Dans ce travail, les dégradations des diodes électroluminescentes (DEL) ont été étudiées en identifiant et en évaluant leurs signatures électriques et photométriques en vieillissement accéléré sous stress thermique et électrique. Un prototype de banc de test expérimental a été développé et construit spécifiquement pour cette étude ce qui nous a permis de tester 128 échantillons en appliquant différentes conditions de stress thermiques et électriques. Quatre types différents de DEL ont été étudié avec des caractéristiques techniques similaires (température de couleur, courant nominal, mono-puce,...) mais avec des technologies différentes couvrant les principaux acteurs du marché (Cree, Osram, Philips et Seoul Semiconductor). Les échantillons ont d'abord été caractérisés à leur état initial, puis soumis à des conditions de stress électrique (à 350mA ou 1050mA) et thermique (fixé à 50°C). Les mécanismes de défaillance ont été analysés en étudiant l'évolution des signatures électriques et photométriques. Ces caractérisations ont permis d'évaluer et de déterminer l'origine des dégradations à différents niveaux : puce semi-conductrice, interconnexions, phosphore ou encapsulation du dispositif. Les caractérisations électriques nous ont permis d'identifier les mécanismes de dégradation de la puce semi-conductrice et de déterminer la nature des dégradations au niveau du contact ohmique du dispositif (sous fort courant injecté). Les caractérisations photométriques complètent cette étude en évaluant les dégradations associées à l'optique (encapsulation et packaging). / In this work, the degradation of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is studied by identifying and evaluating their aging signature during the stress time. The custom-made experimental test bench is built for realization of the test measurement. Through this experimental test bench, it allows to test a large amount of LED samples and enable to select different temperature condition and different current stress level. There are four different types of LED with similar characteristic in term of their color temperature, IF, VF, power (1W) and as monochip, but different technology coming from Cree, Osram, Philips and Seoul Semiconductor. The devices are firstly characterized their electrical and photometrical characteristic at their initial state, then they are submitted to different current stress condition at low current stress (350mA) and high current stress (1000mA) while the thermal stress is fixed at one temperature (50°C). The study of these devices failure mechanism is archived by using the primary method based on the electrical and photometrical characterization of the devices that allows to evaluate their degradation at different locations of the device components such as semiconductor chip, interconnection and device's package. The electrical characteristic of the device's I-V curve: at low injected current level and reverse bias allow us to identify the degradation characteristic of device's semiconductor chip, at high injected current level allows us to determine the degradation of device's ohmic contact and photometric characteristic allows us to evaluate the degradation of device's package system.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:53:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 728032 bytes, checksum: 571a739faae06fee8e9f5c89a1920c1a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-08-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This thesis had the objective of proposing a complementation, with proactive character, to method and procedures of evaluation concerning occupational exposure to heat predicted in the norms NR-15/1978 and NHO 06/2002, respectively. The electricians of the maintenance team of energized lines at potential, in tension of 69 kV, from Companhia Energética de Alagoas (CEAL) composed the group of workers monitored. The main objective was achieved by measuring climate variables (dry bulb temperature, natural wet bulb temperature, globe temperature and air speed), calculating Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), estimating personal variables (metabolism rate and thermal isolation of clothing being used at the time of work development), investigating weight loss rate caused by work accomplishment and evaluating through Norm ISO 7933/89. Besides measures, it was made a comparison between different norms (ISO 7243/89; ISO 7933/89; ISO 8996/90; ISO 7730/94; ISO 9920/95) and recommendations (ABHO/98) in order to fill any gaps still remaining in Brazilian norms that rule the subject. One of the main assumptions proved through the evaluations is related to the significant water loss the worker is submitted every working hour, when work accomplishment demands the use of special protective clothing. When water loss exceeds the limits specified in the Norm ISO 7933/89, it is reasonable to conclude that physiological consequences harmful to worker s health may occur. Considering that specific approach, Brazilian legal documents fail. From the working regimes specified in NR-15/1978, the one that admits the work may be performed continuously shows the most agreeable conditions in relation to insalubrity. In one of the working situations examined simply with the use of WBGT, the working regime defined was continuous. However, when based on Norm ISO 7933/89, that same working situation demands that work execution should be interrupted after approximately 30 (thirty) minutes from the beginning, as a way of limiting heat accumulation in the body. For the latter protection requirement may be considered by NR-15/1978, it is necessary that WBGT index moves from 26,7º C, value that defines the work is likely to be executed continuously, at least to 28,1º C, which is the low limit of the range that defines a pause after 30 (thirty) minutes from the very beginning of work execution. As the difference between the above-mentioned WBGT s is 1,4º C, this is the value that should be added to WBGT index acquired, as a way of compensating the effects produced by the clothing. Besides the pauses provided, another significant result of the evaluation according to Norm ISO 7933/89 is time limitation of exposure due to water loss. The maximum of a day s work for all the situations investigated was stipulated in 300 (three hundred) minutes (five hours). The results of the research should be understood as restricted to climate and personal conditions described in the present paper. Yet, they may serve as a demarcation in order to specify proper conditions of execution of labor activities in situations distinct from the ones examined. / Esta tese teve como objetivo propor uma complementação, com caráter proativo, ao método e aos procedimentos de avaliação da exposição ocupacional ao calor previstos nas normas NR-15/1978 e NHO 06/2002, respectivamente. A população escolhida para este estudo de caso foi aquela composta pelos eletricistas da turma de manutenção de linhas energizadas ao potencial, na tensão de 69 kV, da Companhia Energética de Alagoas (CEAL). O objetivo principal foi alcançado através das medidas das variáveis climáticas (temperatura de bulbo seco, de bulbo úmido natural, de globo e da velocidade do ar), do cálculo do Índice de Bulbo Úmido Termômetro de Globo (IBUTG), da estimativa das variáveis pessoais (taxa de metabolismo e isolamento térmico das vestes utilizadas quando do desenvolvimento das atividades), da apuração da taxa de perda de peso provocada pela realização das tarefas e da avaliação através da Norma ISO 7933/89. Além das medidas efetuadas, houve a confrontação de diferentes normas (ISO 7243/89; ISO 7933/89; ISO 8996/90; ISO 7730/94; ISO 9920/95) e recomendações (ABHO/98) relacionadas à matéria, de tal forma que as lacunas existentes nas normas brasileiras que regem o assunto pudessem ser preenchidas. Uma das principais constatações obtidas com as avaliações que integram esta pesquisa diz respeito à significativa perda hídrica por hora de trabalho a que pode ser submetido o organismo do trabalhador, quando a realização das tarefas exige a utilização de vestimentas especiais de proteção. Quando essa perda hídrica suplanta os limites especificados na Norma ISO 7933/89, é razoável concluir, com base nesta norma, que poderão ocorrer conseqüências fisiológicas danosas à saúde do trabalhador. Sobre essa abordagem específica os documentos legais brasileiros são omissos. Dos regimes de trabalho previstos pela NR-15/1978, o que reflete as condições mais amenas em relação à insalubridade é aquele que permite que as tarefas sejam executadas de forma contínua. Em uma das situações de trabalho avaliadas com a simples utilização do IBUTG, o regime de trabalho definido foi contínuo. No entanto, essa mesma situação de trabalho quando avaliada com base na Norma ISO 7933/89 exige que a execução das tarefas seja interrompida depois de transcorridos aproximadamente 30 minutos do seu início, como forma de limitar a acumulação de calor no organismo. Para que este último requisito de proteção seja contemplado pela NR-15/1978, há necessidade de que o IBUTG utilizado na avaliação avance de 26,7ºC, valor que define a possibilidade das tarefas serem realizadas de forma contínua, até, pelo menos, 28,1 ºC, que é o limite inferior da faixa que define a pausa depois de transcorridos 30 min (trinta minutos) do início da execução das tarefas. Como a diferença entre aqueles IBUTG s é de 1,4 ºC, este é o valor que deverá ser adicionado ao IBUTG lido/apurado, como forma de se compensar os efeitos provocados pelas vestes. Além de providenciar as pausas, outro resultado significativo da avaliação pela Norma ISO 7933/89 é a limitação do tempo de exposição em função da perda de água. A jornada máxima de trabalho, para todas as situações avaliadas, foi estipulada em 300 minutos (5 horas). Os resultados da pesquisa devem ser entendidos como restritos às condições climáticas e pessoais descritas no presente trabalho, podendo servir, no entanto, de balizamento para que se procure especificar condições adequadas de execução das atividades laborais em situações distintas daquelas avaliadas.

Dans le contexte du réchauffement climatique, les récifs coralliens subissent des stress thermiques de plus en plus fréquents et intenses. Dans le but de mieux comprendre les mécanismes de la thermo­tolérance des coraux, j’ai développé une approche intégrative sur l’holobionte corallien (méta­organisme composé de l’hôte corallien, son algue symbiotique etson microbiote). Pour cela, j’ai réalisé une expérience de stress thermique écologiquement réaliste sur une espèce de corail, Pocillopora damicornis. Cette espèce étant présente dans l’ensemble de l’Indo­Pacifique, j’ai pu comparer la réponse de deux populations dont la thermotolérance est différente puisqu’elles sont soumises à des régimes thermiques contrastés. J’ai analysé, pour chacune d’entre­elles, la réponse de l’hôte corallien (par RNAseq), ainsi que la structure et les changements au niveau des microbiotes algaux et bactériens (par métabarcoding). Les résultats obtenus montrent qu’alors que la structure du microbiote n’est pas influencée par le stress, le corail y répond de façon très différente selon la population étudiée. La population issue d’un environnement plus fluctuant met en place une réponse plus efficace et plus plastique, probablement grâce à l’intervention de mécanismes épigénétiques. Une autre étude réalisée sur différentes populations de P. damicornis dans le cadre de cette thèse montre que la composition du microbiote est influencée par le génome de l’hôte ainsi que par le régime thermique. Un des clades de l’algue symbiotique connu pour améliorer la thermo­ tolérance de l’hôte corallien semble plus sensible aux basses températures que les autres. / In the context of global warming, coral reefs are experiencing thermal stresses which are becoming more frequent and intense. In order to get a better understanding of the mechanisms of coral thermo­tolerance, I developed an integrative approach on the coral holobiont (meta­ organism composed of the coral host, its symbiotic algae and microbiota). For this, I performed an ecologically realistic thermal stress experiment on a coral species, Pocillopora damicornis. This species is widespread in the Indo­Pacific area. I compared the response of two populations whose thermotolerance is different since they are subjected to contrasting thermal regimes. I analyzed, for each of them, the response of the coral host (by RNAseq), as well as the structure and changes in the algal and bacterial microbiota (by metabarcoding). The results show that,while the structure of the microbiota is not influenced by stress, coral responds very differently depending on the population studied. The population from a more fluctuating environment displays a more effective and more plastic response, probably thanks to the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms. Another study carried out on different populations of P. damicornisshowed that the composition of the microbiota is influenced by the host genome and the thermal regime. One of the clades of the symbiotic algae, known to improve the heat­tolerance of the coral host, appears more sensitive to low temperatures than the others.

Nesta pesquisa, foram avaliados a retenção de coroas cimentadas sobre dentes terceiros molares humanos extraídos, após submetê-los às ciclagens térmica e mecânica, e o tipo de falha dos cimentos. Vinte dentes foram preparados de maneira padronizada, com 4 mm de altura, 8 mm de diâmetro e 20º de expulsividade. Coroas metálicas fundidas em NiCr foram cimentadas sobre os preparos, sendo dez com cimento de fosfato de zinco e dez com cimento resinoso, e armazenadas em água a 37ºC por 24 horas. Aleatoriamente, a metade das amostras de ambos os cimentos foi submetida a termociclagem (5ºC e 55ºC ±1ºC por 700 ciclos), seguida de ensaios mecânicos (freqüência de 2 Hz, carga compressiva de 141N por 200.000 ciclos). A outra metade das amostras (grupo controle) não foi submetida aos testes de fadiga. Realizou-se o teste de tração e os valores obtidos foram tratados estatisticamente pelo teste ANOVA (Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons Test). Os resultados mostraram retenção significativamente superior do cimento resinoso Panavia F (valor médio 569,43 N) sobre o cimento de fosfato de zinco (valor médio 350 N). Os testes de envelhecimentos mostraram-se significantes (p<0,001) na sua influência sobre a retenção das coroas, exceto para o grupo cimentado com fosfato de zinco (p>0,05). A falha do cimento observada foi de natureza adesiva para todos os grupos. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the retention of NiCr cast metal crowns fixed with two different lutting agents after thermocycling and mechanical load. The nature of the cement failure was evaluated too. Twenty natural human molar teeth extracted were selected (Banco de Dentes Permanentes Humanos da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo – SP). They were prepared at 4mm height, 8mm diameter and 20º of convergence. The cast crowns were lutted with zinc phosphate cement (n=10) and resin cement (n=10) and stored in water at 37ºC for 24 hours. Randomly the half of the specimens of each cement were thermal (5ºC and 55ºC for 700 cycles) and load cycled (2 Hz, 141 N load for 200.000 cycles). The control group did not perform the thermal or fatigue tests. The pull-out test was performed and the results showed a significant (confidence interval 95%) superior retentive strength for Panavia F resin cement (mean value 569,43 N) when compared with zinc phosphate (mean value 350 N). The aging tests were significant (p<0,001) about their influence over the retention of the crowns. They was no significant difference between control and cycled group for crowns lutted with phosphate cement (p>0,05). Adhesive failure of the cements was observed for all subjects.

Over the last few decades coral reefs have faced unprecedented declines in health due to natural and anthropogenic sources. Until recently few studies have examined genotypic variation of growth and thermal stress resistance in Acropora cervicornis. This study aims to assess the potential for energy trade-offs between growth and thermal stress resistance by following 120 coral fragments from 12 genotypes of Acropora cervicornis over the course of 15 months to determine average growth rates for each genotype. Following the completion of the growth observation a bleaching event occurred in the lower Florida Keys providing the opportunity for examining thermal stress resistance. We found that the coral genotype had a significant effect on growth and survival; however no significant correlation was observed between growth under normal conditions and thermal stress resistance. This result shows that there is not a trade-off between growth and thermal stress resistance and that a genotype’s ability to resist thermal stress cannot be predicted from growth under normal conditions. The lack of a trade-off facilitates intraspecific competition. For genotypes with similar thermal stress tolerances but different growth characteristics, the increase in frequency of disturbances could result in the increased abundance of faster growing genotypes relative to the slow growing genotypes. These results emphasize the importance of maintaining coral nurseries as gene banks to protect the genetic diversity of the reef area in which it is located. Through protecting a wide variety of genotypes, the likelihood of preserving those that have a high thermal tolerance, disease resistance, or faster growth rates is increased.

The demise of reef-building corals potentially lies on the horizon, given ongoing climate change amid other anthropogenic environmental stressors. If corals cannot acclimatize or adapt to changing conditions, dramatic declines in the extent and health of the living reefs are expected within the next half century. The primary and proximal global threat to corals is climate change. Reef-building corals are dependent upon a nutritional symbiosis with photosynthetic dinoflagellates belonging to the group Symbiodinium. The symbiosis between the cnidarian host and algal partner is a stress-sensitive relationship; temperatures just 1°C above normal thermal maxima can result in the breakdown of the symbiosis, resulting in coral bleaching (the loss of Symbiodinium and/or associated photopigments) and ultimately, colony death. As ocean temperatures continue to rise, corals will either acclimatize or adapt to changing conditions, or will perish. By experimentally preconditioning the coral Acropora millepora via sublethal heat treatment, the coral acquired thermal tolerance, resisting bleaching during subsequent hyperthermal stress. The complex nature of the coral holobiont translates to multiple possible explanations for acclimatization: acquired thermal tolerance could potentially originate from the host itself, the Symbiodinium, or from the bacterial community associated with the coral. By examining the type of in hospite Symbiodinium and the bacterial community prior acclimation and after thermal challenge, it is shown that short-term acclimatization is not due to a distinct change in the dinoflagellate or prokaryote community. Though the microbial partnerships remain without considerable flux in preconditioned corals, the host transcriptome is dynamic. One dominant pattern was the apparent tuning of gene expression observed between preconditioned and non-preconditioned treatments, showing a modulated transcriptomic response to stress. Additionally several genes were upregulated in association with thermal tolerance, including antiapoptotic genes, lectins, and oxidative stress response genes. Upstream of two of these thermal tolerance genes, inhibitor of NFκB and mannose-binding lectin, DNA polymorphisms were identified which vary significantly between the northern and southern Great Barrier Reef. The impact of these mutations in putative promoter regions remains to be seen, but variation across thermally-disparate geography serves to generate hypotheses regarding the role of regulatory element evolution in a coral adaptation context.

Scleractinian coral populations are declining worldwide in response to numerous stressors operating on both global and regional scales. Rising sea surface temperatures associated with global climate change and the increasing frequency of coral-macroalgae competitive interactions are two of the gravest ecological drivers facing coral reef ecosystems. However, little is known about how these stressors interact to impact corals, their health, and potential modes of population recovery. These threats also highlight the need to develop reliable techniques that detect stress in multiple life-history stages of hermatypic corals prior to the degradation of coral reef habitats. To address these concerns we evaluated the effects of elevated sea surface temperatures (+3.5°C), Dictyota menstrualis competition, and their combined impacts on three life-history stages of the reef-building coral Porites astreoides. Elevated temperature induced sub-lethal stress yet had varied responses that were contingent on the life-history stage being examined. Hyperthermal stress did not consistently effect the transcriptional expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp) 16 or 60, but was readily detected utilizing biomarkers of the oxidative stress pathway. The presence of D. menstrualis significantly reduced coral survival and recruitment beyond simple space occupation in every coral life-history stage examined.While macroalgal exposure and elevated temperature had distinct effects on coral survival and physiological condition, the combination of both stressors induced a synergistic impact on biomarkers of oxidative stress in coral larvae. The results highlight the potential of biomarkers of oxidative stress for detecting hyperthermal stress in scleractinian corals. They also support the accepted notion that benthic macroalgae compete with reef-building corals via direct contact for space on coral reefs and that elevated temperatures can reduce the health of the coral holobiont. In addition, the results indicate that larvae from P. astreoides are more susceptible to the impacts of hyperthermal stress compared to established corals and that multiple perturbations can interact to exacerbate coral health.

Northern bobwhite populations have declined concurrent with global warming. The focal period of this study was the 12-d pre-incubation period, when bobwhite eggs remain in the nest without the thermal protection of the incubating parent. This study first established the storage and thermal limits of bobwhite eggs, then investigated how global warming may impact oviparous embryos and how bobwhite embryos react to acute and chronic doses of simulated drought temperatures during pre-incubation. First, the maximum storage limit of bobwhite eggs was determined by storing eggs &#8804;21 d and measuring hatching success and pH of egg albumen and yolk. Hatching success of stored eggs declined after 14 d, when yolk and albumen pH reached levels detrimental to embryonic development. Secondly, thermal limits were determined by exposing bobwhite eggs to hyperthermic temperatures (38-52 °C). Bobwhite embryos survived 50 °C for 1 h, 49 °C for 3 h and 46 °C for 6 h. Results indicate an adaptation to the naturally occurring temperature extremes that can occur in the bobwhite's southern range during pre-incubation. Subsequently, bobwhite eggs were exposed to either low constant (LC), low fluctuating (LF), high constant (HC), or high fluctuating (HF) temperatures during pre-incubation to determine if the nature of temperatures differentially affected development. Although eggs exposed to high heat loads (HC and HF), and low heat loads (LF and LC) had equal heating degree-hours within groups, they exhibited differential growth during pre-incubation. Oxygen consumption, hatch timing, and hatching success were also affected by the thermal regimes. Eggs in simulated drought (HF) had a 47% lower hatch rate than eggs in simulated non-drought (LF) indicating that thermal stress during pre-incubation may contribute to population declines during drought. Finally, northern bobwhite eggs were exposed to acute or chronic doses of simulated drought temperatures, which tested for critical periods of development during pre-incubation. Collectively, data indicated that the earliest stages of bobwhite development were more affected by hyperthermic temperatures. Indeed, a critical period of development exists during the first 2/3 of pre-incubation during which exposure to hyperthermic temperatures results in aberrant development, hatching plasticity, and reduced hatch rates.

As relações entre os fatores climáticos e as respostas fisiológicas de vacas lactantes são bastante conhecidas, porém sob condições de ambiente controlado. Este estudo teve como objetivo monitorar as respostas dos animais em instalações típicas para vacas leiteiras, para identificar o real impacto do ambiente climático sobre o animal. Foi proposto um método para avaliar o nível de estresse de vacas, que poderá servir como uma ferramenta simples, que traduza as sensações de conforto térmico dos animais. O experimento foi realizado em três fases, a saber: primavera (28 dias), verão (31 dias) e inverno (31 dias). Foram utilizados animais da raça Holandesa com produção média entre 20 a 25 kg leite/dia. Os animais foram alojados em instalação tipo free-stall com acesso livre a um piquete adjacente. Foram avaliadas a freqüência respiratória (FR), a temperatura retal (TR), a temperatura do pelame (TPE), a temperatura auricular (TAU), a temperatura da base da cauda (TCAU), a temperatura da vulva (TVU) e a produção de leite (PL). O ambiente foi monitorado 24 horas por dia, todos os dias, com registros da temperatura de bulbo seco (TBS), da umidade relativa (UR), da temperatura de ponto de orvalho e da temperatura de globo negro (TG). Posteriormente foram calculados os índices de temperatura e umidade (ITU) e o de temperatura de globo e umidade (ITGU). Todas as variáveis fisiológicas apresentaram padrão sazonal bem claro, com maiores valores durante as estações mais quentes (primavera e verão) e menores valores no inverno. A TAU, a TVU e a TCAU apresentaram correlações positivas com a TR, a FR e a TPE, o que indica uma associação entre estas variáveis. Porém estudos adicionais devem ser conduzidos para validar a aplicabilidade destas variáveis (TAU, TVU e TCAU) na caracterização do estresse térmico dos animais. A TPE e a FR foram as variáveis mais influenciadas pelo ambiente climático em todas as estações do ano. O ambiente noturno foi associado às variações da TR, da FR e da TPE, enquanto o ambiente do dia anterior não explicou a variação das respostas fisiológicas. Não houve evidência de efeitos de uma variável ambiental isolada sobre as variáveis fisiológicas, o que indicou a complexidade das relações entre o animal e o ambiente climático. Mesmo com ITU acima de 79, considerado estressante pela literatura estrangeira para vacas lactantes, não foram evidenciados valores estressantes para TR e FR e reduções na produção de leite. O modelo proposto neste trabalho para estimar presença ou ausência de estresse em vacas alojadas em free-stall, apresentou boa aderência ao conjunto de dados, com R&sup2; de 0,43. Dessa forma, disponibiliza uma ferramenta simples e rápida para produtores e técnicos, pela associação de duas medidas fisiológicas (FR e TPE) de fácil mensuração, ou então pela associação de duas variáveis ambientais (TBS e UR). Tal ferramenta diz respeito a uma amostra da população de vacas Holandesas alojadas em determinada instalação e região, o que condiciona o modelo proposto a outros estudos para sua validação em outros rebanhos e regiões. / It has been well known the relation between the environment and physiological answers of lactating dairy cows under controlled environmental conditions. The present study aimed to monitor the animal answers allocated at typical housing system to identify the real environmental impact over it. A method was proposed to evaluate the stress level of the animal, to be used as a tool to identify the sensations of thermal comfort. The experiment was conducted in three phases, in spring (28 days), summer (31 days) and winter (31 days) periods. Holstein dairy cows were used averaging milk yield around 20 to 25 kg/day. The animals were housed in a free stall shed with an open area. Respiratory rate (FR), rectal temperature (TR), surface skin temperature (TPE), internal ear temperature (TAU), tail temperature (TCAU), vulva temperature (TVU) and milk yield (PL) were evaluated. The environmental conditions were monitored during 24 hours every day, by recording the dry bulb temperature (TBS), relative humidity (UR), dew point temperature (Tpo) and black globe temperature (Tg). The calculation of temperature humidity index (ITU) and the black globe humidity index (ITGU) was based on these environmental variables. The physiological variables had a seasonal standard with higher values during hot periods (spring and summer) and lower values during the winter. The IET, VT and TT demonstrated positive correlations with RT, RR and SKT showing association between them. More studies are necessary to validate the applicability of these variables (IET, VT and TT) and to characterize heat stress in dairy cows. SKT and RR were the most influenced by the environment in all seasons. The night environment was associated to the RT, RR and SKT, while the day before environment did not explained the physiological variations. There was no evidence of isolated environmental variables over the physiological ones, showing the complexity between the animal and the environment. Even with the THI values above 79, what is considered stressful to dairy cows, there was no evidence of stressful values for RT and RR and of MY losses. The model proposed in this study to estimate presence or absence of heat stress in dairy cows avails a simple and fast tool to milk producers and technicians, where it could be associated two physiological variables (RR and SKT) of easy measurement or other two environment variables (DBT and RH). However, this result is related to the studied population at a specific housing system and situated at a specific region. Addiitonal studies must be conducted to validate the proposed model to others dairy herds and locations.

On many structures there ocurred a problem of expanded polystyrene-based thermal insulation material degradation caused by high temperatures close to glazed areas. In a theoretical part of this Master’s Thesis there are the most common thermal insulation materials described, followed by a brief desciption of flat roof waterproofing materials and a thermal stress of structures. An experimental part describes a design of a methodology for evaluation of thermal resistance properties of foamed insulants in flat roofs and several experiments carried out according to the methodology.