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Encouraging greater implementation of conservation agriculture practices such as reduced tillage and cover crops may require better understanding of the effect of these practices on soil health. The overall objective of this study was to quantify soil health dynamics due to conservation agriculture practices and address methodological gaps in terms of measuring soil health parameters. We developed five sites across the state of Virginia; each site had replicated plots with combinations of reduced tillage versus disk tillage and wintertime cover crops versus no cover crops as experimental treatments. Soil and plant samples were collected 1-2 times per year for 3 years, and were analyzed for 30 soil health parameters. The parameters were first evaluated to determine if any consistently detected treatment differences. We then quantified the temporal dynamics of the eight most responsive soil health parameters, while considering influences of soil water content at time of tillage, cover crop biomass, and previous land management history. Of the analyzed parameters, only 2-4 mm aggregate stability and magnesium showed high responsiveness and consistency in identifying tillage and cover crop effects. None of the parameters detected treatment differences in all sites or at all times, yet samples collected after high biomass cover crops or after tillage in wet conditions tended to show significant treatment differences for multiple indicators. The previous history of management in each site may have affected trends in aggregate stability, but did not appear to influence other indicators. As soil aggregate stability was found to be the most important soil health parameter, our third study developed an improved method for measuring soil aggregate stability. This new method, Integrated Aggregate Stability (IAS), interprets aggregate stability using a laser diffraction machine. Overall, IAS showed higher correlation with the wet sieving method (R2 = 0.49 to 0.59) than widely used median aggregate size (d50) (R2 = 0.09 to 0.27). IAS can also quantify stability of macro- and micro-sized aggregates, which d50 cannot. When comparing between IAS and wet sieving, IAS requires considerably less time and sample amounts. Our fourth study focused on creating an inexpensive yet accurate tool for measuring soil respiration, as microbial assessments based on respiration rates have great potential for detecting rapid changes in soil health. Using an Arduino-based infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) sensor, we developed the Soil Microbial Activity Assessment Contraption (SMAAC) for less than $150. Our results show that SMAAC provided consistent readings with a commercial IRGA unit when tested using three different configurations. Altogether, the research presented in this dissertation identifies important soil health parameters and quantifies their temporal and between-site dynamics. Using this narrower set of indicators can help producers and practitioners save resources when conducting measurements to assess soil health effects of agricultural practices. Further, this work also provides improved measurement techniques for useful soil health parameters like aggregate stability and soil respiration. These findings and innovations should help to encourage greater adoption of agricultural management practices that build and preserve soil health. / Doctor of Philosophy / If we want to make sure that ample and safe food is available to future generations, then it is time that we produce food without damaging the soil. Many widely used soil management techniques like tillage and leaving the field bare can harm the soil and decrease productivity in the long run. One potential technique to produce food while protecting the soil and environment is conservation agriculture, which can include reduced tillage and cover cropping. Reduced tillage is a technique in which we grow food without majorly disturbing the soil, while cover crops are planted when cash crops are not in the field in order to improve or sustain the soil. Understanding the soil-related benefits of conservation agriculture practices is important to encourage farmers to adopt these practices. In this study we tested the effects on soils of reduced tillage and cover crop practices versus conventional tillage and bare soil practices, using five locations across Virginia. We also developed improved methods for measuring two informative soil parameters. We found that, when looking at all of our five sites, the stability of soil aggregates, the rate at which water enters soil, and the nutrients in surface soils were all affected by the type of management that the soils were subjected to. Reduced tillage increased stability of soil aggregates when compared with conventional till. This increased stability of aggregates indicators lower potential for surface water runoff, erosion, and flooding when we practice reduced tillage. Cover cropping also increased stability of soil aggregates, especially when the cover crops attained substantial above-ground mass. Soil nutrients (which are essential for plants to grow) were also overall higher in the surface soil layers under no-till. Since the stability of soil aggregates was found to be an important benefit of CA practices, we also perceived a need for a better method for measuring stability of these aggregates. In response, we developed a new index called Integrated Aggregate Stability (IAS). IAS was found to give similar results as established methods, but the time required to get IAS result is about 10 minutes, whereas the time required for established methods like wet sieving is around 2 days. IAS measurements are therefore both accurate and quick to perform. We also focused on developing an inexpensive tool for measuring soil respiration. Soil respiration-based measurements help us to understand the activity of microbes in the soil. These microbes are very important for soils to function. Our tool, Soil Microbial Activity Assessment Contraption (SMAAC), was very consistent with a currently used tool and shows high potential for future use. Altogether, we found that no-tillage and cover cropping can increase stability of soil aggregates even within 1-3 years of starting those practices. No-till can also increase nutrient concentrations in the top soil layer. The tools and innovations developed in this study have the potential to increase the ability of farmers to assess soil health and also encourage greater adoption of conservation agriculture practices.

Inequalities in levels of health between regions within a country are frequently regarded as a problem. Zimbabwe is characterised by poor and unequal conditions of health (both the state of people‘s health and health services). The health system of the country shows severe spatial inequalities that are manifested at provincial, district and even local levels. The current research therefore examines and analyses the spatial inequalities and temporal variation of health conditions in Zimbabwe. Composite indices were used to determine the people‘s state of health in Zimbabwe. Administrative districts were ranked according to the level of people‘s state of health. Cluster analysis was also performed to demarcate administrative districts according the level of health service provision. Districts with minimum difference were demarcated in a single cluster. Clusters were delineated using data on patterns of diseases and health and such clusters were used to demarcate the country‘s spatial health system according to the Adapted Epidemiological Transition Model. This was meant to evaluate the applicability of the model to Zimbabwe. It emerged from the research that generally the country‘s health conditions are poor and the health system is characterised by severe spatial inequalities. Some districts are experiencing poor health service provision and serious health challenges and are still in the age of pestilence and famine but others have good health service provision as well as highly developed health conditions and are in the age of degenerative and man-made diseases of the epidemiological transition model. It further emerged that the country‘s health has been evolving with signs of improvement since the 1990s. Some proposals are made in research for spatial development of health in the country. Recommendations were made regarding possible adjustment to previous strategies and policies used in Zimbabwe, for the development of the health system of the country. New strategies were also recommended for the improvement of the health system of the country. / Geography / Ph.D. (Geography)

Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever comparativamente o comportamento de três indicadores de saúde: mortalidade infantil; cobertura vacinal/taxa de abandono da vacina DPT e hospitalizações em menores de 5 anos, em dois Blocos de sete municípios paulistas, com características sócio-econômicas semelhantes, mas diferenciados por terem implantado (Bloco A) e não implantado (Bloco B) o Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF), sendo parâmetro para esta comparação os mesmos indicadores de saúde para o Estado de São Paulo. Utilizou-se do cálculo e da descrição dos indicadores para cada Bloco estudado, nos seguintes períodos: mortalidade infantil (triênio 1995-997 e 1998-2000), cobertura vacinal básica (de 1996 a 2000), taxa de abandono da vacina DPT (triênio 1998-2000) e hospitalizações em menores de cinco anos (triênio 1998-2000). Verificou-se que a implantação do PSF foi um dos fatores que contribuiu para a queda das taxas de mortalidade infantil e abandono da vacina DPT / The purpose of the study is to describe comparatively the behavior of three health indicators: infant mortality; vaccination coverage/abandonment rate of the DPT vaccine; and hospitalization of children under five years of age, in two groups of seven towns of the State of São Paulo each with similar socio-economic characteristics, but differentiated for having implemented the Family Health Program (Group A) and not implemented it (Group B group), using as parameters for such comparison the same health indicators for the State. The study used the calculations and the description of the indicators for each group of municipalities in the following topics and periods: infant mortality rates (1995-1997 and 1998-2000); basic vaccination coverage (from 1996 to 2000); abandonment rate of the DPT vaccine (1998-2000); and hospitalization of children under five years old (1998-2000). It was found that the introduction of the Family Health Program was one of the factors that contributed for the reduction of infant mortality rates and the rate of abandonment of the DPT vaccine

Orientador: Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima Parada / Resumo: A taxa de mortalidade infantil é indicador sensível para refletir o grau de desenvolvimento de um país. Nas últimas décadas, o Brasil registrou grande variação negativa na taxa desse desfecho, resultado da centralidade nas políticas públicas de saúde materno-infantis nacionais. O conhecimento público sobre os fatores que contribuíram para a melhora desse indicador é importante por fazer da população parte integrante do processo, permitindo maior controle social. Possibilita, ainda, que o cidadão tenha a oportunidade de fazer a sua parte no que diz respeito à prevenção. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a cobertura jornalística realizada sobre o tema mortalidade infantil na versão impressa do jornal Folha de São Paulo entre 1990 e 2015, período definido pela Declaração do Milênio para o cumprimento da meta de redução em dois terços na taxa de mortalidade infantil global. Trata-se de estudo de abordagem quantiqualitativa, de caráter descritivo e retrospectivo. A escolha do jornal Folha de São Paulo decorreu do fato de constituir o veículo jornalístico de maior circulação no país. Para seleção das matérias, utilizaram-se as palavras-chave “mortalidade” and “infantil” no acervo digital do próprio jornal. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre setembro de 2015 e julho de 2016. No total, 2436 matérias foram inicialmente selecionadas para leitura dinâmica. Aplicaram-se, em seguida, os critérios de exclusão: citações isoladas, comentários dos leitores, publicidade, informes pu... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

A adolescência é definida como um período complexo compreendido entre os 10 e 19 anos, caracterizado por mudanças intensas de ordem biológica, física, social e cognitiva. Apesar de propícia ao desenvolvimento, também relaciona-se a comportamentos de risco e transtornos mentais. Considerando que as questões desta fase influenciam diretamente em aspectos centrais da vida adulta e em resultados globais de saúde, compreender o estado saúde desta fase, e as variáveis associadas, é indispensável para o desenvolvimento de intervenções e programas voltados para promoção de saúde efetivos. O objetivo deste projeto é mapear indicadores e comportamentos de saúde e sintomas depressivos e ansiosos em uma amostra de 300 adolescentes de 13 anos, matriculados em escolas estaduais do interior de São Paulo. Os objetivos secundários são adaptar o questionário de pesquisa Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) para a realidade brasileira e investigar as indicadores dos instrumentos com sexo e região. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: questionário HBSC Brasil 2016/17, Childrens Depression Inventory e Spence Children\'s Anxiety Scale, todos adaptados para o português. Os dados foram analisados através de estatística descritiva e inferencial através do teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e Análise de Variância (ANOVA). O intervalo de confiança foi de 95%. De maneira geral, os resultados indicam que os adolescentes compreenderam satisfatoriamente o questionário adaptado e que, apesar da maioria dos indicadores apresentarem resultados positivos, uma parcela considerável dos adolescentes investigados até o momento apresentam fatores de risco e necessidade de intervenções. Associações entre a variável sexo foram expressivas, demonstrando que meninos e meninas possuem características específicas nos indicadores de saúde investigados / Adolescence is defined as a complex period between 10 and 19 years, characterized by intense biological, physical, social and cognitive changes. Although conducive to development, it is also associated to risk behaviors and mental disorders. Considering that obstacles at this stage influence directly central aspects of adult life and overall health outcomes, understanding the health status of this phase, and the associated variables, is imperative for the development of effective health interventions and programs. The aim of this project was to map indicators and health behaviors and depressive and anxious symptoms in a sample of 300 adolescents of 13 years old, enrolled in public schools in the interior of São Paulo. The secondary aim is to adapt the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) research questionnaire to Brazilian reality and to investigate the indicators of the instruments with gender and region. The instruments used were: HBSC Brasil 2016/17 questionnaire, Children\'s Depression Inventory and Spence Children\'s Anxiety Scale, all in Portuguese. Data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using the Pearson chi-square test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The confidence interval was 95%. Overall, the results indicate that the adolescents satisfactorily understood the adapted questionnaire and despite the fact that most of the indicators were positive, a substantial number of adolescents have shown risk factors and the need for interventions. Associations with gender were expressive, demonstrating that boys and girls have specific characteristics in what concerns the health indicators investigated

Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever comparativamente o comportamento de três indicadores de saúde: mortalidade infantil; cobertura vacinal/taxa de abandono da vacina DPT e hospitalizações em menores de 5 anos, em dois Blocos de sete municípios paulistas, com características sócio-econômicas semelhantes, mas diferenciados por terem implantado (Bloco A) e não implantado (Bloco B) o Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF), sendo parâmetro para esta comparação os mesmos indicadores de saúde para o Estado de São Paulo. Utilizou-se do cálculo e da descrição dos indicadores para cada Bloco estudado, nos seguintes períodos: mortalidade infantil (triênio 1995-997 e 1998-2000), cobertura vacinal básica (de 1996 a 2000), taxa de abandono da vacina DPT (triênio 1998-2000) e hospitalizações em menores de cinco anos (triênio 1998-2000). Verificou-se que a implantação do PSF foi um dos fatores que contribuiu para a queda das taxas de mortalidade infantil e abandono da vacina DPT / The purpose of the study is to describe comparatively the behavior of three health indicators: infant mortality; vaccination coverage/abandonment rate of the DPT vaccine; and hospitalization of children under five years of age, in two groups of seven towns of the State of São Paulo each with similar socio-economic characteristics, but differentiated for having implemented the Family Health Program (Group A) and not implemented it (Group B group), using as parameters for such comparison the same health indicators for the State. The study used the calculations and the description of the indicators for each group of municipalities in the following topics and periods: infant mortality rates (1995-1997 and 1998-2000); basic vaccination coverage (from 1996 to 2000); abandonment rate of the DPT vaccine (1998-2000); and hospitalization of children under five years old (1998-2000). It was found that the introduction of the Family Health Program was one of the factors that contributed for the reduction of infant mortality rates and the rate of abandonment of the DPT vaccine

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-05-19T20:35:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DanielleOliveira.pdf: 3365250 bytes, checksum: 69a6539e863c47e5afe58bc728cc0e02 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-19T20:35:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DanielleOliveira.pdf: 3365250 bytes, checksum: 69a6539e863c47e5afe58bc728cc0e02 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-28 / Health indicators are tools important for measuring a reality, a management avaliation and planning of the health actions in the swiral áreas. Among the more used health indicators to monitor the child health. However, in Maranhao are scarce existing information on child health and information about health conditions indicators and health dimensions of the child population and performance of the health system The general goal was to analyse child health indicators among little boys of Five years old dwelling in the State of Maranhão attended by the Bassic Attention. It deals with observational, descriptive, study, also under a quantitative approach, performed based on the SIAB reports. As to the demographical indicators there was reduction anridst all the child groups and increase of the age group of adults of 60 years old. The socio-environmental indicators showed that 34,8% of the registered families in the basic attention use water wittout any care. Only 6% of the family had a drain system in 2013. The operational indicators showed na increase of babies of four months year old under breastfeeding exclusive, with are increase of little boys under uptodate vaccines reaching. Among the related epidemiological indicators as to the morbity there was na increase in the proportion of children under low weight at birth. A stressed fall in the proportion of little boys under malnutrition. Among the epidemiological indicators there was a fall in the infantile general mortality and from all its components with supremacy of the postneonatal component. As to the infantile mortality by health macroregional, the Coroatá end Pinheiro macroregional presented infantily mortality rate superior to that one met in the State. The expansion of the population cover in Maranhão shoewed na increase of access of the infantule population towards the health service, so contribting to bether health conditions. / Indicadores de saúde são instrumentos importantes para medir uma realidade, avaliar e planejar ações de saúde nas diversas áreas, entre elas o monitoramento da saúde infantil. Entretanto, no Maranhão são escassas informações existentes sobre indicadores de saúde da criança e informações sobre condições sanitárias, assim como dimensões do estado de saúde da população infantil e o desempenho do sistema de saúde. Objetivou-se analisar indicadores de saúde infantil em menores de cinco anos residentes no Estado do Maranhão, atendidos pela Atenção Básica. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado com base no Sistema de Informação da Atenção Básica, abordando indicadores socioambientais, demográficos, operacionais e epidemiológicos nos anos 1998, 2003, 2008 e 2013. Com o passar dos anos observou-se diminuição entre todas as faixas etárias infantis e aumento da faixa etária de maiores de 60 anos. Os indicadores socioambientais mostraram que 34,8% das famílias cadastradas na atenção básica utilizam água sem tratamento e somente 6% das famílias eram coberta por sistema de esgoto em 2013. Os indicadores operacionais mostraram aumento das crianças menores de quatro meses em aleitamento materno exclusivo; aumento das crianças menores de um ano com vacinas em dia. Entre os indicadores epidemiológicos relacionados à morbidade, houve aumento na proporção de crianças com baixo peso ao nascer e queda acentuada na proporção de crianças menores de um ano desnutridas. Houve queda na mortalidade infantil geral e de todos os seus componentes. Quanto à mortalidade infantil por macrorregionais de saúde, as Macrorregionais de Coroatá e Pinheiro apresentaram taxa de mortalidade infantil superior à encontrada no Estado. A expansão da cobertura populacional da Atenção Básica no Maranhão mostrou um aumento do acesso da população infantil aos serviços de saúde, contribuindo para melhorias nas condições de saúde.

In this thesis, we discussed various possibilities of integrating scheduling decisions with information and constraints from Advanced Process Control (APC) systems in semiconductor Manufacturing. In this context, important questions were opened regarding the benefits of integrating scheduling and APC. An overview on processes, scheduling and Advanced Process Control in semiconductor manufacturing was done, where a description of semiconductor manufacturing processes is given. Two of the proposed problems that result from integrating bith systems were studied and analyzed, they are :Problem of Scheduling with Time Constraints (PTC) and Problem of Scheduling with Equipement health Factor (PEHF). PTC and PEHF have multicriteria objective functions.PTC aims at scheduling job in families on non-identical parallel machines with setup times and time constraints.Non-identical machines mean that not all miachines can (are qualified to) process all types of job families. Time constraints are inspired from APC needs, for which APC control loops must be regularly fed with information from metrology operations (inspection) within a time interval (threshold). The objective is to schedule job families on machines while minimizing the sum of completion times and the losses in machine qualifications.Moreover, PEHF was defined which is an extension of PTC where scheduling takes into account the equipement Health Factors (EHF). EHF is an indicator on the state of a machine. Scheduling is now done by considering a yield resulting from an assignment of a job to a machine and this yield is defined as a function of machine state and job state.