International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 17-20, 1994 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / This paper presents the findings of the Space Tracking Systems/Options Study (STS/OS) and indicates its impact on the telemetering community. The STS/OS was commissioned by Air Force Test & Evaluation (AF/TE) to develop a long range plan (vision and roadmap) for the AF Test & Evaluation (T&E) community to ensure affordable capabilities (telemetry, tracking and commanding) for the future (2003-2008). The study was conducted by the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Space & Missile Systems Center (SMC), Detachment 9, at Vandenberg AFB (VAFB), with support from the primary AFMC T&E centers, the Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Command (AFOTEC), and the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). Both "open air" aeronautical and astronautical test needs were considered. The study solicited requirements for existing and future programs, extrapolated existing and planned test capabilities out into the future, then compared the two to identify future shortfalls in capabilities and specific actions that are necessary to insure that the future program needs can be met. Three critical types of testing were identified that cannot be satisfied with existing or planned instrumentation. These are: large area testing (LAT), over the horizon testing (OTH), and space weapons testing (SWT). A major deficiency was also uncovered in end game scoring for air and space intercepts, where inadequate capability exists to perform the required vector miss-distance measurement. This paper is important to the telemetering community because it identifies the Global Positioning System (GPS) as the primary time space position information (TSPI) system for all future open air testing. GPS provides a passive capability that permits each vehicle to determine its own precise TSPI. Means must be provided, however, for the vehicle to relay its position to the appropriate range control center. The paper shows that the problems with down linking telemetry, aircraft buss data, digital audio, digital video, and TSPI collectively represent the need for a very capable datalink. Likewise, the need to uplink commands, synthetic targets, synthetic backgrounds, and target control information also represents the need for a very capable datalink. With its extensive expertise in RF linkages, the telemetering community is ideally suited to address this need for a robust datalink for the future of T&E.

Numerical algorithms for efficiently solving optimal control problems are important for commonly used advanced control strategies, such as model predictive control (MPC), but can also be useful for advanced estimation techniques, such as moving horizon estimation (MHE). In MPC, the control input is computed by solving a constrained finite-time optimal control (CFTOC) problem on-line, and in MHE the estimated states are obtained by solving an optimization problem that often can be formulated as a CFTOC problem. Common types of optimization methods for solving CFTOC problems are interior-point (IP) methods, sequential quadratic programming (SQP) methods and active-set (AS) methods. In these types of methods, the main computational effort is often the computation of the second-order search directions. This boils down to solving a sequence of systems of equations that correspond to unconstrained finite-time optimal control (UFTOC) problems. Hence, high-performing second-order methods for CFTOC problems rely on efficient numerical algorithms for solving UFTOC problems. Developing such algorithms is one of the main focuses in this thesis. When the solution to a CFTOC problem is computed using an AS type method, the aforementioned system of equations is only changed by a low-rank modification between two AS iterations. In this thesis, it is shown how to exploit these structured modifications while still exploiting structure in the UFTOC problem using the Riccati recursion. Furthermore, direct (non-iterative) parallel algorithms for computing the search directions in IP, SQP and AS methods are proposed in the thesis. These algorithms exploit, and retain, the sparse structure of the UFTOC problem such that no dense system of equations needs to be solved serially as in many other algorithms. The proposed algorithms can be applied recursively to obtain logarithmic computational complexity growth in the prediction horizon length. For the case with linear MPC problems, an alternative approach to solving the CFTOC problem on-line is to use multiparametric quadratic programming (mp-QP), where the corresponding CFTOC problem can be solved explicitly off-line. This is referred to as explicit MPC. One of the main limitations with mp-QP is the amount of memory that is required to store the parametric solution. In this thesis, an algorithm for decreasing the required amount of memory is proposed. The aim is to make mp-QP and explicit MPC more useful in practical applications, such as embedded systems with limited memory resources. The proposed algorithm exploits the structure from the QP problem in the parametric solution in order to reduce the memory footprint of general mp-QP solutions, and in particular, of explicit MPC solutions. The algorithm can be used directly in mp-QP solvers, or as a post-processing step to an existing solution. / Numeriska algoritmer för att effektivt lösa optimala styrningsproblem är en viktig komponent i avancerade regler- och estimeringsstrategier som exempelvis modellprediktiv reglering (eng. model predictive control (MPC)) och glidande horisont estimering (eng. moving horizon estimation (MHE)). MPC är en reglerstrategi som kan användas för att styra system med flera styrsignaler och/eller utsignaler samt ta hänsyn till exempelvis begränsningar i styrdon. Den grundläggande principen för MPC och MHE är att styrsignalen och de estimerade variablerna kan beräknas genom att lösa ett optimalt styrningsproblem. Detta optimeringsproblem måste lösas inom en kort tidsram varje gång som en styrsignal ska beräknas eller som variabler ska estimeras, och således är det viktigt att det finns effektiva algoritmer för att lösa denna typ av problem. Två vanliga sådana är inrepunkts-metoder (eng. interior-point (IP)) och aktivmängd-metoder (eng. active-set (AS)), där optimeringsproblemet löses genom att lösa ett antal enklare delproblem. Ett av huvudfokusen i denna avhandling är att beräkna lösningen till dessa delproblem på ett tidseffektivt sätt genom att utnyttja strukturen i delproblemen. Lösningen till ett delproblem beräknas genom att lösa ett linjärt ekvationssystem. Detta ekvationssystem kan man exempelvis lösa med generella metoder eller med så kallade Riccatirekursioner som utnyttjar strukturen i problemet. När man använder en AS-metod för att lösa MPC-problemet så görs endast små strukturerade ändringar av ekvationssystemet mellan varje delproblem, vilket inte har utnyttjats tidigare tillsammans med Riccatirekursionen. I denna avhandling presenteras ett sätt att utnyttja detta genom att bara göra små förändringar av Riccatirekursionen för att minska beräkningstiden för att lösa delproblemet. Idag har behovet av  parallella algoritmer för att lösa MPC och MHE problem ökat. Att algoritmerna är parallella innebär att beräkningar kan ske på olika delar av problemet samtidigt med syftet att minska den totala verkliga beräkningstiden för att lösa optimeringsproblemet. I denna avhandling presenteras parallella algoritmer som kan användas i både IP- och AS-metoder. Algoritmerna beräknar lösningen till delproblemen parallellt med ett förutbestämt antal steg, till skillnad från många andra parallella algoritmer där ett okänt (ofta stort) antal steg krävs. De parallella algoritmerna utnyttjar problemstrukturen för att lösa delproblemen effektivt, och en av dem har utvärderats på parallell hårdvara. Linjära MPC problem kan också lösas genom att utnyttja teori från multiparametrisk kvadratisk programmering (eng. multiparametric quadratic programming (mp-QP)) där den optimala lösningen beräknas i förhand och lagras i en tabell, vilket benämns explicit MPC. I detta fall behöver inte MPC problemet lösas varje gång en styrsignal beräknas, utan istället kan den förberäknade optimala styrsignalen slås upp. En nackdel med mp-QP är att det krävs mycket plats i minnet för att spara lösningen. I denna avhandling presenteras en strukturutnyttjande algoritm som kan minska behovet av minne för att spara lösningen, vilket kan öka det praktiska användningsområdet för mp-QP och explicit MPC.

The vertical and horizontal distributions of Euphausiacea in the northern Gulf of Mexico, including the location of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, were analyzed from 340 trawl samples collected between April-June, 2011. This study is the first comprehensive survey of euphausiid distributions from depths deeper than 1000 m in the Gulf of Mexico and included stratified sampling from five discrete depth ranges (0-200 m, 200-600 m, 600-1000 m, 1000-1200 m, and 1200-1500 m). In addition, this study encompasses the region heavily impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Data presented here could potentially be used in ecosystem models investigating trophic effects of the spill because euphausiids are the preferred prey of a variety of higher trophic organisms. Lastly, these data represent the first quantification of euphausiid assemblages in this location after the Deepwater Horizon event and can serve as a basis of comparison against which to monitor recovery of the euphausiid assemblage after exposure to Deepwater Horizon hydrocarbons and dispersant in the water column.

Like Alike explores notions of pleasure and beauty through an examination of mundane activity. Pleasure is simple, uncomplicated niceness. Pleasure is forgettable and related to the norm. Beauty is complicated and hardly predicted. Finding beauty in the banal provides an escape from mundane life. The banal, then becomes unforgettable. The nondescript, everyday experience becomes important and gains meaning. Like Alike's electronic format is adapted from the original format of an artist book.

anglicky: Title of the thesis: Horizon of expectations of Czech and French speaking readers of children's literature Keywords: czech and french children's literature, horizon of expectations, reception of literature, reader, writer's strategy, Petr Nikl, Philippe Lechermeier Abstract: The study entitled Horizon of expectations of Czech and French speaking readers of children's literature is concerned with the reception of children's literature in Czech and French speaking environment. The aim of the thesis is to find out if and how the expectations of the readers change with their literary context and to discover the extent to which the contemporary writers Petr Nikl and Philippe Lechermeier come to meet their audiences. To answer this question various methodological procedures are employed: observation and then comparison of Czech and French literary context to form the hypotheses. The hypotheses are verified by the case study based on the analyses of two books (Záhádky by Petr Nikl and Le Journal secret de Petit Poucet form Philippe Lechermeier) and on the analyses of critical reviews and comments. We discovered the writer's strategies and the expectations of the readers and we compared them with our hypotheses to make a final appraisal. The thesis is divided into eight parts: Introduction, 1....

[pt] A interpretação manual de um horizonte sísmico é um processo muito custoso em termos de tempo de trabalho do intérprete, o que incentiva a pesquisa de métodos automáticos, ou semi automáticos, de rastreamento. Dentre as propostas existentes baseadas em correlação, uma limitação conhecida é o uso de abordagens locais para definir as amostras pertencentes ao horizonte rastreado. Esse tipo de abordagem possui bom desempenho em dados onde não há a presença de falhas sísmicas, porém, nas regiões de baixa coerência, característica das regiões ruidosas ou de falhas, ao tomar uma decisão local o rastreador fica suscetível à propagação de erro. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o uso de algoritmos de menor caminho em grafos para a solução do problema de rastreamento de horizontes sísmicos, afim de propor um método de caráter global que seja robusto a diferentes feições sísmicas. / [en] The manual interpretation of a seismic horizon is a time consuming process, which drives the research for automatic or semi automatic tracking methods. Among the known propositions that use correlation, there is a common limitation: the usage of local approaches to determine which samples belong to the horizon. This kind of approach performs well in data where there are no seismi faults. However, by using only local information, it is prone to error propagation in low coherency areas, which usualy corresponds to fault regions. The goal of this work is to evaluate the performance of shortest path algorithms as a solution for the horizont tracking problem. It intends to propose a global method that is robust to different seismic features.

As Terras Pretas de Índio (TPI) apresentam por definição o horizonte A antrópico, de cor escura, com presença de artefatos líticos e/ou cerâmicos oriundos do processo de ocupação humana na Amazônia. As áreas que ocorrem se diferenciam dos solos adjacentes por exibirem e manterem condições químicas do solo adequadas ao crescimento de plantas, mesmo após vários anos de cultivo. Essa pesquisa testa a hipótese que de que as TPI exibem condições físicas do solo adequadas ao crescimento de plantas e, mais adequadas que às encontradas nos solos adjacentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as propriedades físicas dos horizontes antrópicos de duas TPI relacionando-as com as propriedades estruturais do solo que podem limitar o crescimento de plantas. Para a realização deste estudo foram amostradas duas áreas com horizonte A antrópico (TPI) e amostras do solo adjacente. A primeira área está localizada na estação experimental da Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental (Campo Experimental do Caldeirão) no município de Iranduba, Estado do Amazonas. O solo adjacente foi classificado como Argissolo Amarelo Tb Distrófico. A segunda área está localizada em uma pequena propriedade agrícola no município de Manacapuru, Estado do Amazonas. O solo adjacente foi classificado como Latossolo Amarelo Tb Distrófico. Para a caracterização das propriedades físicas do solo, coletaram-se 120 amostras de solo indeformadas na profundidade entre 0-0,05 m e oito amostras de solo com o formato de blocos (7,0 x 15 x 22 cm). As amostras coletadas foram utilizadas para determinar a curva de retenção da água no solo, a condutividade hidráulica saturada, a curva de resistência do solo à penetração, a densidade do solo, densidade de partículas, a porosidade total do solo, a estabilidade e a resistência tênsil de agregados e a friabilidade do solo. Além das propriedades físicas, o Intervalo Hídrico Ótimo (IHO) e o índice \"S\" foram utilizados como indicadores da qualidade física do solo. A hipótese da pesquisa foi parcialmente comprovada. Os índices de qualidade do solo constataram que as Terras Pretas de Índio apresentam condições físicas do solo adequadas ao crescimento de plantas, entretanto, as TPI não apresentam propriedades físicas mais adequadas ao crescimento de plantas que os horizontes superficiais adjacentes. / Amazonian Dark Earth (ADE) presents an Anthropic A horizon, with dark color and presence of lithic and ceramics sherds. Those topsoil characteristics resulted from old Indian settlements from the pre-Columbian time in the Amazon Basin. ADE shows differences from the surrounding soils by its very good soil chemical characteristics and that are still in the most sites very fertile and productive after long time of cultivation. In this study we tested the hypothesis that ADE presents good soil physical conditions to plant growth, and more appropriate than the surrounding soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate physical properties of Anthropic horizons of two sites with ADE. The soil physical properties were discussed concerning the potencial impacts on plant growth. The Anthropic horizons from two ADE sites were sampled and also the A horizon from the surrounding soil. The ADE sites sampled were located in the Amazonas State in Brazil, one at the Experimental Research Station of Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental (Campo Experimental do Caldeirão) - Iranduba, the surrounding soil was an Dystric Yellow Acrisol. The another site was located near the city of Manacapuru - AM in a private farm. The adjacent soil in this area was classified as Dystric Yellow Ferralsol. At the depth of 0-0,05 m, 120 soil cores were collected along with eight soil box (7,0 x 15 x 22 cm). At the laboratory, soil samples were analyzed to determine: soil water retention curve, saturated hydraulic conductivity, penetration resistance curve, bulk density, particle density, total porosity, aggregate stability, tensile strength and friability. The Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR) and S indexes were used as soil physical quality indicators. The hypothesis was partially proven. The soil quality indexes indicated that ADE presented appropriate soil physical conditions for plant growth; however, the ADE had no better soil physical quality than the surrounding soil.

Latossolos com horizonte A húmico (LH) são solos com importantes reservas de carbono orgânico (CO) em profundidade. Esses solos são comuns nas regiões Sudeste e Sul do Brasil, com menor ocorrência no Nordeste. Aspectos da gênese e preservação da matéria orgânica (MO) desses solos não foram completamente entendidos ainda. Particularmente interessantes são os processos responsáveis pelo espessamento (hiperdesenvolvimento) e estabilidade do CO do horizonte húmico. A hipótese de que a MO do horizonte húmico tenha importante contribuição de carbono (C) de origem pirogênica é testada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi, portanto, caracterizar quimicamente a MO do horizonte húmico e relacionar os resultados com a gênese e preservação do CO. Oito pedons de diferentes localidades do país (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Santa Catarina e Pernambuco) sob vegetação nativa foram empregados no estudo. Descrições morfológicas e análises de caracterização de rotina dos solos foram realizadas. Além disso, ácidos húmicos (AH) foram extraídos do horizonte húmico e analisados por ressonância magnética nuclear de 13C, enquanto que as frações leves (livre e oclusa), huminas e extratos alcalinos da MO dos mesmos pedons foram analisados através da pirólise. Os pedons possuem feições morfológicas conspícuas, como horizonte A hiperdesenvolvido, variando de 120 cm a 220 cm de espessura, e cores escuras em profundidade. Os horizontes húmicos são argilosos a muitos argilosos, fortemente ácidos e álicos. As formas de CO oxidável com dicromato respondem por 2/3 da reserva de carbono total (CT) do solo. Caulinita foi o principal mineral identificado por difratometria de raios X na fração argila desses indivíduos, seguido por gibbsita e, em alguns pedons, vermiculita com hidroxientrecamadas. Correlações entre atributos do solo e diferentes formas de C oxidável revelaram-se significativas apenas para alumínio pobremente cristalino extraído com oxalato de amônio ácido (r2 = 0,69), que se apresenta como um dos mecanismos de estabilização do C. Os AH apresentam estrutura química distinta entre os pedons e também variam com a profundidade, indicando, sobretudo o efeito do tipo de vegetação. Nos pedons estudados há maior concentração relativa de C alquila em superfície e C O-alquilas e C aromático em subsuperfície. A abundância de C O-alquilas sugere que boa parte da MO do horizonte húmico tem um grau de humificação pouco avançado. Os principais produtos da pirólise das frações leves, extratos alcalinos e huminas são carboidratos, compostos alifáticos e aromáticos, mas em proporções diferentes. As amostras da fração leve livre são mais ricas em resíduos frescos derivados de plantas, com presença de ligninas, enquanto que na fração leve oclusa (FLO) preponderam compostos aromáticos e alifáticos. Os extratos são enriquecidos em compostos de nitrogênio e carboidratos. A hipótese de uma MO altamente recalcitrante, formada predominantemente por produtos da decomposição de carvão foi rejeitada, já que produtos similares a esses foram encontrados apenas na FLO, que tem pouca importância no conteúdo de CT do solo. A estabilização da MO desses LH depende de 14 uma combinação de abundante entrada de biomassa e da atuação de mecanismos que retardam a mineralização da MO, como associações organominerais. / Ferralsols with umbric epipedons are soils with important organic carbon (OC) reserves in depth. These soils are common in the Southeast and South regions of Brazil, with fewer occurrences in the Northeast region. Both genesis and organic matter (OM) accumulation aspects of these soils were not completely understood yet. Particularly interesting are the soil processes responsible for thickening (over development) and for OC stability of the umbric horizon. The hypothesis that the OM from umbric epipedon has important pyrogenic carbon (C) contribution is tested. The aim of this work, therefore, was to characterize the chemistry of OM from umbric epipedon and to relate the results with soil genesis and OC preservation. Eigth pedons from different states of Brazil (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Pernambuco) under native vegetation were used in the study. Morphological descriptions and routine soil characterization analysis were carried out. Furthermore, humic acids (HA) were extracted from umbric horizon and analyzed by solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, whereas light fractions (free and occluded), humin and alkaline extracts of the OM of the same pedons were analyzed by pyrolysis. The pedons have conspicuous morphological features, such as a developed umbric epipedon, ranging from 120 cm to 220 cm of thickness, and dark colors in depth. The umbric horizons are clayey to heavy clayey, strongly acidic and alic. Dichromate oxidable OC contents account for 2/3 of the total carbon (TC) soil reserve. Kaolinite is the main mineral identified by X ray diffractometry in the clay fraction, followed by gibbsite and vermiculite. Correlations between soil attributes and different forms of oxidable C were significant only for poorly crystalline aluminum forms extracted with oxalate ammonium acid (r2 = 0,69), which could be one of the C stabilization mechanisms. HA shown distinct chemical structures between pedons and also in depth, indicating the effect of the vegetation type. In the studied pedons there are higher relative concentration of alkyl C in surface and O-alkyl C and aromatic C in subsurface. Light fractions, alkaline extracts and humins main pyrolysis products are carbohydrates, aliphatic, and aromatic compounds, but in different proportions. In free light fraction (FLF) fresh residues derived from plants are common, with presence of lignin, whereas in the occluded light fraction (OLF), aromatic and aliphatic compounds predominate. Extracts are enriched in carbohydrates and N compounds. The hypothesis of a highly recalcitrant MO, produced by the fragments of charcoal in partial decomposition has been rejected, since they were found only into OLF, which has little importance in the TC content of soil. The stabilization of organic matter in these Ferralsols depends on a combination of abundant biomass input and the action of mechanisms to retard the mineralization of OM, such as a strong association with clay minerals.

This thesis investigates if Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investments can be considered as an independent asset class. As ESG and responsible investing has increased substantially in recent years, responsible investments have entered the portfolios with other asset classes too. Therefore, there is a need in studying ESG investment properties with other financial asset classes. By collecting daily price data from October 2007 to December 2018, we research the directionalities between ESG, ethical, conventional, commodities and currency. Initially, we employed a MODWT, multiscale investment horizon wavelet analysis transformation of the data. The decomposed wavelet data is then applied in pairwise linear and non-linear Granger causality estimations to study the directionality relationships dependent on investment horizon. Additionally, econometric filtering processes have been employed to study the effects of volatility on directionality relationships. The results mainly suggest significant directionality relationships between ESG and the other asset classes. On the medium-term investment horizon, almost all estimations indicate strict bidirectionality. Thus, on the medium-term, ESG can be said to be integrated with the other asset classes. For the long-term horizon, most relationships are still predominantly bidirectional between ESG and all other asset classes. The biggest differences are found on the short-term horizon, with no directionality found between ESG and commodities that cannot be explained by volatility. Furthermore, most directionality relationships also disappear when controlling for the volatility transmission between ESG and currency on the short-term horizon. Thus, our findings suggest significantly more integration between ESG and ethical and conventional as bidirectionality overwhelmingly prevails regardless of investment horizon. As previous research has found similarities between ethical and conventional as well as ESG having similar characteristics to commodities as conventional and ethical, we suggest that ESG should be considered as being integrated and having strong similarities with other equities. Thus, it should be treated as being part of the conventional equity asset class. Deviations from bidirectionality could be caused by ESG variable specific heterogeneity. However, despite our rejection of ESG as an independent asset class, it still carries significant potential as it excludes firms with climate-harming practices, thereby helping in combating climate-related as well as social and governance issues the world is facing.

A ocorrência de solos com horizonte A húmico (Ah) hiperdesenvolvido ainda é pouco entendida. Nos Latossolos com esse horizonte (Lh) ele freqüentemente é muito espesso, com baixa saturação por bases e cor escura advinda do relativamente grande acúmulo de matéria orgânica até profundidades superiores a 100 cm. Exceto para a região Sul, tais atributos estão em desconformidade com as atuais condições de clima e vegetação em que esses Lh se encontram. Objetivou-se definir variáveis ambientais que teriam influenciado na gênese desse horizonte em Latossolos, investigando-se dados de morfologia, textura, geoquímica, geomorfologia e evidências de paleoambientes. Realizou-se primeiro um estudo bibliográfico das principais características dos Lh no Brasil, em um conjunto de 39 perfis. Destes, 11 variáveis, representando atributos ambientais, químicos e granulométricos do solo foram submetidas a análises estatísticas multivariadas, para agrupá-los segundo similaridades. Três grupos foram definidos: G1 - Latossolos Brunos e Vermelhos em superfícies de cimeira da região Sul, com os mais altos teores de carbono orgânico e de Fe2O3, Ah menos espesso e mineralogia mais oxídica que os demais; G2- Latossolos Vermelho-Amarelos e Amarelos em antigas superfícies geomorfológicas da região Sudeste, associados à vegetação e clima de altitude, com valores intermediários de carbono e de mineralogia; G3 - Latossolos Vermelho-Amarelos e Amarelos com Ah mais espessos, encontrados nos níveis mais elevados de superfícies intermediárias (Depressão Periférica Paulista e Tabuleiros do Nordeste),com os menores teores de carbono e mineralogia caulinítica. Baseados nesses agrupamentos amostraram-se 30 pedons para fins de caracterização detalhada: análise total de Zr e Ti para identificar descontinuidades e técnicas isotópicas (13C,14C) aliadas a análises de fitólitos para inferir paleoambientes. Para esta análise procedimentos de extração de fitólitos foram adaptados. Nas regiões Sudeste e Nordeste o Ah teria se formado sob vegetação menos densa que a atual, como indicado pelos fitólitos e valor 13C que indicou mistura de plantas de ciclo C3 e C4 (~-22), que revelaram predomínio de plantas C3 e, na região Sul, vegetação mais aberta com predomínio de plantas C4 (~-16), indicando clima mais seco entre o Holoceno inferior e médio. A partir das datações 14C e dos valores 13C inferiu-se um empobrecimento isotópico (~-25) no Holoceno superior, sugerindo expansão da vegetação de floresta para todas as regiões, associada à clima mais úmido e quente, semelhante ao atual, nas regiões Sudeste e Nordeste e mais úmido e frio, na região Sul. Esses resultados indicaram que vegetação e climas pretéritos, associados aos materiais de origem e estabilidade do relevo, têm participação importante na geografia e nos processos de formação do material de origem e dos horizontes Ah. As relações Ti/Zr indicaram descontinuidades litológicas, fato que sugere a ação de processos de coluvionamento no espessamento dos Ah que, com isso, podem ser considerados como poligenéticos. O Ah constitui um importante registro das variações climáticas ocorridas durante o Quaternário sendo considerado como um paleossolo relictual. A integração da análise isotópica, de fitólitos, análise total de Zr e Ti, com a morfologia e análises de rotina foram bastante úteis para esclarecer a origem dos Ah desses Lh. / Thick humic A horizons (umbric epipedons) may be found in several Brazilian Latosols (well drained Oxisols - Lh). This dark colored horizon (Ah) is frequently more than 1m thick and has a large stock of soil organic matter (SOM) and differ from nearby Latosols without an Ah and on younger surfaces and do not conform with present climate and vegetation. Several hypothesis about their genesis had been raised but without a good pedogenetic understanding. This thesis aims to define environmental variables responsible for their formation. Several pedons were examined through their morphology and landscape position, and their soil materials were studied by geochemistry methods and paleoenviromental evidence by C isotope and phytolith assemblages. First, a bibliographic survey was performed to choose a set of 39 profiles were chosen to be studied on a data set where 11 noted chemical and granulometric attributes and one environmental variable were submitted to multivariate statistic analysis in order to group then according to similarities. Three groups were defined: G1 - Brown and Red Latosols from summit surfaces of the Brazilian Southern uplands (with the highest clay, organic carbon and iron oxide values, but with thinner epipedons than the others groups). G2 - Yellow-Red and Yellow Latosols, predominantly found in summit positions, remnant ancient geomorphic surfaces from the Southeast region and associated with the vegetation adapted to high altitudinal tropical climate. G3 - Red Yellow and Yellow Latosols from the Brazilian Southeastern piedmont upland surfaces and Northeastern coastal tablelands (with the thickest umbric epipedons, loamy to clayey textures, lower carbon contents, and a kaolinitic mineralogy). From this analysis 30 Lh representative pedons were field sampled to be characterized, including total Zr and Ti contents, stable carbon isotopes (13C, 14C) and phytolith analysis, in order to better understand paleo-environmental conditions they were subjected. For the phytolith extraction laboratory procedure were adapted in order to better separate and clean then from oxidic coatings. The SOM isotope data and phytolith assemblages indicated that these Ah were formed under a less dense vegetation than the present one: a probably mixture of C3 and C4 (~-22) plants, with more contribution of the C3 in the Southeast and Northeast regions, a more open (~-16, grassy), vegetation (with contribution of C4 plants) in the middle to medium Holocene indicating the presence of a drier climate in the Southern region. From the Late Holocene a more 13C depleted values (~-25) was observed, suggesting the expansion of the tropical and subtropical forests in this region, probably associate to a humid and warm climate in the Southeast and Northeast regions, and humid and cold in the Southern region. The combination of climate and vegetation late, parent material, and stability relief have played a major role in the geographic and formation of the parent material and pedogenetic horizons of these Lh, and thus they should be considered as polygenetic soils. The humic horizons constitute an important register of Holocene climate change and that they should be considered as relic paleosoils.