Studies of sea breeze have been done on coastline locations worldwide, but only a few have focused on the U.S. Gulf Coast. This area is frequently influenced by sea breeze events; therefore, it is important for meteorologists to determine where and when these systems will occur. The objectives of this study are to quantify sea breeze frequency along the Gulf Coast and define the associated environmental characteristics. The study is based on sea breeze development during synoptically benign days. From 1991 to 2010 a total of 1,255 days were classified as synoptically benign, with 161 of those days identified as a sea breeze day through analysis of clouds from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imagery. The average surface temperature was significantly different between sea breeze and non sea breeze days, but the average surface wind speed and direction were not significantly different making them poor descriptors of sea breeze environments.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:53:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANA FLAVIA DE MORAIS OLIVEIRA.pdf: 3350864 bytes, checksum: 073c5bc1e9723b57c4d5dfffde00bf04 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-08 / Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by an RNA virus. Four serotypes have been identified: DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4. The objective of the present study was to describe the epidemiological profile of dengue fever and its environmental characteristics in a historical series covering 11 years (2000- 2010). This is an observational, analytical, ecological study performed using secondary data obtained from the databases and reports of the Tocantins State Departments of Health and Agriculture. A total of 13,969 suspected cases were notified during the study period and 4,657 (33.3%) were confirmed. Of these, 63 (1.4%) were classified as severe. The highest incidence of dengue fever occurred in individuals of 20-40 years of age (44.1%), while the highest incidence of the severe form of the disease was found in children of 6-12 years of age (36.5%). Women were the most affected group (53.5%; p = 0.03). The vast majority of cases (98.1%) occurred in urban areas. The most common diagnostic criteria were based on epidemiological and clinical features (58.5%), while the severe cases of the disease were confirmed by laboratory tests. Of the confirmed cases of the disease, 99.8% had a favorable clinical course. One hundred and twelve samples were collected for isolation of the virus, with 10 cases testing positive (1 case of DEN-1, 2 cases of DEN-2 and 7 cases of DEN- 3). The greatest number of confirmed cases occurred in the years 2004 (n = 477; 10.2%), 2006 (n = 465; 10.1%), 2007 (n = 724; 15.7%) and 2008 (n = 1,398; 29.5%), comprising a total of 65.5% of all the cases registered in the period. The proportion of cases of classic dengue was higher between January and May (77.8%), while the severe forms of the disease were more common between the months of September and December (82.5%), when the rates of uninspected households were also highest. Between 2001 and 2010, statistically significant correlations were found between the occurrence of cases of dengue and the house index (p = 0.003; r = 0.76) and the rate of uninspected households (p = 0.0005; r = -0.84), while between 2000 and 2010 a correlation was found between the number of cases of dengue fever and mean monthly rainfall (p = 0.003; r = 0.76). No statistically significant correlation was found between the occurrence of cases of dengue fever and temperature (p = 0.5; r = -0.19). In conclusion, in Araguaína, the house index, the rate of uninspected households and monthly rainfall are factors associated with an increase in the occurrence of cases of dengue, highlighting the need to monitor indicators constantly and to develop multi-sectorial actions to improve control of the incidence of dengue in this municipality. / A Dengue é uma doença infecciosa, causada por um vírus RNA que possui quatro sorotipos: DEN 1, DEN-2, DEN 3 e DEN-4. O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever o perfil epidemiológico da dengue e suas características ambientais em uma série histórica de 11 anos (2000 a 2010). Trata de um estudo observacional, analítico, ecológico realizado com dados secundários dos sistemas de informação e relatórios das Secretarias de Estado da Saúde e da Agricultura do Tocantins. Foram notificados 13.969 casos suspeitos e confirmados 4.657 casos (33,3%) no período analisado; destes 63 (1,4%), classificados como graves. A maior incidência ocorreu na faixa etária de 20 a 40 anos (44,1%), dengue grave apresentou maior incidência entre 6 a 12 anos (36,5%). As mulheres foram o grupo mais afetado (53,5%), p=0,03. Os casos predominaram na zona urbana (98,1%). O critério de diagnóstico mais utilizado foi o clínico epidemiológico (58,5%) e os casos graves foram confirmados pelo critério laboratorial. Dentre os casos confirmados de dengue, 99,8% tiveram evolução favorável. Foram coletadas 112 amostras para isolamento viral, sendo 10 positivas (1DEN-1, 2 DEN-2 e 7 DEN-3). Os anos com maior registro de casos confirmados foram 2004 (n=477 - 10,2%), 2006 (n=465 - 10,1%), 2007 (n= 724 15,7%) e 2008 (n= 1.398 29,5%) totalizando 65,5% do total de casos. A distribuição de casos clássicos de dengue apresentou maior proporção entre os meses janeiro a maio (77,8%), os casos graves foram registrados com maior frequência entre os meses setembro a dezembro (82,5%), período em que também foram os maiores índices de pendência. Houve correlação estatística significativa entre ocorrência de casos de dengue e IIP (p=0,003 r= 0,76), IP (p=0,0005 r= -0,84) entre os anos 2001 a 2010, e entre o número de casos de dengue e a média mensal de precipitação (p= 0,003 r= 0,76), entre o período 2000 a 2010. Não houve correlação estatística entre a ocorrência de casos de dengue e temperatura (p=0,5 r= -0,19). Concluiu-se que em Araguaína o IIP, IP, pluviosidade estiveram ligados ao aumento da ocorrência de casos de dengue, havendo necessidade do monitoramento constante dos indicadores, assim como o desenvolvimento de ações multissetoriais, possibilitando controle da incidência de dengue no Município.

Interest in environmental issues has increased enormouslyover the last few decades and environmental problems areperceived to be on the increase. Due to the fact that thenumber of products on the market increases enormously, it isevident that we face a great challenge to overcome the problemconcerning our consumer society. An increasing barrage oflegislation accompanied by the public’s awareness of, andconcern for, the environment forcing the industry to respond.Products and their environmental impact have moved to thecentre stage and it is widely believed that designers have akey role in adapting products to a sustainable society. Threekey issues are identified in this development scenario: (a) theimportance of adapting products to a more sustainable society,(b) the specific situation facing the designer, especially inearly design phases, and (c) balancing environmental impactswith functional preferences. Research in this thesis presents a theoretical framework fordescribing environmental issues and the role of the designer inproduct development, as well as functional characteristics ofproducts in the early phases of design. Based on anengineering-design science foundation, theoretical models andconcepts have been developed describing how both functional andenvironmental preferences can be visualised in design forenvironment and product development. Case studies andinterviews have been performed and integrated into a coherenttheoretical model for identifying and evaluating functional andenvironmental preferences within ecodesign approach andreasoning. The overall concept proposed in this thesis is called theeco functional matrix, based on two parts: functional profileand environmental profile. The functional profile represent thefunctional characteristics and environmental profile theenvironmental characteristics respectively of a product in theearly phases of design. One of the objectives behind theconcept is to highlight the importance of balancing functionalrequirements and environmental impacts, presenting both theadvantages and disadvantages of the product. The basic idea isto account for user and societal preferences as well asenvironmental impact when assessing alternative productconcepts at early design stages. Balancing both the functionalrequirements and the negative environmental impacts of productsis the road to sustainable development. <b>KEYWORDS</b>Design for environment, life-cycle design,eco-design, eco-design methods, product environmentalcharacteristics, product functional characteristics, customerbenefit, value analysis, functional profile, environmentalprofile, eco functional matrix, product properties.

<p>Interest in environmental issues has increased enormouslyover the last few decades and environmental problems areperceived to be on the increase. Due to the fact that thenumber of products on the market increases enormously, it isevident that we face a great challenge to overcome the problemconcerning our consumer society. An increasing barrage oflegislation accompanied by the public’s awareness of, andconcern for, the environment forcing the industry to respond.Products and their environmental impact have moved to thecentre stage and it is widely believed that designers have akey role in adapting products to a sustainable society. Threekey issues are identified in this development scenario: (a) theimportance of adapting products to a more sustainable society,(b) the specific situation facing the designer, especially inearly design phases, and (c) balancing environmental impactswith functional preferences.</p><p>Research in this thesis presents a theoretical framework fordescribing environmental issues and the role of the designer inproduct development, as well as functional characteristics ofproducts in the early phases of design. Based on anengineering-design science foundation, theoretical models andconcepts have been developed describing how both functional andenvironmental preferences can be visualised in design forenvironment and product development. Case studies andinterviews have been performed and integrated into a coherenttheoretical model for identifying and evaluating functional andenvironmental preferences within ecodesign approach andreasoning.</p><p>The overall concept proposed in this thesis is called theeco functional matrix, based on two parts: functional profileand environmental profile. The functional profile represent thefunctional characteristics and environmental profile theenvironmental characteristics respectively of a product in theearly phases of design. One of the objectives behind theconcept is to highlight the importance of balancing functionalrequirements and environmental impacts, presenting both theadvantages and disadvantages of the product. The basic idea isto account for user and societal preferences as well asenvironmental impact when assessing alternative productconcepts at early design stages. Balancing both the functionalrequirements and the negative environmental impacts of productsis the road to sustainable development.</p><p><b>KEYWORDS</b>Design for environment, life-cycle design,eco-design, eco-design methods, product environmentalcharacteristics, product functional characteristics, customerbenefit, value analysis, functional profile, environmentalprofile, eco functional matrix, product properties.</p>

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Chironomidae family constitutes one of the main groups of aquatic insects, being present in a great variety of environments and participating of various ecological processes, such as nutrients cycle and energetic transference. In the south region of the country, few studies are addressed to this community, not existing works in the region of Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Aiming to contibute for the knowledge of the group, this work had as goal to study the Chironomidae fauna in different environments in the Vacacaí-Mirim river microbasin, analyzing the composition and structure of the community in function of the physical, chemical, morphometric and environmental characteristics related to substrata. In December of 2007, the Chironomidae larvae were collected with a Surber sampler, in four locations along the Vacacaí-Mirim river, including the different present substrata. Alongside, some non-biotic variables of these locations were measured. The organisms were sorted and identified in the laboratory up to the level of genus, and based on these data, it was verified, in the locations and substrata, the absolute and relative density of these genera and subfamilies and the taxonomic richness, Shannon diversity and Equitability of these locations, besides the separation of the fauna in different substrata in functional feeding groups. The composition was compared by the multivariate statistics (grouping and variance analyses) and the community structure and substrata (richness, groups density, diversity and equitability) compared by the analysis of variance. The most representative subfamily was the Chironominae, followed by Orthocladiinae and Tanypodinae. Differential composition was observed among all the locations: points A and B were less altered physical-chemically, obtaining high diversity and more homogeneous distribution of the genera. In B, the greater habitats heterogeneity is responsible for the presence of exclusives taxa and for the high taxonomic richness. In C and D, the agricultural activities close to the water body are possibly responsible for the higher concentrations of nutrients and total solids found, resulting in the dominance of groups more tolerant to such conditions, mainly Rheotanytarsus. Sand samples presented lower density and richness, since this is a naturally poorer substratum. Rocks also sheltered a lower quantity of Chironomidae. In mixed or vegetation composed substrata, which present higher energetic availability and shelter conditions, higher densities were found. The physical-chemical and morphometric factors were more influent in the fauna structure determination than the substrata, which only complemented the ecological requirements of the groups. In general, few associations among the subfamilies and the feeding groups to the substrata were found. / A família Chironomidae constitui um dos principais grupos de insetos aquáticos, estando presente em uma grande variedade de ambientes e participando de vários processos ecológicos, como a ciclagem de nutrientes e transferência energética. No Sul do país, poucos estudos são direcionados a esta comunidade, não existindo trabalhos na região de Santa Maria, RS. Visando contribuir para o conhecimento do grupo, este trabalho objetivou estudar a fauna de Chironomidae em diferentes ambientes da microbacia do rio Vacacaí-Mirim, analisando a composição e estrutura da comunidade em função das características ambientais físicas, químicas, morfométricas e relacionadas ao substrato. No mês de dezembro de 2007, as larvas de Chironomidae foram coletadas com um amostrador Surber, em quatro locais ao longo do rio Vacacaí-Mirim, com diferentes características ambientais. Foram contemplados os diferentes substratos presentes. Juntamente, foram mensuradas algumas variáveis abióticas dos locais. Os organismos foram triados e identificados em laboratório até nível de gênero e, com esses dados, foram verificados, nos locais e substratos, a densidade absoluta e relativa dos gêneros e das subfamílias e a riqueza taxonômica. Diversidade de Shannon e Equitabilidade dos locais, além da separação da fauna dos diferentes substratos em grupos alimentares funcionais. A composição foi comparada através de estatística multivariada (análises de agrupamento e de variância) e a estrutura das comunidades e substratos (riqueza, densidade dos grupos, diversidade e equitabilidade) comparadas por análise de variância. A subfamília mais representativa foi Chironominae, seguida por Orthocladiinae e Tanypodinae. Foi observada diferença de composição entre todos os locais: os pontos A e B estiveram menos alterados físico-quimicamente, obtendo elevada diversidade e distribuição mais homogênea dos gêneros. Em B, a maior heterogeneidade de hábitats é responsável pela presença de táxons exclusivos e pela alta riqueza taxonômica. Em C e D, as atividades agrícolas próximas ao corpo hídrico possivelmente são responsáveis pelas maiores concentrações de nutrientes e de sólidos totais encontradas, resultando na dominância de grupos mais tolerantes a tais condições, principalmente Rheotanytarsus. Amostras de areia apresentaram menor densidade e riqueza, por este ser um substrato naturalmente mais pobre. Rochas também abrigaram uma menor quantidade de Chironomidae. Em substratos compostos por vegetação ou mistos, que possuem maior disponibilidade energética e condições de abrigo, foram encontradas densidades mais elevadas. Os fatores físico-químicos e morfométricos foram mais influentes na determinação da estrutura da fauna do que os substratos, os quais apenas complementaram as exigências ecológicas dos grupos. No geral, foram encontradas poucas associações das subfamílias e grupos alimentares com os substratos.

In the year 2020, COVID-19 was a worldwide phenomenon. Changes in personal behavior and consumer behavior resulted from the new restrictions. Because of COVID-19, many consumers purchase groceries online rather than in physical stores. Historically, there have been several pandemics during the 1900 century, and all of these pandemic crises have impacted consumer behavior. In the timeframe of this research, the restriction was withdrawn, and new restrictions were applied, which resulted in continued changed consumer behavior. Different characteristics influence consumer behavior, such as economic, psychological, and environmental. Income and savings of individuals and members of households are economic characteristics that influence consumer behavior. Because no product has to be carried or there is no time limit on shopping, this psychological characteristics contributes to increased accessibility, convenience, and time savings. In terms of the environment, there have been questions about whether e-commerce has a positive or negative impact. Consumer behavior is also influenced by demographic factors, such as age, gender, education, marital status and living environment. All individuals change their buying behavior over their lifetimes, and with restrictions during this pandemic crisis, many needed to adapt their behavior even more. This study has created a more profound understanding of consumer behavior due to a pandemic crisis, such as COVID-19. With this presented purpose, an online survey was constructed and collected a sample of 123 respondents located mainly in Sweden and Norway. After analysing our data collection, we concluded that the three characteristics and demographic factors influenced our sample, and they still prefer to purchase groceries in a physical store, despite a pandemic crisis.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is one of the most advanced processes of producing high quality parts. In dentistry, AM has a wide range of applications, some of the most common applications are dentures, crowns, clear and hard tooth aligner, and anatomical and training models. Irrespective of its advantages, AM technology have not been used to its fullest potential. Research shows that there is very little knowledge on the organizational characteristics, environmental characteristics, and the technological factors that affects the organizational adoption of AM technology. The aim of the research is to understand the characteristics and the factors affecting the adoption decision among adopters and non-adopters of AM technology in dental technology companies. To answer the research questions, qualitative research method is used in this study. The data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with both the adopters and non-adopters of AM technology within the dental technological companies. The data collected was compared between the adopters and non-adopters. The main findings show that the adopters have a positive experience on AM technology and there is willingness to adopt AM technology in both adopters and non-adopters. Regarding the environmental characteristics, the practice of dentists was a major characteristic that impacted AM adoption. The technological factors related to the AM technology were identified to be the main drivers of technology adoption and the cost of AM machining was identified to be the main barrier of AM technology. The final findings from this research were that the technological factors, environmental factors, and the organizational factors are crucial for the successful organizational adoption of the technology.

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Three of Impatiens species are widespread in the Czech republic, one is native, two of them invasive. Because all species occur in relatively similar habitats, the question is, whether the invasive species can negatively affect the native species, or even the original can can be displaced. The aim of the thesis was: (i) to compare habitat requirments of the Impatiens species, (ii) to determine if the coexistence of species is possible, (iii) to assess the impact of invasive species to the original species. The investigation was carried out using two sets of permanent plots in 5 localities. In the first set with a total of 84 plots (combinations of occurrence of the three species) site characteristics as tree cover, soil humidity, slope and bare land cover were directly measured and nutrient, light, humidity and soil reaction characteristic assessed using Ellenberg indicator values. The second set contained a total of 45 plots with one of the native-invasive congener pair being removed and the intact controls. Number, cover and height of the plants were assesed. The key enviromental factors determining distribution of the species were soil moisture for I. noli-tangere and I. parviflora, and tree cover for I. glandulifera and I. parviflora. Ellenberg indicator values had poor explanation value;...