Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-26T12:09:17Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Francielle Karla Lopes da Silva - 2016.pdf: 1772534 bytes, checksum: 576affb937e162dcc74dc86625cef33b (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-26T12:09:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Francielle Karla Lopes da Silva - 2016.pdf: 1772534 bytes, checksum: 576affb937e162dcc74dc86625cef33b (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-26T12:09:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Francielle Karla Lopes da Silva - 2016.pdf: 1772534 bytes, checksum: 576affb937e162dcc74dc86625cef33b (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Urban ponds comprise habitats with a great diversity biotic and abiotic. This study aimed at analyzing the community structure of Zygnematophyceae algae in the periphyton of nine urban eutrophic ponds from Goiânia, GO. Samples were collected in August 2014, in the littoral zone. Periphyton was collected from two different substrates, macrophyte petiole (epiphyton) and pebbles (epilithon). Altogether 49 Zygnematophyceae taxa were recorded, distributed in two orders, five families and 13 genus. The highest chlorophyll a value was reported at Beija-flor Pond (2.9 μg cm-2), while the smallest one at Jardim Botânico Pond (0.8 μg cm-2). The epilithon presented a relatively higher mean value (2.4 μg cm-2) when compared to epiphyton (1.5 μg cm-2), although no statistical difference were reported between the substrates (W = 51.0; p = 0.148). Among taxonomic classes, Cyanobacteria contributed most to periphyton density (6.0 × 106 ind cm-2) especially in the epilithon, representing from 70 to almost 100% in some ponds. The class Bacillariophyceae had the second highest contribution, followed by Chlorophyceae. Based on frequency of occurrence, most taxa were classified as rare, being present in less than 20% of the samples. Only Cosmarium tenue and Mougeotia sp. 3 were classified as common. The average Zynematophyceae density was 6.2 × 103 ind cm-2, representing 0.82% of the periphytic community in the epiphyton and 0.02% in the epilithon. Most taxa reported here have been cited by literature in eutrophic habitats, and may be used as biological indicators (e.g., Staurastrum volans, Pleurotaenium trabecula var. trabecula, Closterium acutum var. variabile. Some ponds with relatively high nutrient values (e.g., Flamboyant pond) also presented higher diversity, which can be explained by these taxa tolerance to their local environments. / Lagos urbanos compreendem habitats com uma grande diversidade biótica e abiótica. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a estrutura da comunidade de algas Zygnematophyceae no perifíton de nove lagos eutróficos urbanos de Goiânia, GO. As amostras foram coletadas em agosto de 2014, na zona litorânea. O perifiton foi coletado de dois substratos diferentes, pecíolos de macrófitas (epifíton) e seixos (epilíton). No total, 49 táxons de Zygnematophyceae foram registrados, distribuídos em duas ordens, cinco famílias e 13 gêneros. A maior valor de clorofila foi relatado no lago Beija-flor (2,9 μg cm-2), enquanto o menor no lago Jardim Botânico (0,8 μg cm-2). O epilíton apresentou um valor médio relativamente maior (2,4 ug cm-2) quando comparado com epifíton (1,5 μg cm-2), embora tenham sido relatados, não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os substratos (W = 51,0; p = 0,148). Entre as classes taxonômicas, Cyanobacteria foi a mais contributiva para a densidade do perifíton (6.0 × 106 ind cm-2) especialmente no epilíton, representando de 70 a quase 100% em alguns lagos. A Classe Bacillariophyceae teve a segunda maior contribuição, seguida por Chlorophyceae. Com base na frequência de ocorrência, a maioria dos táxons foram classificados como raros, estando presente em menos do que 20% das amostras. Apenas Cosmarium tenue e Mougeotia sp. 3 foram classificados como comuns. A densidade média de Zynematophyceae foi de 6,2 × 103 ind cm-2, representando 0,82% da comunidade perifítica no epifíton e 0,02% no epilíton. A maioria dos táxons aqui apresentados foram citados pela literatura em habitats eutróficos, e podem ser usados como indicadores biológicos (por exemplo, Staurastrum volans, Pleurotaenium trabecula var. trabecula, Closterium acutum var. variabile. Alguns lagos com valores relativamente elevados de nutrientes (por exemplo, lago Flamboyant) também apresentou alta diversidade, o que pode ser explicado pela tolerância destes táxons aos seus ambientes locais.

This paper bring up informations for an integrated analysis relating phytodiversity to the system of hydrologic pulses in the riverside lakes of the Santa Maria River, near to the Marechal José de Abreu bridge of BR-290, in Rosário do Sul City, in Rio Grande do Sul. The intention is verify the relation between the vegetable formations established in this lakes, through their functional characters, with the river pulses system. The functional characters are a group of variables that, independent of the taxonomic classification, have a similarity and can be an answer from the plants to the ecosystem effects. In other hand the hydrologic system, that are the period formed from each flood and dry phase, is the main force responsible for the essential conditions to maintenance of the riverside ecosystems. In the field were realized measurements of the functional characters, life formations and altimetric quotas. In the National Water Agency (Agência Nacional de Águas ANA) website was found the historic series of quotas of the hydrologic section of reference. After preliminary process, the data were processed in the softwares IHA, MULTIV and SYNCSA. It was found correlation that prove the hypothesis that the functional characters of the existing vegetation on the riverside lakes were related to the hydroecologic variables selected by the connection of the River with these lakes. / Este trabalho levantou informações para uma análise integrada relacionando fitodiversidade ao regime de pulsos hidrológicos em lagos marginais na margem direita do Rio Santa Maria, próximos à ponte Marechal José de Abreu da BR-290, na cidade de Rosário do Sul, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A intenção é verificar a relação entre a formação vegetal estabelecida nestes lagos, através de seus caracteres funcionais, com o regime de pulsos do rio. Os caracteres funcionais são um conjunto de traços/variáveis que, independente da classificação taxonômica, possuem uma similaridade e podem ser uma resposta das plantas aos efeitos do ecossistema. Já os pulsos hidrológicos, que são o período composto por cada fase de inundação e de seca, é a principal força responsável pelas condições essenciais para a manutenção dos ecossistemas ribeirinhos. A campo foram realizados levantamentos dos caracteres funcionais, formas de vida e cotas altimétricas. No site da Agência Nacional de Águas foi obtida a série histórica de cotas da seção hidrológica de referência. Após pré-processos, os dados foram trabalhados nos softwares IHA, MULTIV e SYNCSA. Foi encontrada uma correlação que comprova a hipótese de que os caracteres funcionais da vegetação existente nos lagos marginais estariam relacionados com as variáveis hidroecológicas selecionadas através da conexão do rio com estes lagos.

O estudo da penetração da radiação solar no meio aquático foi desenvolvido em quatro partes. Na primeira delas, voltada para a atenuação da radiação solar na coluna d’água, foram discutidos fatores de interferência e suas inter-relações. Neste sentido, foi feita uma comparação da penetração da radiação solar em ecossistemas continentais naturais e artificiais, analisando as diferenças e similaridades. O estudo comparativo da atenuação da radiação solar subaquática em toda extensão de reservatórios constituiu a segunda parte deste trabalho. A comparação foi feita entre reservatórios que apresentam proximidades de localização, mas com diferenças marcantes nos usos e ocupações nas regiões em que os mesmos estão inseridos. Na terceira parte foram apresentados dois recursos de grande utilização na obtenção das respostas imediatas do ambiente aquático, do ponto de vista óptico, diante dos impactos sofridos. O primeiro recurso foi a determinação do espectrograma da radiação solar, indicando a atenuação da radiação solar subaquática na faixa fotossinteticamente ativa (400 nm - 700 nm). O outro recurso foi a obtenção do espectro de absorção da água superficial, que permitiu o estabelecimento do “Índice de Absorção Espectral da Água”, I.A.E.A., que facilmente possibilita a detecção de fontes pontuais de poluição e contaminação. Como quarta e última parte foi proposto o desenvolvimento de um aparelho a partir da reconstrução do hidrofotômetro (Modelo Nº 268 WA 310 GM MFG & Instrument Corp. Bronx. N.Y. 10 451), onde foi introduzido e adaptado o detector fotocondutivo (PIN - 250DP) em substituição às fotocélulas anteriormente danificadas. Durante o trabalho de campo, este aparelho foi testado e foi feita a comparação com os obtidos do Quanta-meter LI-COR (LI - 185A) também utilizado neste trabalho. / The study of solar radiation penetration in aquatic environment was developed in four parts. The first one, directed to solar radiation attenuation in the water column, interference factors and their inter-relations were discussed. In this sense, a penetration comparison of the solar radiation in natural and artificial continental ecosystems was carried out, analyzing differences and similarities. The second part of this work consisted of a comparative study of underwater solar radiation in the entire reservoir. The comparison was done between reservoirs that are near to one another, but with marked differences in use and occupation within the regions where they are located. In the third part, two resources of great utilization in obtaining immediate response from the aquatic environment, from an optical point of view of the impacts experienced, were presented. The first resort was the spectrogram determination of solar radiation, which indicated the underwater solar radiation attenuation in the active photosynthetic range (400 nm - 700 nm). The other resort was the superficial water absorption spectrum, which allowed establishing the “Water Spectral Absorption Index”, I.A.E.A. that easily makes possible detection of accurate sources of pollution and contamination. The fourth and last part proposed to develop an apparatus from the construction of an underwater hydrophotometer (Model 268 WA 310 GM MFG & Instrument Corp. Bronx N.Y. 10451), where the photoconductor detector was adapted and introduced (PIN - 250DP) substituting the previously damaged photocells. During field work, this apparatus was tested and comparison was performed with data obtained from Quanta-meter LI-COR (LI - 185A), also used in this work.

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise dos possíveis impactos ambientais negativos decorrentes da instalação do aterro sanitário industrial e dos lagos de resíduos de bauxita do Parque Industrial do Consórcio do Alumínio do Maranhão - ALUMAR, em termo de contaminação das águas superficiais e subsuperficiais das bacias hidrográficas envolvidas, baseado em um grupo de atributos, considerando um modelo exploratório. A partir de dados espaciais (ensaios laboratoriais e de campo) e mapas elaborados pela ALUMAR, nas escalas 1:10.000 e 1:20.000, foram selecionados, analisados e sintetizados todos os atributos de interesse em um conjunto de 12 documentos cartográficos. Num passo seguinte, foram investigados os aspectos do meio físico (colapsividade, erosão, afundamento, estabilidade do maciço e infiltração) e as características físicas do aterro sanitário industrial e do lagos de resíduos de bauxita (posição em relação ao nível de água, posição em relação ao substrato rochoso, aspectos construtivos e técnicas de impermeabilização), os quais podem gerar condições de instabilização no sistema e nas fontes, provocando vazamento. Frente à análise dos dados obtidos, os acidentes na área do aterro sanitário industrial e dos lagos de resíduos de bauxita, podem ser ocasionado por infiltração e erosão. A contaminação decorrente de vazamentos nesta região não atingirá níveis profundos devido à presença de material silte arenoargiloso da Formação Alter do Chão, pouco permeável, que impedirá o deslocamento dos contaminantes em profundidade, promovendo o espalhamento lateral controlado pelas camadas que comportam-se como drenos, e assim os contaminantes poderão ser interceptados pelos canais de drenagem, poluindo as águas superficiais e subsuperficiais e, por conseqüência, todos os componentes do meio ambiente. / This work presents an analysis of the possible negative environmental impacts associated to the installation of industrial sanitary landfill and of lakes of bauxite residues at the Industrial Park of Aluminum Consortium in Maranhão - ALUMAR, in terms of contamination of superficial waters and groundwater, based on a group of attributes, and considering an exploratory model. From laboratories, field data and maps elaborated by ALUMAR, at scales 1:10,000 and 1:20,000, the attributes were put into 12 cartographic documents. The analyses were done considering collapsible, erosion, settlement, slope stability and infiltration conditions of the areas, technological characteristics o f industrial sanitary landfill of the bauxite waste lakes and spacial position in relation to groundwater level and rocky substratum. According to the analysis of the data obtained, the accidents in the area of industrial sanitary landfill and of the lakes of bauxite residues can be caused by infiltration, due to both a deficiency in its impermeabilization system and erosion. The current contamination in this area will not reach deep levels due to the presence of clayey sand silt layers of the Alter do Chão Formation, and low permeability, which impede the movement of pollutants in depth. On the other hand, this layer should promote the lateral dispersal controlled by the layers which behave as drains. The pollutants can be intercepted by the drainage channels, polluting the superficial waters and groundwater and, as a consequence, all the components of the environment.

Urban spatial expansion resulting from urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is growing and will not stabilize in the near future. Sub-Saharan Africa’s urban growth rate is climbing faster than developing economies. Efforts should be concentrated on accommodating this phenomenon through the promotion of sustainable urban planning and development. Relying on secondary data, this research examines models of indigenous Sub-Saharan African urban forms and residential architecture vernacular to understand these forms and their characteristics, and how these models and associated management, design, and planning principles can be adopted in a contemporary context. Also, studies of established indigenous building materials and technology, which can be adapted to suit a low-cost and sustainable economy, are explored.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Library and Information Studies at the University of Zululand, 2016. / Information literacy is fundamental for lifelong learning, especially for the teaching profession, where information is critical for imparting knowledge to students who are expected to be creative, critical thinkers and lifelong learners. The study investigates the information literacy skills and personal abilities of secondary school teachers in Lagos, Nigeria and Durban, South Africa. The following research questions and hypotheses were pursued in the study: the teachers’ perceptions about the need for information literacy; the purposes for which they need information; the types of information resource they access for teaching purposes; the frequency of use of information resources; the search strategies employed in using online information resources; the level of teachers’ information self-concept; and metacognitive abilities employed in using information resources. The study also embarks on an analytical evaluation of information literacy in the contexts of the two cities of Lagos and Durban. A proposed conceptual model was also suggested to ensure the information literacy of teachers in secondary schools. The study was guided by null hypotheses and tested at a 0.05 level of significance, to ascertain whether there were any significant differences in teachers’ perceptions of the need for information literacy, and also whether there was any significant difference in the information literacy, frequency of use of information, information search strategy, and metacognitive abilities of teachers in Lagos and Durban. The study adopted a post-positivist research paradigm combining both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies largely through multi case study research design. Data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews, observation and document analysis that included a literature review. The target population was secondary school teachers in Lagos and Durban. The sample for the research was drawn from teachers in government secondary schools in Lagos and Durban. Lagos State has 20 local governments, and at the time of the research a total teacher population of 8 329. Durban is divided into four Circuits representing 16 wards. Excluding primary schools, independent schools and combined secondary schools, there are 41 secondary schools and 4 887 teachers. Face and content validity was achieved through the verification of and response to the research instruments by academics in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Zululand. Dependability of the research instruments was achieved through a pilot survey that tested the instruments among 57 teacher-librarians at the University of Zululand. In addition, Cronbach alpha technique was used to determine the reliability of the instruments. The data collected for this research were subjected to reliability coefficient tests variable by variable. The outcome shows that the overall reliability coefficient, when all the items in the questionnaire were taken together, was .801 (r =.801). Therefore all the items in the questionnaire were found to be reliable, and hence the questionnaire was reliable, trustworthy and dependable. Interviews and observation were also used as instruments of data collection to triangulate and validate the research results obtained by the questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was used in the first instance to purposively select samples from the two cities of Lagos and Durban in order to make comparisons. The second stage involved stratified random sampling, and the third stage applied simple random sampling. A sample of six local governments was selected from 20 in Lagos State, and referred to as primary sampling units (PSUs). Lagos State was divided into six educational districts (EDs). The first stage sampling involved selecting one local government out of three or four in each ED. The second stage sampling comprised a few secondary schools selected at random from all the schools in selected local governments, and the third stage was a selection of some teachers from all the teachers in the selected secondary schools. The selected local secondary schools were called secondary sampling units (SSUs). All the responding units in each SSU, i.e. the teachers, were given the questionnaires to fill in. Triangulation of three data gathering instruments enabled convergence measurement for confidence in the outcome of the research. Content analysis of the contextual setting relating to the information literacy environment in Nigeria and South Africa was done. The respondents were drawn from secondary school teachers in Lagos and Durban, with 368 valid questionnaires returned with useful responses, 193 (52.4%) in Lagos and 175 (47.6) in Durban. Eight librarians were also interviewed to validate the responses from the questionnaires, four in Lagos and four in Durban. The theoretical underpinning of this research was based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), which helps in understanding human-machine interface (HMI) through perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU). The rationale for TAM is to present a foundation for ascertaining the impact of external variables on internal beliefs, personal abilities, attitude, mind-set and intention in attaining information literacy (IL) skills. This study evaluated the TAM’s main variables for information literacy acquisition such as perceived usefulness (the intention to use, user training, computer experience, system quality) and perceived ease of use (computer self-efficacy, perception of external control, ease of use, internet self-efficacy, efficacy of library use, computer anxiety, information anxiety, perceived enjoyment and objective usability, behaviour and intention). The study also contextualises the TAM by analysing and explaining how the variables are applied in relationship to IL among school teachers. The outcome provided a deeper understanding of how TAM applies to information communication and technology for development (ICT4D) in general and IL research in particular. The study revealed that teachers in Durban had a higher level of perception of the need for information literacy than their counterparts in Lagos. The inference from the study showed that teachers in the countries of study need information on a regular basis mainly for the purposes of teaching, and administrative and professional development. The study also showed that electronic information resources were infrequently used by the teachers. Regardless of government regulation stating the qualifications of school librarians, many of those employed in the two cities were not professionally qualified librarians. The study shows a significant level of decline in information literacy in relation to the ages of teachers. Younger teachers tend to possess a higher level of information literacy than their older colleagues, which makes in-service training imperative. Female teachers are significantly more information literate than their male counterparts. Many of the school libraries seem to have been afterthoughts, and the specifications for library building and planning were not observed as itemised by IFLA library building guidelines. The library environments showed that most of the facilities were not specifically built for the teachers, in terms of space and furniture. Interaction and collaboration between teachers and librarians is limited. The information in the literature review, and contextualisation of information literacy in Nigeria and South Africa present new insights. The study recommended that continuous training for teachers in information literacy is essential. School authorities should establish relationships between teachers and librarians, and employ qualified librarians capable of competently handling modern information facilities in the school library. The quality of library facilities should be improved for better information access and services, and encourage change in teacher’s perceptions about information literacy and services. Adequate funding for school libraries is essential to acquire resources and ensure maintenance. It is also recommended that librarians should receive regular education to cope with changes in information access, usage and services required in modern libraries.

No description available.

This thesis draws on the framework of dynamic capability (DC) in an effort to make sense of how small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) use mobile apps in Lagos, Nigeria. There exists significant knowledge regarding the application of the DC framework in large firms but its application in smaller organisations has scarcely been researched. The knowledge of how SMEs use mobile apps is important at this time because it could help these SMEs compete favourably, despite unpredictable environments. Based on pragmatic philosophy and a mixed-methods research approach, the research was conducted in two phases. The first phase of the research used qualitative methods to identify the absorptive, adaptive and innovative capabilities of SMEs in Lagos with a view to discover the extent to which mobile apps are used as enablers and/or drivers of these capabilities. The findings from 20 SMEs identified 15 DC constructs whose impact on SMEs could be enhanced using appropriated mobile apps. The SMEs manifest adaptive capabilities, mainly through using appropriated mobile apps. The SMEs manifest adaptive capabilities, mainly through customer feedback and referrals, and demonstrate absorptive capabilities through the repackaging and repricing of their goods and/or service offerings. The innovative capabilities of SMEs became evident through the imitation and adaptation of offerings. The second phase of this research surveyed 1 162 SMEs in Lagos in an effort to validate the identified constructs through quantitative methods. Descriptive statistics of survey responses affirm the use of mobile apps by SMEs and it also indicated the underutilisation of mobile apps as a DC enabler. Further analysis, using covariance-based structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), explored the fitness of a conceptual SME model. The model assembled seven latent variables namely: mobile app usage, adaptive capability, absorptive capability, innovative capability, opportunity sensing ability, opportunity shaping ability and opportunity seizing ability. Subsequently, 15 hypotheses aimed at understanding the relationships between the variables were developed. The findings from the quantitative analysis revealed that mobile app usage increases the adaptive, absorptive and innovative capabilities of SMEs. The results failed to establish a direct relationship between mobile app usage and opportunity sensing, shaping and seizing abilities. Furthermore, the use of the adaptive capability in taking advantage of opportunities could not be generalised in SMEs’ context. The research findings imply the existence of an untapped potential as far as the use of mobile apps by SMEs in Lagos is concerned. The findings suggest that SMEs in Lagos respond to opportunities by becoming innovative and they seldom exhibit innovation in order to create opportunities. Based on the heterogeneous nature of SMEs, it is difficult to suggest a clear-cut narrative as to how all SMEs should employ mobile apps to create and maximise opportunities. However, mobile apps could induce creativity when developed and applied to the contextual requirements of SMEs. The outcome of this research reflects a multidisciplined research experience. The study contributed to IS through the creation of a model for investigating mobile app usage by organisations from a DC perspective. The conceptual model designed in this study could be adapted to investigate the way in which mobile app usage influences organisations in other contexts. The study contributed to the area of Information Systems by revealing the application of the DC framework to SMEs in contrast to the usual practice of researching DC with large organisations in mind. This research work suggests implicit ways of enhancing SMEs which could aid policy makers. This study was limited in that it gathered data from SMEs in Lagos alone as Lagos represents the commercial centre of Nigeria. Considerations for future research include the comparison of DC of large and small organisations in Lagos to examine if similarities and/or contrasts exist. Furthermore, due to the evasive and heterogeneous nature of SMEs, it would be beneficial to delimit future research on SMEs along specific domains of interest. / Iqoqa Lolu cwaningo lususelwa ohlakeni lokuthiwa ngamandla aphilayo (dynamic capability [DC]) emzameni wokuba umuntu aqonde ukuthi amabhizinisi amancane namaphakathi (ama-SME) awasebenzisa kanjani ama-apps ahanjiswayo eLagos, eNigeria. Lolu lwazi lubalulekile ngoba lungasiza la mabhizinisi ukuba ancintisane namanye ngokunempumelelo, noma izimo akuzo wona zingaqondakali kahle. Ucwaningo lwenziwa ngezigaba ezimbili. Isigaba sokuqala sahlonza ama-DC ama-SMSE eLagos, ngenhloso yokuthola ukuthi ngabe ama-apps ahanjiswayo asetshenziswa kangakanani ukukhuthaza kanye/noma ukuqhubela phambili la mandla aphilayo. Okwatholakala kuma-SME angama-20 kwaba ukuhlonzwa kwezinhlelo zama-DC ithonya lazo kuma-SME elalingase liphakame ngokusebenzisa ama-apps ahanjiswayo afanele. Ama-SME afakazela ama-DC ikakhulu ngokushiwo ngamakhasimende nalabo abathintiwe, nokuba kubonakale ngokuba impahla ekhishwayo ipakishwe kabusha, ifakelwe intengo entsha, noma kube yimpahla engukulingisa eyokuqala noma ilungiswe ifane neyokuqala. Ibanga lesibili lalolu cwaningo lwahlola ama-SME ayi-1 162 eLagos ukuzama ukuqinisekisa ngezinga lezinhlaka ezihlonziweyo. Izimpendulo ezavezwa ucwaningo zakwesekela ukusetshenziswa ngama-SME kwama-apps ahanjiswayo, zakhomba nokuthi awasetshenziswa ngokugcwele ama-apps ahanjiswayo njengokunika i-DC amandla. Okunye ukuhlaziya kwakhombiisa ukuthi ukusebenzisa ama-apps ahanjiswayo kwakungasiza ama-SME ngokwandisa amathuba awo. Nokho phela ukusebenzisa amathuba avelayo kwakungeke kwenzeke yonke indawo kuma-SME. Okuvezwa ucwaningo kukhombisa ukuthi kukhona ukusizakala okukhulu okungakafinyelelwa kukho mayelana nokusetshenziswa ngama-SME kwama-apps ahanjiswayo eLagos. Ucwaningo luphonsa itshe esivivaneni enkundleni yezinhlelo zokusebenza ngezolwazi ngokwembula ukusetshenziswa kohlaka lwe-DC kuma-SME uma kuqhathaniswa ngokuphambene nalokhu, okungukucwaninga okwejwayelekile nge-DC ezinhlanganweni ezinkulu. Lolu cwaningo luveza izindlela ezingekho obala zokuthuthukisa ama-SME, okungaba usizo kulabo ababhekene nokusungula imigomo yezwe. / School of Computing / Ph. D. (Information Systems)

Syftet med denna studie är att beskriva hur svenska banker använder retorik i sin miljöredovisning i hållbarhetsrapporter för att svara på externt tryck. Studiens ska ge läsare av miljöredovisning i hållbarhetsrapporter en bättre förståelse för hur svenska banker använder retorik i sina hållbarhetsrapporter för att återfå eller behålla legitimitet. Studien bygger på en kvalitativ forskningsmetod. För att studera hur miljöredovisningen i svenska bankers hållbarhetsrapporter förändras från år 2015 till 2017 har en textanalys med retorisk orientering genomförts. Genom legitimitetsteorin och tidigare forsknings insatser har det erhållna resultatet kunnat tolkas. De olika argumentationsmedlen, det vill säga ethos, logos och pathos, används av de svenska bankerna för att svara på externt tryck beträffande bankernas indirekta miljöpåverkan. Däremot finns det, som svar på externt tryck, ingen enhetlig användning av de olika argumentationsmedlen ethos, logos och pathos i de svenska bankernas miljöredovisning i hållbarhetsrapporter. Retoriken ändras på olika sätt för att svara på externt tryck. Ethos-argumentation används av majoriteten av bankerna vid mindre tryck för att förhindra att legitimitetsgap uppstår och logos-argumentation används vid större tryck från media för att stänga legitimitetsgapet. Det tredje argumentationsmedlet, pathos, används när banken inte i hög utsträckning har arbetat med den indirekta miljöpåverkan. Studien utökar kunskapen i studieområdet genom att ha studerat retorik i hållbarhetsrapporter samt företag med indirekt miljöpåverkan, alltså banker. För vidare forskning hade det varit till fördel att jämföra banker som överhuvudtaget inte får tryck gällande sina investeringar med banker som får direkt tryck samt att studera ett längre tidsförlopp. / The purpose of this study is to describe how Swedish banks use rhetoric in their environmental disclosures to respond to external pressure. The study will give readers of environmental reports a better understanding of how Swedish banks use rhetoric in their sustainability reports to regain or retain legitimacy. The study is based on a qualitative research method. To study how the environmental disclosure in Swedish banks' sustainability reports changes from 2015 to 2017, a text analysis with rhetorical orientation has been carried out. The result obtained has been interpreted through legitimacy theory and previous research efforts.The various means of argumentation, ie ethos, logos and pathos, are used by the Swedish banks to respond to external pressure on the banks' indirect environmental impact. However, in response to external pressure, there is no uniform use of the different arguments of ethos, logos and pathos in the Swedish banks' environmental disclosure in sustainability reports. The rhetoric changes in different ways to respond to external pressure. Ethos argumentation is used by the majority of banks at less pressure to prevent legitimacy gaps from arising and logos argumentation is used at greater pressures from the media to close the legitimacy gap. The third means of argument, pathos, is used when the bank has not worked a lot with the indirect environmental impact. The study expands the knowledge in the study area by having studied the rhetoric in the sustainability reports of companies with indirect environmental impact, ie banks. For further research, it would have been advantageous to compare banks that invest sustainably with banks that do not invest sustainably and to study a longer time period.

As lagoas salino-alcalinas (salinas) da sub-região Nhecolândia do Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, combinam valores de pH elevados com a presença de altas concentrações de sal, assemelhando-se aos lagos de soda da África Oriental. O entendimento atual dos mecanismos físicos, químicos e biológicos nestes ambientes extremos do Brasil é limitado. Embora os micro-organismos estejam envolvidos nos processos biogeoquímicos em ecossistemas aquáticos, investigações sobre os grupos bacterianos que contribuem para a diversidade e funções específicas nessas salinas inexistem. Assim, a presente dissertação centrou-se na avaliação da comunidade bacteriana de duas salinas (Salina Verde e Salina Preta), localizadas na sub-região da Nhecolândia. Especificamente, investigou-se a diversidade e a estrutura das comunidades bacterianas, os perfis metabólicos das lagoas e genes funcionais que codificam enzimas relacionadas a transformação do nitrogênio, mercúrio, selênio e arsênio. As amostras de água foram coletadas durante a estação seca (setembro de 2012) na Salina Verde (pH 9,5, E.C. 2575 mS cm-1), caracterizada pela presença constante de floração de cianobactérias e na Salina Preta (pH 8,9, E.C. 1500 mS cm-1), sem registro de ocorrência de floração. As amostragens foram realizadas em triplicatas em duas profundidades (superfície e fundo) e duas vezes no dia (10:00 h e 15:00 h) devido à ocorrência natural de saturação de oxigênio observada na Salina Verde. O DNA total de cada amostra ambiental foi extraído e a diversidade bacteriana e funcionalidade foram acessadas por pirosequenciamento do gene de 16S RNAr e sequenciamento metagenômico. A análise de PCR quantitativa do gene de 16S RNAr foi realizada de forma a quantificar a comunidade bacteriana. A abundância bacteriana foi maior na Salina Verde do que na Salina Preta (1010 e 109 cópias mL-1, respectivamente). As sequências parciais do gene de 16S RNAr obtidas no pirosequenciamento mostraram a dominância de táxons do gênero Anabaenopsis sp. na floração da Salina Verde, englobando até 92% do total de sequências. A comunidade bacteriana da Salina Preta apresentou os maiores índices de diversidade e riqueza, sendo dominantes os filos Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria e Verrucomicrobia. Apenas a Salina Preta mostrou diferenças na comunidade bacteriana de acordo com as profundidades amostradas. Na superfície desta lagoa, os filos Actinobacteria e Verrucomicrobia predominaram, enquanto no fundo, prevaleceram os filos Proteobacteria e Chlamydiae. A temperatura foi detectada como o fator abiótico que influenciou a heterogeneidade espacial da Salina Preta. Por sua vez, a alcalinidade e o pH foram os fatores que impulsionaram as diferenças e variações das comunidades bacterianas em ambas as lagoas. Genes bacterianos envolvidos nos ciclos biogeoquímicos do nitrogênio, mercúrio e arsênio foram encontrados nas salinas Verde e Preta, sugerindo uma elevada redundância funcional nas transformações desses elementos. Não foram encontrados genes microbianos envolvidos no ciclo do selênio. Os dados gerados revelaram uma comunidade microbiana taxonômica e funcionalmente complexa que habita as salinas. Os resultados deste estudo fornecem uma avaliação aprofundada baseada em abordagens independentes de cultivo, sendo este um passo importante na compreensão da dinâmica funcional desses ambientes no Pantanal brasileiro. / The saline-alkaline lakes (salinas) of the Nhecolândia sub-region of the Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul state, combine high pH values with the presence of high salt concentrations, resembling the soda lakes of East Africa. The current understanding of physical, chemical and biological mechanisms in these extreme environments is limited. Although microorganisms are involved in biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystem, researches on the bacterial groups that contribute to diversity and specific functions in these salinas are scarce. This dissertation therefore focused on the evaluation of bacterial community of two salinas (Salina Verde and Salina Preta) located in the Nhecolândia subregion. Specifically, it was investigated the diversity and structure of bacterial communities, the metabolic profile of the lakes and functional genes that encode the nitrogen, mercury and arsenic-transforming enzymes. Water samples were collected during the dry season (September 2012) from Salina Verde (pH 9.5, E.C. 2575 mS cm-1), characterized by constant presence of cyanobacterial bloom, and from Salina Preta (pH 8.9, E.C. 1500 mS cm-1), with no report of bloom occurrence. Triplicate samplings were carried out in two depths (surface and bottom) and twice a day (10 AM and 3 PM) due to naturally occurrence of oxygen saturation, observed at Salina Verde. Total DNA of each environmental sample was extracted and bacterial diversity and functionality were accessed by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Analysis of quantitative PCR of the 16S rRNA gene was performed in order to quantify the bacterial community. Bacterial abundance was higher in the Salina Verde than in the Salina Preta (1010 and 109 copies mL-1, respectively). The partial sequences of the 16S rRNA gene obtained in the pyrosequencing revealed the genus Anabaenopsis sp. as the dominant taxa in the Salina Verde bloom, encompassing up to 92% of the total bacteria. Bacterial community of the Salina Preta showed the highest diversity and richness index, with dominant phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia. Only the Salina Preta showed differences in bacterial community in accordance with the depths sampled. On the surface of this lake, the phyla Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia predominated, while in the bottom, Proteobacteria and Chlamydiae prevailed. The temperature was detected as the abiotic factor influencing the spatial heterogeneity at Salina Preta. On the other hand, alkalinity and pH were the factors driving the differences and variation of bacterial community in both lakes. Bacterial genes involved in the biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, mercury and arsenic were found in Salina Verde and Salina Preta, suggesting a high metabolic redundancy in the transformation these elements. No microbial genes involved in selenium cycle were found. The data showed a taxonomic and functional complex microbial community inhabiting salinas. The results of this study provide a detailed assessment based on culture-independent approaches, which is a stepping stone to understand the functional dynamics of these environments in the Brazilian Pantanal.