The automated Tree Identification and Delineation Algorithm (TIDA) was developed for application to high spatial resolution digital imagery of Australian native eucalypt forest. The algorithm is based on contiguous, threshold-based spatial clustering of pixels and was designed to cope with the complex asymmetric crowns typical of eucalypts. / To facilitate systematic algorithm evaluation, a forest scene simulation model was created for the simulation of visually realistic remotely sensed images. The model is based on the principles of ray-tracing and the geOll1etric description of scene objects and background. The model simulates the appearance of a forest scene viewed and illuminated from specific directions and under known atmospheric conditions. The distinctive 'modular' structure of eucalypts was represented by modelling crowns as small (branch-scale) spheroids distributed over a larger spheroidal envelope. / Using the simulation model, TIDA performance was evaluated in terms of forest structure (canopy cover, crown cover and canopy structural variability) and the remote sensing environment (view zenith angle, solar zenith angle and aerosol optical thickness). Prior to the evaluation, a methodology was developed for objectively estimating the optimum spatial resolution for TIDA application in a given image. The methodology was based on incremental Gaussian smoothing and exploited TIDA's sensitivity to changes in image spatial resolution. This process demonstrated the importance of individual crown cover, rather than crown size, as the main factor determining the optimum spatial resolution for tree delineation. / Results indicate that TIDA is most suited for application in forests with high canopy cover and high crown cover. The structural complexity of forest canopies, represented by the diameter and overlap of crowns and tree height, had a relatively small impact on TIDA performance. Increasing view zenith angle consistently caused a decrease in TIDA performance. A small phase angle between the sun and sensor produces optimum TIDA performance when both canopy and crown cover is high. As crown or canopy cover decrease, high positive and negative sun zenith angles yield superior TIDA results by decreasing the brightness of the background relative to the canopy and improving the identification of tree peaks. For both dense and sparse canopies, back-scattered radiation from the forest canopy was more suited to automated tree crown delineation than forward-scattered radiation. Imagery acquired under an optically thick atmosphere was found to increase TIDA performance compared to scene illumination under strong direct light. The advantage stemmed from a strengthening of the relationship between geometric and radiometric crown shape. / Through an awareness of limitations imposed by the remote sensing environment, the potential for manipulation of image characteristics, and preferential selection of acquisition conditions, TIDA performance can be optimised to suit various structural forest types. Canopy cover, crown cover, view zenith angle, sun zenith angle, background brightness and image spatial resolution are key criteria in assessing the suitability of automated tree crown delineation as an image interpretation procedure.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:13:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 YulaPSFM.pdf: 708367 bytes, checksum: 584063c3482009b3938988852969467d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-05-13 / High carotid artery resistance indices in the elderly arise mainly as a result of harmful daily lifestyle behavior and poor eating habits. The aim of this multidisciplinary study was to assess and correlate carotid artery resistance and functional autonomy in elderly women. A descriptive, exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample comprising 27 women, enrolled in pastoral programs in the city of Teresina, Brazil. Carotid artery resistance was assessed by a high-resolution Doppler ultrasound device and functional autonomy was evaluated through five protocol tests of the Latin American Development Group for the Elderly (GDLAM), simulating activities of daily life. The data were analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk test and the correlation by Spearman s test, considering a p-value of <0.05. The sample consisted of women with mean age and standard deviation of (68.67 ? 4.52) years, respectively and carotid resistance index of (0.71 ? 0.07). The general index value of functional autonomy classified the elderly of the study group as weak in the performance of activities of daily living (30.46 ? 6.31). The general index of functional autonomy showed a high level of sedentary behavior in the group studied (p < 0.01). The sample was classified as weak in the performance of activities of daily life. The correlation coefficient between the carotid resistance index and the general GDLAM index was r = 0.998 and p = 0.000, showing a significant correlation. The elderly women assessed had a high carotid artery resistance index and low functional autonomy; a positive correlation was found between the dependent variables studied. To perform this study we formed a team composed of a nurse, who helped in organizing the sample and performing the examinations; a radiologist, who conducted the Doppler examinations; an angiologist, who collaborated in interpreting examination data; in addition to two physical education professors and two physical therapists, who applied the functional autonomy tests and conducted the 34 research along elderly health lines, contributing thus to the multidisciplinary character, fundamental for carrying out the study / Altos ?ndices de resistividade na car?tida em pessoas idosas, surgem em conseq??ncia, principalmente, dos maus h?bitos de vida relacionados ?s atividades desempenhadas no dia-a-dia e ? alimenta??o. Este estudo multidisciplinar teve por objetivo avaliar e correlacionar a resist?ncia da art?ria car?tida e a autonomia funcional em mulheres idosas. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo explorat?rio de corte transversal sendo a amostra composta por 27 senhoras, advindas de projetos sociais de pastorais de igreja da cidade de Teresina Pi. Foi aplicado o question?rio de libera??o para a atividade f?sica (PAR-Q). A resist?ncia das art?rias car?tidas foi avaliada por aparelho de ultra-som de alta resolu??o com Doppler e a autonomia funcional atrav?s de cinco testes do protocolo do Grupo de Desenvolvimento Latino-americano da Maturidade (GDLAM), simulando atividades da vida di?ria. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste Shapiro-Wilk e a correla??o pelo teste de Spearman, considerando-se um valor de p<0,05. Caracterizando a amostra, encontraram-se mulheres com faixa et?ria de m?dia e desvio-padr?o, respectivamente (68,67?4,52) e ?ndice de resistividade da car?tida (0,71?0,07). O valor do ?ndice geral de autonomia funcional classificou as idosas do grupo estudado como fracas no desempenho das atividades da vida di?ria (30,40?6,31), admitindo p<0,01. Houve correla??o positiva entre o ?ndice de resistividade da car?tida interna direita e todos os testes de autonomia funcional realizados. O coeficiente de correla??o entre o ?ndice de resistividade da car?tida e o ?ndice geral do protocolo GDLAM foi de r=0,998 e p=0,000, demonstrando correla??o significativa. As idosas avaliadas possuem um alto ?ndice de resistividade da art?ria car?tida e uma baixa autonomia funcional, constatando-se correla??o positiva entre as vari?veis dependentes estudadas. Para a realiza??o desta pesquisa, foi necess?ria uma equipe formada por uma enfermeira, que auxiliou na organiza??o da amostra e realiza??o dos exames; uma m?dica radiologista, que realizou os exames de Doopler; um angiologista como colaborador na interpreta??o dos dados do exame; dois educadores f?sicos e dois fisioterapeutas para a realiza??o dos testes de autonomia funcional e a orienta??o da pesquisa na linha de Sa?de do Idoso, contribuindo assim, para o car?ter multidisciplinar fundamental na realiza??o de estudos cient?ficos

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:13:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PatriciaULCl_DISSERT_resumo.pdf: 15144 bytes, checksum: 47e48af0e71a341247244d6a5b4f4744 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-24 / Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os efeitos de um programa de exerc?cio f?sico aer?bico sobre o ?ndice de resist?ncia da art?ria car?tida interna direita (IRCID) e os n?veis de autonomia funcional de mulheres idosas. A amostra foi constitu?da por 25 idosas sedent?rias, com idade entre 60 e 75 anos, divididas em dois grupos: grupo experimental com 14 idosas submetidas ao treinamento aer?bico e grupo controle (n=11). A avalia??o da resist?ncia da art?ria car?tida foi realizada pelo m?todo de ultrasom Doppler e a autonomia funcional pelos testes: caminhar 10m (C10m), levantar da posi??o sentada (LPS), levantar-se da cadeira e locomover-se pela casa (LCLC), levantar-se da posi??o dec?bito ventral (LPDV) e vestir e tirar a camisa (VTC). O treinamento aer?bico foi realizado na forma de caminhada, 30 minutos por dia, 3 vezes por semana, durante 3 meses. Para o controle da intensidade da caminhada foi utilizado o ?ndice de esfor?o percebido, com valores padronizados pela escala de Borg onde a intensidade deveria corresponder a uma faixa entre os valores 13 a 15 pontos, correspondente a uma situa??o org?nica derivada de um exerc?cio compreendido como ligeiramente cansativo e a frequ?ncia card?aca de treino (FCT) entre 50% a 80% da frequ?ncia card?aca de reserva. Para analise estat?stica foi utilizado a ANOVA de medidas repetidas. O grupo experimental quando comparados com o grupo controle obteve uma diminui??o estatisticamente significativa na resist?ncia da art?ria car?tida interna direita (p=0,021), e um aumento significativo nos testes: C10m (p=0,000), LPS (p=0,035) e no LCLC (p=0,016). Estes resultados sugerem que a pr?tica de exerc?cios f?sicos aer?bicos foi eficaz em diminuir o IRCID e melhorar os n?veis de autonomia funcional em mulheres idosa

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Keana Local Government Council (LGC) in the Southern Senatorial District of Nasarawa state, Nigeria, experienced a devastating inter-ethnic conflict between 2001-2002, and has since then enjoyed uninterrupted durable peace. Motivated therefore by the desire to know more about the conflict, how this durable peace was achieved and most importantly the transformative roles, strategies and tactics adopted by the religious and traditional leaders in Keana LGC in addressing the conflict and attaining this feat, this study relied on (1) conflict transformation and other theories to elaborate some key concepts, (2) and used simple qualitative methodology to collect data from the religious and traditional leaders, and to analyse it for the primary purpose of highlighting their significant responsorial contributions Mutual mistrust, political marginalization, unattended land skirmishes and brutal murder emerged as the primary causes of the conflict. With their status and roles as motivators, mobilizers and peace diplomats, and aided tactically by personal courage, fearlessness and love for the people, the religious and traditional leaders were able to strategically address the conflict with sustainable dialogue, interactive problem-solving meetings, religious rituals, traditional mores, peace education and youth mobilization. Based on these transformative contributions, this study makes these positional statements: (1) the Keana communities hold these leaders with tenacity as auspicious elements of their histories and social welfare, (2) these leaders are local non-state peace actors and epistemic communities which ideologists, state-crafters, peace researchers and practitioners ought to work with as co-actors in peace processes and social development. / October 2015

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:13:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PatriciaULCa_DISSERT.pdf: 2743414 bytes, checksum: fafad318359f9c84684ded266ac5c9d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-24 / The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of an aerobic exercise program on the internal right carotid resistive index (IRCRI) and the functional autonomy levels of elderly women. The sample was composed of 25 elderly sedentary women, aged between 60 and 75 years, allocated into two groups: an experimental group consisting of 14 women submitted to aerobic treatment and a control group (n=11). Carotid artery resistance assessment was conducted using Doppler ultrasound and functional autonomy by the following tests: 10m walk (10mW), rising from a sitting position (RSP), rising from a chair and moving about the house (RCMH), rising from the ventral decubitus position (RVDP) and putting on and removing a t-shirt (PRTS). Aerobic training consisted of walking 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 3 months. To control the intensity of the walk, the index of perceived exertion was used, with standardized Borg scale values corresponding to 13-15 points, characterized as slightly tiring exercise with training heart rate (TRH) between 50% and 80% of heart rate reserve (HRR). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Compared to the control, the experimental group obtained a statistically significant decrease in right internal carotid resistance (p = 0.021) and a significant increase in the following tests: 10mW (p=0.000), RSP (p=0.035) and RCMH (p=0.016). These results suggest that engaging in aerobic exercises was effective in decreasing IRCRI and improving functional autonomy inelderly women / Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os efeitos de um programa de exerc?cio f?sico aer?bico sobre o ?ndice de resist?ncia da art?ria car?tida interna direita (IRCID) e os n?veis de autonomia funcional de mulheres idosas. A amostra foi constitu?da por 25 idosas sedent?rias, com idade entre 60 e 75 anos, divididas em dois grupos: grupo experimental com 14 idosas submetidas ao treinamento aer?bico e grupo controle (n=11). A avalia??o da resist?ncia da art?ria car?tida foi realizada pelo m?todo de ultrasom Doppler e a autonomia funcional pelos testes: caminhar 10m (C10m), levantar da posi??o sentada (LPS), levantar-se da cadeira e locomover-se pela casa (LCLC), levantar-se da posi??o dec?bito ventral (LPDV) e vestir e tirar a camisa (VTC). O treinamento aer?bico foi realizado na forma de caminhada, 30 minutos por dia, 3 vezes por semana, durante 3 meses. Para o controle da intensidade da caminhada foi utilizado o ?ndice de esfor?o percebido, com valores padronizados pela escala de Borg onde a intensidade deveria corresponder a uma faixa entre os valores 13 a 15 pontos, correspondente a uma situa??o org?nica derivada de um exerc?cio compreendido como ligeiramente cansativo e a frequ?ncia card?aca de treino (FCT) entre 50% a 80% da frequ?ncia card?aca de reserva. Para analise estat?stica foi utilizado a ANOVA de medidas repetidas. O grupo experimental quando comparados com o grupo controle obteve uma diminui??o estatisticamente significativa na resist?ncia da art?ria car?tida interna direita (p=0,021), e um aumento significativo nos testes: C10m (p=0,000), LPS (p=0,035) e no LCLC (p=0,016). Estes resultados sugerem que a pr?tica de exerc?cios f?sicos aer?bicos foi eficaz em diminuir o IRCID e melhorar os n?veis de autonomia funcional em mulheres idosa