Faecal pollution regularly contaminates surface waters, introducing microorganisms, including bacteria and bacteria resistant to antibiotics, to coastal waters. People can come into contact with these potentially harmful microbes when they enjoy recreational activities in the sea. Understanding the risk to bathers of acquiring infections from the sea is important for developing effective intervention strategies to protect human health. This thesis consists of four original studies which aim to answer the question ‘are bacteria in the coastal zone a threat to human health’? First, we describe a systematic review on the risk of acquiring infections from recreational use of coastal waters. Synthesising risk estimates of reporting various symptoms of ill health, we quantify this risk as well as appraise the evidence that these infections are acquired from bathing in coastal waters. The results of the second study - a large online survey - corroborate these findings and provide updated estimates of risk for UK bathers. Third, we assess the risk of ingesting antibiotic resistant bacteria among UK coastal water users. In the final study, we measured the prevalence of faecal carriage of antibiotic resistant bacteria among a highly exposed group – surfers, and in an unexposed group (non-surfers). We conclude that despite improvements made to the collection, treatment and discharge of sewage, and initiatives to communicate water quality to members of the public in recent years, people who bathe in coastal waters are still at an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, whether this is experiencing symptoms of ill health, or exposure to and colonisation by antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Submitted by Haroudo Xavier Filho (haroudo.xavierfo@ufpe.br) on 2016-03-17T18:54:32Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese de Doutorado em Engenharia Mecânica - Edwin Lundgren - Recife 2015.pdf: 6647333 bytes, checksum: 562061d27a257684cbc87a9f44cca7a8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-17T18:54:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese de Doutorado em Engenharia Mecânica - Edwin Lundgren - Recife 2015.pdf: 6647333 bytes, checksum: 562061d27a257684cbc87a9f44cca7a8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-24 / O presente trabalho apresenta como tema central o desenvolvimento e a realização de um conceito tecnológico inovador para propulsionar embarcações utilizando a força do vento por meio de uma pipa dirigível de alto desempenho aerodinâmico conhecida como Kite. Para demonstrar a eficiência da tecnologia aplicada é projetado, manufaturado e testado um barco protótipo com quatro metros de comprimento capaz de carregar uma ou duas pessoas. Kites modernos são projetados para operar em regime de sustentação aerodinâmica e podem ser movimentados de forma razoavelmente controlada em uma região denominada “janela de vento” e possibilitam a geração de forças perpendiculares á direção do vento. Assim, uma embarcação tracionada por Kites e equipada com uma quilha pode realizar cursos cruzados contra o vento. O equilíbrio hidrodinâmico da embarcação tratada neste trabalho é alcançado através de tecnologia com uso de uma plataforma giratória azimutal e um conjunto de mecanismos para o manuseio do Kite e o controle do rumo do barco. É apresentado o cálculo para relacionar o equilíbrio da embarcação com o voo do Kite. Não há necessidade de leme para controlar o rumo da embarcação, portanto o barco protótipo deste trabalho não apresenta algum leme. Os dados obtidos em teste foram relacionados, processados e os resultados quantitativos de percursos e manobras são apresentados e descritas as condições e posicionamentos das grandezas relevantes. A Propulsão do barco prototipo por meio de um Kite mostrou bons resultados em ventos acima de 18 km/h (10 nós). Nestas condições ficou comprovado a eficiência do sistema inovador para propulsionar e guiar barcos com Kites como o protótipo apresentado no presente trabalho. / This work has as its central theme the development and realization of an innovative technological concept of boat propulsion using the wind power through a steerable Kite. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the applied technology there is designed, manufactured and tested a prototype boat with four meters in length capable of carrying one or two people. Modern Kites are designed to operate in aerodynamic lift system. As a result, these devices can be moved in fairly controlled manner in a semi-spherical region called "wind window" and allow the generation of perpendicular forces to wind direction. Thus, a vessel pulled by a Kite and equipped with a good keel can perform crossed courses against the wind. The hydrodynamic balance of the vessel treated in this work is achieved through the use of a technology with azimuthal platform and a set of mechanisms for Kite handling and controlling the direction of the boat. A new method of calculation of the balance of the boat during the Kite flight is presented as well as some results of hydrodynamic simulations. Another advantage of the azimuth platform technology is the ability to control the direction of the boat only by the Kite control devices and the relative positioning of the azimuthal platform within the hull. There is no need of a rudder to control the direction of the boat, so the boat prototype of this work does not present any rudder. The test data were related, processed and quantitative results concerning courses and maneuvers are presented and the conditions and positions of the relevant magnitudes are described. The propulsion of the prototype boat by a Kite showed good results in winds over 18 km/h (10 knots). Under these conditions the efficiency of the innovative propulsion system for boats with Kites as the prototype presented in this work was testified. The innovative directional control allows the handling of the vessel at high upwind courses. The bidirectionality of the prototype boat increases the possibilities of executing maneuvers with reversal of the navigation direction and easy windward routes.

Este proyecto consiste en el diseño de un centro de alto rendimiento enfocado en los deportes de natación, polo acuático, nado sincronizado y saltos ornamentales, dirigido a jóvenes deportistas que conforman parte de la selección de alto rendimiento. Se encuentra ubicado en el distrito de La Molina y busca mejorar el desempeño del deportista, disminuir el costo en su formación e incentivar la cultura deportiva en el país. La deficiencia en infraestructura deportiva limita muchas veces el entrenamiento de este tipo de deportistas. El objetivo es poder ayudar a estos jóvenes a obtener máximos resultados a edad optima y que sean participes de competencias nacionales e internacionales. Lo propuesto se puede lograr mediante una infraestructura adecuada y el espacio propicio para el desarrollo y entrenamiento de cada tipo de deporte. / This project consists in the design of a high-performance center focused on swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and ornamental jumping, aimed at young athletes who are part of the high-performance team. It is located in the district of La Molina and seeks to improve the performance of the athlete, reduce the cost in their training and encourage sports culture in the country. The deficiency in sports infrastructure many times the training of this type of athletes. The objective is to help these young people obtain maximum results at the optimum age and to participate in national and international competitions. The proposed can be achieved through an adequate infrastructure and the appropriate space for the development and training of each type of sport. / Tesis