This dissertation explores the extent to which weather and climate systematically affect political behavior. The idea that weather (and other elements of the natural world) exercise a fundamental influence on politics has long been a theme in classical and modern political thought. As political science moved from pure description to a more social-scientific form of analysis, scholars became less interested in understanding the impact of climate. If mentioned at all, weather typically is referred to as one of the various elements making up the "error term" in our statistical analyses. Recent work in the natural and social sciences, however, has suggested there are systematic and important links between weather, climate, and behavior. This work (which I review) not only inspires a return to a traditional focus of political analysis, but more importantly provides a number of hypotheses to guide our analysis of politics. Inclement weather increases the costs of moving from place to place. Sunlight enhances while extreme temperature depresses mood. Finally, hot weather is associated with enhanced aggression. These correlates of climate have implications for a variety of subfields across political science, including comparative politics and international relations. This dissertation concentrates primarily, however, on American politics, particularly from a behavioral perspective. To see if weather has a significant effect on politics, then, I explore behavior in four settings that have been especially important in mainstream studies: Presidential approval; social capital; Election Day voting; and finally elite participation (in the form of abstention on roll call voting). In terms of the first, if (as Zaller argues) a response to a telephone survey indeed entails a summing up of `considerations' regarding an issue rather than expression of a `true' attitude, then it is likely sunlight should stimulate positive responses to questions because it encourages the release of serotonin, which makes people more positive in general. Controlled logistic regression of sunlight on Presidential approval reveals that, in spring, sunlight boosts approval. The next chapter explores how hot climates and rain may reduce levels of social capital. This is because heat boosts levels of aggression, which should diminish helping behavior, and because rain makes it more difficult to volunteer and associate with other people. Analysis of state-level social capital data and city-level volunteer data provides some evidence that these propositions are correct. The third empirical chapter focuses upon voting on Election Day. While it finds that rain does have a depressive effect upon voting rates among the poor due to raising the costs associated with voting, there is little evidence that vote choice is affected by the weather. The final empirical chapter examines how weather conditions may affect voting rates among members of the United States House of Representatives, which seems possible because, like regular citizens during Election Day, House members pay costs when visiting the Capital to vote, and unpleasant weather could comprise a real if minor cost. OLS regression at the vote-level and logistic regression at the legislator level reveals that in the winter and spring, sunlight boosts voting, while summer humidity depresses voting and heat in winter has a positive effect. While these conclusions are interesting in themselves and meaningfully contribute to contemporary academic discussions, they further suggest some things about how we thing about political science. In particular, analyses of political topics could often be enhanced by reflectively considering the contents of the error term, as this exercise can offer new and useful perspective on current scholarship. Further, this dissertation also suggests that political science (and research in general) could benefit from taking a more comprehensive view of the environmental context of human behavior.

Humans are tightly linked to their thermal microclimatic environments, yet few studies have evaluated the outdoor thermal comfort of users performing physical activity. The purpose of this research was to critically review, assess, and apply findings using the COMFA ('COMfort FormulA') human energy budget for users performing physical activity outdoors. Research objectives were: to apply an improved multi-segmented skin temperature approach to the COMFA model; to evaluate its accuracy in predicting actual thermal sensation (ATS); to implement techniques to account for human behaviours associated with clothing and metabolic variations; to spatially assess human energy budget moderating effects of urban parks; and to investigate extreme heat stress situations. To evaluate modelled mean skin temperature (T_sk), field tests were conducted on subjects performing 30 minute outdoor sessions of steady-state moderately intense activity (cycling and running). The model accurately predicted T_sk, showing significantly strong agreement (r = 0.859, p<0.01). ATS votes displayed significantly strong rank correlation with budget scores calculated using both measured and predicted T_sk (r_s = 0.507 and 0.517, respectively, p<0.01). A further improvement of Incorporating conditioning level of an individual gave more realistic estimations of metabolism for budget estimation. Adopting a new relative wind velocity (v_r) equation, which incorporates wind to body angle, revealed errors of the original v_r equation in the modelling of convective heat loss and T_sk. Application of the COMFA model in urban spaces showed that energy budgets were more closely correlated to incoming solar radiation (r = 0.941) than air temperature (r = 0.490), with a significantly strong linear regression found with radiation absorbed by a human (R^2=0.858). Treed greenspace was shown to strongly enhance thermal comfort the greatest, decreasing budgets on average by 25.5 Wm^2. Budget values were found to be a strong predictor of emergency dispatch calls received in Toronto during the July 2010 heat wave (R^2 = 0.86). This study has displayed the potential of the COMFA outdoor model as a new tool to make heat forecasting more meaningful to the public, emergency responders, and urban planners. / OGS; NSERC

This dissertation in biometeorology has the objective of analyzing the influence of some meteorological elements on the behavior of some infectious diseases in the State of Alagoas, through an observational study, in an attempt to better understand their endemic behaviors and some environmental factors that can trigger them. The research was done in three cities of the State, situated in tree different regions: Maceió (litoral); Palmeira dos Índios (agreste) and Água Branca (sertão). Then a crossing was done between series of data of monthly number of cases of schistosomiasis, dengue and cholera, and meteorological data of precipitation, monthly average temperature, average maximum temperature, and average minimum temperature, during the period from 2002 to 2005. The data used were provided by the Secretaria Estadual de Saude de Alagoas and the Insituto Nacional de Meteorologia / 3o Distrito. The graphs obtained from these series of data were then analyzed, together with statistical techniques, in an attempt to find correlation coefficients (r) that are representative of the influence (or lack of influence) of meteorological factors on the endemic distribution of the diseases in the State of Alagoas. A low incidence of cholera was observed in the State, with no cases of the disease notified in Palmeira dos Índios and Água Branca, and few cases in Maceió, predominating in the rainy season. The precipitation contributed to a subsequent increase in the number of cases of schistosomiasis and dengue, in Maceió and Palmeira dos Índios. In Água Branca, the absence of schistosomiasis in an endemic form was verified. It was observed that higher temperatures favored the transmission of dengue in the three cities. Correlation coefficients were calculated, considering the period studied as a whole, and also considering each year separately. The values obtained for the continuous period were low. When each year was analyzed individually, the correlation coefficients obtained were a little higher. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Esta dissertação em biometeorologia tem como objetivo analisar a influência de alguns elementos meteorológicos no comportamento de algumas doenças infecciosas no estado de Alagoas, através de um estudo observacional, na tentativa de se entender melhor seus comportamentos endêmicos e alguns fatores ambientais que podem desencadeá-las. A pesquisa foi conduzida em três municípios do Estado, situados em três regiões diferentes: Maceió, no litoral; Palmeira dos Índios, no agreste; e Água Branca, no sertão. Foi feito então um cruzamento entre séries de dados de número de casos mensais de esquistossomose, dengue e cólera, e dados meteorológicos de precipitação pluvial, temperatura média mensal, média mensal da temperatura máxima, e média mensal da temperatura mínima, referentes ao período de 2002 a 2005. Os dados utilizados foram fornecidos pela Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Alagoas e pelo Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia / 3o Distrito. Foram analisados gráficos obtidos através destas séries de dados, em conjunto com técnicas estatísticas, na tentativa de encontrar coeficientes de correlação (r) que sejam representativos da influência (ou ausência de influência) de fatores meteorológicos na distribuição endêmica das doenças em questão no estado de Alagoas. Observou-se uma baixa incidência de cólera no Estado, não sendo notificado nenhum caso da doença em Palmeira dos Índios e Água Branca, e poucos casos em Maceió, predominando no período chuvoso. A precipitação contribuiu para um aumento subseqüente no número de casos de esquistossomose e dengue, em Maceió e Palmeira dos Índios. Em Água Branca, foi verificada a ausência de esquistossomose de forma endêmica. Foi observado o favorecimento das temperaturas mais altas na transmissão de dengue nas três cidades. Foram calculados coeficientes de correlação, considerando o período estudado de forma contínua, e também considerando cada ano separadamente. Os valores obtidos para o período contínuo foram baixos, em sua maioria. Quando cada ano foi analisado individualmente, foram obtidos coeficientes de correlação um pouco maiores.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / As reaÃÃes termofisiolÃgicas humanas Ãs condiÃÃes climÃticas sÃo comumente avaliadas a partir da aplicaÃÃo de Ãndices de conforto tÃrmico. Os resultados sÃo interpretados por meio de escalas de apreciaÃÃo definidas em funÃÃo do relacionamento entre o valor calculado e a sensaÃÃo tÃrmica relatada por pessoas adaptadas ao clima temperado. Entretanto, diversos estudos tÃm identificado um distanciamento entre estas respostas e apontado para a necessidade de ajustes. Fortaleza à uma cidade litorÃnea de clima tropical quente e Ãmido, naturalmente estressante devido ao calor. Por um lado, tem apresentando significativas alteraÃÃes climÃticas e, por outro, poucos estudos avaliam o impacto dessas alteraÃÃes na sensaÃÃo tÃrmica da populaÃÃo. Dessa forma, este estudo visa verificar a aplicabilidade de alguns Ãndices tÃrmicos e definir novos limites de conforto que possam ser aplicados em anÃlises bioclimÃticas de espaÃos abertos pÃblicos da cidade. Inicialmente, com o objetivo de identificar a percepÃÃo e preferÃncia tÃrmicas da populaÃÃo e coletar as informaÃÃes necessÃrias ao cÃlculo dos Ãndices, foram aplicados questionÃrios e realizadas mediÃÃes em campo em dias representativos das quatro estaÃÃes do ano, entre 2011 e 2012, das 09:00 Ãs 16:00h. A amostragem foi feita por conveniÃncia e considerou a populaÃÃo adulta, saudÃvel e aclimatada Ãs condiÃÃes climÃticas locais. Os Ãndices tÃrmicos foram calculados individualmente e todas as informaÃÃes foram tratadas estatisticamente a partir do teste chiquadrado, da anÃlise de variÃncia e da anÃlise de regressÃo probit. Os resultados mostram limites de conforto mais elevados e uma reduÃÃo na amplitude das faixas, identificando uma maior tolerÃncia ao calor em funÃÃo da abordagem adaptativa. TambÃm revelam a percepÃÃo do clima como levemente aquecido a quente, a preferÃncia da populaÃÃo por um ambiente tÃrmico mais fresco e indicam a necessidade de se preservar o sombreamento e a ventilaÃÃo proporcionados, respectivamente, pela arborizaÃÃo e pelas brisas marÃtimas e vento regional. Analisando o perÃodo de 1980 a 2010, observa-se que apesar da maioria dos dados situaremse entre os novos limites de conforto, hà indÃcios de uma sensaÃÃo tÃrmica mais aquecida. A definiÃÃo de novas faixas de conforto fornece subsÃdios aos planejadores urbanos no processo de tomada de decisÃo, permitindo uma avaliaÃÃo mais adequada dos espaÃos abertos, a comparaÃÃo de diferentes soluÃÃes e intervenÃÃes urbanas mais coerentes com o clima local. / Human termofisiolÃgicas reactions to climatic conditions are commonly evaluated from the application of thermal comfort indices. Results are interpreted by assessment scales defined by the relationship between the calculated value and the thermal sensation reported by people adapted to the temperate climate. However, many studies have identified a gap between these answers and pointed to the need for adjustments. Fortaleza is a coastal city of hot and humid tropical climate, Naturally stressful due to heat. On one hand, it presents significant climate change and, second, few studies have evaluated the impact of these changes in thermal sensation of the population. Thus, this study aims to verify the applicability of some thermal indices and set new limits of comfort that can be applied in bioclimatic analysis of public open spaces in the city. Initially, with the aim of identify the thermal perception and preference of the population and collect information necessary for the calculation of the indices, measurements questionnaires were administered and conducted in field representative days of the four seasons between 2011 and 2012, from 09:00 to 16: 00h. The sample was selected by convenience and considered the adult population, healthy and acclimatized to the local climate. The thermal indices were calculated individually and all information were statistically treated from chiquadrado test, analysis of variance and probit regression analysis. The results show higher comfort boundaries and decrease in amplitude of the tracks, identifying one greater heat tolerance according to the adaptive approach. They also reveal the perception climate as slightly warm to hot, the preference of the population for environment cooler thermal and indicate the need to preserve the shading and ventilation provided, respectively, for afforestation and by sea breezes and regional wind. Looking at the period 1980-2010, it is observed that although most situaremse data between the new limits of comfort, there is evidence of a warmer wind chill. The defining new comfort ranges provides subsidies to urban planners in the process decision-making, allowing a better assessment of open spaces, the comparison of different urban solutions and interventions more consistent with the local climate.

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<p>Modern advances in biometeorological monitoring technology have improved the capacity for measuring ecosystem exchanges of mass, energy and scalars (such as CO₂). Translating these measurements into robust and accurate scientific information (and ultimately, understanding) requires careful assessment of operations throughout the biometeorological data life cycle. In response, this research analyzed and optimized aspects of data collection, management and filtering for an ecosystem exchange measurement program over an age-sequence of temperate white pine forests.</p> <p>A comprehensive data workflow and management system (DWMS) was developed and implemented to support the entire data life cycle for all past, present and future measurement operations in our research group, and meet the needs of a collaborative, student-led data management environment. Best practices for biometeorological data management were introduced and used as standards to assess system performance.</p> <p>Roving eddy covariance (rEC) systems were examined as a means of producing reliable time-integrated carbon exchange estimates at multiple sites, by rotating an EC system in a resource-mindful approach. When used with an optimal gap-filling model and rEC rotation schedule (2 sites with 15-day rotations), the results suggested its viability, as annual NEE estimate uncertainties ranged between 35 and 63% of the annual NEE flux magnitude at our study sites – even though approximately 70% of half-hours were filled.</p> <p>Lastly, a data-driven approach was used to investigate the effects of different friction velocity and footprint filtering methods on time-integrated carbon exchange estimates at our fetch-limited forests. Though predicted flux source areas varied considerably between footprint models, our objective analyses identified the model (Kljun et al., 2004) and within-fetch requirement (80%) that optimized reliability and representativeness of carbon exchange estimates. Applying this footprint model decreased annual NEE by 31 to 129% (59 to 207 g C m^-2 y^-1) relative to no footprint application, and highlighted the importance of objective analyses of EC flux filtering methods.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Forests ecosystems cover about 30% of the Earth’s land surface, corresponding to an area of roughly 42 million km2 globally. Forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle by exchanging carbon dioxide (CO2) with the atmosphere. Annually, forests act to effectively sequester large amounts of anthropogenically-emitted CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthetic processes. Through the unparalleled increase of CO2 emissions over the past century and the subsequent climatic inconsistencies due to global climate change, the carbon sink-capacity of the world’s forests remains uncertain. Furthermore, since increasing temperatures have been shown to extend the vegetative growing season in forests, phenological responses to this change are of particular interest. In an effort to effectively assess the future carbon sequestration potential of forests, a better understanding of the climatic controls on phenology, and its influence on carbon processes, is needed. The eddy covariance (EC) technique is a stand-level, in-situ, method used widely to assess the net CO2 exchange across the canopy-atmosphere interface. Together with meteorological data, the sequestration of CO2 and the subsequent ecosystem productivity can be quantified over various time scales (half-hours to decades). This dissertation reports results from field observations of EC measured fluxes that were used to study the climatic impacts on forest phenology and the resulting carbon dynamics in southern Ontario, Canada. The study sites, part of the Turkey Point Observatory, consisted of two similarly-aged, temperate, North American forests growing under similar climatic and edaphic conditions: the 80-year old (in 2019) white pine plantation (coniferous evergreen) and 90+ year-old, naturally-regenerated, white oak (deciduous broadleaf) forest. These forests were studied from 2012 to 2017, using the EC technique, digital phenological cameras, and remote-sensing measurements. At the deciduous broadleaf forest, mid-summer (July and August) meteorological conditions were the key period in determining the annual carbon sink-strength of the site, acting to regulate the interannual variability in carbon uptake. The forest experienced higher net ecosystem productivity (+NEP; carbon sink) when soil temperatures ranged from 15 to 20°C and vapor pressure deficit was 0.7 and 1.2 kPa. From 2012 to 2016, the forest remained a net annual sink, with mean NEP of 206 ± 92 g C m-2 yr-1, similar to that of other North American deciduous forests. Spring and autumn phenological transition dates were calculated for each year (2012 to 2017) from measured EC data and digital camera greenness indices. The timing of spring and autumn transition dates were impacted by seasonal changes in air temperature and other meteorological variables. Contrary to past studies, an earlier growing season start did not equate to increased annual carbon uptake. In autumn, a later end to the deciduous forest growing season negatively impacted the net carbon uptake of the forest, as ecosystem respiration (RE) outweighed the gains of photosynthesis. The digital camera indices failed to capture the peak dates of photosynthesis, but accurately measured the spring and autumn transition dates, which may be useful in future remote sensing applications. A comparison of the two forests from 2012 to 2017 found the coniferous forest to have higher but more variable annual NEP (218 ± 109 g C m-2 yr-1) compared to that of the deciduous broadleaf forest (200 ± 83 g C m-2 yr-1). Similarly, the mean annual evapotranspiration (ET) was higher (442 ± 33 mm yr-1) at the coniferous forest compared to that of the broadleaf forest (388 ± 34 mm yr-1). The greatest difference between years resulted from the response to heat and drought. During drought years, deciduous carbon and water fluxes were less sensitive to changes in temperature or water availability compared to the evergreen forest. Carotenoid sensitive vegetative indices and the red-edge chlorophyll index were shown to effectively capture seasonal changes in photosynthesis phenology within both forests via proximal remote sensing measurements during the 2016 growing season. Satellite vegetative indices were highly correlated to EC photosynthesis, but significant interannual variability resulted from either meteorological inputs or the heterogeneous landscapes of the agriculturally-dominated study area. This dissertation improved our understanding of the dynamics of carbon exchange within the northeastern North American deciduous forest ecozone, through the examination of climatic variability and its impact on carbon and phenology. This dissertation also contributed to efforts being made to better evaluate the impact of species composition on carbon dynamics in geographically similar forests. Moreover, the use of the digital phenological camera observations and remote sensing techniques to complement and better understand the fluxes observed with the EC method was innovative and may help other researchers in future studies. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-10-10T18:15:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcos Jose Batista dos Santos.pdf: 665842 bytes, checksum: 24a7c67d2941161d97f9e824bf9dbefb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-10T18:15:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcos Jose Batista dos Santos.pdf: 665842 bytes, checksum: 24a7c67d2941161d97f9e824bf9dbefb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an enriched environment on the production system of free range rustic broilers. The influence of meteorological conditions was studied in terms of thermal comfort, physiological parameters and behavioral responses of the broilers. The most favorable conditions for growth were verified based on the indications of welI-being as a response to the rearing environment. The experiment was performed during a production cycle of 87 days in the city of Carpina, State of Pernambuco, at the Experimental Station of Small Animais of the University Federal Rural of Pernambuco (UFRPE). The research was conducted in four production modules divided into four boxes with 10 birds per box, totaling 160 birds, subject to the four modules of production: access to paddock (Ti), with access to paddock with perch (T2), with access to paddock with artificial shade (T3), and with access to paddock with perch and artificial shade (T4). The work was divided into three stages depending on the type of assessment data: bioclimatic analysis, behavioral analysis and analysis of the performance of the birds. The bioclimatic analysis was performed using the dry bulb temperature (Tbs; °C), the wet bulb temperature (Tbu; °C), the black globe temperature (Tg; °C) and wind speed (mis) registered in the production modules and in the external environment which allowed the establishment of the thermal efficiency using the globe temperature and humidity index (ITGU), radiant thermal load (CTR), enthalpy (h), and the physiological parameters: respiratory rate, comb temperature (°C), wattle temperature (°C) and thigh temperature (°C). Six birds from each rearing4 system were randomly selected to evaluate their behavior, totaling 24 birds consisting of 3 birds per box, with two replications in each production module. The observations were made between 7 - 8 a.m., 10 - 11 a.m., 1 - 2 p.m., 4 - 5 p.m. Their behavior was registered every 5 minutes. The analysis of the performance of the birds had varying responses in terms of feed intake (FI); weight gain (WG); feed conversion FC; live weight (LW) and yield of carcass and cuts. The experimental design was completely randomized into subdivisions. The weeks were allocated to the plots and the production modules were allocated to the subplots. The averages were compared using the Tukey test. The meteorological variables and the comfort indices indicate that the production module with access to the paddock with perch and artificial shade offered the birds the best thermal comfort having an average enthalpy value of 75.95 kJ/kg. The physiological parameters: respiratory rate (mov.Imin.), comb temperature (°C), wattle temperature (°C) and thigh temperature (°C), showed better values in terms of lower heat stress in birds in the (T4) production module. The birds in the production module with access to paddock with perch and artificial shade (T4) were those that had better opportunity to express their natural behaviors and to explore the environment outside the production module thus increasing their weII-being in response to the enriched environment. The production modules (T2) and (T4) showed the best performance with average yields of 2.53; 2.54 kg / bird; 2.54; 2.57 kg / bird; 7.51; 7.6 Mcal / bird and 3.22; 3.24 kg / bird, in terms of weight gain, feed conversion, energy consumption and live weight, respectively. The production modules did not promote significant changes in the yield of the free range rustic broilers. / A presente pesquisa foi conduzida com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do enriquecimento ambiental em sistema de produção para frangos de corte tipo caipira, determinando a influência dos elementos meteorológicos e seu reflexo no conforto térmico animal, parâmetros fisiológicos e aspectos comportamentais, verificando as condições favoráveis ao melhor desempenho das aves, baseada nos indicadores de bem-estar como resposta ao ambiente de criação. O experimento foi realizado no decorrer de um ciclo produtivo de 87 dias, no município de Carpina, Estado de Pernambuco, na Estação Experimental de Pequenos Animais da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em quatro módulos de produção, divididos em quatro boxes com 10 aves por box, totalizando 160 aves, módulos de produção com acesso a piquete (TI), com acesso a piquete com poleiro (T2), com acesso a piquete com sombreamento artificial (T3) e com acesso a piquete com Poleiro e sombreamento artificial (T4). O trabalho foi dividido em três etapas, em função da forma de avaliação dos dados: análise bioclimática, análise comportamental e análise do desempenho das aves. A avaliação bioclimática foi realizada por meio do registro das variáveis meteorológicas, temperatura de bulbo seco (Tbs; °C), temperatura de bulbo úmido (Tbu; °C), temperatura de globo negro (Tg; °C) e velocidade do vento (mis), registradas nos módulos de produção e no ambiente externo, o que permitiu a caracterização da eficiência térmica, pelos índices de temperatura de globo e umidade (ITGU), carga térmica radiante (CTR) e entalpia (h), e dos parâmetros2 fisiológicos freqüência respiratória (mov./min), temperatura de crista (°C), temperatura de barbeia (°C) e temperatura de canela (°C). Para avaliação do comportamento das aves foram escolhidas aleatoriamente 6 animais em cada sistema de criação, totalizando 24 aves para as observações, sendo 3 aves por box, com duas repetições em cada módulo de produção, nos intervalos horários das 7 às 8 h, 10 às II h, 13 às 14 h e das 16 às 17 h, rêgistrando-se os comportamentos a cada 5 mm. A análise do desempenho das aves teve como variáveis respostas os índices zootécnicos (consumo de ração, CR; ganho de peso, GP; conversão alimentar, CA; peso vivo, PV) e o rendimento de carcaça e cortes. O delineamento experimental para análise geral dos dados foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC) em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as semanas alocadas nas parcelas e os módulos de produção (TI, T2, T3 e T4) nas sub-parcelas, com as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. As variáveis meteorológicas e os índices de conforto apontam o módulo de produção (T4) como aquele que permitiu melhor condicionamento térmico às aves, apresentando valor médio para entalpia de 75,95 kJI kg. Os parâmetros fisiológicos freqüência respiratória (mov.Imin), temperatura de crista (°C), temperatura de barbeia (°C) e temperatura de canela (°C) apresentaram valores médios mais adequados nas aves submetidas ao módulo de produção T4, como resposta ao menor estresse térmico. As aves submetidas ao módulo de produção com acesso a piquete com poleiro e sombreamento artificial (T4) foram as que tiveram melhor oportunidade de expressar seus comportamentos naturais e de explorar o ambiente externo ao módulo de produção, potencializando o bem-estar em resposta ao enriquecimento ambiental. Os módulos de produção T3 e T4 foram os que melhor apresentaram desempenho zootécnico com valores médios da ordem de 2,53; 2,54 Kg/ave; 2,54; 2,57 Kglave, 7,51; 7,6 Mcal/ave e 3,22; 3,24 Kg/ave, para ganho de peso, conversão alimentar, consumo de energia e peso vivo, respectivamente. Os módulos de criação não promoveram alterações no rendimento dos frangos de corte tipo caipira.

This thesis deals with the analysis of Big Data in healthcare. The aim is to define the term Big Data, to acquaint the reader with data growth in the world and in the health sector. Another objective is to explain the concept of a data expert and to define team members of the data experts team. In following chapters phases of the Big Data analysis according to methodology of EMC2 company are defined and basic technologies for analysing Big Data are described. As beneficial and interesting I consider the part dealing with definition of tasks in which Big Data technologies are already used in healthcare. In the practical part I perform the Big Data analysis task focusing on meteorotropic diseases in which I use real medical and meteorological data. The reader is not only acquainted with the one of recommended methods of analysis and with used statistical models, but also with terms from the field of biometeorology and healthcare. An integral part of the analysis is also information about its limitations, the consultation on results, and conclusions of experts in meteorology and healthcare.