High quality digital images have become pervasive in modern scientific and everyday life — in areas from photography to astronomy, CCTV, microscopy, and medical imaging. However there are always limits to the quality of these images due to uncertainty and imprecision in the measurement systems. Modern signal processing methods offer the promise of overcoming some of these problems by postprocessing these blurred and noisy images. In this thesis, novel methods using nonstationary statistical models are developed for the removal of blurs from out of focus and other types of degraded photographic images. The work tackles the fundamental problem blind image deconvolution (BID); its goal is to restore a sharp image from a blurred observation when the blur itself is completely unknown. This is a “doubly illposed” problem — extreme lack of information must be countered by strong prior constraints about sensible types of solution. In this work, the hierarchical Bayesian methodology is used as a robust and versatile framework to impart the required prior knowledge. The thesis is arranged in two parts. In the first part, the BID problem is reviewed, along with techniques and models for its solution. Observation models are developed, with an emphasis on photographic restoration, concluding with a discussion of how these are reduced to the common linear spatially-invariant (LSI) convolutional model. Classical methods for the solution of illposed problems are summarised to provide a foundation for the main theoretical ideas that will be used under the Bayesian framework. This is followed by an indepth review and discussion of the various prior image and blur models appearing in the literature, and then their applications to solving the problem with both Bayesian and nonBayesian techniques. The second part covers novel restoration methods, making use of the theory presented in Part I. Firstly, two new nonstationary image models are presented. The first models local variance in the image, and the second extends this with locally adaptive noncausal autoregressive (AR) texture estimation and local mean components. These models allow for recovery of image details including edges and texture, whilst preserving smooth regions. Most existing methods do not model the boundary conditions correctly for deblurring of natural photographs, and a Chapter is devoted to exploring Bayesian solutions to this topic. Due to the complexity of the models used and the problem itself, there are many challenges which must be overcome for tractable inference. Using the new models, three different inference strategies are investigated: firstly using the Bayesian maximum marginalised a posteriori (MMAP) method with deterministic optimisation; proceeding with the stochastic methods of variational Bayesian (VB) distribution approximation, and simulation of the posterior distribution using the Gibbs sampler. Of these, we find the Gibbs sampler to be the most effective way to deal with a variety of different types of unknown blurs. Along the way, details are given of the numerical strategies developed to give accurate results and to accelerate performance. Finally, the thesis demonstrates state of the art results in blind restoration of synthetic and real degraded images, such as recovering details in out of focus photographs.

A restauração de áreas degradadas tem como objetivo a formação de um ambiente florestal e o restabelecimento das interações entre espécies vegetais e animais que auxiliam na manutenção das populações locais e a evolução da comunidade implantada. Atualmente, existe a preocupação com a qualidade das áreas restauradas no Estado de São Paulo nos últimos anos em relação à perda da diversidade biológica e ao estado de declínio em que se encontram, principalmente devido ao isolamento dessas áreas na paisagem. Considerando a contínua expansão econômica e a construção de obras que acarretam o corte legalizado de áreas naturais, a utilização dos recursos dessas áreas pode se tornar uma alternativa para a restauração de áreas degradadas através da obrigatoriedade de ações mitigadoras e compensatórias. A transferência de plântulas dessas áreas é uma técnica utilizada para a produção de mudas de elevada riqueza de espécies e formas de vida que podem ser utilizadas no enriquecimento de áreas em processo de restauração ou de florestas secundárias degradadas. O isolamento desses fragmentos dificulta a chegada de novas espécies na área, mesmo após a formação do dossel que propicia um ambiente adequado ao estabelecimento de guildas como as espécies de sub-bosque. Dessa forma, torna-se necessária a introdução assistida de novas espécies nessas áreas para o restabelecimento de interações ecológicas e auto-perpetuação da floresta. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar diferentes técnicas de enriquecimento em uma Floresta Estacional Semidecidual em processo de restauração. O estudo foi realizado em um fragmento localizado no município de Santa Bárbara dOeste, SP. Foram coletadas plântulas de uma área que seria legalmente suprimida e transferidas para o viveiro visando à produção de mudas. Posteriormente, mudas de vinte espécies foram plantadas no fragmento de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual e apresentaram elevadas taxas de sobrevivência. Nesta mesma área foi realizado o plantio de plântulas e mudas de espécies de subbosque produzidas em viveiro. Foram plantadas sete espécies de plântulas e dez espécies de mudas na entrelinha do plantio original que durante o período de avaliação apresentaram elevadas taxas de sobrevivência. Deste modo, esses resultados demonstram a viabilidade da técnica de transferência de plântulas da regeneração natural, do plantio de plântulas e mudas de espécies de sub-bosque visando o enriquecimento de áreas em processo de restauração. / The main objective of ecological restoration is to built a forested environment and reestablish plants and animals interactions, which promotes the maintenance of local populations and the development of the restored community. Nowadays, there is concern about the quality of restored forests in the São Paulo State (Brazil), regarding their biodiversity loss, related to the landscape isolation on which they are found. Considering the fact that economic expansion and building works result on legalized deforestation, the good use of these natural resources may consist on an interesting alternative to restoration ecology. Transplanting seedlings from these condemned areas is a technique that aims to gather high diversity of species and lifeforms that can be used to enhance diversity on restored sites or secondary forests. Isolation of forest remnants raise difficulties to the arrival of colonizing species, even after a canopy is formed and therefore a suitable environment for the establishment of guilds such as understorey species is available. For that matter it is necessary to assist the introduction of new species to these areas under reforestation process, reestablishing ecological interactions and forest self- maintenance. The main purpose of this study was to analyze different techniques of diversity enhancement of a Seasonal Semideciduous Forest under restoration process. The study was taken on a forest remnant located at Santa Barbara d\'Oeste (São Paulo State). Seedlings were transplanted from a site to be legally deforested and taken to a seedling nursery. Then, seedlings of 20 species were planted on a forest remnant and presented high survival rates. At this same site, seedlings produced under nursery conditions were planted; seven understorey species of young seedlings and ten understorey species of regular sized seedlings were transplanted to a restored forest and presented high survival rates during evaluation period. The results add evidence that transplanting seedlings from forest understorey and from nurseries is a feasible technique to enhance diversity on restoring forests.

A técnica da hidrossemeadura é comumente empregada como medida de recuperação de taludes gerados nos empreendimentos rodoviários, áreas degradadas pela mineração, aeroportos e hidrelétricas, utilizando gramíneas agressivas e leguminosas visando um rápido recobrimento do solo para conter a erosão. O uso de espécies arbustivo-arbóreas nativas na hidrossemeadura ainda é pouco estudado, destacando-se alguns trabalhos de desenvolvimento de equipamentos e escolha de espécies adequadas. Inserido neste contexto a proposta do trabalho foi testar a viabilidade da técnica da hidrossemeadura com espécies arbustivo-arbóreas nativas para preenchimento de áreas degradadas inseridas em uma matriz ainda com grande cobertura florestal remanescente, possibilitando o uso de uma baixa diversidade de espécies na hidrossemeadura, uma vez que o enriquecimento ocorreria naturalmente, com propágulos oriundos do entorno, se a condição do ambiente permitir a fixação desses propágulos. Para isto foram aplicados 14,88 kg de sementes em 2,64 ha de área, sendo 2,976 kg de cada uma das seguintes espécies arbustivo-arbóreas: Cecropia pachystachya, Mimosa bimucronata, Peltophorum dubium, Schinus terebinthifolius e Senna multijuga. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 2x5 com um tratamento adicional e com quatro repetições de cada bloco. Foram testadas cinco doses diferentes de sementes (Kg/ ha) e a influência do adubo químico (NPK) no momento da aplicação da hidrossemeadura no preenchimento da área. A dissertação foi dividida em dois capítulos, o primeiro referente à viabilidade da técnica da hidrossemeadura, tendo o segundo avaliado o sucesso de estabelecimento das espécies utilizadas. De maneira geral a técnica da hidrossemeadura apresentou-se viável para preenchimento das áreas, porém, estudos com espécies arbustivo-arbóreas são necessários para indicação das espécies mais adequadas. / Hydroseeding is a common practice on the restoration of slopes generated by road, airport and hydroelectric constructions or mining activities, and its usually applied with fast-growing grasses and legumes, aiming rapid soil recovery and erosion control. Hydroseeding of native tree species is scarce, except for few studies on equipment development and selection of adequate species. Within this context, this study aims to test the feasibility of native tree species on hydroseeding as a technique to recover degraded areas within a landscape where prevails forest remnants, which allows a low diversity on hydroseeding, once the enrichment of species may occur naturally through incoming propagules from forested neighbourhood. The native tree species evaluated by this study were: Cecropia pachystachya, Mimosa bimucronata, Peltophorum dubium, Schinus terebinthifolius and Senna multijuga. Five different quantities of seeds (Kg/ ha) and the influence of chemical manure (NPK) during application were tested. It was a 2x5 factorial experiment folowing the randomized block design and with an additional control treatment (without hydroseeding nor chemical manure). Dissertation is presented on two chapters: the first one refers to the native tree species´ hydroseeding feasibility and the second evaluates the establishment success of these species. As an overall conclusion hydroseeding is feasible and effective to recover degraded areas, although further studies are needed to indicate the most suitable native tree species for this technique.

A gestão do processo de recuperação de uma área degradada pela mineração consiste em três etapas principais: planejamento; implementação das medidas de correção ou prevenção e implementação de gestão. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido um instrumento de avaliação que pode ser usado por órgãos públicos ou por empresas de mineração para auxiliar no controle e melhoria das práticas de recuperação ambiental. A avaliação é feita por meio da aplicação de um roteiro, fundamentado nas boas práticas internacionais e nacionais relacionadas à recuperação ambiental de minas. Para fins de teste e calibração, os roteiros foram aplicados em três minas de calcário, nas quais se verificou que as evidências - visuais, documentais e verbais (obtidas por meio de entrevistas) - coletadas devem ser interpretadas dentro de um contexto que envolva o entendimento das características ambientais e operacionais particulares de cada mina. As categorias de classificação da avaliação da eficácia de medidas de recuperação ambiental foram definidas em: eficaz, parcialmente eficaz, não eficaz e não se aplica. Ante aos resultados, foi possível identificar um \"cenário atual\" das práticas de recuperação ambiental empregadas em cada mina inspecionada e consequentemente recomendar ações visando a melhoria das práticas atuais e a redução de um futuro passivo ambiental. Diante destes resultados, conclui-se que o procedimento de avaliação da eficácia de medidas de recuperação ambiental desenvolvido nesta pesquisa é adequado, mas sua aplicação somente pode ser feita por um profissional que detenha alguma experiência no assunto, fator primordial para o julgamento e contextualização das evidências coletadas. O roteiro proposto nesta pesquisa ainda pode ser aplicado em outras minas de diferentes minerais e pedreiras. / The reclamation process management of an area degraded by mining activity consists of three main steps: planning. application of correction or prevention measures and monitoring. In this work, an assessment tool to be used by public bodies or by mining companies in order to support the control and improvement of environmental reclamation practices was developed. The assessment has been carried out with a script based on the national and international good practices regarding environmental reclamation in mines. For testing and calibration purposes, the scripts were applied in three limestone mines. The conclusion is that the evidences - visual, documental and verbal (interview) - must be analyzed in a context which involves the understanding of the environmental and operational characteristics in each mine. The categories for classification of the efficacy assessment of environmental reclamation measures have been defined as: efficacious, partially efficacious, non-efficacious and not applicable. Considering the results, it was possible to identify a \"current scenario\" of the environmental reclamation practices used in each inspected mine and consequently recommend actions to improve the current practices and reduce a future environmental liability. It was concluded that the procedure of the efficacy assessment of the environmental reclamation practices developed in this research is appropriate, but its application can only be made by a professional that presents some experience in the subject. It is a decisive factor for the evaluation and contextualization of the collected evidences. The proposed script for this research can still be applied in other mines with different minerals and quarries.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2016-11-22T18:48:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marinês Honorato Pinheiro.pdf: 1321524 bytes, checksum: 2c939222889101ffb6ea160c1e897cd0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-22T18:48:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marinês Honorato Pinheiro.pdf: 1321524 bytes, checksum: 2c939222889101ffb6ea160c1e897cd0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-31 / The Brazilian cerrado, rich in fauna and flora, is currently busy in his great extension, often subject to degradation pastures due to inadequate management and soil characteristics of the Savannahs that have high acidity levels (pH), aluminum toxicity and few nutrients, reducing the productivity of pastures. These aspects interfere directly in forage quality and, consequently, in cattle breeding, since the state of Goiás has the third herd in the country. Whereas the addition of limestone to the soil, provides an increase in pH reduces toxic aluminum and provides calcium and magnesium necessary for the plants, the research aims to evaluate the chemical properties of cerrado soil, through the measurement of pH and base saturation after the application of solid and liquid limestone. In a distrophic red latosol, was implemented an entirely randomized experimental design with seven replications with plots of 7m2 to the solid limestone, and limestone and liquid. The chemical evaluations considered four depths (0 - 5 cm, 5 - 10 cm, 10 - 20 cm), at thirty, sixty and ninety days with the respective rainfall conditions. The solid limestone was efficient, especially in the embedded layer, increasing pH and base saturation. Net limestone did not respond to chemical changes, for growing a forage species Panicum maximum. It was concluded that, in this research, the solid limestone made the soil correction, seeking pasture management. / O cerrado brasileiro, rico em fauna e flora, está atualmente ocupado, em sua grande extensão, por pastagens frequentemente sujeitas à degradação, devido ao manejo inadequado e às características dos solos dos Cerrados que apresentam altos teores de acidez (pH), toxicidade por alumínio e poucos nutrientes, reduzindo a produtividade das pastagens. Estes aspectos interferem diretamente na qualidade da forragem e, consequentemente, na produção de bovinos, uma vez que o estado de Goiás tem o 3o rebanho do país. Considerando que a adição do calcário ao solo, proporciona um aumento do pH, reduz o alumínio tóxico e fornece cálcio e magnésio necessários às plantas, a pesquisa tem como objetivo avaliar as propriedades químicas do solo do cerrado, por meio da mensuração do pH e da saturação por bases após a aplicação do calcário sólido e do calcário líquido. Em um latossolo vermelho distrófico, implantou-se um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com sete repetições, com parcelas de 7m2, para os calcários sólido, e calcário líquido. As avaliações químicas analisam três profundidades (0 - 5 cm, 5 -10 cm, 10 - 20 cm), em trinta, sessenta e noventa dias, com as respectivas condições pluviométricas. O calcário sólido se mostrou eficiente, principalmente na camada incorporada, aumentando o pH e a saturação por bases. O calcário líquido não respondeu às alterações químicas, para o cultivo de uma forrageira da espécie Panicum maximum. Concluiu-se que, nesta pesquisa, o calcário sólido efetuou a correção do solo, visando o manejo de pastagens.

Orientador: Eliane Gonçalves de Freitas / Banca: Gilson Luiz Volpato / Banca: Regina Helena Ferraz Macedo / Resumo: O comportamento reprodutivo dos ciclídeos envolve diferentes sistemas de acasalamento e cuidado parental. No entanto, as espécies neotropicais são pouco conhecidas em relação às africanas. A maior parte dos ciclídeos neotropicais exibe cuidado biparental com predomínio da monogamia (diferentemente dos ciclídeos africanos cujo cuidado intrabucal uniparental prevalece). Laetacara sp. é uma nova espécie de ciclídeo sul-americano encontrada em abundância em riachos bastante degradados. A ocupação desses ambientes pode ser favorecida pelas estratégias reprodutivas da espécie. Assim, neste estudo descrevemos o comportamento reprodutivo de Laetacara sp. para explorarmos sua importância na determinação do sucesso dessa espécie em ambientes degradados. Inicialmente, descrevemos as fases e as unidades do comportamento reprodutivo (Capítulo 1). Em seguida, quantificamos a cooperação entre machos e fêmeas ao longo do ciclo reprodutivo (Capítulo 2). O comportamento reprodutivo de Laetacara sp. é iniciado com a defesa territorial pelo macho e envolve a formação do casal, construção de ninho, acasalamento e cuidado biparental dos ovos e larvas no substrato. O cuidado parental foi dividido em Manutenção (ventilação e limpeza dos ovos e larvas) e Defesa (interações agressivas contra intrusos nas fases estacionárias e livre natante). Na fase pré-acasalamento, os machos investiram mais em defesa territorial, enquanto as fêmeas investiram mais em construção de ninhos. Na fase ovo/larva, as fêmeas permaneceram mais tempo próximas à prole do que os machos, sem diferir na fase seguinte. Porém, os pais permaneceram por mais tempo junto à prole natante, indicando que nessa fase os filhotes são mais vulneráveis. O comportamento reprodutivo de Laetacara sp. parece ser uma das adaptações para a sobrevivência em ambientes aquáticos degradados...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The reproductive behaviour of cichlid fishes attracts many researchers because it is expressed through different types of mating systems and parental care. However, neotropical species are still little studied, in comparison to African species. Most Neotropical cichlids are monogamous and biparental care prevails (contrary to African cichlids where mouth brooding and uniparental care are the rule). Laetacara sp. is a new South American cichlid mainly found in degraded streams. Species occupation of such environments may be facilited by reproductive strategies. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the reproductive behaviour of Laetacara sp. to evaluate its daptative value for living successfully in degraded environments. In a first step, the phases and units of reproductive behaviour were described (Chapter 1). In a second step, cooperation between males and females during reproductive cycle was quantified (Chapter 2). Reproductive behaviour of Laetacara sp. started with territorial defense by males and involved pair bonding, nest building, mating and biparental care of eggs and wrigglers on the substrate. Parental care was divided into Nurturance (fanning and cleaning eggs and wrigglers) and Defense (aggressive contests against intruders in the brood stationary and free-swimming phases). In the pre-spawning stage, males invest more in territory defense while females invest more in nest building. In the egg/larva phase, females remains close to the brood more than males, but time spent near the brood was similar for both parents in the free-swimming phase and higher than in the previous phase, which indicates higher vulnerability of the fry. Reproductive behaviour of Laetacara sp. should be one of several adaptations that enhances the chance of surviving in aquatic degraded environments. This occurs, in part because this species can to build nests in sandy ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Celso Luis Marino / Resumo: O Brasil possui vasta diversidade biológica tanto em sua fauna quanto em sua flora. Muito dessa diversidade ainda se encontra pouco ou inexplorada pela ciência. Dentre tantas espécies ainda pouco estudadas, encontra-se Astronium fraxinifolium Schott, popularmente conhecido como Gonçalo-Alves, tipicamente de cerrado e com aparições em outros biomas circundantes. A partir de uma população natural de A. fraxinifolium localizada em área degradada de Cerrado, o presente trabalho objetivou estimar a variação genotípica com base em seus caracteres silviculturais, propor um índice de seleção individual com base no valor genotípico (BLUP), determinar a proporção sexual dentro da população, o tamanho efetivo populacional, a diversidade, a estrutura genética, os níveis de endogamia, a coancestria e o tamanho efetivo populacional a partir da amplificação e identificação de locos microssatélites. A medição da altura foi realizada com equipamento hipsômetro baseado em sistema ultrassom e a estimativa do caráter diâmetro a altura do peito (DAP) a partir da conversão da circunferência à altura do peito. Para a extração do material genético e posterior genotipagem, coletou-se tecidos foliares de 384 árvores. As estimativas de componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos dos caracteres silviculturais foram obtidos com base no procedimento - REML/BLUP empregando-se o software SELEGEN-REML/BLUP. A proporção sexual entre os indivíduos masculinos e femininos dentro da população foi estimada seg... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Brazil has a vast biological diversity both in its fauna and flora. Much of this diversity is still little or unexplored by science. Among so many species still poorly studied, there is Astronium fraxinifolium Schott, popularly known as Gonçalo-Alves, typically a Cerrado specie with appearances in other surrounding biomes. From a natural population of A. fraxinifolium located in a degraded area of Cerrado, the present work aimed to estimate genotypic variation based on its silvicultural characters, propose an individual selection index based on genotypic value (BLUP), determine the sexual ratio in the population, effective population size, diversity, genetic structure, inbreeding levels, coancestry, and effective population size from the amplification and identification of microsatellite loci. Height measurement was performed using an ultrasound-based hypsometer device and the diameter-to-chest height (DBH) character estimate from the circumference to chest height conversion. For the extraction of genetic material and subsequent genotyping, we collected leaf tissues from 384 trees. Estimates of variance components and genetic parameters of silvicultural characters were obtained based on the procedure - REML / BLUP using the software SELEGEN-REML / BLUP. The sex ratio between male and female individuals in the population was estimated according to the chi-square statistical test. The genetic diversity was estimated using FSTAT software. The coancestry coefficients and standard... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

<p>The objective of the study was to conduct an internal validation on miniSTR systems and apply it to cases received from the South African Missing Persons Task Team (SAMPTT). This was prompted by the fact that miniSTR systems have been shown to out perform some of the commercial kits available in the time of the study and provide an alternative to mtDNA when analysing degraded DNA from skeletal remains and that the DNA extracted from skeletal remains received from the SAMPTT would be degraded due to the remains generally being fragmented or charred and buried for many years. The miniSTR loci chosen for validation comprised the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) thirteen core loci and were arranged into four triplexes and one uniplex.</p>

<p>The objective of the study was to conduct an internal validation on miniSTR systems and apply it to cases received from the South African Missing Persons Task Team (SAMPTT). This was prompted by the fact that miniSTR systems have been shown to out perform some of the commercial kits available in the time of the study and provide an alternative to mtDNA when analysing degraded DNA from skeletal remains and that the DNA extracted from skeletal remains received from the SAMPTT would be degraded due to the remains generally being fragmented or charred and buried for many years. The miniSTR loci chosen for validation comprised the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) thirteen core loci and were arranged into four triplexes and one uniplex.</p>

Roads and highways in cold regions are negatively affected by settlement of embankments in areas of degraded or degrading permafrost, particularly in areas with mean annual temperatures close to 0°C where permafrost is locally discontinuous. Climate warming and human activities can lead to increases in the temperature of permafrost and to thawing. In regions of discontinuous permafrost, thawing may produce thickening of the active layer, large settlements and non-recoverable shear deformations. These can cause potentially dangerous trafficability issues. The research program involved a test site on Provincial Road PR391, about 18 km northwest of Thompson, Manitoba. The foundation material of PR391 is currently classified as “degraded (thawed) permafrost”. The purpose of this research was to investigate and understand the performance of highway embankments on thawed permafrost. The research involved field instrumentation and data collection, laboratory testing, thermal modelling and frost heave predictions. The results of the field instrumentation and data collection show net heat flow into the ground, as well as development of cyclic seasonal gradients of total head. This is believed to be a significant original contribution to understanding the effects of climate change on highway infrastructure. The results also show that displacements observed at the PR391 embankment are a combination of consolidation and shearing strain of the foundation material. Most studies of embankments concentrate on vertical settlements. This research shows that horizontal movements are also present, a contribution that helps explain the mechanism of lateral spreading. The results of the laboratory testing show that the mechanical and shearing properties of the soil collected from the PR391 embankment are not significantly affected by differences in temperature once water in the soil has actually thawed. The results of the thermal modelling show reasonable trends in simulated ground temperatures compared with the data obtained from the thermistors underneath the embankment. The frost heave prediction of PR391 shows that in situ frost heave characteristics can be estimated by applying the Segregation Potential (SP) frost heave method in field conditions. This provides a valuable field study to the limited number of such studies of Segregation Potential, which are normally done under laboratory conditions.