Intensive agricultural developments and increasing human population has caused severe lowland-forest loss and fragmentation in the western coastal plain in Taiwan over the past centuries. The goal of this study is to explore the multiscale impacts of forest fragmentation on species richness and community composition of lowland-forest birds in Taiwan. At a regional scale, Island Biogeography Theory was applied to examine area and isolation effects on species richness of lowland-forest birds using bird data derived from Breeding Bird Survey Taiwan in 2009 and 2010. I also investigate the differential responses of two functional groups (forest specialists and generalists) to area and isolation effects Furthermore, I examine the relative influences of environmental variables at regional, landscape and local scales on avian community indices and composition in northern Taiwan with a hierarchical multiscale approach. Finally, species vulnerable to forest fragmentation and the ecological traits associated with specie vulnerability to forest fragmentation were identified. Only forest specialist species responded to the regional-scale area and isolation effects. The species richness of forest specialists increased with the size of forest islands, and the community similarity of forest specialist species declined with increasing the distance from the sources of immigrants. Structurally isolated forests may not function as real habitat patches from the view of forest generalists because of their flexibility in utilizing the non-forest matrix. After accounting for the influences of environmental variables at other spatial scales, the regional-scale isolation effect still played a key role in determining avian community composition based on the  presence/absence data set. But local-scale forest condition also explained a considerable amount of variability in the presence/absence data set. The regional-scale isolation effect, however, didn't show significant influences on community composition based on the abundance data set. In contrast, the landscape-scale variables explained the largest amount of variability in the abundance data set at the entire community level. There were six bird species (Parus varius, Dicrurus aeneus, Treron sieboldii, Pericrocotu solaris, Erporniszan tholeuca and Alcippe brunnea) whose occurrence and abundance were both vulnerable to forest fragmentation. Habitat specialization was the ecological traits most strongly associated with their vulnerability / Ph. D.

O aumento da população em grandes centros urbanos, dos problemas ambientais, e as mudanças climáticas globais são alguns dos fatores que têm influenciado numa maior intensidade e a frequência de eventos extremos e de desastres naturais em todo o globo. A região sul do Brasil aparece como uma das mais afetadas, sofrendo com estiagens e inundações recorrentes. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar o risco de inundação da bacia hidrográfica do arroio Feijó que sofre frequentemente com inundações. Baseia-se na abordagem metodológica do Índice de Vulnerabilidade, que contempla dados demográficos e sociais dos setores censitários (IBGE). Abrange áreas dos municípios de Porto Alegre, Alvorada e Viamão, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Ao longo do período analisado, de 1980 a 2015, foram registradas 36 inundações em 19 anos, com a probabilidade de 53% ocorrência de um novo evento danoso a cada ano. Os meses com maior frequência são fevereiro setembro e outubro. Ainda que 63% dos anos com inundações tenham apontado atuação do fenômeno El Niño – Oscilação Sul, não é possível apontar influência direta dos mesmos nesses processos. Entendendo o risco como a relação do perigo ou ameaça de ocorrência de eventos adversos com a vulnerabilidade dos elementos expostos gerou-se a espacialização desses fatores e o mapa de risco de inundação. O perigo expressa a probabilidade quantitativa ou qualitativa de recorrência, abrangência, intensidade que ocorre o processo. Por meio da mancha de inundação de tempo de retorno de 100 anos, obteve-se o mapa de perigo. Os setores apontados com alto a muito alto perigo localizam-se nos bairros de Alvorada (Passo do Feijó, Umbu, Jardim Algarve e Americana) e Porto Alegre (Rubem Berta), apresentando de 50% a 80% das suas áreas com possibilidade de serem inundadas. O levantamento por meio do índice de vulnerabilidade proposto apontou os setores mais vulneráveis de toda a bacia em geral, bem como os que indicam qual população está mais exposta aos eventos adversos. Os municípios de Alvorada e Viamão foram os que apontaram mais setores com índice de elevado de vulnerabilidade. Setores que apontam baixo desenvolvimento social e baixa capacidade de enfretamento aos desastres. Por meio do mapa de risco, foram identificadas as áreas com baixo a muito alto riscos de inundação da BHAF, os setores censitários mais críticos, encontram-se nos bairros Passo do Feijó e Americana em Alvorada. A análise de risco demostra ser importante ferramenta para identificar áreas que necessitem maior atenção do poder público e investimentos em ações de proteção, prevenção e mitigação. A metodologia demonstrou ser eficaz, sendo de fácil execução, implementação e baixo custo. Pretende-se dessa forma, contribuir através desse estudo para uma gestão de riscos e desastres mais eficiente na área. / The increase in population in large urban centers, enviromental issues and global climate changes, among others factors, have increased the frequency and the intensity of extreme events and natural disasters across the globe and in this country. The south appears to be the most affected region, suffering from droughts and floods. This study aims to analyze the risks of flooding at the Feijo stream basin which often suffers from floods. The study is based on the methodological approach of the vulnerability index, which includes demographic and social data from the census tracts (IBGE). It covers areas of the municipalities of Porto Alegre, Alvorada e Viamão, at the Rio Grande do Sul state. Over the period analyzed, from 1980 to 2015, 36 floods were recorded in 19 years, with the probability of a 53% occurrence of a new damaging event each year. The most frequent months are February, September and October. Although 63% of the years with the occurrence of floods have also shown the occurrence of El Niño - South Oscillation phenomenon, it is not possible to indicate direct influence. Recognizing risk as the relation of danger or threat of adverse occurring events with the vulnerability of the elements exposed is how the spatialization of these factors and the flood risk map were generated. The hazard expresses the quantitative or qualitative probability of recurrence, extent, intensity in which the process occurs. By means of the 100-year return time flood spot the hazard map was obtained. The high-risk areas are located in the Alvorada (Passo do Feijó, Umbu, Jardim Algarve and Americana) and Porto Alegre (Rubem Berta) neighborhoods, pointing to 50% to 80% of these areas with the possibility of being flooded. The survey using the proposed Vulnerability index showed the most vulnerable sectors of the entire basin, as well as which population groups are most exposed to adverse events. The municipalities of Alvorada and Viamão were those that indicated more sectors with a high index of vulnerability. These are sectors that show low social development and low ability to cope with disasters. By means of the risk map, the areas with low to very high flood risks of BHAF (the most critical census tracts) were identified in the Passo do Feijó and Americana neighborhoods in Alvorada. The risk analysis proves to be an important tool to identify areas that need greater public attention and investments in protection, prevention and mitigation actions. The methodology proved to be effective, being to put into effect and implement, and at a low cost. The aim is to contribute through this study to a more efficient risk and disaster management in the area.

O aumento da população em grandes centros urbanos, dos problemas ambientais, e as mudanças climáticas globais são alguns dos fatores que têm influenciado numa maior intensidade e a frequência de eventos extremos e de desastres naturais em todo o globo. A região sul do Brasil aparece como uma das mais afetadas, sofrendo com estiagens e inundações recorrentes. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar o risco de inundação da bacia hidrográfica do arroio Feijó que sofre frequentemente com inundações. Baseia-se na abordagem metodológica do Índice de Vulnerabilidade, que contempla dados demográficos e sociais dos setores censitários (IBGE). Abrange áreas dos municípios de Porto Alegre, Alvorada e Viamão, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Ao longo do período analisado, de 1980 a 2015, foram registradas 36 inundações em 19 anos, com a probabilidade de 53% ocorrência de um novo evento danoso a cada ano. Os meses com maior frequência são fevereiro setembro e outubro. Ainda que 63% dos anos com inundações tenham apontado atuação do fenômeno El Niño – Oscilação Sul, não é possível apontar influência direta dos mesmos nesses processos. Entendendo o risco como a relação do perigo ou ameaça de ocorrência de eventos adversos com a vulnerabilidade dos elementos expostos gerou-se a espacialização desses fatores e o mapa de risco de inundação. O perigo expressa a probabilidade quantitativa ou qualitativa de recorrência, abrangência, intensidade que ocorre o processo. Por meio da mancha de inundação de tempo de retorno de 100 anos, obteve-se o mapa de perigo. Os setores apontados com alto a muito alto perigo localizam-se nos bairros de Alvorada (Passo do Feijó, Umbu, Jardim Algarve e Americana) e Porto Alegre (Rubem Berta), apresentando de 50% a 80% das suas áreas com possibilidade de serem inundadas. O levantamento por meio do índice de vulnerabilidade proposto apontou os setores mais vulneráveis de toda a bacia em geral, bem como os que indicam qual população está mais exposta aos eventos adversos. Os municípios de Alvorada e Viamão foram os que apontaram mais setores com índice de elevado de vulnerabilidade. Setores que apontam baixo desenvolvimento social e baixa capacidade de enfretamento aos desastres. Por meio do mapa de risco, foram identificadas as áreas com baixo a muito alto riscos de inundação da BHAF, os setores censitários mais críticos, encontram-se nos bairros Passo do Feijó e Americana em Alvorada. A análise de risco demostra ser importante ferramenta para identificar áreas que necessitem maior atenção do poder público e investimentos em ações de proteção, prevenção e mitigação. A metodologia demonstrou ser eficaz, sendo de fácil execução, implementação e baixo custo. Pretende-se dessa forma, contribuir através desse estudo para uma gestão de riscos e desastres mais eficiente na área. / The increase in population in large urban centers, enviromental issues and global climate changes, among others factors, have increased the frequency and the intensity of extreme events and natural disasters across the globe and in this country. The south appears to be the most affected region, suffering from droughts and floods. This study aims to analyze the risks of flooding at the Feijo stream basin which often suffers from floods. The study is based on the methodological approach of the vulnerability index, which includes demographic and social data from the census tracts (IBGE). It covers areas of the municipalities of Porto Alegre, Alvorada e Viamão, at the Rio Grande do Sul state. Over the period analyzed, from 1980 to 2015, 36 floods were recorded in 19 years, with the probability of a 53% occurrence of a new damaging event each year. The most frequent months are February, September and October. Although 63% of the years with the occurrence of floods have also shown the occurrence of El Niño - South Oscillation phenomenon, it is not possible to indicate direct influence. Recognizing risk as the relation of danger or threat of adverse occurring events with the vulnerability of the elements exposed is how the spatialization of these factors and the flood risk map were generated. The hazard expresses the quantitative or qualitative probability of recurrence, extent, intensity in which the process occurs. By means of the 100-year return time flood spot the hazard map was obtained. The high-risk areas are located in the Alvorada (Passo do Feijó, Umbu, Jardim Algarve and Americana) and Porto Alegre (Rubem Berta) neighborhoods, pointing to 50% to 80% of these areas with the possibility of being flooded. The survey using the proposed Vulnerability index showed the most vulnerable sectors of the entire basin, as well as which population groups are most exposed to adverse events. The municipalities of Alvorada and Viamão were those that indicated more sectors with a high index of vulnerability. These are sectors that show low social development and low ability to cope with disasters. By means of the risk map, the areas with low to very high flood risks of BHAF (the most critical census tracts) were identified in the Passo do Feijó and Americana neighborhoods in Alvorada. The risk analysis proves to be an important tool to identify areas that need greater public attention and investments in protection, prevention and mitigation actions. The methodology proved to be effective, being to put into effect and implement, and at a low cost. The aim is to contribute through this study to a more efficient risk and disaster management in the area.

O aumento da população em grandes centros urbanos, dos problemas ambientais, e as mudanças climáticas globais são alguns dos fatores que têm influenciado numa maior intensidade e a frequência de eventos extremos e de desastres naturais em todo o globo. A região sul do Brasil aparece como uma das mais afetadas, sofrendo com estiagens e inundações recorrentes. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar o risco de inundação da bacia hidrográfica do arroio Feijó que sofre frequentemente com inundações. Baseia-se na abordagem metodológica do Índice de Vulnerabilidade, que contempla dados demográficos e sociais dos setores censitários (IBGE). Abrange áreas dos municípios de Porto Alegre, Alvorada e Viamão, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Ao longo do período analisado, de 1980 a 2015, foram registradas 36 inundações em 19 anos, com a probabilidade de 53% ocorrência de um novo evento danoso a cada ano. Os meses com maior frequência são fevereiro setembro e outubro. Ainda que 63% dos anos com inundações tenham apontado atuação do fenômeno El Niño – Oscilação Sul, não é possível apontar influência direta dos mesmos nesses processos. Entendendo o risco como a relação do perigo ou ameaça de ocorrência de eventos adversos com a vulnerabilidade dos elementos expostos gerou-se a espacialização desses fatores e o mapa de risco de inundação. O perigo expressa a probabilidade quantitativa ou qualitativa de recorrência, abrangência, intensidade que ocorre o processo. Por meio da mancha de inundação de tempo de retorno de 100 anos, obteve-se o mapa de perigo. Os setores apontados com alto a muito alto perigo localizam-se nos bairros de Alvorada (Passo do Feijó, Umbu, Jardim Algarve e Americana) e Porto Alegre (Rubem Berta), apresentando de 50% a 80% das suas áreas com possibilidade de serem inundadas. O levantamento por meio do índice de vulnerabilidade proposto apontou os setores mais vulneráveis de toda a bacia em geral, bem como os que indicam qual população está mais exposta aos eventos adversos. Os municípios de Alvorada e Viamão foram os que apontaram mais setores com índice de elevado de vulnerabilidade. Setores que apontam baixo desenvolvimento social e baixa capacidade de enfretamento aos desastres. Por meio do mapa de risco, foram identificadas as áreas com baixo a muito alto riscos de inundação da BHAF, os setores censitários mais críticos, encontram-se nos bairros Passo do Feijó e Americana em Alvorada. A análise de risco demostra ser importante ferramenta para identificar áreas que necessitem maior atenção do poder público e investimentos em ações de proteção, prevenção e mitigação. A metodologia demonstrou ser eficaz, sendo de fácil execução, implementação e baixo custo. Pretende-se dessa forma, contribuir através desse estudo para uma gestão de riscos e desastres mais eficiente na área. / The increase in population in large urban centers, enviromental issues and global climate changes, among others factors, have increased the frequency and the intensity of extreme events and natural disasters across the globe and in this country. The south appears to be the most affected region, suffering from droughts and floods. This study aims to analyze the risks of flooding at the Feijo stream basin which often suffers from floods. The study is based on the methodological approach of the vulnerability index, which includes demographic and social data from the census tracts (IBGE). It covers areas of the municipalities of Porto Alegre, Alvorada e Viamão, at the Rio Grande do Sul state. Over the period analyzed, from 1980 to 2015, 36 floods were recorded in 19 years, with the probability of a 53% occurrence of a new damaging event each year. The most frequent months are February, September and October. Although 63% of the years with the occurrence of floods have also shown the occurrence of El Niño - South Oscillation phenomenon, it is not possible to indicate direct influence. Recognizing risk as the relation of danger or threat of adverse occurring events with the vulnerability of the elements exposed is how the spatialization of these factors and the flood risk map were generated. The hazard expresses the quantitative or qualitative probability of recurrence, extent, intensity in which the process occurs. By means of the 100-year return time flood spot the hazard map was obtained. The high-risk areas are located in the Alvorada (Passo do Feijó, Umbu, Jardim Algarve and Americana) and Porto Alegre (Rubem Berta) neighborhoods, pointing to 50% to 80% of these areas with the possibility of being flooded. The survey using the proposed Vulnerability index showed the most vulnerable sectors of the entire basin, as well as which population groups are most exposed to adverse events. The municipalities of Alvorada and Viamão were those that indicated more sectors with a high index of vulnerability. These are sectors that show low social development and low ability to cope with disasters. By means of the risk map, the areas with low to very high flood risks of BHAF (the most critical census tracts) were identified in the Passo do Feijó and Americana neighborhoods in Alvorada. The risk analysis proves to be an important tool to identify areas that need greater public attention and investments in protection, prevention and mitigation actions. The methodology proved to be effective, being to put into effect and implement, and at a low cost. The aim is to contribute through this study to a more efficient risk and disaster management in the area.

MENVSC (Geography) / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences / The Limpopo lowveld is at risk of floods from tropical storms from the South West Indian Ocean. The flood risk is particularly high in low altitude areas with poor infrastructure and limited resources. This study assessed flood vulnerability and adaptation at Lenyenye, Ga-Kgapane Masakaneng and Nkowankowa Section B and C within the Mopani District in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The research objectives were to establish the determinants of flood vulnerability, assess the levels of flood vulnerability and the community‟s coping strategies. A quantitative survey approach was employed using questionnaires which were administered to affected households to identify determinants of flood vulnerability, indicators and coping strategies by communities. A qualitative survey was also undertaken to supplement the information obtained from the quantitative survey. Key informant interviews were conducted with disaster management authorities in the study area to provide information on indicators, flood experience, adaptation and mitigation measures. Field observations were undertaken to observe the physical landscape and flood impacts. Secondary data were acquired through records, maps, Census 2011 and from the South African Weather Service. Collected data were imputed into the flood vulnerability index to measure the level of flood vulnerability. The results of this study will contribute to flood disaster risk reduction in the lowveld. The results indicate that flood vulnerability in the study areas is determined by dwelling quality, poor or lack of drainage, education levels, employment status, rainfall amount and topography. The calculated flood vulnerability levels in the three case study villages indicate that Ga-Kgapane Masakaneng, Lenyenye and Nkowankowa Section B and C have a „vulnerability to floods‟ level. However, the FVI also showed that the economic aspect scored a high vulnerability to floods in Ga-Kgapane. In Nkowankowa Section B and C; physical component obtained a „high vulnerability to floods.‟ Major coping strategies in the three case villages were: making „Le-guba‟ around houses; sand-bags; making a furrow and channel around houses and on roads; temporary relocation and lastly relocating to a safer area. Key recommendations are public awareness; integrating modern mitigations with local knowledge; development of programs to ensure resilience through incorporation of (Integrated Development Planning) IDP and flood management and flood early warning system.

Food insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing American society today. Over 13.7 million US households were food insecure in the year 2019 and 19 million Americans lived in food deserts in the year 2015 (USDA, 2020, 2017). Despite food insecurities affecting communities in every corner of the country, there is a dearth of research on food security and food deserts. Therefore, the main objectives of this study are 1) to identify underlying neighborhood characteristics that predict the communities at higher nutritional risk, 2) to analyze the impacts of household characteristics on household food insecurity, and 3) to examine the combined influences of both household and neighborhood characteristics on household food insecurity. Through exploratory factor analysis, eleven socioeconomic characteristics of neighborhoods were systematically grouped into two factors. The first factor represented the neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status and the second factor represented the declining neighborhoods. Both neighborhoods are less attractive to the big retail stores economically (Bonanno, 2012), and are sometimes subject to malpractice like supermarket redlining (Eisenhauer, 2001).The food desert vulnerability index (FDVI) was created by ranking the variables of factor 1 and factor 2, and the ranking was based on percentiles. This index identified the census tracts of the Southern United States, Maine, Oregon, New Mexico, and Arizona as the socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods thereby their possibility of being food deserts. Additionally, analysis of the effect of household characteristics using the regression models suggested that households that were large, minorities, single-parent, male-headed, and lived in the metros, and Midwestern and Southern regions were food insecure. Combined assessment of household and neighborhood characteristics using hierarchical linear modeling revealed that only 2.03 percent of the variance in the household food security score was attributable to differences between counties, thereby implying household food security was mostly dependent on the household’s characteristics. The major limitation of this study is that it does not incorporate the cross-sectional variations in food prices, the role of social capital, and the analysis of the food environment to assess household food insecurity. Research examining the influence of these aspects on household food security would be beneficial.

Highway bridges are among the most vulnerable and expensive components in transportation networks. In response, the Government of Ontario has allocated $26 billion in the next 10 years to address issues pertaining to aging bridge and deteriorating highway infrastructure in the province. Although several approaches have been developed to guide their rehabilitation, most bridge rehabilitation approaches are focused on the component level (individual bridge) in a relative isolation of other bridges in the network. The current study utilizes a complex network theoretic approach to quantify the topological characteristics of the Ontario Bridge Network (OBN) and subsequently evaluate the OBN robustness and vulnerability characteristics. These measures are then integrated in the development of a Multi Scale Bridge Classification (MSBC) approach—an innovative classification approach that links the OBN component level data (i.e., Bridge Condition Index and year of construction, etc.) to the corresponding dynamic network-level measures. The novel approach calls for a paradigm shift in the strategy governing classifying and prioritizing bridge rehabilitation projects based on bridge criticality within the entire network, rather than only the individual bridge’s structural conditions. The model was also used to identify the most critical bridges in the OBN under different disruptions to facilitate rapid implementation of the study results. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

No contexto atual de saúde, é relevante a criação de instrumentos válidos e confiáveis que possam, sob o olhar da integralidade, captar a vulnerabilidade das famílias a incapacidades e dependência. Este estudo objetivou construir e validar um índice de vulnerabilidade de famílias a incapacidades e dependência (IVF-ID). Adaptou-se o Índice de Desenvolvimento da Família, que contém indicadores sociais, acrescentando indicadores de relações sociais e de saúde relacionados a incapacidades e dependência. O instrumento foi submetido à validação aparente, por meio da técnica Delphi, tendo passado duas rodadas de avaliação dos juízes, até atingir o consenso. O instrumento resultante foi aplicado a 248 famílias acompanhadas pelas equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família de uma região do município de São Paulo para construção IVF-ID e posteriormente a outras 248 famílias de outra região do Município, com perfil demográfico e social distinto, para validação. Assim, o índice final contém 40 questões, divididas em quatro componentes e duas dimensões: a dimensão Condições Sociais (CSO) que engloba os componentes Condições sociais favoráveis e Condições sociais desfavoráveis, e a dimensão Condição de Saúde (CSA), que congrega os componentes Envelhecimento, incapacidade e dependência e Doenças crônicas. Foram definidos pontos de corte para o IVF-ID Total e para a Dimensão CSA, o que permitiu discriminar as dimensões da vulnerabilidade a incapacidades e dependência entre as famílias. O IVF-ID mostrou-se confiável e válido ao ser aplicado em duas populações com vulnerabilidades sociais e perfis demográficos distintos. Ao aplicar o IVF-ID total, verificou-se que não houve diferença significativa entre as duas regiões (54,8% x 58,1%; p=0,469), porém em relação à vulnerabilidade relacionada à Dimensão CSA, houve diferença significativa entre as duas regiões, sendo que na região da Lapa foi encontrada um número maior de famílias vulneráveis do que na Cidade Ademar (47,6% X 31,5%; p< 0,001). Pretende-se que o IVF-ID seja utilizado para o planejamento de ações que visem o monitoramento dos determinantes das condições de vida e saúde das famílias vulneráveis a incapacidades e dependência. O índice poderá servir como um instrumento diagnóstico e de intervenção tanto na gestão como na assistência às famílias no âmbito da ESF. / In the current context of health, it is important to propose valid and reliable instruments to capture, under the perspective of integrality, the vulnerability of families to disability and dependency. This study aimed to develop and validate an index of vulnerability of families to disability and dependency (FVI-DD). The Index of Family Development, which contains social indicators, was adapted and social network and health-related indicators were added. The instrument was subjected to apparent validation, through the Delphi technique, in two rounds of evaluation of judges to reach consensus. The resulting instrument was administered to 248 families accompanied by Family Health Strategy (FHS) teams in a region of São Paulo city to define the components of FVI-DD and was later applied to other 248 families from another region of the city, with distinct social and demographic profile, for validation. Thus, the final index contains 40 questions divided into four components and two dimensions: the dimension \"Social conditions\" (SC) which comprises the components \"Favorable social conditions\" (FSC) and \"Unfavorable social conditions\" (USC), and the dimension \"Health conditions\" (HC), which the components Aging, disability and dependency\" and \"Chronic disease. Cutoffs were defined for FVI-DD Total and the HC Dimension. The FVI-DD was reliable and valid when applied to two populations with social vulnerabilities and different demographic profiles. By applying the FVI-DD Total, it was found that there was no significant difference between the two regions (54.8% vs. 58.1%, p = 0.469), but in relation to the vulnerability related to HC Dimension, significant differences were found between the two region: Lapa had a greater number of vulnerable families that Cidade Ademar (47.6% vs. 31.5%, p <0.001). The FVI-DD is intended to be used to plan actions to the monitoring of the determinants of health and living conditions of vulnerable families to disability and dependency. The index may serve as a diagnostic and intervention tool both in management and in care providing to families in the FHS.

This dissertation studies the causes and mechanism of power system cascading outages and proposes the improved interactive scheme between system-wide and local levels of monitoring and control to quickly detect, classify and mitigate the cascading outages in power system. A novel method for evaluating the vulnerability of individual components as well as the whole power system, which is named as weighted vulnerability analysis, is developed. Betweenness centrality is used to measure the importance of each bus and transmission line in the modeled power system network, which is in turn used to determine the weights for the weighted vulnerability index. It features fast reaction time and achieves higher accuracy when dealing with the cascading outage detection, classification and mitigation over the traditional methods. The overload problem due to power flow redistribution after one line tripped is a critical factor contributing to the cascading outages. A parallel corridor searching method is proposed to quickly identify the most vulnerable components after tripping a transmission line. The power system topology model can be simplified into state graph after searching the domains for each generator, the commons for each bus, and links between the commons. The parallel corridor will be determined by searching the links and commons in system topology graph for the given state of power system operation. During stressed operating state, either stable or unstable power swing may have impacts on distance relay judgment and lead to relay misoperation, which will result in the power system lines being tripped and as a consequence power system operating state becoming even more stressful. At the local level, an enhanced fault detection tool during power system swing is developed to reduce the chance of relay misoperation. Comprehensive simulation studies have been implemented by using the IEEE 39-bus and 118-bus test systems. The results are promising because: The results from weighted vulnerability analysis could provide better system situational awareness and accurate information about the disturbance; The results form parallel corridor search method could identify the most vulnerable lines after power re-distribution, which will give operator time to take remedial actions; The results from new travelling wave and wavelet transform based fault detection could reduce the impact of relay misoperation.

No contexto atual de saúde, é relevante a criação de instrumentos válidos e confiáveis que possam, sob o olhar da integralidade, captar a vulnerabilidade das famílias a incapacidades e dependência. Este estudo objetivou construir e validar um índice de vulnerabilidade de famílias a incapacidades e dependência (IVF-ID). Adaptou-se o Índice de Desenvolvimento da Família, que contém indicadores sociais, acrescentando indicadores de relações sociais e de saúde relacionados a incapacidades e dependência. O instrumento foi submetido à validação aparente, por meio da técnica Delphi, tendo passado duas rodadas de avaliação dos juízes, até atingir o consenso. O instrumento resultante foi aplicado a 248 famílias acompanhadas pelas equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família de uma região do município de São Paulo para construção IVF-ID e posteriormente a outras 248 famílias de outra região do Município, com perfil demográfico e social distinto, para validação. Assim, o índice final contém 40 questões, divididas em quatro componentes e duas dimensões: a dimensão Condições Sociais (CSO) que engloba os componentes Condições sociais favoráveis e Condições sociais desfavoráveis, e a dimensão Condição de Saúde (CSA), que congrega os componentes Envelhecimento, incapacidade e dependência e Doenças crônicas. Foram definidos pontos de corte para o IVF-ID Total e para a Dimensão CSA, o que permitiu discriminar as dimensões da vulnerabilidade a incapacidades e dependência entre as famílias. O IVF-ID mostrou-se confiável e válido ao ser aplicado em duas populações com vulnerabilidades sociais e perfis demográficos distintos. Ao aplicar o IVF-ID total, verificou-se que não houve diferença significativa entre as duas regiões (54,8% x 58,1%; p=0,469), porém em relação à vulnerabilidade relacionada à Dimensão CSA, houve diferença significativa entre as duas regiões, sendo que na região da Lapa foi encontrada um número maior de famílias vulneráveis do que na Cidade Ademar (47,6% X 31,5%; p< 0,001). Pretende-se que o IVF-ID seja utilizado para o planejamento de ações que visem o monitoramento dos determinantes das condições de vida e saúde das famílias vulneráveis a incapacidades e dependência. O índice poderá servir como um instrumento diagnóstico e de intervenção tanto na gestão como na assistência às famílias no âmbito da ESF. / In the current context of health, it is important to propose valid and reliable instruments to capture, under the perspective of integrality, the vulnerability of families to disability and dependency. This study aimed to develop and validate an index of vulnerability of families to disability and dependency (FVI-DD). The Index of Family Development, which contains social indicators, was adapted and social network and health-related indicators were added. The instrument was subjected to apparent validation, through the Delphi technique, in two rounds of evaluation of judges to reach consensus. The resulting instrument was administered to 248 families accompanied by Family Health Strategy (FHS) teams in a region of São Paulo city to define the components of FVI-DD and was later applied to other 248 families from another region of the city, with distinct social and demographic profile, for validation. Thus, the final index contains 40 questions divided into four components and two dimensions: the dimension \"Social conditions\" (SC) which comprises the components \"Favorable social conditions\" (FSC) and \"Unfavorable social conditions\" (USC), and the dimension \"Health conditions\" (HC), which the components Aging, disability and dependency\" and \"Chronic disease. Cutoffs were defined for FVI-DD Total and the HC Dimension. The FVI-DD was reliable and valid when applied to two populations with social vulnerabilities and different demographic profiles. By applying the FVI-DD Total, it was found that there was no significant difference between the two regions (54.8% vs. 58.1%, p = 0.469), but in relation to the vulnerability related to HC Dimension, significant differences were found between the two region: Lapa had a greater number of vulnerable families that Cidade Ademar (47.6% vs. 31.5%, p <0.001). The FVI-DD is intended to be used to plan actions to the monitoring of the determinants of health and living conditions of vulnerable families to disability and dependency. The index may serve as a diagnostic and intervention tool both in management and in care providing to families in the FHS.