevent online challenges. A minority of students indicated that parental support, strong age restriction, adding known Facebook users, blocking, unfollowing and unfriending unwanted users can help to prevent challenges faced by Facebook users.

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Many Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICTD) projects are established with the overall aim of positively developing the communities they are implemented in. However, the solutions that are provided are often commonly developed without the needs of these communities being sufficiently investigated beforehand. As a result the ICTD strategy of the project ends up not well aligned with the aims and targets of the needs of the community. As a result of this, an appropriate programme theory for the project and relevant impact indicators fail to be adequately developed. Consequently, when an impact assessment is conducted it is often found that the intended effects are not directly linked to the needs of the community or what the community had hoped to gain from the ICTD initiative. The purpose of this research serves to develop a needs-ICTD strategy alignment foundation that supports the identification and formulation of impact assessment indicators. Through this research, a framework is developed to support the alignment of ICTD strategy, the development and the promotion of contextual needs of rural communities and other frequently marginalized areas. The Needs-ICTD strategy alignment framework is composed of eight main components that describe the process that can be used to align ICTD strategy with community needs. These components include: collaboration between the internal and external stakeholders, the development of the community, conducting baseline studies, the needs assessment, the ICTD strategy, linking of the needs-ICTD strategy, and lastly the identification of impact indicators. An interpretive research approach is used to explore and inform the framework through a multi-case study investigation of the Siyakhula Living Lab and two projects in the Systems Application Products (SAP) Living Lab. Two main case study questions drive the exploration of the framework, that being: 1) How are the needs of the community elicited and how is the ICTD strategy aligned to the needs of the community? 2) And, why were the selected approaches chosen for aligning the needs of the community and ICTD strategy? Data for this research was collected qualitatively through interviews, document analysis and participant observation. Key findings indicate that the involvement of internal (local) stakeholders in the development and alignment of ICTD strategy to the needs of the community is still lacking. As a consequence, many community members end up not fully understanding the project objectives and how these objectives aims are to be achieved. The research also finds that ‘solution specific’ projects also fail communities as they focus specifically on one target group and repeatedly fail to assist the community holistically in supporting their information and their community development needs.

This study investigates media literacy curricula in upper-income and lower-income public schools. Twelve principals participated in a telephone survey by answering fifteen questions about their schools and districts.

Thesis (PhD (School of Public Management and Planning ))—University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This study comprises a discursive analysis of the underlying assumptions, rhetorical devices and the latent agendas masked within: (i) the burgeoning international ICT, poverty and development literature; (ii) the policy agendas of the major players in international development; and (iii) the ICT, poverty and development discourse of the post-apartheid South African government. The aim of the study is to move beyond the current enthusiasm for derivative description and technological determinism, and to introduce a deeper, more balanced understanding of the relationship between ICT, poverty and development.