Orientador: Edmir Daniel Carvalho / Banca: Lucia Helena Sipauba Tavares / Banca: José Pedro Serra Valente / Resumo: O município de Botucatu está localizado na região centro-sul do Estado de São Paulo, a 230 km da capital, com altitudes variando de 400 a 950 metros. Essa geomorfologia propicia a formação de quedas d'água, cujo relevo chamado "Cuesta" é divisor de águas entre a Bacia do Rio Paranapanema e a Bacia do Rio Tietê. É na microbacia do Alto Rio Capivara (Bacia do Tietê) onde está situado o Parque Natural Municipal Cachoeira da Marta, Unidade de Conservação de Proteção Integral, conhecido como "Parque da Marta", tendo como principal atrativo a Cachoeira da Marta (38 metros de queda d'água), sendo um local muito procurado para a prática de atividades de lazer e ecoturismo. A Cachoeira é abastecida pelas águas do Córrego do Roseira, tendo como principal afluente o Córrego do Canela, que ao se juntarem, formam o Rio Capivara. O presente estudo teve como objetivos avaliar as condições limnológicas de balneabilidade da Cachoeira da Marta em interface com as possíveis fontes potenciais de poluição para propor medidas de recuperação e conservação através da analise dos parâmetros físico-químicos (TºC da água, pH, Condutividade elétrica, Oxigênio dissolvido, Nitrogênio total e Fósforo total) e microbiológicos (Coliformes totais e termotolerantes). As coletas de água foram bimensais durante 12 meses, de Junho/2009 a Maio/2010, em 5 pontos amostrais diferentes, sendo 3 pontos (P1, P2 e P3) no Córrego do Roseira, 1 ponto na junção dos Córregos do Roseira e Canela (P4) e 1 ponto no Córrego do Canela (P5). Os P2, P3 e P4 se localizavam dento do Parque da Marta. Para a comparação das médias nos pontos amostrais foi realizada a analise de variância (ANOVA) seguidas do Teste de Tukey (Tukey's Studentized Range - HSD) para as variáveis que apresentaram distribuição normal e o teste não paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis para as variáveis... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Botucatu is a municipality located in the central south region of Sao Paulo State, 230 km away from de the capital at altitudes ranging from 400 to 950 meters. The landforms in this region favor the formation of waterfalls; the relief, called "Cuesta" is a water divisor for the watersheds of Paranapanema and Tiete Rivers. In the micro-watershed of Capivara Highest River (Tiete watershed) is located the Marta's Waterfall Natural Park, a protected area, know as "Marta's Park", where the Marta's waterfall (38 meters by heigh) is the principal atractive and have been searched for tourism and leisure activities. The waterfall is supply by the Roseira River and his principal tributary is the Canela River and when they to join up, they transformer in the Capivara River. This study aimed to evaluate the limnological conditions for the bathing water quality by the Marta's Waterfall associated with the possible potential source by pollution and suggest conservation and recovery measures through the physicochemical (water temperature (ºC), pH, eletric condutivity, dissolved oxigen, total nitrogen, total phosporus) and microbiological parameters (total and thermotolerants coliforms). The water samples were bimonthly collected for 12 months, between June/2009 ande May/2010, in different sites over the streams, in 5 diffrents collections sites, 3 sites (P1, P2 e P3) are inside in Roseira River, 1 site in the joiing at Roseira and Canela Rivers (P4) e 1 site located in Canela River (P5). For comparison of medias in the collections sites was realized the variance analisys (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey's Studentized Range (HSD) for the medias that showed normal distribution and the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test for the medias that doesn't showed normal distribuition, both in the 5% significance level. In the collection sites 1 and 5 were founded medias for dissolved oxigen... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A praia de Itacoatiara, área de proteção ambiental, localizada no município no Niterói- RJ, tem importante contribuição para o turismo ecológico da região. Busca a certificação ambiental do programa Bandeira Azul e este trabalho buscou cumprir determinação de monitoramento ambiental como um dos critérios do programa. O objetivo foi avaliar a proliferação de microalgas marinhas como sensor da qualidade da balneabilidade diagnosticada através de um bioindicador, o fitoplâncton. As coletas foram realizadas em dois pontos nos meses de novembro de 2008 e de janeiro a março de 2009. Foram encontradas 52 unidades taxonômicas, sendo que 33 pertencem às diatomáceas (Bacillariophyceae), 15 dinoflagelados (Dinophyceae), 1 às cianobactéria (Cyanophyceae), 1 euglenofícea (Euglenophyceae), 1 crisofícea (Chrysophyceae) e 1 prasinofícea (Prasinophyceae) e fitoflagelados. A metodologia seguida foi de sedimentação em cubetas e analisadas em microscópio invertido. A praia de Itacoatiara está caracterizada por sofrer influência de ambientes adjacentes com massas dágua comprometidas promovendo proliferações algais monoespecíficas com densidades consideradas de Bloom. As espécies dominantes foram Tetraselmis sp (Prasinophyceae) considerada potencialmente nociva por apresentar contaminação visual e as Cianobactérias que podem produzir toxinas. Os parâmetros vento, ondulação e maré foram apontadas como os principais carreadores das massas dágua comprometidas até a região estudada. Por cumprir o objetivo geral, conclui-se que o fitoplâncton marinho pode ser utilizado como parâmetro para a caracterização e qualidade da balneabilidade de praias. / The Itacoatiara beach, area of environmental protection, in the municipality in Niterói, has an important contribution to the ecological tourism in the region. Search the environmental certification of the "Blue Flag" and this work seeks to achieve environmental monitoring determination as one of the criteria of the program. The objective was to evaluate the proliferation of marine microalgae. The quality of bathing was diagnosed by a bioindicator, the phytoplankton. The collections were made during the months from November 2008 to March 2009. 52 taxonomic units were found, with 33 belonging to the diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), 15 dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae), 1 cyanobacteria (Cyanophyceae), 1 Euglenophyceae, 1 Chrysophyceae and 1 Prasinophyceae and phytoflagellates. The methodology was based in sedimentation cuvette and analysis in inverted microscope. The beach is characterized by the Itacoatiara influence of environments adjacent to the water masses involved in promoting proliferation monospecific algae densities considered of "Bloom". The dominant species were Tetraselmis sp (Prasinophyceae) considered potentially harmful contamination by presenting visual and cyanobacteria that can produce toxins. The parameters wind, waves and tides have been identified as the main carriers of the water masses committed to the region studied. By meeting the general objective, we find that the marine phytoplankton can be used as parameter for the characterization and quality of balneability of beaches.

Orientador: Maurício Augusto Leite / Banca: Fernando Braz Tangerino Hernandez / Banca: Eduardo von Sperling / Resumo: O presente estudo teve por objetivo a determinação semanal da balneabilidade, mensal do índice de qualidade da água (IQA) e do bioensaio de toxicidade aguda do sedimento (Outubro de 2004 à outubro de 2005). Os pontos monitorados foram às praias Catarina (P1), Marina (P2) e Recanto das Águas (P3), que contam com um grande afluxo de pessoas em períodos de verão. O método para a avaliação do número de coliformes fecais e totais tanto na água quanto no sedimento foi o Chromocult. Para a balneabilidade, os resultados para a água evidenciaram que, segundo a Resolução CONAMA 274/00, as praias do reservatório oferecem uma qualidade de água de "Muito Boa" à "Excelente" em pelo menos 70% do ano. Onde sua qualidade está condicionada ao nível do reservatório, sendo que no mês de abril, com a elevação do nível da água, sua classificação foi imprópria nas semanas amostradas. Já a elevação no número de coliformes totais pode estar relacionada com a atividade de pecuária extensiva inserida no entorno do reservatório, que com a chegada das chuvas pode carrear esse material para o corpo d'água. Os resultados de coliformes fecais e totais para o sedimento mantiveram-se baixos em todas as estações analisadas durante o período amostrado. O índice de qualidade da água é composto das variáveis: temperatura... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present study had for objective the weekly bathing water quality, montly determination of the Water Quality Index (WQI), and the acute toxicity bioassays in the sediment (from october 2004 to october 2005). The monitored points were Catarina (P1), Marina (P2) beaches and Recanto das Águas (P3), which has a great affluence of people in the summer. The method for the evaluation of the number of fecal and total coliforms in the water and sediment it was Chromocult. The bathing water quality results showed, according to Resolution CONAMA 274/00, that the beaches of the reservoir presented a bathing water quality varying from "Very Good" to "Excellent" in at least 70% of the year. Where your quality was conditioned to the level of the reservoir, in April, with the water level elevation, its classification was "Inappropriate". The number of total coliforms can be related to the extensive cattle breeding activity all around reservoir. With the rainy season, the material produced by such an activity can be carried to the body water. The fecal and total coliforms data on sediment remained low in all sampling stations. The water quality index (WQI) is composed of the variables: temperature, pH, turbidity, fecal coliforms, BOD5, dissolved oxygen percentage saturation, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total solids... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-08-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:26:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 vasilio_vaa_me_ilha.pdf: 1318052 bytes, checksum: 8b46e1ce70e2e6b147802e677b0544e9 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O presente estudo teve por objetivo a determinação semanal da balneabilidade, mensal do índice de qualidade da água (IQA) e do bioensaio de toxicidade aguda do sedimento (Outubro de 2004 à outubro de 2005). Os pontos monitorados foram às praias Catarina (P1), Marina (P2) e Recanto das Águas (P3), que contam com um grande afluxo de pessoas em períodos de verão. O método para a avaliação do número de coliformes fecais e totais tanto na água quanto no sedimento foi o Chromocult. Para a balneabilidade, os resultados para a água evidenciaram que, segundo a Resolução CONAMA 274/00, as praias do reservatório oferecem uma qualidade de água de Muito Boa à Excelente em pelo menos 70% do ano. Onde sua qualidade está condicionada ao nível do reservatório, sendo que no mês de abril, com a elevação do nível da água, sua classificação foi imprópria nas semanas amostradas. Já a elevação no número de coliformes totais pode estar relacionada com a atividade de pecuária extensiva inserida no entorno do reservatório, que com a chegada das chuvas pode carrear esse material para o corpo d'água. Os resultados de coliformes fecais e totais para o sedimento mantiveram-se baixos em todas as estações analisadas durante o período amostrado. O índice de qualidade da água é composto das variáveis: temperatura... / The present study had for objective the weekly bathing water quality, montly determination of the Water Quality Index (WQI), and the acute toxicity bioassays in the sediment (from october 2004 to october 2005). The monitored points were Catarina (P1), Marina (P2) beaches and Recanto das Águas (P3), which has a great affluence of people in the summer. The method for the evaluation of the number of fecal and total coliforms in the water and sediment it was Chromocult. The bathing water quality results showed, according to Resolution CONAMA 274/00, that the beaches of the reservoir presented a bathing water quality varying from Very Good to Excellent in at least 70% of the year. Where your quality was conditioned to the level of the reservoir, in April, with the water level elevation, its classification was Inappropriate. The number of total coliforms can be related to the extensive cattle breeding activity all around reservoir. With the rainy season, the material produced by such an activity can be carried to the body water. The fecal and total coliforms data on sediment remained low in all sampling stations. The water quality index (WQI) is composed of the variables: temperature, pH, turbidity, fecal coliforms, BOD5, dissolved oxygen percentage saturation, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total solids... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

A praia de Itacoatiara, área de proteção ambiental, localizada no município no Niterói- RJ, tem importante contribuição para o turismo ecológico da região. Busca a certificação ambiental do programa Bandeira Azul e este trabalho buscou cumprir determinação de monitoramento ambiental como um dos critérios do programa. O objetivo foi avaliar a proliferação de microalgas marinhas como sensor da qualidade da balneabilidade diagnosticada através de um bioindicador, o fitoplâncton. As coletas foram realizadas em dois pontos nos meses de novembro de 2008 e de janeiro a março de 2009. Foram encontradas 52 unidades taxonômicas, sendo que 33 pertencem às diatomáceas (Bacillariophyceae), 15 dinoflagelados (Dinophyceae), 1 às cianobactéria (Cyanophyceae), 1 euglenofícea (Euglenophyceae), 1 crisofícea (Chrysophyceae) e 1 prasinofícea (Prasinophyceae) e fitoflagelados. A metodologia seguida foi de sedimentação em cubetas e analisadas em microscópio invertido. A praia de Itacoatiara está caracterizada por sofrer influência de ambientes adjacentes com massas dágua comprometidas promovendo proliferações algais monoespecíficas com densidades consideradas de Bloom. As espécies dominantes foram Tetraselmis sp (Prasinophyceae) considerada potencialmente nociva por apresentar contaminação visual e as Cianobactérias que podem produzir toxinas. Os parâmetros vento, ondulação e maré foram apontadas como os principais carreadores das massas dágua comprometidas até a região estudada. Por cumprir o objetivo geral, conclui-se que o fitoplâncton marinho pode ser utilizado como parâmetro para a caracterização e qualidade da balneabilidade de praias. / The Itacoatiara beach, area of environmental protection, in the municipality in Niterói, has an important contribution to the ecological tourism in the region. Search the environmental certification of the "Blue Flag" and this work seeks to achieve environmental monitoring determination as one of the criteria of the program. The objective was to evaluate the proliferation of marine microalgae. The quality of bathing was diagnosed by a bioindicator, the phytoplankton. The collections were made during the months from November 2008 to March 2009. 52 taxonomic units were found, with 33 belonging to the diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), 15 dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae), 1 cyanobacteria (Cyanophyceae), 1 Euglenophyceae, 1 Chrysophyceae and 1 Prasinophyceae and phytoflagellates. The methodology was based in sedimentation cuvette and analysis in inverted microscope. The beach is characterized by the Itacoatiara influence of environments adjacent to the water masses involved in promoting proliferation monospecific algae densities considered of "Bloom". The dominant species were Tetraselmis sp (Prasinophyceae) considered potentially harmful contamination by presenting visual and cyanobacteria that can produce toxins. The parameters wind, waves and tides have been identified as the main carriers of the water masses committed to the region studied. By meeting the general objective, we find that the marine phytoplankton can be used as parameter for the characterization and quality of balneability of beaches.

No description available.

An ecosytem-based spatial conservation plan for the South African sandy beaches. Sandy beaches are valuable ecosystems. They support a collection of species that is unique, comprising many endemic species, and provide a number of key ecosystem goods and services, including scenic vistas for human recreation, nesting sites for turtles and birds, and important areas for biogeochemical recycling, water filtration and purification. However, sandy beaches have not been well understood or appreciated as ecosystems, and consequently have a legacy of poor coastal management. In many instances this has lead to a "tyranny of small decisions", where multiple, seemingly insignificant management decisions and actions have resulted in complete transformation and degradation of the shoreline in several places. In addition to inappropriate management strategies, beaches are also poorly represented in conservation areas. Further, where they are recognised as being "conserved" in marine protected areas, this often is a false sense of protection because the far more sensitive dune portion of the littoral active zone is invariably not included in the reserve. In short, there is a need for a new way to approach sandy beach conservation and management that includes the system (dunes, intertidal beaches and surf zones) as a whole. On one hand, the approach should make provision for use of the abundant natural resources and opportunities associated with sandy shores in ways that are sustainable and contribute to biodiversity stewardship - through ecosystem-based management and marine spatial planning. But, on the other hand, it must simultaneously contribute to securing a sufficient amount of the key ecological attributes of beaches (habitats, biodiversity and processes) in a network of reserves, to ensure that the ecosystem, natural resources, and services all persist in perpetuity - through systematic conservation planning. The aim of this Thesis is to integrate these into a single approach, which I call ecosystem-based spatial conservation planning for sandy beaches, using the South African sandy shores as a case study. To achieve this broad aim, the Thesis is divided into three parts. Part 1 deals with establishing baseline information by quantifying spatial patterns in sandy beach habitats (Chapter 1), biodiversity, key assemblages and processes, and outstanding physical features (Chapter 2). First, mapping sandy beach habitats is a challenge given the vast, linear extent of shorelines and significant resources required to complete the project. Therefore, a novel approach was derived using statistical techniques (conditional inference trees) to identify physical features of beaches that can be observed on Google Earth (or similar) imagery, and that can provide good predictions of beach morphodynamic (habitat) types. Based on the results of this analysis, sandy beaches (and all other coastal habitat types) were mapped digitally in ArcGIS. Second, spatial patterns in sandy beach biodiversity (vertebrates, macrofauna, microflora and foredune plants) were mapped by compiling existing data on the distributions of key species that have been well studied or mapped previously (vertebrates and foredune plants), and by niche modelling (macrofauna and microflora). For the latter, data from all previous sandy-beach sampling events in South Africa were compiled from published and unpublished sources, and supplemented with additional sampling of 23 beaches along the national shoreline, targeting macrofauna and phytoplankton. Altogether, the macrofauna database comprised data from 135 sites and 186 sampling events, and the microflora (phytoplankton and microphytobenthos) database comprised data from 73 sites and 510 samples. The probabilistic distribution of each "resident" species (present at 10 or more sites) was modelled in MaxEnt version 3.3.3k, probability thresholds were determined statistically (to convert the data into predicted presence-absence), and displayed as a digital map. A composite biodiversity map was compiled, and key trends in species richness and endemism along the national shoreline were quantified. To supplement biodiversity proper, additional valued-features of sandy beaches were mapped, including: important assemblages; unique habitat features; and sites associated with key ecological processes. Part 2 considers threats to sandy beaches in the context of deriving an appropriate management strategy that seeks to provide for use of the coast, but in a way that has least overall impact to the ecosystem. A method for assessing cumulative threats to sandy beaches is adapted from an existing framework (Chapter 4). This entailed compiling a list of threats to beaches, and scoring these (out of 10) in terms of the severity of their respective impacts to beaches, and how long it would take the ecosystem to recover should the threat be removed. The scoring was based on the collective expert opinion of the scientific community working on sandy beaches, at a workshop during the VIth International Sandy Beach Symposium 2012. To standardize the scores and ensure broad applicability, a base case scenario of a pristine beach was established, and maximum theoretical scores were provided for this context. The method for integrating these scores into a spatial, cumulative threat assessment was then determined. In Chapter 5, the maximum theoretical scores (from Chapter 4) were down-scaled to suit the current threat regime to the South African sandy beaches, and the cumulative threat assessment methodology was applied. From this analysis, the most threatened beaches in South Africa, and the most important threats were highlighted. A decision-support tool for managers was derived from the site-specific cumulative threat-impact scores, based first on the degree of permanent habitat transformation, and second on the cumulative impact of other stressors where the impacts these stressors have could potentially be mitigated or ameliorated. Part 3 concerns conservation of beaches explicitly. It addresses how much of which valued features of beaches is required to ensure their long-term persistence, and the design of a network of beaches in South Africa that are of ecological importance and should be set aside as reserves. Conservation targets are set in Chapter 6, using species-area curves to determine a baseline percentage-area required to protect sandy beach habitats, which is modified using heuristic principles based on habitat rarity and threat status (from a recent national assessment). A fixed target was applied to all species, also modified by heuristic principles, and another fixed target was applied to key assemblages and processes.

Suite à une recension des écrits sur les soins d’hygiène des personnes atteintes de démence de type Alzheimer (DTA), force est de constater la rareté, voire l’absence de recherches sur la question des soins d’hygiène (SH) dispensés à domicile par les conjointes. Pourtant, la conjointe à domicile est confrontée aux mêmes difficultés que les intervenants des établissements de santé et doit ainsi faire face aux comportements, parfois difficiles de la personne atteinte. Dans la pratique, les infirmières questionnent peu les difficultés rencontrées par les aidantes au moment des soins d’hygiène, ce qui permet difficilement de prendre conscience de leurs sentiments d’isolement et de détresse et de les réduire, le cas échéant. Pour pallier cette lacune, la présente recherche vise à comprendre l’expérience que vivent des conjointes d’hommes atteints de DTA lorsqu’elles leur dispensent des SH à domicile. Un second objectif vise à identifier les dimensions qui sont associées à cette expérience. Une approche de recherche qualitative est utilisée. Les participantes ont été recrutées par l’entremise des Sociétés Alzheimer de Laval et des Laurentides. La stratégie de collecte des données a impliqué la réalisation de deux entrevues individuelles, face à face, de même que l’administration d’un court questionnaire portant sur les aspects sociodémographiques. La démarche retenue pour l’analyse de l’ensemble de données est inspirée de l’approche proposée par Miles et Huberman (2003). Les résultats permettent d’abord de mettre en évidence des profils de conjointes qui, tout en étant variables, présentent certaines similarités. Eu égard aux SH, toutes ont à consacrer des efforts soutenus, quotidiens et intenses. Elles doivent faire montre de patience et compter sur des capacités personnelles les amenant à ressentir des sentiments positifs malgré les situations difficiles. Les résultats montrent par ailleurs que la dispensation des SH provoque aussi des sentiments négatifs associés au fardeau que ces soins impliquent. Les conjointes mettent toutefois en œuvre une variété de stratégies d’adaptation au stress telles la résolution de problème, la recherche de soutien social et le recadrage. Cinq ensembles de dimensions personnelles et contextuelles sont associés à l’expérience des aidantes : 1) En ce qui a trait aux caractéristiques personnelles des conjointes, l’avancement en âge et l’état de santé physique ou psychologique influencent négativement l’expérience lors des SH. Par contre, les ressources personnelles intrinsèques (acceptation de la réalité, capacité de trouver un sens à l’évènement, habileté à improviser et sens de l’humour) sont utilisées de manière naturelle ou acquise; 2) Les caractéristiques personnelles du conjoint (année du diagnostic, pertes d’autonomie et troubles de comportement) affectent négativement l’expérience vécue; 3) La relation conjugale présente un intérêt important puisqu’il apparaît qu’une relation conjugale pré-diagnostic positive semble favoriser des sentiments positifs chez la conjointe en ce qui a trait aux SH; 4) Les dimensions familiales ont un impact favorable, étant donné le soutien psychologique reçu de la famille; 5) Les dimensions macro-environnementales, incluant l’aide reçue du réseau informel plus large de même que du réseau formel, ainsi que les divers aménagements matériels de l’environnement physique du couple, ressortent enfin comme ayant un impact positif. Au terme de l’analyse des résultats, l’auteure est en mesure de proposer une synthèse de l’expérience des conjointes. La discussion aborde quatre enjeux qui se dégagent des résultats observés : impacts des difficultés rencontrées lors des SH dans la décision d’hébergement, réticence des aidantes à faire appel aux ressources du réseau formel pour obtenir de l’aide eu égard aux SH, importance des ressources personnelles des aidantes et potentiel de l’approche relationnelle humaine (human caring) pour faire face aux défis que pose la dispensation des SH. / Following a review of the literature on hygiene care practices for patients with Alzheimer-type dementia (DAT), there is no choice but to accept the scarcity, even absence of research on the question of hygiene care (HC) dispensed at home by female partners. Nevertheless, the female partner at home is faced with the same problems as workers in health care institutions, and so must cope with the sometimes-difficult behaviours of their partner afflicted with dementia. In practice, nurses ask very little about the difficulties caregivers encounter when providing hygiene care, and this does nothing to lessen the feelings of isolation and distress. To fill this gap, the present research seeks to understand what the female partners of men with DAT experience when they provide them with HC at home. A second objective is aimed at identifying the dimensions associated with this same experience. A qualitative research approach is used. Participants were recruited through the Alzheimer Societies of Laval and the Laurentides. The strategy for data collection involved conducting two individual, face-to-face interviews, as well as administering a short questionnaire about the sociodemographic aspects. The approach used for analyzing all the data was based on the approach proposed by Miles and Huberman (2003). In the first instance, the outcomes reveal the profiles of the female partners, which, while variable, present certain similarities. With regard to HC, all have to make sustained, concentrated efforts daily. They must have energy and patience, and rely on personal capacities to maintain positive feelings despite the difficult situations. The outcomes also show that dispensing HC also provokes negative feelings associated with the burden that this type of care brings with it. Nevertheless, female partners implement a variety of strategies to adapt to the stress, such as problem solving, seeking social support and refocusing/reorientation. Five sets of personal and contextual dimensions are associated with the caregiver experience: 1) With respect to the personal characteristics of the female partner, advanced age and the state of physical or psychological health have a negative influence on the HC experience. On the other hand, inherent personal resources (acceptance of the reality, capacity to find meaning in what has happened, ability to improvise and sense of humour) are used either natural or learned; 2) The personal characteristics of the male partner (year of diagnosis, loss of autonomy and behaviour problems) negatively affect the experience; 3) The marital relationship is also of great interest as it appears that a positive pre-diagnosis marital relationship seems to favour positive feelings in the female partner with respect to HC ; 4) The familial dimensions have a favourable impact, with regard to the psychological support received from the family; 5) Finally, the macro-environmental dimensions, including help received from both the wider informal, and the formal network, as well as the various material accommodations in the couple’s physical environment, emerge as having a positive impact. At the conclusion of the outcome analysis, the author is able to offer a summary of what the couple’s experience. The discussion involves four issues that emerge from the outcomes observed: impacts of the difficulties encountered during HC on the decision for selecting accommodation, reticence of caregivers to make recourse to resources in the formal network for help with HC, importance of the personal resources of the caregivers, and the potential of the human caring approach in dealing with the challenges arising in the dispensing of HC.

The idea for my Thesis project sprung from a trip I made last June around the Northernmost of the great Japanese islands, Hokkaido. Due to unexpectedly rough weather conditions we had to cancel many of the hikes and climbs that we had planned and instead immerse our bodies and senses in the wonderful onsen culture of Japan. These bathing institutions really lured my architectural interest and especially everything surrounding the actual bathing. The connectivity between architecture and nature, the almost profanely directed rituals, and the special relationship between water, space and materiality was just some of the aspects that originated this project. To create a contemporary bathhouse in Stockholm using the teachings around the onsen and traditional Japanese architecture.

Through the study of architecture, and the thermal bath, one must ask, — How can the experience of springwater, heavy, stone walls, and light contribute to the ritual of bathing? — The making of stone walls is the nature of the bath. The wall is the primordial state of architecture, and is given autonomy through its passion. The beginning of architecture is mass, and the articulation of it is in the carving, and shaping of the mass to form a place. The passion of the wall is in the power of its nature for placemaking. Not just ordinary place but place for one to sit, and a place that you, or I can inhabit, a near forgotten element of the pre-industrial era of architecture. This is the power of the ruin. The ruin allows for the notion of placemaking (which for the ruin is place-made). The ruin is stripped of all necessity, it is there as the object of architecture, and as the beginning for potential life. The ruined building's infill is gone, and what is left are the bones of the building, the permanent, the solid, and the everlasting. But why so much importance upon permanence and lasting in an impermanent world? Because for the very reason that one from another life, or civilization stumbles across a meadow, and upon it rests a thermal bath, in ruin. The ruin, lit only by the sun, reveals itself. In shadow and light, one can then understand the poesis of architecture, and the whisper of architecture will be heard. The public will be moved, and will say, "architecture has moved me, and has touched my soul." This is permanence amidst the impermanent. / Master of Architecture