Plantations are widespread throughout temperate regions, and the area of plantation land cover is predicted to get larger in the future. Interest in ensuring sustainable plantation management is also growing, as it is increasingly recognised that productive areas should play a role in biodiversity conservation. Plantation landscapes can comprise the majority of forested cover in some countries, but taxon-specific guidance can be lacking, due to plantations often being under surveyed. Therefore, despite substantial incentives existing to ensure that plantations meet various ecological criteria, plantation managers lack the information necessary to implement effective management plans. Many bat species have undergone widespread declines in recent decades, attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation, particularly of forested habitat. In many temperate countries, historical deforestation has resulted in very low native tree cover, and subsequently, considerable replanting with non-native commercial coniferous plantations has taken place. Species specific habitat surveys have often demonstrated avoidance of conifer plantations by bats, which has been attributed to a lack of roosts and low invertebrate prey abundance. Furthermore, widespread lepidopteran declines have been partly attributed to afforestation with non-native conifer, but moth associations with commercial coniferous plantations are usually only studied for pest species. Bats present a particular challenge in plantation landscapes; tree cover is important to many species to a greater or lesser extent, and in the United Kingdom, destruction of a roost site is illegal, regardless of whether it was deliberate or accidental. However, the extent to which bats associate with non-native commercial plantations is relatively unexplored. This is the first study to explicitly test bat associations with Picea sitchensis plantations (using acoustic detectors, trapping and radio tracking), and shows that, contrary to expectations, they may be an important habitat for breeding populations of Pipistrellus spp., particularly P. pygmaeus. High levels of activity were recorded for both P. pygmaeus and P. pipistrellus, despite little difference in dipteran abundance between different stand types, both species preferentially foraged in felled or less dense stands. This suggests that bats preferentially forage in areas with less acoustic and physical clutter, which will increase foraging efficiency. The impacts of felling in non-native commercial coniferous plantations on foraging activity was tested, for the first time, using a Before – After – Control – Impact experimental design. Bat activity (specifically P. pipistrellus and Nyctalus) increased after felling, particularly in smaller stands. In contrast felling had significant, negative impacts on moth abundance, species richness and diversity, and these effects remain after constraining for functional trait similarity. Reductions in richness and diversity in response to felling were similarly large for both rare and abundant species. Therefore, while bats may benefit from clear fell practices, albeit as long as the size of patches is small, moth populations could benefit from a shift towards other forestry methods, iv such as continuous cover forestry. These results also have implications for the recent, but increasing practice of siting wind turbines in commercial coniferous plantations, as pre-installation preparation involves clearing small patches of forest which may attract foraging bats; post felling monitoring should be carried out to examine potential impacts on bat populations. The presence of broadleaf trees in and around plantations significantly increased moth richness, mostly through increased occurrence of rare species. Broadleaf woodlands (defined as land spanning more than 0.5 ha, with trees higher than 5m and a combined cover of shrubs, bushes and trees above 10%), also had higher functional redundancy than plantation sites. For a diverse moth population to persist in plantation landscapes, preserving remnant patches of broadleaf trees is essential. There was little difference in bat activity between broadleaf woodlands and plantation sites. However, bat abundance, particularly that of reproductively active females, was greater in broadleaf sites compared to plantations. This was particularly true for Myotis and Nyctalus spp., very few of which were trapped in commercial plantations. Therefore, although reproductively active female Myotis bats are present in the surrounding landscape, they do not appear to associate with plantations themselves. This may reflect a lack of roost availability; both P. pygmaeus and P. pipistrellus preferentially form large maternity colonies in buildings, but for Myotis and Nyctalus spp. which roost switch regularly and often use trees, it is unlikely many suitable roosts exist within the plantations themselves. Many substantial P. pygmaeus maternity colonies were identified in and around Galloway forest, with some holding more than 500 individuals. All maternity colonies were in buildings, and most inhabited (and one uninhabited) buildings within the plantation contained a roost. Although females occasionally used old or dead deciduous trees as temporary roosts, there was no evidence of roosting in crop trees such as P. sitchensis. During this study, the Forestry Commission installed 36 bat boxes; within 6 months over 90% had been used, with a number of harems found inside. This fast uptake compared with bat use of boxes in other locations reflects the paucity of appropriate structures for either roost or harem use in commercial plantations. Twelve bats were captured while foraging, tagged with small radio transmitters, and followed for between 2 and 6 nights during 2014 and 2015. All but one tagged female preferentially foraged within the plantation, with individuals selecting equally riparian habitats and felled stands. Tagged females which roosted furthest from the plantation had the largest home ranges; one individual flew nearly 40km each night to reach foraging areas distant from her roost, suggesting that the food availability within the plantation was sufficient to render such a long journey energetically viable. v These results have important implications for bat populations in and around commercial coniferous plantations. Far from being avoided by bats, plantation landscapes may constitute an important habitat type for both P. pygmaeus and P. pipistrellus, likely due to the high abundance of nematoceran diptera in plantation woodlands. Furthermore, plantation forests support a similar richness of moth species to urban and agricultural woodlands, including a number of declining species of special conservation concern. A list of management recommendations to benefit both bat and moth populations in commercial plantations is presented at the end of this thesis.

To be able to sleep is vital for our existence. During the process of falling asleep, many people are struggling and as an outcome, various mental health problems and sleep disorders are occurring among them. Previous studies are blaming the spreading health problems on the smartphone users for bringing their phone into their bedroom. Simultaneously, studies are showing that nocturnal smartphone usage is extremely common, with a huge spike in use during nighttime. Also, findings in studies with a different area of focus are showing that people suffering from sleep difficulties and insomnia benefits from visual stimulation and focused attention during sleep onset. This study aims to find beneficial smartphone interactions for people who are currently experiencing sleep problems. By gathering information from literature and previous studies done in the fields of insomnia, mental health problems, smartphone usage, human-computer interaction and sleep in general, the theoretical foundation of this study is laid out. To verify the previous findings and find out more about nocturnal smartphone usage, interviews and exercises with both subjective good and bad sleepers are performed. Ideas are generated and extracted through a workshop together with the collaboration partners. Visualization of the possible solution is made as a hi-fi prototype, which is later tested upon the target group of bad sleepers for three nights. In combination, the solution concept is tested together with a secondary concept through the Wizard of Oz method. The evaluation of the concepts is collected as an online form through their smartphones and the feedback from the participants is leading to a final design suggestion. This study is presenting solutions for designing for nocturnal usage, which through this study has been proven decreasing the subjective sleep onset latency among the users and in the long run will improve the user's digital well being.

This work uses data from the three components of wind and temperature, collected in an experimental site in the Amazon rainforest for 10 months during GOAmazon Project. A total of 10 levels of sensors were deployed on a micrometeorological tower. Focusing on the nocturnal boundary layer, an analysis of the temporal scales of the motion, using the multiresolution decomposition, has shown that the contributions from horizontal, nonturbulent fluctuations with long temporal scales, can be as significant as purely turbulent fluctuation. On, weakly stable nights the dominant temporal scales of the flow are those associated with, downward (sweeps) and upward events (ejections), which occur with fullydeveloped turbulence, , having dominant time scales between 10 and 100 s. Through the analysis of two-point correlations, it was possible to show that horizontal events with long time scales propagate from the top to within the canopy, being detected at different times, and. The vertical component correlations are larger at the upper canopy, not showing any time delay. The occurrence of positive sensible heat flux near the surface, with times scales larger than 100 s, has been identified in the study of overall averages. It is hypothesized that on very stable nights, non-turbulent modes associated with longer time scales, and referred as "submeso" have great impact on the horizontal components, becoming an important cause of the flow near the forest floor. In these situations, the most relevant time scales are longer than 300 a and dominate the almost entire vertical profile. For these cases, the correlations of turbulent variables decay rapidly a, being between 0.2 and 0.3 for the horizontal components while not exceeding 0.1 for the vertical component does. This reinforces the hypothesis that, for this scenario, the most correlated events between the top of the canopy and its interior are horizontal in nature. / O presente estudo utiliza dados das três componentes do vento e da temperatura, coletados em um sítio experimental na Floresta Amazônica, durante 10 meses, através do Projeto GOAmazon, no qual 10 níveis de sensores foram dispostos ao longo de uma torre micrometeorológica. Com ênfase na camada limite noturna, uma análise das escalas temporais do movimento, usando o método de decomposição em multiresolução, mostrou que as contribuições devido aos movimentos horizontais, de escalas mais longas, podem ser tão significativas quanto as puramente turbulentas. Em noites que a camada limite é fracamente estável, movimentos descendentes (varreduras) e ascendentes (ejeções), associados à turbulência bem desenvolvida, são os responsáveis pela intensidade turbulenta existente, com suas escalas temporais mais significativas entre 10 e 100 s. Através da análise das correlações entre pontos foi possível mostrar que estes eventos propagam-se desde a copa até o interior do dossel, sendo detectados em diferentes instantes de tempo, mais intensamente nas componentes horizontais, conforme alcançam os níveis mais profundos e que estas decaem verticalmente, sendo bem correlacionadas até aproximadamente 0,8 h. Já para a componente vertical as correlações são altas em todos os níveis do perfil e não apresentam atraso. Além disso, a ocorrência de fluxos de calor sensível positivo próximo a superfície, em escalas temporais maiores que 100 s, foi identificada no estudo das médias gerais. Em noites de condições de estabilidade alta, modos não turbulentos, associados a escalas temporais mais longas, chamados submeso têm grande impacto nas componentes horizontais do movimento e tornam-se os principais causadores dos fluxos. Nestas situações, as escalas temporais mais relevantes são maiores que 300 s e dominam praticamente todo o perfil vertical. Para estes casos as correlações das variáveis turbulentas decaem rapidamente e apresentam atraso quase nulo, entretanto as componentes horizontais apresentam correlações entre 0,2 e 0,3 nos níveis mais baixos do dossel, enquanto a componente vertical não ultrapassa 0,1. Isto reforça a hipótese de que, para este cenário, os eventos correlacionados entre a copa e o interior do dossel são horizontais.

The Nocturnal Boundary Layer (NBL) turbulent structure above Pantanal Mato-Grossense, under the influence of low-level jets (LLJ) and gravity waves (GW), is investigated. Experimental data obtained during the Interdisciplinary Pantanal Experiment (IPE) dry season (IPE-2), and wet season (IPE-3), carried out between 07th and 22th September, 1999, and 16th and 28th February, 2002, respectively, according to database from Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, city of Corumbá. Radiosonde data have been used to identify LLJ presence and classify them as: type 1 LLJ (jet associated to the sheltering surface) and type-2 LLJ (jet which causes upside-down mixture). In addition to the radiosonde data, fast response data (wind velocity components, temperature and humidity), measured from a 25m high micrometeorological tower, at 16Hz (IPE- 2) and 8Hz (IPE-3) samples were used. These fast response data were then decomposed in time and scale via Wavelet Transform (WT), with complex Morlet mother wavelet. From the phase difference between the wind velocity s vertical component (w) and temperature (T), obtained through wavelet s cross spectrum, the presence of GW (phase difference near to 90º criterion) were detected. The next step was to establish categories to analyse Pantanal NBL characteristic state phenomena, which were based on LLJ, GW and length groups of occurrence. Such groups are: type 1 LLJ, type 2 LLJ, no LLJ, with GW and no GW. From the amount of data of each group, statistic parameters (variance, skewness, adimensional kurtosis, correlation coefficients and covariances) were estimated by scale, in order to investigate the Pantanal NBL turbulence structure and its variability in scale under the action of each of these groups. It was noticed that, above all groups, type 1 LLJ is the most global intermittence provocative forcing in all micrometeorological series of data in Pantanal. On the other hand, type 2 LLJ is the less global intermittence provocative forcing. With GW group shows an intermediate behavior between groups type 1 LLJ and type 2 LLJ when considering global intermittence promotion. The length scales 0.4m to 5000m were resolved in this study. It was also noticed that Pantanal NBL shows two scale bands with remarkable different characteristics due to predominant distinct forcings in it. For the first length scale band it prevails a mechanical force in the statistical parameters behavior, to all groups and in both seasons. For the second length scale band it prevents the action of buoyancy forces and mesoscale effects in the statistical parameters behavior in Pantanal. As a result, it predominate stable conditions in the dry season; in the wet season, however, NBL may present as a slightly unstable layer, due to a bigger water heat capacity and its ability to behave as a energy sink during the day and heat source during the night. The early evening transition period clearly shows a stable behavior to the dry season and unstable to the wet season. / Investiga-se a estrutura da turbulência na Camada Limite Noturna (CLN) acima do Pantanal Mato-Grossense sob a influência de jatos de baixo nível (JBN s) e ondas de gravidade (OG s). Os dados experimentais são provenientes do Experimento Interdisciplinar do Pantanal (IPE), na estação seca (IPE-2), realizado no período entre 07 e 22 de Setembro de 1999, e na estação inundada (IPE-3), realizado no período entre 16 e 28 de Fevereiro de 2002, na base de estudos da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, no município de Corumbá. Utilizaram-se dados de radiossondagens para identificar a presença e classificar os JBN s como: JBN tipo 1 (jato associado à blindagem da superfície) e JBN tipo 2 (jato que promove mistura de cima para baixo). Além dos dados de radiossondagem, utilizaram-se dados de resposta rápida (componentes da velocidade do vento, temperatura e umidade) medidos em torre micrometeorológica de 25m de altura a uma taxa de amostragem de 16Hz (IPE-2) e 8Hz (IPE-3). Os dados de resposta rápida foram decompostos em tempo e escala via Transformada em Ondeletas (TO), com ondeleta-mãe complexa de Morlet. A partir da diferença de fase entre a componente vertical da velocidade do vento (w) e temperatura (T), obtida através do espectro cruzado de ondeleta, detectou-se a presença de OG s (critério de diferenças de fase próximas de 90º).A partir disso estabeleceram-se categorias para análise de fenômenos característicos do estado da CLN pantaneira, as quais, se basearam em classes de ocorrência de JBN, de OG e duração das mesmas. As classes são: com JBN tipo 1, com JBN tipo 2, sem JBN, com OG e sem OG. A partir do conjunto de dados de cada classe, foram estimados parâmetros estatísticos (variâncias, skewnesses, curtoses adimensionais, coeficientes de correlação e covariâncias), por escala, para investigar a estrutura da turbulência na CLN do Pantanal e sua variabilidade em escala sob a ação de cada uma dessas classes. Observouse que o JBN tipo 1, entre todas as classes, é o forçante que mais promove intermitência global nas séries de dados micrometeorológicos do Pantanal. Por outro lado, a classe JBN tipo 2 é o forçante que menos promove intermitência global. A classe com OG apresenta um comportamento intermediário entre as classes JBN tipo 1 e JBN tipo 2 na promoção de intermitência global. Foram resolvidas escalas de comprimento de 0,4m até 5000m. Observou-se, também, que a CLN do Pantanal apresenta duas bandas de escalas com características marcadamente diferentes devido aos forçantes distintos predominantes nas mesmas. Para a primeira banda de escalas de comprimento predomina a ação mecânica no comportamento dos parâmetros estatísticos, para todas as classes e nas duas estações. Para a segunda banda de escalas de comprimento predomina a ação das forças de flutuabilidade e efeitos de mesoescala no comportamento dos parâmetros estatísticos no Pantanal. Como consequência disto, na estação seca predominam condições estáveis e na estação inundada, a CLN pode apresentar-se como uma camada levemente instável, devido a maior capacidade térmica da água e de sua capacidade de comportar-se como sumidouro de energia durante o dia e fonte de calor durante a noite. O período de transição tarde-noite demonstra claramente um comportamento estável para a estação seca e instável para a estação inundada.

[pt] Esta pesquisa buscou verificar as diferenças entre os perfis e condições de trabalho/estudo dos turnos diurno e noturno de alunos do curso de pedagogia de uma instituição pública do estado do Rio de Janeiro. As condições de formação e de desenvolvimento do trabalho estudantil desses estudantes foram cotejadas através do olhar do próprio estudante e de seus professores. Procuramos caracterizar as possíveis diferenças de oportunidades de formação oferecidas nos dois turnos. Como já analisado pela literatura, estudantes de pedagogia são oriundos geralmente de estratos de camadas populares, e demandariam, portanto, condições humanas e materiais para maior dedicação e investimento no curso superior, de modo a contrabalançar as possíveis deficiências de sua formação básica. Realizamos entrevistas com 16 professores do curso de pedagogia da instituição pesquisada, aplicamos 334 questionários a estudantes de ambos os turnos, recebemos 57 relatos de estudantes sobre a sua experiência no curso e desenvolvemos 15 conversas informais com os estudantes dos dois turnos. Além deste material, procuramos caracterizar as condições de infraestrutura da universidade para o atendimento desses alunos, bem como o aproveitamento do curso e das oportunidades oferecidas pela universidade a eles. Os conceitos de habitus, capital cultural, trajetória e estratégia de Bourdieu foram fundamentais para este estudo. Apoiamo-nos ainda na bibliografia sobre qualidade da educação, tema investigado por duas décadas pelo SOCED, de cuja equipe faço parte. Em analogia aos estudos sobre o efeito escola, propusemo-nos a focalizar o efeito universidade. Neste sentido, o efeito universidade foi analisado a partir da organização dos processos acadêmicos, dos espaços universitários (bibliotecas, salas de estudo, áreas livres, etc), dos recursos de apoio acadêmico – conferências, eventos, bolsas de diferentes tipos (PIBIC, PIBID, de monitoria, de extensão...) – e do próprio clima universitário no sentido de ambiente favorecedor de atividades acadêmicas/culturais, sociais para os estudantes. Com este conjunto de elementos procuramos levantar algumas hipóteses sobre o efeito turno, identificando algumas diferenças que merecem uma maior reflexão sobre as desigualdades de oportunidades de formação entre os dois turnos. / [en] This research analyzes the differences between the profiles and working/study conditions of diurnal and nocturnal schedules for students of pedagogy of a public institution in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The training and working development conditions of these students were collated through the eyes of the students themselves and their teachers. We have sought to characterize possible differences in training opportunities in both day and night schedules. As it has already been discussed in the specialized literature, pedagogy students generally come from lower class strata, and therefore these students require human and material conditions for greater commitment and investment in a higher education course in order to counterbalance the possible shortcomings of their basic training. 16 professors of pedagogy of the institution studied have been interviewed, 334 questionnaires to students in both diurnal and nocturnal schedules have been applied, 57 students have written reports about their experience in the course and we have had 15 informal conversations with students of the two schedules. In addition to this material, we have sought to characterize the conditions of the university infrastructure to treat these students as well as the use of the course and the opportunities offered by the university to them. Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, cultural capital, trajectory and strategy were essential for this study. We also base it on the literature on quality of education, a theme that has been researched for two decades by SOCED, whose staff I am part of. In analogy to the studies on the school effect, we have decided to focus on the university effect. Thus, the university effect has been analyzed from the organization of the academic processes of the university buildings (such as libraries, study rooms, open spaces, etc.), the academic support resources – conferences, events, scholarships of different types (PIBIC, PIBID, monitoring, extension...) – and the university atmosphere which promotes academic, cultural and social activities for students. With this set of elements, we have sought to raise some hypotheses about the schedule effect, identifying some differences that deserve further consideration of the inequalities in educational opportunities between those students who study in the morning and those ones who study in the evening.

Ao considerar que os distúrbios respiratórios relacionados ao sono, apneia obstrutiva do sono (AOS) e dessaturação noturna de oxigênio (DNO), podem estar presentes em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), este estudo teve como objetivos: (1) estimar a frequência de AOS e DNO na amostra e nos graus e categorias GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease); (2) avaliar a relação da presença de AOS e DNO no agravamento clínico de pacientes com DPOC. Estudo transversal em 56 pacientes com DPOC estável e pressão parcial arterial de oxigênio (PaO2) diurna > 60 mmHg, submetidos à coleta dos seguintes dados: demográficos, antropométricos e de hábito tabágico; relato de ronco e sonolência diurna; número de exacerbações e hospitalizações; escala de dispneia do Medical Reserch Council modificada; teste de avaliação da DPOC; escala de sonolência de Epworth; espirometria; gasometria arterial; hemograma; monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial e polissonografia. Os pacientes foram classificados em graus e categorias GOLD e divididos em 3 grupos de estudo: grupo DPOC pura, grupo síndrome de sobreposição (SS) e grupo dessaturador (D). Os resultados mostraram: 30 pacientes do sexo masculino (54%); idade: 63,7 (DP=7,3) anos; índice de massa corpórea (IMC): 25,2 (DP=4,3) Kg/m2; circunferência do pescoço: 38,4 (DP=3,2) cm; 46% tabagistas; carga tabágica: 50,0 (DP=20,7) anosmaço; volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1): 56,4 (DP=19,8) % do previsto; PaO2: 78,3 (DP=8,0) mmHg; saturação arterial de oxigênio (SaO2): 95,5 (DP=1,4) %; 29 pacientes (52%) eram do grupo DPOC pura, 14 (25%) do grupo SS e 13 (23%) do grupo D; frequência de AOS e DNO na amostra: 25% e 23%, respectivamente; frequência de AOS nos GOLD 1234: 14%, 24%, 25%, 50% (p=0,34) e GOLD ABCD: 44%, 15%, 25%, 26% (p=0,31), respectivamente; frequência da DNO nos GOLD 1234: 29%, 24%, 19%, 25% (p=0,88) e GOLD ABCD: 11%, 20%, 25%, 30% (p=0,35), respectivamente. Evidências de diferença estatística entre os 3 grupos: sexo (DPOC pura: 48% de homens versus SS: 86% versus D: 31%; p<0,01); IMC (DPOC pura: 23,9 (DP=3,8) versus SS: 24,7 (DP=4,6) versus D: 28,6 (DP=3,5) Kg/m2; p<0,01); circunferência do pescoço (DPOC pura: 37,4 (DP=2,7) versus SS: 40,0 (DP=2,9) versus D: 38,9 (DP=3,9) cm; p=0,03); relato de sonolência diurna (DPOC pura: 17% versus SS: 0 versus D: 38%; p=0,03); SaO2 diurna (DPOC pura: 95,8 (DP=1,5) % versus SS: 95,8 (DP=1,1) % versus D: 94,7 (DP=1,3) %; p=0,04); descenso noturno diastólico (DPOC pura: 6,5 (DP=7,0) % versus SS: 2,3 (DP=7,3) % versus D: 5,6 (DP=7,0) %; p=0,04). Conclui-se que, em pacientes com DPOC, a frequência de AOS e DNO foi elevada na amostra e não sofreu influência dos graus ou categorias GOLD; encontrou-se associação entre a presença de AOS e o sexo masculino, maior circunferência do pescoço e menor descenso noturno diastólico; e a presença de DNO associou-se com o sexo feminino, maior IMC, maior relato de sonolência diurna e menor SaO2 diurna. Estas características podem contribuir para diferenciar clinicamente os grupos SS e D do grupo DPOC pura / While considering that the sleep-related breathing disorders, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and nocturnal oxygen desaturation (NOD) may be present in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), this study aimed to: (1) to estimate the frequency of OSA and NOD in the sample and in the GOLD degrees and categories (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease); (2) to assess the relationship of the presence of OSA and NOD in the clinical aggravation of patients with COPD. Transversal study in 56 patients suffering from stable COPD and daytime partial arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) > 60 mmHg, subjected to the collection of the following data: demographic and anthropometric data, and smoking habit; report of snoring and daytime sleepiness; number of exacerbations and hospitalizations; modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale; COPD assessment test; Epworth Sleepiness Scale; spirometry; arterial gasometry; hemogram; ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and polysomnography. The patients were classified in GOLD degrees and categories and divided into 3 study groups: pure COPD group, overlap syndrome (OS) and desaturator group (D). The results showed: 30 male patients (54%); age 63,7 years old (DP=7,3); body mass index (BMI) 25,2 Kg/m2 (DP=4,3); neck circumference 38,4 cm (DP=3,2); 46% smokers; smoking load 50,0 pack years (DP=20,7); forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) 56,4% of the expected (DP=19,8); PaO2 78,3 mmHg (DP=8,0); arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) 95,5% (DP=1,4); 29 patients (52%) belonged to the pure COPD group, 14 (25%) to the OS group and 13 (23%) to the D group; frequency of OSA and NOD in the sample: 25% and 23%, respectively; frequency of OSA in the GOLD 1234: 14%, 24%, 25%, 50% (p=0,34) and GOLD ABCD: 44%, 15%, 25%, 26% (p=0,31), respectively; NOD frequency in the GOLD 1234: 29%, 24%, 19%, 25% (p=0,88) and GOLD ABCD: 11%, 20%, 25%, 30% (p=0,35), respectively. Evidences of statistical difference among the three groups: sex (pure COPD: 48% men versus OS: 86% versus D: 31%; p<0,01); BMI (pure COPD: 23,9 (DP=3,8) versus OS: 24,7 (DP=4,6) versus D: 28,6 (DP=3,5) Kg/m2; p<0,01); neck circumference (pure COPD: 37,4 (DP=2,7) versus OS: 40,0 (DP=2,9) versus D: 38,9 (DP=3,9) cm; p=0,03); report of daytime sleepiness (pure COPD: 17% versus OS: 0 versus D: 38%; p=0,03); daytime SaO2 (pure COPD: 95,8% (DP=1,5) versus OS: 95,8% (DP=1,1) versus D: 94,7% (DP=1,3); p=0,04); diastolic sleep dip (pure COPD: 6,5% (DP=7,0) versus OS: 2,3% (DP=7,3) versus D: 5,6% (DP=7,0); p=0,04). It was concluded that, in patients with COPD, the OSA and NOD frequency was high in the sample and was not influenced by GOLD grades or categories. An association between the presence of OSA and the male sex, a larger neck circumference and a smaller diastolic sleep dip was found; and the presence of the NOD was associated with the female sex, a larger BMI, a more significant report of daytime sleepiness and a smaller daytime SaO2. These characteristics may contribute to differentiate clinically the OS and D groups from the pure COPD group

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar as condições meteorológicas favoráveis e desfavoráveis à dispersão de poluentes, com ênfase no ozônio, nas áreas urbanas associadas à Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP) e a Grande Santiago (GS). Medidas de concentração de estações localizadas em ambas as áreas de estudo foram utilizadas para determinar o comportamento médio, o número de ocorrências de ultrapassagens de padrão de qualidade do ar e o aumento noturno das concentrações de ozônio num período de dez anos. Foi encontrado que o máximo horário acontece próximo das 14 horas (horário local) nas duas regiões, e que existe uma tendência à diminuição no número de ultrapassagens do padrão de qualidade do ar associado a este poluente. Na RMSP é possível observar um máximo secundário durante a madrugada, enquanto que este fenômeno não é claramente observado nos valores médios de concentração na GS. Com dados da Reanálise do NCEP/NCAR foi visto que a ocorrência deste fenômeno está associada a configurações sinóticas específicas na GS, enquanto que na RMSP não existe padrão sinótico específico que diferencie casos com e sem aumento de ozônio noturno. Um novo módulo fotoquímico (NPM), contendo 95 reações foi inserido no modelo BRAMS na tentativa de melhorar o prognóstico das concentrações de poluentes, principalmente em relação ao ozônio. O NPM mostrou melhor desempenho que o módulo fotoquímico original do modelo (SPM; Simple Photochemical Module) para todos os poluentes considerados, salvo o ozônio, para o qual o SPM apresentou melhores índices estatísticos em 5 das 7 estações avaliadas. As características locais associadas à ocorrência simultânea ou não de aumento na concentração de ozônio foram estudadas utilizando o modelo BRAMS com o módulo SPM ativado, sendo verificado que o aumento de ozônio na RMSP está associado, principalmente, ao transporte vertical deste poluente a partir de níveis mais elevados da atmosfera, enquanto que o transporte horizontal é a maior contribuição para o aumento das concentrações de ozônio durante o período noturno na GS. / This work aimed to analyze the favorable and unfavorable meteorological conditions for pollutant dispersion, especially ozone, at the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP) and the Greater Santiago (GS). Ozone concentration measurements from stations located in both urban areas were used to determinate the mean behavior, the number of standard air quality exceedances and the increase on nocturnal ozone concentration over a 10 years period. It was found that the diurnal maximum occurs around 14 local time in both urban areas, and that there is a diminishment tendency of the total cases of standard air quality exceedances during all period. A secondary maximum of ozone concentration was observed in MASP at night, which was not clearly seen on mean values over GS. By using the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data it was seen that the occurrence of this phenomenon is associated to specific synoptic patterns for GS, while there is no specific synoptic pattern for the MASP cases, with or without nocturnal increase in ozone concentrations. A New Photochemical Module (NPM), containing 95 reactions was coupled to BRAMS model in an attempt to improve the prediction of air pollutants, especially ozone. The NPM showed a better performance than the original module, the SPM (Simple Photochemical Module), for all considered pollutants but ozone. For this pollutant, the SPM presents better statistical indexes for 5 of the 7 stations analyzed. The local characteristics related to simultaneous occurrence of nocturnal ozone increase was studied using the SPM-BRAMS model, which showed that the secondary nocturnal maximum of ozone concentrations in MASP are related to vertical transport of this pollutant from higher levels of the atmosphere to the surface, while the horizontal transport is a major contributor to the increase of ozone concentrations in the GS during the night.

M.Sc. / The grassland biome of South Africa harbours rich ecosystem diversity. Some of the distinctive features of grassland biodiversity in South Africa include globally significant centres of plant endemism, half of the country's endemic mammal species, a third of its endangered butterfly species and 10 of 14 of its globally threatened bird species. Grassland is one of the most inadequately maintained biomes in Southern Africa because 23% is under cultivation, 60% is irreversibly transformed and most of the remaining natural area is used as rangeland for livestock. Only 2% of the grassland biome is currently protected. Grasslands provide essential ecosystem services for economic development, but this biome also supports a large human population whose resource demands have serious environmental implications that threaten the grasslands‘ biodiversity. Urbanisation is possibly one of the major immediate threats to the grassland ecology in South Africa. This is also the case in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (COHWHS) and adjacent areas. New housing complexes and informal housing are encroaching on the COHWHS. Indigenous fauna and flora are being affected by ecologically insensitive urban development. This poses a major threat to the fauna of this region including the insects that occur in grassland habitats. The insects play a vital role as pollinators in grassland habitats and form an essential food source to a range of predators, including grass owls, shrews, bull frogs, lizards and bats. In order to conserve the insects and therefore the food web of which they form part, it is necessary to understand the diversity of the insects in the grassland in the dolomitic areas. The COHWHS is a world renowned heritage site devoted to the origin of humankind and is characterised by dolomitic caves. These caves are also the home of a large population of bats consisting of several species. The negative impact on the grasslands in the COHWHS and surroundings pose a threat to the survival of these bat populations if the food source they depend on is negatively affected. For this reason it is important to determine which flying nocturnal insect species are available in the grasslands surrounding bat roosts in the COHWHS and surroundings. 3 The choice of location for the primary trap site was made on the basis of its proximity to known bat roosts and the fact that it is situated in a nature reserve that, although the river is polluted, contains an otherwise relatively unspoilt grassland habitat. Sampling took place over a period of 14 months during which fluctuations in the insect population was observed. The fluctuations can be ascribed to seasonal climate changes and the three veld fires that occurred during this period. This fluctuation was most evident in the representatives of the Orders Lepidoptera and Coleoptera sampled.

Cette étude se propose de dégager les variations du thème des oiseaux de nuit dans la Grèce ancienne, médiévale et moderne et de présenter une explication de ces différences en fonction du contexte historique, socioculturel et religieux. Pour la période ancienne, un inventaire des oiseaux de nuit a été établi et les occurrences concernant ces oiseaux dans la littérature, l’histoire, la mythologie et l’art ont été relevées. L’étude des oiseaux de nuit a été reprise à l’époque médiévale suivant la même approche en nous intéressant à la manière dont les principales caractéristiques des oiseaux de nuit ont été revues à la lumière de la conception judéo-chrétienne du monde, ainsi que dans d’autres textes comme le Physiologos, les nombreux Bestiaires, les Cyranides et le Poulologos.Enfin, pour la période moderne, notre attention s’est portée sur la place qu’occupent les oiseaux de nuit dans les chansons populaires, proverbes, fables, contes, poèmes et la littérature de jeunesse ainsi que dans les représentations qui leur sont associées dans l’art, l’artisanat, les emblèmes, timbres poste et monnaies. Cette étude diachronique vise à recenser les différentes espèces d’oiseaux et à évaluer le rôle qu’elles ont joué dans la pensée grecque au fil des siècles. Elle vise à établir -ou non- la continuité de leur symbolisme en fonction des conditions propres à la période envisagée. / This study has distinguished variations in the theme of nocturnal birds in Ancient, Medieval and Modern Greece, as well as presented an explanation within the historical, socio-cultural, and religious contexts. For the Ancient Greek timeframe, in an effort to outline symbolism, an inventory of nocturnal birds mentioned in zoological texts was created whereby the mention of such birds in literature, history, mythology, and art was also accounted for. The same approach was employed for the Medieval Greek timeframe. The study first focused on the revisions made to the main characteristics of these birds within the Judeo-Christian mindset, as opposed to Ancient Greece. These changes were not only adopted, but reinforced by other texts such as the Physiologos and many Bestiaries. The study then focused on the medico-magical traits of these nocturnal birds as outlined in the Cyranides, which contrasts with the Poulologos’ satire of Byzantine society by the intermediary of the birds’ behavior and biting remarks. Lastly, for the Modern Greek timeframe, the study explored the importance of nocturnal birds in folk songs, proverbs, fables, short stories, poems and youth literature. Further, the study outlined the birds’ privileged place in art, artisanal work, signs and emblems, postage stamps, and money. This diachronic study aimed to catalog the different bird species and to evaluate the role that they played in the development of the Greek line of thought through the centuries. It was also the study’s goal to ultimately establish—or not—the continuity of the symbolism as it relates to the time-specific conditions of each era.

Introdução: A enurese (EN) é uma condição clínica de etiologia multifatorial com característica de perda de urina intermitente no período noturno que promove uma dificuldade ao convívio social da criança/adolescente e pode ser afetada pela presença de comorbidades e por imaturidade do sistema nervoso na regulação central sobre o funcionamento vesical. O conjunto de eventos promotores do episódio da enurese, desde o enchimento vesical durante o sono até a deflagração do esvaziamento vesical involuntário sem acordar constitui-se no foco principal de abordagem clínico-laboratorial e terapêutica. Objetivo: Estudar o impacto de uma avaliação multidisciplinar do indivíduo com enurese noturna monossintomática (ENM) sobre a eficácia terapêutica dos métodos tradicionalmente utilizados em sua abordagem, assim como comparar, pela polissonografia (PSG), os efeitos da intervenção sobre a estrutura do sono. Método: Estudo prospectivo de crianças de 6 a 17 anos incompletos, com ENM, diagnosticada por avaliação multidisciplinar utilizando anamnese estruturada com enfoque nefropediátrico, exame clínico, diários das eliminações, ultrassonografia de rins e vias urinárias, análises laboratoriais de sangue e urina, exame neurológico, diário do sono, questionários de avaliação do sono e polissonografia, avaliação psicológica de distúrbios do comportamento pelo CBCL e da qualidade de vida pelo PedsQL 4.0 e avaliação fisioterapêutica do equilíbrio. Condições crônicas e genéticas constituíram exclusão do protocolo. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do HCFMUSP de número 0649/10 e apoio da FAPESP (2011/17589-1). Das 140 crianças/adolescentes ingressantes, foram excluídos 58 (41,4%) por comorbidades não tratáveis e/ou não aderência ao protocolo, 82/140 (58,6%) pacientes com ENM foram incluídos para intervenção terapêutica em três grupos de tratamento (alarme, desmopressina e alarme com desmopressina). A resposta à intervenção terapêutica foi avaliada no período pós-intervenção imediato (após seis meses de tratamento) e tardio (após 12 meses da suspensão do tratamento). A PSG foi realizada pré e pós-tratamento para análise comparativa da estrutura do sono. Resultados: Dos 82 pacientes, com idade média de 9,5 anos (? 2,6), 62 eram do sexo masculino (75,6%). Diagnosticou-se antecedente familiar de EN em 91,1% considerando parentes de 1° e 2° graus, constipação em 81,7% e apneia leve/moderada em 40,7%. A avaliação fisioterapêutica realizada na fase pré-intervenção demonstrou presença de alteração no controle do equilíbrio nos pacientes com enurese. A associação entre os fatores reconhecidos na abordagem clínica inicial e a gravidade da enurese (% de episódios/mês) na fase préintervenção, apresentou significância para prematuridade (p=0,03). Previamente à randomização, após abordagem clínica de constipação e/ou terapia comportamental simples, verificou-se cura de 7/82 pacientes. Foram randomizados para tratamento nas três modalidades de intervenção 75 pacientes. Durante a fase de intervenção ocorreram 14/75 (18,7%) desistências, principalmente no grupo alarme (p=0,00). Verificou-se nos 61 pacientes em tratamento, sucesso inicial (resposta completa e parcial) em 56,6% do grupo alarme, 70% do grupo desmopressina e 64% do grupo combinado (p=0,26). Sucesso contínuo (SC) ocorreu em 70% do grupo Alarme, 84,2% do grupo Desmopressina e 100% do grupo combinado (p=0,21). A recidiva ocorreu em 3/20 (15%) pacientes do grupo Alarme e 1/19 (5,2%) do grupo Desmopressina. O sucesso terapêutico se associou a redução nos escores de problemas de comportamento e melhora dos escores de qualidade de vida dos pacientes. A análise comparativa do sono pré e pós-intervenção nos pacientes com e sem alarme demonstrou aumento dos microdespertares (p=0,00), diminuição da eficiência do sono (p=0,02), diminuição de N2 (p=0,00) no grupo alarme. Conclusão: A enurese é um distúrbio multifatorial que exige uma abordagem diagnóstica estruturada. No presente estudo, a abordagem terapêutica utilizando três metodologias de intervenção demonstrou eficácia semelhante. Os benefícios associados ao sucesso terapêutico são amplos, sugere-se, no entanto, que a terapia com alarme possa repercutir negativamente na estrutura do sono / Introduction: Enuresis (NE) is a clinical condition of multifactorial etiology with intermittent nocturnal urine loss characteristic at night that leads to difficulties in child / adolescent social interaction. It can be affected by comorbidities and by immaturity of the central nervous system in the regulation of bladder function. The range of events of the bedwetting episode, from bladder filling until the involuntary triggering of bladder emptying during sleep, constitutes the main focus for clinical-laboratory and therapeutic approach. Objective: To study the impact of a multidisciplinary assessment of the patient with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) on the therapeutic efficacy of the interventions traditionally used in its approach, and to compare, by polysomnography (PSG), the effects of intervention on sleep structure. Method: Prospective study of children, of 6 to 17 incomplete years, with MNE diagnosed by multidisciplinary assessment, based on: pediatric nephrology - oriented structured history, clinical examination, kidney and urinary tract ultrasound, laboratory tests of blood and urine and daily bladder and intestinal elimination diaries; neurological examination, sleep diary and sleep questionnaires and PSG; psychology evaluation using CBCL and PedsQL 4.0 questionnaires; physiotherapic evaluation of balance. The study was approved by the HCFMUSP Ethics Committee in Research of number 0649/10 and was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Grant # 2011/17589-1. Of the 140 children/adolescents entering the study, 58 (41.4%) were excluded because of non - treatable comorbidities and / or nonadherence to study protocol, 82/140 (58.6%) patients with MNE were included for therapeutic intervention in three treatment groups (alarm, desmopressin and alarm with desmopressin). The response to therapeutic intervention was evaluated in the immediate and late post-intervention period, respectively after six of treatment and after 12 months of posttreatment follow-up. Pre and post intervention PSG were compared to evaluate therapy impact on the structure of sleep. Results: Of 82 patients, 62 were male (75.6%) with mean age of 9.5 years (± 2.6). Family history of NE was diagnosed in 91.1% of first and second degree relatives, constipation in 81.7% and mild/moderate apnea in 40.7%. The physical therapy preintervention evaluation identified an alteration in the balance control of the MNE patients. In the pre-intervention phase, an association of prematurity with severity of enuresis (% of episodes/month) (p = 0.03) was identified. Enuresis cure was achieved, prior to randomization, after clinical approach to constipation and / or simple behavioral therapy, by 7/82 patients, 75 patients were randomized to treatment with three modes of intervention. During the intervention phase, a dropout rate of 14/75 (18.7%) patients was verified, especially in the alarm group (p = 0.00). Initial success (complete and partial response) was observed in 56.6% patients of the alarm group, 70% of the desmopressin group and 64% of the combined group (p = 0.26). Continued success (SC) occurred in 70% patients of the alarm group, 84.2% of desmopressin group and 100% of the combined group (p = 0.21). Recurrence occurred in 3/20 (15%) patients of the alarm group and 1/19 (5.2%) of desmopressin group. Therapeutic success was associated with a reduction in scores for behavioral problems and with improvement of patients\' quality of life scores. The comparative analysis between pre and post-intervention sleep structure parameters, in patients treated with and without alarm, showed increased arousals (p=0.00), decreased sleep efficiency (p = 0.02), decreased N2 (p = 0.00) in the alarm group. Conclusion: Enuresis is a multifactorial disorder that requires a structured diagnostic approach. In the present study, three therapeutic intervention methodologies demonstrated similar efficacy. The benefits associated with treatment success are multiple; the present study data suggest, however, that alarm therapy can have a negative effect on sleep structure